Looking Out for Lexy

by Kristine Dalton

Jack squeezed her hand. “ I know the perfect flick then. The Old Towne is showing “Casablanca” tonight. Have you ever seen it? Humphrey Bogart’s the man. And Ingrid Bergman is mmm, mmm.”

  “I love that movie. I’m surprised you would like a movie like that. Most guys would just feel obligated to go.”

  “Lexy, I’m not just any guy. And besides, I’m taking you. You deserve to see a good show. It’ll be great. And afterwards we can get a bite to eat and I’ll walk you home.”

  “Sounds really good to me, Jack.” Lexy was thrilled to be with the handsome, dark-haired boy. The butterflies in her stomach every time she even caught a glimpse of him were in full force now. The girl doubted if she could even handle eating one kernel of popcorn.

  Jack still couldn’t believe his good fortune. The best looking girl in school was digging him. She had a bod to die for and a personality that was warm and sexy. And she was smart. He wasn’t sure what she saw in him, but he thanked God for whatever it was. The bad thing ( or good thing depending on how you looked at it) was that he was already dreaming of a future with her. His grades were good enough that he could apply for college and work on his music while Lexy did her thing. What was it she had talked about one day? Social work. That was it. He had admired her for that. After living in the projects in New York, he knew she would have her work cut out for her. He had known a couple of sw’s and knew how hard their own life was dealing with the poor and helpless. He would put his dream of Nashville on hold until they graduated and got mar...whoa! Hold on their boy. You are getting way ahead of yourself. She did this to him!

  “Let’s go angel.” They walked hand in hand down the avenue toward the old movie theater just the other side of the mall. Tonight was gonna be a good night.

  Thirteen

  The limo pulled up to the set, roaring into the lot. She could get used to being driven around in such elegance.

  Lexy was fascinated by everything. About this time back home, she'd be doing the wash, or cleaning the house, or talking to April about the kids.

  I’m dreaming, she thought, thinking of an old song by Kenny Nolan from the 70’s, I Like Dreaming cause Dreaming can make you mine, and wishing somehow..... The two of them slid out of the cab and started toward the set.

  “You did know that Rebel Canyon is calling it quits after this video, didn’t you, Lexy?” He casually wrapped his hand around hers as they strolled towards the set.

  “I was aware of that fact, Jack. Thea let me know. She told me you'd kept....you'd ask about me, so I asked for your address. I wrote to you before I wouldn't be able to get in touch with you again." Lexy looked away as he stared at her.

  “Why did you really write to me, Lexy?” Jack stopped, pulling her around to face him.

  “Look at me. Don’t be afraid of me. You can tell me. I want to know why.” She opened her mouth to speak.

  “Well! It’s about time you got here, Jack!”

  Jack swung around. Standing there, glaring at them, with her hands on her perfect hips, was a beautiful, arrogant-looking young woman. Gina Jones was a tall, slim, dark-eyed beauty. At twenty, she was already making a name for herself. A very revealing spread in Maxim hadn’t hurt her either. Lexy recalled a number of Rebel Canyon's video dollies doing the layout scene.

  “Didn’t Christopher tell you we were going to do our love scene over? He wasn’t satisfied and frankly darling, neither was I! I don’t know what you had on your mind, but it certainly wasn’t me.”

  Looking straight past Lexy, Gina continued.

  “You haven’t forgotten how it’s done since night last week in my apartment have you, Jack?”

  “Chris didn’t tell me this was the take we were doing over,” he said ignoring her last remark.

  “Where is he? Where's the rest of the guys?”

  Silently cursing Christopher Brandt, his director and friend, he grabbed Lexy's hand and walked off towards his dressing room dragging her behind him. Before Lexy could say a word to Jack about Gina’s comments, Chris Brandt came around the corner of the set.

  “Hell, Wyatt, I didn’t know Gina’d be here already. She was madder than a hornet when I wouldn’t tell her where you were last night. I-”

  “Just shut up will you, Brandt. What the hell is she doing here anyway? Is that the scene you want me to do? No wonder you didn’t tell me. You knew damn well I wouldn’t have come.”

