Looking Out for Lexy

by Kristine Dalton

  The elevator door opened and he stepped out surveying the lobby. He strode over to the front desk. His palms were sweating. He rubbed his hands on the side of his jeans. Geez! What's the matter with me! The true fact of the matter was, he cared about Lexy. A lot.

  The young man behind the counter looked up as he approached. “Mr. Wyatt. What can I do for you sir?” He looked at him expectantly.

  “Yeah. I’m looking for the lady I was with last night and this morning. Ms. Kane. She would’ve returned about two hours ago. I went to her room but she doesn’t seem to be in. You wouldn’t happen to have seen her anywhere?”

  “Why yes, Mr. Wyatt. She called down and asked me to see if I could get her a standby flight back to Wisconsin. She said it was an emergency and had to get home right away. I was able to get her on a flight that left about thirty minutes ago. She seemed very upset. Something about her son being ill.”

  Jack tried to looked indifferent as his hands clenched and unclenched. The back of his neck was becoming very warm, a bead of sweat starting to trickle down. The clerk continued.

  “I’m sure that is why she didn’t leave a message for you sir.”

  “Get me a seat on the next flight out. Now!” He put his hands on the counter, leaning into the young man’s face.

  “I’m waiting.”

  “Yes Mr. Wyatt. Right away sir.” He picked up the phone and began dialing nervously.

  She can’t walk out on me. Not again. No one walks out on me. Who the hell did she think she was? He paced angrily back and forth as the man talked into the phone, muttering to himself.

  He would set her straight on what was what here. Damn straight, he would. Why the hell was he so aggravated by her actions then? Maybe because he was in love with her. Lexy. Oh God. Lexy. He didn’t understand these sensuous emotions he was trying so hard not to feel. Jack was fighting them every inch of the way. He would bring her back and resolve these feelings once and for all. Get her out of his system. Tie it up in a neat package and send her on her way. Lord, then he could get back to his old self. That was something he could handle, deal with.

  The clerk hung up the phone and his voice broke into Jack's muddled thoughts. Wyatt would be on a plane in an hour. The young man behind the desk breathed a sigh of relief when Jack strode out the door. That had been one irate man.

  Fourteen

  The teenagers stopped at the corner. Lexy’s house was lit up like a Christmas tree. It was only around midnight and her mom and dad were usually out until 2 or 3am. It was not like them to be home so early. Lexy hoped everything was alright.

  “I better say good night here Jack. My parents are home early and I’m worried that something is wrong. I want you to meet them under the perfect circumstances.”

  “You don’t think they’ll approve of me, do you Lexy.” Jack had a look on his face that she couldn’t read.

  “It’s not that, really. If my parents have had a little too much to drink, they don’t always say the right things. Parents are like that you know.” She put her hand up to her mouth. “I’m so sorry Jack. I didn’t mean to say.....”

  He cut her off quickly. “Don’t sweat the small stuff, Lex. My mom is dead and my dad don’t matter. Right now it’s yours that do. We can say our good byes here.”

  “Are you sure it’s ok. I really want you to meet them when they haven’t been drinking and when my dad’s in a good mood. I’d like to invite you over for dinner some night soon. My mom loves to cook.”

  “Yeah, maybe. We’ll talk about it. Can you sneak out for a ride tomorrow sometime?”

  “I’m not sure. Call me around noon.” She slipped him a piece of paper.

  He pulled her close and looked into her azure eyes. They widened as he bent to kiss her. Lexy remembered what he’d said about her tongue, but wasn’t sure she was ready for that yet.

  “Mmmmmm, Sexy Lexy, angel.” His lips met hers in a soft kiss, lingering as his tongue skimmed her lips. A sigh escaped into the night air. Lexy realized it had come from deep within her. Breaking the kiss, Jack gazed at Lexy. He took her face in his hands. “I’m going to make you mine Lex. You can be sure of that.”

  Lexy was tongue-tied. “I...I better get going.” She backed away, not ever wanting to leave his sweet embrace, but knowing that now was not the time to tarry. “I really like it when you call me Angel. Call me.” She turned and ran down the block to her house, wondering what was wrong that her mom and dad would be home at this hour.

