CHAPTER 107

Kevin’s eyes closed as Connie’s fingers worked the almond scented shampoo into his hair. They still had some serious talking to do – and they would – but for now he wanted to just bask in her attention. She chatted as she knelt behind him, pushing the lather to his scalp and playing with his soapy locks. He had never really appreciated the easy comfort that their relationship had attained – the comfort that occurs when couples fall into patterns of behavior with each other that are unplanned and perfectly natural for them. Connie was behind him. She couldn’t see his mouth and so she did the talking, creating an easy banter that Kevin had grown to expect in similar circumstances where they found themselves involved together in some task that precluded visual contact.

“….the itinerary on the dresser. Maybe I’ll do some shopping….”

The sound of her voice flowed over him like warm oil.

“….need to use your laptop. Thank goodness I already emailed my assignment..."

God, this felt good…. Occasionally, Connie would wipe away a trail of lather that threatened to sting his eyes. Kevin sighed contentedly and dropped his head.

“….all the mirrors in here! It’s like a high-scale department store dressing room! They’re so shiny, they hurt my eyes! I’d hate to be the one who had to…”

It was nice to listen and not be required or expected to answer. Connie grounded him so well and that was something he desperately needed in his life. Simple pleasures. Connie dipped a glass into the tub and began to rinse. Kevin was beginning to zone out.

“…. like they missed a spot. What is that? Looks like a smear of lotion or something…”

Suddenly Connie’s hands left his head and he heard her rise behind him. What’s going on? Come back… Her last words repeated in his memory and Kevin’s eyes shot open. Shit… I thought I got it all…. Connie was bending in front of the mirrored wall, examining the cloudy smudge.

“Jesus, Connie! Forget that! What’s the big deal?” Kevin barked.

Of course, she didn’t hear him. She continued to study the splotch as if she were some forensic specialist. Kevin had to resort to grabbing her attention by flicking droplets of water across the room towards the side of her face.

“Hey!”

“For God’s sake, Connie! I’ll call housekeeping! Just leave it alone! C’mere and help me get the soap out of my hair…”

“One sec…”

“Dammit! It’s stingin’ my eyes!” Kevin lied.

“Jeez – what a baby….”

Kevin watched with a combination of horror and titillation as Connie licked the tip of her middle finger, dabbed at the offending residue and brought the finger back to her mouth, tasting her catch.

“Jesus, Connie….”

She turned back to him wearing a somewhat puzzled as she ran her tongue over her lips.

“I don’t think it’s lotion. It tastes a little salty. Kinda familiar…”

Kevin rolled his eyes impatiently wishing she would forget this sudden obsession with mirror smears. He wasn’t about to enlighten her. He already felt a little like he’d been caught with his pants down…so to speak… After issuing a dramatic sigh (the kind accompanied an exasperated expression so that you didn’t have to actually hear it in order to capture its full meaning) and waving her towards him like a palsied traffic cop, Connie finally relented and left her position in front of the mirror. Kevin only relaxed when he felt her fingers in his hair once more.

“I think you need a change, Kevin,” she remarked seriously. “How about this?” Kevin’s eyes opened once more. What in the hell is she talking about? “Look in the mirror.”

Kevin turned his head to the mirrored wall as Connie began to laugh. She hadn’t finished rinsing his hair and had fashioned his sudsy locks into a spiky Mohawk. She seemed to be quite pleased and amused with her styling efforts. Kevin decided to call her bluff a little.

“Seriously, Connie,” he said, cocking his head. “I’ve been thinking of a change and, in fact, I talked to one of our hair people about getting a Mohawk. Nothing quite as wild as this, of course. Maybe just a little one…”

Connie’s giggles ground to a halt. “I know you’re teasing me, Kevin…”

She sounded confident but Kevin saw a flicker of doubt in her eyes. Or maybe it was fear… Gotcha! “No. I mean it. They’re ‘in’ again, you know – but more refined this time….”

“Stop it, Kevin…”

“I think it’d look pretty good…”

Connie amusement had faded quickly. She was as serious as a heart attack. “So help me God, Kevin Scott Richardson, if you get one, I’ll get one, too!”

