Brian would use Tyke as an excuse to call. Shayla knew that's what he was doing, but figured he just needed someone to talk to. She couldn't wait for him to get home. Shayla found him to be a wonderful friend. She thought about him all the time. He was one of the nicest people she'd ever known. He was truly a good person. He was down and she was lonely being alone in a new town and they always made each other feel better. They were good for each other. They'd gotten very close, and Brian was really beginning to trust her and open up. They had become someone the other could confide in and had built a very special bond.
Whenever Brian got lonely or down he would take out the picture of himself and Shayla. Just looking at it made him feel better. The guys all noticed this sudden interest he'd taken in Shayla but also saw how good she made him feel. And he'd talk about her all the time, not realizing he was doing it. He didn't know Shayla was doing the same thing. She'd developed another one of the pictures and put it in a frame by the sofa. She thought she'd misplaced the other one. She didn't know Brian had taken it. She confided in Brian about her feelings for AJ. She still didn't know what to do or how she felt about him. He called all the time and they'd talk for hours just like she and Brian. But with AJ it was different. They were supposed to be kind of dating but it just didn't feel like it. It just wasn't all there. They were great friends, but Shayla just didn't feel anything else right now. Sure, she liked it when he kissed her, but the other feelings just weren't there. She figured it may be partly because they never got to see each other and it's hard to start a relationship when you're apart so much. Maybe things could be different once he was home for a while, but she just couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't right. They were better off having the flirtatious full of sexual innuendo relationship they had. They had fun with it.
Nick and McKenzie were officially a couple. As soon as the tour was over, he was flying straight to see her. He'd even mentioned in a recent MTV interview that he had a new girlfriend. He talked about how good she was to him and and his family and how important she knew his fans were, which she did. Of course he wouldn't mention her name. He wanted to protect her from the media as long as possible. But McKenzie was tickled pink that he talked about her and gave their secret signal, scratching his head. As soon as she was done with school, the guys would be back from the Bahama's and she was coming to stay with Shayla for the summer. Nick's family couldn't wait to meet her. Nick talked about her constantly and Brian had told Jane how much he liked McKenzie and that reassured her. Brian had also always been telling her about what a good friend Shayla was to him. They were all going to go visit Nick's family when McKenzie came up. Brian asked Shayla to come along and the Carter's couldn't wait to meet them both.
The media had a field day with Brian and Leighanne's broken engagement. They were really vicious and hounded him constantly. They even went so far as to say that he must have cheated on Leighanne while on the road. The fans however, were loving the fact that he was single again. He arranged for Shayla to pick him up at the airport and stay at her house for a few days because the press would probably start camping out at his house the day the tour ended, in an attempt to get the scoop and pictures of a depressed Brian. He mailed Shayla a key and had her pack some of his things and take them to her house now so it didn't have to be done when the press was there. After a few days, when they saw he didn't come home, they would figure he was at his family's in Lexington or staying with one of the guys, but they'd never think he was staying with his next door neighbor. He couldn't wait to see Tyke. He also couldn't wait to see Shayla. He missed talking to her in person. When he'd call, Shayla would put the phone to Tyke's ear so Brian could talk to him and he'd go crazy. Shayla had never seen an animal miss it's owner so much. But Tyke was so used to being with him all the time, so it was hard on him.
Brian had showed the guys the pictures that Shayla had taken of them at the concert and party. They all agreed they were wonderful. They were going to be needing a new personal photographer to follow them because the guy they had been using for so long was retiring after this tour. They all thought it was a great idea to try and get Shayla to take the job. Her knowing them personally would be a wonderful bonus. It would help her take pictures that reflected and captured their personalities. Brian said he would talk to her about it when they got back.
A few days before the guys were to come home, Shayla finally got the nerve to talk to AJ about their situation. She wanted to set things straight before he came back expecting to be with her. She had worried so much about talking to him, but it turned out to be easy and they both agreed to remain the close friends they had become. And if at some point things changed then, they did. Besides, AJ was seeing something she and Brian didn't.
*The Homecoming*
"Brian! AJ!" Shayla yelled spotting their body guards before them and running to them as they stepped off the plane. She embraced them both and kissed each of them on the cheek. "It's so good to see you guys. Welcome home," she said.
AJ grabbed her picking her up and giving her a big squeeze. "Mmm-mmm, you look good," he said putting her down and smacking her on the butt.
