Chapter Seven
When Kevin and Liz broke apart, they stared at each other in disbelief. Neither had been expecting that to happen.
“Okay,” Liz said slowly, “this is getting bad.”
“Bad? I didn’t think it was that bad,” Kevin joked dryly.
“Oh, you know what I mean! And this is no time for your dumb jokes!”
“Well, what are we going to do? We obviously have no self control with each other.”
“We can either do this secretly, or I break up with Brian, or we can avoid each other--”
“Do you honestly think we can do that?”
“These are our choices, Kev. What do you want to do?”
“Well, what about you?”
“I asked you first.”
“Come on. This is childish. Let’s just say it together on three.”
Liz nodded solemnly.
“One,” Kevin began, “two, three.”
At the same time, Liz said, “Secretly,” while Kevin said, “You should break up with Brian.”
“What?” Liz cried. “How can I break up with him and tell him it was for his cousin?”
“Well, how can you cheat on him with his cousin, or, even better, you can break up with him and not tell him it was for someone else. Then we can see each other in secret.”
“I don’t like that. I couldn’t lie to everyone like that.”
Exasperated, Kevin exclaimed, “You’d be lying to them even worse the way you suggested!”
“I know.”
“Think sensibly. Please. Geez.”
“I’m trying, but it’s not easy with you putting down all my ideas like that.”
“That’s because I’m being rational! You aren’t.”
“Stop yelling at me!”
“Then have some common sense. Gosh,” he sighed.
“Maybe this isn’t going to work then.”
“If that’s what you think, then just walk out. Tell me you don’t want to give this a try.”
Liz bit her lip, unable to leave his room.
“I didn’t think so,” Kevin said.
“Can we at least see each other secretly?”
“You won’t leave Brian, will you?”
“No,” she responded quietly.
“I love you enough to say yes to that even though this isn’t going to be easy.”
Liz smiled, kissed him lightly, and left.
Kevin once again sat on the edge of the bed. It had been bad enough lying to Brian about the kiss earlier, how was he going to lie about a bunch of them? Brian was his cousin and close friend, and Kevin was betraying him with Bri’s own girlfriend. Yet this had been what Kevin had wanted for so long, and he loved Liz deeply. But in my dreams, he thought, she was only with me, not me and Brian.
***************
A few minutes before seven, Nick arrived at the resort’s dining room. The waiter greeted him and asked him if he had reservations.
“Yes,” Nick replied.
He was dressed sharply. (Brian had helped him.) To anyone who knew Frick and Frack personally, he looked like a giant Brian, but oh well. Nick’s hair was slicked back from his brow, and he looked pretty good.
Marie arrived sharply at seven.
“So I didn’t get stood up,” she stated with a laughing glint in her hazel eyes.
“You honestly thought I’d do that?” Nick asked.
“Yes,” she admitted, “but you’re here.”
The waiter led them to a quiet table in the corner. They sat down.
“Tell me about yourself,” Nick said.
“Okay,” Marie replied slowly. “Well, I’m from Florida, and unfortunately I’ve never been able to get away. I hate that state. It’s not all the good stuff that it seems. It’s hot and doesn’t have any of the charm that New England has.”
“I take it your from New England.”
“I spent most of my childhood in Maine, yes.”
“Ooh. Cold.”
“It was fun though. I was going to college up in Boston, but my plans changed and I’m at Central Florida.”
“That’s right by me. I live in Orlando.”
“Really? Cool. Anyhow, that’s where I live. My parents got divorced ten years ago. My mother lives in Florida, and my dad used to, but he’s gone to New Hampshire again. I have a younger sister, five years younger than me. She and my mom live in South Florida.
“Other than that, there’s nothing much to tell.”
“But you haven’t told me anything about you yet,” Nick insisted.
“What is it exactly that you want to know?” Marie inquired.
“All about you--your life, what you love, who you love, what/who you can’t stand, everything!”
Once on a roll, Marie could talk to anyone. “As I’ve told you, I go to school at Central Florida University. I room with my best-friend, Maggie. She and I are very different, but we get along well enough.”
As the evening rolled on, Nick learned more and more about Marie.
Everything he discovered, he liked. “And now there’s one thing you haven’t told me,” Nick stated.
“What’s that?”
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
She laughed. “Not at the moment. A couple of months ago, I broke up with my boyfriend of about a year. It was tough for me, but I had to do it, and here I am.”
“First love?” Nick asked gently.
“Yeah,” she replied quietly. Then she perked up again. “What about you? I need to know about you too.”
Nick grinned. “I’m a member of a band--”
“Really?”
“Yeah. You might have heard of us.”
“I don’t think so,” she replied, remembering one of her many male friends who had been in a band that was only popular among college students in Maine.
