Page 13 of Chance Happenings
Cacey, being a minute older than me, always hated when I called her little girl and her reaction to Pearce’s words is no different. I don’t have to see her face to know what’s about to happen. She steps further into his personal space, daring him to lash out at her. To get a reaction, but nothing happens. Pearce steps back, still glaring at me, not even giving Cacey a second glance. But that doesn’t deter her.
“What’s wrong? You not going to hit me. I know you want to... go ahead so they can add that to this list of charges.” That seems to get his attention as he looks down at her.
“I already spoke to the police and told them everything I know. I was giving a speech while this happened to her, but your brother here seemed to be quite irritated with my presence. He stared me down half the night and then went after Alexa, only to be found later covered in her blood. Let's not forget that he assaulted me in front of several witnesses. I believe there is a video circulating of it if you need proof. The only one that will be getting charged with anything is him. Which brings me to my original question, What. The. Fuck. Is. He. Doing. Here.?” Pearce looks around the room, his gaze stopping when it gets to me.
“He’s here because I say he can be here. Alex also happens to want him here. You, however, should leave. Nurse, can you see Mr. Hammonds out? He’s currently in violation of a restraining order.”
“What?!” Pearce yells, now looking at my sister like he’s actually thinking about doing something as stupid as hitting her.
Cacey smiles sweetly and says, “you aren’t the only one who knows people, sweetheart,” just as an officer walks through the door with papers in hand. Before the officer can even properly identify himself, Pearce loses his shit.
“Mr. Hammonds, can you step outside for a moment?” the officer starts, but Pearce cuts him off.
“Step outside? Fuck no! I’m not stepping outside. Do you know who the fuck I am?” Blah Blah Blah, that’s all I hear after Pearce goes into his spiel. Just the typical shit with guys like this. Do you know who I am... I’ll have your job... let me speak to your boss. And instead of the officer backing down it has the opposite effect, because he reaches for his radio to call for backup. This only ignites more fury into Pearce’s gaze as he glances around the room towards Alexa and suddenly stalks past the officer and out of the door.
Cacey turns to me with a sigh of relief. I just continue staring at Alexa, trying to figure out these confusing emotions I’m feeling. I've known her for forever and have only felt a deep sense of hostility towards her, or if I am being completely honest, more like blinding envy. She’s always been way too competitive with me in particular, seeking my father’s approval. Constantly trying to match or outdo anything I’d done in elementary and middle school. By high school she mostly tried to ignore me, but I held a grudge and wouldn’t let it go.
She was sort of a tomboy and definitely a late bloomer. I remember the summer after our junior year her body filled out, making all of those t-shirts, shorts and tube socks she wore damn near indecent. I was a guy, so of course I noticed, but so did everybody else. By then, she hated me, and every interaction we had since kept it that way.
Thinking about it now, I realize I was part of the reason she chose to move hundreds of miles away after graduation. And hence right into that motherfucker's clutches. Yes, clutches. Like this is some comic book standoff. Pearce is a villain and I realize I may not be the hero in many people’s eyes right now. I’m more of an anti-hero, not good or bad, just confused as fuck. Acting under some misguided belief and mixed-up feelings.
Our history is complicated at best... but seeing her lying lifeless on the floor and then in this hospital bed clears things up for me real quick. I want her. And that admission has me feeling all cagey. I don’t even know what to do with all these pent-up emotions. I just know if pursuing Alexa like I apparently want to will keep the Pearce’s of the world at bay, then I'm owning that shit. That's all there is to it, repercussions be damned. As I'm having this internal epiphany, I feel a slight movement against my arm. It’s like a sign from God, because I look up and see Alexa’s eyes on me.
Alex
Instead of thedim light like before, I open my eyes to a bright, blinding light. I also sense someone close. I try to scan the room while my eyes adjust and can’t help but recognize the body next to my bed. It’s Chance. He’s holding my hand and looks to be deep in thought.If that’s even a thing for him. As if feeling my eyes on him, he looks down at me and smiles. The look has me lost so instead of acknowledging the smile and making it any more awkward. I take a mental inventory of my injuries and decide I’m not dying. During that short span of time Chance has gotten up. He sticks his head out the door and is yelling at anyone who will listen. He comes back in the room, being followed by a nurse who has a big smile on her face, walking towards me. She pokes and prods at me, meticulously documenting her findings only for the doctor to scan her notes and examine me all over again.
“Do you remember anything that happened to you Alexa?” the doctor asks, making conversation as he finishes up his examination. He’s looking at me expectantly. And I’m so annoyed with the prodding that I almost forget that I never answered his question.