  Jack watched her go. He was unwilling to leave the corner even after the door closed after her. He had a bad feeling that the early arrival time and the lights might just be about him. Reluctantly he turned on his heels and strolled away in the dark of the night. He was going to find out soon how right he was.

  Lexy shut the door quietly, stepping softly so her parent wouldn’t hear her. They were arguing loudly in the kitchen. She sighed with relief and started up the stairs to her bedroom. Usually Lexy was already asleep when they would battle after boozing the night away. It was like that with many of her friends’ parents. Especially Tom’s. The Kanes and the Lattons were best drinking buddies. Everyone knew that Tom’s dad beat his mom, and some suspected Tom had been on the receiving end also. But Judge Kane was a well respected man in the community and did pretty much what he wanted to.

  “Lexy, is that you?” The slurred voice of her mother broke into her thoughts.

  Their red-haired daughter sighed. “Yes Mom, it’s me. I’m going up to bed. Talk to you in the morning.”

  Her father’s loud voice entered the fray. “Come down here young lady. Your mother and I want to speak with you.”

  Lexy frowned. What was the problem now. Inebriated parents always find something to pick at. Reluctantly Lexy stepped down the narrow staircase and into the brightly lit kitchen. Her parents were standing near the sink, drinks in hand.

  Brenda Latton tried to focus on her daughter. “Well, maybe you would like to tell us about this boy you were out with tonight.”

  “There’s nothing to tell, Mom. It’s a boy I met at school and he asked me out so I said yes.”

  “And his name is?” Her dad joined the conversation.

  “His name is Jack Wyatt. He’s really nice.” Lexy looked her dad straight in the eyes.

  “I understand this boy moved here from New York and is living with his aunt on that side of town.” Brenda made a face. She looked so comical with her face all screwed up that Lexy had to keep from laughing. That would not be funny.

  “Mom, where he’s from should not matter. What should matter is how he treats me. And he’s really nice to me.”

  “Young Lady!” Bill Latton again broke into the conversation. “We understand he has a motorcycle and wear’s a black leather jacket. Sounds like one of those bikers who are always getting into trouble. I don’t like it. No I don’t.” Her dad took a swig from his glass.

  “Dad, Mom, I want to have him over for dinner so you can meet him yourself. I don’t think it’s fair for you to judge him before you meet him.” Unconsciously, Lexy’s hand slipped into her hair and she started to twist a lock, something she always did when things were going badly at home.

  “Well, the Kanes didn’t have anything good to say about him. Tommy’s already told them all about this boy and they told us. I don’t understand why you aren’t with Tommy. He’s such a good boy. You know, we hoped that someday after you both finished college that there would be a wedding.” Mrs. Latton looked pleadingly at her daughter.

  “Can we talk about this tomorrow? I’m really tired.” Lexy was not about to go into why she and the Kane’s boy were not together. Her parents wouldn’t believe anything bad about him anyway. Jack already had three strikes against him. She would try again tomorrow when they were sober, but Brenda and Bill’s daughter knew it would be fruitless. They had already made up their mind about Jack. If they only knew that she’d been on that forbidden cycle already.

  “Go to bed. We’ll talk some more tomorrow. Th
e Kane’s have invited the family over for a barbeque and we expect you to be there.”

  “Night then.” Lexy turned and left the kitchen hurriedly. Bounding up the stairs, she closed her bedroom door quickly. Leaning her head back against the door, Lexy sighed. She didn’t want to spend the afternoon at the Kane’s again. Even though the parents were best friends, the intent of this swaray was to get the kids back together. And she had a date with Jack. There was no way she was getting out of this, especially if she and Jack were to have any chance at all. Walking over to her orchid canopied bed, Lexy sat down on the edge, looking at her phone. She would have to make sure she answered the phone first tomorrow when Jack called. He would understand, Lexy hoped.

  They would have to make plans for another day.

