Chapter 64

“Today turned out pretty well, didn't it?” Brian said, as they got ready for bed.

“Yeah.” Leighanne said, pulling back the sheets.

“Look, I know you're upset. We could try and talk a little about it, if you want....” he tried.

“What's the point?” she muttered.

“The point is we can't keep going like this! We're both miserable. I miss you, I miss us.” he admitted.

Leighanne looked at him. “I do too. Now just isn't the time.”

“Ok. But we will talk about this soon.”

“If you want you can sleep in Baylee's room. Just don't let anyone see you.”

“Leigh.....”

“What?” she raised her voice and turned to face him. “What do you want from me?”

Brian sighed. “I want you to say you'll work with me to fix this.”

“I've been trying. You're the one who hasn't.”

“Well I'm trying now.”

“I'm tired. Can we just do this another time? Maybe when we don't have company?”

“Fine.” Brian said. “Let's just go to bed then.” He got into his bed next to Leighanne and the two lay facing away from each other as they tried to fall asleep to the sound of the storm outside.

Kristin had been dying all day to tell Kevin what she'd learned earlier in the kitchen as they lay cuddled up in bed together.

“You'll never guess what I found out!” she said.

“What did you find out? And do I even want to know?”

“I found out why AJ and Emily separated after their trip to Mexico!”

“Really?!” Kevin was intrigued. “What happened?”

“I guess when Emily thought AJ had left her, she somehow ended up sleeping with Randy.”

“What?” Kevin was shocked.

“Wait...let me finish. It gets better!”

“There's more?”

“The next day she slept with AJ at rehab. Then she found out she was pregnant and didn't know who the father was. Then, right before AJ came home, she lost the baby. So she never told him about it. But then he found out about it. They tried but he couldn't seem to get over it. So they split. Honestly, I don't even know how they were able to get past all of that.”

Kevin was in shock. “Damn...neither do I!” He himself wasn't sure if he would have been able to move past everything that they'd had to deal with. “No wonder he kept glaring at Randy all night.”

“It kind of makes all of our big fights seem so small, doesn't it?”

“She really slept with him?”

“She thought he'd left, remember? It wasn't like she was knowingly cheating on him.”

“I doubt he was able to see it that way.”

“I don't think so. I didn't really get a chance to ask too many questions about it.”

“So what else did you learn today”

“I learned part of what's going on with Brian and Leighanne.”

“Oh yeah?” Kevin wondered which part she'd heard.

“Yes! Leighanne will tell me even if you won't!”

“Well, maybe she told you her side of it anyway.”

“True. I think it is a lot more complicated than what I know which is why I wish you'd tell me! Anyway, their fight started over her wanting a baby and now he doesn't want one! So poor Leighanne has to pretend like she isn't devastated. And I was down there going on and on about the baby in front of Emily who just lost one and Leighanne who really wants one...I felt like such an idiot!”

Kevin kissed her cheek. “You didn't know. And I'm sure they're happy for you despite all of that.”

“They are. I just had no idea so much had been going on! We should move to Atlanta, I feel so out of the loop!”

“I'm pretty worried about Brian and Leighanne.” he admitted.

“Why?”

“He's really freaked out that she's trying to act like it never happened. He said he's even afraid to sleep in the same bed as her for fear she'll try and seduce him and trick him into getting her pregnant or something.”

“Well it wouldn't be the first time....” Kristin replied, and then immediately realized what she'd said.

Kevin sat up. “What did you just say?”

“Nothing...look please just forget I ever said it, ok? It's none of our business.”

“Since when do you care about it being our business or not?”

Kristin looked down. “Look, I shouldn't have said anything. It was just something Leighanne told me a long time ago.”

“She tricked him into having a baby?”

“Kevin...please....”

Kevin's eyes went wide. “Baylee wasn't an accident! She tricked him and let him think it was but she'd been planning it all along!”

“It wasn't quite as simple as that!” Kristin tried to defend her.

“No? How so?”

“It wasn't as if they hadn't been talking about having a baby, he said he wanted one soon but then he kept blowing her off about it, always using the group as an excuse. He was too busy and she just got tired of waiting. She knew he'd be happy about it once it happened, she thought maybe he was just too nervous or something. So she just decided that if he didn't know about it until it happened, he'd have nothing to worry about.”

