Looking Out for Lexy (2 page)

             
Jack had not gotten physically close to her again.  But he'd observed her from a distance.  She knew because every time he'd watched her after that, she'd been able to feel it.  Lexy wanted to talk to him so many times, but didn’t dare. Tom would have made their lives miserable.  They had spoke secretly several times on the phone.  Jack was going to take off after graduation, so it looked  like he was leaving for good.  After a month or so, he would return for her, before they left for college.  She didn’t know it, but he was going to ask her to elope first. 

             
Lexy never heard from him again.  She assumed that Jack changed his mind and left immediately after graduation for Nashville to follow his dream of becoming a rock musician instead of being with her.

             
Over the years as he had emerged as the lead singer of
Rebel Canyon
,
Lexy had followed his career and social life.  He was always linked with this model or that new rising young star, but never for very long.  Jack had never married.  She had married Tom late that summer right after high school, but Lexy never forgot Jack Wyatt.  His music wouldn’t let Lexy forget him.  And, now that she was divorced, with two children.....

             
“Come on Lexy.  It'll be all right. He's just a guy you knew once.”  To herself she added, I’m probably not doing you any favors by bringing you here either.
“I hope you won’t be disappointed.  The party will be fun anyway.”

             
“How could I be disappointed, Thea?  I only hope he isn’t the one that’s disappointed.”  Lexy tossed her glossy, shoulder length cherry colored hair.  “It will be wonderful just to see him again.” 

             
Thea just nodded her head in resignation.  There was no changing this woman’s mind, or opinion of Jack Wyatt.  She doubted that seeing him after all these years would make a difference either.  Lexy was still interested in him.  Thea saw it in her eyes when ever his name was mentioned. 

             
Lexy's friend knew all about Jack Wyatt.  He had quite a reputation with the ladies, especially the groupies that followed the band.  She knew Lexy still saw him through rose colored glass.  People always looked better that way.  Unfortunately this time, Lexy would see him the way he really was, an arrogant, self appreciating male.  It was what Thea was hoping would happen.  Then Lexy could finally get past this crazy crush she still had on Jack Wyatt.  He was not the same person Lexy had known in high school.  Thea was the one who'd been there for Lexy during those anguished times after he'd finally left.  Especially during her pregnancy.....

             
Nevertheless, Lexy had never completely recovered from her infatuation for him.  Lexy had believed Jack would come back for her.  After a couple of months she'd finally accepted the fact he wasn’t coming back and married Tom Kane. 

             
The taxi screeched to a sudden halt, nearly flinging them into the front seat. 

             
“We’re here ladies, on time as promised.  That’ll be nineteen bucks.”

             
“Thanks a heap, Bud.”  Thea yanked a twenty out of her purse, shoving it at him.  Keep the change.”  She smiled sweetly as they exited the cab.  A few choice words filtered out of the taxi as it roared away.                            

             
Thea grabbed Lexy's arm. “Come on, woman.  It’s time to make the grand entrance.”

             
  Lexy Kane's mouth was still open as they entered the hotel.  “Thea.  How could you talk to the man like that?”

             
“Easy kid. You can’t let these New York cabbies get the best of you or they won’t respect you.  Believe me, trying to get a cab here isn’t for the fainthearted.”

             
The mammoth room was brightly lit with glittering chandeliers.  The bar room off to the side was the exception, the lights dimmed for atmosphere. Sounds of raucous laughter floated from the direction of the darkened interior.  Lexy was scanning the crowd anxiously, her palms sweating, her heart palpitating so loudly she swore anyone close to her could hear it.

             
She whispered to Thea.  “Where is he?  I don’t see him?  He is here isn’t he?”  Lexy’s mind was racing in every direction possible.

             
"Let’s just go toward all the laughter, and the bar, of course.  We’ll find him there, I have no doubt.”  With Lexy in tow, Thea threaded her way through the crowd towards the sound of laughter and loud voices.

             
Jack Wyatt was at the bar, two young women hanging all over him.  He bent to whisper something to each of them.  Giggling ensued as they clutched him eagerly.  Thea strolled in the dimly lit room with Lexy beside her.

             
“Jack.  What a surprise to find you at the bar.  And with a woman yet.”  Undisguised sarcasm laced Lexy’s best friend’s voice.

              Hearing her familiar voice, the tall, dark haired crooner turned around.  His eyes narrowed, endeavoring to see the woman with Thea.
Suddenly, there she was.  He felt a wrenching in his gut.  Lexy Latton Kane looked like she'd stepped out of the past right into the present.  Damn!  She looked good.  Sexy Lexy.

Jack
Wyatt tried to forget that girl from his last year at that small Catholic high school in Wisconsin.  All these years, and he still thought about her from time to time.  He'd never managed to recapture the magic they'd experienced together, with anyone else. That night so many years ago, when she'd sweetly surrendered to him.  Then, he hadn't ever really tried to love another.....

             
Oh, hell.  She didn’t waste anytime marrying Tom Kane shortly after he’d left.   Later that summer, Jack had called her home to let her know he was coming back for her.  Lexy's mother had been very cool to him when she'd answered the phone, informing him Lexy was marrying Tom the next month, and that she had told her mother personally, that if Jack Wyatt ever called, to tell him Lexy never wanted to see him again.  Well, the shoe was on the other foot now.             

             
Thea moved forward, dragging Lexy behind her. Abruptly, the former lovers stood eye to eye.  He stared into blue eyes that were the same as he remembered, yet not the same.  Older?  Wiser? Warier?  All of those, but yet, there was something else. He couldn’t put his finger on just what it was.  Jack wasn't sure of anything at this point in time except the fact that every moment they'd spent together came crashing back in his brain, like the waves on the shores of Lake Michigan.  He wondered if she remembered. But no, she had married that jerk...and he had never married.  At this very moment he knew why.  There had never been another woman that had come close to Lexy Latton...Kane.             

