~Chapter Nine~
~Donnie’s POV~
I rolled off of her and off the bed. I stood at the end of the bed and just looked at her.
"I can't do this again."
"Do what?" She sat up and looked at me confused. "I thought it was what you wanted."
"I don't like being used at all. On top of that I'm so sick of you changing your damned mind every ten seconds." I crossed my arms over my chest and shook my head.
"Then leave! You know where the door is."
She just waved me away like I didn't matter.
"See that's what I'm talking about." I threw my hands up. "You're so hot and then so cold, it’s really starting to piss me off."
"Well you're acting like you don't want to be here, so just leave. I don't know what you want from me!"
"I just want you to let me in, but you won't do that, will you?!" I moved towards the door. "I'm done trying."
"Fine. Just walk out like everyone else."
"I'm not leaving because I want to, I'm leaving because you are pushing me away."
She just looked away as I headed for the door. I really didn't want to leave, but I couldn't stay with the way she was treating me. There was only so much I could take.
I walked down to Nick's room. I needed to talk to Terri, she'd be the only one who would know what was going on in Alexis mind.
I knocked loudly on their door. I kinda felt bad, between Alexis and I they really didn't get to spend much time alone. If this wasn't so important, I wouldn't be here.
Terri opened the door, kinda standing behind it so all I could see was her head. I really didn't want to know why she was hiding, I had an idea.
"What do you want now?"
"I need to talk to you about Alexis. If it could wait I would but it really can't."
"Fine, give me a few."
Before I could say anything she shut the door in my face.
A few minutes later the door opened again, but it was Nick this time. He waved me on through.
I walked through the door and Nick shut it behind me. We walked over and sat on the couch not saying anything. I could tell Nick wanted to say something, but he didn't.
"It would just be easier if you just said what's on your mind."
"What happened?"
"She is bi polar, I tell you. Like one second she'll be all over me and then the next she'll be bitching at me." I ran my hands over my face. "I'm sure it doesn't help that I got really frustrated with her. But I can't help it when she's being like this. I really don't get it."
"She just is trying to protect her heart. She doesn't know how to let anyone in fully." Terri said coming into the room fully dressed. "I've known here since we were teenagers, so I would know. She's been through a lot of shit. Hurt too many times by those who said they'd take care of here.”
“I get that, I really do, but what I don’t understand is why she’ll be all over me one moment and then the next pushing me away.”
“Simply, she’s just fighting off the attraction she feels for you.” Terri shrugged and sat next to Nick. “You have got to her more then she wants to admit.”
“Oh.” I ran my fingers through my hair. "But how do I get her to stop fighting it?"
"You can't." I looked at Nick shocked. "What I mean is that you can't stop her from doing anything. You have to make her think its her idea."
"Shut up Nick." Terri slapped the back of his head. "What he's trying to say is that my best friend is very stubborn, and will never admit that she has feelings for you, until she is ready to."
"Well that doesn't make me feel any better."
"I'm sorry about that, but its just the way she is. I wish I could say something that will help."
"Its okay, I understand." I sighed and leaned my head back. "I can tell I'm gonna have a fight on my hands."
"If anyone can break down her walls, it's you." I looked up and Terri was smiling at me. "That's something that Brad couldn't do and they were together for five years. Never once did she ever tell him she loved him."
"I can't wait five years for her to realize I'm not like other guys."
"Brad was, and is an assface. You aren't." She shook her head. "Well that I know of, you aren't."
"I've made my share of mistakes, but hurting someone isn't one of them."
"The best thing you can do is be up front with her. Never lie to her if you can help it."
"You should have seen her face when I told her about my boys."
"I'm guessing she didn't take that well?" Nick raised an eyebrow.
"No, not really."
"I think you have bigger things to worry about then your children." Terri said shaking her head. "You need to get her to let you in first before you worry about anything else."
"I know that, I just don't know how to."
"Whatever you do, it won't be easy."
"That's what I was afraid of." I sighed and closed my eyes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~Alexis's POV~
After Donnie left, I just laid there and looked at the wall. As hard as I tried, I couldn't keep the tears from falling down my face.
I don't know why I thought he'd stay, when all I did was push him away.
I hated feeling like I had no control over my life. And in this moment, I didn't.
Shaking my head, I got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. I knew just what I needed to get myself out of this funk. I needed to get out and let loose but this time I wasn’t going to come back attached to anyone.
After a really hot shower and a really sexy outfit, I was ready to hit the club and get my party on. And most importantly forget about the mess my life is right now.
A few hours and few too many drinks later, I found myself face to face with someone from my past, I really wish would have stayed there, Danny St. Patrick. As I was walking to a different club his voice stopped me. I almost ignored him. Almost.
“Well looky here, if it isn’t Alexis Connors.” He looked me up and down. “You’re looking good.”
“I really wish I could say the same for you, Danny.”
The look he was giving me really just made me want to throw up. It’s why I broke up with him in the first place. He creped me out.
“Come on now, there’s no reason to be like that. Come have a drink with me.”
Even though I knew I shouldn’t and that this would lead to a lot of trouble, I couldn’t say no. Saying yes made me feel like I had just a little bit more control.
Most likely it was the alcohol I consumed already.
“Fine, lead the way.”