  Fifteen

  Lexy stepped out of the taxi, shoving a few bills through the window, and running for the back door at the same time. To top off the weekend it was raining. Rushing into the house, throwing her drenched coat on a kitchen chair, she slipped into the living room. Hair dripping from the rain, Lexy sat down momentarily on her big, emerald overstuffed sofa without unpacking.

  Raising herself up wearily, she padded into the bedroom. Grabbing a towel to dry her hair, she gathered it back up in a ponytail. Slipping on a mint green sweater and jeans, she went back into the living room, turning on her Christmas tree. The soft, multi-colored glow always made her feel better.

  As a child Lexy would sneak downstairs early in the morning just before the sun was coming up and turn on the tree lights. Spellbound, the little girl would sit and watch the tree in wonder. It always brought her peace.

  Lexy sat down again and gazed at the lights on the tree. There would be no peace this night. She didn’t even have the strength to get up again and call April to let her and the kids know she was home. Besides, she needed to pull herself together before confronting anyone. They would want to know why she was home a day early. Pulling her knees up against her chest, Lexy rested her chin against them.

  What a stupid fool she had been ! Maybe she should’ve stayed around to hear Jack's explanation. What a good one that would have been! She felt like such an idiot. Wasn’t that just like her to go traipsing off on a junket not really knowing anything about him. One more for the leap before you look case file on Lexy Kane!

  She lay down, her head aching, and closed her eyes. This was the time that unbidden painful memories of Tom and what had gone wrong always seemed to invade her mind. Lexy had been dating him off and on through high school. Tom Kane was tall and very good looking. His cornflower blue eyes and light brown hair had attracted the girls like bees to honey. He was supposed to be Lexy's steady; except when he was with someone else. Lexy was caught in a seemingly endless triangle. Until Jack Wyatt, ultimate rebel without a cause had come to town. After Jack, the relationship with Tom had ended. He hadn't taken it too well.

  The night Tom had separated her from Jack, drunk and out of control, he'd taken Lexy to a lonely place outside the city, nearly forcing her to have sex with him. She'd managed to fend off his advances, and he hadn't remembered much the next day. When she'd found out she was pregnant that summer, Tom had offered to marry her, thinking he was the one who'd gotten her that way.

  Lexy had waited for Jack, but he never came back for her as he'd promised he would. She had no choice. When Ryan was born, she had no doubt as to who the father was. Lexy often wondered if Tom knew that Ryan wasn't his.

  They had eventually moved to Milwaukee when Tom had been offered a better job. Even then, Tom had continued to drink and party with his buddies in Racine, leaving Lexy alone with the kids most of the time. More often than not, after a night with his single buddies, he'd come home and start in on her. At first it was just verbal abuse. It had not take long for the bruises to appear. Later on it was a broken finger or a fractured rib.

  The only good thing that had come from the marriage was the birth of her second child, Jesse.

  Lexy often dreamed what it would be like to really be loved. She often thought of Jack then. He had seemed to understand what love was. He'd treated her with respect. Like a lady. Even when he hadn't returned, she'd always felt in her heart that he hadn't forgotten her. He just hadn't been ready to love.

  As the years dragged on, Lexy got tired of the fights and the abuse. She’d withdrawn from almost everyone. Her work with the homeless became the only bright spot in her life, besides her children.

  Then, as her two children had gotten older, they too were on the receiving end occasionally. Especially Ryan. No one was good enough for her husband. Tom had to have control. And she’d almost let him.

  Finally, Lexy decided enough was enough. With help and encouragement from her friend April, she’d filed for divorce. She’d been terrified that he would hurt her physically, but he’d just stared at her when the papers were served. (Of course the police had been there.) Lexy thought she could actually see the relief in his eyes. He'd left quietly.

  Making love had not been a part of her life for a long time until Jack. Being with him again had made her remember. Everything. Lexy shivered, opening her eyes as she came back to the present. A matter of a few minutes had passed and she’d remembered those days as vividly as if it had been the night before. It amazed her how much she could remember in the space of a few seconds. And now she would have to start over again.

