-->

Living Next Door to Alex – Part 3
By Julie D Cole

It was not as comfortable as I’d hoped on the motorcycle and I wished I’d worn more comfortable and suitable clothes. The effect of hanging onto Alex was at least some compensation and I pressed my young breasts into the small of his back to gather as much of his body heat as possible. I made attempts to communicate with him but he was in a hurry and clearly wanted to get to our destination as quickly as possible.

After an hour I was feeling really cold so I let go and tapped him on the shoulder and he slowed down so at least we could hear each other. Then he pulled to the side of the road and removed his helmet.

‘Alex I’m really cold and I’m losing the feeling in my legs with hanging on so much. Do you think we could pull into a rest stop or something so I can use the bathroom and maybe we could have a warm drink or something.’

‘Here put my jacket on and once you feel better we can head to a rest stop. I think there is one in a couple of miles or so. We should be on the road another hour if that’s OK. I guess I should have driven but I didn’t really expect that you’d be coming back with me.’

The jacket was warm and I realised that Alex had a much higher body temperature than me. Maybe it was another effect of the estrogen tablets I’d been taking. Alex put his arms around me and pressed me into his body wrapping the jacket around both of us. He’d become a lot more muscular since I’d last seen him and was clearly working out.

‘Jules can I say something if you don’t mind?’

‘Shoot it’s fine by me and we’ve always shared our thoughts. Is something wrong?’

‘Jules maybe I’m a loner, just a stupid guy who’s been a fool. I’m trying to understand where I’ve made mistakes. You know I’ve been a dreamer and I admit that I’ve been around. I’ve spent my time in many lonesome towns trying to be satisfied with the success I’ve had and women have thrown themselves at me. But I’m not the happy guy you grew up with. I get angry sometimes and I didn’t realise how much I’d miss you. Now I see you as a woman a lot of things are beginning to make more sense.’

‘I’m sorry Alex but I didn’t realise that you had feelings about me like I had about you.’

‘ I used to know you as a child and then as we grew up I looked at you one day and imagined you as a woman, sometimes gentle and sometimes a little wild. You made me laugh and you made me feel special. We had great times together and I found myself dreaming about you and then one morning I was so embarrassed I had to take a shower.’

‘Why what happened?’

‘I woke up with the biggest boner I can remember and it wouldn’t soften until the cold shower took effect.’

‘Oh Alex that is pretty normal isn’t it for guys to wake up like that?’

‘Really did it ever happen to you.’

‘Sometimes but not in the last year or two since I started taking tablets.’

‘Doesn’t that bother you? How do you satisfy your urges?’

‘I guess the urges are not so strong for me in recent times, they never were. But now I’m not sure since I saw you again. I have really missed you.’

‘Well we are together now and I hope to let you see the life I’ve been leading and maybe you can help steer me in a better direction.’

‘Well I’m flattered if you think I can help but we’ve been apart for a few years and it’s not only you that’s changed. Just look at me I’m going to be ridiculed and so are you if people see us together.’

‘Don’t put yourself down. I have no intention of putting you into awkward situations and I won’t be letting anybody near you. The boys might try to hit on you and you might find Rachel a bit abrasive and over protective but we can handle all that.’

‘So have you already given this some thought?’

‘Not really but between us we can manage anything can’t we? I’ve had enough of being on the road I want to find a quiet place to settle down and maybe write and record some songs. I’ve been thinking of disbanding the group and let the guys go off on their own. I know I would be much happier and maybe you can stay with me for a while and give up your career as a waitress. I’ll cover the tips of course.’

‘Very funny. I don’t think you’d last long writing songs and recording music with just me for company.’

‘Let’s get moving if you feel better now. Keep the jacket and we’ll grab a bite to eat at the rest stop. You said you needed the rest room so can you hold on for a while?’

‘I am ok if you are. I will tap on your shoulder if things change.’

‘OK helmets on let’s get going.’

It wasn’t the best rest stop we’d passed en route to our destination but needs must and whilst we were travelling I had a decision to make. Which bathroom should I use and what was Alex going to think of me if I complied with the law and entered the mens room when I’d only just had the courage to introduce him to the real me?
He had the kindness to stop close to the washrooms and he stopped close to the entrance marked female. I decided that I’d made the impression I’d hoped to make so the decision was made for me. As I entered two women were leaving and one kindly held the door for me. My confidence was boosted so I felt that was a confirmation that the hormone treatment was working. Would I have had the same confidence 6 months ago and what would Alex have thought of me? Perhaps it was a good thing we hadn’t seen each other in a while.

Things were moving faster than I dared dream and I was in the middle of nowhere on the way to an unknown destination for a few days with my life long friend who had changed a lot but was the same kind person inside as far as I could tell. I hoped that he could slow down a bit and learn to relax and enjoy the benefits of his talent and hard work. He seemed to be ok but his smile he always had when we were growing up had somehow disappeared. I so wanted to help him.

I felt much better after relieving the pain in my stomach and since the bathroom was empty I set about tidying myself up so I looked presentable in the restaurant. The helmet had flattened my hair so I roughed it up a little and combed it through. I had learned to refresh my lipstick regularly and I added a splash of cologne. A gift from mum.
She had helped me a lot.
Alex was waiting and had quickly paid a visit to the mens bathroom but his hair was tussled and the look suited him. I could see why his female fans swooned after him. He never seemed to realise what a good looking guy he was even at school. I know I used to get caught staring at him some days in lessons and I had to pretend that I was staring out of the window.

