| "No Kevin, I am not going on a blind date. Whether you and Jac come with me or not." Brian paced around his spacious living room, his hands stuffed deeply in his pockets. He looked agitated with the couple sitting calmly on the lounge holding each other's hands as they always did. "Brian, please. She is waiting for us. I told her you would come. She can't wait to meet you." Kevin said and Jac giggled. "What Jac?" Brian asked, seizing on her amusement over what Kevin had said. "She didn't want to go either right?" Jac shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know Brian. I haven't met her before." "You haven't?" He raked his fingers through his hair still agitated. "Kevin, where do you know this girl from?" "She's a friend of Jason's. She's really nice Brian. Honest! Would I lie to you?" Kevin got up and put his hand on Brian's shoulder. Brian looked up at him through squinted eyes, you could see he didn't know whether to believe Kevin or not. "Brian. You know I am aware of your reluctance to go out. But you have to get out again. It's been so long since you last dated. It's about time." Brian was shaking his head slowly. "I don't know if I am ready. That last break up hurt a lot." "We know that Brian. All of us hate seeing you so down in the dumps. It's time you took a chance. Besides, it's only one date. Nothing has to come of it. I really think you will like her." You could see Brian warring with himself over the decision. He had been badly hurt in his last relationship, but he was the type of person who belonged in a relationship. He had so much to give the right person. He was a loving and caring guy with strong values, and emotionally he needed a partner. It was killing the other guys in the group to see him so miserable. Kevin was only trying to help his cousin out. Brian looked over to where Jac sat and back to Kevin. The pleading look in their eyes made his resolve not to go, crumble. He took a deep breath, and let it out. "Oh okay, I will come. On the condition that I drive myself, so I can escape if I need to." Kevin smiled and Jac closed her eyes, a silent cheer going through her mind. This was exactly what Brian needed and if he was right, this girl would really suit Brian. "Great, now lets get going." "Let me get my jacket." Brian said despondently. For some reason he felt trapped. As if he needed to escape. He walked slowly down the long corridor to his bedroom and thought about doing a disappearing act. Then he shook his head and realised what a childish though that was. No, he had agreed he would go, so now he had to go along with them. He went into the bathroom and washed his face, running a comb through his hair then getting his black leather jacket out of the wardrobe, before heading back out to Jac and Kevin. They were deep in conversation as Brian walked out, but the stopped the second he reappeared, making him suspicious. "What are you two plotting?" He asked warily. "Nothing in particular Brian," Jac answered, "Wow, you look pretty hot in that jacket." "Hey!" Kevin said poking her in the ribs. "You aren't supposed to notice." Jac merely smiled at Kevin. "Come on, let's go. We have to pick Sue up on the way don't we Kevin?" He looked at Brian. "Yes we do. You sure you won't come with us?" Kevin asked him. "Yes, I'm sure." "You will go there won't you?" Kevin asked. Brian smiled to himself, thinking of his earlier thought of disappearing. "I said I would be there Kevin. I'll be there." Kevin still looked doubtful. "Okay, you better be. I am not going to make Sue uncomfortable by bringing her and you aren't there." "Kevin! I…." Brian began but Jac interrupted. "Come on you two. Let's go." She took Kevin's arm and pulled him along in the direction of the front door. "See you at Tabu Brian. We'll be 15 minutes." And they were gone leaving Brian standing in his own living room wondering what he had gotten himself in to. He stood there remembering his last date. The one where he was to meet Elizabeth at one of the fancy nightclubs in Orlando for a night out. He was heartbroken to see her there with another man. Not just with another man, but all over this other man. Brian had caught her eye, he had glared at her and she had waved back at him, then he had turned and walked out the club without a second though. He never saw or heard from Elizabeth again. He knew now it was obvious she wasn't the right sort of girl for him, but it still hurt. His heart had been broken so easily that night and he wasn't ready to open up again. It was 6 months ago, yet he was still reluctant. And here he was, opening himself up for another fall. He picked up the keys to his black BMW convertible and walked out the door, securing the locks and alarm as he left. He started the car and sat there for a moment, but then decided he would actually like to be already at the club when Kevin and Jac arrived with his mystery woman. What did they say her name was? Sue? Okay, he would have to remember that. Even if they didn't get on, he would always be a gentleman to her. As he pulled in to Howie's nightclub, Tabu, he made his way to the VIP parking area, which afforded him the private entry he needed. He walked in to the club, waving at Howie who was sitting in his office as he passed. Howie came out to him. "Brian. Kevin asked me to take you to your table." "What? Make sure that I don't disappear?" Brian said making a face. "Brian! You know Kevin has your best interests at heart. We all do." "Howie, I wish everyone would just let me worry about what is best for me." He saw the hurt on Howie's face and instantly regretted his words. Howie was Just trying to be nice, as he usually was. He always meant well. "Sorry Howie. I'm just feeling trapped here. I didn't want to come." "Brian," Howie said gently, guiding him to the secluded table for 4 at the back of the VIP lounge, "Just relax. If it doesn't work out, then it doesn't matter. We've all been worried about you. And Kevin wouldn't bring someone who he didn't think you would like. He is pretty sure she is your type of girl." Brian shrugged. "I guess we'll see soon enough." ***** Kevin knocked on the door of the house he had stopped in front of. Jac had come out of the car too, anxious to meet this girl Kevin thought was so perfect for Brian. She lived fairly close to Brian, she noted, which could be a good thing. Kevin and Jac lived on the other side of the city to Brian. Surely he would bring her home after the evening. Knowing Brian, he would offer. He was like that. The door opened and Kevin was quick to pull the woman standing there into a bear hug. Jac stood by watching the exchange as Kevin gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Sue! It's so good to see you again. How are things?" "Same as I told you on the phone Kevin." She laughed. "It was only yesterday." He laughed. "True. Sorry, it's been so long since I have seen you. You look good. You all ready for a night on the town?" "Sure I am. But please don't try to match me up with any of your group members will you? You know how I feel about that." Jac looked wide eyed at Kevin. She didn't know she was going to be Brian's date? Oh this could spell trouble with a capital T. Jac cleared her throat and Kevin grasped the opportunity to change the subject. "Sue, this is my fiancé Jac. Jac, meet Sue." "Hi Jac, pleasure to meet you." Sue said pleasantly to her. Jac liked her instantly. But she still worried about what Kevin's plan would be. "Just let me get my jacket and I will be right with you." Jac felt a feeling of deja vu. When she was out of hearing range Jac hissed in Kevin's ear. "What are you thinking Kevin? She doesn't know she is going to meet with Brian?" "Jac, look at her. Just listen to her when we talk. She is perfect for Brian and he is perfect for her. They just need a push in the right direction." Kevin stood there, so sure of himself. Jac was shaking her head. "This is on your head Kevin. You take full responsibility." "Yeah, and I expect Brian to make me best man at his wedding. I am so sure about this Jac," he said as Sue returned shrugging into her jacket. Kevin led us both to the car and then drove us to Tabu, parking his car next to Brian's in the parking lot. Good, at least they knew he was there. Howie should be keeping him company by now. |