Kaci and Pete arrive at Starbucks, but don’t see either A.J. or Maksim at all.
“Do you want me to try calling Maks?”
“Yeah. His girlfriend said he was here, right?”
“That’s what Karina said. She said that Alex called him and they were meeting here.”
“Call Maksim then, and if he doesn’t answer, call Alex.”
Kaci calls Maksim, but again she doesn’t get an answer so she calls A.J.
“Baby! I miss you! Where have you been?”
“Where are you?”
“I’m at the house, why?”
“Is Maks with you?”
“No.”
“Have you talked to Maks today?”
“Yeah, earlier, but not recently, why?”
“Come to the Starbucks by the house at the Hollywood and Highland Center, we need to talk,” Kaci says then hangs up.
“What the hell are you doing?!”
“Maks supposedly isn’t with him. You can leave and go sit in the car if you want or you can stay. He will eventually figure it out, so it’s up to you.”
“What do you mean he will eventually figure it out?”
“Everything. That I’ve been staying with you, that we’re together, and more importantly, that you lied to him.”
“Fine, I’ll leave but I’m not going far.”
“That’s fine, I’ll call you when I’m done with him.”
Pete leaves Kaci at Starbucks and goes to get gas and then returns to the Center. While Pete is waiting for Kaci to call him, he decides to do some shopping at some stores located at the Center.
“So, where have you been?” A.J. asks when he sits down to talk with Kaci.
“That’s not important and not the reason that I wanted to talk to you.”
“Then why did you tell me to come here?”
“Because I’ve been having paparazzi following me around saying that they are trying to get a picture of me and certain friends, and that because I am hanging out with certain friends that I’m cheating on you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“There was a paparazzi sitting outside the house that I’m staying at, and he said he was waiting to catch your girlfriend with who I’m staying with.”
“Oh, I got you. So what does that have to do with me?”
“You didn’t have anything to do with them sitting outside the house?”
“Not at all! What would make you think that?”
“Because I know you think I’m staying with a certain friend, and quite frankly this had your name written all over it.”
“Well, I can assure you that it wasn’t me. I’ve been in the studio since the fight. I don’t have time to play stupid games.”
“Then who the hell is pulling this sick shit?”
“I have no idea, I just know it was definitely not me. And by the way, I know you’re staying with Pete, you don’t need to cover that fact up with some bullshit story.”
“Fine, but I’ll be by the house later.”
“I won’t be home.”
“But I need clothes! All my clothes are at your house!”
“I’m sure Pete will buy you some new ones.”
“Well, you’re still taking me back to Florida, aren’t you?”
“Only because I have to. You can get your clothes then. I have to go, I have to get to the studio to record,” A.J. says getting up to leave.
“Fine,” Kaci says with an attitude. “I’ll see you Sunday then.”
A.J. leaves without acknowledging Kaci who immediately calls Pete.
“Where did you go off to?” Kaci asks when Pete answers his phone.
“I’m around, why?”
“Because I’m done, I want to go back to the house.”
“Alright, I’ll be right there.”
While Pete finishes shopping he informs Travis that he is on his way back to the house and then heads back to Starbucks to get Kaci and go home.
“So what did he have to say?” Pete asks when they get in his car.
“He claims not to know anything about it. He also said he knows that I’m staying with you. He was quite pissed.”
“You should call Justin.”
“What does Justin have to do with this?”
“If it’s not Alex, then it has to be your dad that did this.”
“My father?!”
“That’s what I said. Justin thinks he might have overheard his conversation with you about coming back out here.”
“But my father?! Would he really stoop that low?”
“You did lie to him about your entire trip out here.”
“No, I just didn’t mention that it was Alex that I was coming out here with. I really did come out here because of my meeting with Latium!”
“So call Justin and see if he has come up with anything while I get ready for tonight.”
“What’s going on tonight?”
“I have rehearsal for the show tomorrow.”
“Oh,” Kaci says surprised at the news. “What am I supposed to do?”
“Come with me, what else?”
“But then it won’t be a surprise for me to see you perform!”
“It’s either come with me or stay at the house by yourself with Hemingway. I think you would have much more fun if you came with me to the rehearsal. Patrick with be there with his girlfriend and you can meet Andy and Joe so it won’t be awkward tomorrow.”
“Well, I guess you have a point there. Who is Patrick’s girlfriend?”
“Don’t worry, she’s really sweet.”
“If you say so, but you know me and girls don’t usually get along well.”
“That’s because they’re jealous of your good looks.”
“I already knew that silly!”
Chapter 54/Story Index/Chapter 56/E-mail Brittany
Kaci and Pete arrive back at his house to find that Travis left, leaving them alone for the rest of the night until Pete has to go to rehearsal for the big show.