Chapter thirty-three
Three weeks crawled by, and the only highlights for Lenny were the phone calls she received late every evening from Kevin. He was always light-hearted and funny at first, but the more he spoke, the more serious he became, until she didn't want to put the phone down. A few times she had nearly told him she loved him, but she had caught herself in time. The last thing she wanted to do was scare him off by declaring undying love. It wasn't something he was ready to hear just yet, she thought, not when she considered the amount of women he had been associated with in the past. All of them had been beautiful...she sighed and looked down at herself. How on earth did she compare with even one of them?
Shaking off such morose thoughts, she finished the work she was doing and shut the computer down, rushing into the kitchen to start on dinner. It had become a routine of sorts, getting dinner, eating dinner then watching TV for about an hour before waiting for his call. She didn't know what she'd do if the telephone didn't ring. Luckily she didn't have to find out, because right on cue the phone rang when she was sitting down with Sam and Rachel, staring blankly at the screen and biting her nails. Lenny sprang out of her chair and rushed into the hallway, ignoring the laughter coming from behind her as she snatched the phone up.
"Hello?" she said breathlessly.
"Hey babygirl," Kevin said, his voice snaking down the phone line and wrapping around her like a warm embrace.
She gave a shiver and smiled. "Hey."
He chuckled at how dreamy her voice sounded. "Did you have a good day?"
"It was okay. You?"
"Not bad, all things considered. Hurt my leg some, but it isn't that painful," he said, laying back on his hotel bed and closing his eyes, picturing her.
Lenny frowned. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, it's not too bad. One of the down sides of the job, but nothing I haven't gone through before," he said, smiling as he heard the concern in her voice. "If you were here, you could massage it for me, make me feel all better."
Lenny gave a small giggle at his deliberately sexy tone. "I wish I was there. I guess I'd just distract you too much though huh? You're easily led."
"Depends what you grab hold of to lead me somewhere, doesn't it?" he asked, chuckling again and then opening his eyes as a thought occurred to him. "I guess if I went and asked you to come on the road with me, you'd freak out?"
Lenny felt her breath stop and she put a hand to her throat. "I...I don't think I would," she said, feeling hope rise up in her chest. Then she squashed it down. He was only kidding about, he wasn't serious. "You wouldn't ask me that though."
"Why wouldn't I?" he asked her, sitting back up, on his bed and frowning even more. She sounded upset.
"Because...well, it's just...it's probably easier for you if I'm not around. I mean..."
"Nothing is easier when you're not around, sweetheart. In fact, everything is worse," he said, and he sounded deadly serious. "I want you with me."
"But..."
"No buts! I want you here with me, right now. I want to come back from my matches and have you there to make me feel better," he said, warming to his theme now he had finally admitted to himself he didn't want to be without her. "And I want to make you feel better too. I want you to be happy, and I want to be happy...the only way I know of to make that happen is for you to come out here."
"But..."
"I said no buts," he said, smiling at how shocked her voice sounded. "Don't you want to be with me, baby?"
Lenny smiled shakily. "You know I do, I...er...I miss you," she whispered, amending the confession she had almost blurted out.
"God, I miss you too. So much! Tell me it wouldn't be impossible for you to join me on the road," he said, aware that it sounded like an order and not giving a damn.
Lenny swallowed when she realised how serious he was. "It's not impossible, I guess, but I have work to do here...and..."
"And nothing," Kevin cut in. "Get Sam for me, sweetheart, I need to talk to him."
"But...Kevin..."
"No buts, I said! It's about time you did as you were told, young lady!" he said, laughing when he heard her gasp at his arrogance. "Go get Sam for me, right now!"
"Yes, sir!" she said, trying not to smile as she went off to get her brother. Sam looked slightly confused when he first spoke into the phone, then his eyes narrowed and he looked at Lenny, smiling.
"And what am I supposed to do about all the paperwork while she's not here?" he asked.
"Do it your damn self, burn it...hire somebody else. I don't care," Kevin said, sounding impatient. "But if you don't send her over here to me then I'm just gonna come and get her!"
