Chapter Seven

 

 

 

 

Megan

 

 

 

 

 

Things progressed between me and Alex as time went on and I started spending a day or two throughout the week at his place. I never stayed the night when the kids were home because we didn’t want to confuse them but when the kids weren’t home, I’d sometimes stay until morning. Alex never slept at my place since he felt it was too far from his ex-wife’s in case the kids needed him and, in fact, the only time he’d ever been by was when he and Simon had dropped off my car.

Alex was great. He was funny and enjoyable to be with. After about two months of dating, I’d grown pretty attached to him and his children. Hudson and Kendra were amazing little kids and being around them was the highlight of my week. Hudson was such a people pleaser, much like his uncle, and sought my approval on everything. Kendra was sassy and full of attitude that made me laugh often. The transition between their parents’ homes was hard but both of them handled it like champs.

I’d been taken to one of Simon’s baseball games, too, something the kids loved doing. Apparently the three New Hope stations had formed teams based off of shifts they worked that competed against each other and other stations in surrounding cities. The winning team would go on to play the winning police department at the end of the summer.

The game was fun to watch, especially because everyone played so well and really got into it. The four of us cheered for Simon’s team and the kids wore little New Hope Fire Department shirts. I was pretty sure Simon didn’t want me there, though. He was tense the whole game and didn’t bother to turn towards his cheering section more than twice. I made up reasons why I couldn’t go the following weeks after that.

I was fond of Alex but I wasn’t in love with him. I was still waiting for the chemistry to ignite between us. He was a hardworking guy who spread himself thin just to ensure that he was able to provide for his children. The biggest issue I had was his drinking. He rarely drank more than a beer or two when the kids were home but when they weren’t, all bets were off. Intoxicated Alex wasn’t my favorite guy. He became more selfish, more abrasive, and less like himself. If I could, I would make excuses to leave when I knew Alex was getting to that point. He’d sometimes get frustrated with me and freeze me out in those moments. Other times he’d beg me to stay as he laid the compliments on thick to overcompensate. It was drunk Alex that caused me to question our relationship constantly. Well, drunk Alex and the fact that I was still very attracted to his brother.

When Simon had caught me sneaking out of the house the first time I’d had sex with Alex, I’d been so ashamed. The hurt on his face had been soul crushing and I hadn’t even known what to say. I had expected for him to lash out, to say something else, but he didn’t and I’d been disappointed. I had wanted him to hurt me like I’d hurt him to make me feel better and I realized just how messed up that line of thinking was.

After that night, Simon had started avoiding me. If I was at their house when he got home, he made excuses as to why he couldn’t eat dinner or hang out with his family. If he happened to be there when I arrived, he suddenly had to go do something or had to go to bed. I hated that he couldn’t stand to be around me but I had no idea what I was supposed to do. If Alex noticed the awkward tension, he never mentioned it to me.

“A bunch of us from work are going out tonight. Want to come?” Kelly asked one Friday afternoon a few weeks after my walk of shame.

I shook my head and put down the book I was reading. “I’m going to a movie with Alex but thank you. Next time. I promise.”

“Fine,” she said with a sigh as she fell onto the couch next to me. “I feel like I only see you in passing anymore. Are you at least coming out to the house on Sunday?”

“Of course. Dad made me promise to be there.”

Kelly laughed as she flipped through the channels on the TV. “You’ve missed two dinners in a row. He’ll make you move back home if you miss anymore.”

She wasn’t wrong. My parents were adamant that Kelly and I still eat with them twice a month. I’d blown them off twice and both times were so I could hang out with Alex. My dad didn’t take that too well.

Kelly was still home when I grabbed my keys to go pick up Alex for the movie. I wasn’t sure if he liked being picked up because it guaranteed I’d be at his house once the date was over, if he just hated driving out to my place, or if it ensured he could drink during our dates. Whatever it was, I usually manned the wheel to our dates.

Simon’s vehicle wasn’t at the curb when I made it to their but Alex walked outside without making me come to the door anyway. We saw some comedy that ended up being more stupid than funny and I was relieved when it was over. After grabbing a quick bite to eat, we headed back to his place and I was happy when Simon’s truck still wasn’t out front.

“You coming in?” Alex asked quietly, giving me a small smile and I nodded.

“Sure.”

He held my hand in his as we walked up the porch steps and I followed him inside. Alex had barely closed the door before he wrapped his arms around my waist and pushed my back up against it. His lips pressed against mine and I brought my hands to his shoulders as we kissed feverishly. He tasted like a mixture of beer and popcorn, not a terrible combination. His fingers trailed up my back and he unhooked the buttons that were holding my dress in place. I shook my head, not wanting to get naked in his living room, and pulled my face away from his.