“Okay, then I have a bunch of brother and sisters--”
“Aren’t you going to tell me what band?”
“I’m a Backstreet Boy.”
“The Backstreet Boys?!” She burst out laughing. “That was a good one. Are you really in a band or were you making that up too?”
“Go look at our CDs. I’m not lying.”
“You’re serious? You’re actually a member of one of those boy bands?”
Nick looked hurt. “I don’t think we’re all that bad. We can sing well and all...” Changing his tactic, Nick stated, “I bet you were all over the New Kids on the Block.”
Marie blushed. “Guilty as charged.”
“And I can assure you that we’re much better than them.”
“That’s a matter of opinion.”
“You’ll have to come to one of our concerts sometime.”
“We’ll see, but go on.”
Nick told her all about himself, concluding with, “I have a secret pastime.”
“What?”
“Well, it isn’t really a secret anymore: I’m obsessed with Nintendo.”
“You’re kidding?”
“No.”
She smiled. “Well, we all have our bad habits. Me especially. Anyone who knows me could tell you that.”
“Me too. I’m a klutz.”
“I’m a slob,” she reluctantly admitted.
“Me too!”
They laughed.
Nick paid the check, despite Marie’s protests.
“Can I walk you to your room?” Nick asked.
“Sure, I guess.”
They took the elevator up to the third floor and went toward her room.
“This is it,” Marie announced. “I had fun.”
“Me too. Will you meet me for lunch tomorrow? Here, that is.”
“Okay. I’ll see you then.”
Nick leaned down to kiss her, but she ducked away.
“Good night, Nick.”
Feeling like an idiot, Nick retrieved his coat and went home to the cabin.
Chapter Eight
The chilling wind blew against Kevin’s face, and he was glad to be well enough to be outside again. Sunglasses protected his eyes from the wind’s gusts as he skied.
As he flew down the expert trail, he unintentionally kept pace with a young woman.
Biting her lip, she fought to move past him.
Lazily, Kevin took her in with his eyes. She was average height, about 5'5”.
Tendrils of auburn hair escaped her ponytail, curling about her face. He couldn’t make out her eyes because she wasn’t facing him.
Kevin allowed her to pull past him. Steadily, he kept winding down the mountain.
Attempting the treacherous ski-lift, he was scooped up into the air by the chair. It was his companion, not him, who lowered the bar across them.
Kevin turned his head to see the same girl he’d skied down the mountain with.
“Well, we seem to keep running into each other, huh?” Kevin asked, smiling shyly.
“Sure,” she replied quickly and nervously.
He gave her a strange look. It wasn’t often that a girl didn’t melt around him.
“I’m Kevin Richardson.”
“Kate Roberts.”
“Nice to meet you.” He reached over and shook her hand.
She blushed, embarrassed, but smiled and returned his handshake. “You too,” she murmured.
He smiled and looked at the ground. Heights didn’t bother him, but they obviously bothered Kate. She was looking down and all, but her hands were clenching her poles so tightly, her knuckles were pale. “Aren’t your hands cold?” Kevin asked her.
“Yeah, but I lost my gloves a half hour ago.”
Kevin laughed. “You’re kidding?”
“No. I misplace everything. It’s not funny,” but she was laughing anyway.
Kevin’s eyes took in the scenery that they passed over. The beauty of the mountain landscape was overwhelming, leaving it’s imprint on everyone who witnessed it.
Sighing contentedly, Kevin leaned back in the cold seat, protected from the chill by his thick winter parka.
When the two slid off the lift, Kevin called goodbye to her and decided to try the intermediate trails for a slight change of scenery. Besides, he could think better when he didn’t have to pay so much attention to bumping into trees--and people for that matter!
Kevin glided down the soft snow and joined a golden-haired girl.
“Lizzie,” Kevin called.
She looked over and smiled. “Feel the need to make me look like an idiot?”
“No. I just needed a change of scenery... Where’s your boyfriend?”
“Kev, this isn’t going to work if you insist on talking about Brian the entire time.”
“What’s not going to work?” a new voice asked.
Kevin’s head whipped around to see a suspicious Brian behind them.
“Uh...” Kevin trailed off, unable to think of a good excuse.
“He’s teaching me to ski better, and I need absolute concentration to do it.”
“Oh. Why didn’t you just ask me? I’ve gotten my bearings again, and I’m starting to think I’m back in Kentucky now... except this place is different. Ah, well, you understand, right, babe?”
“Uh, yeah.”
“I can still teach her if you want me to, Bri, and you can just ski right along.”
“If that’s what you want,” Brian said slowly, not quite understanding when his cousin and girlfriend had become such good friends, but he decided not question it. “Okay. See you guys for lunch.” Brian skied on.
