Page 13 of The Redemption of Alex Cade
“Do you fancy something to eat, other than biscuits? I’mnot much of a cook, but I make a decent cheese omelette. Unless you’ve got some kind of egg and dairy issue?”
“The only issue I’ve got is being starving hungry. Thanks, I’d love an omelette.”
As Alex clattered around in the kitchen end of the huge open-plan space, I looked around, taking in what Alex Cade called home.
Minimalist was the theme, almost but not quite to the point of being stark. Two big, cream leather sofas and a blond wood coffee table sat in front of a white painted wall where a huge television screen was mounted. On the other walls were large abstract paintings, the colours brilliant and bold, bringing much-needed vibrancy to the room. In one corner was a small, plain, three-legged table which held a framed photograph. I leant forward and studied it.
A younger version of Alex stood with another man who had his arm slung around Alex’s shoulders, and I wasn’t sure if the man was pulling him in or if Alex was leaning into him. The man’s dark hair was cut short, in contrast to Alex’s longer, floppy hair. Where Alex looked awkward, even shy, the other man stared into the camera lens with an expression that was sure and cocky, his smile wide yet hard, a man who, I felt sure, would take on all comers and ensure he came out on top. They stood in front of a doorway, and I immediately recognised Euphoria.
“That was taken the day we took ownership of the club.”
I jumped and swung around; I hadn’t heard Alex come up behind me. I wanted to ask questions about the photograph. Neither Alex nor the man, who must have been Alex’s business partner, looked much older than their very early twenties. That there was a story behind the photograph, I was in no doubt. I could see it in Alex’s awkwardness and in the other man’s taut smile and possessive hold.
“It’s where it all started. Euphoria was our first club.”
“That must have been a proud moment, because you and?—”
“Kelvin.”
Kelvin. The hard, and frankly dangerous looking man, Alex’s business partner… and more at one time, maybe, if I was judging the photo correctly?
“You both look so young, to be starting out in business.”
“We’d already had a lot of experience.” Alex swung away. “Food’s ready. We’ll eat in the kitchen.”
“Sure, thanks.” I cast a last glance at the photo before following Alex.
He pulled out a couple of beers and opened them up without asking, plonking one down in front of me as if it were a given. I nodded my thanks. High-handed, for sure, but as I took a sip, with such good beer, I could overlook it.
Alex was right, he did make a mean omelette, and I finished it off in no time.
“I’m on holiday, or kind of,” he said suddenly. “Couple or so days, that’s all.” Alex looked beyond me, to where the rain continued to pummel against the glass wall. “Thought about going away, someplace warm and sunny, but just couldn’t be bothered in the end.”
“Any chance I get, I grab a flight and chase the sun. Ideally in Thailand.”
“Why there?”
I hesitated, because I’d said more than I’d meant to. The answer was complicated, and bound up with so much I wanted to forget. I scrambled for the clichés to help me climb out of the hole I felt like I’d dug for myself. “Because it’s stunningly beautiful, the food’s to die for, the people are friendly, and it’s cheap, which is a big consideration when money’s tight.” It was all true, but none of those reasons werethe ones that really mattered. “But there haven’t been too many chances to get away, lately, to anywhere hot and sunny.”
“Why?”
“Because although I’ve got a good job in HR with a large company most of what I earn goes on paying my mortgage.” The knot that had formed in the centre of my chest loosened. I was back on safe ground. “I earn a half-decent salary, but there’s not much left at the end of each month. Sometimes, especially if I’ve had a bad day at work, I find myself asking if it’s all worth it. More than once I’ve thought about throwing it all in and taking off.”
Alex’s gaze on me was as hard and unrelenting as the midday sun, and I looked away from the blinding dazzle.
“I get it. Just turn around and walk away. Leave it all behind and go. Become somebody else.”
The tone of his voice, it was as though he were talking not to me but to himself. I turned to look at him, but he’d returned his gaze to the glass wall, his jawline stiff, his green eyes looking towards a place only he could see. He smiled, but it was hard and humourless. “But you don’t, do you? Instead, you just carry on.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
ALEX
The rain had stopped and darkness was already pressing in. With the lights coming on all over the city, even I took the time to take in the spectacular view that I hardly noticed anymore. I glanced at Kit and smiled. He was mesmerised, like a kid gazing at the latest cool toy.
“I don’t think I could ever get tired of this view. It’s absolutely stunning.” He got up from the sofa and made his way across to the glass wall.
It was one of the main reasons I’d bought my flat. I’d had many very happy fantasies about the hot, willing bodies I could slam and nail hard against its cool surface. Yet a fantasy was all it was, because I’d never, ever, brought anybody back with me.
