Sweet Hope

“God…” I cried and pressed my hand to my forehead.

Austin stepped forward but I stepped back. “Where is he now? I haven’t been able to get in touch with him all day.”

A flash of worry crossed Austin’s face, but it quickly turned to stone when he said, “I told him to leave. He did. He didn’t even take his things, he just cut and run.” I choked on a breath. “Al, he’ll be long gone. It’s what he does when the shit hits the fan. He runs away.”

Anger swirled within me, and I backed toward the door. “You have no idea,” I said in devastation to them all. “You have no idea what he’s done for y’all, no idea how much he’s sacrificed and how much he’s changed his life.”

Austin’s eyebrows pulled down at my words, but before he could speak, I reached into my purse and pulled out the invites. If Axel wasn’t able to tell his brothers what he’d been doing, then I would.

Slapping the invitations on the side table, I looked each of them in the eye and said, “Invites for my gallery opening tomorrow night. You need to be there.”

Austin shook his head and Lexi walked to join him at his side. “Al, I’m really happy and proud of you but, fuck, I just don’t think the timing’s right to—”

“You need to be there,” I said interrupting him and Lexi frowned at me.

“Why Ally?” she asked and my anger dropped some. Shit, I could never be mad at Lexi. She hadn’t done anything but accept Axel into her home, and out of everyone, she had cause to reject him.

“Just please, Lex. Please be there… there’s something y’all need to see.”

Reaching for my keys, I turned the doorknob, just as Austin said, “I know you liked him, Al, but Axel’s always been this way. He’s always been drawn to the darker side of life, the illegal shit. I’m just sorry you got hurt in all this.”

Glancing back at Austin with incredulity, I replied, “I didn’t just like him, Austin. I’m head over heels in love with him. He’s changed my life in every way for the better, and I’m real sorry that you are so blinded by his past that you can’t see him for the damn honorable guy he is today.” Tapping my hand on the invites, I demanded, “Be there tomorrow night.”

As I rushed out to my car, I pulled out my cell and dialed Axel’s number again. It went straight to voicemail. I pressed END and stared out of the wet windshield.

Tears ran down my cheeks and my hands trembled with panic. Closing my eyes, I rested my head back against the headrest and whispered, “Axel… where the hell have you gone?”

*****

The following night I stood in the bathroom of the museum, staring at myself in the mirror. I looked tired and pale; the effects of feeling like my heart had been shattered.

Axel hadn’t appeared. It was starting to become more than apparent that he’d gone. He’d actually left me. Part of me screamed that it wasn’t possible, that he couldn’t have left me, even though Austin and Levi were convinced it was his usual M.O. He loved me… he wouldn’t leave me behind.

But then another part of me said it was entirely plausible. He’d been rejected by his brothers again. Of course he wouldn’t want to stay. How much rejection could one person take? But I thought he would have at least called me. Told me he was leaving for a while, that he loved me and, at some point, he would come back to me.

On top of that, Vin had been in the Gallery all day, working on something in a cornered-off section at the back… on opening night! I was livid. I was exhausted, and I was racked with worry. I had no idea what he was up to, but as a patron and the sole funder of this exhibition, I didn’t really have a choice.

Hearing the hustle and bustle of museum and University stakeholders, fans and students alike, waiting for the show to begin, I forced myself to stand straight and shook my shoulders.

You can do this, you’re a professional, I tried to convince myself.

Brushing back my long dark hair, styled straight and hanging down my back, I then ran my hands down my black knee length column dress. Finally, I checked my Louboutins were free of dust.

I was set.

Moving out of the bathroom, I walked to Bridgette, the museum director, and nodded to her that I was ready. I scanned the crowd for Vin, wondering where the hell he could be, but there was no sign. My hands were damp as I raced through an introduction in my head.

Bridgette introduced me as the curator, and I stepped up to the mic, a sea of eager eyes all looking my way.

“Good evening, everyone,” I began. My name is Aliyana Lucia, and I am pleased to be here tonight to celebrate the inspiring and truly once-in-a-lifetime talent of Elpidio.”