Penny's POV
It was a busy month before our trip. But I knew it was going to be incredible, two whole weeks together on our own little island.
I was really surprised when Brian came to visit Mid-January, I had to get a big project settled before vacation, so I had to work a lot. Bianca and Chloe helped keep him company, going out to lunch, coffee etc. He kept himself very busy.
I was ready, my flight was very early in the morning and I had brought my suitcases down to the front door so I was ready when Chloe came to pick me up in the morning. I accidentally dropped one of the suitcases on my foot when I got to the front door. "Damn It!" I yelled. Just then my doorbell rang, then I heard knocking and Jay's voice. "Penny? Are you okay?" FUCK!!
I opened the door, just enough to talk to him.
"Hi Jay, I'm surprised to see you again so soon."
"Penny, I need to talk to you. Can I come in?"
I thought about the luggage right there, Damn it!! "Umm, well."
"I just want a few minutes and if you want to kick me out after I say what I want to say, I understand."
"OH-Kay? Come on in"
Of course he spotted the luggage right away. "Going on a trip?"
"Yes"
"Where?"
"Florida, my flight leaves tomorrow morning."
"Flight? Whoa! That's new!" He said in amazement.
"Well, you know gotta face your fears. I'm not getting any younger."
"Penny, please don't start the age thing. Can we sit down and talk?"
I didn't want to have him mess with the guitar again. "Sure, let's go in the kitchen. Would you like something to drink? I have pop, milk and beer."
"I'll have a beer. You drink beer now?"
"Yea sure, sometimes. Max and Allen drink it too. What did you want to talk to me about?"
"Anyway, I didn't tell you this when I was here before Christmas, but Bridget and I broke up." He said, he really wasn't good at hiding his sadness.
"I'm sorry to hear that" Little voice in my head was saying 'Ha Ha'. "But what does that have to do with me?"
"I'm asking you to give me another chance. I've missed you. You were the best thing that ever happened to me. I was a fool to let you go."
"I have a question, who dumped who?"
"What does that matter?"
"Who Jay?" He knew I was dead serious.
"Bridget met someone."
"So the woman you left me for, dumped you and now you want me to take you back?"
"Penny, it's not like that. Even before Bridget left, I was always thinking about you."
"I appreciate that I'm your second choice. But I'm with someone now and I'm his first choice."
"You've met someone else?"
"Yes, I am in a relationship." I said.
"Is it serious?"
"Yes."
"Wow, I feel pretty stupid."
"Don't feel that way. You know I care about you and I always will. I know that you are going to meet the right person. I think you are just afraid to be alone right now."
"I haven't seen you out with anyone or heard that anyone has seen you. So who is this guy, do I know him?"
"We don't go out a lot, we like to stay in. I'm pretty sure you've never met him. He's from out of state."
"That's his guitar, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is Brian's. I'm sorry for lying to you. Please forgive me."
"It was none of my business. Well, I should go."
I walked him to the door. He hugged me and then tried to kiss me. I slapped him in the face. "I think you need to leave!"
"I'm sorry, but I had to try. I let you go; I have that to regret for the rest of my life. Goodbye Penny, I won't bother you anymore."
"Goodbye!" He left and I closed the door. I stood there against the door stunned. I never saw that coming.
I don't know whether I should tell Brian or not. I really don't want to keep secrets from him.

