“I asked you what you were doing,” Rob repeated his words seeing Daniel take a step back and look at Lindsay whose blue eyes stared up at her father widely. “You’re not answering me young lady, I think I deserve an answer.”

“You see dad,” Lindsay spoke up in a tight voice not sure how to explain things to her father as she looked over towards a worried Daniel. “Earlier Daniel was getting harassed by this one girl and…”

“He decides to kiss you?” Rob questioned with a small frown shaking his head slowly as he folded his arms out in front of his chest. “I never though that someone bothering you meant you had to kiss another girl.”

“I wasn’t doing that sir,” Daniel spoke up quickly trying to protect himself from getting hurt or yelled at. “I swear sir, I was kissing her I was just…”

“Doing a little mouth to mouth?” Rob eyed over Daniel carefully seeing him gulp down before stepping behind Lindsay as if she could protect him now. “I’m sorry kiddo, but I don’t think you were trying to help her breathe because I saw her breathing before you did that. So try again.”

“Listen sir,” Daniel tried to speak up for himself feeling his heart beating rapidly in his chest as he shook his head slowly. He saw the same look in Lindsay’s father’s eyes when they were both angry and he shook his head. “Really, it was supposed to look like I was kissing her.”

“Oh it looked like you were kissing her alright,” Rob pointed out taking a step forward towards Daniel seeing the color in his face drift away. Rob arched his eyebrow at Daniel feeling Lindsay place her hand against his chest to keep him a distance away from Daniel. “You know how old she is young man? She is fourteen years old with goals and a future. She doesn’t need some boy coming into her life to screw that up for her and make her pregnant when she is young.”

“Dad, it was a fake kiss,” Lindsay let out a small laugh seeing her father’s blue eyes look down at her as if he was confused by what she was telling him. “I mean it daddy, he really wasn’t kissing me. It was supposed to look real because that girl had been bothering him all night long.”

“It looked real alright,” Rob frowned placing his hand over his daughters holding it tightly as he stared down at his daughter. “Who is this kid Lindsay?”

“He’s just a friend of mine, I swear,” Lindsay looked into her father’s eyes carefully, nodding slowly as he shook his head slowly. “Daddy, I’ve never done anything to lie to you before. You trust me don’t you?”

“Of course I do sweetheart,” Rob assured in a tight breath before shaking his head slowly and reaching out to touch her face gently. “Honey, you’re my little girl and you’ve been nothing but perfect.”

“That’s why you have to trust me when I tell you this,” Lindsay gave Rob’s hand a small squeeze before shaking her head slowly. There were so many ways she could explain this to her father, but she was going to give him the long version so he would understand it better. “You see I was having a really boring night and I went outside. Daniel was there having the same kind of night and we decided to walk around the garden together. Isn’t that right Daniel?”

“Yeah,” Daniel nodded quickly before rubbing the back of his neck worriedly. “We only talked sir and that’s all we did. We talked about school, people and…”

“Calm down Danny, I think I have the rest of this,” she hushed him with a small laugh shaking her head slowly before reaching out to her father again. If she would have let Daniel talk any longer he might have broke down right there in front of her father. “Anyways, we came back in. This girl was bothering him so I pretended that I was his girlfriend to get her to leave him alone. Then we danced because his mother believed our lie too. She didn’t believe I was his girlfriend so he kissed me on the cheek, not the lips just to make it look real. Obviously it did, but that’s all that really happened daddy. I swear…”

“I’m sure that’s the truth too,” Alicia stepped in behind Rob placing her hand on his shoulders after she had listened to the conversation, believing every word that her daughter had said. “Isn’t that right honey? You believe her right?”

“Uh, sure,” Rob nodded feeling Alicia press a small kiss against his cheek before pointing over towards the door. “We’ll wait over there for you, just say goodbye and then we will get going.”

“Alright,” Lindsay agreed before seeing her father and mother walk off over towards the exit. A small laugh escaped her lips as she looked back to Daniel who was fixing his tie, letting out a small breath. “Don’t worry he would have never hurt you.”

“I don’t know, he seemed really mad,” Daniel cleared his throat uneasily before shrugging his shoulders and looking out at her. “I guess this is goodbye then?”

“Yep,” she answered in a tight breath before leaning forward and giving him a small hug. She reached for her purse at her side before pulling out a pen and reaching for his hand. “This is my number, we can hang out sometime if you would like.”

“Cool,” Daniel smiled seeing her start to back away from him as he waved goodbye before looking down at his hand. “I’ll call you later and we can hang out.”

“Alright,” Lindsay turned away from Daniel walking over towards her parents as a wide smile appeared over her lips. Here she was thinking that she wasn’t going to have any fun at all when she came here, but in actually coming to this party she made a whole new friend even if her father did scare him a little bit.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Well, I’m waiting. What gives Angel?” Cameron questioned his voice cutting through the moment like a knife, “What is it that you’re doing here?”

“Cameron I,” she found herself at a loss thinking about how she’d promised him that she was leaving town--that she was staying far away from Coral Valley, yet she’d come here to investigate the mystery that had surrounded her life--to look into the truth that no one would give her especially not Cameron.

“Yes?” Cameron raised a curious brow, his dark eyes meeting hers.

“I really don’t want to talk about it now,” she blurted out in a shaky voice turning her attention to Kevin once again, “I just want to go back to a hotel or something and get out of here. I’m tired and it’s been a long night…”

“Angel, I want answers,” Cameron continued to step towards her, “You owe me that especially after you went well out of your way to lie to me about where you would be tonight. You had me believing that you’d gone back home, yet here you are at this party no less.”

“Cameron look, I really don’t want to get into it now. A lot is happening and…” Angela threw out a pleading look at Kevin.

“She’s right,” Kevin cleared his throat stepping into the conversation even though he was sure that Cameron wouldn’t be happy with him later for doing so, “It has been a long night and she needs to rest.”

“Stay out of it Kevin,” Cameron warned holding his hand up in the air dismissively, “this is between my sister and I and I want answers.”

“Right now I don’t want to give them,” Angela replied stubbornly, “I just want to go home.”

“You can do just that after we talk,” Cameron stepped forward reaching out to touch her arm.

“Back off Cam,” Kevin warned with a snarl letting Cameron know under very clear terms that this wasn’t the time. “Can’t you see she’s not feeling well? She needs to rest and I’m taking her to the hotel. Don’t try to argue with me.”

“Angel,” Cameron tried to appeal to his sister, a sudden worry filling his dark eyes, “What’s wrong?”

“I just need to rest, but I promise you that I will tell you the truth later,” she offered up weakly before looking to Kevin fearing that Brant would find her and she would have to explain herself even more to her brother and to Kevin. Right now that was the last thing she wanted to do. “Can we just go now?”

“Of course,” Kevin nodded giving Cameron one last warning look before leading Angela away towards the exit no questions asked. Though Kevin made a promise to himself when he got Angela alone he was going to discover just what it was that had gotten her so worked up because something told him there was a lot more happening than her just wanting to hide out from Cameron. Something told him whatever it was, it wasn’t going to be something he was happy to hear, yet it was obviously something he needed to hear in order to help her.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“So,” Chase sat down in one of the chairs before leaning back and letting out a small whistle as he counted how many fans were on the ceiling. The party was fun earlier, but now since they were dying down and a few people were leaving, he seemed to find it becoming more boring. “When are we supposed to be leaving?”

“Whenever Kevin comes back,” Ria answered looking up towards the ceiling to see what Chase was looking at. She let out a small laugh looking over towards Trisha who was doing the same thing. “What are you doing?”

“I’m hot,” Chase replied unbuttoning two of his buttons on his shirt before sliding off his suit jacket. “I can’t stand things being hot, there are too little fans. They should have like double the fans and they should have shot up the air conditioning.”

“This is a new place you know,” Trisha pointed out seeing Chase shrug his shoulders before she shook her head slowly. “Well, if you are so hot then you should do a strip tease or something to get these people woken up.”

“A what?” Chase’s eyes widened as he looked over at Trisha seeing her start to laugh, making him shake his head slowly. “Where would you get an idea like that from?”

“I don’t know, I was just playing around,” Trisha stated hearing Ria laugh in the background before covering her eyes, not trying to think about what Trisha had brought up. “I’m not kidding, you should see the way he shakes his butt.”

“I want to see this,” Ria decided leaning forward in her seat before letting out a small laugh seeing Chase stand up and push back his hair. “I’ll give you ten dollars.”

“I’ll do it for free,” Chase chuckled to himself before turning around and shaking his butt around hearing Ria let out a small laugh. “What? Doesn’t Kevin shake his butt for you?”

