Not A Good Reason (Alexandria Whitney Mystery) Read online

  “Well no. But she’s pushing me away for a reason and I’m not going to hang around and wait to long. Can you find out the truth?” TJ looked at her watch and knew she needed to get to work.

  “Absolutely, I promise. And TJ, nothing changes if you two do break up. We’re still going to be family. Now you go to work and I need to leave as well. I’ll call you when I get to the bottom of what’s bugging her.” Alex released TJ and grabbed her briefcase.

  The two would walk out together but first Alex needed to unplug the coffee pot and put the bread and jam away.

  “Have a good day, Alex. Love you, Big Sis.” TJ choked a little as she smiled at Alex.

  “Love you more, Little Sis. You cheer up. That’s an order.” Alex smiled and hoped she would be able to give TJ some cheerful news later.

  As Alex drove to school she wondered what could possibly have happened last night that sent Cyn on a mission to end her relationship with TJ. She needed answers and the privacy to hear the whole story all at once and not bits and pieces throughout the day. She would invite Cyn over for an early dinner, which she would pickup from the Tea House. Then be home when Sam arrived with her favorite dish, along with some tasty Chinese food. Hopefully it would be enough to compensate for not being able to wait on her hand and foot after another exhausting day of running her ass off. Alex hoped they let up on Sam soon; she liked the cute little ass she had. She and Cyn could talk and Sam could be part of the conversation if she wanted to be.

  The longer Alex thought about Cyn and TJ the madder she got at Cyn. All the whining about not having a girlfriend and now this. TJ was wonderful and maybe if Alex would have been younger and TJ a lot older who knows what could have happened if they’d met before Sam came into her life.

  As Alex pulled into her parking space she glanced at her phone for the time. She wasn’t late, but she needed to get to class. Her phone chirped to let her know she had a text message it was from Cyn.

  Cyn wrote: I don’t want to talk about it here. I’ll catch you after school and fill you in.”

  Alex closed her phone and knew immediately that something was up and she wasn’t going to like what it was.

  Cyn didn’t come by to pick Alex up for lunch or even go to their usual lunch place. Alex didn’t want to lie to Frederick and so she just told him the truth. She didn’t know what was up with Cyn, but she intended to find out after school was out. Alex decided to send a text message asking Cyn to come over so they could talk and hoped she would accept the invitation.

  Alex’s text read: “Will you please come to dinner and talk to me about what’s up with you and TJ? I’ll get Chinese.”

  Cyn replied. “Yes, but I can’t stay long.”

  “What the heck? Did aliens come down and replace you with a clone during the holiday break? I don’t know who you are anymore, BFF.” As Alex stared at her phone she was glad no one was around to hear her verbalize this question or the agitation in her voice.

  When school finally let out for the day Alex placed her order with Ping, who reassured her he would have everything ready when she arrived. Cyn’s car was already gone from the lot and Alex wondered where she was going in such a hurry. Maybe she wanted to change out of her good clothes before going to Alex’s. Whatever was up, Alex had a feeling things had changed with Cyn and there was a good chance that their friendship would never be the same.

  Chapter 20

  Alex served up everyone’s dinner and placed Sam’s and Cyn’s in the oven to keep warm. Her stomach was in knots as if it was her relationship that was ending. How would she start the conversation? How much would Cyn tell her everything? Probably not since she hadn’t let Alex in on any of this new situation. Alex was grateful Oliver wasn’t around as she would be hard pressed to explain to him why she was so anxious. Alex decided to let Cyn do all the talking and just sit back and let the drama unfold before her very eyes.

  As Cyn’s mustang pulled up, Alex saw she was correct in her assumption that Cyn had gone home to change her clothes. Meeting her at the back door Cyn only briefly made eye contact with Alex, then took her usual place at the table. Alex placed her dinner in front of her and then took her own seat.

  “I’m sure you’ve heard from TJ by now. It just isn’t going to work out between us.” Cyn looked at her food as she rearranged her orange chicken.

