29. Chapter 29

Chapter 29

ROMAN

W hat…what…what…? Oh thank God it was just a dream. I don’t know if I’ve ever had a dream like that before. Lots of fighting and screaming and I can’t get to her then she’s gone and I’m standing there alone in the dark. Now I’m sitting here sweating— trying to catch my breath.

I rolled over to see she’s sound asleep next to me. She’s in another peaceful dream state, I hope, and not like the one I just had. It's not normal for me to wake up in the middle of the night, but then nothing about my life has been normal recently. I snuggled up next to her and she moaned but didn’t wake up. I hope I can get back to sleep.

There it is, that annoying alarm clock. She reaches over and turns it off.

“Would you mind if we set that for 6:00, at least, on the weekends, instead of five?” Considering I practically just went back to sleep, I could use another hour.

She said rather dismissively, “I would mind. I like my routine, and I like waking up at five.”

“Fine,” I mumbled, and pulled the pillow over my head.

“Are you going to the gym this morning?” I moaned, hopefully loud enough for her to hear me.

“No, but I am going running. Would you care to join me?” Finally, she invites me to go on a run, and I don’t want to, but I’m not letting her go alone.

“Absolutely, I would love to.” I rolled onto my back and mashed the pillow to my face as I mouthed “fuck” into it.

“Yeah, I’ve heard that one before…Mr. Club guy.” She laughed as she pulled the pillow off my face, lightly hitting me with it.

We ran down to the river with earbuds in, turning them off as we got to the river walk.

“Is it as pleasant going running with me as it is going alone?” I put my arm around her shoulder, pulling her close, kissing her temple.

“I think it is. How do you like it?”

Of course, I loved anything that had to do with her. There were not too many things I wanted to do without her. She was the one who liked to be alone.

“I mean, it’s fine, but I could think of better people I’d like to go running with. ”

“Is that so?” She shoved me off the path. I pulled her to me, kissing her lips as she tried unsuccessfully to push me away.

“So, do you want to swing for a minute? I have something to talk to you about.” I figured I’d get this conversation over with now since I was tired and needed to sit.

She stopped smiling and said, “Is this serious?”

“Maybe, but probably not too serious.” For me and everyone else it wasn’t serious at all, but for her it could be. She’s a little dramatic when it came to her friends.

She had a worried look on her face. “What?”

“No one wanted to bug you this morning or make a big deal about it, but Matt asked me if it would be okay if we all went to brunch today. It would be kind of a get together before the hearing to show our support. The girls wanted me to ask if you wouldn’t mind.”

“Really? I think it would be great. I love the support from everyone, and I feel like I could use it before…”

Before what? There she goes again being cryptic. Maybe she’s secretly related to Grant or something. So secretive.

She was looking down at the ground, swinging her feet. “Alex, before what?”

She popped up and quickly deflected, “Oh nothing, just before I have to see him again.” Hmmm, that didn’t sound like what she was really going to say. I’m getting that strange

feeling back again.

***

ALE X

During our run I thought about the dream I had last night. I need a vacation. Sitting on the beautiful sandy beach with a crystal-clear ocean in front of me, a good book and always a bottle of water. Why not a bottle of wine or vodka? HA!HA! Well, it’s just a dream. In my real life trips to the beach, there is definitely wine and vodka.

“Roman, did the girls get a table for six this morning?” I asked, thinking how we had a standing reservation for three and they booked up quickly at that time.

“I think Maggie did just in case you said yes.” Why wouldn’t I say yes unless they were afraid of my reaction?

“Good. Do I seem really fragile to you?” He put his arm around me, pulling me close.

“Not in the least, honey.”

Bullshit.

“Then why did the girls ask you instead of me about brunch? They’ve been going to you first lately.” God, I sounded like a whiny brat.

“Maggie said she wanted to make sure all the guys wanted to go first before they asked you. The other day when I took the call, it was Maggie, from Matt’s phone because they couldn’t get ahold of you. Alex, you’re everyone’s favorite. From me to the kids. I promise.” Roman explained.

I laughed thinking about the kids running into the house screaming my name. I know he’s right and I’m just overreacting. I don’t know why I’m getting all worked up about this. Probably trying to piss everyone off ahead of time, in case they get mad on Tuesday about what I’m planning to do in the courtroom. Might make it easier. Roman’s right, I can’t overthink this.

We had our usual at the coffee shop. We talked about nothing and laughed about everything. He asked if the guys were going to hear anything juicy at brunch and I said no. How can we talk about them when they're all there?

We ran the rest of the way home after coffee. We made love in the shower then got dressed and sat out in the living room listening to classical music and reading before we walked to brunch. I could get used to this. It’s the same Sunday morning ritual I have anyway.

