Anything For Your Love (13 page)

Alex was sitting on a bench at the gym talking to Sean as they waited for the rest of the family to arrive for the weekly game. A gang of Loves suddenly appeared at the gym door, talking loudly and laughing. Ty immediately approached his older brother and flopped down heavily on the bench next to him.

“Good to see you this morning,” He said with a sly grin.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Alex asked, although the look in Ty’s eyes spoke volumes. He couldn’t hide his smile, anyway.

“Last night at The House, I saw you and Jada together. I started to come over, but from the look of things...” Ty’s comment trailed off.

“Look! Are we gonna play or not?” Madison cut it. “Hannah and I are ready to kick some butt!”

Ty looked back over at Alex. “We’ll talk later.”

Alex gave him a knowing smile. “Cool, I need to talk with you and Chris anyway.”

The game was on and the only two women playing were dominating. Maddy and Hannah were running circles around the men and thoroughly enjoying every second of it.

Ami and Jada walked into the home of Ami’s parents. Ami’s mother had invited them over for a mid morning breakfast. They took seats on the back deck where Ami’s mother, Celeste, had coffee, juice, and pastries waiting.

“My mother always goes overboard,” Ami whispered to Jada. “Why can’t we be like regular people and just eat bacon and eggs?”

Jada giggled. “Oh, leave your mom alone. She’s excited to see you.”

“Oh yeah? Well, I was excited to see you, and this morning no less. Do I even have to ask where you were?” Ami smirked.

Jada blushed. “I was with Alex,” She said quietly, unable to contain the pure joy and excitement she felt inside.

“Oh, hell! I knew that! Are you going to give up the juicy details or are you going to act like a lady?”

“Ami! I’m not telling you what Alex and I did!” Jada leaned in close. “I will say, though, that I’ve never had a night like that in my life!”

Both ladies laughed a good hearty laugh as the memories painted a very vivid picture in her mind.

“Can I ask you something?” Jada said as she sat back thoughtfully.

“Sure,” Ami said as she sipped her coffee.

“I’m really starting to have feelings for Alex,” She started, “but I’m a little scared. We’ve never really talked about it. What if he doesn’t feel anything for me?”

“Alex doesn’t play games, Jada,” Ami said as she sat up in her chair. “When he loves, he loves hard. I think that’s why he’s kept women at arm's length over the years.”

“What do you mean, ‘arm's length’?”

Ami thought for a long moment, contemplating if she were betraying Alex by talking to Jada. Then she thought, what the heck, Alex and Jada were going to be together anyway. She was sure of it.

“Well, years ago Alex dated a good friend of mine named Rhonda.”

“Wait. Please, tell me it’s not the chick I met at The House.”

“Yep, that’s her. Anyway, she and Alex started going out after I had introduced them. Rhonda was at my house practicing for a talent show we were performing in together. They dated forever. Alex always knew he would follow in my Uncle Michael’s footsteps and study law. So, when he had made up his mind about college, he told her he would be studying to become an attorney. At that time, Alex was Penn Prep’s star basketball player and many people assumed he would head for the NBA. That wasn’t Alex’s style. Rhonda decided that becoming a lawyer took entirely to long to become financially set. She wanted to graduate from school, marry someone rich and famous, and instantly live the high life. So, she left him just like that. He was devastated. He had taken a chance and really fell for Rhonda, and she ripped out his heart and crushed it. He dated off and on, but never really got serious. He concentrated on his work and his career. Then, he met you. I never really thought about it until we arrived at the BBQ for his partnership. I saw the way he looked at you. I know my cousin. There was something distinctly different in his response to you. I was happy for both of you, yet, you both were acting silly. So, I must admit, Ty and I kind of pushed you guys together in the beginning, but I quickly noticed you all didn’t need our help. Don’t tell Alex that. He doesn’t like for us to interfere with his life, but that never stops us.”

“Ami. I can’t believe you did that,” Jada exclaimed.

“Please, girl. You had issues, too, and if I didn’t push you, you would have never moved,” Ami said, returning to sipping her coffee.