Kevin gave a relieved sigh. “Thanks. I don’t know quite how to handle those kinds of situations.”
Liz smiled. “Yeah, that was a close one.”
“So how about those skiing lessons?”
Liz giggled. “I ski well enough, thank you.”
Kevin shrugged. “If you think so.”
Liz rolled her eyes.
Presently, they arrived on flat ground.
Brian was back on his way up the ski-lift. Having done this a million times by then, his fear wasn’t as strong, but he disliked doing it alone. He felt the space would make him slip out and plunge to the ground, far below.
He had this gnawing feeling within him like something vile was about to occur. He shook it off, but the premonition was still there: a seed of doubt planted in his otherwise carefree mind.
He waved the ominous feeling off and began to ski down the mountain-side.
**************
Nick met Marie for lunch. His friends were across the room, anxiously watching him, trying to learn as much about Marie as possible.
Nick and Marie sat down at a table with a view overlooking the ski-lift leading to the expert trails.
“It seems like it’s been ages since last night,” Nick declared.
Marie replied slowly, “I normally don’t feel that way, but it’s been the same for me too.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.” She smiled sheepishly.
Nick reached over and took her hand wordlessly.
They got to talking about nothing in particular, just talking, cracking jokes, and telling funny stories.
As they finished up their meals, they were laughing so hard, tears were rolling down their faces.
“And then,” Nick gasped for air, “Bri and I threw their clothes out into the street. You should have seen how the girls snatched them--tearing them to pieces. Some were more reserved, but still!”
Marie wiped away her tears of laughter. “I need to meet this Brian guy. The three of us could have a lot of fun together.”
“You’re a prankster?”
“Sure am! I always was and always will be.”
“I’ve sort of retired.”
“Really?!”
“No, but I’m not as bad as I used to be. Do you still wanna meet B-Rok? He’s over there with the fellas and the girls. I need to introduce you guys anyhow. They’re all dying of curiosity about you.”
“Okay,” Marie agreed.
Nick and Marie wandered over the other table.
“Hey, guys,” Nick acknowledged them. “This is Marie Holland. Marie, this is Brian Littrell, Liz Williams, AJ McLean, Jenn Brown, Kevin Richardson, and Howie Dorough.”
Greetings were exchanged between them all.
“Sit down,” Howie offered, indicating the two empty chairs.
Nick glanced at Marie, his eyes asking for approval.
Marie smiled, amused, and nodded.
They got to know Marie, learning as much as possible. Eventually, they all split up to get back to skiing.
“Brian,” Liz told her boyfriend quietly, “I’m going back to the cabin to get some work done.”
“Okay. Do you want me to join you?” A mischievous glint appeared in his sapphire eyes.
Liz smiled playfully. “How will I get any work done that way?” She kissed him gently. “I’ll see you later this afternoon.” She went to return her ski equipment.
Kevin did a couple of rounds on the trails before turning in his equipment and sneaking back to the cabin that the group shared.
He had just dropped his parka in a chair near the door when Liz fell on him. She threw her arms around his neck, standing on tip-toe to kiss him.
“I thought you’d never come,” Liz breathed, pulling away briefly.
“I couldn’t make it look too suspicious. If we left together, you know what they’d think--”
“You talk to much.” Liz silenced him by placing her lips on his.
She led him over to the couch, and they sat down, kissing. They were so caught up in each other that they didn’t hear the front door open.
By then it was too late. Kevin and Liz flew apart to see Brian standing there, his mouth hanging open in shock.
Chapter Nine
“Bri... Brian,” Kevin stuttered.
Liz just stared at Brian in shock as though surprised that he was real and not an apparition.
Brian shook his head, unable to register the information that his brain screamed at him--information that had been there all along that he had never wanted to take heed of.
Disgust rushed up through him. How could Liz have cheated on him with his own cousin--his closest cousin at that!? And who’d have thought that Kevin--good, country-boy Kevin--would dare do that to him?
Abomination mingled with rage and humiliation.
His voice was choked in his throat, and he couldn’t speak. His emotion was too staggering. Eventually, he summoned words. “You two are just sick. I wish I never had to see either of you again for the rest of my life.” With that, Brian stepped out of the door, slamming it behind him.
“This is bad,” Kevin muttered.
“At least he didn’t bite our heads off,” Liz mumbled.
“Don’t you know anything about the guy you dated for six months? It’s worse if he just walks away from a situation without yelling and screaming. It means he’s been hurt deeply!”
“What are we going to do?”
“I don’t know.”
Liz stepped into his arms, burying her face against his firm chest. He enfolded her in his arms, her hair engulfing his face. Kevin tried to drown his problems in her silky hair, but he knew no matter what, his love for Liz was going to be a difficulty for the band and his family-life.
