Chapter

Kaylee was certain that the pounding of her heart could be heard over the strains of the music around her. She knew from the minute she heard him speaking that it was him. She could never forget that voice. She also knew that she could not allow herself to BELIEVE that it was really him. She tried to just block him out of her mind and enjoy herself, but she caught herself glancing at the tall man on the end every chance she had...straining to get a better look at him, but yet afraid to look at the video screen for fear that what she would see there would send her heart into a panic.

She listened to the music. She heard him sing. She watched him dance.

Now he was standing right in front of her....looking directly at her. And, all she could do was nod her head, and cry. His voice touched her heart. His emotion touched her soul. This song must mean something to him, too, Kaylee thought. She was confused by the look on his face. Was he glad it was her? How in God's name did he remember her, she wondered.

Kevin couldn't believe his eyes. How many times, since last night, did he think about her? He had tried to chase her down outside. He almost jumped out of the bus to run after her on the street earlier. But, now....here she was...right in front of him.

C'mon Kevin...you can do this, he thought to himself. You HAVE to do this.....Seeing her at that moment, shook him deeply. Kevin had finished singing for his dad when he saw her. His heart had told his dad about the woman that helped him and had wanted nothing in return. The woman that he wanted to find....to thank her for what she had done. How could it be that she was there, in front of him? And, why was she crying? Kevin was confused and worried at her reaction to seeing him. He lowered himself to the floor and sat at the edge of the stage. Jesus, he thought, why'd she grab her friend like that when she saw me sit down?

The next song started, and Kevin, for once, was not looking forward to that walk back to the main stage. He noticed that she had finally stopped crying, and he dared a wave in her direction. Good...she waved back! Kevin smiled, and continued to sing.

Kaylee felt like her hand was detached from her body when she lifted it to wave back at him.
Oh shit, she thought, he really remembers me...or maybe he was waving at someone else. Oh my God, do I feel stupid..what if he wasn't waving at me? She shook her head and kept muttering to herself. But..he did say "is it you" and I answered him....what the hell does he want? Kaylee's mind was racing in a hundred different directions.

Kevin kept his eyes on Kaylee, trying to figure out what was going on in her head. He tilted his head and just smiled at her. She wasn't responding. Finally it dawned on him.....he pointed at her. He saw her slowly look around, and he couldn't help but smile. She thinks I'm pointing at someone else, he thought. So, he pointed again, more dramatically. She looked at him...and pointed back at herself. Yes, he nodded....you, and he waved again. There it is, he thought, that smile. Kevin almost missed his cue, but he was so relieved that she had finally smiled at him, that he didn't even care. He smiled back.....lifted himself from the floor...and backed away toward the ramp.

Ali couldn't believe her eyes. Kevin Richardson was fussing over HER friend! Holy hell, she thought, Kaylee doesn't mess around. She sure knows how to pick them! She helps someone on the street and its Kevin...Kevin Richardson...and she doesn't even know who he is. I've never come across anyone like Kevin Richardson on the street...looking for help. What the hell?? How is THAT fair??? Ali just shook her head and chuckled. She glanced over at Kaylee and then she looked at Kevin. He was trying so hard to make sure that Kaylee knew he was waving at her. God she was such a doofus at times. Did she forget that he already asked if it was her?
Oh..ok..good...duh! Kaylee figured it out. Thank God! I think Kevin would've bust if she didn't do something! "Oh my God", Ali said outloud, "Kaylee.....Kaylee...YOU helped Kevin Richardson!!"

At that moment, the ramp was lowered from the ceiling and the Boys started their walk back to the main stage. Kevin walked backward the entire way to the ramp, waved one more time, and went back to doing what he does best, working the crowd!

Kaylee watched every step he took. As he got further away from her, she finally snapped back to reality. "ALI", she yelled, "God...its really HIM!! The same Kevin!! Shit...he's even better looking tonight! And, I KNEW there was a great body under all that leather...JESUS his pants are TIGHT!!! Wow!" Kaylee finally took a moment to breathe, then she sighed, looked at her friend and asked, "Al...what do I do now?"

"You, Kaylee Barrone, are going to continue enjoying this show! Now that you're certain he IS your Kevin, ..watch him! ENJOY him, too!!! Kay...he's obviously glad to see you...relax and just let this take you wherever it leads"

The group was now back on the main stage and Kevin was speaking to the crowd about their charitable foundations, and Kaylee was in awe. She was in total shock from the moment the first song started. They were good! Really good! And, then to find out they give so much back of themselves. She truly was impressed. Yet her eyes never moved from Kevin.

All the boys took an instrument except Kevin. He stayed out front, introduced the song, then raised his hands over his head and encouraged the audience to participate along with them. His hands clapped and his hips swayed.

Kaylee was feeling many different things....shock, fear, confusion...and a strange warm feeling ran through her body everytime she saw him on the large video screen. He definitely was handsome and seemed to carry himself with a grace and elegance that set him apart from the other men on stage with him. Yet she also couldn't help but notice how incredibly sexy he was..almost without even trying. She enjoyed the rest of the show, and found herself regreting that it was obviously winding down. She did recognize the last song they sang as an encore, and was hugging her friend with gratitude for the wonderful night. Just as the lights came up and they turned to head across the aisle to exit, she felt a hand on her arm. She jumped, and turned to find Luke cupping her elbow and turning her closer so she could hear
him.

"Kaylee.....Kevin wanted me to give you a message. He asked if you would meet him in the hotel restaurant in about an hour? You have no idea how much it means to him to be able to thank you in person...please consider it."

"Me? He wants to meet me? In the restaurant?? Me??", Kaylee kept repeating while just shaking her head in amazement.

"Yes, Kaylee...he'll be there in about an hour...he'll probably wait for an hour...if you aren't comfortable doing this..he'll understand. But, between you and me...I hope you'll meet him," Luke chuckled, "because I don't know how much more I can take."

And, with that said....Luke took his leave...and left Kaylee standing with her mouth open, never having been so totally confused in her life.