Nick unlocked the hotel room door and Katelin stormed in. "Ugh! I can't believe he would do this!" He threw the key on the dresser. "What's the big deal?"
"What's the big deal?!” She exclaimed. “Nick, she's half his age!"
"She's twenty eight." He told her, not seeing why she was getting so worked up.
"So?” She cried, carelessly tossing her shoes on the ground. “He's forty, Nick. This is absolutely ridiculous!"
Nick sat down and pulled Katelin on his lap. "I don't understand why you're so upset. She obviously makes him happy. Shouldn't that be what's important?"
"Of course it is,” Katelin sighed. “But couldn't he have found someone a little closer to him in age?"
"I don't think that's the problem,” he grabbed her chin and made her look at him. “I don't think you'd be happy to see your father with anyone except your mother."
"Is that such a bad thing?” She asked, her eyes tearing up. “I mean, she's my mom."
"Of course not, baby,” Nick squeezed her tight. “But that's impossible. She's not coming back, sweetie. Your father just wants to be happy and I think he's found that with Adrienne."
"Is he going to forget her?" She asked softly.
Nick's heart went out to her. "Of course he's not going to forget her, Kate. Oh baby, is that what this is about?" Katelin lowered her eyes to their intertwined hands but didn't say anything. Nick kissed the top of her head. "Baby, he's never going to forget her. She was his wife. The mother of his only child. He loved her more than anything. That's not what this is about. Do you really want him to be alone for the rest of his life? Don't you want him to be happy?"
"Of course I do,” she told him, reluctantly. “But I still think he's too old for her."
"Age is just a number, Kate,” he explained. “It shouldn't matter if they really love each other. You're younger than me."
"I'm three years younger than you,” Katelin rolled her eyes. “Not twelve."
"Okay,” Nick smiled, sheepishly. “Bad example. But you know what I mean."
"I guess so,” She shrugged. “But it's going to take some time to get used to." She turned her head to face him and kissed him softly on the lips. "Thank you." He grinned before pressing his lips back to hers. The kiss gained in intensity and soon, Nick was lying flat on his back and Katelin was on top of him. She pulled on the edge of his shirt and, before long, both his and hers were laying in a pile on the floor. Nick rolled them over so he was now on top. He carefully started to slider her skirt down on her hips. Katelin froze. "Nick, stop."
Nick groaned and sat up. "What now, Katelin?"
"I..I just don't want to do this yet,” she stuttered, surprised at the cold tone in his voice.
Instead, he just got off of the bed and stalked into the bathroom, slamming the door, leaving her sitting on the bed, shocked at his behavior. A tear escaped her eye and slowly slid down her cheek. She didn't understand why he got so angry with her. He had promised her that he wouldn't pressure her. That he'd wait until she was ready. Well, she wasn't ready and he got angry. Some boyfriend she had.
She stood up, grabbed her shirt, and put it on. She stared at the closed bathroom door for a minute, contemplating whether to try and talk to him. She quickly dismissed the idea. She didn't do anythign wrong. He was the one who should apologize. Sighing, she picked up her key off the dresser and walked out of the room, slamming the door in the process.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
AJ watched Brian and Leighanne out on the dance floor. He couldn't believe the way Brian was acting. It was as if they had never broken up and Ang didn't exist. He expected more of Brian. This wasn't like him at all. This was more like something Aj, himself, would be doing. He giggled softly to himself at that thought. In just a few short weeks since Krista had uttered the words, "I'm pregnant," he had a totally new outlook on life. He didn't get scared and run like he always thought he would. Instead, he took responsibility for what had happened. He loved Krista more than anything and he wasn't about to leave her. His thoughts were interrupted by a laughing Brian and Leighanne walking towards him. "Hey guys! Uh, Rok, can I talk to you a second?"
Leighanne smiled at Brian. "I'll just be right over there talking to Christine."
Brian watched her walk away and then turned to AJ. "What's up, man?"
"What the hell are you doing?" AJ hissed. Brian was confused. "What are you talking about?"
AJ rolled his eyes. "Has the fact that you have a girlfriend totally slipped your mind?"
"Oh yeah,” Brian scoffed. “Like you're one to talk."
"We're not talking about me, Brian!” AJ yelled, angrily. “Your girlfriend, who loves you more than anything, is sitting at the hotel by herself while you’re off, flirting with your ex-girlfriend!"
Brian had heard enough and stomped off in Leighanne's direction. Grabbing her arm, he leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Let's get out of here, okay?" Leighanne nodded and followed him out the door.
