Chapter 18
Five hours later, Alex was settled into what Recker had dubbed a ‘candidate’s suite’ on the second floor of StoneCrow Manor. Alex’s suite was about three times the size of her apartment, and one of the first things she’d noticed was how warm and clean the space was. There was a large four-seater island that separated the space from a kitchenette that had state of the art appliances. A long hall led to a bathroom and the master suite, which also housed an ensuite bathroom. Everything was done in cream colored carpet and earthy peach tones that made the suite feel elegant and expensive.
It felt surreal finally being here. But, what made it even more unbelievable was how after Recker helped haul her bags up and got her settled, he’d told her he had a surprise. He’d opened the front door and Stoney, with a beaming grin, rushed her.
The two women hugged like they hadn’t seen each other in years and to Alex, it felt like they hadn’t. She was so relieved and happy to see Stoney that it came as a surprise when Recker excused himself and disappointment immediately flooded her. She’d done her best to mask it, but Stoney knew her too well. She’d been badgering Alex for the past ten minutes.
“He’s single,” Stoney sing-songed from an oversized chair in the sitting area.
“Single?” Alex looked down to fidget with her fingers before relaxing back against the buttery softness of the leather sofa. “Am I speaking fucking French or are you ignoring me on purpose?” She frowned over at Stoney. “I am not interested in Recker Rhodes.”
Stoney smiled knowingly. “Uh-huh. Then why do you keep saying his name like that? Recker. Rhodes.” She said it all sultry like Marilyn Monroe.
“Because A, that is his name, and B, it only sounds right to say it together. And, I don’t say it all breathy like that. Besides, he’d probably be mad if we didn’t use his wrestling name.”
Stoney rolled her eyes and laughed. “He is not a wrestler. Did he tell you that?”
“Nah,” Alex smirked. “I kept teasing him about being a wrestler. He didn’t like it, so I kept doing it.”
Stoney was laughing again before she sobered and studied Alex’s face. “Gods, I missed you!”
Overwhelming relief and gratitude suddenly flooded Alex, and she flashed Stoney a tremulous smile. “I missed you too Stoney-bologna.”
They both laughed then Alex was up off the sofa and squeezing her ass into the chair beside Stoney as they hugged, sniffled a little and squeezed each other tighter.
Suddenly the door was thrown open. Cindy KillsPrettyEnemy entered with a shouted, “My bitches!”
Alex released Stoney with an ear-shattering, “Eeeeeeeeee!” as she raced to Cindy and practically tackled her in a hug.
Cindy held her tight. “Goddamn, I missed you, girl!”
Stoney turned sideways in her chair, hooking her knees over one armrest and resting her head on the other as she watched her two best friends hugging it out, a huge smile beaming on her lips. Finally, she offered. “You two do realize that we all just saw each other like a month ago.”
“We know!” Alex and Cindy barked in unison.
“But it’s different this time.” Cindy held Alex at arm’s length. “She’s one of us now, Stone. She gets to fucking stay!”
That was enough to get Stoney off her ass as the three huddled and screeched and jumped up and down, bouncing in a tight circle.
Cindy chanted a line they’d stolen from a movie. “We’re the three best friends that anyone could have.”
Alex laughed, while Stoney groaned. “Oh God, not that dumb song again!”
They didn’t stop squealing or bouncing in their circle. It was how Recker found them when he stepped through the door that Cindy had left open.
“Uhhhh.”
All three women stopped jumping and jerked back from their huddle.
“Hey, how ‘bout knocking,” Stoney growled as Cindy shrugged and stole Stoney’s seat. Alex ducked her head and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear before crossing to the sofa and sitting.
Recker frowned. “A, the door was open, and B, who wouldn’t just barge in with all that screeching going on? I thought there was a damn rattlesnake in here or something.”
Stoney’s mouth dropped open and she grin-gaped at Alex, pointing a finger at her. “A and B!”
Alex blushed and ducked her head with a muttered. “Coincidence.” She peeked up at Recker who was staring at her in confusion.
Cindy eyed Recker. “What do ya need, bro?”
He jerked his chin toward Alex. “She’s got orientation.”
“Ooooh,” Cindy made to get up.
“You can’t come!” Recker pinned her with hard eyes.
Cindy sat back down with a deflated pout of, “Oh.”
“And not to rain on your parade,” he looked right at Alex. “But nothing is cemented.” The words that followed were quieter, almost as if he were afraid to speak them aloud. “Best not to get our hopes up.”
It wasn’t lost on Alex that he’d said, ‘our hopes’. Could it be that ol’ Recker Rhodes was rooting for her too?
Taking his advice, she doused the flare of hope that blossomed in her middle.