My Hometown Love

Chapter 21 – The One That Got Away

Lexie’s P.O.V

There I was enjoying my morning with Kevin, admiring my sunflower and absolutely at peace, when life throws yet another curveball in my way. So, apparently, Kevin’s ex-girlfriend, who might I mention is absolutely drop-dead gorgeous, is in the booth ahead of us, buying jam.

Maybe I wasn’t fully off cloud nine or maybe I was still in a daze, but I found myself fumbling for words as I demanded further clarification from Kevin.

“Your ex-girlfriend?”, I asked, the funny looking Kevin.

“Yeah yeah. 3 years ago, we dated for about 3 months.”, Kevin said as he turned his whole body away from her and faced me with his back facing her.

“Okaayyy? And why are we scared or hiding from her?”, I asked quizzically but secretly finding it difficult to wrap my head around the idea that he had a girlfriend.

“Okay, do you want the short version or the long one?”, Kevin asked me.

“Well, that depends. How long are you planning to stand here?”, I asked as I folded my arms in front of me defensively.

“Good point.”, Kevin answered before he peeked over his shoulders to the oblivious Kate, taking a deep breath and turning to face me again.

“Okay. So, 4 years ago, I met Kate at a college party when I was in med school. 2 weeks later, we were dating and going strong. I put everything I had into the relationship. About 2 months into the relationship, she starts complaining that I wasn’t spending time with her and that she was feeling neglected. Keep in mind, I was going through med school. I did everything I could to juggle her, med school, and my part-time work, which wasn’t enough for her. Another 2 weeks later, she tells me that we need space and that we should break up, as I wasn’t giving her enough attention and that I wasn’t good enough for her. I took it hard and it messed me up for a few weeks, especially at work, only to find out that she got back with her ex, Mason, right after dumping me. So, yeah.”, Kevin narrated to me as I saw flickers of anger appearing on his face as he talked about her.

“Oh wow. I get it now. I’m sorry you had to go through that.”, I said as I comfortingly patted his upper arm.

Kevin squeezed out a smile before peeking behind his shoulder again. I suddenly felt this mama bear urge to protect this man from all harm. Just like he did for me when I faced Liliana. I couldn’t bear to see him hurting and I wasn’t going to let it affect his life all over again.

That’s when I knew exactly what I was going to do.

“Hey, Kevin. Don’t worry. She probably won’t even notice us, and if she did, I’ll be right here next to you. We’ll get through it together, okay?”, I told him with determination, before fiddling in my bag to get my wallet.

He nodded solemnly with a small smile before curiously eyeing my actions.

“But first, I need to buy those macadamia nuts for my Dad.”, I said before stepping 3 steps away to talk with the vendor.  

As I was placing the box of nuts in my bag, I hear a tiny shriek followed by a lady’s voice.

Oh My God! Kevin Walker, is that you?!

I frantically turn around to see Kate running towards my Kevin and putting her arms around Kevin’s neck.

“Oh hell no!”, I growled under my breath.

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

Kevin’s P.O.V

I just stood there, sliding through my i********: feed waiting for Lexie to finish her purchase. Once a while, I would glance at her, thinking of how supportive when I told her about Kate.

Kate. Ugh!

I never thought I would see her ever again. She was a part of my life I wish never happened. Only I know the state I was in when she dumped me. I was a wreck at work, missing rounds, not concentrating, and was in a bad mood all the time. It took Jake’s incessant nagging to shake me out of my despair.

Here I am now, better and happier. I took another glance at Lexie, wondering what could have been if things turned out differently 6 years ago. I smiled to myself as I playfully hit my forehead.

Oh My God! Kevin Walker is that you?!

A familiar but vexing voice rang through my ears, as I slowly turned my head to see Kate walking towards me.

Wait. Not walking but running towards me. Before I could even realize it, she had her arms around me, hugging me. My blood went cold as I came to my senses on what was actually happening.

Before I can push Kate away in revulsion, I heard my favorite voice approaching. However, what I didn’t know was, what crazy events were about to happen next.

