| Chapter 9 Kevin opened the door to find Nick, Tara, and Howie with their arms full of food and supplies for the cook out. "Hey guys, come on in," Kevin said, "We're setting up next to the pool." They all made their way through the house and out the back to the pool area. Kristin and Kira where getting things ready, and Tara went to join them. The guys had a seat next to the pool. "So Howie, to what do we owe this visit?" Kevin asked. "Um, well, I.........I just got bored and decided to come see you guys," he answered. "Uh huh," Kevin said. Nick looked around, "Bri and Lee aren't here yet?" "No, Lee called a little while ago and said they were gonna be late," Kevin replied. "Is everything OK? They're usually the early ones, not us," Nick said. "I guess, Lee really didn't say," Kevin answered. "Oh Howie, I forgot to introduce you," Kevin said standing up and motioning at Kira to join them. Kira walked over. She had shoulder length brown hair, and dark brown eyes. She was very petite, and her skin was a beautiful copper color. Howie stood up to greet her. "Kira, this is Howie, Howie this is Kira," Kevin said with a smile. Kira reached out to shake Howie's hand, "Nice to meet you," she said. Howie shook her hand, "Likewise," he said. They stood there not knowing what to say for a minute. "Well I better get back and help the girls," Kira said and turned and rejoined Kris and Tara. Howie sat back down, "Well that was awkward," he said. Nick and Kevin laughed. "Yeah it was, next time she comes over here, try to say more than one word to her," Kevin said laughing. Howie glared at Kevin, but was laughing at the same time, "Yeah, yeah, shut up Kev." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Leighanne sat on the couch in the living room waiting for Brian to finish getting ready. He was gone all night and had just come in. He told her he was gonna get a shower and then he'd be ready to go to Kevin's. She had wanted to talk to him about what happened last night, but he didn't want to talk about it. She felt so bad about what she had said to him, and what she had done. In the entire time they've known each other she had never slapped him. She couldn't figure out why she had gotten so angry in the first place. Leighanne jumped when the phone rang. "Hello," she said. "Hi Anne, how are you this morning?" Gary asked. "I'm OK, what's up?" she asked. "Just OK? Is something wrong?" Gary asked concerned. "No, I'm fine," Leighanne replied. "K, well, I was just calling to let you know that we are gonna start shooting at seven in the morning," Gary said. "Oh OK, I'll be there," she said. "Do you need a ride?" Gary asked. "No, that's OK. I'll drive myself," Leighanne replied. "You sure, cause you're on the way. It's no problem for me to swing by," Gary said. Leighanne thought for a moment, it would be easier if she didn't have to drive in. "You sure it's no problem?" she asked. "None at all, pick you up at six thirty?" Gary said. "OK, see you then," Leighanne said. "Who you talking to?" Brian asked as he entered the living room. Leighanne jumped again. "Geez Bri, you scared me," she said, "I was talking to Gary, he's gonna pick me up in the morning. We start shooting at seven." Brian sat down and started putting his shoes on, "Oh, OK. That'll probably work out good, cause I have to be at the studio at eight, so I'll have to leave at six thirty." Brian finished putting his shoes on and stood up, "You ready?" he asked. Leighanne stood up and looked at him, "Bri, I wanna apologize for what I said to you last night. I really didn't mean those things, and I'm sorry I hit you," she said. Brian looked at her for a minute, "It's OK Lee, if the tables were turned, I'm not sure I wouldn't feel the same way. Let's just forget it ever happened." "OK," Leighanne said. Brian took her hand and together they walked out the door. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Everyone seemed to be having a good time. The music was going, and everyone was sitting around the pool talking. Howie had finally gotten up the nerve to walk over and talk to Kira. They were sitting by themselves away from everyone else engaged in heavy conversation. Nick reached over and touched Tara's arm, "You OK?" he asked. Tara looked over at him, "Yeah, why?" "You just seem to be somewhere else," Nick said. "Oh sorry," she said. Tara looked over at Kevin, "Brian and Lee are here," she said. Kevin looked at her, "Did the bell ring? I didn't hear it," he said. "No, but it's about to," Tara said. Just then the door bell rang. Kristin looked over at Tara, "Man, I wish I had that kind of radar with Kevin," she said laughing. Kevin left to answer the door, and in a minute returned followed by Leighanne and Brian. They