Chapter 32

In the morning Nick got up early. He couldn't sleep any longer so he decided to go to the gym. He folded the blanket and grabbed the pillow. Then he went in his room. He put his pillow back on the bed next to Janel. Then he put the blanket on the ground. He grabbed some clothes and changed, closing the door behind him. Then he took his key and went to the gym.

In Kentucky

"So have you decided?" Kevin asked.

"Yes, I'm going to," Brian said.

"Cool, let's go," Kevin said.

They got into the truck and took off. They went to a small jewelry store by the mall. They both looked around for a while. Then they finally decided on what they liked. Neither ring was too big, but it was enough to gaze at. They bought them and then made sure that none of the sales people would say anything. They wanted to keep it private, so the sales people agreed. The guys left satisfied with the rings and excited that they were going to propose.

Hotel

A young girl walked into the hotel and went up to the front desk.

"Excuse me. What room is Denise McLean in?" she asked.

"Your name is?" he asked.

"Tina Williams," she said.

The guy looked at the computer and then at a piece of paper. "Room 231," he said.

"Thanks," she said.

She went to the elevator and pushed the button to go up. She walked down the hall until she got to room 231. She knocked on it and waited for Denise to answer.

"Hi Tina," Denise said as she saw her. "Come on in."

"Thanks," she said.

"It's good to see you," Denise said hugging her.

"I know. It's good to see you also," Tina said.

"Is this what you want?" Denise asked while holding out a key. "Nick's key."

"Yep. He doesn't know that I'm coming, does he?" Tina asked.

"Nope. He'll be so surprised to see you here," Denise said.

She took the key and headed out the door. "Thanks Denise," she said.

She walked down the hall to Nick's room. She slid the key in and opened the door. She closed the door behind her. Then she walked back to Nick's bedroom. She opened the door and there was a girl lying in Nick's bed. She stood there not believing her eyes. Then she stormed out of the room slamming the door behind her.

The slamming of the door woke me up. I sat up and listened.

Tina opened the door to leave and there was Nick ready to come in. He stood there shocked to see her. Then he went to hug her. She swung her hand across his cheek. He grabbed his cheek. Then he shut the door behind him.

"What was that for?" Nick asked confused.

"You damn well know what that was for!" Tina yelled.

"No, I don't," he said.

"For cheating on my you asshole!" she screamed.

I heard her yell and I knew she had seen me. I got up and walked out.

"I didn't," he said.

"Okay. So what was that brunette doing in your bed?" she asked furiously.

"He's not cheating on you," I said quietly.

"Oh really. Who the hell asked you?" she said angrily.

"Tina!" Nick yelled. "Let me explain!"

"There's no need to explain. You weren't expecting me so you and her got caught," she said.

"That's not it," I said.

"Listen you little hoe! I suggest you leave before I hurt you!" she screamed.

"Sorry Nick," I said.

Then I walked back into the bedroom. I grabbed my bear and went through the connecting door. I grabbed some clothes and changed. Then I grabbed my purse and walked out. I needed some time by myself and I didn't want to listen to them fight. I walked down the street thinking. I just needed to get away.

Nick continued to try and explain the situation to Tina. She just kept screaming at him that he was lying to her. Then Howie and A.J. came over to see what the yelling was about.

"Tina. That girl was Janel, Kevin's girlfriend," Nick said.

"Nick. If you're going to lie to me, at least make up a better story than that," she said.

"No, it's true," he said.

"Hey Nick! Are you okay?" A.J. called through the door.

Nick ran over to the door and opened it. He let Howie and A.J. in. "Please tell Tina that is Janel is Kevin's girlfriend," he said.

"Janel is Kevin's girlfriend, why?" A.J. asked.

"I don't believe you," Tina said angrily.

"She is," Howie said.

"That what was she doing sleeping in your bed?" Tina asked.

"She had a nightmare and she was crying," Nick said.

"Awww! Poor baby!" Tina said sarcastically.

"Damn it Tina! She was just recently raped and that's why she was crying," Nick said angrily.

"You're such a liar!" she yelled.