“Oh no,” Ria shook her head slowly seeing him look down at her as if what she said was weird. “I mean yeah, we have done some weird stuff, but never has he done that for me.”

“Oh well he should,” Trisha pointed out with a small laugh before wiggling her eyebrows up and down. “You should get him to do striptease and tape it. You know, so you can show your sister what a real man he really is.”

“Trisha,” Ria hit her in the shoulder lightly before shaking her head slowly. “I would never want you to see something like that. It would fill your fantasy of him too easily.”

“She wouldn’t want to tape it because you know what would happen afterwards,” Chase winked at her before shrugging his shoulders and folding his arms out in front his chest. “Are you going to make Kevin do it tonight? A nice little strip tease.”

“I might, if I did--it’s none of your business,” Ria laughed seeing him wiggle his eyebrows up and down before biting down on his bottom lip and letting out a small laugh. “Anyways, what would happen if I recorded it.”

“Oh come on,” Chase jumped in place bringing his hand back and forth over and over as if he was hitting something, moving his hips back and forth at the same time. “Kevy would be getting some, that’s what.”

“Chase,” Ria threw her napkin at him seeing him laugh as she saw an older couple staring at Chase. Another younger couple walked by as she covered her eyes hearing Trisha laughing in the background. “So many people are watching you as you do this I hope you know.”

“So,” Chase laughed turning towards the crowd of leaving people, not stopping his movements. Chase nodded slowly before pointing his free hand back at Ria. “Hey everybody, she is going to be getting some tonight. By the big boxer boy Kevin Adonis. You know that sexy hunk of muscle she loves.”

“Chase sit down,” Ria felt her cheeks start to heat over of embarrassment as she pulled him down into his seat, seeing him lean forward and pace his hand over his stomach while he laughed. “Is he drunk?”

“I got him five of those drinks Kevin likes. The Malibu Maguire or whatever it is,” Trisha informed Ria looking over at her sister, to see Ria’s eyes get wide. “I thought it was Kevin’s favorite drink and I know that he really likes Kevin--they have a lot in common…did I do something wrong?”

“Kevin is off the walls after like four of those,” Ria took a look over at Chase who was still laughing his butt off, hitting his hand against the table before grabbing the fake flower before him. “What made you do that? Chase is like two times smaller than Kevin.”

“I didn’t know it would get him like this,” Trisha replied seeing him put the fake rose between his lips before offering up a small wiggle of his eyebrows. “What are you doing?”

“I feel hot honey,” Chase set down the rose before leaning in closer to her and kissing her slowly. “Let’s heat it up a little more in here.”

“Oh god, I hope Kevin gets here soon,” Ria let out a long sigh only to feel a bit of relief when her cell phone rang, the ringer belonging to the one she gave Kevin. She quickly answered the cell phone hoping that she could get out of here as soon as possible. “Kevin, where are you?”

“Uh, honey,” Kevin spoke up uneasily before shaking his head slowly and looking back towards the darkness behind him. “I’ve got a problem, I have to take Angie home. You think Chase and Trisha could drive you home sweetheart? I love you and I will meet you at home…”

“Kevin, sure they can,” Ria was about to further the subject before shrugging her shoulders and thinking about everything. Before she could saying anything else she heard a click on the other end as she shut off the cell phone. “I love you too.”

“Is something wrong?” Chase stopped long enough to see Ria looking upset and he stood up walking over to Ria and wrapping his arms around her shoulders. “Are you okay?”

“It’s just Kevin,” she informed him with a small shake of her head watching him carefully. “Do you think you could take me home from the party. Kevin had some problems and…”

“No need to explain,” Chase hushed her looking up at Trisha worriedly before nodding slowly. “Of course we can take you home. I have absolutely no problems with it.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Where could she have gone to?” Brant frowned searching the ballroom for Angela, “She couldn’t have gotten too far without us spotting her. She didn’t have that big of a lead on us.”

“I’m sure she’s here,” Don searched the room as well hoping to assist his friend in his quest to find the woman that was obviously on his mind at the moment. “She couldn’t just up and vanish.”

“It wouldn’t be a first for her if she does, which is why I have to stop it from happening,” Brant continued desperate to find the woman that had captured a great part of him. He had to speak with her, had to talk about what they had fallen into with one another, but more so he had to find a way to work out whatever situation had arisen between them. For so long her face had haunted his dreams, but now she was real. She was back in his life again and he wasn’t about to let go.

“There you two are,” Shannon stepped up to them a frown spilling over her features, “I figured that you would’ve left me here by myself since I didn’t see either one of you returning.”

“We were just um…” Don began to explain watching Brant sprint across the ballroom.

“I think I found her Don,” Brant shouted out in a haste still rushing forward.

“Found who? Don what’s going on?” Shannon couldn’t help but ask her husband.

“I’ll explain later,” Don waved his hand over at her throwing out an apologetic look before rushing after Brant.

The two approached the exit just in time to walk out into the night and spot Angela getting into a car with an oversized man beside her. The man circled around to the driver’s side of the car getting in with her as Brant rushed forward determined not to let her get away.

“Angela! Angela!” he shouted but his words were lost as the car drove off giving no indication of what was happening to the woman he’d finally been able to reconnect with. Frustration poured over him at the thought of losing her again forever. “No!”

“Come on,” Don announced motioning for Brant to follow, “My car is over there. We’ll just follow them.”

“Don you’re a lifesaver,” Brant mouthed thankfully praying that they would make it in time to keep Brant from losing Angela all over again. To have to live through that now especially knowing what Brant did would be beyond painful to endure and it was something he hoped would never happen. He had to find her this time and make her see the way he really felt about things!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Avery stood outside the home she’d shared with Russ feeling nervousness creep over her now that he’d circled around the car. She felt his hand pressed in over her waist and a small breath escaped her lips.

“Home at last,” Russ mouthed proudly squeezing his arms around her, “It feels like it’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”

“Too long,” she sank back into his chest savoring the moment before tilting her head up to look at him, “How do you think Erin did here with Augustus?”

“Why don’t we find out,” Russ suggested thinking about how he’d finally settled in on having Augustus keeping an eye on Erin in his own home. As much as he was sure that everyone was up in the air about his Ashford parentage, this was truly what Russ had wanted. This was where he’d wanted to be with his family and it felt perfect.

“Okay,” she nodded feeling her fingers in his as he lead her up to the door. He reached into his pocket for the key holding it up in the air to show her.

“See I still have them,” he laughed lightly dangling the key chain that had sparked his memory on the island, “and this too.”

“I don’t know what to say,” Avery couldn’t help but smile, “I thought that you hated that thing.”

“This thing saved my life in a great many ways,” he confessed pushing the key in the lock ready to open it when Augustus appeared on the other side of the now opened door.

“I thought I heard someone,” Augustus greeted them warmly stepping aside to let them in, “I wasn’t sure if you’d be home or not this early, but given that you’re new parents I didn’t really expect a late night.”

“Smart man,” Russ noted taking a step inside to take a look at his surroundings. The foyer looked the same as it had when he’d left it earlier, but in the living room there were boxes of presents scattered all over the place ranging from small to large. Confused he turned to Augustus, “What is all of this?”

“This is my way of making up for lost time,” Augustus began seeing the first hints of protest in Russell’s eyes, “and before you argue with me about not wanting to take them, just know that I had these all sent over for all of you. For both Erin and Avery along with you. They are things that I am sure that you all can use.”

“Augustus you can’t just…” Russ started watching Avery move over to one of the presents that was tied in a big, red bow.

“A computer?” Avery tilted her head giving him a sideways look.

“Since I’m sure you’ll be needing it when you’re working at home,” Augustus nodded with a bright smile, “since I’m sure that you’ll want to spend as much time with Erin as possible before I get you into the offices again.”

“Augustus I can’t accept this,” Avery shook her head at him.

“We can’t accept these. She’s right,” Russ began as well eyeing his grandfather suspiciously, “I mean I understand that you mean well, but…”

“Russ, I realize that this is a bit of a difficult situation for you, but the fact remains that you are my grandson. Erin is my great-granddaughter and I’m not going to try to pretend that it doesn’t mean something to me. Sure, you can send all of this back, but I really would rather you didn’t. I’m just trying to help the both of you get your lives on track again after everything that…” Augustus trailed off.

“It isn’t your fault what Nicholas did to me,” Russ interrupted with a frown, “I know that you blame yourself for what he did, but…”

“But I’m the one who started this and ultimately I should be the one to end this,” Augustus informed him with a heavy sigh, “If I hadn’t gotten that notion in his head, then you both would’ve been spared so much grief over the years…”

“We’re happy now,” Avery slid her arms around Russ, “and that’s what’s important.”

