Chapter 6
They met at a popular downtown spot frequented by Detroit natives and visitors alike. Carol got there first, and while waiting sent a quick text to Gabriella, her best friend. Meeting Alex for dinner, she wrote, her thumbs flying over the keys. He got out of the hospital today.
While checking e-mails and Facebook messages, she heard her message indicator ding with Gabriella’s reply. Nice! He’s out already? Keep me posted on this unfolding love affair . . .
Carol laughed out loud as she responded. Unfolding friendship . . . maybe.
Whatever. I just want to be a bridesmaid.
Then you’d better hope that either LaToya or one of the twins gets married. I’m nowhere close to that.
“Hello, sexy.”
Carol’s sharp yet subtle intake of breath was instant, and was only partially due to the fact she hadn’t heard him walk up. Her surprise was from how fine he looked, and how her body continued to react at the mere sight of him. “Hey.”
Anybody looking would have no idea that Alex had taken a bullet not quite forty-eight hours ago. He looked the picture of buffed-up health wearing a covered hoodie beneath a black leather jacket, washed-out jeans, and black leather sneakers. His head was kept from the chill by a knitted cap touting the Philadelphia Eagles logo.
Carol watched as Alex took in his surroundings. “Don’t worry. The food is good. You’ve got to get the wings, though. That’s what Sweetwater’s is known for.”
“Sounds cool,” he said, still checking things out as he removed his cap. Carol fought the urge to run her fingers over his close-cropped curls. “When you invited me to a tavern I thought that either the food was dope or you were trying to get me drunk so you could take advantage; you know, remove my inhibitions so that you can seduce me.”
“Oh, your inhibitions would have to be gone for me to do that?”
“Hell, no, girl. Just say the word and we’d be out of here like lightning!”
“Ha! I thought so.”
They took a moment to place their drink orders and look over the menu. Carol lifted her glass of wine. “To your health.”
Alex nodded, and lifted his cola served straight, no chaser. “No doubt.”
“How are you feeling?” Carol asked, once they’d each taken a sip and Alex had placed down his menu.
“Sore, a bit swollen, but they’ve got me wrapped tight.”
“Anybody looking wouldn’t even know anything was wrong.”
“That’s how I want to keep it.” Alex fixed her with a lopsided smile, the one she remembered had happened often during their single late-night conversation when they were on the road in Oakland, California, working with Gabriella.
“Where’s your brother?”
“Gone back to Philly.”
“Already? He flew down here for only one day; just to see how you were doing?”
“He knows how I am, how I like to handle things on my own. Guess he wasn’t comfortable taking my word that I was all right.”
This was partly true. He and Neil had always been close, and his older brother had always also served as protector. But as important as it had been to check on his health, it had been even more important to secure a safe and aboveboard connection within the Detroit police department. Alex felt good about the officer and detective he’d spoken to earlier that afternoon after Neil had set up their clandestine meeting. He’d given enough information about the shooter he’d seen for them to make a police sketch. The officer believed he knew who it was, a wannabe bad boy with a lightweight rap sheet dating back to his high-school days. The detective had assured both Neil and Alex that the origin of the information would be kept confidential, and that Alex would only be contacted in the event of a trial requiring his testimony. Personally, Alex hoped it wouldn’t come to that. The sooner he healed and left Detroit, and the sooner the holidays were over, the sooner he could get back to doing what he loved: guarding stars and traveling the world.
Carol watched as Alex thought things he obviously didn’t want to share. “Do you think they’ll catch them?”
“Who?”
“Whoever shot you and those other people.”
Alex shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s hard to get witnesses in cases like these; people too afraid to talk.”
“I wish I’d seen what happened. I wouldn’t hesitate to testify. I wanted to look around when I went over there today. But the section where we sat was still cordoned off.”
“You went back to where the shooting occurred, to the club?” The frown on Alex’s face showed his obvious disapproval.
“They finally let us claim our coats, purses, and other items left during the fight.”
“Oh, right. That’s good.”
“Yeah, all of us had checked our coats, and Brandi’s purse and phone were also inside. Not having her iPhone nearly drove her crazy!” Alex nodded, but said nothing more. “Is this your first time in Detroit?”
“I’ve been here a few times; not recently, though. How do you like living back here?”
“It took me a while to adjust to not being on the road. But it felt good to buy a home and get settled; stop living out of a suitcase.”
“You don’t miss the traveling, whirlwind lifestyle?”
“Not really.”
“What are you doing now?”
“I partnered with a former classmate who’s now a businessman, buying and rehabbing old houses. One of our projects being built is a community center and I’ve become very involved in that.”
“Man, I don’t know if I could do it.”
“What, settle down in one place?”
“Yeah, just live a regular life. I’ve only been doing this for a few years, but it gets in your blood, you know? A couple weeks at home chilling with the boys and the family and I’m ready to go.”
“Is that why you don’t have a special lady in your life? Because you’re so addicted to the road?”
“Who says I don’t have a special lady?”
“Do you?” They paused while the waitress came and took their orders. “Well?”
“Do I what?” Carol gave him a look. “Oh, right. A special lady.” He gazed at her as his finger idly circled the rim of his glass. “I’m having drinks with a pretty special lady right now.”
“Thank you, and since you’re dodging my question I’ll take that as a yes.”
“You’d be wrong. I don’t have a girlfriend. You know how life is out there; too much traveling to develop a personal life.” His eyes narrowed. “Unless you’re Troy and Gabriella.”
It had been slight, but Carol noticed the edge to his last statement. “Their relationship still bothers you?”
“Not anymore.”
“But it did at first. I know why.”
“Why?”
“Because you had your own little crush on Gabriella.”
“What man with a heartbeat doesn’t?”
“At least you’re honest. Thanks for that.”
“Troy had a rule about not fraternizing with clients, something he drilled into us on a regular basis. We were threatened with termination if it happened. Then not even a month into the Stone Cold Sexy tour, he up and breaks his own rule, right in our faces. That wasn’t cool.”
“Is that why you left?” Carol asked with an arched brow. “It hurt you that bad?”
“It was a huge double standard. I was pissed. But at that same time Marlon came to me with an offer to head up security for him. It was a promotion. So I took it.” A rowdy group came into the restaurant. Alex paused and checked them out as they sat down. “So do you now understand why I left the company, why I didn’t have the loyalty that you felt I should?”
“It wasn’t my business what you did.”
“Yeah, but you were mad that I did it. That’s why you threw all kinds of shade in Fiji, at the wedding. I thought I was going to have to kidnap you to get a dance.”
“I’ll admit that I was upset when you left so abruptly. I thought we were developing a connection.”
“We were. That’s why I called you and told you what was up before the move was officially announced.”
“You could have told me in person.”
He looked at her, allowed his lids to droop over his sexy, bedroom eyes, and licked his cushy lips. “I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?”
“I’ll think about it.”
The food arrived, and the clanking of silverware soon replaced conversation. Carol sipped her wine, keenly aware of how attracted she was to the man across the table. It had been almost two years since she’d had sex. Something told her that drought was about to come to an end.