ALEX WRAPPED his arms around me while I mindlessly pushed around the scrambled eggs on my plate. Sitting at the breakfast bar while he casually sipped his coffee, it was easy to think it was just another morning. The last few weeks had gone a long way to relieve the tension between us, but I wasn’t deluding myself into thinking that it was going to solve our issues and throw us back into marital bliss.
“So, you have any plans for today?” I mumbled, shoving the now cold eggs into my mouth. That’s what normal couples did right? Talk about their day?
“Actually, I do. James and I are going to go over a tour schedule with Chris. She wanted to finalize the timeline.” He carefully brushed the hair away from my neck.
“Oh. There’s a meeting? Shit. I must have missed the memo.” I bolted upright, looking for my iPhone. Crap. When was the last time I had checked my emails? I was back at work, nominally, but Matt and Anna had been handling most things since... Damn. I needed to get back in the game. I felt like I had dropped the ball on work lately, and I really need to get my head back into it. It was the one thing I had no doubts about. In the business world I was still Lexi Reed.
“Baby, the reason you didn’t know about it was because there wasn’t a memo. The rest of the guys aren’t going to be there. It’s just the two of us and Chris.” He gently eased me back onto the stool. “Enjoy your breakfast. Besides, you have plans of your own this morning.”
I was mildly annoyed at not being included in the meeting, sure as PR representation to the band Power Station I wasn’t required to be there, but hell, I was more than just the representation. I thought I was part of the team, not to mention the wife of the lead guitarist who was one of the founding members of the band. Damn it. Why wasn’t I invited?
Easy there, Yoko. It’s his band. Yes you work with them, but it’s still his band, and you really don’t need to be there. Control freak much? Ugh.
“What plans?” I blinked, focusing on the one detail that wasn’t pissing me off. I really didn’t want to fight with him this morning.
My confusion grew as a buzz came from the front door. “Expecting someone?” I raised an eyebrow, just now noticing that he was fully clothed in a fitted white t-shirt and blue jeans, while I was still lounging around in one of his t-shirts and a pair of shorts.
He shot me a devilish smile over his shoulder that told me that he knew exactly who was at the door as he sauntered over to open it. Obviously this was something to do with my plans? The plans that up until now I had no idea were mine and no one had bothered to tell me. HELLO... Didn’t we already establish I was a control freak?
“Jesus Christ, Stone. It looks like Ikea threw up in this place.” Taylah’s massive personality burst into the room before I even saw her.
Taylah Nixon, my former neighbour and possibly my most honest friend was a breath of fresh air. Her witty and unique presence had made my early days in New York not only more pleasurable, but had helped ease me into my new life. What had started as an unlikely friendship was now one of my lifelines.
“TAYLAH,” I screamed as I leaped of the stool and ran to the front door.
“Hey Lex!” She gave me one-armed hug as she pulled her large Jackie-O styled sunglasses from her eyes and surveyed the room.
“I didn’t shop at Ikea, Taylah.” Alex smiled as he rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, Yeah... I can smell the meatballs from here. You know, I get the whole clean lines bullshit you’re going for, but we could do with a few pieces that aren’t mass-produced.” I loved that Taylah was her usually busy self and wasn’t focusing on my apparent fragile state.
Taylah and Dave had visited me briefly before I was discharged from hospital, but since my release I had been holed up in the apartment. I had thrown myself back into work, mostly from home, and had used the absence to develop project ‘rebuilding’ Lexi. We had spoken constantly on the phone, but she had been respectful about giving me space and time to heal. Our longer than usual separation didn’t seem to matter to Taylah—one of the things I loved about her—and I was so glad she wasn’t getting hung up on the how-are-you’s and you’re-looking-so-well’s that everyone else had spouted when they visited me.
“Tay. What are you doing here?” I asked, wondering if she was here for something other than a postmortem on Alex’s decorating style.
“I invited her,” Alex smiled in satisfaction. “The two of you have a date.”
“Huh?” I stared in confusion between them. It seemed that I was the only one apparently out of the loop.
