The Seduction of Alex Parker
Sandi Lynn
Chapter 1
Emerson
Never stay in one place too long. That was my motto. There was so much of the world to see on what little time we had left, and that was exactly what I planned to do. Until my money started to run out. Sitting in my box of an apartment in Texas, I picked up my phone and called my brother, Adam.
“Hello, Emerson.”
“Hey, big brother. Listen, I need some more cash.”
“Em, you’re done. Your money is pretty much depleted. You told me you were going to settle in one place and get a job.”
“I had a job. I quit. It’s time to move on. I’m over Texas, Adam, and I need to leave.”
I heard him sigh. “Emerson, you’re twenty-six years old. It’s time to stop what you’re doing and settle down somewhere. Make a place your permanent home. I thought we talked about this already.”
“Adam, I need some money to leave Texas. I can’t stay here anymore.”
“What happened to that cowboy you were seeing? I thought things were serious between the two of you.”
“Nah. He was nice and all, but he was getting too serious. He started talking about marriage and kids. Do you see now why I need to leave?”
“You can’t keep going on like this, Em. The answer is no. You’re not getting any more money because there isn’t any. I warned you about this a year ago. Damn it. It’s time you grew up.”
“I am grown up. Just because I don’t like to be stuck in the same place and live a boring, ordinary life like most people do, doesn’t mean I’m a child.”
“It’s always the same argument with you.”
“Fine, Adam. Leave me homeless.” Click.
I threw my phone down on the couch and paced around the room. I was going crazy here in Texas and I needed to leave ASAP. I had other places to go. He didn’t understand. He couldn’t understand. No matter how many times I tried to explain it, he didn’t want to hear it. Just because he was happy being cooped up in an office working a nine to five job didn’t mean shit.
The next morning, as I was drinking my coffee and dodging calls from Billy, my phone rang. It was Adam.
“What?” I answered in a huff.
“Watch that tone of yours, little sister. Listen, I’ve been thinking that you need to come back to California for a while. We need to sit down and have a talk.”
“You mean you need to sit down and lecture me? And I don’t want to go back there.”
He sighed. “My job is relocating me to Tennessee for the next three months to try and save a company that’s going under. I’ve bought a plane ticket for you and you’re going to stay with a friend of mine. His name is Alex Parker.”
“Why can’t I stay at your place? If I decided to come back.”
“Because it’s being renovated while I’m gone and it will be unlivable.”
“So you want me to stay with a guy friend of yours? What brother does that to his sister? Tells her to move in with a total stranger?”
“Trust me. You have nothing to worry about with Alex. Besides, he owes me a favor and I called it in last night. Three months, Em, and then I’ll be back and we’re going to talk. But, within those three months, you are to figure out your damn life and decide where you’re going to plant yourself in this world and stay. Alex’s house is huge and he’s never home, so you’ll barely see him.”
“I don’t know about this, Adam. I don’t want to come back and you know that.”
“Do you want to get out of Texas or not? This is your only option,” he spoke with seriousness.
“Fine.” I sighed. “I’ll come to California. When is my flight?”
“Tomorrow morning at eight a.m. So get packing.”
“Will I see you tomorrow?”
“No. I’ll be gone before your flight gets in. I’ll text you Alex’s address. Just take a cab there and get yourself settled. I’ll be back in three months.”
I rolled my eyes. “Okay. Since you have my life all figured out for me, I guess I have no choice.”
“Have a safe flight and I’ll talk to you soon.” Click.
I loved my brother. He was all I had left in this world, but sometimes, he could be a real * and he was being an * now by making me come back to California.
****
Alex
I met Adam for dinner and a drink before he left for Tennessee. I couldn’t believe I agreed to let his little sister stay at my place while he was gone.
“Thanks again for letting Emerson stay with you, man.”
“No problem. What are friends for? Right?” I gave an unsure smile.
“I think I should warn you about her. She’s kind of a free spirit. She can be very mouthy and defiant. But she has a heart of gold and she can cook. I already told her you’re never home, so the two of you probably won’t see each other anyway.”
“True. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure she feels at home. Actually, I’ll have Jenna make sure she feels at home. It’s only for three months, right?”
“Yes. As soon as I get back, I will come collect my sister, and I apologize in advance for anything crude or rude she may say to you.”