Chapter 23:
A Night Visit
Brian rested his head against the coolness
of the SUV’s window, eyes heavy with fatigue. He watched as the streaks of car
headlights flared then dimmed as they passed by, trying to not think about
anything but the relief that sleep would soon provide him. He adjusted himself
a little more comfortably in Xavier’s SUV, hoping they would arrive soon. To
tired to argue when Xavier announced that he would drive them all back to the
hotel, Brian passively obeyed, the rest of the guys too tense to disagree. The
silence between all five was heavy, each lost in their own reservations and
suspicions. Xavier peeked in his rear view mirror to glance at Nick, who was
staring somberly out the side window, then back at Brian who finally had his
eyes closed. Deciding to enliven things a bit, he rumbled his throat to get
their attention. "Hey, where’s Aaron, Nick?" he questioned wickedly,
knowing full well. Brian’s eyes popped wide open and he turned in his seat to
look at Nick, then at Xavier.
"Why don’t you ask your little friend
there," answered Nick, sourly.
Xavier turned his attention to Brian, and
by the look of his face Brian realized that Xavier already knew. "He left,
went back home," Brian stated simply.
Xavier nodded, not needing anymore
explanation. "Not a bad idea, considering the threats and all. You just
never know what could happened." He looked meaningfully at the young
singer and Brian turned his head away, but not before noting Xavier’s grudging
admiration at Brian’s skill and trickery in winning this round.
Nick listened intently, his mouth ajar.
What was going on? Did Xavier seriously think that the threats to Brian could
affect Aaron? Nick thought hard about the situation. It didn’t take a genius to
know Brian was under some strain. Did Brian truly think Aaron was in some
danger? In his exhaustion, could Brian’s cruel suggestions merely been his
bizarre way of keeping Aaron away from danger? Nick realized that he never
asked Brian about the nature of his threats. Nick studied Brian sitting up in
front with Xavier, feeling confused, but not angry. He wanted to talk to Brian
right now, to clear things up between them but he noticed Brian leaning wearily
against the window. He smiled ruefully. It could wait until tomorrow.
*******
Kevin knew something was wrong, he felt
it, sensed it, and jerked awake with a start. His heart was pounding and he
grabbed his pillow for some security, bringing himself up on one elbow trying
to see clearly in what little light was there.
"Shit!" he yelled, panicking
when he found two glittering eyes staring close to his. His heart raced even
faster and he felt weak, collapsing into the softness of his bed as he gazed up
at Xavier. "What in God’s name are you doing in here?" he hollered,
angry. The bodyguard straightened up, cool and composed.
"Just checking on you," he
answered calmly.
"In the middle of the night?"
Kevin shouted, agitated.
"I found signs that the intruder was
here again. I needed to check up…on all of you. I’m sorry if I startled you.
Try and go back to sleep, okay?"
Kevin relaxed a bit, heaving a sigh of
relief. "Sorry, X. It’s just that you scared the shit out of me." He
noticed Xavier smiled at that but dismissed it as another thought came to mind.
"How’s Brian? Is he alright?"
"Everything’s fine. He’s sleeping
like a baby."
"Oh. Well. Okay." Kevin was at a
loss for words, trying not to show how self-conscious he felt in Xavier’s
looming presence. Xavier seemed aware of it though and chuckled, giving the
dark-haired singer a goodbye as he exited.
Kevin heard the click of his door closing
and lay back down in bed, disturbed. He had a strange feeling that Xavier had
been in his room for a lot longer than just a check-up, that Xavier had been
studying him for some unexplainable reason. Kevin wondered if Brian felt as
uncomfortable with Xavier as he did and decided to talk to him about in the
morning. Pulling the covers closely around his body, he wrapped himself tightly
as a cocoon, hoping he could fall asleep.
***
