Avoiding Commitment (Avoiding 1)

Lexi filtered in and out of consciousness on the ride back to Ramsey's apartment. After the late night she had had the night before, all she felt like doing was sleeping. Her evening with Ramsey had been magical. She had been pleasantly surprised that he was capable of being well...human. She had such a terrible stigma against anyone from a Country Club that she had immediately thought he would be just like everyone else. And though at times, he did play that part, and obviously he had a good deal of wealth, she didn't feel like that was the main part of his character. He was able to be a fun-loving guy who just happened to have money rather than the other way around as she had expected.

"I appreciate you taking me out and letting me stay here the night before," Lexi told him truthfully, pushing a piece of hair behind her ear. She followed him up the stairs to the front door. "I guess I should probably get a hotel or something tonight."

He stopped and turned to look at her. "You could come inside if you like."

Lexi gulped not feeling comfortable with the direction of that statement. She wasn't really prepared to take their relationship...or whatever it was to another level. "Uh...I don't think so."

He scratched his head thoughtfully criticizing himself for how that must have come out. "Sorry. No. I didn't mean it to sound like that. I just mean that I have a guest bedroom. If you'd like to just stay here another night, you are more than welcome."

"Oh, well..." She didn't know whether or not to accept the invitation. She was dead tired, and couldn't exactly afford a hotel. "I guess that's alright."

Ramsey veered her towards the guest bedroom on the top floor leaving her to get dressed for the evening. She quickly changed into her own sleeping clothes and brushed her teeth. A soft knock sounded on the door and she quickly pulled it open. Ramsey stood before her in just a pair of athletic shorts. Her eyes traveled to his six pack and then back up. She gulped unsure if she would be able to control herself if he came into the room.

"I just wanted to say a proper good night," he informed her bending his head and crushing their lips together. She breathed him in enjoying every bit of pressure he was exerting onto her lips. She could tell he was trying desperately to keep himself from going further just like she was. She wasn't exactly known for her ability to resist temptations. Her body was still flush against him when he pulled back his breathing ragged and his pupils dilated.

"I...uh," he muttered pulling back a fraction of an inch.

"Yeah," she agreed her own breathing coming out in short puffs.

"You know you never did answer me earlier this evening," he said resting their foreheads together.

"About?"

"Will you accompany me to the birthday festivities?"

"Sure," she said just as he captured her lips again. She moaned as his tongue slid against her own. Satisfied with her answer, he pulled back again.

He cleared his throat and stepped back into the hallway. "Well good night."

"Good night," she whispered closing the door and leaning back against it.

"Shit," she muttered to the empty space. "What have I done now?"

* * *

K.A. Linde

Way Too Late

How, could I live with myself

Knowing that I let our love go (love go)

And ooh, when I do with one chance

I just gotta let you know

I know what I did wasn't clever

But me and you we're meant to be together

-Jason Derulo "Whatcha Say"

* * *

Chapter 14: December Two and a Half Years Earlier

Bursting through the still unlocked door, Lexi darted into Jack's room. She could tell he had gotten up and showered just by looking at him. Her heart melted at the sight. She was furious about what he had done, but her heart still longed for him. She wanted things to go back to the way they were only this morning. She wished with all her being that she didn't have to be angry at him.

"Lexi what are you doing back already?" Jack asked surprise written on his face. "Are you okay? Have you been crying?" He rushed forward to meet her. She backed away not wanting to feel his hands on her.

"How could you tell him?" she asked breaking down into tears for the second time that morning.

"What are you talking about?" Jack asked glancing helplessly into Lexi's bloodshot eyes.

"You told Clark about what happened. You told him everything."

"Lexi."

"How could you do that?"

"Lexi…"

"I've been lying to him for months and he confronts you about it one time and you tell him everything. And for what Jack?"

"Lexi please let me…"

"No! For what? What could you possibly gain from telling him? Do you think he'll spare Kate the knowledge of what we did? Because I don't."

"Geez Lex, can you give me a minute?"

"A minute? Oh yes, so you can try to explain? No I don't want your explanations. I already know what happened. You told him, he's going to tell Kate, and then leave me. All because you told him. I can't believe this is happening," she said her breath coming out uneven. She could feel the characteristic tingling feeling in her fingers and lips that let her know she was hyperventilating.

"Lexi," he said stepping towards her, mouth hanging agape.

"Don't touch me," she said pulling away from him. "I can't believe you."

"Could you just listen to me for one goddamn minute?" he asked finally raising his voice to her.

She stopped her rampage. "Fine, say what you wanna say."

"I didn't talk to him. I didn't say anything."

Lexi's eyes shot up to his face her heart full of hope. Then she shook her head. "How did he know? He said you told him everything. You must have told him Jack."

"I told you I'd never lie to you again. Look at me. Lexi, look at me. Look in my eyes and tell me I'm lying."

Her eyes lifted to him once again. She searched those beautiful blue eyes for some sign that he wasn't telling the truth. For anything that made him seem like he would tell her boyfriend to spare himself. Anything at all that said he didn't care about her. But she found nothing there. He looked as sincere as he could get.

But how could she believe him? He could lie his way out of a lie detector test if need be. Perhaps he was just duping her all over again.