Brian's POV
Penny and I had our nightly talk, she was in good spirits and planned to paint later. I was glad she was starting to do the things she liked, especially ones that that didn't involve Adam Gabriel.
Jay still had not returned my calls or even texted that he would get back to me. Something just wasn't right and I needed to know what happened.

Gwyn's POV
Time was running out. Adam had succeeded in getting rid of Jay, but I needed something to actually pry Brian and Penny apart. This was now an all out battle and will become a war if necessary. It was time to use the friendship and trust to that I had built with Brian to my advantage. The night after Jay called, Brian suggested we meet for drinks after he had his nightly chat with Penny out of the way. This was the perfect opening, time to get the crowbar.

“Gwyn, I need to get your opinion.”
“Sure, what's up?”
“I need you to be objective, forget that we are talking about Penny.”
“Okay, I'll try.”
“Jay went to check on Penny for me a few days ago.”
“You mean check on her or get rid of Adam?” I knew I had to be careful.
“Both, mostly Adam.”
“If Penny figures that out, she is going to be ticked. How long is Jay staying?”
“He's already gone, he stayed one night. He was supposed to stay a week.” You could tell Brian was suspicious.
“Why did he leave so quick?”
“He told Penny he had to go back for work. The really crazy thing is that I haven't been able to get hold of Jay since he left. I think he's trying to avoid me.”
“Do you think something else happened that made him leave?” I was a little nervous about asking that. I didn't want it to come back to me.
“I have no idea, but you would think Jay would get hold of me.”
“Brian, do you really want my opinion? You might not like it.” It was time to turn this conversation to my advantage.
“Yes, tell me your thoughts. Am I being paranoid?”
“At first I did, I thought it was innocent. But I am starting to wonder, you know I love Penny but this whole thing with Adam is not like her.”
“What do you think is going on?”
“I'm not saying that I think she has a sexual relationship with him, but I think that perhaps her reliance on him may be more of choice than necessity.”
As we spoke Brian started drinking more and more. While we were talking, Jay called Brian back.

Brian's POV
“Hi Brian”
“What the hell happened Jay?”
“I had work things come up, I had to leave. I'm sorry.”
“At least fucking tell me about when you were there.”
“Well, Penny wasn't there when I got there then she came home with the Doctor.”
“You're kidding me, did they say where they had been?”
“To lunch and Art Galleries.”
“He came into the house with her?”
“Yes. He left not long after.”
“What did they seem like?”
“Like friends. Penny was in a great mood, she looks great. It looks like she is back to her normal weight.” He seemed to be speaking cautiously.
“What else did you guys do? Did you talk to him?”
“I really didn't get a chance before I had to leave. I did talk to her about him. We went to a little restaurant he had taken her to and she told me about all she's done since you've been gone.”
“Okay?” I asked, starting to get really irritated by how he seemed to be holding back.
“I pointed out to her that Adam had some involvement in everything she has done. Brian, they have obviously been there frequently. Penny knows the staff by name and they obviously know her. We even sat at their table. I suggested to Penny that she spend time with some of her other friends who aren't on tour.”
“What did she say?”
“She seemed receptive to the idea. But...”
“But what?”
“I'm not sure it will change anything.” He said sheepishly.
“Change anything? What do you mean?”
“I really wasn't there long enough to get a good idea of things. The only thing I can tell you for certain is that he has a huge influence over her and he's not likely to back off.”
“I wish you had at least talked to the jerk and told him to go away.”
“I was hoping to when she invited him over for dinner. I think she was disappointed I didn't get to know him. She was hoping I would like him and get you to feel better about him. What I did get to know of him, I didn't like."
“I just have to hope she will finally see through his bullshit.”
“Me too. Hey man, I have to go.”
“Okay, thanks again.”

“Fucking Bullshit!” I said after I ended the call.
“I heard most of that.” Gwyn said. “Brian, it’s time to confront Penny. You can't go on like this.”
“I can't, I have nothing to confront her with. Do I think Jay is holding something back? I sure as hell do, but I don't know what it is and I don't want Penny to know I sent him.”
“Okay, I'm here if you need someone to talk to.” Gwyn said. I walked her to her suite and she hugged me. “Try to get some sleep, it will work out.”
I appreciated her trying to reassure me, but it didn't help.

