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10,000 Kisses
Rachel kept staring at me wondering who in the hell the neighbors I was
talking about were. "Well, remember that I said it was Kevin who helped me
today?" Suzanne asked. "Of course" Rachel said, "how could I FORGET that?"
with a laugh. "Well, tell me damnit! Don't leave here in suspense!" Rach
said, hoping that it WAS Donnie that she saw outside near Kevin's truck.
"THE BACKSTREET BOYS!!!!!!!!!" Suzanne yelled loud enough for the whole
neighborhood to hear her. Realizing this, she lowered her voice and looked
around the room as if the guys had heard her. "You have got to be kidding
me" Rachel said, though she was dying to ask Suz about Donnie. "Uh, Suz?"
Rachel said with question in her eyes. "Yes?" Suz replied looking at Rachel
knowing she wanted to ask her something. "I might be imagining this but by
any chance, Donnie Wahlberg wasn't just standing outside with you guys, was
he?" Rachel asked Suzanne. She gave a hearty laugh, choking out only one
word, "Yes!" "Yes?" Rachel asked in disbelief, "you are kidding me? I
thought I was seeing things!" "No, you weren't seeing things! Apparently,
he hangs around the boys alot...but I don't know about the other guys" She
said. "Other guys?" Rachel said while trying to hide her smile, knowing very
well who Suzanne was referring to. "Oh, don't play that game with me...you
darn well know I am talking about Joe, Jordan, Danny and Jon...oh, and Mark
too!" Suzanne answered. Rachel looked away sheepishly but she couldn't hold
it in any longer and started laughing so hard that tears where falling down
her face. Pretty soon, Suzanne joined her.
Meanwhile, over at the guys house Val and Donnie had left to go to the
basketball court while Nick and Brian were trying to dig out of Kevin the
rest of the story about Suzanne. "So, Kevy" Nick said in a whiny voice,
"tell us the rest of the story, PLEASE?????" "Rest of what story?" he
replied knowing that they guys knew him so well that they could tell he
wasn't telling the whole truth. Brian noticed that Kevin was deep in
thought. How can I tell these guys the pain that Suzanne has been through
Kevin thought to himself. Slowly, he looked over at Brian and Nick who both
noticed the look of pain in his eyes. "We know that you need to talk about
this" Brian said, "we can see the pain in your eyes." "What did you do, ask
her out and she shot you down?" Nick joked. Brian glared at Nick with a
warning to stop the joking. "Sorry, Kev, I shouldn't have said that" Nick
whispered. "Ok, you want to know the whole story?" Kevin asked. "YES!" Both
Nick and Brian said at the same time. "Ok, here goes..." Kevin started and
for the next 20 minutes explained everything that had happened when Kevin
stopped to help Suzanne and what she had cried about in his truck. Wow was
all that Nick and Brian said the whole time. "No girl deserves that" Brian
said and Nick agreed. "How the hell can someone treat a girl that way?" Nick
asked angrily. "I don't know" is all that Kevin said. "I really don't know"
he repeated. "Sure, she might not look like Kate Moss" Kevin said, "but who
in the hell would want to? That girl looks like she is going to die soon!"
Nick and Brian laughed. "If I haven't told you already, we have plans
tonight with Suzanne and her friend Rachel" Kevin said. "Ok, so what are we
doing?" Nick asked. "Well, I think it would be nice to grab something to
eat nearby and then just chill out either here or at her house...I would like
to get to know her better" Kevin stated. "Oh, would you?" Brian asking
teasingly which caused Kevin to blush. "Oh, shut up, Frick!" Kevin yelled.
"Someone likes Suzanne!" Nick said looking at Brian who was laughing at
Kevin's blushing. "Man, you are 26 years old and you still blush!" Brian
said. Kevin got mad and walked out of the room to his bedroom. Nick and
Brian looked at each other surprised. "Frack, did we overdo it?" Brian
asked. "I don't know" Nick replied looking towards Kevin's bedroom, "he
seems to really like her but he never used to get that mad about other girls
we teased him about." "Yeah, I know...I wonder why this is really bothering
him?" Brian wondered out loud. Back in Kevin's room, Kev had put on his
favorite Prince CD and laid down on his bed rethinking the past afternoon.
