Chapter 18

After breakfast the three of us cleaned up the kitchen, while Kevin went to call A.J. and Howie.

"A.J. speaking."

"Hey Bone, it's me Train."

"Hey Train, what's up."

"Since you're going shopping, I was wondering if you would like to bring along two lovely ladies?"

"Stacey and Lauren?"

"Yep. They also seem to spend money like it's going out of style."

"That's great! Hold on one sec," A.J. said as he pulled the phone away from his mouth. "Hey Howie! You better do your hair! Lauren and Stacey are going shopping with us!" he yelled.

"Okay, I'm back. Howie's running around fixing his hair and changing his clothes. We'll be leaving about 12:30, so should we pick them up?"

"No. Janel and I are headed over there for some of my clothes, so I'll just drop them off then."

"Okay. So how is Janel?"

"She's okay, but she still has a lot to deal with."

"So how are things between you and her? You sound happier."

"I am. It just feels so good to have her back in my life. I've missed her for so long."

"I know you have. I'm glad that she's made you happy. Well, I have to go now Howie's yelling at me because he can't find his shirt. So I'll see you at 12:30."

"Okay, see you then."

Kevin hung up. Then he walked back into the kitchen and told the girls what time they had to leave. Lauren and Stacey immediately began to rush around. I went to my room and blew dry my hair. Then I curled it, while Kevin sat on my bed looking at all the things in my room.

"How long have you known about my career?" Kevin asked.

"Since the day your first CD came out," I said.

"I see you also have the imported ones," he said.

"Yep, I was so proud of you and Brian. I bought as many as I could," I said.

"How come you never called me?" Kevin asked.

I finished my hair and then I sat down on the bed next to Kevin.

"When I got home, I took out the CD cover and read the thank you notes. Once I had finished reading yours I was in tears. I couldn't believe that your dad had died. He was like a father to me. And then I realized that you must have been devastated and I wasn't there for you. I felt so guilty, and I still do. I was afraid of you being mad at me. I figured you wouldn't want to talk to me again because I wasn't there for you when you needed me the most," I said.

"You should have called. I did need you, and I still do," Kevin said.

"Will you forgive me?" I asked.

"I already have," Kevin said as he kissed my forehead.

Then Lauren popped her head in and said, "We're ready."

"Okay, let me just put my shoes on," I said.

I grabbed my shoes and put them on. Then we headed out the door. Kevin got in my car and drove to the hotel.

We got up to the 5th floor and the girls had to check themselves for like the tenth time.

"Okay, are you two finally ready?" Kevin asked, smiling.

"Yeah, go ahead and open the door," Stacey said.

Kevin finally opened the door. Howie and A.J. were sitting on the couch watching Jerry Springer. These two "girls" were beating the shit out of each other. Howie quickly changed the channel to ESPN as he saw Lauren enter. A.J. looked at Howie shocked. A.J. was really beginning to get into the show.

"Hey Howie. What are you doing? That was the best episode," I said while laughing.

"Now that's my kind of girl!" A.J. said.

He got up and came over to me. I stretched out my arms and he gave me a big hug.

Then he whispered, "How are you doing?"

"Better. Thanks," I said while looking at Stacey.

She was frowning at me.

"Now you better give Stacey a hug before she beats me up," I said while smiling at him.

He smiled and then let go. He quickly went over to Stacey and hugged her.

"So how's your cheek?" A.J. asked.

"It looks pretty bad, but it feels okay," Stacey said.

"Well we better get going," Howie said as he held Lauren's hand.

"Yes, let the spending begin," Lauren said happily.

We all walked out of the room. Then Kevin and I told them good bye. We headed to Kevin's room, which he was sharing with Brian. He put his card in and unlocked the door. We walked in holding hands. Then we saw Lou sitting on the couch watching t.v.. I immediately felt the tension in the air.

"What the hell do you think you're doing in here?" Kevin asked angrily.

"I was waiting for you to return. And now you have, along with the slut," Lou hissed.

Kevin dropped my hand and headed towards Lou. I ran to Kevin and stepped in between him and Lou. I grabbed his arm just before he hit Lou.

"Who the fuck gave you permission to speak to her like that? She's never done a damn thing to you!" Kevin yelled.

Then he tried to hit Lou again, but I grabbed his face and directed it at me.

"Kevin, please. Don't hit him. I've seen enough hitting for a lifetime," I said.

He looked into my eyes. Then he slowly backed away. Then the door swung open. Brian and Nick walked in.

"Just forgot my. . .," Brian started to say, but he stopped when he saw all three of us.

"What's going on?" Nick asked.

"Oh, nothing. I was just telling Kevin how his so called friend here has managed to screw everything up. One little visit and she could have cost him his whole career along with the rest of you," Lou said angrily.

I turned around and faced Lou.

"I would never jeopardize Kevin's career or any of the other guys. I'm truly sorry if my being raped wasn't part of your plan. You can tell that to the jerk who hurt me. None of this is Kevin's fault or mine. And I'm not leaving him because you think I'm bad for him. I love him!" I said angrily.

Then Nick and Kevin grabbed Lou by the shirt and shoved him out the door, locking it behind them.

"Are you okay?" Brian asked as he came over and gave me a hug.

I let out a sigh and replied, "Yeah I think so."

"I'm so sorry Janel. I didn't know he would be in here. I could just kill him!" Kevin said, frustrated with Lou.

"It's okay. But I probably shouldn't have said anything to him. I just couldn't help it though," I said.

"No. Don't apologize for anything," Kevin said.

