So, for the next week, Kurt tried to block out Blaines existence. Which wasnt easy, because two days after their late night call, Blaine began texting him again, as if nothing had happened, picking up right where they had left off before the call.

Kurt decided he was sick of the drama, so he ignored all Blaines texts and calls. He even stayed off the computer when he knew Blaine was available, so he could avoid any Skype requests.

Kurt was proud of himself, and was actually felt like he might be able to let go once they got back to school. That was until July 4th. Thats the day that all his hope came rushing back again, and he loved it and hated it.

Burt and Carole had let Kurt and Finn invite all their friends from New Directions over for a cookout. Most of them were home for the summer, and were excited to get the gang back together again. Kurt helped Carole prepare the food, while directing his dad and Finn on decorating the back yard with festive lights in red, white and blue, and tasteful table cloths adorned with fireworks made from sequence.

As the party time drew nearer, Kurt was visibly excited. He couldnt wait to see all his friends again. Sure, he saw Rachel on a daily basis, and Finn on holidays and some weekends, but he hadnt seen Mercedes in almost 6 months!

So, when the doorbell rang, he ran to the door, throwing it open and getting ready to jump into his BFFs arms, when the site before him stopped him cold. Standing there on his doorstep, in Lima, Ohio was Blaine.

Kurt stood there in shock, mouth wide open, not able to speak. Blaine, always the charmer, gave a big smile, threw out his arms and said, "Surprise!"

Surprise didnt even begin to cover it. What the hell? Kurt had been actively avoiding Blaine, and now here he was. On his doorstep, acting as though Kurt should be happy to see him. He was speechless, obviously.

Kurt probably would have continued to stand there with his mouth open had his dad not come around the corner to see who arrived.

"Kurt, who...oh," He stopped when he saw Blaine, not recognizing him. He looked from Blaine to Kurt and raised his eyebrows. Before he could speak again, Blaine stepped forward and held out his hand.

"Mr Hummel, hello, Im Blaine Anderson. Im a friend of Kurts from NYADA."

Burt took Blaines hand and shook it, recognizing the name from a few conversations with Kurt. "Sure, Blaine, nice to finally meet you. Kurt didnt tell me he invited you to the cookout."

"I didnt." Kurt said quickly, finally coming back to his senses.

Burt frowned at Kurts response, but before he could question his son, Blaine spoke. "He didnt. See, I dont live around here. My family is from Michigan, but I have relatives in Westerville, and I knew Kurt lived here in Lima so I thought Id drive down and surprise him. It seems Ive picked a bad time, though, so Ill just go. Im sorry for the intrusion."

"You arent going anywhere," Burt said. "Kurt and Finn are having some friends over for a cookout and you are joining us." Burt ushered Blaine in, pointing him in the direction of the kitchen. "Kurt was helping Carole with drinks, if you want to pitch in."

Kurt looked at his dad with wide eyes. Was he crazy? He just invited Blaine to stay for the cookout. What was shaping up to be a great day just dropped from off the charts to sucky in a matter of minutes. Kurt just stood there with the door still open, staring at Blaines retreating back. His dad, oblivious to Kurts distress followed Blaine, leaving Kurt to wonder if he had entered the Twilight Zone.

Before he could close the door, he saw Mercedes coming up the front walk. After what had just transpired, he really needed a hug, so he raced down the front steps and enveloped his friend in a bone crushing hug.

"I missed you too, Kurt." Mercedes said, once she could breath again.

Kurt pulled back, laughing, and kissed her cheek. "Im so glad you are here." His voice had a bit of tension mixed with the excitement.

"Alright boy, you better tell me whats up now." She said in a tone that meant business.

"Blaine is here." Was all he said.

"What!" He almost shrieked. Kurt had been on the phone every night of the past week crying and complaining to Mercedes about how hard it was to ignore Blaine, and she helped him stay strong and avoid replying back to him.

"What did you do?" She asked him, accusingly.

"Nothing, I swear." He whispered, not wanting anyone else to hear their conversation. "He just...showed up."

"He what?" She put her hand on her hip, jutting it out like the diva she was.

"He said something about having family in Westerville, or something, so he wanted to surprise me with a visit. Well, color me surprised." His sarcasm couldnt mask the pain in his voice.

"Oooook. Dude doesnt get a clue, does he?"

"Cedes, Ive told you all about him. Hes hot and cold. I think the more I ignore him, the more he makes himself available."

"This isnt making himself available, this is being pushy. What is his agenda anyway?"

"To mess with my head, I think."

"So, why is he still here?" She asked finally.

"Oh yea, thats the best part. My dad invited him to stay. Yeah. Thanks for nothing, dad. Ugh. And I just stood there. I couldnt say anything without dad asking a lot of questions, and before I knew what was happening, Blaine was in my kitchen, helping my step mother."

Mercedes just shook her head. "Wow." She linked her arm with his and started toward the house. "Well, lets go make the best of it." She said, then added, "But that boy better keep his butt in line. Ill be watching."

Kurt laughed at that and squeezed Mercedes arm tighter, silently thanking her for supporting him.

Over the course of the next hour, all their friends had arrived and everyone had migrated into the back yard to catch up, eat, and enjoy each others company.

Although Blaine was an outsider, he proceeded to charmed the pants off every member of New Directions, with the exception of Rachel and Mercedes. Hed also managed to convert his dad and Carole to team Blaine, as well.

With Blaine being his adorable, dapper self, Kurt was finding it hard to avoid him. I mean, here he was, mingling with his best friends and family, and acting like he hadnt just almost confessed something important on the phone just last week.

Kurt sat back and watched Blaine laughing and joking with his friends, and something stirred inside him. Maybe he really didnt remember their conversation and was felt bad about the whole thing, and he was trying to make it up to Kurt, showing up here.

Even though Blaine was making the rounds, so to speak, he always found Kurts eye and made sure he knew Blaine was watching him. At first it pissed him off a little, but as the evening wore on, Kurt found it actually kind of sweet.

Mercedes had been watching her boy all night, and could tell that he was letting his defenses down again. Damn that Blaine Anderson. Does he not know what he does to Kurt? How he had that poor boy tied up in knots on a regular basis?

And now, being all charming and wonderful right to everyone he met was really frustrating her. But, after watching him watch Kurt, she began to wonder if he really did have feeling for Kurt but was too much of a coward to make a move. That would explain the drunk phone call and the almost confession. Alcohol may lower your inhibitions, but it also brings hidden feeling to the surface.

Maybe Blaine coming here was his way of reaching out again. She could tell Kurt was falling for him even more, although he tried to deny it, and that scared her. Even though Blaine really did seem sincere, she couldnt squash the feeling in the pit of her stomach that told her he was going to continue to hurt Kurt again and again.

Later that night, Kurt pulled Blaine aside, and asked him the question hed been wanting to know the answer to for a week.

"So, do you remember drunk dialing me last week?". He saw a look of panic pass over Blaines face before quickly being covered up by fake confusion.

"Oh, yea. I, uh, dont remember much from that night. My friends mentioned that they heard me talking to you, but I dont really remember. Sorry." He said, trying to sound sincere, but failing.

"So, you dont remember anything?" Kurt asked in a tone that said he knew Blaine was lying.

"Uh, no, I was pretty wasted. Is that why youve been ignoring my texts? Did I say something stupid?"

"Do you really want to know? He asked, in a no nonsense voice.

Blaine looked up then, the panicked look back. "N-no, probably not. Can we just forget about it and pretend it never happened? I just want things to go back to normal. Please?"

Kurt was just so tired of feeling sad and confused, so he said the only thing that made sense to him at the time. "Sure."