Page 30 of A Powerful Attraction
Alex couldn’t believe he’d heard him correctly. “You’re sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. I got this.”
“Thanks.” He clapped Rashad on the shoulder. He was a good friend, and no doubt he could handle the reception without Alex. But what made him an even better friend was the fact that he didn’t sayI told you so. He’d warned Alex about telling Sherry everything, and Alex hadn’t listened.
Now he needed to fix the mess he’d made.
* * *
“Darn.That’s what you get for moving around in the dark,” Sherry muttered to herself. She flipped on the lamp and sighed at all the popcorn she’d accidentally spilled on the carpet.
She set the bowl on the table beside the sofa and paused the TV. Quickly, she cleaned up the mess and turned out the light again. She pulled the blanket around her body, set the bowl of popcorn on her lap, and resumed binge-watching the comedy show.
She needed the escape and the ability to laugh. She hadn’t laughed much in the past week ever since she learned about Alex’s deception.
She understood his desire to help his friend but found it hard to forgive that he’d kept such an important aspect of his life from her, and he’d had ample opportunity to tell everything. She was hurt and disappointed that he hadn’t lived up to her expectations, and embarrassed because of how much she’d gushed to her friends about him.
She’d been better off by herself, stress-free, and needed to get back to that state.
A loud knock sounded on the door. “Sherry!”
Her heart jumped. Alex. She muted the TV and sat frozen, as if he could see through the walls, but wouldn’t notice her if she remained still.
“I know you’re in there. I saw the light in your window from downstairs. Open the door. I don’t care who you have in there. Tell him to come the door. Tell him to face me!” His words slurred slightly and his accent sounded thicker.
“Go away, Alex!”
“I will not. I will not leave until you open the door.”
Sherry didn’t move, listening to him assault the door multiple times. At that rate, one of her neighbors would call the police and have him arrested.
“Go home. Please,” she whispered.
“Sherry! Sherry!” The pounding became so loud and continuous that she worried he’d break down the door.
She set aside the bowl of popcorn and jumped up from the sofa. Swinging open the door, she caught Alex mid-knock, and his face reflected surprise. She caught the faint scent of gin on him, and he didn’t look like himself. His bleary eyes narrowed on her. His hair was a mess and the tie on his tux askew.
“How did you get over here? Please tell me you didn’t drive,” Sherry said. She may be angry at him, but she didn’t want him to do something foolish like hurt himself or anyone else.
“I didn’t drive here like this. I’ve been drinking in the car, waiting for you. I thought you were out. I didn’t know your ‘plans’ meant staying in.” He peeped over her head. “Where is he? Is he not man enough to face me?”
He tried to come in, but Sherry pressed a hand to his chest. “Stop.”
“Tell him to come face me like a man!” Alex bellowed, pounding his chest.
“Would you stop yelling?” Sherry glanced down the empty hallway. “There’s no one here.”
His brow furrowed. “What do you mean there’s no one here? You said you had plans with someone.”
“There’s no one here but me. I lied, okay? I lied to keep you away, but you showed up anyway.”
He cursed and swiped a tired hand down his face. “I know I shouldn’t have come. I just… Forgive me. Forgive me for what I did.”
She couldn’t look at him. The vague ache that resided in her chest blossomed into pain at the sight of him and the tortured sound of his voice. She didn’t want to hurt him but didn’t know what else to do.
“I need time.”
“How much?”
