Текст книги "Avoiding Responsibility"

Автор книги: K. A. Linde

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Текущая страница: 14 (всего у книги 32 страниц)

"Don't even get me started," Chyna said wiggling her fingers at Lexi as she reluctantly retreated.

Lexi wandered into the massive ballroom which was crowded with people most of which Lexi had never seen in her life. She did recognize some from the engagement party that she had been forced to attend. Finally, she found Ramsey near the front of the room on the groom's side. As Lexi drew closer, she realized that she recognized the other man who would be seated next to her.

"Adam!" Lexi exclaimed in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"Hey," he said smiling sweetly and accepting a small hug in greetings.

"It's so good to see you," she gushed, a genuine smile appearing on her face.

"Good to see you too. I'm here for Chyna. She asked me to come so I thought it would be fun," he told her.

"Wow. I didn't know you two still talked," Lexi told him. Chyna rarely continued to talk with guys after having a fling with them. There were scant few men that she relied upon for dates at these types of events or for more than a one night stand. The fact that Adam had managed to make a lasting impression on Chyna was something that Lexi was really happy about. Lexi had instantly gotten along with him, and much preferred him to some of Chyna's other choices for dates.

"Yeah we do," he said smiling politely back at her. Their eyes locked for a brief second before he added, "And I see you're still with Ramsey."

"Uh, yeah," she muttered breaking eye contact and looking back at Ramsey, "we are."

Before they could speak any more, music filled the air and silence fell on the waiting audience. Lexi hadn't notice Chyna sneak in so she assumed that had happened while she had been talking with Adam. Her friend was sitting demurely in the front row a lavender t-length dress hugging her features perfectly with a plum and black sash cinching in her miniscule waist. Her long black hair had been swept up into an intricate design and pearls had been knotted into the strands.

As the procession began, Lexi realized that if anything Victoria, the bitch fiancé, had actually been right. Chyna did not fit into this mold. Though, Chyna didn't fit into any mold. She was completely her own being. Each girl that walked down the aisle in the same lavender dress that adorned her friend's body looked insignificant in comparison. All were pale with honey blonde hair which truly did make Chyna stand out as she stood up next to the final woman. If the goal of a bride was to make sure the bridesmaids don't distract from their big day, then Victoria really had her work cut out for her.

All eyes flocked to Chyna's graceful stature. She stood tall, her exotic features highlighted by the pale beauties standing next to her. Those that knew her connection to the family were quickly murmuring the latest gossip to anyone seated near them. The rest just marveled at her and wondered idly to themselves.

Richard took his stance in preparation for his bride just as the Catholic priest asked everyone to rise. Lexi stood to her feet and turned with the crowd to face the back entrance of the ballroom. In a flowing mass of white lace, Victoria appeared in the entranceway. A gasp echoed throughout the room at her sheer beauty. The strapless, princess cut gown fell to her feet and a long train trailed behind her. Her father escorted her down the aisle to the traditional Canon in D played by a string quartet.

The ceremony went off without a hitch and within the hour Chyna had a new step mother. This time Chyna was allowed to follow the processional out since all glory was already bestowed upon Victoria. Ramsey laced his fingers with Lexi's as she followed behind Adam to the reception hall. Since they had been near the front of the room and several hundred people had been in attendance, they were some of the last people to enter.

As they did, Lexi could tell that something was going on. The wedding had been a success despite Chyna having to deal with Victoria's behavior. Yet, as Lexi stepped foot into the reception area, she instinctively knew that something was amiss. Searching around for Chyna, Lexi let her eyes roam the large room with individuals milling around conversing about the wedding.

Then she spotted the group of lavender dresses standing at a side entrance. Without a second thought, Lexi made a beeline for the group. She didn't bother turning around to find out if Ramsey and Adam were in tow, but she assumed that they would be. As she approached, her feeling of apprehension only grew. She had no idea why she felt that something was wrong about the whole scenario, but looking at her friend standing amidst that group of women, Lexi just knew.

"Chyna," Lexi called as she approached.

Chyna turned in place, her face showing all the anxiety of her situation along with a wave of appreciation at Lexi's presence. "Alexa, thank god!"

"Aren't you glad that's over?" Lexi asked hoping to lessen the tension.

