Like I'm Right Beside You (BEING EDITED SLOWLY)

Chapter 34

BRIAN'S POV

I followed the guys out to the hallway. As I turned around I saw Kevin closing the door. "Aren't they coming?" I asked thinking of Annie.

"Oh Annie said she needed to talk to Madeline," Kevin said. Was she talking to her about me? About our encounter?

I wanted to tell the guys what happened, but what advice would they give me? I told them anyways.

I motioned them to follow me near the stage, "Something happened outside with me and Annie." I ran a hand through my hair.

Nick crossed his arms, "what happened? Are you back together?" I looked at all of the guys. I can tell they really wanted to know.

"What? No. We..I almost kissed her," I put my hands on my hip pacing back and forth.

Nick stopped me, "Kissed her? Ohh no..I interrupted, didn't I?" I could see he felt bad.

I shook my head, "No of course not. I'm a bit glad that you did. I'm not sure if that's what she wanted.."

Kevin headed for the stage and sat on the edge, "Did she tell you that?" I wish she would give me a sign.

I followed Kevin and sat next to him, "She didn't, but she hesitated to look at me while we talked."

All the boys then followed us. Nick, Aj and Howie sat in the chairs that were there. "What did she say?" Howie asked.

I felt frustrated, "I asked her if she missed us and she said she doesn't think we should be together again.."

My heart shattered at her words. I really thought she felt the same I did. Maybe I was reading her wrong.

"Yikes Brian. Look just give her space and don't try to hard. Maybe she will go to you soon. In the meantime..be friends," Nick said. Nick's words were the opposite of what I wanted. But he knew what he was saying.

"Friends? I don't want to be just friends," I denied the reality.

Kevin sighed, "Brian be friends first. Like Nick said give her space. Just wait."

As difficult as that sounded, they were right. I had to give her time to figure out what she wanted.

I heard Madeline laughing like crazy as they came out to where we were. I dangled my legs watching them come out.

"Okay boys we are ready to go!" Madeline was drunk on energy. I wonder what she was like drunk on actual alcohol..

We went to a fancy restaurant called 'The Gib.' I still don't know why it's called that.

Since we were widely known we got a table right away. I guess that was good so we wouldn't have to wait hours and hours for a table.

Our waiter got us a long rectangular table for 7 people. I knew the guys and Madeline were arranging me and Annie's seat. They made me and Annie sit next to each other.

"I could sit there," I said trying not to make Annie uncomfortable. They all said no and made me sit down.

We didn't wait that long for our food. As people passed by they would ask for a picture or would wave at us. We were already used to it. Although it would get tiresome sometimes.

Whenever I would try to get ketchup or a utensil my and Annie's hand would touch. I liked it because that's the only way I could feel her warmth.

After eating the waiter asked if we wanted dessert, but we were too stuffed for anything. So instead we waited for the check.

Madeline ended up paying because she said we had done a lot for her already.

We started making our way outside when some blonde guy randomly came up to Annie. Who was that random guy? Her "friend"?

"Come on, let's go," said the blonde guy. As he grabbed her arm and pulled her away.

If he was her boyfriend, perhaps I could understand. But if he wasn't..he had it coming.

"Ow! You're hurting me Nathan!" She said  trying to break free.

Nathan? Where have I heard that name? Then I remembered the text she got. He looked familiar too.. That's when I remembered he was that singer I saw online.

I had a feeling that wasn't her boyfriend at all..

"Nathan.. I said let go!" Annie's shout broke my thoughts.

I broke past the guys, "she said let go!" I don't know what came over me, but I hit him. I got in front of Annie as he stumbled onto the ground.

I put out my arms to protect her. Soon the guys came around her and took her away. "What was that for?" Nathan said putting a hand over his mouth.

"You were hurting her. She said let go. Didn't you hear?" I could feel rage building inside of me.

"Hurting her? No, I just wanted to talk to her. Why isn't she answering my texts?" He got up and cleaned his face with his hand.

"That's no way to grab a lady," I said as I looked if Annie was safe. She was. The guys took her to the car.

"Well she isn't answering me so I had to grab her attention. Wait.. you're Brian Littrell," his eyes widen a little.

"And I'm guessing you're Nathan," I said.

"I am. So this is why she isn't answering me. She's back with you," he dabbed his face.

"She is with me. I'm sorry who are you to her?" I asked. The nerve of this guy. My blood boiled just thinking if he had hurt Annie in any way while I wasn't there.

"We are just friends, but we have kissed. Maybe we are more," he smirked.  The thought of this guy kissing Annie infuriated me.

"Kiss or no kiss you need to respect Annie. I think it's best you leave her alone," I advised.

"No! I can't do that. I can't stay away," he said wiping his face clean.

"And why's that? It seems she wanted to break free from your grip," I put my hands in my pockets.

"That's because she didn't see me right away. But I need to see her, now," Nathan said looking around for Annie.

"I don't think she wants to see you. Like I said stay away," I clenched my jaw feeling anger.

"I said I can't. I love her," his voice sounded sincere. Did she love him too?