My Chance (Chance #2) (18 page)

“No need to thank me. I’ll talk to you later.”

I put my phone on the charger and headed to the bathroom to get ready. While in the shower, I thought about everything and prayed that things would work out between Julie and Brett. I wanted them to be as happy as we were. I also hoped that their break up didn’t come between me and Alex. I thought how it could weigh on my relationship. I couldn’t let that happen.

After my shower, I went into my room, opened my side table drawer, and noticed that my journal was gone. My thoughts raced. I took deep breaths and figured Alex had taken it. He had said he wanted to read it. I tried to push that to the back of my mind and move on with my day with Julie.

The hustle and bustle of NYC never ceases to amaze me, nor would I want to change it. Business people sped to get to where they needed to go, tourists stopped to take pictures, and cab horns blared. I loved it. I was thankful I had my eyesight back.

Julie and I left Dr. Russo’s office. I’d had a productive session discussing Jack’s feelings about me and his money. Dr. Russo assured me that his response to our engagement most likely came from the business man in him. She said he was a father trying to protect his son, and I shouldn’t take it personally. We also discussed my ability to handle situations and how to pre-empt feelings that would generally make me anxious. She told me she was proud of me, which made me happy.

We headed toward Fifth Avenue to do some “killer shopping” as Julie put it. We went into some high-end stores. Julie was in a purchasing mood and didn’t flinch at the seven hundred dollar Gucci shoes that went with the dress she bought from Saks. It was gorgeous, black, form fitting, and it hugged her in all the right places. Julie decided to splurge on me as well as a welcome home gift. She bought me a form-fitting navy dress, although my upper curves weren’t as abundant as hers and it was a little shorter than I’d normally wear. She also decided I needed a new pair of Jimmy Choos. They were natural-colored platform pumps, and they were pretty hot. I insisted on paying for those, which I knew I’d regret once I got my credit card bill.

We went to lunch, and I was glad for a couple minutes of down time to talk to Julie. “I spoke to Alex and told him we’re going to the club tonight.”

Julie looked up from her menu. “Oh yeah?”

She was so nonchalant it was unnerving. “Yeah, he said Brett would be there too.” I hoped she’d no longer want to go, but I knew better.

She set her menu down and took a sip of water. “Is that bit of information supposed to deter me from wanting to go tonight?”

“No, I just wanted you to know. So you could… um… be prepared.”

Julie looked at me. “You have known me forever, Aub. I don’t care that he’ll be there. I can’t get over someone by avoiding them, right? Look at you and Alex. You tried to avoid him, and that didn’t really work out for you, did it?”

“It’s not the same thing.”

She shrugged as the waiter came up. We both ordered soup and salad, and I asked for some bread. I knew she would be drinking in a few hours, and I didn’t want her drunk.

We went back to my place and got ready. I called Alex and told him about my appointment and what Dr. Russo had said about his father’s intentions. That didn’t change his opinion on the matter. I couldn’t wait to see him, but I was so nervous about how the evening would play out that I took my anxiety meds before hopping in the cab to go to the White Orchid. I looked at Julie, who was looking out the window.

“You don’t have to do this, ya know,” I said. “We can go back to my place and hang out. Maybe watch a movie?” I was hoping she’d tell the cabbie to pull over, but no luck. We pulled up to the club, and Julie plastered on a big smile and hopped out. I handed the driver our fare and slid across the seat to join her.

She looked at the door and then back to me. “Ready?”

No.
“Yeah, let’s go in.”

We walked toward the bar, and my eyes found Alex even though he was flanked by women. My thumb went to my engagement ring, a nervous move I made to remind myself that I was his. He looked at me, and his face lit up. His eyes sparkled, and his lips broadened into a beautiful smile. His expression changed so much that even the women trying to come on to him noticed and looked to see what had gotten his attention.

He stood and walked over to us. He said hi to Julie and softly kissed me on the lips. “You two look beautiful. I have our table waiting, so why don’t we head upstairs?”

I realized he wanted to get away from the bar. “Sounds great. Let’s head up.”