"I would be," she said turning her back on the blonde bimbos standing around her. Lexi raised an eyebrow in question.

Before Chyna was able to answer, a woman came storming out of the entrance they were standing in front of. Lexi had never seen Chyna's mother before, but at first glance there was no denying their relation. Except for the twenty year age difference, the two were nearly identical. Her mother was taller, but it was unclear if that was due to the seven inch heels on her feet or not. Her skin was a deeper bronzed color and her eyes even more vibrantly green than her daughters. She was utterly beautiful, and was wearing a look that Lexi had seen a number of times on Chyna.

"Richard, there is no use in speaking with you further," she muttered, her foreign Italian accent still thick on her tongue after all these years.

Chyna's father appeared from the doorway looking furious at the distraction. As he entered the crowded room, his temper only continued to flare as more eyes turned his direction. "Andrea, honestly," he crowed latching onto her thin upper arm and yanking her backwards.

Lexi's eyes opened wide in surprise as he pulled her out of the busy room. "Let go of me," she said smacking his hand. "If I bruise, they'll cancel the Brazil shoot next week."

"They'll cover it up," he growled.

"You'd know," she spat back viciously.

"Welcome to my childhood," Chyna mumbled, sidling up to Lexi for the show.

"What's your mom doing here?" Lexi asked averting her eyes from the couple.

"That's the million dollar question isn't it?" Chyna grumbled.

"I thought she wasn't in the country. Isn't that what you said?" Lexi waited for her to nod then continued, "When was the last you saw her C?"

"I don't know," she shrugged. "When was my birthday?"

"June," Lexi whispered afraid of the forthcoming answer.

"Yeah June…three years ago," Chyna answered staring forward unblinking at her mother.

Lexi tried to cover her surprise. She knew that Chyna's mom wasn't in the picture. Well up until recently her father hadn't been around much either. But she hadn't known that it had been quite that long since she had even seen her mom. Lexi couldn't imagine going that long without seeing her own parents. Not that their relationship was even comparable to what Lexi was currently witnessing.

"Mom," Chyna said her voice carefully controlled. She took a confident step forward and into the conversation that was going on in swift Italian between the couple so as not to draw more attention to them.

Her mother stopped abruptly at Chyna's interruption and looked at her own daughter as if she were nothing more than fly she wanted to swat. "Oh…Chyna, you're here."

"Yeah," she stated awkwardly.

"Well isn't this nice," Andrea commented sarcastically.

"Having all three of us in one place was never considered nice," Chyna replied sincerely.

Andrea huffed at the statement her green eyes calculating. "Perhaps."

"So what are you doing here?" she couldn't keep from asking. "Don't you have a flight your always late to catch or a shoot you've been invited to…or something?"

"Precisely my point," Richard exclaimed.

"Still daddy's little girl aren't we?" Andrea said directing the comment more as an insult that anything.

"I was hardly agreeing with him," Chyna muttered.

"Are you still running around like your father too?" she asked looking her up and down in disgust.

"I don't even feel as if I should justify that with an answer."

"Oh come on honey. You and I both know that he's only going to hold onto this one for as long as the next young thing waltzes into his office," Andrea cried in frustration.

"You say these things as if you aren't with every cabana boy who appears on set," her father cried incredulously. "You are the most hypocritical person in the world. You show up on my wedding day just spout old, petty bullshit about a life that no longer matters to me. About a time that might as well not have existed for me. That's how insignificant and unimportant those years were with you. Now my personal welfare might mean shit to you, and that's fine, but don't come in here and expect me to allow you to insult me. My new, yes young, and beautiful wife is waiting for me. Find your own way out."

Andrea wild green eyes stormed over. The look she shot him was of pure hatred. "Well congratulations to your new whore. May you two have a wonderful life of fidelity and eternal devotion to one another. If you are even capable of being devoted to anyone but yourself," she spat, turning on her heel and rushed away from the group. If she hadn't acted like a complete bitch to her best friend, Lexi would have felt bad for the woman. But under the circumstances, she was just glad to see her go.

"And you," Richard began turning on his only child. The cold calculating man Lexi had met in Chyna's apartment had returned. He wore all the anger that had boiled up with the appearance of his ex-wife, and was redirecting that fury towards the next closest victim. "What part did you play in this?"

