Our Broken Love by Terri Anne Browning
twenty-one
Gabriella spent a good half hour lecturing. But after she got it out of her system she sat back sipping her glass of wine while they waited for their main course to arrive. Alexis had let her cousin vent, knew that it would help Gabriella burn off some aggression.
She had met up with her cousin for dinner and told her right away what she had decided in regards to Jared. For now, she just needed him in her life. Later, she promised her cousin, later she would deal with all the other stuff. Once Gabriella finished with her tirade of ‘he isn’t good for you’, ‘sleaze ball, bastard’ and ‘fucking douchebag’ which seemed to be her favorite so far by the number of times she had used it, the older girl put down her glass and grasped Alexis’s hands.
“Lee-Lee, I love you. All I want is for you to be happy. Is this what you really want?” Her eyes were searching.
Alexis smiled, trying to reassure the older woman. “I’m not sure of anything, other than I love him. So for now…” She broke off with a shrug. “I’m going to take things one day at a time.”
Gabriella sighed. “Okay. I’ll try to respect that.” She grimaced and sat back. “But don’t expect me to be nice to that fucker."
Their waiter appeared with their grilled tilapia with steamed veggies. While they enjoyed their dinner Alexis asked how Gabriella’s lunch date with her manager went. Gabriella grunted. “As expected. But I made a few stipulations and I expect that Axton will be pissed when he hears them.”
“Axton?” The name sounded familiar, but she couldn’t put a face to the unusual name.
“Axton Cage, frontrunner of OtherWorld. Rocker, heartthrob, arrogant swine, and basically, every female in the worlds idea of a wet dream come to life.” Her tone suggested that she wasn’t one of the exceptions. Alexis raised a brow at it. “I toured with OtherWorld and Demon’s Wings the entire time I was in Europe and Australia. Everyone expects me to do an album with OtherWorld. But it was Axton who went through my manager rather than just asking me.”
“What were your stipulations?”
“I have a few songs that I’m working on. One in particular that I have a burning need to get out. I think it has a chance of being a top hit, but it needs some male vocal backing to it and Axton has what I’m looking for. If he will do the song with me, and we can get a video out within the next few months, I will willingly do six songs on OtherWorld’s next album—most of them just violin solos. But, I expect my song will be good publicity for us both and if the album does as well as expected, I’m going to end up touring directly with OtherWorld instead of just being their opening act.”
Alexis couldn’t contain her squeal. “That’s awesome, Gabs! I’m so happy for you.”
Gabriella shrugged. “It isn’t a done deal yet. Axton has to agree to my song before I do anything else.”
“He would be stupid not to agree.”
“Well, I’ll know Saturday evening one way or the other.” She pushed her half eaten plate away. “I’m supposed to have dinner with him. Want to come with me?”
Alexis grimaced. “I don’t know if I can. I promised Mom I would drop off a few things for her concerning work. I’ll let you know.”
“Whatever it is won’t take that long, surely? I want you to come, Lee-Lee. It’s important to me.” She reached for Alexis hand again. “And I need some moral support. Axton? He makes me crazy. I hate him. I want him … I spend half my time screaming at him, and the other half with my tongue down his throat.”
Alexis nearly spit out the mouthful of water she had just sipped. She took her time wiping her mouth with her linen napkin. Gabriella was normally level headed about guys. If she was having bi-polar feelings for this one? Well, it was probably good for Gabriella.
“Okay.” She finally gave in. “I’ll take care of Mom’s stuff as early as possible and have dinner with you…If you let me bring Jared.”
***
Nica Andrews—or whatever her last name happened to be now, was more than what she was expecting when they met for coffee the next afternoon, with her long legs, shoulder length cooper hair, and big blue eyes. Her exceptional height, standing at just under six feet tall, her exquisite beauty, and bubbly personality Alexis was almost in awe the first minute or two after introducing herself to the woman.
