A few weeks later, Alexander was finally on a regular schedule again, because Audrey was in college, in a dorm, and living her life, far away from him. Order had been restored to his life, and his digestive system, everything was back on track, finally. He sat at his desk, quietly working, his phone, tablet, and desktop open.
She had her first class at 8:00 am. He glanced at his clock. 8:30. Well... halfway through. He wondered if she was nervous. If the other kids were playing nice.
Not that she would. She was never nice. He stood, grabbing his coat. No way she could walk alone back to her dorm in the cold, not with her heart like it was. It wasn't far, just about 10 minutes away. He drove to her, waiting outside the building until she walked out, surrounded by a group of people her age. Her crop top had a faded image of TLC on it, her jeans were ripped, showing bits of her thighs, and worn sneakers were on her feet.
She was smiling, holding books in her hand. He grimaced at how much she looked...so young. Like a real school girl. Alexander sighed, shaking his head himself, rolling down the window.
"Hey little girl, you want some candy," he yelled out the window.
Audrey stopped, raising her brow. "What are you doing here, Steel? Pretending to have a soul?"
Her friends dispersed, as she approached the car, leaning into the window.
"Where's your coat?" He asked, leaning over.
"Hey, Audrey! Catch you at your dorm?" A man called out from behind her. She waved her hand and nodded.
"Yeah."
Alexander's eyes followed the boy. "You're popular for your first day."
Audrey shrugged, her arms resting on the window, highlighting her cleavage. His eyes dipped for a moment before he raised his gaze to her eyes. "You don't have to pick me up. My dorm is right over there," She nodded to some apartments across the street.
He didn't note that he signed the lease and paid for it, so he knew exactly where it was. He just opened the door and nodded to the seat.
"Get in. You need a coat." He grunted. Audrey shrugged, sliding into the heated leather seats, melting into them with a satisfied groan.
Alexander closed his eyes and shook his head. That sound was more interesting than he thought. He turned up the heat. Whenever she got in the car, Audrey always looked out the window, as if it were entrancing, as if she were seeing something more, something beautiful even.
"So you don't even have a girlfriend," She said finally.
Alexander stopped at the light. "No. Why so interested?"
Audrey shrugged. "Dunno. It seems odd. What's wrong with you? Other than..y'know everything."
He smirked and shook his head. "Work too much, care too little. I have...commitment issues. You writing this down, detective."
She made a motion as she was scribbling, nodding for her to go on.
With a humored scoff, he did. "I like sex, everyone likes sex, but I wouldn't say I need it. I don't need anything. And...apparently, that just doesn't go over well. But if I do need it, there's no shortage of willing participants. So why ask for more?"
Audrey put her hands down, her dark curly hair settling on her shoulders, framing her round face. She chewed on her lip. "I see. I'll add playboy to your list of flaws."
Alexander chuckled. "I wouldn't call myself a playboy. Who even uses that word anymore? No...I just know what I want, and I look for similar-minded people. People who want the same thing."
Audrey nodded. "So like...a purely sexual relationship." Her eyes met his for a moment. "Right?"
Alexander frowned. Why was she asking all these questions? Was she...asking him for a reason?
"Is someone offering you something like that?" He asked cautiously, looking over at her. "Because you know, you don't have to do anything you don't want to."
"Except deal with you," She smiled.
"Except deal with me," He grinned back.
Audrey sighed and looked away. "I've never really lived, y'know. It's all been a blur. I want...to feel different than I always have."
Alexander pursed his lips, stopping at the store's entrance. "Wait for me. I'll park and come in."
Audrey opened the door, and walked in, looking around the fancy store. Her fingers brushed the fabric of a dress longingly. She wouldn't even check the price tag. No need. She couldn't afford anything here.
"Are you...in the right place?" The sales associate walked up, her platinum blonde curls resting on her shoulders, her smile threatening and condescending.
"I--"
"Fucksake," Alexander murmured walking in, phone to his ear. "Audrey, did you find one already?" He asked, noting the Sales Associate.
Audrey shrugged. "I think this woman was about to profile me. I'm not sure if it's racism or classism yet though, I'll update you when she finishes her sentence."
The associate's smile seemed stuck, her gaze darting over the man who was obviously rich beyond belief.
"Well?" Audrey prompted her patiently.
"How can I help you today?" She asked softly.
Alexander was on the phone. "Listen, I'm very busy, and I don't know what 'ism you're suffering from, but suck it up. Audrey, just pick a coat."
Audrey glanced at the associates' tag. "I've got it. Thanks."
Alexander argued into the phone somewhat quietly and handed his card when Audrey finally picked up a coat, looking at it, before putting his hand to the phone. "This is a jacket. You need a coat, a winter coat."
Audrey shifted in her place uncomfortably. "They're like 500 dollars," Audrey whispered to him.
He waved his hand. "Just get one, I'm running late. No, I hear you," He frowned at the phone. "I just think you're an idiot."
Audrey put the black coat onto the pile and shrugged, handing the woman his card.
Alexander's frustration mounted as the receipt was printed.
His hand rested on her back as he ushered her out of the store. "I think you misunderstand me. Your incompetence is so stunning, it's blinding my eyes. The interest rate you sent me is so high, that it would be pulled over for driving in California. Fix it and send it back, you dolt."
Audrey chuckled to herself, looking out the window, watching the boutique disappear. Alexander continued to curse at whoever was on the phone, coming up with creative, cutting insults, complaining that the interest rate was too high and their IQ was too low, and neither figures were divisible by two the correct amount of times.
Audrey was quiet. She wanted to feel different. She wanted to feel something...new and exciting.
And even if he was a soulless corporate piece of trash...she knew him better than anyone else, even if it was only a little.
"Hey, Alexander," She said as he hung up.
"Yeah?"
"I think I wanna have sex."
Alexander's eyes widened. He cleared his throat. "Well, that's a big step. You should choose someone you trust, have a condom, and maybe birth control. Who's the lucky guy?"
"I think...you."
Alexander pointed to himself, looking over at her. He smiled uneasily and shook his head. "No...No. I'm older than you, you owe me money, I pay for your shit. You have a backpack...It's weird! It's...that's weird. I would feel...weird."
Audrey leaned back in her seat. "No, it's perfect. I wouldn't fall for you because I despise you. You're experienced, and you don't commit."
"I don't commit crimes either, which...borderline this is."
Audrey pursed her lips. "I'm 21,"
"Backpack," He stated emphatically.
She rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll just hook up with that guy from class."
Alexander swallowed his complaint. He was inexperienced, probably selfish, and looked like a douche.
"Just...be careful. Of your heart, I mean."
Audrey scoffed. "You don't honestly think I could love that idiot do you?"
Alexander sighed. "I meant the one with the hole," He smiled good-naturedly. "Not the one in ice."