Chapter Two

Kyle tore his eyes away from Christy and looked at Kevin, a brow raised as he gave him a once over. The look in his eyes told Kevin that this guy didn’t like him on sight. “So you’re Kevin. I’ve heard so much about you I feel I almost know you,” Kyle said, extending his hand.

Kevin shook it and released it. “Well, Christy hasn’t said a word about you,” he said.

He caught the surprised expression that came over Christy’s face at his somewhat short response. Kyle just laughed.

“Well, I’m not as interesting to talk about as a Backstreet Boy, I suppose.”

Christy winced at the way he said “Backstreet Boy,” like it was dirty word or something. Kevin caught the tone and took a step back.

“If you’ll excuse me, I see some people I’d like to go talk to. Nice meeting you, Kyle. Christy, I’ll see you later.”

He started to walk away, his lips set in a thin line and his eyes narrowed. Christy caught up with him and tugged his shirt sleeve.

“I don’t know what happened back there,” she said. “But I’m sorry. Kyle-”

“Doesn’t like me,” he finished for her.

“I guess not. Look, why don’t you stop by sometime? How long are you in town for?”

“I’ve got a week.”

“Are you staying at your mother’s house?”

“Yup.”

“Okay. How about you come and see Chad? I’m sure he’d be thrilled to meet you,” she said, her eyes hopeful and apologetic.

“Even if I am just a Backstreet Boy?”

Kevin could have kicked himself after he said that.

“I’m sorry about Kyle. Wow, seems like we’ve been apologizing to each other ever since you got here.”

“Christy, of course I’ll stop and see you and Chad. I’d hate not to.”

Christy’s face brightened and she smiled. “Great! Ann has my address and phone number. What do you say to lunch? Tomorrow?”

“Sounds good. I’ll see you then.”

She hugged him before heading back to Kyle. Kevin watched her and her fiance. He saw her say something to him that obviously made him mad. He waved his arms in the air and Kevin could hear the anger in his voice. Christy covered her face with her hands and Kyle quieted down. Then he took her arm and lead her out the door.

“He’s such a jerk,” a female voice said behind Kevin.

“Pardon?” he asked, turning.

“Kyle Bloomfield. Town jerk, and Christy’s going to marry him.”

Kevin looked down at the person talking and recognized her as Mary Ann Simmons, his chemistry lab partner and the queen of gossip.

“Why is he so bad?” Kevin asked, casually fishing for information. He knew Mary Ann could tell him anything.

“Come on, Kevin. Let’s talk.”

Several hours later, a tired but more knowledgable Kevin, sneaked unsuccessfully into his mother’s house.

“Kevin?” she called from the living room.

Kevin sighed. “It’s me.”

He closed the front door and walked into the living room. His mother was curled up on the couch, a bowl of popcorn on the floor and an old movie playing on the television. He sat down at the end of the couch.

“How was the reunion?” she asked, hitting the mute button. The tv went silent.

“It was...interesting. I saw Christy.”

Ann Richardson’s face lit up. “You did? Oh that’s wonderful!”

“And then I met Kyle Bloomfield,” Kevin added.

Ann’s face fell. “Oh.”

“So you know him, too.”

“Kevvy-Kev, everyone knows him.”

“Everyone but the woman engaged to him.”

“Sadly, yes. I’ve heard such things about him, he makes my skin crawl.”

“So why hasn’t anyone told Christy?”

“We’ve tried, even me. But she won’t listen. She’s alone, raising a small boy. She wants to be loved and cared for.”

“I could do a much better job than Kyle,” Kevin said softly.

Ann tilted her head and looked at her son. “Are you, uh, volunteering for the job?”

Kevin jumped. “What? She’s engaged, Mom!”

Ann just smiled. “Are you going to visit her?”

“She invited me to her house to see Chad.”

“Great. Maybe you can talk to her about Kyle.”

Kevin groaned. “What makes you think she’ll listen to me?”

“Maybe because she’s always had a soft spot for you.”

Ann rose from the couch, kissed her youngest on the forehead and headed upstairs. “Good night, honey.”

“’Night, Mom.”