Aimed At You

Chapter 21

Three thousand dollars.

Lexie was surprised to receive three thousand dollars from Vance as the first prize of the competition. She knew that the prize money was big, but not this big. Before the gang could leave to celebrate, Nathan reminded Lexie that she had to go to Vance's office to sign a contract. She stalled as much as she could, she didn't want to talk to him. 

When she got there, her father had an indecipherable expression plastered on his face. He was sitting on his big chair, typing something on his laptop. He looked like he always did, serious and unbothered. 

She knocked, "I'm here."

He glanced up and sat back on his chair, "Ah, Lexie. Have a seat." He pointed to the chair facing him. 

Lexie walked towards his table, but remained standing. She wanted to get this over as soon as she possible. He raised his brow at her action and nodded. He grabbed a brown folder from his left drawer, opened it, and grabbed a pen. Lexie was tapping her foot impatiently, looking at everything but Vance. 

"Here," he turned the contract and pen to Lexie and pointed to a line at the very bottom. "Sign here." 

Lexie stared at the contract, not moving. She wondered if her own father would scam her. She grabbed the contract with one hand, "Do you mind if I sign this at home? I'd like to read it over-"

"Home?"

Lexie nodded.

"Where are you living?"

"Doesn't matter."

"Lexie-"

"Can I take this home or not?" She interrupted with an edge to her tone. 

Vance stared at her briefly, studying her face. She looked away. "Bring it here by 9 am tomorrow."

With that, Lexie nodded and walked away without another word. She released a breath she didn't know she was holding when she exited his office. She wanted to thoroughly review the contract, unlike Nathan, away from Vance's presence. 

***

That night, they all drove back to Nathan and Lexie's apartment to celebrate. Leo stopped at a grocery store to buy  beer. The rest of them joined him to buy whatever they wanted. While waiting in line, Nathan noticed Lexie staring at the 2 cases of beer Leo was holding. 

"You drinking tonight?" He asked, startling Lexie.

"No," she answered instantly. "Are you?" 

He paused for a second, thinking. "Nah."

When they got to their apartment, the guys all went straight to the couch. Nathan went to the kitchen to look for something to cook, and Lexie quickly walked away, not wanting to be alone with Nathan. Or maybe she did. There were things they haven't discussed, and they didn't want to spoil the evening with their petty problems. 

"How are you feeling, champion?" Leo asked, grinning. He changed his shirt earlier in the car, and he appeared very different to Lexie. She was used to seeing him in buttoned shirts that has the first few buttons undone, but he changed to a large gray sweatshirt.

"Oh, God. Please don't call me that."

Shane chuckled, "You were really incredible, though! I was sure you'd win when you shot all of the first set."

"Not true," Joe interruped. "You were uncertain."

Lexie playfully gasped, a hand on her chest. "You didn't believe in me?"