| Kevin had finally resigned himself to the fact that they were barely going to have enough time to get changed, let alone get his hair braided by the time they arrived at the venue. "Who the hell puts an amphitheater in the middle of NOWHERE...and then rips up the only road into the fucking place," his voice rising as he drummed his fingers on the window of his bus. "Dunno Kev..." was all AJ could think to say, not wanting to risk saying the wrong thing. He knew Kevin was wound up tight...tight even by Kevin standards. "It ain't like we never been late before dawg. So you can't stretch out that old body as much..." Nick chimed in, immediately regretting it as soon as Kevin turned to look at him. "Shut up Nick," Kevin said through clenched lips. "I didn't mean nothin' Kev..." Nick continued, while rolling his eyes at his big 'brother', "what the hell is your problem?" Kevin sighed, leaned his head back and closed his eyes. "I just don't like to be late...I have things I need to do ... and now..." he sighed again, furrowing his brows, "I probably won't get to do them." AJ watched Kevin, fully understanding that the 'things' he needed to do weren't really 'things' at all.... the thing...the only 'thing' Kevin needed to do was to see Kaylee. Kevin had been worried about her making the drive to the venue, and he wouldn't relax until he knew she got there safely. He had talked to Luke earlier in the day, and Luke had found the information on Jeff that Kevin wanted...and Kevin didn't like it...he didn't like it at all. He never asked Luke 'how' he got the information he did, because he really didn't need to know, but he knew that whatever info Luke got...it was always accurate. According to Luke, Jeff lived within 10 miles of Kaylee and had recently lost his job because of a 'problem' with drinking. This was a major concern to Kevin, an 'ex' with a drinking problem and way too much time on his hands. "Kevin...man...you in there," AJ's voice filled with concern, "talk to me. I know what's going down...its Kaylee.... and you're worried." "He wants to hurt her...he lives too close...drinks too much...has too much time to kill.... and...." Kevin's voice trailing off as he squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his jaw, "I'm outta here in a few days..." "Shit Kev...I don't know what to say..." AJ said with regret, as he saw the clouds filling Kevin's eyes and the pain cross his face. Kevin had tried to convince Kaylee to make the trip to the venue with him, on his bus. As expected, she said no. 'Absolutely not Kevin...I can't get in your way." He pleaded, he whined...he even made his 'sad puppy dog face' to no one...just hoping she'd 'hear' it in his voice. "Dammit, she's stubborn," he muttered a little louder than he hoped. "Makes her a perfect match for ya' Kev," AJ said, with a chuckle, "she might be stubborn, but she's exactly what you need buddy." Kevin looked at his friend and smiled, "Yeah...she is," he sighed. "I don't understand Bone...I spent all that time with Trish, and I never remember feeling like this.... in here." he said, as he touched his hand to his heart. "Hell...I've known Kaylee for what...a month? And look at me," he was blushing furiously, but continued to speak, "I just can't stop thinking about her...talking about her.... shit...I was ready to kill someone last night because they were hurting her." He turned his head to look back out the window. Clearly his friend was reaching out to him and this meant more to AJ than anything. Kevin was always the one to "fix" everything.... now it was AJ's chance to help Kevin "fix" his heart. "She means a lot to you Kev, don't she," AJ asked in a soft voice. "Yeah," he whispered, dropping his head, developing a sudden fascination with his jeans. "And I'm afraid, Bone...afraid of how I feel.... like last night. Ya know...after all that went down...I look at her.... I touch her," a tender smile crossing his face as he recalled how it felt holding her in his arms, "and..... I want her. Damn...I want her so bad. I kiss her...and I can't think straight.... hell...I can't even remember to breathe most times." AJ looked closely at his friend. He knew Kevin didn't take relationships lightly. Even in his so-called relationship with Trish...Kevin gave it his all. But he sensed something different this time. There was a spark...a fire...in Kevin's eyes when he talked about her, and God knows, AJ chuckled softly...he sure as shit never blushed this much before. "Ya know Kev," AJ had started to speak, when Kevin's cell phone began to ring, causing them both to jump in their seats. "Oh man...it's Kaylee...what if something happened..." his hands shook as he stared at the ringing phone. "Shit Kevin...answer your freakin' phone," Nick yelled from the back of the bus. Kevin took a deep breath and pressed talk. "Hey baby," he said, in a voice barely recognizable as his own. "Hey yourself. You standing me up Richardson.... me and all these other women," she asked as she laughed into the phone. "What...huh...where are you," Kevin asked, suddenly confused. "The venue, Kevin.... where are YOU?" Kevin felt himself release the breath he didn't even realize he'd been holding. "God Kaylee...I thought something happened to you when I saw your number." "Honey...I'm fine...just feeling a little stupid here with this backstage pass around my neck...and no one backstage to see.... at least not the one person I want to see," she said softly. "Blame your city here woman," he tried to sound stern, but he was so flooded with relief he couldn't help but smile. "We been sittin' in traffic forever.... but the cops just stopped everyone so we could get through...into the parking lot. Don't move.... just stay in one spot so we're not going in different directions.... and I'll see you in a few minutes." "The only place I'm moving, is closer to the entrance...where I can watch for your bus. Kevin...it's getting loud back here...and I can hardly hear you...I'm going to hang up...I'll be waiting." Kevin put his phone back in his jacket pocket, and ran his hands over his hair, playing with the ponytail. "Damn traffic..." Kevin muttered as he stood and walked to the front of his bus, as