Avoiding Commitment (Avoiding #1)(104)

As they drove back to Lexi's dorm, Chyna kept staring at Lexi in dismay. "I don't want to hear one word," Lexi said pointing her finger in Chyna's direction.

Chyna pulled a zipper across her lips, but raised her eyebrows in further disapproval. A few minutes later as they entered the dorm, Chyna couldn't hold it any longer. "You should have gone with him."

Lexi giggled. "Yeah I probably should have, but there will be other guys and other nights."

Chyna scooted closer to Lexi as they reached the top of the stairs and began walking down the stained hallway Chyna had been so uneasy about earlier that afternoon. "Yeah, but he was delicious."

Lexi giggled again. "Yeah I guess he was."

"I hope he calls you though."

"I doubt he will," Lexi said coming to a stop in front of the door and fumbling for her keys.

Lexi pushed the door open and immediately veered towards the bedroom. Chyna shut the door behind her and walked towards the lumpy couch. She plopped down allowing her aching feet a reprise from their tormentors. Just as her butt hit the cushion, she jumped up screaming in terror at the realization that whatever she just sat on was not a cushion. And now it was moving. Chyna jumped up and down in fear, but unable to move her feet to carry her away from the unknown person.

Lexi darted back out of the room sobering up as soon as she heard the blood-curdling cry echo throughout the apartment. "Chyna what is it?" she cried unsure what she would find. Lexi gasped in surprise at what appeared to be someone rising from the dead. The figure's head hung limp and arms were stretched out in front like Frankenstein's monster. A low menacing moan escaped the person. Just then the figure's head snapped to sideways as Chyna slammed a pillow into the side of his head. Lexi rushed back to the front door, latching on to the handle in the event that they need to make a run for it, and flicking on the dorm light.

Chyna brought the pillow viscously back down on the intruder several more time before a yell escaped the person who was sitting there. "Oww, stop that."

"Get out of here! You can't take our stuff!" Chyna screamed smacking him across the face another time.

"I'm here to see Lexi, Goddamn. Chill out," the intruder cried shielding himself from Chyna's assault.

"Chyna stop," Lexi demanded her feet frozen in place as she stared onwards. Chyna paused mid-swing and then brought the pillow back down to her side. She glanced back at Lexi in confusion. The intruder looked to where she had spoken ignoring the possibility of another attack. Lexi's throat caught at the sight. "This is Jack."

"Jack. Jack Jack. You mean the Jack?" Chyna asked stumbling on the name.

Lexi nodded. "Yeah."

"Well then," she mumbled tossing the pillow onto the loveseat, "guess that's my cue. Sorry." She walked to Lexi and gave her a quick hug whispering into her ear, "Let me know if you need anything sweetie," before retiring to Lexi's door room.

"Jack, what are you doing here? How did you get inside? How did you know where I was?" she asked letting loose a string of questions that had flown through her head at the sight of him.

He just stared her in awe. He stared at her like he'd never seen her before. He stared at her like she was his lifejacket and he was sinking.

"Jack," she whispered the earlier memories that she had briefly escaped were clouding her vision once more.

He stood quickly and scooped her into his arms. "I've missed you so much," he whispered sweetly into her ear.

Goosebumps cascaded up her arms as they circled his neck. "I've missed you too," she admitted.

When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes breathing her in. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" She couldn't believe this was happening to her. She felt like she was so drunk that perhaps she had passed out and was dreaming about Jack being here.

"Don't ask that. I'm sorry for everything. I ended it with Kate. All I saw was you when I looked at her."

"Me."

"Yeah. I was an idiot for staying with her. You're what I want."

"Me?"

"Yes Lexi, you."

"Oh," she whispered breathlessly, pushing her fingers up into his dark thick mess of hair and twisting the strands around her fingertips.

"I shouldn't have come like this."

"No you shouldn't have," she agreed shaking her head.

He pulled back to look at her and her breath caught again as his brilliant blue eyes locked onto her. "I really am sorry for everything Lex."

She nodded knowing he meant it. She let the memory of him telling her that he loved her for the first time wash over her. It had been so long since she had allowed herself to think of that without tears springing to her eyes. He was here for her. He'd come to New York for her.

"I didn't mean to scare your friend."

"Oh don't mind Chyna. She's probably already asleep. How did you get inside anyway?" she asked her brow furrowing.

"One of your roommates let me in. I just told her I was a friend of yours and that I'd wait to see you," he said sheepishly.

"Ugh," she groaned, "you could have been anyone. I'm going to have to talk to them about this."

He pulled her closer against his again. "Well aren't you glad they didn't turn me away?" he asked his mouth turning into his characteristic smirk.