Page 127 of Alexander: Alexander's Story

I turn around fully, and she sees my face.

“Aww, fuck! What happened to you?” Gina asks, Connie laughs. He’s running a fucking halfway house for his own amusement.

“Don’t worry, won’t take it out on you, Gina.”

“Yeah, right. I swear, you men PMS harder than any woman. I’m taking a personal day, best of luck to you all.” She kisses her uncle on the cheek before walking out of the kitchen with her head held high in her five-inch heels.

On the day of Connie’s surgery, I wake up in a cold sweat. I can just feel it. It’s that gut feeling that precedes a shit storm. It’s only 5:00 A.M., but I get dressed and take Delta for a quick run.

The chilly October air pushes against my face as we lap the neighborhood for a second time. Every time I think the feeling has abated, we take a break, and the feeling comes flooding right back.

After four miles, we head home when Delta looks pissed I forgot his water bottle. Carl is already at his station for the day, and he gives me a sympathetic head nod.

“Big day for the big guy, huh?” He asks.

I don’t like the look on his face. He’s too worried.

“Yeah,” I say, continuing to walk towards the house.

“Alexander!” Carl calls after me. “Miss Britain is here. She just arrived ten minutes ago.” God love Carl.

“Thanks for the heads up,” I tell him.

When we crest the top of the inclined drive to see the fountain, as promised, Brit’s Range Rover is parked beside it. She’s talking animatedly, probably on the phone with the girls.

I knock on her window, and she startles.

She starts to roll it down, and the second she does, it hits me.The smell of her perfume.

She’s here.

I step back from the window as Jess leans forward from the passenger seat.

“Didn’t know you’d be here,” my tone is sharp, pissed that Brit would bring herhere.For this.

“Matthias texted…” I raise an eyebrow. I had texted, too, but she left me on read. “And I felt like I needed to be here.” Brit, I understand, but Jess? Why the fuck did she need to come?Unless she wanted to?

“He’ll be happy to see you,” I say, letting her decide who I mean by that. The fact is they wouldbothbe happy. Connie and Matt. “Gonna get showered, make sure he doesn’t eat anything. You coming in?”

“Is Gina here?” Brit whispers.

“No.”

“Okay, then, yeah.” She steps out of the car, and Delta immediately goes to jump on her.

“Off,” I command, and when Brit turns, she reveals a bump.

“When were you going to tell me aboutthat? Congrats.” She blushes, looking down at her stomach, then rubs it affectionately.

“Thanks. I guess I would have told you when you started talking to me again.” With Brit out on the driver’s side and Jess getting out on the passenger side, she whispers, “No drama with her today, okay?”Is she fucking kidding?I’m not the one…

“I’m gonna act like she’s not even here,” I whisper back.

“Well, I didn’t mean–” I turn and walk away before Brit can finish her sentence.

“Found some stragglers in the driveway,” I say as I walk into the kitchen. Delta, Brit, and…her on my heels.

“Brit!” Constantine beams. Matt stands back, leaving room for his Dad to walk by. I watch him and Brit make eye contact, but other than that, they say nothing to each other.