Chapter 27

Once I was through getting dressed I went out to where the guys were sitting.

"Hey, isn't that Kevin's shirt?" Nick asked.

"Yep," I said.

"You're always taking my things, aren't you?" Kevin asked while smiling.

"You don't mind do you?" I asked walking over to Kevin.

"No, I don't," Kevin said pulling me onto his lap. "You look adorable in my shirt."

"Thank you," I said smiling at him. "So what'd Andy have to say?"

"He said that'd be fine. It'll be about another fifteen to twenty minutes until we reach a store," Howie said.

"Okay. Well I'm going to clean up that mess in the room," I said while getting up.

"Did you say clean?" Brian asked.

"Yes, I did. Why?" I asked.

"Oh, I love you. Will you do me a favor when we get to the hotel?" Brian asked.

"Depends," I said.

"My laundry," Brian said.

"Ewww!" yelled the guys.

"Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean that I'm going to be your mommies," I said laughing. "Sorry Brian, but no. You can have your girlfriend do that for you."

"Yeah, she's my girlfriend. She's going to clean up for me," Kevin said.

"I don't think so Richardson," I said laughing at him.

"It was worth a try," Kevin said smiling.

"Right," I said as I walked back to the room.

I walked into the room and threw everything off of the bed. Then I tried to fold the bed back into the couch.

"Here let me help," Brian said.

"Oh, thanks," I said as he folded it back into the couch.

We put the couch cushions back on and Brian sat down. I continued to pick up things around the small room. I put the N64 away and the video games.

"Janel, can we talk?" Brian asked.

"Sure, what about?" I asked while I continued to put things away. I grabbed my things and put them in my bag.

"Can you sit down for a second?" Brian asked.

I stopped what I was doing and sat next to Brian. I stared at him and still couldn't believe how much we had grown up. It felt like having another brother with Brian around again.

"So what do you want to talk about?" I asked.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I lied.

"Janel! Just because we haven't seen each other in a long time, doesn't mean that I can't tell when you're lying," Brian said.

"Really, Brian. I'm fine," I said again.

"Give me a break. With all that's happened lately, you can't be fine," he said.

"You're right," I said looking at the ground.

"Come here," Brian said. I looked up at him. Then he gave me a hug. "You know you can always trust me. Please tell me what's wrong."

I let go of him and said, "I can't."

"What about last night? Did you have a nightmare? What was it about?" he asked.

"I can't tell you," I said.

"Well Kevin said that you were afraid of going back home, why?" he asked.

"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you that either," I said.

"Why not? You know I won't tell anyone," he said.

"I promise Brian, I'll explain everything. I need to give you, the guys, and Ashley an explanation, but not right now. I already have enough to deal with so please just trust me on this right now. Okay?" I asked.

"Okay," Brian said reluctantly.

"Don't worry. Kevin's taking care of me," I said.

"Well if you need me for anything just ask," he said.

"I will," I said hugging him.

"Hey Shorty, we're here," A.J. said as he peeked his head into the room.

"Thanks Bone," I said and then he walked out. "Don't worry if I need someone to talk to I know I can trust you," I said. "I love you Brian. You're like my brother."

"Okay, sis. I trust you," Brian said.

"Thanks bro. Now I better get out there and buy some food. I'm starved. How about you?" I asked while standing up.

"Yep, starved. Make sure you buy lots of food," he said.

"I will," I said as we got to where the guys were. "Now who wants to go shopping with me?" I asked smiling at them.

"I have to call my mom," Howie said.

"Yeah, uh so do I," Kevin said.

"Me too," Nick said.

"Me three," Brian said.

"Me. . .," A.J. began.

"Oh no you don't A.J.. I know you love to shop and it seems as though you're going with me. So go put your shirt on and you're infamous glasses," I said.

"Fine," A.J. said walking away.

"Okay now who wants to give me money," I said.

