Accepting Destiny Read online

  “It’s no problem Ally, I can take you home. Where do you want your car towed to?” He asks, as I crawl in to remove my belongings. I grab a tote bag from the back seat and stuff everything in it, CD’s, my GPS and miscellaneous items.

  I don’t answer right away, “You got a screwdriver?” I ask him. He raises his eyebrows at me, but reaches back in to his trunk to hand me one. I skip to the back of the car and proceed to take the license plate off of the back, stuffing it in to my tote bag. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m not having this puppy towed without keeping my tag, Chase.”

  “But....” He pauses, a confused look on his face. “Ummm...” He stutters.

  “Have them take it to the tow yard, I’m done with this piece of shit,” I say, as I kick the tire one last time for good measure.

  “The tow yard? Why?” He asked.

  “Cause it’s a piece of shit and it’s time for it to go to the graveyard. Can you drop me by the Nissan dealer on the way to my apartment? It’s just a few miles down the road,” I smile back at him.

  “You’re going to buy a new car? Just like that?”

  “Yep, I got that promotion on Monday, so it’s time. I’ve waited for this for so long, just hoping Roberta would make it until then. Her timing is impeccable.”

  “Congratulations, Ally,” he says, as he pulls me in to a hug. “So proud of you, that’s awesome. Just goes to show you hard work does make a difference, huh?” I nod in agreement, a cheesy smile spreads across my face. I had planned to wait until the weekend to take this plunge, but now is as good a time as ever.

  “Roberta?” He asks, but I just nod, pointing at the broken down piece of shit.

  “Ahhh, I see. Well come on let’s go. I’ll call dispatch from the car. You sure you don’t want to trade it in?”

  “Really? How much do you think I’ll get for a ten year old beater with a blown alternator?”

  “Right. Point taken, let’s go.”

  As we traveled up the interstate, my phone dings.

  H - Where u at girl?

  A - Going to buy car

  H - What? By urself?

  A - Chase is with me

  H - WTF!

  And before I can reply the phone rings. “Heather, what’s up?” I say when I answer.

  “You tell me girl, Chase? I thought you and Bentley were together?”

  “Yeah, I guess we are. My piece of shit died in the parking garage, Chase was here and is giving me a ride,” I tell her.

  “What was Chase doing there?” She asks, and I think for a minute. I have no idea why he was there. I asked, but I don’t believe he gave me an answer. “Erm, not sure. I’ll find out though. What are you doing?” The conversation turning with her telling me about her day and I filled her in on the Sally situation.

  “Damn, that girl needs to get a grip! She’s gonna stick her nose in to the wrong person’s ass one day and pay for it dearly.”

  “I’m afraid she already has, Tim pulled her to HR after our little altercation in the bathroom. Guess I’ll find out tomorrow what happened. Or not, since the gossip queen won’t say anything,” I laugh.

  “Yeah, well have fun. Text me when you get home, so I can come see that new ride of yours.”

  I press the end button and glance at Chase’s profile. Strong jaw covered in a bit of stubble, whiskey colored eyes and straight nose. He really is fine, but he’s not Jackson. “You never told me why you were in my parking garage?” I ask.

  “No, I guess I didn’t. I came to see you actually, but you made it down before I got upstairs.”

  “Why were you coming to see me?”

  “I figured you were back at work and just wanted to check on you, see how you were making out. Did the police psychologist come see you?” He asks.

  “Yeah, we had a few conversations. She helped a lot, but I was going stir crazy at home, so I decided it was time to get back to the grindstone,” he nods, keeping his eyes on the road. I can’t see his whole upper body through the large computer mounted between us, but his strong arms are flexing as he turns the wheel. Hmmm, I think. Maybe I should.....oh no, never mind. The last time someone got involved with someone else’s love life, it was almost a disaster, and I will not ever pretend to be Cupid.

  We finally reach our exit and travel the few miles to the Nissan dealer, parking and heading towards the Maxima’s parked along the curb. “Maxima huh? You sure you don’t want a sports car or something, Al?”

  “Me? In a sports car? Haha, you are a funny one, Detective Rowland. Do I look like sports car material?” I slug him in the arm, my knuckles feeling the hard impact.

