The Redemption(57)

“It’s late,” he says, the moment passed. “How about you bring the boys over tomorrow? I promised Neil another lesson.”

Feeling like we might be able to find our way back to each other, I relax down onto the mattress after turning out the light, and reply, “How’s noon for you? I can bring lunch.”

“Noon is good.”

“I should get some sleep. I have an early morning phone call to the U.K.”

“Goodnight, then.”

“Goodnight, Dex.”

I hear him take in a breath, then say, “Sweet dreams, Rochelle.”

“Sweet dreams.”

We both remain on the phone, the silence that felt distancing before now feels bonding. Eventually, I crack and giggle. “Are you going to hang up?”

“No, I like hearing you breathe.”

“Funny that. I was listening to you breathe.”

“You’re weird,” he says, “Why would you do that?”

“Why am I the weirdo when you were doing the same thing?”

“Okay,” he adds, “We’re both weirdoes. Now hang up first.”

With a smile on my face, I reply, “Goodnight for real this time.”

“Goodnight for real this time.”

We both hang up, or at least I think he hung up when I did. I call back just to make sure. “Hello?” he answers like he doesn’t know who it is.

“I didn’t hang up on you, did I?”

“Yes, you did. Now do it again because I don’t want to be the one who does it.”

“You’re a dork.”

Right before I disconnect, I hear him say, “You’re beautiful.”

I immediately call him back again. When he answers, he laughs. “Yes, I called you beautiful.”

“Just checking. Thank you.”

“Goodnight, Rochelle.”

“Goodnight, Dex.”

This time I hang up and set my phone down on the bed. The problem with Dex is that no matter how much I should be mad at him for all the shit he’s pulled over the years, I just can’t seem to keep myself in that state. He’s not the bad guy he likes to portray himself to be. Call me sentimental, but I see through the act to the man himself.





The reports were everywhere on TV the next day. “Chad Spears has been involved in an accident. He’s currently recovering from surgery after breaking his leg on the set of his latest movie filming in Toronto. His camp has issued a statement that he is resting comfortably and claim trailer cables were the cause of his fall. They are currently considering a lawsuit…”

When I told him to break a leg, I didn’t mean to literally ‘break a leg.’ I’d like to say I feel bad, but since our lunch and the tabloid explosion it caused, I don’t. Rory found out that Chad was the one who called the paparazzi to stake us out. He’s also dating the woman he told me was stalking him. He used me as a pawn for publicity. And I totally fell for it.

Because of his douche move, I opt not to send him a Cheer Up bouquet and head over to Dex’s as promised the next day. The kids run in as soon as Marguerite opens the door. She laughs as I justify, “They’re excited to be here. Sorry for their poor manners.”

She makes it easy on me. “It’s good to have happy children.”

I take her forearm and give her a gentle squeeze. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Dex is in the gameroom if you’d like to join him.”

“I’ll put the food in the kitchen first.” I follow her into the other room and set the basket on the table along with my purse. The blue skies outside his window make his backyard paradise even that much more appealing.

“Can I get you anything to drink?” Marguerite asks.

“A glass of water would be great. Thank you.” I walk to the back door and stare out over the lagoon like pool and large grassy area beyond it.

A few moments later, she hands me the glass. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. It’s so lovely to see you again. How are you doing?”

I turn with a smile. “I’m well.” When her eyes soften in the corners sympathetically, I add, “I’m okay… most of the time.”

She nods. “I hope it gets better. I know Dex was really looking forward to today.”

“I was too.”

“You should join them. I’m just gonna tidy up in here.”

“Okay. See you later.” I slowly make my way through the living room and down the corridor, feeling nervous. When I approach I hear laughter. Dex’s first, then the boys. It truly is wonderful to hear all of them happy. I peek around the corner and spy on them for a few minutes, but Dex catches me and winks. With a smile, he says, “C’mon in. See what your muskrats have gotten up to.”

I walk in and find a seat, near them, but just out from the spotlight shining down on the drums. Crayons are all over the floor with loose construction paper scattered at their feet. Dex whispers, “Hi.”

“Hi.”

My gaze is drawn to him and as he strums the acoustic guitar in his hands, he says, “You doing okay?”

“Been better,” I reply so only he can hear.

He starts playing a song. Louder than he was before and I suspect he’s doing it so the boys won’t hear us. “Me too.”