Page 31 of Hollywood Undercover
Chapter 13
SEBASTIAN feltthe cooler evening air hit his face as he stepped out his front door. He was on his way over to see Alexandra, with a plate of spaghetti, homemade garlic bread, and steamed asparagus. He stopped in his tracks at the sight of Rosa directing EMS personnel up the steps. They were carrying a gurney, and even from his porch, he could make out the pale, haggard face of Max Storme. This didn’t lookgood.
He stuck the plate on the wide ledge of his porch railing, and jogged down the steps. In a few strides, he made it across the yard to lend ahand.
“Good evening, Ms. Rosa. I was just about to come over to hang out with Alex, but it doesn’t look like it’s a goodtime.”
She looked up at him with an absent expression. Silver streaks were now visible in her blonde hair. She was more distracted than usual, although he hadn’t been around hermuch.
“Is everything alright?” he asked, genuinelyconcerned.
“Oh. Hello Sebastian. I can’t talk right now,” she said hurriedly. “They’re getting Max set up now. He’s been released from thehospital.”
He nodded apologetically. “Sorry for the intrusion. I understand. Please let Alex know I cameby.”
“Thank you, dear. Iwill.”
She waved to him and walked inside behind the men pushing thegurney.
“The dining room would be best,” he heard her say before she closed the door behindher.
Sebastian looked through the window of Max’s house. Part of the main floor had been converted into a makeshift hospital room. There was a medical bed in the middle of what was the dining room. Beside it was an oxygen tank and other equipment positioned around thebed.
He turned around and headed back inside, hoping Max would be fine. Grabbing the plate and carrying it indoors, he took it to the kitchen and shoved the plate in the fridge. He went up to his bedroom and looked through his window. He had a clear view of Alexandra’s old bedroom across from his on the third floor. He felt for her, and began to wish she wasn’t playing this dress-up game. He could be there for her, probably in the way she needed it rightnow.
He stepped away from the window. There was nothing to see, anyway. Alexandra kept her curtains drawn all the time. If she was herself with him, he could be more of a friend. He started to think he should play the part, the same way she had been doing as Alex. Lexxi might’ve been out of his league, but what about Alexandra? Sebastian wasn’t blind. Alexandra was physically attracted to him. It was obvious. They were also closer now. She accepted him as a friend. Maybe it was time to throw her somehints.
Two can play thatgame.
In the couple of weeks she had been home, his visits to the Storme household were probably the bright spots in her long days. It must have been hell for her, spending all that time in the hospital. He could only imagine what it would be like between them if she was herself—as Alexandra, not ‘Alex’. If she gave him a chance, he could show her how little her celebrity status meant to him. He knew her long before she became famous, and frankly was more impressed with Alexandra. She showed spunk and was resilient as she faced a tough time in her life. She already had to cope with the loss of a parent, and now had to face the potential loss of her last remaining link. He had been there, with his own parents. It wasn’t an easy thing toface.
Sebastian went back to bed and turned on the TV. Out of habit, he pulled out his phone and wandered down his ‘pretty good lay’ list. He placed the phone back on the nighttable.
Who am I kidding? I don’t want anyone inthere.
He wanted the woman nextdoor.
As he relaxed, he wondered whether she needed help as she took care of Max. He wanted to be there for her. He planned that after the medics left in the ambulance, if she was still up, he would go over and check in on her…on ‘Alex’. So what if Alexandra thought he was gay? He was no more gay than she was a guy. Her game had to end eventually, but while she was playing, he could playtoo.
A slow smile crept up his face. That was hisopening.
