|
A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes Chapter 22 Kevin joined his bandmates and a couple of their security team for breakfast in the hotel's restaurant. His friends stopped their conversation as he approached the table. "Hey, Kev. How are you? How's Kris?" Brian eyed his cousin and could see the pain and sadness in his eyes. Kevin sat down and poured some coffee. He hesitated before he answered. "We had a rough night. Kristy kept having nightmares." Kevin tried to stifle a yawn as his friends exchanged worried looks. "And you didn't sleep," A.J. guessed. Kevin shot him an even stare and sipped his coffee, but didn't reply. Each of the guys knew Kevin kept certain things to himself, and they knew better than to push him. They resumed casual conversation, even trying to maintain a light atmosphere - although Kevin remained distracted. Kristy entered the back room of the restaurant and approached the table full of men. She paused as the conversation came to a stop at the sight of her. "Good morning, gentlemen," Kristy said with a bright smile. Kevin stood and pulled her chair out for her and kissed her on the cheek. Kristy glanced around the table. "Did I interrupt something?" The guys laughed nervously and all denied it. "So," Nick started, trying to break the ice, "Did you sleep okay? Ow! What was that for?" Nick rubbed his shin and glared at A.J. Brian and Howie rolled their eyes and shook their heads, while Kevin glared at Nick. Kristy creased her head in confusion. "Um, yeah... actually I slept fine." She smiled at Kevin, thinking about sleeping next to him, again feeling a strange sense of comfort. They made it through the rest of breakfast without any other problems. But Kristy couldn't help but notice how polite the guys were being. They weren't teasing her or joking around like normal, and not one of them commented on her answering Kevin's phone. She knew something was going on when she asked for the orange juice - and seven men reached for the pitcher. Kristy arched her brows and looked at the Boys and two of their security team. "Okay, what's with this sudden chivalrous behavior?" Several of the guys blushed, but Howie frowned slightly. "Hey, I'm always a gentleman." Kristy smiled at him. "You're right, D. This isn't anything new to you. And Kevin has to be attentive." She grinned at her boyfriend. "But when did you two rub off on the others?" Kevin and Howie chuckled at the offended looks on the others' faces, but none of them protested. "Oh, c'mon you guys! Aren't you even gonna fight back?" Kristy smiled as she looked around the table once again, then back to Kevin. "I feel like I'm in an episode of the Twilight Zone." When that only elicited polite smiles from the group, Kristy decided to put her theory to the test. She sat back and listed to the strained conversation around her and waited for a break. She pushed her chair back from the table. "Guys, I'm gonna head back upstairs, okay?" "What's wrong?" "Kris, are you okay?" "Princess?" Seven men stood as she did, concern evident on all of their faces. Kristy turned to the group. "That's it. Sit down. Now." Each of the men obeyed - even the large, serious looking bodyguards. "I want you guys to stop treating me like I'm a porcelain doll. I'm not going to break. "What I need is for you guys to be my friends... that means treating me like you normally do. Okay?" She looked around the group and got reluctant nods. "So, does this mean I get to tease you like always?" Nick grinned across the table. "No," Kevin frowned at the youngest member. "Yes," Kristy replied at the same time. She took Kevin's hand. "I know you're worried about me, but I'm fine... really. I just want things to get back to normal. Please?" She implored him with her eyes. Kevin sighed, knowing she wasn't totally fine yet, but also knowing she would be - once she was free of him. "I'll do my best."Kristy spent the remainder of the day before the second concert with the guys, taking in some sights and doing a little shopping. She had quickly come to consider all of them her friends and enjoyed the time she spent with them. Kevin kept his promise, and tried not to be overly protective. Kristy was appreciative of his efforts... while she enjoyed occasionally being spoiled, she hated feeling suffocated. The second concert went off smoothly and Kristy spent most of the show backstage with the crew. After they left the arena, Kristy and Kevin opted to go back to the hotel instead of out with the guys. Kevin was showing signs of fatigue, and Kristy didn't feel like partying without him. Back at the hotel, Kevin stopped to sign autographs and pose for some pictures with some fans. Kristy stood away from the crowd, content to observe from a distance, then decided to head up to their rooms without Kevin. The presence of a female with him would likely start rumors, and Kristy wanted to spare both Kevin and herself that problem. She went to her room and waited for Kevin to stop by. She busied herself by getting ready for bed, and when he still hadn't come by, flipped on the news. She tried to sit and watch, but soon realized she wasn't actually hearing anything that