“Hey, Abby.”
“Hey, Lance.”
“Can we talk?”
“Yeah sure. Come in.” She led him to the couch in the living room. “What’s up?”
“Abby, I’m going to tell you something but you have to promise not to tell anyone.”
“Ok, Lance I promise.”
“My sister was raped.” Abby’s eyes widened. She didn’t say anything. “Justin told me to come talk to you. He said he couldn’t explain it but I just had to talk to you.” When Abby still didn’t say anything Lance stood up to leave. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come. I’ll just leave.”
“No, Lance. Justin was right. I’m going to tell you something but you have to promise you won’t tell anyone. Not even the rest of the guys.”
Lance sat down. “Don’t worry. I haven’t even told any of the guys, except Justin, about my sister.”
“Ok. Thanks. Well here it goes. A year ago I was raped. By my boyfriend. He thought when I said no I meant yes. I went into myself and didn’t let anyone in, especially guys. Justin is the first person I have felt comfortable with. I couldn’t get hurt like that again, no matter what it took. Lance, you have to go to her, be there for her and don’t let her push everyone away like I did. It’s too hard to come back.” She looked up at him. “And don’t look at her with pity in your eyes like you are looking at me now. It only makes it worse to know that everyone pities you.”
“Abby, that’s not what I meant. I don’t pity you.”
“Lance, you do. It’s not your fault. It’s the normal human reaction. Unfortunately it only makes the girl feel worse.”
“Abby, thanks a lot for everything, for the advice and for trusting me enough to tell me this.”
“Lance, just go and be there for her. She’s going to need you.”
“My flight leaves in 30 minutes. I should probably be heading to the airport.”
“Bye Lance. Please call me and keep my posted.”
“I will. Bye.” He left and Abby started crying.
LATER THAT NIGHT…
Abby was running late. Lynn had shown up at 5:30 like she said she would. Abby had hurried home to get ready for the rehearsal. But when she had gotten home her Dad was in the bathroom taking a shower. He didn’t get out of the shower until 6:00. She took a quick shower and put on her make-up and ran out the door at 6:30 with her hair still wet. She hated being late. And she had wanted to talk to Justin before rehearsal began but she saw she wasn’t going to get to do this. It will just have to wait until after rehearsal was over, she thought to herself. By the time she got to the building where rehearsal was being held she was 45 minutes late. She walked into the building and found the room where they were rehearsing. She walked in and took a seat by Jon quietly. Jon snuggled close to her when she sat down. She just smiled and put her arm around him. She looked at Justin and smiled. He was such a good performer. She looked around the room, Lynn and Jon were beside her and Kesha was on the other side of Lynn. She looked back up at Justin. She spent the rest of rehearsal staring at Justin.
When rehearsal was over he came up and hugged her. “Ewww! You’re all sweaty!”
“I’d like to see you do that and not sweat,” he said. She looked at his chest and arms. He was wearing a wife beater and a pair of cargo khakis. “Can I help you with something?” he said noticing she was staring at him.
“Nope, just noticing how sexy you are.”
“Whoa, watch it my Mom is here.” When he said that she snapped out of it and let go of him. “I didn’t mean you had to let me go,” he said wrapping his arms around her waist from behind.
She stepped out of his arms. “Justin you’re Mom’s here, later. I have a surprise for you later.” She smiled at him.
“What is it?” he asked like a little kid.
“Well if I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise now would it?”
“No I guess not.” He grabbed her and pulled her over to his Mom and Jon who were talking to JC. He went up to his Mom and kissed her on the check. He let go of her hand and picked up Jon. “Hey buddy! How did you like the rehearsal?”
“It was awesome Just!” We stood there chatting with Lynn and JC for a while.
Then Justin said, “Mom, I’m going to go home an take a shower, then me and Abby are going out.”
“Ok, honey. Just be careful.”
“I will Mom. Bye guys.”
“Bye,” I said to everyone.
Everyone said bye. When we got out to the parking lot I headed to my car. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“I’m going to my car.”
“You can ride with me.”
“Justin we’re not going to the same place.”
“What? Where are you going?”
“I’m going home to freshen up. Pick me up in half an hour.”
“Ok. I’ll see ya then.”
“Ok. Bye.” They went their separate ways. Abby went home and freshened up. She was ready when the doorbell rang. She answered it. “Are we ready?”
“Yup. So what’s my surprise?”
“Justin, you have no patience whatsoever.”
“I know. Now tell me what my surprise is.”
“Not yet. Let’s just go.” They went out to Justin’s car and he opened the door for her. She climbed in and he shut her door and walked around to the driver’s side and got in.
“So where are we going?” he asked.
“Well I thought we would go to the beach.”
“Sounds good.” They chatted about nothing all the way to the beach. When they got there, they walked down the shoreline hand in hand. After a while Justin said, “So what’s my surprise?”
She stood there and looked into his eyes. “I love you,” she said suddenly.
Justin stepped back. Abby was hurt. “What?”
“Justin, you heard me. I love you with all my heart. I’ve never felt this way about anyone ever. I’ve never let anyone in since the rape.” Justin flinched at the word rape. “I just had to tell you. That’s your surprise. I love you with all my heart.” When Justin didn’t say anything Abby turned away with tears in her eyes. Why did I do this? I knew this would happen. God, why am I such an idiot.
He could tell she was crying. She had turned away from him and put her head down. It torn him apart to see her like that. That’s when he realized that he loved her too. “I love you too.” Abby looked up sharply, looking into his eyes. “Abby I love you so much. I was just too scared to see it.” Justin pulled her close to him and kissed her sweetly sealing their love.