by K. A. Linde
Innocence.
Okay, to be fair, Bekah probably wasn’t all that innocent either. After all, she was dating Jack. But she sure as hell gave off the appearance. Lexi, on the other hand, had never given off that appearance. Something about Lexi’s dark, tangled, curly hair, the way her eyes looked smoky without make-up, the way her characteristically bold personality tended to intimidate strangers, and the way she almost always felt completely comfortable in her body gave off the impression not that she was easy, but certainly that she was not innocent.
“It’s so nice to meet you,” Bekah said.
A row of brilliant, white teeth were revealed as she smiled across the table from her. Something in that smile held a secret. She had no idea what it was. But when she looked upon her full for the first time, Bekah looked at her as if she had seen her before…as if some light bulb of recognition had just gone off in her mind.
“Likewise,” Lexi said, coughing uncomfortably and glancing away from her doe-eyed gaze.
The rest of the table was filled with mostly respectable middle-aged men and women in high-quality attire. She was introduced as Jack’s friend from out of town, but failed to really take in any names. She didn’t plan on remembering any of them anyway. Lexi nudged Jack.
“Don’t you want to sit next to Bekah?” she asked, indicating the empty seat facing her.
Lexi had thought it strange that the seat was unoccupied. He smiled at her. “Well, yeah, I would, but this is where I sit.”
Lexi cocked an eyebrow at him condescendingly. This must be some Country Club thing. Not that she wanted him to leave her side. “All right,” Lexi said not pushing the subject. “Are we missing someone?”
“My brother,” Bekah answered. “He should be here shortly. He tends to run behind.”
“Oh.” Lexi didn’t know what else to say.
Bekah leaned over the table smiling secretively. “Sorry about that. He’s a bit of a troublemaker. He likes to upset my parents by showing up late for brunch, talking a bit too loud in public and the like.”
Lexi tried not to roll her eyes. This girl was serious. Talking too loud in public? Had she ever left her bubble?
“I don’t mind it so much though. I think it’s humorous.”
“I’m sure it is.” Lexi tried to smile. She had just used humorous in a sentence. Fantastic.
“Yeah, Ramsey’s a riot,” Jack interjected.
Bekah smiled even bigger, her blue eyes glittering with unspoken revelations. “He is...something else,” she said dropping her voice. “But anyway, I am so glad that your flight landed as scheduled. I would have felt terrible changing plans on you if you were still in transit. Jack wasn’t sure if you would accompany us for brunch, but I’m very glad he was able to convince you.”
Lexi jerked her head to the side and glared at Jack. “What?” he asked defensively, a slow smirk creeping onto his face.
“You forced me to be here,” she muttered angrily.
“Well, it convinced you didn’t it?”
“Did you not want to come?” Bekah asked crestfallen.
She swore under her breath. Then she remembered where she was and furiously bit her lip. Lexi could not believe this! Why would she want to be here? This was the most awkward situation she had ever been in, and then Jack had dragged her tooth and nail to the one place she absolutely despised. Of course she didn’t want to be here! It was just dumb of Bekah to think that any outsider would want to be trapped in their dumb old-timey Country Club. But even Lexi couldn’t blurt that out in front of complete strangers.
So she just smiled and said, “Oh no, it’s fine.”
Jack chuckled under his breath. The laugh turned into a cough as Bekah turned her blue eyes on him.
“Well, I’m glad you made the trip,” Bekah said cheerfully.
Before Lexi could embarrass herself further, several stuffy-looking waiters entered the room and began to fill beverage orders. Lexi sighed as she listened to all the requests for sweet tea. She had forgotten how addicted Southerners were to the stuff. If they could have sweet tea poured directly into their veins, they would do it. What was even more disgusting was how the women, all diet-addicted forty year olds pretending to be twenty-five, ordered their drinks with Splenda, as if the alternative sugar option wouldn’t give them cancer like everything else. Lexi ordered coffee.