They had exchanged several texts over the last week. Even through the limited conversations they’d had Alexis had started to like the woman. Now as they sat chatting after having already taken care of the business end, Alexis felt a little reluctant to end their meeting. Nica seemed just as much so, ordering a pot of tea after they had finished their coffees.
“I hate to ask, but your crutches have caught my attention.” She finally commented after the tea was placed between them and Nica had poured them each a cup. She had been glancing at the crutches every so often, but not in a way that made Alexis uncomfortable.
She found herself telling the other woman all about her accident. Alexis felt as if she were talking to Gabriella, only finding it easier to get through the ordeal because Nica wasn’t as emotionally involved as Gabriella was. Even so, Nica was noticeably paler when Alexis was finished.
Her hand trembled ever so slightly as she sipped her tea. “I’m sorry, Lexi,” she murmured after a moment had passed. “You sound like a very brave person to have handled that without losing your mind.”
Alexis shrugged. “I guess that I have the few months leading up to my accident that helped strengthened my resolve. I went a little wild before the accident,” she confided.
“Oh, sweetie!” Nica laughed. “We all go through a wild phase. Mine wasn’t so much wild as insane.” They both laughed. “But when I met Ricky…” she sighed. “I wanted to be someone that he would be proud of to have on his arm.”
As if just saying her husband’s name was enough to summon him, her phone chimed and she reached for it with a murmured ‘sorry’. “Ricky … He canceled?” She frowned. “But we’re only going to be here for a few more days.” She wasn’t hiding her pout now. “I really wanted to catch up. Can you see if he can do tomorrow…? So? Ricky, I thought you’d moved on from those thoughts!” She looked at Alexis and rolled her eyes. “Fine. Whatever! I’ll see you when I get back.” She glanced down at the thin silver watch on her wrist. “It just turned four. Of course. Love you … Love you more.” There was a happy, goofy look on her face as she hung up. It didn’t take much to see that she was in love with her husband.
“Sorry about that,” she said with a sighed. “Ricky doesn’t get along with his brother. But he’s my best friend. I wanted to get together with him tonight, but he backed out at the last minute. Probably some bimbo with a passion for really bad spray tans.”
Alexis nearly snorted her tea through her nose trying to contain her laughter, causing Nica to burst into giggles. “I really like hanging out with you, Lexi.”
“It has been a real treat,” Alexis assured her. “We need to do it again.”
Nica clapped her hands together, delighted. “Yay! I’m only going to be here for a few more days before we fly back to Milan. But I’ll be back in three weeks. Can you squeeze me in for an afternoon coffee?”
“I’d love too.”
“Wonderful.” She stood when her phone chimed again. This time her eyes were dancing with merriment. “I have to take this. It’s my brother-in-law. Tell your mom I’ll catch her in Milan on her next stop over.” She brushed a kiss over Alexis’s cheek and waved as she headed for the door. “Jerry! How could you cancel on me like that? Aren’t I the love of your life?”
Alexis watched her new friend as she walked by the front window. The look on her face was so close to the one she’d had when she spoke to her husband that Alexis was almost taken aback. She pushed those thoughts away, knowing that she was just reading too much into it and reached for her crutches. She had to get back to Malibu to get ready for her dinner with Gabriella.
twenty-two
The restaurant was the kind that had a waiting list six
When Alexis arrived, she was the last of their foursome. Gabriella had had to take care of some business with her manager so hadn’t been at the house when Alexis had gotten home. Jared had offered to pick her up, but she had insisted on taking a taxi since she didn’t want to have to make him drive all the way to Malibu after spending a whole Saturday working.
The hostess led her to their table, all the way in the back in an almost secluded area from the other diners. Because of the way the seating arrangement was the other patrons were mostly hidden anyway, which pleased her because no one was able to stare at her as she made her way across the dining room.
