Avoiding Commitment (Avoiding #1)(123)
As the limo took the next exit off of the interstate, Lexi's eyes lit up with excitement. She had spent dozens of evenings inside the walls of the place they were about to be dropped off. Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves baseball team, appeared before them. The parking lot was near empty which signified that there must be an away game. The limo dropped them off at the front entrance of the stadium where they were immediately escorted inside.
Even Chyna seemed impressed by the extent that had been put into a simple birthday party. She'd had her fair share of impressive parties, but this was altogether different compared to the things that occurred in New York.
Lexi, Chyna, and Ramsey followed the usher inside and as they rounded the corner the 755 Club came into focus. Ramsey thanked the guide and sent him on his way as he stepped forward to the hostess. The tall, buxom blonde standing behind the desk smiled pleasantly as Ramsey approached her. They shared a few words that showed they were obvious acquaintances. Lexi's stomach knotted as the woman turned what appeared to be the full force of her charm on Ramsey. She knew it was irrational to feel anything, and honestly, she didn't even know what this feeling was that was taking resident in her stomach.
Ramsey gestured towards Lexi and Chyna and the woman's face soured slightly at the indication that he had brought two dates. The woman's hand reached out and cupped Ramsey's affectionately, but he quickly extracted it standing up even taller than before. Lexi saw the woman's face pinch in at the movement, and she quickly motioned for them to enter.
"What was that all about?" Chyna whispered to Lexi. She just shrugged her shoulders not really wanting to know. Lexi had too many of her own issues to deal with, without thinking about someone else's.
The room they entered was large enough for a party to fill, but not too big that everyone would be so spread out they wouldn't enjoy themselves. The space was already beginning to crowd in. Lexi had originally thought they would be one of the first people at the party which she never enjoyed. It was refreshing that she didn't have to make small talk with people she didn't know nor care to know.
Lights were dimmed and music was playing evenly through the speakers at a volume just loud enough that no one had to speak over the music to be heard. Hors d'oeuvres were being carted around the room on silver platters. There was an open bar along one side of the establishment and another that opened up to a stunning view of the Braves field. The sun had just set across the veranda, and the last hints of pink and orange hues lit up the building before diminishing into darkness.
Lexi's eyes followed the crowd of formally dressed do-gooders noticing a distinct pattern. She set her gaze on the swarm surrounding one end of the bar. Through the crowd a pair of blue eyes seemed to catch sight of her across the room. His mouth opened slightly when he took in her breathtaking beauty, all concentration lost on his eager subjects. He was king for the night and the room full of jesters were keen to do his bidding. The queen at his side appeared elegant and serene in her flowing, gold, silk dress. She upturned her nose as the king extracted himself from her grasp and volleyed himself across the floor to his mistress in red.
Bekah followed quickly behind, speaking before Jack could reach Lexi. "Ramsey," she cried wrapping her arms around her big brother. "What took you so long?"
Ramsey smiled down on her. "I had two gorgeous ladies to escort," he said wiggling his eyebrows up and down and moving to wrap his arms protectively around Lexi and Chyna.
"You came with him?" Jack asked them even though it was pretty obvious to anyone involved with the situation that he was talking directly to Lexi. After the conversation she had with Jack about her date with Ramsey, she was amazed this was all the reaction she had elicited from him.
"Well I did tell him that I would go with him, and I wouldn't want to go back on my promise," Lexi stated pointedly. Jack's eyes blazed at the implications behind the statement, but before he could react, he was shouldered out of the way from behind.
"What the…" he trailed off.
"Lexi, baby, oh dear God. Please tell me you are single. Please, oh please, oh please," Seth cried running his hands down her sides.
Lexi couldn't help but giggle as he scooped her up into his arms. "Seth, put me down," she cried as he twirled her around in place knocking her legs into the unlucky few who didn't get out of the way.
"I'm never letting go," he said setting her on his feet, but dropping his head so that it rested on her br**sts. Lexi let out a peel of laughter at the absurdity of the situation.
"I haven't seen you in forever. The least you could do would be to give me a legitimate hug," she told Seth.
Just then someone stood behind Seth and smacked him hard against the back of the head. "You get off her this instant you pig," Sandy cried grabbing at his arms.
"Oh sweetie, it's just Lexi," he said letting go and turning to his wife.
Sandy nudged him out of the way and reached out to hug Lexi instead of continuing her scolding. "I'm sorry Lexi. It really is good to see you. When Jack told me you were coming, I just flipped by shit I was so excited."
"I can't believe you're here either. Jack didn't tell me you two were coming up," she said glaring over at Jack.
"Don't blame him," Sandy replied swatting at her husband's wandering hands. "Seth didn't think he'd be able to get away so it was kind of last minute."