WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT WHEN CARMA'S INVOLVED?

TREINTA

The room emptied and we were alone.

“Don't just stand there young lady. Have a seat.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Savage.”

“You are nothing like I expected.” Good or bad, there was no telling.

The wheelchair did not take away from her ability to intimidate. If anything, it added to it. Román didn't hold a flame to what his wife could say with her facial expressions and a few insignificant words. The experience had just started, and it was already intense. If Arianna stopped calling, I would’ve been a smidge closer to cool instead of icy with Mrs. Savage. She heard my phone and looked disapprovingly when I tried to hide it under my butt to silence it. I was at a loss for words with the woman. Out of nowhere she randomly volunteered an explanation regarding her condition. Cancer first. A few months back, it was a stroke. That put her in the wheelchair. I was curious about the cause of losing her mobility. Asking simply because you want to be nosy should never happen. I had no intention of asking.

“My Alixx is a sweet boy. Do you know that? He put this party together to cheer me up. The best present a mother could receive is for her children to find happiness in their all-too-serious lives. For me, I want it especially for Alixx. Carma Whitlock nabbed two of my sons. After what happened with Travis, I am convinced that witch would do anything to hurt my family. And she has temporarily succeeded. You, Miss Sanchez, are Alixx's North Star. If he follows you, I'm convinced he will be guided to where he needs to be.” I have never been called someone's North Star. I was grateful to know the family had the utmost confidence in my ability to free him from the ball and chain he got himself attached to.

“I appreciate the opportunity.”

“Ya, that's great. Let’s cut the bull. I know who you are.”

That family loved to be the cat playing with the wounded mouse. How was I supposed to respond when I didn't know what she meant? I didn't have to answer because she began speaking after the awkward silence. She asked if I thought Alixxander was stupid. When it came to allowing Carma to use him as a door mat, yep, I did. Mrs. Savage wasn't coy and got to the point of her son continuously choosing the wrong women. The words 'emotionally challenged' were thrown around like a football. I could not agree more but refused to say so.

“Miss Sanchez, I've noticed some changes in my son. Did you know Alixxander admitted to breaking the vows he recited in a cheap Vegas chapel?” More than I cared to admit. “Condoning cheating is not a thing I am comfortable with. Unless you have an open marriage. Even then, why bother getting married?” I agreed with that. “Plenty of proof is out there showing Whitlock has never been faithful to Alixx. If you looked deep enough, I’m sure she’s never been faithful to anyone except herself. My husband is oblivious to Alixx's plight. I know my son, and he's beating himself up because he cheated on the horrible woman.” Alixxander never cared about dumbass while he pleased me. My lower region clenched, remembering the night's earlier event.

“I have seen his sensitive side. You raised a good man.”

Mrs. Savage wanted to shout from the rooftops that Carma was getting what she deserved. She joked that she would if she could climb the stairs. Being positive when the negative tries to bring you down is courageous and awe-inspiring. She looked good, but it could be the makeup hiding her beautiful imperfections. Alixxander inherited his strength from her. His attitude clearly came from his father.

It didn’t take long for her to ask if I knew what kind of woman carried on an affair with a married man. Would it have been disrespectful to raise my hand out of guilt? I was convinced she knew who the other woman was. Playing innocent was the safest way to go without outright denying anything. Because I was his council, she desired to know if I knew anything about the other woman that tricked him into knocking her up. I bit my tongue so hard I tasted blood.

“I know about the affair. Alixxander never informed me he told a soul about it. Other than me, of course. But your assumption that she tricked him into impregnating her.... I don't buy it for a second.”

“Really? Why not? Alixx makes great money and, for all we know, she's conspiring to blackmail him in the future.” That was enough.

Slapping my knees, I stood and let her have it. “I am not some bimbo Alixxander picked up off the street. The affair you keep referring to was not planned. I made it clear my preference is women. Denying my attraction to him lasted long enough until the inevitable happened. It happened because his wife wouldn't give him a piece of ass. Alixxander’s protection and my anonymity are important. Whatever idea you have about me and who I am as a woman is way off the mark. My apologies if I seem disrespectful. It was a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Savage.”

My hand was on the doorknob about to turn it, “Alixx told me you lost the baby.” Her words were gut-wrenching. “Apologizing won't change the crushing, overwhelming, life-shattering devastation you must be dealing with.” Now I am a thousand percent positive Alixxander told her about us.

My hand slipped from the knob to catch my tears. She thanked me for thinking about Alixxander's reputation. It had nothing to do with his reputation and all to do with mine. If a reporter found out I was fcking one of the married Savage men, they would crucify me. Her contempt for my decision to keep him away from his child added to the tightness in my chest.

She continued to poke the bear to provoke a response. I gave her one. “When your son came on to me, I made it perfectly clear, I liked women. Nothing happened between us until after he caught that disgusting pig screwing his best friend. Just so you know, he is the only man I have been with. You're not deaf, my phone has been buzzing away in my clutch. I lied to the woman I've been dating to protect your son. She ended it with me tonight. Do you know what I did? I went home and cried into the only piece of clothing I purchased for our daughter. A onesie I will never have the chance to put on her. Alixxander was late to your party because he was busy taking care of me.” I fought the compulsion to tell her it was because we fcked.

“Alixx hasn't told you?” Rolling my eyes, I thought, what now? “Maybe he hasn't come to terms with his emotions. My dear, Alixx is in love with you. Your outburst tells me you feel the same. Just so you know, your secrets are safe with me.” I moved away from the door when I heard the knock.

“How's it going in here?” Alixxander came in and looked between his mother and me. “What? Mom, what did you say?”

“Nothing. Miss Sanchez didn't run out of the room like your usual exploits.”

“Jesus Christ, mom.”

“It's fine. It was nice not having to hide.” Another soul knowing lifted some of the weight I carried.

“Miss Sanchez has the right idea. Your relationship will flourish without outside influences. Once the charlatan is out of the picture, you can emerge from your cocoon and take Boston by storm.”

“For the last time, mom, we are not a couple.” Did he lie when he said he wanted that for us?

After saying goodbye to his mother, I asked him to take me home. My eyes had time to dry, and I was ready to present myself to the crowd with my head held high. Alixxander was harsh towards his mother. Coming between them made me feel crappy. On our way out, we stopped and said goodbye to everyone. Walking around acting as if I hadn't lost my temper with a frail and fragile woman was the hardest when I came face to face with the rest of her kids and her husband. Their blank expressions assured me they did not know about the extramarital affair or our daughter. Eventually, someone else would find out and the sh*t would hit the fan.

He waited until we were in the safety of his rental to speak. “Mom upset you. Had I known she was going to want to talk with you in private, I would've warned you she could be abrasive.”

“Her abrasiveness wasn't the problem. Why didn't you tell me you told someone about us?” A heads-up before I was ambushed would’ve been great.

“You wanted distance from me.” That’s been our messed-up relationship in a nutshell. “Mom won’t tell a soul.”

I didn't doubt that. But that wasn't the point. I kept it all to myself. It's not like I had anyone close to confide in. Maybe if I had, they could've beat some sense into me and halted future encounters. I chose the path and, whatever the repercussions, I knew I’d have to put my big girl panties on and deal with them.