Chapter 18

"Dude, I don't know why you two just don't spill your guts, play some tonsil hockey, then go fuck each other's brains out and get it over with," Paul said a few days later. "Quit dragging your ass already."

"Because I'm not like you, jumping on and humping the first thing that breathes," Brian replied. "Jesus, PL, don't you have at least one ounce of respect in that lump that sits between your ears?"

"I'm just stating the obvious, man. If Briana didn't care at least a little about you, do you honestly think she'd had such a bitch fit about that playful flirting you did with Candice? Come on now, think about it! And just the other day, I could have sworn to God I saw smoke curling out of your ears when that security dude over in Dublin was trying to hit on her."

"He had his hand on her ass," Brian scoffed.

"Exactly my point."

"Nobody touches the goods; I don't give a shit who it is, even you."

"See? You're proving my case even further, Spanky." Paul gave a goofy grin.

"Christ. You are so full of shit. There's no law against caring about someone, you know."

"I think this goes beyond caring, my man. I've seen how you look at her and even Chavo says you about shit yourself when Briana's gone for more than five minutes. Look, man, I know you've been burned before; God knows I have been too. But I think this is the girl for you."

"Right, nothing like mingling with the workers. We all know how that works out in the end, PL."

"Is that what is stopping you?"

Brian sighed. "That and I doubt Bree's ready for something like that."

"She's been a widow for a little over two years; what do you mean you doubt she's 'ready'? You're not going to find out either way dancing around it or sitting around with a thumb up your ass," Paul answered. He stared in the refrigerator. "And you're out of mayonnaise."

"Dude, don't you have food at home?"

"Yeah, but yours is better. I got to buy the cheap stuff now, you know."

"Freaking hell. Let's just order something. Pick out whatever you want and call it in. I got to get some shit packed to leave again for Raw."

"Sounds like a plan to me."

"None of that flaming tamale hot sauce shit, either, holmes. We eat American in this house," Brian warned before going to pack.

A few days later:

Briana gulped down some coffee, preparing to go out for her early morning power walk, as she always did at the same time before beginning her day.

Brian hadn't been thrilled with the whole general idea of her doing such a thing all the time, especially in strange cities, but the nice thing about early morning hours were that most people were either not awake yet or too busy communting to their own jobs to even concern themselves with noticing her.

Besides, he was a fine one to talk; Brian had already headed out to jog by the time she'd gotten up and dressed for her walk.

Do as I say, not as I do? Yeah, right! Briana thought with a giggle as she headed out the door into the brilliant, sunny morning.

She had been moving along for a considerable amount of time, admiring the sights around her of the current town they were staying for that particular show, eventually finding a quiet river park when she went along the small trail near the water. Briana had been the only person on it that time of the morning.

Or so she thought.

Briana had been halfway down the trail when a tug on her arm snapped her out of her thoughts. She was about to scream until she had turned around and saw who it was.

"Brian! For the love of God, you about scared the hell out of me!"

He had been somewhat disheveled from his jog. "Exactly what I've been trying to tell you about going on your walks alone in strange cities You're lucky it was me and not some mad rapist down here."

"I'm fine, really." She shook her head, staring into his eyes for a moment before turning back to continue down the path

This time, Brian didn't just take her arm easily. He grabbed her and turned her to him, looking deeply into her eyes. His hand touched her cheek and watched her looking at him now. Her eyes bored through him and he knew then.

His mouth moved closer to hers and he kissed her lightly. Then looked at her again seeing her eyes become clear and kissed her again, longer and deeper this time.

He wanted her to know what he was feeling; Briana kissed him back so he would know what she was feeling too.

"Bree, I love you." Brian said it so softly but with conviction so there would be no doubt.

"I love you too." Her voice was strong now too.

The two embraced and walked along the waterfront arm in arm, each with a smile on their face and in their hearts. It was finally out in the open.