********
Blindly, Brian returned to the ski-resort, not knowing where else to flee to.
He rechecked out his skis and things. Then he made his way up to the top of an expert trail and skied his heart out. He was careless and, in all honesty, dangerous. He didn’t watch out for other skiers, and he only thought of his own heartache despite the fact that he was trying to forget it.
When he skidded to a stop, someone pulled up beside him.
It was a girl, and she was eyeing him in disbelief.
“Are you okay?” she inquired.
“No,” Brian replied bitterly, his eyes unwilling taking in her light brown hair with just a hint of copper. It fell about her face and down her back in attractive curls. Intent and concerned crystal-blue eyes peered at him. “What happened?”
“I just found my girlfriend cheating on me with my cousin.”
“Ooh, that’s tough... I’m sorry.” Her soft face was extremely expressive, confessing her sincerity.
“Thanks,” Brian responded bitterly.
“Just today?” she asked gently.
“Yeah.”
“Believe it or not, it’ll get better. Today seems like it’ll never end, but the tomorrows are endless... I’m not the best preacher, but I was taught well in church.” She smiled. Her smile would have lifted anyone from the dumps, and it worked slightly on Brian. “I’ve been through heartbreaks before. You’ll move on. I know you don’t want to hear this now, but it’s true. She’s not everything. There are other women in the world... it is a girl, right?”
“I don’t look gay, do I?”
“No,” she said hurriedly, blushing in embarrassment. “I’m Kate Roberts.”
“Brian Littrell.”
“It’s good to meet you. Can I treat you to some hot chocolate? I think you’re in need of a friend right now, and I’m sure some chocolate wouldn’t hurt either.”
Her lovely, cheerful smile lit her face, and Brian couldn’t refuse despite the fact that he felt as though a part of him was missing. Something important was gone.
They slipped out of their skis and made their way toward the warm cafeteria.
Kate bought them both steaming mugs of hot chocolate.
Brian pulled his wallet out to repay her.
She shook her head quickly. “No way. I told you before, my treat.”
“Well... thanks.”
“You don’t have to talk about it. I’m sure you don’t want to anyhow.”
“Thanks,” Brian restated, feeling idiotic to be sitting with s beautiful girl that he didn’t know.
They sat there, sipping quietly. Brian stared at the table, while Kate watched him.
“I’m going to have to face them sometime,” Brian said vaguely after several minutes.
“It’s not like you’re the wrong one here. You didn’t cheat on her.”
“Yeah.” He paused. “Thanks for the hot chocolate.”
“You’re welcome. If you ever need someone to talk to, I’ll be here for a while, but then I’m going back to Orlando.”
“Orlando?! That’s where I’m from!”
“Really? Maybe I’ll see you around there, and we can be friends. You look like you could use a good friend at this point in your life.”
“Thanks. It’s good to know there are still some nice, caring females in the world.”
Kate smiled. “My prayers are with you, Brian. I’ll see you later.”
She made her way from the cafeteria.
Brian didn’t watch her go. He remained staring at the still almost-full cup of cocoa in his hands.
“Hey, Bri!” a voice behind him called.
Nonchalantly, he glanced over his shoulder to see Nick quickly heading toward him.
When Nick saw the hurt expression on Brian’s face, he immediately decided against cracking a joke. “Yo, man, what happened?”
“Liz is cheating on me,” Brian replied dully.
“Oh, gosh, man! That’s rough. I’m sorry. Can I ask with whom?”
“Kevin.”
“Kevin?!” Nick exclaimed, his large, blue eyes widening with surprise.
“You’re kidding, right?”
The angered, wounded expression on Brian’s face could have told everyone, even Nick, that what he was speaking was true.
“That’s really bad. You don’t have to tell the others. I can tell them for you, or I don’t have to tell them at all. Whatever you want cuz I know you don’t want to go around repeating this over and over.”
For once, Nick had a point.
“Thanks, Nick,” Brian said with a slight smile. “They all might as well be told; they’d find out anyway.”
“Okay. Do you want to talk with me? I can try to listen without interrupting,” he offered eagerly.
Brian laughed shortly. “Thanks anyway. I’m not ready for that yet. I think I’m going to move out of the cabin for a little while. Could I ask you a major favor, Nick?”
“Sure.”
“Could you go back and pack my stuff back at the cabin? I don’t want to go back there, and I’ll rent a room here at the resort.”
“Okay. I’ll be back in a little while.” Nick wandered off to do his best-friend’s bidding.
Brian got up and rented a room. After that, he went up to it and locked himself in. He laid down on the bed and stared at the ceiling, tears overcoming him.
*******
Marie accompanied Nick back to the cabin.