“Well, then at least take all of this as a token of my celebrating the fact that you’ve found one another again,” Augustus tried once more to get Russell to bend on the issue, “Since you did me a favor in allowing me to spend time with Erin tonight, then this is the least I can do for you. Please?”

Russ grew silent for a long time before finally nodding, “We’ll keep some of it, but not all of it. Okay?”

“It’s a start,” Augustus agreed before motioning to the hallway, “Now about that precious little angel of yours. Would you like to take a look at her?”

“Would I ever,” Avery nodded enthusiastically, “I missed her terribly tonight.”

“I think she missed you too although the last time I looked in on her, she was fast asleep,” Augustus explained with a small smile stepping aside to let Avery and Russ check in on their daughter.

“I can’t believe this is the first night we’ve been away from her,” Avery whispered opening up the door to the nursery only to discover Erin making small noises in her bed. Walking in to stand beside her, she could see that her daughter was wide awake and a smile swept over her.

“I think she missed us as well,” Russ leaned forward to pull his daughter out of her bed and into his arms, “Hey sweetheart, how are you?”

Erin curled into him enjoying the warmth of her father’s embrace. It was clear by the expression on her face that she was beyond content in his arms.

“I’d have to say right now she probably thinks she’s in heaven, which is exactly where I feel like I am when I’m in your arms,” Avery whispered leaning in to touch her daughter’s tiny fingers realizing that they finally did have it all. Life was back on track again as it always should’ve been for them and it couldn’t be better than it was!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“I had a really nice time tonight,” Deana confessed walking down the hallway with Grady, reaching out to lace her fingers in his. “I have to admit though that I never really thought your idea of where you would take me would lead us to the old theater in town. I was shocked when you took me to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I didn’t even realize that they would be playing that somewhere around here.”

“Are you kidding,” Grady couldn’t help but laugh, “They always have something around this time of year. Although I thought that they were still showing Grease there since that was what was showing last week. I thought that might be something you might enjoy--that is if you know what it is.”

“Of course I know what it is,” Deana couldn’t help but laugh shaking her head at him, “I may be young, but I’m not that young. I did see both films before by the way and I enjoyed them both. Susan Sarandon has always been one of my favorite actresses. She always kind of reminded me of my mama growing up.”

“She’s always been a favorite of mine too,” Grady admitted realizing that they were standing outside of her apartment. He reached out to touch a loose strand of her blonde hair with a lazy smile, “Though I really didn’t expect for us to be in a place with a bunch of teenagers dressed in theme for tonight.”

“Then you don’t get out much do you,” she laughed lightly shaking her head. “When you go see that movie I think half the world dresses in theme.”

“So I’m learning, which proves that I’m getting old because I’ll be honest and tell you there is no way I would’ve worn half of that,” Grady shuddered at the memory of a few of the film enthusiasts in full costume.

“Oh I don’t know,” Deana reached out to tease her fingers over the center of his chest lightly, “You might’ve been compelled to do so is prompted by the right woman.”

“Are you saying that you would want me to dress in drag?” Grady’s green eyes widened down at her. “Is that a hint at what I need to do in order to get another date?”

“As amusing as that might be, I think I’ll settle for a kiss,” she leaned in against the wall next to her apartment door. “If you’re up for the challenge that is.”

“Believe me, I’m more than up for it,” Grady leaned forward sliding his palm to caress the back of her neck before his lips descended over hers kissing her with a slow, subtle intent. As their mouths parted, he searched her dark eyes and couldn’t help but smile, “How was that?”

“It was a promising beginning,” she reached for him again snaking her arm around his torso and bringing him in closer to her. She ran her fingers up over his spine while their lips meshed together in perfect harmony. She felt his palm drop down to the small of her back while her fingers moved up into his silken dark tresses. She opened her mouth with a small breath, tasting the exotic appeal and allure that he had to offer her now that they were enjoying a much more provocative kiss with one another. It had been so long since she’d been kissed--really kissed by a man who knew what he was doing and the chance was glorious.

“Mmm…” she murmured against his mouth feeling breathless as they parted, “You’re really good at that.”

“Why thank you. You’re not so bad yourself,” he teased with a wink leaning in to kiss her once again when a sound rose up from beside them.

“You know you two should probably get a room if you’re going to keep up at that rate. People might get curious and come out here to see what’s going on and when they did, well Old Man Roberts might come out here and try to hose you down,” Jackie mouthed from where she stood in the doorway to Deana’s apartment with popcorn in hand. “Though it’s better than watching cable on my end.”

“Gee, don’t you stay put,” Grady shook his head thinking about Deana’s babysitter’s curious attitude. “I thought you were supposed to be watching Zane.”

“He’s sleeping and besides,” Jackie shrugged her shoulders simply, “He’s been out for a while. I was just watching television when I heard something out here and well, you know the rest…”

“Yeah we do,” Deana laughed lightly before standing up straighter and clearing her throat. “I guess it’s time I get you your money so that you can go home.”

“That sounds great, but don’t let me rush you,” Jackie flashed another smile at Grady. “I mean if you want to stay out here, I’ll just add the time to what you owe me.”

“I think we’re just about finished out here,” Grady noted with a small laugh, “We wouldn’t want to waste anymore of your time, would we?”

“Oh it’s cool,” Jackie waved her hand dismissively, “but if you’re done I’ll just go get my things.”

“So much for going unnoticed around here,” Deana whispered watching Jackie walk back into her apartment, “I feel like I just got busted by my mother when I was in high school.”

“On the plus side it’s only the babysitter so I don’t think you’ll be in that much trouble,” Grady replied with a teasing wink wishing all too well that Jackie could’ve waited a few more minutes to interrupt them since he’d been having a hell of a time enjoying that kiss.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Hey beautiful, how are you feeling?” Heather heard a voice call out to her rousing her from the drunken slumber she’d fallen into. Her eyelashes fluttered open and she felt a soft breath of air rush forward past her lips upon seeing the man laying beside her. His concerned brown eyes were fixed on hers and she couldn’t help but smile at him.

“Hey yourself sexy,” she forced a small smile, feeling his rough fingers brush in against her cheek in a feathery light movement, “What are you doing here?”

“Did you really think that I was just going to skip out on you without checking on you to see how you were doing?” he asked shaking his head lightly at her, “You know me better than that Heather.”

“I know I do Kyle, but I figured you were busy,” Heather sighed closing her eyes once again.

“I’m never too busy for a friend,” Kyle mouthed sliding his fingers into her soft, blonde hair, “especially a friend like you.”

“What do you mean a friend like me?” she asked in a low breath, her green eyes fixed on his once again, curiosity spilling over her lips.

“What do you think I mean?” Kyle questioned leaning forward to taste her lips in a faint hint of a kiss. She felt his arm curl around her and keep her close to him as their lips continued to test the chemistry building between them. She slid her arm around his shoulders savoring the solid, sexiness of his body as their kiss intensified giving her a whole new reason to appreciate Kyle. It was almost perfect except for…

“Heather honey wake up,” Kellen nudged her shoulder gently rousing her from the dream she’d been having.

She opened her eyes to find herself holding onto a pillow and clearly she’d been trying to make out with it judging by the way she had it to her lips. Shoving it away with a start, she sat upright with a gasp.

Kellen touched her shoulder gently, “It’s okay. Just relax babe.”

“I was just having a dream and,” Heather gasped mortification flooding over her at the thought of the dream that had consumed her.

“And judging by the way you reached for that pillow, Kyle was almost as good in your dreams as he was tonight at the party,” Kellen noted seeing her face grow red with even more embarrassment than before. “Hey, honey it’s nothing to be ashamed about. Kyle is hot.”

“He’s also marrying my sister,” she paused giving him a strange sideways glance, “Unless I dreamt that one too.”

“I’m afraid not,” Kellen shook his head with a heavy sigh, “but for what it’s worth, I think he’s making a huge mistake.”

“How do you figure?” she gave him a strange look, “He’s finally found happiness with the girl of his dreams. That couldn’t be a mistake for him. I’m happy for him.”

“Liar,” Kellen wrinkled his nose at her, “but that’s okay because I’m not happy for him either. I really don’t trust your sister. She’s trouble.”

“Finally someone who actually can see through Sarah’s sweet and innocent act,” Heather threw her hands in the air, “Not many men bother to realize what’s really happening.”