The rest of the guys turned to Howie. "What? Does it look like I have all the money?" Howie asked.

"Yeah D. You usually do," Nick said.

Howie got up and got his wallet. "Fine, here's some money," he said while handing me money.

"Okay let's go," A.J. said while pulling me by the waist and heading out the bus.

"Thank you for coming with me," I said.

"Sure," he said.

Andy had parked the bus at the very end of the parking lot. There was one lonely basket sitting out there.

"Hey Shorty, hop in," A.J. said pointing to the cart.

"What?" I asked.

"Get in and I'll push. We'll get there quicker," A.J. said.

"Okay. Fine," I said.

He went and grabbed the cart. Then he pulled it next to me. I climbed in and sat down.

"Are you ready?" A.J. questioned.

"Sure, why not," I said.

"Okay. . .and we're off," A.J. said while pushing the cart as fast as he could.

Once he got enough speed built up he hopped on. He was having great fun dodging people.

"A.J.! Slow down! There's cars here!" I yelled while laughing.

"What'd you say? Go faster? Okay," he said.

He got off and made us go faster. Just as he got back on, a car was backing out.

"Oh my god! A.J.!" I screamed.

He turned the cart and we barely missed the car. Then he got off and pushed me into the store.

"Okay. I'm not going shopping with you again," I said while laughing.

"Aww! What's the matter? Didn't you have fun?" A.J. asked.

"Oh yeah, almost getting hit by a car. I call that great fun," I said sarcastically.

"Well you agreed we'd get here fast and we did, didn't we?" he asked.

"Yeah, and now people are beginning to stare at me. Help me out please," I said.

"Okay," he said.

He came over to the side while I stood up. He picked me up by the waist and pulled me over.

"Thanks," I said. "Okay, you push the cart and I'll do the shopping."

"Yes, ma'am," A.J. said.

I walked down the aisles and grabbed what I needed. I couldn't make the breakfast I wanted so I just had to make a smaller version.

"Oomph!" I said as A.J. hit me in the butt with the cart. "A.J., that's the third time you've hit me."

"Sorry, again," A.J. said.

He was walking with his head resting on the bar so he was eye level with my ass. He would stare at me and then not realize it when I would stop.

"A.J., can we say girlfriend?" I asked laughing.

"What?" A.J. asked innocently.

I just gave him a dirty look.

"I'm allowed to look," he said.

"Well great for you, but not at me," I said laughing.

"Oh all right," A.J. said standing up straight.

"Okay. Let me grab some paper plates and we can go," I said.

We went down the last aisle to get paper plates. I grabbed the ones I liked then we went to the check out lane. The guy rang us up and I paid in cash. Then we left the store.

"Another ride?" A.J. asked while grinning.

"No thanks. I think I can manage walking," I said.

We pulled our groceries out of the cart and went to put it away. A little boy was standing there waiting for a cart. A.J. pushed it to him and the little boy took it. He smiled and then hurriedly pushed it towards his mother.

"Mama! Mama! That was A.J.!" the little boy said excitedly.

A.J. turned back and waved to the little boy. The little boy waved back and then we left. We started to walk back to the bus.

"So are you enjoying being back with Kevin?" A.J. asked.

"Yes, very much. I don't know how I lived without him for so long," I said.

"I feel like I know you. He used to talk about you so much. You're exactly what I expected," A.J. said.

"And what's that?" I asked.

"Well you seem to be a very private person, but also fun loving. Kevin used to tell us about you guys just hanging out and talking all night long. He also used to tell us about some of the things you guys did when you two became bored," he said. "You're also one of the sweetest people I've met."

"Thanks," I said smiling. "And your next question would be, why did I leave Kevin. Right?" I asked. He nodded his head yes. "Well that answer is not something I want to discuss right now. Okay?"

"Okay," he said.

"Thanks," I said.

"No problem," A.J. said.