"What?" Chyna asked surprised.

"Don't give me your innocent act."

"Did you not see how she treated me? I didn't even know where she was," Chyna said defensively.

"Bullshit Chyna! You're out to ruin me. I get your game now. After the way you treated Victoria…I just thought that it was petty and you would get over it, but this draws a line. I no longer want you in my sight."

Chyna's jaw slackened. "Let me tell you about your pretty princess, you fucking asshole. She is a bitch, a terrible excuse for a human being. You think she's a goddess because you're getting your dick wet. But let me tell you," Chyna growled stepping forward to her father. He usually held such an upper hand that it was incredible to watch her stand up for herself. "She's nothing more than a new toy to you. I wouldn't be surprised if she's fucking someone on the side already. Just look at her, she obviously just wants your money. If you can't see that, then you really are dumber than I thought."

"You will not speak…."

"No, I will speak to you however I see fit," she said looking him up and down, her nose turned up. "You raised me to be strong willed and independent. No matter how much you want me to just disappear from your life that's not happening. I'm a part of you, and you can't just act like I'm a child any longer. Grow up and deal with your mistakes."

With that she turned on her heel and followed in her mother's footsteps. Lexi, Ramsey, and Adam followed quickly behind her all in a state of shock from the drama that had just ensued. Lexi wanted to talk to Chyna about it, but she knew now wasn't the time. Chyna was angry….no she was pissed. And when she was in this state, she was a force to be reckoned with. Nothing anyone would say was going to calm her down at that moment.

When they reached the bottom floor the four of them piled into Chyna's town car. Without a word, the driver zipped them across town to the party that was already in full swing for New Years. They had anticipated showing up fashionably late to the event. Chyna had originally thought they would be even later than they actually were, but they had skipped out on the reception increasing their departure by nearly an hour.

Chyna's silence made it pretty clear that she was still livid about what had just unfolded between her and her parents. Not that Lexi could blame her. If her parents ever treated her or each other like that, she would have been mortified. The fact that Chyna had been able to grow up a semi-normal human being was a bit of a miracle in and of itself. With parents like that she should have been completely fucked up.

When the car came to a standstill, the group rushed into the lobby of the building to escape the frigid night air. "Party is on the top floor," Chyna told them gesturing towards the elevators. "I'm just going to…uh…take care of a few things."

Lexi looked at her suspiciously. The last thing that Chyna needed right now was to be alone. "Do you want company?"

"No, no, don't worry about me. I'm just making sure things are in order," she said vaguely. "Go on up and have a good time. I'll meet you."

Chyna began walking in the opposite direction. Lexi stood there dumbstruck for a split second before starting to chase after her. She made it three steps before a hand came down on her arm. "Hey let me handle this," Adam requested pulling her backwards.

"Uh…wha…" Lexi asked not really formulating any clear words. She was confused as to what was going on. She was always there for Chyna. Chyna was her best friend. She would do anything to make her feel better. Not only that, she had known her for three years and thus, knew what made her feel better.

Adam was a fling, a nothing. Sure he was a nice guy who had helped them out in a pinch…twice, but that didn't give him the right to go talk to Chyna when she was hurting. She needed her best friend, and Adam really just wouldn't cut it.

"Lexi, really, I got this. Go have fun," he said smiling sweetly.

"But she needs me."

"Nah, she'll be alright. Really. We'll meet you," he told her pushing her gently into Ramsey's arms.

"Yeah come on Lexi. Let them be," Ramsey said tugging her out of Adam's grasp.

"I mean okay if you really think so."

"I do," Adam reassured her.

"Call if you need anything," she called to Adam as she let Ramsey guide her away. When they reached the elevators, Lexi murmured, "That's so strange."

"What?" Ramsey asked stepping into the elevator.

"That he thinks he can take care of her. That he thinks she will let him take care of her. That he thinks he knows how to take care of someone like Chyna. I mean yeah he's nice, but Chyna doesn't go for nice," Lexi told him.

"Maybe she does," he said smirking.

"No," she contradicted.

"If he thinks he can handle her craziness, than by all means let him. I just want to have some fun with you tonight, Lexi. And I think I can handle your craziness," he told her playfully.

