December Rain by A. L. Goulden Read Free Book Online Page B

autumn forest with heavy texture. He stands daydreaming for a minute until he’s distracted by a reflection passing in the glass. It’s so brief he’s sure it’s his imagination. He barely catches a glimpse down the mall as the backside of the man disappears into another gallery.
    Alex follows the ghost, dodging through happy couples and pushy salespeople trying to get his attention. Before he can see inside the gallery, a painting that’s prominently displayed on a front wall stops him. A cold washes over as he stands there staring at it. He slowly moves inside, mesmerized by the familiar vibrant paint strokes until he sees a few people gathered in the back. A man talking to two smiling women stills himself as Alex’s eyes freeze on the back of his shaved head. No words were needed as the tropical air takes a chill. Even the women sense a showdown, and step back to give Quinn room.
    Quinn turns. What do I say? Fuck! I thought that was him. I hoped it wasn’t. Quinn moves very slowly towards Alex. Is he gonna hit me? I do deserve it. Might as well get it over with. “Hey.” Quinn pauses near the center of the room waiting.
    Alex swallows hard, his nostrils flaring and fist clenched. His jaw flexes as his breathing grows heavier, but the emotions just start to turn to mush. His eyes fill as thoughts of his new friend’s betrayal wash over and the painting draws his eyes again.
    “I’m sorry Alex,” Quinn says quietly.
    Monica nearly passes the gallery on her way to see their friends when Alex’s shirt first catches her eye. She halts and shifts backwards until she sees the painting and stops. It’s a female figure bent forward reaching for her toes. The abstract form of her body in swirls of orange and reds is cradled by a man swathed in blues and purple. Oh my God! That’s me. That’s us, stretching. It can’t be. He’s...
    She struggles for air as the tears swell, and she can already feel him. As she stands there, not crossing the threshold the two men watch her. When her eyes finally land on Quinn, electricity fills the room. She can only see him and the deep tan that backdrops the pale oceany eyes reaching for her. A warm drop gently slides down her cheekbone as her breathing syncs with his. His lips move slightly hinting at words that he can’t find, and she struggles not to run into his arms.
    Alex’s discomfort is audible as he clears his clogged throat, rattling her attention to his worried eyes. She steps in and touches his hand briefly. “I’ll be outside,” she says, turning without another glance at Quinn.
    Her feet move quick as her thoughts try to keep up. What are they doing? Alex is gonna hit him. I can’t believe he’s here. What are the odds? Did he know we’d be here? No. Maybe he moved here. That painting was him and I together. Would Alex know that? It’s pretty abstract. Fuck! This can’t be happening. Before she knows it, she’s at the other end of the mall near the parking lot. She settles on a bench to wait for the world to stop crumbling around her.
     
    “Let’s go.” Alex says as he continues towards their rental car. Nothing is said as the convertible hugs each winding turn of the road to their hotel. The sunset is approaching a magnificent finale when they pull up to the valet. Alex walks ahead of Monica, not looking back to see if she follows. She fears his anger over the affair is finally reaching a rolling boil. He’s been too cool and calm through it all; too accepting. She’s been waiting for something to trigger his pain and reflect the betrayal he must feel. She just never thought it would happen here.
    They reach the elevators, but Alex continues to the stairs that wind down to the atrium garden. She follows his path to the hotel’s beach. He takes the steps down to the sand and walks towards the setting sun. She follows slower now, scared of the path’s end. They stand in silence as the sun disappears into the water and clouds gather on the horizon. Her