Christine woke up the next morning with a pounding headache. She was a little disoriented, trying to remember what exactly had gone on the night before. She squeezed her eyes shut as the memories came flooding back to her. It wasn’t the first time that Paul had hit her. It had been going on for months now. When they had first gotten back together, about six months after Christine had broken her engagement with Howie, Paul had been the sweetest, most loving boyfriend. He constantly showered her with affection. Christine couldn’t have asked for anything more. Sure, she wasn’t’ completely over Howie. She wasn’t sure she ever totally would be. But she had pushed him far enough out of her mind that she was able to focus her entire life on Paul. But then things began to go downhill. She wasn’t sure when and how the abuse started but it had. And lately, it had only gotten worse.
Christine turned her head and looked at the clock. It was already after nine which meant that Paul had already left for work. She was also late for work. After calling her boss and telling him that she wouldn’t be in until after lunch but that she would like to talk to him later about the promotion, she laid in bed and thought about what to do. She could move back into her mom’s, but Paul would no doubt know where she was. She needed to get out of Connecticut. And that was what she was determined to do.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
Brooke practically jumped out of her car and ran up the sidewalk to Kevin’s front door. She slipped her key into the lock and walked into the house.
“Kev?” she called.
“In the den!” he replied. Brooke walked through the spacious house until she reached the den where Kevin was. He was sprawled out on the couch, watching the Marlins game.
“Hey baby,” she greeted, leaning down to give him a quick kiss.
“Hi,” he responded, never taking his eyes off of the television.
“So, guess what?” she pushed his legs on to the floor and sat down on the couch. “I got a job today.”
“You have a job,” Kevin remarked.
“I know.” Brooke rolled her eyes. “I got a new job today.”
“Doing what?” The game cut to a commercial and Kevin finally focused his full attention on her.
“Choreographer for NSYNC!” She announced, proudly.
“What?” Kevin was not as excited as she was. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Why would I?” Brooke questioned, puzzled by his reaction. “I thought you’d be happy for me.”
“I’m supposed to be happy that my fiancée is spending day and night with…with them,” he spat the last word out.
“Oh grow up, Kevin,” Brooke said. “This is a great opportunity for me.”
“I’m happy,” Kevin lied. “So, when do you start?”
“On Monday,” Brooke replied. “Some of the dancers are already done so my job is a little bit easier. We rehearse for about five weeks and then we start touring at the end of October.”
“We start touring?” Kevin was appalled. “You quit dancing for us because you couldn’t deal with the touring but now you’ll pick up and follow NSYNC around? I can’t believe you, Brooke!”
“Don’t start Kevin!” Brooke yelled. “This is a completely different situation. Dancing is one thing. But this is choreographing. This is a chance for me to leave my mark. I can’t believe you’re being such a baby about this.”
“I’m not, Brooke,” he whined. “It’s just that…”
“What?” she smirked, sliding into his lap. “Think I’m going to go fall in love with Justin Timberlake and forget all about you?”
“Nah…” Kevin smiled. “He’s way too young for you.”
“I resent that!” Brooke cried, slapping his arm playfully. “You’re too old for me.”
“Oh really now?” Kevin had his eyebrows raised suggestively as Brooke turned around and straddled his lap. “It’s never bothered you before.”
“I never said it bothered me,” she mumbled before her lips came crashing down on his.
“Do you have to go on tour with NSYNC?”
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
“Hey,” Lanie greeted, stepping on to Nick’s boat. Nick looked up from the water as he heard his girlfriend’s voice. “I’ve been inside looking for you.” Lanie knew that Nick was only out here by himself when he needed to think. “What’s up?”
“Nothing much.” Nick shrugged, not sure if Lanie actually wanted to hear what was bugging him. “Just got some stuff on my mind.”
“Thinking about whether you should go to the funeral?” Lanie asked, perceptively.
“How did you know?” Nick questioned, surprised.
“Because you’ve been kind of out of it for the last few days.” Lanie smiled as Nick threw her an apologetic look. “I’m not upset, Nick, nor will I be if you decide to go. Katelin’s a part of your past. I understand that. If you feel that you need to go, I’ll be behind you on hundred percent.”
“You’re the best, you know that?” Nick pulled Lanie down on to his lap. Lanie smiled but didn’t say anything. “You should come with me.”
“I don’t know, Nick,” Lanie began.
“Please?” Nick interrupted. “We’ll go for the weekend. I really need you there.”
“It would be nice to see my family,” Lanie admitted, laughing at Nick’s puppy-dog eyes. “Okay. I guess I could go.”
“Thanks babe,” Nick said, kissing her lightly. “You’re the best.” He pushed her off of him and stood up, grabbing her hand and leading her up to the house. Lanie glanced at him out of the corner of her eye as they walked back, wondering what was going to happen when Nick came face to face with Katelin again.