Troublemaker (17 page)

A
lexandria was determined not to let Christian rattle her nerves or further upset PJ, as he'd done this afternoon. She knew it was time to intervene because she could see certain danger on the horizon, but she also understood he needed to accept that he had a problem before anyone could help him. But an uneasy feeling came over when she saw her brother standing next to Parker, looking as though he was on a mission to stir up more trouble.

It pained Alexandria when she thought about the person her brother had become.

She remembered how excited she had been when a vision had come to her, letting her know that she was going to have a little brother. She'd seen him in her mind as clear as day, and she'd proudly drawn a picture of him at school so she could show it off to everyone. A year later, when Christian was born, she'd eagerly gone to the hospital with her father to see her new brother. But as soon as she'd laid eyes on him she'd known something was wrong. Even though she had been just a young girl, not equipped to understand certain things about relationships, life, or the unique gift she possessed, she had known right away that Christian would eventually lead a life filled with trouble.

At the time, she hadn't said a word about what she felt because at six years old she hadn't really been sure how or why she knew the things she knew, plus she'd seen the perplexed look that would show up on people's faces whenever she spoke about the interesting things she saw, felt, and heard in her head. So she'd kept quiet and watched as her brother slowly grew from a rambunctious child to a rebellious teenager into the slick young man he was today. He wasn't a bad person, but his addiction was turning him into someone she barely recognized.

Now as she and PJ approached Parker and Christian standing on the corner at the end of the street, she tried to remain calm. She whispered into PJ's ear. “No matter what my brother says or does, please don't let him get to you.”

PJ didn't respond. He simply looked straight ahead, focused on what was in front of him.

“Good to see you two,” Parker said as he greeted them both with a hug.

When Parker held Alexandria in his embrace, she smiled because of what she felt, which was pure love. Parker loved her as though she was his own daughter, and that gave her a sense of comfort.

She looked into his eyes and she could see that Parker's primary concern was for PJ, but he also wanted to see her mother as well. The hard fact that he still loved Victoria after all these years was one of his biggest frustrations. Holding on to the memory of their love wasn't the way he wanted to continue to live his life, and he saw this weekend as a way to test his theory that Victoria still had feelings for him, too.

As they stood making small talk, Alexandria could tell that Parker had had his fill of Christian and was ready to leave him standing on the corner by himself. It was clear to her that Parker knew exactly what was going on with her brother, and he didn't want any parts of dealing with him.

“Have you two eaten?” Parker asked, looking only at PJ and Alexandria. “I got a really great recommendation about a restaurant that's not too far from here.”

“Sounds good to me,” PJ said. “Is that okay with you, Ali?”

“Sure. A nice meal after this long day sounds wonderful.”

They were talking among themselves in a way that let Christian know he wasn't invited. But just as Alexandria had known he would, her brother inserted himself into their plans.

“That does sound good,” Christian said. He scratched his head and looked from side to side as if someone was calling his name.

Alexandria knew that he was experiencing paranoia brought on by whatever drug he'd taken tonight. She saw that PJ and Parker could see the same thing, too.

“Should we follow you, Mr. Brightwood?” Christian asked as he wiped his nose, “Or should we all ride together to the restaurant and then come back here and pick up our vehicles after dinner?”

Alexandria wanted to laugh when Parker looked at Christian as if he'd just asked for directions to the moon. Just as Christian could often be blunt and brash, so could Parker, and now, this was one of those times when Alexandria was glad that her future father-in-law could be a bit of an asshole.

Parker turned to Christian. “The invitation was extended to PJ and Alexandria.” His tone was so flat and so matter of fact that there was no question that Parker didn't want Christian anywhere around.

Instead of leaving well enough alone, Christian's high gave him a sense of invincibility to push on. But as Alexandria well knew, his efforts were going to be a waste of time.

Christian's eyes widened. “Are you saying you don't want me to go?” “Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying,” Parker responded without blinking an eye.

“Do you have a problem with me or something?”

“Son, I have a problem with the fact that you're obviously under the influence of some kind of controlled substance. I don't know what it is, but I'm a trained health professional and I can see what's going on with you,” Parker said matter-of-factly.

“So they got you in on this shit, too,” Christian said, darting his eyes between Alexandria and PJ. “This is some bullshit.”

Parker shook his head. “I don't need anyone to show me what's in front of my eyes. And as a black man visiting a strange southern town, I don't want any trouble. Like I said, the invitation was extended to PJ and Alexandria.

“We'll see you back at the house,” Alexandria said to her brother.

Christian shrugged and grinned like it was no big deal. “Cool. I hope you all enjoy your dinner.”

