Me Too *Mcpriceley*

Chapter 16 - Reunion

Kevin slid out of the trees a few minutes later after smoothing his hair and checking that he looked presentable. He casually walked down the path and through the side door. He wasn't sure why, but his pace slowed as he walked down the hallway and he felt as if something bad were about to happen. He walked into the main entry room and started to head for the stairs when he heard it.

"S-Steve?! OH EM GOSH!" Connor's voice called from the entrance to the family room. Kevin froze as he turned his head to see Connor running into the living room and out of sight. He quickly repositioned himself to where he was poking his head out from behind the entryway so that he could see Connor hugging a taller boy with dirty blonde hair. The boy looked shocked but very happy to see Connor as he wrapped his arms around Connor tightly. Kevin only knew of one Steve that Connor knew, and if he was right as to the identity of this boy, Kevin was about to cut a bitch.

~

"Oh my GOD!" Steve yelled as he ran to meet Connor. The two quickly embraced in a hug as soon as they met. Connor's brain was racing, trying to make sense of what was happening and how he felt about it. When they pulled away, Steve looked him up and down. "Connor Mckinley, I can't believe it." He stated in disbelief, a smile pulling his lips. "I haven't seen you since eighth grade, man!" 

Connor could not believe his eyes. Steve Blade, his best friend in grade school, his first crush, the guy who knew almost all of his secrets, was standing right in front of him. "I know! Wh-What are you doing here?" Connor asked with more joy and surprise in his voice than he expected.

"Well..." Steve's voice suddenly went quiet and his face fell a bit. "My parents sent me here..." He trailed off and looked down at his feet. Connor's jaw dropped but he made a conscious effort to close it again.

"Wh...What do you mean? What happened?" 

"I, ah. I don't want to talk about it right now. My parents just dropped me off and I want to wait a little bit before I get into it. What about you, why are you here?" Steve changed the subject onto Connor.

"Night terrors," Connor replied his stock answer that he told everyone. Steve might have been his best friend, but he didn't want anyone other than Kevin to know about the real reason he was here. Thinking about Kevin made him realize something suddenly. He casually pulled up his shirt collar just to be sure that his neck was covered. He could feel fabric against the bruise that assured that it was hidden.

"Oh?" Steve questioned as if he knew there was something more. 

"Yep. Anyway! Have you already gotten a tour?" Connor changed the subject quickly.

"Not yet, would you mind giving it to me?" He responded with a strange look in his eye that Connor couldn't place.

"We'd love to give you a tour!" A voice replied from behind Connor. He twirled around and came face to face with Kevin. He immediately blushed and gently placed a hand on Kevin's chest to keep himself steady.

"Oh, Kevin, hey!" Connor greeted cheerfully. Kevin smiled, but it seemed almost aggressive. Not towards him, but towards Steve. "Steve, this is Kevin, my..." He trailed off. He looked back at him with a questioning look in his eyes, asking how to continue the sentence.

"Kevin Price, Connor's best friend," Kevin replied, sticking his hand out. Steve raised an eyebrow, eyes shifting between the two suspiciously, but he shook his hand anyway.

"Nice to meet you, Kevin. I'm Steve Blade. I was Connor's best friend in grade school." Steve replied politely. Connor almost thought that he saw Kevin tense up when he introduced himself, but he tried to ignore it for now. He was acting strange, he'd have to talk to him about it later.