As she neared their table she took a quick moment to take in the others. Gabriella seemed tense. Whether that was because of her anger at Jared or her relationship—as it was—with the sexy rock god seated beside of her, Alexis didn’t know. Axton Cage, with his short dark hair and disturbingly good looking face had most of his tattoos hidden under his suit. He sat back, relaxed in his chair, swallowing Scotch as smoothly as if where water. He was talking, a half smile on his face as he gazed at Gabriella, who appeared to be ignoring him.
On the other side of Gabriella sat Jared, who had a frown on his devastatingly sexy face. He didn’t even pretend to be interested in the other two occupants at the table and Alexis wondered how long they had been waiting on her. Long enough to already have had an argument? For Gabriella to have told Jared what she thought of him?
Catching sight of her, Jared’s expression morphed into one of pure pleasure and he stood. He came around the table, pulling her close to brush his lips across her mouth. She leaned into him, loving the taste of him on her tongue. When he pulled back, she wanted to beg him for more. Instead she turned her attention to her cousin who was glaring up at her. “Did you get lost?”
Jared pulled out her chair, the only one left between himself and Axton. Alexis waited until she was seated before answering. “It’s a Saturday night in LA, Gabs. Traffic from Malibu was pure hell.”
Axton gave her a welcoming smile and she found herself melting a little despite the fact that she was crazy for Jared. It appeared that she wasn’t immune to the rock god either. “Well hello, beautiful. I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.”
Alexis grinned. “I’m Lexi.” She offered him her hand and he gently clasped it, bringing it to his lips to brush a soft kiss across her knuckles. Of course it made her giggle, she just couldn’t help it.
“Hello, sweet Lexi,” he murmured, glancing at her through his long, thick eyelashes. It was seductive and sexy as hell.
Beside of her Jared actually growled. Alexis blinked, coming back to reality and tugging her hand free before reaching for Jared’s. She cleared her throat before she spoke. “So, how long have you guys been here?”
“Long enough for Gabriella to assure me that she is no longer in the Jared Giordano fan club,” Jared muttered, but his eyes were still shooting daggers at Axton. “And for rocker boy over there to drink half a bottle of fifty-year-old Scotch. And score at least three numbers from the wait staff.”
She sighed. “Well then I guess I arrived just in time.” She chanced a glance at Gabriella. “How was your afternoon, Gabs?”
“It was lovely,” she snapped.
Alexis grinned, not in the least affected by her cousin’s bad mood. “Awesome. Are we channeling Nonno this evening or is this one of those times when Gabriella has a visit from her ‘little friend’ sort of thing?”
Gabriella’s lips twitched. “Bitch.”
Axton turned a glare at her while Jared, probably having seen the way the two cousins tended to interact, just clenched his jaw and reached for his menu. Alexis laughed. “Takes one to know one, bitch.”
Gabriella gave up and grinned. “Love you, Lee-Lee.”
“Love you.” She reached for her own menu. “Well, are we celebrating? If we are then I’m going to want dessert. If not, then I’m still getting dessert.”
Gabriella turned her eyes to Axton. “Have you decided? Will you do the song with me?”
He shrugged. “I’m walking into this thing blind. You refuse to let me even see the song. But I guess I’ll have to trust you, because I need your sound on the new album.”
Gabriella’s eyebrows rose. “Wow. Axton Cage needs someone. Call the tabloids. I’m sure that this is news worthy.”
His lips twitched. “I fucking hate you sometimes, Brie.”
Alexis glanced between the two of them, feeling like she was watching a tennis match. It was amusing and a little intense. She could actually feel the heat from the sparks that flashed between the two of them as they locked gazes. And he was calling her Brie? And Gabriella was letting him call her something other than her given name, without a knee to his boy parts?
Whoa!
“Well I guess we are celebrating then,” Gabriella murmured after a few more intense moments.
Alexis laughed. “Great. I’m ecstatic.” She grabbed Jared’s arm and entwined their fingers. “I’m starving.”
