“Hello?”
“Kevin…its Drake. Is Emma there?”
“Yeah sure, hang on.” Kevin put the cell phone down and walked into the bedroom. Hearing the shower on and her singing, he opened the door slightly and leaned in. “Hey Emma?”
Emma called out from behind the shower door. “Yeah?”
“When you get done…call Drake back. He just called.”
“OKAY!”
Kevin smiled as she went back to singing whatever it was she was singing. “Those high notes are better left un-sung,” he said quietly while plugging his ears with his fingers.
“I heard that!”
Laughing, he walked back into the main area and picked up the phone. “Drake, she’s in the shower. She’ll call you back when she gets out.”
Drake’s voice sounded shaky. “Please…it’s important.”
“Is everything all right?” Kevin asked curiously.
“No, it’s not.” Drake’s voice cracked as he said goodbye and hung up.
Kevin pulled the phone away from his ear and stared at it. “What the hell?” Shrugging it off, he stepped outside the bus to help Carlos with their bags.
They had been back from Hawaii now for just about six weeks.
But, it felt longer.
Nothing was ever mentioned about Emma admitting to him that she loved him…nothing at all. It was almost like both of them had forgotten about it, being that they were drunk…but in all reality, neither one had. Kevin was struggling with his feelings just as much as Emma was. And as a result of that, they both were keeping their distance from each other…whenever possible.
Kevin was worried about what kind of impact this would have on Lou’s plan. He was almost certain that Lou wouldn’t be expecting this. Hell, he didn’t even expect it. But, he couldn’t deny it…he was falling and he was falling hard.
But…he had to keep things in perspective. If this was going to cause any complications with Lou, and he was almost certain it would, he would need to be careful. He had to protect himself and the rest of the guys…no questions asked. No matter what…even if it meant denying himself …he would do it…bottom line.
There was no other choice.
Not then, not now, not ever.
AJ was one of his best friends…he couldn’t forget that.
He wouldn’t forget that.
AJ was in his life long before Emma…
“KEVIN!”
Hearing his name being screamed from inside the bus startled him. Panicking, he dropped the bag and ran back into the bus. “What?”
Nothing could of prepared him for what he saw. Standing right in front of the couch was Emma…partially clothed, hair-sopping wet, tears streaming down her face and the cell phone clutched to her heart. “What’s wrong?”
The cell phone dropped to the floor, followed by Emma. “Aunt Bet died…”
“What?” Kevin walked over to her and dropped to the floor as well. “Aunt Bet died?”
She nodded while throwing herself into his arms.
He repeated the same question quietly while he sat there in shock.
Died?
When?
Taking his hand, he smoothed out her hair the best he could. “C’mere,” he said while standing up. Bending down, he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom where he sat her on the bed. Kevin sat down on the bed and propped himself up against the wall. Spreading his legs, he pulled her between them so that she was leaning against his chest. “I’m so sorry.”
“I…didn’t…even…” Emma turned her head slightly and wiped her runny nose on Kevin's shirt. “Know…she was…in the hospital…again.”
“Why didn’t Drake let you know?”
“He said he tried, but…he…couldn’t reach me.” Emma was gasping for air in between sobs. Kevin hugged her tightly. “I need to go to Arkansas…tomorrow sometime.”
He spoke softly and slowly, “Would it make you feel better if we booked you a flight tonight?”
She looked back at him through the tears in her eyes, “Yes, thank you.”
“Everything’s going to be alright Emma. I promise you that,” Kevin whispered as he held her. It had to be. He made a promise to Betty the last time he was in Arkansas. A promise he intended on keeping. He promised he would take care of her and that was exactly what he planned on doing. He would be there for her…now and forever, no matter what the future held for them.
**********
Once Emma settled down, Kevin left the bedroom and went outside to get Carlos. He quickly filled him in on what had happened and asked him to get in touch with the coordinator of the tour so that a flight could be booked to Arkansas. Emma needed to be there that night.
“Aren’t you going to be joining her?” Carlos asked with a disapproving look.
“Can’t.”
Carlos threw his arm up in the arm and waived it along the length of the tour bus. “To hell with this Kevin…she needs you.”
“I know that Carlos, but I can’t just pick up and leave.” He sighed and began rubbing his temples. He couldn’t just leave. They had shows to do. As much as he wanted to go, he couldn’t. “We only have two more shows here, and then we’re off for what? Ten days or something like that.”
“Something like that,” Carlos replied sarcastically.
“I can meet up with her then.” Noticing Carlos disapproving look, he turned to walk away. Kevin knew Carlos was right…but he didn’t have a choice. “I better get back in.”
“I’ll take care of the arrangements and let everyone else know what’s going on.”
