Holly looked at Alex despondently across the table.
“You could do better than me. You’re supposed to be more than this,” Alex told her, wanting so much more for Holly than a broken heart and a lifetime of being his shield to the world. “You can do better than Will too.”
“Don’t listen to him. You two are the perfect couple,” Melissa said with a snort. “This happens every once in a while. You break up. Holly gets her heart broken, and then you’re back together. Look at that whole fiasco with what’s his name in Key West. Now it’s Will. Maybe this time you’ll just stick with Alex.”
“Maybe,” Holly agreed as she looked out to the beach once more. “Doesn’t seem to work out for me any other way.”
“You two are too weird,” Melissa said with a laugh as she slid out of the booth. “Can I get you anything?”
Holly shook her head, and Melissa left to go check on the only other table with diners.
“We could fix this place,” Alex told her once they were alone. “I’m not the useless beach bum everyone thinks I am, and you’re not just some waitress who needs a man and a party to make her happy. We’re better than this. I know we are.”
“I believe you,” Holly said with an indulgent smile. “Given the opportunity, you could make this place amazing.”
“We both could,” he assured her.
The problem was no one was going to give a beach bum the opportunity, and they both knew it. The world expected them to know their place just like Melissa suggested, and reaching for anything outside it left them burned. It was a bitter reality; one Alex didn’t want to accept even if all the clues pointed in that direction.
He wanted to be more—a man who could’ve supported Matt even if he’d lost it all. For the first time in his life, Alex wished he were Will. Hardworking and determined, a person who could make something out of nothing and never again feel weak and vulnerable to someone like Cecilia Tarrington.
* * * *
Life didn’t stop for a broken heart, and big ideas didn’t change his station in life. Alex still showed up at Frank’s café five days a week, cooking for the tourists as spring break kicked into full swing, but things weren’t as busy this year, and the steady decline was just the beginning of the end.
Frank missed paying everyone on payday.
The food vendors wouldn’t deliver because of unpaid invoices.
Holly had been running to the grocery store to buy supplies for the restaurant using the last bit of cash to be found in the register, which messed up the food cost so badly Frank wasn’t making any more off what they did manage to serve up.
Then the gas got turned off on a Sunday, and there was nothing to be done about it. They couldn’t serve breakfast with a cold flattop. So Alex, Holly, Melissa, and Jimmy, the cook who moved from the late shift to replace Matt in the mornings, stood there and watched as Frank wrote out the CLOSED FOR BUSINESS sign.
“I’ll get money for the building,” Frank promised them with false brightness, though his eyes were hollow and dead looking in the same way Alex’s were when he looked in the mirror every morning. “And all the equipment. A hundred thousand at least. So I’ll retire early and finally get a vacation.”
“I’m sorry,” Holly whispered, seeing through Frank’s thinly veiled veneer of optimism. Like Alex, she was all too familiar with the death of a dream, and she clearly didn’t wish it on anyone. “It’s not fair, Frank.”
“Life’s not fair.” He shrugged as he looked around the restaurant once more, his eyes growing watery for a brief moment before he cleared his throat and said, “I’ll walk you out.”
Alex and Holly didn’t bother to ask him for the money he owed them even if they desperately needed it. They’d both just lost their jobs on the same day. They had shelter by taking care of the rentals, but it didn’t change the fact they still had to eat.
That night the two of them curled up and watched old movies until their eyes grew heavy and their souls felt more beaten than ever. Seeing fictional happy endings didn’t make it any less bitter to have loved and lost.
* * * *
In the morning, Alex woke up and ran on the beach so far and so fast he was finally forced to double over and choke in air as he fought for breath. His side hurt and his calves burned enough to have him limping past the big mansions on the good side of the beach.
He passed Matt’s old place, seeing that a group of rich college students had taken up temporary residence and were sitting out on the patios drinking and being obnoxious. It made Alex feel old all of a sudden, because he could hardly relate to those kids and he’d been one of them not too long ago.
Then he passed the Tarrington estate, three times as big as Matt’s airy white beach house. It was made of dark wood and loomed over the beach like a dark angel, which was so sadly fitting to its owner. Beautiful, but depressing and dangerous.