“Let’s go to your room.”

Alex grinned as he looked down at me. His hands tugged the straps down on my dress until it was pooled at my feet.

“I love how shy you are,” he murmured as his tongue ran along the tops of my bra-covered breasts. “I want to take you right here where we might be found.” He tugged on the cup of my bra until one of my nipples was free so he could pinch it.

The thought that we could be found had the opposite effect on me. The knowledge that Simon could walk in on Alex and me like that made me physically ill. I shook my head and pushed on his chest slightly.

“Please. Let’s go to your room.”

“Megan.” Alex’s hands ran down my sides until he was tugging on the band of my under. “Where’s your sense of adventure?”

I wanted to cry in frustration. Instead, I stepped out of his grip and bent down to grab my dress. “You’re right. I’m a chicken. Please. Can we go upstairs?”

He looked at me for a moment, his chest heaving and his blue eyes burning with desire. He finally nodded. “Anything for you. Come on.”

He held his hand out and I took it gratefully. He led me up the stairs, my dress still clutched in my grip as I moved through the house in only my bra, underwear, and heels. When we got to the top of the stairs, he pulled me to him so we could kiss again.

Alex walked me backwards into his big room and my bra was unhooked before the door closed.

Fifteen minutes later, Alex placed a kiss on my bare shoulder and stood to redress. I followed his lead and picked up my discarded clothing from where it was on the floor. He offered me a small grin as he gestured to the bed.

“Want to stay the night?”

I smiled and shook my head before pressing a kiss to his lips. “I have to go to my parents’ house tomorrow. I should get going. Do you mind if I use your bathroom?”

“Of course not.”

I walked into the en suite bathroom with my clothes in my arms, my heels still on my feet. Once I had cleaned up and redressed, I turned off the light and went back out to the bedroom. Alex was already in bed, his sleepy eyes on the TV. Kelly teased me for going to bed early but Alex was worse. He had a hard time staying up late and so we usually tried to start our dates earlier. He sat up when he saw me and started to get out of bed.

“I’ll walk you out.”

“No,” I replied as I bent down to press my lips to his. “Go to sleep. I know my way out.”

He gave me a long kiss before smiling at me. “Goodnight, Megan.”

“Goodnight, Alex.” I wiggled my fingers in a wave before I opened his bedroom door and pulled it closed behind me. I stood in the hallway for a moment and let out a sigh. I was really hoping that the spark that was missing would develop soon. Alex was fun to be around but we were lacking a connection both emotionally and tangibly. Hell, any physical contact, especially sex, left me feeling bereft.

I walked down the staircase, through the kitchen, and towards the living room. The living room was dark but the soft glow of the TV could be seen as I approached and when I cleared the doorway, I saw Simon sitting on the couch with his feet up on the coffee table. His head turned when he heard me and our gazes locked instantly.

I cleared my throat and ran my hands down the front of my dress. “Hi. I didn’t realize…”

“I just got home,” he said quietly as he turned down the volume on the TV. “Good night?”

I could hear the sarcasm in his voice but I chose to ignore it as I took the liberty to sit down at the opposite end of the couch. “Don’t see The Sidekick. It was terrible. What are you watching?”

He just stared at me for a moment, like he was waiting for me to get up and leave, but he finally responded.

“Fever Pitch. Have you ever seen it?” His voice remained passive but his cold demeanor had thawed ever so slightly.

“Is that the one with Jimmy Fallon?” I asked as I looked at the screen. “And Drew Barrymore?”

Simon nodded and a smile tugged at his lips. “It’s one of my favorites.”

“I’ve never seen it all the way through.” I kicked off my heels and tucked my feet under me. “Mind if I sit for a few?”

“You already are, so why not?” he muttered and I knew he was annoyed by my presence but I chose to ignore his irritation.

We watched the movie together, both of us laughing at the funny parts, and I felt more of the ice thaw.

“Is the curse thing true?” I asked as I looked at Simon a little into the movie. He grinned and nodded his head.

“Yup. Crazy, right?”

We turned back to the movie and it was Simon who spoke up the next time.

“I wish Jimmy would do more movies. He’s hilarious.”

I shifted in my seat as I nodded in agreement. “I love The Tonight Show. He’s really made it amazing.”

I stayed on that couch for the rest of the movie and we’d randomly speak every now and then. I stood when the credits started rolling and stretched my arms above my head.

“That was good.” I glanced at Simon and he was looking back at me with an unreadable expression on his face.

“Definitely on my list of top five movies,” he replied quietly.

I gave him a smile and grabbed my purse from where it’d been dropped on the table by the door earlier. “Thanks for letting me watch it with you. Goodnight, Simon.” I walked through the door quickly and as I pulled it closed, I heard him return the sentiment softly.