“That's insane! How could she do that?”

“Well she was right, he was excited about it! From the moment he found out about it even!”

“That doesn't excuse her lying to him about something so major.”

“Well technically she didn't lie. She just didn't tell him.”

“That's the same and you know it!”

“Why are you getting mad at me, I'm not the one that did it!” Kristin said.

“Because you're actually defending it!”

“I didn't say I think it was right, I'm just saying I understand where she was coming from.

“You do?”

“Yes! I do! I know what it's like to have to keep waiting to be able to start a life with the man you love because his career keeps coming first and leaving him with no time for you. Or did you forget just how many years I waited around for you?”

“Well what would you have had me do? Quit right in the middle of our success?”

“I never said that. I just said I could understand where she was coming from, that's all! You're making way too big a deal out of this!”

“Am I? You're basically saying that it's ok for a wife to deceive her husband to get what she wants, despite what he wants! Have you ever done that to me?”

“No! And I resent the implication!” she said, crossing her arms and glaring at him.

“Well, if you're so ok with it I don't know what else I'm supposed to think!”

“Kevin, you're being completely unreasonable! Just because Leighanne did it doesn't mean I ever have!”

“Whatever.” he said, laying back down and turning away from her.

Kristin couldn't believe him. How on earth could he justify being mad at her over this? It wasn't as if she'd given Leighanne permission. She found out about it after the fact when Leighanne confessed because she'd been feeling so guilty about it. Kristin had simply told her that it was done, Brian was happy, she should forget about it.

Kevin was livid. He had always thought that he and Kristin had a completely open and honest relationship. The fact that she could defend something like that combined with hearing what happened to AJ and Emily really had him wondering if he'd been stupid to believe that. Apparently, women were capable of keeping all kinds of secrets.

He supposed she'd also struck a nerve with him when she'd said she knew what it was like to feel in second place to his career. They'd fought about that a lot at the time and he knew it was hard on her but he had tried his very best to balance things as best he could and he often felt like he never got any credit for it.

And finally, he was also defensive because Brian was his cousin and best friend. Brian may have acted thrilled with the news he was going to be a father but secretly, that wasn't so. He'd had many late night conversations with Kevin about how terrified he was and how he was sometimes angry and then he felt guilty for being angry about something as miraculous as a baby. Brian was definitely not ready for a baby.

Emily was trying to ignore all the lightening and wind as best as she could. She was embarrassed to have to admit that even at her age, she was still scared of storms. AJ was lying next to her and as she snuggled up against him, she could tell he was still a bit tense.

“Are you alright?” she asked.

“I'm fine, why?”

“I don't know, you just seem quiet.”

“I guess it's just been a bit of an odd day, hasn't it?”

Emily smiled. “In more ways than one, even.”

AJ hugged her tighter and she sighed softly.

“Do you remember that time after Mexico when you came over to the apartment to 'mark your territory'?” she asked.

AJ chuckled. “Yeah, you were mad as hell at me for it!”

“Do you want to do it again?”

“Because you think I need to?”

“No, because when all was said and done, I liked it. And, well, I do kind of think it might help you relax a little....”

AJ rolled on top of her. “You liked it?”

Emily nodded.

“After all the hell you put me through over it, you liked it?”

She nodded again.

“Well then, I guess I'll just have to do it again, won't I?”

Truth be told, AJ knew it was exactly what he needed. He understood that Emily loved him and no one else, but being face to face with the doctor guy had him shaken and he felt the need to remind them both that she was his.

AJ kissed her roughly. He nibbled hard on her lips until she opened them and his tongue forced its way into her mouth. After several minutes, he moved away from her swollen lips and nibbled on her ear before kissing slowly down the side of her neck. He moved her shirt out of the way and sucked hard, wanting to leave a mark on her, but at least leaving it where her shirt would cover it. He sat her up long enough to pull off her nightgown and gently pushed her back on to the bed. He grabbed her arms and raised them up over her head, holding them at her wrists with one hand while his lips explored her chest. Emily wiggled and squirmed beneath him but he kept her pinned to the bed as his lips took one of her nipples in his mouth and bit down hard before soothing it gently with his tongue.

Emily found she was having to work very hard to not moan too loudly. Storm or not, she had a feeling if she let loose, everyone in the house would be able to hear them. He tortured her other nipple for awhile before he moved back to her lips where he kissed her breathless, her hands still pinned above her head.