I tried to get some sleep but it was impossible. I couldn't get some of the things Jay said out of my head. “Their table” what the hell? I had this vision of them holding hands across the table. Everything she does, he's involved in? She wanted Jay to like him? Was that to convince me there's nothing going on, or hoping he'd like her new boyfriend? Did he come in the house with her because he actually always does and Jay surprised them? Was Gwyn right? Was it because she felt alone or did she really want to spend time with just him?
I downed drink after drink, but the questions and the mental images just got worse and worse. Then I had the brilliant drunken idea to call Penny.

Penny's POV
Brian and I had finished our chat so he could meet everyone for drinks. I decided to paint, I had started to get my inspiration back. I had painted for several hours and felt good about what I had done. I was cleaning everything up when Brian called.

“Hi Bri”
“Hello Penny” he said in a very strange almost angry way.
“Is everything okay?”
“Oh yea, just fine.” He sounded like he was irritated.
“I figured you would be in bed by now.”
“I'm sorry, is my call interrupting something?”
“No, I just finished painting and I'm cleaning up.”
“I thought you couldn't paint anymore.” I realized he was drunk.
“No, I told you the other day I had started painting again. Bri, how much have you had to drink?”
“It's none of your fucking business, you don't tell me everything you do.”
“What are you talking about?” I was not prepared for his answer.
“The little restaurant with your table where you and your friend go all the time.”
“You've obviously talked to Jay, You did send him here, didn't you?”
“So what if I did? I have a right to know what my wife is doing with another man.”
“Brian, you might want to sober up before we continue this conversation.” I was trying to be calm and keep in mind that he was drunk.
“No, we are going to have this fucking conversation right now! Are you screwing Adam Gabriel?”
“What!” That was it, drunk or not. “How dare you fucking ask me that? Is that what you really think?”
“What am I supposed to think? He's at our house ALONE with you, even though you promised.”
“I've kept my promise.” I was getting more and more angry.
“Then why was he coming in with you when Jay was there?”
“Because your “mole” was parked in the driveway and I didn't know who was in the house. He went in to make sure I was safe, Asshole.”
“Did you just call me an Asshole?” Slurring his words.
“Yep, an asshole who sends his wife's ex-husband to do his dirty work after he's too busy with his career to be with her.” I couldn't believe the words coming out of my mouth. I was unleashing all I had held inside. “You want to bitch about me going to the same restaurant with someone? How about you out drunk all the time with the guys and with Gwyn? I've called before and Gwyn has been in your hotel room!”
“Wait a minute.” He said. I cut him off, I wasn't done yet.
“No! YOU wait a minute! You've left me here to die! To die all alone!” Okay, I was getting a little dramatic. It was how I sometimes felt.
“Left you to die! Before this tour even started I said I would stay and you told me to go. For someone who’s dying you seem to be having fun doing it!”
“Having fun? Do you really think I'm fucking having fun? I spend my nights and the majority of my days alone, in a big house. Meanwhile, I get to watch videos and see pictures of you out drinking and having a great time! You've had breaks between cities, but you're having too much fun to fly home to see me!”
“Why didn't you tell me you wanted me to do that?”
“I shouldn't have to tell you that I wanted you to do that! YOU should want to do it!”
“I have wanted to, I just didn't know what would happen when I had to leave again. I was afraid you would…” he didn't finish the sentence.
“I would what?”
“That it wouldn't be good for you, emotionally.”
“You were afraid I'd get depressed again, is that what your saying?”
“Well yes, that was the concern.”
“Really Brian? That's a weak ass bullshit fucking excuse! You know what, you're right. It would be SO depressing for my husband to actually care about and miss me enough to step away from his drunken stupor to come see me! Thank you for considering my feelings.”
“I've had enough of the sarcasm, Penny! Why do you think I've been drinking so much? Because I miss you and your relationship with Doctor Mother Fucker is bothering me. I thought I was doing the best thing for you, I was wrong, okay. I wanted to and I almost have.”
“But instead you sent Jay to spy on me? You were too busy coming up with excuses to stay away!”
“Would you be able to tear yourself away from Adam to spend time with me if I did? You couldn't be without him for one day when Jay was there.”
“Inviting Adam to dinner was Jay’s idea! I assume it was to do your dirty work. Looks like his talk with Adam while I was in the kitchen failed. Jay couldn't leave fast enough!”
“You're plan failed too! You wanted Jay to approve of your new lover!”
“That is the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever said to me! I don't even know you anymore! You are not the man who left here.”
“No, YOU are not the woman I fell in love with and married. My Penny was a faithful and devoted wife.” He must have kept drinking while we had been on the phone, because the slurring was getting worse and he was getting meaner.
“I have NOT been unfaithful!”
“Maybe you haven't done the deed, but you've done everything but.”
“What the hell have I done? I would LOVE to know!”
“Going to intimate restaurants, holding hands across the table. Inviting him into our house using any excuse you can find.” His words hurt me more than any physical wound could. I couldn't hold back crying anymore.
“Brian, I have not done anything like that! Why are you doing this?” I cried.
“You are the one doing this Penny! I am sick of it!” He yelled.
“Brian, your mistrust is tearing us apart. I've tried so hard to follow your guidelines, because I love you. I have done just as we agreed, for you and for us. You've treated me like a child and I can't keep going on like this.”
“He told you that, didn't he?”
“Who told me what?”
“That fucking quack Gabriel. He said that to me the night he was in our bedroom holding your hand. Right before I almost punched his fucking face in!”
“Obviously there have been a lot of things happen that you haven't told me about.”
“Right back at ya, Babe!”
“I know you're drunk, so I am really trying to hold it together. This conversation needs to end now.”
The line was silent.
“Brian?”
Then I could hear him breathing, I knew he had finally passed out.