Did he really like her that much? Kevin wondered. I have only know her for a
couple of hours...how can you begin to like someone in that amount of time?
Kevin realized that this was the most he has ever liked someone since Beth.
Oh, god, Beth...why did I have to think about her? Why can't I let go of
her? She was right...we were too young to get married. So, why can't I let
go? Why? Kevin kept thinking to himself but knowing the answer and not
wanting to admit it. Just then, someone knocked on his door. "Come in"
Kevin said. "Hey" Brian replied, "Are you going to call Suzanne to tell her
what is going on?" "Oh, shit...I forgot to get her number" Kevin realized.
"I guess I will have to go over to her house" He continued. "I will be right
back" Kevin said walking down the hallway and out the front door while
forgetting to close the front door on the way out. Nick noticed this and
commented that Kevin must really be in love in HE left the front door open.
Brian just laughed halfhearted remembering the expression on Kevin's face
when he had opened his bedroom door. Brian knew that Kevin had been thinking
about Beth again.
Chapter 10
10,000 Kisses
As Kevin was walking down the walkway towards the street, AJ and Howie were
pulling into the driveway. "Hey Train," AJ yelled from the window of the
jeep. Howie asked, "Where're ya goin?" "Across the street. I will be
right back," Kevin replied. "Across the street?" AJ said turning to look at
Brian in the doorway of the house. Brian turned and walked back into the
house with AJ and Howie following him. "Yo, Frick, why is he going across
the street?" Howie wondered. "Uh, he is going to talk to someone," Brian
said hesitantly. "Well, who then?" AJ demanded, "geez, stop making us ask
questions" while looking over the rim of his sunglasses. Nick finally
answered, "Oh, this girl named Suzanne. He met her when her car broke down
on some highway around here." "Yeah," Brian continued, "and she had a little
tiny mishap too." AJ and Howie looked over at him in wonder. Laughing, AJ
asked, "What the hell did Kevin do? Try to kiss her?" "No!" Nick said, "it
seems that she was a bit frightened when Kevin approached her because she
didn't know that he had stopped." "And she has been sitting the in sun so
long," Brian interjected, "that when she jumped up out of surprise, it was a
little too fast and she fainted. Kevin managed to catch her before she hit
the ground." "Thank god. Kevin to the rescue as always," Howie said, "but
is she alright?" "Yeah, she seems to be fine but is just a tad embarrassed
about what happened," Nick said. "But she also just happens to live across
the street. Kevin didn't know until he pulled into our street." "Wow, that
is amazing!" AJ said, "anyway, why is he going to talk to her?" "Well,"
Brain started, "he invited Suzanne and her best friend, Rachel, over to hang
with us tonight." "Well, isn't that just like Kevin to grab the first girl
that comes along this summer!" AJ said. Brian looked at him and said "No,
that is YOU AJ!" "Who me???" AJ asked innocently trying not to laugh.
Suddenly they all burst into laughter. In between laughs, AJ managed to ask
why Kevin did ask Suzanne to come over. "Well," Nick said looking over at
Brian, "let's tell you, uh, exactly what did happen when Kevin went to help."
"Ok," Howie said proceeding to get comfortable on the couch.
Meanwhile, Kevin walked across the street to Suzanne's house. He could hear
Suzanne and Rachel laughing about something and they had Aaron Carter's CD
blaring from the CD player. He noticed Suzanne was singing along to "Ain't
that Cute" bringing a smile to his face. At least she was feeling better, he
thought. Kevin knocked on the front door. He heard a voice, whom he assumed
to be Rachel's, yell "I'll get it!" Just then, the door flew open and Rachel
almost fell down. Kevin caught a beautiful girl for the second time that
day. "Oh, sorry," Rachel said, "I didn't realize that I opened the door that
fast!" giving no indication that she even knew who he was just like Suzanne
didn't. "Can I help you?" Rachel asked knowing full well who the guy was
standing in front of her. "Um, can I talk to Suzanne?" he asked reluctantly.
