|
Everything Your Heart Desires Chapter 49 Kevin scowled as A.J. and Brian approached him. �Lemme guess� Nick and D are with Kristy?� Although he loved his friends like brothers, sometimes he really wished they�d learn to mind their own business. Brian ignored the question and went straight to the point. �Kristy�s very upset and she�s leaving tomorrow. The next time you guys are supposed to see each other is in Portland with her family. Don�t you think you want to get this resolved before then� one way or another?� Kevin tried not to show his surprise at Brian�s comment. �One way or another?� He felt his heart sink at the thought that this could be serious enough to damage their relationship. �I�ve tried to tell her it isn�t a big deal. Maybe one of the other girls should talk to her and tell her how it is.� A.J. shook his head. He could see that Brian�s blunt approach had rattled Kevin, but Kevin was being typically bull-headed. �After Boston, and from what I�ve heard from Amanda, I�d say Kristy has a pretty good idea of �how it is.� But put yourself in her shoes� does knowing other people want to be with your significant other make it any easier?� A.J. decided to drive the point home a little further. �I recall someone seeing a little green himself this afternoon� when a certain VJ was flirting with his girlfriend.� Kevin frowned. �Exactly� it�s part of the business. People flirt!� Brian and A.J. exchanged weary glances. They decided it would be pointless to argue that Kristy wasn�t in the business� nor had she flirted back with Carson. �I give up. Trying to reason with you when you�re like this is impossible,� Brian grumbled. A.J. nodded in agreement. �You�re on your own.�Kristy had slipped into a quiet alcove of the club and was working on not giving into her anger� or tears. She sighed with frustration as Howie and Nick approached her. �Oh guys� please just leave me alone.� Nick shot Howie a worried look. Howie stepped forward and began to speak, �Kris, I know you�re upset with Kevin, but you have to know how much he loves�� Kristy raised her hand and cut him off. �Yes, I know how much he loves me� and I love him, too. But love doesn�t survive without trust and communication.� Nick started to reassure her, �But you can trust Kev�� She silenced him too. �Guys, I really do appreciate what you�re trying to do here� Your hearts are in the right place. But if Kevin and I are going to last � I mean REALLY last � we need to work through our problems on our own. We can�t have you guys coming to the rescue every time we fight.� �Spunky, we care about you � Kev too,� Nick added, almost as an afterthought. �We hate to see you guys fighting.� �Especially since you two are both, well... don�t take this the wrong way, but... ah, �strong willed�,� Howie said with a sheepish grin. Kristy gave him an even stare, then smiled ruefully. �It�s part of our personalities. We work hard and we play hard. We love each other passionately, and when we fight, we fight passionately. But we can�t rely on our friends to act as mediators every time we have a problem... We have to fix this ourselves.� �Okay, but remember we�re here if you need us,� Nick said as he hugged her fiercely. �We know how frustrating Kevin can be.� Kristy giggled as Howie moved to hug her. �And I owe you a listening session� if you want it.� Kristy smiled and nodded. �I�ll remember that.�Kevin struggled to remain patient with Melissa. He knew he couldn�t afford to upset her and have her turn the article into a diatribe against the group just because she was jealous of Kristy. �But is it worth upsetting Kristy?� Kevin shook his head to clear the thought and turned his attention back to the tall brunette. �Melissa, really, I�m flattered,� he said as he handed her back the room-key she�d slipped into his pocket, �But I�m with someone.� Melissa made a production of looking around her. �I don�t see anyone.� She leaned closer to Kevin. �Besides, what�s the big deal? It happens all the time� it�s one of those perks of the job.� Kevin cringed inwardly. Kristy was right to have reservations about this business. He looked her directly in the eye. �Not in my life.�Kevin returned to the group�s table � minus Melissa � and walked directly up to Kristy. �Let�s get out of here so we can talk.� Kristy nodded and stood, letting Kevin help her with her wrap. They hailed a taxi and traveled in near silence to the hotel, although Kevin held Kristy�s hand in his the entire way. After removing their coats, Kevin turned on the radio and led Kristy to the living area, where they sat facing each other on the couch. �Kris, I know this business is hard to deal with sometimes� okay, a lot of times.� He smiled slightly as Kristy arched her brows at his admission. �And I know you don�t like the idea of having to share me, but you have to sometimes � I can�t help that.� Kristy sat thoughtfully then shook her head. �I have to share Kevin Backstreet � that I know. But I�m not dating Kevin Backstreet� I�m dating you, Kevin Richardson.� Kevin smiled and caressed the backs of Kristy�s hands that he held in his. �I guess we need to work on differentiating the two a bit more, huh?� Kristy nodded. �I just don�t like the power �the business� has over your life�and our lives.� Kevin contemplated what she�d just said and realized that even though some of the girlfriends weren�t in the business themselves, they were effected by it just as much as the guys were. He tried to explain his take on it. "Don't you ever have to do things you don't want to with your job?" He paused as she started to shake her head. "Like lunches with drug reps?" Kristy shrugged and bit back a smile, as Kevin continued with comparison. "You have to 'make nice' and listen to what they say because it's important to keep up a good working relationship... but you don't have to continue that relationship outside of work." Kristy nodded slowly; he was actually making a good point. "This is the same thing. I was 'making nice' with the reporter because it's important for the group - for our business - that we have a good working relationship and get good publicity. But I'm not about to continue that relationship outside of work." He searched her eyes and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I love YOU." Kristy sighed and leaned towards Kevin. �I love you, too.� She pulled back slightly as Kevin moved to kiss her. �But I still don�t like watching you flirt with other women� as Kevin Backstreet or Kevin Richardson.� Kevin smiled wryly and pulled her to him. He could feel her anger and hurt resolving, now he just had to work his charm. He drew her lips to his and kissed her softly. �Kevin R wouldn�t even consider it� and I�ll work on Kevin B�s flirtatious side, okay?� She nodded as Kevin kissed her again, this time more sensually. Kristy knew it was difficult for Kevin to admit what he had, and she knew she had been at fault too. She pulled back in his arms slightly and caressed the side of his face. �I�m sorry I got so upset.� Kevin smiled and pulled her body to his, letting his hands roam over her back as their kisses deepened. Kevin moved his head slightly and murmured in her ear, �Let�s move this into the bedroom, so you can apologize appropriately.� Kristy stilled in his arms and pulled away from him. Kevin saw the flash of anger in her eyes and cringed. �We were BOTH at fault here, Kevin. I�m not the only one who should be apologizing.� She stood up and walked across the room, turning back to add another thought. �And contrary to what most men think� sex is NOT the answer to all of the world�s problems.�Next: Chapter 50 |