Julie remained where we were and started looking around. I was sure she was looking for Brett. Alex looked stressed. He squeezed my hand and motioned for me to look toward the dance floor. I saw Brett dancing closely with a redhead. I gasped, making Julie look too. At first her eyes looked sad, but then they narrowed. She was pissed.

“Come on, Jules, let’s head up,” I said.

She looked at me and smirked. “No, I want to stay down here. You guys can go. I’ll be
just
fine.”

I knew what that meant. She walked to the bar and ordered what looked like a lemon drop shot. After she downed one, she signaled to the bartender and downed another before gliding toward the dance floor. I noticed men look at her as she passed, and I was sure she didn’t miss that. A gorgeous, tall blond man stood and held out his hand. She took it and let him lead her to the dance floor. She was dancing on the opposite side of the floor from Brett, but I knew that wouldn’t last. I felt as though I was looking at a car crash I couldn’t stop. Hand in hand, Alex and I walked closer to the impending accident.

He slowed his pace, causing me to glance at him. “This isn’t going to be good, is it?”

He looked so concerned. I shook my head and felt like getting an airbag ready. Alex pulled me into him and looked over my shoulder at Brett. I looked around him at Julie. When Alex spun me around, I could see Brett again. The redhead he was dancing with looked familiar.

“Do you know who that is dancing with Brett?” I asked.

Alex said, “Nikki.”

“Do you know her?”

He cringed slightly. “Yeah, she’s a regular.”

It hit me like a ton of bricks—she was the one who had been in the ladies’ room. She was the one who told either Leah or Alex about my journal. “She’s the one, isn’t she?”

Alex looked down and then into my eyes. “The one?”

“The one who told you about me wanting to use you.” Those words made me wince.

“She was involved, yes. Nikki isn’t a bad person, but her loyalties were in the wrong place.”

That was an odd thing to say. Why would she choose to be loyal to Alex over Leah? My stomach turned. “Is she one of your complications?”

Alex kissed my forehead. “It doesn’t matter.”

It mattered to me. I stopped moving and looked at him. “I see.” I shook my head and went back to the current train wreck. I was too concerned with Julie to worry about my fiancé’s past.

Brett looked over and smiled, but his face fell when he saw Julie and blond guy gyrating on the dance floor. He grabbed Nikki’s hand and started toward us. “Hey, Aubrey.” Brett kissed my cheek. “This is Nikki. Nik, this is Aubrey, Alex’s fiancée.”

She gave me a wry smile. “I know who she is.” She looked at Alex. “Hey, sexy. No kiss for me?”

Alex shifted and changed the subject. “Brett, let’s go get a drink. Nikki, please excuse us.”

Alex, Brett, and I walked away, leaving Nikki on the dance floor. I watched Brett stare at Julie before he stopped and motioned for Nikki to join us. Alex shot him a look and kept walking. His fingers flexed on my hand.

We all went to the bar where Tyler was pouring drinks. “Hey, guys, what’ll it be?”

We told him what we wanted and sat.

“So, Aubrey, are you happy that Alex has distanced himself from his friends for you?” Nikki asked

My mouth dropped. Nikki definitely didn’t hold back. I didn’t know what to do. I needed Julie. I was getting better at handling confrontations, but I liked having my wing-woman.

Alex wasn’t fazed at all and came to my rescue. “That’s enough, Nikki. Aubrey has never told me who I can and can’t hang out with. I just don’t have time for petty bullshit.”

“Whatever you say. All I know is Leah didn’t deserve to be kicked out of here. You’ve known her for years. She misses you and the club. This is where we all hang out, but I guess we’ll have to find another place. Mr. Pierce isn’t too happy either.”

“I’m not rehashing this. She knows why she was kicked out. If you guys want to hang somewhere else, be my guest. No one is forcing you to come here.”

Brett leaned toward Nikki and whispered in her ear. I glanced over at the dance floor and saw Julie walking toward me, alone. She walked up to the bar and stood next to me and Alex. Tyler smiled at her.

