Avoiding Responsibility (19 page)

"Ramsey," she squealed from where she rested in his arms.

"Yes?" he asked before covering her mouth possessively with a deep kiss.

She giggled against his mouth. "Oh nothing," she finally said deciding not to fight what was about to happen.

Just as he reached the stairs, a jingling of keys was heard from outside the door. Ramsey paused as the doorknob jiggled.

"Were you expecting company?" Lexi asked.

"Uh, no," Ramsey said confused.

"Well, then who's here?" Lexi asked realizing suddenly that she was naked from the waist down and someone was about to walk in the door.

"No idea," he said gently placing her on her feet. She scurried across the floor and grappled for her shorts just as the door swung open.

Lexi froze embarrassment immediately reddening her face. There was nowhere to go to eliminate the possibility that whoever walked in that door was going to see her mostly naked. She silently prayed that whoever it was didn't lead to a potentially more problematic week. She wasn't sure how much more she could handle.

Bracing herself for the worst, Lexi glanced up just as a tall beautiful blonde walked through the door. "Alexa darling, please reconsider coming to work for me. You have such a killer body," Lola said admiring Lexi as she snatched her shorts off the floor to cover herself.

Lexi's blush deepened further. "Lola," she said breathing a sigh of relief.

"Lola, what are you doing here?" Ramsey asked hoping to draw her attention away from Lexi sliding her shorts back on.

"Ramsey, are you certain we can't get her into the club?" Lola asked ignoring his question.

"Absolutely not. You already know that."

"Oh dear," Lola said still looking at Lexi, "no need to blush and cover up. It's not as if I've never seen a woman naked."

Lexi laughed uncomfortably as she did precisely that. "So much for being alone," she mumbled yanking the zipper back into place.

"Oh were you two alone," Lola asked a devious smile playing across her features. "Did I interrupt?"

"Lola, an explanation please," Ramsey asked attempting to keep his cool.

"It's Sunday. I hardly thought I needed an explanation."

"Sunday, right," he said smacking his hand against his forehead in frustration. "Fuck, I forgot."

"You forgot?" Lola asked confusion clouding her face. "I don't understand."

"Oh God Ramsey, were you planning to have a party
tonight
?" Lexi asked pointedly crossing her arms.

"It wasn't a plan per say," he admitted begrudgingly.

"We set up here every Sunday. It's more of a routine," Lola reminded her. "You should know that dear." Lexi nodded, but she wasn't happy about it. The last thing she wanted was to be surrounded by Ramsey's friends and employees from the clubs. She had been to her fair share of such events, and she was hardly in the mood for what the night typically entailed.

"Lola we have to talk about this," Ramsey said motioning her towards the door.

"Everything's already here though," she told him standing her ground.

Just then Ramsey's phone began to ring loudly. "Fuck hold on," he said digging into his coat pocket and producing the thin phone. He cursed again when he checked who was calling. "I have to take this," he said apologetically to the two women in his living room. "Lola just…I don't know…just bring everything in. We'll talk about this when I'm done."

"Ramsey, are you joking me?" Lexi asked following behind him. "You're really going to have a party…
tonight
?"

"I have to take this call. I'll talk to you about this in a minute," he said his face set and stern while his eyes pleaded with her to let it go for now.

"Ugh," Lexi grumbled stomping back down the stairs to watch as Ramsey's apartment was transformed before her eyes. She had forgotten how easily everything was set in motion. He threw parties more efficiently than anyone else Lexi had ever met including Chyna, which was really a feat. By the time he would finish his phone call half of the apartment would be set up and it would likely be irreversible.

Lexi slumped down into one of the plush couches and waited for Ramsey to finish his conversation. Lola traipsed over to Lexi's side and perched precariously on the edge of the sofa. "Sorry about all this," she said swishing her blonde hair purposefully to one side.

Lexi just shrugged. There really wasn't anything else to say. "I just thought it was business as usual especially since you haven't been around the last couple of weeks," she threw in inconspicuously.

"Uh huh," Lexi mumbled not wanting to continue to lead the conversation where it was headed.

