Love With A Price - Chapter 18
Christy was thankful that her day went quickly. Kevin had
indeed called around lunchtime and left his cell phone number with her. She
found herself listening to the message several times just to hear Kevin’s
voice. His voice was deep, yet gentle and soothing. She thought about calling
him mid afternoon, but she decided to keep working and hopefully she could get
out a little earlier than she had planned.
At 4pm, Christy saved the document she had spent most of the afternoon working
on and decided that she couldn’t get anything productive done in half an hour,
so she decided to pack up and head home.
Ten minutes later, Christy was ready to leave. She stopped in front of Kelly’s
desk and said, “I’m leaving a little early this afternoon. You ok to lock up
at 5:30?” Christy asked.
“Of course I’m fine. Do you have any plans for tonight?” Kelly asked.
“As a matter of fact I do. I’m taking Kevin out to dinner tonight.”
Christy replied.
“How are things going with him?” Kelly asked.
“Things are great actually.” Christy said, accompanied with a huge smile.
“I really have noticed a different in your mood lately Christy. I think Kevin
is definitely good for you.” Kelly remarked.
“Yeah, I have been in a pretty good mood lately haven’t I?” Christy said.
“Well have a good time. Wouldn’t want you to keep him waiting.” Kelly
said.
“Thanks Kel. See you tomorrow.” Christy said as she exited the office.
Christy pulled into her garage half an hour later and was disappointed to see
that Kevin’s truck was not in the driveway. Well, she was fifteen minutes
early. She took the time to get changed and feed Sheba and make sure that she
was okay. At five minutes to five, Christy heard Kevin unlock the front door.
Sheba went running for the front door to greet Kevin. “Hey Sheba girl.
You’re a site for sore eyes.” Kevin said as he scratched Sheba’s ear.
Christy walked out of the kitchen and saw the tension on Kevin’s face right
away. “What’s wrong Kevin?” Christy asked.
“Hey Christy. You’re home. I didn’t think you were here yet.” Kevin
said.
“I got home about ten minutes ago.” Christy said as she approached Kevin.
“Come here Christy. I really need you tonight.” Kevin said.
Christy walked into Kevin’s arms and just let him hold her for a few minutes
before she backed away. “What’s wrong?” Christy asked.
“Do you think we could skip going out for dinner tonight? I’m just not in
the mood tonight.” Kevin asked.
“Sure. No problem. Why don’t we order something in?” Christy suggested.
“Thanks.” Kevin said.
“Now why don’t you come in and sit down and tell me what’s on your
mind?” Christy said.
“I don’t want to burden you with my problems.” Kevin said as he sat down.
“Don’t ever think that you are a burden Kevin. Something is obviously
bothering you. It is written all over your face.” Christy said.
“Can I ask you something first Christy?” Kevin asked.
“Of course you can.” Christy replied.
“I need to know that you trust me Christy.” Kevin said.
“Of course I trust you.” Christy said.
“Have you seen the latest edition of the Enquirer?” Kevin asked.
“No. I don’t read that garbage.” Christy replied.
“Let me go grab it from my truck.” Kevin said. He returned a moment later,
holding the magazine out to Christy.
Christy took the magazine from Kevin and gasped when she saw the picture on the
cover. It was a picture of Kevin and Christy kissing at AJ’s charity concert
the day before. “How did they get these?” Christy asked as she put the
magazine down.
“There was obviously someone there last night taking pictures.” Kevin said.
“I have to admit, I wasn’t prepared for seeing my face on the cover of a
national magazine.” Christy said.
“Christy, I am so sorry this happened. Unfortunately there are pictures on the
inside that show your face very clearly.” Kevin said.
“I don’t even want to see them.” Christy said as she got up and left the
living room.
Kevin watched Christy walk out of the room and felt his heart sink. He was
afraid that she would react like this. No matter how much he tried to explain to
her what it was like dating a Backstreet Boy, he could have never prepared her
for something like this. Kevin walked into the kitchen and found Christy out on
the back patio. He went outside and stood beside Christy. “I don’t know what
to say Christy. I try so hard to keep my private life private, but they always
find a way to make it public.” Kevin said. Kevin became worried when Christy
did not respond for several minutes. “Christy talk to me please. Tell me what
you’re thinking.” Kevin pleaded.
Christy took a deep breath and said, “You weren’t kidding when you said it
wasn’t easy.”
“No I wasn’t Christy.” Kevin said quietly.
Christy turned to Kevin and said, “I’m scared Kevin. I don’t want to let
this change anything, but it scares me.”
“It scares me too Christy.” Kevin admitted.
“Kevin, I hate to do this. But I think I need some time alone to think about
this.” Christy said sadly.
“I will give you as much time as you need.” Kevin said.
“Thanks.” Christy said.
“Call me anytime. I’ll be waiting for you Christy. I will respect whatever
decision you make, but I will wait as long as it takes for you to figure this
out.” Kevin said.
