It had plagued her like a nightmare that wouldn’t go away.
Why hadn’t he just broken up with her?
She would’ve respected honesty. If he was done with her, he could’ve been man enough to admit he didn’t want to be with her anymore. Instead, he’d acted as if he didn’t know what she was talking about.
It was childish, and she really didn’t expect that from him. Both of them were too old to play high school games.
“What are your symptoms?” Sofie asked, setting her purchases out on the counter.
“I’m stuffy, nauseated, and my body aches.”
“Hmm… Here’s some cold medicine,” she offered, holding out a box.
Alana took the box and read the back of it.
“I brought soup, and even hot chocolate. Go get back on the couch and I’ll heat the soup for you.”
“You’re the bestest friend a girl could ever have.”
Her heart was broken, and all she needed was her best friend to come over and take care of her. How did she get to be so lucky? She didn’t have her parents to lean on or any siblings. Sofie was the closest thing to family.
“Aw, Alana. I’m here.” Sofie wrapped her in a tight hug. “Now go. I got this.”
Making her way back to the couch, she inhaled sharply, trying to will the bile threatening to come up to go back down.
She tucked her feet underneath her and waited patiently for Sofie. Her friend wasn’t much of a cook, so it was no surprise when she heard the microwave turn on.
Minutes later, she came into the living room, carrying her lap tray with a steaming bowl of soup and crackers.
“You are a godsend.”
Taking the tray from Sofie, she picked up her spoon and dipped it into the soup. After blowing on it, she sipped the broth and sighed.
It was oh so good.
Sofie darted back into the kitchen before retiring with a healthy sized glass of wine.
“Now tell me what happened?” Sofie demanded, taking a seat on the edge of the couch. “Don’t leave out any details.”
She really didn’t want to talk about it, but she knew she could trust her friend. Taking small spoonfuls of her soup, she shared the story of her and London’s demise.
“And I thought he was going to be different, that he really liked me.”
Alana stared down at her empty bowl. She hadn’t thought she would eat it all at first, but it seemed her body needed it.
Sofie stood, having finished her third glass of wine.
Alana eyed her warily. When Sofie was tipsy, there was no telling what she’d say or do.
“The bastard,” Sofie swore, resting her hands on her waist. “I say we march over to his apartment and confront him.”
Alana’s eyes grew wide. “What?”
She had said her piece and was done with him. She didn’t want to see him. It had taken everything she had to avoid him.
“We’re going over there. He’s going to give me a piece of my mind.”
“That doesn’t even make sense,” Alana groaned. Yup, her friend was tipsy.
Sofie spun around and stalked toward the front door.
Alana set her lap tray on the coffee table and got off the couch, taking off after Sofie.
“You’re in no mind to go yell at someone.”
“I’m not that drunk. I just need to yell at the man who made my best friend cry,” she snapped. She was out the door and in the hallway in the blink of an eye.
“Sheesh,” Alana whispered. Whatever sickness this was had her feeing under the weather. She made it out into the hallway, just in time for Sofie to bang on the door. Alana rolled her eyes. She was sure the neighbors around the corner had heard the ruckus. “What are you, the police?”
Sofie shrugged. “With the music blasting, he may not hear us.”
The door swung open, startling them.
Alana turned to the door and froze in place.
Sofie stood froze next to her and turned her attention to Alana.
“Can I help you?” he asked.
That was not London.
He looked similar to London, but he wasn’t. He was about the same height, slightly leaner, a light scar on his chin. He kept his hair a little longer than London did.
“Who are you?” Alana asked, her heart pounding in her chest. She already knew the answer. Her palms grew sweaty as she stared at him.
“Jaxon.” He leaned against the doorjamb, grinning at Sofie, his Southern drawl just as thick as London’s. “And you are?”
“I’m Sofie,” she answered, annoyed. She rolled her eyes and motioned to Alana. “This is Alana.”
“Where’s London?” Alana asked, finally able to compose herself. She needed to speak with him, now.
“He’s at home.” Jaxon folded his arms over his wide chest. He and London had similar features, but one could definitely tell the brothers apart. Alana’s chest constricted.
Oh, God.
Had she made a mistake?
“As in, in there?” Alana pointed into London’s condo. “Or at his house in the suburbs?”
“Not sure why, but he moved out of here two weeks ago, like the gates of hell had opened. The bastard wouldn’t tell me why, either. He’s been staying at the lakefront house ever since.” Jaxon straightened to his full height, towering over both of them, his gaze going back to Sofie. “I’m having a small get-together, and you two are more than welcome to join us.”
“Nah. We’re good.”
Grabbing Alana’s arm, Sofie practically dragged her back into her apartment.
“Suit yourself. Change your mind, just come back over,” Jaxon offered with a laugh.
Sofie slammed the door to Alana’s apartment shut and barked, “What the hell is going on?”
Alana stood frozen in place, unsure.
“Oh, God. Did I confuse them?”
The bottom of her stomach gave way.
She rushed through her apartment and ran into the guest bathroom. Falling to her knees in front of the toilet, she made it just in time for the contents of her stomach to make their reappearance.
“Are you okay?” Sofie asked from the doorway.
Alana wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
No, she was far from okay.
She had mistaken Jaxon for London.
She had done something horrible. She’d assumed he’d went back to his old ways, and hadn’t even given him a chance to explain.
“I made a mistake,” she cried out, her vision blurred with tears.
“Here, let’s get you cleaned up, and then you can call London.” Sofie came into the small bathroom and helped her up off the floor.
“He probably won’t speak with me,” Alana sniffed.
“You won’t know unless you try.”
20
London walked into his bedroom, wrapping a towel around his waist. The hot shower had helped relax his weary muscles.
All he wanted to do was get in the bed and sleep.
He hadn’t been able to rest much. All he could see when he closed his eyes was Alana, standing in her doorway with tears in her eyes.
He didn’t know what he had done to cause her to break up with him. He had pored over everything he could think of.
He grimaced when he remembered the leaked videos and photos on his company’s social media pages. He’d had to reprimand the young guy who was in charge of Primetime’s online accounts.