My Hometown Love

Chapter 45 – Spilling The Beans

Lexie’s P.O.V

I just blurted out to my family that I have a boyfriend and Kevin heroically stepped forward to stand by me. I looked up at Kevin to find him smiling down at me. I felt his hand find mine and interlace his fingers with my own.

It was a new kind of feeling. Like with him by my side, I was so brave and invincible.

I turned my attention back to my family who just sat there, staring at us seriously in silence.

Just before I can ask them if they were okay, Jake starts laughing. I look at him in confusion, only to start hearing Maria giggling as well. Within seconds Mom and Dad were laughing as well. Kevin and I looked at each other in confusion.

“What is it? Why are you all laughing?”, I ask in frustration.

“It’s about damn time.”, Dad said.

“Huh?”, I replied, still confused.

“You really think we didn’t know?”, Jake blurted out.

“Wait, so you’re saying that you knew we were together?”, Kevin asked them.

“We were literally taking bets on when you were going to tell us. On that note, you all owe me $10 each.”, Mom said.

“Mom!”, I yelled, shocked by her behavior.

“You guys have been smitten for a week now with your faces glowing. So, we knew.”, Maria said giggling.

“Yeah. Plus, Kevin stopped coming over and you started going out more without explanation.”, Dad said as he wiggled his finger at me.

“So you all knew and didn’t tell us?! And, you made me go through that dinner, thinking you’re going to fix me up with Tim?”, I start yelling, feeling slightly annoyed.

“Serves you right for not telling us.”, Jake said as he walked up to me and knocked my head slightly.

“Wait, what about Tim?”, Kevin asked.

“Mr. Wells and his son are moving out of town, so we decided to have a little farewell dinner for him. At first, he was reluctant to bring his son along, afraid that he might be bored talking to us old folks, so I told him I’ll make sure my children are there to keep him company.”, Dad explained.

“We just changed a few details to push you both over the ledge and tell us already so we can share in your relationship. Well, looking at Kevin’s angry face throughout dinner and Lexie’s rage a few minutes ago, I can say that it clearly worked.”, Mom added.

“Wait, no. I was not angry.”, Kevin immediately replied, defending himself.

“Yeah right. The way you dropped the fork on your plate said otherwise, Bro.”, Jake replied as he lightly punched Kevin’s shoulder.

“Wait, wait, wait. So, you’re okay with our relationship?”, I asked directly.

“Of course. We’ve been rooting for you guys to get together since after Jake’s wedding.”, Mom said while Dad nodded along to her statement.

“And I knew this romantic guy here liked you and gave him my permission to go ahead.”, Jake said.

“Permission, really?”, I said sarcastically.

“Hey, I’m not going to let just any guy date my baby sister.”, Jake replied as she ruffled my hair.

“And Maria, what do you think?”, Kevin asked her.

“I’ve seen the way you both look at each other since the wedding. To be honest, I’ve thought you guys would be together by the time we returned from our honeymoon. You guys sure took your own sweet time.”, Maria said as she slowly got up from the couch and pinched me playfully.

“You guys are unbelievable.”, I say as I smile in awe at my incredible amazing yet crazy family.

*******

“So, I’ll see you later?”, Kevin said as he dropped me in front of a café.   

“Yup! I’ll call you when I’m done. Don’t miss me too much.”, I say with a smirk as I get down from his car.

“I’ll try. Tell Priya I said Hi!”, he said.

“Will do. Byeeee!”, I said as I closed the door and walked into the café.

I immediately spotted Priya at a table and walked over to her.

“Hi!”, I said as I hugged her tight.

“Lexie! I missed you!”, she said as she hugged me back.

“I know. I’ve been busy. So many things have happened.”, I said as I take a seat opposite her.

“Tell. Me. Everything!”, she immediately exclaimed.

“Okay, there are two things I have to tell you.”, I said excitedly.

“Hi, can I take your order?”, the waiter said as he approached our table.

“I think we should order first since the shop looks like it’s getting busy.”, Priya says as she looks through the menu.

So, we look through the menu and make our order.

“Will that be all?”, he asked to confirm.

“Yes, thank you.”, I replied.

The waiter slowly leaves and we continue our interrupted conversation.

“So, where were we?”, I asked Priya.

“You said that there were two things you needed-”, Priya started saying before suddenly stopping.

“Lexie, don’t freak out but Kevin Walker is walking towards us. You sure you can handle it?”, Priya asks me with concern as she pats my arm comfortingly.

The alarms blared in my head as my brain is split between telling her about Kevin before he arrives and wondering what is Kevin doing here. But before I could say anything, I felt an arm around my shoulder.