“Really? Liz and Kevin? I don’t believe it,” she stated.
“Shh. I bet they’re still here.”
Nick pushed to door open. It was unearthly quiet in there.
Marie gave him a questioning look.
“I know, it’s quiet in here. Oh, well. We have a job to do.”
Nick walked into the depths of the house. Followed by Marie, he went straight into Brian’s room. They were greeted by Liz’s tear-stained face. She was sitting on the edge of Brian’s bed, staring at her hands in shame.
She jumped up as they entered about to defend her case to Brian, but she saw it wasn’t him and looked utterly surprised. “Nick? Um, Marie? What are you guys doing here?”
“We’re here to retrieve Brian’s possessions, if you don’t mind,” Nick said icily.
“Where is he?”
“A place where neither you nor Kevin can get to him.”
“Nick, this isn’t fair.”
“You should have thought about that before you decided to cheat on him.”
“Can’t you just listen to the other side to the story?”
“I don’t think there’s anything to tell.”
“Look, Liz,” Marie blew up, “I don’t really know you that well, but it plain, old sucks that you’d cheat on your boyfriend with his cousin. I don’t know who you think you are, but anyone who cheats obviously has a major problem. If you wanted to date Kevin, you could have at least broken up with Brian. Painful though it might have been for him, you could have dated Kevin in secret and not have hurt anyone’s feelings!”
“What’s going on in here?” a new voice greeted them.
The three arguing people turned to see Kevin’s tall frame filling the doorway.
“Don’t get me started with you,” Marie scoffed. She turned to Nick, “I’m sorry for blowing up in front of you, but I hate cheaters. I’ll be waiting in the living room.”
Nick nodded. “Excuse me, Elizabeth.” Within a half hour, Brian’s belongings were gathered and Marie and Nick were back on their way to the resort.
Chapter Ten
The days went by, as they do. Brian remained at the resort, never returning to the cabin. He dined in his room, and it was rare when someone saw him out of it.
The others were really worried for him, but they couldn’t do anything.
Kevin and Liz avoided each other. It was killing Kevin not to see her, but she refused to see him, claiming he had ruined her life.
This is not fair, Kevin thought. I told her not to keep this a secret from B, and when we got caught, I get blamed!!
Kevin also knew that he was equally to blame. His love for lust had blinded him against common sense.
The day of returning to Florida was coming nearer and nearer.
It was the day preceding the group’s return to the Sunshine State.
Nick and Marie were together, wandering through the woods, exploring.
“When are you going back to Florida?” Nick asked her.
“In about three days. You have my number, right?”
“Yep. It’s stored in my safe.”
She grinned. “You have a safe?”
“No, but if I did, it’d be there.”
Marie laughed. Sobering, she inquired, “So what’s going on in Kevin-Liz-Brian triangle?”
“Not much action. As you know, Brian’s shut away in his hotel room, poor guy; Liz is shut away from the world as well, pouting over her mistake; Kevin is miserable with guilt and from the fact that Liz won’t talk to him.”
“I feel bad for Brian and Kevin. It was Liz who was juggling them, and it was she who I think is the criminal here.”
Nick shrugged. “It’s really none of my business.”
“You’re no fun.”
“I know.” He grinned wickedly.
“Don’t carry out that thought--”
He reached over, encircling her in his arms from behind and tickled her.
“This is no fun for you maybe, but it is for me,” he cried over her shrieks of laughter.
Her arms flailed and tried to free herself. “Let me go,” she howled, laughter making her voice barely audible. With one final lashing out, Marie freed herself and turned defiantly to face her attacker. “If you come one more step near me,” she warned, her hazel-green eyes sparkling.
Nick raised his hands in mock-surrender. “Yes, milady.”
Once Marie’s defenses had been let down, Nick jumped at her and enveloped her in his arms, trying to get a firm hold of her. Unintentionally, his head was extremely close to hers. Slowly, Nick lowered his lips to hers, and this time, Marie allowed it.
*******
“We’re finally leaving the cold!” AJ exclaimed happily as he stuffed dirty, wrinkled clothes into a suitcase.
Jenn watched him with distaste. “Did you do any washing while we were here?”
AJ appeared a bit baffled. “There’re washing machines here??!!”
Jenn rolled her eyes. “I’ll be packing if you need me--in my room.”
“You have your own room??!!” AJ once more exclaimed.
“I think you really need to get back to work,” Jenn muttered. “You’ve been on vacation for too long.”
She withdrew from the room.
*******
“I wish we could stay here forever,” Howie told Kevin.
He had been the first to forgive Kevin and Liz. The others had followed his examples--all except Brian of course.
“Don’t you miss your girlfriend?”
“She’s not my girlfriend. I just date her... a lot.”
