Chapter Forty-two

“So, if you’ll all take a look at these papers and sign them, the money will go to the charities of your choice,” Megan said, passing out folders to each of the guys.

They were scattered around her and AJ’s hotel room, lounging on the floor, couches and various chairs. They had come back from the show to find her waiting for them. She accepted their hugs and ushered them into the living area of her room to discuss things. They were shocked to learn she’d come into so much money, and were even more shocked to learn she was giving them a hefty portion of it.

Leighanne and Brian flipped through their folder, heads bent, reading over the papers. Megan knew without asking that Brian’s heart foundation would benefit from this.

She assumed that AJ would give to the VH1 Save the Music charity; Howie to his Lupus foundation. Nick didn’t have a specific charity he supported, but Megan figured something to do with the ocean would be his choice.

She looked at Kevin and caught his eye. He nodded at her, sending a smile of thanks her way. She returned the gesture.

“Does this look all right to you all?” she asked.

Brian nodded. “It looks awesome. I can’t believe you’re doing this.”

“I want to.”

Nick stood up from his chair and came over to wrap his arms around her neck.

“You’re the coolest, Megs, you know that?” he asked.

“Hmm, well, I wouldn’t say the coolest,” she laughed.

She asked them to confirm their charities so the money would go to the proper places. She was right on for all of them, except for Kevin. She had thought he would donate to the American Cancer Society, because of his father.

“I’ve been thinking of starting an environmental foundation,” he said, “and this money would sure help.”

“Whatever you want to do, Kev,” Megan assured him. “It’s totally up to you.”

The papers were signed, and Megan tucked them into an envelope to be mailed to her attorney. She also had formal letters to her partners, and a special check was being sent to Casey to present to Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

“Whew! Now that that’s all taken care of...what are we doing tonight?” Megan asked, dropping down onto the couch.

AJ laughed and put an arm around her shoulders. “Hun, we’re all exhausted.”

“Aww, party poopers!”

“Hey, I’m up for goin’ out,” Nick said, raising his hand.

“Me, too,” Kevin said, closing his folder and placing it on the coffee table.

The others passed, leaving Megan with Nick and Kevin. Kevin inwardly groaned, knowing that Nick would be keeping a careful eye on him the entire night, and Megan tried to squelch the excitement that rippled inside her at the thought of spending time with Kevin. Everyone left, either to sleep or to change clothes, and Megan pleaded with AJ one last time before allowing him to go to bed.

“Have fun,” he told her, kissing her cheek and burrowing under the mound of blankets. “We’ll talk more tomorrow, okay?”

“Sure thing.”

She met Kevin and Nick in the hallway. Escorted by Carlos, they were driven to a club. Judging by the amount of people waiting to get inside, this was a popular place. Carlos made sure they didn’t have to wait.

Nick hit the dance floor, in search of some fun, but he didn’t miss Kevin placing a hand on Megan’s arm and guiding her to a corner booth. He wished he could be a fly on the wall and listen to their conversation.

Kevin ordered drinks and Megan stretched out on her side of the booth, her back against the wall. They sat in silence for a moment, listening to the music. A waitress brought their drinks and they sipped.

“I missed you,” Kevin finally said, looking directly into her eyes. “A lot.”

Megan reached for a napkin and began to tear it into even strips.

“I missed you, too.”

There. She’d said it. She just wished he didn’t look so pleased about it.

“So.”

“So...what?” she asked, grabbing another napkin.

Kevin placed one of his large hands on hers, making her stop.

“So what does that mean?”

She sighed. “I don’t know.”

“Did you miss AJ?”

“I missed everyone.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

“Fuck you.”

“I’d love you to.”

Megan ripped her hands away and set them in her lap.

“This isn’t funny, Kevin.”

“I’m being very serious.”

“We can’t be together.”

“Who says?”

“Me! Dammit, Kevin, I’ve said it so many times.”

Kevin shrugged. “Guess I’m just a slow learner.”

Nick bounced back over, grabbing Megan’s hand and pulling her out of the booth.

“Come dance with me!” he said, wiggling his hips.

Megan laughed and followed him out to the floor. Kevin propped his elbows up on the table and watched them go. She appeared to be having a great time with Nick, but she kept glancing back in his direction, her eyes telling him she knew what she wanted. She just didn’t now how to get it.