7 Degrees of Alpha (a collection of seven new BWWM, Alpha Male Romances) (33 page)

It was 7pm on a weekday, and Sydney was heading out to Haley’s House. She loved the volunteer work she did there with the families. Sydney taught a success class two nights a week to the women trying to get back into the workforce, and a fun fashion class for the women to learn how to dress for a new job on a small budget. Most of these women were starting from scratch and had been out of the workforce for years, and some didn’t have any previous job experience at all. Not only did they not have any skills, not even for entry level positions, but they also didn’t know what was expected as far as work attire. Sydney would help them with makeup, hair, and putting together appropriate clothing. She would also help them with interview questions, typing, and computer skills. It took a lot of time, but Sydney wouldn’t want to spend her time doing anything else.

The problem with Sydney spending so much time at Haley’s House was that Bradford started asking her to cut back on her hours there in order to help him with his campaign that was coming up in the fall. Sydney didn’t feel it was necessary for her to be by his side every waking moment or even to campaign because they were not a married couple. In fact, they weren’t even engaged. Being with Bradford was harder than anything should be, especially if you were supposed to care about that person. They were just different people.

The buzzing of her cell phone brought Sydney out of her musings. She looked at the Caller ID, and saw that it was Bradford…again.

I guess I better answer it, so he can stop calling,
Sydney thought to herself.

She had just arrived at Haley’s House, so she decided that she would find an empty office for some privacy.

“Hello?” Sydney answered with an exasperated sigh.

“It’s about damn time! Where the hell have you been?” Bradford huffed into the phone. “I have called you several times today, Sydney, and not only did you not answer the phone, you didn’t call me back immediately. This is unacceptable behavior that is unbecoming to someone in your position.” Bradford was tired of dealing with Sydney’s sudden avoidance.  He could have any woman that he wanted and she needed to get with the program.

“Bradford, what the hell are you talking about? Unbecoming to someone in my position; what the hell is that supposed to mean?” Sydney asked Bradford annoyed; her voice becoming louder with each question.

Bradford sputtered into the phone, shocked by Sydney’s display of annoyance toward him. She had never stood up to him before; she just simply nodded and went along with what he said. However, as of late, something had changed. That’s why he and his family decided to have her followed. He needed to get to the bottom of her erratic behavior before Election Day. He needed to be seen as a stable wholesome man with a loving relationship.

“Why are you acting so crazy?  You know this erratic behavior is not something I can take lightly…What’s gotten into you?”

Both Bradford and his family had decided that Sydney Hamilton and her family fit the prestige and diversity needed for his easy acceptance for the beginning of his political career. Sydney was attractive enough for Bradford; she just wasn’t his type per se. He could, however, keep her in the forefront for the good of his image; he would just keep a little something on the side for his actual needs. But Sydney was not following protocol, and she was starting to mess with not only his plans but his career. He was only going along with being with her because of his father’s wishes, but her attitude as of late was starting to wear him thin.

“I’m not acting crazy…you are calling me like a fucking psycho…and you’re starting to really piss me off!”  Sydney had had enough of playing it cool.  She was going to tell Bradford exactly where to go and how to get there.

“Sydney, you will not speak to me in that manner. What’s gotten into you?” Bradford responded in a sharp tone appalled at the language she had used.

“Nothing has gotten into me, Brad. You’re the one calling me and screaming in the damn phone like some lunatic,” Sydney replied through clenched teeth, she was no longer trying to reign in her temper. “I am a successful attorney, I volunteer my time, and I have a life. What makes you think I have time to pick up your three thousand calls throughout the day? It couldn’t have been urgent or an emergency because not one of those times did you leave a message.”

“That’s the problem, Sydney; you spend too much time at that damn center or whatever,” Bradford said in a snide tone. “It’s fine to volunteer every once in a while, but you are there more than you are with me. It’s unacceptable, and I won’t put up with it any longer! If we are going to be together, you need to stop with your foolishness and get with the program. It’s important for me to win this election, and you need to be part of the process.”

Sydney couldn’t believe her ears. She knew that Bradford was changing, but now she knew he was just showing his true colors. She looked down at the phone bewildered. How could she have been so stupid to think she could eventually grow to love this man, to think that once she got to know him better that they could have something? She once thought that he was kind, caring, and a gentleman. He had never pressured her for sex, although they had been seeing each other for several months. He always understood why Sydney wasn’t ready for sex, and he also wanted to wait to be intimate until they knew each other better.

