Alexis glared at her. “What is going on? Why did you run off? Why are you so upset? What happened?” She asked in rapid-fire succession.
“I am not a client or an adversary.” V reminded her friend. “We can have a conversation but I don’t need and inquisition.”
Alexis looked down guiltily. “Sorry I didn’t mean too lead one. However, you are acting like a hostile witness.” Alexis pointed out softly.
V blushed slightly. “Sorry… It has been a rough day.” She attempted to explain her reaction to Alexis’ questions.
”I can tell. Want to tell me what caused it?” Alexis asked in a soft empathetic tone. She couldn’t risk upsetting V again.
V nodded slightly. “I don’t know what Jax told you, already.” V started not really wanting to rehash the story. However, Alexis didn’t say anything. “I wanted to talk to Jax before the ball tonight.” V considered going into more detail but didn’t. “I arrived at the penthouse early and I over heard him talking with Chloe… She was saying horrible things about me… He didn’t say a word. I thought we were friends.” V’s voice still carried the same anger it had before. However, no more tears fell from her eyes.
Alexis looked over V carefully. “Is that all?”
“Isn’t it enough?” V asked indignantly.
“Honestly? No.” Alexis studied the expression on V’s perplexed face. “I know what you are thinking, what more could I possibly want?” Alexis smiled and continued when V nodded her assent. “Did he say anything about you? Did he agree with her? What?”
As angry as she was with Alexis she couldn’t really answer that question. What made me so mad? V asked herself. I know he didn’t defend me, but I didn’t give him a chance. Thinking back she tried to remember what exactly set her off. “It wasn’t just Jax.” She admitted softly.
”Well what was it?” Alexis asked now truly curious about her friend’s answer.
----
Chloe smiled. Everything was going to be perfect. As soon as Simon helped her smooth out the details everything would fall into place. “We are going to perform at the nurses ball. Isn’t it perfect?”
Simon looked at her and then looked at the floor around her to see if he could find her lost marbles. “What are you talking about? How would that help anything?” He asked curiously.
“Well, hopefully when Jax finds out that we are performing together he will get jealous. He will realize how he truly feels about me and he will ask to step in.” Chloe explained with a triumphant grin. “Isn’t it perfect?”
Simon tried to calculate the how many potential problems there were in the plan. The number was astronomical. “You can’t be serious.” He said in utter disbelief.
“Of course I am serious.” She answered becoming increasingly upset that Simon could not realize the genius of her plan.
“Maybe you should lay off the beauty products for a while. I think the chemicals have gone to your brain.” Simon said semi seriously.
“Of course they have not. As soon as I tell him that you and I are dancing together Jax will beg me to reconsider.” She said seriously
Simon smirked. “And when he doesn’t?”
Chloe considered the possibilities. “Do you think that could happen? Maybe it could. We will twist your ankle so you can’t go on. Jax will not want to ruin the show so he will offer to go on in your place.” Chloe smiled. That plan was even more brilliant than the first.
Simon groaned. “Aside from the fact that you are NOT injuring me.” He began emphatically. “How will that make anything better?”
Chloe laughed. “That is the brilliant part. Lets go. We have work to do.”
Simon sighed as he got up to follow her. “Why did I even bother asking?” He muttered under his breath.
----
“What are my intentions with V? I believe I asked you first, little brother.” Jerry countered. There was no way he was beginning this discussion.
“Great, since we aren’t four anymore you can answer first too.” Jax responded. This was exactly the way they fought as kids. Neither one of them willing to give up anything until after the other one had. If they were really about to fight over a woman, it wouldn’t be pretty.
“But I really want to know what you think, Jasper.” Jerry baited his brother. He didn’t really know how to answer the question Jax had put before him. His only hope was that Jax’ answer would make the whole point null and void.
Jax shook his head. “Sorry. Not going to work.” He told his brother. This was no longer just about V. It was a matter of pride. He wasn’t giving in.
Jerry couldn’t help but laugh. “Weren’t you the one who said we were too old to fight like this?”
“I lied.” Jax answered becoming increasingly upset. “If you aren’t going to come clean with me, just go.”
“I am not that easy, little brother. Tell me about V.” Jerry said firmly.
Just by hearing the tone in Jerry’s voice, Jax knew his brother would not back down. “You know about her. She is smart, funny, beautiful, tenacious, quick, stubborn… And I… I…” Jax trailed off not really knowing what to say next.
“You what, Jax?” Jerry asked trying to hide the pain in his voice.