My Life With a Gangster

Chapter 5

LEXI

After dinner we cleaned up and sat around the fire out back. Laughing and catching up over our time away from each other. It was so nice to see everyone smiling and having a carefree moment. Not worrying about who could be lurking in the bushes or around the corner.

My phone ringing from inside caught my attention. I excused myself from the conversation before running inside to see it was a number I didn't know. I hesitated for a second and then answered.

"Hello?"

"Lexi?" a very familiar voice replied causing my heart to skip a beat.

"Grace?" I asked just to make sure I wasn't hearing things.

"Yeah it's me. I've been trying to get ahold of you for the last few days. I was hoping maybe we could talk?" she asked in a soft tone.

I felt kind of bad that I forgot all about her. Her parents being killed and her almost dying. Now here she is, recovered and reaching out to me? I felt at a crossroads because I felt a tad bit of guilt from my dad putting her family in the situation he did. Ultimately ending in them losing their lives. But in the same breath I was still upset at her betrayal. I could've died from her actions. I would've never done to her what she did to me.

"Um about what?" I asked hesitantly.

"Well first I'd like to say from the bottom of my heart Lex I am so sorry for lying to you. I hope you can try to understand I was only trying to protect my dad. He forced my hand in so many ways from the mess our parents were in. I blamed you at first for everything because of your dad until I realized you were in the same position as me. We were innocent by standards to our families' mistakes and lies. I miss you, you are my best friend and I'd do anything to make it right. I feel so alone after losing them and I just feel like I don't have anyone to talk to." She said in a shaky voice.

My heart hurt for her. I know the kind of pain she feels and in a sense she is right, we both were innocent in our parents fucked up situations.

"I forgave you a while ago in my heart for everything. Especially after what happened. But I feel like I carried guilt because of my dads actions just how you feel right now. I would be lying if I said I still didn't feel hurt by it but maybe we can take baby steps to fixing things." I replied trying to give her a little grace after everything she's been through.

"Oh Lexi you have no idea how happy I am to hear that" She cried.

"Maybe I can call you tomorrow and we can catch up a little bit on what's been going on in life." I offered.

"I'd love that. I wont bug you so I'll wait for you to reach out."

"Alright, have a good night" I said before hanging up.

I honestly don't know how I feel about that conversation. I feel like it was closure but I also feel skeptical and happy at the same time. I do miss her, and she made some good points. She could be holding hate in her heart after her loss but instead she brought an apology. I respected her for it.

"Who was that?" Kole asked from behind me making me jump.

"Just a sales call" I lied. I felt guilty about it too but I know how he feels about Grace. I'm going to see how things go with her and the feelings I get before I bring the idea up to him.

"Hm okay." He said with a curious look in his eye before dropping the topic. "You ready to go to bed?" he asked.

"Yeah that's fine just let me say good night to your parents."

KOLE

As Lexi lay in my arms peacefully sleeping my mind was going crazy. I can't believe she lied to me like that. I knew straight away it wasn't a sales call, plus she bites her lip when she gets nervous indicating to me she lied. But why? I thought she knew she could tell me anything and talk to me about whatever.

I didn't want to but I had Robby run the number, and to my surprise it was Grace she was talking too. It worries me how big of a heart Lexi has and the history between them could cause her to forgive her. I understand she probably does miss her but its so risky. And even with all of those points what made it to where she felt she couldn't come to me about it. I wanted to ask her but I decided to let it go for now. I want to see if she ends up telling me or just keeps lying about it.

I guess time will tell.

Even though it was such a small issue I couldn't shake how I was feeling. I also couldn't sleep no matter how hard I tried. I decided to get up and head down to the kitchen for some water.

To my surprise my mom was awake drinking some hot tea.

"What are you doing up?" I asked her before pouring myself some.

"I could ask you the same thing" She said with an eyebrow raised as she scanned over me.

"Just a lot on my mind." I replied taking a seat next to her taking a sip of my drink.

"Anything you want to talk about?" She asked

I didn't say anything for a few seconds before I took another drink, setting my cup down.

"Lexi talked to Grace earlier and lied about it." I said staring off.

"Ahhh" she said before setting her cup down and turning to me. "She probably just misses her best friend honey."

"But she can't be trusted" I replied in a frustrated tone.

"I know, I'm not her biggest fan either but she was just helping her parents. Like any child would do. Maybe she's changed." She offered

"I don't know. You could be right or there could be some kind of ulterior motive." I answered.

"Well, she doesn't have her family, Tommy is dead, Pete is wanted, she is a lonely girl who doesn't even have the means for any kind of revenge. I'm not saying lower your guard but I am saying maybe it doesn't hurt to give her a chance." She explained.

"Look at you being all forgiving." I joked.

"They are young, and every young girl goes through spats with their best friend. Even though in our life style we take those things more serious try and look at it from Lexi's point of view. I don't agree that she should keep it from you, but I do understand why she's hesitant to bring it up until she forms her own opinion and feelings on the situation enough."

I nodded my head in agreement. We finished out tea in a calm silence before saying goodnight and heading to bed.

Talking to her really helped me understand. I guess understanding women is a lot more complicated than I thought.

I climbed back in bed slowly wrapping my arms around Lexi so I didn't wake her. Placing a soft kiss on her head before finally falling asleep.