             
“Jack, you remember Alex Latton, uh, Kane.”

             
Disengaging himself from the other ladies,
he held out his hand.

             
Move.  Hand.  Move
.
  Lexy's brain willed her hand into his much larger one.  She took a deep breath to calm herself. 

             
“It’s nice to see you again, Jack.”  Her legs were like jelly.  Her stomach was rolling around.   Long, thick dark hair strayed over his wide shoulders.  A few strands fell across his dusky chestnut eyes.  The only differences she observed between the seventeen year old boy she'd loved and the man standing before her now, were a few lines around his eyes and a few pounds that had filled into a perfect body.

             
“The pleasure is all mine, I’m sure, Ms. Lat-, Mrs. Kane.”  His fingers roamed seductively over her palm.  Lexy could barely breathe. Yet she wanted him to hold her hand, no her enflamed body again...forever. 

             
For a moment, his dark chestnut eyes gazed into hers, nearly penetrating their hazy secrets.  Secrets he suddenly yearned, needed to know more about.

             
Lexy saw the gentleness of yesterday in his eyes, but only for a moment.  It was as if time had stopped and they were alone again on the shores of the great lake, the stars so immense and brilliant, that if Lexy reached up, she’d be able to touch the tip of one....  The bitter resentment she'd seen the first time they'd met suddenly returned with a vengeance. 

             
“It’s Lexy, Jack.”  Her voice was barely a whisper.

             
A high squeaky voice suddenly shattered the reverie.  “Jack.  Jack.  I need another drink.  Will ya get me one, honey?” 

             
He stepped back and grinned roguishly down at Lexy, his true feelings masked behind that smile.  "Excuse me.  Ah,
Mrs
.
Kane.  Duty calls.”

             
He signaled the bartender and glanced at one of the girls next to him.  “Don’t worry, babe.  It'll be right here.”  He turned to the other woman.  “I’ll be along in a while.”  One of the girls, fluffy blonde hair and a figure to die for, eyed  him with a pout on her face.  “Don’t be long, Jack, honey.”

             
“Go on.  I said I’d be there.”  He turned back to Lexy, who'd witnessed that little scene with some embarrassment. 

             
“So. Where were we?”   His tall, lean frame loomed over her in the dusky atmosphere.

             
He stared down at the girl he used to love.  “You haven’t changed much, Lexy.”               

             
Lexy.  He'd called her Lexy.
  His crooked smile nearly did her in.  "Neither have you, Jack.”  She shifted her feet uncomfortably. 

             
He continued to stare at her.  How could she still have the same effect on him?  God, he felt like that seventeen year old kid again.

             
“Ah, how long are you going to be in town, Lexy.”

             
“I’m planning on leaving tomorrow, Jack.”  Was that regret she saw in his eyes?  Whatever it was, it was gone as quickly as it had come.

             
She cleared her throat nervously. “You've done very well for yourself.  You know, I’ve seen all your videos.  I have a few of your CD's too."  A few.  That was a joke.  She'd bought every album, tape, and now CD he had ever recorded.  Attending one of his concerts had been overwhelming.  Lexy had even thought about asking to see him afterwards, but nixed the idea when hundreds of female fans had stormed the stage.  She spoke in a quiet voice.  "I’m very proud of you."

             
“Well, Mrs. Kane, I’m glad that you approve.  I don’t know how I would have made it otherwise.”  His rugged face grew dark with anger.  He didn’t need her patronizing him.  Or her approval.  His reaction surprised and bothered him.

             
  Lexy was indignant.  “I meant it as a compliment, Jack.  I really am glad for your success.”

             
“I’m sure that everyone we knew is incredibly impressed by the outcast making good.  By the way, how is the football hero?  Still pushing people around?”

             
The silence that followed was deafening.  Lexy stood staring at him strangely, saying nothing.

             
Jack wasn’t finished with her.  The hurt went deep.  He was taunting her, his gaze devouring every inch of her, pausing deliberately at her breasts, and then continuing on, taking in the rest of her figure.

             
Lexy felt her cheeks get hot.  Her body stiffened.  No one would ever treat her with disrespect again.  “I’m sorry if I bothered you, Jack.  I’ll leave now.”  She started to turn. 

             
He reached for her, swinging her around to face him.  His deep chestnut eyes were nearly black, his square jaw, slightly darkened with a day's growth, set firmly.  He gripped her arms gently, their eyes locked in a struggle of wills. 

             
“Not so fast, angel.  You always liked it when I looked at you that way before, Lexy.  Did you like it with Tom, too?  You didn’t waste any time marrying
him
.”  He released her just as suddenly. 

             
Lexy's voice was composed, her tone even.  "You didn't waste any time getting out of town, Jack."  She hugged herself protectively. She knew that she wasn’t being fair to him. She wasn’t there to fight with him.  What was in the past was over.  Drawing a breath, Lexy began again, her tone calmer, compassionate.

             
“I never minded the way you looked at me, Jack.  It was always....kind of, you know, sweet.  I never felt like you were undressing me, like the others.” 
And you never came for me like you promised you would
.

             
Jack bowed slightly, mocking her. “I’m deeply honored by your continued faith in the good for nothing bad boy.”  Why did she have to be so nice?  As he straightened his lean body, their eyes met again, briefly.  Averting his eyes, he didn't want her to see the loneliness, the longing in them.  She'd always been good at seeing through his tough guy image.  Especially when she looked in his eyes.  She certainly didn't deserve his scorn.  That had always been reserved for people he didn’t care about.....