Sam chuckled. "I guess I don't have much choice then, do I?"
"I guess you don't," Kevin agreed, laughing along with him. "I'll take good care of her, and I'll bring her back when I get time off. Deal?"
"Deal," Sam said, looking at Lenny who was biting her lip and staring up at him hopefully. "I think someone wants me to get off the phone, but she's just gonna have to wait. I want more details. How is she supposed to get there? And where the hell is 'there' anyway?"
"We arrived in Boston tonight, and we're here for a couple of days. Then we're moving on through Connecticut, something to do with Vince needing to get home for a while apparently. Eventually we'll make our way down to Florida, but it'll be a while because we're going through every state on the way there!"
"It sounds pretty exhausting," Sam said, glancing at Lenny again. "How do I know this all won't be harmful?"
"I'll be fine," Kevin said, and Sam could swear he could hear him grinning.
"You know what I mean," he said.
"I know. It won't be exhausting for her, and I think she'll keep me sane."
"And the journey over there?"
"Already thought of that. I'm gonna call Page, he said he was coming out here. He can bring her with him, make sure she's safe. Don't worry, Sam, I'm not gonna let anything happen to her, not ever."
The sincerity in his voice made Sam's mind up and he relaxed. "Alright then."
"Thank God," Kevin muttered. "Now get lost and let me speak to my lady."
"Very polite," Sam murmured, making Kevin chuckle as he waited for Lenny to come back on the phone.
"What was all that about?" she asked as soon as she had hold of the receiver again.
"Just making arrangements, is all," Kevin said, grinning as he stared up at the hotel room ceiling.
"Am I involved in these arrangements?" she asked, starting to get flutterings of excitement in her stomach as she thought about going off to be with him. She hadn't imagined he'd ever want her there, but for him to have actually asked...it made her feel special.
"You certainly are, baby," he murmured, looking at his watch. "Listen, I'm gonna call Page, then I'll call back and let you know what's happening, okay?"
"Okay."
"In the meantime, get upstairs and pack a bag," he told her, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and stretching.
"What, now? But..."
"There you go with that 'but' word again! Do as you're told!" he said, laughing as he pictured how her face must look at that moment.
"Oooh, you wait until I get hold of you Kevin Nash, I'll..."
"You'll what? Go on, tell me what you'll do once you get hold of me, I dare you," he said, his voice deep and sexy.
Lenny smiled. "You really want to know? Okay then, I'll do nothing."
"Nothing?"
"That's right, nothing. That'll teach you for trying to order me about!"
"Oh I see, you think you can withhold your charms huh? You wait until you get here, I'll show you just how impossible it'll be to withhold anything from me," he threatened, making her giggle.
"You're very sure of yourself."
"Yes, I am," he replied, not bothering to elaborate. "Now, go pack a bag and I'll call you soon."
"Okay."
They said their goodbyes and Lenny rushed upstairs to do as he asked, too happy with the knowledge that she could soon be with him to question his orders.
Kevin grinned as he dialled Page's number, waiting impatiently until the older man eventually picked the phone up. "What took you so long?"
"Well, hello to you too, Nash," Page drawled into the phone, chuckling. "To what do I owe this dubious honour?"
"I want you to bring Lenny out here to me," he said without preamble.
"I see. Now?"
"As soon as possible. Do you want me to phone the airline for you?" Kevin asked, eager to get the whole thing underway.
"I'm quite sure I can manage, thanks," Page said, shaking his head. "Missing her are you?"
His tone put Kevin on the defensive. "No, I just thought that...she....hell, of course I'm missing her!"
Page chuckled. "Good. Yes, I'll bring her, I was coming anyway, as you well know. I'll call the airline and let you know when."
"Thanks man, you're a good friend," Kevin said, relieved.
"I know, I know," Page returned, laughing as he put the phone down.
*******
Two hours later Lenny was still waiting for the phone to ring, and she was getting worried because she had been sure he would call her right back. What if he'd changed his mind? She didn't think he would, but it was a possibility, and one she didn't want to dwell on for too long.
