Avoiding Responsibility (Avoiding 2)

As she approached, Lexi realized that she wasn't alone, and she looked much more like herself…drunk. Just before Lexi reached her, Chyna began furiously making out with the guy who was standing in front of her. Gulping hard, Lexi realized that the person she was sucking face with was Adam. Guess he had worked things out with her after all. Lexi cleared her throat causing Chyna break away from her make out session.

She turned around smiling brightly at Lexi. Her eyes were slightly glazed over, but she looked happy drunk which was a step up from sober angry. "Alexa!" she cried throwing her arms sloppily around her. "Are you having fun?"

Lexi giggled into Chyna's ear as she helped her stand straight again. "Yeah C. You feeling better?" Lexi knew it was a pointless question. Chyna was obviously already better. She had probably drank enough in the short time that she had been gone that she couldn't feel anything. She would have to deal with everything that had happened at some point, but right now was not that moment.

"Don't even know what you mean chica. But I'm so glad you came over here," she gushed leaning into Lexi again for support.

"Oh yeah?" Lexi asked eyeing her apprehensively as Adam righted her again.

"Soooo you know how I've been sketchy lately?" Chyna asked her smile widening. She looked like a little kid in a candy store when her eyes refocused on Lexi. She wasn't certain what Chyna was getting at, but she did know what she was talking about. Chyna had been doing all sorts of strange things lately. Not only was she forgetting things, but she had been skipping out on plans and calling her at random hours to find out why she hadn't made it to their meeting when nothing had been planned. It had all been a little off for Chyna.

"Yeah," Lexi acknowledged.

"Well I actually do have a reason," she admitted. "I wanted it to be a surprise which is the only reason I haven't told you so don't be mad."

"Why would I be mad?" Lexi asked her curiosity growing.

"I have a boyfriend!"

Lexi jaw dropped open in surprise. Of all the things Chyna could have told her that was not what she had been expecting. She had never known Chyna to have a boyfriend…ever. This was just not something that Chyna did. She dated…a lot. She would go out with dozens of guys, but none of them were ever good enough for Chyna. And now suddenly she had a boyfriend? "What? Who?" Lexi asked incredulously.

Chyna glanced over at Adam and smiled seductively up at him. "Who do you think silly?" she asked wrapping her arm around his waist.

Lexi looked between Adam and Chyna in shock. She couldn't even formulate words. She hadn't even known that Adam and Chyna were still speaking let alone that they had been dating long enough for Chyna to consider him her boyfriend. How had she missed putting those pieces of the puzzle together? Had she been so lost in her own relationship that she had missed that her best friend was now in one?

Luckily, Lexi didn't have to articulate her thoughts, because Ramsey broke in, "Congratulations. Adam told me at the wedding, but don't worry I didn't spoil the surprise for Lexi." He reached forward and wrapped Chyna in a quick hug.

"Thanks! Isn't this awesome Alexa? Now we can double," Chyna squealed acting girlier in that moment than Lexi had ever seen her.

Lexi found her eyes drifting back over to Adam. He stared at her his expression a mask to his true thoughts. She wondered what he was thinking about all of this.

"Alexa, snap out of it. Aren't you happy for me?" Chyna asked her voice increasing in pitch.

Lexi sputtered trying to come up with the appropriate response. "Oh my God, C! I'm so happy for you. I can't believe you have a boyfriend." Chyna looked at her warily, but she was too drunk to recognize Lexi's true thoughts.

As midnight approached, the foursome distracted themselves with booze, dancing, and other the pleasure of each other's company. Lexi was gradually getting over her shock, and was realizing that she actually really liked that her friend had a boyfriend, especially one that Lexi got along with. It was still surreal to her, but it did make it easier to keep up with Chyna. Usually by this time, she would be off with some stranger with no hope of Lexi finding her again until morning, but now she actually got the pleasure of enjoying her company up until the clock struck midnight.

With only fifteen minutes left on the countdown, Ramsey got a phone call that he had to take. Lexi followed him off of the floor in desperate need of a break from the dancing. Her feet were killing her in the high heels that adorned her feet. Ramsey angled for the outside patio despite the frigid temperatures and high altitude. She waited just inside for him to finish his phone call taking a seat to give her feet a break. She couldn't wait for him to come back inside so they could complete their evening which had been easily the best New Years she had ever experienced.

When Ramsey did finally walk back inside though, he wore a look of panic. "What's wrong?" she asked immediately terrified that something had happened. She wasn't sure what, but she was instantly concerned that something might have happened to his family. He looked so distraught, she couldn't help her mind from jumping to that conclusion.

"The club is being raided," he barely muttered. She had to strain to hear what he had said, but when it sank in she looked back at him in horror. She was glad that everyone was alright, but this…this could be devastating to him.

"What does that mean for you?" she asked uncertain as to what he was going to be able to do about it. He was hundreds of miles away, and no one was going to listen to the owner over the telephone.

"It means I'm out thousands of dollars, Lexi. It means I'm out. It means I might have to close the place down," he said his tone dead.

"What are you going to do?" she asked her voice reflecting all of the panic that was on his face.

"I have to get the f**k out of here. I needed to be in Atlanta tonight. What the f**k was I thinking? Fuck!" he cried. "I can't believe I listened to you. I can't believe I thought everything was going to be fine. Things don't run without me. They need me there, and I wasn't there. I don't f**king know what I'm going to do Lexi, because I'm in New York City."

Lexi stared up at him as if she had never seen him before. This was not the Ramsey that she knew. This was not the Ramsey that she cared so deeply for. He was taking out his anger on her, and she knew that. She knew, but it still hurt. She tried to keep the tears from welling in her eyes as his words sliced through her. "I…I didn't know."