“Do you want it?” he whispered.

“Yeah.....”

“Too bad, because I'm not going to give it to you yet!”

Emily shuddered as she felt his breath on her ear. He released her hands as he rolled beside her and slowly stroked his hand down to the apex of her thighs. He used one finger to gently stroke her, giving her just enough to drive her wild without giving her enough to find it satisfying. Emily bit her lip to try and keep quiet as he taunted her.

Suddenly, without warning, he rolled back on top of her and roughly thrust himself inside of her and held himself there, not moving.

“Are you mine?” he asked, as Emily tried to arch her body for more but found she was once again pinned beneath him.

“Yes...” she groaned, her nails digging into his back.

He pulled out and pushed back in. “I want to hear you say it.” he said, his voice raspy.

“I'm yours.”

“Good.” he said as he began to move inside of her.

AJ and Emily typically enjoyed the more dirty and raw sex rather than the tender kind, but that night, just like the night at the apartment, AJ went wild. He didn't hurt her but he was certainly more rough than he normally allowed himself to be as he pounded her, holding nothing back. As Emily came, her mouth opened wide but no sound came out. She would have sworn her heart stopped beating for a few seconds before pleasure pulsated throughout her entire body. AJ buried his face in the pillow as he let out his release.

They felt like they weren't even able to move for several minutes afterwards as they lay together, sweaty and breathless.

“I love you.” he whispered, still catching his breath as he rolled off of her.

Emily could only manage to grunt softly as she curled up against him and promptly fell asleep.

AJ smiled down at her as he pulled the blanket up over them, tightening his hold on her before falling asleep himself.

Kristin couldn't be sure but she could have sworn she heard the sounds of a few muffled moans and gasps when she went to the bathroom that night. Kevin had somehow managed to fall asleep but she couldn't keep her mind silent long enough to do the same.

She understood why Kevin was upset, she just didn't understand why he was acting like it was all her fault. She never told Leighanne to do that and she certainly never said she approved of it. All she'd said was that she could sympathize with her for it.

Leighanne had felt terribly guilty afterwards. She approached Kristin about it about a month after she found out she was pregnant.

”Amanda, I'm pregnant.” she'd said.

“Congratulations! Oh that's so great! Isn't it?” she asked, taking in Leighanne's face.

“Yeah...it's just...I kind of did something really stupid.”

“What?”

Leighanne cleared her throat and wrung her hands as she began to talk. “Brian kept saying he wanted to try and have a baby but then when it came time to try he always blew me off with some excuse. Time after time, excuse after excuse. I tried to ask him if he really wanted to do this or if he was just saying it and he swore to me that he did, he just wanted it to be the right time. I told him I didn't think there ever was the perfect time to have a baby and if we waited for that, we'd be waiting forever.”

“Brian isn't happy?” Amanda asked, wondering where this was going.

“He's happy....it's just...he thinks the baby is an accident.”

“It isn't?”

“Not exactly. I kind of...tricked him.”

“You tricked him?”

“I let him think I was still on the pill, only I'd stopped taking it a few months before. I just thought that, you know, if it just happened, he'd be excited about it. I thought maybe he was just having a hard time committing to something so huge, you know? So I let him think that we were protected when I knew all along that I wasn't.”

“Oh Leigh.....”

“I know.” Leighanne said, a few tears rolling down her face. “I feel terrible. It sounds so horrible, I didn't really mean for it to happen that way. I just thought it'd be easier for him if it was a surprise! And now I really regret it. I mean if he ever found out.....”

Amanda hugged her. “He won't find out. Look, what's done is done. You can't change it and you know what? A baby is still a miracle. I think you just need to let it go and just be happy.”

Leighanne nodded. “I just felt like I needed to tell someone, you know? It's just been eating away at me. I've never deceived him like this before. I don't know how I managed to convince myself that it wasn't that big of a deal at the time.”

“There's no point in telling him now. If he's happy, let him be happy. Just forget it ever happened.”

Chapter 65

Emily woke up the next morning and found, after stretching in bed, that she was actually sore from their adventures in bed the night before. After the first round, they'd fallen sound asleep but around three in the morning, Emily was woken up by the storm that had grown pretty intense outside. AJ had woken up when she stirred and knew that she was too embarrassed to admit that the storm was scaring her, so he made love to her to distract her from it.

