“So, what’s wrong with you tonight?” JC asked Brooke, as they sat at a corner table in the club that they were at. “You seem kind of down.”
“I don’t know.” Brooke sighed. “I got into an argument with Kevin before. I think he just really resents me for doing this.”
“Doing what?” JC questioned. “Coming on tour with us?”
“Yeah,” Brooke replied. “I mean, it was okay when I was on tour with him because it was with him. But now that I’m finally doing something meaningful, he’s all pissy because I’m not home with him.”
“Well, he’s just being selfish.” JC put his arm around her. “You have done such an awesome job with this tour. He should be proud of you. Not pissed off cause you’re not there with him.”
“I know,” Brooke answered. “I just don’t want to lose him over something stupid like this. I just have a really bad feeling.”
“Well you shouldn’t.” JC picked up a drink menu and handed it to her. “Now come on. Pick something to drink. I’m going to make sure you have fun tonight.”
***** ***** ***** **** ***** *****
Katelin walked in to the living room and placed the portable phone back on its cradle. Sighing, she collapsed down on the couch next to Ang. “Anything wrong?” Ang asked.
“Huh?” Kate asked, looking up. “Oh no. I was just calling and checking up on Aidan.” She heard Lanie mumble something inaudibly. “What was that Lanie?”
“Nothing,” Lanie replied, smugly.
“No.” Everyone in the room could tell that Katelin was starting to get angry. “Why don’t you tell me what the hell you said.”
Ang put her hand on Katelin’s arm. “Kate, come on. Now’s not the time.”
“Yeah it is!” Katelin cried. “She’s been nothing but a bitch to me since I got here tonight. What the hell is your problem?”
“Nothing,” Lanie answered. “I was just saying that you wouldn’t have a son to check up on if it wasn’t for me.”
“Yes I know, Lanie.” Katelin stood up angrily. “I know that you’re the one responsible for Nick letting me be a part of Aidan’s life. You don’t need to remind me everyday. I already said thank you. What else do you want me to do? I’m not after your fucking boyfriend, okay? Nick has made it perfectly clear that it’s you he wants. Want to rub that in my face anymore?” The room was silent as everyone stared back and forth between the two of them. Finally, Katelin grabbed her purse and her keys and began walking towards the front door. “I’m outta here.”
“Kate.” Ang stood up and followed her. “Come on. Just stay. This was supposed to be a fun girl’s night.”
“No, Ang.” Katelin turned around with her hand on the doorknob and Ang could see the tears in her eyes. “Do you know how hard this is for me? I love him. I’ve never stopped loving him. But I have no right to do that to him. He’s moved on with his life and he’s made it perfectly clear that he wants Lanie. I’m trying to make this as easy on all of us as possible. But she’s not helping. I’m not going to sit here while she does shit like this to me. I’m going home.” Before Ang could say another word, Katelin was out the door, leaving Ang standing there staring at the closed door.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
“Frack!” Brian called into the kitchen. “Someone’s at the door.”
“I wonder who that could be,” Kevin commented, walking with Nick towards the front door. Nick opened the door and stared surprised at his front porch. “Adrienne? What are you doing here? Is everything alright?”
“Yeah,” Adrienne sighed. “Everything’s fine. Is my step-daughter here?”
“No,” Nick replied. “She’s at Ang’s right now. They’re having some girls night or something. Come on in.” He opened the door wider so Adrienne could come inside the house.
“I hope you don’t mind me just randomly stopping by like this,” Adrienne said, apologetically. “I just needed to get away from the city for a little bit. I thought I’d come down here and see Kate and Aidan.”
“It’s fine,” Nick answered, smiling. He grabbed her things and brought put them over by the steps. “You can stay here. I have plenty of room.”
Adrienne thanked him and then turned to Kevin. “We’ve met before. I’m Adrienne Taylor.”
Kevin reached out and shook her hand. “Kevin Richardson. I remember you from a few years ago.”
Adrienne nodded, her eyes locked to the beautiful green ones staring back at her. She hadn’t remembered him being that good looking. Stop it, her mind ordered. She was so starved for affection lately it was driving her crazy. Not having her husband around anymore was literally killing her inside.
About an hour later, Adrienne was having a blast hanging out with the guys. It had helped her take her mind off of other things and she was eternally grateful. A car pulling into the driveway took her out of her thoughts as Nick went up and peeked out the window.
“She’s home early,” he commented to the group. “That can only mean one thing.”
“What?” AJ asked, curiously.
“She and Lanie must have gotten into it,” Nick told them all, sighing to himself. This was starting to become a regular occurrence. He had witnessed it with his own eyes and he could tell that most of the time it was because Lanie had started it. He kept trying to talk to her about it but Lanie would just change the subject or downright blame it all on Katelin. And, while Nick knew that Katelin had a very stubborn and confrontational side to her, he also knew that she would do anything to keep her relationship with him as simple as possible.
“Hi guys,” Katelin greeted, solemnly, walking into the living room. “Adrienne?!” She exclaimed, noticing her stepmother in the room.
“Hey Kate.” Adrienne smiled, standing up and giving Katelin a hug.
“What are you doing here?” She questioned, sympathetically. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” Adrienne replied. “Just needed to get away from New York for awhile so I decided to come pay you guys a visit. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all!” Katelin cried, happy to finally have someone here who she knew would be totally on her side. She turned to Nick. “You don’t mind if she stays here for a little, do you?”
“Nope,” Nick answered. “Carter hotel is open to anyone.”
“So,” Adrienne began. “How is that beautiful little boy of yours doing?”
“He’s great,” Katelin beamed. “Come on. Let’s go peek in on him.” She grabbed Adrienne’s hand and led her up the stairs towards Aidan’s room.
“So, Nicky,” Howie began. “What are you going to do about this little situation that your in? You can’t let them act that way towards each other forever.”
“I know,” Nick sighed. “I’m going to say something to Kate tonight and I’ll try and talk to Lanie tomorrow.”
“I can understand Lanie’s point of view,” Kevin chimed in. “I’m sure she feels threatened. It can’t be easy for her.”
“Tell me about it,” AJ stated. “I hope Sarah and Krista aren’t tearing each other’s heads off over there.”
“I totally forgot that Krista was here,” Brian remarked. “Have you seen her lately?”
“No,” AJ answered. “Just that one time at the cemetery. She and I stay pretty clear of each other.”
“Can you honestly sit there and say that you don’t wonder what it would be like to have Kris back in your life again?” Brian asked. “I mean, there’s gotta be something there still.”
“There’s nothing, Brian,” AJ growled, staring straight at Brian. “It’s over and I have Sarah. The sooner Krista realizes that, the better off everyone will be.”