Brian took a step back and Chase looked around him. Kate had just come out of the bedroom and saw Chase standing in the doorway.

“Chase?” She said questioningly. He smiled and walked in the house, past Brian.

“Thank God Kate. I heard about the accident. I’ve tried calling but your phone is disconnected. Are you alright?” He asked her.

Chase put his hands on her shoulders and looked her over. Kate nodded and smiled.

“Yeah I’m fine.” She said.

Brian stood by the door fuming. His arms were crossed in front of his chest and he was glaring at Chase and Kate.

“Is Val alright?” Chase asked. Kate grinned and nodded.

“Yeah she and the baby are great.” Kate said. Chase smiled and relaxed.

“Good. What did she have?” He asked.

“A boy. Elijah James.” Kate said.

“Awe, that’s great.” Chase said and Kate nodded.

“She’s still in the hospital if you wanna see them.” Kate said.

Chase glanced at Brian and nodded.

“Yeah, I think I’ll do that. I’m glad you’re okay Kate. I’ll talk to you later.” He said. Kate nodded and Chase walked to the door.

“See you around.” Chase said to Brian.

Kate could see that Brian was about to snap so she ran over and shut the door behind Chase. There was a tense silence for a few moments and Kate could feel his anger spilling over. She opened her mouth to say something but the look on Brian’s face stopped her.

“All this time you’ve been worried I’d cheat on you. Maybe I’m the one who should’ve worried.” He spat at her. His whole body was shaking with anger and it scared Kate.

“Brian, seriously? Chase is just a friend.” She pleaded with him. Brian shook his head.

“Do you really think I’m that stupid, Kate?!” He shouted. Kate flinched and took a step back.

“I saw the way he looked at you. The way that he touched you. How many times did he fuck you Kate? Huh? Is that why you kept calling me, you were guilty because you cheated on me!” As he shouted he kept walking closer to her.

Kate started shaking and crying. For the first time since she’d met Brian, she was afraid of him.

“Brian please, I’d never do that to you.” She said through her tears.

Brian had her back up against the wall. He slammed his fist against it, just above her head. Kate screamed and fell to the floor. She covered her face and sobbed hard.

“I thought you were different. You’re just like the other groupie sluts from tour.” He said harshly.

Brian took a step back and looked at Kate crumpled on the ground. He winced slightly then opened the door and walked out. He took a deep breath then slammed it so hard that the house shook. Kate pulled her legs up to her chest and cried her heart out.

Brian got in his truck and drove to the bar down the street. He bought a bottle of whiskey and started drinking.

“I thought I’d find you here.” Brian’s brother, Brent said from behind him.

Brian turned around and Brent sat down.

‘How’d you know I was home?” Brian asked. Brent took a shot.

“My buddy Chase texted me and told me you might be a little pissed. So I tracked you down.” He said.

“God, she’s fucking my brother’s friend.” Brian said. He took another shot and looked down at the bar.

Brent rolled his eyes and sighed.

“No, you idiot Chase is really just a friend. He coaches Michael’s soccer team and he met Kate a few months ago. He’s been a really good friend to her and Val. He’s kind of taken care of them while you guys were away.”

Brian felt like the wind was knocked out of him. The image of Kate crumpled to the ground of the house, scared to death flooded his mind.

“Oh shit I screwed up.” Brian said. Brent nodded.

“Yeah, If I know my brother, you did. And if I were you I’d get my ass home and fix it.” Brent said as he downed another shot.

Brian let out a long sigh and stood up from the bar.

“Thanks man.” He said to Brent. He nodded.

“That’s what brother’s are for.” Brent said. Brian nodded and half ran out to his truck and sped home.

Kate had pulled herself up to the couch and was hugging a pillow tightly. She jumped when she heard the door open, but didn’t dare to look. Brian’s heart broke the moment he saw her. Her face was stained with tears and her body was still shaking. He slowly shut the door and walked over to her. He sat down across from her on the coffee table and looked down at his feet. Kate tensed up and thought about moving, but Brian started talking.

“I know you were telling me the truth.” He said quietly. Kate swallowed and looked at him hard.

“My brother told me that Chase is a friend. I am so sorry, I should’ve listened to you.” Brian said.

Kate closed her eyes.

“You wouldn’t even let me finish. Did you really think I would do that to you?” She asked him.

A few more tears spilled from her eyes and Brian’s heart broke even more. He reached out to take her hands and she pulled them away.

“Kate, I know you’d never do that but I couldn’t help what I felt. Please forgive me.” He said. Kate sniffled looked away.

“You scared me tonight Brian. I thought maybe you were-“ She stopped. She couldn’t finish because she’d started crying again.

Brian’s eyes grew wide and he gently reached out and scooped her in his arms.

“Oh baby no. I would never hurt you. I’m so sorry Kate. I’m so sorry.” He said.

Brian held Kate tight and cried silently in her shoulder. He could see himself towering over her, punching the wall and her sliding to the ground in complete fear. He didn’t realize it earlier but now he could see that Kate was absolutely terrified of him.

Kate pulled away and looked him in the eyes.

“Do you really think that I’m just like that fucking slut Aubrey that just tried to sleep with you to say that she had?” Kate asked him seriously. Brian shook his head and held her hands.

“God no, Kate. I was just angry. I know you’re not like that. You are very special to me, I love you with my whole heart and I just wasn’t thinking about what I was saying.” Brian said sadly.

Kate didn’t say anything. Brian gently squeezed her hands.

“Please Kate, will you forgive me?” Brian said in an almost whisper.

Kate looked over at him and kissed his cheek.

“Of course I forgive you. But I really think we need to trust each other more.” She said. Brian sighed in relief and kissed her lips gently.

“I’m so sorry.” He whispered on her lips. Kate smiled slightly and shook her head.

“Don’t be. I can understand why you reacted the way you did. I just wish you would’ve let me explain.” She said. Brian nodded and pulled her close to him again.

“So do I.” He said.

The clock on the wall rang out, telling them it was midnight. Brian picked Kate up and carried her to the bedroom and laid her down. Slowly, he kissed her lips and caressed her cheek.

“I love you Kate. With all of my heart and soul.” He whispered in her ear.

Kate smiled and wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back.

“I love you too Brian. I really do.” She told him back.

Brian gave her a smile as he pulled off his shirt and jeans. Kate wiggled out of her shorts and climbed under the covers. Brian slid under them with her and turned out the lights. He pulled Kate’s body to his and kissed the back of her neck and sang softly to her until she fell asleep.