7. Secrets

I was laying down on the sofa watching soap operas when I heard a knock on the door. I already finished all my paperwork for court, and I was thinking about eating some lunch.

I opened the door, and saw I Rick standing there wearing blue jeans and a white shirt. His dark blonde hair pushed out of his blue-green eyes. Why is he here?

"I could not leave yet. I was just so worried about you," Rick said sweetly.

"I am glad to see you. But you have to leave today. Your family needs you," I say looking up at him.

"I know. Can I come in?"

"Sure," I say opening the door. Rick slowly walked inside closing the door.

"I want you to come with me. I need to keep you safe. Please say you'll leave with me this time," Rick pleads with his blue-green eyes.

"Rick, I can't. I would be in your way. You and Lori have your own life. I can't stay there. Besides Philip adores his daughter. I can't take Emily away from him. Not after everything that has happened with Shane."

"But this would be for the safety of your daughter. You've told me how Philip acted when Shane came back. How crazy obsessive he became," Rick said his hand on my face.

"I was pregnant, with his child. I mean how did I expect him to react? I lead him on way too long. That was my fault. I should have ended the minute I realize I did not love him," I said moving closer to Rick.

"Andrea, he had no right to treat you that way. Following you around town and screaming at you in public places. How long until he hurts you again? Do you want to spend your life walking on eggshells?"

"It won't be like that. Philip has never hurt me," I said slowly walking away.

"Damn it, Andrea. What can I do to make you realize Philip is trouble?"

"You can't. Because Philip is not trouble. I am not in love with him, but he knows me. He is the only guy who has ever known besides Shane. The only other guy who has loved me besides Shane," I said softly.

"That's not true, Andrea," Rick said taking my arm.

"What do you mean?"

"I know you. Probably better than Philip does. Or ever will," Rick said looking into my blue eyes.

"Well, yes you know me. But you never loved me. We never had that type of relationship," I whispered.

"That's not completely true," Rick said moving his arm on my back.

"What are saying?"

"Senior year. Remember the day Shane picked you up in his truck. When you were walking home from cheerleadering practice?"

"Of course, it was the day he finally realized I liked him," I said.

"Well, I knew you loved Shane. He told me that he was starting to have feelings for you, and I told him to go for it. Because I knew how much you loved him," Rick said.

"So?"

"I was going to ask you out that day. Lori and I had broken up for the hundredth time, and I always had feelings for you. I was afraid to act on to shy. Because I knew how you felt about Shane. I decided it was better to tell you then never know," Rick said his fingers now running through my blonde hair.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I knew you loved Shane. I wanted you to be happy. And besides I could not do that to my best was different before he had feelings for you," he whispered.

"Well, you should have told me then. But I don't know why you are telling me now."

"I just don't want you to think that you have to settle. Any guy would be lucky to have you. Please don't stay here," Rick said moving his lips closer to mine. Our lips pressed closer together, and I knew Rick was right.

He knew me in a way Philip never would or could. This kiss made me realize there had been feelings between Rick and unspoken bond that I never knew about. Still these were feelings that could never be acted on. We both had other people to think about. This was not the pure love I shared with Shane, or the lustful feelings I had for Philip. This was something else completely. I didn't know what the word was for what this was. But I knew it was wrong.

"Rick, I can't do this. You have Lori and Carl to think about," I said breaking away from his kiss.

"Yes. I know. But Andrea I can not stop thinking about you. Ever since Shane died. I don't want to lose another person I love. You need to come home," Rick said moving away from me. My heart dropped as his body left my embrace.

"You won't lose me, Rick. We just can't go back. The carefree days of Shane, you, and me hanging out. Those days are over. Forever. We have to move forward. I can't go back to Florida. Not after that kiss. You need to focus on Lori and Carl. I need to focus on Emily and Philip," I said looking at Rick.

"I just want to know you will be safe and loved," Rick says.

"I will be ok. Now go home. Go back to Lori and Carl," I tell Rick forcefully.

Rick gives me on last look with his blue-green eyes. And I know he is still concerned for my safety. He is such a good man, I thought to myself. And no one could ever know about this kiss. Never. It would cause too much pain for Rick's family, I thought.