Chapter 10

"This is bullshit," Brian grunted when they had gotten back to the hotel. "You make me look all nice and stuff, and then what happens? I get dressed just to sit backstage all night with my finger up my ass. Jesus."

Here we go again, Briana thought, and then spoke up.

"You know, the draft is coming up next week," she said. "Maybe things could pick up from there."

"Sure," he said, rolling his eyes and flopping on one of the beds. "Of of two things can happen. They'll either keep me where I am and toss me in some random place about twice a month, or put me somewhere else and I'll be doing exactly what I did tonight."

"Or there can be something in the works you might not even know about."

"Ah, Bree, the mighty optimist. Yeah, maybe I should quit bitching so much and be grateful I still have a job, considering how many people got released in the last several months."

"That's more like it," Briana nodded, passing him the TV remote and his laptop. "Here, maybe some porn will cheer you up."

Brian gave her a look. "Very funny. Besides, there's no good porn; I've watched it all."

"Check and see if they have the Playboy Channel. They usually do in places like this."

"I don't like Playboy, and I think I've gone through everything on the net. And before you make a smart ass comment, yes, I watch way too much porn."

"You know, I've seen those sites where fans write dirty stories about their favorite people."

Brian grinned. "I've read those too. Some of those are pretty hot."

"Good God. Is there anything you haven't done?"

"Not really. I have my dirty-minded moments."

"Not that I can tell," she teased.

"Anyway, I'm going to grab something to eat," Brian announced, getting off the bed. "You want anything?"

"Maybe just a soda," Briana said.

"It's a long way until morning. That isn't going to hold you."

"All right, just get me a burger with it," she sighed.

"That's my girl. I'll be back in about twenty minutes."

After he had gone, Briana sighed, finally glad to have a few moments alone to take a shower. She didn't really mind sharing a room sometimes–she enjoyed Brian's company really–but sharing something as intimate as the bathroom with someone that wasn't her husband still made Briana feel a bit odd at times.

With that, she usually made the habit of waiting until Brian was either out of the room or still asleep before she would shower, being completely dressed by the time he'd come around.

Briana had been enjoying the warm shower spray and had gotten lost in thought, not realizing how much time had passed. In the process, she hadn't heard Brian return about twenty minutes later with their food order.

She had just finished drying off and was about to put her night shirt over her head when the bathroom door opened.

"Brian!" she exclaimed, trying to yank down the shirt quickly, but not before he'd seen plenty.

"Oh my God," he gasped, backing out. "I am so sorry!" He slammed the door closed and went back to where he had been.

Brian had been picking at his food, looking a little flustered and nodding toward where her order lay when Briana came out of the bathroom, now dressed for bed.

"Thanks for getting that," she smiled wanly. "And next time knock if you need to use the bathroom and you don't see me in here."

"Sorry," Brian said, blushing and looking down at the floor.

He cleared his throat and went into the bathroom shortly after, where she could hear the toilet flush and water running a few moments later before he'd come back out.

He still wouldn't look at her. Briana tried to make small talk with him, but she could get little more than a few grunts and nods from Brian.

"You know, it's no big deal that you walked in on me getting dressed," she finally said. "Accidents happen. I'm not upset about it if that is what's bothering you."

He finally looked at her, this time smiling. "You mean it?"

"Of course. My God, Brian, you acted like you never saw a half naked woman before," she said, breaking out giggling.

"Yeah, well it's not like I'd go barging in on someone that works for me all the time," he said and then blushed.

"Aren't you cute. Such a gentleman you are. Only a real gentleman would blush about something like this."

"Um….yeah, well, don't worry, it isn't like I'm going to blab to the news sites about how gorgeous you are in a night shirt and no make up," he grinned. "Better eat your stuff before it gets cold."

"Of course," she nodded. "And in case you're wondering, it's Shark Week on Animal Planet."

"Let's just avoid that channel," he said, finally settling on a classic comedy channel. "This is a better option and won't cause lasting nightmares."

Later:

"What's happening, dude?" Paul asked cheerfully.

"Man, it's two in the morning. What are you doing up? You have shows the next couple of days."

"Yeah, I know, and I'm nervous as fuck. So how is it working out with the lady?"

"Well, I walked in on Briana changing earlier," Brian replied. "She was half naked. I had to take a major league piss when I came back from Wendy's and–"

"Holy shit," Paul snickered. "You finally got to see some naked booty. So it is as nice as you say?"

"Freaking hell, Paul, that's the woman who does my hair! Will you think with the right head for a change?"

"Sorry," Paul replied, though still snickering.

"I got to admit one thing, though," Brian sighed. "Since seeing that, I had to go rub one out big time."

"And you just bagged on me for thinking with the wrong head."

"Seriously, man, the only place I could do it was in the shower and I had to wait until Briana was in bed; otherwise she'd think I was some kind of fucking pervert."

"Aren't you?" Paul teased.

"Shut up. I'm not like you, Paul. I'm not going to screw anything with a pulse just because I'm horny."

"I'll have you know I have standards."

"Oh, you sure do. Any chick of yours has to have a pulse, big fake tits, size zero hips, no brains, and be under twenty five," Brian retorted. "Sorry, holmes, you're way out of Briana's league and I have dibs on her anyway. She thinks I'm cute and a gentleman."

"You been putting roofies in her coffee or something?"

"Very funny, ass wipe. Is it so impossible to think a woman may actually prefer brains over beauty once in awhile?"

"If you say so, man."

Briana came out to the hall. "Who are you talking to?" she asked. "We have to leave early tomorrow."

"Paul," Brian replied. "I'm sorry, Bree; did I wake you up?"

"It's fine," she nodded, and then took the phone. "Goodnight, Paul. Go to bed."

She then snapped the phone shut, handing it back to Brian and leading him back into the room.