“Good morning.” he mumbled.

A loud clap of thunder told Emily it was definitely still storming outside. “I hope you managed to get enough sleep!” she said.

“I got plenty of sleep!” he grinned, sleepily.

“Well, I smell coffee in case you didn't.”

AJ got up and pulled on his boxers. He went over to the window and opened the blinds to reveal a very dark and nasty looking sky. The wind was blowing hard and the tree branches were bent over all while the rain continued to pour down.

“Mother Nature at her finest!” he said.

“Do you think the dogs are ok?”

“Emily, the dogs are fine. Remember, they used to live in Florida. They're used to storms. Besides, they're in the basement where you left them, remember?”

“I know. But I'd hate to think of them being home all alone and scared!”

“Well, I'd hate to think of what they'd do to the basement if they're home alone and not scared!” he joked.

“Is it safe to take a shower? What if the house gets hit by lightening when I'm all wet?”

“It probably wouldn't do a thing to you. Want me to shower with you?”

Emily grinned. “Don't I always?”

“Just checking.”

“Although, maybe no funny business. My whole body hurts after last night.”

AJ got back into bed. “I'm sorry. Here, I'll give you a massage.” He spent about twenty minutes massaging her sore muscles and she had to admit that she did feel a lot better when he was done.

They took a quick shower and got dressed. They found Kristin looking very sleepy and grumpy going into the bathroom and when they saw Kevin downstairs, he looked even more grouchy than his wife. Brian was up and watching the news and Leighanne was relaxing beside him with a cup of coffee.

“How about I make us some breakfast?” AJ asked.

“Knock yourself out! I'm afraid I'm a bit burnt out on cooking today.” Leighanne said.

“I'll help!” Emily said.

“You most certainly will not! Go relax, I'll bring you your coffee in a minute.”

Emily smiled and followed her orders.

“Hey Kevin, you feel like helping?” AJ asked.

“Sure.” Kevin grumbled.

AJ rooted around in the kitchen while he figured out what to make. Kevin leaned against the counter looking about as angry as the storm outside. He settled on french toast, scrambled eggs and some slices of melon.

“Everything ok? You don't seem your chipper morning self.” AJ asked, trying to act casual as he cracked open the eggs.

“Fine.” he said, sharply as he picked up the melon and started slicing it.

AJ decided he was better off dropping it for the time being. He heated up the griddle and took Emily a large mug of coffee with cream and kissed her on the top of her head before going back to start the french toast.

Kristin came downstairs still looking upset and exhausted.

“Are you feeling ok, Kristin? You don't look so good.” Leighanne asked,

“I'm fine, just tired. I couldn't sleep last night.” she said, looking away.

Leighanne and Emily raised eyebrows at each other.

“Did Amanda get to Chicago ok?” Emily asked.

“Yes. She sent me a text message late last night when they got in. She said it was a bumpy flight but overall not too bad.”

“Now, are they staying in a hotel or with his family?”

“They're staying at his parents house. I guess his brother and sister are also in town. Mandy was a nervous wreck to meet them all at once.”

“I'm sure they'll all love her!”

“They'd better!”

Shortly after, AJ called them all in for breakfast. He filled Emily's coffee back up and handed her a small glass of orange juice before sitting down next to her.

“This looks delicious, thank you.” she said.

“You're welcome!”

Kevin and Kristin sat on opposite sides of the table causing everyone to look at each other awkwardly.

“So...” AJ dared to break the awkward silence. “What's the latest on the hurricane?”

“Making landfall as we speak. Atlanta should see the worst part of it around seven tonight.” Emily answered.

Breakfast went quickly as it seemed like no one besides Emily or AJ really wanted to be there. Emily almost forgot all about Brian and Leighanne because she was too busy trying to figure out what in the world was up with Kevin and Kristin. She was quickly reminded when Brian put his hand on her shoulder as he stood up to gather the dishes and she shrugged away from him.

“I'm going out to the garage for a smoke.” AJ announced.

Emily helped clean up the kitchen and then quickly escaped to join him.

“Wow! It's cold out here!” she said, hugging her arms to her body.

AJ nodded. “It's even colder inside.”

