Chapter 20

Ring! Ring!

I slowly opened my eyes realizing the phone was ringing. I reached over and grabbed it.

"Hello," I said as I heard the dial tone while a phone continued to ring. Then I remembered Kevin's cell. I got up and grabbed it out of his bag.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Hi, is Kevin there? This is Howie," he said.

"Hi Howie, this is Janel. He's still sleeping right now, but I'll take a message for you," I said as I walked out of my room and into the kitchen.

"Okay. Tell him that we have a group meeting with Denise at 10:30 am, after that an interview, and then our sound check," Howie said.

"Will do," I said as I finished writing everything down. "So how did things go between you and Lauren last night?"

"Oh, wonderful. We had such a great time. I'd really like to continue to see her," he said.

"I'm sure she'd like that also. She's not up yet, so I haven't got the scoop. So are you gong to ask her out?" I asked.

"Yeah, but you can't say anything," he said.

"Oh, I won't. I promise. So what's happening between A.J. and Stacey?" I asked.

"Oh they're definitely together. Obviously you don't know that she's still with A.J.," Howie said while laughing. "Need I say more?"

"No. I don't think I want to know more," I said while laughing. "Well it was nice talking to you. I'll give Kevin your message. Bye!"

"Bye, Janel," Howie said.

I headed back to my room with Kevin's cell. I walked in and quietly closed the door behind me. I stared at Kevin realizing that he would be leaving me soon. I didn't want to wake him up from his peaceful slumber, but if I didn't he was going to be late. So I sat on the bed and gently rubbed his cheek with my hand. He slowly began to stir. I bent down and lightly began to kiss him on his lips. He tasted so sweet and before I knew it the kiss was beginning to deepen. I stopped the kiss and hugged him.

Then I whispered, "Morning handsome," into his ear.

"I'm thinking I like your wake up calls better than the hotels," he said smiling.

"You better," I said staring into his soft green eyes.

Then I remembered why I woke him up. "Oh Howie called," I said.

"What'd he have to say?" he asked.

"He just called to remind you about the group meeting with Denise at 10:30, an interview, and then your sound check," I replied.

"Oh, I've got a full day ahead of me," Kevin said.

"So when do you leave to your next city?" I asked quietly.

"Tonight after the concert. I know what you're thinking. Don't worry, I'm not leaving without you. I'll find a way for you to come on tour with me," he said.

"Thank you Kevin, but I don't want to be a burden. I don't want to force you to ask me to go on tour with you," I said.

"What are you walking about? Don't you remember me telling you that a void in my heart has been filled since you came back. I'm not going to lose you again," Kevin said.

"I love you Kevin," I said.

"Love you too Janel," he said.

"Oh this is so exciting. I'm going on tour with you," I said happily. Then I remembered something which changed my mood. "What about Lou?"

"What about Lou? He can kiss my ass if he doesn't like it. It's my decision not his. Okay?" he said reassuringly.

"Okay," I said. "I have to go in to work and talk to my boss, Rick. He's the best. I'm pretty sure he'll let me go. He's the one who helped arrange the front row tickets and backstage pass," I said.

"Okay. While I go to the group meeting with Denise, you check in with Rick. Then I'll call you after the meeting so we can talk to Denise in private," he said.

"Sounds good. I'll get dressed first while you find your things," I said as I grabbed a tank top and pants and headed into the bathroom. When I came back out Kevin was making the bed.

"Okay, you can take your shower now. I'll makes us breakfast. How about scrambled eggs?" I suggested.

"Yep, that sounds great," Kevin said as he headed into the bathroom.

I went into the kitchen and Lauren was sitting at the table with her morning coffee and newspaper. "So how were things last night?" I asked wanting to know the whole scoop.

"Wonderful. I spent the whole night with Howie. We talked and we danced, and wow is he a great dancer," Lauren said as a huge smile spread across her face.

"So are you two going out?" I asked.

"No, I'm not sure if he wants to," Lauren said disappointedly.

"Do you want to?" I asked.

"Of course I do!" Lauren exclaimed. "We have so much in common. I haven't had this connection with anyone. He's so easy to talk to. We both miss having a companion to talk to," Lauren said as she sighed.

"Don't worry. I'm sure he feels the same way about you. Everything will work out," I said.

"I hope so," she said.

"So what about Stacey and A.J.?" I asked.

"Oh that's a whole other story," Lauren said. "They were bumpin and grindin the whole night and they probably still are, if you know what I mean," she said laughing.

"Okay that explains it all. Please no details," I said laughing.

"So what happened between you and Kevy last night?" Lauren asked smiling.

"Believe me nothing like Stacey and A.J.," I said. "I had the same nightmare again. But this time Kevin and I talked about it. I guess it kind of helped to talk about it, since it's been bottled up inside of me for forever."

"I'm so glad that he's here for you. There's a new light in your eyes and in everything you do. He brings out the best in you," she said.

"Thanks," I said.

"So when is he leaving?" she asked.

"Tonight after the concert," I said sadly. "But he asked me to go on tour with him!"

"Really? That's wonderful," she said.

"I know, isn't it?!" I said happily. "I'm going to drop Kevin off at the hotel for a meeting after we eat breakfast and then I'll head over to the office. I have to talk to Rick about this. Then after the meeting Kevin and I are going to talk to Denise," I explained. "Hey, how about I pick you up on my way back from the office. Then you can see Howie after the meeting. I think the guys have a little free time after the meeting. Okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, that's fine," she said.

I set the food on the table and Kevin walked in. "Perfect timing Boo," I said happily.

"I know. I could smell the food down the hall," Kevin said as he sat down. "Morning Lauren," he said as he looked at her.

"Morning Kevin," Lauren said smiling.

"So how was dinner last night?" he asked.

"Perfect. Howie was a complete gentlemen. And A.J. was A.J., or at least that's what Howie told me. Him and Stacey are still together as we speak," she said.

"Oh! Yeah, that sounds like Bone," Kevin said while laughing.

We continued to talk about how things went last night with the two couples. Once were were through I asked Lauren to clean up for me since I had to finish getting ready. She said yes, so her and Kevin cleaned up the table and did the dishes.

I pulled my hair halfway back and curled the rest. I put on my make-up and then grabbed my necklace and headed towards the kitchen. "Okay, I'm ready," I said.

"Okay. Let me get my bag and we'll go," Kevin said as he went into my room. He grabbed his bag and we headed out the door.

"Bye Lauren! Be back soon!" I said as I closed the door.

We walked out to the car and put Kevin's bag in the back. Then we got into the car. I sat in the driver's seat staring at Kevin.

"Are you sure you want me to come along?" I asked.

He took my face in his hands and kissed me on the lips. "No more questions. I love you," Kevin said.

"I love you too," I said as I hugged him.

I drove to the hotel that the guys were staying at. Once we got to the hotel you could see a crowd of girls forming. They were waiting for the guys to leave the hotel. So I drove passed the hotel.

"Why don't you call Tim and have him meet you outside," I suggested.

"Okay," Kevin said as he pulled out his cell phone.

"Hey Tim. Janel's dropping me off, but there's a group of girls outside."

"Okay. Have her go around to the back and I'll meet you there."

"Thanks," Kevin said as he hung up.

"Tim said to go around to the back and he'll meet us there," he said.

"Okay," I said.

I drove around the hotel to the back and there was Tim waiting for Kevin.

"Bye Pumpkin," Kevin said as he kissed my forehead.

"See you soon," I said to Kevin.

Then he got out and went into the hotel with Tim. I popped in their Millennium CD and listened to it on the way to the office. I was smiling the entire time. It felt so good to be happy again.