Avoiding Commitment (Avoiding #1)(74)

"Oh come on. I know that you've liked Jack since the beginning of time, chica. It's not like you have to hide that fact from me," she said coolly leaning against the sink.

"Jack and I are just friends."

"Yeah and pigs can fly."

"Livy, cut it out. You've been on me about Jack since you managed to get him to that concert. I just don't want to hear it anymore. You know what happened between us after that catastrophe. So just leave it be for once," Lexi cried vehemently.

"I'm just looking out for your own good."

"Sure," Lexi said rolling her eyes.

"You know you can tell me anything though Lexi," Olvia said her tone turning serious. "I wouldn't tell Clark if something happened with you and Jack. You're my best friend. I hope you'd trust me with anything. Or at least all the raunchy details," she said giggling convulsively.

Talk about a guilt trip. Lexi wanted to trust Olivia with the details of what had happened with Jack all those months ago, and what was continuing to happen to this day. Something deep inside told her that the only person she could trust with what she was doing was herself…and Jack, of course. Sure the gravity of the situation was eating away at her, but even that wouldn't open her mouth. How could she tell anyone how she felt when she was having issues discerning that on her own? She knew quite firmly that she wanted to stay with Clark. But she just as firmly knew that she had no intention of giving up Jack…whatever she had with Jack. They had been apart for nearly three years previously, and she just could not imagine her life without him in it anymore. Something about the way they were together this time changed the whole dynamic of their relationship. She just wasn't sure how much it had changed everything. After all, she was still with Clark. He was still with Kate. Neither of them had talked about breaking up. Yet, they still spent time together whenever possible. She didn't know what to think about that, and the last thing she wanted to do was cloud her already misguided judgments with other people's opinions.

"I know I can trust you with whatever, but there's nothing to tell," Lexi lied smoothly. "Now can we get going?"

Olivia clicked the off switch on her straightener, glanced at her perfect appearance, and then nodded. Ten minutes later they were pulling into a rather fortunate parking spot down the street from Chamber. Lexi twirled her own stick straight hair around her finger as she approached the door.

"Stop fiddling with it," Olivia said swiping at her hand.

"My hair doesn't look good so straight like yours," Lexi whined. "I can't believe I let you talk me into this."

"Whatever shut up. Everyone is going to love it."

Lexi strutted to the door and smiled playfully at the bouncer. "Hey Max," she said kissing him lightly on the cheek as she breezed through the door without him even bothering to ask for her identification.

To say that Chamber was dead this Saturday night would have been an understatement. Sure they had gone out a little earlier than usual, but still it seemed that everyone in the city had gone home for Thanksgiving break. Lexi passed the empty dance floor marveling at how hollow the room appeared without bodies swarming the inside. Music filtered through the speakers at a surprisingly reasonable volume for a Saturday night. The only constant in the place was the voluptuous woman behind the bar.

"What do you want girl?" Chasity asked sidling around the corner to give Lexi a hug.

"Whatever you want to make me," she asked easily.

"Vodka, Red Bull, grenadine…the works," she mumbled to herself. "Liv you want one too?"

"I'm driving," Olivia pouted.

"You volunteered," Lexi said pushing her lightly.

Chasity shrugged her shoulders. "I guess that means you'll stick to beer tonight then?" she questioned thrusting an open Bud Light at her.

"You know me so well," Olivia said cheerfully.

"Oh dear, look at who just walked into my bar," Chasity said fanning herself.

Lexi's head swiveled to find out who she was making a fuss about, but she really shouldn't have bothered. Jack was a damn good sight for anyone's eyes, but with Seth and Luke flanking him they were a sexy set. Jack was medium height with his shaggy black brown hair and steely blue eyes. Seth towered over the other two and had a very boy next door look about him that made him appear to be safe. Well, at least until he opened his mouth. Luke had tousled blonde hair and light brown eyes, and was extremely clean cut. Though Lexi knew that Chasity was whistling at the trio, her eyes were solely focused on one boy. His easy smile upon seeing her sitting at the bar sent unexpected butterflies in her stomach. She couldn't tear her eyes away. She didn't even have the excuse of not seeing him often. She just wanted to drink in his every feature. The way he looked right then and there in his worn jeans, tight fit t-shirt, and navy jacket.

"Hey," he said nodding his head at the bunch. "Woah, your hair." He immediately went to Lexi's side and fiddled with a strand of the straightened hair.

She smiled up at him goosebumps kissing her skin at his gentle touch. "Do you like it?" she asked hesitantly.

"You look great," he said before he could filter his enthusiastic response.

"See I told you!" Olivia cried. Lexi's smile widened.

"So, let's start the night off right. Shots all around and give me a hug," he demanded of no one in particular.