Chapter 2

2

I didn't breathe easy until I was in my car. I grabbed my phone and texted Ben, a friend from college who had always said he was in love with Sarah.

"Ben, you've always been head over heels for Sarah. She likes you too, she's just too shy to say anything."

"If you could come over, she'd be really happy."

Ben was thrilled. He didn't say much, just hung up.

Leaning back in my seat, I finally felt like I could breathe. I remembered how Mom had seen me mooning over Sarah for years, never saying anything.

That's why she'd brought up the marriage thing. Sarah saw it as pity.

This time, I wasn't going to get in their way.

Ben practically bought the first flight he could. When I met him at the airport, he yanked off his sunglasses and gave me a look. "Kevin, I don't know what you're playing at, but there's no way I'm letting you steal Sarah."

I forced a smile. "Ben, she's my stepsister. That's it. Besides, I'm getting married soon, so you don't have to worry about it."

Everyone knew I had a major crush on Sarah. Some even said it was a little unhealthy.

I told him where Sarah liked to hang out. Ben's face started to look suspicious. "Kevin, why are you doing this? What's the catch?"

"Ben, believe it or not, I'm telling you the truth. What you do with it is up to you."

With that, I walked away, determined to put some distance between me and Sarah.

"In that case, try to stay away from Sarah. Everyone knows you've had a weird thing with her!"

Ben took off, and I drove out to the countryside to clear my head.

The whole near-death experience was still fresh. Every stab wound, every drop of blood, was replaying in my mind, reminding me of everything that had happened.

My problem now? I needed to find someone to marry, and fast.

I got out of the car and started walking. That's when I saw this gross scene.

This middle-aged guy grabs a young woman's arm. "C'mon, baby, give me a little sugar."

The woman was clearly not into it, but the guy didn't seem to care. He was all over her.

I couldn't stand watching someone being harassed like that in broad daylight.

Without thinking, I grabbed the woman and pulled her behind me. "Hey, pal, she's with me. Back off!"

"You're in the wrong, dude!"

I didn't know where that came from, but suddenly, I was playing the hero, saving a damsel in distress.

"Girl…friend?"

The guy smirked, but he didn't look angry.

My heart sank a little. "Yeah! Girlfriend. So leave her alone!"

I grabbed the woman's arm and held on tight, trying to look confident, but my face was burning.

"Alright, alright. Didn't mean to interrupt. You kids have fun. Bye now."

The guy left, leaving just me and her.

"Um… you can let go of my arm now, boy friend."

She said those last two words with a little too much emphasis.

I stammered an apology and let go. I didn't know where to look.

Wait a second. I was the one who saved her, right? What was I so nervous about?

I straightened up and looked at her. "So, you're short on cash, is that it? That's why he was hassling you?"

A pretty woman and some rich-looking dude? That couldn't be a normal situation.

I asked her what I thought was the most likely reason. She looked surprised for a second, but then just smiled. "Maybe… yeah."

My eyes drifted down to her chest, where the top buttons of her shirt were undone. I looked away and coughed. "Marry me. I'll take care of you, if you agree."

That was it. Everything I had. She didn't answer. She just looked at me.

"Kevin... If that's what you really want, don't blame me for what comes next."

Did she just say "Kevin?" I didn't remember meeting her before.

Before I could ask, she grabbed my hand and laced her fingers through mine. My face burned even hotter.

"Let's go, honey. Where to?"

She leaned in close, her voice all soft and seductive.

I was completely lost for words, and could only write my contact in her phone. Before she could react, I bolted. I had to get out of there.

Back in the car, my heart was pounding. My hands were sweaty.

I texted her: "I'll give you a call when I need you, okay?"

As soon as I sent it, I regretted it. It sounded so… weird.

It was too late. I couldn't take it back. I turned off my phone and prayed for the best.