Brian's POV
My head was still fuzzy, but I was sure of what I heard Gwyn saying on the phone.
"There's going to be a lot of hurt and a little danger, but that's what makes life interesting. Trust me, everyone will be happy in the end. I'll talk to you later."
"Hurt and Danger? What and who were you talking about?"
"Brian!" She was startled. "I'm glad you're up, how are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling much better. Who were you talking to?" I wasn't going to let my question go un-answered.
"Oh that, that was my publicist." She seemed unsure about her answer.
"Hurt and Danger?" I asked.
"We were discussing the book I am working on, he doesn't agree with the storyline." Suddenly she was at ease and confident.
"The book that involves touring with a band?"
"Yes, one of the characters is a woman in a successful rock band. She has an affair while on tour, that results in a dangerous love triangle."
"But everyone will be happy in the end?" It still felt like the pieces didn't fit.
"That is how I have it planned right now, but you never know what might happen. I don't want to give the whole story away and it's not as close to being done as I thought it would be."
"Maybe we should make sure you have more time to work. I have monopolized your time too much." Her answers made sense, perhaps I was wrong for questioning her.
"Absolutely not, I am always working. I think of things and I write later, I take a lot of notes on my phone." She smiled.
"I'm sorry for listening in on your phone call, I didn't mean to pry. I was just going to get a glass of water; my mouth is dry."
"The medicine I gave you will do that. You probably need something to eat, I'll order room service." She smiled and brought me a glass of water.
"That sounds great."
"You look at the menu and decide what you want. I have to go to the bathroom and I will be right back." She said.

While she was out of the room, I grabbed her phone quickly to see who she was talking to. The screen wasn't locked yet and I was able to check her call history. Her last incoming and outgoing call was a contact listed only as DAG. I heard her coming back before I could check her contacts and see what the number was. I put her phone back just before she walked back into the room.
"I forgot to tell you, Penny called while you were asleep. I answered your phone, I hope you don't mind."
"It's okay. I am glad she called. Do you mind if I call her back?"
"No problem, I'll go to my suite and change into something comfy and order our food."
"Thanks Gwyn." I jotted down what I wanted to eat and she left.
As I was calling Penny, I couldn't help thinking about what I overheard and Gwyn's explanation. The headache had obviously made me paranoid, I needed to let it go.

Penny's POV
I impatiently waited for Brian's call and fumed over what Gwyn said. I couldn't help questioning myself, was she right? We both said things we shouldn't have and I'm sure we both didn't mean. My mind bounced from he's being paranoid and jealous, to he's missing me, then he wants me to be miserable etc. By the time he finally called, I was in tears and I was afraid of how the call would go.
Of course, he called me over FaceTime. I wiped the tears away and tried to hide that I had been crying, with the great idea of standing the phone as far out from my face as I could.
I accepted the FaceTime and rushed sat in the chair.
"Hi." I said smiling and trying to sound upbeat. "It's good to see your awake."
"I am awake. But I don't know if you can see me, you're so far from the phone I can barely see you."
"Oh, well I-I ah" I couldn't think of a good excuse to have the phone where it was.
"Penz, have you been crying?" He asked. I shook my head.
"Yea" I said, feeling ashamed.
"Please hold the phone like normal, so I can see you." I picked up the phone and held it as I normally would. "There's the blue eyes that I love." He said smiling. My heart melted as it did that first day.
"I'm sorry, with the day you've had the last thing you need is to deal with a weepy wife. How are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling much better. I just wish that I wouldn't have missed the opportunity to come home." I could tell he really meant it.
"I wish you hadn't either. It's my fault, I shouldn't have pressured you and made you feel guilty."
"It's not your fault. I drank too much and said terrible things to you and I hope you'll forgive me. I didn't mean what I said." His apology was sincere.
"Of course, I forgive you. I didn't mean the terrible things I said. I know you would be here if you could. Can you forgive me?"
"Yes baby, I love you. Let's put all this behind us and move on."
"I love you and I would like that. Will you tell me what happened when you passed out? Are you sure you don't need to go to the hospital?" I was truly concerned, but I also wondered why Gwyn was there when it happened.
"It was just a bad headache. I am fine now."
"If you say so. Gwyn seemed to think you'd be okay." I know a bit of resentment was evident in my voice.

