As soon as I returned to the bus, I quickly slipped into a seat next to the window, pretending to be busy so that I wouldn't get asked any awkward questions or even more - be lectured or scolded by my band brothers may have in mind for me! My shitty life seemed to such more each day. As soon as Brian dumped his butt in the empty seat beside me did the questions start pouring out. Okay, his questions weren't as bad as they would be if there were coming from Kevin, but they still sucked. My best defense was to ignore him and play total preoccupation with the string on my jacket.
I think Brian finally gave up and got tired of me answering his questions with an occasional grunt or one syllabel answers that he thankfully turned his attention to AJ and started talking to him instead. My happiness was short lived when I heard the not-so-happy booming voice of Kevin Richardson.
"Carter! What the hell was that all about?"
I didn't bother to look up, by the sound of his voice I knew he would be standing by me, his face beet red and that one vein sticking out on his forehead looking like it would explode at any moment. "Sh-h-h, you don't have to yell, I'm not deaf ya know." Swallowing hard, I decided to look tough and I managed a glare at Kevin as I looked up. "What are you talking about?"
Looking down at my hands I suddenly decided that looking up wasn't a smart move on my part. I was right, that blood vessel in Kevin's forehead looked like it was pulsating
"What do I mean?" Kevin repeated my question with a sarcastic chuckle. I could tell he was pretty annoyed with me playing innocent. "Gee Nick, I'm not sure if it was the spacing out or answering the questions with stupid comments---"
"Don't forget about Kaos burping!" AJ interrupted with a grin.
I could feel the humiliation spring to my cheeks as I slumped down in my seat.
"Stay out of this!" Kevin wheezed.
"Thanks Kevin," I replied gratefully. I figured a guy has to show his appreciation, right? Maybe this would get me off the hook by acting humble and sort of respectful.
"Shut up Nick!"
Or not.
Kevin rubbed a hand over his face. I knew from past experiences this was not a good sign. "You've got me so pissed I forgot where I left off--"
"Carter burping and spacing out," AJ added.
"Yeah...that's right," Kevin said as he turned his attention back to me.
"Sh-h-h," Brian acted as if his cousin was yelling and he seemed to be trying to calm the older Kentuckian down. Unfortunately I knew it didn't work when I saw the famous Kevin Richardson glare tossed over at Brian.
I sighed. Kevin was going to chew me out and I could see Lou and AJ grinning the whole time I was sitting in the hotseat. They were enjoying my hell for their entertainment. He was chewing on my ass and I didn't see an end in site. Instantly I felt as if I had been transported thousands of miles away and I was standing in the kitchen at home with my mom yelling at me for not taking out the trash. Okay that really isn't the best comparisions but that was exactly how I felt and the tears were starting to blur my vision.
Kevin was still yelling and I didn't dare look up at him or he would see the tears in my eyes. I didn't want him to call me a pussy! Hell, I didn't want any of them to call me a pussy ontop of all the other nicknames they have given me. I had to stand up and defend myself. It was duel or die time and I was going to face the evil demon.
Kevin Richardson, king of Backstreet Land! Ruler of the tour, creator of crea-----
"Nick you're not answering my question!"
Shit, I spaced out again! I took in a deep breath. "Okay Kev, it's not my fault," I cried. "Blame AJ. He was the one that dragged me out of bed when all I wanted to do was sleep and then he forced me to go..." A warning glare from AJ told me I better shut up or he would take action on his threat of spilling who stunk up the bus the other day and I for sure would be in for more scolding. I knew I had to continue and I swallowed hard, backing up the statement. "I mean I happened to drink the stupid water and then..." I bit my tongue. Did I just mention that out loud? Shit did I? Maybe if I keep going he'll forget it. "I-I mean I really didn't want to go out and stuff and---"
"You drank the water?"
Oh shit, I guess he heard me. Worse, Lou Pearlman had stopped grinning and joined Kevin's lecture.
"Carter! When will you ever listen?"
God how I wished the floor would open up and drop me out on the road. It was bad enough that Kevin was lecturing me, now I had Lou, Kevin and Howie telling me the importance of not drinking foreign water. Like I didn't already know that? I'm still suffering the side effects and by the light cramps in my stomach I wondered if I would make it back to the hotel in time. I felt like such a baby with the way they were yelling at me. I'm not a child.....I'm seventeen for crying out loud!
That very moment tears sprung into my eyes. I kid you not, I blinked several times trying not to let anyone see what was about to happen. Just when I thought this was it, the feelings of touring non stop for the past three months and having zero privacy, I felt an arm placed around my shoulder. Turning my head, I saw that it was Brian and for some reason my enemies had stopped talking.
"Are you okay Frack?" Brian's tone was soft and his eyes showed concern.
I forced a smile on my face. "Sure.....I'm just tired is all." I tried my best to act like it was nothing even though I was on the verge of having a nervous breakdown. "Really, I'm just tried."
Brian's eyes told me that he didn't believe me; we knew each other all too well. I braced myself for questions when I heard my best friend sigh but the words he said wasn't in the form of a question. "Okay, just make sure you try and rest a little when we get back."
I nodded slightly as I turned my attention to the passing scenery. As much as I loved being with the guys and touring there were days that I still wished for some type of normalcy in my life. All I wanted today was peace a quiet. Was that too much for a guy like me to ask?
As the bus pulled up to the front entrance of the hotel, I could feel my heart beating in my throat. It looked like a thousand screaming girls were staked out between the bus and the front door.
"Backstreet time guys!" Lou shouted.
Groaning, I stood up to face the masses when the strap of my backpack for some reason brushed my eyeball.
For some reason this day isn't getting better.