Brian’s POV
The day after my birthday and the party fiasco, Gwyn came to my suite as I was packing to leave.

“Can we talk?” She said. I let her into the room.
“We have to leave soon, what's up?” I was actually nervous being alone with her.
“I can tell you're tense and I am sorry. I want to apologize for last night and for the stupid things I've done since we met.”
“You have made me very uncomfortable on many occasions.”
“I know and I have said crazy things to both you and Penny.”
“Why?” I asked.
“I was jealous of what you and Penny have. I realized last night when I was drunk and made a fool of myself, what a terrible friend I have been. Not only to Penny, but to you.”
“I'm glad you finally realize that. Penny loves you like a sister, she would be devastated if she knew…”
“I know and I appreciate you not telling her. Can we start over and be friends? I know that Penny would like us to be.” Gwyn said.
“That's fine with me, but the weird stuff stops.” I said.
“No weird stuff, I promise. We both have something very special in common, we both love Penny.” My cell phone rang, it was Val.

“I told you Brian!” Val said, I didn't even get a chance to say hello.
“Told me what?”
“That you should have told Penny about Gwyn. Please tell me you talked to her about it last night.”
“I was going to, but I just couldn't.” I looked at Gwyn, she had a confused look on her face.
“There's a picture of you and Gwyn all over Social Media. It looks like she's getting ready to sit on your lap. Thank God you at least look pissed.”
“FUCK!” I couldn't help but give Gwyn a dirty look. I picked up my iPad and searched my hashtag, there it was. “I found it. Gwyn is right here; she is going to help me figure out what to do about this mess.”
“Why the hell is she there!” Val asked.
I handed my iPad to Gwyn showing her the picture.
“She came to apologize. If you hear from Penny, let me know.”
“Don't trust her!” Val said.
“I can't worry about that right now. I'll talk to you later.”

After I hung up, Gwyn was practically in tears.
“Oh my God, this is all my fault! I am so sorry!”
“It's done now; we have to decide what to do. I'm not sure how Penny is going to take this.”
“Should we tell her before she sees it?” she said “Maybe she won't see it.”
“She'll see it; she looks at that stuff. Especially since I've been gone and she's all alone.”
“Maybe I should tell her. It was my fault.”
“Let's call her together.”
I called Penny on FaceTime.
“I've been expecting your call.” When she said that, I knew she had already seen it. Her arms were crossed too, not a good sign.
“Penny, let us explain.” I said. “It's not what it looks like.”
“Us?” She asked.
Gwyn is here with me. She wants to talk to you. I handed Gwyn my iPad.
“Penny, I was drunk. It was a party and I was stumbling and acting stupid. Brian was just sitting there and I practically fell in his lap. Nothing happened.”
“Well it isn't the first time a picture has been put online that looked like something it wasn't. It was just upsetting; I should have known.”
“You're not mad at me?”
“No Gwyn, I trust both of you.” Penny said. “Can I talk to Brian?”
“Of course. I'll leave you two alone.” Gwyn smiled and handed the tablet to me. She waved as she left. Now it was my turn.

“Thank you for understanding Penz.”
“I trust both of you. I feel bad that I even got upset.” I could tell she was more upset than she was trying to let on.
“No one could blame you. You still look upset, are you sure you're okay?”
“I guess. I wish you had told me that she was drunk and all of that happened.”
“It wasn't a big deal, she was just drunk and staggering around.”
“So it wasn't the reason you left the party?” She knew me too well.
“It wasn't the main reason. I wanted to be with you, all that just made it easier to get away.” I said. She didn't look convinced.
“Something is happening to us. It's starting to feel like the distance between us isn't just geographical.” She said.
“Don't feel that way, we are just having to deal with being apart for months.”
“I don't know, maybe I'm just worrying too much. Just forget I said anything.”
“Penz, we knew this wasn't going to be easy. I love you, that will not change. You can't dwell on things.”
“I love you too, Junior. I guess I just I have too much time to sit and think up stupid crap.”
“We are connected, nothing and no one can ever take that away.”
“I know, it’s just...”
“Just what?”
“Nothing. I feel better talking to you and I appreciate you and Gwyn being straightforward with me about what happened.” She wasn't very convincing.
“I'm glad you feel better.” I felt terrible, I wasn't telling her everything and I knew she could sense it. I still didn't think I should tell her. I had to trust Gwyn to back off.

