Xavier FINAL(33)
“What’s up?”
“Xavier, we have a problem.”
“She okay Abe?”
“Who?”
“Taelyn.” I felt my heart beating so fast against my chest, anticipating the worst. I was sure she had quit, had decided she wasn’t gonna stay on because I fucking over stepped.
“Your picture’s online. Well one of you with some chick in an ally and another or what I assume is your dick in a girl’s mouth. Apparently Xavier Steel, our hot bachelor of Forever Steel, has been discovered.”
“Oh fucking well I don’t give a shit.”
“And they connected Steel Incorporated. You were supposed to stay the fuck away from the shop. Away from gold digging--.”
“So fucking what? I don’t give two hoots about that shit. Have you heard from Taelyn?”
“Of course I haven’t but--.”
“Fuck!”
“What did you do now?” Abe’s tone rubbed me the wrong way.
“That’s really none of you God damn--.”
“It is. Have you ever considered--.” He stopped talking. “And there is now a picture of you in bed with a redhead that just popped up. Xavier Steel doesn’t seem to have a type. Looks like we all have a shot--.”
“Great. Turn that shit off and get me her address.”
“Yeah let’s see how that turns out. She’s gonna love that in a two weeks’ time you fucked two other girls. It’s a lawsuit waiting to happen. Damn it Xavier!”
I was getting a text from George. “Yell at me later, I have more important shit to deal with.”
I hung up and tapped the address to get directions. Twenty minutes. Twenty fucking minutes away.
I pulled up in front of what appeared to be a student housing apartment building and thank fuck I found a spot right in front. I fed the meter and crossed the street. I stopped when I saw the intercom and wondered if she’d let me in. Nothing felt right at this moment, it was like the world had turned sideways.
Lucky for me two chicks slid their key cards through the lock and giggled as they were looking at me. I gave them a wink, just to ensure I could throw them off for a moment to sneak inside.
I ran up three flights and looked for apartment 332. I found it and stood for a moment taking in a few breaths before I knocked on the door.
I waited for just a moment and then knocked again. The door cracked open. “Go away or so help me God I’ll spray you.”
I was looking at a can of pepper spray. “Taelyn?”
She pulled it away and looked through the crack.
Her lip quivered and tears fell hard.
“I want to be alone.”
“Okay. Can I use the bathroom before I drive back?”
She nodded and wiped her face.
“Can you unlock the chain?”
She closed the door and I heard the chain clanking against the door. “It’s open.”
I walked in to a very bare apartment. A small table was on its side and she picked it up. Her back was to me and she pointed. “Over there.”
I went to the bathroom, I didn’t really have to but there was no way I’d be leaving so damn soon.
When I walked out she was sweeping up what appeared to be her smashed cell phone.
I grabbed the dustpan and squatted down.
“Please don’t.” Her voice broke.
“Come on let me help.”
“Xavier. I really don’t want anyone here right now. I want to be alone.”
I took the broom from her and swept up the mess and emptied it in the garbage.
“You left.”
“I think I embarrassed myself enough last night.”
I watched as she looked at the air mattress and then wiped her face and walked to the one window in the small studio apartment.
“I didn’t think so. I thought we had--.”