*The Next Day*
Shayla sat in a lounge chair on the patio. McKenzie was taking a nap and Brian and Nick were out playing golf. Last night had been exhausting for all of them. It took most of the night discussing what the lawyer had said and trying to figure out what they wanted to do. Shayla pulled the small throw blanket up over her and tears welled up in her eyes. She was feeling horrible for putting Brian through all this. He was being incredibly understanding but she knew it had to be hard on him.
She kept thinking about what Kevin had said. She couldn't believe that Brian had said he was amazed by her before she had said it to him. Then to find out he had that same picture of him and her. The one she thought she'd lost, and he was looking at it just like she was the whole time he was gone. They had been so connected and not even known it. They were perfect soul mates, and this proved to her it was fate that ended his relationship with Leighanne and that she hadn't ended up with AJ, and brought them together. She was staring blankly out to to the ocean, deep in thought when the back door opened and AJ came out. She took one look at him and burst into tears.
"Hey what's all this? Why are you crying?" he asked rushing to her. He scooted her over and stretched out next to her on the chaise lounge wrapping his arms around her. Shayla buried her face in his chest and sobbed. She hadn't cried yet about all this. She was trying to be strong and not let it get to her, but she just couldn't hold it in any longer.
"Sweetie what's wrong? Did you and Brian have a fight? I'll kick his punk ass for ya," he said trying to sound like a gangster and cheer her up. Shayla had to laugh. She looked up at him and smiled. They gave each other a friendly kiss. "Tell uncle AJ all about it," he said rubbing her back.
"No, it's nothing like that. Actually, I wish he would get mad at me. Maybe then I wouldn't feel so bad about this whole Mandy mess," Shayla said.
AJ wiped away her tears. "I see, so that's what this is all about," he said. "Let me guess, Rok said not to worry about it and he'll take care of it and he loves you and he's just being the all around nice guy that he is."
Shayla laughed again and gave him a push. "Stop it! But yes, that's pretty much it."
"Then what's the problem sweetheart? He's not mad, I know that for sure. And all us guys have talked about this and we will take care of it. It's no big deal baby, stop worrying about it. You didn't do anything wrong and you and McKenzie are part of the family now and we all help out the family. We've all had to do this kind of stuff for each other at some point," AJ said as he held her and spoke in a voice like 'The Godfather', "we take care of the family. The family comes first."
"Stop," Shayla said. "Quit making me laugh, now I have to feel bad about all of you," she said.
"Why? What are you talking about?" he asked.
"Because this reflects on you guys, especially Brian and it's giving him bad publicity. I don't want him or any of you losing fans because they decide they don't like me for making him, excuse me, all you guys look bad," Shayla said sadly.
"That's not gonna happen. Have you checked out the internet lately?" AJ asked.
"No, why?"
"Most of the fans didn't like Mandy because of some of the things she did. Now that gave us bad publicity. My god girl, you and McKenzie are heroes for putting her in her place. And Nick is gaining back his fans respect for dumping Mandy and they like McKenzie. Especially for standing up to Mandy," AJ said.
"Are you serious? You're just trying to make me feel better?" Shayla said not believing him.
"No really, it's all the buzz in the chat rooms and on people's websites. I wouldn't lie to ya. I'd tell ya if ya were pissing me off," AJ laughed.
"I still think it's gonna have some negative effects. I love him so much AJ. I couldn't stand to see him hurt. Or any of you guys, I love all you guys so much."
"I know you do. It's nothing we can't handle. We can't do everything right and make everyone happy all the time sweetie. The sooner you learn that in this business the better off and saner you'll be," AJ told her giving her a squeeze.
"Oh AJ you're so good to me. I love ya," Shayla said giving him a big hug and kiss.
"I love you too. You're my baby girl. You've turned out to be one of the best girl friends I've ever had. And Brian loves you and we all love how good you are for him. Of course, I still wish I could've gotten into your pants before you fell in love with one of my best friends, but I'll settle for the little kisses I get and my fantasies of you," AJ said devilishly.
"You're a shit!" Shayla shrieked and pushed him off the chair both of them laughing as Brian came home and onto the patio.
"What's going on out here? I can't leave her alone for two minutes without you trying to steal her," Brian said teasing AJ.
"AJ was just being perverted again. And no one could steal me away from you ever," Shayla said jumping up to give him a kiss.
"You ok? You look like you've been crying?" Brian asked.
"I'm ok now," she said smiling at AJ. She gave AJ a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks AJ for everything."
"Anytime baby," he said smiling.
"I'm gonna start dinner," Shayla said touching Brian's shoulder as she left. "AJ ya wanna stay?"
"Yeah sure, if you're cooking," he said rubbing his stomach.
