Part 565
Nick and Kevin were the last off the stage, and would have followed the others off to the dressing rooms if they hadn’t seen Becca ducking behind the side curtains.
Kevin stopped, looked back at Nick and then off toward Becca. "Is she okay?" he asked Nick.
"She will be, but I’m guessing that the last song got to her."
"It’s been a tough tour for the two of you, Nick."
"Yeah, it has, but it’s almost over."
"After tonight you can-"
"After tonight," Nick began counting off on his fingers, "we have the benefits in New York, Aaron’s video to film, ‘The View’, ‘Sesame Street’-"
"Whoa!" Kevin interrupted. "Nick, you have to make time for the two of you. I know Becca and I know that this lifestyle has to be wearing thin. Not to mention how it must be affecting the baby."
"We’ll have some time, but it’s not gonna be where SHE wants to be." Nick ran a weary hand through his hair before spilling the rest of the story to Kevin. "She has … had …. this whole plan in her head for getting back home to Orlando, and heading over to my place in Tampa for a night."
"So she knows you’re not going back home right away?"
"I told her," Nick sighed. "She was pretty good about it, said it was okay and all, but I know her too well, Kev. She was disappointed as hell."
"Want me to talk to her?"
"No, but thanks. I’m working on a plan to make it up to her. It’s all coming together pretty nicely, too."
"Whatever you say, Nick. Let me know if I can help." He reached out and pulled Nick into a fierce hug, and both men’s eyes watered at the familiar contact.
"Thanks Kev," Nick said wiping his eyes. "For everything, man."
"Any time little brother," Kevin grinned.
"Little? I’m taller than you!"
"Are not."
"Am too!"
And so it continued as Kevin waved over his shoulder and headed for the dressing rooms.
Becca hadn’t seen the two of them talking in the wings, so she jumped about a foot in the air when she turned and bumped into Nick. "Jesus Murphy!" she shrieked, as he grabbed her by the shoulders.
"Bec," he laughed, "you gotta lay off the caffeine, baby girl."
"Don’t laugh at me," she pouted. "You KNOW I can’t have caffeine."
"It was just a joke, Bec. What’s wrong?" he asked, stooping a little to look into her eyes.
"Nothing," she sniffed. "I’m fine."
"No you’re not," he said, as she tried to avoid his eyes. "Bec, look at me."
"What?" she asked, wiping her nose with a tissue and dropping her head even further.
"I was right," he sighed. "It was the song wasn’t it." It wasn’t even a question, he knew her so well.
"Uh huh." Becca blew her nose and lifted puffy reddened eyes up to her husband.
"Aww baby, come here." Nick held open his arms and Becca went willingly, leaning her forehead against his chest as he held her tightly.
"I’m such a sap," she sniffled. "It’s only a silly song."
"Bec, you can’t help it. You have music in your soul, just like the rest of us. It’s one of the things I love about you." He kissed her head, wrapping his fingers in her hair as she held onto him.
"Stop it," she laughed, "you’re making me cry more."
"Baby, you gotta stop, your nose is turning red," he laughed.
"Aaaargggghhhhhhh!" she groaned. "You’re no help." Becca rested her hands on his chest and pushed him away, wiping her nose again.
"Bec I have to go get dressed. I’ll see you before we head out for our set."
"I love you," she whispered, her eyes filling up once again.
Nick laughed. "I love you too, now kiss me for luck." Not waiting for an answer, he hauled her against him, crashing his lips onto hers and leaving her stunned and breathless.
"Whoa!" she gasped as he pulled away.
"I’m good, baby," he chuckled, ducking away toward the dressing rooms.
Becca laughed. Nick was incorrigible and she loved him to distraction. Tossing her tissue into the nearest trashcan, she headed back to the wings to watch the rest of Sarah’s set.