Chapter 24

The closer it got to Christmas the more unsure I became. Here I was an MMA Champion and a business owner tied up in knots over a woman. I had promised myself not to do this again but here I was contemplating it. Then again, perhaps I was overreacting. Lexie never said anything other than they hoped I would come. Never a signal from her that she had any inclination of starting over with me.

At the last minute, I gave in and decided to attend. Since the gym was closed, I really had no viable excuse. At least that is what I convinced myself of. I had not seen Lexie’s family in at least a year and a half or longer. I was probably in the best shape of my life. I weighed two hundred eighteen pounds but had little body fat. Every vein, every muscle simply just stood out. The only setback was my knee which would flair up, now and then.

I dressed for the party in jeans and a pullover short sleeve shirt. I wore brown leather lace up shoes with a brown leather belt. I had purchased a few bottles of wine for Lexie’s mom and a dozen red roses for Lexie. I really had no idea if Lexie and Cody were still together, but I didn’t give a fuck.

I made sure to be somewhat late so most everybody would be there. I rang the doorbell and Lexie’s mom; Jennifer answered the door.

“Oh my God, I really did not think you were going to come.” she said, getting emotional and hugging me.

“Neither did I, Jen”, I replied.

I handed her the wine and followed her into the kitchen where we were alone for a few seconds. She immediately set the wine down and turned to me.

“Are those for Lexie?” she asked, pointing to the flower.

“Yes ma’am, they are.” I replied.

“Anything I should know about?” Jennifer laughed.

“No ma’am, I saw Lexie at the gym last week and she invited me. It was the first time I had saw her in ages.” I replied.

“Well FYI, they are not together although he’s trying to get back in good graces. I don’t think Lexie will take him back though. They haven’t been together in at least six months, maybe longer.” she admitted.

“Jen, I’ll be honest ... I quit trying to figure Lexie out a long time ago.” I replied.

“So have I, Chris.” she answered, grabbing my hand and leading me into the living room.

Lexie’s dad, Jim was sitting with his brothers George and Bill talking about money. When Jim saw me, he got up and walked over, extending his hand.

“Chris, it’s nice to see again. How have you been?” he asked shaking my hand.

“Very busy sir. Now that the gym is mine, I have a lot on my plate.” I answered.

“Lexie told me they you might show up. I’m glad you did.” he stated.

“Thank you sir, it’s nice to see all of you as well.” I replied.

Just about that time Lexie came through the backdoor and saw me. She walked over and leaned up kissing my cheek and hugging me briefly. She stepped back with a huge smile on her face.

“These are for you, Lexie.” I stated, handing her the roses.

“Thank you, Chris, they’re beautiful. I need to get a vase, be right back.” she promised, walking off.

“Uh, are you guys seeing each other again.” Jim Thomas asked, confused.

“No sir, I haven’t seen Lexie in ages. I have been so tied up at the gym and she mentioned she is studying for the detective’s exam.” I answered.

“Oh, the flowers kinda threw me ... anyway, you’re looking good Chris. Any plans on fighting again?” he asked.

“No sir, my MMA career is over. I have the gym now and a lot more responsibility.” I replied.

I said hello to both of Jim’s brothers then turned to see Lexie coming out of the kitchen. She knew where I wanted to go and grabbed me by the hand. We went out the rear doors and over to where Pops and Maw Maw were sitting. They were all smiles as I walked up.

“How’s my favorite couple doing?” I asked, shaking Pop’s hand and kissing Maw Maw’s cheek.

“We had no idea you were coming, what a surprise.” Pops remarked.

“Well Chris, I’m going to leave you here for a bit so you can catch up.” Lexie stated, walking off.

I sat in the folding chair next to Pop’s and turned the chair to face the both of them. I was sure they were going to have a million questions.

“Are you and Lexie back together?” Maw Maw asked.

“No ma’am, in fact this is the first time I have seen her in about eight months.” I answered.

“So, Lexie told me you bought the gym where you were working?” Pops asked.

“Yes sir. I had it renovated, and we are open and operating at full capacity.” I replied.

“Well good for you, son.” he commented.

“So back to my granddaughter ... any chance you ask her out?” Maw Maw inquired.

“Maw Maw, I have no clue as to how Lexie feels about me. I don’t really believe she wants to be in a relationship with me.” I admitted.

“Chris, do you love her?” Maw Maw asked.

“Yes ma’am. I love her to death.” I admitted.

“Then tell her ... fight for her.” she pleaded.

“Honey, Chris has been fighting a once sided fight for a few years now. Maybe it’s time to move on.” Pops admitted, patting his wife’s hand.

“Don’t you say that to me...” Maw Maw said scolding her husband.

“Just saying, dear...” he smirked.

Thankfully Lexie came walking back bringing her grandparents their plate of food. Having Lexie this close to me brought back a flood of memories. I missed her so much, but I couldn’t let my guard down. Secondly did she even want what I wanted. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye I noticed Cody had arrived with his parents. I could tell he was shocked to see me.

He started in my direction, but Lexie quickly walked up to him and said a few words which looked like it surprised him. She then hugged and kissed both of his parents before returning inside. I sat with Pop’s and Maw Maw for the next half hour and saw little interaction between Lexie and Cody. A few minutes later Lexie’s mom Jennifer walked out to us and asked if she could talk to me for a second. I followed her back into the house and then to the kitchen.