all greeted each other and settled back in their seats. Tara could tell that something was off with Brian and Leighanne, but she didn't want to say anything. She got the feeling that she was part of it somehow. Everyone sat around making small talk, and wondering how long it was gonna take Howie to realize that Brian and Leighanne had showed up. Kristin stood up, "Well the food is about ready, who want's to help me bring it out?" "I will," Leighanne said and got up to follow Kristin in the house. Brian looked over at Tara as Leighanne disappeared into the house. Can you hear me? he thought. Tara nodded her head. OK, I don't wanna say anything in front of the others, but Lee and I had another fight last night, Brian thought. What about? Tara thought. Brian looked away from her, About you and me, and this connection we have. She was really angry, and well, I left and went to the little roadside park out on 59 and slept in the car. Tara looked at him with concern, but he still wouldn't meet her eyes. Are things better? she thought. Yeah, I guess so. Don't tell anyone OK? Brian asked. I wont, she thought. Nick leaned over and whispered in Tara's ear, "You two talking again?" Tara looked at him and smiled, "Wouldn't you like to know," she said. Leighanne and Kris came out with the food, and everyone gathered around. Howie and Kira walked over and joined the others. "Hey guys, when did you get here?" Howie asked Brian and Leighanne. Everyone burst out laughing. "What? What's so funny?" Howie asked. "D, they've been here for an hour," Kevin said. Howie's face turned red, "Oh, sorry didn't notice you," he said. Brian laughed, "Yeah, I bet you didn't." Everyone finished eating and were relaxing by the pool. Brian was rubbing his temples. "Bri, you feeling OK?" Nick asked. "I just got a headache, that's all," he answered. Leighanne looked over at him, "That's the second one this week," she said. "Cuz, you never have headaches," Kevin said looking at him. Brian looked up at everyone starring at him, "Guys, I'm OK. Geez, I'm not having a heart attack, I just got a headache," he said. Nick threw his hands up in defense, "OK, OK, but you can't blame us for being concerned." Brian shot Nick an �Oh God' look and stood up, "Lee, you ready to go?" "Sure, let me get my things," she said and got up to collect her stuff. Tara looked over at Brian, Call me if you need me, she thought. Brian nodded his head, and he and Leighanne made their way to the car. "Tara, you ready to go too?" Nick asked. "Yeah, but tarring Howie away is gonna be another story," she said looking over where Howie and Kira were sitting. "Well, we're his ride, unless he want's to walk," Nick said laughing. Nick walked over to Howie and Kira. "D, are you about ready to go?" he asked. "Um yeah I guess," Howie said, clearly not wanting to leave. He said good bye to Kira and followed Nick and Tara to their car. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brian had asked Leighanne to drive home. When they got there he headed upstairs, took some Tylenol and laid down. Leighanne walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. "Hon, maybe you should see a doctor," she said. He looked up at her, "Lee, you're starting to sound like Nick. I'll be fine, it's just a headache." Leighanne looked at him, she could see in his eyes that it wasn't just a headache. "Brian, I think it's more than that. You never have headaches and now you've had two in one week," Leighanne said truly worried. Brian took her hand, "Baby, I'm fine, just let me sleep for a while." Leighanne nodded her head and watched him till he fell asleep. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick, Tara and Howie were on their way home. "So," Nick said with a smile on his face, "How did you and Kira get along?" Howie's face lit up at the mention of Kira's name, "Good, she's really sweet," he said. Tara turned around and looked at him, "Just good?" Howie's smile grew even wider, "Well, great really. We have a lot in common." "And?" Nick asked. "And, I got her number," Howie said. Tara and Nick looked at each other and smiled. "So, when you gonna call her?" Nick asked. "Well, I was thinking maybe tomorrow, if I could borrow one of your cars, maybe we'd go have coffee or something," Howie said. "Sure man, just bring the car back in one piece," Nick said. Tara and Howie burst out laughing at Nick's comment. "What? What's so funny?" Nick asked. "Honey, you don't drive well," Tara said. Nick looked at her, "I do too, I'm an excellent driver." Tara reached over, grabbed the wheel and got the car back on the road. "Most of the time," Nick added turning his attention back to the road. Tara and Howie just shook their heads and laughed. Chapter 10 |