"I can't believe it's been six years already!" I said to Jessica as she walked into my old room. Brian, the N'Sync members minus Justin, and I (along with a few bodyguards) were staying at my sister's house while the others were staying with their parents (Maribeth and AJ with Maribeth's parents, Joanne and Kevin with Joanne's parents, Jamie and Howie with Jamie's parents, Rachel and Nick with Nick's parents, and Justin with his parents).
"Actually, I think it's been almost seven," I commented, running a brush through my hair. "Where're the guys?"
"Downstairs playing poker," my sister said. My eyes lit up and I ran to the stairs. Sliding down the banister (my favorite thing to do in my house), I walked into the living room, where I found the guys wearing backwards hats and chewing gum (note: if they had had cigars, I would have hurt them). I took in the whole scene and started laughing, my sister soon joining in.
"What's so funny?" Joey asked, a hurt expression on his face.
"I never actually thought I'd see the day that you guys would be playing poker in my living room," I said, "nonetheless, without me."
"Wanna join?" JC asked, holding up the deck.
"Hey, don't forget me," Jessica said, taking a seat next to Joey. They dealt us into the next hand.
"Fold," Chris said, throwing down his cards. One by one, the others folded until it was just me and Jessica left.
"I call," she said. "Full House."
"Royal Flush," I said, laying out my cards so everyone could see. Smiling triumphantly, I sat back and entwined my hands behind my head.
"Beginners luck," Brian mumbled.
"Beginners luck, my *ss" I said, looking at him and raising an eyebrow. "I've been playing poker since I was four."
"And she's been whipping our butts ever since she was four," Chris said, groaning.
"Damn straight!" I said, leaning on Brian, who put his arm around my shoulder.
"What time is the reunion?" Joey asked, putting an arm around my sister.
"Seven o'clock," she said, looking at her watch. "We're meeting up with Justin and them at seven and it's five now, so we should probably get ready." Everyone agreed and we went to our rooms. I took Brian's hand and led him to my old room, which we were sharing. Giving him a kiss on the cheek, I grabbed a towel and went into the adjoining bathroom to take a quick shower. When I was done, I wrapped myself in a towel and walked into the bedroom to get dressed.
"How many hands did you win?" Brian asked, still not willing to drop the fact that Jessica and I had beat them in all the hands we'd played.
"A lot, okay?" I said, frustrated at him. "Why are you acting like such a baby?"
"I'm not acting like a baby," he said, indignantly.
"Yes, you are," I argued, turning to face him. "Look, I'm sorry if you don't like it when girls beat you at something, but that's the way it is sometimes. You're just going to have to live with it." He mumbled something under his breath and walked to the other side of the bed. He began rummaging through his suitcase. After arguing for a few more minutes, I got fed up. "You know what? I'm going to get dressed and go downstairs. If you're still feeling this way when you're done taking a shower, don't come tonight." With that, I watched him walk into the bathroom, still muttering under his breath. Tears stung in my eyes as I went to the closet and pulled out a dark grey-silver satin gown with a low back and scoop-neck. I pulled it on and slipped on the matching silver, four-inch heeled shoes. Looking in the mirror, I was, again, stumped with what to do with my hair. Not wanting to face Brian when he got out of the shower, I put on a headband then was a thin strip of amethysts (my birthstone), a pair of simple, silver drop earrings, and my wedding and engagement rings. My brother had gotten matching headbands for me and Jessica on our sixteenth birthday. Putting on a little-bit of make-up, I threw on the matching gloves and grabbed the matching shawl, running out of the room.
I walked down the stairs and heard a wolf-whistle. About to open my mouth and yell at AJ to stop it, I remembered that AJ wasn't there. I looked down to see Chris standing at the bottom of the steps wearing a dark grey suit and black shirt with no tie.
"Watch it, Kirkpatrick," I warned, jokingly. "I'm a married woman."
"Yes, but from what I heard upstairs, your significant other might not be available tonight," he said, smiling softly at me. I sighed and we walked into the living room and sat down on the couch. "You okay?"
"I dunno," I said, shaking my head. "What'd I do wrong?"
"You bruised a man's ego," Chris said. "It's not that big a deal, but it's definitely something we don't like."
"I can't hide my skills if I'm good at something," I complained. "It's not fair to me."
"Don't sweat it. You massacred my ego the first few times I played you, but, hey, I'm over it. Actually, I'm pretty used to it by now." I laughed at his feeble attempt to make me feel better.
"I told Brian he didn't have to come if he didn't want to," I told him, although he already knew. "Why did I do that?"
"Because you were frustrated," Chris explained. He put his arm around shoulders comfortingly and gave them a squeeze before letting go. "Don't worry. Brian loves you. He won't let you down."
"I hope not," I sighed. I looked at my watch. "It's 6:30. We'd better get the others." Chris and I got up and were about to walk up the stairs when we saw Brian sitting at the bottom of them.
"I'll go get them," Chris whispered to me. He squeezed my shoulder supportively before passing Brian and walking up the steps.
"Can we talk?" Brian asked, softly. I nodded and led him back to the living room. Before I could sit down, he took my hand and turned me around to face him. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his eyes filled with tears. "I know it's not your fault that you're good at poker and I should ask you to act like you're not. I-I don't know. I guess I was just . . ."
"Ssh," I said, putting a gloved finger to his lips. "Don't worry about it. I accept your apology, just don't do it again, okay?"
"Okay," he said, smiling. Pulling me close, he kissed my forehead as I breathed in the scent of his cologne.
"You smell good," I said, approvingly.
"So do you," he said. Lifting my chin up so his shining blue eyes could look into mine, he smiled. "Are you ready to go dazzle your former classmates?"
"Ready as I'll ever be," I answered, sighing slightly.
"Don't be nervous," he said, reading my thoughts. "You'll have me by your side the entire night. Probably Justin, too." I giggled and smiled at him. Bringing my face towards his, he kissed me softly. When we broke apart, he continued. "And god knows what stunt you and Maribeth will pull. You've got to introduce me to this Jason person." I threw my head back and laughed.