Nick flinched as he heard Katelin slam the door to their room. He had promised her that he wouldn’t try and force her but, in fact, he had done just that. He didn’t mean to e such an asshole but it’s just that he wanted her so badly. This was the third time in as many nights that she had gotten him so worked up and then just stopped.
He stood up and turned the water in the sink on. He stared at himself in the mirror for a second. “Carter, you’re such an asshole.” He leaned down and splashed cold water on his face. After drying himself off, he walked back out inot the room and sat down on the bed, wanting to give his girlfriend some time to cool off before he went and apologized.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
Katelin pounded on Ang’s door. She had tears streaming down her face and people in the hallway were giving her strange looks. After what seemed like an eternity, Ang answered. “Kate? Honey, what’s wrong?” Katelin didn’t respond. She just collapsed in Ang’s arms. Ang shut the door and led her over to the bed where Krista was. “Tell me what’s wrong. Is it your father?”
“My dad…Nick…” Katelin tried to control her sobs. “Everything is just going wrong.”
Krista and Ang exchanged confused looks. Krista rubbed her back. “Kate, what did your dad do?”
“He met someone,” she cried. “She’s half his age. He loves her and he’s going to forget all about my mom.”
“How old is he?” Ang asked.
“Twenty eight,” she answered, scrunching up her nose.
“Aw, Katelin,” Krista’s expression softened. “He’s not going to forget her. He’s just trying to move one. Don’t you want him to do that?”
“You sound just like Nick,” Katelin scowled.
“Is that why you’re mad at him?” Krista questioned. Katelin shook her head as new tears formed in her eyes. “No. He got angry with me cause I wouldn’t have sex with him.”
“WHAT?!” Ang exclaimed, jumping up angrily.
She nodded. “I guess it was my fault. I got him all worked up and then I froze. It wasn’t the first time it had happened.”
Ang sat down and put her arms around her friend. “Honey, it’s not your fault. If you’re not ready, then he has to respect that. No matter how many times it’s happened.”
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
Brian and Leighanne reached the door to Leighanne’s hotel room. Leighanne unlocked the door. “Would you like to come in for a few?”
“Sure,” Brian shrugged. “Why not?” She led him inside and lfipped on the lights. Brian went over and sat down on the bed. “So, how long are you in town for?”
“About a week,” Leighanne replied, slipping off her shoes. “Then I have to fly to New York. My agent wants me to look at a new movie script.”
Brian’s face lit up. “Really? That’s great!”
“Thanks,” She smiled. “How about you guys? How long are you here for?”
“We have a show here tomorrow night and then we go to Austria, I think.” They were both quiet for a minute. Brian glanced at Leighanne out of the corner of his eye. She was so close to him that the scent of her perfume that he had grown to love was intoxicating. He lifted his hand other chin and turned her face towards his. She unconsciously licked her lips in anticipating of the familiar taste of Brian’s lips on hers. Their lips brushed lightly at first and then Brian grabbed the back of Leighanne’s head and kissed her more forcefully. All of the sudden, picture of Ang’s face flashed in his mind and Brian froze.
“What’s wrong?” Leighanne pulled away.
“I..uh..I can’t do this, Leigh,” he stuttered. “I’m sorry.”
Leighanne sighed in understanding. “You don’t have to apologize, Brian. I understand.”
Brian smiled, relieved as he drew her into a tight hug. “You know I’ll always love you, Leigh. But I’m in love with Ang.”
“I know,” She kissed him on the cheek. “I love you too. Now get out of here and go see your girl.”
He walked towards to the door. “Bye Leigh.”
“Bye Bri.” Leighanne waved as he closed his eyes.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
Brooke and Kevin laid in bed together, watching a movie on tv. It was in Italian and neither one of them could understand it but they didn’t care. They were content just to be in each other’s arms. All of the sudden, Kevin’s cell phone rang. Brooke groaned. “Don’t answer it, Kev.”
Kevin reached for it. “I have to. It could be important.” He flipped it open. “Hello?….Who is this?….How’d you get this number?…What?…Hello?…” He closed it with a confused look on his face and turned towards Brooke. “Do you know someone named Alex Duncan?”
Brooke’s eyes widened in surprise. ‘Oh my god! How the hell did he get Kevin’s number?! Oh shit! He’s gonna find out now, Brooke!
“Brooke, honey?” Kevin snapped his fingers in front of her face. “What’s wrong? Do you recognize that name?”
“Uh, no,” she answered, snapping out of it. “I’m sorry. I don’t.”
Kevin shrugged. “I wonder what that was all about.” Brooke pulled him down so he was laying next to her again. “Let’s not worry about it now. I’m tired and we’ve got a long today tomorrow.” Kevin pulled her into his arms and they both fell asleep.
