Bad Company Read online

  Chloe sat on Alexis’s bed in her bedroom. “You have an outfit picked out?” Chloe asked, going over to the closet.

  “I was thinking something like this,” Alexis said, pointing to the pair of blue jeans and a green tank top lying on her bed.

  “Hmmm,” Chloe said as she began to dig through the few clothes in Alexis’s small closet.

  That first night they’d arrived in Coutts, Chloe had stayed there with Alexis before the leaders figured out the housing situation. That night, Alexis had heard Chloe crying, and she’d gotten up to talk with her. She’d told Alexis everything that had happened to her since the beginning and what she’d had to do to rescue the others. Alexis was horrified when she’d talked about killing that man, Bryce. It was too much like what Ana had done, but after talking with her more, the light bulb clicked. There had been no choice, just like with Ana. It was different, but it was also the same, and now she felt like she understood Ana a little bit better.

  Since that night, she and Chloe had become almost inseparable, hanging out during most of their free time. Alexis had even confided in Chloe how she felt about James, and admitting her feelings aloud had been what finally made it real to her. Now here she was, getting ready for a date with the man she had a huge crush on. She was both nervous and excited but also guarded. She’d been down this path before and it’d never worked out. Would this time be any different?

  “You’re right,” Chloe said, sighing. “That’s the best you’ve got.”

  “It’s not that bad,” Alexis said. “Cute and functional.”

  “I was just hoping you had something more along the lines of ‘shock and awe,’” Chloe said.

  “I’m not shocking enough on my own?” Alexis asked, teasing.

  “Oh, yeah. He’ll probably die from a heart attack as soon as he sees you.”

  “I hope not. I’m really looking forward to the date.”

  “Better get dressed. It’s already six-thirty.”

