Then Came Alexandra (Southern Love #1) (21 page)

“Let’s drop it,” Alexandra said.

“I’m sorry,” Gabe said.

It became tense again, the room falling silent.

“So, this is Alexandra?”

They all turned to the woman at the table. She had blonde hair, a tiny waist, and long legs. The glare on her face was full of loathing.

“What?” Alexandra said, confused.

“So you’re the whore Blaise was cheating on me with?” she asked.

Lana stared at her. “Danielle, back off.”

“No,” she said. “Nobody messes with my man and gets away with it.”

“They’re broken up,” Lana said.

“I don’t give a shit,” Danielle said. “Get out of that booth.”

Gabe was blocking her in while Alexandra was pushed against the wall. Gabe didn’t move.

“Come on, slut,” Danielle said, putting her hands on her hips.

Lana glared at her. “Alex had no idea who you were until last week, and when she found out, she dumped Blaise. Leave her alone. I mean it.”

“Stay out of this,” Danielle snapped.

Gabe stared her down. “I’m not moving.”

“She’s gotta leave sometime.” Danielle crossed her arms over her chest.

Gabe opened his wallet and threw the cash on the table. “I’m taking Alex home so this bitch doesn’t bother her.” He stood up, making Danielle stand back. He grabbed Alexandra by the hand and pulled her out the door. Danielle followed right behind.

“You’re such a coward!” Danielle said. She grabbed Alexandra by the arm, but Alexandra kept walking.

“Violence solves nothing,” Alexandra snapped. “And I’m not in high school. I’m an adult. I suggest you start acting like one too.”

“Tramp,” she said.

Gabe got her into her truck and shut the door. Danielle stayed on the sidewalk, glaring at her. When Alexandra pulled out of the parking lot, Gabe drove right behind her. Her mind was racing on the drive home. Danielle was just another problem that she didn’t need to have right now. She tried to stop thinking about it and just concentrate on driving.

When she came home, she saw Blaise’s truck parked outside. She sighed in frustration, not wanting to deal with him right now. He got out of the truck as soon as she arrived. Gabe pulled in right behind her.

When Blaise saw Gabe park next to Alexandra and get out, his eyes widened with hatred. He marched toward Gabe with a fist raised.

“Stop!” Alexandra said.

Blaise restrained himself but barely.

Alexandra turned to Gabe. “Thank you for following me home. I can take it from here.”

“Are you sure?” he asked. “I don’t mind sticking around.” He glanced at Blaise then returned his look to her.

“My aunt has a safe full of guns,” she assured him. “I’ll be fine.”

“Okay.” He hugged her tightly before he walked back to his car and left.

Blaise looked even angrier.

She stared at him. “Please leave me alone, Blaise.”

He clenched his fists by his sides. “Are you talking to him now?”

She glared at him. “Knock it off.”

“I don’t want him touching you. He’s taking advantage of your vulnerability. He doesn’t care about you. He’s happy that you’re miserable because he thinks he has a shot with you.”

“What does it matter?”

His eyes widened and he marched to her. “It fucking matters because you’re mine. I love you, Alexandra. I don’t want him to mess with you.”

“He’s my friend.”

“Fuck no, he isn’t your friend.”

“Calm down.”

“No,” he snapped. “I don’t trust him.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re one to talk.”

He sighed then ran his fingers through his hair. “Alexandra, you’re killing me here.”

“I had a lovely conversation with Danielle today.”

His eyes widened. “What?”

“She made it very clear she was angry you were cheating on her.”

Blaise screamed. “Don’t listen to her! She’s just saying that so she can try to get back together with me. Don’t let her manipulate you.”

She turned away. “Please don’t come back here, Blaise.”

“I’m not letting you go. I don’t care how long it takes, I’ll regain your trust.”

“No.”

“Yes,” he said. “We can be friends for now. Just give it time.”

Alexandra walked toward the house. “Goodnight.”

He grabbed her and pinned her against his truck. His face was close to hers, and his warm breath fell on her face. “I’m not asking for another chance. I’m taking it. You’re too perfect for me just to walk away. I will fight forever. There’s no point in telling me to stop. You belong with me.”

