Mrs. Littrell smiled from where she was reading on the couch. “Are you 3 feet away from the door sweetie?”
“I think so,” Lance said, looking at the ground.
No sooner did he look up and the door was opening.
“Mommy!” he cried, jumping up. The toddler spotted her tired, red eyes and asked, “What’s wrong Mommy?”
“Nothing sweetie,” Jessica said, her voice stuffed thanks to her runny nose. “Lance, sweetie, could you do Mommy a favor and get your bag?”
“Sure!” The blonde boy ran across the living room up the stairs to retrieve the bag.
“Mom?”
“What is it?” Mrs. Littrell asked worriedly.
Her breath began to waver and shudder as she replied, “He’s back Mom… he’s back…”
-;- -;- -;-
“…And her apartment was in ruins…”
“Oh god is she ok?”
“Yeah she’s sleeping in the guestroom… she was so scared…”
“Can I talk to her?”
“But Brian she’s sleeping-”
“Could you just check?” Brian pressed his mom, ignoring the fact that he was having this conversation in the middle of the bus. “Please? I know she’s still awake.”
“Bri what’s goin on?” Nick asked his best friend, tapping Brian on the arm. The older man only brushed him off.
At last came a tired, “Hello?”
“Jess? Are you ok?” Brian asked immediately, starting for another room.
“Oh god Bri… he’s back, he destroyed my apartment…” she said quietly, her tears filtering back into her eyes.
“You’re ok right? Is Lance ok?”
“Yeah he was over here with Mom… I was with Kyle.”
“Thank God… that was a good thing you’re a nice person Jess, otherwise you could be dead,” Brian said, shooing away his nosey friends.
“I know…”
“You don’t need anything?”
“A psychiatrist, but other than that, I’m fine… I lost your money collection though.”
“What money collection?”
“Oh you know… the hundred dollar bills you always give me when you leave.”
“WHAT?!”
Jessica giggled. “I never used them I hope you know.”
“Then…that’s like a million dollars!!” he cried.
“No… only about a thousand, but I think he took it instead.”
“Does Lance know about this?”
“Oh no he’s still sleeping right-”
“No I mean your boyfriend Lance.”
There was a short pause… “No.”
“Why?”
“I can’t tell him that! I mean, he already has enough to worry about minus the production company and FreeLance and-”
“I get it Jess. I’m just glad you’re safe!” Brian sighed. “I don’t know what I’d do…”
Jessica sighed. “Look Bri, I gotta go- but I’ll talk to you soon ok?”
“Alright… I love you.”
“Love you more Bri, bye.”
Brian let out his breath and hung up the phone.
“Frick?”
“What?”
“What happened?”
Brian nodded toward the empty seat next to him, gesturing Nick to sit.
“What Rok what happened?”
“He’s back…”
Nick’s jaw dropped and his stomach clenched. “W-what?”
“When Jessie was gone with Kyle, he went to her house and trashed it… he took money, and he trashed everything else…”
“How do you know it wasn’t just some robber?”
“He wrote on the floor “what’s your favorite scary movie?”… and he drew a knife going through a heart on the door…”
“Is she ok?” Nick asked immediately.
“Yeah she’s fine… Thank GOD she said yes to Kyle… I will never insult that boy again!” Brian said thankfully, resting his face in his hands. “Lance was at Mom’s…”
Nick let out a breath. “Oh thank god… I thought this guy was gone Bri… I thought he was gone…”
“I guess that’s what he wanted us to think?”
AJ, Howie, and Kevin looked at each other in confusion. They had no idea what they were talking about. Obviously, they never wanted them to know.
AJ threw his tattooed arms up in the air in frustration. “What the hell is going on?”
-;- -;- -;-
“Any luck?”
Jessica sighed. “None. Everything is destroyed. Not a single piece of my clothing came out alive.”
Kyle winced. “Ouch. Man… what about Lance’s things?”
“He’s got some of them… but he’ll never forgive me for all his toys…” Jessica groaned, her face in her hands.
“I wouldn’t wanna stick around.”
She sighed. “Oh well. I’ll live… I hope.”
-;- -;- -;-
“Oh god you’re safe,” Brian said, relieved as he hugged his best friend tight.
“Yeah I know…If Kyle hadn’t taken me out…” Jessica let out a breath, “I don’t even WANNA know.”
Brian said down on the couch in the guest room, the room she’d be staying in. Lance was at a friend’s house for the afternoon.
“I’m just glad you’re ok.”
“So’m I.”
Brian glanced at his watch before asking one last question, “Could you salvage anything?”
Jessica sighed and her face dropped down into her hands. “No. Thank goodness I have my dance stuff here. I’m gonna have to find another job.”
“Hey. You know, I’m not your best friend for nothing.”
“No Brian. Please. It’s not your place to help me here- this is my problem.”
Brian turned serious. “Look. Anything concerning that sick psychopath IS my problem. Who knows- what if he finds me and does something? You’d want to help me too right?”
Jessica looked off to the side. “Yeah I guess I would.”
“That’s how I’m feelin right now. You either let me help you… or I can leave your life forever.”
“Brian that’s not fair!” she cried.
