| Chapter 44 Brian got up, careful not to wake Tara, and quietly left the bedroom. He made his way downstairs and into his office. It was early morning, and he hoped it wasn't to early to call. He found the number and dialed. A receptionist answered. "Yes, I'd like to speak with John Norris, this is Brian Littrell." He was put on hold for a few minutes, then John answered, "This is John." "Hey John, this is Brian Littrell," Brian said. John was surprised, "Brian, how are you?" "I'm OK, listen I wanted to see if I could set up an interview," Brian said. "Of course, we've been trying to get through to your management ever since the whole thing hit," John said. "Yeah I know, listen the only thing is you're gonna have to come here. Is that gonna be a problem?" Brian asked. "No, not at all. When would you like to do it?" asked John. Brian thought for a moment, "Would this afternoon be to soon?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick was sitting in his office, looking over some papers. He couldn't sleep, so he decided to finish some last minute things before he left. He had already made his flight arrangements, he was leaving tonight. He wished they could've gotten him an earlier flight, but they were all booked. Oh well, I've made it this long, I can wait one more day, he thought to himself. Howie had stayed at Kira's again, and A.J. was still asleep. Nick put the last of the papers away and stared out the window. Everything he saw reminded him of Tara. Even the way the wind blew through the trees, reminded him of how Tara's hair would sway with the slightest touch of air. He ran his hand through his hair, Get a grip Carter. She's gone, you let her go, now stop it! He had some packing left to do, so he got up and started out of the office when the phone rang. "Who calls this early?" he said picking up the phone, "Hello?" "Nick? I didn't wake you did I?" Brian asked surprised he was up. "No man, what's up?" Nick said. "Listen, I just got off the phone with John Norris. He's gonna be here this afternoon to do the interview," Brian said. "This afternoon? That's kinda fast aint it?" Nick asked, a feeling of dread overtaking him. "Well, I wanted to get it over with, and I'm sure you do to," Brian said. "Yeah, I guess so. What time?" Nick asked. "He's gonna be here at one, can you come?" Brian replied. Nick thought for a moment, he really didn't want to do this. He knew he wasn't ready for this, but he also knew if he wasn't there it wouldn't look good. "Yeah, I'll be there," he said. "Thanks man," Brian said. "No problem, see ya then," Nick said and hung up. He sat there for a long time staring at the phone. How was he gonna answer the questions he knew would come up, when he couldn't even convince himself of the answers. God, you gotta help me with this. I can't do this on my own. I know what I did was right, but my heart begs to differ. I don't wanna mess this up for them. Please tell me what to say, and please make my heart stop hurting, he prayed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Howie and Kira were still asleep, nestled in each others arms, when the ringing of his cell woke him up. He reached over and knocked the cell in the floor, scrambling after it, "Hello!" "Howie? You sound like you just got up," Brian said. "No, actually I'm still asleep. What's up?" Howie asked. "The interview is set for one, at my house. You are coming right?" Brian said. "One today?" Howie asked. "Yeah, today," Brian answered with a laugh. "OK, yeah, we'll be there," Howie said. "Alright D, go back to bed, and give Kira a kiss for me," Brian said. "OK," Howie said, "Hey wait a minute?" Brian was laughing, "I was wondering if you were awake enough to catch that." "Yeah, Ha Ha, very funny," Howie said laughing, "See ya later." "K D," Brian said then hung up. Howie laid his cell back on the nightstand, and turned around to see Kira staring at him. "Was that Brian?" she asked. "Yeah, the interview is this afternoon. You wanna go?" Howie asked. Kira looked at him, "You sure I won't be in the way?" Howie smiled at her, "Honey, you are never in the way. Please come, this is gonna be a hard interview, and I'd like you to be there." Kira thought for a moment, "I don't have to be on camera or anything right?" Howie laughed, "Only if you want to be." "Well, that's a great big NO," she said, "OK I'll be there." Howie smiled, "Thanks baby." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The morning went by swiftly. Tara had gotten up a few hours after Brian, and had fixed them brunch. Brian had been pretty quiet, but she knew he was going over what he wanted to say in his head. She was putting the dishes away, and Brian was still sitting at the table, lost in his own thoughts. "Bri, it's gonna be OK," Tara said. He looked over at her and smiled, "I know, I'm just a little worried." Tara walked back over and sat down across from him, "About what?" "About what this is really gonna sound like, about how Nick is gonna be, and I know I still look like hell," Brian said rubbing his stitches. Tara looked at him, his stitches were visible, and his face was still bruised. His wrists were also still bruised, although they were much better then they were. "Bri, when you tell what happened, that'll explain what you look like. I don't look much better," she said. "Yes you do, you can't even see the bruises on your face anymore," Brian said. Tara looked down at her chest, "Yeah, but I have this nasty scar." Brian pulled her head back up, looking deep into her eyes, "I have one too. It's not that bad, you just have to get used to it." Tara stared at him for a while. "What?" Brian asked, knowing something was bothering her. "Bri, I'm a little scared. I've never done anything like this, and I'm afraid they're gonna ask some questions that I can't answer," Tara said. "It'll be OK, I'll be right next to you. If he asks something you don't wanna answer just squeeze my hand, and I'll cover for you," Brian said. "Do you think that'll work? I don't wanna come off looking like I can't answer my own questions," Tara said. Brian thought for a minute, "Well, if John asks you anything you don't want to answer, just say that's a matter of your personal privacy and don't answer it." Tara laughed, "You mean I can claim personal privacy as a reason not to answer? Bri, everything this interview is about, is our own personal business, we don't have to tell them anything." "I know, but for the sake of the group, I do," Brian said. She looked at him, knowing he didn't want to do this as much as she did, but for the group he would once again lay his most personal self out there for all to see. "Babe, we need to go get ready," Brian said looking at the clock on the wall. "Yeah, everyone will be showing up soon," Tara said getting up, "Bri, what do you wear to these things?" Brian smiled, "Come on, I'll help you pick something out." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian and Tara had just gotten finished getting ready when everyone started showing up. Howie and Kira were there first, then Kevin showed up followed by Leighanne. Tara had grabbed Leighanne and had her help braid her hair again, since Brian didn't know the first thing about braiding hair, and she was still having trouble lifting her arms that high. They had just got done when John and the crew showed up. Brian introduced Tara to John, then showed the crew where to set up in the living room. The crew was almost done setting up and Nick and A.J. still hadn't showed up. "Do you think we need to call them?" Kevin asked. "No, they'll be here," Brian said. Just then Nick and A.J. walked through the door fussin at each other. "What took you so long?" Kevin asked. "Well Bone here was hell gettin up, then he kept changing clothes cause he said his pants made his ass look big," Nick said frustrated. "Well at least I didn't spend almost two hours in the damn bathroom this morning," A.J. said. "I swear you two are like children," Kevin said shaking his head. Nick walked into the living room and saw Tara standing on the other side. Her hair was braided, and she had on a pair of jeans and a pretty short sleeved shirt that buttoned down the front. He could just see the top of her scar. She caught his eye and walked over to him. "You ready for this?" she asked. "Not really, but you do what you gotta," Nick said. "OK guys, we're ready," John said. Everyone walked over and took their places. Nick, Tara, Brian, and Leighanne were sitting on the couch, all holding hands. Kevin, A.J. and Howie were sitting on stools behind them. John sat down in the chair next to the couch, "OK, let's get started." Chapter 45 |