“Excuse me? Why do you have your arms around my boyfriend?”, Lexie said in a stern yet polite voice.

I felt the suffocating arms of Kate loosen as she backed away slowly. She skeptically turned to look at Lexie, as did I. Lexie stood there with her arms folded in front of her chest and she had the same face as she did when she faced Liliana.

“Excuse me? Who the hell are you?!”, Kate replied sarcastically as she eyed Lexie up and down cynically.

“Kevin darling, introduce me, will you?”, Lexie said as she walked up to stand next to me and hold my left arm tightly.

My mind was racing with thoughts on what to say when Lexie pinched my arms slyly and looked at me, desperately trying to tell me something with her eyes. I finally caught her drift and smiled at her.

“Kate, this is my girlfriend, Lexie. Babe, this is Kate, my ex.”, I replied as I put my right hand over the hand that was on my arm. 

“Girlfriend? No way.”, Kate replied suspiciously.

“Hi. Nice to meet you. Sorry to say, I have never heard about you before. Oh well. Anyway, we gotta go now. We have a special brunch planned and we don’t need some pathetic excuse to be late for it.”, Lexie replied as she put on this persona I have never seen before.

Kate’s reply to us got cut off when a shabby-looking man appeared next to her.

“Babe, I need cash. I just saw this awesome looking model plane.”, this mysterious man said begging.

“Mason, I am not giving you any more money. Just go sit in the car!”, Kate angrily replied in a loud whisper.

It was then I knew who this man was. As he pitifully walked away, I realized that this was the same Mason she dumped me for. The same guy who she claimed deserved her and could spend all his attention on her. Kate quickly composed herself before staring at us cynically, yet again.

“Anyway, gotta go. Call me when you get bored of this one.”, Kate said smirking as she gave Lexie a sideways glance.

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

Lexie’s P.O.V

No, she didn’t!

This sad excuse of a lady just told Kevin to call her after he was bored with me. I know I’m not his girlfriend or anything, but how dare she say that to him, in front of his ‘girlfriend’. Plus, she has a boyfriend!

Wow, she is as bad as Kevin described.

I felt my blood boil at her words. I found myself launching myself forward at her, ready to take her down a notch. Definitely, with my words of course.

I took a sharp step forward but Kevin’s right palm that was on my hand gripped tightly as he pulled me back softly.

“That won’t be happening now or ever. So, you should leave.”, Kevin said sternly as he glared at her briefly before turning down to look at me with such soft loving eyes.

Kate scoffed loudly before turning around to stomp away, the sound of her jam bottles clicking against each other fading with each second.

I eventually let go of Kevin’s arm before turning to look at him. We stare at each other seriously before bursting into a fit of laughter. We continued chuckling until we reached the car.

Kevin opened the booth of his car and jumped up to sit inside. I followed suit, letting my legs dangle below. We both spent a minute looking at the market from a distance, probably digesting what just happened.

“Darling? Really?”, Kevin blurted out suddenly, sending him into a fit of laughter again.

“What? It just came naturally at that moment.”, I replied, defending my actions.

“Who was that there? I barely even recognize you.”, Kevin asked curiously as he pulled out 2 bottles of water from his bag and tossed me one.

“I don’t know. It just happened. It was like I was floating above, watching myself be this person and say all these words.”, I said in marvel of myself.

“Well played Cooper. It sure worked and I feel a whole lot better. Honestly, I think this memory of Kate has officially replaced the original horrible memories.”, Kevin said sincerely as he looked at me gratefully.

I swear we were having a moment right now and I didn’t want it to end. We just sat there, smiling at each other and enjoying the peace.

RING! RING! RING!

The sound of my phone ringing put a pin into our little bubble. I fished out my phone from my bag and stared in shock at the name on the screen.

Kevin realizing my panic, quickly scooted next to me, curious about what I am looking at.

“Well, who is it?”, Kevin asked as he placed his hand on my shoulder, probing me.

I turned to look at him worryingly as I told him the caller.

“It’s my old New York office.”