Catching Up
"What the hell!" Kevin Collins exclaimed as a flying fist met his jaw.
"You've got more where that came from!"
Kevin dodged the flying fist and jumped back to see his assailant. "Robert Scorpio?"
"How could you? How could you do this to Laura?"
"What are you talking about?"
Robert rolled his eyes. "Jesus, you are dense. You left her for Ava Jerome. Really?"
Kevin replied, "Robert, Robert. You don't understand. You see-"
"I see. You dropped Laura like a hot potato just because she wouldn't take you back right away. You were supposed to be a smart guy. That was your reputation around here, you know, before the whole Ryan fiasco."
"Robert, I think I need to explain something to you."
Robert shook his head. "Nope. I know everything I need." He punched Kevin in the jaw once again.
"Come on, man!" Kevin exclaimed attempting to dodge Robert's punches.
Footsteps approached the back alley behind The Floating Rib. "Oh My God! Robert stop!"
"Laura! This scum cheated on you! He lied to you! He deserves every punch I give him!"
Laura stepped behind Robert and grabbed him by the back of his shirt. "Robert! Quit it! Please!"
Robert stepped back. "Why? He deserves this for treating you like garbage."
Laura rolled her eyes and walked over to Kevin. She gently ran her fingers across his jaw line tracing the redness that will surely turn into bruises by tomorrow. She leaned up and tenderly kissed his jaw. Kevin gave a soft smile in return. "What the hell? Laura he's with Ava Jerome and you are kissing his boo-boos?" questioned Robert.
Laura turned to face Robert and grabbed Kevin's hand. "Robert, it's a ruse."
"Excuse me?"
"Ava, Felicia, and I want to lure Ryan out of hiding. The best way to do that is to make Ryan believe that Ava has taken up with Kevin. Kevin and I are together, but the public thinks that he is with Ava and that we are separated. It's all fake," responded Laura.
Robert replied, "All to lure out a psycho serial killer?"
"Yes."
Robert looked at Laura like she completely lost her mind.
"I wouldn't do that to her, Robert. I made a huge mistake keeping Ryan a secret, I would never betray her again," said Kevin.
Robert scoffed. "Yeah, sure mate. You say that now, but in a month you'll probably be in Ava's bed between her legs."
"Robert!" Laura exclaimed. "How dare you! What did Kevin ever do to you for you to treat him like this?"
"Love, I-"
"No!" interrupted Laura. "No! Robert, Kevin is a good man who made a terrible, terrible mistake. But, he was there for Robin during Stone's diagnosis and death. He was by her side through everything. Why do you hate him? Your daughter adores him, so, I don't understand why you are treating him like garbage."
Robert shook his head and looked off to the parking lot, attempting to avoid looking into Laura's eyes.
Laura clicked her tongue in frustration. Kevin whispered, "I should go. If someone catches us back here, our ruse will be up and we'll never catch Ryan."
Laura replied, "Alright. Will I see you soon?"
Kevin smiled and gently caressed her cheek. "I'll try to sneak over tonight or tomorrow. I really miss you. My hotel room at the Metro Court has nothing on our home."
Laura lightly laughed. "I love you." She leaned up to kiss him. When they parted, Laura said, "Make sure Ava keeps her hands off my merchandise."
Kevin laughed. "I swear. I'll see you soon." He blew her a kiss and turned to walk towards the entrance of the restaurant.
Laura's eyes turned dark and turned towards Robert, whose back was facing her. She pushed him with major force. "What the hell, Robert? Why are you so rude?"
"Hey, Lady! When did you get so strong?" replied Robert attempting to lighten the situation.
"Don't avoid the question."
"He doesn't deserve you, Love."
"Why? Because he made one mistake. I mean, Jesus, Robert! If that's the test, then no one would ever be allowed to love me. Or you. We have all made mistakes. Find a new reason to hate him because that one doesn't cut it."