"Sure, by the way, I am Rachel and you must be Kevin," Rachel said. "Yes, I
am and nice to meet you Rachel and how did you know who I was?" Kevin
replied. "Nice to meet you too and thank you so much for helping Suzanne. I
know that she hasn't been exactly very happy on this trip and her car
breaking down only made it worse until you came to help her. Oh, and I
recognized you because I saw you drop Suzanne off earlier," Rachel said with
a twinkle in her eye. Oh was all that Kevin had managed to squeeze out,
wondering if Suzanne had told her about their conversation, when Rachel
yelled (at the top of her lungs LOL), "Suz, you've got COMPANY!!!" Suz came
running out of the living room. When she saw Kevin, a flicker of delight was
evident in her eyes for a second but quickly gone. Suzanne was scared to get
too happy about things because they never worked out for her. Kevin realized
that Suzanne was hesitant around guys but he was starting to fall for her
even though he only knew her after a few hours. "Uh, I just wanted to tell
you guys that we were just going to get something to eat tonight and then
hang out so we can get to know each other. Donnie and Val are coming and I
believe that Donnie is bringing some friends of his. Also, I think so other
friends of mine are coming over and you can meet the rest of the guys I live
with," Kevin said. "COOL!" Rachel said, "What time?" "Um, how about 7 and
Rach, you can bring Larry if he can make it, ok?" Kevin said looking at
Suzanne. "Ok," Suz said, "7 it is! We will be over then, ok?" "Sure thing!"
Kevin said running down the walkway and across to his house. "Man, is that
guy fine or what?" Rachel said. "RACHEL! You do have a boyfriend...hands
off!" Suz said laughingly. "Well, I can look but can't touch right?" Rachel
said teasingly. Both of them starting laughing so hard that tears were
running down their cheeks!
Meanwhile, just as Kevin burst through his front door, Brian and Nick had
finished the story about Suzanne. "Man, Kevin, are you noble or what? It is
just so damn sickening sometimes" AJ said looking over at him. "So, you told
him what happened?" Kevin asked Brian. "Yes, I hope you don't mind," Brian
replied. "No, I don't...I just want you guys to make sure that Suzanne has a
good time tonight We are going to grab something to eat and then chill out
here," Kevin said really seriously. "I can't believe that guys would treat
her that mean," Howie said sadly. "I know...Guys can be such jerks
sometimes, including me!" AJ said surprising himself. All the guys looked
over at him but didn't say anything. "Ok," Kevin said, "I am going to get a
shower...we are meeting tonight at 7pm so be ready!" "Oh Train," Howie said,
"uh, does Suzanne know who we are?" "I don't think so, D" Kevin said, "she
gave no indication and neither did her friend when I just met her." "Ok, we
were just wondering," Howie said. Kevin sprinted off to his bedroom and when
they finally heard the shower go on, Brian started to tell the guys what was
on his mind about Kevin...
Chapter 11
10,000 Kisses
Brian continued to fill AJ, Howie, and Nick in on what he had heard or seen
from Kevin's room. "Wow," was all that Howie managed to say, "he was
actually listening to Prince?" "You know what that means, don't you?" Brian
asked the guys. "Yes" was the only response he received. "So, he has been
thinking about Beth, huh?" AJ said. "Well, I think he really likes Suzanne,
even though he just met her...considering he kinda feels protective of her
because of what happened," Brian said slowly. Nick interjected, "And he
keeps thinking of Beth and getting hurt again, right?" Yeah, well we are
just going to have to change that, aren't we?" Howie finally commented, "He
really needs someone and since we actually have TIME to devote to a
relationship, now is the best time." "On that note, you guys know about Joy,
right?" Brian said, "Well, we are officially a couple!" "Hey, Frick,
Congrats," Howie said, then he continued, "You know Kathy? Well, I finally
asked her out." "Well, Congrats to you too, D!" AJ said. Kevin walked out
of the bathroom asking, "Congrats for what? One day without Nintendo,
Frack?" "Dude, it sure took you long enough in there. What the hell were
you doing?" AJ stated sprinting towards the bathroom yelling "It's my turn
now!" With that, he shut the door and was gone. "So, what were you talking
about, Howie?" Kevin asked. "Brian is going out with Joy now and I finally
asked Kathy out on a date," he answered. "Oh, wow," Kevin replied, "good for
you guys...you deserve it after these last few months (referring to their
world tour and Brian's heart surgery), you definitely need some loving!"