“Someone’s banging on the door, Connie…”

“I mean it, Kevin!”

“Connie…breakfast…the door….”

Connie held his gaze in the reflection as she pushed herself up from behind the tub and stomped to the bathroom door.

“I’m not kidding, Kevin!” she warned as she closed the door behind her.

Kevin cast one more sideways glance into the mirror before submerging himself - and his chuckles.

*****

They ate in silence for several minutes before Kevin broached more sensitive matters. He would have to leave soon and they had many things to discuss. Some would have to wait but he wanted to talk a little more about Connie’s anonymous letters. Given their recent content, he would have to be careful. He didn’t want her to think that he found the letters threatening but, truth be told, he did. The threat that Kevin felt was not just emotional. There were nuts out there. Most were harmless but this person seemed to be becoming increasingly agitated the longer Connie stayed with him. This person also had the means to do some dirty digging if they found it necessary.

Despite their successful attempt to reunite and Connie’s decision to separate Kevin’s past from their current relationship, they both had questions that were potentially painful. The sooner they got those out of the way, the better. Kevin reached across the table and tapped the edge of Connie’s plate.

“Did you get anymore letters last week?” He bit into a slice of toast after he asked, trying to appear casual but stopped chewing when he saw Connie nod her head.

“I got one last Thursday.”

“Where is it?”

“At my apartment….”

As Kevin waited for more clarification, Connie speared a melon ball with her fork. He was going to have to pull it out of her.

“What did it say? Was it like…..like the last one?”

Connie lifted her napkin and dabbed the corner of her mouth before placing it carefully onto the table. “Somewhat. Mostly, whoever wrote it was glad that I was back in Florida and away from….well – away from you. They were also apologetic..”

Kevin’s face had darkened considerably. “Apologetic? How fucking sweet! What the hell were they sorry about? Digging up dirt? Poking into things that are none of their business? Splitting us up?”

“They were sorry that they had been forced to hurt me but that they felt I deserved the truth,” Connie said weakly.

“In other words, I’m a liar…” Connie’s lack of response to his comment stung. After a pause, he put the question to her. “You’ve had some time to think about all of this, Connie. Do you think I’m a liar, too?”

He was not surprise by the tears that formed in her eyes. He was surprised, however, that the show of emotion was accompanied by a slight, somewhat wistful smile.

“I remember asking you one time what your ‘number’ was. It was my assumption that your…your ‘liasons’… were female. You didn’t tell me that. You’ve never told me that you had ever been attracted to a man. Is that a lie? I don’t know. Some might say it was a lie of omission. Believe me, part of me wanted to hate you. I wanted to believe you were a liar. I wanted this to be a black or white issue – right or wrong - true or false. It would have hurt like hell, but it would have been easier for me to know what to do. How I felt wouldn’t have mattered. It would have all ridden on you.” Connie wiped her lashes and took a breath. “But I came to realize that you didn’t feel the need to confess your past because it had nothing to do with now and how you felt about me…. and because you were…..afraid. “

Kevin stared at her, struggling to find words. She was absolutely right and as much as despised showing anyone his vulnerability, he had to make a final confession.

“I’m still afraid….” Kevin mouthed, not wanting to hear his own words. “I’m afraid that you’ll never trust me…”

“Do you love me, Kevin?”

His throat hurt so bad that he couldn’t even mouth his answer. Kevin’s eyes narrowed, not in a menacing way, but in an attempt to control the physical signs of his remorse, his pride and his passion. He looked as if he might cry. All Kevin could do was nod.

“Then you don’t have to be afraid. And neither do I.”

Chapter 108

Brian hurried over to cell that lay on top of the dresser, happy to have a diversion from Leighanne’s pouting. The taping had been a last minute thing and her personal plans – an attempt to coax Brian into some of the more fashionable Hollywood jewelry stores – had been ruined. He had been anxiously watching the time, more than ready to make an escape. The cell’s beep had come during a particularly whiney moment, much to Brian’s relief and Leighanne had been forced to pause ‘mid-bitch’.