Still limping he found himself backtracking to the beach access pathway, then walking past the front of the houses until he was standing in front a large black iron entrance that had
T
s wound in between beautifully crafted metal flowers on each side of the gate.
Fearless with nothing to lose, Alex reached over and pushed the button to the intercom.
“Yes?” came the crackled reply of a man who clearly didn’t want to let Alex in.
Alex looked up, seeing video cameras on the corners of the high walls that were designed to keep out intruders.
“I’m here to see Cecilia Tarrington.”
“She’s not taking visitors.”
Alex narrowed his eyes at the camera and said, “Yes, she is.”
After a long pause, the man came back with, “Please wait.”
Unsurprisingly, Alex was never invited in. Cecilia met him at the gates wearing an expensive-looking silk robe. Her dark hair was tied in a bun on top of her head. Even without makeup, she was still stunningly attractive for a woman in her fifties.
“What can I do for you, Mr. Hunter?” she asked sharply, clearly not amused with being forced out of her house at eight in the morning.
“You got what you wanted,” he told her simply and held up his hands to make his point. “Now let’s talk about what I want.”
She laughed bitterly. “What you want is of little consequence to me.”
“Really? You think I can’t find my way to Atlanta?” Alex shot back. “You think I can’t beg him to take me back?”
She took a shuddering breath, making it obvious the threat had hit its mark. “What do you want?”
Alex gave her a grim smile. “I’ve bled for you, Mrs. Tarrington, and honestly, I’d love nothing more than to make you do the same, but I’m a little too nice to do it. The deal I’m about to make you is bargain basement. It’s a sin it’s so underpriced, and it’s certainly a lot less than you deserve.”
She gasped in insult. “How dare you!”
“Two hundred grand,” Alex said, refusing to rise to her bait. “That’s the cost for ripping out my heart.”
She huffed. “You’re dreaming if you believe for one minute I’ll give you that much money!”
“I think you will,” Alex said with grim confidence. “In fact, I’d wager an entire restaurant on it.”
Chapter Fourteen
Present Day
Matt sat in his car staring at the beach house that reminded him of Alex in so many ways he felt as if he was having a heart attack from the ache in his chest. The green roof was new. The driveway had been paved since the last time he’d seen it, but other than that it was as if time had stood still. Looking for something he didn’t even have a name for, he rolled down his car window and closed his eyes to breathe in the sea breeze.
Matt didn’t know if the goose bumps spreading over his arms were from the crispness in the air or the wave of sexual nostalgia that washed over him. Sea breeze smelled like Alex to him, and his cock swelled with the memories.
The longing was so intense even knowing it was a mistake he couldn’t seem to stop himself from jumping headfirst into the train wreck. He reached over to the passenger-side seat and picked up the beer he had bought. Knowing it was now or never, he got out of the car. He locked the door without thought and walked up the short driveway with a strange determination that gave him inner strength he hadn’t counted on.
Matt had sat in the car a little too long and wasn’t surprised when the door was jerked open a split second after his finger touched the doorbell. Holly was flushed. Her long hair hung in wild, loose curls to the middle of her back. Her eyes were bright with an unruly sort of excitement as she said breathlessly, “You’re early.”
“Am I?” Matt asked, the six-pack of beer still in his hand as he frowned at his wrist. “It’s six.”
“Is it?” Holly also looked at his wrist and let out a low whistle. “So it is. Nice watch.” Holding on to the door frame, she leaned past him to look out to the driveway. “Nice car too. Is that a Bentley?”
“Yes,” Matt said, getting the impression of being held off. “Would you like me to come back?”
“No.” Holly’s eyes were wide in false innocence. “Just admiring your car. You could probably feed a small country with the money you put out for it, but it is a beautiful vehicle.”
“It’s a company car,” Matt said defensively.
“Yes, but you own the company,” Holly said, her voice still bright and sweet, though the accusation was clear.
“I don’t own all of it.”
Holly arched an eyebrow. “You’re not a majority shareholder?”
