|
|
Chapter 23
Nina glanced at Kris through her sunglasses as they stepped off their plane into Orlando Airport and saw how nervous she was.
"Kris, it's all right, chill," she murmured, squeezing her friend's hand. Kris smiled briefly, letting out a deep breath she hadn't known she'd been holding.
"You're right Na. I'm just worried. Every time I look over my shoulder, I expect to see him, and I'm afraid one time, he'll be looking right back at me," she whispered, so no one else would hear.
"Kris,
this is so uncharacteristic of you! You're acting like you're his dog, just
waiting for him to come beat you! Look around you! You're surrounded by friends,
a wonderful boyfriend, no one who'd let him get to you! Be happy, and forget
him, NOW!" Na commanded, pulling her hat down lower as they stepped into
the terminal.
Kris looked at her friend, clad in khakis and a bright blue tank top with flowers
on it and wondered how she could just forget everything like that. She shrugged
to herself, then tugged on Na's shirt.
"Hey
Na! It's your parents, over there!" and pointed to a waving couple. *
"Mom, Dad!" they both cried, running up and hugging them, leaving
the guys in their dust. Na waved Nick over, smiling at her parents.
"Mom, Dad, this is Nick. Nick, my parents, Liz and Shawn Hauskom."
"So, we finally get to meet the guy our daughter never stops talking about! Nick, nice to meet you," Shawn said, firmly shaking his hand as Na moaned, "Dad!" Kris murmured to the short, thin woman she was hugging tightly.
"Mom, I missed you so much! Did Na tell you about-?" Liz smiled up at her 'other' daughter, sadness shining out of her light blue eyes as she nodded, her short blond curls bouncing.
"Yes, she did. I'm sorry, he was such a nice young man. Anyway, we missed you too. So, tell me about these young men behind you." She indicated the five guys, who were watching them uncomfortably, wondering what to say. Kris grinned wickedly at Brian from over her shoulder motioning for him to come closer. "
Mom, this is Brian, Brian, my second mother, Liz."
"Nice
to meet you, ma'am," Brian said, always the gentleman. Shawn broke in,
"The reason we're here is we wanted to greet you, and you're all invited
to a BBQ tomorrow at our place. It would've been today, but we figured you're
all eager to get home and sleep in your own beds tonight. So, what do you say?"
There was a general round of agreement, and then they headed towards baggage
claim, but Liz and Shawn detained Kris so they could talk to her, privately.
Brian frowned and paused to wait, but Kris motioned for him to go. He did, but
not without an occasional, quizzical glance over his shoulder at them. *
Shawn spoke softly to Kris.
"Kristina, your parents are worried sick about you! They were ready to send all of Scotland Yard after you! We had to tell them you were on tour." Kris shook her head, avoiding their eyes.
"Why do they have any right to know? They'd have me home so fast that I'd be spinning! They barely let me come to the States to live, let alone tour the world! And what about Brian? You know they'd never, ever approve! He's not, well- never mind what he isn't. I'll call them later. Just do me a favor and don't say anything to the guys, okay? Na already promised. I told them once that mom and dad live out of state, though it's not really a lie." The two adults shared a glance, then finally nodded.
"Okay, thanks a lot, see ya tomorrow!" Kris said, gently hugging her 'other' parents goodbye, then joining the group, who had already gotten their luggage. Brian handed Kris her suitcase, immediately noticing the look on her face and picking up on it.
"What did they say? Is something wrong?" Kris looked up, startled, then halfheartedly smiled.
"Oh, nothing you need to worry about, just my parents."
"Why aren't they here? Didn't they miss you?" Brian asked, half teasing and pulling her into a close hug. Kris flinched, laying her head on his shoulder for a moment, thinking, "Probably not!"
"They live out of, uh, state, and couldn't make it. I need to call them, um- why do you ask?" Brian shrugged and released her as they walked out into the bright Florida sunlight.
"Just
curious, you never talk about your family, that's all." Kris said nothing,
and frowned as she pulled her suitcase after her, deep in thought.
Brian sighed and watched her go, a light breeze tugging strands of her silky
hair out of its messy bun. He wanted to know what was bothering her, what she
wouldn't admit but that he could read from her body language. He pulled his
hat a little lower and tried to ignore the warning bells ringing in his head
as he followed, walking faster to catch up with the others. *
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~