“Talk to me,” Brian said into the mouthpiece, shrugging his shoulders apologetically in response to Leigh’s frown.

“Brian? How long do you think we’ll be out today?” Then the caller added, “This is Kevin…down in 414…”

Brian rolled his eyes. Kevin always did this on the phone – identified himself as if he wouldn’t be recognized and as if he had to explain exactly who he was. It had become a running joke between anyone that Kevin called on a regular basis and Brian decided that one of these days, he was going to wait for Kevin to ID himself on the phone and then scream at him, call him a liar and hang up. He just couldn’t figure out a way to do that and see Kevin’s face at the same time. Maybe the next time he would just play dumb and say, ‘Kevin who?’ as if anyone wouldn’t know that deep Kentucky drawl.

“Jeffrey said ‘Back by four, quickie sound check at five or five-thirty, dinner and then show. I can’t believe we’re done…”

“No shit…” Kevin hesitated before giving Brian his ‘news’. “Uh…Connie’s back, Bri…”

“Yeah, man. I know. We shared an elevator last night…”

“Oh. She didn’t mention it….”

Another awkward pause grew between the cousins until Brian finally ended it with a one-word question.

“Well?”

“I think we’re okay, Brian…” It was the first time since Connie had left that Kevin had made the affirmation out loud. It felt good to actually say it – and believe it. Kevin grinned into the receiver. “I just thought you’d like to know, considering….well, you know… since you know everything and all…”

“That makes me happy, Kev. It really does. And, by the way, Leighanne hasn’t spoken to Brandi since right after Clearwater – in case you were wondering….”

“No. I wasn’t wondering,” Kevin lied. “Is Leigh there now? I’d like for her to come down to here, if she’s free.”

Brian called to Leighanne across the room. He didn’t bother to cover the receiver, so Kevin was able to hear the exchange.

“Leigh, Kevin wants you to come down to his suite…”

There was a moment of silence and Kevin guessed that Leighanne was considering his request. Finally, he heard:

“Why? What does he want to see me for? I haven’t done ANYTHING, Brian! I mean it! I haven’t even hardly seen him and I haven’t been in his business! No way I can be in trouble with Kevin and he’d better not…”

Kevin heaved an exasperated sigh into the receiver. “For Christ’s sake… Put her on, Brian..”

The next thing Kevin heard was a faint, ‘He wants to talk to you…’ followed by ‘If he thinks he’s gonna blame me for something, his Kentucky ass can think again!’ Leighanne’s became louder as she put the phone to her ear while asking Brian one more question ‘How dumb does he think I am?’ Kevin answered on his cousin’s behalf.

“I don’t know, Leigh. How dumb are you?”

“Ha, ha, Kevin… What do you want?”

Kevin found himself smiling. Generally, Leighanne annoyed the hell out of him but he did find some joy in pushing her buttons. They all did.

“Connie needs to ask you a favor.”

“Oh yeah?” Leighanne snorted. “If Connie needs something, then why are you doing the asking? Put her on,” the blond demanded, determined to wrestle control from Kevin.

Kevin’s smile grew into a grin. “Okie-dokie. Here she is…”

Kevin gestured to Connie, indicating that she should take the phone, whereupon Connie looked at him as if was crazy.

“Just do it…” he mouthed.

Kevin stood with his head near the earpiece as Connie, confused but quiet, held the cell up beside her useless ear. After several seconds, Kevin could hear Leighanne speaking impatiently.

“Hello? Hellooooooo? What do you need, Connie?” Then after a moment, another “Helloooo? Anybody there?”

Kevin had to put his hand over his mouth to keep from laughing. He wondered how long it would take Leighanne to realize what the problem was. Connie just stood with the phone help up near her ear, completely clueless. It didn’t take Leighanne too long to catch on. After another pause, he heard her mumble.

“Shit…”

Kevin took the phone from Connie, who shrugged and went back to their breakfast dishes. He was laughing out loud now, for Leighanne’s benefit.