was being said and turned it off. She grabbed her robe and room key and crossed the hall to Kevin's room. She knocked softly and waited, then more firmly when he didn't answer. Finally she heard footsteps and Kevin cracked the door open. She smiled at the sight of him in his pajama bottoms. "Hey, I was waiting for you stop by when you finished up with the fans... Did you just get up here?" Kevin opened the door slightly more, but didn't invite Kristy in. "No, I've been here for awhile." Kristy waited for him to continue, but he didn't and she didn't quite know what to say. The silence between them seemed to fill the entire hallway. Finally Kristy spoke, "Well, it's still pretty early. I was wondering if you wanted to watch a movie or something..." "Actually, I'm pretty tired, Kris. I think I'm going to call it a night. But I'll see you first thing in the morning, 'kay?" He leaned forward and kissed her briefly on the lips, then pulled back in his room. "Night." Kristy stood motionless as the door closed in front of her. "Night," she mumbled and fought the urge to burst into tears. Her second impulse was to knock on the door again and simply make Kevin invite her into his room so they could talk... but her mind argued that Kevin was likely just tired after two nights of performing and entertaining her, so she returned to her room. Inside his room, Kevin was also battling with his conscience. After he'd shut the door, he leaned his head against it - restraining himself from pounding his head against it in frustration. Every fiber of his being had wanted to pull Kristy into his arms when he saw her standing in the hallway. But he knew he was just being selfish. His wants weren't important... Kristy's ultimate safety and happiness was what mattered to him the most. Besides, if he slept next to her again, he doubted he'd have the conviction to go through with his plan. Kristy lie awake for hours, replaying the events of the last day and trying desperately to figure out if she'd done or said anything to anger Kevin. Eventually she fell into a restless sleep. Kevin had hoped that without Kristy near him, he'd be able to get a good night's sleep. Instead, he tossed and turned most of the evening, seeing the look of disappointment on Kristy's face every time he closed his eyes. The next morning, the two met the others for breakfast before the Boys had to get on the bus and head to their next tour stop. Kristy's flight also left that morning, and Kevin had planned to take her to the airport, then return to the hotel to catch the bus. Over breakfast, the four younger members recounted their adventures at the club the night before and Kristy listened with amusement as each tried to out do the others' stories. Kevin gave up trying to participate in the conversation as he watched Kristy interact with his friends. He knew it was still early, but he could tell his actions were already taking effect. With the rest of the guys, Kristy was animated and friendly, laughing and joking with them as they shared their tales from the previous evening. But with him, she was acting more reserved than usual, and although her smile was still warm, it was somewhat hesitant. Kevin couldn't send her to the airport on her own, no matter how much distance he was trying to put between them. Again he berated himself for his selfish behavior, but he wanted to have more time with her and delay their good-bye until the last possible moment. He did know that he couldn't trust himself to be alone with her, and invited Nick and Brian to come along with them. Kristy hated to admit it, but was almost thankful for Brian and Nick's presence during the limousine ride to the airport. The two younger men continue to joke and tease, keeping the mood light. Kristy wanted to share a special good-bye with Kevin, but decided she'd rather have a less emotional departure if it meant avoiding conflict. Something was going on with her boyfriend, but she wasn't any closer to figuring out what it was than she had been the night before. The guys decided they'd say their good-byes at the drop-off area and avoid any potential fan-encounters inside the airport. Kristy hugged Brian and Nick good-bye and promised to continue their email conversations. Kevin held back as Kristy checked her baggage with the curbside attendant, then turned to him with tear-filled eyes. "Oh, Princess," Kevin whispered as he pulled her to him. "Shhh. I'll see you in a couple of weeks, okay?" Kristy nodded into his neck. Somehow being in Kevin's arms and hearing his reassuring words always made her feel safer. 'There it is again. That feeling.' Kristy frowned as she tried to place the reoccurring feeling - but like a hazy dream, as soon as she reached for it, it was gone. "Kris?" She looked up to see Kevin staring at her. "You okay?" She smiled and shook her head a bit. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just going to miss you." Kevin couldn't lie to her, no matter what his plan involved. He tipped her face up to his and caressed her cheek with his hand as he stared into her blue-green eyes. He drew her lips to his for a soft, gentle kiss. "Me too, Angel."Next: Chapter 23 |