Havoc (Tattoos and Ties 1)

“Alexa, I’m home.” The lamps all illuminated and soft music began to play. His Roomba rolled across the floor, heading for its docking station. The Roomba was his latest gadget addition to the house, bought two days ago.

And why was retail therapy not working better to relieve the heartache in his chest?

“Alexa, why does heartache hurt so much?”

She replied, “Sorry, I’m not sure.”

Hmm. He wasn’t sure either.

Perhaps the heavens would take pity on him, and he’d be fired on Monday. That had hope igniting in his soul. He could lose that horrid job on Monday, be out of town by Tuesday, resting on the beach with Blaine by Wednesday. That would get him away from Dallas before he did something stupid like drive by Key’s shop. Alec cut his gaze toward the patio door. Of course, the note was still attached. Folded like he’d left the thing, just like he’d done every time he left the house. With long strides, he walked to the door, and ripped the note up, balling it with one hand and tossing it away.

“Alexa, why doesn’t Key want me?”

“I’m sorry. I’m not sure.”

For a device connected to all the information in the world, she had a problem answering the hard-hitting questions. Perhaps she just didn’t want to hurt his feelings. Alec shrugged and drank the rest of the vodka in his glass, relieved at the blanket of numbness that crept over him.

So a week without working, a new position waiting on him that intimidated the hell out of him, and the knowledge that Key wasn’t ever coming back seemed a lot to absorb. Alec refilled his glass.

He’d lost hope for a phone call but had hung on to the possibility of a drive-by. It was Saturday night, perhaps his biker would just show up. Except it was ten thirty, and no Key. Alec drank a hearty gulp of the vodka, and closed his eyes, letting the alcohol work.

“It was just sex. Blowing off steam. Grow the fuck up,” Alec said aloud, rolling his eyes at all this pining he’d done. The self-scolding didn’t help. No matter how many times he spoke those words, they didn’t relieve the want or the desire. Everything had been so damn perfect when they were together. They needed to keep it hidden. They weren’t talking long-term commitment. Alec could pass his time, building his case to drop out of the race while the biker stayed huddled up in his bed. It just seemed so right.

Then you dump him when you leave? The question hit him in the gut. “Fuck no!”

Without knowing what he’d done, Key had helped open his eyes to everything his family expected him to give up. Key made him think, challenged him on a level he needed. He’d met his match, or at least he’d found someone who could possibly keep him interested and always guessing. Alec craved that in his life. Life had become so damn mundane. Alec walked the few steps back to the bar and poured another drink. He’d done little more than stand at the bar, thinking about Key.

His phone rang and Alec almost toppled the glass reaching into his jeans pocket. Adrenaline spiked then plummeted after seeing Blaine’s name on the screen. He almost didn’t answer, except his friend could be a diversion, and he seriously needed that right now.

“Hello.”

“You should be here! You’re missing a great time,” Blaine yelled into the phone. There were loud people and even louder music blaring through the phone.

“I don’t even care where here is,” Alec shouted, taking a drink, ignoring the voice ringing through his head calling him a liar.

“I’m in Cabo. Come tomorrow.”

“So you heard?” Alec just shook his head, letting the ice cubes clink against the glass. Like Blaine wouldn’t see right through that.

“Heard what?” Blaine shouted. Right.

“Acting isn’t your strong suit,” Alec said dryly, taking another drink.

“Come, Alec. Stop the bullshit. It’s done. You don’t have the temperament for CPS. It’s Pride here. You should see these guys. Makes that biker look paltry.”

Alec gave a humorless laugh. He should meet up with Blaine. It was exactly what he should do. He’d tried restraint. He had. It wasn’t working for him. Hell, he’d spent more money fighting the boredom since arriving in Dallas than he’d ever spent jetting around the world.

“How long you there for?”

“A couple of weeks.”

“Look. I’m waiting on something here. If it doesn’t pan out, I’ll be there. I agree. This is done. I need to move on,” Alec said, gulping down the rest of his drink. Some of those words might have been slurred. Good. Well on his way to meeting his goal for the evening.

“Then I’m holding you to it. How did it go with the biker? Anything happen?”

“We hooked up,” Alec said honestly.

“Really? How was it?” Blaine shot back.