He only grinned. “I know.”
She narrowed her eyes and sat down. “I can’t believe you.”
“That’s a yes I’m sure,” he laughed. He looked back at his watch another time and jumped, “Shoot I gotta go,” He said as he got up.
“Why?”
“It’s Leighanne’s and mine’s anniversary.”
“Oh.”
“I thought I’d check up on you since I was in town- but I’ll be back in a while- vacation’s in 3 weeks.”
“Really?” she asked excitedly.
Brian nodded. “I’ll be staying here.”
“Yesss!” Jessica cried happily, jumping up to hug her friend.
He smiled as he hugged her back, deep in thought. ‘She shouldn’t have had a kid so young… she still had so much life ahead of her’ He sighed before kissing her cheek and leaving the room, shutting the door.
“Going so soon?”
“Yeah- Leighanne’s anniversary,” Brian said. “I wish I could stay, but…”
His mom looked at him sternly. “Well? What are you waiting for? Give your old mom a hug!”
Brian laughed and obliged. She kissed his forehead and smiled. “I’m so proud of you.”
He beamed. “I’m glad mom.”
The pop singer hugged his mother one last time and headed for his car.
-;- -;- -;-
Leighanne opened the door and smiled. “Hey.”
“Hey yourself- c’mon I made reservations,” Brian said, grabbing her hand.
She laughed and tried to catch up with him in her high heels. She nearly tripped. So much for that idea.
The older woman sighed as she saw another fancy restaurant pop into view.
-;- -;- -;-
“Hey little fella! I’ve miss your tiny face,” AJ smiled, lifting up the toddler.
“Uncle AJ!”
Jessica laughed. AJ just seemed like a natural father (although he didn’t appreciate the diaper changing).
“Hey how ya feelin?” Nick asked, plopping down on the couch next to her.
“I’m alright…I’m gonna have to get some clothes though…” she lowered her voice to a whisper, “and Lance still thinks his toys are alive…”
Nick snickered. “Well, if you ever need any help…”
“No. Brian already threatened me about it, I don’t need you guys offering money YOU’VE worked hard for,” she said sternly. “Besides, I need to get another job and work for it.”
“Uh, no…c’mon, we’ve got the money. We don’t even know what to do with it- might as well use it for the powers of good,” Nick smiled.
“Oh no, I’m not falling for that one again,” Jessica refused, crossing her arms.
“What?”
“Brian did that to be a looong time ago about Lance, and bought him nearly the whole fuckin store!”
Kevin laughed. “Well that’s Brian for ya.”
“No kidding. I think that was when Lance declared Brian his favorite uncle.”
“Mommy!”
“Yeah?”
“Where’s Uncle Brian?” he asked at the mention of Brian.
“He’s out with Leighanne sweetheart.”
Lance scrunched up his tiny nose and the guys burst out laughing.
“Lance…” Jessica scolded. “No.”
“But Mommy…”
“No Lance, it’s not nice.”
The toddler pouted.
“It’s alright kid,” AJ said. “Whadaya say we dye your hair blue?”
He was met with shouts of, “AJ!!”
The rebel looked up innocently at his friends. “What? Did I say HAIR? I meant CHAIR, CHAIR, not hair.”
-;- -;- -;-
Brian smiled at Leighanne from across the small table. She had remnants of a sauce on her chin.
“What?” she asked, catching his stare. “What?”
Brian scratched at his chin hoping she would get the point.
Leighanne was a smart woman, she figured it out and grabbed the nearest napkin to wipe it off.
“Hey, whadaya say we open our gifts now?” Brian asked.
“You imp you just want the presents,” Leighanne said knowingly.
“I just wanna give you mine,” he said simply.
She bit her lip, something she did when she was nervous or worried.
“What is it?” Brian questioned. “What’s wrong?”
“Er…um can I give you my gift first?” she asked slowly.
“Uh yeah…sure, go ahead,” Brian said, unsure.
She reached into her purse and pulled out a velvet box. Carefully she handed it to him.
“What is it?” he asked, getting nauseated.
“Just open it,” Leighanne said softly, looking at her lap and playing with her fingers.
The restaurant was fairly dark, half lit by candles and half lit by light, and he couldn’t see her expression as she looked down.
Taking a deep breath, he opened the box.
When he did, he wished that he had given his gift first.
-;- -;- -;-
“But Uncle AJ! Don’t leave! MOMMY!!” Lance cried, holding fast to AJ’s leg, sitting on his foot.
The other guys bit back their laughter as Jessica had to pry his tiny fingers from his leg. “Lance, please, this isn’t nice. Uncle AJ has to leave and get some sleep. You can play with him later sweetie c’mon…”
“Hey c’mon kiddo, I promise I’ll get you back something big when we get back ok?” AJ tried, holding the smaller hands in his larger ones.
“Ok,” Lance sniffed.
“Love ya kid,” AJ smiled.
“How much?”
He stretched out his arms. “This much.”
Lance beamed. “That’s a lot!”
“C’mon gimme a kiss,” AJ jokingly ordered.
Jessica smiled. “Ok Lance it’s waay past your bedtime- I think you need to get to bed. Give them all a hug and get to your bed sweetie.”
