The Avoiding Series Boxset

by K. A. Linde

  “No problem at all. Was that someone from home?”

  “Yeah, my best friend,” she told him.

  Luckily, there were no interruptions for the remainder of the evening. The two managed idle chitchat with little interrogation or their normal rude behavior toward one another. The sunset as they finished their meal and an announcement went out signifying the beginning of the laser show. Lexi got lost in the twirling lights and loud popular music blasting from the speakers. She couldn’t believe that they were capable of displaying scenes to go along with the music that were large enough to cover the entire side of the mountain. The couple involuntarily snuggled closer together as the show continued. Ramsey had even ventured to lace his fingers with hers.

  When the show ended, the surrounding families and groups began to pack up. Lexi sighed finding it strange that she was actually sad that the evening was coming to an end. She began to pull away from him, but he pulled her back down.

  “It’s not over yet,” he muttered into her ear.

  “But everyone’s...” she began gesturing to the crowd.

  “Wait a second,” he said smiling down at her.

  Lexi glanced around hoping to find out what he was talking about. Half of the people were already exiting the lawn, and they hadn’t even moved yet. She knew it would take awhile to get out of the park and was ready to start the long ride back to his place. If there was more to come, then no one else had been informed. She was about to tell him that he had been misinformed, when a loud pop sounded from the mountain.

  Lexi’s eyes darted up to the sky as a red firework exploded, covering the night sky. There were never fireworks this time of the year. They only ever had fireworks for the week of the Fourth of July. The surrounding crowd had halted their urgent packing to look up at the shimmering colors falling toward the earth. Several more fireworks erupted from their perspective locations producing earsplitting booms and crackling popcorn. Lexi stared on in wonder as more and more fireworks colored the sky.

  “I can’t believe they did this,” she whispered into the night. “I didn’t think they had fireworks this late in the season.”

  “They don’t.”

  Lexi shifted her gaze momentarily to stare into Ramsey’s shining green eyes. “They don’t? What do you mean?”

  He smiled at her, reaching up and cupping her chin. “I thought you’d like the surprise.”

  “You mean...you did this?” she asked putting the pieces together.

  “For you.”

  She couldn’t do much more than nod before his lips touched hers gently. She knew they had kissed the night before, but she had been drunk at that point and acting without inhibitions. This kiss occurred because she wanted it to. It was gentle and brief, but he sure did taste wonderful. She had no idea how he still tasted of peppermints. She hadn’t seen him eat one or anything. When he pulled away, she couldn’t help but whimper at the loss of his warmth. He chuckled and placed one more kiss on her lips as the fireworks display came to a close.

  He took her hand and pulled her to her feet. “Come on. Now we can go.”

  “Shouldn’t we pack up?” she asked looking at their feet.

  “Nah. I’ll have someone take care of it. Let’s get you back. I’m sure you’re exhausted.”

  Lexi filtered in and out of consciousness on the ride back to Ramsey’s apartment. After last night, all she felt like doing was sleeping. Her evening with Ramsey had been magical. She was pleasantly surprised that he was capable of being well...human. She had such a terrible stigma against anyone from a Country Club that she had immediately thought he would be just like everyone else. And though at times, he did play that part, and obviously he had a good deal of wealth, she didn’t feel like that was the main part of his character. He was able to be a fun-loving guy, who just happened to have money, rather than the other way around, as she expected.

  “I appreciate you taking me out and letting me stay here the night before,” Lexi told him truthfully, pushing a piece of hair behind her ear. She followed him up the stairs to the front door. “I guess I should probably get a hotel or something tonight.”

  He stopped and turned to look at her. “You could come inside if you like.”

  Lexi gulped not feeling comfortable with the direction of that statement. She wasn’t really prepared to take this to another level. “Uh...I don’t think so.”

  He scratched his head thoughtfully. “Sorry. No. I didn’t mean it to sound like that. I have a guest bedroom. If you’d like to stay here another night, you are more than welcome.”

