Chapter Fourteen:
When The Morning Comes...
The sun was streaming through the curtains when Dana woke up. Her head was throbbing, and she felt like death. A groan was the first sound she managed to make, and she shut her eyes to block out the horrible lights. It was an unfamiliar room with pale blue walls. She didn't recognize it, but at that point she didn't care.
Avoiding the half-full bucket of puke that sat next to the bed, Dana stumbled across the room. Her shirt reeked, and she didn't know where her pants were.
"Morning," an amused voice called.
Dana looked over to see Brian leaning against the doorframe, holding a coffee.
"Have some Tylenol, you're gonna feel really shitty in about two seconds."
"Too late," Dana grumbled. She blinked warily. "Did I sleep with you?"
Brian laughed loudly, causing Dana's head to pound harder. "No, as far as I know you didn't sleep with anyone," Brian assured her.
"Tylenol please," Dana requested. He handed the two pills over, and Dana popped the Tylenol in her mouth. She took a long drink of the coffee. Dana walked back over to the bed and climbed in. "Jus' lemme sleep it off," she mumbled, and dropped her head back against the pillow. Dana was asleep before Brian could say anything.
He smiled faintly, and pulled the door shut behind him. It was almost three hours until Dana re-emerged from the bedroom, and when she did she looked a bit livelier, not much, but a bit.
"Mind if I use your shower?" She asked.
"Not at all," Brian shrugged. "Go for it."
Dana turned to go back upstairs, but the she stopped and faced Brian again. "How- how did I get here... last night I mean. Like, did I walk, or what?"
"You called me from the strip mall on John Street," Brian explained.
Dana knit her eyebrows. "How did I get there?" she asked in a small voice, feeling rather ashamed at what she may have said or done around Brian the night before.
"I have no idea," he said amicably.
"What did I do in the car?"
"Nothing... you were passed out before you even got in the car."
"Oh." Dana felt stupid. "Sorry about that..."
He waved it off. "Think nothing' of it... at least you called me and not someone who was drunk themselves."
'Why didn't I call-' "Brette!" She finished with a yell. "Does Brette know I'm here?"
"I don't think so." Brian hesitated. "You want to call her?"
"If you don't mind," Dana nodded. She called Brette, said she'd slept at Brian's, left out the part about being drunk and passing out, and hung up. "I'm gonna go shower now," Dana smiled slightly. "I'll see you in a few minutes."
"Yup." He watched her retreat upstairs in the dirty tee shirt, and smiled. She was quite a character, he had to admit. The shower turned on, and Brian made his way over to the backdoor to let Tyk in. He fed the dog, ate a bagel, and then turned on the TV. The shower shut off, and footsteps came down the stairs.
"Brian?" she called from the kitchen.
"I'm in the living room," he replied. Brian struggled not to stare as she walked into the room in a fluffy white towel.
"Can I borrow some clothes?" Dana asked sheepishly. "Or a shirt at least?"
"Yeah, there's some clean laundry in the hall," Brian gaped.
"Thanks... is that the Packers game?" The TV had her full attention.
He nodded.
"What's the score?" Dana was staring at the TV intently, as if looking at it would make the score magically show up.
Brian shrugged. "I dunno I just turned it on."
"Ooo, I hope they're winning," Dana growled competitively, and ran back to the kitchen. "Don't change the channel!!" She shouted, and her footsteps went up the stairs.
He laughed silently, and shook his head. "Killer hangover and she thinks about football. Never would have thought..." Brian said to himself.
- - - later- - -
"Oh, you did not just insult my boys!" Dana told Brian threateningly. "Tell me you didn't."
"I just said Green Bay sucks," he said innocently, grinning at her reaction.
Dana raised her eyebrows. "Okay, no. You're going down."
"Whatcha going to do?" Brian teased. "Huh?"
Dana opened her mouth, but froze. "I have no idea!" She laughed loudly. She impulsively leapt on Brian, tickling his stomach. "Apologize!" Dana demanded, her hands tickling mercilessly.
"Sorry!" Brian gasped between laughs.
"What? I didn't hear you!" Dana cupped her ear with one hand, and continued tickling with the other.
"Sorry!! Truce!!" Brian laughed.
Dana stopped, and smiled at his flushed face. "Okie-dokie, just don't do it again!"
"I won't," Brian promised.
"Good."
"What are you doing tonight?" He asked.
"Tonight... nothing, why?"
"There's this restaurant downtown, and me and the guys were invited to go for celebrity fundraiser premiere, or whatever." Brian hesitated. "And I need a date."
"Sure... just, um, keep me away from the bar," Dana said with a devilish grin.
"Don't worry, you're not allowed to drink anyway, pu-"
"Publicity," Dana finished. "No worries, after last night I should be sober for oh, say, two monthes,"
"Kristen, Claud and Rachel are coming too, so you won't have to be the only female."
