Episode 84...

~ Brian ~

“C’mon Brian,” Jackie chides him as he walks into the lounge adjusting his jacket.
“Chill mom, I’m ready,” he mutters. “Ya couldn’t have booked me to sing at the END huh?”
“That would be too easy,” she laughs. “Ah, you’ll enjoy it. You always have before.”
“Yeah when nobody knew me! I’m gonna spend all night bein’ polite and brushing people off,” he moans and Jackie hits him lightly.
“Don’t get too full of yourself.”
“Sorry.”
“C’mon, get in the car. Harold is waiting,” she walks him outside.
“Aren’t you comin’ now?”
“I have to wait for your dad. We’ll be along soon. Now go!”
“Yes mom,” he grins and climbs into the car. “Hey bro,” he greets Harold.
“Hey, lookin’ good,” Harold grins and starts the car. He drives away. “Lookin’ forward to the ball huh?”
“Hardly,” Brian mutters. “Don’t tell mom but I’m planning on sneaking away about halfway through.”
“You’ll get caught!” Harold laughs.
“Maybe, maybe not.”
“And disappoint all those women queuing up for a dance?! Terrible.”
“They’ll live,” Brian rolls his eyes and turns on the radio.
A few minutes later, they’re walking into the dance hall. It’s decked out in blue streamers, Kentucky Wildcats flags and the US flag is spread across the ceiling. Brian heads straight for the makeshift bar and orders a beer.
“Starting early,” comments the bartender.
“Gonna need it,” replies Brian.

~ Jade ~

“Ok, he’s gone,” Jackie walks into my room and then stops dead when she sees me. “Oh my, Jade you look beautiful!”
“I do?” I ask. “I didn’t realise it was goin’ to be so formal.”
“They always are,” she says. “You look perfect honey.”
“Thanks,” I smile. After arriving without anything even remotely resembling formalwear, Jackie had taken me to a nearby shop. The dress I’m wearing was in the window and fits me perfectly. It’s made out of dark blue satin and is cut to my curves. The broad straps and square neckline flatters my bosom and shoulders, and the length has a slit up to my thigh. I feel pretty glamorous and totally not me.
“Shall we go?”
“Sure. You look real pretty,” I tell her and she smiles delightedly.
“Thank you Jade. I got this dress from New York last year. This is the first chance I’ve had to wear it!”
“That’s not right,” I say and she laughs.
“I know but try telling my husband that.”

“Wow,” I say as we walk into the dancehall. “It’s, uh, BLUE.”
“Kentucky blue,” says Jackie with a giggle. “And you’re surprised?!”
“I guess not,” I laugh.
“Oh, there he is!” Jackie points her son out by the stage. “Oh, go on Jade! I can’t wait to see his face!” she pushes me over to him. He’s talking with his brother and another guy. “Brian, I have someone for you to meet.”
“Mom…” he mutters and turns round. “Jade?!” his eyes widen as he takes me in. He steps back slightly to look at my dress and almost falls over Harold who is behind him.
“Watch it bro!”
“Sorry bro,” Brian mutters without looking away from me. “Whoa, Jady…”
“She looks good doesn’t she?” says Jackie. “Tell her she looks beautiful.”
“C’mon mom, let’s go get a drink,” Harold takes her arm and steers her away from us. “You DO look good Jade,” he calls over his shoulder and I smile.
“You look MORE than good,” Brian finally finds his tongue and I giggle.
“So do you.”
“Come here,” he pulls me into his arms for a long kiss. “I’ve missed you baby.”
“Right back at ya.”
“So, how come you’re here?”
“Your mom called me and suggested I surprise you. And I missed you so I’m here...wearing this formal dress…”
“I’m honoured,” he laughs. He knows how much I hate occasions and formal stuff. I just get embarrassed and uncomfortable.
“Good,” I smile and kiss him. His warm tongue dips into my mouth and he pulls my body closer to his. I run my fingers through his hair and stroke the nape of his neck as we stop kissing. He rests his nose against mine and smiles. “I love you Brian.”
“I love you too Jady,” he whispers.
“So, what’re you singing tonight?”
“It’s a Faith Hill song – The Way You Love Me.”
“I like that one.”
“I know,” he grins. “It’s your shower song.”
“Yeah, I guess it is,” I agree with a laugh. “It’s just so catchy.”
“Well I hope I do it justice.”
“’Course you will,” I tell him.
“Welcome to the 74th annual Lexington Dance!” yells a guy on the stage.
“Ow,” I wince.
“Little close,” Brian says and we move away from the speakers giggling.
“We have a VERY special guest singer to kick it all off tonight. He’s a son of Lexington who made it big, VERY big! Will you please welcome Mr Brian Littrell!”
Everyone cheers and I kiss Brian before pushing him towards the stage. He walks up on stage with a big smile and takes the microphone.
“Thanks y’all! It’s real good to be back home! Thanks for makin’ me so welcome. I hope y’all have a great night tonight. I’m gonna kick it all off with a song by Faith Hill. It’s called The Way You Love Me and I hope you like it.”
The dancefloor is flooded with people as the band strike up the music. Brian gives me a slow wink before starting to sing.

“If I could grant you one wish
I wish you could see the way you kiss
Ooh I love watching you baby
When you’re driving me crazy

“Ooh I love the way you love the way you love me
The way that you laugh and breathe and smile
When you touch me, drives me wild
There’s nowhere else I’d rather be
Ooh to feel the way I feel with your arms around me
I melt and spin and fall again
I only wish you could see the way you love me
Whoa oh oh, the way you love me

“It’s not right, it’s not fair
What you’re missing over there
Someday I’ll find a way to show you
Just how lucky I am to know you

“You’re the million reasons why
There’s love reflecting in my eyes

Everyone cheers and claps as the music ends.
“Thank you! Enjoy yourselves!” Brian runs off stage and picks me up, swinging me around and making me dizzy.
"Whoa," I giggle as he puts me down. I wobble a little and he steadies me by wrapping his arms around me. "That was amazing."
"Thanks," he grins and kisses me. "So how long 'til we can leave?"
"Don't you think of anything else?!" I hit him lightly and he chuckles.
"Hey, the house is empty!"
"Hm," I think a little. "Ok we can go but you gotta dance with me first."
"Deal," he grins and pulls me onto the dancefloor where the people of Lexington are line-dancing.
"I didn't say it had to be THIS dance," I whine as I try to keep up with the steps.

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