Chapter Thirteen -- Hearts Can Change
*Shannon*
It’s so freaky. Bri and LeighAnne split up today. Well, I’m not really sure they’re split for good, but she packed up and left, and they had a really big fight. Nick and I could hear every word they screamed at each other, and our room is two rooms down from Bri’s. crazy. And little Baylee. Well, he’s doing okay, I suppose. Kevin and Kristin took him out for a while, so he wasn’t around during the fight. But it’s got to be hard on the little guy. He comes back and his Mommy’s gone. That’s got to affect a kid.
What surprises me most is the fact that no one seems surprised about it. sure, she wasn’t the greatest person I’ve ever met, but did they all expect her to just up and leave like this? And how could she leave her son?
“Baby, whatcha writing?” Nick asked, kissing the top of my head.
Sighing, I glanced down at my open journal. “Just trying to figure this out,” I said, tapping my pen against the desk. I smiled slightly when he began to rub my shoulders. “Have they ever fought like this before?” I asked him.
“Not like this. There’ve been fights, but somehow they muddled through.”
“I don’t get it, honey. Ugh, now it’s just me and Kristin.” Flipping my journal shut, I closed my eyes.
“Not for long,” he said, continuing to rub my shoulders as I stood. I leaned against him, reassured by his warmth.
“I hate the sound of that. What have you got up your sleeve?” I asked suspiciously, turning to look at him.
His expression was total innocence. “My arm?” he asked, smiling sweetly.
“Tell me, Nick.”
“I’m not breathing a word.”
“Ugh. Not fair,” I pouted, sliding my arms around him.
“Yeah, sure. In a little while you’ll be kissing my feet,” he said.
“Those smelly things? What are you, crazy?” Laughing, I slipped away and went to get my jacket. “I’m going for a walk.”
“Now?” he asked.
“Yeah. You don’t mind, do you?” I asked. Even though things were going great, I still tread carefully. Chewing my bottom lip, I slipped one hand into my pocket, comforted by the feel of the cigarette pack against my palm.
“No, it’s fine. I think I’ll take a nap.”
“Suit yourself.”
“Be careful, baby,” he said, giving me a hug.
“Mm-hmm. See you in a little while.”
A few moments later I was stepping off the elevator downstairs. Glancing around to get my bearings, I turned and went towards the back of the hotel. Even though it was drizzling, I needed to get some fresh air. Outside, I breathed in the cool air deeply before plopping into a damp chair by the empty pool.
Maybe the rain had driven the fans away. No offense to them, but they sometimes got on my nerves. The constant yelling for attention, all the flashes going off, it all tended to unnerve me. added to that the fact Nick and I had yet to be discovered as dating.
Sighing, I pulled out my cigarettes and tapped one out, rolling it between my fingers for a moment before lighting it. lying my head back, I stared up at the gray sky.
“Hey, I’m not disturbing you, am I?” a voice asked.
Startled, I sat straight up, almost falling out of the chair in the process. “Whoa, Brian, you scared the shit outta me,” I said, giving him a smile. “Pull up a wet chair.”
He nodded, tipping a chair over to drain the water out before setting it next to me. Flopping into it with a sigh, he looked at the pool for a long moment.
“Are you going to be okay?” I murmured. God. I still couldn’t get over it. Brian was such a sweet, loveable guy. How could she--
“I’ve got Baylee, that’s all that matters right now,” he said softly.
I nodded, wanting to comfort him but not sure how. “How’s he?”
“He’s fine. Nick came to our room, and I think he’s showing him the finer points of video games right now,” Brian said with a small smile.
Nick, bless him. “Brian, I know we haven’t known each other very long, but if you ever need anyone to talk to...well, you know I’m here.”
He nodded again, and for the first time since meeting him, I saw him start to cry. “It hurts, Shan. It really hurts,” he whispered, closing his eyes. “I thought she was the one.”
My throat closed, and I knew I was going to start crying as well. Biting my lip, I brushed imaginary lint from my shirt. When I looked over at him my heart ached for him. “Brian, I...” I had no damn idea what to say. I wanted to tell him that things would be okay, that he had to be strong for his son. The trivial little things that everyone says. Touching his arm gently, I felt tears fill my eyes when he looked up at me. His blue eyes were filled with pain, and he reached up and angrily brushed his tears away.
