| For the next 5 minutes, Kallie hugged her friend for dear life. It was as if he was her angel saving her from near death. Finally, Nick let go of her. “That was a hug I’ll never forget,” he said as he smoothed her hair from her eyes. “What the hell are you doing here?” Kallie asked. “Dad sent me here on business for a few weeks, so I figured I would swing by and say hello,” Nick smiled. Kallie just shook her head in amazement. Standing at 6 feet tall, blonde hair and blue eyes like the ocean, Nick Carter had the looks and personality that made him the object of every teenage girl’s fantasy at their high school. Not to mention he was also heir to the Carter Yacht Fortune, which made him even more attractive to the girls. His father built the finest boats in the world, and started from a local boathouse in Seaside Heights without a penny to his name. His family was the richest out of all the families in the neighborhood, however it didn’t show. Nick was very down-to-earth, unlike most of her fellow classmates; that’s how Kallie and Nick were the best of friends from high school on. People always thought that there would be an eventual wedding between them, however they were more like brother and sister. “You should’ve called me,” Kallie said. “I did actually, last night, but I got your answering machine,” Nick smiled. Kallie’s face crumbled, recalling the night in question, she covered her face and began to cry. Nick, questioning what had happened, gave her another hug. “Come on, let’s go inside and talk,” he said as he put his arm around her and led her inside. They went into Kallie’s apartment and sat down. “You look like you’ve been through the ringer,” Nick said as he sat down. Kallie leaned back on the couch and covered her face. “More ways than one.” “Why don’t you take a hot bath, I’ll try to scrounge up something to eat and we can have one of our infamous chats,” Nick suggested. Kallie nodded as she went to her bathroom. ~*~ Kallie closed her eyes as she reveled in the warmth of the tub. She scrubbed her skin with her body puff so hard it was bright red. She was trying to get rid of her embarrassment, her shame, but most of all her stupidity. How could have she been so naïve? Millions of people are online everyday, why did she think Kevin was IT? Destiny? Ha! It didn’t exist. It was merely for lovesick puppies that could never search for anything. People make choices; fate is never a part of it. Finally smelling something great from the kitchen, she climbed out of the tub, put on her pajamas from the hook of the door and went to the kitchen. “Feel better?” Nick called from the counter. “A little,” Kallie smiled as he placed two plates on the table. “You still are the master cook.” “I dabble a little,” Nick said as they sat down to scrambled eggs, toast, fried ham and orange juice. “Now eat, you look starved.” They ate in silence, with Kallie scarfing down the food like she hadn’t eaten in days. She dabbed her mouth with a napkin. “That was great. Thank you.” “You’re welcome,” Nick smiled. “I still say you should’ve been a chef,” Kallie said. “And piss off the old man? I’m not you. Besides, I love the business. This is just a hobby. Speaking of which, how’s teaching going?” “Great. At first I was scared about moving here and starting all over again with no help from anyone, but then it seemed to fit. It’s nice to be able to actually get up and look forward to work. Why are you here on business?” “Dad wanted me to see how the LA yards were going, plus I have to audit two of our plants.” “How long are you here?” “Three weeks. I’m staying at the Belair. I’m taking my time on this: part vacation, part work. Besides, Dad is running things in Jersey. He doesn’t need me. So,” Nick sat back in his chair, “How’s the people you work with?” Kallie looked down at her hands and began to cry again. Nick got up and ran to her side. “Kallie, what happened? You know you can tell me.” Whatever was going on, he was glad she couldn’t go through it alone. “Nick?” “Yeah?” “Everything’s wrong!” She escaped into sobs. ~*~ “So you thought that this guy Kevin was the online dude you’ve been talking to?” Nick summed up as they were sitting on the couch. “Yeah, so I, you know, last night. I guess it was my crazy-ass thinking that led me to believe. But the signs were all there. When I checked his computer, the screen name didn’t match, so I left before he woke up. How could I have been so stupid Nick?” “Hey, you weren’t stupid. Naïve maybe, but not stupid. You’ve always been the one who goes off, lets it fly. How many people would go to a whole new city, tick off their family, and do their own thing? Only one comes to mind.” “But I slept with someone who wasn’t what I thought he was. I’ve NEVER done that before.” “So you made a mistake. Everyone does sometime in their lives. There are things that I wish I could’ve erased from my life, but it’s there. It either eats at you alive or else you learn from it.” “I just don’t know how I’m gonna face him on Monday. What do I say to him? ‘Uh, sorry Kevin, but I thought you were an online fantasy?’” “Well, you shouldn’t be completely honest with him, but let him down easy. Maybe he realizes he made a mistake too.” Nick and Kallie were stopped by the telephone ringing. “Oh no! It’s probably Kevin… what do I say?” “Nothing, just