Alexandria quickly read his mind and knew his real thoughts were that he hoped they choked on their meal or got food poisoning bad enough to warrant a hospital stay. But she put her brother out of her mind so she could enjoy the rest of her evening with PJ and his father.

V
ictoria was upset and frustrated after her conversation with Ted. They'd had their disagreements in the past but they'd always been able to talk about whatever was bothering them and then work it out. This was the first time in their marriage that she could remember where Ted couldn't or wouldn't talk to her. She knew that the quickest way to end a marriage was to create distance, and because mistrust was already an issue, she feared they were headed for trouble.

Victoria shook her head when she thought about the way Ted was acting toward her. As long as Parker had been out of their lives, things had been fine. But from the moment her old lover had reentered the scene, Ted's entire demeanor and mood were always on edge.

She was tired but she needed to clear her head so she walked outside into the humid night. “It's so peaceful out here. This is exactly what I need,” Victoria said aloud as she breathed in the scent of sweet smelling magnolias and honeysuckles all around her. “I'll take a walk to clear my nerves.”

She loosened her bathrobe, enjoying the way the humid air felt against her skin. She looked up at the moon shining bright in the sky, illuminating the tall trees and beautifully landscaped road leading to the Small Property. She let out a long sigh as she passed Tyler's SUV and Alexandria and PJ's rental car in the driveway, and thought about her marriage. “I'm so tired of having to repent for the past. Didn't Grandma Allene say that is where we bury it?” Victoria said aloud. “Hell, I'm ready to cremate it.”

As she approached the edge of the long driveway heading out toward the long road leading away from the property, she was startled by two bright headlights coming her way. “Who in the world could this be, coming up here this time of night?”

Victoria looked around; knowing everyone in the house was probably asleep. She felt a twinge of uneasiness being out in the dark by herself. Even though this was Nedine, and her family's property was secluded, crime could happen anywhere. She tightened her robe around her waist and straightened her back, bracing herself as the car came to a stop beside her.

She peered into the late model sedan and frowned when she saw Parker's eyes staring back at her. “What in the world are you doing here?” she asked, tightening her robe even more securely around her body.

Parker smiled and stepped out of his rental car. “You're going to have to stop wowing me with your Southern hospitality.” He leaned against the car and looked up at the sky. “It's a beautiful night, isn't it?”

Even though she didn't want to, Victoria couldn't help but admire how handsome and sexy Parker was. She appraised the way his lightweight cotton shirt hung perfectly across his broad chest. When he tucked his hands into his tan linen pants she could see that they fit him as though they'd been specially made for his body. His curly salt and pepper hair and bright smile complimented his golden colored skin and deep brown eyes that were staring directly into hers.

Victoria hated to admit that Parker's stare excited her, but it did. She looked over her shoulder back toward the house, hoping everyone had indeed drifted off to sleep, especially Ted.

“You have a curfew or something?” Parker teased. “And by the way, why are you out here walking around in your robe—which is beautiful, I might add—all by yourself, this late at night?”

Victoria crossed her arms at her chest. “You're on my property and you have the nerve to ask me what I'm doing out here? The question is what are
you
doing here?”

“PJ left his cell phone in my car, so I found your address and drove over here to give it to him.”

“Oh, okay. Give it to me and I'll make sure he gets it.”

She watched Parker's every move as he leaned into the car and picked up his son's phone from the passenger's seat and handed it to her.

“I'll make sure he gets it,” Victoria said. She was about to turn and walk away when Parker asked her a simple question that stopped her in her tracks.

“Are you happy, Victoria?”

She cleared her throat. “Why are you asking me that question?”

“It's been a long time, but some things never change. I can look into your eyes and tell when you're happy and when you're not, and right now you don't look happy to me. Is something troubling you?”

Victoria didn't like the direction this conversation was going, or the way it was making her feel, like she'd done something she wasn't supposed to. She remembered she'd promised Ted that she wouldn't be alone with Parker, and here she was, standing in front of him, dressed only in a night gown and silk robe, in the middle of the night, with no one else around. She knew she had to get back to the house. “I appreciate your concern, but I'm doing just fine.”

Victoria turned and started walking toward the house and before she realized it, Parker was walking right beside her. “Please get in your car and drive away,” she said as he walked beside her, step for step.

“I'm escorting you to the door like any gentleman would do for a lady,” Parker responded.

Victoria sped up her pace until they were at the front door. “Thanks for bringing over PJ's phone. Have a good night.”

Parker purposely eased in close to her, smiling with confidence. “I don't get any thanks for walking you to your door?”

“I asked you not to.”

He chuckled. “Fair enough”

“You really need to leave.”

“Why were you out there walking by yourself in the middle of the night?”

Victoria let out a sigh. “That's none of your business. But if you must know, I just wanted to enjoy the night air.”