  Chris Brandt eyed Lexy up and down. No wonder Jack was upset. Obviously he had not expected to see Gina if he’d brought another woman on the set with him. He stared at the woman again. She wasn’t the type he figured Jack would go for.

  Interesting though. And pretty. Kinda old fashioned looking. No, not that. She reminded him of a down home girl, with her hair pulled back in a ponytail. And she was not tall and thin like the model types that hung around Wyatt all the time on and off the set. And kind of...umm, sexy. Wholesome and sexy. A deadly combination.

  Well, well. This could prove to be interesting. He could see Gina was out of the picture. As if she’d ever been it. She probably knew it too. He turned his attention back to Jack.

  “I need you to do the scene before the final one again. We ran out of film and didn’t know it. Sorry buddy.”

  “Let’s get this over with then. I’m a busy man as you can see. This is Lexy Kane. Chris Brandt, my manager. Lexy is a friend of Thea Handle.”

  Taking her by the arms, he kissed her gently, but firmly.

  “I’ll only be a while, Lexy. I have to put make-up on and I’ll be done in no time. Then it’s you and me the rest of the weekend.”

  He took her hands in his and looked into her eyes.

  “Wait right here. I won’t be gone long. I want to spend a lot more time with you, angel. Oh. And don’t worry about Gina. She’s been trying to get me in the sack for about a month now.” He winked. “No luck on her part.”

  She wanted to ask him what Gina had meant when she had made that remark about her apartment, but he had turned and walked swiftly toward his dressing room. She smiled brightly at Chris Brandt, who had just witnessed the whole scene. I don’t want him thinking I’m some bimbo, like all the rest of these women. It struck her then, with a full force. God, how stupid could she be. Nothing like giving in to his charming ways without even the appearance of putting him off. But then, she had never been able to resist his charms. Why would it be any different now?

  Jack was troubled by the strange, shadowy look he’d seen in Lexy's eyes. He recalled that endless blue as he’d looked across the table at her last night. It bothered him that he couldn’t read her like he’d been able to with all the others. You just got lost in those eyes and somehow you couldn’t get out. Jack wasn’t sure that he wanted to. From the moment he’d seen her when they were just teens, she’d drawn him like a magnet. And he knew, deep in his soul, that a part of her had always remained there.

  He didn’t want to waste any time in his dressing room either. He felt that he needed to get back out to Lexy as soon as possible. He thought he could strangle Gina about now.

  The trouble was, he was really falling for Lexy again. Correction, Wyatt. Had fallen. Really hard.

  Damn! He'd never really gotten over her. He knew it was because she’d really cared about him. He had tried to deny it for years. He knew it was true. No use denying it to himself any longer. Jack realized now it had always been her, from the second he saw her face again in the crowded lounge that night she had appeared at the hotel bar. Sexy Lexy. His woman. His angel. His savior.

  Damn! He didn’t need a woman complicating my life right now. Wouldn’t have time for her anyway with the ranch. And she has her own kids, besides. Yet, he knew he wanted to be with her. Needed to be with her. Wanting to make love to her again and again. That in itself was a first in a long, long while. If this was love, then so be it. It did not mean commitment, but strangely he knew, eventually, it would have to be commitment with this lady, or nothing. He knew innately that Lexy wouldn’t have it any other way. Well, he
would deal with that when it came up. He didn’t want to think about it anymore right now.

  Gina came strolling over to where Jack had left Lexy standing. Lexy felt slightly awkward in this lovely young girl’s presence, and suddenly uncomfortable. She drew herself up in readiness for the confrontation she knew was coming.

  “He is great at one niters isn’t he? Don’t worry honey. He’ll be back in my arms as soon as you’re gone. Did he tell you he loved you, woman!”

  Gina tossing her head, her long dark hair falling carelessly around her shoulders, observed Lexy with scorn.

  “I wouldn’t know about one niters, but obviously you do!” Lexy raised her head proudly.

  “Listen, sweetie. Jack has been in my bed since we started this project a few weeks back. If you don’t believe me, just ask Chris. Oh Chris. Chris! Be a dear and come over here, will you? ”

  Brandt reluctantly walked over to the two woman. He didn’t want to get in the middle of this. The pert, attractive redhead was obviously the reason Wyatt had been so jittery lately. He could certainly see why. Gina slipped her arm through his and gave him her sweetest smile.