“Sugar and milk?” the man questioned, staring down at her through his thick black-rimmed glasses over the bridge of his large nose.
“Uh, no, thank you. Black is fine.”
“Mmm hmm,” he said hotly and turned on his heel.
“Sorry I’m late everyone,” a familiar voice said, pushing past the snotty waiter and over to their table.
Lexi heard the chair in front of her scuff against the carpeted floor before she had a chance to glance up. When she did, a short gasp escaped her tight set lips. Recognition swept over her.
No. She didn’t want to believe it.
This couldn’t really be happening to her. Really, she should have just expected obnoxious bathroom guy to be Bekah’s brother. She had been rude enough that she should have been more surprised not to see him. The smile he sent her way was practically unbearable. Life couldn’t get any worse.
“Oh, hey you,” the guy said, when he noticed her.
“Hi,” she managed to say through her gritted teeth.
“You know each other?” Bekah asked, the surprise exceedingly evident in her voice. She had perked up even further than Lexi had thought possible. Bekah’s eyes glittered as she glanced between the two of them several times catching Ramsey’s gaze briefly. A look passed between them.
“I wouldn’t say that exactly,” Lexi responded.
She sat back against the hard-backed chair and began pushing her hair behind her ear forcefully. Jack peered at her reaction curiously.
“Oh, don’t be like that. We go way back,” he said openly smirking.
“Oh yeah?” Lexi asked, leaning forward and crossing her arms on the table. “Then what’s my name?” She raised her eyebrows in a challenge.
A voice from the other end of the table cut off his response. “Ramsey, where were you?” a man Lexi recognized as his father asked in an obviously controlled neutral tone. Ramsey just shrugged, his eyes remaining on Lexi’s face. “I’m talking to you son,” he growled. The room fell silent.
“Yeah, I heard,” Ramsey said, finally turning his attention to his father. “I got lost.”
Lexi could tell his father was boiling over. The only thing holding him back was the fact that he was in the midst of friends and colleagues.
“You’ve lived here since you were a boy,” his father pointed out. “It’s not possible for you to get lost.”
“Sure it is. I got lost in a broom closet,” Ramsey said, shrugging his shoulders as if this was commonplace. He also said the words as if it were suggestive of foul behavior. Behavior that should not be spoken of over afternoon brunch at the Country Club...or perhaps anywhere. “Anyway, can I get back to my conversation?”
“Ramsey, may I have a word with you in the hallway?” his father asked menacingly.
“I just got here, remember?” he said smirking. “Wouldn’t want to miss brunch.”
“That’s enough Ramsey,” Bekah whispered, letting her hand rest gently on his forearm.
Bekah glanced down to her father’s seat and smiled sweetly. The implication was clear. She was going to handle the situation. No need to embarrass the family over something simple, even if these things pushed her father over the edge. Bekah whispered something in Ramsey’s ear that he didn’t appear to be too pleased about, but he cooled off nonetheless.
Ramsey’s smirk returned as his focus shifted back to the matter at hand. “Your name, right,” he said, scratching the back of his head thoughtfully.
“You said you know her, but you can’t remember her name?” Jack asked dubiously, glancing between the two of them.
“You’re telling me that’s never hap
pened to you before?” Ramsey asked, raising his eyebrows.
Jack chortled at Ramsey’s implication then turned back to Lexi. “I was pretty sure you didn’t know anyone here.” He sounded concerned, even a bit jealous. She smiled despite herself.
“He doesn’t know me, Jack.”
“But you recognized him,” Bekah pointed out. She reached forward and took a sip of the ice water that was placed before her. “I mean, right? You did recognize him.”
“Well yes,” she finally conceded.
“So, you do know him?” Jack asked. Yep, she could definitely detect a hint of jealousy. She reveled in it for a moment.
“I’m not sure why it matters whether or not I know him. He’s just messing with you guys,” she pointed out. Ramsey snickered. Her eyes turned fiery. “What, may I ask, is so funny?”
