"What Adrienne?" Stephanie asked, turning around to meet Kevin. "What are you doing here?"
Kevin noticed her voice was forced out harsh, but he was too happy over hearing the news. "Congratulations, Baby. This is great!"
Before Stephanie realized what happened, Kevin had pulled her into a hug and lifted her from the ground. Adrienne smiled and left the room, understanding the couple needed privacy. Kevin sat her back down slowly, keeping her tight in his arms though.
"Kevin, I asked you a question…" Stephanie tried to make her voice sound as venomous as possible.
"I came to talk to you. I was talking to Kristen earlier and…"
"Great, perfect, wonderful. Look Kev, I have things I need to do, so just…"
"Stephanie, be quiet for just one minute to let me explain!" Kevin demanded, his voice still gentle and delighted. "I talk to her and she explained everything that happened the night we supposedly…"
"Supposedly what, Kev? Screwed. Wonderful but I seriously don’t want to hear all the horny little details…" Stephanie was silenced with Kevin’s lips, his tongue parting her lips with ease. When she finally relaxed and kissed back, he pulled away.
"As I was saying, Kristen told me the truth. I had just jumped to conclusions on what happened that night. According to her, I got very drunk and spilt a beer all over myself, explanation for waking up next to her naked. She slept in the same room because all throughout the night I got sick and she helped me back and forth from the bathroom."
Stephanie was still speechless from the kiss, and let his words sink in. She just stared up into his eyes, searching for any sign that he might be lying. It didn’t matter anymore though, she would forgive him of anything now. She just needed him.
"Really?" She asked softly, running her fingers through his soft hair. He nodded honestly and pulled her closer to him.
"I love you, Stephanie and I want you to…" Kevin’s loving words were cut off by Adrienne running in with a cell phone.
"It’s some guy named Nick, he said he needs you immediately Stephanie, it’s an emergency." Stephanie frowned and grabbed the cell phone from her fingers.
"Hello Nick? What’s up Babe?" She asked, listening to the ragged breaths coming from the other end of the line.
"Stephanie, I need you to come over right now. No one else, just you!" Nick sounded like a terrified child.
"Of course Nick, I’ll be right there, but are you sure you don’t want me to call the other guys and bring them…"
"No, I just want you." With that the line was dead. Stephanie turned off the phone and tossed it back to Adrienne and almost ran out of the room.
"Baby, what’s the matter?" Kevin grabbed her arm.
"Nick needs me, come on…" She grabbed his hand and pulled him behind her, completely forgetting she was still in her costume.
****---**---****
"What’s the matter? Why does he need you so much?" Kevin asked, watching Stephanie speed towards Tampa.
"He didn’t say, but you have to stay out in the car. He said he only wanted me there." Stephanie explained, turning down the exit marked ‘TAMPA.’
"I guess I can, but what if something happens?" he frowned, realizing they were pulling onto Nick’s street.
"I don’t know, but give me ten minutes. If I don’t come out in ten minutes or wave out the window or something, come get me." She sighed, pulling into the driveway and killed the engine. "What were you trying to say before Nick called?"
Kevin could see the hope in her eyes and shrugged. "I don’t know…"
"I’ll be back out in a little while." She climbed out of her car and trotted slowly up to Nick’s front door. She tapped on it softly, surprised when it opened. "Nick?"
The house was silent, not even the dogs came to greet her. There was an eerie feeling running down her spine as she shut the door behind her and began to search through his house for him.
"Nicky? Where are you Hun?" Stephanie called out again, hearing footsteps from upstairs. She slowly walked up the stairs, holding her dress out of her way so as not to trip. She noticed every door of the upstairs was shut. She walked to each, opening them to find no one. She cautiously stepped up to Nick’s bedroom door and listened for any movement. She tapped on it first, then opened the door slowly, peeking into the room.
At first she didn’t see him, she noticed his dogs sleeping in a comatose state on the bed. She stepped into the room and found Nick in the corner. She rushed over and noticed a gleam of silver in his hands.
"Nick what’s up? What’s the matter?" Stephanie asked hurriedly, noticing the blank stare in his eyes. He held a gun tightly in his hand, his frame shaking slightly.
"Stay with me Stephanie… I love you and Kevin’s not good enough for you. He doesn’t love you the way I do…" Nick’s baby blue eyes watered, causing him to break down into sobs, as he fell onto her lap.
"Nicky, it’s okay I’m here. Shh, don’t cry. Nick look up at me." Stephanie requested softly, stroking his soft hair. He obeyed her and sat up, locking his eyes with hers.
"Marry me, Baby… I’ll treat you so good. You’ll never cry again. I’ll never make you cry again." Nick asked, touching her face with his palm, pulling her closer to him.
"Nick, baby, I know you think you’re in love with me, but I’m not the right girl for you. There’s someone out there that is just waiting for you." Stephanie explained, noticing his eyes darken at least three shades.
"No, no, no. You are the one I want. I can’t live without you…" He stated, utterly calm as he pulled the gun up to his temple.
"Nick no. Stop." Stephanie screamed. "Nick hand me the gun. Baby, don’t do this."
Nick just stared, clicking off the safety. Stephanie suddenly knocked him over, sending the gun to the floor. A loud gunshot echoed throughout the silent mansion.
**With Kevin**
Kevin heard the gunshot and raced towards the house, his heart beating so harshly it was almost pounding out of his chest. He hurried up the stair case and searched the rooms for his girlfriend and friend. Nick’s bedroom door was wide open so he ran directly to it.
Nick was hunched over Stephanie, shaking like a leaf. Kevin raced to their side, his eyes wide with fear. Nick noticed Kevin and moved away, still shaking roughly. Kevin looked down at Stephanie to find her trembling as well, breathing in raspy gasps.
"My God, are you okay?" He asked, looking her over for any wounds.
"Yes, I’m fine. Check Nick." Stephanie stated, weakly sitting up and crawling over to Nick. He was grasping his right arm tightly, his face paled in pain. "Nick, let me see your arm."
Nick shook his head like a two year old and bit his bottom lip as discomfort coursed through his arm. Stephanie refused to leave him alone, prying his hand away from the small wound in his arm. It wasn’t much of anything, the bullet just grazed his arm causing a small cut. It was bleeding like a battle lesion, staining the carpet with a few drops of maroon blood.
"He’ll be alright. It’s not much. Come on Nick, we’ll go clean it up." Kevin sighed in relief, helping Nick to his feet.