  “Crap!” Alexis said, dressing quickly. She hadn’t even done her hair and makeup yet!

  ~~~

  James knocked on the door and waited. The old fight-or-flight instinct flared within him, and he felt the desire to run, but that didn’t last as he clamped down on his emotions, taking back control. All of that control shattered a few seconds later, however, when the door opened and he almost went into shock.

  Alexis stood in the doorway, and in that moment he truly saw her for the first time—not as a friend or someone he needed to protect, not as one of their group, and not even as Emmett’s daughter. He saw her for herself, the beautiful woman she was. Her loose brunette hair cascaded down her back and shoulders. There was a smile on her lips, and her hazel eyes glinted in the light. He didn’t even register what she was wearing as his eyes locked onto hers and he couldn’t look away. He finally admitted to himself how strongly he felt about her. Maybe he did already want to spend the rest of his life with her.

  “You’re beautiful,” James said in a whisper, unaware that he’d even spoken.

  Her smile widened and his heart threatened to explode out of his chest.

  “Thanks,” Alexis said. “You look quite handsome as well.”

  He continued to stare until someone inside the house cleared their throat. Glancing in, he realized for the first time that Chloe was standing in the living room.

  “I guess we should be going,” James said as he turned and walked down the porch steps with Alexis following.

  “You two kids have fun now,” Chloe said, giving James a wink as she closed the door.

  “Where are we off to?” Alexis asked.

  “Follow me,” James said, smiling and motioning for them to walk east on South Avenue.

  “Oh, so it’s a surprise.”

  James held out his arm and Alexis took it as they started walking. He was still nervous, but he also felt at ease at the same time. It was such a contradiction that he didn’t try to figure it out, and they walked the one block to the Mess Hall in contented silence. James took a deep breath of the summer air and noticed how it mingled with the fruity fragrance of Alexis’s hair.

  “Interesting choice,” Alexis said as they turned for the old diner. “Taking me to the only place that serves dinner. I have to admit I didn’t see it coming.”

  James just smiled and held the door open for her as she let go of his arm and walked inside. He passed her, leading her into the kitchen. The large woman everyone called Cook looked up at them, and James nodded to her. She smiled and pointed towards the back door. He continued through the kitchen and out the back, exiting onto a small patio with a privacy fence around it. In the center of the patio sat a small table with two chairs set up in the shade. A candle sat in the middle of the table next to a vase filled with freshly picked wildflowers. White lights were strung up around the circumference of the patio. Alexis stopped just outside the back door, taking it in as James walked over to the table and pulled out one of the chairs.

  “I know it’s not much,” James said. “I was limited in my options.”

  “Not much?” Alexis said. “It’s perfect.”

  She walked over to the table and took the chair James was holding for her. After getting Alexis settled, James walked around to the other chair and sat down as one of Cook’s helpers came out carrying a pitcher of water.

  “Good evening,” the young woman said. “My name is Sheri and I’ll be your server today. Can I start you off with some water?”

  “Yes, please,” Alexis said. “And I’ll take some lemonade, if you don’t mind.”

  “And I’ll have a root beer,” James said as Sheri poured their water.

  “I’ll be right back with those,” Sheri said, smiling as she left and throwing a wink at Alexis.

  “You know, we worked together,” Alexis said after Sheri left.

  “I know,” James said.

  “How’d you pull this off?”

  “I was able to work out a deal with Cook.”

  Alexis hadn’t stopped smiling since they’d sat down.

  “You really did go to a lot of trouble, didn’t you?”

  “Eh, a little. But it was well worth it.”

  “You’re so cheesy,” Alexis said with a small giggle.

  “I try to be.”

  “So, do you have a special menu planned too?”

  “That’s also a surprise, but I can tell you it’ll start off with a salad.”

  “With real lettuce?”

  “Of course.”

  “Wow, you really must’ve worked out a good deal then.”

  James smiled mischievously.

  Alexis looked around again. “I take it you did all the decorating?”

  “It’s not like I’d have anyone else do it. I even picked those flowers myself, which just about gave me heat stroke walking around trying to find them all. So how was your first day working at the infirmary?”

  “It was lame. They had me watching these old training videos. I knew everything they covered.”

  “How many more days of that do you have?”

  “Today was it. I get the tour tomorrow morning and then I start helping out.”

  “Well, that’s exciting.”

  “Yeah, but enough about all that. We’re on a date and I know hardly anything about your past.” She leaned forward. “Where’d you grow up?”

  “Born and raised in Alaska, then moved down to Colorado when I was twelve. We stayed there until my brother and I graduated and then moved out to Montana. What about you?”

  “Texan, born and raised and proud of it.”

  “That makes a lot of sense.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “The slight drawl, knowing how to shoot guns, being tough and independent. Doesn’t that pretty much describe all Texans?”

  “Yeah, that’s a good representation.”

  Sheri returned, bringing their drinks and salads. “Your meal will b
e out shortly,” she said. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

  “I think we’re good,” Alexis said. “Thanks, Sheri.”

  “My pleasure,” Sheri said as she left.

  They dug into their salads and continued to talk about their pasts. James told her about growing up in Alaska at their wilderness lodge, which was also the final destination on their journey north. He talked about how he and his brother had always been inseparable, how they went on imaginary adventures wielding sticks as swords, and how their mother had homeschooled them. He told her about moving to Colorado and starting public school in the sixth grade, and then about meeting Tank on his first day there and forging the friendship that was still strong today. About guiding in Alaska for his dad’s business and how the whole family went north every year. It was hard to talk about his parents at first, but as he continued, it felt good to remember those times. He did have to quickly wipe away a few tears before she noticed.

  Sheri brought out the main course—chicken Alfredo with spinach and peppers. She set the meal down in front of them and took their salad bowls.

  “How’d you know?” Alexis asked, admiring the food.

  “Your dad,” James said, picking out his peppers.

  “You’re a crafty one, James Andderson.”

  “Thanks. I was going for the ‘wow’ factor.”

  “Well, you got it. This is the most effort anyone has ever put into a date for me, especially when they include food they don’t like,” Alexis said, eyeing his pepper-filled napkin.

  “I love chicken Alfredo,” James said, then followed her eyes. “Oh, yeah. I don’t mind a little of the taste, but they’re the one food I hate most.”

  “Do you mind?” she asked, motioning to the peppers.

  “Not at all.”

  She took his peppers and added them to her plate. “I don’t know how you don’t like these. They’re delicious!”

  James shrugged and took a bite. Cook really did know how to make one heck of a meal. “So, what about you? You stay in Texas your whole life?”

  “Mostly,” Alexis said after swallowing the food in her mouth. “We moved around a few times when I was little, with dad in the Marines. But we came back to Texas because that was home. The small ranch we owned was where my brother and I grew up.”

