Chapter 65

In the morning I woke up and Kevin wasn't in bed. I got up and put a pair of shorts on and a shirt. Then I walked downstairs looking for him.

I searched everywhere in the house, but he was no where to be found. So I went outside in the back. And there he was sitting on the steps of the gazebo with Candy by his side.

I walked outside towards him. As I sat down next to him and stared into his eyes, I knew something was terribly wrong. It scared me the way he looked at me.

I wasn't sure what to do or what to say. But I had to know.

"Kevin, please tell me what's wrong," I said.

He stared at me and then sighed.

"Please," I repeated.

He pulled me close to him and kissed me. Then he held my hand.

"Pumpkin, you know that I love you with all of my heart. And that I would never intentionally hurt you," he said.

"Yes," I said.

"And I don't want to hide anything from you. I want us to have a completely honest relationship," he said.

"So do I," I said.

Then he stopped as tears began to fill his eyes.

"Kevin. Please tell me what's wrong," I begged.

He wiped his eyes and then kissed my hand.

He looked down at our hands. "The other night at A.J.'s. . .," he began, but he stopped.

He couldn't finish his sentence. Instead he just stared at me.

"Yeah," I said.

"Well . . .I. . .I. . .I um," he stuttered.

"You what?" I asked nervously.

He looked at me and then forced himself to say it. "I slept with another woman."

I immediately jerked my hand away from his. My heart felt like it had just been ripped out.

Then I stood up as tears began to fill my eyes.

"You what?! How could you sleep with another woman? Who was it? Huh?" I questioned angrily.

"Ariana," Kevin said quietly.

"That skinny bitch!? How could you?" I yelled.

"I don't know. . .," Kevin said.

"You don't know? What? Was I not good enough for you? Or you just needed someone else?" I asked.

"No, no. That's not it. I never meant for this to happen," he said as he got up and moved towards me. He reached out and touched my hand.

"Don't touch me!" I yelled as I backed away.

"I love you," he said.

"Love me? You betrayed me!" I screamed.

"I didn't mean to," he said.

"Oh! So you just accidentally slept with the bitch!" I said angrily.

"I was drunk," Kevin said.

"You bastard! How dare you use that excuse with me!" I yelled.

Tears began to roll down my face as I turned and stormed into the house.

"Where are you going?" Kevin asked.

I continued to walk towards the stairs.

Kevin ran towards me and grabbed me roughly by the arm. He held me tightly as I faced him.

"Let go of me," I said as my tears continued to fall.

"Not until we talk," he said.

"There is nothing more to be said. Let go of me," I stated.

He slowly let go of my arm.

Then I began to walk upstairs.

"Stop! Please! We have to talk!" he begged as he followed me.

I quickly walked into the room and locked the door. Kevin began pounding on the door violently.

"Let me in! I have to talk to you!" he yelled. "Janel! Listen to me!"

I grabbed the phone and walked out onto the balcony.

"Hello," answered Tina.

"Hi, is Nick there?" I asked as I tried to hold back the tears. "It's me Janel."

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Yeah, just get Nick please," I said as my voice shook.

Tina quickly handed the phone to Nick. "It's Janel," she mouthed.

"Hey Shorty," he said as he answered.

"Nick, can you do me a big favor?"

"What's wrong?"

"I just need you to do something for me."

"Sure. Anything."

"Can you take me to the airport?"

"Now?"

"Yes. As soon as you can get here."

"But why now?"

"I'll be waiting," I said. Then I hung up.

I walked back into the room to hear Kevin still pounding on the door.

I went into the closet and grabbed a duffel bag. Then I began to throw my clothes in there. Once it was full I zipped it up. Then I grabbed my cell phone and purse.

I opened the door and pushed my way passed Kevin.

"What are you doing?" he asked as he noticed my bag.

"Leaving," I stated.

"You can't leave me," he said as stepped in front of me.

"The hell I can't!" I yelled as I stopped.

He pulled me close to him and kissed me.

I tore away from him. Then I let my hand fly across his cheek.

He just stared at me in shock.

"Don't touch me," I said.

He stood there with his jaw clenched.

Then he spoke.

"Don't leave me," he begged.

I took my engagement ring off and dropped it in his hand.

"I'm not yours anymore," I said.

Then I walked out the front door with Kevin following close behind me. Nick got out of his truck and began walking towards me.

He looked at both me and Kevin trying to understand what was going on.

"Here let me help you," he said as he took my bag.

"Thanks," I said.

"Nickolas Gene Carter! You're not taking her anywhere," Kevin said as Nick put my bag in the back.

"Kevin! He's not taking me, I'm leaving!" I shouted.

Then I got into the passenger's side and locked the door.

Nick got into the driver's side, but Kevin wouldn't let him close the door.

Nick just sat there unsure of what to do.

"Damn it Kevin! I'm leaving! If not with Nick, then some other way!" I yelled.

"Please! We need to talk," Kevin pleaded.

"Kevin, I'm tired of talking. Now get out of the way," I demanded.

Kevin slowly backed away.

Nick pulled his door shut and started the truck.

Kevin ran to my side yelling for me to stay.

I stared straight ahead as tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Drive," I told Nick.

"But. . ," he began.

I turned to Nick and stared into his eyes, pleading him to take me away. He understood and backed out.

Kevin stared at the road as he watched them drive away. He began to cry as he sat down on the steps.

I breathed a sigh of relief as I could no longer see Kevin out the rearview mirror.

"What happened?" Nick asked quietly.

I wiped away my tears. Then I noticed we weren't headed to the airport.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"My place," Nick said.

"I asked you to drive me to the airport," I said.

"I think you just need to think clearly before you decide where you're going," Nick explained.

I turned and looked at him.

"Nicky please. Just take me to the airport," I said. "Do this for me, please."

"All right," he said as he sighed, knowing it was the wrong decision.

"Thank you," I said as I hugged him.

Kevin walked into the house and fell into his chair. He couldn't believe Janel had just left him. Then he reached over and grabbed the phone.

I heard my cell phone ring, knowing it was Kevin.

"Aren't you going to answer it?" Nick asked as it rang for the tenth time.

"No, it's Kevin," I said.

"Well, at least check," he said.

"Fine," I said as I pulled it out.

Sure enough, it was Kevin. I just held it as it continued to ring. Finally he hung up.

Kevin slammed the phone down. Then he decided to call Nick's cell.

"Ugh," I said as I heard Nick's phone ring. "If that's Kevin I don't want to speak to him. And don't tell him where we're going."

"Okay," Nick agreed. Then he answered it.

"Hello."

"Nick give the phone to Janel."

"She doesn't want to talk to you, Kev."

"Where are you? I'm coming right now."

"I can't tell you."

"What?!"

"Sorry Kev."

"Give her the phone."

"But she. . ."

"Just give it to her."

"All right," Nick said.

Then he handed the phone to me. I took it from him and hung up. Then I gave it back to him.

"Hello. . .hello!" Kevin yelled into the phone. Then he threw it across the room.

Nick and I arrived at the airport. He went to the back and got my bag for me.

"Do you need me to walk you in?" Nick asked.

"No, that's okay. I can manage," I said.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yes, thanks," I said.

He grabbed me and hugged me. "Take care Shorty," he said.

"You too Nicky. Give my love to everyone," I said.

"I will," he said.

I hugged him tightly and then let go.

I walked in and went to get my ticket.

"One ticket for the next flight to New York," I said.

I paid for the ticket. Then she handed it to me and said, "You have thirty minutes to get to your terminal."

She took my bag and left. Then I went to find my terminal. Once I did, I sat down and watched the other planes take off.