Alpha Hero - Hope Ford Page 0,7

and explain to him that today we’re working on cooking. I dive right in. At least now that I’m here, I finally feel at ease again.

I tell him what I’m doing as I grab everything out of the fridge. Explain to him how we are going to sort it so that everything has its place. But I still have to ask him, “Did you sleep okay last night?”

He’s leaning against the counter and he has dark circles under his eyes. “No, not really. How about you?”

Stumped by the question, I almost answer him honestly. I didn’t sleep well at all. Every thought I’ve had since I walked out of here yesterday has been of him. But instead I lie to him. “I slept good.”

I continue what I’m doing, teaching him where everything is and how to find it, organizing as I go. His closeness is almost unbearable, but I try not to let him know it fazes me. I’m in the middle of showing him how to fry an egg when the doorbell rings.

Pulling the pan off the stove, he says to me, “I’ll get it. It’s probably April.”

My mouth drops open and jealousy takes over. I should have known that he had a girlfriend. I watch as he uses the cane and walks to the front door. When he opens it, he opens his arms and I watch as the blond, shapely woman walks into them.

My gut wrenches. His hand is on the back of her head and he’s holding her to his chest. I look away because it’s obvious they’re sharing a private moment. I have so many questions. Where has she been? Why hasn’t she been to see him before now?

I finish cooking and plate the food. I know that nobody likes cold eggs, but I’m not going to interrupt them. The kitchen is open and I know that they’re going to see me here, so I try to make myself busy. At least until Mack calls my name.

When I walk over to them, I try to have a smile on my face. I stop next to Mack and he slides his arm around my waist. I want to smile, because already his senses are improving, but I also know I don’t want to be a part of whatever game he’s playing. Is he trying to make April jealous? “April, this is Jane. Jane, April.”

I take a step to shake her hand, but his hand on my hip stops me. My face heats as April looks between us and smiles before stepping toward me and shaking my hand.

I pull away from him and ask if they need anything, telling them I’m going to work in the kitchen while they visit.

April just smiles at me knowingly and I almost feel that I should apologize, that maybe I hurt Mack’s feelings by the look on his face. But then I think better of it.

He reaches out and April grabs on to his hand. “No, we don’t need anything. But you don’t have to work. Come visit with us.”

“Yes, I would love to get to know you,” April says. I look her straight in the eyes, wondering if she’s being for real or not. I don’t see an ounce of jealousy on her face, so she must be very secure in their relationship.

Which is good, but then now I’m second-guessing everything I thought I heard from the shower yesterday.

I watch them walk toward the living room and I go back to the kitchen, doing my best not to eavesdrop. When I can still hear them talking, I get out my ear buds and finish organizing.

Mack

The visit with April went better than I expected. I knew that she and Allen have had a rough time lately, but I also know that no matter what, she still loves him.

I hold my hands in my lap. “I still don’t know what happened, April. But I hope you know, that if there was any way I could have saved him, I would have.”

She laughs and it’s a strange sound coming from her. “Mack, I know that. You were his best friend. You loved him. I know that you would have done anything, even risking your own life if you had to.” She reaches over and covers my hands with hers. “I’m wondering if that’s what may have happened. You were found without your helmet on and I know that’s not like you. If nothing else, you’re meticulous about being in full uniform. We may