This tour just seemed to be getting worse as it went. I was starting to wonder what toll it was taking on us too.


Penny's POV
I was so bored and so disappointed about not being there with Brian on his birthday. When he called and we talked all night I felt better. I think I actually slept for the first time in weeks.
The next day I was greeted online by pictures that looked like one of my best friends was getting ready to sit in my husband's lap. At first I started to get upset, then I realized two things. I knew the look on Brian's face, it was the same look he had on his face 5 years ago when the groupies interrupted us (and I had witnessed that look many times since then). It's his trying to be nice when you’re really just annoying him face. Also, I knew nothing happened after that because Brian spent the whole night on FaceTime with me. I wasn't worried, but I was jealous. I was jealous that everyone there got to be with him on his birthday and I was stuck in California all by myself.

That picture haunted me, just as every picture from the tour did. But this one did get the attention of the fans and the rumors were plentiful. I had been less and less visible since Merlin, it created rumors ranging from I was cheating on Brian or he was cheating on me to I was addicted to any and every drug out there (the weight loss helped fuel that). Now there's a picture of a beautiful woman who is known as one of my friends practically in Brian's lap. I had support from some and got the crap beat out of me from most (or at least it felt like it). It was the same for Gwyn and I felt bad about that too. Usually I didn't let that stuff get to me, but I guess I was vulnerable now. I didn't talk to Brian about it, he didn't need that on him.


Brian's POV
Every day, Penny and I would talk. She seemed more and more distant as the days passed. She had only left the house once since my birthday and that was for blood testing. It was great that her medication was now oral and she could take it at home, but she was just staying home all the time.

By our anniversary on the 16th, She had become more and more quiet and irritable. I had a show that night and it was morning in the states. I knew it would be a hard day for both of us.
When I called her on FaceTime, my concern only increased. I was sure Penny had the same shirt of mine on that she had for days. She hadn't brushed her hair and it wasn't in her usual perfect ponytail as she normally had when around the house. She was also in bed, but it wasn't our bedroom.
“Penny, are you in one of the guest bedrooms?”
“Yes, I have been sleeping in here.”
“Why?”
“Just easier.” Her answers were very short.
“Shouldn't you be out of bed and dressed by now.”
“I am dressed and I am good right here.” She said with a hint of defiance.
I tried to point out the bright side and reminded her that she could have told me she was dying that day instead.
“That still could happen, it could just be delayed.” She said.
“That is not going to happen. Jimmy wouldn't have told me if it couldn't be stopped. Please don't think that.”
She faked a smile when I said that. “Yea, you're right.”
I was getting more and more worried about her. She looked so tired and seemed so down. You could tell she had been crying a lot.
“Have you been out in the pool much?”
“Nope, not at all.”
“Have you painted?”
“Nope, don't want to.”
“What have you been doing?”
“Usually I watch YouTube videos that fans post of all your concerts I'm missing.” I could tell she was trying to hold back tears.
"Maybe you shouldn't do that so much. It seems like it just upsets you more." I shouldn't have said that. She got defensive.
"Not only can I not be there in person, I can't even watch videos of it?"
"I didn't mean it that way. I am just suggesting that you do some other things too."
"It's the only thing I feel like doing."
“When was the last time you left the house?” I pushed forward, trying to make my point.
“I don't know.”
“I know; it was two weeks ago.”
“Thanks for keeping track.” She said flatly.
“Penny, you can't just sit around and do nothing.” I didn't know how to get through to her.
“I don't have anything to do. Don't you need to get ready to go on stage?”
“Yes, but not right this second. What are you planning to do today?”
“I have to have blood drawn for testing. I'm getting really tired of being a pin cushion.”
“Think of it as a good thing, every time you're tested could mean we will be together again.”
“I'm not getting my hopes up anymore and I'm not holding my breath.” I saw the tears start running down her cheeks, she didn't bother wiping them away.
“At least you're going to get out of the house.” I tried to turn the conversation to the positive.
“A nurse is coming to the house to do it.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Because I requested it. I don't feel going out and getting blood drawn is worth all the trouble when I can just stay here.”
“Honey, you can't just stay in bed all day and cry. I'm starting to worry.”
“I'm fine, Brian.” She said in a very annoyed tone. “I'm pretty sure it's time for you to get ready.” She finally wiped the tears from her cheeks defiantly.
“I do have to go now, but we are going to continue this conversation later. I love you Penz. This is just one of many anniversaries we are going to have.”
“Okay. I love you Junior.” She smiled faintly. “I miss you so much.” The tears started to fall again.
“I miss you too. I'll call you as soon as I can after the show.”
“Oh, I'll be here.” She said sarcastically.

