Page 57 of Alexander: Alexander's Story

“I can’t believe you got rid of the Jeep,” I tell him as I climb into his new truck.

“It was time. Plus, it didn’t seem right to make Delta ride around in a tin can.” I had the same thought.

“Right, had to do it for the dog,” I laugh, mainly in an attempt to bring us back to normal. I’m still feeling a little raw from it all, and I can feel Alex treating me more delicately than needed.

Definitely more affectionately, but I can’t tell if it’s because we just had sex for the first time, because we’re actually together, or because I just trauma-dumped on him. His hand extends across the cab, and he threads his fingers between mine.

“So we’re really doing this, then?” I lift our entwined hands where my wedding ring has been reinstalled. After he got out of the bath, he set it on the counter for me, then waited till I put it back on.

“Happily,” he says. I still have questions, but it feels real. Like we are actually married. Sleeping in the primary bedroom of the house. Having sex. And we’re certainly acting like a couple. We also just happen to be married.

“Okay.”

“Do you want to stop for a coffee? Or anything?” Who even is he? I look at him with wide eyes.

“Who are you?” He laughs, then picks up our hands and kisses the top of mine. “No, I’m good on coffee since I’m sort of hoping someone will make me pancakes when we get home…”

“Deal,” he says.

We sit in silence the rest of the drive because while Alex may be in a good or better mood, he still has the radio turned off in the car. I’m used to it, though. So I lean back and watch as we drive through the pines, inhaling the distinct mountain air that permeates the truck’s cab.

I feel a little apprehensive stepping up to Brit and Liam’s house. I haven’t seen them since the night I saw Liam at Maggio’s…

Alex knocks, and a few seconds later, Brit answers.

“Oh, you brought Emma.”Her tone.I don’t want to dislike her, but she makes it hard. She’s never warm or overtly kind to me. She’s always just politeenough.

I smile at Britain anyway as she opens the door for Alex and me to come in.

The second Alex’s boots hit the hardwood floors, Delta comes flying around a corner. No traction on the smooth floor, just like a cartoon character who runs as fast as they can but never goes anywhere. Alex gets down, and the two embrace like long-lost pals.

“You should have told us you were coming…” she draws it out, looking at Alex.

“You knew I was coming to get the dog?” The coding is there, in between the lines, that he should have told themIwas coming.

“I think we’re going for a hike, so we’re turning right back around,” I try to say it with a smile. “Right, Alex?” He looks surprised by the turn of events, seeing as we don’t have a hike planned, but he hides the look from his sister surprisingly well.

“Yup.”

“I was hoping you’d stay for Sunday dinner…” I want to roll my eyes at her; just so done with this dance. It’s clear that I’m never going to beenoughto be included. I don’t know if it’s because I don’t ooze rich-people vibes, or we just don’t have anything in common, or maybe she thinks I’m not good enough for her brother. I don’t know, but I’m done trying to care.

“How about this,” I say, overly chipper. “I’ll just take Delta home, and Alex can stay for dinner?” I look between the two of them. Britain’s eyes go large, and Alex’s brow furrows.

“You’re being rude, Brit.” He stands, grabbing Delta’s leash off the entry table. “Thanks for watching the dog,” he says a bit insincerely, grabbing my hand and the leash to go.

“I’m sorry, Em,” he says as he walks me to the door, but I just shrug. What else can you do? I don’t have any girlfriends, and maybe there’s a reason why. It always seems like I’m the odd man out when it comes to being “one of the girls.”

Or maybe I just don’t like other women in general. There’s my mom. And then there’s my sister. Maybe I’m the problem.

We walk out into the crisp fall day, the sun shining, the breeze blowing, and I get over it.

“I still want pancakes, for the record,” I tell Alex as he opens my door, then Delta’s too.

“Any flavor you want.”

We have chocolate chip pancakes because it’s been a while since Alex has gone to the store for fresh produce. So, while I read and try to catch up on school work, he does a grocery run. It feels hugely domestic of us. I do, however, have plans to reward him when he gets home later.

The doorbell ringing surprises me. There’s a gate, so if anyone makes it to the door, they must have the code. Delta and I unfurl ourselves from the snuggly ball we were made into on the couch.