| Chapter 28 The doctor had released Brian from the hospital, and they all decided to go back to the lodge for awhile. So far nothing had been leaked to the press, but none of them wanted to go back home just yet. Howie was still going and seeing Kevin every other day. The last time he came back, he said that Kevin wasn't doing very well. He was depressed over what had happened. Brian had gotten up and walked out of the room, I've got my work cut out for me, Tara thought. How was she going to get Brian to forgive Kevin, when every time someone said his name, Brian's heart jumped into his throat. All the guys were in the living room watching a movie, Tara and Leighanne were in the kitchen making lunch. "Lee, can I ask you a question?" Tara asked. "Sure," Leighanne said. Tara looked at her, "How do you feel about Kevin?" Leighanne stopped what she was doing, "I'm not sure. I know that he wasn't himself when he did those things, but I don't think that I will ever fully trust him again," she said. Tara nodded her head, "Lee, has Brian said anything to you about Kevin?" "No, he hasn't said a word. He's starting to worry me, he's keeping it all bottled up inside, and I know it's tarring him apart. I mean you can't even say Kevin's name in front of him," Leighanne said. "Tara, has he said anything to you? I know that you two talk about stuff, has he confided in you at all?" Leighanne asked. "No, I've only mentioned his name once and I could tell he didn't wanna talk about it. If you want, I'll try to talk to him," Tara said. Leighanne nodded her head, and went back to the task of finishing lunch. Tara walked out of the kitchen and over to where the guys were sitting. She leaned down and whispered in Brian's ear, "I need to talk to you." Brian got up and followed Tara out onto the deck. Nick watched them as they sat down and started talking. "Nick, just talk to her," Howie said. "That's easier said than done," Nick said. A.J. looked over at Nick, "Good lord man, just tell her how you feel. Not like we all don't know it anyway." Nick sat there for a moment feeling Howie and A.J. staring at him, "All right, all right, I'll talk to her!" he said as Howie and A.J. laughed at him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tara and Brian sat down, "What's up?" Brian asked. Tara looked at Brian, "I want to talk to you about Kevin." She could see Brian tense up. "Tara, I really don't wanna do this," Brian said with pain in his eyes. "I know you don't but we need to," Tara said. Brain looked at the floor. "Brian, look at me," Tara said with some force behind her words. Brian looked up and into her green eyes. "Brian, tell me how you feel about Kevin," Tara said. "I'm afraid of him, and I'm angry at him," Brian said trying to fight the tears that threatened to come. Tara took hold of Brian's hands, they were trembling. "Brian, why are you afraid of him?" she asked. "I'm afraid that he still has this �person' in him. That he'll try to finish what he started, and that no one will be there to stop him the next time." Brian said as a tear fell. "Brian, tell me why you are angry at him," Tara said. Brian sat in silence for a moment, "I'm angry at him for not being able to control what happened. All my life, he has always been the one in control of everything, why couldn't he handle this before it got so bad?" Brian asked. Tara pulled Brian into a hug and let him cry on her shoulder for a while. "Brian, do you remember what you said to me in the woods?" Tara asked after Brian had calmed down. Brian sat up and looked at her, "What I said to you, about what?" he asked. "When I asked you when we got you back how you would know who to trust?" Tara said. Brian thought for a minute, "And I said that I wouldn't, that I'd have to trust in God to take care of me." "Yeah," Tara said. Brian looked at her confused, "What does that have to do with this?" he asked. "Brian, are you? Are you trusting in God to take care of this situation?" Tara asked. Brian looked at the floor again. "Brian, just because I'm here doesn't mean that you can stop talking to God. You need to work this out, and He's the only one that can help you, I'm just here for moral support." Tara said. Brian looked up at her, "I didn't even realize I wasn't," he said. Tara looked at him with peace and contentment in her eyes, "Brian, before any of this can be resolved, you are gonna have to work things out. The outcome of what happens depends on it." "Do you know what's gonna happen?" Brian asked. "No, that is up to you and God," Tara said smiling. Brian took at deep breath and gave Tara a hug, "Thank you," he whispered. Tara looked at him, "That's what I'm here for," she said with a smile. Brian stood up and headed back inside. He went straight to his room and locked the door. Tara stayed out on the deck, watching the sun set over the valley below. Nick came out and sat down next to her, "Is everything OK?" he asked. Tara looked back in the direction that Brian went, "Yeah, he just has some things he needs to work out, that's all," she said. Nick looked at the floor, then back up at Tara, "Can I talk to you about something?" he asked shyly. "Sure Nick, what is it?" Tara asked. Nick took a deep breath, "I wanna talk about us," he said. The pain was back in Tara's eyes, "Nick, there can't be any us," she said. "Tara, I wanna know the real reason why. I know you're not telling me everything," Nick said. Tara closed her eyes, "Because when this is over I'm leaving, and I won't be able to come back." Nick looked at her confused, "What do you mean you won't be able to come back?" Tara looked at him, "Nick, where I'm going I won't be able to come see you, I won't be able to call or write you a letter. After I leave here, you will never see me again." Nick sat there looking at her, not really understanding what she was telling him, "How long are you staying?" "I'm not sure," Tara said, "Nick, I really do like you, but I wanted to spare you feelings. There is no future in anything that we start." Nick reached over and held Tara's hand, "Don't you think that should be my decision?" Tara looked at him confused. "It should be my decision whether or not I want my feelings spared," he said. "But Nick....." Tara started. Nick took his finger and placed it on Tara's lips, "But nothing. Tara, I would rather have one day with you, than to go through life without knowing what could've been." Tara looked at him with tears in her eyes, she started to say something but Nick silenced her again. "I understand that you'll be leaving, and after that we won't see each other anymore, but can't we have this time now?" Nick said with love in his eyes. Tara stood there looking at him, she knew she couldn't tell him no. She nodded her head. Nick reached over and wiped the tears from her eyes. He leaned in close and kissed her, this time she didn't stop him. Chapter 29 |