  “That’s it. That’s all you have to say to me? What’s really going on Cyn? You were crazy about TJ and now she’s boring – what?” Alex felt an edge in Cyn’s voice that she’d never heard before.

  “I’ve met someone else. She’s older, smarter, richer and prettier, okay. What do you want me to say Alex?” Cyn didn’t feel she really needed to explain her reasons.

  “Talk to me. Like you used too. Before I left for the ranch over the holiday break we were best friends. Now I don’t even know who you are any more. What happened? Who is this woman?” Alex felt herself stiffen as she was very disappointed in Cyn at this moment.

  “Dr. Adrienne Delgado.” Cyn knew it would take Alex a minute to realize who she was.

  “Dr. Adrienne Delgado, my Dr. Delgado. The surgeon that treated me from Richard’s razor attack?” Alex was stunned at this news.

  “I didn’t set out looking for a new girlfriend. It just happened.” Cyn felt like she had been cheating on TJ and the truth be told she was.

  “And you’re just getting around to telling me this now. I didn’t even know you two knew each other.” Alex felt her heart sink as she knew how TJ was going to take this news.

  “I know how much you like TJ. You would have been all over me about spending time with another Lesbian. It started out innocent enough, I was helping her research her family tree. The next thing I knew Tuesday night we were in bed together.” Cyn figured this news was really going to send Alex into a rage.

  “Oh, Cyn.” Alex felt the tears coming and needed to leave the room.

  When Alex returned, with tissue in hand, she asked Cyn if she would please tell her everything. She needed to talk to TJ and she wanted to have all this new info come directly from Cyn.

  Cyn unfolded the details as to how she and the good Doctor had met outside Alex’s hospital room the day she checked out. They started talking and Cyn mentioned she was a friend and fellow teacher who taught History. Dr. Delgado then mentioned how she was trying to research her family tree. Cyn offered to help her contact different agencies looking for birth and death certificates. It was all very casual and innocent at first, but it seemed to become more intense around the holiday break, with them talking daily on the phone. Cyn made sure TJ was never around when she had these conversations. But she did admit that she began to act distant during the last few weeks. Spending time with TJ seemed weird and she preferred Adrienne’s company more. She was very sorry about how it all worked out, but she was happy, and wasn’t that what was important?

  “Maybe you’re happy, Cyn. But what about poor TJ?” Alex wanted to tell Cyn off, but knew she had her mind made up and even though Alex thought it was a big mistake, it was Cyn’s life and she had to live with the consequences of her actions.

  “I do care about TJ, but Adrienne is so different. She’s a doctor and has been around the world. TJ’s never left Hastings.” Cyn knew this relationship had better work, because there was a good chance she could lose Alex’s friendship as well as TJ’s.

  “Trust me, being a doctor’s wife isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. But if this is what you want then who am I to say different? I hope this works out for you.” Alex knew hers didn’t. But Cyn’s could if she didn’t mind being moved down the priority list as soon as the honeymoon stage passed and it would with time that was a given.

  Cyn asked if she could take the rest of her dinner with her as she was meeting Adrienne. Alex wrapped Cyn’s plate in plastic wrap and sent her on her way. After an awkward hug, Alex watched as Little Blue turned onto the road and disappeared. Alex wondered if the Cyn she met two years ago was gone and this new Cyn was going to become
a stranger. It happens more often than not with one’s Lesbian friends. It’s just that Alex never thought it would happen to one of her friends.

  How could Alex explain this to TJ? She had been dumped for an older woman, who was a doctor and world traveler. Oh, that would go over well with someone who already thought they weren’t smart enough. Alex looked at her untouched dinner and covered it. Maybe she would be hungry when Sam got home. But the task at hand would be to call TJ, a call Alex would have preferred would have been with better news.

  “Hi, TJ. I talked to Cyn. Would you please come by? I don’t want to tell you what she had to say over the phone. I picked up Chinese food for everyone.” Alex was grateful she got TJ’s voicemail; she preferred giving bad news in person.

