Chapter 13

Brian laid on his couch; the TV was on, but he wasn’t watching it. All of a sudden, the door chimed, causing him to jump and fall off the sofa.

He wasn’t expecting anyone and immediately assumed that it was his neighbor, who was taking care of Li’l Tyk for him. Guiltily, Brian remembered that he’d forgotten to pick his dog up upon returning.

Clad in pajama bottoms and a tee, Brian made his way to the door. He pulled it open, already apologizing, “I’m so sorry, Mrs.--” He abruptly stopped when he saw Liz standing bashfully on his doorstep.

He was about to close the door when she put her hand out to stop him. She squeezed inside.

“Brian, please listen to me. We really need to talk.” “I know,” he replied.

The sight of her only made his heart ache more.

Liz looked around. Nothing had really changed since she’d last been there.

Had it only been two weeks ago? It seemed like it’d been an eternity. Feeling like a stranger in a house she’d spent so many happy hours in, she followed Brian to the living room.

He indicated a chair for her, while he customarily took his place on the right side of the couch.

“So,” he began awkwardly, “are you and Kevin seeing each other?”

“No. He refuses to see me in any way until I’ve gotten everything sorted out with you.”

“So that’s why you’re here.”

“No! That came out wrong. Look, Brian, I’m so sorry about what I’ve done to you. I know Kevin is too, but I’m not here on his behalf. I came to beg you to find it in your heart to forgive me.

“I never meant to cheat on you. It was totally a mistake...” Liz found herself admitting all that had happened between her and Kevin over their winter holiday.

All the while, she watched Brian’s emotions flicker across his face: anger, hurt, jealousy, et cetera. Liz finished with, “I’m so sorry. I can’t help the feelings I have for Kevin. I can’t deny them, but I still love you. It’s killing me to have hurt you like this. I can’t change the past. Neither can you. We can only move on. Will you take me back or will you throw me out now?” Her eyes pleaded for mercy.

Brian took a deep breath. “Honestly, Liz, I don’t know if I really want you back. I loved you, and you betrayed me. Obviously I wasn’t giving you all that you wanted if you feel this way for Kevin. Something’s wrong there, and I’m sorry to drop you like this, but I’m not doing this anymore.” He lifted his sapphire eyes to meet hers.

“But I apologized, and I love you! What else do you want?”

“Nothing. I love you too, and I’m sure I always will, but it’s over now. You made the decision to end this the day you allowed yourself to keep seeing Kevin. If you’d come to me in the beginning and told me that you and Kev had kissed by mistake, I would have forgiven you eventually. Sure, I’d have been angry, but I’d have gotten over it. I can’t risk letting you break my heart again, Liz. Goodbye.” Tears spilled over onto his cheeks.

Liz was also crying. “I’m so sorry I hurt you, Brian... Goodbye.” With that, she left his house, leaving him alone.

It was final for Brian. Elizabeth Williams was no longer a part of his life, and the fact was killing him.

*******

Liz didn’t know where to go after she left Brian’s house. She felt abandoned, not having expected quite that from Brian.

“I suppose I should tell Kevin,” she murmured to herself. She had no other choice, and she felt it was the right thing to do. The problem was, however, she didn’t know whether Kevin was home or not.

Oh, well, she thought. I might as well drive by and see.

She drove in the direction of Kevin’s neighborhood. As she pulled up in front of his house, Liz was surprised to see several lights on inside. She pulled into his driveway and sauntered up to the door. She rang the doorbell and impatiently waited for an answer.

To her surprise, AJ opened the door.

Her eyebrows drew together in confusion and she glanced back at the driveway, having not seen his car previously.

“What are you doing here, AJ?”

“Taking care of the ill.”

“Kevin’s sick?!”

“Drunk, that’s all.” AJ grinned.

“Can I help?”

“Sure. You know more than we do about sick people.” He opened the door a little wider for her to come in.

Liz stepped over the threshold. “Where is he?”

“Master bedroom’s bathroom.”

“Is he throwing up?”

“That’s normally what happens when you drink too much alcohol.”

“Please. No sarcasm right now, AJ.”

