Chapter 49

Bri glanced out at the ocean from her bedroom window and sighed. It was the last day of their paradise vacation, and in just a few short moments she was going to have to confront saying good bye to her two friends. She hadn’t told them of her decision yet, partially because she was afraid they’d think she was crazy, and two because she’d wanted to hold that special memory to herself a bit. They'd had a wonderful week, interspersed with the concerts, sound checks an even some special show they'd done on Valentines, but it was the moments in between that were even more fun.

Seeing her favorite band had been all kinds of awesome, her first concerts ever in fact, but it had been those in between times, the night voyage on the yacht, the trip to Maui, the shopping, the laughing the togetherness of the brothers that had been the highlights to her.

She'd learned quickly how different they were from public perception. Oh sure Jon was all business, but he had a quick wit and even quicker anger button at times. David had been the sweet one. He was actually quieter than some thought, but every so often that devil may care smirk came out and the humor fell from his lips AND a never ending stash of pranks seemed to follow him, along with Carly’s laughter as she was pulled into his shenanigans.

Her girls had fallen hard for their heroes, and yet each of them was on their way back to the cold of Ohio and Jersey. Maybe David and Jon were just crazy, or maybe she was. She just wasn't sure yet.

Geena sighed as she finished her packing. She didn't want to leave but her fantasy time was over and it was time to get back to the reality called life. Jon had been everything she had thought he would be; sweet, funny and yes, even an ass at times. She had fallen hard for the man, although she told herself countless times not too. It was hard for her not too. The infamous payback night and Valentine's Day combined had done it. He had taken her to a restaurant, they had been the only two in the place and they slowed danced all night long. After that they had taken a walk on the beach where they made love to the glory of the sunrise over Hawaii.

Now her dream over and she just had to get over it but how? She loved him. Tears filled her eyes as she fought to shake them away. She closed her suitcase with a sigh. They had one last night with the boys. A game of truth and dare was planned. The thought of that brought a much needed smile to her face. This should be fun. She walked out of her room, placing her suitcase near the door.

Carly finished folding her clothes and zipped her bag closed. The last few had been some wild ride that started with Geena’s phone call, and took a wild turn into a full blown episode of the “Twilight Zone”! OK,so it had been a VERY EROTIC episode, starting with the private concert in David’s suite on their first night on the island. From that point on it was non stop dream fulfillment. A slight smile raced across her face as she adjusted her thoughts, well make that gutter dreams come true! Just a couple of mornings back she had woken up in his arms. That had been a moment worth remembering. She'd had a shock of her life when she turned over and pressed her face into his naked chest! Blinking the sleep out of her eyes, she'd stared at the all too familiar Joker Tat, AND discovered not so little “Joker Junior” pressing into her tummy! It had scared the shit out of David when she'd jumped out of bed and hightailed out of his suite! Luckily he was very understanding and did not get angry, although he did put on a good show and pouted for the rest of the day. It took a long massage and an even longer make out session for him to “forgive her”. And yesterday was totally out of this world! He had booked them a deluxe package at the local marine park, that included a swim with a bunch of friendly dolphins. But this episode was coming to its end.

She managed to avoid getting intimate with him, but did that mean that leaving him was going to hurt any less? Probably not. She already had a sneaking suspicion that she had lost her heart to this wonderfully patient, loving and funny man of her dreams. She turned to stare at herself in the mirror. So why not take the last step and have a night worthy the gutter girl that she was on the board? Well if he hadn't give up that is. If he gave her one more shot she just might have to stuff down all those old feelings of insecurity and agree. Carly shook her head, sighed, and picked up her bag and went to join her friends in the living room.

Bri smiled as her thoughts turned to Richie. If anything had been a miracle walking, it would have to be that man. His sense of humor was naughtier than Dave’s. She'd yet to see his temper, other than that one momentary surge when he talked to Jared on the phone, but his emotions ran deeper than most gave him credit for at times.

She lifted the one small carry-on bag she had and placed it on her shoulder. Taking a deep breath she stepped through her bedroom door and out to face her friends.

"Well this is it isn't it? "Geena said, her smile forced as she watched Bri enter the sitting area.

Bri glanced over and saw the threatening tears in her friend’s eyes. "Yeah. You gonna be ok G?"

"I have to be don't I?" Geena swallowed hard as she nodded at her friend. “I mean we knew what we were getting in to and how it was going to end.”

She nibbled her lower lip a moment, thinking through all she could say and discarding it. "He's gonna miss you and you know it. He doesn’t think so now, he’s all big bad macho Jon. But he's gonna realize it somewhere or another and he’s gonna miss you. I just know it."

Geena rolled her eyes "Yea, right Bri. You and I both know better. I just was stupid enough to let my feelings get involved."

She felt her cheeks flush before shaking her head. "How often have I been wrong?"

"Not much I guess. But HRH is so jaded now. I don't think anyone can reach him. Well, maybe his kids can, but they are about it.”

She shook her head, her glance moving to Carly. "You're kinda hard to forget G."

Geena arched an eyebrow. "How's that? I'm just a lay. He’ll add many more girls long after I'm gone."

"Bullshit. From what I was told, from a reliable source if you know what I mean, HE doesn’t screw around that much. When he does..well its special."

Geena walked over to the balcony, her gaze taking in the pristine blue of the ocean. "That's the problem. IT WAS special -- for me. That’s what hurts the most."

She stepped over to her friend and snorted lightly. "DO YOU EVER LISTEN to me? I just told you. He doesn’t, ever, not since his divorce. That he did yells, screeches and screams volumes. I was told that. So you gotta umm Keep the Faith."

"I am listening to you . Yes ok he chose me to sleep with but that’s all it is to him. Don't you get that? No emotions, no attachments, natta. It was just mind blowing sex that will have me spoiled for other men. No one could ever top that."

She huffed. "You two are fuckin' perfect for each other. Stupidly stubborn. OK don't listen to me G. Don't believe what Richie told me." She blushed slightly, "Keep thinking it was just sex."