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Chapter Twenty-One
Lexi
Somehow, I’d cleaned myself up enough to get here to the competition. Thank god for good makeup to cover the circles under my eyes. The atmosphere was exciting, and it reminded me of being younger when things weren’t so complicated.
I wanted a simple life again.
I found Nica, and she introduced me to Annie and Patrick. Even though Nica was sad and cried a little as she hugged me, she was full of energy for her competition. Even Annie and Patrick seemed in good spirits. I guess since he was an ex-husband, she didn’t feel the pain of his loss like Nica and I did.
I made small talk with Annie and Patrick and spent most of my time watching the girls and the routines up on the stage. Maybe if I have a little girl, perhaps she would want to do tumbling and cheerleading too. The random thought passed through my mind shortly before Nica was set to perform.
I crowded into the family section to watch the routine, excited to be here to watch her, and sad that Alex hadn’t made it back. I cheered them on, yelled for them, clapped loudly when they finished, and then I turned to speak to Annie, who had been beside me.
I looked around, and my feet stuck to the floor. Alex. Alex was here, and Annie was caressing the side of his face. Had she known he would be here? Is that why she was in good spirits? How had I not heard that he had been rescued? Was he okay? Why hadn’t he called me?
Of course, I knew that answer. I had told Alex it was over, and he had respected my wishes. He probably had no idea that they had been keeping me updated, or that I was even here. I began to walk away, but something made me turn back, and our eyes locked over the distance. A distance so vast that I wasn’t sure anything would be able to bring us back together, not even a child.
I smiled at him to let him know I was glad he had made it, and then I turned and hurried into the crowd to hide my tears. I knew he would stay and see his daughter, and I would have time to get home. The entire way, I replayed the few moments I had seen him at the event.
He had a bandage on his head, and his face still looked a little discolored, but he was alive. Alex was alive. It was after I’d parked my car that I leaned my head against the steering wheel and began to cry in earnest.
I sucked up my emotions, wiped my nose on a napkin from the glove box, and got myself inside. Alex had said he would be home by Valentine’s Day, and he’d made it, but what had he endured over there? How badly had he been injured? Had he lost any more of the people in his party? Had he almost been killed?
I shivered as I let myself into my apartment and removed my coat. After I made myself a cup of tea to settle my stomach, I pulled out my laptop and searched for a story about them being rescued. There were a few reports about American hostages being freed two days ago. That was almost the time that I had stopped watching the news.
I picked up my phone and called Clare. “How did she do? I wish I could have gone with you. You know that was my plan.”
“Alex is alive.”
“What?”
“Alex is alive. He’s back, Clare.”
“Oh, my god! That’s good! In fact, that’s terrific!!”
“Is it?” I asked her.
“What are you talking about, Lex? The man you love is back. What did he say to you?”
“We didn’t speak. I saw him at the competition, but I left before we could speak.”
“Why the hell did you do that?”
“Because I didn’t want to fall apart in front of all those people. Jesus, Clare, he’s alive. I thought he was dead. I never expected him to come home.”
“But he did. You need to go talk to him. The two of you need to sit down and discuss this.”
“I know.” I rubbed my forehead. “I just didn’t want to ruin it for him and his daughter. I’m sure I’ll talk to him later.”
“Okay, well, how did they do in the competition?”
“They did great, but I don’t know what place they came in. I left as soon as I saw Alex there.”
“You are such a chicken.”
“I am not!” I heaved out a heavy breath. “Okay, I am.”
She laughed. “Well, you can talk to him now.”