Luckily for her, he hadn’t really looked at her to see that she’d been crying.

She made her way up to the master bedroom, a little unsure in the strange surroundings. Normally, when she and Brian had visited, they’d remained on the first floor.

However, AJ was following her, and he seemed to know exactly where it was he was going.

He strode ahead of her, going directly to Kevin’s room. Opening the door, he waited for Liz to catch up.

Nodding at him, she entered the room.

AJ didn’t follow her. He just quietly closed the door behind her.

Biting her lip, Liz moved toward the bathroom. She could hear Kevin throwing up within it’s walls. She could easily handle those types of sights, but this was the one time that she was hesitant. Eventually, Liz summoned up the courage and stepped into the bathroom.

Kevin was sprawled out on the tiled-floor, his torso leaning over the porcelain god.

Liz kneeled down next to him, focusing on his brow, not his mouth.

He had finished the nasty business and looked up at her. “What is it? I told you I didn’t want to talk to you--”

“I’ve cleared everything up with Brian, but this isn’t the time to be talking about that. You need to get rid of you alcohol poisoning. You’re going to feel awful in the morning.”

“I know.” Kevin raised himself to his feet and stumbled out of the bathroom. With his clothes still on, he lowered himself onto his bed and pulled the comforter over him. As soon as he closed his eyes, he was asleep.

Liz left Kevin’s room for the hallway. AJ and Jenn were waiting for her.

“He’s fine,” she told them. “He just passed out in bed.”

“Just like Kevin,” AJ laughed.

“I guess we should all leave,” Jenn suggested.

“No, I’m going to stay here. I have some matters to clear up with Kevin, and it’ll be best if we get them out of the way as soon as he wakes up.”

“You might as well go home because that won’t be until past noon,” AJ informed her.

“I’ll stay here just in case.”

“Okay.”

AJ and Jenn left.

Liz went downstairs and found a blanket. She curled up on the couch and pulled the blanket over her. After a half hour of restlessness, Liz fell into a deep sleep.

Chapter Fourteen

Come the next morning, Liz awoke around nine.

Surprisingly, the aroma of coffee filled the house. Pushing the blanket away, Liz swung her legs off the couch and stood up.

Her golden hair fell in disheveled tendrils about her face. She didn’t look like hell that morning. Actually, she was quite pretty.

Liz found Kevin sitting at the kitchen table, staring out the window.

“You spent the night,” he stated without looking up.

“I did. We have to talk. Are you feeling up to it?”

“Sure. Why not?” He motioned for her to take the chair directly in front of him at the table.

She slipped into the chair.

“Where do you want to start?” Kevin inquired.

“With last night,” she answered. “After you left me in the parking lot, I went to Brian’s house.”

“You don’t waste any time, do you?” What once would have been said in an amused, teasing tone was now dry and dull.

“No... Well, um, I got him to let me in, and we talked. I apologized and I told him everything that happened between us. I apologized again, and I told him that neither of us had ever intentionally meant to hurt him. It had just happened. I also told him that I still loved him, but I cared very much for you.

“He told me that he didn’t want anything to do with me anymore, and that despite the fact that he loved me, we’d hurt him too much. He doesn’t want to be with me anymore, and we’re through.” She finished up with, “I thought you had a right to know.”

Kevin nodded. “Thanks.” He paused. “I’m sorry too.”

“As you said, I couldn’t have two guys at the same time.”

“No, that’s not what I’m sorry about.”

“What then?”

“I’m sorry, but I’m not going to start dating you.”

Liz nodded. “I understand.”

“Not yet anyhow. It’s too soon, and frankly... I don’t trust you.”

“What?!”

“I have doubts that I know aren’t true, but they’re there anyway.”

“Like what?”

“I really don’t think you’d appreciate hearing them, Liz.”

“No, Kevin. I can work to change whatever I’m doing wrong for the future. Just tell me--”

“I think you’re afraid to be alone,” he burst out.

Speechless, Liz stared at him. Angrily, she stood up from the table, overturning the chair in the process. “How dare you!”

