It took a couple days for everything to return to normal in Abigail’s life, but knowing that she was able to close the last chapter of her past with her grandparents amicably, helped Abigail deal with her conflicting emotions. 

“Anymore friends and family you should tell me about?” Kevin said as he sat across from Abigail at a hotel restaurant eating lunch. 

“If there is anyone else, I’ll be just as surprised as you.” Abigail replied. 

“I just don’t want to see you that upset again. It seems that whenever we start making progress, something interferes and sends us back a few steps.” Kevin said. 

“And trust me, I don’t want to be that upset again. I love you Kevin, but this helped me see that I need to learn how to function independently. I’ve become so dependent on you for everything and I think I need to learn how to deal with things on my own again.” Abigail said. 

“I kinda like the feeling that you’re so dependent on me.” Kevin admitted. 

“It would get annoying pretty quickly I imagine.” Abigail said. 

“You could be right. I want you to need me in some capacity though.” Kevin said. He feared that Abigail would become too independent and decide that she didn’t need him at all. 

“I’m not talking about learning how to live without you all together Kevin. I love you and can’t imagine my life without you. I just feel our relationship would be better off if I could learn how to deal with some things on my own. It was a difficult transition, but when I was in prison, I had to learn to deal with everything on my own. I know I don’t have to go to that extreme, but it’s not healthy if I need to come running to you for everything. Do you understand where I’m coming from Kevin?” Abigail tried her best to explain. 

“Yeah, I think I do. I just don’t want you to think that you can’t come to me when you’re upset. Part of being in a relationship means that we share our feelings with each other and help each other through difficult times.” Kevin said. 

“I’m sorry this is so difficult for you to understand Kevin. Can you just trust me? I’d like to continue to see Dr. Steep if that’s all right with you.” Abigail said. 

“That’s fine with me. I have a suggestion though. Can we possibly have some sessions where we both talk with him? I want to know what you’re thinking and feeling and find out how I can help you.” Kevin said. 

“I’m sure that could be arranged. Dr. Steep seems very open to suggestions.” Abigail replied. 

“But are you ok with that?” Kevin asked. 

“Yeah, I am. It’s obviously important to you to find a way that we can deal with everything together.” Abigail said. 

“We’ll talk some more about this later. Right now I have to get ready to head to the venue. You coming tonight?” Kevin asked. 

“No, I think I’m just gonna hang out here tonight. Maybe go work out for a bit, watch a movie. Just take it easy.” Abigail replied. 

“I wish I could stay with you.” Kevin said. As good as it felt to be back out on the road and onstage every night, he missed the leisurely hours they spent together while he was recuperating. He had still remained committed to the group, but he wasn’t as focused as he had been in the past. He fully understood how Brian felt when he discovered he was serious about LeighAnn. 

“So do I, but you can’t let those fans down.” Abigail said. She was slowly noticing changes in Kevin since they’d taken to the road again. He used to be extremely dedicated to his work and he was always the first to push the others to work harder. He was still dedicated to his work and loved being on stage, but something had changed. That same sparkle that existed in his eyes when she first met him was no longer there. She’d been trying to figure out when she first noticed this change in Kevin and she was certain it started shortly after they hit the road again. Maybe he was just getting tired of life on the road, she could fully understand that. She promised that she would bring it up with Kevin sometime in the next couple of days. She hated the thought of him keeping everything bottled up inside. 

“Don’t have too much fun without me tonight. I’ll see ya after the show.” Kevin said as he stepped forward and lightly kissed Abigail on the lips. 

“Have fun out there tonight.” Abigail said as Kevin left the hotel room. Abigail walked over to her suitcase and pulled out her bathing suit. She quickly changed and made her way down to the hotel pool. She needed to work off some of the nervous energy that had built up throughout the day. She always felt better after a good work out. 

*********************** 

A few hours later, Kevin emerged from the dressing room and tried to mentally prepare himself for the nightly meet and greet. He still loved their fans and was grateful for their love and support, but it was starting to grow old. It was the same thing night after night. The fans were either too star struck to speak or they would scream or cry in their face. He always did his best to calm them down or make them talk. He knew they had a lot of mature fans, but he wondered where they were at times like this. It would be nice to meet a mature fan that he could actually have a conversation with, that didn’t happen very often. 

As Kevin entered the backstage area, he could see that he was the last to arrive. In the past, he had always been the first to arrive at meet and greets and thrived on spending time with the fans. Tonight for some strange reason, he just wanted to get this over with. His heart just wasn’t in it tonight. As he stood there and surveyed the room, he didn’t see a tall blonde woman who was headed in his direction. In fact she startled him, when she placed a hand on Kevin’s shoulder. 

“I was beginning to wonder if you were ever coming out. You’re my favorite and I only came here to meet you.” The tall blonde woman said in a sexy and sultry voice. 

‘I said I wanted a mature fan, but this wasn’t quite what I was looking for.’ Kevin said to himself as he observed the twenty-something woman. In his earlier days he would have been extremely attracted to her and would have probably relished in the fact that she was flirting with him. Now that he had Abigail, he didn’t want any part of that lifestyle. “Can I sign that for you?” Kevin asked, spotting the album cover she held in her hand. 

“Yes, if you wouldn’t mind. Please make it out to Jordyn.” She said as she passed the booklet to Kevin. 

“There you go.” Kevin said as he gave the booklet back to Jordyn. 

“I was wondering if I could get a picture with you as well?” Jordyn asked. 

“I’ll have to make it quick. I have to get around to meet the other fans as well.” Kevin said, sensing that this woman was trying to monopolize his time. 

“Just one picture, that’s all I want.” Jordyn said as she moved in close to Kevin and put her arm around his waist. 

Kevin had become accustomed to taking pictures with and hugging fans over the years, but Jordyn was making him feel uncomfortable. She moved in closer than necessary and held on to him tightly. He was relieved when the picture had been taken and he could move away from her. 

But before Kevin could escape, Jordyn moved in front of Kevin and pulled him into a hug. “Thanks for your time Kevin. You’re a sweetheart.” Jordyn said as she held Kevin close. 

“No problem.” Kevin said as he pulled away and moved his attention to some younger fans. As Kevin worked the room, he could feel Jordyn’s eyes following him wherever he went. He was relieved when the meet and greet was over and all the fans had been escorted out of the backstage area. He just wanted to get tonight’s show over with and get back to Abigail.