Page 15 of Rushing Her: Seattle, Westerners
Chapter 7
Brayden
Istretch and expect the dogs to be begging to go out, but when I stretch again, the difference in the sheets and the soft scent of Alexandra remind me I am not at home. My memory replays showing up here last night and insisting on staying with her because I was worried.
I’ll never forget that feeling of intense fear when Warner called to inform me that someone had destroyed Alexandra’s car. We both knew it was my stalker who did this. The profiler hired by my attorney stated that I was her focus, but that when it came to me, the behaviors would project as caring, concerned, and even loving. For any woman who came into my life, or a woman they determined as a threat, they’d likely be on the receiving end of violent tendencies.
I realized that Alex would be a target from the start. She has been mine since the moment I saw her, and even though we broke up, she was still a part of my everyday thoughts. I had faith that I would find her again and we would be together once more. I just had to get that through to my broken heart.
As soon as the bus parked, I ran to my car to get to Alex. The relief of finding her safe in her apartment still wasn’t enough until I took her body several times to prove she was safe and with me.
Rolling from the bed, I crack my neck and stretch some of the tightened muscles. With us getting in late, the coach granted us a midday start time for workout and practice.
Alex and I need to talk before I head to the arena, so I listen for any indication of where she is. She’s not next to me in bed, and a part of me wonders if she’d run from me in her own place. A steady thumping sound reverberates from somewhere nearby, so I rise from the bed to slide on my boxers.
Making my way out of her room, I find her on a treadmill in the spare bedroom. It’s raining outside, which explains why she’s running inside.
Leaning against the doorjamb, I watch as she goes through her paces with her earphones on. The treadmill changes angle, and Alex barely slows down as she powers through the incline. Her muscles extend and flex, and those shapely, toned legs turn me on. I need to adjust myself.
This woman attracted me the moment I saw her at a frat party. I was there because they wanted me to rush their fraternity, and she was there to attend the mixer. Alexandra had only been on campus for a week, and I locked her up immediately. I never joined that frat, but she did join a sorority. We were each other’s first, and I’m glad I saved that to experience it with her.
I regret how I acted after our breakup. I partied hard and was as promiscuous as they came. Alexandra is right, I was the slut of the league, but about eight years ago, after a serious talk from team management, I made a change. I did date a couple of women afterward, but a few years ago, I even gave that up. I saw that Alexandra still hadn’t settled down, and that was themoment I decided to become better, so I could fix things with her. If only I had known that a man I trusted and looked up to had gone behind my back and destroyed my relationship with her. Or that he was extorting her to stay away from me.
On top of all that, I worry that my latest stalker has set her sights on my woman, and I might lose her forever if I’m not careful. Part of me wants to beg Alexandra to stay at my house, which is monitored by security and alarms, until they find this woman, but she won’t do that. She has a life and a job that are essential to her. She’s earned that as much as I’ve earned every ring I have.
“Alexandra,” I say her name, and she turns to look at me as she snags her headphones off. Music blares through them as I move close to her. “Start your cool down so we can talk.”
“Okay,” she says while panting for breath from the hard run she was doing. She hits the cool-down button, and I look to see how long she’s been at this.
“You been up for a bit. You okay?”
She faces forward on the treadmill for a moment before turning to look at me. “I’m worried that whoever has decided they hate me will come after you next. I had a situation last week in Portland with a woman; it was so strange.”
“Baby, this isn’t about you. This is about me. I’ve had a stalker for about a year now. She’s not someone I was concerned about until the profiler I hired said she would have an issue with any woman I’m with. After receiving the pictures of your car from the team I have on you, I’m sure this is her, and that means we need to get serious about your security.”
Alexandra diverts her eyes and jogs a bit.
“Baby, don’t argue with me on this. I’ve dumped enough baby batter in you over the last several days that you could be pregnant.”
Alex faces me again and stumbles slightly. I hit the emergency stop button and jump up to catch her.
“Oh god. Oh my god. No. No. No.” She keeps repeating those words and shaking her head. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t even think about that. I need to make a call.” Color has drained from her face, and she appears to be in shock.
“Lexi,” I command, and she stops pushing away from me. Tears coat her eyes. I’ve always hated it when she cries. “Alexandra, calm down. I knew what I was doing every time I took you; I want you to carry my baby. You’ll never get rid of me. I’ve always worn condoms except with you. Even in college, when you were on birth control, I wished for it to fail. Now I’m not taking any chances. I want you forever.”
Her head shakes more violently, then she covers her mouth and shoves me away. She sprints for the bathroom and slams the door in my face, the lock clicking into place.
I pound on the door. “Alexandra, open the fuck up, now!” Water turns on, and I can hear her talking to someone. I continue to beat my fist against the wood until she opens it. “What the fuck is going on?”
Alexandra
What the hell is going on?
I thought I would be okay, I thought it was safe, but apparently, I was very wrong.
I just called Dr. Jarvis’ office, and they want me to come in as soon as possible. Something happened, and they will onlydiscuss it in person. I explained that I’d been having unprotected sex, and the doctor told me I needed to be checked over because my situation had changed. Now I must tell the overbearing jerk on the other side of the door what is going on. He wants me pregnant, so I doubt he’ll run, but he still might feel blindsided.
“Does this have something to do with you going to the doctors so much in Portland?”