“You've got that right. Is it just me or have we stepped into the twilight zone or something? Since when are we the only happy couple?”

AJ laughed. “And to think we're all going to be trapped here together all day long.”

“Man, what is up with Kevin and Kristin this morning? Everything was fine when they went to bed.”

“I don't have a single clue. I tried to ask him about it when we were making breakfast but he was very adamant that he wasn't going to discuss it.” he put out his cigarette and wrapped his arms around her. Emily shuddered as another large gust of wind blew, sending a bunch of leaves into the garage.

“Have I mentioned yet today how much I love you?” she asked.

“Hmm...I can't quite recall...”

“Well, I love you. A lot.” she stood up on her tip-toes and gave him a soft kiss.

“I love you too. A lot.” he smiled.

“Geez, I almost feel like we should get in a fight just to fight in with everyone else!”

“Ok. What do you want to fight about?”

Emily laughed. “I was kidding!”

“I know!”

“Come on, we should get back inside and make sure everyone is still alive.”

Emily decided she needed to act quickly when they went back inside and it seemed that no one was speaking to each other.

“Hey, why don't the guys go down to the basement and watch the games on the big screen? That way us women won't be in your way.” she suggested.

The guys all shrugged and AJ grinned at her, knowing exactly what it was she was trying to do as he led them downstairs.

“So what do you guys feel like doing?” she asked.

Kristin shrugged and Leighanne didn't even seem to hear her.

Emily sighed. “Alright, fine. You've forced me to ask questions. Kristin, what's going on with you?”

“Why are you picking on me?” she asked.

“Because I already know what Leighanne's problem is. But no one seems to know what's up with you and Kevin this morning. Is everything alright?”

“It's nothing.” she said, looking away.

“Ohhh....well, AJ and I have fought about 'nothing' a time or two, how about you, Leigh? You and Brian ever fight about 'nothing'?”

“We're fighting about it right now!”

“Come on you guys...” Kristin said.

“Look, clearly our relationships haven't been perfect either, you don't have to keep it to yourself.”

“It was just a stupid fight. Kevin got all bent out of shape with me for something I didn't even do. I'd just really rather not talk about it.”

“Ok. Want to plan your baby shower instead?”

“Oh yeah! Let's do that!” Leighanne pleaded.

Kristin smiled. “You guys want to throw me a shower?”

“Duh!” Emily and Leighanne said together.

“Actually I already have some ideas to run by you.” Emily said. “I've had a lot of time on my hands with AJ being gone and I like to brainstorm. So obviously we'll want the shower to be in LA, which, I may add, I love you so much that I'm willing to throw a party in LA. I hate LA.”

“Why do you hate LA?” Kristin asked.

“I just....don't fit in there. I don't eat tofu or wheat grass shakes, I don't bleach my hair and while I may do pilates and yoga, I certainly don't do them on the beach!”

Kristin laughed. “Emily, you need to give LA another chance. Not everyone is like that. I think you're just jaded because you associate LA with rehab, which I wouldn't think exactly brings back happy memories.”

“Maybe. So anyway....I was brainstorming and I called AJ to ask him if he knew anyone that had houses out there that might not actually be living in them around that time. And after I explained to him why I wanted to know he did actually think of two. He knows one guy who has a house on a big stretch of private beach in Malibu and another friend who has a house up in Hollywood Hills with a great view.”

“Wow! Both of those sound great!”

“I was looking at some private venues but I just thought it could be a little more intimate if it was at a private home, you know? I'm sure you'll have more than one shower so I wanted it to be something different.”

“I'd go with the beach house.” Leighanne said. “It'll be summer, it'd be perfect!”

“Ok. Let's go with the beach house!” Kristin agreed.

Emily went on with all her ideas from an outside brunch on the beach to a more tropical themed shower. She had even managed to impress Leighanne, who liked to think of herself as in the running for the next Martha Stewart. Apparently, she had competition.

“Emily you're sure setting the baby shower bar pretty high here. What the heck are we gong to do for yours?” Leighanne asked.

Emily grinned. “Oh, it doesn't have to be big and fancy. I just really like to plan big parties.”

“So....when do you think we might be planning a shower for you?” Kristin asked, leaning forward.

Emily blushed. “I don't know. Soon.”

“How soon?” Leighanne asked.