“You asked me what I thought,” Kevin growled.

“I’m sorry I ever met you,” she spat back at him.

“I’m sorry Brian ever met you! Then Brian and I wouldn’t be this far apart and everything would be normal for the band.”

“I don’t want to talk to you.”

“How do you think I feel towards you? Any better?” Kevin scoffed. “I’m going to ask to please leave my house.”

“I was just going, and I won’t be back.” Liz spun on her heel and stalked toward the kitchen door.

“It’s better that way,” Kevin said quietly, the pain filtering through into his voice.

Abruptly, Liz stopped and slowly turned around. She looked at him, confused--all the anger having melted out of her face.

She took a few, small steps in his direction.

“I’m sorry for saying that, Liz.”

“I’m sorry for blowing up at you. What do we do now?”

“You can either leave, or you can stay, and we try to sort out the problems and try to give ourselves a future together.”

Liz wasn’t leaving, and her decision was made.

********

Impatiently, Nick waited for the day to come that Marie would return to her dorm at Florida Central.

The days slowly dragged on. Finally the day arrived when she’d return, but the problem was, she wouldn’t get home until early evening.

Nick had never felt this way about a girl he’d met on vacation. It hadn’t been just for fun. He felt something for Marie Holland, and it was new for him.

Ever so slowly, time passed.

Around seven in the evening, Nick couldn’t take it anymore. He pounced on the phone and dialed up Marie’s number, which he’d already memorized by that time.

A breathless girl answered. “Hello?”

“Hi, is Marie Holland there?”

“This is she... Nick?!”

“Marie!”

“I just got in.”

“Oh, sorry.”

“No, it’s okay. Colorado was so boring with you gone. I had nothing to do.”

“It was worse here in Florida. What are your plans?”

“Classes start soon, but I have a couple of days to myself.”

“Let’s say I take you out some time?”

“Like when?”

“Tomorrow night. Is that okay with you?”

“Sure. That sounds great.”

“I’ll pick you up around seven, then?”

“Sounds fine.”

“See you then.”

“Bye.”

They hung up. Nick’s heart was racing excitedly, and he felt slightly dizzy with the possibilities. Sighing, he collapsed onto the couch and wondered how in the world he was going to wait twenty-four hours to see Marie.

**********

Brian tried to keep busy. It was all he could to do to keep from thinking of Liz and imagining what she was doing at the moment. And who she was with.

Something unthinkable also happened with Brian. He cleaned his messy house. Pig-sty that it normally was, he dusted, vacuumed, and did everything possible to the house. He did his customary yard-work and shot some hoops just to get through the day.

By early evening, Brian had run out of things to do. He decided to call his family and friends in Kentucky even. Few were home, and those who were couldn’t talk for long.

Then he called Nick, but his line was busy. He also phoned AJ, but was informed that AJ was on the other line. Howie wasn’t home. Eventually, Brian decided to go to the supermarket and pick up a few things for the house. That way, he’d be able to come home, put stuff away, and cook for awhile.

He didn’t know how he was going to go on living like that.

As he was checking out, he recognized a soft, sweet voice behind him.

Turning to look, he saw the back of a curly, auburn head.

“Kate,” he stated aloud.

She turned to see who had called her name.

“Brian!” she exclaimed. “This is a surprise.”

She wasn’t pleased to note the dark shadows under his eyes, and the tired expression on his face. He looked utterly unhappy and upset to her observant eyes.

“Yeah.”

“This is my friend, Angie,” she told him.

“Nice to meet you, Angie. I’m Brian.”

“How are you doing?” Kate inquired.

“Not too well,” Brian replied while paying the young man working at the cash register. “Liz and I have officially broken up, and it’s been a tough day.”

“I’m sorry. Do you want to go get an ice cream with us?”

It’s something to do, Brian thought. “Okay,” he agreed reluctantly.

“Great.” Kate flashed him a charming smile. “Just let us check out.”

Chapter Fifteen

After Kate and Angie had finished paying for their groceries, they and Brian carried them out to their cars and loaded them. Then they walked to an ice cream shop in the plaza.