“I’ll try not to make you wait too long.” Christy said.
“I’ll talk to you later then.” Kevin said as he gently kissed Christy on
the forehead and walked back into the house. She heard him say goodbye to Sheba
and then the front door closed. She collapsed on the ground and let the tears
fall that she had been holding back.
After sitting on the patio crying for half an hour, Christy knew that she needed
to talk to someone. She thought about calling LeighAnn and talking to her about
it, but she decided to go next door and talk to Doris about the situation. A few
minutes later, Doris was letting her into the house.
“Hi Doris.” Christy said as she stood at the door.
“Christy dear. You look like you have been crying.” Doris said as she let
Christy into the house.
“I have been.” Christy said.
“Let me guess. Trouble in paradise with Kevin?” Doris asked. Christy shook
her head as she tried to fight back more tears. “Come on in dear. Tell me all
about your problems.” Doris said.
Christy sat down in the living room and handed Doris the
magazine that Kevin had left at her house.
“I’ll have to get my glasses hon. I’m as blind as a bat without them.”
Doris said as she walked into the kitchen. She returned a few seconds later with
her glasses and gasped when she looked at the picture. “I’m so sorry
Christy. I can see why you’re upset.” Doris said.
“I definitely wasn’t prepared for seeing my face on the cover of a national
magazine.” Christy said.
“Did you see this on your own?” Doris asked.
“No. Kevin was just over a little while ago. He was the one that showed it to
me.” Christy said.
“So Kevin was honest with you then?” Doris asked.
“Yes he was.” Christy said as she looked down at her clasped hands.
“What did you say to him?” Doris asked.
“I told him I needed some time alone to think.” Christy replied.
“How does it make you feel?” Doris asked.
“It scares me Doris. I will never know when someone is watching us.” Christy
said.
“Yes I must admit, it is a little scary isn’t it.” Doris said.
“I just want it all to go away Doris.” Christy said.
“But it’s not that easy is it?” Doris asked.
“I wish it was that easy Doris. I wish I could just tell him that it’s over.
But how do you tell someone that you’ve fallen in love with that it’s
over.” Christy said.
“Oh dear Christy. This is moving quickly isn’t it?” Doris said.
“We didn’t do it on purpose. It just happened.” Christy replied.
“You obviously came here for some advice. So I’m going to give you my advice
Christy. I think Kevin is a great guy, and it is obvious that he is capable of
making you happy. I know seeing something like this is a shock Christy, but do
you really want something like this to break the two of you up?” Doris said.
“No, I definitely don’t want this to break us up.” Christy said.
“Then I think you have your answer Christy. Go to him and tell him that you
love him.” Doris said.
“Thanks Doris. I guess I just needed to talk to someone about it. I hope I can
get in touch with him now.” Christy said.
“Good luck Christy. I’ll be praying for the two of you.” Doris said.
“Thanks Doris.” Christy said as she hugged Doris as the front door and then
left.
**********
Kevin didn’t feel like going home and being by himself, so he just drove
around Orlando for about an hour. He stopped for gas, and when he got back into
his truck he looked at his cell phone and noticed that he had missed a call and
there was a voicemail for him. He picked up the phone and called in for his
voicemail. He prayed that it was Christy that had called. He couldn’t stand
not knowing what was going on. He was relieved when he heard Christy’s voice.
She was asking him to come over to her place as soon as he got the message.
Kevin guessed that he was about twenty minutes away from Christy’s place. He
dialed her number to let her know that he had gotten her message and that he was
on his way. He tried to get her to talk on the phone, but she insisted that they
talk when he got to her place.
Kevin was able to make it to Christy’s place in fifteen minutes. He quickly
jumped out of his truck and ran into Christy’s place. He didn’t see Doris
standing on her front lawn with a smile on her face as he ran into the house.
Kevin used the key to let himself into Christy’s house. She greeted him at the
front door and threw her arms around him “I’m sorry Kevin. I should have
never let that make me doubt you.” Christy said.
“No need to apologize Christy. You have every right to be upset.” Kevin
said.
“It’s not something I want to lose you over though.” Christy said.
“You have no idea how happy I am to hear that Christy. I feared I had lost
you.” Kevin said as he held Christy tight.
“Say, are you still hungry? Why don’t I order a pizza?” Christy asked.
“Yes, I am hungry now. And pizza sounds good. I’m not in the mood to be in a
public place right now.” Kevin said.
“Either am I to be honest.” Christy said.
“I’m so sorry this happened Christy. I will try and shield you more from the
media.” Kevin said.
“Don’t worry about it Kevin. I know it’s not your fault that people are
interested in your life. It’s something I’m willing to try and deal with.
Let's go order that pizza and go watch a movie or something.” Christy said.
"Sounds like a plan to me." Kevin said as he followed Christy into the
living room.
Chapter 19 | Fan Fiction