As if those were the magic words a waiter appeared. “Good evening.” He smiled at Alexis, warm but professional. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“I’ll have some mineral water.”
He inclined his head. “Do you need a moment to look over our menu?”
Over the next hour the tension at the table seemed to ease for the most part. Axton went back to flirting with Alexis, but she was building up an immunity to it, for the most part. Jared and Gabriella seemed to thaw a little toward each other. Jared was even able to make Gabriella laugh a few times.
When it was time for dessert, Alexis ordered cheesecake and when she pouted after eating the last bite, Jared ordered her another slice without her even having to ask. She felt like she was going to burst, but she was content and smiling by the time Jared paid the bill and they all stood to leave.
Outside they waited while the valets retrieved Jared’s Lexus and Axton’s car. Alexis snuggled close to Jared, but chatted with her cousin while they waited. “I promised Vince that we would have dinner together tomorrow night. Don’t be late.”
Gabriella raised a brow. “I’m never late. That’s you.”
“Am I invited?” Axton asked, tugging on a lock of Gabriella’s long hair.
She shrugged. “If you want to come, sure. Vince likes your music.”
It was his turn to raise a brow. “Who exactly is Vince?”
“Vince is my brothers,” Alexis assured him. “And please, join us. The more the merrier.” She pressed closer to Jared, raising her head to brush her lips across his chin. “Want to come? I promise my brother won’t hurt you.”
His smile was full of regret. “Sorry, dolcezza. I have some business to take care of. Rain check?”
She instantly felt guilty for taking him away from work so much. “About time you got some work done,” she teased. “You are such a slacker.”
The Lexus was pulled to a stop before them and Jared tipped the man as he handed over the keys. “Can I drive you home?” Jared asked softly.
She shivered deliciously. “I was hoping you would take me home with you,” she murmured, meeting his eyes boldly.
Those molasses eyes of his did such amazing things when he was aroused. His voice went all gravely. “Really?”
Instead of answering him she turned her attention to Gabriella who was locked in Axton’s gaze once more. “Are you going back to Malibu?” she asked her cousin.
“Um…” She didn’t even try to look away from the rocker. “I don’t know. Am I?” she asked the rock god.
“I have a really nice penthouse,” he said in that voice that caused women to throw their underwear at him on stage. It had ju
“I’ll see you tomorrow night,” Alexis called to her cousin as Jared held open the passenger door for her.
“Did you bring your medicine?” Jared asked, once he was behind the wheel.
“I have everything I need,” she assured him. “Let’s go home.”
twenty-three
Time passed quickly. Alexis couldn’t believe how fast six weeks went by. She was kept busy with physical therapy, her weekly visits with Dr. Reid, but mostly with Jared. In therapy she was doing beyond better than even Dr. Bradford had hoped. She was even taking less pain medication because of how well her back muscles were strengthening. Dr. Reid thought that she was responding well with the musical therapy that he was continuing to blend into their sessions.
She had told him about Jared, to a certain point. Nothing about their past. She wasn’t ready to deal with the past yet. So she avoided talk of it at all costs. Her father took this as a sign of her moving forward. Gabriella, however, thought that she was only setting herself up for trouble in the long run. Alexis ignored her when she tried to talk to her about it. The bubble she was in where Jared was concerned seemed to be strengthening and she didn’t want her cousin to mess it up.
Gabriella’s new song was getting ready to be released nationwide. But she had wanted to get the video out at the same time, so they had rushed to get it ready. Two weeks before, Gabriella and Axton had flown to New York to film it and hadn’t returned until a few days before. When Alexis asked about it, Gabriella kept changing the subject. Simply saying that it was going to be amazing, when Alexis would insist.
But oddly enough it was Axton who issued an invitation to view the video the night before it was to air. She didn’t know what to expect when she arrived at Gabriella’s manager’s house, but the people already seated in front of the television in the entertainment room really took her aback.