  The time between her phone call and the arrival of TJ seemed forever. But Alex was glad when TJ’s white truck finally pulled up. TJ didn’t get out right away; she just sat for a few minutes as she tried to compose herself. Alex knew it wouldn’t take much for her to breakdown either, as this situation never left both parties of a breakup happy. When TJ finally did get out she had a six pack in her hand and it wasn’t Root Beer.

  Alex met her at the back door and could tell by her expression that she knew it was over.

  “Hey Alex, you want to get drunk with me?” TJ had already downed two beers and they were starting to take affect.

  “Oh TJ. I’m so sorry, but that’s only going to give you a major headache in the morning.” Alex knew that may take her mind off being dumped.

  “Bring it on. The more pain the better.” TJ made it to Alex’s arms before breaking down in tears.

  There were no words that could make TJ feel better right now. It would just take time and the love of friends to try and fill the void left by this breakup.

  Chapter 21

  When Alex heard Sam’s truck come up the gravel driveway she was amazed at how fast the time had flown by. Her conversation with TJ had been heartbreaking as well as inspirational in its content. Reassuring TJ that she was a terrific catch seemed to be the hardest part. TJ felt very inferior to the good Dr. Adrienne’s background.

  “Trust me TJ. If I was stranded on a deserted island with you or the good Doctor, I’d pick you hands down every day of the week. Sam just drove up. Would you like to help me get her out of the truck?” Alex still hadn’t heard a peep out of Oliver and figured she was on her own today. That is until she walked out the back door.

  Oliver was already on the job waiting for Sam to park her truck. He smiled at Alex as she approached and took his position near the driver side door.

  “Hey good lookin’. How are you doing?” Alex could tell by Sam’s face that it was going to be another early night.

  “Can you bring my bed out here? I can’t believe I would be hurting more than I did yesterday.” Sam felt her legs begin to shake as she tried to lift them.

  “I can help Sam.” Oliver moved towards Sam and gently pulled her around so she could slide out of the truck.

  “Thanks, Oliver. You are getting better at this with every day.” Sam slide out and Alex was ready to grab her if her knees buckled.

  “What a team. Did TJ bring another pizza?” Sam wondered where Cyn was.

  “I’ll tell you when we’re inside and you are sitting down.” Alex flashed Sam a look that pretty much said it all.

  “No way. How? Why?” Sam knew her buddy, and knew she would be a wreck.

  “It’s a long story. I picked up Chinese and TJ is working on a six pack of beer.” Alex knew that little detail would get Sam’s attention.

  “Ah shit! I can’t believe it.” Sam was unaware that she was being held up by both Alex and Oliver as they steered her towards the back door.

  TJ had sat back down at the table as the beer was definitely affecting her now. Sam wanted to give her friend a big hug. Alex moved a chair around so Sam could sit next to her depressed and rather tipsy friend. TJ cried on Sam’s shoulder while Alex pulled their dinner out of the oven and then microwaved hers to heat it up. Oliver disappeared into the living room to watch the picture box – he didn’t like to see a woman cry.

  Alex poured plum wine for herself and Sam and left TJ with another beer. It was obvious TJ would be spending the night in the guest room. Alex would have to break the news to Oliver that he would have a roommate for the night as well as another attaboy on his newest ability.

  Alex gave TJ a supportive squeeze to her shoulder as she took her seat. Then waited for a good time to tell Sam the tale and wait for the fallout which was sure to come since TJ was Sam’s best buddy and Cyn was Alex’s. Or at least used to be, who knew what the future would bring. TJ listened again to the story and nodded as Alex made it a point to stress to her that it was Cyn who made the choice. Not because TJ wasn’t a good person, but that Dr. Adrienne was the type she’d chosen in the past. Also, it was a type that Cyn would continue to be drawn to until she got really tired of being treated poorly. Not that it started out that way, but usually ended up that way when Cyn decided she’d had enough.

  Sam was in a state of disbelief from this news that Dr. A and Cyn were now a couple. But when she thought about it, it made sense as Dr. A was older and only a few years younger than Alex. Cyn had always had a crush on Alex and seemed to like older women. But where did that leave TJ who was just as good a person as this new woman in Cyn’s life, maybe even better.