“Alright, let me ask you something else. This Rhonda, who you all obviously haven’t seen in a long time, is here now. Is she trying to get back with Alex?”

“I don’t know. I also don’t know if Alex even knows she’s here or how he feels about the entire situation. Then again, Ty or Chris has probably already told him she was at The House the other day.”

“Oh.” Jada sat back somewhat disappointed, although she appreciated the honesty. She wondered if when Alex came face to face with Rhonda, as she was sure would happen, would he want her back and totally forget the time they shared together. That was exactly the kind of thing she didn’t want in her life right now. She had no time to worry over a man, even if he was as fine as Alexander Love.

“From what I can tell though, Jada, he’s really in to you. Just keep your eye out for that one. She’s a nasty bitch,” Ami finished.

***
“You know, Maddy, you could really hurt a guy’s pride,” Chris told her as he rested his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. “Well, you should step your game up,” Maddy shot back. “I can see you guys need to lick your wounds being beat by girls and all. Hannah and I wil
l
bea
t
, oh I mean meet you guys next week on the court.” Maddy and Hannah laughed all the way out of the gym.
“I feel sorry for her future husband,” Ty said. “He is going to have to be one confident brotha to deal with the likes of her.” All the

guys laughed, knowing it was true.
The family started to disperse to get showered and move on with their day. “Ty, Chris. I need to talk to the two of you about the land deal. Can we meet up in about an hour at The House?” Alex asked. The two brothers agreed.

After showering and changing back at his house, Alex made his way to The Love House Restaurant. He was thinking of Jada. She could take the edge off when things got hectic in his life. He looked forward to spending whatever time he could in her presence. If he could skip down the street and not look crazy right then, he would.

He had parked his car in a lot two blocks down because The House’s lot was full. That was good for business, but he would have to have his brothers designate a few family spots.

“Alexander Love!” The call of his name broke his thoughts and he turned toward the female voice, not liking the feeling of dread that suddenly fell over his shoulders.

“Rhonda Jenkins,” Alex said, none to excited and a little annoyed. A wash of emotions came over him. At one point in his life, he had loved Rhonda deeply and planned to spend his life with her. She had ripped out his heart and tore apart his dreams. She never even gave him a second thought after she destroyed his life.

Rhonda approached him. “Alex, it’s so good to see you!” She leaned in a placed a lingering kiss on his cheek. She noticed he remained stiff to her touch. Not good. She was going to have to work hard to get him to warm up to her.

“I wish I could say the same,” Alex said, but thinking his mother taught him better manners. “Rhonda, how have you been?”

“Oh, just great Alex,” She lied. “I’ve decided though that I love Philadelphia and missed it dearly, so I came home. I hear congratulations are in order for you. How’s the firm?”

In the distance, Alex heard the cash register open. “It’s fine.” He decided he didn’t like talking to her and wanted to keep it short. “Listen, Rhonda, it was good seeing you and all, but I was on my way to a business meeting.” He made a move to turn to get away from her. Rhonda grabbed his arm and held it in an intimate embrace. She pulled him close.

“Alex...” She purred, “in jeans and a tee shirt? I know better than that.”

Ami and Jada came around the corner headed to The House for lunch. The industry party that was being held to promote Ami’s film on the east coast was that night and she and Jada needed to attend for work. Ami wanted her brothers and cousins to come. She wanted them to step into her world for just a minute. It would be fun. Ami suddenly stopped walking, pulling Jada’s arm.

“What’s wrong?” Jada asked.

Jada looked up to see Alex and Rhonda standing together talking. She couldn’t see Alex’s face because his back was to them, but knew that was him. There was no mistaking the behind that she had become very much acquainted with lately. Rhonda was draped over his arm. Although he did not appear to be holding her in return, she still wanted to run over and smack the hell out of her.

Ami whispered in Jada’s ear, “Don’t fall for her game. Let’s go.” The two continued to walk toward the restaurant. “I know she sees us.”