"Yeah, well, so do you, Train," Nick said suddenly teasing Kevin. "Yeah, I
know," Kevin answered surprising all of them. "Whoa, did I hear what I just
thought I did?" AJ yelled as he walked out of the bathroom in a towel,
"FINALLY!!!" "So, who was the one that knocked some sense into him?" he
continued. "I think HER name is Suzanne, huh?" Howie said. "HUH!!??" was
all that Kevin said staring dumbfounded at the guys.
Back at the girl's house, they were so happy that they were bouncing around
like Mexican jumping beans! "Oh My GOD, Oh My GOD, I am going to meet Donnie
Wahlberg!!!!!!!" Rachel kept shouting over and over again. "Hey, cool it,
Rach!" Suzanne said while laughing at her friend's excitement. But all of a
sudden, Suzanne's mood changed and she became very quiet and withdrawn. She
didn't want Rachel to catch on that she was nervous. Suz really liked Kevin
and had a newfound respect for him after helping her the way he did
especially when she was sobbing on his shoulder! She knew that she would
love to go out with him but probably never would have the guts to ask him.
Rachel noticed Suz sitting there staring into space. She knew that look well
- it meant that she was nervous or upset about something. "What's wrong,"
Rachel asked gently with a concerned look. Tears welled up in Suzanne's
eyes. Rachel went over and gave Suzanne a hug. "Tell me," Rachel said.
"I'm scared," Suz finally said after a few minutes, "I really like Kevin but
I am scared about going over there tonight." "Why?" Rachel asked. "Well,
don't you think he only asked me to come over out of pity?" Suzanne asked.
Rachel couldn't believe what Suzanne just said! She didn't even realize that
Kevin liked her! Rachel could see it the minute his eyes lite up when
Suzanne came to the door earlier in the evening. That guy definitely needed
some loving and Rachel was sure the other guys would agree with her. Rachel
hugged Suzanne again and said, "Don't worry, I don't think you need to worry,
believe me! We are going to have fun tonight," Rachel said jumping up from
the couch. "Ok," Suzanne replied weakly, not sounding very enthusiastic at
all. "Ok...well, let's shower and dress," Rach said as she sprinted up the
steps pulling Suzanne behind her. After both girls showered, they began to
get dressed. It was almost 6pm and they had to be over Kevin's at 7pm.
"Hey, Rach?" Suz said, "what are you wearing?" "Well, of course, my
jeans-the good ones-and I think my sheer maroon shirt with the black
tanktop," Rachel said as she pulled the clothes out of her closet, "What are
you wearing, Suz?" "I don't know. Can you help me? I want to look GOOD!"
Suz shouted gleefully. "Sure, ok, let me see what you have got! Coming
through," Rachel said playfully jumping up and heading towards Suzanne’s
bedroom. Suz ran after her. Shortly, Rachel was rummaging through the
drawers and closet in Suzanne’s room. "Here we go," she said, pulling out
Suzanne’s trademark shimmery black leggings and gold knit sweater. "Your
gold earrings would complete this wonderful ensemble along with your black
slip on shoes. "What about my hair," Suzanne asked. "Well, lets get you
dressed, then we can deal with that," Rach replied. Soon, Suz was all
dressed looking very beautiful but not overdressed. "Oh, wow, you might
give the guys a heart attack!" Rachel yelled while reaching for their
cosmetic bag. "Now, a little makeup for both of us and then your hair, ok?"
Rach said. Within five minutes, both girls were done with the makeup and it
was time for Rachel to do Suzanne’s hair. "Now your hair!" Rachel said as
she stared at Suzanne contemplating what to do with Suzanne’s long hair.
