*One Week Later*
Shayla heard from AJ at least every other day. They were just about done with the tour. Only 5 shows left over the next two weeks. Nick was calling McKenzie every day and according to AJ was driving them all crazy whining about missing her. Shayla had gone to another one of the shows to visit with AJ. They'd had a good time and after the show they all went out clubbing. AJ wanted Shayla to stay with him at their hotel but she wasn't ready to do that yet. She still just didn't feel like they were going to have that kind of relationship, much to AJ's disappointment. It just seemed to Shayla that that something special was missing even though she did like AJ. They'd spent half the night making out pretty heavy but it didn't go any further, which was very difficult for Shayla because AJ was very persuasive. They came very close to making love but, AJ gave Shayla the bed and he slept on the sofa. Shayla knew that AJ saw other girls, he didn't lie to her about that and she understood. They weren't really a couple, even though AJ wanted them to be, so he was free to do what he wanted, as was she.
Shayla still kept an eye on Brian and Leighanne's house and would talk to them occasionally. She usually talked to Brian through AJ when he called. A few days after going to the show though things seemed to change with Brian and Leighanne. When she would talk directly to Brian he always seemed strained and down. He said nothing was wrong when she asked if he was ok, that he was just tired. What struck Shayla as odd though was that she didn't hear from Leighanne as much anymore. Only once in a while when Brian was unable to call and she always sounded down too. Shayla figured they both probably just really missed each other.
One day after coming home from work, Shayla was sitting on the porch watching the dogs play and reading a book when she heard someone walking across the yard. All the sudden she saw Tyke come running over and begin playing with Taco and Belle. Then Brian appeared.
"Brian," Shayla said surprised to see him. "What are you doing here? Is everything alright? Is something wrong with AJ?"
"Oh no, AJ's fine. He says hello, don't worry everything's ok," he said. But Shayla could tell something was wrong.
"Why are you home? Aren't you supposed to be in St. Louis still?" she asked.
"Yeah, we have a few days off until the next show and I had some things to take care of her. I have to fly back out late tonight though because we have some charity things to do while we're on break," he said.
"Are you alright?" Shayla asked. He looked awful and looked like he'd been crying.
"Yeah," Brian said not convincing her.
"Look at them play," Shayla laughed watching the dogs. "They get along so well."
"That's good because that's kinda what I came over about," Brian said.
"What do you mean?" asked Shayla.
"I was wondering if Tyke could stay here for a while till we get done with the tour?"
"Sure I guess. I thought you were keeping him with you though," she said confused.
"I was, but we have so much to do this next week and I can't take him over the border when we go to Canada. Leighanne was supposed to take him but we......well, we broke up," he said sadly.
"What? Oh Brian I'm so sorry. Of course he can stay here," Shayla said.
"Thanks, I really appreciate it. It'll be better for him to be with other dogs like him and he knows you, instead of going to my mom's or something," Brian said.
"You wanna come inside and get something to drink?" Shayla asked.
"Yeah sure," he said following her in with the dogs following close behind.
"You wanna talk about it?" she asked handing him a glass of ice tea. She sat down next to him on loveseat in the sitting room.
He looked like he might start crying. He looked out the back windows that were open with the breeze blowing in and the smell of the ocean. He missed it and really wanted this tour to be over. A tear fell from his eye and his head fell to her shoulder.
"Oh sweetie, what happened?" Shayla asked him turning so she could hold him. He put his arms around her and cried. Only as much as his pride would let him. He was a man after all and didn't want her to see him crying. He just really needed someone to unload on. He'd been keeping it bottled up for almost two weeks. The guys had been helpful but it just wasn't what he needed.
"It's just not going to work out. I really don't wanna talk about it. I'm never going to fall in love again," he said gathering himself together.
"Oh yes you will. Someday this will pass," Shayla said.
"I kinda had a feeling things were changing for a while. Even before you moved in I guess. I'm sorry, I shouldn't be bothering you with all this," he said.
"Hey," Shayla said. She lifted his chin to look at her. "You're not bothering me. That's what friends are for, and I consider us friends. You can talk to me or if you wanna cry on my shoulder you can. There's no such thing as, I'm a man and I'm not supposed to cry. That's a bunch of bullshit. I would imagine that it's hard to show how you're feeling and cry in front of the guys because you all have to prove how macho you are. But you come through my door and you can cry all you want. Now tell me what happened."
