Chapter
27
The
week went by quickly. The weather had been so hot, that Mariah spent most of her
time at the beach. Either by herself or the guys, or just her and Brian. Now,
she was sitting on her from steps enjoying the sun. She lathered on sunscreen,
not wanting to burn. She could feel the sun tanning her already and she had
only been out there for 10 minutes. She sat and began to daydream when she
heard a voice calling her back.
"Hello?
Earth to Mariah. Anyone home?"
Mariah
looked out of one corner of her eye. When she saw who it was she said,
"Sorry, no one's home, take a message."
"Hey!
That's not nice!"
Mariah
smiled. "I'm sorry! Come here, let me give you a hug!" When he did
she asked, "There feel better?"
He
put on a face. "I guess so," he said pouting.
"Brian,
you're such a joker." He just grinned like an idiot.
"So,
what brings you here today?"
"Well,"
he said, his expression grew serious. "I have to talk to you about
something."
"What
is it?" she said, her smile faded quickly. "What's wrong?"
"Well,
nothing's wrong," he began. "It's just that, I have to go back on
tour. Soon. Very soon."
Mariah
looked at him. "How soon is very soon?" she asked.
He
hesitated a bit, then said, "Day after tomorrow."
Mariah
looked away from him and sighed. Brian took her face in one hand and turned it
so she was facing him. "I'm sorry," he apologized.
"That's
okay," she answered, sighing again. "It was bound to happen sometime.
I can't do anything about it." She gave him a small smile.
He
grinned. "You're the best you know?"
"I
know," she answered, grinning herself. "I'm the greatest!" she
joked.
Brian
smiled and said, "What if I asked you to come with me?"
Mariah
looked shocked at first then said, "Well, I don't know. The thing is, I
was figuring when you left, I'd go up and visit my mom, since I haven't seen
her in a while."
"Well,
that's okay. You can always join us in the middle of the tour. It's no big
deal. Besides, you haven't seen us sing live yet."
"Yes
I have," she answered him. She thought back to her birthday. "I have
too seen you live, I think you guys are very talented."
Brian
smiled, also thinking back to her birthday. "Thank you, but I mean on
stage. Please come? Pretty please? With a cherry on top?" He gave her a
puppy dog look. He knew she always fell for it.
"Oh,
not that look again!" she cried. "Alright, alright!" she said
giving in. "I'll come."
"Great!"
he picked her up and spun her around. "I'll call you every night at your
mother's to see when you want to come!"
"Gee,
don't be a pest now!" she said rolling her eyes.
"Well,
I want to hear you voice too!" he said, kissing her softly on the lips.
"Well,
since you put it that way..." she said smiling, and then she kissed him.
Brian
groaned in pain and put her down.
"What's
wrong?" asked Mariah concerned. "Why are you always in pain
lately?"
Brian,
bent over, said, "Ya' know, Fatima works us too hard. Don't worry, I'll be
fine." He held his chest for minute, then got up and smiled. "See,
told ya'. I'm just tired. Come on, let's go inside and have some ice cream. I'm
hot."
Mariah
looked uncertainly at him for a second then said, "Alright, but I want you
to go see a doctor."
"Yes,
mom!" joked Brian.
"I'm
serious Bri!"
"Alright,
alright, I will, don't worry. You'll see, I'm just fine." He gave a peck
on the cheek and led her into the house.
***
