The six of them piled into a booth and waited for a waitress. An older woman with graying hair walked over to them.

“Morning!” She said cheerfully. Kate smiled at her and the others nodded.

“What can I getcha?” They all ordered coffee and she went to get the pot.

“Ok Kate, just let me order for you.” Brian said. Kate rolled her eyes and nodded.

When the waitress came back, the guys gave her their order.

Matt ordered French toast and sausage, Johnny got a western omelet, Jimmy got a Belgium waffle with strawberries on top and Zacky got pancakes with bacon. Brian ordered Kate and himself two eggs, three strips of bacon, two pieces of white toast and hash browns. When the waitress left, Kate turned to Brian with her eyebrows high.

“How on this earth do you expect me to eat all that?!” He smiled and put his hand over hers.

“Don’t worry, once you taste it, you won’t be able to stop.” She smiled and blushed a little. Brian noticed and took his hand away.

Soon after, the waitress came back with their food. When she placed the plate in front of Kate, her eyes almost popped out of her head. She looked at Brian, who was staring at her. She looked up and saw that all of the guys were staring at her, waiting for her to take a bite. She sighed and picked her fork up. She picked up some of the egg and took a bite. As soon as it hit her tongue, she was in heaven. She closed her eyes and savored the taste. She heard hands clap and she opened her eyes. Brian and Zacky had high-fived each other. She nudged Brian and went back to eating.

About an hour later, Kate stared down at her now empty plate. Her stomach was full. Brian finished his cup of coffee and looked at her.

“Told you.” She groaned and put her head on the table. Brian leaned down.

“You alright?” He asked. She groaned again.

“Never let me eat that much again.” He chuckled and sat straight. Kate dragged her head up and slouched in the seat.

Soon they paid and got up to leave. Kate stood up and groaned. Her stomach hurt from eating so much. She made it to a bench outside and sat down. All the guys were running back to the bus. Brian turned around and saw Kate on the bench. He jogged over to her and kneeled in front of her.

“Are you alright?” She held her stomach and groaned.

“It hurts.” She said. He nodded and put his hand on her arm.

“Okay, I’m gonna carry you to the bus alright?” She nodded and put her arms around his neck and he put his arms under her knees and shoulders. She put her head on his chest and he jogged to the bus.

Once they got in, Brian took her to her bunk and set her down. She put her hands on her stomach and groaned.

“Do you need a doctor?” He asked her. She shook her head.

“No I don’t think.” She said. Then she sat up.

“I need to go to the bathroom.” She said. Brian got out of the way and she ran to the bathroom. The door didn’t shut all the way and Brian could hear her throwing up.

He walked in and held her hair back, and he patted her back. When she was done, Brian walked out and let her wash her face and brush her teeth. She washed all the makeup off so her bruises were visible again, but she didn’t care. She fell back into her bed and pulled the covers up around her. Brian kneeled down beside her and stroked her face.

“I’m sorry I ordered you so much food Kate.” He said. She shook her head.

“It was so good though.” She said. He half smiled and played with her hair.

“Do you feel better now?” She nodded.

“I’m just tired now.” He nodded and fixed her blankets.

“I’ll let you sleep.” He placed a trash can beside her bunk and walked out.

Brian shut the door and sat down beside Matt.

“She alright?” He asked. Brian nodded and lit a cigarette.

“She just ate too much.” The guys all nodded and started talking.

A few hours later Kate walking into the living room and sat on the floor with a blanket wrapped around her. Brian stood up.

“Here Kate, sit on the couch.” She stood up and sank back into the couch.

They all talked and laughed and smoked and drank while Kate sat and just watched. She still wasn’t feeling great but she didn’t want to sleep anymore. The bus stopped again and she was the first to get off. She didn’t go far, just to a picnic table right outside. Brian walked over and sat beside her.

“Feeling better?” He asked. She shrugged.

“So the driver says we’ll be in Vegas by morning.” Kate nodded and put her head on the table.

“I am sorry I made you eat all that.” He said. She looked up.

“You didn’t force it down my throat Brian, it’s my fault.” He nodded and lit a cigarette.

They sat in silence for a while. A man and woman walked passed them. The woman stopped and stared at Kate. Then her boyfriend tugged her arm and apologized to Kate. At first she didn’t understand, and then she remembered she didn’t have makeup on and everyone could see her bruises. She felt tears well up in her eyes and she put her head down. Brian put his arm around her and she started to cry. When she was done, Brian wiped the tears that were still on her face and smiled softly at her. She tried to do it back but she just couldn’t. He put his hand on her back and she gasped and jumped.

“What did I do?” He asked. She shook her head.

“Nothing it’s fine.” He looked at her closely then closed his eyes.

“My God.” He said under his breath. She hung her head and nodded.

“Your back too?” He asked. Kate nodded. He sighed deeply and threw the cigarette on the ground.

“Will you show me?” He asked her softly. She looked at him then agreed.

They got on the bus and went to the bunks and shut the door. Kate pulled up her shirt and showed Brian her almost completely purple back. He gasped and started to reach out to touch it but thought better of it. He couldn’t believe the damage that guy did to her.

“Kate I’m so sorry.” He said. She nodded and let her shirt fall back down.

“I didn’t know-“She cut him off.

“Brian it’s alright. I’m just glad you guys showed up when you did or who knows what would’ve happened.” She said. He looked at her for a moment then nodded. He gripped the door frame and thought back to that day.

Never will he be able to forget the image of Kate lying on the floor, beaten, bloodied, and bruised and that bastard standing over her with a lamp. Brian wanted to kill him. He honestly wanted to beat him to death with everything he had in him. If it weren’t for Matt, he probably would have.

Kate stood up and went into the bathroom. She re-applied the foundation and it was like that day never happened then she and Brian went back outside. The other guys were coming out of the rest stop when they walked out of the bus.

“Alright let’s go! Only about a day and a half til we get to Vegas!” Matt called as he jumped on the bus. The rest of the guys chuckled and shook their heads and Kate followed them on the bus.

“I take it he’s real excited to get to Vegas.” Kate mumbled. Brian laughed and turned around.

“Wouldn’t you be?” Kate thought about it and smiled and nodded.