Sunshine stood in the kitchen at the condo alone. She was making herself supper and trying not to think about Nickolas, but her mind kept going back to him. Going back to the very last thing between them. She hated Nickolas. He hurt her too many times emotionally and then physically. Her arm still hurt and she wished time could be turned back. But it couldn�t. What happened had happened.
A huge part of her still wanted to be with Nickolas. She loved him very much despite what happened. Madeline said she was crazy, but Sunshine didn�t care. She always wanted Nickolas. He had something she loved and wanted more. She wanted to marry him, but he was making it impossible for them to be together. But why? From the moment they met he wanted her. He knew how much she wanted to be with him. She hated him at that moment.
Even though she loved him very much she hated him. She wanted things right between them though. She wanted him and if he wanted her just as much he had to make it right. He had to convince her he was truly sorry. The only way he could do that was by putting the ring back on her finger. But what for? So he could hurt her again? Probably not. Maybe it was better this way after all.
Her eyes filled with tears and she stopped what she was doing. She wiped her eyes and realized she made too much. She just stood there until there was a knock at the door. She wiped her hands on a towel and walked from the kitchen. She walked to the door and opened it to see Kevin and he smiled at her.
�Hey, Kev.�
�Hey, Sunn.�
Sunshine stepped aside. �Come in.�
�Thanks.� Kevin stepped inside and Sunshine shut the door. �Nice shirt. Nick�s?
�Um� Brad�s actually.�
�Why do you have it?�
�I found in my dresser.� They began walking to the kitchen. �Apparently he left it here when we broke up.� They walked into the kitchen and Kevin sat down, as Sunshine went over to the stove. �So what brings ya by?�
�I�m looking for V.�
�I haven�t seen her, but she said she was going to stop. You can stick around if ya want.�
�If ya don�t mind.�
�Not at all.� She got a plate from the cupboard. �Are you hungry? I made too much for one person.�
�What is it?�
�Homemade ham potpie; gram�s recipe. I�m use to making for at least four people. It�s usually me, Howie, Jo and Nick, but Howie and Jo went to Florence and�� She didn�t finish, but said, �so ya hungry?�
�Yeah I am actually.� He walked over to the stove. �I was just going to take V out for dinner, but since you made all this why waste it.� She shrugged. �How come you never cooked for me?�
�You never gave me the chance.� They smiled and put food on their plates then sat down. They began eating and Sunshine said, �We haven�t done this for a long time.�
�What?�
�Just the two of us eating.�
�No we haven�t. It�s nice.�
�Yes it is.� They smiled. �Would you like a drink?�
�Sure.� Sunshine got up, but Kevin stopped her. �I�ll get it.� Kevin walked over to the refrigerator, as Sunshine sat back down. �Milk right?�
�Yep.� Sunshine picked up the salt shaker and found it was empty. She got up and opened a cupboard. She reached up on the top shelf to get the salt. She tried getting it for a minute, but it kept sliding back. �Damn it.� Kevin looked at her and noticed the mark on her arm. She climbed up on the counter just as she felt hands on her waist. She looked and saw Kevin.
�You�re going to hurt yourself.�
�I do it all the time.�
�Get down and I�ll get it.� He helped her down and with one hand on her back; he used the other to get the salt. He handed it to her and said, �They�re ya go.�
�Thanks.� She continued looking at him.
�What?�
�Nothing; it�s just that standing next to me like this you remind me of Nicky.�
�I�m sorry.� He bent down to her height. �How�s this?�
�Better.� They sat back down and began eating again.
Kevin looked at Sunshine and watched as she scratched her upper arm. He noticed the black and blue mark again and asked, �What happened to your arm?�
�Huh?�
�Don�t play dumb.� Sunshine just looked at him and he pushed up her sleeve. �What happened?�
�Um�I�I got it stuck in a chair. I was at a friend's and went to get up when my hand slipped. The bars were really close together.� Kevin only looked at her and knew she was lying. �You know me, Kev.�
�Yes I do so why don�t ya tell me the truth now.�
�I did.� She didn�t look at him and wiped her eyes.