  “Hmmmm, I could actually see you driving an SUV with a car seat.......” he drops off, “Never mind.” He smiles, pointing towards the row of Maxima’s. Before we could even make it, a sales man pounces, like they are known to do. I’m actually glad I have Chase with me, so I don’t get taken advantage of.

  “How are you guys doing this evening?” The salesman asks as he reaches to shake Chase’s hand, peering down at his gun filled holster. I snicker because now I know I’m going to get a good deal. This salesman seems to be extremely nervous all of a sudden, so I don’t think he’ll try to take advantage of me.

  “My friend here is interested in the Maxima.” He tells the salesman, arrogantly stomping my buzz, so I step in.

  “Yes, a 2013 or 2014, whichever you have.”

  “Of course ma’am, come with me,” And we follow him deeper in to the lot to a row of shiny cars, my heels clicking on the pavement.

  We stroll up and down the aisles and a black one catches my eye. I stroll over and peer at the sticker on the window. Ouch, I never realized they were so expensive and I step back a little. “Umm, maybe I should look at the Altima?” I smirk, but the salesman doesn’t budge. Launching in to his sales speech, trying to talk me in to it.

  “Let’s take it for a drive first, let you get a feel of it.” And he walks off to get the keys from inside.

  “Hold on a sec, Mr......”

  “Arthur, ma’am.”

  “Okay, Arthur. This is a little over my price range, so I think I need to look at something else.”

  “We can get you in to any vehicle you want, and I can see in your eyes you want this one. Just let me get the keys so you can climb in and take a look,” he says,as he walks off. He walks thefuck off! And that is exactly what I want to tell him, to ‘fuck off’.....but I stand there quietly, holding my tongue and watching him go inside.

  “Geez, did he not even listen to me?” I ask Chase, as he peeks in to the windows of the sleek black Maxima.

  “Hmmm?”

  “Chase!” I nudge him on the arm again. Damn, I need to quit doing that because his hard muscles are going to bruise my knuckles.

  “What?” He says as he pulls his head away from the window.

  “Like it huh? Are we shopping for you or me? Cause this one is way out of my price range,” I ask, but he doesn’t answer, he’s too lost in the car.

  “Here ya go.” The salesman says as he returns with the keys.

  “Um, Arthur.....as I tried to tell you before you walked away, this car is way over my price range. I need to move on to something else.”

  “No, no. I want to look at it,” Chase says, as the salesman opens the door, and Chase folds his large body in to the driver’s seat. “Nice.” Is all he says, his hands on the steering wheel. His eye flickers over the controls and smiling like a kid in a candy store.

  “You two go ahead, I’ll be over there,” I say as I stalk off towards the Altima’s. “Yes, this is better.” I say to myself as I peer at the sticker on the window. But I’ve lost my salesman to Chase, who is now in deep conversation over the car. “Great, guess I’m on my own.”

  “Alexandra?” I hear a deep, familiar voice echo through the parking lot so I look up to see who it is. Jackson. How in the hell did he know I was here?

  “Jackson? What are you doing here?” I ask as he pulls me in to a
hug.

  “I could ask you the same thing,” he smiles that bright smile, looking down on me.

  “My car died in the parking garage, so I came here to buy a new one.”

  “By yourself? Don’t you know these guys are like vultures with pretty women?”

  Laughing, “I’m not alone Jackson. Ch....”

  “Jackson Bentley, how are ya man?” Chase says as he approaches, holding his hand out for a shake. I look at Jackson and the fire in his eyes has turned to smoke, but he takes his hand and from what I can tell, squeezes Chase’s hand a bit harder than he needed to.

  “Rowland, what are you doing here?” Jackson asks, his eyes darting back and forth between Chase and I.

  “Helping Ally here with her new purchase, though I got a little sidetracked on the Maxima over there,” he looks at me, “See anything you like?”

  “I can handle it from here Rowland,” Jackson says as wraps his arms around me in a protective way, like he’s claiming me as his own. Chase’s brows rise and his lips curl up. “Sure Jackson, she was stranded in the parking garage and I brought her here since she didn’t have another ride,” he says sarcastically like he’s some sort of hero or something.