  The small, bedraggled woman lost in the massive couch, didn’t see much hope for the future in that department after today. She squeezed back the hot tears that were starting to brim in her eyes. Lexy was a first class romantic. She'd always believed that to make love, one needed to be in love. Right now that situation just didn’t seem to be in the cards. Closing her eyes, tears collecting on her cheeks, Lexy slowly drifted in and out of sleep.

  The phone was ringing in her fitful dreams. It kept on ringing until Lexy realized she had fallen asleep on the sofa and the ringing was real. What time was it anyway? Jiltingly, she made her way to the phone vaguely wondering who would be calling. No one knew she was home. Lexy glanced at the clock as she fumbled for the telephone. It was 9:30 p.m. She must have dozed off for a couple of hours. Jet lag!

  “Hello,” she mumbled into the receiver, her head still not clear of sleepiness.

  “Lexy?”

  “Yes, who’s calling?” Her mind was still foggy.

  “It’s me, Jack. Don’t hang up on me till you hear what I have to say, Lexy.” He hesitated. “Please.”

  “You have a lot of nerve calling me. Why should I listen to anything that you have to say, you...you womanizer! Gina told me about you and her. How does it feel to be with two women in one week, or is the number higher? I really made a fool out of myself didn’t I Mr. Wyatt? Well, I guess you can add me to your latest list of conquests now. I can’t believe how easy I was?” Lexy was wide awake now and as mad as a wet hen.

  “Lexy. You were never easy, and you aren’t now. I need to talk to you and I won’t take no for an answer!” His voice was tight with emotion. She could almost feel those sexy dark eyes of his staring at her through the phone. “I think enough has already been said. You don’t owe me anything, Jack, just because we were lovers once.” Lexy spoke quietly in that low contralto voice that nearly drove him to distraction.

  “But, you could have at least had the decency to use different lines on me. Your current girlfriend could have been in the room with us when you...you almost made love to me. She could tell me everything you said to me almost verbatim as I so willingly fell for your charms...again. You are really very good, Mr. Wyatt. I can personally attest to that.”

  “I’ll be there in ten minutes, Lexy. I’m here at the airport now.” The tension in his voice resonated through the telephone wires. Lexy swore she could feel it touch her fingertips as she gripped the phone.

  “Wait, wait, here? You mean here, as in Milwaukee, here? Jack? Jack?” Lexy was incredulous, but he had already hung up. Lexy stared at the receiver in her hand.

  The nerve! Co
ming after her just like that! Hadn’t he gotten enough of her in a few hours? Well, she would be ready for him. He didn’t know what ice could be, but Jack Wyatt would soon find out! Lexy glanced around the festive room. She would not let him see that she was a sentimental fool either. The Christmas tree lights went out.

  Sixteen

  Lexy jumped as the phone next to her bed jingled. She had been nervous all morning waiting for Jack to call. “Hello.”

  “Hey Lex, it’s me, Jack. So, can you get away for a few hours?” He had such a sexy, deep voice over the phone. The cherry-haired beauty shivered in spite of herself. She wanted to be with him so badly.

  “Hey Jack. I have some not so great news. I have to go to a barbeque with my parents today so I can’t go riding with you. I’d so much rather be with you than go to a stupid cook out. I’ll be bored to death.” The thought of having to spend time with Tom made her stomach roil.

  “Oh. Ok then. Maybe we can slip in some time tonight. I know it’s Sunday and you probably can’t stay out too late, but maybe we could meet and go for a walk or something after you get home.” Jack was disappointed. She could tell.

  “I think I can manage that. Give me your phone number and I’ll call when I get home. As long as I’m not out past 9:30, they won’t care. Especially if I tell them I’m meeting my girlfriends.”

  There was a deafening silence. Finally, “I see. Things must not have gone too well last night.”

  “They were drunk and I couldn’t really talk with them about you.” She didn’t want to talk to him over the phone about the situation. “We’ll talk about it tonight, ok?”

  “I guess so. Call when you get home. Talk with you then.”