Chapter 85
Alex had found a dress for Chelsea purely by accident when he’d gone to buy her a new phone and now had it on the bus. He was anxiously waiting for her to return so that he could give it to her.
As he waited, he watched cartoons with Annie who quickly fell asleep. Alex smiled watching the little girl. She was so much like Chelsea and he loved both of them with everything he had.
Chelsea climbed aboard as she said good-bye to Nick and Michelle. Seeing Annie asleep, she motioned for Alex to follow her.
In the back, she ran her hands across his chest and gave him a kiss. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too! I got you a couple surprises.”
“Really?” she asked, her eyes wide.
Reaching to the bed, he picked up the first package. “Here…open this first.”
Chelsea quickly opened it to find a new phone. “Alex?”
“I got you a new one and all your contacts have been transferred. You have a new number and you’re on my calling plan now. Do whatever you want to customize it.”
“That’s so sweet, Alex! Thank you,” and she gave him a kiss. “What’s my other surprise?”
“Close your eyes,” instructed Alex.
“Do I need to make a wish?”
“Not this time.” Chelsea closed her eyes and Alex reached in the closet to get the dress. “Okay.”
Opening her eyes, Chelsea was stunned to see the dress. It was exactly what she’d imagined wearing but she decided to tease him. “Alex, how are you going to wear that? You don’t have the tan or the chest for it.”
Playing along, he said, “Tanning bed, baby, and stuffing.”
“You’re gonna have to wax your chest too.”
“Not a problem.” Alex got serious and asked, “Do you like it?”
“I love it, Alex! It’s exactly what I’d imagined but where did you get it?”
“There was this little bridal shop near where I went to get your phone. Try it on.”
So excited that Alex had found the perfect dress, Chelsea forgot the traditions of getting married. She quickly stripped down, took the dress, and slipped it on. It was a perfect fit. “How did you know what size?”
Taking her by the hand and turning her around to see the whole dress, Alex said, “I know every sexy inch of my lady. You are going to be the most beautiful bride anyone has ever seen.”
That’s when it hit her and she panicked! “WEDDING! ALEX, I can’t wear this now. You’ve seen me in it and its bad luck!”
Taking her by the waist and pulling her close, Alex said, “Come on, Chels! You don’t really believe in those superstitions, do you?”
“Sorta! Alex, this has to be perfect and I don’t want anything to jinx us.”
“It WILL be perfect, Chelsea, because it’s us. Forget all the superstitions. We’re going to be okay.”
Chelsea saw her chance to bring up Kevin being his best man. Running her hands across his chest, she said, “I’ll forget them if you’ll listen to me.”
“About what?”
“Let me change and then we’ll talk.”
Alex agreed and Chelsea quickly changed out of the dress. When she was ready, she took Alex’s hand and started out to the front.
“Whoa! Let’s stay back here,” said Alex. “Annie’s asleep out there.”
The couple got comfortable on the bed and Chelsea started. “I think you should ask Kevin to be your best man.”
Alex tensed but remained silent.
“I know that right now, you’re pissed at him, but Alex…I’ve heard you say countless times in interviews that you owe your life to Kevin….that he was the one who saved you. I’ve also heard all of you say you’re brothers. Well, brothers have arguments but they work them out. Please, be the bigger man and show Kevin that you’re past this and that you do value him as a ‘brother’. Ask him to be your best man.”
Alex remained silent as he thought about what Chelsea had said. She was right but could he bring himself to forgive Kevin?
Chelsea ran her hand across his arm and began playing with his fingers. “What are you thinking about?”
“What you said.”
“And?”
“I’m still pissed. Kevin knew how he felt about you from the very beginning and he swore that it was over. He took advantage of you being away from me and being upset.”
“I didn’t have to give in. Kevin is not completely to blame in this situation, Alex. I should have said ‘no’ but I didn’t and you forgave me.”
“It’s not the same.”
“Why?”
“Because I’ve known Kevin forever…he’s my brother and brothers don’t do that. They don’t go after another’s lady.”
“I betrayed your trust though.”
“No, Chels, you didn’t. You never lied to me about it. You told me as soon as we were together.”
Chelsea was quiet as she continued to play with his fingers. Softly, she asked, “Will you talk to him?”
“I don’t know.”
Silence continued as the couple lay in each other’s arms. Chelsea’s fear was coming true.
“Alex, I love you with all my heart.”
“But?”
“I’m flying back to LA.”
“When?”
“As soon as I can get a flight.”
Alex pulled away from her and got up. Standing at the dresser, he lit a cigarette, something he did when he was nervous. “What about the wedding?”
Chelsea remained quiet as she continued to watch Alex, not sure of what to do to fix this mess.
Turning to her, tears glistened in his eyes. “Are we over?”
“No.”
“But the wedding is off?”
“I don’t want it to be but Alex, I told you when we started dating that I didn’t want to come between you and Kevin. That’s EXACTLY what has happened. You can’t forgive a man you claim saved your life and Kevin is going to quit a group he loves because he can’t stand to see me with you.”
Without a word, AJ left the bus. He was too fast for Chelsea who jumped up and tried to catch him.
At the door of the bus, she called, “ALEX!” but he didn’t slow down. “Damnit.”
Sleepily, “Mama.”
Chelsea closed her eyes, and then turned back. “Go back to sleep, baby.”
“Why were you yelling for Papa J?”
“Just trying to stop him,” sighed Chelsea. Moving back to where her daughter had been curled up, she said, “Why don’t you go back to sleep?”
“I’m hungry, Mama.”
Giving a sigh, Chelsea said, “Let me see what Alex has in the kitchenette.”
“Papa J promised to take me to McDonald’s,” pouted the little girl.
“Papa J is busy right now,” answered Chelsea as she looked out the window in the direction of Kevin’s bus.
