Chapter 86
“Have you lost your mind?” growled Alex.
Kevin looked up from his laptop as AJ stood in front of him. “Are we going to get into what happened in Virginia?”
“I don’t give a damn about what happened! It’s over! What I want to know is WHY you’re leaving the group?”
“Chelsea told you.”
“Yeah, she did….after telling me she was flying back to LA and calling off the wedding.”
“She’s what?” asked Kevin is total surprise.
“She’s calling of the wedding.”
“Why?”
“She thinks she’s come between us.”
“But she hasn’t. She’s made it perfectly clear that she loves you.”
“You and I know that but she sees me ticked at you and you wanting to leave the group.” AJ stopped, took a seat across from Kevin, and looked out towards his bus. Her words flashed in his mind. “Kevin, it hurt hearing that you slept with Chelsea and asked her to come back to you but I understand you’re wanting to give Annie a family, her mom and dad together. I love how you value family and I respect that. That’s why I can forgive you.”
“What can we do keep Chelsea from calling off the wedding?”
“Be my best man.”
“Me?”
“Kevin, I owe you my life and without you, I wouldn’t have Chelsea or Annie in my life. I want you to be my best man.”
“I’d be honored!”
“Thank you,” and AJ moved to hug Kevin. When they sat back down, AJ asked, “Are you really going to leave?”
“Not until after the tour. Dianne’s pregnant so it’s time for me to focus on my family. I also need to be around for Annie.”
“How is Dianne doing?”
“She’s hurt but we’re working through it.”
“Where is she? I haven’t seen her since you and Chelsea got back last night.”
“She flew home. She didn’t take that much time off and she wants to save her time for the baby.”
Alex looked at his hands as he asked, “What about Chelsea?”
“What about her?”
“Are you going to try to sleep with her again?”
“Not unless she calls me. Look, I will always love Chels and if she needs me, I’ll be there for her but she’s made it clear that you are the one she wants to be with. I’m sorry, I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“It’s cool, Kev.”
“Where is she now?”
“On my bus. I walked out on her and she couldn’t follow me because of Annie.”
“Why don’t we walk back over and give her the news?”
“I’m sure she wants to know. Kevin, about leaving…”
“Keep it to yourself. I’m not ready to tell anyone.”
“Is there any way I can change your mind?”
Kevin shook his head. “I want this, Alex. Ever since Chelsea told me about Annie, all I could think about was having a family. I guess going to Chelsea in Virginia was my attempt to focus on the family I already have. Now Dee’s pregnant…I have her to focus on.”
“I’m happy for you, Kevin.”
“Thanks, ‘J’. Come on. I’m sure Chels is climbing the walls.”
AJ laughed, “She’s probably pissed at me. I heard her calling me and I didn’t stop.”
It was Kevin’s turn to laugh. “You’re probably right. So, are you two going to look for her dress?”
The two men worked their way back to AJ’s bus as he told Kevin about the dress he’d found for Chelsea.
Stepping onto his bus, AJ was greeted by Annie rushing to him. “Hey, ‘Pumpkin’. I thought you were asleep.”
“Mama woke me hollerin’ for you.” Seeing Kevin, she pushed past AJ into Kevin’s arms.”Daddy.”
“Hey, ‘Princess’,” smiled Kevin as he picked her up. “Did you have fun with Aunt Leighanne and Baylee?”
“Yes sir.”
“Where’s your mom?” asked AJ.
“Right here,” answered Chelsea as she made her way from the back. She met him half-way giving him a kiss. “I take it things went well?”
“They went fine,” smiled AJ.
“Daddy, Papa J promised to take me to McDonald’s.”
“Why haven’t you already had lunch?” asked Kevin looking at his watch.
“I just TOLD you.”
Kevin looked at Chelsea who said, “Just because you haven’t been around her for the first six years doesn’t mean she didn’t inherit your stubbornness. I offered to fix her a peanut butter and jelly sandwich but she refused.”
“I’ll take her now,” offered Kevin.
“Why don’t we all go?” suggested AJ. “We still need to find her a dress for the wedding.”
“Sounds like a plan. Besides, I’m kinda hungry too,” said Kevin. “Chels?”
“That’s find. What time do you two have to be back?”
“Sound checks are at four,” answered Kevin.
“Let me grab my pocketbook,” said Chelsea.
“I need my wallet too,” said AJ as he followed Chelsea to the back. Alone, he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to him. “So, are you going to forget the superstitions?”
Coyly, she smirked, “Maybe.”
“Maybe, huh? Bet I can convince you to say ‘yes’.”
“I’m sure you can,” she smiled running her hands to the back of his neck. She loved playing with his hair, even with it as short as it was. “I promised you I would if you’d listen to me and you did.”
“I apologize for walking out like I did.”
“I forgive you….this time. Just don’t do it again.”
AJ kissed her, his tongue dancing with hers as his fingers played on her sides. Breaking the kiss, he gazed into her eyes. “I want to make love to you.”
“Me too, but Kevin and Annie are waiting…and the pill worked.”
“Do you feel like going out?”
“I’ll be fine. Alex.”
“Yeah, baby.”
“We need to talk….later…about our future.”
“Good or bad?”
“It’s our future, what do you think?”
“Dayum good.”
With a quick kiss, the couple rejoined Kevin and Annie and the small group headed out followed by two of the groups’ security.
