CHAPTER 23
Three days later the two of them sat on a plane on the way to Orlando. Skye looked around her surroundings not used to the luxury of first class. She laced her fingers through Brian’s and lay her head on his shoulder, sighing. This part of his life she was sure she could get used to. “You okay?” Brian asked her looking down at her.
“Yeah. I’ve just never flown first class before.”
He laughed. “One of the perks. They make up for the downsides.”
“Tell me about the downsides Brian,” Skye said to him, wanting to get some idea of the side of his life he was so worried about sharing with her.
He took a deep breath and let it out. “God, where do I start?” he stopped and chuckled. “That makes it sound really bad. It’s not Skye. There are so many good parts to my life that outweigh the bad.”
“Okay, then why did you feel the need to escape for the summer? Would that make it easier to answer?”
“Yeah, I think so. I was stressed. We hadn’t had a break for so long and I seemed to just suffer the most out of all the guys. I don’t know what it was exactly, or what combination of things, but I just needed some down time.” See squeezed his hand reassuringly when he stopped, urging him to continue. “You see it’s a tough business, the music business, some may even say a dirty business at times.” He paused. “Okay, that might be a little harsh, but the pressure to do well is always on you. You never know when someone wants something from you because of who you are and what you can give them. I guess by that I mean who to trust.” He stopped and looked out the window for the longest time.
“Is that why you didn’t tell me who you were, I mean what you do?” Skye asked him quietly.
He looked at her, his hand cupping her face while his thumb stroked her cheek tenderly. “Trust was never an issue Skye. I trusted you. You do believe that don’t you?” She nodded at him, knowing in her heart he was telling the truth. “Good. I’d hate to think you didn’t.” He gazed off again before turning back. “The only reason I didn’t tell you more about what I did was because I guess I didn’t want to scare you away before you got to know me. It can have such opposite responses from people. I guess I wasn’t fair on you, I’m sorry.”
“Brian, don’t apologise. I understand why you did what you did. You just wanted to be… normal… for a change, with none of your usual hullabaloo.”
“Yes, that’s it.” He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “I dunno Skye. I love what I do and I feel like all I am doing is saying it is bad. I love my work. My job is a unique situation that doesn't come around very often. It has its ups and downs, like every job, and like every job if you don’t take a break you will get stressed out. That’s the reason I was stressed when I got to Virginia Beach. We haven’t had a break in a long time. Gosh I can’t remember how long.” He looked into her eyes softly. “It’s a good life Skye, I think I might have turned you off with everything I have said and done but I hope I can show you the wonderful side of it. It’s different, but good.”
“Brian, it’s okay. I’m here with you. Show me what it is like. I am ready to share it with you.” Skye looked past Brian and out the window. “Looks like it will be soon. We are descending.” She smiled up at him. “Relax. I won’t come into this with any pre conceived ideas.”
“Before we get to that I have to meet your parents. Now that is scary,” Brian laughed, lightening the mood again.
“Brian!” Skye scolded him. “My parents are not scary.”
Brian pulled her close, dropping a soft kiss on her forehead. “If they are anything like you, I know I will like them.”
Skye smiled at him then looked seductively into his eyes. “Don’t stop there Brian,” she said lifting her lips to his. She puckered up her lips, making kissing noises and Brian laughed. He pulled her into his arms and plunged his lips down on hers. What began as a lighthearted kiss of fun became passionate, leaving them both breathless. “I… I… think we better put our seatbelts on.” Skye said to him, her eyes not leaving his.
“Yeah. We better,” Brian answered still reining soft kisses all over her face.
“Brian.” The moan of his name did nothing to stop him. It took all her strength and willpower to sit up straight and gently push him away. “Behave yourself mister,” she whispered, finding her voice uncooperative.
“Spoilsport,” he laughed as he clicked his belt into place. He took her hand in his and held on tightly, leading Skye to believe he didn’t like this flying thing very much. That had to be hard on him. The overwhelming need to comfort him surprised her, and she squeezed his hand back. She wanted to be the one that comforted him from now on.
Once they had landed at Orlando airport, Brian began to fuss. He made sure his cap was pulled down on his face, covering his eyes. He shook his head and reached into his bag for a pair of sunglasses, putting them on, even though they were indoors.
“Brian, is that really necessary?” Skye asked him, mildly horrified at the thought.
He shrugged, a hint of a grimace on his face. “Yes, it is. I just never know when someone will spot me. The fans are pretty good at seeing past any disguise now. Luckily though, they are, I think, unaware of our being in Orlando this week, so hopefully I can go unnoticed. But security should be here somewhere, they know I am coming.” Brian told her matter of factly.
Skye shook her head. “Security? You need security?”
Now he laughed and pulled her in for a hug. He kissed the tip of her nose and looked in her eyes. “Yes I need security. Hopefully you won’t see the reason why this week.” Alarm crossed her face and she looked from side to side, checking to make sure there was no one watching them. “Hey, it’s okay.” He kissed her briefly again and they turned to collect their bags.