"Thanks," I said. "So why aren't you two out there working up a sweat?" I asked.

"Brian over here forgot his lucky cross and wouldn't play unless he had it," Nick said.

"Why are you and Kevin here? I thought he was spending the day with you," Brian questioned.

"I am. I just needed to change my clothes and shower. Would you guys mind staying here with Janel, while I take my shower?" Kevin asked.

"Sure, we'll have so much fun. We can play Mario Kart and other fun games," Nick said excitedly.

"Oh no! Nick's going to turn you into a zombie!" Kevin said.

"No he's not. I'm going to have fun hanging with my old buddy Brian and my new buddy Nick," I said.

"She'll be fine with us, Train," Brian said while him and Nick pulled me towards the door.

"Wait a minute! Don't I even get to give her a good bye kiss?" Kevin asked.

"Fine, but hurry it up. We have important business to attend to," Nick said.

They let go of my hands Kevin came up and wrapped his arms around me. He bent down and lightly kissed me on the lips. I knew that he wanted to continue the kiss and deepen it, but he didn't, for my sake. He let go of me and I smiled at him.

"Love you," I said.

"Love you more," Kevin said.

"Oh please! Enough with the mushy stuff!" Nick whined.

"Okay, it's time to hang out with my buddies," I said happily.

We walked out and over to the next room, which was Nick's.

"Okay, warning. Before we go in we have to hold hands," Nick said, seriously.

"Why?" I asked curiously.

"Because if we don't we might lose you in the pile of things Nick has stacked everywhere. And Train would just kill us," Brian said.

I started laughing and said, "It can't be that bad."

"Oh yes it is," Nick said, reaching out for my hand.

"Oh, okay. I'll hold your hands. I wouldn't want Boo to hurt you," I said while smiling.

Nick put the card in and unlocked the door. Then he slowly began to open it.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"I think so," I said, pretending to be scared.

He opened the door and I just stared at everything. He had everything you could possible imagine all over the floor and furniture.

"Come on. We have to get in before anyone else sees my pig stye," Nick said.

We walked in and closed the door. That was about all the space we had.

"Okay, so you weren't joking when you said that I could get lost in here," I said while looking around. "But I see that you've made yourself a nice little area to play your video games."

"Of course," Nick said.

We made our way to the t.v.. Then we sat down and began to play video games. Nick won all of them, but it was fun trying. My eyes were starting to hurt from staring at the t.v., so I stopped playing. Then Brian's cell phone began to ring. He looked at the caller ID and smiled.

"It's Ashley," he said.

"Oh, I want to talk to her. Will she get pissed if a girl answers the phone?" I asked.

"Oh yeah," Brian said.

"Okay, give it here," I said.

He tossed the phone to me and I answered it.

"Hello!" I said being as perky as I could.

"Hello? Is this Brian's cell phone?" Ashley asked curiously.

"Yes it is. Who are you?" I asked.

"I'm Ashley. Brian's girlfriend. Who are you?" she said, annoyed.

"I'm a good friend of Brian's," I said.

"Oh, really. Well, give him the phone," she said.

"Fine. I see how it is. I haven't talked to you in forever and all you care about is your precious boyfriend. If it weren't for me you two wouldn't even be together," I said.

"What? That's not possible, unless you're. . .Janel?" she asked.

"Yep, it's me," I said.

"Oh my gosh! I haven't heard from you in years!" she exclaimed.

"I know, it's been a while," I said.

"So what's up? When did you come back? Where have you been? Why did you leave? Are you with Kevin?" she asked, as she continued to ramble off questions.

"I know there's so many questions. And you'll get all the answers in time, and yes right now I'm with Kevin. I promise I'll tell you and Brian, but later. Okay?" I said.

"Sure. Well I'm so glad to know that you're alive. All of us were so worried when you left, especially Kevin. He was so lost without you," she said.

"I know and I feel terrible, but I'll explain that later. Well I better give your boyfriend the phone before he jumps me for it. So good bye, I'll talk to you later," I said.

"Bye, Janel! Talk to you later," she said.

Then I tossed the Brian the phone. He smiled at me and then sat down and began talking to Ashley. Then Kevin walked in.

"Geez, Nick! This is why you never get your own room. You make such a mess of it," Kevin said as he tried to walk in.

"So! It's all of your guys' gifts that you buy for your families!" Nick exclaimed.

"Whatever. Well, Janel and I are out of here. I'm staying the night over there again, so if you need me just call me on my cell. If Lou says anything tell him I'll be back in time for the press conference. See you!" Kevin said.

I went over to Nick and hugged him.

"Thanks for kicking my butt! You truly are the master," I said."Aww, Kevin. Can I keep her? She thinks I'm the master," Nick said."In your dreams Carter. She's mine, all mine," Kevin said.

"Nice try, Nick," I said while laughing.

Then I went over to Brian, who was sitting on the bed still talking to Ashley.

"Hold on one sec, honey," Brian said.

Then he got up and hugged me.

"You two have fun and behave," Brian said while smiling at us.

"Yes, sir," I said while saluting him.

"I'll talk to you later," Brian said.

"Yeah, see you later," I said.

Then Kevin and I walked out of Nick's room, to Kevin's. He had a duffel bag packed with his things. Then he went into one of his suitcases and brought out Boo Bear. I started to laugh when I saw it.

"What's so funny?" he asked.

"That you still have that old bear and bring it along with you," I said.

"So, you still have Cozy Bear," Kevin said.

"I guess you're right," I said smiling at him.