CHAPTER 23
“Ooh I love this song,” Valerie hurried into the front room to turn the volume up. She didn’t really love the song, but she was dying to check her phone. She leaned over, sneaking in quick look at the girls who were very much into the snacks and still laughing.
She turned to the coffee table. All four phones had blinking indicators of missed calls and texts. Pretending to dance, she inched her way closer to the coffee table. It didn’t matter that the song was a slow soulful song she still shook her thing, bending over as part of the choreography.
Grabbing the phone with one slick move, she continued to dance with her hands swinging behind her to hide the phone. She turned around sensually, so her back faced the girls and continued to dance as she read her texts. She had several. She read the most recent.
Angel’s going nuts, Val. Why aren’t any of you answering?!
There was no way she’d have time to respond to all or even read the rest. She hit the keys quickly to respond at least to this one. All the while, she continued to dance.
“Are you texting?” Sofia sounded appalled.
“Get her!” Sarah yelled.
Valerie jumped on the sofa, giggling, trying desperately to hit send, but the phone was knocked out of her hand when Sarah jumped on her, followed by Sofia. Isabel grabbed the phone off the floor and read the first part of her text aloud.
“Sorry, babe, my phone was off…” She looked up at Valerie. “Seriously? You’re apologizing for ignoring his calls for what? An hour?”
Valerie smiled sheepishly. “He worries.”
Sarah stared at her own blinking phone. Isabel took one look at her then at the blinking phones. “Not you too? Alright, we’re going to have to hide these, Sof.”
Sofia took all the phones and dumped them in her purse. “There. This is my first girl’s night, and Sarah’s last as a single girl. We’re not gonna let the guys keep interrupting us.”
Isabel high fived her, “Amen, sister!”
Valerie’s stomach roiled. She was going to have to find a way to let the guys know what was going on before they all came pounding down her door. She’d never forgive herself if she were forced to let Sarah know what was going on and have her worry unnecessarily. Tomorrow was supposed to be one of the best days of her life. Valerie knew this would definitely throw a damper on it.
Time ticked away as the girls continued to eat, drink and be merry.
“I should stop,” Sarah said staring at the mozzarella stick in her hand. “My dress is kind of tight around the middle. I’d hate to look bloated.”
“Oh, please,” Isabel huffed. “You don’t have an ounce of fat on you. Don’t you run like twenty miles a day?”
Sarah giggled, taking a bite of the appetizer. “Not twenty but, yeah, everyday.”
Sofia reached for an appetizer. “I read somewhere online that… ”
That was it. Online. If Valerie could get to her laptop, she could shoot Alex a quick email. This was perfect. She’d left it in the car. She could send it from there and the girls would never know otherwise. She hopped off the counter where she’d been sitting and rushed into her room.
“What are you doing, Val?” Isabel called from the kitchen.
Valerie slipped on her fuzzy Tweetie Bird slippers. She’d have to remember to take these back to Alex’s place. “I gotta get something out of my car.”
“Now?”
Valerie pressed her lips together. Isabel was being absolutely no help.
“I wanna show Sarah something.” She walked out of her room and past the girls who were all looking at her funny.
Sofia’s smiled. “I like your slippers.”
“Thanks, my daddy gave them to me. I’ll be back.”
She’d barely stepped out the door when she got the distinct feeling she was being watched. Dread crept through her with every breath she took. It could very well be her nerves, but she could swear she heard something move in the bushes. She opened the trunk as soon as she reached her car.
Staying aware of her surroundings, as Alex reminded her to do a million times, she walked around the car and climbed into the driver’s side. She locked the doors as soon as she was inside. Of course, the laptop took forever to boot up.
After finally logging in, she sent a very quick but to the point email. She only hoped Alex wasn’t too wrapped up in trying to get a hold of her, to not bother to check the emails on his phone.
The laptop went back in her trunk. Isabel was too slick. If she saw her walk in with it, she’d know immediately what she’d been up to. It was crazy how naked she felt without her phone.
As she made her way back to her apartment, she squeezed the pepper spray bottle, holding her thumb on the button ready to use it. She hadn’t even thought of bringing the taser Alex made her promise she’d carry at all times.
