My Hometown Love

Chapter 44 – Keeping Secrets

Lexie’s P.O.V

“My New York friends are coming to visit!”, I screamed out as I read the chain of messages in my group.

“Oh wow?”, Kevin replied, unsure how to respond.

“They’re amazing. They were my family when I was back in New York. I don’t know how I would have survived those two years without them.”, I explained fondly.

“They sound nice. So, when are they coming?”, Kevin asked as he sat up straight.

“In 10 days. Oh god, I have so much to plan!”, I reply in panic.

“Lexie, breathe. How about we enjoy this moment here and then I’ll help you plan. Okay?”, he said as he offered me my glass.

I nodded, agreeing with his statement before turning my attention back to the lavenders before me.

“So, when do you want to tell our families?”, Kevin suddenly blurted out.

“Actually, I was hoping to enjoy this new discovering phase without any pressure? Then, maybe we can tell them in about a week or two, depending on how things go?”, I say slowly as I gauge Kevin’s reaction closely.

“Sounds fair and reasonable.”, he replied.

“So, shall we get back to our first date?”, I said as I leaned on his shoulder.

“Oh gosh. This is our first date, isn’t it? Oh my, I have to make a good first impression”, Kevin replied with terror.

“Relax. You’re doing great. I would definitely go on another date with you.”, I reply as I tap his nose fondly.

“So, there’s a second date?”, he says cheekily as he tucks my hair behind my ear.

“Maybe……”, I replied sarcastically as I put my glass down.

“How dare you?!”, Kevin replies glaringly before putting his arms around my waist and pulling me towards me.

He started bombarding me with tickles until it hurt to laugh.

“Okay! Okay! I surrender!”, I yell.

I find my head resting on his lap when he stopped tickling me. I looked up at his gorgeous and kind face looking down at me lovingly. He slowly lowers his face towards me, leaning for a kiss.

“Nope! No way! Since you were adamant for a second date, you’ll have to wait till then for it.”, I said as I quickly stand up and move to the other side of the blanket.

“Hey! No fair.”, he said as he sulked cutely.

That sad cute face made my heart melt as I found myself slowly crawling back to him. I quickly gave him a peck on the cheeks before grabbing my camera and running towards the field.

“Lexie!”, he yelled out while I kept running.

I did a small turn and walked backward as I blew him a flying kiss. I watched as he acted like he grabbed it and put it in his heart.

I am so lucky Kevin Walker, you romantic fool!

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

Kevin’s P.O.V

I watched as Lexie turn back and ran towards the field to snap some pictures. I laid backwards on the blanket as I stared at the sky, processing what just happened in the past hour.

Oh My God! Lexie Cooper is my girlfriend! She is finally mine!

I sat back up as I observed her squatting in the middle of the field, trying to get a close-up of the flowers.

I am so lucky that she chose me. She is such a gem and I am crazy about her.

She waved at me and for me to come over. I grabbed our valuable items and stuffed them in my pocket before making my way to her.

“It is so beautiful!”, she exclaimed as she twirled around with lavenders when I approached her.

“Yes, it is.”, I said as I looked directly at her.

She playfully whacked my chest before pulling me with her to another side of the field.

“Here, stand here. The lighting is perfect.”, she says as she backs away and aims her camera at me.

I posed for a few photos before pulling her to me as I pull out my phone for a selfie.

“Come here. We need to remember this day.”, I say as I put my arm around her.

CLICK!

“See, how lovely.”, I say as we look at the results.

“Not bad, Dr. Walker. That’s some nifty photography skills.”, she replies, clearly impressed.

“Why thank you.”, I replied proudly.

Just like that, we spent hours enjoying each other’s company, laughing and talking. Soon, we decided that it was time to go back to the real world.

“All set?”, I ask as Lexie packs the last of the picnic things.

“Yup!”, she says as she stands up and adjusts her dress.

“Come, I’ll drive.”, I said as I extended my palm for the keys.

She drops the keys in my palm without any objection as she starts running skipping to the car. We load the car up and begin the drive home. Before long, we’re in front of my house as she prepares to drop me off.

“Well, I guess this is me.”, I say as I turn off the ignition, remove my seat belt and turn towards Lexie.

I turn to see a sulking baby, who is pouting her lips sadly and crossing her arms.

“Awwww…. don’t worry. We’ll see each other soon okay.”, I say as I tap her knee.

“I know. It’s just that my heart is so full that I am not ready to be apart from you yet. Oh gosh, I sound clingy, right?”, she said.

“No. Not at all. I feel the same way too. But, you’ll always have my heart with you.”, I say as I touch my forehead with hers before opening the car door.

“Good night darlin’ “, I say with a little salute before shutting the door reluctantly.

I walk up to the door as I watch Lexie jump over to the driver's seat and drive away slowly.