We were the last to arrive at the restaurant. They were all drinking Bloody Mary’s except Abby; she was drinking a Virgin Mary. We ordered ours when the waitress returned to the table again. This was just what the doctor ordered today. I really needed some time with everyone before Tuesday.

I’m so worried that after Tuesday I could lose all this. I had no one to confide in about it. There’s no one who would ever think this is a good idea. I’m glad I made an appointment with Roman’s mom tomorrow. I was going to need it. I needed to figure out what to say to her to get her to help me without telling her what I was planning to do. I mean everyone was going to find out soon enough. Tuesday was only going to set the hook. I’m going to need him to take the bait for my plan to work, but he’s an arrogant son of a bitch. I doubt it will be a problem at all.

***

ROMAN

Now that she’s living here and I know she’s being watched, I don’t feel like I have to worry about her as much anymore, so I’m going to try and get back to my normal daily activities. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, and she laid her head on mine. I should relish this peaceful moment while I can. After tomorrow I feel like everything’s going to change again. I hope it’s for the better, but my gut is telling me something else. Something Alex isn’t telling me. I hope to God this is my imagination in overdrive.

We had a pleasant walk to the restaurant, and everyone was waiting on us. They had the table set up with the guys on one end and the girls on the other. These girls were too funny. Always wanting to gossip about something. No shortage of good conversation with this group, though, and no one talked about the hearing. I looked over at Alex and she was smiling and laughing with not a care in the world. I was glad to see that.

We had a lot of conversations about the kids and then Abby pointed out, “Alex, you have a bruise on your face? Did you know?” She crinkled up her nose and cautiously looked at me.

Maggie blurted out, when she saw Alex look my way, “Oh My God!!! Roman, did you hit her? I mean, I’m sure she did something to deserve it, but what the hell!” they all laughed except me because I watched her get hit.

Alex said, “Abby, I’m aware that I have a bruise on my cheek. No, Roman didn’t do it. I got it at training last night, but you should see the other guy.” She winked. Again, there was a lot of laughing, just not from me.

Matt looked at me and said, “Hey Roman, how did you do? I take it you're not a fan of her training.”

I shook my head, swallowing the anger that was rising from my chest. “Not at all. I got to witness that particular bruise.”

She smiled cautiously at me, as we went back to more pleasant topics.

“Matt, Jack. I need you both to start taking kickboxing classes with us. Roman said he’ll do it if the two of you do it. It’s one night a week. We do Wednesday right now because of my training sessions but after the hearing is over I may or may not take the training anymore and if I don’t then we can do Saturdays.”

They looked at me and Matt said, “I’m game if you guys are.”

Jack said, “I’m in.”

I looked at Alex and nodded my head, “Ditto.”

“Awesome. This will be so much fun and we need something to do together.”

Brunch was a good time then we said goodbye and walked home.

“So, what would you like to do today?” She had a grin on her face.

“Can we go shopping? I’d like to get something to wear for the hearing.”

“Sure. Where would you like to go?” Any place but the mall. Any place but the mall, please.

She responded, “The mall will be fine. I hate shopping but the new me wants to wear something special on Tuesday.” Of course, the first place she’d think to go was the freaking mall. I guess that’s a good thing— that way we don’t have to spend all day going from place to place.

I grabbed her hand and said, “The mall it is.” We didn’t even bother to go up to the penthouse. We hopped in the car and headed to the mall. I hoped to get this over with ASAP.

***

ALEX

We must’ve gone into ten different stores, and it wasn’t until the last one that I found what I was looking for. It was a dark gray pantsuit with a white collared bodysuit underneath. I found some gray closed toed heels to go with it. I don’t know what the gray represented, maybe a storm, because I was planning to bring a storm with me.

When we got home, I realized I’d never unpacked. I’m wondering, now, if I shouldn’t just wait on that one. I did, however, hang my suit up in the closet. One lonely suit in a huge closet. Looked symbolic to me and sad— very sad.

Roman got out his laptop and sat at the kitchen island to go through his emails to see what he needed to prepare for as far as meetings go tomorrow and I had some phone calls to make. I think I should take the day off.

I called Shay and told her I wasn’t going to the office tomorrow. I told her she could still work from the real estate office if she wanted and if there was anything she thought Darius could be doing with her to go ahead and put him to work. She said that was fine and that she’d see me on Tuesday. I wondered who else was going to be there. That’s when I decided to call my father.

“Hi dad.”

“Hi Ali Marie. What are you up to today?”

He sounded fine, so that’s good.

“Nothing, just calling to ask if you were going to be at the hearing Tuesday.”

There was silence on his end of the line before he said, “I’m going with Edward. He said he wanted to be there.” Now he didn’t sound fine.

“Well, don’t let him get all worked up in there.” I knew dad was the one I was going to be worried about.

He laughed and said, “No promises. I’m not too sure how I’m going to be in there when I see that asshole.”