  “Oh, well...” She didn’t know whether or not to accept the invitation. She was dead tired, and couldn’t exactly afford a hotel. “I guess that’s all right.”

  Ramsey veered her toward the guest bedroom on the top floor and left her to get dressed for the evening. She changed into her own sleeping clothes and brushed her teeth. A soft knock sounded on the door and she pulled it open. Ramsey stood before her clad in nothing but a pair of black athletic shorts. Her eyes traveled to his six-pack and then back up. She gulped unsure if she would be able to control herself if he came into the room.

  “I wanted to give you a proper good night,” he informed her bending his head and crushing their lips together. She breathed him in enjoying every bit of pressure he was exerting onto her lips. She could tell he was trying desperately to keep himself from going further just like she was. She wasn’t exactly known for her ability to resist temptation. Her body was still flush against him when he pulled back, his breathing ragged, and his pupils dilated.

  “I...uh,” he muttered pulling back a fraction of an inch.

  “Yeah,” she agreed her own breathing coming out in short puffs.

  “You know you never did answer me earlier this evening,” he said resting their foreheads together.

  “About?”

  “Will you accompany me to the birthday festivities?”

  “Sure,” she said just as he captured her lips again. She moaned as his tongue slid against her own. Satisfied with her answer, he pulled back again.

  He cleared his throat and stepped back into the hallway. “Well, good night.”

  “Good night,” she whispered closing the door and leaning back against it.

  “Shit,” she muttered to the empty space. “What have I done now?”

  DECEMBER—TWO AND A HALF YEARS EARLIER

  “How could you tell him?” she asked breaking down into tears for the second time that morning.

  “What are you talking about?” Jack asked glancing helplessly into Lexi’s bloodshot eyes.

  “You told Clark about what happened. You told him everything.”

  “Lexi.”

  “How could you do that?”

  “Lexi…”

  “I’ve been lying to him for months, he confronts you about it one time, and you tell him everything. And for what, Jack?”

  “Lexi please let me…”

  “No! For what? What could you possibly gain from telling him? Do you think he’ll spare Kate the knowledge of what we did? Because I don’t.”

  “Geez, Lex, can you give me a minute?”

  “A minute? Oh yes, so you can try to explain? No, I don’t want your explanations. I already know what happened. You told him, and he’s going to tell Kate. All because you told him. I can’t believe this is happening,” she said her breath coming out uneven. She could feel the characteristic tingling feeling in her fingers and lips that let her know she was hyperventilating.

  “Lexi,” he said stepping toward her, mouth hanging agape.

  “Don’t touch me!” she shrieked pulling away from him. “I can’t believe you.”

  “Could you listen to me for one goddamn minute?” he asked finally raising his voice.

  She stopped her rampage. “Fine, say what you wanna say.”

  “I didn’t talk to him. I didn’t say anything.”

  Lexi’s eyes shot up to his face, her heart full of hope. Then she shook her head. “H
ow did he know? He said you told him everything. You must have told him, Jack.”

  “I told you I’d never lie to you again. Look at me,” he commanded. “Lexi, look at me. Look in my eyes and tell me I’m lying.”

  Her eyes lifted to him once again. She searched those beautiful blue eyes for some sign that he wasn’t telling the truth. For anything that made him seem like he would tell her boyfriend to spare himself. Anything at all that said he didn’t care about her. But she found nothing there. He looked as sincere as he could get.

  But how could she believe him? He could lie his way out of a lie detector test if need be.

  “I...I don’t know what to think. Why would Clark say that if it wasn’t true?

  Jack’s face had gone pale at the realization of what she had said. In his earnest desire to let Lexi know he hadn’t breathed a word to Clark, he had completely skipped by the fact that Clark knew.

  “He trapped you, and you told him everything,” he finally said soaking in the information that Clark knew...and Kate would soon follow. “Fuck.”