"Okay. If you don't believe me or the guys, who will you believe?" he asked frustrated with Tina.

"Denise. She won't lie to me," Tina said.

"Fine. Let's go there," Nick said.

They walked out and over to Denise's room. She opened the door and let them in.

"Denise, you need to clear something up," Nick said. "Go ahead Tina. Tell her what I told you."

"Nick denies that he was cheating on me when I found this girl named Janel, or whatever, in his bed," Tina said.

Denise looked at Nick puzzled.

"His unbelievable excuse is that she's Kevin's girlfriend and she was crying and he was just taking care of her. Supposedly she's been raped recently or some crap like that," Tina said angrily.

"I'm sorry Tina, but it's true," Denise said.

"No it's not," Tina said doubtingly. "Why wasn't Kevin comforting her?"

"Because him and Brian are in Kentucky for Brian's new organization," Denise explained.

"Really?" she asked.

"We can show you a picture of Janel and Kevin together. They've known each other since they were little," A.J. said.

"No that's okay. I believe you," Tina said. "She was raped?" Tina questioned.

"Yeah," everyone said sadly.

"Oh, I feel terrible now," Tina said while sitting down. "I was so mean to her and she wasn't even doing anything to me. And I didn't believe you when you were telling me the truth. I'm so sorry Nick."

"It's okay," Nick said while sitting next to her. He grabbed her and gave her a kiss. "I've missed you," Nick said.

"I've missed you too," Tina said.

"Well, we better go check on Janel," Nick said.

The guys walked out of Denise's room and headed towards Janel's. Nick knocked on it and no one answered. Then he began to call through the door.

"Howie, I think Densie has an extra key. Can you get it?" he asked.

"Yeah sure," Howie said.

He rushed off to Denise's room one more time. He got the key and came back quickly. He stuck the key in and unlocked it. Then they went in.

"Janel," A.J. said.

"Are you here?" Howie asked.

"Janel," Nick said while walking back to the bedroom.

"She's not here," Howie said.

"Where can she be?" Nick asked.

"Maybe she's some where in the hotel," Tina suggested.

"We'll split up and search for her. Tina you stay here just in case she comes back," Nick said.

The guys left Janel's room and went to search for her.

I walked until I began to get hungry. I went into a coffee shop and ordered myself a cup of coffee. Then I sat down and stared out the window.

Going on tour with Kevin turned out to be a bad idea. I was upsetting everyone around me and I was becoming a pain in the ass to them. I was causing Kevin all sorts of problems.

I just sat there and watched the people walk by. I wondered what was going on in their busy lives.

All the guys returned to Janel's room. Tina opened the door and let them in.

"You guys didn't find her?" Tina asked.

"Nope," he said.

"She didn't stop by here?" Nick asked.

"No," Tina said.

Nick sat down on the couch. "Kevin comes back today. If I tell him we don't know where she is he's going to flip out. I'm dead," Nick said putting his head into his hands.

"What about a cell phone?" Tina asked.

"Oh yeah. But I don't know the number," Nick said.

"I do. I'll call her," Howie said while walking over to the phone. He dialed the number and waited for Janel to answer.

I heard my cell phone ringing in my bag, but I didn't want to answer it. It rang and rang and rang. Finally I got fed up with it and answered it.

"Hello," I said.

"Janel, it's Howie. Where are you?" he asked.

"I'm out," I said.

"But where?" Howie asked.

"What does it matter," I said.

"It does. We're all worried about you. Tina's okay now, Nick explained everything to her," Howie said.

"He what?" I asked.

"He explained everything," Howie said.

"Give him the phone," I said.

Howie handed the phone to Nick.

"Janel," Nick said.

"You told your girlfriend everything?" I asked angrily.

"No. I told her that you were Kevin's girlfriend and that you had a nightmare because of the other night at the club," he said.

"Oh, okay," I said relieved.

"Will you come back, please?" he asked.

"I'd rather not right now," I said then I hung up.

I put my phone back into my purse. Then I grabbed my coffee and left. I walked outside and it was cloudy. As I began to walk it began to sprinkle. It felt good to be in the cool weather with a light drizzle. I had always loved the rain.