Giving her best smile, she said, “Hey, Tyler, can I have a Jack and Coke?” She didn’t look or sound put off that Brett was three stools away canoodling with Nikki. “So are you guys ready for your engagement party? Is there anything I can do to help?”

I could tell she was trying to act normal, and I was about to answer her when Brett beat me to it.

“Julie.”

She looked at him with her face blank. “Brett.” Julie looked back at me. “So, your party—”

“This is Nikki,” Brett interjected.

What the hell was he doing? My heart raced. I looked at Alex for guidance, but he looked as stunned as I was.

Julie looked around me and saw Nikki hanging on Brett. Her face was impassive, but I knew she was hurt. “Yeah, I know who she is, but thanks for the introduction.” Her voice was sad and flat.

“Weren’t you two together, like, yesterday?” Nikki snickered and did an annoying hair flip.

Julie didn’t dignify her question with an answer. Tyler placed her drink in front of her, and Julie took a long sip. “Want to go sit upstairs?”

I nodded and scooted off my stool.

Alex joined us. “See ya later, man.”

Brett called, “Hey, Julie.”

We stopped, and I looked at Julie. She closed her eyes before opening them. Then she delicately turned toward him.

“See ya ‘round.”

Julie didn’t reply. She turned and led us upstairs. We slid into a booth.

Alex looked nervous but spoke anyway. “He’s hurting too, you know.”

Julie nodded. “Yeah, I can see he’s really torn up.”

I needed to try to do something, but I didn’t know what. If Alex wasn’t there, I’d have totally girl-bashed Brett. I needed a different diversion. I was going to mention the engagement party, but I didn’t want to bring that up either.

Julie broke the silence. “So this is a different kind of night, huh? I really thought I’d come in here and party it up and show Brett what he’s missing.” Julie shook her head. “Guess the joke’s on me.”

Her eyes went to the dance floor. So did mine and my heart hurt for my best friend. Brett was in a lip-lock with Nikki. Julie looked as though she was about to fall apart.

Alex looked repulsed. “Ladies, if you’ll excuse me.”

I watched him walk away, and I was happy that we were okay. I needed Julie to be okay. Alex made his way to the dance floor and to Brett. His hand was on Nikki’s ass. I watched as Alex pulled Brett away to talk. Brett glanced up to where we were, and his face dropped as Alex spoke. I wished I could hear what he said. Brett nodded and walked back to Nikki. He took Nikki’s hand and led her away.

When Alex came back, he looked irritated. “You guys ready? I’ll drive you home.”

Julie stood, and I followed. We walked to the door to the private parking area. Instead of holding Alex’s hand, I held Julie’s. Alex opened the door for us, and before we crossed the threshold, Julie turned and looked back into the club. I didn’t know what to say or do. I’d never been in that position with her. She was the one who always knew what to say. She shrugged, and we left.

Thankfully, Alex had driven his Porsche SUV. He opened the doors for us, but I shook my head and climbed in the back with Julie. Alex started the engine, and we pulled away. That was all it took. Julie burst into tears.

I rubbed the back of her hand with my thumb. “Sweetie, why don’t you come back to my place?”

Alex looked at me through his rearview mirror. I was sure he had other plans for the night, but I couldn’t think about that. My best friend needed me.

“What do you think? My place?”

Julie nodded. “I just don’t understand. He’s going to sleep with her tonight, isn’t he? Alex? Do you think he’s going to… sl-sl-sleep with her?”

I felt horrible for her. I prayed Alex would say no, but he wouldn’t lie.

“I don’t know, Julie. He’s hurt right now, and guys deal with hurt differently.”

Julie and I stared at him.

He glanced back at me. “What?”

“Guys deal with hurt differently? So if that was us, I’d be going home crying and you would be getting it on with someone? Would you at least have the decency not to do it in front of me? You know what, don’t answer that. I already know, don’t I?” I was completely disgusted.

Julie wiped her tears. “Aubrey, don’t.”

We pulled up in front of my building, and I opened my door before Alex had a chance to get out. I waited for Julie to slide out, and then I turned to Alex.