Brian wasn’t feeling very creative that night and only got a chocolate cone.

Angie splurged getting a banana split, but she was incredibly thin. No matter how much she ate--which was quite a bit--the lucky girl didn’t gain a pound.

Kate didn’t care either way.

The three sat down in a booth together.

“Are you two roommates?” Brian asked.

“Yeah,” Angie replied flashing him a flirtatious grin. “We’re best-friends too.”

Kate laughed lightly. “Sometimes I don’t know how I stand her.”

“Yeah, well, Kate is too nice. Despite the fact that I’m incredibly annoying sometimes--on purpose, I might add--she’s calm and patient. I think even I couldn’t put up with me.”

Brian smiled unwilling at Kate.

Kate modestly blushed. “I am not. Ange, stop it.”

“She’s humble too,” Angie teased.

“Are y’all in college?” Brian asked, finding it difficult to find an interesting topic.

“I am,” Angie said, “Kate’s a year older than me, and just graduated this year.”

“She’s twenty-three, and I’m the old woman at twenty-four,” Kate explained.

“Then that makes me an old man. I’m twenty-four too.”

Kate beamed.

“What did you major in?” Brian asked her.

“Music. I play the guitar, and I sing--not together, but I can do both of them.”

“How about you?” he asked Angie, not wanting to leave her out of the conversation.

“I’m majoring in pediatrics.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. You wouldn’t think so by the looks of me.” She chuckled.

“No. You don’t look like the doctor type.”

“I like kids.” She shrugged.

“Did you go to college?” Kate asked him.

“No. I’ve been in a band since I was eighteen.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“What band? Would I have heard of you?”

“Maybe. We’re called the Backstreet Boys.”

Kate nodded and thought a moment. A moment later, she sang out in a sweet, angelic voice, “ ‘Everybody, rock your body. Everybody, Backstreet’s back. All right.’ ”

“That’s us.”

“Cool.”

By then, they’d all finished up their treats and stood up to go.

“I’ll give you a call sometime,” Brian told Kate.

“Okay. Feel better.” Her intention was clear.

“Thanks.”

Brian, head lowered and hands in his pockets, headed back to his car and to his lonely home.

************

Nick was anticipating seeing Marie again so much that he couldn’t eat for the entire day leading up to their date.

That night, he paid special attention to his outfit. He even called AJ up a couple of times for some fashion advice, so he didn’t look like a fool.

Eventually, six-thirty rolled around, and Nick left to find the University.

Surprisingly, Marie’s directions were clear and precise. Nick had no trouble finding her dorm.

She was outside waiting for him when he drove up. Dressed in black pants and a red top, she grinned and waved in greeting.

She hopped into the car, beaming at him.

“You look very happy,” Nick stated, amused.

“I missed you so much for not seeing you for only... two days, was it? It seemed like so much longer.”

“I know.”

“Where are we going?”

“Do you like the beach?”

“Sure.”

“Sure? You’ve gotta love the beach.”

“Yeah. It’s pretty.”

“That’s a little bit better, but we’re going to dine on the boardwalk and then... whatever you feel like doing.” He’d gotten a couple of tips from AJ. Nick didn’t want to spoil this evening for the world, and AJ had told him to let her decide everything that they did. Yet Nick had to bring her to the beach. He was always at his best there.

Nick drove them smoothly to the boardwalk.

He quickly jumped out and scurried over to her side. However, she was already stepping out.

Giving him a smug look, she took a step ahead and turned around. A teasing glint lighted her hazel eyes. “Which restaurant?”

Nick arched his eyebrows and offered her his arm. “What are you doing to me, Marie? I’m trying my best to make this classy.”

“Oh, come on. Let’s just have some fun!”

He shrugged. “Okay. I’ll race you to the restaurant.”

He was about to take off when she grabbed him by the sleeve. “Not idiot-fun, stupid.” She laughed. “Okay, I’ll take your darned arm.”

They walked up to the small restaurant and entered. The atmosphere was dim and romantic exactly what Nick had been looking for.

They were given a small table in the corner with a view of the ocean’s calm, peaceful waves lapping up against the shore.

