Avoiding Commitment (Avoiding 1)

Lexi smiled. "I don't."

* * *

K.A. Linde

The Country Club

So lately, been wondering

Who will be there to take my place

When I'm gone you'll need love

To light the shadows on your face

If a great wave shall fall

Yeah fall upon us all

Then between the sand and stone

Could you make it on your own?

- The Calling "Wherever You Will Go"

* * *

Chapter 5: Present

Navy blue covers crinkled and scrunched around Lexi's lithe form. A down pillow lay crushed against her chest. One bare leg was slightly revealed while her feet remained tangled in the matching sheets. A sharp knock on the door roused her from her reverie, and she buried her face farther into the pillow. The door creaked open uninvited. "Lex, it's time to get up," Jack whispered into the darkness.

"Nuh uh," she grumbled shaking her head against the pillow.

"I thought you could use a shower," he said flipping the light switch and holding up a white fluffy towel. "I realized that I had washed all the towels before I left so there wouldn't be any in the extra bathroom. But if you don't want it," he said tauntingly waving the towel back and front in front of his face.

Her head popped up from the comfort of the pillow, and she looked at him groggily. They had been up way too late and her eyes weren't happy with the early morning wake-up. She flipped over on her back and leaned back against her elbows giving her eyes time to focus. "What are you going to do?" she asked stifling a yawn. "I don't mind walking around naked...and wet." She bit her lip at her own suggestive behavior.

She successfully elicited her desired reaction from Jack. He tried to stay calm, but she had known him long enough to be able to interpret his subtle movements. His eyes bulged slightly as they slowly crawled down her body, his imagination running away with him. He licked his lips as he thought of her wet, naked form sauntering around his apartment...or in his shower...or on his bed...or pretty much anywhere. His chest rose and fell irregularly, and the crotch of his pants jumped just a little bit, just enough for her to notice. He gulped uneasily. "Uh...yeah...well then, I guess you'll need this," he stammered walking into the room, and placing the towel at the foot of the bed, trying not to show his arousal. Then he quickly turned to leave before he did anything he might regret...or she might tell his girlfriend.

"Jack," she said stopping his exit. She kicked the sheet to the foot of the bed and stretched out arching her back. She was so bad. He just stared at her hungrily.

"Uh...yeah?" he asked his hands clenched in fists to restrain himself.

"Things aren't going to be awkward today after you know...last night, are they?" she questioned him, sitting up and hugging her knees to her chest.

"No, things will be fine...normal." She wasn't sure what normal was for them. Normal could be so many different things. "You look concerned."

"It's just...you did tell your girlfriend you were coming back last night, right? She knew I was staying here?" Lexi asked watching his eyes shift uncomfortably.

"Well..."

"You didn't tell her," she said interpreting his behavior once again. "As I thought."

"No. I couldn't tell her. She wouldn't understand why I'd let you do that."

"That's funny. I don't understand either," she said still staring him down waiting for his eyes to meet hers.

When they finally did, she could tell he was just as confused about his actions as she was. "Can we just talk about this later?" he asked. "I don't really want to think about that right now."

She nodded. "Yeah, sure. But you'll explain it later right?"

"I'll always be honest with you Lex," he said before exiting the room, pulling the door closed behind him.

Lexi threw her head back against the covers and smiled half-heartedly up at the ceiling. Yep, things were going to be way awkward.

She quickly showered and diffused her loose curls. She unzipped her suitcase and stared at the different outfits she had planned for the day. A brown sundress she knew would go perfect with her golden tan. Blue and white striped seersucker shorts coupled with a white tank top would have the same effect, but she was as indecisive as ever. Did she want to be cute and friendly like she should be or would she rather dress a bit sexier? After a moment longer, she opted for the shorts combo. No need to dress the part Kate had drawn her to be.

"You can't wear that," Jack said, entering the room without knocking.

"I could have been naked," she cried, but did nothing to cover herself.

He smirked. "Yep," he said cheerfully, "looks like I waited too long."

She scowled at him. "Anyway…why can't I wear this?" she asked gesturing to her outfit. "I think I look good."

"Plans just changed. Unfortunately, we're going to the Country Club."

Lexi crinkled her nose up at him. "Why are we doing that? I thought you said we were going to get a quick brunch and a lot of much needed coffee. Then get this ridiculous conversation over with," she mumbled the last part under her breath.

"I just got off the phone with Bekah, and there was some miscommunication with her parents."

"And?" Lexi asked clearly irritated.

"And we have to postpone our afternoon engagement." Lexi sighed, not a good choice of words. "She thought her parents were having their monthly Club brunch next weekend, but she just found out it's today."

"Okay well you have fun with that," Lexi said taking a seat on top of the bed stubbornly.

"Come on. I can't leave you. I already told Bekah that you made it here. She'd find it weird if I didn't bring you along."

"Jack, I'm not going to some snooty country club with your girlfriend and her parents! How would you explain me? How would you explain why I'm here?" she questioned him.

"Lex, please," he whined. She just glared harder. No way was he winning this. She had made the mistake of going home with Jennifer, her college dorm mate, for a weekend at the Club her freshman year of college. She had been completely humiliated when the rude, stuck-up, filthy rich members found out that her parents weren't wealthy. She had utterly refused to go back. A repeat performance…well…torture…was not something she ever wanted to endure.