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A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes Chapter 28 Kristy, Erin, and Toni watched that evening's concert from a skybox with Leighanne and some other friends and family members. Despite that afternoon's kiss, Kristy still wasn't sure where she and Kevin stood. Had it been a sign of things to come... or the end? Erin could see her sister's uncertainty and decided she'd seen enough. They returned to the hotel after the concert to get ready for a night of clubbing. Erin had spoken with all the key people so she'd be able to have some time alone with Kevin. Kevin and Kristy were in their room and Kevin hurriedly got ready. He wasn't sure what that afternoon had meant either. The song had been about ending a relationship, yet he realized he wasn't doing a very good job of that. If he was going to protect Kristy he had to try another approach. He watched Kristy brush her shoulder-length blond hair and reapply her lipgloss. His mind strayed, thinking about how thick and silky her hair felt when he buried his hands in it when they would kiss... how soft and full her lips were and how incredible they felt against his own. He turned at a knock on the door, thankful for a distraction since simply being so close to her made him question his actions. Toni and Leighanne stood in the hallway and Kevin invited them in. Kristy had promised to help Toni with a new hairstyle for the evening and Leighanne had something for Kristy, so Kevin left the three women and went to wait in the common room shared by their block of suites. He was staring out the window, his back to the door, thinking about what he was going to do next. He shut his eyes. He'd never felt this empty inside. Kevin rested his hands against the window and let his head fall forward slightly. "What's wrong, Kev?" Kevin raised his head to see Erin's reflection in the window. He turned to face her, unsure of what to do. It wasn't like he could just come out and say 'I'm trying to save your sister from pain in the long run, but I'm making us both miserable in the process.' He looked across the room and hesitated, but didn't have to - or get to - speak as Erin continued. "You look awful. Don't tell me you actually have a conscience." Kevin shook his head. He shouldn't have been surprised that Erin wouldn't beat around the bush. He smiled calmly at her. "You are direct, aren't you?" Erin stepped further into the room and shrugged. "Why waste time with small talk? We both know what I want to talk to you about." Kevin nodded. "Kristy." "Very good." Erin arched an eyebrow. "So, do you want to go first, or should I?" Under different circumstances, Kevin might have found the fact that he was standing in front of a petite brunette who was currently glaring at him like she could take him rather amusing. Unfortunately, he wasn't amused. "Oh, by all means, ladies first." Erin took a seat on one of the common room's large sofas and gestured to a seat across from her for Kevin. "I'm not sure why you've been acting like such a jerk lately, but I have to say I don't like this 'new you'." Kevin smirked slightly. He had to give her credit for speaking her mind. He didn't envy A.J. He hoped his friend never had to deal with an angry Erin. "And don't think that sexy little smile of yours will work on me... save it for Kristy - or better yet, DON'T. I'm tired of watching you, as you'd say, 'playing games with her heart'." Erin quoted the last part with a look of disdain. "I think it's about time you made up your mind, Kevin," she continued. "If you don't want to be with her anymore, then just say the word and I'll get us on the next flight out of here." Kevin tried to hide his surprise. Although he didn't know Erin all that well, he guessed she wasn't bluffing. "And if you do want to be with her, then you'd better start acting like it." Kevin sat silent for a moment, thinking over Erin's words. "I know you care about your sister very much, but this is between Kris and me. As much as everyone else may disagree, it doesn't really involve the rest of you." Erin's brown eyes flashed with anger. "Like hell it doesn't! When you guys first started having problems, I was the one she called when she was upset. When you left out `Once' the other night, I was the one who heard her crying when she'd thought I'd already fallen asleep. And when you break her heart, I'm going to be the one left to pick up the pieces. So I'd like to know now what you're planning to do." Kevin looked up to see A.J., Howie, Nick, and Brian all standing in the doorway. Somehow he guessed it wasn't a coincidence that he and Erin had had this time alone. He stood and leveled his gaze at her, then his bandmates. "Things will change, I promise." He turned back to the window, telling them all that he was through with this conversation. The group waited in awkward silence for the others to join them. Leighanne arrived with Mindi, followed shortly by Dennis and Tommy. Soon other members of the band and some of the dancers filled the common room. Kristy and Toni entered the room last. Kristy'd left her hair down, but had changed into a sleeveless black dress that Leighanne had lent her. The short, slightly flared skirt and fitted, scooped-neck top flattered her figure while still being functional for a night of dancing. Kevin felt his pulse quicken at the sight of her. God, she looked amazing - as always. He fought the urge to rush to her and pull her into his arms, instead he glanced at his watch, then slowly made his way to the door. "Are we ready to go now?" Kristy took a deep breath. Why'd she even bother getting ready? He'd barely looked her way, let alone compliment her. She pulled her shawl over her shoulders, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable in the slightly revealing dress Toni and Leighanne had convinced her to wear. She looked to Kevin and nodded, trying to keep the disappointment she felt from showing. Kevin did see the disappointment in Kristy's eyes - and everyone else's. He outstretched his hand to her. "C'mon. Let's go have some fun."The group arrived at the club in a couple of non-descript vans with a few of their security team in tow. They were admitted through the service entrance and led to some tables in the back where they could have some privacy. As soon as they were settled, Erin grabbed Kristy's hand and insisted she accompany