She smiled up into his handsome face. Raising onto her toes, she reached up and touched her lips gently against his own. Moving swiftly he pushed her body back against the elevator wall and began to kiss the breath out of her. By the time the door dinged open, she was so hot for him her mind had completely forgotten what had occurred downstairs.

"Are you sure you want to stay?" she asked him wiping her puffy lips.

"Oh no, you dragged me here. It's time to party," he told her pulling her into the massive room Chyna had transformed into a New Years Eve bash. Even when Lexi had gone over dozens of plans for the event, she had never anticipated what was in front of her.

The black marble flooring opened up on three sides to floor-to-ceiling glass panes with a view of the city below. Fireworks already lit up the night sky in anticipation of the huge display that would occur at midnight when the Big Apple dropped in Times Square. There were several bars which were overflowing with alcohol. Half-naked waiters and waitresses were wandering around the premises carrying trays of champagne. Dozens of people that Lexi had met while out with Chyna were in attendance; several dozen more Lexi had never seen before. Some waved at her as she passed by obviously recognizing her as well. Lights were dimmed low, and pulsing techno music filtered into the room. A majority of the enormous space had been crafted into a dance floor where people were already bumping and grinding to the beat of the music. All in all the night was already appearing successful.

Ramsey snagged them two glasses of champagne, and made a toast over the increased volume of the music. "To our first New Years together." Lexi clinked her glass against his and went to drink her drink, but he stopped her. "I wasn't finished." She looked up at him as if to encourage him to continue. "May we have many more to celebrate."

Lexi beamed from ear to ear at the implications in his statement. Taking a large gulp of the champagne, she motioned for Ramsey in a come hither motion. He leaned forward and she captured his lips once more. "If you keep this up, we're not going to make it to midnight."

She winked at him, before shimmying seductively out to the dance floor. He followed her, and they spent the next couple hours lost in each other's embrace. She had completely forgotten Chyna when she caught a glimpse of her long black hair which had been pulled out of her elegant hairstyle. She motioned to Ramsey, and he nodded saying he would follow her.

As she approached, Lexi realized that she wasn't alone, and she looked much more like herself…drunk. Just before Lexi reached her, Chyna began furiously making out with the guy who was standing in front of her. Gulping hard, Lexi realized that the person she was sucking face with was Adam. Guess he had worked things out with her after all. Lexi cleared her throat causing Chyna break away from her make out session.

She turned around smiling brightly at Lexi. Her eyes were slightly glazed over, but she looked happy drunk which was a step up from sober angry. "Alexa!" she cried throwing her arms sloppily around her. "Are you having fun?"

Lexi giggled into Chyna's ear as she helped her stand straight again. "Yeah C. You feeling better?" Lexi knew it was a pointless question. Chyna was obviously already better. She had probably drank enough in the short time that she had been gone that she couldn't feel anything. She would have to deal with everything that had happened at some point, but right now was not that moment.

"Don't even know what you mean chica. But I'm so glad you came over here," she gushed leaning into Lexi again for support.

"Oh yeah?" Lexi asked eyeing her apprehensively as Adam righted her again.

"Soooo you know how I've been sketchy lately?" Chyna asked her smile widening. She looked like a little kid in a candy store when her eyes refocused on Lexi. She wasn't certain what Chyna was getting at, but she did know what she was talking about. Chyna had been doing all sorts of strange things lately. Not only was she forgetting things, but she had been skipping out on plans and calling her at random hours to find out why she hadn't made it to their meeting when nothing had been planned. It had all been a little off for Chyna.

"Yeah," Lexi acknowledged.

"Well I actually do have a reason," she admitted. "I wanted it to be a surprise which is the only reason I haven't told you so don't be mad."

"Why would I be mad?" Lexi asked her curiosity growing.

"I have a boyfriend!"

Lexi jaw dropped open in surprise. Of all the things Chyna could have told her that was not what she had been expecting. She had never known Chyna to have a boyfriend…ever. This was just not something that Chyna did. She dated…a lot. She would go out with dozens of guys, but none of them were ever good enough for Chyna. And now suddenly she had a boyfriend? "What? Who?" Lexi asked incredulously.

Chyna glanced over at Adam and smiled seductively up at him. "Who do you think silly?" she asked wrapping her arm around his waist.

