Looking Out for Lexy (30 page)

   
              “Hello?” 

   
              “Well, I hear a certain couple
were the topic of conversation at the game last night!”  April’s voice came over the line.

   
              “Uhmmmm.  It was all I dreamed it would be.  Tom and Denise  were practically spitting nails.  It was great!”

   
              “Everyone is dying to know who the mystery man is.  I have already had a dozen calls this morning.  I love it.  Of course, I have no idea what they are talking about!”

    
              “You are so funny, April.  That’s why I love you so.  I also know that you loved every minute of it!”  Lexy was laughing in spite of herself.  April had a way of making even the worst things look and sound comical.

             
“Of course.  So when do I meet the man my dearest friend is so much in love with?” 

    
              “He’ll be here at ten.  Come over anytime.”

    
              “I’ll be right over.  Bye.”  Lexy had no sooner hung up the phone when it rang again. 

             
“How is the sweetest girl I know?”  The sound of Jack's voice sent shivers up her spine.  She gained control of herself, barely.

    
              “I’m fine.  Jack, April is coming over to meet you.  I hope you don’t mind.”  Lexy was a little tentative.  She didn’t want to overwhelm him with her life right away.

    
              “That’s okay.  I’d like to meet the one who takes care of my girl when I’m not there.  I’ll be over as soon as I’m showered and dressed.  Would you care to join me?”  He was being very diabolical.

     
              “Will you stop that?  Just hurry up and come home.  I....I mean here!”  Great Lexy!  What would he think now.  What a ditz she was.

             
Jack laughed that great laugh of his.  “See you in thirty!”

             
He arrived dressed in a navy blue sweater and jeans.  His hair was damp, like the night he had come for her the very first time.  Lexy could hardly keep her hands to herself.  Lord, the man drove her nuts.  He made her feel like she was eighteen again.  Only it was much better being older and knowing how to really make love without all the inhibitions of youth. 

             
God, Jack made her feel like a desirable woman.  It was a great feeling.  One she thought she would never feel.  Dreams could come true it seemed, if one truly believed.  Lexy embraced him as he entered the kitchen.  They were still locked in a tender embrace when the doorbell rang.  Lexy reluctantly released him and went to let April in.                  

             
The three of them sat in the cozy living room having coffee and some fresh rolls.  April and Jack talked as if they had known each other all their lives.  Actually, April reminded Jack of his Aunt Isabel, but a much younger version.  He could see how Lexy and she were so close.  They were a lot alike in many ways.  He liked her a great deal already.  Jack could see that she could be a strong ally in his quest. Or a very formidable foe.  He wasn’t quite sure what that quest was yet.  He definitely wanted Lexy, but a ready-made family?   That was a different story.

             
April appraised Jack Wyatt as they chatted.  He certainly was everything Lexy had said he was.  She liked him, especially because of his open honesty when he spoke.  She liked that in a person.  April was on her guard, though.  She could see Lexy getting hurt again.  April would see to it, that would not happen.

             
“I understand that you are leaving next week for Africa to finish up your latest video.  I finally watched one, Mr. Wyatt.  They are definitely not my style, but you are talented.  I can see where my dear friend would like your style.  She's into all that rock and pop music.”  April suspected it was because of this man, Jack Wyatt.

             
“Yeah, I’m leaving next week Tuesday.  These shoots are always done last so we can get in and out of there fast.  You never know what will happen in that part of the world.  They change governments faster than we change our underwear.  The government you made a deal with one day may not be the same one you have deal with when you get there.  We keep a few firearms with us just in case.” 

             
Lexy had gotten up to get more coffee, returning in time to hear their conversation.

             
“You mean to tell me that you really know how to use a real gun?”  She looked shocked.

      
              “Sweetheart, when we go over to an unstable area like that, you need to know how to protect yourself.  When I started doing those types of videos, we were taught by the CIA to protect ourselves because they knew that if we got in trouble, officially, they could not help us.”  Seeing the fearful look on her face he hastened to continue.  “I’ve never had to use a gun, Lexy, and I don’t ever intend to. It’s just a precaution, that’s all.” 

             
Seeing Lexy's white face, April stepped back in to the conversation quickly.

             
“I’m sure that you won’t either, Mr. Wyatt.  Tell me, is the entertainment industry as glamorous as it seems to be?”  April smiled that wonderful, sweet smile of hers when she wanted to change the subject.

             
“It’s not all it is cut out to be.  And please call me Jack.  Mr. Wyatt” is, uh, so formal.” 

             
He gave Lexy a meaningful glance that was not lost on April.  The color was slowing coming back into Lexy's face.  He continued.  “People in the entertainment business have the same problems that everyone else does.  The difference is, the press feels they have to let the world know every time one of us sneezes. I stay away from limelight and the press as much as possible now.  It has enabled me to lead a pretty normal life lately.  It will be over soon anyway.  In a year I’ll be a faded memory.”

             
“You know, Mr. Wyatt, Jack, if you decide to continue, you would not be given a choice.  People would still recognize you wherever you go.”  Jack got April’s meaning.  He glanced at Lexy.

             
“I like it fine just the way it is.  We cut a CD each year and that is that.  I’m not a headline grabber like some of the other guys whose names I won’t mention.  Didn't Lexy tell you this is my last gig?”

             
Lexy smiled at Jack.  “No.  I forgot to mention it.  You know, you could continue to be a big star if you wanted to be, Jack.  You are such a talented musician.  I think you are much better than Steven Tyler or Ricky Martin.  And sexier too!
She added that as an afterthought to herself.