“Ok,” he relented. He gave gigantic hugs to his uncles and ran off to the guest room.
Jackie also gave them hugs and a kiss on the cheek before they left.
“Later Jess. Remember, if you need a lil help…” Nick pointed to his cell. “I’ll be right here.”
“Thanks. C’mon Kaos, you gotta get to bed.”
“Yes MOTHER,” he laughed, jogging out to the car waiting for him.
-;- -;- -;-
“Bri…”
“Why?” was all he could ask. “Why?”
“I’m sorry…I just…it wouldn’t have worked out.”
His breath shuddered as he fought his tears back. “Why?” he continued to ask.
“We weren’t as in love as I thought we were,” she said, looking away from his pained face.
Brian ignored everyone’s stares. He knew he’d see pity in their eyes. “But I DO love you Leighanne…I DO.”
“Please B…not here,” she pleaded.
“Why not?” he asked. “It’s fine isn’t it?”
She had nothing to say.
He gripped the box in his hand, as if that was what was keeping the tears at bay. He tried not to blink, knowing it to would let them fall.
“Why didn’t you tell me before? Before we went here? Before I spent my money? Huh?” Brian demanded, anger and hurt boiling in his bones. “Why didn’t you just tell me before I fucking PROPOSED to you? TELL ME.”
Her eyes watered at his words. “Brian…please…we just…we weren’t meant to be…”
“You used to tell me we were…all the time,” he choked.
“I’m sorry, really I am…but if I let us marry…it would have been even worse,” she whispered laboriously. “I couldn’t risk hurting you like that.”
“But you can risk hurting me now?”
“It would have hurt even more if I waited and led you on.”
Brian took a breath. “You already have.”
-;- -;- -;-
Jessica stared at the TV, into the movie playing at 1 in the morning. She just couldn’t sleep. It was the worst insomnia anyone could have. Even if it was one of the worst movies she had ever seen, it was still something to help her fall asleep.
Then, she heard keys. She froze. ‘No god please…please…’ she begged wordlessly. The keys were inserted into the door and she began to sweat. Jessica quickly ran and grabbed the nearest thing she could find- an umbrella. She hid behind the corner, just out of sight, umbrella poised to strike.
The doorknob turned, and the door opened. She gripped it tightly in her hands as she jumped and screamed, beating the intruder crudely on the back.
“Agh! What the heck?!” he cried.
Jessica’s stomach tightened and lurched as she dropped the umbrella. She found the nearest light switch and turned it on as Jackie and Harold came running down the stairs.
“Bri…oh my god I had no idea it was you,” she apologized repeatedly as Jackie asked, “What’s going on down here?”
“You were going to beat me to death with an umbrella,” Brian said flatly.
Jessica stared at his face. “Bri…you’re supposed to be at the hotel…you look like shit.”
He looked away. “I thought I’d crash here tonight,” he said, showing them the bag he had brought.
“Of course honey,” Jackie said, backing up as Brian made his way up the stairs.
“Something isn’t right…” Jessica said slowly, grabbing the remote and turning off the TV. “Goodnight Mom, Goodnight Dad,” she said, hugging them.
“Night sweetheart.”
She ran up the stairs and found the closed bathroom door. “B? Bri are you in there?”
“No,” came the muffled reply.
“Brian, open this door.”
Silence.
“Brian Thomas Littrell open this door now.”
Nothing.
“Bri please? I want to know what’s wrong with you,” she begged softly.
There was a click, and the door was unlocked. She opened the door and stepped inside. Brian had taken off his shirt and his face and head was wet. From water or tears, Jessica had no idea. His hands were holding the edge of the counter and he stared at the mirror. She shut and locked the door.
“Bri?”
“Why?” he whispered hoarsely.
“Why what?” she asked, confused as she grabbed his hand.
“She…she…” Brian bit his lip before his tears poured again.
Just then, she spotted the velvet box with a familiar looking ring in it. “NO…Brian she didn’t…”
“But she did,” he whimpered. “She did.”
“Oh Bri c’mere,” she whispered, opening her arms to envelope her friend.
He nearly fell into them as she gripped his back and slid down the door, taking him down with her. He lay on the floor, not thinking once of the cleanliness of it, and clung to her as he sobbed.
“Bri it’s ok…shh…” Jessica tried to comfort Brian, but it was no use. He was propped up against her, crying into her neck. “C’mon Bri…c’mon…shh…”
He squeezed his eyes shut tightly, letting the remnants of his tears drip out of his eyes. His breaths were shuddery and his body shook, but he knew it was going to be ok. He knew it would be, Jessica said so.
“Alright that’s it,” she said soothingly, her hand rubbing over his sweaty back. “You can do it.”
His right hand grabbed her left shoulder and his left encircled her waist as he lay, trying his hardest not to break down or look at the ring sitting atop the counter. He closed his eyes, concentrating on Jessica as she whispered words of comfort into his ear, rubbing her hand against his back, her other hand reassuringly on his arm, not caring that he was letting her take all his weight, and he could begin to feel a tiny smile. His last thought was knowing that she was truly his best friend.