TENACITY

CHAPTER TWO

Friday, April 15, 2016
Highgate Hospital
9 weeks...

She pried her eyes open, only to close them at the sting of the bright lights overhead. She tried again, slowly this time, and looked around, trying to make sense of her surroundings. The strong scent of cleaning agents told her she was in a hospital.

A hospital.

Her baby.

Had she lost this baby too?

She began internally panicking. She'd felt that twinge in her belly earlier in the day. Why hadn't it crossed her mind to check it? She tried sitting up, only to be pushed back down by Jason.

Jason Turner. Trey's bestfriend.

"Hey," he mumbled in greeting, pulling away and jamming his hands in his pockets. He looked sleepy. He'd probably been woken out of bed. She wondered what Trey's best friend was doing in the hospital instead of the man himself.

"Water," she managed to get out in a hoarse, scratchy voice. She was thirsty, her throat dry. He moved toward the bedside table and filled a glass from the water jar that sat atop the stand, putting in a straw.

As he approached, she reached for it. But he smacked her hand away, scowling at her. He propped the pillows behind her with one hand and brought the water to her lips.

She rolled her eyes, mumbling, "I can drink it myself you know?" Her voice broke repeatedly, so much that she had to clear her throat noisily right after.

"Do you know you've been hooked to two IV's—both arms—because you're dehydrated and haven't eaten?" He looked so worried it would've been funny if so much hadn't been at stake. "What were you thinking?"

"I had been waiting for Trey so we could eat together," she muttered, then cleared her throat, feeling hurt all over again. "Can I have that water now?"

Without another word, he brought the straw to her lips, making her take small sips till it was okay to gulp the water down and not hurt her throat. She pulled back when she'd had her fill. "Thank you."

He winked—though it looked like an owl blinking since he was sleepy—flashing her a boyish grin as he set the glass back on the table. Alexandra felt eyes on her and turned towards the door, her heart skipping at the realization that Trey had been watching them this whole time.

He had a shoulder propped against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest. He nodded at Jason, then looked at her with tired, worried eyes, saying nothing.

Alexandra looked away first. "What are you here?" she asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" he gritted out, trying to rein in his jealousy at the fact that she was fine with Jason, just not with him. What had he expected? She'd cheated and he'd basically asked for a separation.

"I wouldn't have asked if it was." It irked him that she wouldn't look at him.

"Why can't you look at me?" he heard himself ask, anger and pain coloring his voice. "Do I disgust you that much? Is that why you cheated on me?"

Jason, who had been in a corner watching, decided to intervene when he saw the angry spark in her eyes. "Both of you need to chill out. And Trey, don't accuse your wife if you don't have irrefutable proof."

"Some nerve you have coming here, wondering what's wrong with me, and why I'm not looking at you. I thought you didn't want to see me again?" Lexi replied coolly, ignoring Jason.