“She’s gonna be fine, cuz,” I said, patting Kevin on the back as we walked out of the elevator. He nodded confidently.
“I hope so,” he said. “We’re finally talking and I don’t want anything to screw it up.”
“Do you think she-“
“And where the hell were you two?” Kevin and I stopped dead on our tracks and looked up to see Leighanne standing in the middle of the hallway, not caring that she was exposing herself by standing there in a flimsy teddy.
“We went for a walk,” Kevin said, simply brushing off my fiancés clothing. Fortunately, he didn’t find her “display” attractive, though he had Kristin so it really wouldn’t have mattered. Unfortunately, I didn’t either.
“Leighanne, go put some clothes on,” I commanded. She didn’t budge.
“A walk to, oh, say . . . Alex’s house?” The two of us stared at her. We were shell-shocked, to say the least. How had she known? I didn’t tell her before I left. Hell, I was in Nick’s room before I-
“Shit, I’m gonna kill Nick!” I growled, pushing past Leigh.
“Man, Kris’s gonna kill me,” Kevin muttered, following me down the hall. When we reached Nick’s room, I was about to bang on the door when it opened. I practically fell in, Kevin stumbling after me. When I looked up, I saw Nick sitting on his bed, Kristin at the foot of it. AJ was standing by the door and Howie was leaning against the wall.
“Well, fancy meeting you here!” AJ said, his voice unusually chipper. With that, he brushed past us and went across the hall into his own room. I looked back and forth between my cousin and his fiancé. She didn’t look mad. She looked . . . hurt.
“Kris, I’m so sorry-“ Kevin began.
“She’s your sister?” Her question stopped him in mid-sentence. His mouth opened and closed for a few moments, trying to figure out what to say. “You’re sister, Kevin. Is she really your sister?” He nodded, dumbfounded. I glared at Nick.
Nick had explained why he had kept it a secret for me and I understood that. Still . . .
“I . . . I just . . . Oh, I dunno.” My fiancé at a loss for words. It rarely happened. Smiling softly, I stood up and walked over to him, taking his hand and pulling him out of the doorway. Looking over at Nick, I smiled.
“I don’t meant to kick you out of your own room, but can we have a few minutes alone?” I asked. Nick nodded and got up. He ushered Howie and Brian out of the room and I thought I caught a glimpse of Leighanne’s blonde hair as the door shut. Brian was in for it. Sighing, I turned back to Kevin, who had his eyes closed and his head was hung.
“Kris, I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “I-I didn’t mean to-“
“Ssh,” I said, putting a finger to his lips. Standing on tip-toe, I kissed him softly. He opened his eyes and smiled. “Baby, Nick told me everything. I know why you kept it a secret. I have to admit, it does hurt a little that you didn’t confide in me, but I do understand.” He bit his bottom lip and I smiled. He looked so cute when he was bashful. I continued. “I love you, you know that, and I love your family, but with the way I’ve treated Alex . . . “ I sighed, ashamed of myself. “I . . . well, I thought she was just some other girl trying to steal you away. I feel so horrible about the way I treated her. And then her father died and I-”
“Kris, you didn’t know,” he said, softly, wrapping his arms around my waist. “It was my fault the way you acted towards her because I never told you. I just introduced her one night and gave you the wrong impression.”
“I know,” I sighed. “I just . . . I want to make it up to her. And to you.”
“You can,” he said. “JC’s taking Alex and her brother and his girlfriend out to dinner tonight. He invited me and Brian to go with. I’m gonna call and ask if you can come along, too.”
“Kevin, I don’t want to intrude,” I argued, shaking my head. “This is supposed to be a family thing where you get to know her and she-“
“You are family,” Kevin said, kissing the top of my head. “I already consider you my family, Kris. Just as much as Alex considers JC to be hers. I’m sure if you explain to her what happened that she’ll forgive you two will become great friends.” He sighed. “It might make it easier on her if you two become friends if you’re there when she meets Mom, Jerald, and Tim.” I nodded slowly.
“Okay, I guess I’ll come,” I sighed, “but on one condition.”
“What’s that?” Kevin asked. I smiled mischeviously.
“I get a good morning kiss.”
“That can be arranged,” Kevin said, huskily. Bringing his face down to mine, he kissed me hungrily.
“What the hell were you thinking?!?” I yelled at Nick. Yes, he was my best friend, but no, he wasn’t exactly he “brightest crayon in the box.”
“It just kinda came out,” he said, sheepishly. “I didn’t mean anything by it. She was bashing Alex and I couldn’t help it.” Sighing, I leaned against the wall.
“But, still . . .” I sighed. “Did you have to mention it to Leighanne?”
“Sorry, man,” Nick apologized, putting a hand on my arm. “I really didn’t mean to do that. Kristin told her off pretty good, though. Okay, so maybe it was one sentence, but it did get her to leave the room.” He looked around. “Where is she, anyways?”
“In the room,” I sighed. I didn’t want to go in there. Leighanne could be a real b*tch when she was pissed and right now I didn’t want to deal with it. Actually, I never really wanted to deal with it.
“Wanna bunk in my room for the night?” Nick offered. Thinking it over, I nodded.
“I probably should,” I said. “I’m not in the mood for her tirade.” Snickering, Nick clapped me on the shoulder
“Are you ever?”