“Well sweetheart most men think with their penises and your sister is hot,” Kellen wrinkled his nose at her, “but given that while I might think with my penis your sister is just about the last woman that I would look at if I wasn't gay there. She’s just not my type.”

“Anything female isn’t your type,” she tossed out a pointed expression.

“Even so, you are ten times the woman she is,” Kellen spoke up encouragingly, “and Kyle would be out of his mind not to notice that.”

“Kellen, it’s not like that,” Heather lay back down on the bed closing her eyes once more, “Kyle and I are friends. That’s it.”

“Sure, sure. And just like most friends, you and he just thought it appropriate to tangle tongues with one another earlier,” Kellen goaded further, “I mean as much as I love my pals, you don’t find me doing that.”

“That’s because it’s different for you. Besides I can’t see Kyle and I doing that. I mean it was just a dream and…” Heather pulled the blanket up over her.

“Honey it was no dream unless we’re counting it being a dream come true. You and Kyle have a spark about you. Much more than that Diego guy does…” Kellen shook his head at her, “About what I told you before. You can do better--a lot better.”

“I’m done with Diego. I decided it wasn’t worth fighting about,” she explained snuffling in under the blankets, “He wound up being a big jerk.”

“Well good because you don’t need a big jerk. You need a big hunk of a man who is going to treat you right and I’m sure that Kyle is it for you,” Kellen continued excitedly, “Just from what little I saw tonight I’m sure that you two need to be together. If you would just take a look at the whole picture than you’d see that maybe you would forget about the ties your sister has on him and you’d just go for it.”

“Kellen, I don’t want to talk about it,” she groaned slightly, “I have a headache.”

“And if you wouldn’t have passed out I’m sure you and Kyle would’ve wound up doing more than kissing tonight,” Kellen added seeing her face buried in her pillow. Her head immediately popped up.

“Why would you say that?” she questioned tilting her head to the side to look at him.

“Because I saw you two together. There was a sexual tension there and I’m pretty sure Kyle wouldn’t have been able to hold back if you were still alert. He was certainly wanting you,” he informed her bluntly, “There wasn’t a thought about your sister running though his head at all.”

“Kellen you’re delusional,” Heather curled her lip in a frown before sinking down into the pillow again, “but it would’ve been nice.”

“Yeah well what will be nice is your getting up and out of this bed to fight for the man you love. Don’t let your sister get a try at him when it’s clear that you two have something happening. It’s plain as day that he is interested in you and that you are…” Kellen stopped hearing the sounds of Heather’s snoring filling the room around them. He frowned ever so slightly, “Drunk.”

“Hey,” Kipp knocked on the door popping his head into the room, “how is she doing?”

“She’s doing better than you’d expect,” Kellen mouthed thinking about his conversation with Heather.

“That’s good. I was really starting to worry about her. I would’ve been in here sooner, but I put Charles down to bed and…” Kipp eyed Heather for a long moment before focusing his attention on Kellen. He spotted the puzzled expression on Kellen’s face and couldn’t help but ask, “Okay I’ll bite. What’s really going on?”

“Honestly,” Kellen tipped his head up to look at Kipp, “I think Kyle is marrying the wrong woman and I think it’s going to be up to me to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“Why do I suddenly get the feeling that whatever it is you’re into, I’m not going to like it,” Kipp couldn’t help but frown at his lover’s announcement.

“Oh trust me, when you hear everything, you will have no room to do anything, but agree with me and with Heather,” Kellen looked at his friend once again, “She’s going to finally have a chance at happiness before she knows it. Things are going to turn around for her. I can feel it.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kyle looked up at the dark ceiling feeling Sarah cuddle in closer to him as he let out a small breath, thinking about everything that had been going on lately. Earlier he had come out of the bathroom after about an hour because he knew he couldn’t hide in there all night. Still, his mind was flying from here to there with all the thoughts of Heather and what had happened with her.

“Sarah?” Kyle looked down at her laying on top of him as he slowly moved out from below her standing up and fixing his boxers. He watched her move and got worried because he thought she might wake up, but she didn’t. “I have to think.”

Kyle reached for his shorts from his bag before pulling them on quickly and walking down the stairs towards the backdoor. He stepped out onto the deck before closing the door quietly so no one could hear him. Wanting to make sure that Sarah wouldn’t wake up and see where he was he casually walked over to the side of the deck and laid down on the hammock.

“I can’t stop thinking about her,” Kyle took in a deep breath thinking of all the things that had happened to him in the past. Even with that song earlier, it brought him back to damning himself for never showing Heather how much he loved her. For never being able to make love to her and show her that he would never want her to leave without him.

“We're going to be together forever,” Kyle promised feeling her fingers pull apart his belt slowly as he reached up and caressed her cheek gently. “I don’t know what I would ever do if I lost you. I think my heart would break.”

“You don’t have to worry Kyle,” she hushed him leaning forward to place a small kiss against his lips, feeling his hand press in against the small of her back. “I’m never going to leave you, I promise.”

“You better keep that promise Heather,” Kyle spoke up in a tight breath feeling her fingers pull apart the button of his jeans before sliding down the zipper slowly. “Because I’m going to marry you and like you planned on, we’re going to have five children. Four boys and a girl. I promise, we’re going to have that life you always wanted.”

“I can start my life with husband by my side,” she reached for his hand feeling his fingers give hers a small squeeze as she leaned forward and brushed her lips up against his before pulling away slowly. “We can have that life I always dreamed of.”

“We’ll get married when you turn eighteen,” Kyle promised in a tight breath before nodding slowly and reaching up to outline her bottom lip with his thumb. “I will already be eighteen and it will be perfect. We can come back for my parents, but I won’t make you stay with your family. My parents understand our decision. They know I love you.”

“I love you too Kyle,” Heather replied leaning forward and kissing him slowly, feeling his tongue slip in against hers as she fell in against him. Her fingers tugged at his jeans pulling them down a bit before looking down between them. She looked back up before reaching out to run her hand through his short blonde hair. “Have you ever…”

“No,” Kyle shook his head slowly taking in a deep breath feeling her caress him slowly, making him bite down on his bottom lip and look back up at her. “You’re pretty much the one thing I’ve come closest to.”

“What about Sarah?” she questioned seeing him look up at her as if he was slightly confused by her question. “I just figured that she would have already had you because she’s had everyone else in the town.”

“Sorry, I don’t need an STD at this age,” Kyle pointed out hearing her let out a small laugh before reaching for the bottom of her shirt and pulling it off slowly, dropping it behind her. His hands slid up over her thighs carefully, sliding his hand in underneath her skirt carefully. “What’s up with the skirt anyways? What happened to my sporty girl?”

“I thought it would impress you more if I did this,” she whispered seeing him frown at her response as she leaned in closer to kiss him slowly. “I guess it didn’t.”

“I love you as my Heather, I don’t want you to change for anyone,” Kyle stated with a small frown feeling her hands grab his motioning him to raise his touch a bit more. “Heather, what are you doing?”

“Kyle,” she took in a deep breath getting in over him carefully. She saw the way his dark eyes looked into hers as she slid her hand over his smooth face. “I want you to be my first--I don’t want anyone else.”
“I can’t do that to you,” Kyle shook his head slowly reaching out to touch her cheek, feeling her lean into his touch. “Heather, I don’t want to hurt you and you may be too young…”

“Kyle, we are going to be together forever,” Heather pointed out with a small hush seeing his eyes look up into hers intensely as she shook her head slowly. “So, I really don’t see anything wrong with that.”

“Alright,” Kyle reached for her hand pulling off his school ring and sliding it in over her ring finger on her left hand. He pressed a small kiss against her hand before smiling. “This is a promise, it’s a first beginning of something. It’s not much yet, but once I save enough money--I’ll get you a real one.”

“It’s still perfect Kyle,” she pressed a small kiss against his lips carefully before feeling lean her back against the seat, getting in above her carefully. “You’re the only person I have wanted my whole life.”

“Are you sure about this,” Kyle felt his heart race a bit when he felt her arch up against him, making his close his eyes and think about the circumstances. “I don’t want to do something you aren’t ready for.”

“It will be okay, I trust you,” Heather whispered pressing her hand in over his shoulder before a noise made them both jump up hearing something hit the window. Kyle quickly got up pulling his jeans back up and zipping them before doing the same with the belt. “What in the world was that?”

“I don’t know,” Kyle stated seeing her pull on her shirt quickly as he saw a friend of his walk up to the window and Kyle opened the door. “What the hell is wrong with you Marty? You scared the crap out of us man.”

“Hey man, I just wanted to see if you wanted to play football we need two more players,” Marty replied picking up the football from the ground as Kyle looked back at Heather. “She can play too, she’s better than a third of the people we have playing.”