No sooner had they got their bags when a timid looking teenager walked up to Brian, followed by another. “Brian, could I have your autograph please.”
He smiled at the girl and moved towards her. Skye stayed where she was and watched the episode unfold before her. What started as a couple of autographs and photos quickly turned into a scene of 20 or more girls crowding around Brian all wanting his autograph, photo and just to talk to him. They were all very civilised and Brian was taking it all in his stride, but she could see him looking anxiously for his security guard. At one stage he moved back to her and asked her to look for him, describing him quickly, but Skye didn’t want to leave him in case trouble arose. He assured her he would be okay and reluctantly she went out the front to have a look.
There was no one anywhere to be found that looked like Brian had described and she turned back to return to him. Maybe if she found airport security they could help. She walked in and glanced in the direction she had left Brian and her heart skipped a beat when there was no one in the spot she had left. Here eyes darted around, looking for any sign of Brian, even the girls that had had him surrounded, but she saw nothing and began to worry.
“Excuse me miss,” a deep voice said behind her, a tap on her shoulder making her jump. “I’m sorry to scare you Miss,” the huge man she now had in her vision said. She looked up at him, her eyes huge with uncertainty.
“Um, yes?” she stuttered out.
“Are you Skye Madison, Miss?” he asked her politely?
“Yes.”
“Mr Littrell asked me to come and get you. I had to usher him away from the crowd when I found him. I should have been here sooner, I apologise for being late.”
He was apologising to her? Skye thought that funny. “Where is Brian?”
“He is waiting in the car. I am to take you to him. Your bags are already there.”
Skye’s eyebrow rose. When did he get the time to do all that, she thought to herself. His hand lay gently on her arm and she got the impression he was a huge teddy bear once you got to know him. On the outside he was tough and even scary, but she could feel his kindness.
He began to lead her out a side entrance. An elegant black car with tinted windows waited for them and the man ushered her into the car. The moment she was in the car Brian pulled her into his arms. “Oh thank God he found you. I am so sorry about that.”
Skye sat back and looked at Brian. “I see what you mean now. How could you prepare me for that without scaring me in the process?” Brian had a distraught look on his face at her words. She touched his cheek, leaving her fingers there. “It’s okay Brian. I won’t pretend it didn’t scared me to see all that happened, but it was such a surprise that it happened and it was worry for you that scared me the most.” She lay her head on his shoulder as the car began to move. “I was scared for you.”
“I didn’t want you to see that sort of thing the first time we were out together. It’s usually a lot more civilised.” Brian looked at the man driving the car. “Dave was caught in traffic, that’s why he wasn’t here in time to take care of things. Did you have time to introduce yourselves,” Brian asked, changing the subject. Skye was thankful for that. It would give her time to process the events of the morning.
“No we didn’t really.”
Brian made the introductions as the car moved out of the airport. Skye gave him directions to her parents’ house where they were going first. “You really aren’t afraid to meet my parents, are you Brian?” she asked him when they were nearly there.
“Um, no… yes… no…” he stuttered making Skye laugh.
“Relax. They are going to love you Brian.” Just like I do, she wanted to add but stopped herself.
He grinned at her. He did feel a little nervous meeting the parents of the girl he was courting. That was exactly what it was to him because he saw a future with her. He wanted her parents to see he was serious about their daughter. He wanted to do everything right. “No, I’m looking forward to it,” he told her.
She gave him a heart-stopping smile, one that he loved so much. Then she chuckled. “I have to warn you though. Mom looks a lot like Grandma, only younger. Don’t think the woman in your dreams has reappeared.”
Brian laughed aloud, slapping his leg as he did. “I’ll keep that in mind.” Then he looked back at Skye, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he smiled at her. She resisted the urge to reach up and touch him. His eyes had been the feature she had been drawn to from the beginning when she dreamt about him and she adored the expression he conveyed from them. “You say the funniest things sometimes. You make me laugh. I love to laugh,” he said simply. His expression turned serious and Skye knew he was going to kiss her.
“Brian, we’re nearly there,” she said to him even though she wished they had more time. She ached for one of his kisses at that moment. She sighed loudly.
A cheeky grin crossed Brian’s face. “It won’t do to be all flustered when meeting mommy and daddy hey?” he teased her.
“Oh Brian if you only knew. They would love it. They are as bad as my grandparents when it comes to trying to match me up with a handsome eligible bachelor. And you will definitely pass their guidelines.” She chuckled at the look on his face. “Don’t look so surprised Brian. It’s because you are so loveable,” she said admitting that much at least.
He shook his head and laughed to himself. Pulling Skye in to his arms again they were quiet for the remainder of the trip. Before long they pulled up at an attractive looking house nestled in amongst palm trees and gardens. It reminded him a little of his own house here in Orlando.
“Are you ready?” Skye asked him.
“I sure am.” Brian said to her, the He nodded, leaning in for a quick kiss. “These are the people who made you who you are. I am looking forward to it.”
Chapter 24
Index
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