“You and half the room, I’m sure. I can’t imagine he’s going to have a lot of support in there compared to me. ”

Dad said, “Good, I’m glad you don’t have to do this alone.” We said goodbye and I called my brother.

“Hey.” Edward answered like he was expecting my call.

“Hey, I just talked to dad. He said you’re coming Tuesday. Do you know if Patrick is as well?”

“He said he can’t do it. Doesn’t want to hear what happened to you.”

I figured as much. Not that he’s sensitive, but he gets emotional and has a bad temper— an outburst would be likely.

“I don’t even know what happened to me other than what people told me.” The information itself sets my brain on fire.

“I’m sure someone’s going to have things to say about what happened, and it’s not going to be comfortable for anyone.”

I nodded to myself. “I’m sure you’re right.”

“How are you doing? Are you feeling good about Tuesday?”

“I am. I have so much support and I’ve been training hard to control my mind and not let Tanner get to me in there. I want to warn you that they’re going to say some things to try and make this my fault. I couldn’t say anything to dad about it, but it’s not going to be pretty.”

“I’m sure they are. I hope you don’t let it screw with your head.” He was very encouraging.

“Not a chance, but make sure you give dad a head’s up. Let him know that it’s all bullshit and political theater to try and get Tanner off.”

“I’ll do my best. If dad leaves the courtroom, don’t let it bother you though.”

I nodded again and felt a tear trickle down my cheek. If my dad leaves the courtroom, it’s because his heart just broke .

“Right.” I said over the lump in my throat. We hung up and I took a deep breath as arms wrapped around my waist and I felt Roman’s head rest on my shoulder.

***

ROMAN

I got my laptop out and checked my schedule at the kitchen counter. I’d normally do this in my office down the hall, but I didn’t really want to leave her alone. I wondered if she’d like an office of her own here. I have so many damn rooms that I don’t use. It would be fine if she had one. Hell, she can have as many as she wants for whatever. I popped my head up from the computer when I saw her pacing up and down the hall on the phone. Who’s she talking to so intensely? I walked up behind her as she was hung up and stopped her pacing.

“Everything okay? I feel like I ask you that a lot, don’t I?”

She huffed out a small laugh and said, “My dad’s going to be there Tuesday. Edward just warned me that dad might not be able to handle the things he hears and could leave the courtroom.” I turned her to face me and held her close.

“I understand how he feels. It’s going to be hard for me to hear things in there too, but I can only imagine what it would be like for a father to hear how his daughter was attacked.”

“Not just that, but what they say about me to spin the story.” I hadn’t thought about that. Lord help us, especially her father.

“Is he going to be there alone?” She shook her head, and her eyes were glistening.

“No, Edward’s going with him, but Patrick isn’t. ”

“Does he want to sit with my family?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “I’m sure they’ll probably sit by themselves in the back, but would you introduce them to your family anyway, just in case? Your mom might be helpful. They’re going, aren’t they?”

I nodded. It seemed my family was adamant about being there for some reason. I know they had this thing with the Ellington’s, but this seemed so extreme.

“Yes, they want to show a united front against the Ellington’s.” If that’s really all it is.

She let me know she was taking the day off from work tomorrow and was going to see my mom. I asked her if she wanted me to go with her and she said no. She said she just wanted to talk to her, come home and then have a relaxing night in, and go to bed early. That sounded perfect to me. I took a deep breath, giving her one last squeeze before I kissed her and went back to the computer.

I didn’t have too many meetings scheduled on Monday, but I had plenty of things to do as far as getting the training committee together, talking to the architects about the winery project, and making sure the riverwalk project and the apartments are all on schedule. Alex went back into the bedroom and closed the door. I figured she needed some time to herself.

***

ALEX

I needed to talk to someone about what I had planned. Everyone is just too protective of me. Who would listen without being judgmental, or tell anyone else? I have to sit quietly and think about this for a minute.

I’ve got it!!! brUCE!

I found his name in my contacts and hit the call button. Hopefully, Roman was too busy to come back here and check on me.

“Hey slugger, what’s up?”

“Bruce, I need your help.” My palms were so sweaty. I needed someone to know who’s going to support my decision. Please let Bruce be on my side.

“What’s up? I don’t think I have any more classes for you to take.” He was so good at helping me relax, I couldn’t help but laugh.

“I don’t think I can handle another one of your classes. This is serious though, and as much as I want to talk to you over the phone about it right now, can I come see you tomorrow at the studio? Do you have time?” I couldn’t chance Roman overhearing me.

“I’ve got time in the morning around nine, would that work for you?”

“Yes, thanks.” I felt like that would help, unless he tells me I’m crazy and decided to rat me out. Ugh, more stress but I won’t know anything until tomorrow, so I’m going to relax and enjoy a nice uneventful evening with Roman.