  “Tell Miss...Ummm...What is your name again, sweetie? Tell her about my relationship with Jack. We have been an item since we started this film isn’t that so?”

  Chris kicked at the dust on the set and refused to look at either of them.

  “Well, Chris, tell the woman. Tell her now!” Gina was getting petulant as she tightened her hands around his arm.

  “Well, Uh...well... they had been seeing each other, but I don’t know how often, or for how long.”

  Gina gave his arm a hard twist.

  “Honestly, I don’t know. They were together sometimes.” He peeled Gina’s hand away from his arm. “I have to go see to my, uh, my mics.”

  Chris Brandt was mumbling something as he strode away, furtively glancing back at the two woman who were standing face to face glaring at each other.

  “I told you he was mine honey, so why don’t you get lost. He likes younger woman anyway.”

  Gina gave her the once over. She smoothed her hands over her slim body as if to emphasize her tiny waist and hips.

  “You are just a fling for the weekend. You wouldn’t be here if he’d known I was going to be here. He isn’t the faithful type you know. Go back home, sweetie. You are out of your league.”

  Lexy straightened up in her best, intimidating posture. “He may have been with you before, but he isn’t with you now, little girl. Talk about robbing the cradle! Why you’re just a baby compared to him.”

  Lexy felt that she was losing ground fast, embarrassed by the fact that they had probably been with the same man within a few days, no probably hours of each other. At least according to Gina. And Lexy had no reason to disbelieve her at the moment, knowing the reputation he had. Thea had made sure she knew all about that.

  “Tell me lady, do you really believe you’ll see him after this weekend? I know he has you staying in the hotel. He’s even mentioned to me that he would like to be with a woman closer to his own age to see if everything they say about their sexual prowess is true. So you see, honey, he is just experimenting with you. Did he tell you this?”

  Gina leaned over and whispered things in her ear that made her blush and angry at the same time. Lexy's spine stiffened as she listened to some of things she had heard just this morning. Of course there’d been much more said, but she wasn’t about to tell Gina that. Just the fact that he’d mentioned one or two of the same things to another woman made her furious.

  “I think I’ve heard quite enough thank you. I’ll be leaving now. Please inform Mr. Wyatt I enjoyed his company. While it lasted. You can have him, sweetie!”

  She spun on her heels, walking away with as much dignity as she could muster under the circumstances.

  Lexy couldn’t believe what she had just heard. The nerve of that man! At least he could’ve used different lines on her for Heaven’s sake! She walked away, angry tears forming in her eyes. Lexy moved with all the grace she could summon, head held high as she turned the corner of the set.

  She could hear Gina calling to Chris Brandt with that fake, come hither voice of hers. She quickened her pace now, wiping the tears away in anger. How could she have been so gullible, so stupid? He had needed her. Lexy had convinced herself of that. Right! She stepped to the street, hailed a taxi and jumped in.

  Returning to the hotel, Lexy went to her suite and started flinging clothes into her suitcase. Picking up the phone, she dialed the front desk.

  “This is Ms. Kane in suite 625. I’ll be checking out directly. I need to get home right away. Could you try and arrange a flight for me to Mitchell International by the time I get downstairs? I...There...My son is ill, I need to get home immediately.”

  Lexy listened.

  “I would really appreciate any help you can give me. A standby will do nicely. Fine. I’ll wait for your call.”

  Putting down the receiver, Lexy flew through the elaborate room, throwing things quickly in her bags. I don’t want to be here when he returns. I won’t have the strength to leave if I see him. I have to get out of here. I’ve got to. Please God, let me get that flight.

  Shoving her toiletries into the last bag, she jumped when the phone jangled.

  What if was him? Gingerly, Lexy picked up the phone. “Hel...lo? Yes, oh yes. Thank you so much. I’ll be right down. Thank you so much.” Thank you Lord. I think. Feeling a ache of disappointment that it wasn’t him, Lexy grabbed her bags and dashed out the door to the elevator.

