Alexander was in the middle of some paperwork when his doorbell rang. He stopped as he opened another document, wondering who it was at his door. Max always called before he stopped by, Robert never did, but he was away on a last-minute business trip to Massachusetts, and Williams had a day off to make up for lost time with Bimp.
Who could it be?
He almost stood up to get the door but decided against it. Whoever it was would leave when he got tired, or could it be a she?
His mind went to Selena at once. She had given him enough stress to last a week back at the horse race tournament with the stunt she had pulled. William and Robert had grilled him for details after she had left, and until when they were convinced about the whole story with the spilled olive oil and the meeting with Liam.
"You're so boring," William had said, dejected. They were all leaning on the bonnet of Max's truck, the moon in full glow. "Even Bimp has more fun in his life than you."
"Seriously," Robert clamped a strong hand on Alexander's shoulder. "You have no romantic life. Even Armani is right in front of you but you're still ignoring her."
"Armani's my friend," Alexander reminded them.
"And Tamika?" Robert shot back. "And so many other ladies who want to be with you?"
"I mean," William shrugged. "Not that I want you to end up like Rob over here, but if Selena or Armani or even Tamika wants to have some fun, just something casual…"
"Woah, woah, woah," Max stepped into the conversation. "My sister's in the car".
Robert looked back at the car, and Willow was seated in the front seat, pressing her phone with a smile. Alexander didn't miss the flurry of expressions that flitted across his face. He must probably be wondering who was on the other end of the line texting her.
"Whatever Alexander decides to do, let him," Max said.
"Thanks, Max."
"He might decide to focus his all on building his company and later end up being a monk, who knows?" Max said.
Alexander gave him a tight smile as Robert laughed. "Thanks, Max."
"I won't be surprised," Robert said after his laugh died down. "At this rate, you're avoiding relationships, it's possible."
"But seriously," William tapped Alexander. "I'm sure it must be lonely in that penthouse of yours coming home to no one each night."
"I've got friends. I've got you guys." Alexander said.
"Still can't replace women," Robert said. He put his hand around Alexander's shoulder and drew him down closer to his height.
"Tell you what, how about I send someone over?" Robert suggested. "You don't have to do anything. She'll just dance and you know, you'll just…"
"Thanks but no thanks," Alexander removed Robert's hand from around him. "I'm not interested in a stripper."
"I didn't say a stripper," Robert defended himself. "Just a professional dancer who likes to wear minimal clothing is all."
"Do you take him for some sort of kid?" William guffawed at Robert's poor excuse of an explanation. "Tell you what? Let Robert send her over. You decide if you're interested or not."
"That's a good suggestion," Max agreed.
"I can't believe…"
"Don't protest," William pushed himself off the bonnet and reached for his back pocket. He produced a cigarette pack and offered each of his friends. They all refused, but William kept his eyes on Alexander after he refused.
"Yeah, you should be happy you have us as friends," William remarked as he lit his cigarette.
Now, the ringing of Alexander's doorbell was accompanied by heavy knocks. He had a feeling it was the "professional dancer" Robert had mentioned, so he lifted himself off his couch and walked to the door. He was going to have a serious word with his best friend after he sent the lady off.
He opened the door, and to his surprise, it was no professional dancer, not a woman.
"Your doorbell broken or you had earplugs in?" Jeffery asked as he moved past Alexander into the house. Alexander locked the door and tried to think of the reason his brother had come to his home. He had only been there once with Bettie, their grandmother, with the only intent to gauge how small the rooms were.
"Is there something you want?" Alexander asked Jeffery, whose eyes were roaming every detail of the living room.
Jeffery raised his brows and kept his hands in the pockets of his jeans. He looked better, cleaner like he hadn't touched a beer in hours.
"Not the kind of welcome I was expecting but…" he whirled on his shoe, which he hadn't taken off. "I did mention we should hang out the last time we saw. A day out with your big bro, how's that?"
Alexander held himself from mentioning that he hadn't exactly been the big brother he had all his life. "Sorry, I've got work to do. Can you take your shoes off, please? You're messing up my carpet."
"I'm not taking it off because we're going out," Jeffery hurried to Alexander's laptop before he reached it and slammed it shut. "Work's over. Let's head out."
"It's a Monday night, I have to be up early," Alexander said, reaching for his laptop.
Jeffery didn't release it. "It's a few hours Alex, when last did we hang out together? Since we were 12 or something?"
"Never actually," Alexander said, not reminding him that they hadn't ever shared a brotherly relationship.
"And that's about to change," Jeffery grinned. "Let's go!"
Alexander, against the last drop of his will, managed to get ready in a decent enough outfit; jeans and a plain polo shirt. When he asked Jeffery where they were headed once they were seated in his Ferrari, his brother gave him a sneaky smile.
"It's a surprise," Jeffery said as he drove. "But you're about to have the time of your life!"
Alexander doubted very much that he would.