             
“Is that what you’d like to see, Lexy?  Me continuing to be a major star?  Because if it is, I can guarantee that something as simple as going to our....your son’s game would be out of the question.  Could you see what would have happened if say if either of those guys had walked in that gym last night?”

             
He gazed at her expectantly, a familiar, unpleasant gnawing beginning in his gut.  Lexy leaned back against the sofa and laughed.

             
“I never thought of it that way, Jack.  I wouldn’t want everyone fawning all over you.  I’d be so jealous.  You wouldn’t like me like that.” 

             
She laughed again, tilting her head just slightly in that crooked, sort of quirky way he had grown to adore.  The uncomfortable gnawing went away as quickly as it had started.  He breathed a silent sigh of relief.  It was only
his
welfare she had been thinking about.  It was still very difficult for him to acknowledge that anyone would care for him, just for himself.  His first thought had been, naturally, that she wanted to be in the limelight with him.

             
He hoped the sudden shame he felt didn’t show.  April, meanwhile had appraised the conversation between the two of them correctly.  This man was not ready to trust yet, and Lexy was so innocent.  April was certain that her friend didn’t realize why he had questioned her.  She would watch this relationship closely.  She intended to protect her friend from as much mental anguish as possible.  Especially after Tom!

             
“Well, dear, I think I had better get going here.  Steve and the kids are waiting for me to get home.  We have lots of chores to finish up around the house today.” 

             
She rose to leave.  Jack jumped to his feet in polite deference, which did not go unobserved by April.  Chalk one up for him on the plus side. 

             
“It was very nice to meet you, Jack.”  She held out her hand to him.  Taking her tiny hand in his large one, he shook it gravely.

             
“It’s nice to know that Lexy had such a good friend, April.  May I call you April?”

             
“Yes, and she
is
one of my dearest friends.”

             
April gave him a look that told him he better not be messing with her friend.  He smiled, letting her know he got the message.

             
“I’ll call you later on, April.”  Lexy had risen and walked to the door with her friend.  She was glad that April and Jack had gotten along so well.  It was important to her that they were friends.

             
“Mom.  I’m going to the Y to shoot buckets with Donny.”  Ryan loped into the room dressed in sweats.  April looked from Jack to Ryan, and back again, subtly.  She never missed anything.

             
“All right, dear.  Be back at four.”

             
“Aw, Mom.  I’m not a baby anymore.  I don’t need you to check up on me.  You know you can trust me.  Don’t worry.  I’ll be back.  It’s not like I’m leaving for good.”

             
“I know, Ryan.  See you when you get home.”

             
“Bye Mom.  Mrs. Mays.  See ya Jack.”  In a flash the young boy was gone.

             
April cleared her throat.  “I call you later, Lexy.”  Lexy knew that tone.  She would be explaining a lot to her best friend.

             
Jack stood with his arm around Lexy's waist as April got into her car to leave.  They looked the perfect couple as they stood in the doorway.  Lexy deserved someone who would love her the way it was meant to be.  April would see to it that it would happen if it took her a lifetime.  Especially now with Ryan in the picture.

             
April called a couple of hours later to invite Lexy and Jack to go out for the evening with her and husband Steve. They decided on a casual dinner and then a turn at an oldies nightclub for dancing.  Lexy observed that Steve and Jack seemed to get along great.   Dancing with Jack was wonderful, as usual.  Tom had never wanted to do anything like this with her. 

             
April and Steve were like a couple of kids on the dance floor.  He would swing her around and lean her back, imitating Fred and Ginger.  Lexy and Jack danced near them enjoying every minute of it.  The four of them finally found their way back to their table and
the boys
went to get them a couple of cokes. 

             
April leaned over to Lexy.  “He’s great honey.  This man will be yours if you play your cards right.  Remember, he is not just getting you, he’s got to take the whole ball of wax.  Keep that thought in mind, Lexy.”

   
              “Thanks, April.  I know it would be a big step for him.  I’m trying not to push anything.  He hasn’t made any promises, and I haven’t asked.  He’s so great though isn’t he?”

   
              “He seems like a very nice young man.  He could make a good father.”  April gave Lexy a knowing look.  Steve and Jack returned with their drinks and sat down.

    
              “This is a great place.  I want to thank you guys for bringing me here.  It’s been a long time since I’ve had so much fun with...with friends.” 

             
Jack was sincere in his effort to display his obvious pleasure with their company.  He was not used to being treated as Jack Wyatt, the person.  Lexy was gratified.  Things were going fine, just fine. 

             
Until Tom showed up.  He was more drunk than usual.  And it wasn’t Denise he was with.  He spotted them as he weaved his way through the tables, knocking into people.

             
“Well, well.  If it ain’t my lovely ex-wife.  And her boyfriend.”  He could barely stand.  “Lexy girl, how about a dance.”  He shoved the dark haired girl he was with away from him.”

             
“No, Tom.  And you know how I feel about your drinking.” 

He staggered toward her.  Instantly Jack was behind him, Tom's arm wrenched behind his back.  “Time to go buddy.  The lady said no.”  He  forced him to walk ahead of him towards the door.  He stepped outside with her ex.

              He pushed him ahead.  “Stay away from Lexy.  She doesn’t want you around.  Do I make myself clear?”  Jack stood a full head taller than Tom.