Page 81 of Lexi, Property of Rhyder

I take off kicking up rubber with only one place in mind—the airport, and then to Lexi’s house.

***

Standing at Lexi’s front door, I run my hand through my hair for the tenth time. I am nervous to see Lexi and how she’s coping with what she went through. After a flight home and a cab to the clubhouse, I was exhausted. My plan was to see Lexi as soon as I landed. However, the pain in my body was telling me I’ve overdone it and needed to rest. So instead, I decided the best thing I could do was to get some sleep and see her first thing in the morning.

So, here I am, anxious as hell, wondering what her reaction will be when she sees me.

Knocking on the front door, it’s immediately opened, and Paige runs out. She hugs me instantly, and I grab her before she knocks me over in the process.

“Hey, Paige. I’m glad you’re doing okay.”

“They let you out. I wanted to call you, but Lexi said it wasn’t a good idea.”

I place her back down and flinch.

“Are you okay?”

I blow out a breath. “I’ll be fine, just sore, that’s all.”

“I’m so sorry. I hurt you, didn’t I?”

I look past Paige and see Lexi in the doorway, and my heart sings.

God, she’s beautiful.

I gently move Paige aside and walk up to Lexi.

She’s standing there, and I see in her eyes she’s happy to see me. Tears start to well as I get closer. “You’re okay,” she whispers.

I cup her cheek. “Yes, baby. I am. Where have you been?”

Lexi looks away, and I notice a tear rolling down her face.

Forcing her face to me, I say, “What’s going on, Lexi? What is it?”

She looks at me, and my heart melts that little more.

I run my thumb over her cheek. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

“I… um… I wanted to come and visit you after it all, I did, but I didn’t know what to say.” Lexi sniffles and continues, “You saved me, Rhyder. Again. You kept your word.”

Paige walks past, and she says as she passes, “I’ll just go inside.”

I don’t reply, I’m too focused on Lexi and how beautiful she looks. “Of course, I kept my word. I was never gonna let anythin’ happen to you.”

Lexi stands back out of my hold and leans against the door. “I’ve gotta go. I’m so glad you’re okay, Rhyder. Really, I am,” she says sincerely.

For the life of me, I can’t work out why she’s so distant.

“Lexi, what the fuck is goin’ on? I thought—”

“I have to go now. Again… thank you for saving my life.” Before I can say anything else, she shuts the door and vanishes before my eyes.

“Lexi, Lexi,” I yell against the door. “Lexi, I’m not gonna leave until you talk to me.” As I go to bang on the door again, it opens and standing there is her father, Mr. Ambers.

“Listen, son,” he says, stepping out and shutting the door behind him. “We cannot express how thankful we are to you and your friends for finding our daughters. If it weren’t for what you did, who knows where they would be. Believe me, the police weren’t getting anywhere.”

“I would do it again if I had to.”

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