The sound of the doorbell chiming made her jump and she walked down the hallway to open it, glancing at the phone and checking the receiver was in place before she continued. She froze when she found Page standing on the doorstep, a big grin on his face. "Hello sweetheart," he said.
"Page? Kevin said he was going to call you, what are you doing here?"
"I've come to get you and take you to Boston," he explained, his grin getting bigger.
"Now?" she asked him, shocked.
"Yep. The airline has some spare seats and we can get the next flight out. We should get there in the early hours. Odd time to go, I know, but I'm sure you won't mind that, will you?"
Lenny smiled. "No, I won't mind. I'll just get my bag...and tell Sam, and...oh, come in," she said, pulling him inside and then running off, leaving him to find Sam for himself.
She rushed up to her room and grabbed her bag, her mind still in a whirl over the fact that Kevin had asked her to travel with him. Surely that must mean he cared about her?
Minutes later she was hugging her brother and Rachel goodbye and then being ushered into Page's car so they could head out to the airport. She couldn't remember being this excited in years, if ever. Page chuckled. "It's only Boston."
"I know, but it's still exciting. And I've never been to Boston before, anyway," she said, unable to keep the smile off her face.
Page gave her a sidelong glance and grinned. "I don't think you're going to be doing any sightseeing, somehow," he murmured.
Lenny thought about that and then nodded. "No, I guess I won't. I mean, they're only there for a couple of days and I suppose I'll be at the arena with Kevin, won't I?"
"That's not what I meant," he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "If I was the one who'd called you out there, I wouldn't be letting you out of my bedroom."
Lenny blushed. "Oh," she mumbled, knowing he was probably right. Not that she wanted to be anywhere else but with Kevin. She smiled again, her happiness shining in her eyes.
"Yeah 'oh'," he said, chuckling again.
"Kevin didn't ring me...and I didn't think to call him in all the excitement. Do you think I should call him now?"
"No need, he knows where you are and what time the plane lands."
"Oh. Will he be at the airport?"
Page shook his head. "I doubt it, honey. He'll be fast asleep, and God knows he'll probably need the rest after his latest matches. He's been working hard."
"He has?"
"Yeah. He's had some time off and he wants to make up for it, plus the harder he works the more likely it is that Vince will grant him some more time to be with you," he said, arching an eyebrow at her.
"He's...he's working hard, for me?"
"Yeah, not that he'd admit that. I think he's got a case on you, honey."
Lenny shook her head. "I doubt it."
"Why?" Page asked, glancing at her before returning his attention to the road. "You love him, that's obvious. It's just as obvious to me how he feels about you."
"He doesn't love me though."
"Doesn't he?" Page asked, raising one eyebrow. "Don't be so sure, sweetheart. Well, nearly there," he murmured, taking the sign posted turn into the airport. "Still excited?"
Lenny smiled, glancing out of the window as they made their way to the long stay car park. "Yeah, I am. I miss him," she admitted, shrugging.
Page chuckled. "Well, of course you miss him, you love him."
Lenny stared at him as he drove into the car park and pulled his car into a space. "How is it you're always so sure about things?"
"You mean, how come I'm always right?" he asked, grinning as he got out of the car and walked round to open her door. "I'm psychic, didn't you know?"
"You are not!"
"Well...no. Okay, let's just say I know stuff, and leave it at that," he said, smirking when she glared. "Come on, let's get to that plane and get this journey underway!"
Lenny had no arguments with that and she happily took his arm as he escorted her towards the terminal.
Several hours later she was fidgeting nervously as the plane came in to land, and Page put a hand over hers to keep her fingers still. "Will you stop that, you're driving me mad!"
"Sorry," she murmured, smiling tiredly. "Is anyone picking us up, or are we getting a cab?"
"A cab, no-one but Kevin knows we're coming anyway."
"Okay," she replied, frowning as the plane touched down and taxied along the runway. She couldn't help feeling a little disappointed that he wouldn't be there to meet her, but then she thought about the possibility of waking him up and a big smile lit up her face.
