Avoiding Commitment (Avoiding 1)

That knowledge did nothing to sway her apprehension about seeing him now. There was no girlfriend holding him back from showing his true feelings. The only thing preventing him was his respect for Lexi. She hoped that was enough.

Lexi skipped up to Jack's doorway and found it open just as she arrived. He had been waiting for her. "Here you are," he said looking her up and down. "Wow, you look great." He was obviously ogling the length of the skirt that revealed much of her tanned thighs.

"Thanks."

"I didn't know if you were going to show up," he stated as she skirted past him into the living room.

"Me either."

"Well, I'm glad that you did." She nodded not letting herself admit that she already felt better by being around him. "Did you want to watch a movie or something?" he asked.

"Sure thing." She grabbed Wedding Crashers off of the shelf and went to put it into the DVD player remembering doing this so many times before.

"Actually, I just got a TV and stuff for my room, if you want to watch it in there," he said casually.

She could read him though. He knew if they were in his bedroom that she would be forced to sit next to him. But the thing she couldn't decide was whether or not she minded. "Okay we'll go in there, but don't think you're off the hook about the Chamber story," Lexi said pointing the movie at him.

He raised him hands in defense. "Of course not."

They moved to the bedroom and Jack put the movie in turning the volume down low to make it more of background noise. He moved to sit next to her on the bed, but was careful not to touch her. Honestly, she was surprised. He was being courteous and respectful which was good so far.

Lexi poked him in the ribs playfully. "So spill mister! How did you know I was going to be at Chamber? That's been bothering me for awhile now."

"I already told you that's an easy one."

"Yeah. Yeah, but how?"

"Krista told me."

She stared at him blankly. "Huh?" she asked him. She was so confused. Krista, last year's gymnastics captain, was currently residing in Las Vegas. How would she know that Lexi was at a bar on any given night? And why would she tell Jack about it even if she did find out?

"You asked me how I knew, and it was because Krista told me."

"Yeah, but how do you know Krista? And why did she tell you?"

"Well, one – I knew her before you did. She dated one of my friends freshman year. When they broke up, we remained friends." Her eyes narrowed. "Just as friends," he added quickly. "And, two – she received a text or something from you. She told me you were there, because I was the one who told her about you."

"You told her about me?"

"That's right. After you stopped returning my messages, I just went ahead and told Krista about you. I gave her your email and told her that you were worth her time. I think you know the rest of the story."

"You did that for me?" she asked wistfully realizing for the first time that Jack had single-handedly secured her position with the gymnastics team.

"Of course, I did it for you."

"I mean, I figured you had something to do with it since I hadn't told anyone else about it."

"You hadn't told anyone else?" he asked in disbelief.

She blushed slightly at the admission. "Uh…no."

"But why? I mean, why did you tell me?"

"Well, first, you asked and second, I don't know…it sounded like you were honestly interested. I thought that gymnastics was part of my past. That since I hadn't been recruited out of high school everything had been a waste. And I hated admitting that to myself. Let alone to anyone else."

"But you told me."

Lexi nodded. "I told you."

"Because you trusted me," he said sadness escaping him.

"That's right."

"And I ruined it," he said looking away from her. She could tell he was in so much pain. He looked just as hurt now admitting that he had hurt her as he had nearly a year earlier. It was almost too much to bear. Why was he so damn sexy and caring? Why couldn't she see past that? Why couldn't she stay angry at him for playing her for a fool?

Finally, he met her gaze. "Let me make it up to you," he said scooting closer so their knees were almost touching.

"Jack," she said in warning, but she didn't move away.

"I need to make it up to you. I told you I'd never lie to you again, but that's just the beginning. That's not enough."

Lexi just stared at him. She didn't know what he had in mind, but she knew that she wouldn't...couldn't stop him…whatever it was.

"You deserve more than that," Jack said reaching out and caressing her cheek with the back of his hand. It was the first time he had touched her beyond a welcoming hug. His hand turned and cupped her cheek in his hand affectionately, lifting her face up to his. His hands were warm and she could feel the calluses from working for his dad. Yet, the touch was kind and gentle. There was so much affection in that gesture she thought she might break right then and there. "Will you let me prove that to you?" he asked his piercing blue eyes set solely on hers.

She couldn't believe what she was doing. His lips were only inches away from her. She was putty in his hands. The instant he had touched her, she was lost. Her eyes were closing of their own accord, and she could feel her head tilt back to reach him. She was craving his sweet kiss. Her conscience told her to run from him, but she just couldn't. Despite the fact that she had promised herself that all they were going to do was talk, and the conversations she had had with both Spencer and Olivia, she didn't pull away from him. Everything about the situation was wrong, and she knew it. But it felt so right to be with him, and she couldn't seem to process anything else.

"You made me promise to keep my hands to myself," Jack whispered his breath hot on her lips. She could feel her body tense in anticipation. "Do you want me to stop?"

Lexi whimpered as his hand moved to the nape of her neck pushing up into her dark brown curls. She needed to tell him to stop. Her mind needed to clear, and not concentrate on the chills she found running down her spine at his touch. But her voice wasn't working. She didn't really want him to stop, and the effort of conjuring up those words seemed to be too much.