  Uh oh, I feel a pissing contest coming, but I’m too stunned to say anything, so I step back and let these two go at it. Before I can turn back to look at the car, Jackson rears back like he’s ready to punch Chase. “Careful Bentley, I’m a cop remember? Don’t make me have to arrest you.”

  I feel Jackson tense up, his fist, still balled up, but he stands down, staring at him. Bailing Jackson out of jail is the last thing on my to do list today. “Guys, calm down! Jackson, he was in the parking garage and tried to jump me off, but the alternator is fried, so he gave me a ride here.”

  I then realize how that sounds, and think I have probably just pissed him off, even more than he already is, though I can’t understand why. Oh wait, yes I do. This is possessive Jackson.

  “You should have called me,” he says to me, while still staring down Chase.

  “You told me you had a late meeting, so I didn’t want to disturb you. And he was already there.....” I drift off.

  “Well, he can go now,” he takes a deep breath. “Thanks for getting her here safely, but I can handle it from here.” He tells Chase.

  “Of course, I apologize.I didn’t mean to infringe on your territoryBentley,” Chase says as he cocks his head sideways.

  “Ally, it’s been a pleasure. Glad you are doing all right after your little....incident,” he says to me while looking at Jackson - continuing the pissing contest.

  “Thanks for the ride Chase. I’ll call you if I need you,” I say, as I turn back to the car. That’s why I’m here after all.

  Chase nods his head goodbye, then takes a card from the salesman now standing back from us, probably waiting on the fireworks.

  “So, you can’t do the Maxima huh? Well, the Altima is just as good, and a bit less expensive,” The salesman reluctantly speaks.

  “She’ll take the Maxima,” Jackson says as he walks off towards the building, leaving me standing beside the car that I can afford, the Altima.

  “No, Jackson. I can’t afford that one. The payments will be too high.” But he doesn’t listen, he just stalks off with the salesman, who is now grinning from ear to ear. “Jackson, wait!” I scream at him, jogging my chubby ass towards him, but his long legs move so much faster than my short ones, so I’m out of breath by the time I reach him.

  I grab his arm, “Stop!”

  He turns back to me with a facetious look on his face. “Jackson, I’m getting the Altima....I can’t afford the Maxima, even on my new salary.” I say as I am shaking my head.

  “Nonsense, get what you want,” he says.

  “I can’t AFFORD what I want! Unlike you, I am not made of money and can’t just make a wild purchase for the sake of making a purchase. I have to budget this stuff out, and not get myself in too deep,” I tell him, but he’s not listening.

  “I’ll buy it for you,” he says, turning back towards the salesman, who walked ahead of us.

  “What? No hell, you won’t! I can do this on my own.”

  “Alexandra, be reasonable. You want the car, I’ll buy you the car, end of conversation.”

  “Argghhh! Jackson stop! I will not let you buy me a car, damn it!” I say as I pull out my cell, scrolling through my contact list.

  “Who are you calling, Ally?”

  “That is none of your business,” I tell him as Heather answers the phone. “Hey, it’s me. Can you come down to the Nissan dealer and pick me up?”

  “Why, didn’t Jackson......” Then silence, because she realizes she’s busted.

  “How would you know Jackson....wait, are you interfering again Heather? Jesus, why can’t you let it go and quit messing in my life?”

  Okay, now I’m angry cause I have too many interfering people in my life, and I’m sick of it, damn it.

  “I’m sorry, Ally. He called me to let him in through the gate, to surprise you, but I told him you weren’t home. He made me tell him where you were, I tried to.......he’s so demanding,” she says on a whisper.

  “Yes, I am very well aware of that fact. Now get down here and pick me up before I kill someone!” I end the call, shoving my phone back in my purse. “I’m done here Jackson, you can go now.”

  I know, I’m probably being an unnecessary bitch, but I can’t help it. First the Sally issue, then my car dying, the standoff with Chase and Jackson, now this. I’ve had enough for the day, and a new car will just have to wait. I’ll just rent a car until I can get a new one.

