“So Kevin. How did that Nick guy know I was with Kelly? I hear that you’re a Backstreet Boy. What is that like? How do you do it everyday?” Madison asked. “Nick was watching the door for girls, and he recognized Kelly. That’s when he saw you. He said you looked familiar, but he didn’t know where from. About being a Backstreet Boy. It’s hard. I never seem to find a minute to myself. I’m tired. I’m homesick, and I’m lonely.” Kelly woke just as she said this. “Lonely, that’s what I am too. Lonely.” She mumbled something that neither of them heard and then her head fell back up against the window. Madison continued her conversation, “I guess she knows how you feel. She’s still pretty woozy. I think it’s very commendable what you guys do for your fans. You are all very generous. Hey, is Kelly out again, because I have something to tell you?” Kevin looked over at Kelly. “Yes ma’am she is. Now tell me. I’m very interested in what you have to say.” Madison looked at Kevin’s eyes in the rearview mirror. They were excited and bright. “Well, while we were getting ready to go out tonight I overheard Ri talking to her dog. She has a habit of doing that in her older age…” Kevin interrupted her. “Whoa, slow down. Who’s Ri?” Madison smiled at his question, “Oh, sorry. That’s Kelly’s nickname. I’ve called her that since college. We’ve been best friends ever since then. Whoa, that makes us sound old. I’m 27 and lug over there is 26. Anyways, on with the story. Oh, wait. Sorry, turn right here. We’ve still got about twenty minutes. Is this way out of your way? I really appreciate it and I know she does. God, back to the story. She was sitting at her piano, talking to her dog…” Kevin interrupted her again. “She plays piano?” “Yeah, she’s really good. She has a beautiful white baby grand. I’ll never finish this story, so just shut up till I finish. She was talking to her dog and I was eavesdropping and she was talking about a “Kevin” she met today and how she would never see him again and how hot he was and how he probably had a girlfriend. She even used the words “he makes me want to live again.” Madison stopped suddenly. Kevin noticed this and asked her to keep going. Madison knew she had said to much when she talked about Kelly and living again. “Sorry, Kevin I’ve said too much. No more.” Kevin asked, “What? I don’t understand. What did she mean about living again? Bad ex or something?” “You could call it that I guess.” Kelly changed the subject quickly, “Are the guys still behind you? We have like 20 miles left. Turn here.” Kevin eased the Jeep around the corner slowly., looked in the rearview mirror and saw that the two cars were still behind him, but he wouldn’t let her off so easy, “So, you think she likes me?” Madison protested, but spilled her guts more, “I think that Ri is very attracted to you and I think that she would like to get to know you better, but I have to tell you because I know she won’t. She’s had a hard time with guys I guess you could say, and she’s just getting back into the swing of things. If you’re serious about wanting to get closer to her, you’ll have to take it slow. There are still lots of things in her life that are going on. Promise me that you won’t hurt her.” Kevin was quiet for a few minutes and Madison thought that maybe she had pissed him off. He answered carefully, not wanting to reveal too much. “Madison, I swear to you I won’t hurt her. I’m just coming off a bad relationship myself, and I haven’t had the best of luck myself with women. But I felt a connection with Kelly at the hospital. I felt so comfortable around her. We both were raised in Kentucky. That’s fate in my book, and I hope that she feels the same way. I just have one thing. I am here for one more week and then I have to continue touring. That means leaving this new relationship, if it works out. Long distance doesn’t seem to have a good track record, and I’ve got to be with the girl I’m dating. Not just hearing her voice on the phone. That doesn’t cut it.” Kevin shook his head, “My damn job gets in the way. It won’t cut it.” Madison and Kevin were quiet for a while and then they heard a quiet voice singing. Kevin went to turn off the radio, but when he tried he realized that it was already off. “Kevin. It’s Kelly singing. Listen.” Kelly’s quiet voice was singing, “Life goes on as it never ends. Eyes of stone observe the trends, they never say, forever gaze…His voice was the only deep one. It has to be him…” Madison saw Kevin smile. Kevin spoke up and asked Madison about herself. “Well, I’m a professional model. I go around the world. I love my job and I love the freedom, and I love the money. I’m very happy. I wouldn’t change a thing. Maybe seeing Ri more often.” Kevin raised his eyebrows. “Oh, you’re a model? So am I when I have time. I am doing a show next Wednesday.” “Wow, me too. I’m the promotions model for Donatella Versace. Who do you model for?” “I model for Versace. Or at least I am on Wednesday. I was going to practice today, but then I ended up in the hospital and missed them, but then I called in and they were cancelled.” “Yeah, they got cancelled because of the snow. They’re still on for tomorrow though. You think that you can make it?” Kevin answered, “I couldn’t find them when I tried, but I will look harder tomorrow. I might be a little sore with these stitches though. Is Kelly coming to watch your show on Wednesday?” Madison was quiet for a minute. She was working things out in her head. “Hey Kevin. I’ve got an idea. Kelly probably won’t be much fun tonight and I know that she has a busy schedule at the hospital for the rest of the week, but we could surprise her and I won’t tell her that you’re modeling and then you guys could meet again at the show. Would that be cool?” Kevin thought about what she had just said. “I have a better idea. We’ll get Kelly comfortable tonight and we can work the rest of the stuff out at her place. But how would you like to see our show on Tuesday night. We’re performing at the New York Opera House and I think you guys would have a great time. We could hang out after the concert and then I could see you two at the Versace show on Wednesday.” Madison clapped her hands. “Perfect. It will be absolutely perfect. We were trying to think of things to do any ways. She’ll love it. Wow, I just noticed. It’s snowing a lot harder. Oh, pull a left here. This is her terrace.”
Kevin pulled slowly into the fancy neighborhood. “Nice places. She must do pretty well to live around here.” “Wait till you see the inside of her place. It’s beautiful. Here, turn here. That’s her driveway.” They pulled up into the driveway and turned the car off. The other guy’s cars pulled up behind them. Kevin opened his door and made his way around to Kelly’s door. AJ got out of his car. “Nice digs. Damn, being a doctor pays off, huh Nick?” Nick was speechless. “Wow, it’s so big. She lives here alone?” By this time Madison had gotten out of the car and was joined by Howie and Brian. “Yeah, she lives here by herself, but she has a great dog, and a really rich family.” Kevin had gotten Kelly in his arms again and the guys followed Madison up the stairs. She got out her keys and unlocked the doors. She opened the door and let the guys in. She heard Nick yelp and then lots of barking. “Oh, sorry. I forgot to tell you about how rambounctious Riley is.” Kelly walked in and shut the door. “Guys, make yourselves at home.” The guys just stood in the entryway. Brian spoke up, “Are you sure this is her house? Man it’s huge. Oh my god Kev. Look at her TV. She’s got ESPN on. You better keep this girl. Come on Nick, Let’s see what’s on.” Nick and Brian walked into the living room and plopped on the couch. AJ and Howie followed them with Riley at their heels. “Okay, Kev. If you could take her into her room, I’ll get her changed and on some Motrin and into bed. I think that’s what she needs now.” Kevin adjusted Kelly in his arms, “Lead the way.” He followed Madison and was soon in a beautifully decorated bedroom. He laid her gently on the bed. “Thanks Kevin. Go chill with the guys and give me 15 minute and I’ll be back out. I just want to get her comfortable. Save me a seat by Brian though.” Madison winked and pulled Kelly towards her bathroom. “All right.” Kevin took a long look at Kelly and walked out of the room. He closed the door quietly behind him.