At first, he had told her it was wonderful that she volunteered at the shelter. He said it showed how big of a heart she had, but now all of a sudden she was “spending too much time there.” She could see now that all he cared about was himself.

Sydney’s hands began to shake with her rising anger. She let out a long, calming breath before she spoke. “Brad, you are absolutely correct. There is no need to put up with me any longer. We are finished. I’m done, and you can find yourself a new puppet to play along with your stupid campaign.”

“Sydney, what the hell do you think you’re saying?  You can’t break up with me….You’re making a grave mistake. You don’t want to do thi-”

Sydney cut off Bradford’s pleading. “Shut the hell up!! Just stop. I’m done. Don’t call me again. I mean it! You are a selfish asshole, and I never, ever,
ever
want to speak to you again!”

“You will regret this, you stupid bi…”

Sydney disconnected the call before Bradford had a chance to finish his sentence. She felt that a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She was so worried about what her family would think if she let a man like Bradford go. His family was well known in Dallas; his father was a retired Senator, his brother was a former judge and current Senator, and Bradford was set to start his political career as mayor.

Sydney had been so focused on school and then her career that her father and mother were convinced she would be an old maid. Her mother kept setting her up with different men from her social circle. They were all stuck up, high society jerks, but Sydney would do anything she could to please her parents. Sydney was an only child, and coming from such an affluent family, she felt a lot of pressure to be perfect. Both her parents came from money, and being African American made them work that much harder to make sure they kept up the reputation that came with their name. Sydney always played by the rules and always did what they asked of her. She even ended up with a prosperous man with his own family name. They didn’t even mind that Bradford was white. With his political connections and his ambition to start his own political career, he had her parents eating out of the palm of his hand.

But this time she wouldn’t be perfect Sydney that did anything she could to please everyone around her. No, she would live for herself and follow her heart. Ever since she started working at the shelter over a year before, she saw what these victims lived through. The things they had to endure she never could imagine in her wildest dreams. She saw women that were abused, battered, and broken without a dime to their name or a thing to call their own, step out on faith and change their lives for the better. So Sydney started to see the error in how she was living. Always doing what other’s expected even if she was miserable. If these women could stand up for themselves, so could she. And she grew a backbone just in time to get the hell away from Bradford Murray.

It had been over a week since Sydney broke it off with Bradford, and she couldn’t have felt more content with her life. Being with Brad was more out of obligation than want or even a need. She didn’t feel that magnetic pull toward him or passion. She didn’t have goosebumps or an overwhelming need to be near him. Being with Brad was an afterthought for Sydney. And although she felt lonely at times and wanted that breathtaking love, she knew that she would never have that with Bradford. He wasn’t the one, and although Sydney had figured that out, grown a backbone in order to break up with Bradford, and found herself a new sense of empowerment, she decided that she would hold off on telling her parents about the breakup until after the annual spring gala. She wanted to keep the peace for just a little while longer.

Just thinking about her farce of a relationship made Sydney upset. She was just glad she didn’t waste years trying to make something with Bradford work. She couldn’t go on people pleasing. She had to live for herself.

Before she could finish the thought, her mother called. Sydney groaned in anticipation of the latest tongue lashing she would receive from her mother.

“Hello, mother. How are you?” Sydney said while trying to sound normal.

“Oh, so you
do
have my number stored,” Sydney’s mom, Sandra, stated in a huff. “I wouldn’t have known that since it’s been days since you’ve called me.”

“I’m sorry, mother. You know how busy I get sometimes. I have several new clients at the firm and the shelter has been really busy lately,” Sydney responded quickly, trying to get all of the explanation out before her mother had time to dispute what she was saying.

“Ummm hmmm. Are you sure you aren’t avoiding me because you broke up with Bradford?” Sandra questioned.

Oh shit! This prick called my mama!
Sydney thought to herself. She cleared her throat before answering, “Yes, mama, I’m sure.”

“Oh now I’m mama,” Sandra snickered. “Syd, I’m not sure why you think you had to keep things like this from us. Your father and I love you, and we just want you to be happy. If Bradford wasn’t the man to do that, then good riddance to him.”