Brian's POV
"Penelope, she was here when I passed out because she found out I was leaving."
"Why would she come to your suite because she heard you were leaving?" Penny asked.
I didn't want to tell Penny that Gwyn was who had encouraged me to confront her about Adam. I could tell she was already upset about Gwyn being here.
"She offered to ride with me to the airport and she wanted send her love to you."
"Right" Penny said under her breath. I felt it best to shift the conversation and I was still curious.
"I do have a question about Gwyn. Have you read her books?"
"Yes, I have read them. They are good, but sometimes a little too dark for my taste." She still seemed perturbed.
"What do you mean by dark?"
"I'm not sure dark is the right word. They both had a love triangle with one of the people obsessed with another."
"Is the triangle always two men and a woman or vice versa?" I'm not sure how it mattered, but I felt like I had to ask.
"They were opposite of each other. Why do you ask?" She asked.
"I was just wondering what her books were like, since being on the tour is part of her research for the next one." I felt it best not to tell her what I overheard.
"I don't know what the storyline on this one is."
"From the little she's told me, sounds like it's similar." I probably shouldn't have said that.
"I guess that's her winning formula." I sensed a bit of sarcasm in the statement.
"I guess so, it's not important." It was time to shift the conversation again." What is important is that we need to decide how we want to handle our relationship for the rest of this tour. I love you and I don't want us to fight."
We discussed things and agreed we would continue as we had before. She would keep things with Adam on a casual friend basis, I would try to not be so jealous, try not to drink so much and if I am upset I will not call when I am drunk. We decided we would talk later that evening. She wanted me to eat something. I didn't tell her that Gwyn had already planned for us to eat together.

Penny's POV
The next month consisted of going out to lunch or dinner a couple of times a week during off times with Adam and if I was lucky one of my friends would have time to come over and hang out or go out to somewhere safe with the invalid. The rest of the time it seemed I spent at home trying to get hold of or waiting for Brian to call. He seemed to be out a lot with everyone or with just Gwyn, by the time he did get back to his suite he was drunk or passed out and didn't call me.
Physically, I felt great so I kept myself busy working out, painting and swimming. It was still the most miserable month of him being gone. I was so bored that I looked forward to my Mom having surgery at the end of October, because I would have to go back to Springfield to be there. I felt all alone, disconnected from my husband and terrible for looking forward to my Mom's surgery.

Adam's POV
Penny had to go to Ohio for a week and a half because her mother was having surgery. She was happy that at least she would be there to go out with the twin's trick or treating. Less than a week after she returned, the tour would be over and Brian would be back. Gwyn constantly reminded me that time was running out.

Penny and I had become close friends, despite Brian's restrictions. She trusted me and I had convinced myself that I was doing the right thing to protect her.
One night right before she was getting ready to head to Ohio, she called me.
"Adam, I'm just about to lose my mind. I can't believe I've missed the whole tour. I feel like Brian is living it up all over the world and I've been here doing nothing."
"I know it has been very hard for you, but traveling like that could have been very detrimental to your health." I was just getting too good at these lies, I think I started to believe them.
"I know. If it weren't for you, I would have never made it. Sometimes it feels like you're the only one who cares." You could hear the sadness in her voice.
"I tell you what, I think you need to have a relaxing evening. Why don't you come over to my place for an early dinner? I make a mean Pasta Alfredo and you're well enough that Dr. G has prescribed a couple glasses of wine for medicinal purposes." She laughed "What do you say?" I asked.
"I don't know." She was reluctant.
"It's just dinner with a friend. It's no different than Brian having dinner on the tour with Gwyn. Brian will be back soon, you can break the rules just one night."
"It does sound nice and since the Doctor ordered it, I can't refuse." She said happily.
"Great! See you at 5:00?"
"I'll be there. Thanks, Adam."
This was my opportunity; it was now or never. I hated to do it, but I needed to get her drunk and hopefully into bed. It was the only choice I had to break them up and keep Gwyn from carrying out all her threats. I hoped deep down she did have feelings for me. Maybe tonight she would see it.

Gwyn's POV
I had hoped that Brian and I had become closer by now. He and Penny seemed to be talking less and he was spending time with me more, but so far everything had been totally in the "friend zone". I needed something to drive an even larger wedge between he and Penny.

