Adele
I roll over to check the caller ID to my phone and it’s Alexis. I look over at the clock on the nightstand because it seems early for her to be calling me. It’s eleven thirty so I suppose it’s not that early, I just got in late last night.
“Hello.”
“Good morning, Adele. How are you?” Alexis asks.
I move to my back and stare at the ceiling as I decide how to answer her question.
“I am okay. How are you?”
“I am okay, but confused. Frank said you would be staying at Lola’s old house. It doesn’t look like you’ve been staying there?” Alexis confusion in her voice and I must wonder how she would even know this.
“How do you know I haven’t been there?” I ask as I sit up in bed.
“Well, you went radio silent so I wanted to check on you. I don’t want you to be mad, but Lola gave me a key before she and Frank left town. She gave it to me for emergencies.”
“Emergencies?” I question.
“Yes. She said in case you didn’t show up for work and Alex started acting suspicious.” Alexis laughs but I know she is being serious “SO where are you staying, Adele?”
“I had a problem at the house, so I am actually staying with one of the girls from the club.” I lie.
“What kind of problem did you have and which girl are you staying with?” Alexis asks.
“It’s a long story, but I am staying with Brenda,” I tell her as I hope she isn’t friends with Brenda.
“Oh okay. What time do you have to go in tonight?”
“I actually don’t have to be in until five,” I tell her.
“How about we have a quick lunch? I would love to get together and talk,” Alexis offers and truthfully, I would love that too. I just need to do normal for once.
“That sounds great, Alexis. Is two a good time?” I ask and Alexis agrees to meet me at a pizza place that is a block away from Deluca’s.
I take a shower and rip the tags off one of my new outfits. As I prepare myself mentally to head downstairs, I say a silent prayer and hope that Alex is not in a bad mood. If I am lucky he is not even here, but I doubt he’d leave the house without telling me so I know that is a stupid thought. As I get to the bottom step the front door opens and Alex walks in. He is dripping wet from sweat and he is wearing workout pants but no shirt. He wipes the sweat off his forehead as he pushes the door closed and looks at me.
“Are you going somewhere?” he asks as he looks me over.
“Yes. I am actually having lunch with Alexis,” I tell him and his eyebrows rise.
“Where are you two going?”
“That pizza place that’s a block away from Deluca’s. I figured I could have Uber take me and then walk to the club afterward.”
Alex narrows his eyes as if he is suddenly deep in thought. “I’ll drop you off and pick you up when you’re done,” he states and heads upstairs. I shake my head deciding if it would be wise to follow him up, which it wasn’t. When Alex walks through his bedroom door, he starts to pull off his shorts and I gasp in the doorway. He pulls them back up and turns around to face me.
“Adele?” He questions as his eyes darken when he turns towards me.
“Alex, I really would like to take the damn Uber.”
“Adele… this really isn’t up for discussion. I haven’t tracked down Garth and we know he’s in Chicago and looking for you.”
“You think he drives Uber?” I ask and Alex narrows his eyes at me.
I finally win one and Alex agrees to let me take Uber to the restaurant. I only had to promise to text upon my arrival and when I leave the restaurant. Alexis is waiting for me at a table. We have three hours before I must be at the club. We talk and I laugh more than I have in months, if not years. Alexis talks about her store and about growing up with Frank and Alex. She talks about how overprotective they were with her being the only girl. I can completely understand it because it feels like they are being overprotective of me as well. As Alexis starts to talk about her niece and nephew I hear my phone beep. Oh shit! I forgot to text Alex when I arrived. I pull out my phone and text him letting him know that I made it safe and sound.
Our waiter comes to the table and we order a large pizza and two medium sodas. We both notice how attractive he is and he is obviously a flirt. He manages to flirt with us both and I notice Alexis blushing. He gives us both a big smile displaying his dimples and leaves us as we both watch him walk away. Alexis picks up her napkin and pretends to fan herself. I want to ask Alexis if she has a boyfriend, but I don’t want to touch the subject of men with her.
“Do you think we can pick up a little more than pizza?” Alexis asks as she continues to fan herself.
“I think you could. He looked interested.”
Alexis squints her eyes at me and puts the napkin down
“I’m sorry, Adele. The last thing you’re probably interested in is men.”
“It’s okay. I still have needs and urges. I just ignore them right now,” I tell her.
“Really? There are a lot of attractive men at Deluca’s. Teddy is hot and Thomas is cute if you overlook him being a jerk. Even the frequent customers aren’t that bad. None of them make you want to give men a second chance?”
My mind immediately goes to Alex. I wonder why she didn’t bring him up? He is very attractive and her brother. Maybe she doesn’t see him in that way since he is her brother? Or maybe she doesn’t think I should get too involved with him because he is like Garth.
“You didn’t mention Alex? He’s attractive too,” I advise and her eyes widen.
“Alex?”
“Yes, your brother, Alex. You didn’t mention him, why not?” I ask as I tilt my head watching her for the response.
“Well the last time I was at the club, he wasn’t very nice to you,” she advises.
“Neither was Thomas, but you mentioned him.”
“True. I guess I just think Alex isn’t a long term romantic relationship type of guy. He is more of the love ‘em and leave ‘em type. To be honest, he’s not even that, he’s more of the sleep with them then ditch them type. I couldn’t see any decent girl having a chance with him. You’re not interested in him, are you?”
“No. He’s a jerk,” I lie as our pizza is delivered to the table. As we both grab our first slice of pizza, Alexis’ eyes narrow on me.
“How is the club working out for you? Is everything okay with Frank being gone?” she asks and I put my slice of pizza back on my plate.
“It’s okay. I am having issues with one of the other girls, but other than a little female bitchiness all is good.”
“It’s Angie, isn’t it? Alexis questions and I tilt my head looking at her.
“How did you know that?” I ask.
“Angie is known for being a bitch. I don’t know why she is still working at the club. I guess sleeping with the boss helps.” Alexis rolls her eyes and takes another bite of pizza.
After we have finished half of our pizza, we ask the cute waiter for a box to take the rest with us. I notice Alexis watching him as he walks behind me to the back. She has a huge smile on her face and I can’t help but think she is a shameless flirt. I lean over the table to get her attention.
“Can you be a little less obvious?” I tease.
“Umm. I have moved on. I am looking at the hot blond guy that keeps staring at us. Don’t look now, but he’s on his way over.”
I sit up and notice there is someone now standing by the table. I look up and meet the angry eyes of Garth.