“You want to play?” Kyle questioned throwing his shirt in the back of the truck seeing her nod slowly before getting out of the car and Kyle wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “She’s on my team.”

“Which means the two of you can be on my team,” Marty nodded before rubbing his hands together slowly. “You can be the quarterback with your crazy arms man. She can be the running back and the half back.”

“Sweet, is it tackle?” Heather questioned seeing Marty nod as she looked up at Kyle and smiled. “Someone is going to get their butt kicked.”

“She was crazy,” Kyle laughed to himself thinking about that night when she set two guys home with a black eyes and another one hope with a limp. All those words she had told him in the car made him want to believe she still loved him, but still there was something in his heart. “She left without me.”

Kyle’s heart broke every time he thought about his life that he wanted to share with Heather, everything he was hoping on getting a chance with. Everything he promised her had been thrown out the window the day she left him.

“She left me,” Kyle pondered his own thoughts before shaking his head slowly and placing his arms behind his head as he looked up at the stars filling the darkened sky. “If she didn’t care then why did she come back for me when my parents died?”

When his foster parents had died, Heather was the one that came to him when he was upset and in his early twenties. She was the one that stood by his side at the funeral the one that was there for him no matter what. Even then she told him she loved him and they almost made love again that night, but when he woke up the next morning she was gone again. Still…everything that had happened that night still effected his thoughts and everything he was thinking.

“Everything is going to be okay,” he could still hear Heather trying to assure him as she rubbed his shoulder gently, seeing him lean forward covering his eyes with his hands. “They are going to find who did this Kyle.”

“Even if they did,” Kyle looked up at her with his hurt eyes as he shook his head slowly. He felt her hand slide into his short blonde hair as he shook his head slowly. “Even if they did find him, that’s never going to bring them back to me Heather. Never. Everyone I love has left me. I loved my parents and they left. I loved you and you left me here alone…”

“I’m here now,” Heather felt her own tears building up behind her eyes as she saw Kyle start to cry again and she pressed her hand against his back caressing it soothingly. “They were like my parents too and I hate that this happened to them.”

“They loved you so much too Heather,” Kyle informed her looking up at her feeling her reach out to push his tears away from his face. “You should have seen the way they were. I don’t know who would have done this Heather, I came in and there was blood everywhere. And then I found them…”

“Kyle, don’t work yourself up,” Heather whispered feeling his hand press in against hers as she reached out to hold him in her arms tightly. She never wanted to leave him alone like this again, but feeling him shivering against her she stood up. She reached her hand out to him feeling him stand up in front of her. “Dance with me.”

“Now?” Kyle laughed feeling her wrap her arms around his shoulders as he leaned down resting his head against her shoulders. “I can’t believe you came back to me. I love you so much Heather, you don’t know how much this means to me.”

“What did you say?” Heather leaned back looking into his hazel eyes, seeing him look down at her as if he was slightly confused. “What did you just say?”

“I said this means so much to me,” Kyle answered seeing her shake her head before looking away from him. He cupped her face in his hands before nodding slowly. “I said I love you--I always have and I always will.”

“Kyle, I…” she went to speak up again only to feel him lean forward and press his lips up against hers, making her arms tighten around his shoulders. For so long she had gone without that touch from him that she had longed for the years she had been away. She kissed him over and over again before pulling away. “I love you too.”

“Don’t leave me again Heather,” Kyle frowned leaning in to kiss her again before picking her up in his arms and leading her over towards the bedroom in his apartment. He felt her slip out of his arms before stepping forward and unbuttoning his shirt slowly, sliding it down his shoulders. “I can’t lose you again.”

“You won’t,” she hushed him dropping the material down to the ground seeing his perfect form before her as she ran her fingers down his muscular chest down his chiseled abdomen and looking up at him. “You look amazing Kyle.”

“I’m not a Hulk Hogan yet,” Kyle offered up a small smile feeling his face still moist from his tears before he shook his head slowly. “I’m still trying though.”

“You look great,” she assured him reaching down to his belt to undo it carefully and stepping up on her toes to kiss him slowly while pressing her fingers in over his zipper. She heard his pants hit the ground as she looked down between them and offered up a small smile. “Just like you always were.”

“I missed you so much Heather,” Kyle whispered pulling off her shirt and slowly taking her out of the rest of her clothes before getting in over her carefully on his bed. “Tell me that you still love me like I love you.”

“I love you so much,” Heather answered leaning up to steal another kiss from his lips, her hands sliding down his smooth back slowly before seeing him back away slowly placing his wrist in against her hip to show her he still had his matching tattoo. “Kyle and Heather--we make each others hearts full.”

“You have always had that effect on me,” she reminded him seeing him smile before leaning back down to kiss her once more, feeling her hands wrap around his neck as he reached for a condom from his drawer. “I love you Kyle.”

“I love you too,” he whispered going to rip open the condom packaging before she stopped him and he looked up at her. “Do you not want this?”

“Kyle, I want this so bad,” she answered truthfully before getting out from underneath him and walking over to get her clothes back on slowly. “That’s why we can’t do this, you’re hurt and I’m just taking advantage of you.”

“I thought this is what you wanted,” Kyle stated in a tight breath seeing her shake her head slowly before covering her eyes and looking away from him. “Heather please, I’ll do anything to keep you with me. That’s why I was doing this, I thought it you would show you…”

“Kyle, you’re hurting that’s why you are saying all of this,” Heather pointed out shaking her head slowly before seeing him stand up and pull his pants back on. “You’re not sure of what you are saying right now.”

“Yes I am,” Kyle stated in a tight breath reaching out to grab her wrist before she could leave him. “I’ve never felt so sure about something in my whole life. The only time I actually know when I’m doing the right thing is when I am with you Heather. Only when I am with you. Just please don’t leave me.”

Kyle took in a deep breath shaking his head slowly as he thought about that night and how had he slept with her that night, well not really slept with her, but held her in his arms and really slept with her. When he woke up, of course--he found that letter from her telling him that he was still confused, but he had never been so sure of something in his life at that point in time.

“Hey kiddo,” someone got him out of his thoughts as Kyle looked over towards Augustus who came out with a plate in his hands and Kyle sat up on the hammock. “I saw you out here and you look like you needed someone to talk to. I brought some food it’s a banana nut bagel with peanut butter and I know only the Ashford family likes this, but…”

“Oh no, I would love one,” Kyle saw Augustus hand him over a plate before taking a seat on the swinging bench next to the hammock. “I actually love these this way too myself. I really never thought anyone liked it like this.”

“Really?” Augustus questioned seeing Kyle take a small bite of his food before hearing Augustus laugh when Kyle had some of the peanut butter fall onto his shorts. “Don’t worry, that happens to me all the time. Anyways, what were you thinking about? Your future wife?”

“You knew about that?” Kyle questioned seeing Augustus nod slowly before Kyle shrugged his shoulders and took in a deep breath. “I guess this place really is small town. I was just thinking that maybe I was making a mistake.”

“How so?” Augustus questioned seeing Kyle take another bite of the bagel before shrugging his shoulders. Augustus noticed a tattoo on Kyle’s wrist as he eyed it over carefully, reading the name on it proving to him that his prediction had been right. “You’re in love with someone else aren’t you?”

“I…I don’t know,” Kyle took in a deep breath setting the plate to the side before thinking about the question. “I thought I loved Sarah, but I want to get married right? I mean, I have to now that I’m having a family.”

“Son,” Augustus spoke up carefully, reaching out to pat Kyle on the leg gently before speaking up once more. “What it sounds like you need right now is a good friend to talk to. I’ll try and fill that position for you kiddo.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Wait a second,” Kevin held his hands up in the air trying to come to terms with what Angela was telling him about her time at the party, “Are you saying that you not only ran into the guy that knocked you up on the island at the party tonight, but that you slept with him all over again?”

“When you put it that way it sounds really bad,” Angela frowned pacing around the hotel room worry sweeping over her.

“It sounds a hell of a lot worse than bad Angie,” Kevin grumbled shaking his head at her, a frown touching over his lips, “What are you some kind of idiot? How could you let something like this happen?”

“It wasn’t like I was planning on it,” she started to defend herself, feeling totally exasperated now that Kevin was getting ready to lecture her. She could see the heavy disapproval behind his eyes, but right now it was the last thing that she wanted or needed. “I was just trying to dig up some information on my mother when I got locked into that room and…”

“And it just so happened that the guy you had that fling with was also locked in there and for some reason that really defies any and all logic there was some kind of bed in there and you two decided to just what? Go at it for old time’s sake in the name of what? Just saying you would?” his voice raised with obvious agitation.