We ordered a lunch snack and some drinks and the table waitress made a big fuss because she recognised Alex and was a big fan. Two other staff came over for autographs and selfies and I tried to melt into the background. I didn’t want to appear on any photos that might end up on Facebook that might cause embarrassment for Alex. It made me think that this trip was not such a good idea.

Once things returned to normal Alex insisted on apologising and he insisted we move to a more private booth in the corner of the restaurant. He sat with his back to the other tables and booths and asked me to be the lookout to guard against other fans who might recognise him.

‘Do you mind being famous and so popular with young women?’

‘I suppose I liked it at first but it does get waring after a while. I’ve been thinking of going somewhere where nobody has heard of me and living a normal life again but say it easy.’

‘Maybe you just need a break and some time on your own and then you can decide what is best. You aren’t getting any younger.’

‘Cheek!!! We are the same age and just look at you. Your treatment has definitely had a positive impact. Maybe I should try the same medication instead of the energy boosters they feed me.’

‘I don’t think so and it’s hard to imagine you with feminine features and boobs. You are a hunk and if you slow down a bit who knows? I might even fancy you myself.’

‘Now there is a challenge. And I thought you did fancy me already. I’m sure you said you loved me.’
‘I do but that’s probably because we’ve been close friends for a long time.’
‘You don’t fancy me then?’
‘You have enough fans fancying you already don’t you?’
‘Yes lots who like a selfie as you’ve seen.’
‘What about those who appear in publicity shots or film of you trying to fend them off?’
‘I admit there were some who managed to get past Rachel.’
‘Was there a relationship with her then since Sally suggested there was?’

‘We have an understanding and there has been sex. A few heavy sessions and I guess she was a bit possessive for a while until she realised that I wasn’t reliable and stayed out all night at parties. Also her husband came back on the scene. He is a prick and he thinks he’s Gods gift.’

‘Were you two serious about each other then?’

‘Not really but she helped me on my way and knows a lot of people of influence so I might not have had much chance but for her. There is a lot of competition and I guess those who make it aren’t always the best.’

‘Don’t talk yourself down Alex. You are a great artist and you’ve recorded some amazing songs.’

‘But there is always pressure to churn out more songs and go on the road and this is the first time in a long time that I’ve managed to escape. They’ll be going mad trying to find me and I keep my phone off so they can’t call me or track me.’

‘So why are you going back and taking me with you.’

‘I’m not going back. Not for now anyway and I wanted some quiet time and what better than spending some time with you to catch up. I think we have a lot to chat about and you’ve surprised me. A nice surprise though.’

‘So where are we going?’

‘ I borrowed the bike and gear from a good friend. My cars are parked up in my garage and I just wanted to get some fresh air. I intended going for a long ride to clear my head. I found myself riding at high speed and almost lost control. I pulled over because I was shaking. A lot of things were racing through my mind. The next thing I knew I was heading ‘home’ to find you.’

‘I’m flattered but why me? You must have lots of friends.;

‘Not anybody who I can trust like you. Most are hangers on.’

‘So where are we headed now?’

‘I decided we might visit a quiet place I know that I visited once that is owned by the family of one of our former backing singers. It should be vacant at this time of the year and I can trust her not to disclose my whereabouts if Rachel is trying to find me or if she gets the media involved.’

‘Are you sure that we can just turn up?’

‘I’m sure. I don’t need to make a reservation and she’ll sort something for us. I’ll talk to her when we arrive. She is not a fan of Rachel since their last bust up led to her being sacked. I’m sure she’ll be happy to help.’

‘Are the group and the backing singers OK without you as the lead? I feel awful.’

‘Jules you don’t need to worry they have plenty of material of their own to practice and a break will be good for all of us. They performed without me before we met. It was Rachel who put us together and I didn’t know any of them. There was only Gemma that I got on with. She’s the girl we’ll meet later.’

‘The more I hear the more I think you need this break. I’m really glad you came home so I can try to be of help. I have wanted to find you and call you so many times but I was so scared you would laugh at me.’

‘So who has the biggest problem? I guess it’s like before we need each other. I’m glad I borrowed this motorbike. It had a mind of its own and I can’t complain..

After a coffee we headed back to the bike to continue our journey but before we set off I persuaded Alex that we should buy two basic mobile phones with cards so we could communicate and also contact others that we trusted without fear of being found. He agreed and insisted to pay in cash.

I insisted that he call Gemma before we went any further so she had chance to prepare one of the cottages and avoid any embarrassment on arrival. She was so excited to hear his voice that I suspected that they were more than band members or casual friends.

Alex insisted I wear his jacket for the journey and I didn’t argue. I had only just got my body temperature back to normal. I guess we were on the road for another hour and a half before Alex pulled over to look at the view. It was a wonderful quiet coastal place with its own access to a cove and a sandy beach. The tide was in and there were lots of sea birds circling above. They were either welcoming us or they were complaining that we were encroaching on their territory.

Alex took a short cut to our venue and pulled up at the reception building where a very effervescent and excited young woman ran to greet us. I watched the rection from Alex and sensed that they’d been more than just band members. No wonder Rachel had sacked her. She was young and slim and very beautiful with a gorgeous tan.