Kevin sat up in the bed and glanced over at his wife. She was still resting peacefully, her flaxen hair fanned out against the pillow. He smiled and ran his thumb along her tanned cheek. Kristen stirred a bit, but didn’t wake up. To him, she was perfection. He couldn’t have found a more loving, understanding person to spend his life with.

It was the perfect time for Kevin to reflect on everything they had been through together in the past eight years. No matter what the problem, Kristen stuck by him. Kevin felt a tinge of pain when he remember one specific night…

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The couple returned to their Orlando home early morning on New Years day, neither one speaking to each other. As much as Kevin tried to convince Kristen that what AJ had said was nothing more than a lie he had made up, she didn’t believe him.

“I think I’m going to stay at Laura’s house,” Kristen said softly, too afraid to talk louder because she might yell again.

Kevin nodded. “I won’t stop you. Maybe it’s for the best.”

The blonde headed upstairs to gather a few things and Kevin went into the living room. He fell onto the leather sofa with a heavy sigh. He knew he was to blame for AJ’s outburst. “If only I had kept my mouth shut,” he mumbled.

“What did you say?” Kristen voice interrupted the silence in the room.

Looking up at the petite woman standing at the entranceway to the room Kevin gave a helpless shrug. “I was just blaming myself.”

Turning to leave, Kristen stopped at the front door, shifting her tote bag to the other hand she paused before opening the door. “Good,” she stated, “you should feel guilty. I’ll see you in a couple of days.” With her fair well Kristen left, slamming the door behind her.

Wanting to take the edge off, Kevin lifted himself from the sofa and went into the kitchen. He grabbed a bottle of Miller Lite and sat on a stool at the island in the middle of the kitchen. Loneliness never felt so painful before and all he wanted was his wife back.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Thinking that Kristen had forgotten her key Kevin rushed to answer it. Throwing the door back he was greeted with the last person he would expect.

“Maggie.”

Pushing her way into the house, she glared at the raven-haired man in front of her. “What the FUCK were you thinking?” She screamed, as tears ran down her face.

There was nothing he could say. He was worn out and not in the mood for another argument. “Does Nick know you’re here?” Kevin questioned.

“No.” Maggie sniffled. “Why did you lie to AJ?” She asked, a fresh set of tears pouring from her emerald eyes.

Her face was so distraught and hurt, Kevin could only imagine what she was going through. “I’m sorry.”

Throwing her purse at him Maggie felt enraged. “Sorry doesn’t fucking cut it when I just lost my best friend and my boyfriend in one night because you decided to make up a bunch of bullshit lies. What the fuck, Kevin, don’t you have better things to do then ruin people’s lives? You’re so god damn selfish. I don’t know why I wasted my time coming here. I thought I’d get answers. Maybe I did, my answer is you’re vindictive and manipulative and maybe…” Maggie gave a dramatic pause.

“Maybe what?” Kevin pressed.

“Maybe, we should.” She said softly, pushing her red curls from her eyes.

Kevin stood speechless by what Maggie had just offered. He was tired of arguing and his heart ached for his wife, now here was this girl throwing herself at him. “What do you want me to say to that?”

Slinking towards Kevin, Maggie smirked. “You don’t have to say anything.” She whispered, her tone seductive as she draped her arms over his neck and pulled him in for a kiss.

Not sure of how to react Kevin returned the kiss, placing his hands first on her waist, then allowing one of them to travel up her shirt.

“Take me.” Maggie moaned.

Kevin brought his lips to her neck and nibbled on her soft skin. He massaged her breast and felt aroused. It was so wrong that he convinced himself it was right. After all, everyone already thought they had done it, why not go through with it? Lifting Maggie with his strong arms he brought her into the living room and placed her on the couch. He brought his body down on top of her and began unbuttoning her blouse.

Breathing heavily Maggie grabbed a chunk of Kevin’s hair and pulled his face to hers. “Kiss me.” She demanded.

The two were lost in their own world, neither one heard the front door open and shut.

“WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!” Kristen hollered.

Raising himself from the couch Kevin stood helpless to his wife’s shocked and disappointed face. “It’s not what you think.” He muttered.

Resting her hands on her hips, Kristen raised her eyebrow at her husband. “Sure looks like what I think. You,” she pointed to Maggie, “get the fuck out of my house and don’t ever come back.”

Not arguing Maggie buttoned her blouse, snatched her purse from the floor and left.

“I’m ready to talk.” Kristen stated, stepping past Kevin to sit on the recliner chair.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

That was the last time that anyone heard from Maggie. She did call Kevin the following morning to ask for forgiveness. He returned her apology with flight information to Los Angeles, California, telling her that the further she was from all of them the better. Some people he knew out there would help her find a place. He had even arranged for her to continue her dancing career as an instructor at one of the top schools in the city. He took care of all the arrangements, all he asked for in return was that she never come back or speak a word to any of the boys again. She agreed.

*

Back home in LA Maggie entered her apartment with relief. She was gone from the life she had once known, and now she could put the past behind her once and for all. The first thing the slim red head did was check her messages.

Message one: “Maggie, its Judy. Why aren’t you answering your phone? I really think it’s about time you invest in a cell so then I could track you down at all times. Call beeeeotch.”

Message two: “Sup Mags, its Tommy. Remember me, your AA sponsor? Well, I was wondering why you haven’t checked in. Please call when you receive this message.”

Message three: “Hunny, it’s your mother. Dad and I were just calling to send our love and see how things out in California are. Hope to hear from you soon.”

Message four: “I knew you would leave, but why so soon? You’re a coward. All the same, I’m already missing you.”

AJ’s message was the last one. She figured Nick had told the others she left. Too tired to deal with most of the messages, Maggie picked up the phone and called Judy.

“Talk dirty to me,” Judy greeted her caller.

A smile quickly spread across Maggie’s delicate features. “So, I’m a beeeeeoch, huh?”

“Maggie! You crazy girl, you know we’re fighting right?” A tone of hurt was evident in Judy’s voice.

Flopping down on her bed Maggie rubbed her temple and sighed. “Who told you I was there?”

There was a pause on the other end of the phone while Maggie waited for Judy’s answer. “Alexander. I guess he was just excited to have his best girl back in town.”

Not wanting to discuss the past twenty-four hours Maggie closed her eyes. Some how she wished it would make everything around her go away. When she opened them again she heard Judy humming on the other end of the phone. “I’ll make it up to you. I have a week off this summer. I’ll buy a ticket out there to see you, and ONLY you.” She said, emphasizing the “only”.

“Fair enough. I have to go now. Get some sleep, you sound like shit. Love you. Bye!.” Judy’s disconnected the call and Maggie did as told. She curled up on the bed and shut her eyes, welcoming the sleep that began to take over her body.