Page chuckled. "Even after all that tedious journey, you're still excited?"
"Yep. Oooh, we've stopped, come on!" she said, trying to push him out of the seat as other people started to stand up and grab their bags from overhead lockers.
"Patience," he told her, grinning and moving incredibly slowly.
Lenny didn't think they'd ever get off the plane, let alone get into the terminal, but finally they made it and she grabbed her bag, joining Page as they made their way through the airport. She didn't bother looking around her, merely following behind Page as he walked towards the exit where the taxi ranks were.
"Lenny?"
She heard someone call her name and a shiver worked it's way down her spine as she instantly recognised Kevin's voice, and she swung around to face him, her mouth falling open when she did. He looked so different that she didn't know what to say for a moment and so she just stood there looking dumb.
Kevin felt his chest swell as he looked at her, his eyes softening as he took his fill after not having seen her for weeks. He didn't know how he had ever thought her plain or dull, she was beautiful. Closing the distance between them he reached one hand out and cupped her face, smiling down at her shocked eyes. "Are you okay, sweetiepie?"
At the sound of that deep voice calling her his pet name again she burst into tears and he immediately picked her up and cuddled her, resting his face on her shoulder as he closed his eyes. A chuckle made his chest rumble and she sniffed, trying to calm herself down.
"Sorry," she mumbled.
"It's okay, honey," he whispered, drawing back so he could see her. "I missed you."
"I missed you too," she admitted, still not looking at him, and he frowned.
"What's wrong, baby?"
She finally raised her eyes to his and then they filled with tears again. "Where did all your hair go?" she wailed, dropping her face back down on his shoulder as her own shoulders shook.
Kevin was stunned for a second, then he started laughing and had a real problem stopping. "That's why you're crying?" he asked her, still chuckling. "I had to cut it sometime, you know. I was getting too old to have it long like that. Besides, I had to cut it for a film role."
"You aren't too old...it looked so sexy and I...I loved your hair," she mumbled into his shoulder and he smiled.
"Maybe I'll grow it back for you then, how's that?"
She drew her face out of hiding and really looked at him. "You'd do that for me?"
"Sure I would. Anything you wanted, you know that."
Lenny took a shaky breath and looked at his hair again, studying it curiously. It was bleached blonde and very short, but it looked sort of nice, and it was still him. "It's not so bad," she said softly, reaching out and stroking her fingers over it. "Why so blond?"
"Film role," he explained again and then smiled, "and I got bored," he said, shrugging his massive shoulders.
"I remember you talking about that," she murmured, frowning. "I liked it better with grey in it," she said, looking into his eyes. "But this is okay."
"So I don't have to grow it back for you now?" he asked her, cocking his head to one side as he looked at her flushed face.
She shook her head. "No."
"And you like it?"
"I guess," she said reluctantly, still unable to get used to how different he looked.
"Well, good. Now do I get a kiss, or what?" he asked her, grinning. "I haven't been able to touch you for ages, and I need a kiss."
"Okay," she said softly, smiling as she put her arms around his neck and leaned in to plant a tiny kiss on his firm lips.
He frowned. "Is that it?"
"You wanted more?"
"Oh, hell yeah, I want more," he growled, covering her mouth with his own and parting her lips for his exploration, revelling in the taste and texture of her again. The sound of Page clearing his throat made him draw back reluctantly.
"Excuse me children, but we appear to be drawing a small crowd," Page pointed out, making Kevin look around and see a small group of people looking at them.
"I guess we'd better get to the hotel," he said, grinning at Lenny and lowering her to her feet before picking her bag up and then taking her hand. He rushed her out of the airport and into a taxi he had waiting for them, hoping they could get back to his room quickly, because otherwise Page was going to get a show in the back seat. His eyes closed with contentment as they sat in the back, Lenny pulled onto his lap and held tightly against him. Now he had her back with him, he felt complete, like the missing piece of the jigsaw had just been slotted into place. He wondered if he was going to be able to let her go again.
.
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****That's it for now! Hope it was okay! Joyeux Noel one and all!!!****
