Dancing in the Florida Sun (Completed)

38- FS Wait

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     "That's the question everyone seems to ask," Jacob smirked as he spoke. "You'll have to stick around for the concert to find out the answer. I plan to make a statement towards the end."

     "Are you sure you don't want to give us a clue?" the reporter persisted.

     "I'm good. Why don't you ask the guys the rest of your questions." Jacob avoided answering her.

     Brooke felt like she had been holding her breath for hours, when she finally exhaled a shaky breath. Matt placed an arm over her shoulder and pulled her close. He knew how she felt about Jacob, though it hurt him to admit it. Leaning into him for support, Brooke contemplated having this tension for the next several hours until he made his announcement. Suddenly it seemed as if all of the wind had been knocked out of her, but as she began to feel so low, she remembered she was not alone. "Thank you God for my friends and for being here for me. Walk me through this." She prayed silently and relaxed a little more against Matt.

     "I've got you," he whispered and held her tighter.

     Brooke forced a smile. It would be a long night. Moments ago, the room had seemed large, bright, and inviting; now it seemed like a dark tunnel pressing in with no end in sight.

     Elise closed in on her other side and glared in Jacob's direction. "Fake it 'til you make it. Oh look," she pointed to the food table, "They've got some cute little desserts. Let's see if we can find some chocolate."

     Brooke appreciated the distraction, and was thankful for Elise and Matt. With the two of them, and the rest of Madness, this trip could still be great. Brooke had come with that attitude, and just needed to remind herself that truly, nothing had changed. She noticed little cups of chocolate mousse and grinned. Even in this dark place, there were good things. "Thank you God."

~~~

     "Okay, you stand here. Ethan...scoot that way. Brandon and Anthony switch spots." The photographer's assistant put her hand on her chin and nodded. "Yep, that's it."

     Brooke felt an arm slide around her shoulder and knew it was Jacob's. She could feel his body heat behind her, and smell his cologne; she struggled to maintain her smile. The moment the photos were done, she dragged Elise over to where Madness was set up for pictures.

     Just as they were finishing up Brooke heard a high pitch squeal come from where Nine Days In was set up. She looked at Elise and rolled her eyes. "And so it begins."

     "Elise!" came a voice from the same direction as the previous squeal.

     When they looked it was Ally, from the plane. "You have got to be kidding me! Did this girl place a tracker on us?" Elise groaned.

     Ally was waving them over, while saying something in earnest to the photographer.

     "You know that girl?" Brad asked from behind them.

     Elise rolled her eyes. "Plane buddy." She looked behind Brad and saw the line forming. "We'll go see what she wants. Looks like you guys are in demand." She grinned and hugged Brad then waved at the others. "If we miss you before you go out, 'break a leg'!" Chuckling, she pulled a Brooke across the room with her.

     "Elise...and Brooke, right?" Brooke nodded at Ally. "You two jump in! We'll get pictures together with Nine Days In!" She leaned in closer and winked, "and this way you get to cut past the line!"