Kevin walked up the steps to the bus and turned around. “Thanks and make sure you book a flight right after the last show for me.”
Emma hadn’t moved from the spot where Kevin left her. When he entered the bedroom, she automatically tried to cover herself…she was only wearing her bra and underwear. “It’s just me,” he whispered.
She half-smiled and then began crying again. He sat down beside her. “You’ll fly out tonight and I’ll catch up with you the day after tomorrow.”
“Sorry about this.”
Kevin lifted her chin. “Are you serious? Don’t be sorry…I just feel bad that I can’t go with you tonight.”
“It’s okay. I’ll be okay.”
“I know you will…but I still wish I could go with you.”
**********
Emma flew out only three hours after the phone call. Unfortunately, Kevin couldn’t accompany her to the airport due to their schedule, so Carlos acted on his behalf. Once she was tucked away safely on the plane, Carlos followed Kevin’s orders and called Drake to arrange for her arrival in Arkansas.
Just like it was planned, Drake met her at the airport and embraced her immediately. By the time they had reached the car, he had explained the whole story to her. Aunt Betty died as the result of another stroke. It was unexpected and once she was admitted…she only held on for a few hours.
Emma now knew the meaning of being emotionally drained. She felt like she was at wit’s end…between loving Kevin and him not loving her…and now Aunt Bet dying, she was an emotional wreck.
Kevin was the one that drained her the most though. He was the one who wanted to hear how she felt…and once she told him, he retreated…just like she knew he would. She should’ve kept her big mouth shut. And after that night, she swore she would never drink again if Kevin was around…she would never put her heart out there again only to be broken and slashed into pieces.
The ride to the hospital was pretty quiet. Occasionally Drake would try and make small talk, but Emma didn’t really respond. “Emma, you okay?”
Keeping her gaze focused towards the passenger side window, she meekly asked, “Was she conscious at all during those hours?”
“No Emma, she wasn’t.”
“Tomorrow I’ll need to find a funeral home for her and make arrangements.”
Drake quietly agreed, “Yes you will.”
“Would it be possible for you to go with me?” She looked over at him with tears streaming down her face.
He flinched. “Isn’t Kevin coming in?”
Her face remained guarded; “He can’t until the day after tomorrow.”
Drake shook his head defiantly. “That’s bullshit.”
“Please Drake…don’t start. Kevin can’t just pick up and leave.”
“And why the hell not?” Drake turned his head to look at her. “Why can’t he just pick up and leave?”
“Because they had a concert tonight and they have one tomorrow night too.”
He shook his head in disgust. “Who the fuck cares about the concert? His wife’s mother died and he has to what? Go out on some fucking stage and shake his ass?” He paused momentarily. “Shaking his ass is more important than his wife?”
“She wasn’t my mother,” she replied dryly.
“For Christ’s sake Emma…she practically was.”
“It’s not Kevin’s fault Drake. Please…I don’t want to sit here and defend Kevin to you.”
“Then don’t.” Drake put his hand on her knee and quietly said, “You know I’ll take you.”
“Thank you.”
Upon entering the hospital, they were led to the location where Betty’s body was being held. Drake walked her into the room and nodded. “You go ahead, I’ll wait out here.”
Emma handed him her purse and cell phone. “Thanks.”
Sitting down in a chair, he thought about what she said earlier about Kevin. He couldn’t believe that Kevin would let her handle this by herself. What total and utter bullshit. What kind of man did that?
Her cell phone ringing caused him to jump. Drake held it in his hand while it rang continuously…about four times in a row before he decided to answer it. “Hello?”
“Drake?”
"Yeah."
“Do you always make it a habit to answer my wife’s phone?”
Sarcastically he began speaking, “Hello Kevin. How was the concert tonight? Did your ass get the attention that it so deserves?”
Instead of Kevin answering the question, he ignored it all together. “Where’s Emma?”
“Saying her goodbyes. Where the hell are you?”
Kevin shot back quickly, “In Puerto Rico and where the hell are you?”
“Taking care of your wife!”
Kevin took a deep breath and exhaled it loudly. “I’ll be there to relieve you of your duties in about thirty-six hours.”
“Don’t bother.”
“Look Drake, what - .”
Drake cut him off mid-sentence, “No Kevin…you look. You fuckin’ chose a concert over being with your wife when she needs you. What the hell is wrong with you buddy?”
“I don’t need to explain anything to you.”
“No you don’t…but you do owe her an explanation though. Is it a good one? Shaking your ass on stage wouldn’t cut it in my book. Goodbye.”
“Tell her to call - ” It was too late. Drake hung up the phone before he could even finish his sentence let alone his thought. Taking his cell phone, he hurled it at the wall. “Asshole!”
