Valerie tugged his hand and he turned to face her. “When do you find the time?”
Alex shrugged. “It doesn’t take too much time. Practice a couple hours a week, then a game or two on the weekend.” He pulled her to him, wrapping his big arm around her waist. “Don’t worry. I’ll still have plenty of time for—”
She shook her head. “That’s not why I was asking, I’m just surprised you had the time. I know this past year was so hectic for you.”
Alex kissed her nose. “Yeah, well, I may’ve done things to keep myself as preoccupied as possible, besides the kids are great. I only volunteer seasonally now, but I’m thinking of picking up a year round team.”
She didn’t think it was possible, but her heart swelled even more now. Even with everything he’d gone through he still found time to volunteer. “Could you be any more wonderful?” She whispered
Alex rolled his eyes. “It’s just football, Z. I’m not saving lives or anything. I’m coaching a sport I’ve lived and breathed my whole life. I’d hardly say doing something I love on my down time is noteworthy.”
It was to Valerie. She leaned in for a long, heartfelt kiss.
“Hey, break it up.” Romero said.
Valerie turned to see Romero and Isabel stroll in hand in hand. She pulled away from Alex.
Alex frowned. “Your timing sucks, Ramon.”
Valerie smiled at the sight of Isabel. She’d missed her. Once seated inside, Alex got caught up with coordinating things in the kitchen. He came over and sat with her and Isabel a few times but each time, he’d been pulled away.
Valerie hadn’t realized how much she missed chatting with Isabel in person. All week she’d only had short conversations with her on the phone. It was hard to believe it had only been a week, and yet she and Isabel had so much to catch up on. Romero was at the bar at the moment, hanging with Angel and Eric.
Valerie told Isabel about everything, including her conversation with Alex the night before about Luke.
“Why do they need to know everything?” Isabel frowned. “I haven’t asked Romero a thing about any of his exes, yet he continues to ask about mine. Don’t get me started on the whole ‘fantastic date’ I had with Michael. He’s still hung up on that, though the last time he brought it up again I told him I was done discussing it.”
Valerie giggled. With the exception of Eric and maybe Sal, who were a bit more laid back, all these guys were so much alike. She remembered poor Sofia referring to them as cavemen on more than one occasion back in high school. They had made her life miserable protecting her even when she insisted she didn’t need it.
Nothing had changed, at least not with Alex. He was still over-doing the protecting. He’d already ordered her a taser gun, and Romero would be coming over as soon as they got it to show her how to use it. Valerie didn’t mind so much that Alex was taking such precautions, but she couldn’t help resenting that he was taking liberties in her life without even checking with her. She knew he meant well, but she worried it might become a habit that extended into other parts of their relationship.
***
Even though Alex felt a little deceptive about having someone tailing Valerie, he was glad he’d done it. If he didn’t know someone was looking out for her today, he might’ve gone a little crazy wondering where she was earlier. It still made him nervous that she showed up so late. But Romero assured him that if she was in any kind of danger his guy would not only protect her, he’d call Alex immediately.
Angel and Eric went back to their tables, and Alex was finally going to get a chance to talk to Romero about what he knew so far.
“You got anything on this guy yet?”
Romero glanced around to make sure no one was listening. “I was gonna call you back last night. But I figured you wouldn’t be able to talk, and I’ve been with Isabel all morning. This guy’s bad news, Alex.”
Alex braced himself, even more convinced now that having Valerie watched was the right thing to do.
“I’m still not done with the whole background check, but the guy’s rap sheet goes way back. This last stint he did in jail isn’t his first. He was in and out when he was younger. And Valerie’s not the first chick he’s stalked. His first wife had a restraining order on him until, get this, she disappeared.”
Alex went numb. “You’re shitting me?”
“Nope, I don’t know all the details yet. The guy I have running the background won’t be done for a while, but he called me yesterday to give me that tidbit. Thought it might be something I’d wanna know ASAP.”
That unfamiliar emotion consumed Alex again. He turned to where Valerie sat laughing with Isabel, so unaware of the amount of danger she was in.
“When will you know more?”
“Probably not until some time this coming week.”
Alex grimaced. He had no patience for all this waiting around, especially not when it came to this. “This guy you have watching Valerie—he knows not to let her out of his sight until she’s with me, even when she’s home right?”
Romero nodded. “Yep, he followed her even after the church rehearsal, because you two were in separate cars.”
“Good.”
“By the way,” Romero glanced at Valerie then back at Alex. “Was she supposed to meet up with Luke earlier?”
Something about Romero’s tone bothered him. “I don’t know. She was showing property all morning. Maybe. Why?”