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Chapter 7
Kevin leaned against the kitchen counter as Claire put the finishing touches on her Lasagna that was almost ready to go into the oven. "Can I pour you a glass of wine while we wait?" Kevin asked
"I really shouldn’t Kevin, especially if I have to take you back to the hotel later on. But don’t let me stop you." Claire said.
"No, that’s alright. I’m not a big wine drinker anyways." Kevin said.
"Well that will take about forty-five minutes to finish. Why don’t we go sit out on the balcony for a while? It’s a beautiful night out there." Claire suggested.
Kevin followed Claire out onto the balcony and once out there, Claire asked, "So tell me your life story Kevin."
"Only if you follow my lead." Kevin said.
"Of course, although I’ll warn you now. My life story isn’t very exciting." Claire said, half joking.
"And what makes you think that mine is?" Kevin questioned.
"You just seem like a fascinating person to me Kevin." Claire said honestly.
Kevin started by telling Claire about his life in Lexington. Claire was not surprised that Kevin was a popular jock while in high school. How could someone with a body like his, not be into sports. He then went on to talk about his move to Orlando, the circumstances surrounding his fathers death, and then of course his joining The Backstreet Boys. "Can I tell you something that I have never told anyone?" Kevin asked.
"Of course. You’re secret’s safe with me." Claire said.
"I’ve always wanted to tell someone this, but have always been afraid of what people would say. You have to promise me that you’re not going to tell a soul about this Claire." Kevin said.
Claire stepped forward so she could look into Kevin’s eyes and show him that she was being sincere when she said, "I have had a lot of people stab me in the back throughout my life Kevin and trust is so important to me. I promise to you Kevin, that no one will ever find out your secrets. They are safe with me Kevin."
"There are not very many people that I trust Claire, but in such a short time, I feel comfortable around you and something tells me that I can trust you. Well, there was this girl I met 6 years ago. I had just joined the group. She was a few years older than me and she made me feel like someone special. Well she got me drunk one night and then seduced me. Believe me when I say that I don’t just jump into bed with anyone. And if I were sober that night, it would have never happened. I hope this doesn’t scare you off Claire, but she got pregnant and I now have a 5 year old out there somewhere. I never found out about my son until he was born and she asked me to come in and do a paternity test. The test left no doubt that I was the father of the child. She told me that since my involvement with her, she had met someone and fallen in love and didn’t want anything out of me. So two years ago when we started gaining popularity and actually enjoying some success, she came back to me demanding child support. I asked to see my son, but she refused and told me that if I didn’t co-operate she would go to the press with my story. So I felt my hands were tied. I now have a son out there somewhere that I have never met, but certainly support on a monthly basis, and he is well looked after I can tell you that." Kevin finished. He looked at Claire, looking for some support. He had never told anyone, not even the other guys about this, and he really needed someone to tell him it was ok.
"Wow Kevin that must be tough to deal with. I’m sorry someone took advantage of you like that Kevin. Do you have any idea where they live? You have every right to see your son and maybe I can help you locate him. I have contacts with some great private investigators, professionals that can be trusted Kevin." Claire said, picking up on how upset Kevin was.
"I don’t know what to do Claire. I really can’t let this leak to the media at all. Just look at your boss Claire. He’s trying to dig up dirt on us and I just can’t let this get out." Kevin said, panicking a little.
"I’ll let you think it over Kevin. Just know that I’ll be here no matter what you decide to do." Claire said as she stepped closer to Kevin.
Kevin closed the gap between himself and Claire and took her in his arms. "You have no idea how good it feels to have shared this with someone Claire. It seems like it has been eating me alive." Kevin said.
"That’s what friends are for." Claire said.
Kevin stepped back and looked down at Claire, and said, "I hope we’ll be more than friends someday Claire."
Claire tilted her head up and brought her lips close to Kevin’s. That was all the encouragement that Kevin needed to take her in his arms and bring their lips together for a kiss. Claire parted her lips, inviting Kevin to deepen the kiss. Kevin felt himself loosing control quickly and pulled away from Claire. "I think we better stop Claire before we do something we both regret." Kevin said, while trying to catch his breath.
"I had better finish making dinner." Claire said as she turned and walked back into the apartment.
Kevin followed her into the apartment and offered to help her finish preparing dinner. Claire took him up on his offer and had him spread garlic butter on the French bread and shred the cheese, to make garlic bread. They were both silent while they worked in the kitchen. They were both aware that things were moving too quickly, but did they really want to slow down.
A short while later, while Kevin was seated at the table, Claire brought in two servings of Lasagna. "Hmm, it smells delicious Claire." Kevin said as she set a plate down in front of him.
"It’s my grandmother’s recipe and I seem to be the only one in the family that can make it like her." Claire said, bragging a little.
Kevin picked up his glass of ginger ale, lifted it and said, "To a wonderful dinner with a wonderful woman."