her to the bathroom. Leighanne and Toni exchanged looks and excused themselves to Brian and Dennis to follow them. Brian turned to his cousin, ready to make a comment about the girls' need to go to the restroom in a group, but didn't get a chance as Kevin made his way to the bar. "A shot of `Jeiger', a Black Opal, and a Long Island - and make it strong." Although he wasn't typically a big drinker, he knew there was no way he was going to make it through the night completely sober. The bartender poured the licorice-tasting black liquor and Kevin downed the shot instantly. He grimaced slightly then exhaled, feeling the liquid's warmth make it's way to his stomach. Feeling a little more relaxed, he took the other two drinks and headed back to their table. In the ladies' room, the girls' touched up their makeup and made small talk before Erin caught Leighanne's eye. "Kristy," Leighanne started, turning to her new friend, "If at any time tonight you want to leave, just let us know and someone will make sure you get back to the hotel." Kristy nodded, her smile temporarily dimmed. "Thanks, but I'd like to think it won't be necessary. Kevin was fine on the way over." Kristy would admit things were still a little tense between them, but the drive over had been smooth - he'd even held her hand the entire time. "We hope you're right," Toni said with a concerned smile. "But you have to understand where we're coming from." Kristy nodded again. "I do, and I know you guys mean well and are only doing this because you care - but really, everything is going to work out... I know it." She looked into the faces of her sister and friends and smiled to reassure them. "So, are we done in here? I'd like to go dance!" The other girls nodded and followed Kristy back to their tables, each silently hoping she was right. Kristy approached the table and Kevin stood, pulling her chair out for her. "I got you your usual," Kevin said as he handed Kristy her drink and took a long sip of his. Kristy smiled warmly at him. "Thanks." Nick, Brian, and A.J. soon returned to the table, each carrying several drinks. They distributed them to the girls and Howie and took their seats. Kristy quirked an eyebrow at Nick as he took a sip from his pint of beer. "Nicky, aren't you too young for that stuff? It'll stunt your growth," she teased. "He's too young for a lot of things," Kevin said, looking pointedly at the youngest member then towards his girlfriend as he draped his arm around her shoulder. Nick shook his head slightly. "But I'm not too young to know a good thing when I see it..." he replied, returning Kevin's stare, "Or hear it." He tipped his head slightly as "Everybody" started and stood, extending his hands to Kristy and Erin. "Shall we, ladies?" The girls followed him onto the dancefloor and were soon joined by A.J., Brian, and Leighanne. Toni and Dennis had made their way to the bar with some of the other band members, leaving Kevin and Howie at the table with a few remaining dancers and security guards. Kevin sat quietly, watching Kristy dance with his friends. She and Erin were dancing near each other and both sisters were naturals. The Boys were interjecting some choreographed moves into their dancing and the girls were soon joining them step for step. He frowned as Nick sang to the girls, "Am I original?" The rest of the group all sang along to the "yeah" then Brian contributed his "Am I the only one?" to which everyone agreed. Nick's "Am I sexual?" was accompanied by a pelvic thrust, causing Kristy, Erin, and Leighanne to giggle during the next "yeah". Kevin emptied the contents of his glass and set it on the table with more force than necessary, causing the table to shake somewhat. Howie raised an eyebrow at his friend. "You musta been pretty thirsty." Kevin turned to Howie and gave him a questioning stare, but didn't reply. Howie gestured to the empty glass. "You downed that thing like water." Kevin simply shrugged, then turned back to the dancefloor. "If the waitress comes around, order me another one. I'm going to go dance with my girlfriend." He made his way to Kristy's side and she smiled brightly as he joined in their dancing. Between the shot and the Long Island, Kevin was starting to feel more relaxed and was ready to get the evening started. As the chorus began again, Kevin took one of Kristy's hands and pulled her towards him slightly. "Am I original?" Her eyes sparkled as she nodded at him. Kevin now held both of her hands in his and he guided them around his back. "Am I the only one?" Again, Kristy smiled up at him, their faces close. "Am I sexual?" he murmured, circling his hips against hers. Kristy smirked and nodded, surprised - but pleased - by Kevin's change in behavior. He lowered his head and kissed her, then smiled mischievously at the "rock your body" line, to which Kristy giggled and playfully slapped his arm. They finished the song dancing with the others; the entire group sparking interested looks and hushed conversations from the other club patrons. They headed back to their tables and Kevin sat down and pulled Kristy onto his lap before she could sit in her own chair. He kissed her temple and spoke into her ear, his breath warm and his voice deep and sexy. "Have I told you how amazing you look tonight?" Kristy turned to face him without her usual smile, her gaze even � although her twinkling eyes gave her away. "Actually, no, you haven't." Kevin smiled and caressed the side of her face. "You look incredible." He kissed her lightly. "Absolutely stunning." Again he lightly teased her lips with his. "You're so beautiful." He kissed her more intensely and then pulled back slightly. "And you look so hot in that dress," he murmured as his eyes roamed over the low neckline and her cleavage. "Damn." Kristy felt her heart pounding in her chest � the same chest Kevin was still staring at. The combination of his words, his kisses, and the way his laser green eyes were taking her in, had her senses reeling. Kevin raised his eyes to Kristy's face and paused at the look in her vivid hazel eyes. He could tell she was aroused � and he was sure she knew he was as she smiled innocently and shifted slightly on his lap. Kevin groaned quietly then chuckled at the triumphant look in Kristy's eyes. She was certainly playing the sexual chemistry card a lot lately � and Kevin wasn't about to fight it. "Let's go dance."Next: Chapter 29 |