Alexandra hated pushing him away. She just wanted to collapse in his arms and forget about the pain she felt. She pressed her face against his and closed her eyes. He pulled her to his chest and held her tight, his hand running through her hair.

The night deepened into blackness. Blaise never let her go, his solid arms caging her in. She savored the smell of his skin and feel of his chest. She used to feel safe in his embrace. The fact that she still felt that way irritated her even more. She wished she could just walk away and never look back. Resisting him was harder than she thought. She broke away and looked at him.

“Blaise, you’re hurting me,” she whispered.

His eyes sagged in despair.

“Please leave me alone.”

He swallowed the lump in his throat. “I can’t. I’m the man you need.”

“I can’t move on if you keep showing up everywhere I go.”

“Because you aren’t going to move on.” His hand moved to her waist and held her tightly. “You can’t walk away from me because you know you shouldn’t. You’re in pain because you know you should be with me. I admit my actions were wrong, but they came from a good place. I haven’t touched anyone but you. You can trust me—better than anyone.”

She stepped away. “I don’t know what I can say to convince you that we’re really over. Yes, I still love you, and obviously, I still want to be with you. But I’m not going to change my mind, Blaise. You clearly cheated on me with Danielle. Maybe another girl would forgive you for it, but I won’t. You are just dragging this out. This is painful for both of us.”

“We aren’t over.”

“We are. You’ll realize it eventually.” She walked toward the house. She was surprised he didn’t try to pull her back. As soon as she was in her room, the tears fell down her face.

27

Alexandra had never been so heartbroken in her life. She thought Paul was the one who shredded it to pieces, but she had been wrong. Blaise was a million times worse. And he wouldn’t let up.

When she went to the library with Gabe, Blaise appeared from nowhere. He put down his laptop and sat next to her like the behavior was normal.

Gabe glared at him. “Now this is harassment.”

Blaise ignored him and typed on his laptop. He didn’t speak to Alexandra, just sat beside her.

She glanced at him. “What are you doing?”

“Homework,” he said simply.

“How did you know I was here?”

He shrugged.

“He’s been stalking you,” Gabe said. “Obviously.”

Blaise stared at his computer.

She leaned close to him. “Why are you here?” she whispered.

“Why are you spending so much time with Gabe?”

Alexandra froze. “He’s my friend. And I don’t spend that much time with him.”

“It’s seems like you do.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m not your girlfriend so it’s none of your concern.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“You should leave.”

“It’s a public library,” he said. “I can study here if I choose to.”

She sighed then turned back to her own textbook. Gabe kept glancing at Blaise, glaring at him. Blaise acted like everything was normal.

Alexandra read through her notes then started to brainstorm her essay.

“How’s work?” he asked.

“It’s okay.”

“Is that doctor still giving you a hard time?”

She sighed. “He’s a little difficult to work with.”

“Have you considered going back to nursing?”

Alexandra looked away. “No.”

He sighed but kept his mouth shut.

“How’s the cotton business?”

“Good,” he said. “My life would be a little easier if I had my bookkeeper back.”

She kept her gaze averted.

“Come back,” he said. “I don’t trust anyone else to handle my finances.”

“I’m sure you’ll find someone,” she said dismissively.

Blaise stared at her then turned back to his computer. “I’m having a barbeque for all my workers tomorrow night. I want you to come.”

“I have plans.”

“With Gabe?”

She glared at him. “No.”

“Not yet,” Gabe said, staring at Blaise.

Alexandra looked at him. “Please don’t antagonize him.”

“Too late,” Blaise snapped.

She grabbed his hand under the table. As soon as they touched, she felt the fire shoot up her arm. He squeezed, indicating he would never let go. “Please leave Gabe alone.”

His thumb moved along her knuckles. “I think you need to tell him to back off first.”

She looked back at her notebook and tried to pull her hand away. His grip was too tight and he held her steady. Alexandra gave up and let their hands touch each other. It was a nice comfort despite the pain of the situation.

Alexandra looked at the clock. “I should go home.”

“You must be hungry,” Blaise said. “Let me take you out to dinner.”

Gabe glared at him. “Give it a rest, would you?”

Blaise ignored him.

Alexandra pulled her hand away and grabbed her bag. Both men stood at the same moment. “I can walk to my car on my own.”