Nick and Marie chatted, eventually getting into deeper conversation.

Despite the fact that they were very different, they were alike at the same time.

By then, Marie had learned not to fuss when Nick went to pay for the bill.

After the check had been taken care of, they walked across the street to beach. Marie slipped out of her sandals and dangled them in her hand as they strolled along the surf. She gazed out over the water as the moon sparkled upon it.

Nick only had eyes for her.

They walked in silence, hand in hand.

Eventually, Nick broke the quiet. “I really enjoy being with you, Marie.”

“I like being with you too.”

“It’s not just that. I like spending time with you more than with any other person. When I talk to you, I can’t help smiling and I keep smiling.” He stopped and faced her. “That’s just an innocent way of putting it, but I think... I think I’m falling in love with you.”

“Nick!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him. “I didn’t understand my feelings for you, but if you feel the same way I do...”

Eagerly, Nick leaned down and kissed her.

Chapter Sixteen

“I want to make this work between us,” Liz told Kevin, when she came back that night.

“I think it’s too soon. You still have feelings for Brian--”

She silenced him by placing her dainty hand over his lips. “Kevin, we can at least try at being friends and see how that works--”

“You know it’s not going to work,” Kevin groaned.

“We’re going to have to try.”

“I guess,” he gave in. “What do we do now?”

“We can go out and get a pizza or something, or we could watch a movie. I don’t know.”

“How about some other night?” Kevin suggested. “I’m still a little hung-over.”

“Okay.” She smiled and left.

Five minutes later, the phone rang.

“Hullo?” Kevin greeted the caller.

“Hi, Kev, it’s me.” It was Howie.

“What’s going on, D?”

“I was wondering if you’d like to go clubbing tonight with me?”

“Not really. I went last night with AJ, and I’m afraid I drank too much.”

“So what else is new? Come on. You usually are always up for at least two nights of partying in a row. What do you have to lose?”

“My soberness.”

“Then don’t drink! Leave that to me. Will you?”

“Fine. Give me a half hour to get dressed.”

“Will that be enough?”

“Probably.”

Howie didn’t sound convinced: “All right. Will you drive?”

“Why so you can drink your ass off?”

“Why else?”

“Okay, I’ll be there within a half hour.”

After showering and dressing, Kevin, as usual, was running behind. He sped over to Howie’s house, narrowly missing getting a speeding ticket.

Howie was impatiently waiting outside for him.

Kevin pulled into the driveway.

“Sorry,” he apologized. “My outfit was all wrinkled. Then I didn’t like how it looked on me so I had to change--”

“Normal Kevin stuff, right?”

“Basically.”

Kevin drove them toward the club that he and Howie always went to. One that very few knew about.

Kevin turned his car over to the valet, and he and Howie entered. The music pounded when they entered, echoing off of every wall. It was a split second before Kevin found someone to dance with, and it wasn’t long before Howie had found several dancing partners of his own.

As Howie was dancing his eyes rested on the back of one guy and his dancing partner.

The girl looked awfully familiar, but his mind couldn’t place her. Her long, straight hair was a shade of light brown with the dim light of the club glinting off of it.

Then the realization hit him. He knew where’d he seen her before. It was Liz, and she was awfully comfy with whoever it was she was dancing with.

Howie knew Kevin’s feelings for her and dreaded to see his reaction to seeing her with that man, considering Liz was kissing the guy in the middle of an extremely public place. She’d obviously known him well for a while because her body language suggested it. One could always tell when someone was at ease with a person.

Howie excused himself and found Kevin.

“Yo, Train, I’m ready to go.”

“Now?”

“Yeah. This place isn’t too great tonight. Let’s find another club.”

“If you say so, D,” Kevin replied, slightly confused.

Howie discreetly walked toward the exit.

Kevin followed, at ease, and his eyes taking in the familiar surroundings of the club. Then he found something all too familiar that shouldn’t have been there: Liz.

“Howie, I’ll meet you at the car,” he called.

“Okay,” Howie hesitantly replied. He left the club.

Kevin made his way over toward Liz and her date.

