4 Chapter 4 ~ Lying

Kris leaned against her door, her lip being tugged by her teeth. She was wishing it wasn't from Alex, but she couldn't explain why she was nervous.

"Thank you Alex, I had a blast tonight."

"So did I. It's been a long time since I had."

"Do you wanna come in, even for a moment?"

"I would love too, but it's late, and actually, I need to make a phone call. I've been slacking on it and the text message I got was not pretty."

"Let me guess, your mother?" Kris remembered Denise, loved the woman, but Alex was Denise's only baby. Damn it, Alex didn't want to lie, but he just didn't want to tell Kris about Theresa. Okay, this wasn't good when he was officially lying.

"Yeah. All grown up but still a mama's boy." Kris laughed, nodding her head in understanding.

"Then I'll catch ya tomorrow; can't wait just to sit on the beach."

"Yeah, a little sun bathing never hurt anyone. Good night Kris."

"Good night, Alex." He bent down and placed a peck on her cheek, smiling at her as he made his way to the elevator, his room being a couple floors up of the hotel. She sighed, opening the door to her room and making her way to the bed, her hand reaching out for the snow white leopard that she always slept with. It was the one of the few connections she had with Alex. One she was determined never to let got of, or to lose.

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He leaned over the balcony, his eyes taking in the sound of the waves crashing, his eyes scanning the shoreline, his phone and cigarettes sitting right by his arm. He saw the text message, heard the voicemail, and yet still hadn't called her back, knowing that he probably should. But, he didn't want to lie. And exactly what was he lying about? Granted, he wasn't going to mention Kris, okay, tiptoeing around the truth is what that was. He would say he went to the club with D, danced, drank, but that was it. He sighed, opening up the pack and with drawing a stick, holding it against his lips and quickly lighting it before reaching for his phone. He dialed her number, inhaling, silently praying she'd be asleep, but knowing she was a night owl just like he was.

"You remembered me." Despite his feelings, he smiled

"I'm sorry baby, I was just enjoying myself at the club, not feeling my phone go off. Just got in a few minutes ago." Now, that was a lie. He'd been standing outside for the last 15 minutes, debating if he wanted to call or just wait until the morning, knowing she'd understand either way.

"Sweetheart, no need to explain." He pinched the bridge of his nose, hating the feelings tumbling around in him. "Alex, you okay baby?"

"Yeah, why do you ask darlin'?"

"I…I don't know. Just, a strange vibe I guess. Like you're not happy, or something is going on and you're not telling me. You know I'm here baby. Really, you can tell me anything."

"I know, I'm just…I'm tired. I was debating on calling you because I thought I was going to crash, and…"

"Alex, go to bed. Call me in the morning."

"But…"

"No, you're tired, and I understand that. Really, take Ike, snuggle close and go to sleep." Alex had to smile.

"Good night baby."

"Night sweetheart."

"I love you, Theresa."

"I love you too." With that, she hit the off button on her cell, frowning, simply because he never called her Theresa. She sighed, leaning her head back on the couch. Something was troubling him, she knew this, yet had no idea what it was, or what it could be.

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He leaned his head forward, the cigarette burning away in his hand. He shook his head, disposing of the stick before heading back inside and walking over to the bedroom, his eyes landing on the snow white leopard. He walked over to it, reaching out; his fingers brushing through the fur. Ike was his best friend after he lost Kris; it was a gift he won. Actually, it was a set; he had one and so did she. And Ike went everyone with him; it's the one stuffed animal he ever fell asleep with.

He sighed, setting it down by his pillows, turning to plug his phone in the charger. Yes, he was tired, but sleep tonight was not going to claim him, and this he knew. His thoughts were flying a mile a minute. And why were they? He wasn't really doing anything wrong? He hadn't touched Kris, granted he flirted, but hell, he flirted with everyone. And yeah, maybe he had some thoughts, but he was a guy, what guy didn't think? Even if they were engaged. He hadn't acted on those thoughts, that was the plus side. Although, he was now lying to his fiancé about what happened, yet a downfall. Could he sit there and say, though, that he wanted Kris? He took a deep breath, his head dropping; his chin touching his chest, for deep within, that answer was yes.