Sarah and Kevin 37

Peter took a deep breath. "I need to talk to you"

"OK." She moved so the moonlight shown on his face. He turned to look at her.

"I'm sorry. For everything. What I did and how I've been treating you. I know you're just trying to help me." Peter's voice cracked and tears rolled down his cheeks.

"Oh, don't cry," she said and reached up to wipe the tears away.

"I'm gonna work on this," he said.

"I'm so glad. It would be a shame for you to drown your voice before the world gets to hear it."

Peter pulled hands from his pockets. Gently, he took her face in his hands.

"I can't believe I did this to you." He leaned down and kissed her bruised cheeks and her eyebrow above her black eye. He was going to kiss her lips, but she placed her hand on his chest.

"Stop, please." she said quickly. Her heart was pounding and she didn't know if it was from excitement or fear. She reminded herself that he hadn't treated her so sweetly before.

"OK," he said, quietly and took a step backward. They walked into the house in silence.

When they entered the kitchen, the sound of a chair scraping against the tile made Sarah jump.

Kevin stood in front of Peter.

"Ya know, I just realized that you won, man." Kevin's voice was snotty.

"Won what?" Peter asked sharply.

"The competition, remember?"

"What competition?" Sarah asked.

"He bet me he'd be the first to have you on your back, screaming his name. And he did.
Technically, anyway." he sneered. He turned to Peter. "Congratulations."

Sarah felt her heart sink. "Kevin, what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to give credit where it's due."

"Whatever. He's just pissed because he saw me kiss you." Peter said. She could practically hear him roll his eyes.

"But it wasn't...I didn't...ugh, Kevin..." she pleaded.

"You coming to practice?" Kevin ignored her and spoke to Peter.

"Yeah," Peter said and walked own the stairs.

"Kevin?"

He turned to look at her and then turned to walk downstairs without another word.