“Liz?” he greeted, his tone cold and unfriendly.

She spun around. “Kevin?! Wh... what are you doing here?”

“The more appropriate questions is ‘what are you doing here?’ ”

“I... uh...”

“Leave my girl alone, buddy,” the big man Liz was with snapped at Kevin.

“I think that’s just what I’ll do.” Kevin turned and stalked toward the door.

Liz scurried after him. “Kevin, wait! I have to explain.”

“There’s nothing left to explain. My fears were right all along: you can’t be alone,” he yelled.

The music had stopped, and the people in the club were all staring fixedly on the couple. Liz was aware of their stares, but Kevin didn’t care what they saw or what they thought.

“Kevin--”

“No! I wish I’d never laid eyes on you, and if you ever call me or speak to me ever again, I swear you’ll wish you’d never met Brian in the first place!!” With a harsh glare at her, he snapped, “I’m finished with you!”

Liz was left in the midst of the curious stares of onlookers to face the man she’d come with and answer all of his questions.

*********

The next morning, Brian was watching a basketball game on the television when the phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Hi,” Kevin’s deep voice greeted him.

“I don’t really have anything to say to you,” Brian told him.

“But I have to talk to you! It’s about Liz, and it’ll be best if I tell you in person.”

“Okay,” Brian agreed reluctantly, glancing at the clock. It was only eleven.

Kevin was normally never up this early. Something had to be wrong.

“I’ll be over in a couple of minutes.”

They hung up.

Hurrying, Brian went to get dressed. Just as he was finishing running a brush through his curly brownish hair, the doorbell rang.

Brian scurried downstairs and opened the door.

A distressed and tired-looking Kevin stood on his doorstep.

Opening the door a little wider for his cousin, Brian allowed him in.

Once they had settled in the living room, Brian inquired, “What’s so urgent about Liz?”

“I figure that since she was your girlfriend that you have a right to know.”

“If you’re telling me that you two are officially dating then congratulations,” Brian stated sarcastically.

“That’s far from the truth,” Kevin replied simply. “I wouldn’t date her for the world.”

“What happened?” No emotion warmed Brian’s voice.

“What happened between me and Liz has been nothing like what you’re gonna find out.”

“I don’t really want to hear it then.”

“I don’t want you to be angry with me anymore. I’m sorry, and she was cheating on the both of us with some other guy!”

Brian stared at him blankly. “You’re kidding?”

“No. Ask Howie. We saw her with him at a club last night, and it was clear that they hadn’t just met.”

“Well, that sucks, doesn’t it?”

“Brian, come on, get angry--”

“I can’t, Kev. I don’t care what she’s gotten herself into anymore. I wash my hands of her.”

“You honestly don’t care?”

Brian sighed. “I care, but I don’t. I can’t explain what I feel anymore. There’s just some void there that I don’t know what to fill with.”

“How about my friendship again? I feel so bad. We don’t have to go back to the way we were immediately. Just let me apologize so I can regain and earn your friendship.”

“I’d like that,” his cousin quietly replied.

Kevin sighed. “Thanks, Bri. I’ll never do anything like that to you again, and I’m so sorry that I ever did it.”

“Don’t worry, Kevin. Let’s just not talk about it anymore.”

Chapter Seventeen

Nick was all smiles when he called Brian later that day. Despite how blue his friend was, Nick’s smile could not leave his face.

“Hey, B-Rok,” he greeted him.

“Hi, Nick. How was your date last night?”

“Good,” Nick replied mysteriously.

“I’m not in the mood to pry it out of you, so if you’re not going to tell me, don’t.”

“What happened, Bri?”

“Liz has had another boyfriend this entire time, and it wasn’t Kevin.”

“Oh.” He paused, giving his best-friend a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry.”

“Yeah... but I’m done with Liz. Tell me about your date with Marie.”

Nick beamed. He explained all that had happened, blushing when talking about their kiss.

Brian smiled. “I’m happy for you, Frack.”

“Thanks. Now we just need you happy.”

“I’ll get over her,” he replied, but his tone sounded hopeless.

