Lauryn:

 

            The concert was phenomenal. Probably the best concert I’d ever been to in my life. The Boys sang beautifully, and the dancers performed perfectly in sync. Shea looked beautiful and happy, and I wished I could be up on that stage with her, but I had just as good a time in the front row of the audience.

            When Kevin and Nick walked off the stage to shake hands with the audience members, each of them gave we a quick, friendly kiss on the cheek. The twelve-year-old girl next to me narrowed her eyes into tiny slits and glared at me from under furrowed brows. I ignored her and focused my attention back on Shea and my Boys.

 

Kevin:

 

            After the show the group split up to go to various clubs. Brian, Shea, Andrea, AJ, Nick, Lauryn, and I went to Spinners, and Americanized dance club in downtown Frankfurt. I bought a round a beers, but by the time I returned to the table, everyone except Lauryn had disappeared.

            I spotted Nick and Shea dancing provocatively in the center of the floor, and AJ was chatting with the DJ. “Where’d Brian and Andrea go?” I asked non-chalantly, hoping they weren’t together, and setting the beers on the table.

            “Um...Andrea went to get a breath of fresh air, and Brian ran to the bathroom,” Lauryn shouted over the thumping base line.

            “Why aren’t you out there dancing?” I questioned, scooting my stool closer to hers.

            She turned her head in my direction and flashed me a bright, toothy smile. “Cause I don’t have anyone to dance with,” she cooed, batting her eyelashes flirtatiously.

            “C’mon,” I said, grabbing her hand and dragging her out to the dance floor.

            Forty minutes later we sat back down at the table with Nick and Shea. “Shouldn’t those two be back by now,” Lauryn asked of Brian and Andrea’s absence.

            An uncomfortable feeling crept up my spine, and I excused myself. “I’ll be right back. I’ll go see if I can find them,” I stated, pushing myself away from the table. I checked the Men’s room, but Brian wasn’t there, so I walked out the front door. They weren’t in sight, but I could hear what sounded like yelling coming from the alleyway.

            Slowly and quietly, I crept toward the alley and stopped before rounding the corner. I could distinctly hear Brian and Andrea’s voices. They were deep in a heated argument. “I’m going to tell her!” Brian shouted harshly.

            “Oh yeah?! When?!” Andrea snapped in return.

            “C’mon, Ann! She just got here! To see me! I can’t tell her right now! Give me a couple days!” Brian retorted.

            “You still love that bitch, don’t you?” Andrea asked quietly. I could hear the wavier in her voice and I rolled my eyes. She was turning on the water works, and Brian hated to see girls cry.

            “No! I don’t! I love you, baby!” Brian responded immediately.

            “You love me?”

            “Oh, you know I do.”

            “Then call it off...tonight.” I heard footsteps approaching so quickly, I ran back to the front door.

            “Hey, Andrea. Having a good time?” I asked when she reached me.

            She smiled brightly. “Yes. And I have a feeling it’s only going to get better.”

            A couple minutes later, Brian emerged from the dark alley. He stopped suddenly, and stared at me like a deer caught in the headlights of an on-coming truck. I nodded a ‘hey’ at him, and slowly, he walked toward me.

            “Hey, cousin,” he said hesitantly.

            “We need to talk,” I stated, dragging Brian by his collar back to the alley. I stared him straight in the eyes, and he knew that I meant business. “I heard your little conversation with Andrea,” I began, “You’d better tell Lauryn soon, and tell her the truth, or I’ll do it for you,” I finished.

 

Brian:

 

            Kevin released the grip on my collar, and I straightened my jacket, anger, embarrassment, and betrayal invading my body. He turned slowly and began to walk toward the club. Impulsively, I grabbed the back of his shirt, and spun him around to face me. For a few moments we just stared at each other, my hands clenched at my sides ready to strike at any given minute. His eyes were wide in shock at first, but soon clouded over with irritation and anger.

            “You’d like that, wouldn’t you? You’d like to be the one who comforts her after I’m through being an asshole, and break it off with her!” I shouted at him. Kevin stood silently in front of me, a smirk forming on his thin lips, obviously amused with my outburst.

            “Shit, Kevin! Maybe you should be honest with Lauryn! Maybe you should wipe that smart-ass smirk of your damn face, and tell her that you’ve been in love with her since the first day you met! Swallow your pride, you cowardly bastard!”

