SIX

"Hey, the food's getting cold"

"What?"

"Food. Get off so I can too. I'm really hungry" Ray said trying to push her of the bike.

"Go eat alone. I have things to do"

"Oh no. That wasn't the deal Princess. The day isn't over yet"

"Come on Ray...."

"Don't even think about it. I'm not my dad who'll melt at your feet with just one look from those puppy eyes of yours. I mean it Alexis."

"Argh I hate you"

"I thought we already established that already beautiful."

Alexis stomped in to the restaurant sulking all the way. Now that she got to thinking how Connor would react when he saw her, she couldn't wait to see him. But this idiot wouldn't let her leave. At least not with her bike. He was the most annoying person she knew. She hadn't even realized where she was until a waiter ushered her to a window seat. The same seat she always sat at with Jim whenever they came in. She froze in front of the table at a loss for words. The chairs and table were still the same. As if they were reserved only for her.

"Ma'am are you okay?"

"Yes." she blinked and sat down. Ray was behind the waitress, watching her. If she didn't know him, she would say he took her there just to annoy her.

"We can leave if you want" Or not.

"No it's fine." she cleared her throat. "The usual please" the waitress scurried away, leaving them alone.

"Do I want to know what 'the usual' consists of?"

"A bucket of chicken, fries and a burger"

He whistled. "Your mother lets you eat that every time you come in?"

"Is that supposed to mean something Ray?" Alexis asked clenching her fists. She was seconds away from decking him.

"No. It's just a question jeez Princess. Calm down"

"Stop calling me that. I have a name"

"What's crawled up your ass now?" Alexis pounced ready to punch him but something made her stop. She turned and saw a couple kissing by the door. She should have ignored them but her eyes wouldn't look away. Why was she staring at them like an idiot? They broke apart and all color drained from her face. Connor. The guy kissing that girl was Connor. Her Connor. Without realizing it, she slumped back on the seat her eyes still on them. Connor raised his hand and brushed back the woman's hair, Just like he used to do with hers. Only Alexis couldn't believe that was him. Maybe it was someone else that looked like him. It had to be. Connor wouldn't do that to her. He wouldn't cheat on her.

"Hey are you okay? Alexis what's wrong?" Ray's voice penetrated her hazy mind but she couldn't tear her eyes away from the couple. Please don't let it be him. It's not him. My Connor wouldn't do that. Please don't be him. But then he smiled and Alexis knew without a doubt it was him. Still in shock she turned back to Ray.

"Keys"

"Alexis....."

"Give me back my keys Ray" she pierced him with a cold expression that had him handing over the keys. Having lost her appetite, she rushed out of the restaurant, with her head down. She couldn't believe Connor would cheat on her. He loved her. He'd told her he would wait for her. He'd promised her.

She got on her bike and drove without a destination in mind. She couldn't believe Connor would do that to her. They always spoke on the phone and even face timed when he wasn't busy with school. He hadn't said he'd met someone else. Not even once did he act weird when they talked. Why hadn't he said something? She drove aimlessly for an hour then decided to go home. The sky had turned grey matching how she felt. After the shock of seeing Connor with someone else wore off, anger replaced it. She didn't want to wander around the city especially when she was so angry. Tomorrow she was going to confront that bastard and demand answers.

"Oh great. The whole gang is here" she said under her breath when she arrived home. Big mouth Raymond had gone and called a committee to wait for her. As if she should expect anything less from him.

"Honey are you okay? We've been worried sick" her mother asked.

"Yeah. This is why I don't want you to drive that thing around. It's dangerous especially when it's dark outside" her father added

"I was worried so I came to see if you got home alright" Ray said stepping forward. Needing someone to unleash her anger on, she snapped at Ray.

"Stay the Fuck away from me and my business" then she turned on her parents. "I am not a kid anymore that you have to check up on me every second of the day mom. And dad, I bought this bike knowing very well that I could handle it. When I feel that it's endangering my life, I will let you do whatever you want with it. Until then, leave me alone. All of you!" she walked in to the house pushing Ray aside on purpose. She was sick and tired of everyone meddling in her life. She was a grown woman. The sooner they all realized that, the better.

-------------------------------

"That went well" JR said scratching his chin. Hayley just shook her head.

"I'm leaving. See you later guys"

"Thank you for making sure Alexis got home safe" Hayley told Ray who nodded then left.

Seeing the worry on her face, JR pulled his wife in for a hug. "Hey don't worry. She just had a bad day. She's entitled to that you know"

"I'm worried JR."

"Worried about what? Alexis is fine and she's right. She's not a child anymore which means we have to take a step back and let her be a grown up"

"I want to believe that. But deep down I know this is just the beginning. We should prepare ourselves."

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