Looking Out for Lexy (31 page)

At that moment, the girl he had been with came out.  “Come on, Tom.  I’ll help you to the car.”  She grabbed his arm.  He shook her loose.

            “This doesn’t end here, you street scum.  This doesn’t end here.”  He turned and staggered toward the girl.  Jack watched him go before he returned to the club.  Lexy, and the May’s came hurriedly out the door as he turned around.  Lexy ran to him, throwing her arms around him.

            Jack drove Lexy home, pulling up in front of her house in Ryan’s jeep.  “Don’t worry about him, Lexy.  He’s just a drunken bum.”  He pulled her close and began kissing her fervently. 

           
And you don’t know how he can get when he’s drunk.
  Lexy kept that thought to herself. 

             
Jack grabbed handfuls of her thick, strawberry hair as his tongue penetrated the far recesses of her warm, moist mouth.  Lexy responded boldly, taking his collar in both hands and pulling him down on her.  His hands slipped down to find the heated, firm flesh under her sweater.  They shifted to get more comfortable.

             
“Lexy, sweet angel, I want you now, here.”

             
His hands were squeezing her nipples gently, tugging them to hardened peaks.  He lifted her sweater up and unhooked her flimsy bra.  He tasted her as she moaned his name and reached for the button on his pants.  She fumbled with his zipper and he reached down to help her.  They were both so heated he didn’t think to protect her.  He yanked her slacks and panties down around her knees.

             
“Are you all right with this, Lexy?  Am I hurting you?”  He knew it couldn’t be too comfortable for her with him on top of her with bucket seats.

             
“No, Jack no.  I need you to love me here, now.”

             
“Yeah baby, oh yeah.” 

             
She gasped as his fingers slid inside her.  An involuntary lament filled the car.  Lexy realized it came from her as she exploded in his arms, wriggling underneath him. 

             
“Oh baby.  Yeah.  That’s it, angel.  Come for me.  Just for me.”  Jack held on tightly as she tried to get closer.  Lexy panted as she clawed his arms.

             
Unable to control himself any longer he entered her.  He plunged deeper with each thrust.  Poising himself above her, groaning, he penetrated her sacred chamber a final time, filling her with his honeyed substance.  They lay there, gasping for breath as the windows  steamed up.

             
Jack stroked her hair as she pressed kiss on his chest, laying her head against his open shirt.   Lord, when was the last time he had made love in a car.  High School for God’s sake!
. 

             
  What this woman did to him was unbelievable.  She lay there so innocent and vulnerable in his arms.  He kissed her damp forehead tenderly.

             
“Come on, honey.  It wouldn’t do to have anyone find us in this position.  I could get arrested,  for the my thoughts alone!”
 

             
“Oh Jack.  It feels so right, even here.  I love you so much for being who you are.  You have been so good to me.  No one has ever loved me the way you do.” 

             
She wanted to add, please don’t ever leave me, but didn’t.  A few more kisses later they walked arm in arm around to the back door.  He kissed her again.  She clung to him as if she would never feel his body again.

             
“Jack, I will miss you so these next couple of weeks.”  She sighed deeply.

   
              “I know, angel.  I’ll miss you too.”  I’ll get in touch with you as soon as I can.”

   
              “I want you to stay with me so badly.”

   
              “I know.”  His lips brushed hers tenderly.  “I’ll call in the morning before I leave.  When I get back, we’ll sit down with Ryan.  He needs to know, Lexy.”

             
Lexy sighed. “You are right of course. I think he suspects something already.  He’s questioned why everyone on both sides of the family are blond and blue eyed and he’s not.  I made some story up about recessive genes.”

             
“Do you think he suspects....that I might be his father?”

             
“No.  I don’t think he’s thought about that.  It’s....I can’t explain it.”  Lexy gazed at him.  “It’s not going to be easy, Jack.  He may not take it well.  Even though he's a jerk, Tom is the only father he’s known.”

             
He squeezed her tight.  “It will be all right, Lexy.  We’ll make it all right.  I want to get to know my son.  As a father.  Come on, honey.  Let’s get you in the house.”

             
His plane was leaving at 6:30 and he didn't want Lexy to have to get up to take him.  Besides, this parting was easier than watching her from a plane. 

             
Easy!  Now that was a laugh.  This was one of the hardest things he had ever had to do.  But, he needed to be away to think clearly about what he was going to do about this woman.  He didn’t think she would settle for occasional weekends.  This woman didn’t deserve that kind of life.  Neither did his son.  He had some major decisions to make.  Major decisions! 

    
              He called the next morning before he left and reassured her that she would hear from him soon.  After they said their good-byes, two people were very lonely already.   

Twenty-nine

              Jack drove slowly up the street toward the Latton house.  Trying to call Lexy on the phone was not going to work.  He would just have to take his chances that the Lattons would let Lexy see him, if only for a moment.  If they could speak to one another, plans could be made.  Young Wyatt knew this would be a turning point in his and Lexy’s relationship, whatever happened.

             
Pulling up to the curb in front of the elegant, red brick two story home, Jack kicked the stand into place and hopped off his bike.  Raising his helmet off with both hands, he shook his dark mane as he set it down on the seat.  With grave determination, Jack strolled up the walk, bounded up the stairs and rang the doorbell.

             
The rusty-colored door opened.  Bill Latton had a look of surprise on his face.  Jack could tell that Lexy’s dad hadn’t expected a confrontation.