There goes my heart.

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

Lexie’s P.O.V

It has been a blissful week for me and Kevin as we enjoyed our new secret relationship. We have really tried to make it work with his job and keeping it down low from everyone.

We were walking around the lake eating ice cream when I realized something.

“I think it’s time we tell our families.”, I blurted out.

“Okay. But are you sure you’re ready?”, he asked before stuffing his mouth with a spoonful of chocolate chip ice-cream.

“Yeah. It’s nice to not have to sneak around and share our love with our family.”, I said with determination.

“Okay. We’ll tell them soon.”, he replied encouragingly.

DING!

My phone suddenly shouted out in my bag.

“Here, hold this, please. And don’t eat it.”, I said strictly as I passed my cup to Kevin while glaring at him.

I fished out my phone and read the message in my family group.

“Huh. Mom and Dad are having a family dinner tonight. That’s sudden.”, I say as we continue walking.

“It’s a good opportunity to tell them about us, though.”, Kevin suggests.

“Yeah. Okay. So, we will tell them tonight. I can’t wait.”, I say as I take my ice cream and smile at Kevin.

********

I walked into my house with Kevin following behind me.

“Hey, Mom! What’s with the sudden dinner?”, I ask Mom who was busy setting the table.

“Oh we just thought of hosting dinner for Mr. Wells and his son.”, Mom replies before turning around to face me.

“Oh, Kevin! I didn’t realize you will be joining us.”, she suddenly said upon noticing him.

“I came to drop Lexie off and she said that I could join you, but I can leave if you want to.”, Kevin replied like a gentleman that he is.

“Oh, no problem. We’ll just make it clear that he is Jake’s best friend.”, Dad said as he entered the kitchen.

“Why do you have to make it clear? What’s happening?”, I ask protectively as I watch Kevin get a tad upset.

“We invited them over to introduce you to their son. He’s such a sweet guy and I’m sure you’ll both hit it off.”, Mom said, much to my disbelief.

“Mom! How could you do that before asking me?”, I start yelling.

DING DONG!

Dad runs to open the door to reveal Mr. Wells and his son, along with Jake and Maria tagging behind.

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle this. Let me just go talk to my dad.”, I tell Kevin as I boil with anger.

He quickly grips my arm and holds me back, shaking his head.

“Not now. They have guests. It won’t be nice to make a scene. We’ll wait till after dinner.”, Kevin whispered.

I nodded in defeat as I made my way to the living room.

“There she is. This is our daughter, Lexie. Lexie, this is Mr. Wells and his son, Timothy.”, Dad said.

“Hi.”, I said as I gave them a little wave.

“And this is Kevin. He’s Jake’s best friend.”, Dad said as he introduced Kevin.

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

Kevin’s P.O.V.

“Hi. Nice to meet you.”, I said as I extended my hand to shake their hands.

I have to admit, I was a little jealous that Mr. & Mrs. Cooper was trying to set Lexie up with someone else. I grinded my teeth silently and patiently as we headed into the kitchen to have dinner.

The Coopers’ added 2 extra chairs to the table as we squeezed in to sit at the table. Lexie sat first before Mrs. Cooper made Timothy sit next to her, on the left. I quickly sat on her right, interested in keeping track of their conversation.

I watched them talk to each other throughout dinner, occasionally laughing at something I couldn’t hear. I was getting very uncomfortable and accidentally dropped my fork on my plate. Regrettably, this caused the whole table to stop and stare at me as I apologized for the distraction.

I continued to eat my dinner in silence when I suddenly felt a hand on my hand under the table. I look down to see Lexie squeezing my hand as she continued her conversation. Just like that, I felt okay.

After the longest dinner, the guests finally left and we sat together in the living room drinking hot chocolate.

“So, what did you think about Tim, Lexie? He’s sweet, isn’t he.” Mrs. Cooper asked Lexie as she knitted.

“Yeah, and what did you think, Kevin? Do you think he’ll be a nice match for Lexie?”, Mr. Cooper suddenly asked me.

My heart stopped as I felt jealousy overcome me. I clenched my fist as I try to calm myself down and think of a suitable reply. But, before I could reply, Lexie stood up suddenly and shouted.

“That’s it. Stop it!”, she yelled.

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

Lexie’s P.O.V.

I watched as my family stared at me in shock.

“What’s wrong sweetie?”, Mom asked me.

“I am not interested in Timothy! I am not looking for someone to date.”, I blurt out with determination.

“Why? It’s not like you have someone in your life already. So, why not give it a chance? You know we’re only doing what’s best for you.”, Dad replied.

“I have a boyfriend!”, I yell finally.

“Oh yeah? Who?”, Mom asks probing me like she didn’t believe me.

Kevin abruptly stood up and walked over to me before turning to face my family with determination, confessing to them.

“Me.”