Accept

Chapter 5- Lexie

Bright yellow and orange flames danced in the bonfire pit as the smoky smell of cedar and the crackle of pine reminded me of home. I loved the excitement of the city but missed the quiet simplicity of home.

The crowd continued to build at the party while everyone remained dressed in their green and white apparel from the game. Chris's performance was amazing, and I couldn't wait to tell him so. Besides his talent, his charismatic smile was contagious and it was apparent he had a football career. Even his natural persona with the media reflected his star quality.

I watched for him with every new arrival and wondered what was keeping him. Once again, Kate and I were the only females besides Kim and her roommate Lisa.

Lisa was a transfer student from California and looked like a beach model with tan skin and long blonde hair. My intuitive sensors had a stronger negative vibe about her, but I wanted to remain on good terms since we were neighbors.

I looked up just as Chris walked into the backyard. His smile made my heartbeat heavy with every step I made towards me. Suddenly Kim intercepted him and introduced him to Lisa. Her intentions were apparent as she rubbed her hands on his sweatshirt and smiled. I expected him to continue towards me; however, he appeared to like the attention of the pretty blonde.

The more I watched, the angrier I became with Kim for introducing them and Chris for ignoring me. He continued to laugh at her comments and I was certain he had propositioned her about his 1-time rule.

Unable to listen to the flirtatious laughter any longer, I grabbed another beer and found Kate among a group of people. Socializing never came easy, but I knew I could depend on Kate to carry the conversation.

"Have you met Donnie?" she said, dragging me over to a stocky, dark-skinned boy in front of the fire.

"He just transferred from Nashville and is playing football with Chris and Matt."

I wasn't in the mood to be friendly but knew she was trying to include me in the conversation and take my mind off of Chris.

"Nice to meet you, Donnie, I'm Lexie."

My impression of Donny with his cocky attitude wasn't any better than Lisa's. I pretended to listen while occasionally glancing at Chris, only to become more envious of his flirtation.

Sensing my distraction, Donny grabbed my waist and shoved a bottle of Cinnamon whiskey in front of my mouth.

"Take a drink", he demanded.

I lowered my lips to the bottle and took a gulp. The liquid burned my throat as it warmed my stomach.

"Pretty good, isn't it?"

I coughed while I tried to catch my breath. "I don't know if I would call it good."

Donny grabbed my waist, pulling me next to him. "It takes the chill off," he whispered in my ear.I looked across the fire and found Chris watching us. His mouth was tightly closed and jaw stiff; his gaze not at me, but on Donny.

Donny stared back as if provoking him. Whatever controversy they had was not my concern, and I took the intense moment as a queue to leave.

"Excuse me," I told Donny as I walked into the back of the yard, "I need another beer."

"I'll go with you," he replied and started to follow me.

"No, I'm fine."

Slipping into the dark, secluded corner of the yard, I grabbed a beer from our cooler. I needed to cover the burning sensation on my lips and escape Donny.