“Here babe, you forgot your phone in the car. See you later.”, Kevin says before he kisses the top of my head and gives Priya a small wave.

I look up at Priya’s pale face which is currently filled with shock and confusion.

“Oh. My. God! What on earth is going on?!”, Priya finally blurts out.

I smile sheepishly as I shrug my shoulders innocently.

“Oh enough with the innocent act. Spill it Cooper!”, Priya insists.

“Kevin and I are together. It’s been a little over a week.”, I explain.

“What?! This is huge news! How could you not tell me!”, Priya exclaims as she hits my hand playfully.

“We’ve hidden it from everyone. In fact, I just told my family 2 days ago. We just wanted to stay in our little bubble with no pressure from anyone, for a while.”, I tell her truthfully.

“Hah! Who would have imagined after everything you both went through? Looks like you finally got your high school crush to become your boyfriend.”, she says as she leans back in her chair.

“It’s like I told him. We’ve all come a far way since high school. We’re happy, Pri.”, I tell her.

“Yeah. I can see it. On both of you. I’m so happy for you guys!”, she replies.

We spent the next hour, digging into our delicious lunch as I caught her up on everything that happened.

“So, tomorrow my friends from New York are coming. I’ll be planning a few trips and adventures. I would love it if you could join all of us. I can’t wait to introduce you.”, I ask Priya, pleadingly.

“Send me the details and I’ll check my calendar. If I’m free I’ll definitely come, okay?”, she says as she hugs me.

“Thanks, Pri. See you soon.”, I say as I hug her and pat her back.

I watch her walk down the street as I wait for Kevin to pick me up. In less than 5 minutes, I see Kevin’s blue Outback pull up next to me.

“Hey, how did it go?”, he asked as soon as I got it.

I whacked his shoulder before turning to put on my seat belt.

“Ow! What was that for?”, Kevin cries out.

“You came in, called me babe, and kissed my head, all before I could tell Priya that we were together.”, I say with a pout.

“Yikes! Sorry. It came out naturally.”, he said as kissed my cheek, immediately making all my anger disappear.

“It’s okay.”, I reply with a small smile, completely smitten with this guy as he pulls out of the curb.

************

Kevin’s P.O.V.

I look up at the arrival board at the airport as I scan for details on an incoming flight from New York.

“There. It says they just landed.”, Lexie says beside me as she points to the board.

“Okay. Let’s go wait at the arrival door. “, I say as I lead her deeper into the airport.

Lexie walks briskly and then suddenly slows down.

“You okay?”, I ask her as I step in front of her blocking her.

“Yeah. I’m fine.”, she answers directly as she brushes me off.

“Lexie. I know when you’re not okay. Come on, talk to me.”, I say as I cup her cheek fondly.

“It’s just that I spent the last 2 years talking so much about Jacksonville to them and now, they are finally here. I want to make sure they enjoy their visit here but at the same time, I’m worried if I’m not doing enough for them to do so.”, she says before resting her forehead on my chest.

“Are you kidding me? I’ve personally gone through your itinerary, and it’s amazingly planned. It highlights all the best and unique places in our town, plus you included both indoor and outdoor activities. It’s perfect.”, I said as I stare directly at her.

“Really?”, she replied as she bit her lip.

“Yes, babe. Remember, they are coming here to see you and spend time with you too.”, I continue.

“What will I do without you?”, she replies as she put the forehead on mine.

“Lucky for you, you don’t ever have to worry about that. I’m not going anywhere.”, I say as I put my arms around her and pull her close.

She just remains silent as she snuggles close to my chest and puts her arms around my waist.

“Ready to go get your friends?”, I say as I pull away from her slowly.

She nods her head with determination and a smile plastered on her face.

*************

Lexie’s P.O.V.

I take a deep breath and make my way to the arrival gate, eager to meet the remaining members of the NYC Fantastic Four.

“Lexie!”, I heard Amy’s voice scream.

“There they are!”, I say as I point at them coming into through the door.

“Hi!!”, I say as I run to hug them.

“Cooper! It’s good to see you again.”, Jimmy said as he squeezed me in a hug.

“Quit hogging her. I wanna hug her too.”, Amy said as she hit Jimmy’s shoulder.

“Yeah. Me too!”, Lydia adds.

“Fine. Fine.”, Jimmy says as he lets me go.

I make my way to Lydia and Amy, giving each of them a long hug. I stand in front of all of them as I spread my arms wide.

“Ladies and Gentleman, Welcome to Jacksonville!”