“Of course you will. Until then, you need to be busy. Come out with me and Marie sometime. She really wants to meet you. I’ve told her how bad the two of us are together, and she wants to see it personally.”

“When?”

“Anytime.”

“Well, a specific date would be nice,” Brian laughed.

Nick was glad to hear him laugh. “Tomorrow night maybe?”

“Okay.”

“Just let me talk to Marie, and I’ll get back to you.”

“All right.”

Later that night, Nick called back. “Tomorrow night’s fine. Would you mind hanging out at the mall? Marie seems determined to go there tomorrow night.”

“Sure. Sounds good.”

“Okay. See you then.”

“Yeah. Bub-bye.”

“Bye.”

The next morning, Brian went out jogging to clear his head. He ran toward the local park. As he jogged along the designated path, his thoughts wandered.

He was glad that he and Kevin had become friends again. They’d always been close despite some occassional, stupid fights.

Then Brian thought of Kate. She was extremely nice and sweet. She was so different from Liz, who had demanded attention when she entered a room.

Kate, however, without meaning to attract it, simply received it by her shy person and beauty.

Strangely, as he thought of Kate, he literally ran into her.

“I’m terribly sorry,” Brian stammered, having not recognized her yet.

“It’s okay.” She stood up and pushed her auburn curls from her face.

“Kate!”

“Brian, hi.”

“We keep on running into each other.”

“Yeah, but this time it was literal.” She smiled demurely at him.

“What are you doing out this early?”

“I was taking a walk. Do you want to join me?”

“Sure, I guess.”

They walked along in silence for a couple of minutes.

Kate broke the quiet. “How’s your band?”

“We’re still on vacation, but it ends next Monday. We’ll all be back in the studio. I can’t wait, personally.”

“I bet.”

“Kevin and I are friends again,” he admitted.

“That’s good! I’m glad.”

“That’s what Nick said. You should really meet Nick; he’s a character.”

“Is he the tall, blonde one in your group?”

“That’s him.”

She nodded thoughtfully.

“What?” Brian asked.

“Nothing.”

“You’re thinking about something.”

“Not much.”

“Come on. Tell me.”

“Just a song I’m working on.”

“You write your own music?”

“I try,” she replied with a laugh.

“I’d like to hear some sometime.”

She blushed. “I’m not one for letting other people hear it.”

“How else are you going to get a break? Record companies are going to have to hear what you sound like and what you can write.”

“I know that, but I’m still shy. I’m trying to get over it.”

“I can help you with that! I’m kind of shy at first too, but on stage I’m not anymore. I can coach you.”

She giggled. “I bet you would. You seem like the helping kind of person.”

“I am. I’ll call you later, and we can arrange a time to meet.”

“I’d like that,” she responded, quietly looking into his sapphire eyes.

He grinned, and they walked on.

At the entrance to the park, they exchanged farewells and separated.

As Brian headed in the opposite direction of Kate, he couldn’t help peering over his shoulder for a last glance at her.

*******

When Brian got home, he called up Nick. “Hey, Nick, can I ask you a major favor?”

“Sure.”

“Can I invite a friend of mine to come with us to the mall tonight?”

“Okay. Do I know this ‘friend’?”

“I don’t think so.”

“All right. See you tonight. Six o’clock, don’t forget. When we’re done we can all go out and get some food or something.”

“Sounds good to me. We’ll meet you at your house.”

“Okay. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Brian hung up with Nick and then dialed Kate’s number, surprised at his own eagerness to hear her voice.

“Hello?”

Immediately, Brian recognized her soft-spoken accent.

“Hi, Kate. It’s me.”

“Hi, Brian. I didn’t expect you to call this soon.” Her tone was that of amusement.

“Neither did I!” he joked. “Let’s say we get together around four or something this afternoon, and I’ll coach you on your stage presence. Then we can go to the mall with Nick and his girlfriend, Marie. Do you want to do that?”

“Okay!” She gave him directions to her and Angie’s apartment. “I’ll see you then.”

“Bye.”

“Bye.”

Brian hung up. Anticipation flooded him, and he couldn’t wait to see her again.