             
Jack spoke quickly before Mr. Latton could slam the door in his face.  “ I know you weren’t expecting to see me again, but I really would like to see your daughter before I leave.  I’m leaving for Tennessee tomorrow and I’d like to say good bye.”  The boy didn’t like lying to Lexy’s dad about the good by bit, but it had to be done.

             
“She’s not home.  I’ll let her know that you stopped by before you left.”

             
“Could you tell her...” The door slammed in Jack’s face.  Flushed with anger, he sauntered down the stairs to his cycle.  Jack jammed his helmet on, kicked on the bike and roared off in the direction of the nearest payphone.  This time he would demand to speak to Lexy.

             
Pulling up to the sidewalk next to the phone booth, Jack got off the bike and slipped inside the booth.  Dialing Lexy’s number, he waited nervously as it rang.

             
“Hello?”  Brenda Latton’s voice was direct.

             
He hesitated a moment.  Taking a deep breath, Jack asked to speak to Lexy.

             
“Who is this?”  Lexy’s mom’s voice turned harsh.

             
“This is Jack Wyatt.  I would really like to speak with Lexy.”

             
“Well, Jack.  Lexy doesn’t want to speak to you.  In fact, we are not only having a graduation party for her tomorrow, but her engagement to Tom Kane will be announced by both of them, so whatever kind of relationship you thought you had with my daughter is over.  She is happy, so leave her alone.  Good bye dear.”  The phone clicked and the silence in the little square booth was deafening.  Jack stood there with the phone in his hand.  Lexy loved him.  He knew it.  The thought of her marrying Tom Kane made him want to throw up.  She didn’t love Kane, she loved him.  Him! 

             
Clenching his fists, he slammed them against the inside of the glass door, nearly shattering it.  Shoving it open, Jack Wyatt climbed on his bike, numbed beyond words and thought.  Tears welled in his eyes.  Fighting them back, he roared away on his black motorcycle.  He would leave tonight for Nashville and it couldn’t be soon enough.  He needed to be far away from the young woman who had obviously betrayed him.

             
The party had been going for hours and Lexy still hadn’t seen or heard from Jack.  She was getting worried.  Rumors had been flying around that he wasn’t going to college in the fall, but had decided to form a band instead.  Everyone, including her parents, Tom’s parents,  and Tom were getting inebriated.  Seeing a chance, Lexy slipped into the house.  Picking up the phone, she dialed Jack’s number, not caring if anyone came in and found her or not.  She let the phone ring several times before putting the phone back in the cradle.

             
“He’s not going to be home, dear.”  Brenda’s voice pierced her thoughts and she turned to see her mother hanging onto the counter.

             
“How do you know that, Mother?”  Lexy’s eyes looked accusingly at the small figure wavering in front of her.

             
“Because he called yesterday and told me to tell you he was leaving for Nashville to try and start up a band.  He said you would understand and that he had fun with you but it was time to move on.”  Brenda waved her hand in the air.  “See, I told you.  You are better off without that boy.  Tommy will take good care of you.”

             
“I don’t believe you, Mom.  I know he wouldn’t just leave without at least saying good bye.”  Tears were streaming down Lexy’s pretty face.

             
“Well, he did, and good riddance I say.  Go dry your eyes and come back out to the party.  I think Tommy has something to ask you.  I told you that boy was no good.”

             
Lexy turned and ran upstairs.  She didn’t believe her mom, yet a tiny seed of doubt formed in the back of her mind.  Maybe he didn’t love her.  Maybe he was just a bad boy and she’d been the good girl who fell for his charms.  He had certainly explored hers and now she was paying the price.  Without going to a doctor, Lexy knew she was pregnant.  Well, she would have to deal with this, and she would.  Drying her eyes, the pretty, slim redhead stood up.  No one was going to make a fool of her.  Lexy knew that Tom Kane was going to propose and now she would say yes. Lexy would tell him she was pregnant, so they would have to get married soon. He would think the baby was his from the night he passed out.

             
Straightening up, Lexy was every inch the strong young woman.  Walking downstairs and out the door, she made her choice.  A choice that was going to take the next eighteen years of her life.

Thirty

             
The holidays had come and gone.  Lexy had been back to work a few days when Jack finally called.  He sounded miserable.  She couldn’t tell if it was because he missed her or because the weather was so terrible.  The shooting had gone all right once they paid off every official with an open palm.  It meant that he would be gone another two weeks.  Jack had a cell phone with him and gave her the number in case of an emergency.  He was worried about Tom bothering Lexy even though there was now a restraining order.   A piece of paper wasn't going to keep him away if he wanted to get to her.  He gave Lexy the number and told her to call him if she needed him for anything.

             
She wasn’t happy about the extra weeks, but at least she could get in touch with him now.  The sound of his voice helped a little. 

             
Lexy had found a soft, wool blend mahogany sweater that would match his eyes. It would be a welcome home gift.  She couldn’t wait to see it on him.  It would only make him more handsome, if that were possible.  She would have the pleasure of removing it from his body too.  Lexy smiled at her wicked thoughts, and then blushed.  Well, she couldn’t change her ways completely overnight.

             
“Just think. It was a few short weeks ago that I was complaining about a new life and here it is.  It is nothing short of a miracle!  Jack is a miracle.”  Lexy mused to herself as she fixed soup and sandwiches for herself and the kids.

             
“Ryan, Jessie.  Dinner is ready.”