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Chapter 3
*Brian's POV*
I pulled in the garage and shut off the car, then took one look at Kris and knew she was sleeping. I closed the door gently, and walked inside, calling, "Kevin, you here?" My watch said it was only 11:30, not really late by Kevin's partying standards. Surprisingly, Kevin walked out from the family room.
"Hey, what's up Frick? Where have you been?" he asked, towering over me as he approached.
"Your answer is in the front seat of my car. Would you carry her upstairs for me? Please, cuz?" I begged, making a puppy dog face. Kevin's face turned serious as he headed towards the Beemer. Opening the car door, he gently pulled out the sleeping Kris. I opened the door into the house for him.
"Take her up to the guest room next to mine, I'll explain in a few. There should be some shirts and boxers in my room she can wear if she wakes up." Kevin nodded and left. *
*Kris' POV*
I was having the strangest dream, about this really cute guy and Josh and having a bad day. Then I realized it was real as I felt hard, muscular arms carrying me. I opened one eye, then the other and a not completely unfamiliar face came into view. He had a handsome face, with dark green eyes that appeared serious enough to scare me. I later learned he always looked like that, except when he smiled or performed. A deep voice rumbled, "Hey you're awake!" as he gently placed me on a soft bed. From where I was, he looked like a giant, and I was a little scared. He smiled, which made him look really sexy, and stuck out a hand.
"Wassup? I'm Kevin, Brian's cousin." I smiled up at him, relieved, and introduced myself. We chatted for a couple minutes, Kevin seemed to be pretty nice. Then I remembered I was still in my party outfit, and if I was going to sleep over, I needed something else to wear.
"Um, do you have anything I could sleep in? This isn't exactly sleepwear," I motioned to my outfit and smiled at Kevin.
"Hey, no prob," Kevin said, walking over to a dresser. "Let's see...we have a first class Yankees T-shirt," Kevin said, tossing it at me, grimacing because he was obviously not a fan. "..and a pair of Tommy boxers for ya. How's that?" he asked, with a wink and a smile. "It's only guys here, or else we could do better."
"What, no girlfriend? I'm surprised," I teased. Kevin got a sad look on his face, saying as he walked out, "No time for girlfriends anymore." *
I changed quickly and realized I was starving, so I went downstairs. The house was huge and I felt just as lost here as I did on that deserted road.
"Hey Brian, do you have any food around here, I am so starving! I haven't eaten since this morning," I explained when I found him.
"No problem, but I think the special is cold pizza. I'm too lazy to go to the store and get something worth my time to cook," Brian explained as he dug through the fridge.
"Good enough, I love cold pizza," I said, taking the tin wrapped package. We talked for a while as I ate and I asked, "Is that a Southern accent I hear? Where are ya from?" Brian smiled, his bright blue eyes shining.
"Yes, it is. I'm from Kentucky, so is Kevin."
"So what are you doing in Florida? Love of the ocean and beaches filled with half naked women?"
"Well, yeah, that too. We work down here," Brian replied with a half smile. I could tell he was getting a little uncomfortable, so I changed the subject. *
"So, what brought you to a road in the middle of nowhere so late at night?" Brian asked me still later, when we were sitting in the family room watching TV. I swallowed hard, then poured out everything to him. Just like that! About Josh, fighting with my roommate, my car. I don't know when the tears started or when Brian sat next to me, but the next thing I knew, I was in his arms, crying hysterically.
"It's gonna be okay, Kris, I promise," Brian murmured, kissing my forehead lightly. "I wish there was something I could do for her. I wonder if she knows who we are? She certainly doesn't act like it. Then again, after all she's been through tonight, I don't think she cares," Brian thought, holding her close. *
When I woke up the next morning, the first thing I did was try to roll over, wondering why my alarm clock hadn't gone off. Bad idea on my part. I landed with a solid thunk on the family room floor.
"Oh man," I moaned, not hurt, just whining. I was startled when two bright blue eyes peered over the edge of the couch, followed by quiet laughter.