"If he falls in bed that woman, don't come crying to me. You know that's going to happen, Love."
Laura replied sternly, "If that ever happens, Kevin knows I would probably kill him and Ava. But he won't."
Robert scoffed. "Yeah, how do you know? His brother fell for her, they are twins."
"Correct, Robert. They are twins. But in appearance only. They are so different."
"I just don't want your heart broken, Love," replied Robert tenderly.
"It's been broken before. I survived."
"Yeah, but you really love this goody good."
Laura smirked. "I do love him. And I trust him. He made a mistake not telling me about Ryan. But we are in this ruse together. I trust and believe him."
Robert nodded. "Sorry."
"For?" questioned Laura with her eyebrow raised.
Robert replied, "For not visiting you during the whole Ryan ordeal. I was in town and I completely ignored you. Your "husband" left you for another woman and your daughter ended up knocking on death's door. I should have been by your side through it all. We're best friends after all."
"Yeah. You should have been, Robert. I got multiple calls from my mother, Lucky, Sonny, Tracy. Even a call from Luke! But you, the man who claims to be my best friend, who was in town, couldn't show up once. I needed you, Robert! I needed your shoulder to cry on! I was falling apart and my best friend was too busy playing spy."
"I was helping Anna!"
"I know! And I know she will always come first. Deservedly so. But, you can't claim to be my best friend and not even call me and see how my daughter is after being stabbed!"
Robert groaned and rubbed his face. "I know! Alright! I was wrong and a bad friend. But, Love, we saved the world together. We went through things not a lot of people understand. Like you said, one mistake shouldn't define a person. I made a mistake and was a bad friend.. but it doesn't mean I care about you any less. You know, besides Anna, Robin, and Mac, you and Luke are like my brother and sister. When I first moved her, you guys were my family."
Laura smiled. "That sweet talking Aussie that appeared in Edward Quatermaine's office became one of my dearest friends."
Robert grinned.
"I'm sorry for blowing at you for not calling me."
Robert swatted his hand. "Don't be. That's on me. I was a bad friend."
"I don't have a lot of friends left in town. Yeah, I have Mac and Felicia. And Bobbie, Scotty, and Anna. Yes, even Sonny, I consider a friend. But all my best friends are gone. Tiffany lives in London. Claudia is in Chicago and I haven't seen her in years. Amy is gone. Tracy is off gallivanting with Luke. My daughter is the only person here who I consider my best friend.. but she has her own life and own best friend to go through life with. You are all I have. You are the only person I know who would believe me and help me out with anything," replied Laura with tears brimming.
"We faced a lot together, huh? A lot not many people would understand," said Robert.
Laura nodded. "We saved the world from being frozen by a mad man. Not many people believe would ever believe that if they didn't experience it."
Robert laughed. "I can still picture you in that pink ball gown, holding that gun, ready to take on anyone who moved."
"We were a team back then. Holding off the bad guys until Luke figured out the code," laughed Laura.
"All he needed was to hear your voice and he got it."
"Let's promise to be friends again.. best friends. I miss you. No more drive by visits. I want to spend time with you and hear the stories I haven't heard."
Robert held out his hand and Laura placed her's inside his. They shook. "You've got a deal, little lady."
Laura laughed. "Well, I better go. My order is getting cold. I promised LuLu I would bring her dinner. She's been lonely since Dante left."
Robert nodded in understanding. "Of course. I'll see you soon, Love."
Laura began walking towards the entrance, when Robert called out, "Laura?"
Laura turned and replied, "Yeah?"
"You asked me why I hated him. Kevin. I have an answer."
Laura swallowed. "And?"
Robert looked into her eyes and said, "He loves who you are now. I love who you have always been. You never needed to change for me."
Laura's heart stopped and her jaw dropped.
"Go get your food. LuLu is waiting for you," said Robert.
Laura nodded and walked away with a lot weighing on her heart and mind.