Alex listened intently and reached for his beer, waiting for Angeline’s answer.
“Joanie, people are just trying to help you, and they think, by making less of it than what it is, you will begin to see it that way and it will become less painful. They’re hurting because you’re hurting, and truthfully, there is nothing they can say or do to take this away. This may be a cliché, but it’s true; you will begin to feel better, but it will take time. I won’t belittle your pain by telling you it will happen overnight, because it won’t.”
The caller sobbed harder, and Angel waited for it to lessen a bit before she continued.
“I am not a believer in that bullshit about feeling better being a choice. That’s impossible. Things happen in people’s lives because of choices other people make. Choices you had no control over. He made the choice and now you and your children are left to deal with it. I don’t believe you can just choose to feel better, and it pisses me off when people spew that crap. The best thing I can tell you is that the choices you do have are how you take care of yourself and your children. You have choices about how you react to his choices. Focus on doing what is best for you, and, eventually, you will feel better. And, remember, the children had no choice in this either, and I know you’ll put their needs first. Whatever he did, he’s still their father.”
“I understand.” The caller sniffed.
Once again, Alex was impressed by Angel’s level-headed ability to see both sides of the situation, and his admiration for her only increased. If she ever had children, she’d never let bitterness keep them from their father. He grinned into the darkness. “Max… she’s just about fucking perfect, even if she is a pain in the ass.”
Angel continued, “It happened. It won’t, or can’t, be undone; so you need to decide what you want moving forward. I’m sorry I don’t have a magic wand to take the grief away for you. I wish I did. If your friends and family are only adding to your pain, even though their intentions are good, take a break from them as well. Tell them you just need some time to deal with things on your own. Take your kids on a trip somewhere that you have no memories with your husband, or move somewhere that you’ve never lived with him. All of this will help, little by little.”
“Thank you, Dr. Hemming. Can I call you again if I need to?”
“Of course, Joanie. Take care. You’re listening to Angel After Dark, and I’ll be answering an email from James in Des Plaines after the break. Be right back.”
Alex remained where he was on the couch with Max for the remainder of Angel’s show; at times pissed at himself that he couldn’t pry himself from the spot, and, other times, completely content with the sound of her voice filling the space around him.
He pulled out his cell phone and hit redial, ignoring the missed call from Cole. He had no desire to talk to his brother until the little heart-to-heart that they’d be having on Monday.
“KKIS, this is Chris.”
“Good evening again, Chris. Can I please speak to Dr. Hemming?” The giggle from the other end took him aback. “Hello?”
“Um, sorry. Do you wish to speak to her on air, Mr. Avery?”
“How did you know it was me?”
“We’ve spoken twice now. I recognize your voice, of course.”
“I’ll tell Angel how competent you are, but no, this is personal.”
“Hold on, please.”
Alex moved his dog off of his leg and stood up, pacing in front of the stone fireplace. He’d just had his house built the past spring, but the architecture and features were decidedly classic, reminiscent of his parents’ estate with dark hardwood floors, lots of marble and stone, and solid wooden beams. Masculine, but refined.
“Mr. Avery, Dr. Hemming has regretfully declined this call. Personally, I think she’s nuts, but it is what it is.”
Alex was disgruntled. Shit! But at least this girl seemed to be on his side. “Thank you… I’m sorry. I don’t remember your name.”
“Christina.”
“Thank you, Christina. Can you please give Angel my number and tell her I’ll be waiting for her call.”
The girl sighed. “I’m afraid, if I know Angel, you’ll be waiting a while, sir.”
“Well, tell her, whatever it takes.” His voice was low and he surprised himself. When he said those words, he actually meant them.
He could hear Christina’s breath rush out. “Crap, hold on.”
He heard the phone rustle, and then Angel’s impatient voice greeted him. “Alex. I can’t talk now. I have to go on.”
“Just say you’ll have dinner with me.”
“It won’t get you what you want,” she said quietly, and he smiled in satisfaction.
“How do you know what I want? Unless, it’s what you want, too.”
She sighed, her exasperation clear. “Fuck.”
Alex couldn’t help it, a surprised laugh burst forth at Angel’s expletive. She was so incredible.
“Okay,” he said in his most sultry tone. “If that’s what you want, you won’t get an argument from me. But I was only intending dinner,” he teased. “Say yes.”
“Ugh. I have a big case to work on this weekend; I need to focus.”
“Excuses. You have to eat. Eight o’clock. I’ll pick you up at your apartment downtown.”
“But… how do you know?”
“Please. You’re kidding, right?” Alex waited with baited breath for her to answer and then decided not to push his luck. Things were going well. “You better go, gorgeous. See you tomorrow.”
“Put up your dukes, Alex. This shit is on.” She tried to make her voice hard, but he caught the amusement behind it.
“This is one fight I’m looking forward to, Angeline. More than you know.”
He hung up his phone and looked at it for a second while he waited for her to come back on the air. He couldn’t wipe the stupid-ass grin off his face, even if he’d wanted to. He was feeling very pleased with himself.
At the end of her show, Alex was still hanging on every syllable.
“Did you ever meet someone and something indefinable happened? I mean, you felt an instant shock run over your skin at just a look from this person or the slightest touch from his hand? You couldn’t control it. Immediately, all your girly parts stood at attention, despite the fact that you knew things about his behavior you didn’t particularly like? Yet, he sucked you in with his eyes… something about him was irresistible? Oozing sex and muscled perfection… Were you a helpless, quivering mess?”
Her voice was soft and sultry, dripping desire, and Alex’s body hardened immediately. She was speaking to him and he knew it. Teasing, describing exactly how she’d affected him earlier. She would be the biggest cock-tease of his life, and he loved every second of it, but was more determined than ever to turn the situation around until she was begging him to take her. His mouth almost watered at the thought, completely in sync with his aching body. His breathing sped up in an involuntary response.
Her voice changed, laced with laughter as she tried her damnedest to deadpan. “Yeah… well, that didn’t happen to me tonight. This is Angel After Dark. See you next week, babies. Be safe.”
The sound of Alex’s laughter reverberated through his empty house combined with the song Angel played at the end of her set; Maneater by Nelly Furtado. He wasn’t familiar with the song, but Angel’s message was loud and clear.
Fucking priceless!
6
Sexy Bastard
“I told you this would happen, Angel!” Becca laughed as she walked through the door of Angel’s condo. She was carrying the little girl Angel adored. “Your ass owes me, girl.”