Brian's POV
It had been a great day, we laid down some tracks for the album. I still missed Penny and I couldn't wait for our nightly video chat.
"Hi Babe"
"Hi handsome." She said.
"How was your day!"
"Umm, well it was" she seemed to be really thinking through her answer. "A day. How was yours?"
That was a strange answer. "My day was good, but I missed you."
"I've missed you too. I'm so glad we will be together tomorrow."
I told her about the album progress and usually she is excited to hear about it. But she seemed distracted. "Penny, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, why do you ask?"
"Well for one thing it's like you're a million miles away. We're connected, remember? Talk to me."
"Promise you're not going to get mad or upset?" She asked. I had a feeling that was going to be difficult.
"I can't promise that, but I promise I'll try"
"Jay was here today."
"Why?" I was getting upset already. "Did you let him in?"
"I would have acted like I wasn't home, but I dropped a suitcase on my foot while he was at the door and he heard me. He said he needed to talk to me. He told me that he and Bridget broke up."
"Okay, why would he need to talk to you about that?"
"That wasn't what he wanted to talk about. He asked me to give him another chance."
Not getting mad was getting more and more difficult, I tried to sound calm. "What did you say?"
"I told him that I appreciated being his second choice, but I am with someone who puts me first."
"Did you tell him who?" I was hoping she did, so he'd know not to mess with her.
"No, I only said your first name. He is a fan; he might recognize your real name."
"Did you tell him to leave?" I braced myself for the answer.
"It was all very civil. He said he should leave once I told him about you. I didn't have to tell him to leave until I walked him to the door."
"Penny, why did you have to tell him to leave then, if he was already leaving?" I had an idea of the answer.
"He tried to kiss me, I slapped him and that's when I told him to leave."
I didn't speak at first, I was trying to calm down. I can't believe this Mother Fucker had the balls to ask her to take him back and then try to kiss her.
"Brian? Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm glad you slapped him."
"Are you mad at me?" She sounded a little afraid.
"No Penz, I'm not mad at you. I just ask you not to ever let him in again, I don't care if he knows you're there or not."
"I won't, I promise." I could tell she was upset.
"It's ok honey, I'm not upset with you. I'm glad you told him that I put you first. I love you and I always will put you first."
"I will always love and put you first too."
"Why don't you get some sleep Penelope and we'll talk in the morning?"
"Okay Junior. Good night."
"Good night babe."

After I got off the phone with Penny, I grabbed another beer and thought about what I wanted to do. I knew I should let it go, but I couldn't. I called Bianca.
"Hey there, Rock star!"
"Hey Bianca, I need a favor."
"You are full of favors!!"
"I'll try to make this the last one. I need Jay's phone number."
"Why do you need that?"
"Because we need to chat."
"What happened? Did he go over to Chicken Legs house again and touch your guitar?"
"No, this time he touched Penny."
"Oh, I was afraid something like that might happen. As soon as I heard he and Bridget had split. What did Penny do?"
"After she told him she was with me and not interested in being his rebound, he tried to kiss her when she walked him to the door. Penny slapped him and told him to leave."
"Good for her. But Brian, Jay is not a bad guy. I think he's just hurting and lonely right now."
"I don't give a shit what he's going through or how much of a nice guy he is. He and I need to have a talk."
"Did she tell him who you are?"
"No she just said my first name. Bianca, I need to tell him to stay away from her. I won't be able to let it go until I do. He's lucky I don't come there and kick his ass."
"I'll give it to you, because I know you and you won't quit until you get it. Just don't blab that I gave it to you."
"I won't, I promise."
She gave me his number, but reminded me that Penny would kill me if I told him who I am.
I had another beer and called him.
"Hello" He answered.
"Is this Jay Benton?"
"Who's asking?"
"My name is Brian, I believe Penny told you about me earlier today."
"I'm sorry, I didn't catch your last name?"
"My last name is irrelevant. I'm just calling to tell you that if you ever go near Penny again, you'll be sorry."
"Why are you worried, are you afraid she might leave you for me?" This asshole has really pissed me off now.
"I think she made it clear she has no interest in you." I said.
"You're right, she did and my cheek still stings from it. Don't worry Man, I got the hint."
"So we have an understanding?"
"Yes we do. Just don't hurt her. I hurt her and she doesn't deserve to be hurt again." He said.
"I am not going to hurt her."
"That's good, because if you did, I'd kick your ass."
"That's not going to happen, so you won't get your ass kicked unless you mess with her again."

Notes