"Matters of the Heart"
By: Becky
Chapter 8

Rebecca was nervous about meeting all of Brian's friends. He had talked about them when they were on the beach, and he seemed to really love them… she just wasn't sure if they would all except her, especially after what happened between Brian and Nick. What if they totally rejected her? Sure Brian would be there to back her up, but she didn't want to cause any more problems between him and his friends, one was bad enough. Even though he said it wasn't her fault, she couldn't help but feel like it was. She was so lost in thought that she didn't even realize Brian was saying her name.
"Bec!"
"Huh? What?"
"That's like the fifth time I said your name… where'd you go just then?"
"I was just thinking… Brian do I really have to go with you and meet all of your friends at one time?"
"Why not?"
"Well what if they don't like me? What if the same thing happens that happened with you and Nick?"
"They'll love you Bec, believe me, and there won't be a repeat of the other thing either. I'm not going unless you're there next to me."
"Why won't you go without me? I mean, they're your friends and all."
"I just won't… I want you to be with me. Please don't make me turn the car around, but if you really don't want to go then I'll take you home."
"I'll come."
Rebecca's eyes grew huge when they pulled into Kevin's driveway. His house was gorgeous… not too fancy, but it was one hell of a house. She was nervous again, but as soon as they were out of the car Brian had her by the hand telling her that everything would be alright. Kevin greeted them at the front door and led them out back where the others were. Brian never let go of her hand, and she was thankful for that.
"Guys I want you to meet Rebecca. Rebecca that's my cousin Kevin who we met at the door, his girlfriend Ginandra but we call her Gina, and that's AJ with all the tattoos and his girlfriend Lauren."
"It's nice to meet all of you," she said after they all shook her hand.
"It's nice to meet you too," they all said back.
Kevin looked at Rebecca with a slight smile, and she could see the approval in his green eyes. AJ and the girls were giving her the same look and she felt a huge relief. After that she and Brian went back into the house to change into their bathing suits. They met in the hall on the way out and he slipped an arm around her waist.
"You ok?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'm still a little nervous but I'll be fine."
"That's good to hear." He gave her a quick kiss and they rejoined everyone poolside.
AJ and Lauren were already in the pool, Kevin was on the phone, and Gina was digging through the pool house looking for pool stuff. She pulled out a couple of floats and some of those foam noodle things and threw them in the pool. Brian dove in off of the diving board and Rebecca sat on the side with her legs dangling in the cool water. Gina walked over and sat next to her.
"Hi. I know Brian already did the introductions already, but I thought I'd formally introduce myself. I'm Gina."
"I'm Rebecca."
"You seem nervous."
"I am kinda."
"That's understandable. I was nervous the first time I was around all of the guys too, but then I saw how down to earth and sometimes flat out crazy they can be and I saw that there was no reason to be nervous. I mean, sure Kevin's got bushy eyebrows and AJ's weird looking, but they're perfectly harmless."
"Hey I heard that!" AJ said splashing Gina with water.
"It was just a joke!" she said kicking water at him. "Anyway like I was saying just relax, chill by the pool, and have a good time. That's what we're all here for."
"Thanks Gina."
"No problem. Now if you'll excuse me I gotta go get my man off of that damn telephone and into the pool," she said getting up and walking over to Kevin.
Brian swam up to Rebecca and put his arms up on her legs. He just stared at her with his big blue eyes and a smile. She messed up his hair making it stick up in every direction and smiled back.
Kevin and Gina jumped into the pool together just as two more people appeared from the house.
"Nick, D. you guys made it!" AJ said sounding happy to have them there, and he and Howie started talking.
Brian and Nick exchanged glances but Nick didn't look for long. He quickly turned his attention away from Brian. "Hey Bone, hey guys. I'm gonna go change into my bathing suit. I'll be right back." He turned around and went back inside the house. Brian hopped out of the pool saying that he needed to use the bathroom and followed Nick inside. He waited in the hall for Nick to come out and when he did, he just rolled his eyes at Brian and tried to ignore him.
"Yo Nick, hold up man."
"Look I didn't come here to argue with you Brian. I came to have fun with the other fellas…"
"But not with me. Listen I have been thinking about what happened and I realized that you were right and you had every reason to leave the way that you did. Nick, I want to talk to you and tell you stuff, but I don't think I would be able to tell you everything right now… but I can't lose you friendship, I just can't. Can we just put our differences aside today and have a good time? Please?"
Nick stood for a second then smiled slightly. "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Come on, let's go back outside," he said throwing one of his long arms around Brian's shoulders.
Brian was truly happy then. He was happy that Nick agreed, he was happy that Rebecca was there with him, and he was happy to be surrounded by all of his friends. When they got back out Rebecca, Gina, and Lauren were sitting on the floats laughing at Kevin, AJ, and Howie, which were trying to make them fall over. Hearing her laugh and seeing her beautiful smile just made Brian's heart melt with warmth, happiness, and for the first time love. He knew that he was falling in love with her, and he was falling fast. He just hoped that she was feeling the same thing. He snapped back to reality when he heard the 3 girls scream and hit the water. He and Nick laughed then jumped into the pool to join in on the fun.

End of Chapter 8

Chapter 9
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Matters of the Heart Index
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