|
|
Chapter 5
Stephanie got up early the next morning and spent a few hours at work. She knew she would drive herself crazy if she stayed at home. This project she was working on for Kevin was taking up a lot of her time, and she was getting behind in other projects. She had set her pager to go off at 12:30, so she would be able to leave on time.
Before she knew it, her pager went off. She felt a nervous feeling brew in her stomach as she saved what she was working on and locked up the office.
Meanwhile, Kevin was still sleeping. They had a late video shoot the night before and Kevin did not get in until 4am. At 12:55pm Kevin finally rolled over. He gave his eyes a few seconds to focus and he jumped out of bed when he realized Stephanie would be there in 5 minutes. He quickly hopped in the shower. At first Kevin thought he was hungry, but then he realized that he was nervous. He hadn't asked a girl out in quite sometime.
Stephanie parked her car and walked up to the front door. She was a few minutes late due to an accident on the freeway. She rang the doorbell and started to wonder if Kevin was even home. Finally after she rang the doorbell again, Kevin flung the door open.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. We had a late video shoot last night and I just woke up 10 minutes ago." Kevin said breathlessly. He looked Stephanie up and down and thought she looked good in her blue jeans and white tank top.
"We can do this another day if you like." Stephanie suggested.
"No, it is alright! Just give me a few minutes to get ready." Kevin said as he stepped aside to allow Stephanie entry to the house. He closed the door and let his eyes fall on her firm bottom, as she walked.
Stephanie walked past Kevin and took in his scent. She could tell he had just showered, and his scent made her light-headed. "Do you mind if I wander around the backyard while you are getting ready?" Stephanie asked.
"Go right ahead. I should only be another fifteen minutes." Kevin said as he disappeared upstairs. He closed his bedroom door and knew he was falling for Stephanie. He warned himself to take it slow. He could never be too careful.
Stephanie wandered around the garden for about ten minutes and sat on the deck waiting for Kevin to come and get her. She must have been lost in thought, because she did not hear him come outside a few minutes later.
Kevin called Stephanie's name and wondered why she wasn't answering him. He walked over to her and seemed to startle her by placing a hand on her shoulder. "Sorry. You must have been deep in thought," Kevin apologized.
Stephanie stood up and followed Kevin into the house. She noticed his cute butt as he walked in his blue jeans. There wasn't a thing she didn't like about Kevin.
Kevin and Stephanie drove to the stables in silence. They were both deep in thought, neither realizing what the other was thinking. After a fifteen minute drive, Kevin pulled into a driveway and brought his 4Runner to a stop. Stephanie jumped out of the truck and joined Kevin as they walked towards the stables.
Kevin spotted Trey going into the barn, so Kevin unconsciously took Stephanie's hand and walked in that direction.
Stephanie looked down and was shocked, yet pleased to see that Kevin was holding her hand. She tried not to read anything into it, but she couldn't help hoping it was because he liked her. They entered the barn and Stephanie saw a large man securing a horse in a stall.
"Hey Trey. Long time no see." Kevin said as they approached the man.
"If I wasn't seeing this with my own two eyes, I'm not sure I would believe it." How ya doing Kevin?" Trey said as he stepped forward.
"Oh come on Trey. It hasn't been that long!" Kevin said.
"Nah, I guess it has been only a few weeks." Trey admitted. "What can I do for ya man?" he asked.
"Saddle up Shelby and Fire." Kevin said.
"No problem Kev. Are you going to introduce me to your lady friend?" Trey asked as he looked at Stephanie.
"I don't know where my manners are. Stephanie this is my best-friend Trey. And Trey this is Stephanie. She is my interior decorator, and we both happen to love riding." Kevin said.
"Nice to meet you Stephanie. It is nice to see Kevin out here with a woman, even if he says she is only his interior decorator." Trey said, intentionally trying to embarrass his friend.
They all laughed and Stephanie noticed how flushed Kevin had become. She was glad Trey wasn't her friend and trying to embarrass her. "Is there a washroom I can use before we set out?" Stephanie asked.
"Can she use the one in the house?" Kevin asked.
"Sure, follow me Stephanie." Trey said.
"I'm just going to stay here and get Shelby and Fire ready." Kevin said.
When they were far enough away so that Kevin could not hear, Trey said, "Please tell me you are more than just his interior decorator."
"That's about sums it up Trey." Stephanie said, not wanting to give away her own feelings for Kevin.
"Shit, I wish he would just let someone into his life." Trey said as they entered the house.
In the washroom, Stephanie wondered what Trey meant by that last comment. She couldn't find Trey when she was finished, so she just headed back to the stable on her own, assuming Kevin wouldn't be too to far from there. She entered the barn, and stopped when she heard Trey say, "What is wrong with you man? She is a gorgeous girl. Doesn't she at least make you hard man?"
Stephanie was a little shocked by Trey's comment and decided to make her presence known. She did not want to eavesdrop on this conversation. "Um, are we ready to go Kevin?" Stephanie asked as she turned the corner.
"Yes we are Stephanie." Kevin said, while not looking away from Trey. She heard Trey walk away as she mounted the smaller horse. Without saying a word, Kevin mounted his horse and moved forward.
Stephanie had problems keeping up with Kevin, and now wondered if this was a good idea. She finally willed her horse to go faster and caught up with Kevin. She wasn't prepared for what she saw though. Kevin wiped the tears away and tried to hide the fact that he was crying, but it was too late for that. "I'm here if you need someone to talk to." Stephanie offered.
Kevin continued riding, not sure what to say. He was positive Stephanie had heard Trey's comment, and he was livid with his friend.
They rode for about fifteen minutes in silence, when Kevin stopped and said, "Do you mind if we stop here for a few minutes?
Stephanie simply stopped her horse and tied it up on the same tree Kevin tied his to. She watched him as he leaned against another tree, and just felt like hugging him.
Kevin finally looked at Stephanie and was comforted by the sincere look on her face. He finally said, "I'm sorry you had to hear that back there."
"Don't worry about it Kevin. I am worried about you though." Stephanie said as she took a few steps towards Kevin.
Kevin looked at Stephanie, just a few feet from where he was standing. He finally broke down and said, "He doesn’t understand what it is like Stephanie. He doesn't have to worry about anyone's intentions when he meets someone. Me on the other hand, am surrounded by people that don't give a shit about me, yet still want something out of me. Girls approach me all the time and you know what they want from me. A good screw is all they want. To someone like Trey, that would be a dream come true. But I am not like that. I have a heart, and it has been broken numerous times. I just want someone to love me for who I am. Someone to come home to after a 24 hour day or a 3-month tour." Kevin said. Then he looked Stephanie straight in the eye, and said, "Why is that so hard for everyone to understand?"
Stephanie looked back at Kevin through her tears and didn't know how to respond. She simply stepped forward and hugged Kevin. He immediately threw his arms around her and began crying again on her shoulder. Stephanie finally whispered, "Who ever finally gets your heart, will be the luckiest woman in the world Kevin. You have so much to offer a woman."
"Well where is she Stephanie?" Kevin responded quietly.
Stephanie secretly hoped that she was that person, but couldn't reveal that to Kevin. They finally sat down against the tree, neither of them saying a word. She wanted to be given the chance to make Kevin happy, but she knew she couldn't rush it with Kevin.
Kevin looked over at Stephanie and admired her shoulder length hair blowing in the wind. He knew right away that the person he had been waiting for was there with him now. She made him forget about who he was, and feel like a normal person. He desperately wanted to reveal those feelings to her, but decided it was wise to take it slow.