Finally, Adam did something right and had talked Penny into going to his house for dinner. This was my opportunity, I just had to use it to my advantage and keep him from talking her out of it. Things couldn't have worked out better when we were all out late that night after a concert. Brian's phone rang, the caller ID said "Penelope" I answered it.
"Hello"
"Gwyn?"
"Hi Penny. Brian is getting us more drinks at the bar. Do you want to wait for him?"
"No I don't have time. He was supposed to call me an hour ago, obviously, he's too busy. I'm late for dinner at Adam's house." I could tell she didn't like that I answered his phone and we were out together.
"Oh" I had what I needed. "Do you want me to give him a message?"
"Yes, just tell him that I am going to Adam's for dinner and I'll call him when I wake up in the morning."
"I'll let him know, no problem."
"Okay, well I have to go. Bye Gwyn."
"Bye" This was too perfect, she was unhappy with Brian and even more vulnerable.

Brian came back to the table and gave me my drink.
"Penny called you while you were gone."
"Fuck! I am late calling her again, I'll call her back." He said.
"You don't have to worry about it. She was getting ready to leave and said she'll call you when she gets up in the morning."
"You answered my phone?" He seemed irritated.
"I saw it was Penny and I didn't think you would want to miss her call, but she said she was in a rush and couldn't wait."
"In a rush to go where?"
"Adam's house for dinner." As soon as the words were out of mouth, he face turned red.
"What! You're sure that's what she said?" He was pissed.
"Yes, she acted like it was no big deal. Oh wait, doesn't that violate your agreement?"
"We never specifically said she wasn't to be at his house. But she should know that's not cool."
"I'm sure it's innocent."
"To her maybe, to him I doubt it." His face was now red with anger. "How could she go to that jerk's house? Does she really think that it's okay to go to his house when she agreed to not have him at ours? He's on his home turf!" He was getting louder.
"Maybe she thinks it's okay since you'll be home soon?"
"Well she's wrong, this is absolutely not okay!"
I could tell he was infuriated, he downed his drink. Then he got up and left with his phone. "I'll be right back." He said.
This was it, if at least one of us got one of them in bed it would be over.

Penny's POV
I got to Adam's about 15 minutes late. He had a very nice house, not quite the bachelor pad I imagined. He took my jacket and purse and put them in a closet and then took me on the grand tour. We enjoyed a nice long relaxing dinner and he was right, he did make a mean pasta. I had a glass of wine with dinner and I was already buzzed. When we had finished, I asked for my purse so I could freshen up my lipstick. He brought it to me and I went into the bathroom.

I realized I had left my phone in my purse, I had two voicemail notifications along with five text messages.
They were all from Brian.
"Gwyn gave me your message and you need to call me, right now."
His bossy tone kind of pissed me off. The next message really pissed me off.
"Penny, I'm serious. I'm not sure why you aren't answering your phone. Why the hell are you at his house? I want you to go home, now!"
Excuse me, I thought. Did he just demand I leave? I listened to the message again. The text messages were along the same line.
#1 - Call me now.
#2 – What are you doing? I need you to call me.
#3 – Penny, I don't trust him. Go home.
#4 – Why aren't you calling me back?
#5 – I hope you're okay. Have you left yet?

I was so angry! I texted him back.
You are out traveling the world, partying, going to restaurants, bars and undoubtedly being hit on every night and day. I have been here in Huntington Beach having treatments and twiddling my thumbs waiting for you to have a moment to spare to talk to me. You think you can tell me I can't have dinner with a friend? I will go home and I will call you when I am damn good and ready!

As soon as it said it was sent, I turned off my phone and put it back in my purse. I went back out to Adam, I handed him my purse to put away again.
"I need another glass of wine." I demanded.
"Penny are you okay? You look upset."
"I'm not upset; I am mad as hell at Brian. Can I have a glass of wine please?"
"Okay, let's go outside and enjoy this evening. This is your night, don't let him ruin it. I'll grab the wine and some glasses and I'll meet you out there."

Brian's POV
I can't believe that Penny is doing this! This guy has her fooled. I saw her text and I was livid, she is obviously having too good of time to worry about what I think.
I drank a lot after that, I just wanted to be numb. I didn't want to think about what she might be doing right now. Gwyn followed me back to the hotel.
"Let's go in and get you some coffee. You don't want to be smashed when Penny calls." Gwyn said.
"Fuck that, if she said she's going to call me in the morning there, I'm going to drink more now." I slurred.

Notes