  In twenty minutes she was on her way, the flight having been arranged. Lexy was feeling a little guilty, knowing the clerk really pushed to get her on a flight, thinking she had an emergency. Taking a taxi straight to the airport, she boarded after an hour and was on her way home in less than two hours after Jack had kissed her for the last time. She squeezed her eyes closed and lay her head back, which by now was aching.

  “I got what I came for didn’t I? To see my ex-lover, my fantasy man?” Lexy opened her eyes, turned and looked out the window of the 747 at New York City, the same one that had only last night seemed like the beginning of a dream come true. Instead it had become her worst nightmare.

  She rubbed her aching head just above her right eye. How could she have been such a fool? Of course he’d probably been around the block a few times. All those gorgeous women there for the taking. His taking. What had she been thinking coming out there! Obviously she wasn’t his type. She never had been. Right from the start. What could she have been thinking? I guess it's true when they say you can never go back.

  Lexy had jumped in the water without thinking, again! This time the water had been icy and woke her up- the hard way! She’d never be the same after that little game! Yes, she’d played in the big leagues and lost.

  Turning her head, looking out the window again, pools of tears formed in her azure, blue eyes. Lexy was learning a hard lesson about life, a mistake she didn’t intend to make again.

  How could I’ve been so naive and stupid with a capital S? Some Christmas this is going to be after all.

  Jack returned to the set thirty minutes after disappearing into the makeup trailer. He was deep in conversation with one of the technicians about the angle of the camera when they were ready to start shooting the love scene between he and Gina. Stopping abruptly, hands on his hips, Jack continued his conversation, craning his neck to spot Lexy.

  “I want this love scene to look like it is going to lead to something more intimate and then cut to the final shot of me on the beach. It's better to leave something to the imagination. The viewers can imagine for themselves what happens next. Got that?”

  “Yes Mr. Wyatt.”

  The cameraman waved to the others to get ready to shoot the scene. Gina was in position already. Jack approached her, at the same time, looking around to find Lexy. Slowing down, Jack stopped when he did not see her anywhere. The handsome star looked around at Chris, who was busy trying to lo
ok preoccupied in the studio sound booth. He signaled for his manager to come out.

  “Where is she Brandt? Brandt!”

  “Where is who? Uh...you mean the woman you were with?” Chris looked rather sheepish as he stepped on to the small stage. He figured it wouldn’t really matter if the woman was there or not when Jack came out. It had never mattered before. Jack strode swiftly over to where he stood. He looked menacing. Chris was taken aback.

  “She...uh...she and Gina had a few words and then she left. What’s the big deal, Jack? You’ve had a lot of women come on the set. You can look her up afterwards. She’ll still be around, they always are.”

  Jack took a step towards him with his hands clenched. What the hell was he doing? He was right. She’d be there when he got back. Yes, she would.

  “She’d better be, Chris. Let’s get this thing over with. I have a nice woman waiting for me.” He turned on his heel and headed for Gina, who was waiting with open arms.

  Jack knocked on Lexy's hotel door two hours later. He ran his hands through his long, dark locks as he continued to knock, harder now. A cold knot was forming in his stomach. The only sound that greeted him was the echoing of his own knuckles. She was probably in the hotel somewhere, and he’d wager she was pretty angry with him about now! Great! He figured he had blown it... Big Time!

  Walking to the elevator, a gnawing feeling was growing in his chest. Lexy wasn’t that kind and he knew it. Jack knew it even as he was thinking it. Even if she had almost succumbed to his suave charms. He knew too, that he had taken advantage of the fact that she was vulnerable for the right man, still fresh from the pain of a recent divorce. And something else. He couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was.

  Despite all his precautions to keep it confined to one week-end only, he’d given in to his newly awaked libido and was feeling a lot more for her.

  Damn! Punching the wall of the elevator on it’s way down, Wyatt grimaced with pain, grabbing his throbbing hand. Damn again! He had a bad habit of slamming his fist into the nearest solid thing when his temper got the better of him. He would find her and try to set things right for the rest of the weekend. Maybe he could get her out of his system by Sunday night. Maybe. He seriously doubted it, though.