Brian, Haley, Jackie, and Brian’s dad Harold were sitting in the kitchen. Jackie was cleaning Haley’s cut while Brian soothingly rubbed Haley’s back. “Does James do this often?”, Harold asked from the doorway. “Yes. When he gets drunk. Which is pretty often.”, Haley said embarrassed. “Haley, you are welcome to stay here as long as you like.”, Jackie said putting away the first aid kit. “Thank you Jackie. You are still as sweet as you ever were.” “You’re welcome. I am sure Brian will let you have his bed. Won’t you Brian?”, Jackie said giving Brian a look. “Ofcourse I will. I’ll take the couch.”, he said still rubbing Haley’s back. “That’s not necessary. Really. I can sleep on the couch.”, she said graciously. “No Haley. You care taking my bed. Now come on.”, he said taking her hand. “You can’t argue with this boy can you Harold?”, Haley laughed as they passed him in the doorway. “No I’m afraid not. He inherited that from his mother.”, Harold laughed. “Goodnight!”, Haley called before Brian dragged her up the stairs.

When they got in Brian’s room, Haley looked around. “It still looks the same.”, Haley said sitting down on the bed. “Yeah I guess it does.”, he said getting an extra blanket out of the closet. “Do you wanna talk?”, Brian asked sitting down next to her. “Do you wanna hear the story?”, Haley replied. “Ofcourse I do. You need to talk to somebody.”, he said laying down on his stomach. Haley laid down beside him on her stomach as well. “Okay. We met about a year ago at a nightclub. He was so sweet. I hadn’t really been in a relationship since...well, you know. Anyway, he basically made me feel special. He told me he loved me and I believed him. He said I was the most important person in the world to him. We had a great relationship at the beginning. He gave me roses, he wrote me love letters, and finally he asked me to move in with him. I was stupid and said yes. About 2 months ago, he began to get angry over the smallest things. He got mean. He began to hit me.”, she explained. “I’m so sorry. Can I ask you a question though?”, Brian asked sympathetically. “Yes, you know you can Brian.” “Um..why did you tell me today at the clinic that you had a great boyfriend. He doesn’t sound so great to me.”, Brian asked looking at her. “Well Brian. It isn’t something you want to tell an ex boyfriend you haven’t seen in 4 years.” “Oh okay. I guess I’ll let you get to sleep.”, he said getting up. “Brian wait.”, Haley said when he got to the door. He turned around. “Can you please sleep in here? I would feel a lot safer with you here.”, Haley pleaded. “Sure. Move your butt over.”, he said smiling and getting on one side of the bed. “Oh, you have such smooth talk Brian.”, she said laughing and moving over.

It was awkward both of them in the same bed for some reason. Even though they had dated for over a year, it still felt weird. “Brian?”, Haley asked. “What?” “Are you cold?”, she said bringing the covers to her chin. “Yes. Are you?”, he asked also bringing up the covers. “Yeah, just a little. Maybe if he huddle together it won’t be so cold.”, Haley suggested. “Okay. Come here.”, Brian said. Brian held his arm out and Haley crawled into it. “This feels better.” “I know.” “Well, goodnight Brian.” “Goodnight.”

*The next morning* Brian opened his eyes and found Haley in his arms. “How could anyone hurt her like that?”, he thought to himself. It made him angry to even think about it. Haley opened her eyes and yawned. “Good morning.”, Brian said cheerfully. “Good morning. Thank you for everything last night.” “I am just glad that I could help.” “Will you go back with me to the house later?”, Haley asked sitting up in the bed. “You aren’t going back there are you?”, Brian asked with his eyes widening. “I don’t have a choice Brian. I don’t have a place of my own.”, she said looking down. “Haley. I am not letting you go back there. You are staying here. That is final. I will go with you to get your things though.”, he said looking her straight in the eyes. “Thank you Brian.”, she said leaning over and kissing him on the cheek. “Awe...quit it. You’re making me blush!”, he said batting his eyelashes. “Yep! Same old Brian!”, she said hitting his arm. They both laughed.

Brian got out of bed and went to his bag to get some fresh clothes to wear. “Do you mind if I change my shirt?”, Brian asked shyly. “No not at all.” Brian took off his shirt and stood there looking for another one to put on. Haley caught sight of his tattoo and sprung out of the bed and ran over to him. “What is that?!?”, she said looking at it closely. Brian laughed. “Uh...the last time I checked Haley, it was a tattoo.” “Imagine that! Brian Littrell with a tattoo! I never would have thought that. How long have you had it?”, Haley asked. “Oh about 2 months. AJ wanted to get one and I went with him and I decided I wanted one. I like it.”, he said putting his shirt on. “It looks good. I like it too. AJ? Isn’t he the kooky member?”, Haley asked curiously. “Yeah he is the kooky one. He is a cool guy though. All the guys are cool. You never got to meet them did you?”, Brian said realizing that the band and Haley had never met. “Nope. I have only seen pictures. I have even been to a few webpages. I have kept up with your career.”, Haley said smiling and then blushing. “I wasn’t sure until yesterday if you even knew we have a single on the charts here in America.”, he said searching through his bag again. “Do you need another shirt to wear?”, Brian asked looking at her ripped shirt. “I guess so.”, she said laughing nervously. “Here ya go.”, he tossed her an oversized Kentucky sweatshirt to go over her shirt. “Thanks.” “No problem. Now let’s go eat breakfast and then go get your stuff.” “Okay.”