            The next thing I knew, I was on the ground, Kevin hovering above me with closed fists. Defiantly, I stood again for the next round. “You betrayed her. Her heart. Her emotions,” Kevin muttered through clenched teeth.

            “Don’t talk to me about betrayal, Kevin!” I spat, the blood from the first swing trickling down my chin. “You betrayed me by loving my girlfriend! I’ve heard the phone calls. I’ve seen the way you act around her! The way you watch her every move! You betrayed me by seducing Lauryn into a friendship with the ultimate goal of something more!” I screamed at him, jabbing my finger into his chest.

            Kevin glared at me from under dark, brooding brows. His mouth twitched in extreme anger. Suddenly, his left fist flew up, hooking my right eye, before the other connected with my already bloody lip. I fell to the ground under the force of his punches, whacking my head on the hard concrete for the second time.

            He towered over me, and thrust a demanding finger in my direction. Before he could say a word, I heard Lauryn scream down the alley. “Kevin! Stop!”

            Kevin turned in her direction. His fists relaxed, the knuckles sprinkled with fresh blood. Lauryn ran down the alley and brushed past Kevin without so much as a side ways glance. She knelt by my side, and brushed the hair from my eyes. “Are you okay, Brian?” she asked, her chin quivering.

            I nodded slightly before I passed out and everything went black around me.

 

Lauryn:

 

            I rode in the ambulance, holding Brian’s unconscious hand in mine, stroking the palm mainly to calm myself. The tears trickled slowly down my cheeks as I tried to collect the thousands of emotions running rampant in my body. Anger. Sadness. Confusion.  They all swarmed my soul.

            Brian was wheeled into X-ray the minute the gurney passed through the entrance doors, and I paced the lobby anxiously waiting for Shea and Nick. Five minutes later Shea ran through the doors and to my arms, Nick and Kevin not far behind. I stared at Kevin with dagger-like eyes, and he winced.

            I slid past Shea and approached Kevin with the utmost determination to find out what in the hell happened. “Kev,” I began forcefully.

            “Wait!” he interrupted, holding up his hand. I stopped and waited for him to continue. “Let’s go some where else so we can discuss this discreetly,” he suggested, peering over my shoulder and looking at what I can only image as Shea’s pissed off face.

            I nodded and we left the hospital to sit in the rental Excursion in the parking lot. “Okay,” I began again, a little more calmly than the first. “What in the hell happened tonight?” I finished.

            Kevin turned his face away from me, not saying a word. “Please, Kevin! Tell me!” I pleaded.

            “The fight,” he paused, “was about you.”

            “What? Why?” I asked in confusion.

            “I don’t want to say,” Kevin stated, his eyes downcast to the floor of the vehicle.

            “Dammit, Kevin! Tell me!” I demanded.

            Kevin took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “Brian is cheating on you,” he stated solemnly.

            My breath caught in my throat, and I was unable to speak. “He’s cheating on you with Andrea,” Kevin further stated.

            “What?!” I screamed once I had regained my voice. “You’re such a liar! Brian would never do that to me! Never! Why are you lying to me?! Why?!” I bellowed through the hot tears that stung my eyes and dripped down my cheeks.

            I pulled the door handle harshly and thrust it open. “I thought we were friends, Kevin. Friends don’t lie,” I muttered bitterly before slamming the door shut and returning to the hospital entrance.

 

Shea:

 

            Lauryn walked slowly back to the waiting room where Nick, the other Boys, a few dancers, and I sat. She glanced at me through the glass, but didn’t place a foot into the room. I rose from the love seat I shared with Nick, and joined Lauryn in the hall. “What happened?” I asked, looking to her tear-filled eyes.

            “Kevin told me that Brian is cheating on me. That’s why they got into the fight,” she mumbled through ragged breaths. “Why is he lying to me?”

            “He does like you...a lot,” I said. “Maybe he is telling you the truth, but then again,” I paused, not really wanting to say what sat at the tip of my tongue, “maybe he wants you for himself so he’s trying to break the two of you up.”

            Lauryn sighed and closed her eyes, something she always did when she was stressed or deep in thought. “Ms. Matthews,” a nurse interrupted us, “Mr. Littrell is awake.” Lauryn nodded and followed the nurse down the hall to Brian’s room.

