Page 47 of Break

I smile to myself as I glance up when the DJ finally announces the wedding party. They all dance around as they make their way to their seats, then it’s announced that the food is about to be served. Thank goodness.

Oh, well, hopefully Alex stays quiet through dinner so that I don’t have to go to prison.

Chapter 12

James

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After our last plates are taken away, I glance across to Marie to ensure she ate enough. She seems to be eating like a bird lately, several small meals a day. Sometimes just a bite or two, and she’s only halfway through the pregnancy. How’s it going to be when she’s way further along?

I can’t imagine all of that weight pressed up into my organs, squeezing and shoving everything around.

Landon keeps calling my phone and I bend down to answer it. “What?”

“Hey man, can you and Alex meet me out on the terrace? I want to go over Logan’s surprise present and maybe I’ll be able to get a female’s perspective… I don’t want to embarrass them.”

I sigh and hang up, plucking Alex’s hand into mine and smiling at her. “Can you come with me? We can get some fresh air, a friend has a question about a gift for Logan and Bianca.”

She shrugs and follows me out, wrapping her slim arm around mine. At least Marie and the girls can have a break away from Alex. I’m ready to just call it quits tonight. I can’t stand how she talks to them and again with the baby shit. I just want her gone.

What did I see in her, seriously?

I already have several offers on my house and am definitely buying something smaller. She can go back to her vacation home or back to LA for all I care.

I see Landon standing alone under the standing heaters, a glass of whiskey in his hand.

Alex squeaks and stiffens at my side and I basically have to drag her with me.

“Hey, man. What’s going on?”

Landon smirks at me and moves his gaze over to Alex. “Hey Drea, still fucking your brother?”

My jaw drops and I choke on my spit, I move away from Alex as if she’s on fire and blink at the small auburn-haired woman as if she’s a fucking stranger.

Drea?

I watch as the blood drains from her face and she wraps her arms around her stomach, trying to hide herself. Her green dress catches the lights of the lanterns around the terrace, making her look more angelic than a demon ever should.

“I…I…” She stutters and Landon chuckles darkly.

“I had a feeling you stuck around, waiting for another man to sink your claws into. Good for us that I can put a stop to this shit before it’s too late.”

Alex licks her lips and shivers, “I’m… I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

I glare at her and step further away, closer to Landon. “What the fuck is going on?”

Landon shakes his head, not taking his eyes off of Alex. “I met her a year ago, last Christmas. Gave me this whole sad story about her mother kicking her out, needing a place to stay. We fucked. She kept traveling, telling me her mother gave her another chance, when really she was really jet-setting around the world meeting up with men that gave her money to fuck them. She stayed with me whenever she was in town or had a break. I was getting serious about her, wanting to propose, even. She kept dropping hints. Talking about children and engagement rings.

“So… I felt like, why not? A ring on her finger would keep her around. I had enough money to take care of her if her mom kicked her out of her job and life again. She didn’t care about hockey, she really seemed to like being around me. Anyway, James… Meet Alexandra Miller. Cheater, liar, and master manipulator. If I had any idea she was still in town, latching onto my teammates, or hell, any other guy around here, I would have told you. I told you a little about Drea, but never her full name.”

I feel fucking sick. I shake my head and blink down at the woman who had me so fucking fooled for months… a year. Over a year. Even if I was planning to get rid of her after this event, I never imagined anything so… sinister and disgusting. “I started fucking her a year ago, too,” I grunt out and wave my hand around. “Get the fuck out of here, Alex. Drea. Whatever the fuck your name is. By the time I’m back tomorrow, I want all of your shit out of my home.”

She hasn’t said a word since Landon started talking and she keeps moving her gaze between us. “I can’t! I’m pregnant!”

I snort and rock back on my heels, shoving my hands in my pockets. I can smell the champagne on her breath from here. She’s been drinking heavily all night. “Yeah? Let me guess… It’s mine?”

She nods and lets the fake tears fall. I hold back laughter. “How do you explain all of the drinking?”

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