  Jackson just looks at me, almost dumbstruck. I know, I’m probably the first woman who has ever said no to him.....and I’ve said it a lot over the past few months, but he needs to understand that I am my own person. I don’t need him to come to the rescue all the time. Sure, I need rescuing sometimes, like in that old warehouse I was taken to....but still.

  We stand there staring at each other for a bit, neither of us budging, until the salesman clears his throat, jolting us both out of our trances.

  “So, are we doing this?” He says,

  “No,” I say

  “Yes,” Jackson says.

  “No, we are not. I will buy my own damn car when I’m ready.” And, I’m gone. Heather’s tires squealing as she whips her car in to the parking lot, honking her horn. “I’m outta here, guys. Arthur, thank you for your help. I’ll be back when I’m....alone.” And I glare at Jackson, pointing his finger like I’m daring him to do something about it.

  This morning’s intimate moments are now overshadowed by anger.

  Chapter 4

  I jump in Heather’s car, slamming the door. “Get out of here, now. Before Jackson tries to command me again.”

  “What the hell is going on, Al?” She asks as we pull out of the dealership parking lot, Jackson in the rear view mirror, standing there with his mouth open.

  “What’s going on? You really want the answer to that question? Well you might not like my answer, H,” I snap back, causing her to flinch. “I’m going to say this one time only, so make sure you understand me. BUTT OUT! You know I love you, H...but you have to stop with this shit. It’s driving me crazy. If Jackson wants to visit, he’s going to have to call me himself to let him in the gate. And, quit telling him my plans!! I had everything under control with Chase, and Jackson comes in with guns blazing, trying to take over. Now I don’t have a car, and I have no way to get to work tomorrow. So, be ready at seven thirty because you’re taking me.”

  I cross my arms over my chest and sulk like a child. Mature, I know, but it is, what it is.

  “Geez, sorry Al. Forgive me for trying to help,” She says sarcastically.

  “I can appreciate that, H. But you aren’t helping! This started in Miami and you haven’t let it alone since. Well, you did once, when Madison was arrested, but that didn’t last long. Worry about your own love life, and leave mine alone. Please,” I’m be
gging now, flashing puppy dog eyes at her, while we sit still behind a big truck.

  “Okay, okay, I’m sorry. I just know you, Al. You’ll give up on anything good before it even happens because you think you aren’t worthy of it. I’m tired of seeing you pass up on good things because of your damned pride. But I’ll back off, if that’s what you really want.”

  “Yes, it’s what I really want, Heather. Focus on your own issues, and let me focus on mine. If I need advice, I’ll come to you but I don’t need you making decisions for me. I get enough of that with Jackson.”

  She stares at me in confusion, but she says no more. Thank God for small favors, because I’m tired of talking myself, cause damn if no one listens to me.

  We are finally at peace with each other by the time we pull in to the parking lot at our apartment complex. She parks in front of her building, and I trudge my way down to mine.

  “Seven thirty, Heather, be ready!” I toss over my shoulder as I walk down the sidewalk to my building.

  I flop my frustrated, exhausted body on the sofa face down in the pillow and let out a yell, hoping the pillow muffles the sound a little. Then my body starts moving, arms slapping the sofa, my legs kicking in, and I’m thrashing about. Yes, I’m having a little temper tantrum. I think I even let out a little scream.

  I feel much better afterwards, but when I peek at the clock I see it’s already nine o’clock, and I haven’t eaten, bathed or anything. Shit, I guess I’d better scrounge up something to eat and then take a shower to wash the grime of the day off me. Before I make it in to the kitchen, I get a text message. I stop, staring back in to the living room, trying to decide if I am going to look at the text or ignore it.

  I decide to ignore it. I have had enough for today. Whatever it is, can wait until morning, Or later, whichever I decide. I need to assign alert tones to my contacts, so I know who it is, before running for the phone.

  I grab a Hot Pocket out of the freezer, unwrapping it, and inserting it in to the little silver sleeve to get it crispy. Why do I bother with that? The filling only leaks out onto it, causing it to stick to the pastry, then I burn my fingers trying to pry it off. Yes, it happens quite often. So often, you’d think I’d learn by now.