“I’m sorry,” Ramsey said stifling another laugh. “Did you just say you guys?”
“And if I did?” Lexi snapped.
She clenched her teeth. Here it goes again. She was being rude. Why was she being rude? Why was she letting this guy—Ramsey—bring out the Yankee asshole in her when she had sworn she was going to stay in Southern hospitality mode?
“Oh nothing,” he remarked, glancing into Bekah’s blue eyes, an all-knowing look passing between them.
“What? What’s wrong with that?” Lexi demanded, turning her eyes from one to the other.
“Oh, it’s nothing,” Bekah muttered, at the same time as Ramsey began asking, “You... you’re just not from around here, are you?” His green eyes glittered with humor.
“She’s from New York,” Bekah said cheerfully, filling in some information for her brother.
“Oh, a Yankee in our midst.”
“I’m not from New York,” she quickly corrected.
This girl obviously knew nothing about her. Lexi figured, at least for now, that was probably for the better.
“Yeah, she went to college down here with me,” Jack interjected, not enjoying the fact that his girlfriend was providing details about Lexi to Ramsey...or anyone.
“So, where are you from then?” Ramsey asked, his interest spiking with her annoyance.
“I’m sorry. The investigation begins later. You’ll just have to wait your turn.” Lexi announced abruptly.
Bekah’s face instantly turned a bright pink hue, and Jack, hoping to quiet Lexi, nudged her in the arm. Lexi turned toward Jack and shrugged. It’s not like he had told her that her reason for being here and everything surrounding the awkward circumstances was supposed to be a big secret.
Ramsey smiled but his eyes held suspicion. “Okay. Just let me know when you are open for an investigation, and I’ll be there.”
Lexi rolled her eyes catching his sexual undertone. “Whatever.”
“But I have one condition.”
“There are no conditions.”
“Well, I need to know your name first.”
“And I thought you said you knew it.”
“I could try and remember, but I have a feeling that would take longer than the time we’re allotted.”
“Probably,” Lexi agreed, averting her eyes.
“Okay, wow,” Jack began turning his head between the two. “How did you say you know each other?”
“We don’t,” Lexi barked.
“No, no, we do know each other. She came here with Jennifer once,” he explained turning to his sister. “I guess they went to college together or something.”
“You know Jennifer?” Bekah asked Lexi, perking up again.
“Wait, you know Jennifer?” Jack asked, directing his question toward Bekah.
“Well, yeah, we went to high school together,” Bekah admitted. “How do you know Jen, Jack?”
“Jennifer and I dormed together freshman year,” Lexi told her at the same time as Jack said, “I know her through Lexi.
Jack had never liked Jennifer much, and he knew Lexi thought she was one of the most annoying people on the planet. The fact that his new girlfriend not only knew her but also grew up with her was just plain weird.
“Small world!” Bekah exclaimed.
“So, your name is Lexi?” Ramsey asked, speaking up for the first time since the beginning of this exchange. “Hmm...I like that.”
Lexi groaned inwardly glaring daggers at Jack for revealing her name. “Yep. That’s me. Lexi.”
After their introduction, conversation shifted to other topics. Brunch was served as the table began to discuss the upcoming golf tournament, specific techniques, and possible favorites in the match. Lexi withdrew from the conversation. She had learned how to play in college, but didn’t much care for the game, or at least, not enough to continue talking about it.
Instead, Lexi took this time to assess Ramsey for the first time since she had set eyes on him. She wasn’t sure what to make of him. He was pushy and forthright. For someone born and bred in this environment, his personality depicted rebellion despite his impeccably controlled appearance. He was dressed the part head-to-toe, but he looked more like he was in character. He was damn persistent as hell when he wanted to be, but as soon as he found out her name, he had done a complete one-eighty. He spoke to her only when polite conversation demanded it, and though his flattering tone and overwhelmingly charming demeanor never wavered, she could see, perhaps, underneath that there was something more. She wasn’t quite sure whether more was good or not.