  “Your brother?” James said, looking at her in surprise. He hadn’t heard anything about Alexis having siblings. But judging by the way Alexis stiffened, he knew those memories held pain. “I’m sorry. You don’t have to talk about it.”

  “No, I want to.”

  A tear streaked down her cheek and she wiped it away. Then she told him the story about her seven-year-old brother dying in an ATV accident when she was young, the divorce coming in the same year, and her father going on another deployment. It sounded like her mother had been a real piece of work with what she’d pulled to get custody. He could tell Alexis still loved and missed her mom, but there seemed to be a deep resentment as well. Then she talked about her father leaving the Marines so he could be with her while she grew up and having to spend time at each parent’s house. Growing up in a separated household was never easy. James didn’t know that from experience, but he knew it’d been hard for Tank to grow up like that. By the time she finished telling her story, they were done with their meal and Sheri had taken their plates.

  “Dessert?” Sheri asked poking her head out at the perfect time. James wondered if she’d been listening and waiting for Alexis to finish or just had good timing.

  “That’d be great,” James said as she walked out carrying a tray with two pieces of chocolate cake.

  “Wow!” Alexis said as Sheri set her cake down in front of her. “I sure hope you aren’t indebted to Cook for your whole life for this.”

  “Pretty much, but it’s okay,” James said, taking a piece of cake onto his fork. “A life of slavery for the perfect first date with a beautiful woman—I’ll take that any day.”

  Alexis chuckled, taking a bite. “Mmmm, this is so good,” she said. “It’s been a while since I’ve had cake.”

  James watched Alexis as she ate her cake. He picked at his, eating it slowly. He wasn’t a huge fan of chocolate cake, but once again, he knew it was her favorite. She took another bite, savoring the flavor, and he was struck for the hundredth time that night by how beautiful she was. He was intoxicated with the way her cheeks dimpled, her sweet laugh, and, of course, that smile. He finally understood how all the guys in the romantic comedies felt when they first noticed the woman of their dreams. He truly felt like he was in a rom-com with how awkward and weird he was being. However, from what he could tell, she was enjoying the date. He knew he was. His head had yet to come down from cloud nine since he’d first seen her earlier in the evening.

  “You gonna finish that?” Alexis asked, and he realized he’d been staring at her.

  “Uh, no,” he said, trying to recover. Hopefully, his eyes had been gazing at something appropriate when he’d gone to La La Land.

  “You mind if I do?” she asked, reaching for his half-eaten piece of cake.

  “Of course not,” James said.

  “Not much for desserts, or just chocolate cake?”

  “Oh, I love dessert. Actually, I love anything that has sugar in it. Just not a huge fan of chocolate.”

  “Yet here we are.”

  “It had to be perfect. I could care less what we were eating tonight. It’s the company I was looking forward to.”

  “And how was the company?” Alexis asked, looking at him with a twinkle in her eyes.

  “The best I’ve ever had,” James said honestly, gazing back into hers.

  They held each other’s gazes for a few seconds. When she finally glanced away to finish eating her cake, he released a breath he didn’t even know he’d been holding.

  Holy crap, he thought. This woman…

  “You said something about your first date earlier,” Alexis said after finishing her cake. “You mean our first date or your first date ever? I don’t remember hearing about any girls in your story.”

  “This is my first date ever.”

  “You never liked anyone or just didn’t find the right girl?”

  “Oh, I liked girls, probably too much. I used to crush really easily, but in high school there weren’t many options, and then after… I decided since I’d waited that long, might as well continue to wait for someone special.”

  Alexis smiled. “That’s a good way to look at it.”

  “What about you? I take it you’ve done this before?”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Just that you’re so relaxed. I’m practically sitting in a pool of my own sweat right now.”

  She laughed that laugh of hers and his heart felt like exploding again. He was surprised he hadn’t had a heart attack yet.

  “I’m not that experienced. I only had one serious boyfriend in college. He turned out to be a dick and left me for the girl he’d been cheating with for a month.”

  “That sucks. I’m sorry.”

  “All water under the bridge. I would like to see him one last time and kick him right in the junk though.”

  James laughed. “When you talk like that, you sound like Emmett.”

  “I do have a lot more of my father in me than my mother, although I do have some of her, too.”

  “What was she like?” James asked, taking a chance. He just hoped the memories weren’t too painful.

  Alexis took a moment. “In the beginning, she was a great mother—loving, caring, supportive. She was always there for my brother and me, but a couple of years before Mason died, things began to change. She wanted dad to stop going off to war, said we needed him here more than his country did. As you can guess, my dad didn’t take it well. He was a warrior through and through, and he couldn’t give it up that easily. It all came to a head when my brother died. Mom became bitter and angry, and marrying George only made things wor
se.”

  “Who’s George?”

  “Oh, I guess I forgot to mention him. A couple years ago my mom remarried a guy named George. I never liked him. He was a sorry excuse for a man.”

  There was something in her voice when she talked about George that let James know there was more to the story than what she was telling him.

  “What happened to him?” James asked.

  “Dad shot him the day this all started. George had been bitten and turned. He was actually the first infected we’d seen. As you can imagine, mom didn’t take it well.”

  “It didn’t shock you when your dad killed a person right in front of you?”

  “A little. I knew he’d do it. Heck, he’d been doing it for a living. The whole situation was shocking, really, and so I just added it to the rest of everything that was going on. Things happened so fast, I didn’t have time to think about it much. Now it just seems so long ago.”

  “Do you think about all that now that things have slowed down?”

  “Yeah, it’s like it’s all catching up with me. You?”

  James hesitated. “Yeah, it’s all coming back.”

  Saying it out loud made everything come up to the surface—his parents’ deaths, all the people he’d killed or helped kill, all the others he’d lost. An image of the beaten bodies of his parents flashed through his mind, followed by Felicia’s head cradled in his arms, blood smeared on her face and her eyes pleading with him. He’d barely known her and yet her death had hit him hard. And Mila was dead, too. He hadn’t even crushed on her. She’d just been nice and helped out with Olive, yet they were all dead, and the ones who weren’t soon would be. It was a never-ending cycle.

  Suddenly, he was standing in a room, covered in blood. Fourteen children were kneeling around something in the middle of the floor. He moved closer to them, realizing they weren’t kids anymore; they were zombies. The small creatures tore chunks of flesh from a corpse lying there. One of them moved and he got a look at the body. It was Alexis, her bloody hair matted to her cheeks and a look of absolute terror on her dead face. He stumbled back, trying to escape from the horror. He tripped over something in the doorway and turned to see that it was the corpse of his brother with half of his face eaten off. Tank and Chloe lay out in the hall, holding each other in death’s embrace, their stomachs torn open and intestines leaking out onto the carpet.