"About your leaving…"

"Lola let's not," she muttered.

"Yes well obviously it's none of my business," she began twisting a stick-straight piece of hair around her French-manicured finger.

"Well then perhaps you should drop it."

Lola rolled her eyes but persevered. She was used to working with difficult women, and she treated Lexi as if she were no exception. "I am glad you're back you know."

"Wonderful," Lexi said mocking the faux British accent she insisted on using.

"Catty today, are we?" Lola asked smirking. Lexi refrained from answering. "Anyway, about your leaving…I wouldn't think too much into it. He really is working to fix everything. I'd just be patient with him. He's turning his world upside down for you."

Lexi turned her full attention to the woman sitting next to her. She hadn't exactly expected that. Normally, Lola was a little catty herself and entirely too flirtatious. Lexi wasn't sure which team she played for, but if she had to take a guess it wouldn't have been Ramsey's. That had always been the main reason Lexi had never been threatened by Lola and her commanding presence. She ended up flirting more with Lexi than she had ever done with Ramsey. Lexi had briefly wondered if that had more to do with their professional business relationship than her lesbian tendencies, but she had never delved further.

"What do you mean he's turning his world upside down?" Lexi asked tentatively. She had no clue what Lola was even referring to. She hadn't seen or spoken to Ramsey in a month and after she had left Atlanta, she hadn't expected him to continue to work towards salvaging their relationship. Of course he had called her, but it was difficult to distinguish his motives when she refused to answer the phone. But she had needed time to move past their interesting summer together.

"Look I'm not going to give away all his secrets..."

"I'm not sure I'm prepared to learn anymore," Lexi said glumly.

Lola smiled coyly at her. "I'm just saying you should trust me."

"You've given me reason to?"

"You don't have to obviously, but what other option do you have?" Lola asked snippily. Lexi shrugged noncommittally. "That's what I thought. You're back in Atlanta for a reason, and I'm smarter than I look alright? I know this has to do with Ramsey and not this wedding. This wedding was just a catalyst. I'd just trust that things will work out."

"Easy for you to say," Lexi mumbled glancing away from Lola.

"Of course it is, but I spend a good deal of time with him, and I know," Lola said raising her eyebrows and widening her large blue eyes. "I know it when I see it, and he has it…for you."

"And…" Lexi began.

"And no one else," Lola finished for her.

"We'll see."

"No," Lola said shaking her head firmly. "You'll see."

Lexi couldn't listen to her reasoning. Well actually there wasn't much reasoning to it. Lola thought she knew everything, and regardless of how much time she spent with Ramsey, she couldn't know how he was feeling or if they were going to work out. She could say all day that Lexi should trust her judgment, but that didn't mean she was going to. There was too much still unknown hanging in the balance for Lexi to just
trust
anyone right now.

She had been ten seconds away from having sex with Ramsey only fifteen minutes ago. Now she was sitting on his couch with the woman who had just seen her nearly nude while his apartment was transformed and he sat on a phone call. She was quite alright with just following what was happening. If she attempted to plan anything, she was afraid it would all just come crashing down on her….again.

"Sorry about that," Ramsey said sheepishly as he entered the room.

Lexi could immediately tell something was different about him. His demeanor had shifted completely from when he had last exited the room. She wasn't sure what his phone call had been in regards to, but she would put money on it that it wasn't something that she would like.

"It's alright," Lexi stated hesitantly.

Lola took that as her cue and stood. "Well darling the preparations are nearly complete. You're not going to break my heart by canceling are you?" she asked pouting her bottom lip.

"No," he stated firmly. "A party is fine."

Knowing better than to argue when his mind was set, Lexi allowed the remainder of the preparations to continue without a hitch. She wasn't too pleased with the fact that she was going to have to endure a party atmosphere her first night back in town, but there was no turning back now. All she wanted to do was corner Ramsey and find out what his phone call had been about. So far he had successfully evaded her, and she hadn't been able to get close enough to him to know anything.