She could tell by the way Parker was looking at her that he didn't believe her. But she had no intentions of telling him that she and Ted were at odds over their lack of intimacy in the bedroom.

“I know something's bothering you,” he said. “I can see it on your face.”

“It's nothing I can't handle.”

He took a deep breath and rubbed his hand over his smooth chin. “I saw your son tonight, and he was clearly under the influence of more than just alcohol. He's using.”

Victoria was silent.

“I can tell when someone has a problem, and Victoria, Christian has one. He was so high I didn't want him going to dinner with PJ, Alexandria, and me tonight because I could see he was in a state that might have caused trouble.”

Victoria shook her head and looked down. “I know. Christian is an addict, and he's in trouble, Parker.”

“I'm very sorry to hear that.”

“I've exhausted myself trying to talk to him, discipline him, and get him help. His substance abuse is at a point where neither I, nor anyone else in our family can do anything for him. He needs rehab.”

“I'm going to put in a few calls to some colleagues so we can find a good treatment center for him.”

“We?”

“Yes, Victoria.” Parker's tone became soft and full of genuine care and concern. “Your family is my family. We're in this together.”

Victoria could feel his sincerity and also his passion. “I fear something bad is going to happen to him. I'm at the end of my rope and there's not much more I can do.”

“You're a great mother with a loving spirit, and I know you've given both Alexandria and Christian the best of you. So don't beat yourself up about the choices your son has made. When he's ready to change and get some help he knows you'll be there for him.”

Victoria's eyes softened at his words. “Thanks for saying that. I needed to hear something good right now.”

Parker smiled. “You know I only speak the truth.”

She smiled back. “Well . . . most of the time.”

“What's that supposed to mean?”

His tone was playful and seductive, and Victoria knew she had to quickly disengage him. She was about to open the door when she felt Parker step up to her and give her a warm embrace. “You didn't answer my question, but I'll let it go for now,” he whispered softly into her ear.

Victoria's head rested against his chest and she could smell the sensual scent of his cologne. He tightened his grip around her, forcing her body to cling against his. His strong arms felt good and she closed her eyes briefly, wishing Ted would hold her the way Parker was doing now.

“Victoria, if you ever need anything, I want you to know that I'm here for you, and I always will be,” Parker whispered gently.

“Thank you,” she whispered back, knowing she needed to push him away, but being in his arms felt good, so good that she had to suppress the moan fighting to release itself from her throat. She knew she had to stop the moment before things spiraled out of control.
Ted needs to hold me like this,
she thought. Just as she was about to release herself from Parker's grip, Ted appeared in the doorway behind her.

“Take your hands off my wife.” Ted's eyes were aimed on Parker with an intensity that made Victoria's heart beat with fear.

Victoria backed away from Parker as if a bomb was strapped to him. She looked at Ted and could see that he was beyond pissed. He was angry.

“Good evening,” Parker said, leveling a sly smile and hardened eyes on Ted.

Victoria thought they looked like two old bulldogs about to square off. This moment took her back to a night many years ago, before she and Ted were married, when Parker had shown up on her doorstep unannounced, and he and Ted had nearly come to blows. She'd had to threaten to call the police in order to get Parker to leave.

Now, standing on the front porch of her family's homestead, she was sorry she hadn't turned around when she first saw Parker down the road.

Ted stood erect and his eyes looked as though they could slice a diamond in half as he continued to stare at Parker. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to bring something to my son.”

“PJ left his cell phone in Parker's car,” Victoria said as she nervously held the phone up as proof, “so he brought it over to him.”

Victoria wished she could turn back the clock twenty minutes because if she could she would have never walked outside after her discussion with Ted. She could only imagine what must be going through her husband's mind right now. There she was, in her silk bathrobe, hugged up with the man they'd just had an argument about.

“You need to leave. Right now,” Ted said in a stern voice.

Parker smiled again, but this time only at Victoria. “I meant what I said, so please don't forget. Good night, Victoria.”

“What did you say to her?” Ted nearly growled.

Parker shook his head. “I'm trying not to get pissed off, but I don't like your tone so you better back up.”

“I don't give a damn about what you like or don't like. She's my wife, and when it comes to her and my family I won't be told what I can or can't do.”

Victoria could see that the situation was one comment away from someone ending up in the hospital. She didn't want that to happen, nor did she want to wake up everyone in the house. “Parker, can you please leave,” she said. “We've all had a long day and I personally can't take any more drama. Just go.”

Parker didn't take his eyes off Ted as he spoke. “I don't want to cause you any problems, so I'll leave.”

Victoria didn't wait for Parker to get off the porch before she went back into the house. She followed Ted in complete silence as they walked up the stairs, and when they reached their bedroom, Victoria knew it was going to be a very rough night ahead.