A car raced into the parking lot, and Valerie froze. It stopped just inches in front of her, the headlights flooding her vision. She shielded her hands over her eyes. Her slippers firmly glued to the ground.
Her mouth opened, but no sound came out. The passenger door opened slowly. With the headlights still on her, she could only make out a figure. Even with the pepper spray in her hand, she felt completely vulnerable and useless. She couldn’t even move, let alone try to fight.
“Are you kidding me?” The voice boomed.
It took her only a second to realize it was Alex. Though relieved didn’t even begin to explain how she felt at that moment, she knew she was in for it.
***
Valerie’s startled eyes had never looked so beautiful. As irritated as he’d been with her for not answering her phone, knowing she was okay more than made up for it.
“What are you doing out here by yourself?” He closed the door to Angel’s car, the tension in his muscles still there. He’d been tense ever since Bruce’s call and it had only gotten worse with every call Valerie hadn’t answered.
“I had to go to my car.” Valerie walked toward him.
“Didn’t I tell you to stay inside? This guy was watching you tonight.” Alex glanced around. He probably watched them now.
“I had to. They’re holding my phone hostage. I went to the car to send you an email from my laptop.” Valerie leaned her head against his chest.
Alex hugged her, feeling the tension he’d felt all night drain from his body. The other doors opened and Romero and Angel got out. They started toward the apartment.
“No!” Valerie pulled away from Alex. “Don’t go in there. Angel you can’t see Sarah.”
“I just wanna make sure she’s okay.”
“I can see Izzy,” Romero protested. “I’m not the one getting married tomorrow.”
“She’s fine.” Valerie assured Angel. “Sofia hid all our phones, so we’d stop being interrupted.”
Eric was the last out of the car and came to stand next to Alex. “Sofia did?”
“Yes, none of them know about the phone call Alex got. I’d like to keep it that way. No sense in upsetting Sarah for nothing.”
“It’s not nothing Valerie. The guy is a real psycho.” Alex frowned. Valerie didn’t even know the half of it.
“You know what I mean, Alex. I’ll tell her all about it after the wedding.”
“So, this is what you’re up to?” Isabel stood at the door of the apartment, arms crossed.
Angel and Romero started toward her. “Oh, no you don’t,” Isabel said firmly. “You can’t see Sarah, Angel.”
Alex, Valerie and Eric followed behind Romero and Angel. “I just wanna ask her something.”
“You have the rest of your life to do that,” Valerie interjected. “Starting tomorrow.”
Sarah peeked through the window curtain. Valerie shot her a warning look. The slit in the curtain closed immediately. Sofia stuck her head out the door behind Isabel and waved. “I’m spending the night, Angel. I just read your text. So no, I don’t need you to pick me up.” She laughed a little too loud.
“Have you been drinking, Sof?” Alex peered at her. He’d seen her drink, though she was only twenty. He’d never seen her drunk, and he didn’t like it.
“Yes, lots,” She put her hand over her grin and ducked back in the apartment.
“Are we done here?” Isabel put her hand on her hip.
Alex could almost picture her handling her middle school students. Romero took advantage and jumped up the couple stairs to give her a quick peck on the lips. “I’ll call you later. Answer your damn phone.”
Romero and Eric started back toward the car, followed by a very dejected looking Angel. Alex couldn’t help smiling. Amazing how just seeing Valerie even for just a moment could change his mood so dramatically. He turned back to Valerie, and placed his hand on her shoulders. Back to business.
“Hostess with the mostest, we’re waiting on you.” Isabel wasn’t letting anyone off the hook. No wonder Valerie had to sneak out to email him.
“Give us a minute, sweetheart.” Alex spoke up before Valerie could. He really needed to talk to her. He didn’t care what Dean Isabel had to say about it, but he smiled sweetly anyway. “Please?”
“Okay, but I’m counting.”
Alex resented having to rush but did his best not to lose the smile. She walked back into the apartment finally. He wanted to ask Valerie so much about Bruce, mainly what the hell she’d seen in him in the first place. She’d gone out with him for a few weeks—didn’t she once notice what a psychopath he was?