Hmm, Rachel thought, she has a lot of curl left so I think I will just gel it
and leave it down. Rachel spritzed Suz’s hair with gel and worked her
fingers through the curls. "Ok, all done!" Rachel said proudly walking
Suzanne over to the mirror. Suzanne looked at herself in amazement. "You
did a wonderful job, Rachel," Suzanne said turning to hug her, "You are a
great friend!" "Well, thanks, but we have got to go. it is five of seven
now!" Rachel said grabbing Suzanne’s hand and pulling her down the stairs and
out the front door. Off they went across the street. "Hey," Suz said
suddenly while stopping abruptly, "What the hell are all these cars doing
here? I thought it was only Kevin and his friends?" "I don’t know, maybe
more came over, lets go!" Rachel said. Up to the front door they went and
rang the doorbell. Inside they heard someone shout, "I’ll get it!" and just
then, the door swung open. Rachel and Suzanne stared at the person in front
of them and then looked at each other in surprise.
Chapter 12
10,000 Kisses
Suzanne and Rachel continued to stare at each other finally bursting out into
laughter. They couldn’t believe that Jordan Knight was standing in front of
them. "What is so funny," Jordan asked with a hurt look. "Nothing," Suzanne
said. "I’m Rachel," Rachel said, "and this is Suzanne." "Hello, I’m Jordan,"
Jordan answered. "We know," Suzanne and Rachel replied simultaneously.
Jordan didn’t say anything except opened the door wider because Kevin had
come up behind him. "Come in, girls, and meet the rest of the gang," Kevin
said grabbing Suzanne’s hand and pulling her into the house leaving Jordan
and Rachel standing there amused. Laughing, Jordan invited Rachel into the
house. When they walked into the living room, Suzanne was already being
introduced to Howie and AJ. Jordan then introduced Rachel to everyone.
"Very nice to meet you all," Rachel said. "So, what are we gonna do,"
Suzanne asked. "Well, I figured that we could go grab some dinner and then
come back here and chill out," Kevin said. Everyone agreed that it was good
idea. "So where are we gonna eat?" Val asked. "PIZZA!!!" Nick and Brian
shouted at the same time. Suzanne groaned. "What?" they said looking over
at Suzanne. "Uh, Suzanne isn’t too keen on pizza," Rachel answered looking
over at her and giggling. "Well, off with her head!" Nick shouted playfully
while Brian ran after Suz trying to tackle her. "Don’t you DARE!" Suz said
running and hiding behind Kevin. "Help me, PLEASE!" Suzanne said. Kevin
laughed and said, "Honey, you are going to be seeing a lot of this, so get
used to it! They act like morons most of the time!" "Yeah," Donnie added,
"Twiddledumb and Twiddledumber!" Laughing, Kevin noticed that the tension in
Suzanne’s body had disappeared since she walked in the door. For once, he
was glad for Frick and Frack’s childish antics because it had made Suzanne
loosen up. "How about Chinese?" Jordan asked. "Good idea," Howie replied.
"When is Chinese NEVER a good idea with you, Sweet D?" AJ said rolling his
eyes. "Yeah, I thought Nick ate a lot until I saw you with Chinese food,"
Val said snickering. "Finally, they have found another target to tease,"
Nick said triumphantly. "Well, guys and gals, it is almost 7:30pm, so lets
go," Kevin said starting towards the door. "Who is riding with who?" Brian
asked. "Well, each truck can fit 5 people, so, Suzanne, Nick, Jordan, and
Brian can come with me," Kevin said, "and Donnie, Val, Rachel, and AJ can
ride with Howie." Within five minutes, everyone was out the door and on
their way. Kevin was driving and Jordan sat in front while Nick and Brian
sat in the back with Suz between them. Practically the whole ride there,
Nick and Brian constantly tortured each other. First, Nick pulled Brian’s
ear and then Brian retaliated by wetting his finger and sticking it IN Nick’s
ear! "Oh, god, guys! That is SO gross," Suzanne shrieked. This caused
everyone in the truck to start laughing except Suzanne. Brian noticed this
hurt look appear on Suzanne’s face. Gently nudging Nick, he pointed to
Suzanne’s sides and made tickling motions. Nick knew what Brian wanted.