Chapter Eighteen

Brian’s BMW pulled up into the apartment complex’s parking lot. He put his car in park and hurried upstairs to Kate’s apartment.

He could hear music coming from inside.

With a smile on his face, he pressed the doorbell.

Abruptly, the music turned off, and slowly the door opened. Angie stood there. “Hello, Brian. Come on in. Kate will be right out.”

“Who were you listening to?” Brian asked.

“Just the radio,” Angie replied before she disappeared into her bedroom.

At that moment, Kate emerged, guitar in hand. “Sorry to keep you waiting,” she told him.

“It’s okay. It was just for a split second anyway.”

“So where do we begin?”

Brian grinned. “I want to hear you play.”

She blushed and lowered her eyes demurely. “All right.”

“That’s where we begin! You can’t be all bashful on the stage. Let the audience know who you are. You are Kate Roberts, singer. You own the stage.”

Kate smiled, embarrassed and took her place on a chair and began playing a song. It was written extremely well. Her voice was sweet and rich at the same time, powerful and small. Brian knew she had been born a natural.

When she was finished, Brian stood up, applauding. “Brava!” He grinned at her.

She flushed. “Thank you.”

Brian gave her some tips for a little while, but it wasn’t long before they were fooling around and laughing. Once he had gotten through her shy shell, she came out still incredibly sweet, but she also had a sense of humor to match his own.

Before they knew it, quarter to six rolled around, and they had to meet Nick and Marie.

They drove in Brian’s BMW, talking and joking. Nick and Marie were both in Nick’s house.

“Hey, guys,” Brian greeted them. “This is Kate. That’s Nick and Marie.”

“Hi,” Kate said meekly.

They headed to the mall in Nick’s car.

When they got there, they all played around. Kate was shy about it at first, but she was at ease a few moments later.

Eventually, they split up. Nick and Marie went one way while Brian and Kate went another.

Nick and Marie headed outside for a little cool, night air.

“Brian’s just like you, I admit,” Marie told her boyfriend.

“I told you.”

“Kate’s sweet.”

“Yes, she is.”

Nick was staring at her.

“Not in public,” Marie hissed.

“I can’t help it.” Nick laughed, plopping down on a bench.

Marie sat down beside him. Nick took her hand in his own and said, “You know, I think you and me are going to be together for a long time.”

“I don’t think so, I know it,” Marie replied.

Nick burst out laughing. “I share the feeling, but it all sounds so corny.”

“Yeah. I know.” She laughed too.

Despite Marie’s early protests, Nick leaned over and kissed her.

******

Brian and Kate headed toward a coffee shop.

Each ordered a cappuccino.

Taking their purchases, they headed toward a booth. Kate sat down and swung her long legs under the table. Brian plopped down in his chair.

“I’ve got to ask,” he began.

“Yes?” Kate asked, intently watching him.

“Do you want to go out with me sometime--like, on a date?”

“I don’t know, Brian. I really want to, but you just broke up with Liz. You’re still hurting--”

“Who’s Liz?”

“Brian, I’m not dumb. I don’t want to be the girl you’re taking out all your pent-up feelings for Liz on.”

“Kate, I don’t feel anything else for Liz. I’m over her. I feel some spark of something for you though. Give me a chance. You’ve helped me get over Liz. You found me when I was lost.”

Kate laughed. “I didn’t do that.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Okay... " She sighed, a smile creeping to her lips. "I’ll go out with you.”

Brian grinned.

As they left the coffee shop, Brian reached over and took Kate’s hand.

Gently and tenderly, he kissed her on the lips.

When they pulled away, Kate was red, but she was smiling softly.

They met up again with Nick and Marie to go home.

“Did y’all have fun?” Nick asked.

“Yeah. It’s amazing what you can find in the mall,” Brian replied with a smile at Kate.

She rolled her eyes. “Corny.”

“I am not.”

“Am too.”

“Am not.”

“Uh-oh,” Nick said from the front seat. “Brian’s normal again... I think he’s finally met his match.”

“I hope so,” Brian said.

Back to The One Table of Contents

The End