it rounded the corner to the back of the amphitheater into the secured lot. "Bit anxious boss," Luke asked with a smile. He watched Kevin shift from one foot to the other...swaying like he always did when he was getting nervous...excited...or both. "Hope your feet move as fast as your mouth, big man,� with one hand on the door, he pushed it open and looked over his shoulder at Luke, "cause I am so outta here!" He laughed as he ran off the bus, not even touching the last step, and toward the gate. "Aww shit," Luke mumbled as he maneuvered his large frame out the door. AJ, Nick and Marcus laughed, as they knew the "chase" was on. Kaylee waited near the door, watching the activity around her. It was fascinating to her...a whole other world was behind that stage every night, and she felt privileged to be able to witness the hard work and dedication that went into these performances. She lost track of the time, looked down at her watch and when she picked her head up, she saw him. It was as if time had stopped as she watched him look over the crowd of people to find her. Dear Lord, does he have any idea how beautiful he is, she wondered to herself just as her eyes caught his. Kevin reached Kaylee and pulled her into a fierce hug. God he smells good... He looked down at her and took her face in his strong hands. To Kevin, the rest of the world didn't exist...she was all that he saw. She takes my breath away.... Kaylee thought her knees were going to give out from the way he was looking at her. His beautiful eyes holding her captive yet again. He lowered his lips to hers and gently kissed her. "Hi..." he finally whispered against her lips. "Hi yourself," she replied softly. "I'm glad you're here..." his breath on her ear sent shivers through her body. "Me, too," she said as she played with a stray piece of his hair. "I.... shit...I gotta go..." he fidgeted, "the traffic sucked....I couldn't run the sound check...no time with you......" "Kevin.... go get ready.... we still have plenty of time to spend together. But, could you...ahhh...hmmm," she spoke as she started to blush, "how can I say this.... oh God help me..." "What baby.... could I what...remember last night...I said I'd do anything for you...just tell me what you want," Kevin smiled at her shyness, but he was thoroughly confused. What the hell does she want...no Kev.... don�t even go THERE.... don�t...back off down there buddy...awww shit....it's too late. Thankful for once that Kaylee had pulled away and had him at arms length.... he waited. "Could you please...your hair..." "My hair.... what about my hair," Kevin asked, with a look of total confusion. "Leave it...d...dd....could you leave it down? There I said it." She was visibly flustered, not sure how he would respond. "Baby...since you asked.... even if I did have time to get the cornrows done.... I wouldn't.... for you..." he said as he reached behind his head and undid his ponytail, "it stays down." She reached up and ran her fingers through his hair, as he closed his eyes, taking in everything about her touch. "Thank you..." she said softly, "you look so sexy like this...." Kevin couldn't stand the fact that he was blushing yet again, but figured he was going to have to learn to deal with it....she had that effect on him all the time. Kaylee saw Nick and Brian approaching and said, "we got company coming." "Hey Kaylee," Brian leaned toward her gently squeezing her arm, "nice to see you again." "Yeah...what he said," Nick said as he bent down to kiss her cheek. "Hi you guys...nice to see you too," she responded, trying to ignore Kevin's hand that had slid under her jacket. Damn him.......oh shit.......not that Kevin......no.....oh......well.......crap She leaned closer to him, nudging him with her elbow. "Don't you need to go......and...hey now... stop that.....Kevin....." He wrinkled his nose and started to giggle at her. Yep...I know what pushes her buttons alright. "See you in a few Kev....later Kaylee," Brian yelled back as he and Nick jogged down the hallway exchanging silly grins. Kevin was hopelessly... obviously.....head over heels....gone. "Yeah...I guess I do have to go baby.....," he spoke into her hair then lowered his head, lightly sucking on her earlobe. I swear to God I HATE him.......that does NOT feel good.......oh.....no....it feels great. Go away..... "Until later," he whispered as he gently nipped her ear. "Shit," she mumbled, as he left her standing there with her mouth open. "Good thing I got here when I did," Leighanne giggled, "the Richardson magic has struck again, huh?" "I hate him Leighanne....I swear I do. Magic....magic my ass. The man is the devil. I swear......he looks like an angel..but...damn...what he can do.......he either made a "deal" with the devil......or he IS the devil." That said, Leighanne took Kaylee by the arm and headed out front. She had been around Kevin enough...professionally and personally...to know that this.....this relationship.....this woman.....was good for him. ************************************ The show seemed to start in no time, and Kaylee gasped outloud when Kevin's platform rose and he looked down toward her....his hair falling in his face. The cool night air was perfect. No one was overheating in their leather outfits and Kevin was comfortable with his hair down. Yep an angel in white....and the damn devil in black leather. But with the encore, Kaylee's angel had returned. Standing in front of her, dressed in white...those beautiful arms exposed......he stared down at her....that handsome face...those gorgeous eyes. Kevin never hesitated for a minute...wanting her to know......he took three steps forward.....and his voice rang clear and true....... "go on and pull me under....... cover me with dreams...yeah..... love me mouth to mouth now... you know I can't resist....... cause you're the air that I breathe...." His eyes never left hers as he was lowered into the stage....and as he blew her a kiss. Kevin knew that what he said to her the night before had gone unheard.....but at that moment, those three words didn't need to be heard. They were seen in each others eyes. |
| CHAPTER 42 |
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