Until Alex - J. Nathan Page 0,57

completely foreign was happening to me.

Then, as if snapping out of a trance, she blinked. “Spoken by the ever elusive Hayden Martin.”

I grinned. “Elusive, maybe. Honest, absolutely.”

Alex tilted her head, eyeing me in what might be described as admiration. Her eyes were so expectant, eager. They took my breath away. She inched closer. I hoped she was giving me the green light to continue where we left off that morning.

My eyes dropped to her lips. I couldn’t wait any longer. I needed to taste them.

The phone buzzing in my pocket stopped both of us.

Alex’s face drained of color as her eyes widened.

I pulled back, my eyes locked on hers. The intensity present seconds before had been replaced by fear. Fear of what awaited us on the phone.

Alex nodded, giving me the go ahead to look.

I inhaled a deep breath as I slipped the phone from my pocket. Alex stared down at it, undoubtedly sending out a silent prayer.

I swiped my finger across the screen. Oh, thank God. A text from Remy. I never thought I’d be so glad to get a text telling me I had to hit up some scumbag.

My eyes lifted to Alex’s. She let out a long shaky breath.

Then, at the same time, we burst into laughter.

Alex fell back into the bed of my truck. I followed her lead, stretching out beside her. Our chests bounced in relieved amusement as we lay there with the sky above us even brighter than normal. I guess relief did that shit to you. Made you appreciate the little things a tiny bit more.

Or, maybe it was just the Alex effect.

I waited a long time before letting my head fall to the side. I hated having to blow her off. But I had no choice. “I’ve got to run out for a little while. Will you be around when I get back?”

Alex nodded as her head fell to the side.

I hoped like hell my words weren’t the cause of the disappointment in her eyes.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

ALEX

The heels of my boots echoed all the way down the steep theater aisle. Everyone in the seats turned to stare. I hoped they were simply sizing up their competition. But the way their probing eyes examined me, I’d say they were seeing the picture instead of me.

If that wasn’t bad enough, Taylor sat in the front row, looking me dead in the eyes like she didn’t single-handedly destroy my reputation in a matter of seconds.

Bitch.

She probably expected to steal my spot when I didn’t show up. But I did. And I flashed her a grin as I dropped into a seat on the opposite side of the theater, letting her know my presence was payback. Nothing but payback.

“Hey, girl.” Sophia dropped down beside me

“Hey. I didn’t see your name on the list,” I whispered, trying not to interrupt Professor Smith who began spouting off instructions.

Sophia shrugged, sending her black ponytails bouncing. “I’m a woman of many talents.” She dropped her heavy backpack onto the floor with a thud.

Professor Smith paused, searching out the distraction.

Sophie wiggled her fingers at her before whispering to me. “No, actually, I’m not. Smith roped me in this morning. I’m in her script analysis class.”

“Do you sing?”

“Hell no. I’m a stagehand—whatever that is. But I can add it to my ever-expanding resume. Works for me.”

I smiled, meaning it more than Sophia could ever understand.

Maybe the whole situation wouldn’t be so bad after all.

* * *

Friday’s late afternoon sun sat on the horizon while Sophia and I sat fully clothed on lounge chairs by the pool enjoying the light breeze and each other’s company. She may have only been five-foot-two, but she turned out to be my very own bodyguard, sticking by my side whenever she could.

“Hey,” a deep voice greeted us.

I sat up and glanced over my shoulder, knowing exactly who I’d find. What I didn’t expect was him to be shirtless with white and blue board shorts hanging low on his hips. But I wasn’t complaining. Neither was Sophia whose mouth hung in her lap.

“I’ve gotta go.” She jumped to her feet as if Hayden’s presence was too much to handle.

I grabbed hold of her arm. “It’s okay. You don’t have to leave.”

Sophia winked. “Yes, I do.” She slipped free of my hold and raced through the gate, shimmying around Hayden who passed through at the same time.

She probably thought she was doing me a favor by giving us some time alone, since I mentioned how he’d disappeared over the last