Well, Matt couldn’t argue with that, and he didn’t have to. Holly was saved from further stall tactics when Alex came down the hallway, tugging a shirt over his head, showing off smooth, tan skin. Matt couldn’t help the way his eyes darted to the firm six-pack on display. His gaze ran over the trail of light hair leading beneath the lining of Alex’s jeans before he tugged his shirt down. Matt wanted to hate Alex for having such a beautiful body when he considered the amount of time he spent working on his own physique. Alex was one of those annoying men who could eat whatever he wanted, do a few sit-ups, run on the beach three times a week, and still look like a Calvin Klein model. Restaurant work hadn’t worn on Alex any more than time had.
“Hey, man.” Alex walked to the door and held out his hand. “You’re right on time. I forgot that bad habit of yours.”
Matt switched the beer to his other hand, then shook Alex’s hand. “Was I supposed to be late?” he asked, frowning at Alex, seeing his hair was wet, making it obvious he had just gotten out of the shower. “I brought beer.”
“Cool.” Alex leaned past Holly to look out at the driveway. He let out a low whistle eerily similar to Holly’s. “Hot car. Makes my Mini Cooper look like total shit sitting next to it.”
“It’s a company car,” Matt repeated, still feeling defensive about it after Holly’s speech.
“Yes, but you’re the one driving it. Lucky you.” Alex gave him a wide smile, making him look so handsome it nearly stole Matt’s breath. “It really is a sexy car. Makes me want one.”
“They cost about two hundred grand.” Holly raised her eyebrows at Alex. “Base model.”
“Or I’ll just admire yours.” Alex pushed the door open farther. “Come on in.”
Matt could tell Alex was feeling uncomfortable, but he still had that easygoing attitude that made him effortless to talk to and great to take to parties. Alex left everyone around him feeling relaxed and cool by association. It took deft observation and a knowing of the real Alex to see he was covering tension with easy banter. Matt saw the hard set to his shoulders and the way he rubbed at the back of his neck like he always did when there was more to be said but he had no desire to actually say it.
“Are you hungry?” Alex took the beer from Matt and walked into the kitchen. “I could cook.” He turned to Holly, as if needing confirmation, the tension still pouring off him in waves despite his outwardly cool demeanor. “Should I cook?”
“No, you cooked all day. We’ll order pizza and play some poker. You like pizza, Matt, don’t you? Of course you do.” Holly waved off the question as if ridiculous. “Everyone likes pizza. What do you want on yours?”
Matt stared at her, realizing he hadn’t had a piece of pizza in four years. “Um. Veggies.” At least then he’d have something good for him in the mix, and he’d just run a few extra miles in the morning. “I’ll pay.”
“Don’t be stupid,” Holly said as she gave him a playful frown. “We may not be driving a Bentley, but we can afford pizza. You’re our guest. We’re paying.”
Holly left to go order pizza. Matt was left alone with Alex, who had gotten to the point that even his naturally cool demeanor had given way to obvious nervousness as he opened a beer, hitting it against the edge of the counter. Matt watched the bottle cap bounce off the tile and then turned to see Alex take a long, gulping drink of his beer, making it disappear in a way that would have been impressive to college frat boys.
Matt put his hands into the pockets of his khaki pants and studied Alex in concern, wondering if there was more to his nervousness than he had originally suspected. “Are you really fucking Holly now? It seems like more than an act.”
Alex coughed, spraying beer over the clean kitchen tiles before he doubled over, gasping for breath. Matt rushed to him, patting his back as the fit of coughing shook Alex’s tense frame. Feeling guilty, he said in a rush, “I’m not good at this, Lex. I’m sorry. I just—”
“Holly invited you,” Alex interrupted him, another cough bursting out of him. He wiped his mouth and then took a drink of his beer as if trying to clear his throat. “And when have I
ever
given you an indication that was a possibility?”
“I don’t know.” Matt looked at him in anguish. “You’re nervous. I’ve never seen you lose your cool before. I thought maybe I was making things difficult for you.”
“You are.” Alex turned away from him to look out the window and stare at the ocean reflecting the last dying embers of sunlight. “But not because of Holly.”
“I can leave.” Matt choked on the words because leaving was the last thing he wanted. Despite the heartache, his body and soul were humming for the connection he shared with Alex. He had forgotten how powerful their attraction was, overwhelming enough to make him temporarily forget the past. “Do you want that?”