“That’s not at all how it played out,” she insisted with a huff. “When I got locked in the room, it was dark and I figured I must’ve hit my head. If I would’ve known that this was real, then I never, ever would’ve…”

“Wait a second,” he stood up in front of her, his eyes fixed on her in a state of disbelief, “Are you saying you slept with him under the notion that it wasn’t real?”

“Exactly,” she nodded quickly, “I thought that I was dreaming or hallucinating because what were the odds of him showing up at the party I was at? I haven’t seen him in such a long time and…”

“And what? You figured your mind just weaved together a fairy tale reunion that involved going at it like rabbits?” Kevin replied bluntly shaking his head at her, “Come on. How stupid can you get?”

“Don’t lecture me on this Kevin. You are the last person in the world to lecture me on a situation like this,” she wiggled her finger at him raising her voice to a shrill squeal, “Come to think of it this is your fault.”

“My fault?” he replied incredulously, “How in the hell do you figure your nailing some loser is my fault?”

“Because you’re the one who told me to go off and have myself a fling. You were the one who encouraged me to go out and have some fun when I was on that part of the island,” she reminded him bluntly her dark eyes narrowing at him, “You told me to…”

“I told you to go out and have a little fun, maybe have a one-night stand if the mood was fitting. I didn’t say that you should go all out and get two babies out of the deal Angie. I mean I would’ve thought that you’d play it safe,” his brow wrinkled with concern. “That’s just beyond stupid.”

“Oh like you haven’t had a one-night stand that went the wrong way,” she shouted in response shaking her head at him, “What about Marie? That was a one-night stand that started and kept on going through the years.”

“That was a mistake,” Kevin corrected with a frown, “One that I learned from early on. When I slept with her the first time I shouldn’t have and I knew it.”

“And the other times?” Angela folded her arms in front of her chest, “What about after she started working for Martha and the two of you were fooling around with one another?”

“Okay I’ll admit it wasn’t one of my brightest moments. Actually it was probably pretty damned stupid, but this isn’t about me. This is about you,” he corrected with a huff, “Not only did you invite trouble into your life when you were with him the first time, but then you go and make it worse by doing it all over again tonight. Have you learned nothing since the time you met him?”

“Kevin, I wasn’t planning on it and like I said if I thought it was real, I never, ever would’ve let it happen,” she argued further with a small groan, “I just thought that I was dreaming about him like I’ve been doing and it just kind of lead into the moment and…”

“And so while we were all at the party your brother was hosting, you were in some back room having sex with a complete stranger who could turn out to be a lunatic,” his frown intensified as he glared down at her, “He’s a married man Angie. You told me that yourself.”

“No, he wasn’t,” she tried to explain thinking about what Brant had told her, “He said that I was wrong and that he wasn’t married then and that now…”

“Oh come on,” he rolled his eyes at her, “How naïve can you be? That’s the first thing someone who is married will tell you to get you into bed. Do you really think he was going to fess up to the fact that he’s got a wife and maybe even a family waiting at home? And let me guess I’m sure you told him that he’s the father of your babies, right?”

Angela looked away refusing to meet his eyes.

“My God Angie. What kind of idiot are you?” he huffed overwhelmed by her sudden stupidity, “Now what happens if he wants to lay claim on your children? What are you going to do when he sniffs around and sees who you really are?”

“It’s over Kevin. As soon as it started, it ended,” she buried her face in her hands, “I’m not going to see him again, so it’s okay.”

“You said that last time and lo and behold where did you wind up tonight,” Kevin remarked sarcastically, “Shall we recount the play by play?”

“Oh just shut up!” she curled her fists at her sides, “You don’t understand. You weren’t there and…”

“Oh I understand plenty Angie. You were getting in over your head like you always do and this time it’s going to come back and bite you in the ass harder than it did the last time. This time you really screwed up,” he warned shaking his finger at her, “You are really in hot water now.”

“Oh like you aren’t,” she rolled her eyes at his comment, “I mean let’s face it Kevin. You’re in as deep as I am given that you didn’t even bother to tell Ria what you were doing. While you stand here lecturing me, your fiancée is probably wondering what in the hell is so important that you had to abandon her at that party in order to stand here listening to me and my problems. Hell, you said you were going to marry her Kevin, yet here you are lecturing me on my love life when you should be with her.”

“I’m trying to help a friend,” Kevin snapped dismissively, “Ria understands that.”

“No Kevin, she doesn’t and if you keep making her feel like she’s second best, then you’re going to lose her. She’s going to walk out of your life and you’ll never see it coming,” Angela warned sharply knowing only too well of the insecurities that Ria must be feeling right about now over the state of her relationship with Kevin.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ria walked over to her couch and sat down after changing into her pajamas trying to get around her worries with Kevin. Chase and Trisha had wanted to stay around longer with her, but still she couldn’t have them be around her all day when she was at home. Chase and Trisha had other plans and she knew she couldn’t keep them away from the plans they had earlier.

Still her thoughts were still going back to Kevin wondering what he was doing with Angela right now. There were so many things that had her worried because it had been a few hours since he had called her to tell her what was up.

All she could think about was him and all the things he had said to her, but her mind was still drifting off to some of the things Angela had said to her when they first met. There were so many things that Kevin had promised her when they were together. So many things, that she wanted to believe was going to happen, but with the way Kevin was acting lately, she almost believed herself that Kevin might really still be in love with Angela.

“So tell me about the baby,” Ria snuggled in closer to Kevin after he made love to her. She was trying to find a way to make him feel better after being out on the balcony with him yesterday. “What really happened?”

“Ria honey,” Kevin wrapped his arm around her carefully before shaking his head slowly, feeling her fingers center in over his chest drawing circles over his smooth skin. “I really don’t feel like talking about it, every time I do all I do is get upset. I don’t want…”

“Kevin,” Ria placed her index finger over his lips before shaking her head slowly. She leaned up pressing a small kiss over his lips, feeling his hand press in against her shoulders. “I know it’s on your mind, you can tell me honey. What happened all that long ago?”

“I don’t know,” Kevin took in a deep breath trying to remember everything that had happened in his tortured past. “You see me and Angie were together and there was this one guy named Craven. One of the biggest son of a bitches you would have ever met. He was obsessed with Angie and was always trying to tear us apart.”

“Right,” Ria nodded not quite sure how to answer to what he just told her. When his worried dark eyes met hers she realized that maybe her jealousy shouldn’t be getting in the way anytime soon. “Go ahead.”

“He got me on this thing and it was supposed to be the last case I would have done because after that I was quitting,” Kevin informed her moving back just enough to show her a small scar where his shoulder and neck met. “He shot me right there that night and I was left bleeding to death. Thank god I had the strength to get up, but when I was finally all set I found out my daughter was being born right above me. I went up as fast as I could, but she was gone and that’s what I was left with for my Christmas present. Theis showed me how much of a horrible person I was and my daughter took the heat that I should have gotten. Not her.”

“Kevin, it wasn’t your fault this happened,” Ria tried to assure him before placing her hand over his chest. Angela soon passed her mind as she looked into his dark eyes carefully trying to read what was going on behind them. There was obvious pain that could be shown, but there was still the thought of Angela that lingered in her mind. “Everything with you and Angie had to be fine though because you said yourself you slept with her a couple of months before she got pregnant with that guys babies.”

“Stop Ria, nothing was ever alright between me and Angie after that moment,” Kevin pointed out thinking about all the things he had done in the past, making him realize that he probably made a few mistakes. “I’m all about making love and you know that Ria, but really with Angie--that’s not what it was about. She was all about screwing if you get my point, that’s really not who I am though. I can’t stand being in that kind of relationship. The only one who can truly love me for me is you Ria.”

“I want to believe you so bad,” Ria whispered thinking about everything that had happened with Kevin that night. There were so many times that Kevin tried to assure her that she was the only one for him, but still she couldn’t help but think about what had happened the first day she had met Angela.

Angela nodded, “Yeah. I mean he and I have been pretty much through everything with one another. He was kind of my first real serious relationship and we were together for a while, but my family kind of got in the way. We split up for a while, then we got back together and split up again and now, well now I think he just hates me.”

“It sounds like you both have a very involved history that goes beyond being friends,” Ria added after a moment, “but you know maybe that’s where your trouble is.”

“How do you figure?”

“Well, you mentioned that you’ve had this big romantic whirlwind together, yet you’re trying to be just friends right now. I have to tell you that never works especially if there are feelings involved,” Ria sighed heavily, “I mean in my own experiences I’ve found that friendship after a relationship doesn’t work. It’s really hard especially if one of the two in the relationship still loves the other one.”