Even though I knew he was drunk, I could not forget his words. I took the watercolor I was working on and tore it up. I had lost my inspiration.
I didn't sleep that night. I didn't answer his calls the next day either. I texted him and told him that we needed a break and I felt it best if we didn't talk for a few days.

Brian's POV
The next morning I felt like someone had kicked me in the head. I could vaguely remember talking to Penny and getting into an argument. I hoped it was a dream, because we both said some terrible things. I tried to call Penny multiple times and texted her, no answer. It was becoming more evident that it wasn't a dream and I was remembering more and more of it. Finally, I heard back from Penny.
“We are obviously coming from very different views right now, I think it's time to take a break and not talk for a few days. You don't have any gigs the next few days and it's probably a good time for you to think about things rationally. I love you.”
I didn't even bother replying to the text. I know Penny, she had made up her mind and she was making a point. It was time for me to make a point.

Zack’s POV
Brian asked us the four of us to meet him before everyone met up for breakfast together. We were all a little shocked by his announcement.
“I'm flying home, I'll be back in time for the next show.”
“That's only three days away!” I said.
“I know, I've got to go see Penny. You know I wouldn't do this if it wasn't important.”
“Is her illness worse?
“No, this separation has been too long. We need time together, even if it's just one day. I want to surprise her and hopefully she’ll forgive me for being a drunk jack ass.”
“If that's what you need to do, we support you.” Brooks said.
“Brooks is right, is there a way we can help?” Matt asked.
“If you guys can make sure my luggage gets to the next stop, that would be great. I'm going to just take a carry-on.”
“Sure whatever you need.” Johnny said. “We can take it over to my suite.”
Brian already had everything packed that he needed, so we took the rest when we left. As we were heading out of his suite we met Gwyn in the hall.
“What are you guys doing? Isn't that Brian's stuff?” She asked.
“We’re making sure it gets to Germany.” Johnny answered.
“What does that mean? Where's Brian?” She seemed to panic a little.
“He's getting ready to head home for a few days.” I had a strange feeling that Johnny shouldn't have told her. Her face started to turn red and she seemed to be holding back anger.
“Wow, that's was a quick decision. If you’ll excuse me.” She said as she turned and hurried back into her room. I knew the two of them had been hanging out a lot. I was surprised he hadn't already told her, I think she was surprised too.

Notes