"Hey!" Shayla exclaimed as he just grinned at her.
"We better get our bags," Brian said.
"Where's Howie and Kevin?" Shayla asked. She knew Nick had flown to see McKenzie.
"Kevin went to LA to see Kristin and Howie's not coming back until tomorrow. So has the media shown up at the house yet?" Brian asked. He seemed tense to Shayla.
"Yep, they showed up yesterday. I got everything you asked for, and set up the spare room for ya. You can stay as long as you need," Shayla told him.
They arrived at the baggage claim. "Thank you so much for this," Brian said hugging her. "I'm sure it'll only be for a few day." Brian left sulking to go to the other side of the carousel to look for his bags.
"Is he ok?" Shayla asked AJ.
"Leighanne called last night," AJ said.
"Oh, is everything ok?" Shayla asked.
"I think so," AJ said. "He's just depressed again. They had some last minute things to iron out. Hey I wanna go clubbing tonight, wanna come with me?"
"Yeah, sounds fun," Shayla said.
"Cool, we can do some dirty dancing," AJ said grabbing her and grinding against her.
"AJ!" she pushed him away laughing.
"Ok, I got my stuff. Are we ready?" Brian interrupted. He really seemed to be in a bad mood.
"Yep, let's go," AJ said.
They loaded their things into the trunk of Shayla's car and piled in. AJ sat up front with Shayla and Brian stretched out in the back. "Let me drive," AJ begged.
"No way!" Shayla told him. "You drive like you have a death wish."
"No I don't. I just like to get there fast. I do everything fast," he said grinning mischievously.
"Cut it out," Shayla said smacking his leg.
"How's Tyke?" Brian asked from the back seat interrupting their flirtations. Normally AJ flirting with Shayla didn't bother him but for some reason it had started to.
"He's fine, he'll be so excited to see you. I can tell he misses you. He's been sleeping on my bed at night," Shayla said.
"Has he?" Brian said laughing.
"Yeah, he lays right by my head. Sometimes on my head," Shayla laughed.
"Yep, that's Tyke," Brian said. Shayla finally saw a real smile appear on his face.
Shayla pulled up to AJ's house. He got his stuff from the trunk while Brian moved up to the front seat. AJ stopped at Shayla's window before going in the house. "I'll pick you up around 8:00 ok sweetie," he said.
"Ok see ya then," Shayla said. AJ gave her a quick kiss and went inside.
"What's that all about? I thought you two weren't going to be seeing each other?" Brian asked like it bothered him. Shayla couldn't believe what a bad mood he seemed to be in.
"We're not, but we're still friends. We're going clubbing tonight. You wanna come?" she asked.
"No, I'm not in the mood," Brian said.
Shayla backed out of the driveway and they started for home. "Are you ok?" she asked him.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just tired I guess. I didn't get much sleep last night and now have jet lag," Brian said making excuses.
"Is there anything I can do?" Shayla asked.
"Nah, I just gotta work through some things. You've done enough. It'll help out a lot just not having to deal with the mob of press outside my door," he said.
"There they are," Shayla said as they drove down the street. Brian slumped down in the seat so he wouldn't be seen. Shayla opened the garage door, pulled in and closed the door. "They'll never know," she giggled.
"Let's hope not," Brian said opening the door to the house for her.
"Hi babies!" Shayla squealed as the dogs ran and started jumping on her glad to see her.
"What am I chopped liver?" Brian said to Tyke who was ignoring him and jumping all over Shayla. Shayla picked up Tyke.
"Look Tyke, daddy's home," she said showing him Brian. Tyke went nuts and Shayla laughed as he practically lept out of her arms. Brian smiled at her. He kinda liked the way she said that.
"That's more like it," Brian said as Tyke licked him all over his face. "Well I guess you have a new friend. He sure seems to have gotten attached to you," he said to Shayla. He nuzzled Tyke's head under his chin. "Did Aunt Shayla take good care of you huh?" He sat on the floor and played with him a little.
"He can come over anytime. He's such a sweetie. I think he misses Litty Leigh though," Shayla said then wished she hadn't.
Brian's face changed and he suddenly looked real sad as he put Tyke down. "Yeah, I'm sure he does."
"Oh Brian, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I didn't mean to upset you," Shayla apologized.
"It's ok, he probably does miss her," he said.
"Come on let's get you settled," Shayla said picking up one of his bags and heading up the steps.