Jack, at least, seemed to act normal…or at least normal for Jack. For that, she was grateful. If this new girl had changed him, or at least if she thought she was capable of changing him, things were going to get very interesting quick. Jack Howard did not change.
Seeing him speak with Bekah like he had always done with her was disconcerting to say the least. But after all, she had volunteered for this torture so she was might as well endure it with some dignity. Not that she had expected it to quite play out quite like this.
Bekah’s father stood and thanked everyone for attending their monthly brunch celebration. Lexi followed everyone’s lead and scooted back from the table to leave. Jack moved in front of her and grabbed Bekah’s hand entwining it with his. She could feel herself close to gagging. She quickly covered her mouth so as not to draw any unwanted attention to herself.
“You don’t mind if I escort you this time, do you?” Ramsey asked, holding out his arm. His green eyes were twinkling again as a smile broke out across his face.
After contemplating her options, Lexi rested her hand in the crook of his elbow, and trailed behind the crowd exiting the dining hall. “I might mind, but I’ll allow it,” she said glancing up at him mischievously.
She hadn’t realized how tall he was the first time around. Now standing directly next to him, she noticed that the top of her head just barely reached his shoulder. He had to be well over six feet tall.
“So, are you just here visiting Jack?” Ramsey asked.
“Kind of,” Lexi said neither confirming nor denying anything.
“Specific. Are you visiting your parents?”
“I plan on it.”
“So are you staying with Jack?”
Lexi saw Jack’s head swivel in front of her. He had obviously been eavesdropping on their conversation. “Um…no. I don’t think so.”
Ramsey nodded, but kept his face neutral. “Do your folks live in the city? Are you staying with them?”
“Why do you care?” she asked snootily.
“Why are you so snippy?” he questioned right back at her.
“Sorry, yankee thing,” Lexi said, drawing out the word.
“Right, but you’re not from there,” he pointed out. “Either way, I was just curious about you is all. I told you that before.”
“Okay,” Lexi said eyeing him warily, “Well my parents live on the south side of Atlanta about an hour maybe an hour fifteen south of here. I’ll probably be staying with them.”
“That’s pretty far away. Why don’t you just get a hotel?”
She rolled her eyes. Thi
s was typical. “Money. As in I don’t have any, because I’m in school,” she told him coldly.
“Oh, right. Stupid me,” he said, smacking his forehead with his available hand. “Well, I think Bekah and Jack are coming over to my place later for drinks with some of my friends. You are welcome to join them, if you are interested.”
“Oh my God, we would just love for you to come,” Bekah exclaimed, interrupting their conversation. “Why didn’t you think of that, Jack?” she asked him, hitting him playfully on the arm.
“Must have slipped my mind,” Jack commented, glancing from Bekah to Lexi and then down to where Lexi’s hand was still placed on Ramsey’s expensive sleeve.
“Then it’s settled,” Ramsey confirmed, “I’ll see you tonight.”
Lexi had come here for one purpose. Country Club brunches and parties were not on that list. She didn’t want to get to know Bekah or her family. She didn’t want to think about what a better lot Jack could get by marrying into this family…this girl. She didn’t want to go back to New York feeling worse about her situation and the way things had ended with Jack then she already did. She couldn’t imagine what that would feel like. She just wanted this to over with.
Why couldn’t closure be easier than this?
SEPTEMBER—FIVE YEARS EARLIER
“Jack, I can’t come over,” Lexi told him for what felt like the hundredth time.
She rested her flip phone between her ear and shoulder while directing her car into an available parking spot in front of the grocery store.
“Sure you can. I don’t live that far away from you. What’s the drive, like ten minutes?”
“It’s not the distance that’s the issue,” she told him, getting out of the car and walking toward the entrance. She dodged a white SUV that zoomed in front of her. Lexi flipped off the driver as she skidded to a halt in the middle of the crosswalk. “Jackass.”