Kelly couldn’t believe how good it felt to be held. It had been so long since she felt protected. “Kevin?” Kevin murmured, “Hmm?” “I know you don’t know me well, but I feel so safe. I can’t tell you everything now, I’m just not ready, but I hope that we work out. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a relationship, but I trust you.” Kevin squeezed Kelly tighter and danced slower to the beat of the music. She was as tall as him, and he loved the feeling of her hair on his face. She smelled so good. He took a deep breath and then stopped. He took Kelly’s face in his hands and said, “I haven’t been in a good relationship lately either. I usually don’t just fall for a women like this and it scares me too. We don’t have to go fast, in fact I don’t want to. I just know that I feel the same way about you. It feels so good to have someone to hold. It gives me peace. We leave on Saturday, but if you still want to try this I swear I’ll give it my hardest try. We can make it work. There’s only two more shows and then we’re done for a couple of months.” Kelly embraced Kevin, “Let’s just enjoy what we have tonight. I want to remember all of it.” The two joined together again and danced as one to the slow music.
That night, at Kelly’s apartment…
“What a night!! Thanks you so much Madison. I owe this all to you. I still can’t believe that I am dating him. I never thought it would be possible, and because of you he’s in my life!!!” Kelly was so excited she could hardly sit down. Madison smiled, “Hey, if you hadn’t taken care of him in the first place I would have never met Brian, so I owe all my happiness to you.” Kelly and Madison were lying on their stomachs watching TV on Madison’s bed upstairs. Neither of them was really watching though. Madison spoke again. “Brian kisses so good. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. Brian invited me to his place for Christmas and I said yes. I’m actually going to spend the holidays with a real family. You’re going back too, aren’t you?” Kelly smiled, “Yep. I can’t wait to see my parents again. I wonder what Kevin’s doing? Wouldn’t that be great if he was going back for the holidays too? I could see him a lot. You know he kissed me tonight? It was beautiful. Nothing too much. He just let his lips linger on mine. I love his lips. Listen to me talk about this guy I hardly know. I am falling too fast. I’ve got work tomorrow, so it’s off to bed for me, although I don’t think I’ll sleep much, not after a night like tonight. I haven’t forgotten about your show tomorrow. What time do I need to be home by?” Madison thought for a second. She wanted Kelly to look really great for Kevin tomorrow. “Hmm, be home by 6:00 because I want to help get you ready. I have to leave at 7:00 for call time backstage, and the show starts at 8:30, so you should leave the apartment by 7:45. So, just be home by 6:00.” Madison threw a pillow at Kelly as she walked out the door. “Get out of here love bird.” Kelly slipped through the trap door and made her way down the stairs. Madison listened as her best friend got ready for bed. She heard Riley’s dog tags jingle as he got comfortable in Kelly’s bed. Madison fell asleep by the time she could finish her thoughts.
Same night, BSB hotel…
Everyone else had gone to bed, except for Brian and Kevin. They were in Kevin’s room watching the Wildcat’s play. Brian was quiet for a second and then spoke, “Kevin? There’s something I think you should know. Tonight Madison told me something very serious. I was sworn not to tell, but I think its very important. I know why Kelly is hesitant for a new relationship with you. A year ago she was raped in her apartment. The case has never been solved, but ever since then Kelly has had her problems, as you know. But to get to the scary part. While Kelly was at work today Madison got a phone call. The caller threatened both of them and Madison said he kept talking about the rape night. Madison swears it was the rapist, but something is also wrong. The caller threatened the both of them. Madison wasn’t living with Kelly was the rape happened and never has, so the guy must be spying recently to know that Madison is staying with Kelly. I don’t think the cops can do anything, so I just told them to call on our cell phones whenever something came up and to just be extra careful.” Kevin didn’t say anything for a while. “Raped, huh? Wow, poor girl. No wonder she has so many problems. Brian, I’ve never dealt with anything like this, but I know I like her a lot, and I’d do just about anything to help her. Do you think that I should bring it up, or just let her tell me when she’s ready?” Brian answered, “Definitely let her bring it up. I think I gave them good advice, but if anything else happens, I’m certainly going to the police. I know you care a lot about her. I could see it tonight. You two had a lot of fun, didn’t you?” Kevin smiled as he thought about kissing Kelly. “Oh, yeah. I even managed to keep the secret for tomorrow night. I excited for the show, and I can’t wait to see Kelly again.” “I’ve been meaning to ask you about that. How are the stitches feeling? I didn’t even think about them. Did they hold up all right through the concerts?” Kevin rubbed his stomach and shoulder, “I don’t think that they’re infected, but all the costume changing irritated them. I didn’t even feel them tonight though, and the clothes I’m modeling tomorrow are pretty nice, so I think I’ll be fine. I’m glad that we have the rest of the week off. I’m going to try and spend it all with Kelly if she’ll let me. I got to get to bed though. Later.” Brian got the point and got up from the couch. “Goodnight, cuz’” He left for his room. Kevin changed into his pajamas and got into his cold bed. He put his arms behind his head and thought about Kelly. He couldn’t take it. “I’m just going to call her.” He picked dup the phone and dialed.