Lexi looked between Adam and Chyna in shock. She couldn't even formulate words. She hadn't even known that Adam and Chyna were still speaking let alone that they had been dating long enough for Chyna to consider him her boyfriend. How had she missed putting those pieces of the puzzle together? Had she been so lost in her own relationship that she had missed that her best friend was now in one?

Luckily, Lexi didn't have to articulate her thoughts, because Ramsey broke in, "Congratulations. Adam told me at the wedding, but don't worry I didn't spoil the surprise for Lexi." He reached forward and wrapped Chyna in a quick hug.

"Thanks! Isn't this awesome Alexa? Now we can double," Chyna squealed acting girlier in that moment than Lexi had ever seen her.

Lexi found her eyes drifting back over to Adam. He stared at her his expression a mask to his true thoughts. She wondered what he was thinking about all of this.

"Alexa, snap out of it. Aren't you happy for me?" Chyna asked her voice increasing in pitch.

Lexi sputtered trying to come up with the appropriate response. "Oh my God, C! I'm so happy for you. I can't believe you have a boyfriend." Chyna looked at her warily, but she was too drunk to recognize Lexi's true thoughts.

As midnight approached, the foursome distracted themselves with booze, dancing, and other the pleasure of each other's company. Lexi was gradually getting over her shock, and was realizing that she actually really liked that her friend had a boyfriend, especially one that Lexi got along with. It was still surreal to her, but it did make it easier to keep up with Chyna. Usually by this time, she would be off with some stranger with no hope of Lexi finding her again until morning, but now she actually got the pleasure of enjoying her company up until the clock struck midnight.

With only fifteen minutes left on the countdown, Ramsey got a phone call that he had to take. Lexi followed him off of the floor in desperate need of a break from the dancing. Her feet were killing her in the high heels that adorned her feet. Ramsey angled for the outside patio despite the frigid temperatures and high altitude. She waited just inside for him to finish his phone call taking a seat to give her feet a break. She couldn't wait for him to come back inside so they could complete their evening which had been easily the best New Years she had ever experienced.

When Ramsey did finally walk back inside though, he wore a look of panic. "What's wrong?" she asked immediately terrified that something had happened. She wasn't sure what, but she was instantly concerned that something might have happened to his family. He looked so distraught, she couldn't help her mind from jumping to that conclusion.

"The club is being raided," he barely muttered. She had to strain to hear what he had said, but when it sank in she looked back at him in horror. She was glad that everyone was alright, but this…this could be devastating to him.

"What does that mean for you?" she asked uncertain as to what he was going to be able to do about it. He was hundreds of miles away, and no one was going to listen to the owner over the telephone.

"It means I'm out thousands of dollars, Lexi. It means I'm out. It means I might have to close the place down," he said his tone dead.

"What are you going to do?" she asked her voice reflecting all of the panic that was on his face.

"I have to get the fuck out of here. I needed to be in Atlanta tonight. What the fuck was I thinking? Fuck!" he cried. "I can't believe I listened to you. I can't believe I thought everything was going to be fine. Things don't run without me. They need me there, and I wasn't there. I don't fucking know what I'm going to do Lexi, because I'm in New York City."

Lexi stared up at him as if she had never seen him before. This was not the Ramsey that she knew. This was not the Ramsey that she cared so deeply for. He was taking out his anger on her, and she knew that. She knew, but it still hurt. She tried to keep the tears from welling in her eyes as his words sliced through her. "I…I didn't know."

"That's right you didn't know. God, how could I have been so stupid to let this happen?" he crowed. He ran his fingers roughly through his hair and turned his gaze to the ceiling.

"You had no way of knowing this was going to happen either," she muttered defensively. This was not her fault. He couldn't blame this on her even in his anger. She knew that there was no way that he could have known that something like this was going to happen to his club. This had never happened before. Even if he wanted to claim that it was because he had always been there, she knew better. This had been chance…a fluke. It just happened that he had been out of the state, but it could have happened to anyone.

"Yeah, well, it wouldn't have happened if I'd been there," he growled refusing to hear reason.

"I'm sorry Ramsey," she said weakly unable to process anything else. There was nothing left for her to say. It wasn't her fault, but she did still feel bad about what had happened to him.

"Sorry isn't going to save all of this. I just…I just need to get back into town. I'm going to go catch the red eye or find a private plane," he said beginning to meander through the now crowded room as everyone prepared for the final countdown to take them into the new year.