  “Oh God, this is so fucked up,” she cried falling to the couch. “He actually didn’t talk to you. The conniving little...” she trailed off. It was useless to be angry with Clark. She should have told him in the first place, and it was her fault that he was finding out this way. How could she have let this happen? How could she have let this thing with Jack spiral so far out of control?

  She was acting just like Jack had while he dated Danielle. Only three years ago, she had screamed at him for doing less with her behind his girlfriends back. Now look at where she was. How had she changed this much over the past couple years? She would never have let herself get into his kind of position with anyone else.

  Damn it! Why did Jack do this to her? It was so exhilarating being in his presence that sometimes she felt like she never wanted to leave. After the amazing night they had shared, she couldn’t believe they were sitting here like this. Less than twelve hours since that amazing kiss, lying wrapped up in his arms, and here they were arguing and freaking out about the people they were actually dating finding out. God, they were pathetic.

  Beyond that, she had no idea what to do. She had come here ready to be angry with Jack for the rest of eternity, and now what? He hadn’t done anything wrong. In fact, she had been the one to spill the beans. If anything, Jack should hate her, but the way he was looking at her said a different story.

  “What are we going to do?” she whispered through her fingers. Her head rested in her hands and tears trickled down her face collecting in a pool in her palms. She felt the sofa adjust next to her as Jack’s weight shifted the cushions. He slowly brushed her hair back several times pushing a few loose strands behind her ear just like she habitually did.

  “We’ll figure it out,” he said soothingly.

  Lexi sobbed into her hands as he continued to stroke her hair. There was nothing he could do or say that would make her feel better at that moment. She was lost in her own misery.

  “Are you going to tell Kate?” Lexi asked finally looking up at him.

  His hand stilled at the nape of her neck as their eyes met. “I…uh…I dunno.”

  “Jack, you know he’s going to tell her about it. He was so angry. If you had seen him, you’d understand what I’m talking about.”

  “Did he say he was going to tell her?” Jack asked her.

  “Uh…well, no,” Lexi admitted. She assumed Clark would tell Kate everything. If she were in his position, that’s what she would do. Jack had ruined Clark’s life. It seemed only fitting for Clark to return the favor.

  “Maybe he won’t tell her,” he said wistfully.

  Lexi stood swiftly. “So, what? You’re just going to go on with your life?” she asked through her tears. “You’re just going to go back to Kate? I don’t understand you at all. Even if he doesn’t tell her, she’s sure to find out. She’s not all that bright, but she’s not an idiot. She had to know something was up. Clark did.”

  “I doubt she would find out,” he said looking down.

  “What? How could you say that?”

  “You said it yourself. She’s not as bright as Clark, who obviously figured this all out on his own. If he didn’t say anything about telling Kate, then maybe he’s not going to tell her.”

  “And you’re not going to tell her?”

  He met her fierce gaze. “I don’t see why I would.”

  “Oh…you don’t see why you would.”

  “God, Lex, you wouldn’t tell Clark if the positions were reversed.” She didn’t really want to think about that. She had no idea what she would do if the roles were reversed. “And anyway, I would never let Kate have any idea what we were up to.”

  Lexi gasped. “Are you implying that I set this up for him to find out?”

  “I’m not implying anything. Stop putting words in my mouth. All I’m saying is that there’s no way you would tell Clark. You’d have no reason to tell him.”

  Lexi’s mouth just hung open. Was he serious? He could find no reason to tell his girlfriend that he had been cheating on her? She sighed heavily. “I don’t know what I would do, because circumstances aren’t reversed, but I’d at least be smart about it.”

  “Fine. Tell me how to be smart about all this. You think telling Kate is a smart decision? Well, you’re wrong. Kate and I have been together for years, and if I told her it would crush her.”

  “Maybe you should have thought about that,” Lexi said.

  “You think I didn’t think about that? I fucking think about it all the time. But you…I don’t even know. Once I remembered what it was like to be with you, I didn’t want to let it all go again.” Lexi allowed herself a small smile at his admission. “But I wasn’t ready to get rid of Kate either. And I’m still not ready to get rid of her.”

