Page 35 of Alexander: Alexander's Story

Rolling my eyes, I blow out of his room, fuming.Still.

I need to give Red a ride home, make an appearance at Brit’s, and then, I’ll say goodbye toher.

Emma

He’s waiting outside for me. Well, that’s the story I’m telling myself because it makes me feel good to imagine a man like that would be waiting forme. The thought produces chills.

In my fucking dreams.

My cheeks heat, and I drop my gaze, ashamed. He was fucking someone else this morning. How much more clear could it be that he isn’t interested? He’s also my husband’s best friend.

I walk past him, shooting him a sideways smile but not stopping because everything hurts. My feet. My back. My head. I want a hot shower and to sleep for twelve hours. I’m just praying that a ten-mile hike outdoors will be just the thing to set my circadian rhythm back to normal.

In my eagerness to take the hike, I didn’t really compute that five miles meant five miles there. And five miles back. So when I’m unable to walk tomorrow, I just hope that something in this town delivers food. I hope.

Was it worth it?Standing at the end of the trail, on a ridge that offers a view all the way to Nevada, yes. It was worth it. There’s a small clearing that brings you right to the edge of a steep drop-off, leaving you feeling like all the world is below you. The ridge feels like the peak. It’s empowering, if not a little terrifying, to look down.

But hobbling home, weary and bone tired, I’m not so sure howworth itit was.

“Hey,” he says, coming forward so that he’s no longer kicked back, leaning against his car.

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

“I’m leaving.” There’s that burn again. He’s always making me feel uncomfortable in the most unexpected ways.

“Oh.” I stop walking to turn towards him. “Um, why?” I thought, well, I guess I thought that the two of them lived together.

“The holiday is over, so it’s back to reality, Angel.” Why am I going to miss him?

“So you’re going home?”If I keep asking stupid questions, will it keep him here longer? Where is home? Texas?

He smiles that sinful smile and says, “Maybe. I just wanted to say goodbye and tell you,” he hesitates, and I hang on the edge of his word like it’s my salvation, “Merry Christmas.”Of course.

I give him a tired smile and eke out a response, “Yeah, same to you. Merry Christmas.”I guess.

Staring at him as he stares back at me, I want to say something more. I want to hear him say something more, but the front door is opening, and Alex is coming for us.

“Well, bye then.” I give a stupid sort of wave and start walking towards the house. Again.

I anticipate walking around Alex, leaving room for him to pass, but it quickly becomes clear he’s walking towardsme, surprising me.

When I turn to look back at Blanks one last time, he’s already getting in his car.Yeah, okay.

Whatever.Just another disappointing Christmas.

The hiking euphoria is fading, the exhaustion taking over, so by the time Alex gets to me, I feel like I’m barely standing upright.

He reaches around, taking the backpack off my shoulders, and leads me into the house.

There’s dinner set on the table and a fire roaring in the great room. And all I want is to cry.

“How was it?” He asks, maybe uncomfortably.

“Long.” My voice nearly cracks at the utter defeat that I feel about this day. “I’m just gonna shower and then lay down.”

“Oh.” He looks over to the table and then back to me. “I can bring your food to your room for you? If you want?” I sort of shake my head.No. Then bypass him to leave my coat and hat in the mudroom.

I’m stripping before I ever step foot in my room, leaving a trail of clothes that starts at the door and trickles all the way to the bathroom.