They glared at each other.

“I mean it,” she said.

Blaise grabbed his backpack and shouldered it. Gabe did the same.

She rolled her eyes. “This is ridiculous.”

“I don’t want him to bother you,” Gabe said.

“And I want this guy to stop trying to get his dick wet,” Blaise snapped. “She’s my girlfriend.”

Alexandra stormed off and hoped neither one would notice. Of course, they both caught up to her. Blaise walked so close to her, his shoulder touched hers. When she arrived at her truck, Blaise came right beside her.

“Drive safely,” he said. “Text me when you get home.”

She glared at him. “Do you not remember the conversation we had the other day?”

“And did you forget everything I said in response? I don’t accept the end of this relationship. We aren’t over.”

She climbed into her truck and slammed the door shut. Alexandra didn’t look at them before she drove away. When she came home, she burst through the door, her annoyance leaking out of her pores.

“Bad day?” Aunt Martha asked as she put dinner on the table.

Alexandra sighed. “You could say that.”

“Blaise?”

“Yeah.”

“He doesn’t understand the meaning of no, does he?”

“And I don’t think he ever will.”

Aunt Martha ate her food quietly, chewing longer than normal. “Is it really over between you two?”

“I think so.”

“You think?” Martha asked.

“I think I’ve broken up with him ten times so far.”

“Twenty should do the trick,” she said with a smile.

Alexandra pushed her green beans around the plate, losing her appetite.

“Can you forgive him?”

“Of course I can.”

“Then why are you ending it?”

“Just because I forgive him doesn’t mean I trust him.” She ate a piece of bread. “Aunt Martha, what should I do?”

“I can’t give you any advice,” she said simply.

“You’re the wisest person I know,” Alexandra said. “Please help me.”

“I’m sorry. Only you know what you want.”

Alexandra sighed. “Why does this have to be so difficult?”

“When has love ever been easy?”

“Well, that’s reassuring. So every relationship I have is going to be frustrating, pure work, and painful?”

Aunt Martha smiled. “You want to know the secret?”

“Yes.”

“Find someone who’s worth all the effort.”

Alexandra immediately thought of Blaise. “Uncle Mike was worth it?”

“Always.”

She picked up her fork and ate the rest of her lasagna.

“Did that help?”

Alexandra shook her head. “Why did he have to lie to me? I would be happy right now if he wasn’t such an idiot.”

She smiled. “Men aren’t bright.”

“He says he didn’t cheat on me, and a part of me actually believes him. But I’ve been so stupid in the past. His ex-girlfriend threatened me today for messing with her boyfriend, and even then I still want to believe Blaise.” She sighed loudly. “Are you mad at him?”

Her smile disappeared. “I had words with Blaise. And they weren’t good words.”

“Do you hate him?”

“Of course not. I think he just made a mistake. I would like to believe him, but I don’t know if I can. It’s hard for me to trust someone blindly. I’ll always love that boy. But that doesn’t make me less angry for him lying to you. You’re like my own daughter. Of course I’m on your side.”

“Thanks, Aunt Martha.”

She nodded then took the plates to the sink, where she washed them and dried them. Alexandra remained at the table, lost in thought.

“Is there anything I can do for you before bed?” Aunt Martha asked.

“No, there’s nothing anyone can do for me.”

She kissed her forehead. “Goodnight, dear.”

“Goodnight.”

Alexandra sat in the dark for a long time, picturing Blaise in her mind. His beautiful blue eyes were always captivating. She could stare at them all day. Her lips burned when she thought about them. The short kiss they shared last week was still drilled into her mind. The fire exploded in her mouth, burning her completely.

The phone rang on the hook, startling her. With a sigh, she stood up and answered it. She assumed it was her sister, and she was grateful she called. She was the only person in the world she could talk to. “Hello?”

“Please don’t hang up.”

“Paul, I asked you not to call me.”

“I just need one minute.”

She sighed. She already had enough on her plate at the moment. Now she had to deal with him. “What?”

“I’m at Lowe’s Diner in town.”

Her heart fell.

“I know your aunt’s address. It would be easy for me just to show up on your doorstep, but I’m not going to invade your space like that. So please meet me at the diner so we can talk in person.”