"I don't know, Mom," Brian said. "Yeah, I know. Twenty days. I miss you too. I miss everybody. No, jet-lag hasn't been too bad, actually. Okay, tell him I said hey...okay. See you in twenty days, Mom. I love you."
Kevin leaned his head against the window of the car, inhaling the scent of coffee.
"Kev, what's wrong?" Brian asked quietly. He was worried for his cousin; he wasn't the same anymore.
"Nothing's wrong. I told you that me and Angie were having problems. That's all," Kevin lied. God Brian, if you only knew how much I hurt inside. If I could tell you...I wish I could tell you.
"Well, okay," Brian said slowly, unbelievingly. He could tell a lie out from the rest. He knew there was more. "If you want to talk...well, I'm here for you."
"I know," Kevin said sadly. "I know."
"Those girls were cool," Howie said. "Bree's cool."
"Yeah," AJ agreed. "Brianna's awesome. Don't try and steal her," he joked, grinning.
"Yeah right," Nick mumbled.
"What's your problem with everybody, Nick? You were pretty pompous last night," Howie said grumpily.
"Yeah well, it wasn't exactly my idea of a party."
"It was to me," Howie protested.
"Well you aren't me."
"You know Nick, something's gotten into you. And it's not good. I don't know if it's this new girlfriend you've gotten, or you're tired of touring, but you better get rid of it. And quick."
Chapter 13