let it ring; screen the calls.” Nick looked at the panic in Kallie’s eyes as she looked at the phone. He knew he had to make a decision. “Listen… how about I stay here for the duration of my trip?” Kallie shook her head. “I can’t let you do that.” “Why not? Your couch folds out to a bed and you could use the company. It’ll be like old times. Plus I saw some great basketball courts down the street. We could go one-on-one. What do you say? Should I get my stuff?” Kallie wanted to say no at first, but knowing she could talk to him meant more than anything else could in the world. She just gave him a hug. “I guess that’s a yes.” ~*~ Kallie woke up that Monday morning, aching to call in sick but she didn’t want to let her work suffer. She groggily went to the shower, shivering out of more nervousness because the water was piping hot. She got dressed and went into the kitchen, where Nick, clad in a very expensive suit, was pouring coffee into two mugs. “Morning,” Nick said as he handed the coffee to Kallie. “Morning,” Kallie sipped her coffee as she sat down. “Busy day?” “Gotta start the audit in one of the plants today. But I’ll be off early hopefully.” Kallie nodded, trying to qualm the knots in her stomach. Nick, seeing the trepidation in her eyes, patted her hand. “It’s going to be OK you know.” “That’s the thing, I don’t.” “Why don’t I drive you in? I’ll pick you up after work. You don’t look like you should be driving.” “You know you are too good for me.” Nick tugged at his lapel. “I do what I can.” He finished his coffee. “Ready?” “No, but you’ll make me be ready.” Nick responded by pulling her chair out and guiding her up by her shoulders. “Let’s go.” They pulled up to the school, with kids who were outside taking notice of the new silver BMW roadster driving by. That was the one thing Nick was flashy with, cars. He stopped as Kallie got her briefcase. “Have a good day at work,” Nick smiled as Kallie got out. Kallie walked onto the sidewalk as Nick screeched away. She then saw Deana standing there, waiting for her to come in. “Hey,” Kallie smiled. “Hey,” Deana said nodding her head towards the street. “What’s with the BMW?” “Oh,” Kallie laughed a little. “An old friend.” “I see,” Deana said. “Ready for the troops?” “Y-yeah, let’s go,” Kallie sighed as she and Deana went into the school. ~*~ Relieved, Kallie walked in to only find Amy sitting at the table drinking coffee. She set her briefcase down and sat with a huge sigh. “Morning,” Amy said as she set down her cup. “Have a good weekend?” Kallie nodded. “It was OK.” “OK?” Deana said as she poured herself a cup and sat down. “I thought you would, by the chauffeur service you received this morning.” Kallie was going to speak as she heard the door open and stared with fear as Kevin entered the room. He exchanged a look with Kallie as he strode into the room. “Morning all.” “Hey Kev,” Amy smiled. “Have a good weekend?” Kallie looked at her hands as she felt a pause from him. “It was a mix.” Kevin sat down opposite from Kallie where she couldn’t even lift her head up. What she needed was to get away. “Uh guys, I have to grade some tests. I’ll see you later.” Without even hearing anything or looking up, she walked out of the room and practically ran to her classroom. ~*~ The day went by slowly, as Kallie tried everything in her power to avoid his presence. She reverted her way around to avoid his room. She stayed in her classroom during her free periods. Finally, she was ever so glad when the final bell rang and she quickly collected her papers and walked out where Nick would be waiting. 3 steps from the door, she stopped when a figure stepped in her way. She shuddered to look up because she knew who it was. “Hey Kevin.” “Hey,” Kevin said in a low voice. “Got a minute?” “Um, yeah, sure,” Kallie stammered as Kevin led her to an empty classroom. “So… I think we should talk,” Kevin said. All she could do was nod as he walked up to her. “Why did you leave? I woke up and you were just… gone.” “Kevin,” Kallie’s voice was shaking as she tried to fight tears. “I’ve never done anything like that before. I mean, it spooked me. I don’t know if it was loneliness or the night, or the full moon. But I hope you understand that…” “Hey,” Kevin stopped her. “I know you’re not the type of person who has one night stands. I’m not either. When you weren’t there, it was worry more than anything. I was afraid that you were thinking that was my assumption of you.” “So… so everything’s alright?” Kallie asked. “More than alright. OK, we made a mistake, no one else at work knows about it, so we just don’t say anything. Oh, and one more thing.” “Yes?” Kallie asked, a little bit of fear inside of her. Kevin came up to her, put his hands on her shoulders and smiled. “That we’ll still be friends.” “I’ll accept that,” Kallie smiled, feeling the weight lifted off of her shoulders. She then collapsed into his arms, giving him a big hug. “Well, I really have to go. My ride’s waiting.” Kevin nodded as Kallie grabbed her stuff and went to Nick’s car. “So, by the look of your face, I guess everything worked out,” Nick smiled as Kallie put on her seatbelt. Kallie leaned back in her seat, closed her eyes and smiled. “Oh yeah. It’s a start. Now I gotta keep going.” “Going for what?” “Going on with life.” Chapter 11 Contents Chapter 9 |