Suddenly, at exactly the same time, Nick and Brian attacked Suz tickling her
like crazy. "STOP, STOP!" she shouted while laughing. Everytime she pried
Nick’s hands off her sides, Brian would attach her again and everytime she
would pry Brian’s hands off, Nick would attack her! By the time they arrived
at the restaurant (and a little late too because Kevin kept laughing while
driving!), Suz was in hysterics with tears running down her face. "Guys,
please stop! Or I am going to pee my pants!" she said. "Eww.." Brian said,
"we don’t need that! We get enough of it with Nicky here" while nodding his
head towards Nick. Nick attempted to smack Brian across the back of his head
but missed. "Ah ha! You didn’t get me," Brian shouted sprinting out of car
like a 3 year old at Disney Land. Kevin had parked by this time. Nick
jumped out of the truck chasing after Brian. "Yo, bedwetter and moron, lets
go eat!" Suzanne shouted. Nick and Brian turned to her with an evil grin.
Everyone was watching them by this time especially Kevin with a slight hint
of jealousy. Why can’t I be like that sometimes? He thought. "Oh, shit!"
Suzanne said and took off running towards the restaurant door to get away
from the two bozos. Unexpectedly, she tripped on the curb falling to her
knees. Everyone watched in horror as Kevin shot Nick and Brian a look of
warning while running over to Suzanne thinking she was hurt (or embarrassed).
When Kevin reached her, he realized that her shoulders were shaking.
Assuming she was crying, he said softly, "Don’t cry. I know. They can be so
immature at times." Pulling her up by her hands slowly, he turned her around
to face him and saw that she was actually laughing. "Why, you little" Kevin
said with a twinkle in his eye, "you let me think you were crying." "Well,
you were being so sweet and no one has ever cared like that that I thought I
would go along with it. And thank you for earlier today and tonight," she
said leaning over and kissing him on the cheek and giving him a hug. She
could feel him tense up from her touch. Suzanne quickly pulled away from
Kevin. She thought it was because he didn’t like her. Watching Kevin and
Suz, Brian knew his cousin and saw how he tensed up when Suzanne hugged him.
He took that as a cue that it was time to go inside. "Come on guys, It’ll be
midnight by the time we get home," Brian said motioning towards the door of
the restaurant. Once inside and seated, everyone was talking all at once
about what they were going to get. "So, Suzanne," Howie said, "what is your
favorite chinese food?" "General Tso’s Chicken! Spicy!" Suzanne replied.
"Wow, that is Kevin’s favorite too," Nick said. "Oh, is it?" Suzanne said
looking at Kevin. "Yep, I just love it. I hardly ever get anything else,"
Kevin replied. "Me either," Suz replied. Finally, everyone ordered and was
sitting waiting for their food. "So, Suz," Jordan asked, "what brings you
down here?" "Well, Rachel and I figured we needed a vacation from our jobs
and life back in Pennsylvania," Suzanne answered. "Yeah, you can say that
again," Rachel interjected. "I am so sick of that city!" Rachel said.
"Why?" Kevin answered. "Well, I am so sick of the people and that there is
nothing to do there! It is dirty and disgusting" Rachel said. "Geez,
sounds like you hate it," AJ said. "Yeah, you could say that again," Suzanne
said dryly, her voice dripping with hurt but only low enough that Kevin could
hear her because he was sitting right beside her. I wonder what Suz meant by
that? Kevin wondered. Determined to find out, he figured that he would ask
her later on. Just then, Jordan’s beeper went off. Pulling out his cell
phone in the middle of the restaurant, he proceeded to call whoever had paged
him. Getting off the phone, Jordan said, "Trace is going to be here soon."
"Cool," Val said, "we need more girls tonight!" "Who is Trace?" Rachel
asked. "Oh, it is my girlfriend Tracy," Jordan said. Jordan called the
waiter over to ordered what Tra would want. Within 10 minutes, Tracy walked
through the door. Suzanne turned to look at her. Tracy approached the table
stopping near Jordan, "Hi Everyone." "Hi Tracy." Everyone answered. Noticing
Suzanne, Tracy turned towards her with a look of surprise. "SUZANNE?" Tracy
shouted with a bewildered look. "YOU’RE JORDAN’S TRACY?" Suzanne said
jumping up to hug her, "Oh, my god"I can’t believe it is you. I never
thought I would see you again after all these years!" "Neither would I!"
Tracy said crying by this time. Everyone was looking at the two girls like
they were nuts!!!
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