Page 56 of Allured
“I found your address in one of Viv’s old journals. This is your doing, isn’t it? What kindamierdaare you telling Vivian and Thomas, or getting them into, to turn them against Julie?” His father points accusingly. I see Alek shrink into himself and I jump into action.
“You donotspeak to him that way.” I prowl towards Alek’s father. Alek looks surprised at my reaction, almost as if he might have forgotten that I am here.
“Who are you?” Alek’s father, Antonio, I finally remember, stares bewilderedly at me.
“I am Alek’s partner and you will speak to him respectfully or you will not speak to him at all. I am also Thomas and Vivian’s friend, and truly, ifthisis how you speak to your family, I can only imagine why they wouldn’t want to speak to you or your wife any longer.”
My stance is protective in front of Alek. I have never been a person who is quick to anger nor one to get physical, but I feel my blood pulsing and my fists clenching at my sides in thin restraint.
Antonio takes a moment to decide if this is a fight he wants or not, and while he may be a terrible father, at least the man knows when it’s smart for him to back down.
“You aren’t welcome here and I will never let you use me to get to my siblings. As far as I’m concerned these are the consequences of your and Julie’s actions. How dare you come to my damn door and ask me to betray my siblings like that when I haven’t heard shit from you in over fourteen years!” Alek speaks up behind me, slowly moving closer and closer to Antonio as he pours everything out.
Alek stands beside me now, reaching his hand towards mine and I hold his hand tightly, knowing he needs an anchor.
“You made it clear you’re no son of mine with all of the bullshit you pulled in your teens. I don’t want any part ofthis.” The man hisses with venom in his tone, motioning aggressively towards Alek and me, obviously uncomfortable with the show of affection between us two.
“I’m going to find them myself.” With that statement, he leaves, not bothering to close the door or say anything else to either of us.
I close the space between us and the open door frame, shutting the door softly and locking it before I look back and see Alek staring at me with tears forming in his wide eyes.
“Baby.” I wrap him in my arms, encouraging him to rest his face in the crook of my neck. Alek only takes a few shuddered breaths against my skin before he pulls back and wipes at his face.
“I’m sorry you had to see that, Ez.” He looks at me guiltily.
“Alek—” I begin, only to be cut off.
“You know what’s the most fucked up part? I first thought he was here to mend things with me.” Anger flashes in his eyes. “He just wanted to use me to get to Viv and T. Shit, I need to call them!” He digs frantically in his pockets for his phone.
“I will call them.” My hands land on his, stopping his frenzied movement.
“I want you to cook us breakfast,” I state calmly.
Alek seems a little shocked at my request but I know that having something to do and concentrating on the extensive process of making food can help regulate his emotions right now. Once again, I am thankful for the well of knowledge from my therapist.
“Please,” I add softly. “I will call your siblings and make sure they know what is happening. I need you to focus and prepare us a meal.”
I bring our joined hands up to my lips and kiss his knuckles softly. His hands relax at the touch while he merely nods and blinks away his tears.
“Thank you,” he leans his forehead against mine for a moment, and I take the chance to place a kiss on the corner of his lips.
With a few more soothing breaths between us, we pull away from each other and move to start our respective tasks.
“Please make it a meal for five,” I ask, pulling my phone from my pocket and pulling up his siblings' contact numbers. Thankfully Viv, T, and Rhett had all given me their phone numbers during our dinner a couple of weekends ago.
I stay in the kitchen as I make the phone calls. I am grateful to see there’s light coming back into Alek’s eyes as I watch him consider the possible combinations of foods for an impromptu family brunch.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
ALEK
Confession on a Sunday.
“You should have punched him,” Vivian waves a piece of bacon in Ezekiel’s direction as we all sit around my dining table. I’m thankful my siblings didn’t have to see our father earlier this morning and I’m grateful Ez arranged for all of them to come to my place for our brunch.
“I am usually not one to resort to violence,” Ez replies as he carefully smooths butter onto a homemade biscuit. “But I will not lie and say I was not tempted in that moment.” After he finishes topping his biscuit with some honey, he places his free hand on my thigh and squeezes gently.
Thomas and Rhett sit across from us while Vivian sits at the head of the table to our right. Our boozy brunch plans had turned into a makeshift family therapy session. Though we didn’t share our blood family with Rhett, he was just as shaken up by the visit of a ghost of his past life. Believe it or not, Rhett’s old man is even more of a piece of shit than ours is.
