Lenore and I had each had a latte while I gave her the rundown of literally every single thing that happened since we parted last. Including the sex. Especially the sex, she insisted. She's my only girlfriend. She's basically mine and Renee's third sister at this point so I'm used to indulging her in my exploits. I insist on her dirty details so I guess it's only fair to return the favor.
I ran the additional two miles down-shore to the area where the coffee shop was before calling Lex. I offered my apologies and let him know our plans. He didn't get huffy which silenced the voices in my head telling me he was controlling. He's just careful, possessive, and concerned about my safety. I'm not convinced it's entirely healthy, but that's a concern I can spend a bit more time with. I just don't want to find myself in another toxic situation. Time can only tell if that's what's happening here.
"So, it sounds like everything is going pretty amazingly with Lex. It doesn't explain why you were basically punishing yourself with that run," Lenore says on the drive back to Lex's beach house. She knows me and my destructive behaviors too well.
"It was less of a punishment and more of a meditation of sorts. I needed time to sift through my feelings."
"I get that. It was a long meditation though. You're going to feel it in the morning. What made you so upset that you needed to meditate?"
I consider my words. Not because I'm uncomfortable sharing them with Len, but because I'm not sure of the reason myself. "Well, it's a lot of things. Obviously, the stress of the entire situation going on down here is a huge factor, but sleeping with Lex has me feeling a bit… out of control. It feels like a bad call. I don't know him all that well, and he doesn't know me literally at all."
Lenore purses her lips before responding. "You're not out of control. Freshman year was out of control. You were just relieving a little stress with a Greek God. You like him and he likes you, and he does know you, Gen. Yes, you've definitely blurred the lines and changed your name, but you're still you."
Deep down I know she's right, but it doesn't make the guilt easier to swallow. Ever the seasoned professional in pushing down unwanted feelings, I know that there will be more time later to unpack this. "I know. It's not like he proposed marriage or something, but I don't like lying to people I care about and I'm starting to care about some of the people here."
"I would say that's to be expected. They're not all bad people, and the fact that this investigation is so personal to you leaves you more exposed."
It's something I didn't consider, but it's not incorrect either. Going through an investigation of this nature, where it is located, with people that knew my sister in a setting like this was bound to be a little close to home - both literally and figuratively.
"I know. I know all of that, logically. Thanks for helping me get my head on straight, Lenore."
"What are friends for? Except hooking me up with one of Lex's hot friends while I'm in town?" she says, wiggling her eyebrows at me. I genuinely laughed out loud, while pulling off my sand-logged sneakers and pulling my legs off the floor and onto my seat.
"Oh, there is a smorgasbord of hot bods to choose from. You'll like Nic. What he lacks in smarts, he makes up for in lack of smarts." I smile at her, earning me a quick swat on my thigh.
"Hey, I'm not threatened by a smart guy. I can hang with the big dogs," she said while turning into Lex's gated community due to the GPS prompt letting her know that we've arrived. "Code?"
Before Lenore was even done asking the question the gate swung open. I pointed to a card sitting on the dash, which she rolled her eyes at. "He already gave you a key, huh?"
I roll my eyes back at her. I know she's just fucking with me. I'd give her the same treatment, but truth be told I feel both elated and guilty about the trust he gave me so early in our relationship. He gave me that card to get into his community about two weeks into my stay in LA. While I'm not a murderer, I am doing an investigation that is going to put him, his friends, and his sister directly in the crosshairs. It feels like a betrayal.
I direct Lenore to pull up beside Lex's car in the wide driveway. She turns the car off and pulls the key out of the ignition before turning to face me. "Ok, game plan?"
"Listen to everything carefully, let me know if you hear anything important. If you happen upon any information about the secret society, Renee's attacks or anything about the Greek system - try to pry without drawing attention."
She smiles, "I meant a game plan about you and Lex and hooking me up with Nic."
I bark a laugh at her. "Wow, you're really on vacation, huh?"
"Mama needs some dick, what can I say?" We both open our doors and walk to the house. To our surprise, the front door swings open before we can even get inside to reveal Abrams standing before us.
"Ellie!" he exclaims, running out to pull me into a hug. I can smell the beer from here. Guess I've been gone long enough for the good times to start flowing.
"Hey, Abrams." I patiently wait for him to release me from his stranglehold before gesturing in Len's direction. "This is Lenore, my friend from home."
They're all cordial smiles and pleasantries while we walk into the house. Immediately a scent I could only describe as savory hit my nose. "Oh my god, it smells amazing in here. I didn't realize how hungry I was."
"Yeah, Lex is marinating some steaks and there's some baked beans warming in the oven. He's in the kitchen chopping up some veggies I think if you want to catch him."
I offer Abrams a smile as Lenore and I saunter leisurely to the kitchen stopping right inside the entrance. Across the kitchen island, I can see Lex chopping up some lettuce for a green salad. He lifts his eyes to mine and I can see the lust leech into them as his pupils dilate. He sets down the knife and starts heading toward us immediately. I take a few instinctive steps back.
"Ah, no! I stink. Can I grab a quick shower?" This doesn't dissuade him. He walks right up to me until our toes are only inches from each other.
"You smell fine," he says, giving me a quick peck on the lips, "but I'm sure you remember where the shower is."
I feel my cheeks heat. I don't think I'll ever forget that shower for as long as I live.
"Hey Lenore, let me show you to the guest bedroom. It's down here on the main floor." He sets off with Lenore off to the other side of the living room while I find my way upstairs quickly peeling off my running clothes. I pull the scrunchy out of my hair noting the large rat's nest it has left behind. If I get in the shower like this I'm going to have a hell of a knot in there when I get out.
I opened a couple of the drawers looking for a comb since mine is in the toiletry bag I had left in the other room. After having no luck there I opened the medicine cabinet behind one half of the large mirror. I see the combs immediately at eye level, but what I find more interesting is on the bottom shelf. Next to his toothbrush and toothpaste is a pair of gold cufflinks. They glint brightly in the harsh fluorescent light of the bathroom. I pick them up to study them closer.
Their engraving is beautiful, if not mysterious. It's of intertwined triangles with a key inside. Before I get the chance to study it more, I hear heavy footfalls coming down the hallway towards me. I quickly return the cufflinks to their space, grab the comb and close the medicine cabinet right before Lexington steps into the bathroom.
"Want some company? I already took a shower, but I could always take another."
At his tone, I feel wetness begin to coat my thighs, but I know that I'm not quite prepared for round two at the moment. "As tempting as that sounds, I'm covered in sand, sea spray, and sweat. Raincheck?"
He winks at me, not the least bit dejected by my rebuff. "It's fine, I still have some shit to get done downstairs. It'll just be us, the boys, and Brooklyn tonight." I scrunch my nose at the mention of his sister - apparently forgetting to remind my face to be nice. He catches the slight immediately.
"I'm sorry she was being a bitch last night. She gets that way when she's high."
"It's fine. I get it." I offer, quickly stepping into the shower. The bitchiness I can dismiss. What has me curious is the fact that her personality can turn on a dime like that. She was a completely different person from the girl I've known thus far. What has me concerned is that aside from being bitchy, she also seemed to be hinting at something to me. Does she know who I am? If she does, has she told Lexington? I shake the idea off for now making a determined decision to try to get a better read on her tonight. I'm glad I'll have Lenore as my backup.