“Chris, I don’t quite know how to say this but I’m going to try. You two love each other but for the life of me I can’t figure out what keeps you two apart. When you two are together Lexie is a different person. Maybe she’s scared of a serious relationship ... I don’t know. But I see how you two look at each other ... it’s pure love.” Jennifer stated.

“Oh, I love Lexie. I will not deny that. But I think there has been too much water under the bridge to fix it.” I replied.

“Please don’t say that Chris...” Jennifer asked, tearing up.

“Jen, this is why I did not want to come. I did not want to ruin your party with issues between Lexie and me. I know what you want Jen, but Lexie must want it too.” I stated.

“I know ... I know.” Jennifer said hanging her head.

The rest of the evening went smooth for the most part. Lexie spent very little time with Cody although to his credit he tried to be around her. We had spoken a few times but if you would have to make a judgement call you would think she was a free agent, not attached to anyone.

I was sitting talking to Lexie’s dad, Jim when his brother George came and sat down next to me. I didn’t care much for George. He had money and likes to brag. That’s why his son, George Jr. was such an idiot.

“Chris, I wanted to ask you something.” he said, barely seated.

“Yes sir.” I answered.

“George Jr. showed me the last fight you were in on the computer. Why in the hell would you put yourself through that?” he asked.

“I’m not sure sir ... maybe because of my past and being picked on early in life. Maybe I want to know just how good I am. Maybe I wanted to face a man that could beat me. I really have no answer.” I replied.

“It’s been a while, are you going to fight again?” he asked, just as Lexie walked up.

“No sir, not professionally. I have nothing to prove to anyone and not sure my knee could survive another brutal match. Now that I own the gym I cannot just leave and go to Brazil to train. I have responsibility now. So, my days of fighting are over.” I replied.

“That’s good to hear, Chris.” Lexie said, smiling.

“You know me, I take a while to listen to people around me.” I answered.

Lexie smiled and walked back into the kitchen to join her mom. Cody and his parents had already left so most of the drama had died off. I decided it was time for me to leave so I told everyone goodbye and walked into the kitchen to tell Lexie and her mom that I was leaving.

“Hey guys, I’m leaving. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.” I stated.

“Chris, why don’t you come for dinner tomorrow?” Jennifer asked.

“I don’t want to intrude two days in a row.” I protested.

“Nonsense, be here for one o’clock.” she demanded.

“Come on, I’ll walk you out.” Lexie said, grabbing my hand.

Walking to the front door holding Lexie’s hand just felt so right. There wasn’t a man walking the face of the earth that I was scared of, but Lexie terrified me. We went out of the front door and walked to my car before she let go of my hand. I had no idea what to do at the moment, but I blindly bent over and kissed her softly on the cheek.

“That’s the best I get for Christmas?” Lexie asked looking me in the eye.

“I’m really not sure what to do, Lexie.” I stuttered.

“Chris, do you still love me?” Lexie asked.

“You know that I do.” I replied, without hesitating.

“Then kiss me like you mean it.” Lexie demanded.

“Lexie, I love you to death, but I simply do not understand you. After all that’s happened, we’re supposed to just pick up where we left off? I so wish I knew what you wanted because I do want you as much as ever. I built my entire life around you only to see it die several times. I’m finally beginning to breathe again. Lexie, I’m really confused ... are you saying you want to do this again?” I asked, my head spinning.

“Chris, I just asked you to kiss me.” Lexie said softly.

“I can’t kiss you like that unless you mean it and I’m not sure you do.” I answered.

“Fair enough ... Goodnight.” Lexie stated, turning and walking away.

Every fiber of my being wanted to run after her, but I stood my ground. I unlocked my car and got in driving off down the street. I arrived home quickly, went in and took a fast shower. I went straight to bed because I had the feeling, I was not going to be able to sleep.

I rolled over at two thirty in the morning still wide awake with only Lexie on my mind. Should I try again and hope it worked this time. My life had calmed down a lot and the issue with the crew had been eerily silent for quite some time. I was not planning on returning to MMA so the only fighting I would do would be in my gym.

Thankfully, I finally was able to fall asleep, but I woke up at about seven thirty in the morning. I ate a bit of breakfast and got dressed still not sure if I was going to Lexie’s for lunch. Around ten thirty I got a call from Lexie’s mom, Jennifer.

“Hey sweetie, you are coming for dinner, right?” she asked.

“I guess so...” I replied.

“Everything ok?” she asked.

“Yeah, I guess. It’s just your daughter.” I complained.

“Oh crap, what did she do now?” she asked, concerned.

“Nothing really. When she walked me out last night, I bent over and kissed her on the cheek. She complained that I did not kiss her correctly. I mean, what the heck?” I asked.

“Oh, I thought it was serious.” Jen laughed.

“I’m not going to play her game again...” I warned.

We talked for a few more minutes then hung up. By then Jennifer had talked me into coming over for dinner. After all it was Christmas day. I dressed in jeans and a pullover shirt and left my house around twelve forty-five and drove straight over to Lexie’s. Everyone was already there when I arrived, so we immediately sat down to eat.