“Big difference,” Kevin sighed sourly. He wobbly stood up from his easy chair. “Excuse me, D.”
Kevin went towards the rooms, pausing only as he passed Brian’s vacant room. How many times had he stopped from doing something important to go into his cousin’s room and just talk about nothing? All those times were gone now that this girl was between them.
Kevin continued on his way, halting in front of Liz’s door and knocking.
“Who is it?” her voice shakily called out.
“Me.”
“I don’t want to talk to you.”
“You’re going to have to sometime. Better now than later.”
Reluctantly, the door opened, and Liz’s pale face stared out at him. Her lovely golden eyes were sunken and shadowed.
“May I come in?”
The door opened a little wider.
Kevin stepped in. Taking a deep breath, he tried to confess his emotions--a task that was always difficult for him. “Liz, listen to me. I don’t think it’s fair that you’re blaming all of this on me. It’s just as much your fault as mine. I’m not saying you're more to blame. We’re both equally at fault. We both made a decision knowing full well of the possible consequences. You couldn’t have had both me and Brian forever, you know.”
“I know,” she admitted quietly. “I just don’t know what do , and I feel so guilty about how I’ve shunned you these past few days. I feel even worse about what we’ve done to Bri.”
“I feel just awful.”
“But what do we do?”
“Give him time to cool down and then apologize. Whether he’s willing to take you back or not is up to him... and you. That’s the real question here, what are you going to do next, Liz?”
She bit her lip. “Please don’t make me decide that, Kev.”
“DON’T MAKE YOU DECIDE??!! You can’t keep playing me like this. I have a right to know what you’re going to do. Are you going to start with me, or try and crawl back to Brian? This isn’t fair to me or Brian.”
Unbeknownst to him, the other occupants of the house had gathered in the doorway: Howie, AJ, and Jenn.
“Kevin,” Liz said, tears rolling down her cheeks.
“Don’t say it. I love you, Liz, but I can’t live like this. You feel you have a duty to Brian, but you tell me that you care for me in some way. I can’t take it anymore.” Turning on his heel, he stalked toward the door.
The three there scattered as Kevin angrily walked to his room and slammed the door, causing the entire house’s foundation to shake.
In her room, Liz sat on the edge of her bed, sobbing quietly. She’d hurt the two men she loved, and she didn’t know what to do about it. She wanted to be with both of them, but she knew that wasn’t fair to either of them and couldn’t make up her mind.
There was a soft knock on the open door.
Liz looked up to see Jenn standing there, timidly watching her.
“I thought you could use a friend,” Jenn offered, taking a small step into the room.
“Thanks,” Liz managed.
“I know the male sex can be frustrating, but trust me, when you find the right one, none of this heart break will matter anymore.”
“But what if I’ve already found the right one?”
“Which?”
“That’s the problem.”
“You can’t decide... Hmm. That’s bad. I’m sorry.”
Liz was amazed at how understanding Jenn was being.
“I don’t know how to help you except to say that only time will tell who you truly love or who you love more, in your case.
“Until then, I just wanted you to know that I’m here for you if you want to talk about any and everything. Don’t worry,” she said with a wry smile. “My lips are sealed from AJ.”
“Really? I always thought--”
“That was a bad metaphor,” Jenn replied, blushing. She stood up to leave and slowly made her way for the door.
“Jenn?”
“Yes?”
Liz responded with a smile, “Thanks.”
Jenn returned the favor. “Anytime.”
She left Liz’s room.
*******
The succeeding day, Nick said his goodbye to Marie at the resort, when he’d come to pick up Brian.
Quietly, Nick hugged her. “I’m really going to miss you,” he informed her.
“Me too. Don’t forget to call me two days from now when I get home.”
“I won’t. I’ll have Brian tell me or something. He wouldn’t let me forget.”
Nick grinned. “Hopefully in the future, you’ll see Brian as his usual cheerful-self. Then he’s a great pal, and you’d like him.”
“It’s not his fault. No more talk of Brian, Nicky.” She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him farewell. “Goodbye.”
“Bye. See you soon.”
Nick kissed her once again and turned to see Brian, laden with luggage, waiting for him.
Brian waved with a well-meaning smile on his face goodbye to Marie. It wasn’t too convincing, but he meant well.
She waved back in response.
Nick and Brian headed back out to the waiting van that they’d written to drive up to the mountains.
It was an hour or so drive from the Rocky Mountains to Denver Airport, and Brian was not looking forward to the long drive with Kevin and Liz.
Nick slapped his back supportively. They climbed into the van and took their seats in the front seat behind the driver’s seat. Howie was driving, and AJ as usual had shot-gun. Directly behind Nick and Brian were Liz and Jenn. Behind them, in the last seat, Kevin had stretched out and was attempting to sleep.