AJ knocked on Ang’s door where the girls were. Ang got up and answered it. “AJ? You’re back? Where’s Brian?”
“He’s not back yet?” AJ asked, walking into the room. He noticed Krista comforting a crying Katelin. “What’s wrong?”
Krista looked up at him. “I’m just trying to convince her that not all guys are complete assholes.”
“Why?” AJ asked, confused. “What’d Nick do?” Katelin just cried harder. Krista mouthed ‘I’ll tell you later’ to him and he nodded.
“Where’s Bri?” Ang tapped her foot anxiously. “I thought he was with you guys.”
“Uh,” AJ began, nervously. “Well, he kind of, I guess, took Leighanne home. I guess maybe they stopped somewhere else.” Or he’s in bed with her right now, he added silently.
“He did what?!” she exclaimed. “What was he doing with her?! AJ?!”
Aj threw his hands up in defense. “Whoa! Ang, calm down! I have no idea. You’re going to have to ask him about it.” Just then they all heard a knock at the door.
“If that’s Nick,” Katelin sniffled. “I don’t want to talk to him.”
Ang went over to the door and looked through the peephole. Sighing, she opened the door just a crack. “She doesn’t want to talk to you, Carter.”
Nick stuck his foot in the door to keep her from closing it. “Come on, Ang. Just let me talk to her.”
Ang kicked his foot out of the way and slammed the door in his face. Nick pounded on it. “Katelin, please let me in. I’m sorry.” He heard the elevator doors open and saw Brian walk out. “Oh, thank god, Bri! Your crazy girlfriend locked me out and won’t let me talk to Katelin.”
“What happened?” Brian asked, pulling his key out of his pocket.
Nick shook his head. “I’ll explain later. Bottom line: I’m an asshole. But first just let me in.”
Brian unlocked the door. But Ang was too quick for him and chained it shut so they couldn’t get in. Brian banged his fist on the door. “Ang! Let me in
“Sorry, Bri. Not tonight,” she sneered, peeking her head out through the crack in the door. “Why don’t you go back to Leighanne’s? I’m sure she’d be happy to have you.”
Brian’s jaw dropped to the floor and Nick looked at him wide-eyed. “Dude, what the hell is that about?”
Brian shook his head and pounded on the door. “No, no, no, no Ang! Nothing happened. I swear!”
Nick started banging as well. “Katelin, I’m so sorry! I don’t know what came over me. You know I would never force you like that. Just open the door.”
The door to the next room opened and a half-asleep Howie emerged. “Would you guys keep it down?! Some of us are trying to sleep, for god’s sakes.” Both Brian and Nick slid to the ground, defeated, and waited for someone to come out.
The two of them sat there for about an hour before AJ emerged. He looked down at his two pathetic bandmates. “You two. Come with me.” Nick and Brian reluctantly stood up and followed AJ down to his and Krista’s room. AJ unlocked the door and allowed the two to enter. “Alright. Listen up. Brian, give Ang some time to cool down. She’ll get over it. I think she’s more upset with what Nick did to Kate-“
“I said I was sorry!” Nick cried.
“Shut up.” AJ silenced him. “ I’ll deal with you in a minute.” Nick sulked while Aj continued. “Like I was saying, she’s upset for her best friend right now and she’s taking her anger out on you. Just come clean. Tell her exactly what went on with Leighanne. What exactly did happen?”
“Nothing really,” Brian sighed. “I mean I kissed her. But it made me realize that what I once felt for her isn’t there anymore. I love Ang more than anything.” Both Nick and Aj smiled, both realizing that this was the happiest Brian has been since Leighanne broke up with him.
“You, on the other hand,” AJ began, turning towards Nick. “Are in much deeper shit, I’m afraid. What the hell do you think you’re doing? She’s sixteen years old, for god’s sake. She’s innocent and inexperienced and you absolutely cannot force her into this. God, Nick, you of all people should know how hard it is for her to trust people. You have to respect that, Nick.”
“I know.” Nick took a deep breath. “It’s just that I’m totally in love with her and I want to be able to show her.”
Aj put a hand on his shoulder. “I know you do, Kaos. But you have to wait until she’s ready.” Nick nodded and Aj smiled. “Well, my work here is done. Now get your asses out of here and enjoy each other’s company tonight because your girls are sleeping in Ang’s room.” Brian and Nick stood up and began to walk out the door. Aj grabbed Nick’s shoulder to stop him. “Nick, I think of Katelin as the little sister I never had. You hurt her, you’ll have to answer to me.”