Chapter 15

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Nick felt the color rushing to his cheeks and he put distance between Kayleigh and himself. He turned and looked at his son who was standing in the kitchen doorway. Aaron stood behind him with his hands on his hips. Nick knew he was in for it. Kayleigh laughed at the situation and shooed him out of the kitchen. She dumped the burnt noodles into the wastebasket and washed out the pan. She shook her head at the way Nick looked. The look in his eyes, made her regret ever even agreeing to come.

Nick took Gavin by the hand and led him to his bedroom to play. Gavin sat on the floor and handed a power ranger to is father. He occupied himself in playing quietly for a few moments.

"I'm sorry baby," Nick said softly ruffling Gavin's hair. "You shouldn't have seen that. She's just a friend. I have no idea why I did that."

Aaron had entered the room and was sitting on the floor. He picked up a teddy bear and was absentmindedly playing with it.

"I'm sorry Aaron," Nick said raising his eyes to meet his brothers. "I was out of line by yelling at you, especially to turn around and do the same thing. It was wrong of me and I am sorry,"

Aaron nodded and picked up the yellow power ranger. "It's ok man, it is your house."

The boys busied themselves with the toys forgetting that Kayleigh was still in the kitchen. Nick couldn't get the confusing thoughts to leave his mind. Did he want to kiss her? Of course not! He had not even looked at another woman the same way since Amanda. He loved her. He couldn't picture himself with another woman, or could he? He could not for the life of him get the vision of her face out of his head. He tried to focus on any thing but the kiss, but he could not concentrate.

He could not find the answers to the questions that were plaguing his mind. He couldn't get anything straight in his head. He was so confused. He knew Amanda was never coming back. He was reminded of that fact every day, but that did not make it any easier to leave her behind.

He slapped his forehead when he realized he had left Kayleigh alone for well over an hour. He got up off the floor and ran to the kitchen, only to find dinner ready, and Kayleigh gone. He went to the living room and looked out the window, her car was gone. He sighed heavily and went back to the kitchen. He slumped into the kitchen chair and pouted. He was a real jerk.

Gavin decided to come in then and climbed up into his father's lap. He took Nick's face in his small hands and kissed him.

"Don't be sad daddy, Smiwe!" Gavin said grinning.

Nick hugged him tightly and put him in his highchair. Aaron joined the pair in the kitchen and commented on the food.

"Man, you're a complete jerk, but yet she still cooks for you!" Aaron said smirking and taking the words right out of Nick's mouth.

Nick put the food on plates and set the table. They ate in silence, Nick feeding Gavin small portions of the new spaghetti. He still couldn't believe he had burnt it, and ruined the dinner he wantd to make for her, on top of all of that she had remade dinner and left because he had just "disappeared" into the playroom. He really could be a jerk.