  “But you’re ready to get rid of me?”

  “No, that’s not what I’m saying. God, I don’t even know what I’m saying. All I know is that I can’t tell Kate just yet. I couldn’t imagine being the one to crush her. She would never be the same.”

  Lexi shook her head in disbelief at everything he was saying. It was like last time except now she knew about what was happening. She had allowed herself to get into this position for the second time with the same guy.

  Not that she had been prepared to let go of Clark, but that seemed to be the obvious course of action. This was something that wouldn’t go unpunished. Clark was the kind of guy who could find a million different girls to be with, and he had chosen her. At the flip of a switch, he could have any other girl.

  A part of her knew that was coming. It was inevitable that Clark was going to leave her. That inevitability wasn’t in place for Jack. But even so, she couldn’t even count the number of times she had thought about actually being with Jack in a relationship. She had imagined them together for so long, it was strange to see that for the third time they had screwed up beyond repair. Jack wasn’t leaving Kate. Lexi knew it, but she couldn’t come to grips with that reality. She had always assumed that if things broke apart in their relationships, that they would be together. Not that they would be apart. She had never believed they would be apart.

  “Jack, be realistic. She’s going to find out one-way or another. If you don’t tell her, then Clark will. Then where will you stand?”

  “What do you expect me to do, Lexi?” he asked standing forcefully. “Think about it. What would you do in my place? You have this great life with an amazing girlfriend who would do anything for you, and you would throw all that away?”

  “If your life was so great, then what the fuck is this? What have we been doing since May?” she screamed gesturing between the two of them.

  “I don’t know, Lexi. God, I don’t know. Give me some time to think about all this.”

  Lexi’s mouth dropped open. “You need some time to think? I didn’t have any time to think when Clark confronted me.”

  “That’s not my fault! All right!”

  “I t
hought we were in this together,” she said weakly. Her mind was whirling. Clark was right. It’s not like this actually mattered to Jack. He may not have told Clark about what had happened, but it wasn’t like he was going to leave Kate for her either. He had set her up in his mind to be the other woman, and that’s where she resided. That’s where she had always resided. She had never come first with him. Even when his relationship was threatened, he couldn’t see past his “amazing” girlfriend to what was really in front of him.

  “This is all so sudden, and I just need time to get things straight. I can’t rush over there right now and tell her what happened. Even if I did that, it’s not like we could be together. You still have to straighten things out with Clark. So let’s put this whole conversation on the brakes. You’re already upset. I don’t want to continue to cause you pain.”

  Too late.

  Lexi felt completely drained as she left Jack’s house. Somehow she managed to get back to her apartment in one piece. She collapsed onto the couch. Glad, at least for the moment, that she had no more tears to shed. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy from crying. Her complexion had drained of color. Her lips were only a soft pink. The messy ponytail she had forced her hair into that morning had all but fallen out. She realized for the first time that she didn’t even match. She wore purple sweatpants coupled with a ratty orange t-shirt and blue zip-up hoodie. She kicked off her red, black, and white sneakers to reveal one orange and one neon yellow sock. She couldn’t even remember changing.

  Lexi stared upwards pathetically counting the number of dots on the ceiling. She reached a number somewhere in the triple digits, forgot which ones she had already counted, and then started over again. Then she started losing count of how many times she had numbered the same area. She closed her eyes hoping to block out the pain she was feeling. All she wanted to do was forget that all of this had happened. Close her eyes and wake up to find that everything was back to normal or at least skip to the part where she felt like a human being again.

  She wasn’t sure how long she had been lying there when her phone started buzzing. She didn’t even realize she had stuffed it into her pocket. A feeling of dread took over her body as she stared at the screen flashing Clark’s name. Her stomach curled in around itself wondering whether or not she should answer. Of course, she knew she should answer, but she really didn’t want to hear him say the words that she knew was coming. How could she let this all be over?