Into My Heart

By: Izabel

Chapter 10: Survivor

*~*~*~*

An hour later, the four friends were sitting around Max's kitchen table, two open pizza boxes in front of them.

"So what was the Lucas and Lexi thing?" JD asked, biting into his pepperoni pizza.

Max wiped her mouth and nodded. "Lucas and Alexis Kline. Friends of my family, Kekoa's, Todd's; rich people. The Kline's were one of the wealthiest families."

"Were," Kekoa emphasized.

"Before I got involved with Todd, Alexis was involved with him. Lexi convinced her father to back this company—a new company Todd was beginning with his friend, London. Anyway, Lexi never told her dad it was Todd's company or he never would've backed it. Todd's father is a financial genius, Todd has none of those traits." Max explained. "So the company flops, and Mr. Kline loses nearly half of his total lifetime savings."

"Ouch," Jason winced. "But why'd he invest so much money if he didn't even know who the people were?"

Kekoa jumped in, saying, "Because Lexi's business judgments were nearly as good as her father's. If she hadn't been head over heels for Todd, she never would've invested in his stupid company. Lexi never told her father Todd was in charge of the project that sunk, so he cut her off financially. Well, for the most part. He loved Lexi and could never truly cut her off. Anyways, Todd heard she was broke and dumped Lexi—she had no money so he didn't need her."

"Wow," JD breathed. "This is so twisted." He stood up and poured himself a drink.

"It gets worse," Max admitted sadly. "When he dumped her, Lexi was pregnant with their kid. He denied it being his and called her a slut in the middle of the country club we all belonged to. Lexi killed herself a few days later."

Jason and JD stared at Kekoa and Max.

"So Lucas blames Todd?" Jason guessed.

Kekoa nodded. "Oh yeah. But after Lexi killed herself, Mr. Kline moved the family to Chicago. Lucas still hates Todd, but hasn't been able to find him."

"Why not?" JD asked. "How hard could it be?"

Max leaned back. "Todd was smart and vanished for a little while. I think Lucas knows where he is now, but he's moved on. He's never going to forget, but he's not going to kill the guy."

Jason shook his head. "When did you hook up with him?"

Max grimaced. "About six months later, right after he came back. We were never told about the baby and the real reason Lexi killed herself until the summer I left. That was one of the reasons I ran."

"Do you think he'll leave you alone?" JD asked quietly.

Everyone was silent for a moment. Max looked at Kekoa and pursed her lips. "I don't know. Maybe he'll figure I'm not worth the hassle, and he'll back off."

Jason grinned seductively. "I think you're worth it."

Max laughed, tossing her head back. She kissed him quickly on the lips.

Kekoa and JD exchanged knowing glances. Kekoa looked at the clock on the stove and yawned. It was past midnight and they all had early shifts. "We should go."

"Are you coming back with me?" JD asked.

"Sure," Kekoa replied. She looked at Jason. "Are you staying here?"

Jason glanced at Max who shrugged. "I guess I am."

Max and Jason cleaned up and half an hour later sank into Max's bed. Max curled into a fetal position and Jason maneuvered his body to fit against hers. He held her close to his side, his fingers lazily tracing a pattern on her upper arm. "I love you," he whispered in her ear.

Max smiled in the darkness. "Love you, too, Jase."