“Lexi, the Dow Jones plummeted sixteen points since you last hit 5th Avenue. Wall Street is in a slump. We’ve got to get you spending before businesses close down, and there is rioting in the streets. The poor skinny poor bitch from Prada is going to have to get her soy, non-fat latte from a McCafe instead of Starbucks, and she’s already had to downgrade from a Venti to a Grande. The country needs you.” Taylah proclaimed dramatically.
The first real laugh in what seemed like weeks burst through my lips. “You’re a freaking nut case.”
“Yeah, so I’m in good company,” she beamed. “Now if you, my fellow nut case, would be so good to put some clothes on, we can go and exercise some economic stimulation.”
Alex folded his arms, his delicious half grin flirting on his lips, while I wrapped my arms around his waist.
“You heard the woman.”
“Alex...” I breathed into his chest. “Thank you.”
He unfolded his arms as he absorbed me into his body. “Baby, I realized that while it kills me to let you out of my sight, it’s not healthy. We both need this. That doesn’t mean I want you taking unnecessary risks or that I won’t be losing my mind until I know you are home safe, but I want you to go and have fun. Get back in the game.”
“And it’s not like Godzilla isn’t coming with us,” Taylah interjected. “Which incidentally I’m not that pissed about. ‘Cause let’s face it, the man has major arm capacity to help us carry shit.”
“Yes, DarNell will be joining you.” Alex laughed. “It’s the only stipulation. Like Taylah said, think of his carrying capacity.”
I pushed my lips firmly against Alex’s mouth as emotions flooded through my body. It was like finally exhaling. I was going out, doing something normal. Well, as normal as it was ever going to get for me.
“Look Lexi, if you’re going to be showing your gratitude, I’ll be happy to step out as long as you make it a quickie,” Taylah coughed.
Alex lightly grabbed my chin as he pulled away. “Go, we wouldn’t want to plunge into another GFC.” He playfully swatted my arse as he turned to walk away.
“OK Tay, give me a few minutes to get decent.”
“Just put clothes on girl. If you are going to try to get decent we’ll be here awhile,” she smirked as I passed her.
I ran into the bedroom and attacked my wardrobe in search of something to wear. I hadn’t had much interest in clothes lately. My post-hospital daily wardrobe consisted of jeans, yoga pants or shorts, topped off with one of Alex’s t-shirts. In all honesty there hadn’t been any need or inclination to dress up.
I slipped on a bright green maxi dress; its cool flowing fabric falling gently around my curves. It dipped low at the back so I was unable to wear a bra, but its halter neck provided ample support for my assets. My mane of brown curls tumbled down my naked shoulders and it was both weird and nice to feel attractive again. A small feeling of dread washed through me as I applied my make-up. I wondered if I was going to be hounded by photographers while we were out. They’d ask questions, ask me about him, ask me about what had happened. Was this a mistake? No. I wouldn’t hide. I needed to get on with my life. Like a Band-Aid, I just needed to rip if off.
Taylah called out to ask me if I was ready as I pulled on my favourite Mimco wedges and grabbed my handbag, leaving my hair loose, but grabbing a headband to keep it off my face.
“Wow.” Alex’s lips twisted into a delicious half grin as he handed me my phone and sunglasses. “I think I’d rather come out with you than head to this meeting.”
“Sorry Stone, but she’s mine today.” Taylah protested. “And we are going to spend an obscene amount of money, so best you aren’t around to witness it.”
“Sounds good to me.” I pulled on my glasses before threading my arms around Alex’s neck as I gently kissed him goodbye.
He hesitated a minute before letting me go. I knew it was hard for him to let me out of his sight. His fiercely protective urge simmered as his jaw tightened, the unspoken concern clouding his beautiful blue eyes. “Have a good time baby.”
“I will baby. See you in a few hours.” I waved as Taylah pulled me through the doorway.
DarNell was patiently waiting on the other side, ushering both Taylah and I toward the elevator. “Ladies.” He held the doors open for us as we entered, before joining us.
