Chapter 30

The week after the new couple returned from their honeymoon, they hadn't had much time to spend together outside of work; another overseas tour was on the horizon and everyone was rushing around making preparations.

Meanwhile, Paul was also struggling, having to cancel several bookings of his own, causing Briana some concern, especially once it became known it was a health issue.

"Paul, really, you should get your back problem checked out," she said with a touch of compassion. "If it's something interfering with your work, it has to be serious."

"Don't worry about it," he said, brushing off Briana a little. "I've dealt with a lot worse and came back okay."

"Bri and I are worried about you," she pressed, wondering why her husband's best friend was being so stubborn.

"Don't, Bree. Nothing a few chiropractic adjustments and a mild painkiller won't handle."

Briana sighed. "All right, but you really should get a check up just in case."

"Hey, I thought you were Brian's wife," Paul joked. "Aren't you supposed to be nagging him?"

"Of course, but it doesn't mean I can't be concerned about you too, silly," Briana smiled, tussling his hair a little.

"Watch the hair!" he laughed, giving her a light, playful smack, causing Briana to giggle.

"Dude, hands off; that woman's mine," Brian said, coming in with a mug of coffee. "Get your own."

"She messed up my hair," Paul replied, defending himself.

"Serves you right, pervert," Brian teased. "Hey, Bree, what kind of coffee is this?"

"It's the Dunkin Donuts brand they've been hawking on TV. I had a coupon for a dollar off after I got a free sample in the mail. You like it?"

"It kicks ass, baby; I think you may be on to something. Yo, Paul, you should get off your fat ass and try some of this."

"Put some cinnamon, sugar, and chocolate in it and I just may."

"Jesus, you know how to ruin perfectly good coffee, don't you? Go get your own shit; your legs aren't broken."

"While you two boys are killing each other, I'll be in the back getting some things done to leave this weekend," Briana announced before taking her leave.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Brian joked with a cheesy grin.

"Right, how much trouble can I get into packing your underwear?" Briana joked back, making Paul laugh out loud.

"Guess she owned you, man," he said between guffaws.

"That's all right; she's never been to Australia," Brian said with a bright smile. "This will be a treat for her, even if it is a working trip."

"Going to be cold as fuck, though," Paul replied. "Isn't it like fall or the beginning of winter over there?"

"Yeah, that's the only drawback. Still, I'll try to make it nice for Bree anyway."

"So how the big honeymoon in Italy? Get in lots of sex?"

Brian poked Paul in the temple lightly. "Dude, seriously, you need to start thinking with the right head, and you have the balls to talk about me? We did a lot more than that. It was a great trip. I got some good pictures. Want to see them?"

"Hell yeah. Bree didn't bankrupt you over there, did she?"

"No, actually, she was kind of a cheap date," Brian replied as Paul went through the pictures "One thing about Bree, she isn't a big spender, and when she is, it's usually her own money."

"Jesus, that's a pleasant change. Most chicks are usually after big dicks and bigger bank accounts. Someone broke the mold when they made her, huh?"

"You aren't kidding," Brian agreed. "Hey, think you can hold down the fort for a few minutes? I think the coffee is making a reappearance via my bladder."

"TMI, shorty, but yeah."

"Thanks, be right back. Enjoy the honeymoon pictures."

A few minutes later:

Brian made his way to the bathroom hurriedly, the urge to pee increasing with every step. He had noticed the door was ajar and presumed as always that the bathroom was empty and Briana had still been busy packing for the tour.

But when he looked in just in time before pushing the door open all the way, he spotted his bride at the bathroom sink with a glass of water, popping what appeared to be a tiny pill from a packet.

What the hell? Brian thought. Was that what he thought it was?

His bladder issue forgotten for a moment, he ducked into a corner, a bit mortified, as Briana came out of the bathroom and went back to the task she had been performing before remembering she had forgotten to take her pill that morning.

Once she had been out of sight, Brian made his way into the bathroom, finished his own business and went back to Paul, not saying a word about what he'd just witnessed a few minutes before.