 

Lauryn:

 

            The nurse stopped and gestured to room 219. The door was slightly ajar, and I could hear voices talking inside. Instead of going in, I hovered outside and listened to the conversation taking place. “Did you tell her?” a woman’s voice asked.

            “Jesus, Ann,” Brian sighed. “I’ll tell her. Just not right now.”

            “Whatever, Brian,” the woman spat. The door opened abruptly, and Andrea stared at me, a sickening smirk plastered across her lips. “Hey, Lauryn,” she sneered.

            She brushed past me, and looked into Brian’s room from over my shoulder. I couldn’t see what Andrea did, but Brian shook his head. As I stared in a Brian, Andrea whispered into my ear, “Looks like I got one more thing you so desperately wanted.”

            It felt as if a knife and been stabbed through my back, piercing my heart. Andrea sauntered off leaving me to tend to my open wounds.

 

Brian:

 

            Andrea opened the door and I spied Lauryn standing just outside. Andrea walked behind her, and stopped, looking in at me. A devilish grin crossed her face and I begged her with my eyes and the shaking of my head for her not to do what I knew she had in mind. I saw Lauryn flinch, and her eyes fell. I realized Andrea hand just done what I had asked her not to.

            After a few minutes, Lauryn entered my room, and stood near my bed. She looked at me with tear-laden, questioning eyes. She didn’t deserve to be treated in the way she had been. “How are you feeling now, Brian?” Lauryn asked meekly, placing her hand on my arm.

            “Better,” I replied, placing my hand on hers. She looked away and wiped a few stray tears away with her free hand. “Listen, Pooka,” I began.

            “Don’t call me that!” Lauryn snapped.

            “Okay. I’m sorry,” I apologized. “Listen. There’s something I have to tell you--”

            “I already know, Brian,” she interrupted. “I already know. Kevin told me.”

            “You don’t know the whole truth. Kevin doesn’t know the whole truth,” I remarked.

            “Then what is the whole truth, Brian?! I hate being used! Hate being lied to! If there is more to the story of you cheating on me with Andrea, I’d really like to hear it!” she shouted.

            I took a deep breath. “It was innocent--”

            “Innocent?! Brian, don’t lie to me!” Lauryn interrupted again.

            “Lauryn, stop interrupting and listen!” I fired at her. She closed her mouth and sighed. “We hang out together. And yes, I have kissed her, but that’s where it ended. I’m sorry, but I guess I just missed you,” I said.

            “Bri--”

            “Lauryn, I’m not finished!” I snapped, silencing her remark. “That’s not an excuse. I know. And I don’t expect you to forgive me, but I’d really like second chance. Please.”

            Lauryn stared at me, not saying anything, but just staring at me as she contemplated her answer.  Finally, she broke the silence. “Okay, Brian. I believe you. I’ll give you a second chance.” I sighed in relief. “But, you have to promise me it’s over between the two of you, and you have to make up with Kevin.”

            “Of course,” I agreed, bringing her hand up to my lips, and kissing the knuckles lightly. I pulled her down and kissed her mouth. “I’m sorry,” I mumbled through the kiss.

 

Kevin:

 

            I can’t believe she’s giving him a second chance! Sonofabitch! I walked back to the waiting room where the rest of the clan still sat. “Excuse me, Mr. Richardson,” a nurse tapped my shoulder, “Mr. Littrell is ready to be released.” I nodded and followed her to the Nurses’ Station to sign the release forms.

            I had just signed the last release form when Lauryn wheeled Brian out of his room. “Hey, cousin. I’m sorry, man. Let’s let bygones be bygones,” he stated, offering his hand for me to shake.

            I studied Lauryn’s face, but if she was unhappy or wanted to be with me instead of Brian, I couldn’t tell under her 100-kilowatt smile. “All right,” I replied, shaking Brian’s hand. “Damn. It’s close to five,” I said, checking my watch. “We have to be on the road in less than an hour. Let’s go.”

 

Shea:

 

            Brian, Lauryn, and Kevin came around the corner quickly. I watched Lauryn’s face. She no longer looked upset, which was a relief. “Let’s go! We have to be on the bus in forty-five minutes!” Kevin shouted as he walked by. Everyone leaped from their chairs and followed the three out of the hospital.