She could tell it was purposive. For some reason, he didn't want her to know about his conversation. A million different scenarios played over in her head. She kept turning back to the idea that it must be Jack. Perhaps it was because he was on her mind, but it did make sense why he wouldn't want to talk to her about it. Sure he had just been here to talk to Ramsey, but what if he was still having second thoughts.

As a groomsman, it was kind of his duty to be on call about these types of situations. And for some reason that Lexi couldn't fathom, Ramsey felt loyal to his sister. He would do anything to make sure that she was happy even when she was threatening to destroy his life. Bekah had been when he had gone through all the difficulties in his life and for that reason alone Ramsey swore fealty to her.

Though her mind remained fixed on Jack, she couldn't help but wonder if she was overstating Ramsey's importance in this entire affair. Sure Jack had come by to speak with him, but why would he call back? More doubts surely could be triggered since Jack had always had severe reservations regarding marriage. But what would be the point? Ramsey would surely have told him the same things as before. If it hadn't relinquished any of his fears, then it surely wouldn't by talking to him further.

And now that she thought about it, Ramsey hadn't acted this strange when Jack had been waiting for them outside of his apartment. He had been calm and resolute when they had first arrived, and only slightly hesitant afterwards. He hadn't attempted to avoid her. In fact, the exact opposite had ended up occurring.

The usual suspects started pouring into Ramsey's apartment just as the final touches were complete. Lexi was greeted with a warm welcome from Ramsey now former roommates. She had to fend off their advances and couldn't keep from giggling as Brad's hands traveled lower and lower in their friendly embrace. She smacked him hard on the shoulder and turned towards Jason who wasn't much help.

"So you guys moved out?" she asked hopping out of arms reach.

"Yeah, we just got a new place in Buckhead," Jason told her.

"Bachelor pad. Nice," Lexi said smiling.

"Yeah, it's too bad you moved out right when you did," Brad began, "Since Ramsey was…" Jason smacked Brad's shoulder effectively silencing him.

Lexi glanced between the two guys. Both looked as if they had just been caught with their hands in the cookie jar. "Ramsey was doing what?"

"Nothing," they both muttered in unison.

Lexi narrowed her eyes and let them dart between Brad and Jason. "Now listen here. What are you two hiding from me?"

Brad looked at Jason at the same time as Jason looked Brad and then they both shrugged. "Hiding?" Jason asked a smirk crossing his face.

"Are you hiding something?" Brad asked Jason.

"I'm not. Are you?"

"Nope," Brad said popping the last syllable.

"You think you're fooling me, but you're not," Lexi told them over the music.

"Lexi, Lexi, Lexi," Brad said draping an arm over her shoulders, "we would never think of trying to fool you."

"Then what was Ramsey doing?" Lexi persisted.

"I have no idea to what you are referring," Brad muttered looking for Jason for reassurance.

"Yeah you lost me," Jason chimed in.

Lexi let out a deep breath and crossed her arms over her chest. "Are you guys honestly doing this right now?"

Jason and Brad gave each other a meaningful look before venturing forward. "Look we don't want to ruin anything between you two," Jason began.

"Too late," Lexi mumbled.

"It is not," Brad added.

"Anyway," Jason said shooting daggers at Brad, "we just want you to relax and have a good time. Ramsey's changed since he's been with you and we can all tell that it's for the better. Honestly, Lexi whatever he had planned…whatever you may not have known about…it's only good from here on out."

"Why do people keep saying that?" Lexi grumbled. "There's no way for you to know that."

"Well we know Ramsey which is good enough for us," Brad told her.

"Regardless, anything you need to know Ramsey will tell you."

"Yes, because that's worked out so well for us in the past," she stated sarcastically.

"We can't change what happened in the past and neither can you. I'd just look to the future," Jason told her before following Brad out to the dance floor.

Lexi sighed knowing that they were right. Either way she wanted to know what Brad had been about to tell her. Everyone kept telling her that Ramsey had changed and that the future was going to be different, but she couldn't be sure whether or not to believe them. She had come down to Atlanta with hopes. She just didn't want that to cloud her judgment. Too much was at stake this week to not be fully aware of everything that was going on.