“I remember seeing my ex-fiancé… Pearce. That caught me a little off guard. So I left the ballroom to go splash some water on my face. When I came out of the bathroom, I remember hearing footsteps. Then I felt a burst of pain in the back of my head. Before I could turn around everything went black.” Luckily it was a short story because I had to give it many times over to the police and Cacey and the police again. The doctor also slipped in some domestic violence pamphlets on the side when Chance left the room. Asking me if I needed counseling or any other help with mysituation. I declined, letting him know I was past that point in my life. That Chance was not my abuser, and definitely not my boyfriend. Of course, the doctor took my response with a grain of salt, insisting that there were people ready to listen whenever I felt like talking. He probably didn’t take me too seriously after I couldn’t stop laughing at his false conclusion. My laughing at the most inappropriate times was a curse.
Chance comes back to the room with Cacey and Dane following close behind him. It’s ridiculous and childish, but I’m dreading having to admit defeat. I have to let Chance know I can’t continue to work on this project so he can plan accordingly. Before I can even open my mouth to form the words, Cacey’s hugging me, smiling, with tears in her eyes.
“Don’t worry about a thing. We’re working on busting you out of this joint as soon as humanly possible. Your bags are packed and in the trunk.” That statement is not what I expected to hear but does wonders for my mood as a drift back asleep. I don’t know exactly how long it’s been,but I’m being woken up by the nurse as she’s unplugging me from all the monitors in the room. Cacey has stayed true to her word and gotten me released. I make quick work of signing my discharge papers and putting on a change of clothes with Cacey's help. Thankfully, it’s just a simple t-shirt, yoga pants, and sneakers.
I get ready to leave the room and the nurse comes in with a wheelchair. Before I can protest, she tells me to get in the wheelchair to go home or not go home at all. So Ichooseto take the ride down, hating every minute of it. When we get to the exit, I see Dane’s black Mercedes CLS. The car has simple lines but is so clean and shiny. It attracts more attention than any other car in the vicinity. Even here in an area of New York where it’s commonplace to see chauffeured black service cars transporting executives around the city.
Before I can get up to make my way to the car, Chance gets out to help me get in. He’s gentle with me and surprisingly slides into the back seat beside me while Cacey rides shotgun. Knowing how Cacey loves to shop and sightsee, I think for sure we’ll stop off somewhere before leaving the city, but we immediately head to the highway, not stopping until we’re three hours into our trip. I’m on edge the whole time, with Chance beside me, even though I make sure to stay on my side of the seat and not have a repeat of our plane ride.
This is a whole new dynamic for me. Cacey and I have always been friends, but Chance and Dane have never been in my presence for any lengthy amount of time without taunting me in some way. It’s very different from what I’m used to. When we’re stopped, Dane’s usual carefree attitude is gone, and he is all business. He actually looks scary. Going from class clown of the jocks, to super serious as he scans the area for any potential threats. Cacey is in the front rattling off a food order over the phone to a local restaurant. She doesn’t bother asking Dane or Chance what they would like… it’s like she’s done this million times. They’ve all formed a bond that I could only wish to be part of. Once we’re back on the road, I think back to the city I’ve hinged many of my childhood dreams on. So many dreams that have come to pass and quickly turn to nightmares.
Alex
It’s only beena week since I’ve returned home, but I’m ready to get back to work. Especially since we've just wasted all that time and money prepping a proposal for Pearce's dummy company. Cacey is smothering at best, and I need to move past this. When she has to leave for the weekend, I’m all for it, encouraging her to go live her life. That is, until Chance shows up on my doorstep with a white t-shirt, some grey jogging pants and slides looking way too casual for a Friday night and way too good without even trying.
“What are you doing here?”
“Oh, you know I was in the neighborhood and noticed your light on.” I give Chance my best withering look, blocking his way inside. “Or I may have gotten a request from my slightly neurotic sister to I stop by and check on my neighbor.”
“You mean to tell me you’re not busy and got time for little ole me tonight?” I’m not trying to flirt. But it sounds like I’m giving off sexy Scarlet Ohara vibes instead of heavy sarcasm. Chance is fidgeting like he has somewhere to be. He looks to his left and right before settling his eyes on me, scrutinizing me before he addresses my questions.
“Nah. Are we going to have this conversation outside, or do you have a hot date in there?” he asks. I look down at my casual shorts and tank top before rolling my eyes. I’m not pulling off the same sexy casualness that he is, so I know he’s joking.
“Whatever, look at me. Does it look like I have a hot date tonight?”
“I’m looking and my mind definitely is not going to a place of purity.” I can’t help but laugh at Chance’s flirty one liner. This is the Chance that’s reserved for the ladies. The Chance I needed to stay far, far away from. Yes, I had a setback in New York entertaining his advances but I need to get him out of my space and reestablish some professionalism. Because even with his moody attitude, weeks of wasted work and Cacey’s constant smothering, I like my new job and life here. If I knew anything about Chance and I, I knew that the status of our unprofessional relationship was tenuous at best. Sure, we’ve been able to coexist for long periods of time since working together, but that could change quick. It’s only a matter of time before things fall apart with us.
“Well, now that you’re here and see that I’m totally fine, you can leave and report back to Cacey.” I might as well have been talking to myself because Chance brushes past me and plops down on the couch making himself comfortable.