"There's my girl." He threw his arm around my shoulder and led me to a restaurant instead of another club.
I just raised an eyebrow at him as we sat down.
"We can catch up in here better."
"I guess."
"So how are things going? Its been awhile since I last saw you."
"Things are going okay. Really busy with work and everything else."
"I heard that you finally opened your own shop in downtown, how's that going? Any big clients?"
"A few. And before you ask, no I'm not going to name drop."
"Aw you're no fun."
Before I could respond the waiter came over to take our order.
"What can I get for you tonight?"
"Double rum and coke please." Danny raised an eyebrow at me, but I just ignored him. “And an order of cheese sticks, thanks.”
“And for you?” The waitress flirted with Danny.
“Gin and tonic.”
I rolled my eyes and watched as Danny flirted right back at her. I really just wanted her to leave and bring me my drink back. I was going to need it if I was going to catch up with Danny.
“Can you bring me two double rum and cokes?”
They both looked at me like I was crazy. I just raised my eyebrow at them. She smiled and walked away.
“Did you really have to do that?”
“Do you really have to be such a pig?” I rolled my eyes and crossed my legs. “So what have you been up to since the last time I saw you?”
“Joined the Navy, got married, go divorced, and just working.”
“Well I’m glad she came to her senses then and dumped your ass. I know I was glad when I dumped your ass.”
“Now there’s the Alexis, I know and love.” He grinned at me. “It gets me all hot and bothered when you get all snippy.”
I rolled my eyes as the waitress walked back over to us with our drinks. She didn’t say a word as she set our drinks down. I couldn’t help but smirk as she walked back towards the kitchen.
“I love when you get all bitchy.”
“I’m sure you do. I can see you haven’t changed at all.” I picked up one of my drinks and took a long drink of it.
“What can I say, I know what I like.” He grinned at me and I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t help but smile.
Many drinks and a few hours later Danny had slowly brought his chair right next to mine. He was so close our legs were touching.
“So are you still with Brad?” He randomly asked.
“No actually we’ve recently broken up.” Twirling my straw in my empty glass, I glanced down at the table. “So how’s the slut you cheated on me with?”
“Took me to the bank last year.” He shrugged and gulped the rest of his drink.
“Aw, so sad to hear that.”
“I know you’re not broken up about it.” He rolled his eyes. “So what happened with Brad?”
“He knocked up another girl. Story of my life.”
“So what now?”
“I go on living my life.”
“Maybe even give an old flame a second chance?” He put his arm around the back of my chair and pulled me closer to him. “We could pick up where we left off, ya know getting ready to walk down the aisle.”
Before I could answer him, he tried to kiss me, luckily I was able to turn my head so he got my cheek and not my lips.
“Excuse me for a minute; I have to use the little girl’s room.”
I pushed away from the table and bolted to the bathroom. I needed help and I needed it fast.
Once in the bathroom I pulled out my phone and sent a text to Terri, hoping she wasn’t to pissed at me.
Five seconds later my phone started to ring.
“What?” She snapped at me as I answered my phone.
“I need help.” I said softly.
“Why are you talking so low?”
“In case he followed me.”
“Who?”
“Danny.”
“Danny who?”
“Danny St. Patrick.”
“Shit, where are you?”
“At that restaurant that we had lunch at the second day we were here.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can. Don’t do anything stupid.”
“You mean anything more then what I’ve already done?”
“I’m hurrying.”
I didn’t get a chance to respond before she hung up on me.
I sighed and put my phone back in my purse.
After I washed my hands I headed out of the bathroom taking my time getting back to the table to face Danny. I really hoped Terri got here soon and before I did something I would so regret later.
Danny was all smiles when I got back to the table, but his smile dropped some when I sat across from him, instead of the seat I had been sitting in.
“I was afraid you’d gotten lost.”
“I just freshened up some. So did I miss anything?”
“No, not much at all.”
“Cool.”
“So what do you think of my idea?”
“I really don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll at least think about it. It’s all I ask.”
I just nodded my head and saw a new drink on the table for me.
“I ordered you another drink.”
“I’m good, I think I’ve have enough to drink already.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah, why I’m fine.”
“You seem a little nervous. I don’t make you nervous, do I?”
“No, what kind of question is that?” I rolled my eyes. “So how long are you here for?”
“Just the next couple of days.”
“Aww to bad I’m leaving tomorrow, we could have done something. But Terri and I have spa plans tomorrow before we leave.”
“Terri’s here?”
“Yes, did you think I’d come here alone?”
“I don’t know, I really didn’t think about it.” He shrugged and took a drink of his drink.
I smiled as I saw Donnie and Terri walking towards us. I sat up and waved them closer.
Once Donnie was in reach I stood up fast to hug him, causing me to stumble into him. Thank God for him being nice enough not the let my drunk ass fall to the floor.
I hugged him tight and smiled up at him. He tried to smile back at me and act like he was happy to see me, but I knew he wasn’t. His smile didn’t reach his eyes.
“Danny, you know Terri.” I said pointing to her Patting his chest in my drunken state, I proudly introduced him; knowing at that point he had to be absolutely repulsed by me. “And this here is my husband, Donnie. Donnie this is my ex fiancé, Danny.”