It was 1:00 by the time both girls had gotten into bed, but Kelly was still wide awake. She couldn’t get Kevin out of her head. Just as she turned her lamp off the phone rang. “Who the hell would be calling at this hour? Hello? Who is this?” A voice stammered at the end of the line. “I’m sorry. Did I wake you?” Kelly immediately recognized the voice and laughed, “No, I’m sorry for sounding rude. I’m just a little weary about people calling so late. I’m still up though. What’s up with you?” Kevin whispered in the phone, “I’m supposed to be asleep, but I can’t. What’s up with you?” Kelly smiled to herself and answered, “Well, it’s been an hour since I last saw you and all I’ve done in spoken with Madison, let my dog out to do his stuff, and changed into my pajamas. How about you?” In a sexy voice Kevin said, “I tell you what my pajamas look like if you tell me what yours look like?” Kelly couldn’t stop laughing, “Okay. I’m wearing a tight white camisole, and black boy cut briefs. And you?” “All I’m wearing is black pajama bottoms seeing as I have a whole line of stitches across my stomach. Onto the next subject, I really don’t know much about you so tell me everything.” Kelly started, “Well, I was born and raised in Lexington Kentucky. My parent’s names are Kate and Dan. I have no brothers or sisters. I grew up playing piano and riding horses all day long. I got an academic scholarship for college and that’s how I ended up in New York. I went to medical school and I’m now the Head Chief of Staff at New York County Hospital. I have a black lab named Riley, who you’ve already met when I was knocked out cold. My favorite color is black. I wear glasses at work, and my best friends are Madison and Austin. My favorite flowers are white roses, and that’s about it with me. Oh, I’ve had one boyfriend my whole life. Oh, one more thing, no, a couple of more things. I’m tired and stressed and I can’t wait to go home and see my parents at Christmas time. All I’m going to do is nothing and ride horses all day. I love the outdoors and I’m willing to do anything. My favorite group is Blink 182. And last, I only wear silver jewelry, no gold. There, all about me. Now tell me about yourself.” Kevin began, “Wait, wait, wait. I can’t write that down that fast! All right. Got it all down. Now I’ll start. I was born and raised in Lexington Kentucky. My parent’s names are Jerald and Ann. My father died 9 years ago from cancer. I still have a hard time with it. I have 2 older brothers. Tim and Jerald Jr. I grew up playing piano and riding horses. I never went to college because I got in with the rest of the guys and it was history after that. I’ve traveled the world and sung all over the place. My favorite color is blue. I love my mamma’s cooking. I have a black cat named Quincy. I have a house in Florida because that’s where the group is centered. I’ve never received flowers from anyone, so I don’t know what my favorite one is. I love dressing fancy, but I know how to keep it cool, ya’ know?” Kelly spoke, “Hey, I know what you mean and I’m sorry to cut this conversation short, but I got to get up tomorrow and run and then I have a busy day tomorrow at work, and then I have Madison’s modeling show tomorrow…” Kevin interrupted before she could finish, “Wait. I know you’re busy, but could I take you to lunch tomorrow? I’ll pay and you can name the place.” Kelly thought to herself for a second and then answered. “Ummm, yes. That would fun. How does 12:30 sound? At the front desk of the hospital? Cool?” Kevin agreed, “I’ll be right on time. Can’t wait. Sleep tight.” Kelly said good-night to Kevin and hung up. They had talked for over an hour. “Why am I doing this to myself? He’ll be gone in days in I’ll never see him again. I just can’t get him off…” Kelly fell asleep peacefully dreaming about her new life.