�Did Nickolas do that?�
�No! I told you what happened.�
�But you�re lying.� Sunshine didn�t say anything, but got up. �So how is it going with you and Nickolas?�
�I hate him.�
�Why?�
�Because he thinks I slept with Bradley, basically called me a slut, constantly lies to me, and thinks our problems are all because of me. I honestly believed we were going to get back together the other day.�
�What happened?�
�I just told you. He wanted to be honest, but continued to lie, placing all the blame on me. So I told him what he believed and wanted to hear.� Kevin looked at her. �I took full responsibility and lied, saying I did sleep with Brad. That still wasn�t good enough though.�
�I�m sorry, Sunn.�
�I�m just so confused. I hate him, but I love him at the same time. I want to be with him, Kevin, but for some reason he won�t let me be with him.�
�Did you try telling him how much you want to be with him?�
�Yes; he won�t listen though. I even tried telling him I missed what Brad and I shared and thought about going back to him. I even told Nick that I know he doesn�t want me anymore.�
�What�d he say?�
�He just got even more jealous.�
�He knows you and Brad kissed.�
�I know. He wanted me to admit to kissing Brad and I told him I�ll admit to it when he admits to kissing Jo.�
�Did he?�
�No; he continued lying. I try to convince myself he�s not telling me the truth because he don�t want to hurt me, but it�s hard to believe, because I�m hurting both ways.� Kevin walked over to her and hugged her. �If we�re not back together soon I�m going to take that as a sign we�re not meant to be together. I don�t� want to though.�
�How many times did you try to get back together?�
�Like twice; once back in September and just the other day.�
�The third times the charm.�
�If ya want me to believe it.�
�Sunshine, he�ll come around.�
�I think I made it worse by kissing Brad.�
�Uh, hey guys,� Bradley interrupted and Sunshine and Kevin ended their hug. �Am I interrupting?�
�Of course not, Bradley,� Sunshine said. �Come in.�
�I heard what ya said,� Bradley admitted.
�I�m sorry. I didn�t mean anything��
�I understand. Don�t apologize.� They just stood there.
�I thought you were in L.A.,� Kevin said.
�They got the days mixed up so we came home. We have to go back after Halloween though.�
�Are you coming to the party?�
�Wouldn�t miss it.�
�He�s going to be George of the Jungle,� Sunshine pointed out. �He�s going to show off his abs and wear a leopard print loincloth.�
�Actually, Sunny was against the whole loincloth so I got something else.�
�Bummer,� Sunshine said. �And I was looking forward to the loincloth.� She smiled. �Did ya eat?�
�Why do you think I�m here?� Bradley asked helping himself, as Howard walked in.
�I thought you were in Florence with Josephine?� Kevin said.
�It was raining non-stop so we came back,� Howard stated. �So she�s not here?�
�No,� Sunshine said. �You�re welcome to stay though. Did you eat?�
�No,� Howard said.
�Then have some excellent homemade potpie,� Kevin said getting a plate from the cupboard. �And sit down.�
�Anyone home?� Venus� voice echoed from the parlor.�
�In here!� Sunshine yelled and Venus walked in. �Hey.�
�Hey,� Venus said and walked over to Kevin. They kissed and the others just looked at each other.
�Grab a plate and slap some food on it,� Sunshine said.
�What is it?� Venus asked.
�Potpie,� Kevin replied handing Howard his food and getting a plate for Venus.
�It�s delicious,� Bradley said and Sunshine grinned.
Venus got herself some and set it on the table by Kevin. She got a glass and went to open the refrigerator, but stopped and looked at a picture. �Look at this picture of Sunn and Nick.� She took it off the refrigerator. �It�s funny.� She held it up, as they all looked at the picture of Nickolas licking something off Sunshine�s neck. �She�s really enjoying it. What is it?�
�Chocolate syrup,� Sunshine replied. �We were playing truth or dare with Dani and Brian and she grabbed the camera and took a picture.�
�So you hang it on your fridge?� She shook her head and put it back.
�So.�
�Did Nick enjoy it?� Sunshine stayed silent and wiped away tears.
�Venus, don�t,� Kevin warned.
�Sorry,� Venus apologized.
Sunshine sat there a few seconds then got up, saying, �Excuse me.� She walked out of the kitchen and the others looked at each other. They sat there eating a few minutes and Sunshine rejoined them. �Sorry.�
�Are you all right?� Bradley asked, as Sunshine stuck something in her mouth and took a drink of her milk.
�Yeah,� Sunshine replied beginning to eat again. �Just a headache.�
�Are you sure?� Kevin asked.
�Mmmhmm,� Sunshine said and they just looked at her.
CHAPTER 37
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