“You are such a shithead, Kevin!”

“Sorry, Leigh. I couldn’t resist… Listen, Connie doesn’t have any clothes or anything with her. She needs to do some shopping.”

“Shopping?” Her tone changed considerably. Kevin heard Brian groan in the background.

“I thought that, if you’re free, you might go with her. You know your way around and…”

“Okay!” Leighanne broke in. “When?”

“Damn. I expected an argument…”

“I’m doing this for Connie, not you.”

“Of course…,” Kevin replied sarcastically. “Can she borrow something to wear?”

“I guess I can find something,” Leighanne said with a touch of self-sacrifice lacing her words. “She’s not that much bigger than me. Maybe she can squeeze into something of mine that’s real loose…”

“Do you have any clothes that are loose, Leigh?”

“Shut-up, Kevin. You must have me mixed up with one of AJ’s trollops..”

“If you say so…” Then Kevin decided to push one more button. “Leigh, Connie really doesn’t have any clothes to speak of. Maybe she could borrow some underwear, too?”

Leigh Anne sighed unto the phone. “I’ll see what I have…”

“Good. Maybe you have an extra pair of those crotchless panties that Nick was telling everybody about at rehearsal….”

He could almost feel the heat emanating through the wireless connection.

“Asshole…” Click.

*****

It was only a matter of minutes before Kevin heard a light rapping on the suite door and opened it to find Leighanne tapping her foot impatiently and carrying a armload of clothes.

“You get the panties?” Kevin teased as she came through the door.

“I hate you…” Leighanne hissed back as she pushed past him to hand her selections to Connie.

“No, you don’t. I know you want me, Leigh. Stop fighting it…”

Leighanne’s only response to Kevin’s goading was to shoot him a dramatic scowl before she turned to Connie.

“I brought you a dress. We’re about the same height, so it should be okay. I was going to lend you some pants but I think your ass is bigger than mine…”

Kevin was about to object to Leighanne’s not-so-subtle insult but Connie shook her head slightly, stopping him. She even looked a little amused. Leighanne droned on. It was evident that she was planning to take control of this shopping expedition.

“Now, do you have everything?”

“Yes, I think so,” Connie nodded.

“ Got Kevin’s credit card?”

“No! Why would I? I have my own cards!” Connie frowned.

Standing behind Leighanne, Kevin began to fumble for his wallet. “Here, Baby – take my Amex. Get whatever you need. We’re gonna be here for a while…”

He held the card out but as soon as he saw Connie’s face, he realized he’d made a mistake. He should have kept his mouth closed and his wallet in his pants. Connie’s narrowed eyes bore into his like lasers as she crossed her arms and shifted her hips, taking a defiant stance that dared him to utter another word. Leighanne’s posture had changed, too. Her hands had gone to her hips. While Connie’s warning had been aimed at Kevin, Leighanne’s complaint was with Connie.

“Look, Connie. I’m not going clothes shopping at Walmart. We’re going to Rodeo. Take his card! He can afford it.”

Connie’s eyes left Kevin’s and slowly moved to Leigh’s. Her tone was even but firm. “I said ‘no’. I’ll buy my own things. Kevin doesn’t ‘keep’ me, Leighanne and while I appreciate your concern over my financial status, let me advise you not to worry yourself about it.” Then she added pointedly, “Ever again….”

The potentially explosive standoff was averted by another knock on the door. It was Carlos. He’d drawn the short straw and would be accompanying the ladies on their shopping trip. He didn’t look happy.

“You two ready?” he grunted.

“Yes.”

Connie and Leighanne had answered in unison but their eyes had never left each other’s and their respective body language has remained unyielding. After another moment of tense quiet, Kevin finally waved, capturing Connie’s attention.

“Gotta go, babe. It’s 10:30. You girls have …” Kevin swallowed, “..fun..”

He received no response from either of them. As soon as he had finished speaking, the stare-off had resumed. Sighing, he patted Carlos’ shoulder sympathetically before leaving.

“Good luck, man…”