“Don’t get me wrong. I love him. I love him a lot, but just not like that,” Angela continued to explain her situation, “We haven’t been officially together for a couple of years now, but there were those occasional moments where we…well, we’ve been together without being together if you know what I mean…”

“Ah, one of those relationships,” understanding sparked behind Ria’s eyes, “and is this why he was unhappy about your new guy?”

“No,” Angela shook her head, “at least I don’t think so. I mean we haven’t had sex in a while if that’s what you’re thinking at. It’s been a long time, but still I knew that he was interested--more than interested and I think after this last guy walked out on me, well I think that the opportunity came up a few times…”

That showed to her that Kevin had still had feeling for Angela. Even Angela herself had said Kevin had been with her on the island kissing her and everything. The one thing she feared the most she was starting to realize. Never was she going to be Kevin’s number one in his life and that scared her the most.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Thanks again Jackie,” Deana walked her babysitter over to the door. “I appreciate your helping me out like this.”

“Not a problem and hey, anytime you need me, you know where to call,” Jackie smiled over at Deana before lowering her voice a bit. “By the way great job with your date. He’s a hunk. I wouldn’t let this one go.”

“Thanks I’ll keep that in mind,” Deana laughed lightly before closing the door and turning around to see Grady waiting for her over by the sofa.

“I guess nothing beats being busted by the babysitter while you’re making out right,” Grady couldn’t help but tease her watching the color fill over her cheeks.

“It wasn’t exactly on my top of the list when it came to what I expected of tonight,” she admitted with a small smile.

“I’m sure we can still live through the humiliation,” Grady noted slipping out of his suit jacket and watching Deana move around the room with what seemed to be a newfound nervousness.

“Would you like a drink? I could get you a brandy or something,” Deana began clearing her throat uneasily as her dark gaze shifted around the living room as if she was trying to find something to focus on other than Grady. She fidgeted with her fingers for a moment before forcing herself to face him. “I think I might have a beer or something in the fridge as well if that’s more your thing…”

“Actually, I can’t really go there tonight,” Grady explained feeling a tension carry over him. He stepped in closer to her before lowering his voice a bit, “I’m kind of in rehab if you will.”

“Rehab,” she repeated giving him a sideways glance.

“I’ve been sober for well, not as long as I was a few months ago, but I have to stay away from it. Grady and alcohol don’t mix so to speak,” he confessed honestly gauging himself for her reaction to what he was saying to her.

“That’s okay,” Deana replied after a long moment of silence. “I’m not really big on drinking for that matter anyways. I can put a pot of coffee on or something and…”

“Actually,” he touched her wrist catching it as she attempted to brush by him, “I’m not really interested in a drink right about now.”

“No,” she replied in a shaky voice feeling his index finger press against her pulse point in a soft, swirling motion. She tipped her head up to see his green eyes burning with desire beside her.

“No, not really,” he admitted turning her in his arms and closing in over her.

His mouth descended onto hers, kissing her with a fiery intent that had been absent in their earlier kiss in the hallway. Unable to refrain from enjoying the kiss, she threw her arms around Grady and kissed him back wishing like hell that she’d met a man like him sooner who knew how to kiss. His tongue tangled with hers, causing a low sound to rise up in the back of her throat while her fingers slid into his hair tugging on it gently. She could feel his touch moving in over her spine, smoothing out over the material of her dress and without hesitation she arched into him, savoring the warmth of his strong form against hers.

“Oh Grady,” she breathed in a low, husky tone, her dark eyes filled with sheer lust. He pulled her down onto the couch with him, shifting ever so slightly so that he leaned in over her, his palm pressing in over her hip. Instinctively she arched up into his touch longing to feel closer to him while her finger tips teased over the center of his chest. She toyed with one of the buttons on his shirt before their lips parted and they found themselves both equally breathless.

“Wow,” he couldn’t help but smile down at her, his thumb skimming gently over her bottom lip, “You really are good at this whole kissing thing.”

“Did you expect anything less out of me,” she offered up in a sultry tone reaching out for him again. Before he could answer, his mouth met hers in a heated frenzy. She wrapped her leg around his hip urging him to move in over her a bit closer than before while her fingers popped open the first few buttons on his shirt. She slid her hand inside to feel the warmth of his muscled chest beneath her touch, but before she could truly enjoy all of it, she heard a sound from behind them on the couch.

“Mommy,” Zane’s voice broke through the moment causing Deana to push Grady away and spring up to her feet next to the couch.

“Zane, hey honey,” she waved at her son, feeling her face flushed with desire, her breath heavy and uneven at the direction she’d allowed herself to be taken to with a man she barely knew. Trying to ignore the pounding pulsating that carried over her, she circled around the couch to meet her son with worried eyes, “what’s wrong/”

“I couldn’t sleep,” Zane admitted with a tiny yawn rubbing at his eyes. “I was in bed, but I just couldn’t get rested. I heard you come home and I wanted to see you. I hope you‘re not mad at me.”

“It’s ok baby,” Deana knelt down to scoop him up and into her arms, “I could never be mad about seeing you. I’m glad that you’re awake so that I can give you your good-night kiss.”

Deana kissed the top of Zane’s head and he let out a tiny laugh. She continued to give him small kisses listening to the sounds of him squeal with delight at her playful mood.

“Oh mom,” she wiggled in her arms, “You’re so funny.”

“I’m not funny. I just love you so much,” she mouthed feeling him wiggle in her arms. Finally she set him down again and watched as he noticed Grady for the first time.

“Hi Grady. What are you doing here?” Zane questioned curiously seeing Grady still seated on the couch.

“I took your mom out tonight so I thought I might stick around and visit for a little while,” Grady replied adjusting his now opened shirt a bit.

“Oh cool,” Zane walked around the couch to join Grady, “then you can stick around to hear the story my mom reads to me every night before bed.”

“Well Zane, I don’t know if Grady wants to do that. I mean he was just about to leave and,” Deana stammered a bit pushing the material of her dress back into place as it was wrinkled in her make out session with Grady.

“I don’t mind at all,” Grady confessed patting the seat on the couch beside him. “In fact if you go and get the book I’m pretty sure we can read it all together. Or I’ll tell you what. We’ll let your mom read the story that she always reads you and then you can pick out another book you like and I’ll read it to you.”

“Seriously?” Zane’s eyes grew wide with anticipation.

“Yeah seriously,” Grady reached out to muss Zane’s hair before smiling, “Go and get your books kiddo. I’m in the mood for a good story.”

“Alright,” Zane cheered rushing off into his bedroom as Deana looked to Grady once again.

“You really don’t have to stick around and do this if you don’t want to,” Deana offered up feeling a bit uncomfortable about what had taken place between them.

“I know that, but it’s not about having to do it. I want to do it. I like Zane. He’s a good kid,” Grady replied as Zane returned with three of his favorite books and took a seat right beside Grady.

“I hope you don’t mind reading me two stories,” Zane looked up to Grady with hopeful eyes.

“For you kiddo, I would be more than happy to do it,” Grady promised as Deana watched her son warming up to him. As she stood beside the sofa seeing Zane readily welcoming Grady into his life, Deana found herself falling for Grady more and more each moment which could only mean trouble for her in the long run. She was sure of it!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Oh, this party has just been great,” Cori took in a deep breath slouching down and resting her elbows on the table before her before taking a look around the room. The party was dying down big time now and she hadn’t even been able to do what she had planned to do. “I can’t believe I haven’t gotten to dance with Rob more than once.”

Seeing Rob over in the corner by the exit Cori quickly got up from her seat and walked over towards him seeing him waiting patiently for something.

“Rob,” Cori smiled brightly seeing him turn around to face her with a slight smile before nodding over towards the door. “Rob, how are you doing right now? Please don’t tell me that you are leaving the party now.”

“Well Cori, it’s really getting late,” Rob tried to explain as Lindsay walked up to him and he wrapped his arm around his daughter’s shoulder before shaking his head slowly. “It’s getting late here and we are going to get going. I’ll see you later.”

“Rob wait,” Cori went to say something else before seeing him walk off with Alicia and Lindsay. She let out a long sigh before closing her eyes and thinking about everything that was happening to her. A hand rested against her shoulder as she let out a small groan. “Just leave me alone.”

“Why leave you alone when you obviously are angry about something?” Nate offered up seeing her turn around to look at him as he held onto his broom and offered up a small smile. He saw her look down to see he had his shirt off and only his jacket on. “Oh yeah, that. Since you threw me into that guy--I got left with only this stupid jacket.”