"You’re too much Kevin." Claire said as they clanked glasses.
"I only speak the truth." Kevin responded as he placed his glass down on the table and picked up his fork and knife. He cut off a corner of the lasagna and lifted it into his mouth. He was very impressed. "This lasagna is incredible Claire!" Kevin said as he continued eating.
"Thanks." Claire said as she started eating.
Half an hour later, Kevin helped Claire clear the table and put all the dishes into the dishwasher. "Thank-you for dinner Claire. That’s a wicked Lasagna you make." Kevin said as they settled into the loveseat in her living room.
"You’re very welcome. I don’t have guests very often and I enjoy cooking every once in a while." Claire said as she secretly hoped that Kevin would take her in his arms.
"Just let me know when you’re ready to take me back to the hotel since you’re driving." Kevin said.
"It’s not too late yet." Claire said as she reached for the TV remote control.
Kevin covered Claire’s hand with his own and said, "Unless there’s something in particular you want to watch, why don’t we just talk. I think it’s your turn to tell me your life story."
Claire got comfortable and started talking about her life. "By most standards, I guess I had a very good upbringing. My family was rich and I had anything a kid ever wanted, but I was never happy. You see, my parents couldn’t have children, so I was adopted. I don’t know anything about my birth mother and want to keep it that way; it’s just a decision I have made. My parents were never very good at displaying affection, so they tried to buy my love with material goods. And it took them 22 years to figure out that it wasn’t working. Although I love my parents, especially my father, I didn’t agree with the way they brought me up. I went to private schools my whole life, and fortunately excelled in school, because I was expected to go to a well-known college. I at least was given the choice of what I wanted to take and where I wanted to take it. At the age of 20, my father had found someone he thought would make a suitable husband and announced that we were getting married. I was outraged of course. For a full year I fought with my father constantly. It wasn’t until I didn’t show up at my own wedding, when he finally got the idea that I wasn’t playing by his rules anymore. So, here I am today. I have broken away from my parents, and not just because my father isn’t with us anymore. I live by my rules now. I want you to know how important it is to me Kevin to find someone that isn’t afraid of showing affection, or saying ‘I love you’. It is also important to me to have someone in my life, support me in whatever it is I decide to do." Claire said.
"Money doesn’t always buy happiness does it?" Kevin finally spoke.
"No it doesn’t Kevin. I’m not sure if you have figured that out yet or not." Claire said.
"Well I know it certainly doesn’t buy love." Kevin responded.
"You’re right Kevin, it doesn’t." Claire said, hoping Kevin caught the true meaning of what she was saying. Claire was not interested in material things, she simply just wanted a man that would love her for the person she is.
"If you’ll let me Claire, I’d like to prove to you that love does exist. It breaks my heart to think that you’ve never experienced love before." Kevin said softly as he gently caressed her cheek.
Claire felt tears sting her eyes. It was her nature to hold the tears back, but she felt the need to just let them fall this time. Instinctively she looked away, trying to hide the fact that she was crying.
Kevin gently cupped Claire’s chin and urged her to look at him. He reached up and stopped the tear that was slowly falling down her cheek, and he took her in his arms. "Let it out Claire." Kevin whispered in her ear.
Claire quietly let the tears escape as Kevin held her. For the first time in her life, she felt loved. Claire suddenly felt anger towards her parents. Why was it so easy for Kevin and her parents could never do it once in her whole life? "What did I do wrong Kevin? Why didn’t they love me?" Claire said as the tears continued to fall.
In a soft voice, Kevin responded, "Don’t you ever think it was something that you did wrong Claire. And I’m sure they loved you, they just had different ways of showing it."
Claire just lay in Kevin’s arm for quite sometime without saying anything. She finally asked him, "What was it like to have parents that loved you?"
"I have to admit it is a wonderful feeling Claire. I look back on my childhood with nothing but good memories. Do you not have any good memories Claire?" Kevin replied.
"Not really. I hated private school and never got along with all the other rich girls. It wasn’t until I went away to college and then started working that I started enjoying things. I have some great friends right now, and would say that I’m happier than I have ever been." Claire explained.
Kevin caught a glance at the time and noticed that it was 11:30pm. "It’s 11:30 Claire, maybe we should head back to the hotel." Kevin suggested.
"What time is your first appointment tomorrow?" Claire asked.
"We have a radio interview to do at 9 am tomorrow morning, why?" Kevin asked.
"What would you say if I said I needed you tonight." Claire said barely audible because she whispered it so quietly.
"I would say that I’m here for you. Why don’t you pack a few things and come stay at the hotel with me. That way we can sleep in a little bit more in the morning." Kevin said.
"I’d like that." Claire said as she got up from the couch and walked down a hallway.
‘Do I love her already?’ Kevin asked himself. His heart ached for Claire. He was determined to show her that love could exist in her world.