Brian was amazed how she had just summed up everything he'd been feeling. It was like she was inside his mind. He filled her in on some of what happened but not the most important reason, and he listened to everything she had to say trying to help. But mostly, and most importantly to him, she just listened. She offered suggestions without telling him what to do, and that's what he needed. Shayla made him stay for dinner and by the time they were through, she actually had him laughing at some of her stories and jokes. They talked about Nick and McKenzie and AJ. It actually helped him to listen to her tell him her problems about how she felt about AJ.
"Thanks Shayla, I feel a little better now. You're a great friend. I'm glad you moved in here," he said giving her a hug as they cleared the dinner dishes.
"Anytime," she said. They stared at each other for a moment still embracing. Brian pulled away shyly. There was always some strange feeling when they touched.
"Hey, I developed the pictures from your and McKenzie's party and the concert. Ya wanna see them?" she asked changing the subject.
"Yeah definitely. AJ says you're quite a photographer," Brian said.
"Well, I'm sure he's a little prejudiced in his opinion. We'll see what you think. I'll be right back, they're upstairs. I'll meet you in the living room," she said running up the steps.
Brian lingered in the hallway looking at the pictures on the walls. There wasn't a bare spot. The walls were covered with her work from different places all over the world, and he noticed some new ones from the beach here. He walked into the living room and sat on the overstuffed sofa. The room was very cozy and warm, much like he wished his home had been. He picked up one of the chenile throws on the back of the sofa. It was so soft. He could smell her scent on it. The same scent he'd smelled when she held him when he cried and when he hugged her before. He put it back on the sofa as he heard her coming back down stairs.
"Ok, here we go," Shayla said sitting down next to him, her shoulder brushing his.
"Is that all your work hanging in the hallway?" he asked taking the pictures from her.
"Yep, from all the places I've been. Some of those have been in magazines and books," she told him.
"They're very good. It's very impressive," he told her.
"Thanks," she said.
"Wow, these are really good," he said looking at the pictures. "You really got us in some great poses during the show." Brian was getting an idea, but he'd have to talk to the guys about it first. "You're very photogenic yourself," he said looking at a picture of Shayla and McKenzie.
"Oh please," Shayla said blushing and playfully hitting his arm. He smiled at her. It felt good to smile.
"Shayla you're very talented. These are great. I really like this one," he said holding up a picture of all the guys backstage in their costumes.
"You like it? You can have it. Take it with ya. Take a couple of them if ya want," she told him.
"You don't mind?" he asked as she got up to let the dogs out who were barking.
"Take whatever ya want. I can make more," she called from the other room. He put a few of them aside to take with him. Including one of him and Shayla at his house during the party. She hadn't taken that one of course, he just wanted it. He didn't know yet why.
"I'd better get going. I have a flight out on the red eye," he said standing as she came back.
"Ok, do you need a ride to the airport?" she asked.
"No, I'll take a cab," he said. Shayla looked at him shaking her head and he knew she would take him. "Alright, I'll take a ride. That'd be great," he said giving in.
"Ok I'll get my keys," she said going to the kitchen.
"I'm gonna get my bags and I'll meet you in the car," he said.
*On The Way To The Airport*
"Thanks for taking care of Tyke for me. I really appreciate your helping out," Brian said.
"No problem. I'll make sure he has a good time and doesn't miss you too much," Shayla said smiling. Brian looked at her, she had such a beautiful smile.
Brian was about to board his plane. "Ok, now if you need to talk anytime, day or night, you call me got it?" Shayla told him.
"Ok thanks, but I'm feeling better already. Today was just what I needed," he said hugging her. "Thanks for the ride and the pictures."
"You're welcome. I'll see you soon and say hi to AJ for me. And the other guys too," she said giving a kiss on the cheek.
"Will do," he said starting to walk away through the gate. She watched him go, then he stopped and turned around. He came running back. She wondered what was wrong, yet he was smiling so nothing could be wrong. Very quickly he kissed her on the lips, then smiled that angelic smile. "Thanks for everything, you're the best," he said and ran down the ramp onto the plane. It was just a friendly kiss. A peck really, but yet it lingered. She could still feel it. She could taste him as she licked her lips.
She turned and began walking away out of the airport with her fingers on her lips. Little did she know he'd stolen her heart today. Little did he know she had stolen his.