Page 13 of Jack of Hearts
“I don’t know.” He stared into the distance.
He seemed to be having some kind of internal battle. As she waited for him to say more, she asked herself what she wanted from him and was surprised to find her answer was the same as his. She didn’t know, and she let out a weary sigh. The roadblock was that he had a girlfriend, and if there was one role she refused to play, it was that of the other woman. Also, his involvement with her cousin made her uneasy.
“How serious are you and Taylor?” And there went her mouth, saying things that weren’t supposed to leave her mind. Eyes she couldn’t read met hers. That wasn’t true, though, because she realized they were troubled. About what, she didn’t know, and she didn’t think he was going to tell her.
“Taylor? She’s a friend and we go out sometimes.”
Friends with benefits? At least she’d kept that question to herself. “I see.” Not really, but if they were only friends, what was stopping him from wanting to see her?
“No, you don’t see. There are things about me I can’t tell you, and I’m trying to stay away because I don’t want to hurt you.”
“And how’s that working for you, Alex?” What things couldn’t he tell her? That he was a drug-dealing biker outlaw? What else would be the kind of secret he couldn’t talk about? And if that was the case, she needed to stay far away from him. Having one drug dealer—if she was right about her cousin—in her life was one too many.
He chuckled, but by the sound of it, he was mocking himself. “Since I’m standing on your fire escape at two in the morning, it appears it’s not working so well.”
“You still up, Madison?”
Madison almost fell off the windowsill at hearing Lauren’s voice.
Lauren walked into the room. “Why are you sitting in the window?”
“Ah ...” She glanced to where Alex had been standing, but he wasn’t there. “Just enjoying the stars and waiting up for you.” As she stood to close the window, she leaned out, seeing him at the bottom of the stairs. The man had the quiet feet of a cat. He nodded once before disappearing into the night.
Their conversation spun in her head, and although she was glad Lauren was home safe and sound, she wished she were alone so she could analyze what Alex had said. Perhaps she was a fool, but she just couldn’t believe he was a drug dealer.
“How was your date?” She moved to her bed, sitting on it cross-legged. Hemingway jumped up, curling in her lap.
“I think I’m in love.” Lauren dreamily sighed as she kicked off her shoes and sat on the edge of the bed.
“You said the same thing three weeks ago about what’s his name ... Brian?” She stroked the cat’s sleek black fur.
“Brad, but I mean it this time.”
“Of course you do. I only met him for a short time, but he seems nice.” She grinned. “Definitely easy on the eyes.”
“You have a gift for understatement.” Lauren flopped back on the bed. “I look at him and almost start drooling. It’s embarrassing.”
“Try not to do that. It wouldn’t be pretty.” Her only concern was that this one might break Lauren’s heart before all was said and done. But she shouldn’t see doom where there wasn’t any. There probably wasn’t any reason to worry. This time next week, her friend would be in love with some other man. That was how it always went with Lauren.
“I know,” Lauren said, sitting up. “We’re having dinner tomorrow night. You should come. I’m sure Nelson won’t mind. You can kick me under the table if you see drool dripping down my mouth.”
“Thanks, but it’s my mom and uncle’s birthday tomorrow, and there’s a family dinner planned.” Which she was so not looking forward to, and she still needed to buy a present for her uncle. He collected antique swords, and although she couldn’t afford to purchase anything like that, she recalled seeing a coffee table book on old swords when she and Lauren had been stocking the bookstore’s shelves. Awesome! Problem solved.
After Lauren left, Madison went back to the window, opening it. Alex wouldn’t like her being exposed like this, but if someone tried to get to her, she’d easily see them coming. She sat back on the sill, lifting her eyes to the sky.
“Are you there, Daddy?” she whispered. No answer from the man she missed every minute of every day. No night bird trilled an answering song, no stars shot across the sky giving a sign that he heard her.
For some reason she didn’t understand, she’d never felt so alone as she did this night. Her beloved father was gone, her mother couldn’t see past her own grief, and Alex would never be a part of her life no matter how much she wished otherwise.
In the distance, she heard the low rumble of a motorcycle. It wasn’t Alex. He’d left long before, but her heart ached to see him walk back up the stairs, a smile just for her on his face.
Stupid tears slithered down her cheeks. She angrily swiped them away before jumping off the sill and slamming the window shut. To hell with Alex. As of this very minute, he was banished from her mind.
CHAPTER FIVE
“What’s been eating you this past week, Alex?” Nate asked after they’d finished lunch.
Court punched Alex’s arm. “Yeah, bro. You’re worrying us.”
