1. One Year Later

1

ONE YEAR LATER

ALEXANDER

" I s it all you expected it to be, bro?" Tess, my younger sister—just by a few minutes, asked me through the cellphone call we finally managed to connect after finding a convenient time for us both that worked. "I still don't get why you left the luxury comforts of home a week earlier than start working at the hospital. You know Mom…"

"Tess, we've been through this." I cut her off. "I told Jayden and Hunter the same thing." I sighed loudly at her. "I wanted to find my feet and get a sense of the area. I wanted to meet people and?—"

"I knew I should have pulled out the big guns and asked the older brothers to talk to you rather than our two little ones. I'm sure Blake and Archie would have locked you in your apartment or taken the keys to your Land Rover or something if I'd asked them too. They can never refuse anything I ask of them." She chuckled down the line before letting out a slight sniffle. "I just don't like knowing you picked to move away from us all. I want you back where I can just drive five minutes down the road and grab a coffee with my brother."

"Don't you mean your favorite brother," I retorted back to her as I heard her blow her nose quickly before silence filled the line. I knew it was her attempting to pull herself together without trying to hurt me any more than she needed to. I still didn't get why she didn't understand I knew she was hurting. We had a bond unlike any of the other St. James' siblings could have—a connection we shared that was truly unique and unbreakable. It just was going to be tested with us being apart now. It was why the decision to move was so difficult to make in the end. I love all my siblings but my twin—she's my everything. It didn't matter that we came from power, money and an upstanding family—it could all be whisked away tomorrow and I wouldn't care in the slightest. I would always care about my siblings and my loved ones, no matter what happened. It was why I was the brother who just couldn't say no to anything asked of me, and why I shocked the whole St. James' clan by taking this job away from them all. "Tess, like I said I needed a change from the private high-end clinic I was in and this was too good a position to turn down. I wanted to support more of the community," I stated for what must have been the fifth time in the last couple of days. If I was honest, it was another reason why I'd left when I did. I just needed everyone to stop trying to change my mind and keep me within the family's tight bubble they had. I mean, I knew the family name held power and a lot of ties, but I wanted to be known for my skills in my own field and not for our namesake alone. Hence stepping out here and taking the job at Hope Liberty Hospital. "You are welcome to visit me here at any time. I'll always have room for you."

"Promise," Tess choked out as I glanced up at the sky. I hated knowing I was the cause of her pain. Tess had always been dependent on me, and I hated knowing me being apart from her hurt her so much. I hoped now that we were in our mid-twenties, she'd have more independence from me, but it seemed that the security she leaned on from me kept her grounded the most. Maybe this move would actually help her see she could stand on her own two feet more without me always being around the corner. "I just…"

"Always, Tess," I cut in. "Now I've got to go, but you know you can call or text me, Jayden, Hunter, Blake or Archie. One of us will answer. You're not alone," I confirmed knowing that was the thought going through her mind.

I hated having to cut our call short but if I prolonged the inevitable it would only make things harder for Tess to finally say goodbye—short and sweet was the best way possible I thought. I'd call her again in a couple of days to check in. I just knew how tearful the two of us could get together when we started letting our emotions out. Tess was the only person who could bring my tears to the forefront within moments, and I needed to be strong for the two of us. I know to some people that may sound pathetic, but she was my everything—if she hurt, I hurt.

I ended the call and inhaled a deep breath before I slid my cell phone into my jeans pocket and looked up at the sky, taking a moment to calm myself. I just needed a second to compose myself before I continued my night. I'd finally unpacked all my belongings into my new home just out on the edge of Hope Springs, after popping into the little corner shop for a few essentials across from Delicious Bakery where I couldn't resist grabbing myself a bagel. It was then, when looking at the notice board whilst waiting for my order, that I spotted a poster for a live band night at Penny Kin's Tavern tonight.

It was the perfect place to finally see what this small town had to offer and finally try and meet some people whilst, of course, having a drink or two after the hard graft of moving in.

I pushed through the double wooden doors and made my way slowly to the bar, instantly noticing the stares of people's eyes fall upon me. There was a note of silence in which I was certain a pin could be heard if it was dropped on the floor.

"Don't mind this lot? They ain't used to seeing a fresh face in the area… what can I get you to drink?" the bar man asked, as he held his hand out for me to shake. "I'm Kin and this place here is all mine."

"I'm Alexander," I uttered back to him as I shook his hand in return. "I'd take a beer if that's okay?" I reached into my pocket as Kin shook his head at me.

"It's on me. Go and take a seat and I'll bring it over to you." He smiled at me as I nodded back in return. "It's tradition for our new patrons."

"How did you know I wasn't someone just passing through?" I asked curiously.

"I just know," Kin replied. "Been doing this job for too many years and trust me I know the ones who are here to stay and the ones who are not," he blurted out. "Welcome to Hope Springs, Alexander. I'm sure you'll fit right in."

After finishing a second beer and watching the first live act perform on the stage I was feeling more relaxed and less like someone who didn't belong here in this bar or even in this small town. I still hadn't made an effort to interact or engage with anyone in the place, but I enjoy being alone sometimes—well apart from when I was with my siblings. The moment the room became quieter and the bar less manic I made the conscious decision to order my final beer of the evening before calling an end to my night.

"Can I grab another one?" I asked Kin as I held my empty glass up at him.

"It's on me. Kin, can you get me the same?" the guy to my right piped up as I turned to greet him. I couldn't help sucking in a deep breath and reached out for the bar top to steady myself. There in front of me stood my perfect guy—a little rough and ready—in ripped jeans, a smart shirt with a the top couple buttons not done up baring a sliver of smooth skin and piercing green eyes that had me captivated. "I'm Lewis."

"Alexander," I huskily replied, unable to move my gaze from that upturned lip of his. "I'm happy to get my own…," I began as he held his hand up and shook his head to silence me. "I'm celebrating tonight so please let me get this." I forced my eyes away from his mouth up to his eyes just for a moment hoping something would tell me to either look away or step toward him. "Please," he whispered. "We can go and talk alone in the corner…" He winked.

I licked my dry lips as Kin placed the beers down in front of us. Lewis waited for my decision. The thing was, nothing had ever been such an easy answer before. It was more the question if Lewis would react the same way to my tempting advances, or if I had already ruined my new start in Hope Springs.

"Come on then," I replied, reaching for my drink before taking a step closer and watching the way Lewis' pupils darkened at my words. "Lead the way," I mouthed out as he turned on his heel and I got a perfect view of his ass in his tight-fitted jeans.

I guess only time would tell if Lewis was just being friendly or wanting so much more. I hoped it was more for the sake of my twitching hard cock.

I mean would it truly be bad to welcome my new start to Hope Springs with a sexy hot man writhing on my sheets?

I didn't think so either…