“We're going off the pill in January. We'll see what happens then.”

“Well, I'll send you lots of baby dust!” Kristin said.

“I've been thinking of starting a business.” Leighanne said.

“Oh really? What kind?” Emily asked.

“I don't really know yet. Maybe some kind of boutique. I have a few designs for some fancy diaper bags I sketched up once when Baylee was a baby and lately I've had a few ideas for some jewelry.”

“That'd be awesome!” Kristin said. “Do you know anyone that could help you with that?”

“I do have a few names. I mean I guess I just need something to do with myself. Baylee is in pre-school now and I've kind of gotten myself out of the modeling thing. I think it would be good for me.”

“I think it would be great for you!” Emily agreed. “What does Brian think?”

“I haven't actually mentioned it to him yet but I think he'll be supportive.”

At the mention of Brian, Kristin suddenly became very nervous that Kevin was downstairs telling Brian what he learned last night about Leighanne tricking him into having Baylee. It would destroy their marriage, and it would all be her fault.

“Kris, you ok? You look a little green.” Emily said.

“Yeah, I'm fine. Just give me a minute.”

“Have you heard from Baylee today?”

“Yeah, he called this morning all excited. He was going to have breakfast with Mickie Mouse. He must be having one heck of a birthday celebration down there!”

“I never got taken to Disney World for my birthday!” Emily huffed.

“Yeah, but now you have a husband who'd happily take you anywhere in the world you want to go!”

“True. Maybe I can convince him to take me there for our anniversary instead!”

“Where are you guys going?” Kristin asked.

“I think we're going to this really pretty ski lodge in Vermont. He promised me to take me to a place that has snow.”

“I didn't know you liked to ski.” Leighanne said.

“I don't. But I don't exactly plan on doing much skiing while we're there......”

Leighanne and Kristin laughed.

“Hey, who wants to watch a movie?” Emily suggested.

They ended up settling on Pretty Woman and sprawled out on the sofa and floor all wrapped up in blankets. Kristin couldn't really focus on the movie, she was too worried that Kevin was going to open his mouth. Leighanne couldn't stop thinking about her crushed dreams and her anger towards her husband. Emily couldn't help but feel like the shit was about to hit the fan, she just didn't know why yet.

Chapter 66

AJ tried hard at keeping the mood light in the basement with Brian and Kevin but he was running out of things to try and talk about. Both of them were scowling and trying to act like they were fine. They weren't fine.

“Kevin, seriously, what gives?” he asked, finally. “You've been looking more and more pissed off as the day goes on.”

“It's nothing.” he mumbled.

Brian laughed.

“What's funny?” Kevin asked.

“That was going to be my answer when he started questioning me instead.”

Kevin chuckled.

“Look, all I'm saying is that maybe if you talked to us we could help. Or maybe you'd at least feel better.” AJ tried.

“Let's just say Kristin defended something that is totally not.... defendable, if that's even a word. I mean she's always been a sympathetic person but this.....”

“Well, what was it?” Brian asked, curious.

“I really don't want to talk about it.” Kevin said, looking away from his cousin.

Brian didn't know why but he really didn't have a good feeling about whatever it was Kevin wouldn't talk about.

“Well, the game isn't on for a few hours, anyone up for a competition of Nintendo Wii?” Brian suggested.

Kevin and AJ agreed and soon they were very involved in all kinds of games.

“Hey, you mind if I make myself a drink?” Kevin asked AJ.

“Knock yourself out.” AJ said.

“You know, I just might do that.” Kevin laughed. He didn't drink a lot and he normally wouldn't have in front of AJ but he really needed to relax. He was here to have a good time and he didn't want to let Kristin totally ruin that for him, so he made himself a rather strong drink and went to play some virtual tennis.

AJ kept a close eye on Kevin as he poured his third drink a few hours later. They'd turned on some football and were relaxing on the big, leather couch having a good time being men.

“I'm going to go get something to eat, you guys want anything?”

“Bring us some popcorn!” Kevin said, obviously having loosened up quite a bit.

Emily heard someone come upstairs and after she heard the garage door open, she assumed it was AJ so she got up and went to find him.

“It's getting really nasty out here!” AJ said.