Chapter Eleven
It had been a long ride. The monotonous silence had carried on despite Howie and AJ’s attempts to change it. Eventually, they lapsed into silence. A local radio station quietly played all the way to the Denver airport.
The flight back to Orlando wasn’t any better. Nick chatted with Brian, but it was pretty much a one-sided conversation. AJ and Jenn talked. Liz was also sitting with them, but she kept to herself. Howie and Kevin sat together. Howie sweetly tried to coax Kevin into conversing, and eventually, the attempt succeeded.
When the plane landed in the Orlando airport, they all went their separate ways.
Brian drove his grayish-blue BMW back to his house. The house was all too empty and menacing.
However, it wasn’t long before he received a phone call. He let the phone ring, but after five rings, the caller was still persistent.
Brian scooped up the receiver and dully greeted them. “Hello?”
“Hi... um, is this Brian Littrell?”
“Yes, this is he.”
“Hi. This is Kate. We met in Colorado.” On her line, she was blushing a deep crimson. “Your friend, Howie, gave me your number and told me to call you.”
“He did, did he?” Brian was going to kill “Sweet D.”
“Yeah... He said you had something to tell me, I think, but his exact words were ‘stuff like that.’ ”
Her small attempt at humor, lightened Brian’s mood slightly. Her image was clear in his mind’s eye even though he’d only met her once.
Silently, Kate was anticipating his supposed answer.
“With all honesty, I didn’t ask Howie to give you my number. I have no clue what he’s trying to do,” Brian stated.
“Oh...” Sheepishly, Kate went on, “Okay then. I’m sorry to have bothered you.”
“No, no. It’s okay. It’s good to talk with someone new--”
“Who has nothing to do with your ex-girlfriend,” Kate said knowingly.
“We didn’t exactly break up. We just haven’t spoken whatsoever.”
“Oh.”
“But technically, in my mind, we have.”
“Okay. Maybe you should talk to her. Get it all straightened out and see what you feel in the end.”
“I don’t know...”
“When I broke up with my first love, it killed me too. He’d been cheating on me as well. I did the same thing that you did. I shelled-up and didn’t talk to anyone, but you’re better than me. I wouldn’t have picked up the phone at all!”
“I was tempted not to.”
She laughed lightly. Her laugh was delightful--like bells ringing. He could feel her smiling at him through the phone.
“Look. I’ll try and take your advice... You seem like you know what you’re talking about. Could I call you for advice once in a while?”
“Sure. Anytime.”
“Thanks.”
She gave him her number.
“Thanks,” Brian repeated. “I’ll call you later.”
“Okay. Bye.”
“Bub-bye.”
As much as Kate’s reasoning made sense, Brian couldn’t make himself dial neither Kevin nor Liz’s number. He would let it ring once and quickly hang up.
He couldn’t handle hearing Liz’s voice. The pain was still too fresh and cutting.
********
He hadn’t gotten dressed ,having been dead asleep for the majority of the day following their return to Orlando.
Sighing, Kevin slumped onto his couch, sipping a bottle of water.
The phone rang.
“Hullo?”
The person on the other end clicked off.
Annoyed, Kevin dropped the phone back into it’s place.
Five seconds passed, and the telephone rang again.
Angrily, Kevin greeted the caller, “Hullo?!”
“What happened, Kev?” AJ asked across the other end.
“Someone called and hung up. I hate when people do that.”
“Yeah. I can relate.”
“What’s going on?”
“Not much. I just need to talk with someone.”
“Don’t you know enough people without calling me while I’m pouting in the midst of my misery?”
“That’s exactly the reason I called you. I want to get you out of that drunken reverie.”
“I’m not drunk. I haven’t touched a drop of alcohol since we left for damned Colorado. I’m never going back there.”
AJ was silent on his end. “So you’ll come clubbing with Jenn and me?”
“I never said that--”
“Good,” AJ said hurriedly. “We’ll be there to pick you up in a half hour. See you then.”
“AJ, I never--” The phone clicked as AJ hung up. “AJ!!!” he yelled, and then he slammed the receiver down. “Damn him.”
********
“He’s coming, right?” Jenn asked her boyfriend.
“I didn’t give him a choice.” AJ grinned wickedly. “He’s coming whether he likes it or not, and I think he’s partial toward the latter. I know you’ve got to get ready and all. Go get yourself dressed.”
“Are you going in that?”
“Sure. Why not?”
AJ was well-dressed since he’d been planning to take Jenn out when he’d headed over to her apartment.
“All right. I’ll be done soon.”
********
Kevin was dressed edgily when AJ and Jenn picked him up.
“Lookin’ good, Kev,” Jenn approved.