We reached the bus and climbed aboard. A.J. set the groceries on the table and then went to find the guys. They were in the back watching a football game along with Andy. A.J. ran in and sat down on the floor. He immediately got into the game. I didn't even bother to get Kevin and Brian. There would be no way to pry Kevin away from the t.v., so I started breakfast by myself.

I fried potatoes and bacon. Then I served some onto each plate. I fried three eggs for each person, except for me. I hoped that it would be enough for the guys. Then I served the eggs and gave each of them two tortillas. I put their plates to the side and made some chile. Once I was through with the chile, I got seven bottles of water out. Then I walked back to the entertainment room with the water.

"Yeah!" Kevin yelled.

"Go, go, go!" yelled Howie.

"Touchdown!" Brian yelled.

"Ha! Ha! Your team is losing, Nick!" A.J. yelled.

"Who's losing?" I asked.

"The Cowboys," Kevin said happily.

"Whoohoo!" I said while handing out the waters.

"Mmm, something smells good," Andy said.

"Yeah, what is it?" Kevin asked.

"Breakfast, that I made. No thanks to you two lazy bums," I said looking at Kevin and Brian.

"Oops! Sorry," Brian said.

"That's okay. I didn't want the food ruined," I said laughing while on my way out.

"Oh gee thanks!" Brian yelled.

I walked back out to the kitchen to get the plates.

"Need some help?" Kevin asked while putting his arms around my waist.

"Sure," I said turning around. I wrapped my arms around him and just held him.

"Hey! Where's the food?" yelled Nick as he peeked his head out.

"Coming!" I yelled as I let go of Kevin. "Here, can you take these?" I asked as Kevin, as I handed him three plates.

"Of course," he said.

He took the plates and headed towards the guys. I followed behind him with two more plates.

"Here guys," Kevin said. Nick immediately rushed over and got his food. Then A.J. and Howie got theirs.

"Here you go, Andy," I said handing him his food.

"You two haven't been properly introduced," Brian said while taking his plate from me.

"Andy, this is Janel Evans, Kevin's girlfriend," Brian said. "And Janel this is Andrew Smith, but we call him Andy."

"Hi, nice to meet you," I said while shaking his hand.

"Same here. It's nice to finally meet you," he said.

"Janel, silverware?" asked Nick while staring at his food.

"That's what the tortilla is for," I said smiling.

"But. . .but," Nick began.

"Hold on just a sec. I'll be right back," I said smiling.

Kevin once again came back with me. He grabbed our plates while I got silverware. We sat down on the floor in the corner and ate our breakfast while watching the football game.

"Mmm good. Thanks, Janel," Nick said with his mouth full.

"You're welcome," I said laughing. "Does he always eat like that?" I asked Kevin while Nick continued to shovel food in his mouth.

"Yeah pretty much all the time. You get used to it though," Kevin said.

"I'm a growin' boy, what do you expect," he said.

"I know you need a lot of food, but I expect you to actually chew it and everything," I said.

"No, that's not fun," he said.

"Sure," I said.

We finished our breakfast and continued to watch the football game. The guys were yelling at the t.v. when something didn't happen the way it was supposed to. When the game was over the Cowboys had lost by three points.

"You lost the bet!" Howie exclaimed.

"We didn't bet!" Nick protested.

"Oh yes we did," A.J. said.

"I seem to remember, if your Cowboys won we would have to do the dishes, but if they lost you had to. Am I correct, Kevin?" Brian asked.

"I believe so," Kevin said while laughing.

"Fine!" Nick said while pouting.

I grabbed mine and Kevin's plate and gave them to Nick. "You can start by taking these," I said laughing.

He took them and then went to the kitchen. We continued to watch t.v. while Nick did the dishes. Andy got up and started the bus again. We went to a gas station and filled up. Then we were off to the hotel again.

We finally arrived at the hotel about 6 o'clock in the evening. Denise was waiting out front for us. We got off and she quickly brought us in. She gave us the key to our rooms and told us where everyone was.