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Brian had suggested that I come with them. Since I didn’t have anything else planned, I agreed. I had been avoiding Brian all day, something I found to be surprisingly easy. Howie had sensed that there was something happening, but couldn’t figure out what. As far as the rest of the guys were concerned, Brian and I had never been anything but friends. A total lie of course, but I had no intention of telling them anything without a fight. At least not A.J. or Nick. I didn’t trust them in the least. At least D took it upon himself to show me around. He really was a sweetie. Bless his heart.
“So what do you intend to do once we get to Orlando?” A simple question, but one that I couldn’t really answer. Howie had just given me the full tour of the bus. There wasn’t much, but he had realized that I was bored out of my mind and he’d made sure that I’d have something to do. More than I can say for Brian.
“In truth, I really don’t know. I hadn’t really planned ahead of showing up at the hotel. But I can take care of myself.” I added quickly. I didn’t want his pity or lectures. I’d had enough of that when I was in Kentucky.
“Apparently,” D said with raised eyebrows. I eyed him, I’d had nothing but enjoyment with this little Latino. What did he think of me any ways? I hadn’t a clue, and the way I figured it, I’d never know. I wasn’t all that good at telling what people are thinking.
Checking to see that Howie was behind me, I glided into the space I’d taken for my own. It wasn’t much, a small bunk above Kevin’s with an outlet. But the outlet was the only thing I cared about. I yanked my boom box out of my suitcase and started searching for my favorite CDs. I dragged my boom box everywhere, music was my life. Without thinking, I pulled Millennium out of it’s case and popped it into the deck. Before I even realized what I was doing, I had changed it to number 10, Spanish Eyes, one of my favorite songs.
“We belong, in the arms of one another,” I smiled at the music, not realizing that it wasn’t coming from my boom box.
“But we still, go on searching for each other,” Finally realizing it, I turned to see Howie to singing with the CD. Blushing furiously, I turned awkwardly to stop the music and put the CD back into it’s place. But I was too mad at myself for forgetting were I was and dropped the CD, giving it a small scratch.
“Damn it,” I muttered, shoving it back in the case while Howie tried in vain to stifle his laughter. I gave him a look that could have wilted flowers and stuffed my boom box and CDs back in my suit case.
Doing this, I turned to face him. Sensing that he was in trouble, D made a dash for the door. But I was closer to it and I managed to cut him off.
“And just were do you think your going young man?” I asked, my blood positively boiling with mock rage.
“Um, out of here?” he muttered, inching toward the door.
“Yeah, nice try buddy boy. But yer gonna have to do alot better than that to beat me.” With that I lunged towards him, knocking him off his feet. Quickly scrambling over him, I managed to pin the little Latino down. The moment I had accomplished this, I swiftly grabbed his left arm and jerked it behind his back.
“Well? What do you say?” I asked, pressing my weight down on him.
“Brian, help!” I turned, suddenly realizing that Brian had been standing at the door watching us the entire time.
“Um, Bri. Hi, sup?” I some how managed to stumble out the words. More blushing. Why was I so awkward around him? That stupid kiss didn’t mean anything, so why was I making such a big fuss out of it?
He slipped into the room, as if he didn’t want to disturb us. Too late, I thought grimly, dreading what was coming.
“Hey D, ya mind if I talk to Cat for a little bit? Alone?” He eyed me as he spoke to Howie, but I couldn’t meet his penetrating gaze.
“No prob B. See ya later Aly,” Howie said casually, never dreaming that anything was wrong. A fool. A sweetie, but a fool. I couldn’t help thinking this as he trotted easily out the door. No matter how much of a fool he was, I couldn’t keep from hoping that this kind man would change his mind and stay with me. I knew what Bri wanted to talk about. I knew that I would be able to handle whatever he threw at me. The only thing I didn’t know was what I was going to say, or do. But I was determined to keep my cool and not break down, no matter what he said.
“You know what I want, so I don’t see any reason to dawdle on hospitality.” His directness took me by surprise. I gathered my courage and raised my head to look him in the eyes. What I saw there was yet another surprise. Determination, longing, pleading. I turned away, not able to stare at them for very long.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” A lie. Straight out lie. And he knew it.
“Don’t play dumb with me, okay? You’re a horrible liar and I’m not feeling all that patient.” He grabbed me by the shoulders, I could feel how much he wanted to shake them. But he held back and satisfied his craving by grabbing my chin, not at all roughly, and looking me straight in the eyes.
I smiled shakily and slipped out of his grasp. “You seem to be doing that alot lately.” I was nervous. Of course I knew what he was saying, I just didn’t know how he would react to my anwer.
“Well?” he demanded. His foot started tapping. He was mad, but just as nervous as I was.
“Well what?” I was being a smartass and I knew it.
He gritted his teeth, losing whatever patience he might have had when we started. “The kiss, Cat. Whether or not it meant anything. Whether or not you felt anything.” The more he talked, the more exhausted he seemed to become. His body slowly losing it’s rigid shape. “Whether or not I felt anything.”
“I..I..I just don’t know. How am I supposed to know?” Once again I found myself stuttering. I bit my lip to keep whatever cool I had left. Brian seemed determined to distroy that “cool”.
“You don’t know. Great Cat. Just Great. Oh yeah, that really clears up everything.” His voice was dripping with sarcasm. I was losing it. Gulping back tears, I figured the only way to stay dry was to shout right back.
“What? You think it’s that easy? You think that one kiss and I forget everything you did? Sorry honey, but things don’t work like that.” I was crying. Gee, I’m just so good at this.
Bri had turned his back to me during all this. I couldn’t tell whether it was to keep from smacking me upside the head, or hiding his own tears. Slowly he turned to me. I waited for him, unable to control my breathing, which had become ragged. Tears streamed down my face. I have such wonderfull self control, I thought bitterly.
He struck suddenly, without warning. Before I had even realized that Bri had moved, his lips were against mine. The kiss was much longer this time. And much deeper. After several moments, we reluctantly parted.
“What about two?” B said as he stared into my eyes, searching for an answer. So I gave him one.