"What was that all about?" Brian asked after she'd left.
"Eh, she just needed someone other than you to tell her this was going to be ok and no one was mad at her and Mckenzie. She's so in love with you and doesn't want to hurt you by hurting your image with the fans and stuff. She'll be ok," AJ explained.
"Thanks man, I'm glad you two are such good friends. Plus it makes me feel better knowing I can trust you," Brian said patting his friend on the back.
"Thanks. Listen the reason I came over was to give you these lyrics for that song," AJ said.
"Oh great, I've been wanting to work on that. Thanks buddy."
After talking for a while about the lawsuit and what was going on, they came in the house and AJ went to make a phone call. Brian went into the kitchen and came up behind Shayla wrapping his arms around her waist. "You gonna be ok?"
"mm-hmm," she said turning around. "Can we stay at your house tonight? Maybe have some alone time and some privacy?" she asked him.
"That sounds great. Whatever you want," he said rubbing up and down her arms.
"I love you so much Brian. I never want to lose you," Shayla said squeezing him tight.
"No possibility of that," he said. Brian lifted her chin so their eyes met. "I love you too," he said then kissed her passionately. "I'm gonna get a shower before dinner."
"Ok," Shayla said giving him one last kiss.
AJ came into the kitchen, "want some help?"
"Nah, I've pretty much got it done. Well, you can set the table if ya want," Shayla told him.
"Alrighty then," he said doing his Jim Carrey impression. Shayla laughed at him and threw a piece of vegetable at him.
"So what've you been up to?" she asked.
"I went out last night to listen to this band play and I met this girl."
"Oh," Shayla asked curiously."
"I think I might ask her out. She plays in the band. Actually I just left her a message because she wasn't home. I wanna ask her to the party Saturday. Is that ok?" AJ asked.
"Sure why not? You don't have to ask to bring a date silly. Who is she?" Shayla asked as they stood next to each other working on the salad, AJ occasionally bumping into her playfully.
"Her name is Kim. She was very nice and we hit it off pretty good. She was playing the sax and percussion in the band," he told her.
"Well that's cool. Anybody famous that she's played for?" Shayla asked.
"No, not really. She's done some musical scores for tv and movies but mostly just plays with this local band," AJ explained.
"Did she know who you were?" Shayla asked her protective side taking over.
AJ gave her a look that said he understood she was being protective of him, but not to worry. "Yeah, she'd heard of us but never really listened to us that much. Just heard stuff on the radio and stuff. I was thinking maybe you and Rok would maybe go with me to hear the band again tomorrow. Help break the ice a little. You know, tell her what a good guy I am, and then she'll wanna come to the party with me."
"That might be a pretty hard job to convince her of," Shayla said laughing loudly, teasing him.
"What? I'm a good guy. You went out with me and I was a nice guy wasn't I? I didn't try and attack you right off the bat or anything. Not that I didn't want to believe me," he said doing some thrusting moves.
Shayla gave him a push, "yes you were," Shayla said kissing the top of his head as he sat on the bar stool. "I guess we could do that. I haven't gone to listen to a band for a while. Well, that kind of band anyway. Seeing you guys is the most I've done in a while. Sounds fun."
"What sounds fun?" Brian asked returning from his shower.
"The three of us having a threesome tonight. Shay's in a domineering mood," AJ joked and laughed when he saw the look on Brian's face.
Shayla shook the knife she was using at him. "AJ wants us to go listen to this band with him tomorrow night to convince some girl he met that he's a nice guy, so she'll come to the party with him on Saturday."
"That might be difficult. I don't know if I can lie for ya bone," Brian teased him.
Shayla laughed. "That's the same thing I said."
Brian gave her a knowing smile of how connected they were. "Great minds think alike," he said. AJ made a gagging noise.
"Thanks a lot you guys," AJ pouted. "After I stepped aside so you two kids could be together and everything."
"Nah, sounds cool. We can do that," Brian said stopping the teasing.
"Great, thanks," AJ said grinning.
All through dinner AJ rambled on and on about Kim, or as he affectionately called her, Kimmy. Brian kept looking at Shayla and making hand signals to her that AJ was jabbering and they'd smile and giggle and AJ was totally oblivious he was so into what he was talking about.
After hanging out with McKenzie and Nick for a while, and playing a couple games of pool, Brian and Shayla went to his house to be alone and have some peace and quiet. They watched a movie and just snuggled together all night.
"You feeling better?" Brian asked as he held her while they watched the movie. Shayla was laying between his legs leaning her back against his chest, her head tucked under his chin.
"Much better. I think I just needed to get it out of my system. And spend some quiet time with the man of my dreams," Shayla said.