“Thanks,” he replied, sliding into the back seat.
AJ drove forward and the car lurched.
“You’re driving, Bone?” Kevin inquired.
“Yeah. So?”
Kevin’s hands tightened on the seat under him.
Eventually, they reached the club in one piece despite the fact that the ride had been... rough, to say the least of AJ’s driving skills.
Kevin stumbled into the club entrance.
“Oh, shoot,” he heard Jenn exclaim from behind him.
He turned to glance at her. “What?”
“Nothing,” she replied hurriedly.
Kevin followed the direction of her gaze until his eyes rested on upon the slim figure of Liz with a group of her friends.
Chapter Twelve
Kevin squared his shoulders and marched into the club in the opposite direction of Liz. AJ and Jenn scurried after him.
“You don’t mind if we dance, do you?” AJ asked him.
“No, of course not.” That wasn’t a usual AJ question. AJ normally didn’t ask anyone’s permission for anything. “I’m just going to get a drink...”
“Okay.” AJ dragged his girlfriend out onto the dance floor after him.
“... or two,” Kevin continued. He made his way over to the bar and slid onto a stool. “A beer please.”
“Which kind, sir?”
“Surprise me,” he replied dryly.
He was given a Budweiser.
Sipping gently on the alcoholic beverage, Kevin kept his back to the dance floor, feeling--without seeing--Liz’s golden, cat-like eyes on him. After several drinks, the effects were beginning to kick in.
He easily walked away from the bar and sat back down at the table he shared with his two friends. That couple was still dancing to the blasting music.
A blonde girl approached Kevin. “Hi,” she said.
“Hullo.”
“I’m Michelle,” she stated.
“Kevin.”
“Can I sit with you?”
“Sure. It’s not taken.”
“Are you here alone?”
“I came with a two friends, but not with a date, if that’s what your asking.”
She laughed. “I guess that’s what I am asking, but that’s good. I’m not here with anyone either.”
Could she be anymore obvious? Kevin thought in the rational section of his mind, but the other part that was affected by the alcohol didn’t care. She was female, and that was enough.
“Do you want to dance?” Kevin asked aloud.
“Sure,” she piped.
He roughly pulled her out onto the dance floor.
AJ grinned at him over Jenn’s shoulder.
Kevin shrugged.
The song dulled to a slow one.
Kevin pulled Michelle close to him. His face close to her neck; his nose taking in the pleasant aroma of her perfume.
Bath and Body Works, his sensible mind told him. One of Liz’s favorite scents. He didn’t know the name, but the smell was the same.
Michelle didn’t pull away with him so close. She rather seemed to enjoy it.
Towards the end of the song, someone tapped Kevin hard on the shoulder. He pulled away from Michelle to see who it was. It was Liz. The look on her face was one of fury.
“We need to talk,” she told him, her voice shaking with anger.
“Excuse me, Michelle. I’ll be back.”
“No, he won’t,” Liz snapped at the innocent blonde.
Confused, Michelle was left alone on the dance floor, but it wasn’t long before she found another attractive man to amuse herself with.
Liz led Kevin out of the club toward the parking lot.
“What are you doing? You were necking her in public!!”
“I was not,” Kevin sputtered. “We were dancing. That’s all. Why do you care anyhow? If you can date two guys at the same time, why can’t I try and find at least one girl to see?”
“That’s not fair, Kevin.”
“What? That I told you the truth about yourself, or that I’m thinking of dating again?”
“I thought you loved me.”
“I can’t love like that,” he slurred. “It’s hard and it hurts. Especially when the girl’s my cousin’s girlfriend.”
“Can we leave Brian out of this please?”
“Why? He’s already a big part of it.”
“Kevin, you’re drunk.”
“Well, duh, and thank God for that! If I wasn’t, I don’t think I’d be able to handle this right now. All I have to worry about at the moment is doing something stupid... which I’m likely to do at any second, I assure you.”
“If you pass out on me--”
Kevin rolled his eyes. “I’m looking forward to that right now.”
“Stop being sarcastic.”
“I’m not. I’m as serious as I can get at the moment.”
“How can you do this to me?”
“Do what? You’re the one who’s been doing most of the painful stuff.”
Liz sighed. “Look, I’m sorry. I’m trying so hard to fix everything I’ve done, but I don’t know how.” Tears flooded her eyes. “No one will talk to me, and I feel so alone.”
Kevin resisted every urge to comfort her--an desire that raged through him.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t help you. “That’s all what you have to figure out. You need to talk to Brian and sort out everything with him. Then you can talk to me. I’ll see you then. Until that time... I’ll be in the bathroom.”
Kevin hurried back toward the club.
Biting her lip, Liz decided it was time to give her ex-boyfriend a visit.