“I know,” he whispered. Clearing his throat, he patted my hand, then stood. “I better get back upstairs.”
I watched him leave, then sighed again. Covering my face with my hands, I started to cry.
*AJ*
I’d thought about taking a dip in the pool--hell, it was deserted, since the rain--and was about to greet Shannon when I realized she was crying. What? Setting my towel on the empty chair next to her, I stood there for a moment, wanting only to pull her into my arms and comfort her.
She must have sensed my presence, because she looked up suddenly. Wiping her eyes, she sniffled. “Hey,” she muttered, looking away.
“What’s wrong, babe?” I asked. Had Nick--
“Brian. It kills me to see him hurting like this,” she said, wiping at her eyes furiously.
Sighing, I sat next to her. Reaching for her hand, I was surprised when she grasped mine gratefully. “Me, too,” I admitted. Hell, I’d been blown away when I’d heard Brian tell her to get the fuck out of his life. Brian never cussed. Never.
She sniffed again, then glanced at the cigarette in her hand. Tossing it aside, she looked at it die in the small puddle. “Damn, now I’m littering,” she muttered.
“It’s okay. I don’t think you’ll go to hell for tossing a cigarette down,” I said, trying to get her to smile. Instead she sighed, squeezing my hand. “Brian’s gonna be okay.”
“I know. It’s just...I always get upset when a relationship ends. I cried for a week when Princess Di and Prince Charles broke up. Damn, I was just a kid then,” she said with a frustrated laugh. Shaking her head, she looked at me. “Why are you down here?
“Thought I’d take a dip.”
“Are you nuts? It’s freezing out here. You’ll catch your death of cold,” she admonished.
“It’s not that cold, Mom.”
Rolling her eyes, she looked at our hands. “AJ,” she murmured, getting to her feet.
I refused to let go of her hand. “What is it?” I asked softly.
“Can I ask a favor?” she murmured, glancing at the door.
“Anything for you,” I said, getting to my feet. Looking into her eyes, I reached up and brushed a stray tear from her cheek.
Closing her eyes, she stepped closer. “Hold me.”
*Cassie*
Nick had arranged for a car to drive me to the hotel, and Jim--whoever he was--was supposed to be waiting for me. Only he wasn’t. A well-dressed man helped me into the lobby with my luggage, then I was left to my own devices as he went in search of a bellboy. After checking in, I turned to find my luggage gone, and, after searching for fifteen minutes, I learned it had been taken up to my room.
Great. Clutching the key card in my hand, I headed down the hall, glancing around. Very posh, I decided. When I reached the end of the hall I looked around, trying to figure out where the elevator was. What was with this place? Most hotels had elevators right in the lobby, where a person could find them without needing a map.
Turning, I headed down another hall, growing more irritated by the moment. Dammit all, I wanted to see Shan, not get lost in a cavern.
Coming to a glass door, I glanced through it. It led outside, apparently to the pool. Okay. There was a couple out there, hugging each other as if they hadn’t seen each other in--
Holy shit, it was Shan. And that guy with her definitely wasn’t Nick. Too short, and no blondeness. What the hell? Flinging the door open, I walked outside, stopping short. I knew better than to disturb someone like that.
Cocking my head to one side, I watched them for a long moment. Whoever this guy was, he was running a hand through her hair, and she was holding onto him tight. Holy crap in a box of chocolates. What was going on?
“Shannon?” I blurted.
They leapt apart, and the look the guy gave me would have made most people run the other way. Yeah, well, he had his arms around my best friend. Get over yourself, asshole, I thought.
“Cassie? Is that you?” Shannon squealed.
Racing to greet her, I flung my arms around her. “Surprise,” I said.
“But, what are you--ow, dammit that hurt--what are you doing here?” she asked incredulously.
“Nick called me.”
I’ve tried so hard to tell myself
That you’re gone
But though you’re still with me
I’ve been all along