It killed me to end that conversation, but I had to go and everything I said seemed to make it worse.


Gwyn's POV
After Val called me out on Brian's birthday, I knew I had to change my tactics. I realized Adam had the right idea. I needed to build trust, friendship and reliance with Brian. I needed to convince him that my intentions were only to be friends with the husband of one of my best friends. The picture worked brilliantly, even though it wasn't what I had originally planned it to do. It gave Brian and I a common denominator. The one thing I was sure it did do as I had planned was to get under Penny's skin. I knew she would forgive us, but it would still drive her nuts.

My golden opportunity to get even closer to Brian was the anniversary of the day they met. Brian was going to need a friend. Who better than Penny's longtime friend? Thanks to Adam, it went better than I could have come up with myself.


Adam's POV
Penny asked if I could have someone come to the house to draw blood for her routine testing. I sent one of my techs out and instructed her to bring the samples back to me. I told everyone that with Penny being a high profile patient, I wanted to personally manage every aspect of her care. The tech came back and told me that Penny was very quiet and clearly had not been out of the house or even changed clothes in days. She suggested someone check on Penny.
I tried to call her and she didn't answer. I texted and asked if I could come over and talk to her about her progress. She said yes and to just come on in, she would be in her bedroom.
When I walked in the house, everything looked normal. Everything was perfectly in place. I went up to the master bedroom and knocked on the door. Then I heard her voice from one of the guest rooms down the hall, “I'm in here” she called out.
I walked in and was alarmed by the stark difference of the room compared to the rest of the house. The room was a mess, there were bags of wide open half eaten snacks scattered around. Stacks of empty water bottles, tissue boxes and used tissues all around and on the bed. Every blind and curtain was closed.
“Penny, why are you in here?”
“I’m sick of being asked that. Do you have a medical reason to be here? If you came to tell me I'm dying, do it and get the fuck out.”
“Penny, I'm not here to tell you you're dying. Now get out of that bed, go take a shower and put on some clean clothes. Your clothes, not Brian’s.” I opened the blinds and the curtains letting light in. She put the covers over her eyes until they could adjust. It was then able to see how terrible she looked. Her nose was red, her eyes were bloodshot, with dark circles under them. “Have you just been in this room crying all the time?”
“I really don't think that is any of your damn business.” She looked at me with contempt. “I think you should get the fuck out of my house. I will call the police if you don't.”
Now I was angry. “Go ahead, they might want you to actually get your ass out of that bed.”
“I don't know who you fucking think you are. I pay you, remember?”
“You pay a housekeeper too. Why is all this trash in here?”
“I gave her paid time off, so she didn't tell “Mr. Haner” everything I do. She asked too many questions and tried to get in my business just like you. I would have just fired her if I could have.”
“You mean she’d tell Brian everything you're NOT doing?”
“She'd butt into things that are none of her concern, just as your lab tech obviously did by running straight to you. As I said before, I pay you. Would you like me to give you money to go away too?”
“Right now, I am a friend who isn't going to join your pity party. You don't have enough money to pay me to leave here. Are you going to get in the shower or am I going to have to carry you there?”
“Brian would kill you.”
“You're right, but there is one thing he probably wouldn't kill me for.” I picked her up and threw her over my shoulder kicking and screaming.
“What the fuck are you doing? Put me down asshole!”
“Somebody has a potty mouth today.” I said.
“Somebody is going to kick the shit out you when you set me down.”
“Guess I'll have to put you down where I'll have time to run.” We were now outside at the pool. “Won't take a shower? This will at least rinse you off.” I threw her into the pool.
“Mother Fucker!” She yelled just before she entered the water.
She came up still yelling. “You are going to pay for that! I can't believe you are that fucking stupid.”
“The water didn't wash out your mouth.” She was now at the edge of the pool.
“Help me outDoctor Dumbass.”I reached down and grabbed her hand to pull her out and she pulled me into the pool. When I surfaced she was laughing and I started laughing too.

Notes