"I let go of you for five seconds and you're on the ground," Brian chuckled, pulling me back up on the couch next to him. It struck me then that I'd fallen asleep down here, with Brian, and the night before came rushing back.
"You didn't need to sleep with me down here, Brian," I murmured, curling up next to his warm body again. I am not a very shy person, what can I say?
"Okay, next time we'll stick with a bed," he replied, chuckling. Next time? I chose to ignore that. I glanced at my watch and jumped up, swearing under my breath.
"I have to go, it's eleven thirty!" I cried, stopping to stretch. Brian got up, poked my bare tummy and making me giggle, then said, "Hold on, one moment. It's taken care of. There was a leak in your car, easily fixed. One of my buddies repaired it for free, and your car is sitting in my driveway, ready to leave whenever you are. Your keys are on the table." He was proud of himself, I could tell, and I couldn't help but smile.
"Thank you Brian, so much! You've already done a ton of stuff for me! Is there anything I can do to repay you?" I asked, brushing a strand of dark hair out of my eyes. Brian paused for a second, then said, "How about you come to the beach with me tomorrow?" He caught me off guard, and for a moment wondered if he was serious. I mean, I have nothing wrong with going to the beach with really cute guys, but I'd just met this one, less than 24 hours ago. Brian must've caught on to the fact that I was wondering. What he said next proved it.
"Seriously. The guys and I are going to the beach tomorrow, a private beach that almost nobody knows about. You can bring Nina, if you wish, to keep you company, though I doubt that is something you'll be lacking in." I looked up at him, and I'm sure my answer must've shown in my eyes.
"I'd love to! I'm sure Na won't mind coming, either. Who are the other guys?" I asked, curious.
"Nick, AJ, Kevin and Howie D. I know them all from work," Brian replied.
"What is your career?" I asked, just as Kevin walked in. I almost whistled at how smoking he looked in a black muscle tee and black and red tear-aways. His short, dark hair was spiked, and he was a good 5" taller than me. He nodded at me, then turned back to Brian.
"We need to talk, pronto," Kevin said urgently, which I took as my cue to go. I left to get dressed, but since I didn't have much with me, it didn't take long. I heard them talking as I came back downstairs.
"...but how do you know she's a fan? It never came up once, until right before you interrupted. Why should I tell her, she's the first girl in months who's seen me and has treated me like me, not a star! Besides, she was asking what my job is. Isn't that a dead giveaway that she doesn't know?" Brian questioned. Kevin answered quietly, so I decided to ignore it and explore the downstairs. As I moved farther away from their arguing voices, I came upon a room with a huge piano, surrounded by boxes of music. The piano was a shiny black, the bench likewise, and felt like silk to the touch as I sat down. I just stared for a moment, then played some pieces I spotted on the floor. The music was magical, just because it had to be, coming from such a beautiful instrument. I glanced at my watch and realized it was time to go. I turned around, day dreaming about the next day. Then I saw Brian standing there, smirking at Kevin, who was slack-jawed and staring.
"Hey guys, I gotta go now. Thank you so much for everything you've done," I said, sliding off the slippery piano bench. I handed Brian my digits, hugged him and kissed him on the cheek.
"Any day babe, I'll call you tonight, okay?" Brian said. Nodding, I hugged and kissed Kevin, too, just because I felt like it. I think I surprised him a little, but that's okay. He looks like he doesn't get enough surprises, and besides, I got a smile from him.
"See ya later!" I walked out the door to my car, started it, then remembered my purse.
"Boy, do I feel like an idiot," I muttered to myself as I walked up to the garage door. I was about to knock, when the door opened and Brian appeared. I'm not sure who was more startled, him or me. Brian smiled and handed me my purse.
"I do believe that's yours," he said, blue eyes sparkling. Turning serious, he led me to the car and saw me to the front seat before he asked, "Are you gonna be okay? I'm here for you, if you need me. Don't be a stranger."
"I'll be okay, thanks Brian. I know you're here for me...ya know, you're a cool guy, I can't wait to get to know you better," I replied, then left, armed with directions, with a wink and a honk. *
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