Rhonda glanced around Alex’s shoulder to see Ami and Jada walking toward the door of The House. It was her chance to plant the seed of doubt. She looked deeply into Alex’s light brown eyes. “Alex, we have history...” She pouted. “I know I was wrong for what I did and I’m sorry. Let me make it up to you? How about I call you later and we go to dinner?” She leaned in and boldly placed a kiss on Alex’s lips just before Ami and Jada walked into the door of the restaurant. She knew they saw.

Alex pushed Rhonda away roughly. “I don’t think so, Rhonda. All the feelings I had for you left when you did. Thanks for the offer, but I have someone much better in my life now.” He turned and continued toward The House. He was fuming and really wanted to smack the crap out of her, but he knew better.

Rhonda stood there smiling. She knew she had planted the seed and couldn’t wait until her next opportunity. She would have Alexander Love if it was the very last thing she did. He may be upset with her now, but she would see that he got over that little fact. She continued on her way knowing the love birds would be in a tiff any second now.

Alex entered the restaurant now in a very bad mood. He couldn’t believe that woman had the nerve, the balls, to step to him like that. Was she insane? Alex was so engrossed in his fury that he was actually startled when he sat at the family table and Ami and Jada were there. His mood instantly shifted. “Ladies,” he said, flashing a sexy smile.

“Alex.” Ami cut right in. “What the hell was that?”

“What are you talking about?” Alex noticed Jada was avoiding looking at him.

“Rhonda, outside.” Ami sat back and folded her arms across her chest. She wanted an explanation and she wanted it then.

Alex took a deep breath, feeling his anger rising. “Nothing is going on, Ami,” He said, steadying his voice. “She felt the need to come say hi. I felt the need to send her on her way.” He purposefully looked at Jada when he spoke. “She’s history. That part of my life is over and I’m looking forward to new things.”

Ami took a long look at him, studying his face. She could tell when he was using his courtroom tricks, and he wasn’t. He had never lied to her and she didn’t think he would start now. Ami seemed satisfied with his answer, but he could see the doubt in Jada’s eyes. “Ok Alex...” Ami said, “but please keep your eye on that one. She’s tricky.”

Alex reached for Jada’s hand and covered it with his. “I mean it, Jada. There isn’t another woman that can hold a candle to you. That woman means nothing and is nothing to me.”

Jada studied him for a few seconds, seeing the sincerity and truth shining in his eyes. Still, something about that woman did not sit well with her and it wasn’t the obvious fact that she wanted Alex. She knew in her gut that Rhonda was going to be someone she was going to have to tangle with again, and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to. At work, drama was her middle name. She did not want that in her personal life. She was already deathly afraid of her feelings and did not need anything else on her plate.

Ty and Chris came over to the table shortly thereafter. Ty had lunch brought over for everyone so that he could focus on the planning for the new building. Alex, Ty, and Chris started discussing the land deal for the new restaurant location. Alex would steal glances at Jada while he struggled to focus on what he needed to tell his brothers. He knew the situation with Rhonda was bothering her and wanted to erase all of her doubts. He couldn’t wait to get her alone again.

Ami could clearly read the doubt her best friend emitted. She leaned over to her and whispered, “Do not let that chick get to you. Do not fall into her game. It’s obvious she wants Alex back, but I believe him when he says she’s history,” She whispered.

“Ami, I don’t want to be caught in the middle of anyone’s drama. I have enough drama at work.” Jada whispered back, voicing her earlier thoughts.

“How about this? You take the rest of the day and decide if Alex is someone you really want to be with and if he is, you and I will play Rhonda’s little game and get rid of her forever. Alex won’t have time to even think about any other woman because he won’t be able to keep his eyes off of you,” Ami suggested with a triumphant look.

Jada sat back and regarded her friend who she trusted completely. She looked over at Alex, who was talking to his brother about business. He looked up and smiled at her. She already knew in her heart that she loved him, but still wasn’t sure about his feelings. She wondered if she really wanted him in her life. Could she return to California and just pick up where she left off, which wasn’t much of any where. “The end of the day, you say? Let me think about it.” She smiled, already knowing that she did want Alex.