Sydney was shocked at her mother’s easy acceptance. She was expecting a speech. “Mama, I thought you would be disappointed. I never want to disappoint you and daddy.”

“I know, sweetheart, but you’re a grown woman now, and your first priority should be your own happiness, not ours.”

Sydney was still shocked by how receptive her mother was to the news about her break up; her mom was always pushing what she called “suitable men” on her. “Mama, you are always pu..…uh…setting me up on dates. Why are you so willingly accepting this breakup?”

“I wasn’t pushing anyone on you, little girl. I was only trying to help. You’re always so busy working. Before you started dating Bradford, I thought you seemed unhappy. I thought if you had a partner, then maybe you would enjoy life more.”

“I never knew you felt like that, mama. I love my job. I love what I do, and believe me, I am happy. To be honest, those men weren’t really my type…at all.” Sydney defended.

“Honey, I know you love your job, but that’s not all you are or all that you have. Your father and I had each other when we started the firm. I just want you to have someone to share your life with.” Sandra replied thoughtfully.

Sydney smiled at her mother’s encouraging words. Sydney always thought that her mom wanted her married and pregnant, and that her mother didn’t care who with. Sydney let out a sigh of relief, happy to have talked with her mom.

“Mama, I love you, and thank you.” Sydney stated simply.

“For what, baby?”

“For just being you. I promise that I won’t wind up being an old maid if you promise to stop pushing those uppity men on me.” Sydney chuckled.

“What?…Uppity?…I would never…Sydney Michelle, those were good wholesome men.” Sandra stated laughing.

“Come on now, mama.”

Sandra laughed again. “Okay, I promise not to set you up or push any more uppity or non-uppity men on you if you promise to stop working so much, relax, and have a little fun. You work too hard, daughter, and your daddy and I both agree that you’re the best thing we ever made, and we’re so proud of you.  But we want grandchildren while we’re still able to get around and be useful.”

Sydney’s smile waned just a little. If it wasn’t marriage, it was kids. “Mama, I just broke up with my boyfriend, so I’m definitely not ready for kids.”

“Okay, okay. I get it. No pressure. Just know that your daddy, nanny, and I are waiting on our grandbaby to come; that’s all.”

Hmmph, no pressure my ass. She really laid it on thick bringing up my grandma. My nanny is one of the most important people in my life
. Shaking her head, Sydney sighed. “I love you, mama, and I understand what you’re saying.”

“Good, now I will expect you for Sunday dinner this week. We are having some friends over, and we would like to see your beautiful face.”

Sydney took a deep breath. At least they had come to an understanding, so now she wouldn’t have to waste time on another date that wouldn’t go anywhere. “Okay, mother, I will see you Sunday.”

Sandra chuckled. “I’m back to being ‘mother’ am I? Okay,
daughter,
see you Sunday. Love you.”

Sydney giggled. “Love you too,
mama.”

***

“Marco. Speak,” Marco answered in his usually gruff manner.

“Mr. Bellomi, this is Bradford Murray. I am calling you directly to let you know your services are no longer needed,” Bradford stated feigning nonchalance.

“Okay. Is there something you were unhappy with?” Marco asked knowing the answer.

“No, your performance was up to par.  I have decided that Ms. Hamilton is not worth the time or effort.  Your last payment has been sent. Thank you again.” Then Bradford disconnected the call abruptly.

Marco smirked as he disconnected the call. He knew the real reason behind Bradford’s sudden reason for not needing his services. Bradford wasn’t ending this job because he had come to the conclusion that Sydney Hamilton was not worth the time; Marco knew that Bradford no longer needed his services because Sydney had broken up with Bradford over a week before, and he still was having her followed. Marco didn’t get guys like Bradford Murray. A slime ball like him got a beautiful, intelligent, sweet woman and he couldn’t wait to cheat on her. On one hand, Marco was glad he didn’t have to work for Bradford anymore because every time he would call for an update, it took all he had not to go through with kicking the dirt bag’s ass, but on the other hand, he knew he wouldn’t have a reason to see Sydney’s beautiful face anymore.  He would often have to talk himself out of going and starting a conversation with her.  Sydney’s smile was like a beacon of light calling to him, drawing him in making his desire grow more and more with each time he saw her.  Yes, he would indeed miss her beautiful face.