Emily stood beside him and watched the storm. It seemed like there was constant and unrelenting wind blowing so hard that the rain almost seemed to be falling sideways instead of from the sky, which had grown so dark that it would have been easy to mistake it for late evening instead of late morning. She stood behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist while he smoked.

“So what have you been up to? Lots of facials and manicures?” he teased.

Emily laughed. “Mostly just watching chick flicks. Kristin and Leighanne are half asleep on the couch. What have you been up to?”

“We played Wii Sports for awhile, now we're watching football and basketball on ESPN while Kevin is getting drunk.”

“It's only eleven!”

AJ nodded. “I know. And he's already on his third.”

“Are you....ok?”

AJ turned around in her arms. “I'm fine. To be honest, smelling it on Kevin's breath is kind of making me want to puke.”

“Still....I can't believe he'd drink around you!”

“Emily, just because I see it doesn't mean I want it. I can be around alcohol sometimes.”

“I know...it just seems kind of insensitive.”

“It's fine.” he said, kissing her forehead. “So did you find anything out from Kristin.”

“Not really. She just said he got mad at her for something she didn't even do.”

“Huh. Yeah, all Kevin said was that she defended something really bad.”

“Do you think anyone would notice if we snuck upstairs for a quickie?” Emily asked.

“Hmmm....probably, but I don't care if they notice!” he said, kissing her ear.

Emily shivered. “Alright...meet me in our room in ten minutes!” she said.

“Deal!” he smiled.

Emily went back inside and found Leighanne and Kristin putting in a new movie. She did her best to look sleepy as she walked back in, faking a yawn.

“You guys, I'm going to go lay down for an hour, ok? I didn't get much sleep because of the storm.”

“Ok. Sleep well!” Leighanne said without even glancing her way. Emily was honestly surprised it was that easy.

AJ went into the kitchen to make the popcorn Kevin ordered. He brought it down to them and set it on Kevin's lap.

“Emily's going to take a nap so I'm going to go lay down with her for a bit. I'll be back down later.”

Kevin laughed. “Alright, fine! Ditch us to go have hot sex with your hot wife!”

AJ smiled. “Ok.”

He went upstairs and found Emily already snuggled under the blankets. He locked the door behind him and quickly took off his clothes and climbed in beside her.

“Did you get away with it?” she asked.

“No, so let's make all the teasing we're going to endure worth it, shall we?”

She laughed. “Sounds good to me.”

AJ and Emily made love for about forty-five minutes and then took a thirty minute nap before getting dressed and going back downstairs. Kristin and Leighanne were still clueless when she walked back in.

“What are we watching?” she asked.

“Dirty Dancing. It's almost over though.” she said.

Emily had arrived just in time to hear Johnny say, “Nobody puts Baby in the corner.” and enjoyed the last scene of the movie.

“You guys want any lunch?” Kristin asked. “I have a mad craving for some pasta.”

“Sure! Can I help you make it?” Emily offered.

“No thanks, I can get it. Should I offer some to the guys?”

“Nah, AJ said they've been munching on some stuff all day.” Emily said, not really wanting Kristin to find Kevin totally hammered if she didn't have to.

“Leighanne!” Emily whispered when Kristin left the room. “We have to keep Kristin from going into the basement.”

“Why?” Leighanne whispered back.

“Because Kevin is down there getting drunk! AJ told me right before I went upstairs that he was already on his third drink.”

“He's drinking in front of AJ?”

“I know, I was mad too but AJ says he doesn't care and it doesn't bother him. But still!”

“Yeah, still! Ok, I'll keep her away. Hey...why are you glowing?”

Emily blushed. “I'm not glowing!”

“Yes you are! Did AJ happen to take a nap with you?”

“Maybe......”

“I hate you, you know that, right? I hate you and all the great sex you're having!” Leighanne said.

“I know. I love you too.”

Around seven that night, Emily and AJ had another meet-up in the garage.

“Is Kevin still drunk?”

“Oh yeah! I've actually lost count of how much he's had, the jack-ass can barely even stand up.”

“Oh God...well, we're getting ready to start heating up the leftovers for dinner. I guess we can't keep him from Kristin much longer.”

“No, I don't think we can. We should really try and get him to eat.”

“I think I'll warn her.”

“That's probably a good idea. Hey just holler at us when the food's ready, I'm hungry!”

Emily went back inside and joined Leighanne and Kristin as they heated up dinner.