  “TJ you’re going to meet the right girl one day and Cyn will realize her mistake when it’s too late. But please don’t change who you are, or think less of yourself. I love my little sister just the way she is. You come over here everyday if you want to for dinner. We would love to have you.” Alex knew she wouldn’t, but wanted her to know she was still a part of their family.

  “Thanks Alex. I love you both too, and you’ve made these past few months so great. I guess I should’ve seen it coming. I could tell Cyn wanted something from me. I thought it was intelligence, but now I see differently. I don’t want to become a pest, but I will stop by now and again for dinner.” TJ had stopped drinking beer and was on to water to flush out her system.

  “Yeah, you make this your second home. I’m not much company these days for Alex.” Sam was ready for her shower and bed. No picture box tonight – she was beat. “In fact, I’d like to be excused.”

  “Stay put TJ and let me get her into bed. Then you and I can have an evening of girl talk.” Alex knew that Sam could be right about not being much company until she finished her training.

  “Can I help?” TJ stood, but weaved a little.

  “We’re good. If I need help Oliver is just in the other room.” Alex didn’t want Oliver to feel left out and wondered how much he could hear them talking, over the picture box.

  “Do you need me to help?” Oliver was jiffy on the spot and ready to take an arm.

  “Thank you, Oliver. We’re good TJ, Oliver has Sam’s other arm. Finish your dinner and I’ll be back in a few.” Alex now knew she needed to be careful about what she said around Oliver with his superhuman hearing.

  “I’m not going anywhere in the foreseeable future.” TJ knew she was in no condition to drive home.

  Sam and Alex shared a few private moments and a brief update on how their days had gone before she entered the shower. Sam didn’t think she could get any sorer than she was now, but tomorrow was another day to prove her wrong. Alex expressed her disappointment in how Cyn had handled the whole break-up with TJ and hoped Sam understood her invitation to TJ to come over a lot. Sam was truly okay with it and was glad Alex would have somebody other than Oliver to spend her evenings with.

  It was just fifteen minutes before Alex returned to the kitchen and found TJ still at the table with her head down on her folded arms. Alex thought TJ may have fallen asleep, so she started to clear the table of dishes so she could place the leftovers in containers.

  “I’m not asleep. Just thinking and wondering how I tell my father about this. Since he was the one who pushed us together. I guess this wi
ll teach him not to play matchmaker.” TJ wondered if Cyn would find another mechanic or just continue bringing her mustang into their garage.

  “Well his heart was in the right place. The only problem here is that he didn’t know what type of woman Cyn seems to be drawn to. I’m sorry you’re hurting right now, but glad you and Cyn met. Otherwise we would not have become friends.” Alex rubbed TJ’s back as she still had her head down.

  “That’s true. I will get over this eventually and having you and Sam will have made it all worthwhile. What happens between you and Cyn now that she has this new girlfriend?” TJ wondered if their Wednesday night outings were still going to happen.

  “Good question. Well like any new relationship, as you well know, the new girlfriend becomes numero uno until one of them pulls back. Now I’m going to assume that the good Dr. will be the one calling the shots since she has the more important job. So I don’t anticipate seeing much of Cyn until that happens. Then we’ll have to see how we both feel about where the friendship goes from there.” Alex really didn’t care at this point. She felt a little betrayed in as much as she told Cyn a lot more about her life, than Cyn had told her lately. And not breaking up with TJ before she jumped in the sack with Adrienne was not cool at all. A selfish move that proved to Alex you never really know someone’s true character, until something like this happens.

  “So you don’t think this relationship is going to last?” TJ would be willing to wait if this was someone worth waiting for. But Cyn seemed to have a pattern with women that TJ couldn’t match.

  “I’m not saying immediately, but I don’t think it will go the distance. Dr. Adrienne is a strong woman and Cyn won’t stand up for herself. She’ll eventually figure it out and realize that this one was just like all the others she was involved with. Apparently the Universe still feels Cyn isn’t ready for a long term relationship just yet.” Alex felt TJ would have been a much better choice, but here again the Universe must have other plans for TJ as well.