I finally made my way back out to the living room and Roman was sitting on the couch drinking a beer.

He looked up and said, “Hey, babe. I was wondering if you wanted to set up an office in the house?”

Hmmm, that sounds like a great idea, but where would I put it?

“Sure, but do you have any room for another office in here? Your decor isn’t really my style, I don’t want to mess anything up.”

He grinned and shook his head .

“I already told you to do whatever you want to this place. I want it to feel like your home too. I have plenty of rooms we can turn into another office. Let’s go look around and see if there’s one you like best. I don’t think I’ve shown you mine yet.”

You know what? I don’t think I’ve gone on an actual tour when I wasn’t exhausted, so this will be fun. Plus, if I’m going to be living here, it might be a good idea if I knew where everything was.

We went upstairs and he showed me two guest rooms that looked like every other room in the house. Very black and white with no hint of color anywhere. Big platform beds in the middle of the wall with a black and white abstract photo above them. A giant screen tv on the wall in front of the beds and large walk-in closets. They did have their own nice, big bathrooms. Then he showed me the laundry room which was huge and had tables for folding, and plenty of rods to hang clothes up. I wonder if he did his own laundry. I mean why in the heck would anyone need a laundry room this big for one person?

I just had to ask, “Do you have roommates I don’t know about?”

He laughed and mumbled out with his head down, “No roommates. I do have a housekeeper. She cleans and does the laundry.”

“Why have I never seen her?”

“I gave her a week off so you could get moved in and settled before I introduced you. My parents aren’t like that, but I’m not into cleaning and doing laundry. She does the grocery shopping too. It got to be too much for Amelia with all her other responsibilities.”

“Why didn’t you just tell me that to begin with?” I murmured.

He looked embarrassed. “I didn’t want you to think I was pretentious.”

“I wouldn’t have turned you down because you don’t like to clean, grocery shop, or do laundry.” I never saw that coming though, for some reason .

“So, you don’t mind if my housekeeper comes back tomorrow?”

The poor woman hasn’t worked in a week because of me. I hope he paid her for her time off.

“Nope. Does she live here?” He shook his head.

“No, she comes Monday, Wednesday and Friday.”

“I have some things to do tomorrow, so I won’t be in her way. What’s her name so when I get back, I won’t be surprised? Does she know I’m living here now?”

“Yes, she knows. Her name is Mary.”

This explained why the place was always so clean. “I’m looking forward to meeting her.”

“Cool. What things do you have to do tomorrow?”

Just give him basic information.

“I’m going to talk to Bruce in the morning and then go see your mom, Dr. King.”

He squinted and asked, “Are you taking another class?” I guess seeing Bruce worries him too.

“No, that’s funny. I don’t know what else there is to take. I’m just going to talk to him. I’m going to take this week off. I don’t know what’s going to happen on Tuesday, so I don’t want to have anything else scheduled. I feel like the amount of people who are going to be called to testify is going to drag this out.” He pulled me into one of his calming embraces, so I let the tension dissolve right out of me.

He whispered, “I love you.”

I hope that he still does after the hearing.

I hugged him tighter and said, “I love you too.”

I didn’t want to let go.

***

ROMAN

I went to the fridge and grabbed a beer then turned the TV on. Harrison was calling.

“What’s up, Harry?”

He didn’t laugh and said with a rather irritated tone, “Really?” I guess being called Harry really does bother him.

“Sorry, what’s going on?”

“Do you want to come to dinner at mom and dad’s house?” That’s right, we missed dinner at their house this weekend.

“Not tonight. Alex wants to stay in and relax. The calm before the storm, you know?” I think I needed the calm as well.

“How are the two of you doing, anyway?”

“I think we’re good. For once.” So far, anyway.

“Are you going to be calm in the courtroom on Tuesday?” Probably not.

“That I don’t know. Sometimes I feel like I’m going to be fine, and other’s I think she’s got something up her sleeve that she isn’t telling me.”

“What do you mean? What could she possibly have going on that you don’t know about?” No telling. Especially when it comes to her.

“That’s a good question, but she said something to me one night that I can’t get out of my head. Granted she was drunk at the time, but something about it’s been bothering me ever since.”

“What did she say?” Maybe Harrison can help me get over this.

“She said she had something planned that I wasn’t going to like.”

“You did say she was drunk when she said it, right?” Everyone keeps telling me it’s nothing, but I know it’s not nothing.

“I know, but I just have a feeling it’s more than that.”

“Well, did you talk to her about it? ”

“I did and she assured me that it was nothing. She said it could’ve been anything.”

He laughed. “I don’t doubt it with that one.”

It could be anything, or it could be something. That’s what bothered me so much; the something part.

“I’ll be in the office tomorrow, so let’s talk about Texas and a couple new projects I want to get started on. I’m going to need some investor help on one of them.” He sounded excited and we said goodbye.