“Kris, I wanted to warn you about something before the guys come up.” she said.

“What?” Kristin asked, looking really worried.

“AJ said Kevin's been drinking all day and he's really, really drunk.”

Kristin tried to laugh it off. “Well, at least he's enjoying himself, right?”

They set up a buffet on the counter and Emily called the boys upstairs. “Grab a plate and fill it up!” she said.

AJ and Emily sat down at the table next to each other and Kristin sat on the other side of Emily. She looked very unimpressed at her husband's condition as he fumbled around the kitchen while Brian tried to help him. Leighanne and Brian sat at the ends of the table and Kevin stumbled in and sat across from AJ.

“I don't want to sit by my wife.” he said. “Because we aren't speaking to each other right now.”

“Kevin....” Kristin said.

“No, no....still not talking to you!” Kevin said, holding his hand up.

Kristin looked away, trying to hide the embarrassment from her face while everyone looked at Kevin, shocked.

Just like breakfast, they ate mostly in silence except for Kevin's random comments that weren't making a whole lot of sense. As they were all finishing up, Kevin leaned back in his chair.

“So tell me AJ, how did it feel to learn that your wife had kept a huge and terrible secret from you?” Kevin asked.

Emily bit her lip and closed her eyes, looking down at her plate.

AJ grabbed her hand under the table and looked at her out of the corner of his eye, noticing her humiliated expression.

“Kevin, come on man, that's in the past. It doesn't matter anymore.”

“Oh come on! Tell us what it was like!”

“Kevin, shut up!” Kristin snapped at him. “That's none of your business!”

“What? I'm just asking a question, since when do you not want to know about other peoples' business?”

Kristin looked away, blinking tears out of her eyes.

“Kevin, come on man. What's up with you? You shouldn't be treating your wife this way and upsetting her like this!” Brian said, legitimately irritated with his cousin.

“What the hell do you know about marriage?” Kevin snapped. “You're the one with the wife that tricked you into having a baby six years ago!”

“What?” Brian asked, confused.

“You heard me!”

“Kevin, shut up!” Kristin said.

Brian looked at Leighanne and as soon as he saw her face, he knew Kevin was telling the truth.

“You....tricked me? Into getting you pregnant? With Baylee?”

“Not exactly!” Leighanne said.

“What the hell does that mean? You sort of tricked me? I don't really think there's a gray area here, Leighanne!” Brian yelled. He sat back in his chair in total shock.

“Here ya go.” Kevin said, handing Brian his beer. “You need this more than I do.”

“How could you tell Kevin?” Leighanne yelled at Kristin. “You promised you'd never tell anyone!” she said, tears starting to fall.

“I'm sorry, it just slipped out last night. I really didn't mean to!” Kristin tried, but she knew there wasn't anything she could say to fix this. “Really....it was an accident!”

“Ohhhh, an accident! Like the time you accidentally slept with that stage hand guy right before Kevin proposed to you?” Leighanne responded, causing everyone to stare at Kristin. “Yeah that's right, I'm not the only one with dirty little secrets in her past!” she said, glaring at Kristin.

“You slept with a stage hand?” Kevin asked.

“Kevin it was years ago!”

“That doesn't mean it never happened! Affairs don't expire, Kristin! Eventually they come out!” Kevin yelled.

“That must have been right after she found out about you and the girl from the strip club!” Brian said, airing yet another dirty little secret.

“What girl from the strip club?” Kristin demanded.

“You know...the one with the pretty pink tassels...” Brian was cut off by Kevin whacking him in the arm.

“Shut the hell up!” Kevin said. “Do you really want to keep telling each others' secrets? Aren't you the one who came crawling to me not all that long ago because you didn't love your wife anymore?”

“What?” Leighanne said, feeling like the wind had been knocked out of her.

Suddenly, there was a bright bolt of lightening, a very loud clap of thunder, and then the lights went out leaving them all in total darkness except for the random light provided by the lightening. Everyone was silent while AJ scrambled to find the candles that were sitting in the living room. He came back in and lit them with his lighter. Emily looked around. Brian and Kristin were both gone. Leighanne was sobbing silently and Kevin had actually passed out with his head on the table.

Emily and AJ looked at each other with their mouths hanging open and were totally clueless where to start.