"Kristen, Claud and Rachel?"
"Oh, Kevin's, Howie's and Nick's girlfriends, respectively."
"Ah..." Dana nodded. "So what's the name of this restaurant?"
Brian shrugged vaguely. "No idea."
- - -a bit before eight- - -
"Is this okay?" Dana asked tentatively.
"It's great," Brette assured.
"Are you positive?" She examined herself critically in the mirror. Flicking at a non-existent spot on the shirt, Dana memorized every detail of the outfit.
"I'm positive."
"Okay." The black pants shimmered, the tiny flecks of silver that were woven into the material were reflecting light.
"I can't believe you're going out to dinner with a famous guy, who is drooling over you."
"He's not drooling," Dana defended. "And I don't care that he's famous."
"Not at all?" Brette asked critically.
"Maybe a little bit..." Dana admitted.
"I'm glad you're giving him a chance, Dana. It's what you need." Brette sat on the couch. "So what did you do last night?"
"Nothing worth mentioning."
"Nothing?"
"Nope." Dana paused. "Although, I must say, he has a really big-"
"Eww!" Brette shrieked. "Don't tell me!"
"-House," Dana finished, smothering a laugh. "House. You have a sick mind, Brette Lynne."
"Not as sick as yours!"
"Okay, we're two very hormonal, extremely sick girls, with sexual thoughts, and I've gotta go now."
"Have fun!" Brette encouraged. "And if you're all over the tabloids tomorrow, buy me a copy!"
"I'm going to be home tonight," Dana said absently as she did up the clasp on her shoes.
"Yeah, right." Brette wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. "You're going out with a really hot guy, and you're telling me you're planning on being home tonight? I can't believe you Dana, Dana, Dana."
"Nice try, but I won't sleep with him, sleep with him, sleep with him," Dana replied mockingly.
"I never said-"
"G' bye, Brette," Dana interrupted, and walked out. "I'll see you later." She made her way down her car, and unlocked it. Careful not to wrinkle anything, Dana climbed in and started the car. It didn't take her long to get to Brian's. She pulled the car into the driveway, and locked the doors quickly.
Dana knocked softly on the door, but there was no answer. "Brian," she called once she was inside. "Brian, I'm here." The house seemed empty, so Dana made her way back to the kitchen. "Brian?"
He came jogging down the stairs, and smiled. "Hey," Brian said with a smile. "You made it."
"Did you think I wouldn't?" Dana asked, amused.
They both relaxed. "You look nice," he complimented.
"So do you." Dana eyed him discretely.
Brian grabbed an orange out of the bowl of fruit, and peeled it quickly. "Just some basics... there'll be some crowds, but nothing to worry about. Just smile widely, and wave a bit. Let me handle questions." He passed her a few segments of the orange. "Don't look too eager to be in front of cameras, people will say you're only using me for publicity, but don't look like you really don't want to be there because people will assume that we're fighting or something like that."
Dana chewed the citrus, and pretended to take notes. "Yes professor, and when is my test again?"
Brian smiled. "In about forty five minutes, so pay attention. Stay near Paul at all times-"
"Paul?" Dana asked. "Who the hell is Paul?"
"Paul, the bodyguard. He'll be with us at all times, especially when you are outside," he repeated.
"What else?"
Brian thought for a second. "Um... no, not that I can think of. Just relax, have fun, etc. You'll be fine. When we're inside don't dance with me only, that way we won't look overly serious and people won't freak out with rumors that I'm engaged or stuff like that," Brian leaned down and pulled a sock on. "But make sure you dance with me most of the time," he finished with a smile.
"So many rules. What happens if I make a mistake on one?"
"My career goes down the drain, I become a BSB reject, similar to the old NKOTB backlash, and it's all because of you... no biggie though," he ended playfully.
"Liar." Dana bit her lip. She knew he was joking, but it wasn't making her already quivering nerves any calmer.
"I know."
A car pulled up, and they could hear the door open and slam shut. Dana gulped, a little anxious. The doorbell rang, and Brian stood up.
"Let's go," he said reassuringly.
"Just let me pee." She lied, wanting to delay the inevitable.
Dana's shoes clicked as she walked towards the bathroom. Brian opened it opened the front door while Dana was in the washroom. She could hear him talking to someone as she made her way back to the foyer.
"This is Kevin," Brian introduced when she returned. "Kevin, this is Dana."
"Pleasure," he said deeply.
"Nice to meet you," Dana shook his hand.
Brian slipped his hand around her waist, and they locked eyes momentarily. "Relax," he whispered, and they walked outside. "You have nothing to worry about."
There were two limousines waiting, and Brian gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before getting into the first one. Dana followed suit, and ducked her head in to the limo. It was dimly lit, with the couples murmuring between each other.
After introductions, Dana settled in next to Brian. "Let's get ready to rumble," she whispered to herself.
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