Memories

|67| • Things Don't Go as Planned •

"So...," he said slowly. "I got home after a tour - the shows we did in the UK last November and December and... well... I... there were a few very pretty women we encountered and ... well, they kept giving me Whisky up there in Scotland," he exclaimed, sounding a little upset before he shook his head. "I know, I know, not an excuse. But... the whole situation wasn't ideal, okay? We had been engaged for a few months and things had been going pretty badly - in my opinion. When we left there was no goodbye, no kiss, not even a hug. All she said was 'Don't think I won't be coming along next time', but not in the kind of way you'd say it in, but in a really creepy and slightly stalkerish way, and -"

"Stalkerish? Really?" I interrupted him, because I had to. Not that I didn't believe him but it was worrying.

"Well it felt stalkerish. She said 'Maybe I'll come and surprise you' but... like 'Maybe I'll come and surprise you'," he repeated, pulling a creepy grimace and speaking in a weird voice, it seemed like he was immitating a bad horror film.

"Ohh yeah okay. I think I see what you mean..."

"Yeah, it was so weird. And everyone else thought it was adorable how close we were and we were such a great couple. But I don't think we even were a couple anymore. She was just so... so... spiteful. Not in public, but whenever we were alone." He sighed and shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Brian," I told him, holding his hand a little tighter.

"It's not your fault," he told me. "No one really understood. I mean, Roger listened, but... well... after I told him that I... I hadn't had sex in a few months... well... you can imagine..."

"I really don't want to imagine that, Brian," I told him firmly. "So... anytime you're around Roger and whisky I should expect that find someone else for the night?" I asked, my tone turning slightly bitter.

"No, Henrie," he said firmly. "No, because... you're not her, you're not threatening to chase me all over the world, you're not spiteful, you... you're you. And even if we fight, even if we don't have sex for a while for whatever reason that's no reason to repeat what I did. Henrie, I really mean it when I said I don't want to lose you again. I've been through that once and I didn't take it well... really not. You can ask the other three, you can ask my parents, you can ask anyone but..." He sighed and stopped walking, turning to me. "Henrie, please... you... you have no idea how much you mean to me and how much I really missed you. I'm so lucky that I have you back in my life again and there is no way I'd risk that for a meaningless night with a stranger. Even if I was frustrated and lonely and annoyed." He was looking at me intently, holding both of my hands tightly in his. "Henrie, I promise.."

I looked him in the eyes and nodded. "Okay. But I promise you that if you break that promise you will regret it for the rest of your life," I threatened, a small smile on my face. "You've had your second chance, Brian."

"I know," he said and gave my hands a gentle squeeze. "I know that, Henrie. And I agree. I..." He hesitated before he pulled me close and hugged me. "I'm so glad I have you."

"I'm glad I have you too," I agreed before I pulled away because hugging in summer wasn't always very pleasant. "But I mean it. If you mess up we're done. There won't be a second second chance."

"I know. But you don't have to worry because I won't mess up. You're stuck with me now," he teased and softly kissed my forehead.

"That's just terrible," I told him amused. "I wouldn't want to change that."

"Me neither," he agreed. "But yes... where was I?" He questioned before we kept walking.

"Well... Roger, whisky and women you didn't know..," I told him, the smile fading from my face.