Chapter

Kevin thought he had them fooled....all of them. He tried to be as nonchalant as possible. Brian and Howie noticed that he was a little more hyper than normal for after a performance. But, just thought it was due to the highly emotional state he was in over his break with Trish.
AJ was keeping one eye on Kevin and noticed that Kevin was keeping one eye on the door.

Nick Carter may have been the youngest of the group, but after Kevin, he was the most in tune to the others feelings. Nick knew that something was up with his "big bro". In fact, he saw something happen out on stage tonight. Something that Kevin had not done in a long time. He shook his head and chuckled just thinking about it.

AJ took a casual glance in Nick's direction, and saw Nick chuckling. He knows something, AJ thought. Damn, Nicky knows something...and I don't know shit! Well..I'm gonna find out what exactly it is that Nicky knows!!!

AJ walked over to Nick, put his hand on his shoulder, leaned in toward Nick's ear and whispered, "Nick...man...what's up? What the hell is going on with Train?"

Nick turned toward AJ and the only thing he said was, "do you believe in angels?"

"What? What do you mean....do I believe in angels??"

"Yep...that's it exactly AJ..do you believe in angels? Cause I think Kev had a close encounter with one tonight...during the show. The woman...the one from last night, Bone...she was sitting RIGHT in front of him when we were in the back. HE SAW HER.....and uh...yeah...she saw him."

That said...AJ and Nick both turned to find Kevin coming out of the shower area......in only a towel...but he wasn't wet.

"Ummm..Kev...man...the point of a shower is to get wet.....you're 'posed to come out of there all clean.......and WET!", Nick yelled.

"Go to hell Carter," Kevin yelled back, trying to sound stern.

Nick noticed a tone to Kevin's voice that had been missing for a while. Nick decided to push his luck.

"That's fine Kev...cause hell don't stank as bad as you do right now....woooooo weeeeeee Richardson....that's some fine stank dawg! Try gettin IN the shower...gettin wet...and using soap next time. I mean..I know you be likin' it up in the mountains, but smelling like that........."

Just as Kevin grabbed for Nick there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?", Kevin yelled.

"Kevin...its Dani...you want those braids out for the night?"

"Yeah....yeah..I think tonight I do", Kevin said as he opened the door.

"Damn you Richardson....put some clothes on would you! How's a woman supposed to get a thing done with you running around in nothin' but a towel. I told you before .. I'm a married woman, but damn it to hell if that chest don't get to me everytime I see it," Dani said, while turning a bright red in the cheeks.

"Baby..you know you love me....and you want me...just admit it," Kevin said, in his deepest drawl, wiggling his eyebrows, and striking a pose that resembled something out of a weighlifters cartoon.

Nick and AJ just stood with their mouths hanging open, not believing their eyes...or their ears.
THIS Kevin had been gone for months. Neither one of them was really sure what was happening, but they knew they didn't want it to stop!

"Oh now ... ummm...hey....boy...you just cut that out! Don't you be gettin' all Barry White on me....it just won't work. Now sit that fine lookin' behind in a chair. You know you're too damn tall for me to take them braids out while you're standing up."

Kevin sat in the nearest chair, and observed Dani closely. She was a good woman, and he loved to tease her. Early in her career with them, she had caught him coming out of the shower, naked as the day he was born....and the look on her face did NOT go unnoticed by him. He grinned slightly and let out a small chuckle.

"Don't start Kevin...I know what you're remembering! Just don't you forget what I'm doing here. I could cause you some severe pain if I choose to....."

"Awww Dani.....I'm not saying a thing! Just remembering...that's all. Anyway..I'm way too nervous to even think about much else."

"NERVOUS!!! Kevin Richardson is NERVOUS!! What the heck for sweetheart?"

"God Dani..I haven't felt like this in a long time...I mean...OUCH..be careful....I'm just hoping that something is gonna happen tonight....I dunno....OOOOOOOOOWWWWWW.......would you stop it! I won't tell you anymore if you keep torturing me!"

"Oh Kevin....let me guess....this involves a woman? And, this woman.....she's involved in what you been feeling lately....what you were talking about before the show?"

"Yeah Dani," Kevin said, while letting out a big sigh, "yeah, she does. Shit...I haven't been this nervous about meeting a woman since......well.....since..........forever."

"Kevin..baby...just be yourself....you just got out of a relationship. I hope you aren't looking for another one already?"

"No Dani...I'm not...it's just.....she....well...she don't want anything from me.....she didn't even know who I was.....I....it's just weird. I've never been in this position....at least not for years. She helped me out...and didn't expect anything more than a thank you."

Just then the door opened and Luke walked in the room.

"Kevin......ummm....you wanna come over here," Luke asked.

With that....6 sets of eyes turned to look at Kevin.

"What Luke...whatever it is..say it now...just tell me right now....she said no, didn't she? I knew it.....she thinks I'm a wacked out lunatic. Dammit Luke......"

"Aaaahh Kevin...could you just shut up for a second," Luke yelled over Kevin's mumblings, "she didn't say no...actually she didn't say yes either...she was kind of....just...quiet. And, then she walked away. I don't know Kevin...but, I'd say get yourself moving. She don't strike me as the type that'll sit around all night waiting for your ass to get there!"

"No matter how FINE that ass is Kevin," AJ said trying to control his laughter.

At this Nick doubled over, and AJ started to laugh outloud. Kevin was used to being the butt of many of their jokes, but tonight he didn't care. He even started to laugh himself.

"Well...if y'all don't mind...I'll be getting this FINE ass in the shower now," and with that said...Kevin got up and walked away, leaving them all standing with their mouths open!

"I'll be damned," AJ and Nick said almost simultaneously.

"Go get her Kev," Dani yelled after him.

Kevin threw the towel off...started the water, and got into the shower. He rqn his hands through his hair......oh god, he thought. I have to be nuts....why am I getting so nervous. I just want to say thank you...to say it properly. I don't need another relationship.....so just slow down.

He got out of the shower...dried himself off...and threw his clothes back on. He decided to just let his hair air dry, and he'd hopefully have time to change his clothes at the hotel....then get downstairs before she left....if she'd even show up. He shook his head...and ran out to the door.

"Luke....," he pleaded, "get me a cab, please. I can't wait for these guys."

"Already done, boss," Luke said, as he tried to shove Kevin through the door, "get yourself moving."

AJ and Nick shouted after him...."good luck Kev....she'll be there, don't worry!"

Then they looked back at each other, as Kevin rounded the turn in the hall.....and AJ said, "Man Nicky....I HOPE to God she's there....."

"Yeah A.....me, too dawg....me, too."