"I don't want you to worry about this. It' going to blow over soon. I think we should stay over here for a couple of days. I miss being alone with you," Brian said.
"That sounds great," Shayla said tightening his arms around her. "Can I talk to you about something?"
"Well that doesn't sound good. But you know you can talk to me about anything," he said kissing her head.
"No, it's not bad, it's good. At least I think it is. Actually it's kinda funny," she said.
"Well now you have me curious. What is it?"
"It's something Kevin said yesterday when McKenzie and I saw him at lunch. He said......" she stopped suddenly.
"What? What did Mr. Obsessive say?" Brian asked teasing. Shayla laughed and smacked his leg and he laughed. "I'm sorry," he said, "ok what is it?"
"I feel kinda silly talking about this, but you know while we were apart and you guys were on the road, before we were even together?" Shayla asked.
"Yes, I remember," Brian said.
"Well, Kevin says that you used to talk about me all the time and that you used to look at that picture of the two of us at your birthday party," she said.
"I'm gonna kick his butt," Brian said. "Now I feel silly."
Shayla sat up and faced him. "No don't. The thing is, I was doing the same thing," she said. Brian smiled. "I didn't know you had that picture. I thought I'd lost it, so I developed another one. You know the one sitting on the table by the sofa?" Brian nodded that he'd seen it. "I didn't even know why at the time, but it always made me feel better when I looked at it. That was before I realized I was falling in love with you."
"I know exactly what you mean. That's how I felt too. It was like we were connected somehow," Brian said.
"He also said that you said, you were amazed by me?" Shayla said questioning him.
Brian became shy and bashful. "Yes I did and it's true," he said with glistening puppy dog eyes. "You do amaze me. Without you, I don't know what I would've done."
Shayla's eyes welled up with tears and she tried to smile as one fell from her eye. "Why are you crying?" Brian asked wiping the tear. "Are you still upset about this Mandy thing?"
"No," she said as the tears flowed. "I just think that it's incredibly surreal that you said that and I didn't know it and then I said the same thing to you when you sang that song to me that one night," she said.
"That's how I felt when you said you were amazed by me, because I knew you had no idea that I had told the guys that. I knew at that moment you were the one meant for me." Brian smiled that special smile and pulled her close kissing her. Shayla always thought that he kissed her very passionately, but this kiss topped them all. There was so much more emotion in it. They'd finally realized just how strong of a connection and bond they had. He finally pulled away and looked her in the eyes. "I love you and I want you to come with me when we leave again," he said.
"I'm supposed to go on that assignment and besides I thought you guys were supposed to be going alone so you can get some work done," Shayla said.
"We've all talked about it and agreed it was ok. Besides missing you terribly, I really don't want to leave you here alone with everything that's going on. I'm afraid of what Mandy might do to you knowing we're gone. Plus now that we have that concert with Elton John, we really could use our photographer," he said trying to convince her.
"You're just using that as an excuse," she said laughing. "I'm gonna miss you too but......"
"Awww please? McKenzie should come too. She probably shouldn't be left here alone either because of Mandy. While we're working you guys can go sight seeing and shopping. I'll even give you my credit card to go shopping all the time," he said pulling out all the stops.
"Hmmm, now that's tempting," Shayla said smiling. But I don't want your money Brian."
"I know that. I didn't mean it that way. I just want to do it for ya that's all. I know you have your own money but we are pretty much living together and sharing everything now."
"I'll think about it. I'd like to really I would. I just don't know if I can get out of that assignment I have," Shayla said. "Maybe I can do it early."
"We do think it would be a good idea for you and McKenzie to go instead of staying here with all that's going on," Brian said again.
"But the press hounds you guys over there more than they do here. We'll always be being put on display. How are we supposed to go sight seeing and shopping with them following us?" Shayla said.
"We can get you each a bodyguard and you won't have to worry about it," Brian said.
"Why go to that expense when we can stay here?"
"Actually Nick and I already talked about getting the two of you bodyguards anyway if you stayed here while we were gone to make sure you're ok. This is something we kinda need to talk about anyway. Now that people know who you are, you really should have one all the time. It's not a big deal. Leighanne always had one with her and so did Kristin when we went anywhere. So it's not an added expense, it would be just as it's always been. Would you stop worrying about the money? It doesn't bother me, I've got plenty and I don't mind spending it on you or your safety."
"Ya know what?" Shayla asked.
"What?" Brian asked.
"I'm amazed by you."
"Not as much as I am of you. Come on, let's go to bed and I'll show you how amazing I am," Brian said with that look in his eyes so she knew what he had in mind. He took her hand and she followed him to the bedroom where he professed his love for her and then watched her fall sleep in his arms.