All that would have to wait. He knew he had very little time, but he had a few very important things he needed to get out.
“Valerie, I cannot stress the importance of you being careful. I still can’t believe you were out here alone.”
“I did it for you.”
“I know, baby, but you still took a huge risk.” He brought his hands up and cradled her face. “I need you to promise me you won’t do that again.”
“But—”
“Promise.”
Valerie finally conceded. “Alright.”
After making her promise a few more things and Isabel sticking her head out the door to tell them time was up, he forced himself to pull away and let her go. He waited until he was satisfied she’d locked the door. She peeked out the window and blew a kiss.
When he got to the car, he sat down next to Angel in the front seat. His mood hadn’t changed. Before getting back with Valerie, he would’ve ribbed him about being so damned whipped he couldn’t go a week without seeing Sarah. He might’ve even been a little annoyed by it, but now he understood completely. Hell, he was considering staying at his parents or even the restaurant tonight just so he wouldn’t have to go home to an empty bed.
“After tomorrow, dude,” Alex nudged his sulking younger brother, “you’ll not only be spending every day with her, you’ll have her every night too.”
Angel glanced at him then back at the road. A second later, as if the thought set in, he smiled.
Alex smiled looking out the passenger window, his thoughts immediately back on Valerie’s safety again. He was more determined now than ever to catch this guy. If the law wasn’t going to help he’d have to do it himself. He’d already told Romero tonight that he wanted more than just a background on Bruce. He wanted everything on the guy. He’d gone too far tonight. It was personal now.
*
Maybe it was liquid courage, but Valerie had originally planned on wrapping the painting and taking it to wedding. She knew she wouldn’t be there when Sarah unwrapped it, and she kind of wanted it that way. Now she was feeling a little brave. The painting still sat in her closet.
Without giving it another thought, Valerie jumped off the kitchen counter and rushed toward her room.
“Where you going?” Sarah asked.
“I have something for you.”
She was going to bring it out into the kitchen, but the girls were all in her room within seconds. The nerves hit her all of sudden.
“What is it?” Isabel looked around her room curiously.
Valerie glanced at Sarah, unbelievably beginning to feel choked up. Damn beer. “Okay, I don’t want you to think this is something I’m expecting you to hang up or anything. You don’t need to feel obligated, Sarah.”
Sarah smiled. She knew Valerie painted, but Valerie rarely shared any of her paintings with anyone besides her dad and Isabel. Even Alex had only seen a few.
“So, if you don’t-”
“Oh, just show it to me already!” Sarah giggled.
Valerie took a deep breath and slid the closet door open. She pulled out the sheet-covered painting but hesitated about removing the sheet.
Isabel crossed one arm over her chest and held her wine with the other. “Valerie hon, if you don’t take the sheet off already, I’m going to.”
“Yeah, Val. I’m dying!” Sarah added.
Valerie pulled the sheet up slowly. When it was all the way off the girls all gasped. She turned to Sarah, whose eyes had welled up.
Valerie bit her lip. “You like it?”
Sarah’s hadn’t taken her eyes off of it. “I love it.” She glanced at Valerie. “I haven’t seen that picture in years.”
“Valerie, it’s beautiful.” Sofia stepped forward to get a closer look. “You did this?”
Valerie nodded, almost losing her balance when Sarah suddenly hugged her.
Sara cried, probably a mixture of emotion and the wine. “This must’ve taken you forever to paint.”
Sniffing away her own emotion, Valerie wiped her eyes. “Not forever, but I did spend some time on it.”
“This is amazing, Valerie.” Isabel stood in front of it, admiring it.
Sarah pulled away to look at it again. “I want it at the wedding tomorrow. It’s perfect. This brings back all the memories of when we first fell in love. Angel’s gonna love it, Val. Thank you so much.”
Valerie couldn’t help feel warmed by her sincere gratitude. But she hadn’t expected this. Here she’d been so nervous about showing anyone, and now the painting would be on display in front of hundreds of people. Her insides turned as the reality of it hit her. Everyone she knew would see her work now. She tried to think of a way out of it but Sarah looked so excited she didn’t have the heart. Damn.