“So Lex, where to first? Gucci? Armani? Versace? Or do you just want to start at the top of 5th Avenue and work our way down?” Taylah pushed her Jackie-O glasses back up the bridge of her nose.
“Everywhere,” I breathed as DarNell pressed the button for the basement car park, shaking his head. I could tell this was not going to be nearly as exciting for him as it was for us.
The doors flew open as we reached our destination, the shiny black Escalade parked just to the right of the elevator. TJ waved as we approached.
“TJ, I hadn’t expected you to be here,” I smiled as I slipped into the back seat beside Taylah.
“Hey Lexi. Yeah, we figured it would be easier for me to drop you guys off. I thought I’d save D the aggravation of gridlock,” he winked.
I knew TJ’s presence had more to do with DarNell not wanting to be distracted from his assignment rather than him not wanting to deal with rogue motorists. I wasn’t sure if the directive had come from Alex or if he’d made the decision on his own, either way our entourage had grown. I tried not to let it irritate me, the fact that either of them thought that it was now necessary.
This was my new reality. It wasn’t just that I was now married to a celebrity, it was because an animal, who I had once thought I’d loved, had torn the perception of safety from me. That relationship, which I had been certain I had left in the past, had come back to haunt me a few months ago when he had forced his way into my old apartment. He had taken such joy in my torment, not only sexually assaulting me, but beating me senseless, leaving no doubt that his intention was to kill me. And while I had survived, there is no way Alex would allow even the slightest chance of it happening again.
DarNell climbed into the front passenger seat, and swiveled his head to check out the parking garage before giving TJ the all clear to pull out.
The daylight glow came into focus as we neared the outer doorway and I took a deep breath as we ventured outside my sanctuary; the walls that had shut out the world for weeks. It had been necessary, my exclusion from the outside. In the absence of noise I was starting to find myself. I had even stopped resisting the therapy. And what do you know, the shit was actually starting to work.
A few cameras snapped as the Escalade purred onto the streets. The dark tinted windows hindered the paparazzi’s opportunity of finding out who was inside and to my relief they didn’t follow. I wasn’t up to playing the whole cat and mouse game with shutterbugs.
Taylah prattled on as we navigated through the congested streets, her usual colourful and detailed status report of my old apartment building’s tenants being the topic of conversation.
“I swear, how dumb do you have to be to have an affair with your secretary?” She laughed, “It’s not like it’s the freaking 1990’s. Funny thing is Jack was looking for a little on the side and now he’s being well and truly screwed by his wife and the secretary. He’ll be lucky if he gets to keep anything more than that pathetic rug he tries to pass off as hair. Still can’t say that I’m upset because it not only gets rid of a clearly moronic douchebag, but also frees up that beautiful penthouse apartment that would be perfect for you and Alex. You’ve got to admit, it’s enough square footage to appease Rock Star and it means you’re back in the neighborhood. I see it as a complete win for all parties involved, except obviously not for Jack.” She giggled, amused by poor idiotic Jack’s misfortune.
“And Lilly has totally had a boob job. She’s trying to palm it off like she just lost some weight so had to get a lift, but I can tell her tits are more inflated than the Goodyear Blimp.”
She had me laughing easily as we made our way to Manhattan’s garment district. Those enviable streets between 5th and 9th Avenue had always excited me. Maybe I was shallow or maybe this was just one more thing for which I required therapy, but for me, shopping made me feel alive.
“Can we do something else?” I hesitated at the door as TJ pulled up to the curb with the engine left idling.
“You’re passing up shopping at Chanel? This outta be good,” Taylah mused as she waved TJ back onto the road. “Where to Lex?”
“My old apartment.” I should probably just go shopping, spend an insane amount of money and forget everything, but there was something I wasn’t ready to let go of. I needed resolution and as sad as it was to admit, a new pair of shoes or dress wasn’t going to find it for me. I was either evolving or had totally lost my mind, but either way there was no turning back.