Tied Up In Heartstrings Read Online Free Page A

it was without knowing the real situation, but to me, it was just another knife in the heart. Now, she asks about it less and less. I try to be both, and when I can’t, I have my brother, Kate, and great friends to help fill Jed’s shoes. Let me tell you, we can pack the house at a dance recital. She may not have her daddy, but she still has a ton of people who love her. That has to count for something!
    We spent a couple more hours on the beach, catching up on life. Cami tells us all about the kids and all their extracurricular activities and achievements. She really is supermom! “Overachiever,” I say sarcastically. She’s beaming with a huge smile on her face. She’s so proud of her family.
    We go upstairs to freshen up before dinner at the resort restaurant. As Whitney and I are walking towards the elevators, we overhear a group of college girls excitedly discussing some hot country artist who is staying in the resort. Whitney and I are laughing at their insane plots to bed that poor, unsuspecting man. Though, he likely isn’t so unsuspecting. He would probably be thrilled to take any of these ladies into the bedroom! They’re all very nice looking and have paid careful attention to how they look.
    “Was there ever a time in my life that plotting to take some rock star to bed was appealing?” I ask Whitney.
    “Please, like you would have had to plot. Garrett McKenna would have done a lot more than just take you to bed, back in the day. That boy was as obsessed as they come,” she says, laughing at me!
    Garrett McKenna was an amazingly talented musician we went to college with. We were all good friends, and although I had a major crush on him, we never really made it past the friend stage. I never, ever saw him with the same girl twice the whole year we hung out. “Whatever, who didn’t think Garrett was the hottest thing on two legs? That boy was never going to be the settle down type and I’m pretty sure that hasn’t changed, from what the gossip magazines say. Don’t pretend we had something we didn’t. You know he just liked to hang out and sing with me.”
    We’re both giggling like school-girls and reminiscing as we walk down the hall to our suite. I feel normal for the first time in months. I’m so happy that I’m stepping out of my comfort zone and doing something for myself. Just when I think I’ll never get back to normal again, I see a glimmer of the old Alexis peek through the darkness. But I’m careful not to be too hopeful that the darkness is ceasing. I can’t set myself up to fail.
    We make it back to the room and scurry off to the showers. “Thank God for two bathrooms. Four girls and one bathroom would have been a nightmare!” I say after Whitney gets out of the shower twenty-five minutes later. She’s always been a bathroom hog. I guess that’s why we made perfect roomies. I’m completely dressed and showered in the time it takes her to wash her hair!
    I’m wearing a white eyelet, sleeveless cotton dress with brown sandals, and my hair is braided over my shoulder. It’s a comfortable beach outfit for dinner, and then later, since I’m pretty sure we’ll end in a local bar. I’m also hoping to escape these ladies at some point and have a bit of quiet time on the beach. We’ll have to see. Before leaving for dinner I grab my cell and head out to the balcony to call my baby girl. I’m sure Kate is feeding the kids before getting them ready for bed, but I need to hear her voice and sing her special bedtime song. I dial the number.
    “Hey, sis, how’s the beach?” Jason answers on the first ring.
    “It’s great, warm and sunny. Believe it or not, I think this may be just what the doctor ordered. I’m really relaxed, and it’s nice to catch up with the girls. How’s my little mini-me? I miss her like crazy!” I whine a little at the last sentence.
    He snickers, “Well, I’m not convinced that feeling is mutual. She’s having a blast torturing the boys! Poor