“You’re a waiter?” Cori questioned with a small laugh before rolling her eyes and watching Nate let out a sarcastic laugh. “That is so pathetic on your part. How much do you even get paid? I don’t even want to know, it seems too pathetic anyways.”

“Pathetic?” Nate repeated her words before nodding and biting down on his bottom lip. He had been watching her for a while during the night and saw her start to freak out after Rob had left. “Almost as pathetic as my boss leaving you in the dirt and not even paying attention to you, right?”

“Very funny,” Cori rolled her eyes resting in against the wall as Nate stepped in front of her and shook his head slowly. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I just don’t understand girls like you,” Nate informed her in a small breath before holding tightly onto his broom and resting his chin against it. “That guy is never going to give you the time of day Cori. You should have seen that when he left without even a dear hug goodbye.”

“You don’t think so?” Cori questioned seeing him shake his head before she reached out and pushed him into another person again, making him fall back on top of the person. “I’ll show you who is right. Trust me he will go for me.”

Nate made her realize one thing with Rob and that was she was just going to try harder. She had to do something that was going to get his attention big time. Something that could make him pay more attention to her and she had just the plan in mind.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“This is it,” Don explained walking over to Brant with a piece of paper, “I did a little sniffing around and would you believe that I found it?”

“You are a lifesaver,” Brant took the piece of paper from him, “I can’t believe that you were able to get this information.”

“Hey what can I say? When you’re good, you’re good,” Don explained proudly, his face lighting up in encouragement, “Now you just do what you came here to do and find her. I did the easy part, now the rest is up to you.”

“I know,” Brant nodded his stomach tied in knots as he looked to the hotel elevators.

Once he and Don had followed the car to the hotel lot, they’d lost sight of Angela, but Don had managed to bribe the bellboy into offering up the room number that Angela was staying in and now, well now it was about to begin a new page in Brant’s history. He was about to finally get back to where he wanted to be with the woman he was sure was about to effect his future in ways he’d only dreamt about.

“You’d better get back to Shannon because she’s going to kill you when she sees you left,” Brant offered up thinking about his friend’s rush to help him, “She’s not going to be happy at all.”

“She’ll get around to forgiving me sooner or later,” Don shrugged his shoulders not really wanting to anticipate his wife’s response to his hasty retreat.

“Even so I don’t want her to torture you for helping me find my way,” Brant offered up with an appreciative smile, “Thank you for this Don. You have no idea how much your help has meant to me.”

“Just don’t blow it this time. If this Angela woman is what you want, then don’t let it slip away,” Don patted him on the back encouragingly as Brant nodded.

“I won’t,” Brant promised himself more so than Don as he pushed the button to the elevators ready to take that step towards his future once and for all.

Don watched Brant behind the elevator until the doors fully closed. Letting out a small breath Don just prayed that his pal knew what he was doing because if he was wrong, then Don feared what could happen to Brant in dealing with yet another blow to his ego. Then again Don feared what might happen once Shannon learned that he’d left her stranded at the party. Don might himself in some hot water for that one. Big time!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Don’t you dare sit there and lecture me on Ria when you don’t know the first thing about my relationship with her,” Kevin growled at Angela finally having had enough of her and her issues she’d created for herself through the years. “You know I try to help you, but I’m done. You can figure out your own messes from here on out.”

“I never asked you to figure them out for me Kevin,” she huffed in response watching him reach for his jacket. Panic swept over her, “What are you doing? Where are you going?”

“I’m calling Ria,” he announced turning towards the bedroom area of the suite with his cell phone in his hand, “Because you’re right about one thing. She deserves a hell of a lot more than I gave her to go on tonight. I’m going to explain everything to her and make her see that I was just helping a friend. She’s going to understand.”

“No she’s not,” Angela shook her head at him, “She’s going to be pissed Kevin.”

“And if she is, then I’m going to blame this one on you. This was your fault,” he warned waving his finger at her before disappearing behind the bedroom door closing it with a thud.

“Well isn’t this wonderful,” Angela threw her hands in the air with a groan, “Not only do I have a night that felt like both a dream and a nightmare, but Kevin is ticked at me. What else could go wrong?”

As if on cue, Angela heard a knock on the door. She turned to look at it wearily not really sure who to expect given that she and Kevin had quickly checked into the hotel when she was in an uproar. Wondering if Kevin had gotten her credit card back she marched over to the door pulling it open only to discover Brant standing on the other side.

“Angela we need to talk,” he explained calmly, his dark eyes filled with determination as she slammed the door in his face.

She stood against the door panic now transforming into fear as he started to knock at the door frantically.

“Angela open up! I know that you’re upset, but we really need to talk,” Brant pleaded through the door, his knocks growing more urgent.

“Go away! I don’t have anything to say to you!” she shouted in response making sure that door was locked securely.

“I’m not leaving until you open up!” his voice rose even further, “Just open the door. I’m not going to hurt you, but we need to talk. You can’t just shut me out like this!”

“Watch me!” she snapped placing her hands on her hips defiantly, “Just go away!”

“I’m not going anywhere so either you open this door or I swear I’m going to knock it in!” he argued further causing a ripple of a shiver to creep in over her spine, “Angela open the door!”

“No! Just go away! You just…” Angela paused hearing the bedroom door opening from behind her. She saw Kevin emerging from the room with a puzzled expression and she let out a shriek.

“What’s going on out here? “Kevin asked curiously giving her a strange look, “What is that?”

“Nothing. It’s nothing,” Angela rushed over to him tugging on his arm urgently. “Let’s just go back in the bedroom or even on the balcony. I heard there is a great view from on the balcony and…”

“Open up Angela! I’m giving you until the count of three before I kick this door in!” Brant’s voice shouted from the hallway, his banging on the door growing far more urgent, the desperation in his voice growing by the second.

“Who the hell is out there?” Kevin frowned hearing Brant once again, “Wait a second. I know that voice. I think I know that guy…”

“Kevin forget about it,” Angela tugged on his arm again, her worries mounting by the second, “Let’s just go outside and…”

“And nothing,” Kevin blinked back at her thinking about something that hadn’t occurred to him until now, “That’s Blake’s brother out there, isn’t it?”

“Whose Blake?” Angela questioned blankly her fears about what would happen if Brant and Kevin came face to face surrounding her now and filling her with a newfound worry.

“She’s Seth’s…” Kevin stopped himself suddenly understanding why Angela was so desperate to get him out of the room and away from their uninvited guest. “Son of a bitch. He’s the man isn’t he Angie? He’s the guy who…”

“Kevin please just let it go…” she begged of him tugging on his arm once again.

“The hell I am,” Kevin wiggled out of her touch marching over to the door and throwing it open only to have Brant almost pound his fist directly into Kevin’s chest.

“Oh I’m sorry,” Brant took a step back recognizing the face before him. A moment of confusion settled in over him before he spoke up once again, “Is Angela here?”

“Yes, she is, but no you aren’t seeing her,” Kevin shoved Brant in the chest sending him further into the hallway, “You’re not welcome here.”

“Look you don’t understand. She and I need to talk. We…” Brant started to explain himself but before he could finish he felt a fist to his face sending him flying back onto the floor across the hallway. He slammed into the wall before toppling to the ground with Kevin hovering over him with a death glare.

“Oh I understand plenty and you’re not welcome here,” Kevin warned sharply his dark eyes filled with a fury. He looked at Brant knowing full well why Angela was trying to pull him away from the door. It was plain as day that Brant was clearly the man that Angela had her fling with and now that he lay out on the floor before Kevin, fury bubbled up inside of him. He kicked at Brant’s side before taking a step back, “You’re not welcome here at all, so I would strongly suggest you leave before I have to call security to get you out of here.”

“Wait…” Brant began in a pained breath straining to pull himself off of the floor. “If you just listen…”

“No you listen,” Kevin circled around to grab Brant by the collar pulling him off of the ground and dangling him in the air, “Whatever it is that you think you had with Angie, it’s over. It never was and it never will be again, so get lost. She’s not interested!”

With that Kevin shoved Brant across the hallway before moving back into the hotel room and locking the door behind him. He glared at Angela, anger and frustrations pounding into his body at that particular moment in time.

“Kevin, what did you do? What did you say to him?” Angela gulped fearing what might have happened outside of the hotel room.

“It’s finished,” Kevin announced certain that if Brant had even half a brain that he wouldn’t bother to try to return to the hotel room because if he did, he was about to endure the pounding of his life--one that he would be certain to never forget!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

...to be continued...