"You're leaving now?" she asked flabbergasted rushing behind him.

"The sooner I get there, the sooner I can piece this all together."

"But you can't fix anything tonight," she reminded him. Her panic level was swiftly increasing the farther they traversed the room. She couldn't have him leave. There was no reason to leave yet, especially since he couldn't do anything about what had happened. By the time he caught a flight everything would be over with.

"I can't wait until the morning," he grumbled pushing aside a couple that was lost in each other's eyes.

"But Ramsey, it's almost midnight," she said as they stopped in front of the elevators. She knew she sounded desperate by now. He was going to leave her before the clock struck twelve. She could feel it in her bones. She understood his urgency to get out of town, but she couldn't process him leaving with only a minute left before New Years.

"I can't be here any longer. Just…understand," he said stooping low and kissing her cheek. The kiss was rushed. It barely brushed against her skin before he pulled back and pressed the button for the elevator.

"Just a kiss on the cheek?" she asked her face stricken with concern. She couldn't figure out how the night had changed so dramatically that he wouldn't even kiss her. The elevator door dinged open and he stuck his hand out to keep it from closing.

She stepped forward into him not letting him leave without a proper good bye. She knew he was obviously directing more irritation at her then was necessary. Grasping her more tightly than usual, he pulled her flush against him and planted a kiss on her lips. She came up gasping, her hips already sore from his forcefulness.

"I'll call you in the morning," he told her stepping into the elevator; his eyes already distracted.

"Good bye," she called as the doors closed between them.

Lexi walked helplessly back into the crowded room to the chanting countdown. As the clock struck midnight, she glanced around at all the happy couples moved forward to receive their first kiss of the New Year…a kiss she never received.

Making a beeline for the bar, she downed the first drink that was put in front of her, grimacing at the taste of Jack Daniels on her tongue. Pouring the remainder of the contents down her throat, she returned the glass to the bartender and wandered over to a vacant table. Several minutes later, she felt a presence next to her and a voice spoke up asking her, "Is this seat taken?"

Glancing up sullenly, Lexi noticed Adam. "Nope."

He sat down next to her and waited a minute before saying anything. "Where's Ramsey?"

"He left."

"Where to?" he asked mirroring her short sentences.

"Home."

"To your place?"

"To Atlanta."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"Sorry."

"No need."

"Lexi," he asked drawing her attention back to his face. "Are you going to be alright?"

"My boyfriend just left me before I got a New Years kiss, and I don't know if we're going to be alright. How would you be?"

"Good point," he reasoned. "Personally, I think you'll be just fine. He'd be an idiot to leave you."

A small smile touched her lips. "Thanks."

"And as for that New Years kiss," he began leaning forward. "I think it's acceptable to have someone fill in when you're down and out like this."

Her brows furrowed together in surprise at his nearness. "Uh Adam?"

"Yea?" he asked staring deeply into her eyes.

"I don't…what about Chyna?" she asked her breathing remaining level as she waited for his response.

"I'm sure she would allow it for your expense," he told her leaning just a fraction of an inch closer. She took a deep breath knowing that this was her moment. There was always a moment, and either you could take it or not. Her mind was whirring to life as she felt him approaching her. She turned her face just a fraction of an inch as he moved closer brushing his lips against her cheek and pulling away quickly.

When she looked back into his handsome face, his smile was nothing but sweet and friendly. He didn't hold the lust and desire that she was accustomed to seeing in a man's eyes especially after being so close to her. He just looked as if he really felt bad for her, and wanted her to get just one thing to make her happy again.

She touched her fingertips to cheek and smiled back at him. She couldn't resist it. "Thanks," she said tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "I…appreciate you trying to help."

"Of course. I'm going to get back to Chyna. Are you going to be alright?" he asked helping her to her feet.

"Yeah I think I am."

"Hey," he muttered drawing her attention back to his face. "If you ever need anything Lex, I'm here for you."

Lexi nodded not even having the energy to tell him not to call her that. She left the party taking Chyna's town car without a second thought. She hadn't brought money for a cab, because she had been expecting to be with Ramsey. She was so lost in her thoughts that she hardly even noticed when she was dropped off at her apartment.