            When we returned to the condo, we hurriedly stuffed our belongings into our bags, and rushed outside to awaiting buses. “C’mon! Let’s get a move on!” Denise shouted from the bus steps as we all clamored out of the condo, luggage in tow. “Andrea, since Lauryn will be joining us for the next couple weeks, you’ll be on the dancers’ bus...where you should be anyway. Shea, you can remain on the Boys’ bus.”

            We all boarded our appropriate busses, and soon we were caravanning to our next destination. Within twenty minutes of being on the road, everyone was fast asleep. Brian and Lauryn found sleeping comfort in Brian’s bunk, wrapped in each other’s arms. Nick and I fell asleep on the couch in the rec. room, Nick spooning me like he had so many times before.

 

Kevin:

 

            “Kev. Kevin,” someone whispered as he or she gently shook my sleeping body. “Kevin Scott Richardson,” the voice whispered louder into my ear. I opened one eye and saw Lauryn kneeling at my bunk side.

            “What is it Lauryn? Something wrong with Rok?” I asked concerned, rising up on one arm.

            “Oh, no. He’s fine,” she replied.

            “Then what is it?” I asked again, running a hand through my messy hair.

            “I wanted to apologize for not believing you. For accusing you of lying to me,” Lauryn said quietly.

            “It’s okay, Laur--” She put a finger to my lips.

            “No, Kevin. It’s not. I feel horrible for saying you weren’t my friend anymore. I don’t want to lose this friendship,” she whispered, the tears silently cascading down her beautiful face.

            “It’s okay, Lauryn. All is forgiven,” I stated, pulling Lauryn into a hug and kissing her forehead. I kissed her cheek and nose, my arms wrapping tighter around her. Slowly, our lips met. Lauryn pulled away in shock and confusion. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.

            “Don’t be,” she whispered back before planting her lips on mine once again. She parted her lips, allowing my tongue to graze across hers, sending electric chills down my spine.        

            “Pooka!” Brian called from his bunk.

            Lauryn pulled away quickly, and stared at me with wild, passionate eyes. “Coming, Brian!” Lauryn called back.

            She left to return to Brian, and I laid silently in my bunk, my lips still tingling from the electric charge in her kiss. I didn’t understand. Lauryn had just given Brian a second chance, but yet she seemed to want me.

 

Shea:

 

            “Psst.” I glanced across the room and spied AJ sitting in the armchair. “Did I wake you?” he whispered huskily.

            “No. I’ve been awake,” I whispered back. “What’s up?” I asked.

            “I’m bored. Wanna play a game or something?” AJ questioned.

            “Sure,” I answered. Very carefully I removed myself from Nick’s sleeping embrace, kissed his cheek lightly, and followed AJ to the kitchen.

            AJ sat across the table from me, shuffling a deck of playing cards. “Gin Rummy’s my game,” AJ said in his best old man voice.

            “Just deal, Bone,” I laughed. Halfway through our second hand, AJ leaned forward, his arms and hands under the table. I felt a soft touch on my bare calf, slowly rising to my knee. My breath quickened, and my mind searched for what to do. I knew I should tell him to stop, but the feeling was arousing, impulsive, dangerous.

            AJ rose from his side and joined me on mine. He put my index finger in his mouth, and sensually sucked, making me giggle and all the hairs on the back of my neck rise. His kissed up my arm and across my neck before reaching my lips, kissing me hesitantly, waiting for me to react. I kissed him back, our tongues engaged in a wild dance. My hand rested on his chest under his wife-beater while AJ reached around my back to unfasten my bra.

            “Hey, Shea!” someone called down the bus aisle. I quickly pulled away and snatched up the magazine sitting next to me. I ripped it open, and set it down in front of AJ and me as to avoid suspicion. “There you are,” Nick said as he graced the kitchen with his presence. “What cha doing?” he asked sliding in the seat across from AJ and me.

            “Just reading, Frack,” Bone answered.

            Nick read the cover of the magazine and eyed us quizzically. “Neither of you like video games. Why are you reading Arcade Today?”

            Panic ran through me for a brief moment, but I quickly thought of an explanation. “We’re gathering ideas for Christmas for you and B-Rok.” I smiled sweetly, hoping he bought my story.

            “Hey, guys, we get off at the next venue in ten,” Kevin stated as he walked the length of the bus.