“Yes, we’ve texted a few times. He’s in Philly with his two boys.” She sighed and leaned back against the couch. “We’ve said we’ll keep in touch but I’ve got too much on my plate right now. A holiday romance was nice but now it’s time to get back to real life.”
“I’m sorry I had to tell you this. I mean, we knew there was a likelihood it would happen someday. Just not like this.” And not with a woman he’d fallen in love with.
“What do you plan on doing with all these offers? You were really good. Oh, and the CG social media page has been getting massive hits, not shocking, mostly from women and gay men. You’re a hit across the board.”
Alice’s proposal still stuck in his head but he couldn’t collaborate with her. It would be too painful. “I’ll get a talent agent and figure it out.”
“Alice sent a recommendation,” Hallie said, playing with her fingernail.
“Great, I’ll get right on that,” Niko said.
“You’re really pissed, aren’t you?”
“Aren’t you? She lied to all of us.” He jumped to his feet and shook out his hands, getting riled all over again.
Hallie stood, mouth turned down. “Did she?”
He narrowed his eyes, jaw tightening until his teeth ached. Getting angry with Hallie wouldn’t help anyone. “She misrepresented herself. It’s the same as a lie. Yes, I’m pissed, and you should be too. What if she tries to take Chloe away from us?”
“From what you said, she never approached Chloe, nor did she confirm to Chloe the possibility she was her birth mother. I’m in shock, don’t get me wrong, but I’m not certain she’s the monster you’re portraying her to be. Were I in her position, I’m not sure what I’d do.” Hallie walked to the door and looked at him over her shoulder. “Good night and I love you.”
Niko spun on his heel and hit the shower. He stood under the water and allowed it to cascade down his body, cleansing the traces of his workout. If it could only soothe his soul as easily. Hallie might grant Alice the benefit of the doubt, but he wasn’t certain he could ever forgive her.
Chapter Fifty-Three
The ringing phone roused Alice out of a dead sleep and she snatched it from the bedside table. Squinting at the caller ID, she answered the call from the donor program. “Hello, Alice here.”
She stretched her stiffened body and listened to the nurse review the pre-surgery instructions. After months of planning, this was happening at last. She wished the circumstances had been different but wishing was a luxury she no longer had.
“Do you have any questions or concerns?” the nurse asked.
Alice settled the back of her hand over her eyes, blocking out the harsh morning sunshine. She had received instructions and had performed all the tests she needed to proceed. “No, it all looks pretty straight forward.” Except it wasn’t. Nothing about this entire situation was straightforward.
“If you think of anything, please give us a call. Happy New Year,” the cheerful nurse said.
“Thank you, you too.” Only it wouldn’t be for Alice. Tears flooded her sleep-swollen eyes and she rolled over, pulling the comforter up to her head. She’d drunk too much the night before and her pounding temples were paying the price. In the wee hours of the morning with nothing to occupy her time but her own heartache, she hadn’t cared about hangovers or nausea, all’s she’d cared about was numbing her pain.
You can take the girl away from temptation but you can’t take temptation away from the girl, her younger self had often joked.
Except it was no longer a game.
Self-destruction seemed to run in her blood and she had a newfound understanding of why her mother had drowned her sorrows in alcohol after a bad breakup. She closed her eyes and tried to drift once more into blessed sleep. Later, when she woke, she’d try to pick up the pieces and join the living.
Maybe.
A knock sounded at the door followed by footsteps on the wood floor. The comforter was whipped off her head and Grace stared down at her, head tilted, smile grim. “Good, you’re up. Let’s go for a jog.”
Without the protection of the comforter, Alice grabbed the white sheet and tried to place it over her head. “No, thank you.”
“It’s not an option. Get your ass up and come with me. Wallowing in self-pity isn’t doing you any good.” Grace grabbed the other end of the linen and tugged. She was strong, much stronger than she looked and Alice had the option to release the sheet or be physically pulled from the bed.
She let go of the fabric and curled on her side, uncaring that she was clad in underwear and a CG T-shirt that had belonged to Niko. “I’m not wallowing, I’m indulging. Aren’t you always telling me to relax? Well, this is me relaxing.”
“No, this is you feeling sorry for yourself.” Grace sat on the edge of the bed and massaged her shoulder in a soothing gesture. “I know it hurts. It sucks when you love someone and things go south. Try focusing on the positive and not the negative. Chloe’s getting a life-saving transplant because of you. The best thing you can do for her is to celebrate life, even if it’s something as small as a run on a rare sunny day. Exercise always makes you feel better.”
Niko often claimed exercise helped him keep his sanity.
Niko.
