I chuckled. “So you don’t like the music?”
Alexa looked over at me. “Are you kidding?”
“We had no idea he was like this,” Huxley said, tucking his phone away into his pocket. “We can go if you want.”
Alexa sighed. “Am I going to be expected to write a story about this guy? Because if so, as much as it sucks, I probably should stick it out.”
“We can stay a bit longer,” I said. “A show of good faith towards Del and Mav if nothing else. I’m sorry too, though. If I’d known, I never would have let you come.”
“Let me?” Alexa repeated. “I’m not some priss who can’t take swear words, but if this guy expects a glowing review, I’m Dr. Phil.”
Huxley nodded. “I feel differently about Dr. Phil.” Alexa and I both chuckled.
Another of Kaine’s verses started.“I shove it in her pussy and bust without a rubber, I bounce back right away, you boys can call me flubber.”
I laughed. “I don’t even think half this audience knows what flubber is.”
Alexa took a sip of her drink. “I don’t think he knows what flubber is. I guarantee you someone else wrote that.”
Huxley’s eyes widened. “Wow. I bet you’re right. I never would have thought of that. We were right to pick you. You really do know what you’re talking about.”
Alexa’s blush returned. “Thank you.”
“When I say ‘Fuck that!’ you say, ‘Hoe.’ Fuck that--”
“--Hoe!”
“Fuck that--”
“--Hoe!”
Alexa slammed the button on her phone to stop it from recording. “Okay. We can go.”
I tipped my head to Huxley. “Text them and let them know.”
“I’m already on it,” Huxley responded, pulling his phone out.
We led Alexa out of the VIP section, through the crowd, and out of the club. I pulled out my phone and called our driver, to come and pick us up. It was a cooler night in Dallas, and traffic was congested around the club, so our driver was having some trouble getting to us. Alexa folded her hands over her arms, but it was doing little to shield her from the cold. I started to unbutton my dress shirt and pulled it off, leaving me in only the tank top I was wearing under it.
“Oh no, you’ll be freezing.” Alexa tried to push the shirt back on me, but I persisted.
“It’s fine. Really. I run hot.” I wrapped the shirt around her, and it swallowed her up. It looked good on her. I’d pay thousands to see her in it alone. I glanced up and I could tell that Huxley had the same thought.
Alexa pulled it tight around herself, and I noticed her take a quick sniff of it. “Thank you.”
The car finally pulled up and Huxley got in first, followed by Alexa, followed by myself. She started to pull the shirt off, but I wrapped my arms around her shoulder and held it in place. “It’s fine. Keep it until we get to your place.”
Alexa nodded. “Okay.” She snuggled a little closer to me and my heart pounded.
I tried to get Huxley’s attention, but he was staring at her warmly. He was starting to feel it too, I could see it. Alexa was different.
“Sorry again about that,” I started finally.
Alexa shrugged. “Demeaning lyrics aside, it was pretty fun. It’s nice to see you boys let go a little bit.”
I grinned. “We won’t typically ask you to do something so outrageous.”
“Yeah,” Huxley said and then his expression suddenly changed, like a light bulb just went off in his head. “Except for this next request.”
Alexa and I both looked over at Huxley. “What?” I said.
He looked into Alexa’s eyes. “I know that it’s a little crazy, but we’re going to need you to come to Italy with us next week.”
Alexa looked like she had seen a ghost. “I-Italy?”
“What are you doing?” I asked. Italy was the last place I wanted Alexa. Malia was going to be there, as well as Dante.
“I have a feeling Alexa can help us with our little problem there.”
I shook my head. “That is not a good idea. I’ve got it covered.”
“No you don’t,” Huxley hissed back. “Come on, let her help.”
Alexa looked up at me. “If you have a problem and I can help, then let me. You’ve been so wonderful to me. It’s the least I can do.” She put a hand on my leg. “Please. Let me help.”
I looked at Alexa, then over at Huxley, then back at Alexa, then back at Huxley. He was looking back at me as if to say “I’ve got a plan.”
I dropped my eyes back to Alexa’s and saw how sincere she looked. I didn’t want her to get hurt, but if Huxley had a plan, I should trust him. In almost 30 years of life, my brother had never let me down. I lifted a hand and rubbed the side of Alexa’s face. “Okay.”