Little Tommy Becket.

Chapter 21

“I need to go out.” I told my parents, interrupting their devoted attention on Tommy. My mother looked confused while my father kept his attention on Tommy.

“Why? We should celebrate.” She was frowning which meant an argument was on its way to starting.

“I know, but there’s something I need to do.”

“It’s a Saturday, what could you possibly have to do?”

I sighed, “I need to see Kevin.”

Her frown deepened, “what about?”

“The project,” I lied. She sighed deeply and nodded. I climbed off my bed and reached for Tommy. I hugged him and kissed his cheeks. Once he was back in my mother’s arms, I left the house. I didn’t want to have to leave Tommy but I was a woman on a mission. I wanted to kiss Kevin again. I texted Dean for Kevin’s address and made the sudden rash decision to pay him a visit. I drove up his street where all the University residences stood. I gasped when I came up to a beautiful two story building.

I didn’t gasp at how stunning his house was; that would have been easier to handle. Rather, I gasped at the sight of Kevin and an unknown woman in a passionate embrace. He had his lips on hers and his arms wound around her waist.

I slowed the car until it was parked directly behind a car I assumed was the mystery girls’. The sound of my car broke them apart and Kevin’s head turned in my direction. Fear and shock flashed across his face. He dropped his arms from the woman’s body and took a large step away. I bravely and possibly stupidly climbed out of the car. No matter how much my heart was breaking, I wanted answers.

Kevin looked between me and the other lady uncomfortably. “Tori, what a surprise.” He chuckled nervously and quickly looked to the other girl.

“I hope it’s alright that I’m here. I sent you a text earlier.” I answered.

“I know.” He replied and I frowned. So he was ignoring me, at least now I knew why.

“Do I know you?” The unknown female snapped and I immediately scowled. She was definitely a snotty person.

“I don’t believe you do.” I snapped back, equally as cold as she had been.

“How do you know my Kev bear?” She smiled admirably towards Kevin and I snorted at the ridiculous pet name. The girl glared in my direction and her words suddenly made sense. The way she referred to Kevin suggested more than a meaningless, one time embrace. I looked questioningly at Kevin and he played with his collar.

“Tori, I want you to meet Chelsea Jones,” He gestured to the glaring female who quickly put on a mocking smirk and reached for his hands.

“His fiancé’.” Chelsea added and lifted her left hand up for inspection. She shoved her hand in my direction and my eyes watered when they glimpsed the plain silver band on her finger. The ring was a dull and unremarkable design. The mean girl inside of me smirked but the good girl inside me sobbed. I was trilled that Kevin had hardly put any time or effort into selecting her ring but saddened by the truth of his engagement.

“Fiancé’?” I choked. Kevin grimaced and removed his hand from Chelsea’s, making her pout.

“I proposed four months ago.” His gaze was intent on me and I felt as though he were trying to relay a message. Something in his eyes made me wonder if he was happy being engaged to Chelsea.

“How long have you been together?”

“Since high school.” Chelsea replied happily and Kevin flinched. Kevin seemed pained by my presence and I wasn’t all too thrilled to be there either.

“I’m going to go.” I turned to the car but Kevin interrupted me.

“What did you come here for?”

“I just um...” I stammered. “I wanted to ask you about the project we’re doing.” He gave me a dubious look and I smiled. He shook his head.

“We can discuss it now?” He asked and I shook my head.

“No need. We can talk another time. I should go home to Tommy anyway. We’re celebrating tonight.”

Kevin smiled genuinely at the mention of Tommy’s name. “What are you celebrating?”

I grinned, “he crawled!” I answered enthusiastically.

His mouth flew open much like mine had and he stepped forward until we were a step apart. “That’s fantastic news Tori!” He grabbed me and pulled me in for a hug. I hugged him back and quickly pulled away.

“Thank you.” I mumbled and smiled when I saw a furious looking Chelsea. Welcome to my world, I thought. She glared at me and I rolled my eyes at her over Kevin’s shoulder.

“I’m going to go.” I spoke to Kevin who looked grim but, he eventually waved me off as I climbed in my car. I drove away and glanced at my rear-view mirror. I could see Kevin and Chelsea arguing in the distance.

I chuckled to myself and drove away with a heavy heart. It took me a minute before my brain caught up with my heart. Kevin was engaged. Everything made sense now. Why Kevin had always been so secretive with his phone calls and why he had always pulled away from me when things had turned heated between us. It was all because he had a fiancé.

I was so stupid for not seeing the signs. I blinked to not let the tears fall. I was tired of crying. All I had done for the past two months was cry. I pulled the car over to the side of the road and reached for my phone. I dialled the number I wanted and listened to the dial tone. Soon his deep rusty voice answered.

“Hey Tori.” I took a deep breath in to ease the tightness of my throat.

“Dean, I’m glad you answered.” He chuckled.

“I’ll always answer your phone calls. What’s up?” His voice was light but there was a hint of tension floating through.

“I have an answer to your question.”

He gulped loudly, “you do?”

“Yes. The answer is yes Dean.” I felt my lips tremble. I needed to end the call or Dean was going to hear me cry for the second time that day.

“Are you sure?”

“Are you trying to change my mind?” I teased, my humour falling flat.

He laughed, “heck no. I want you all to myself Tori.”

I smiled, “well now you do.”