Nick walked into the house that he shared with Katelin later that night. He expected her to be there, asleep on the couch, because she usually would fall asleep waiting up for him. He never really thought much about it. Whenever she was there, he usually walked right by her and went up to his room.
The house was dark when he walked in yet he hadn’t noticed that her Jeep was not in the driveway:
“Kate? Kate, where the fuck are you?” He walked angrily around the house and eventually made it up to her room. His mouth dropped open in shock as he saw the emptiness of it:
“What the fuck?” Nick stomped out of what used to be his girlfriend’s room and went into his. Grabbing the phone, he dialed Brian’s familiar number. Brian answered on the third ring:
“Hello?” Nick slammed his fist into his pillow:
“Where the fuck is she?” Brian yawned, as the phone had woken him up:
“Nick, calm down. She’s here, but she’s sleeping and I know that she doesn’t want to talk to you. She’s had enough, Nick. She had to get out.” Nick paced his room:
“I wanna fucking talk to her, Brian. Fucking wake her up!” Brian tried to remain calm and not wake up the sleeping Leighanne next to him:
“I’m not waking her up Nick. You’re wasted and it’s not going to help any. Whenever the day comes that you can stay sober, I’ll let you talk to her.” Nick heard the dial tone and threw the phone against the wall, as tears slid down his cheeks:
“God damn you Aaron!”
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
Two weeks later, there was a mandatory Backstreet Boys meeting. They were going to decide what the future held. Whether they should go ahead and record another album or take some well-deserved time off. Four out of the five guys showed up promptly at two o’clock. They all sat around waiting for their youngest member to show his face. At 3pm, Nick still hadn’t graced them with his presence. They had called him on his cell phone and he had not answered it. Kevin started pacing:
“Where the fuck is that little prick?” Brian put an arm on his cousin’s shoulder:
“Calm down, Kev. He’ll be here. I talked to him about it this morning.” Kevin sat back down again:
“I swear to God, if that kid walks in here drunk, I’m finished. I’m outta here.” Two minutes later, Nick came stumbling through the door, obviously wasted:
“Heyyy guys. What’s going on? Let’s get this meeting started.” Kevin stood up and slammed him into the wall:
“Started? God damn it, Nick, you’re a fucking hour late!” Nick tried to push him off:
“Get the fuck off me, Kev. I’m here aren’t I?” AJ mumbled:
“Barely.” Nick shot him a glare:
“What was that Bone?” AJ looked him right in the eye:
“You’re wasted Nick. Yet, again.” Kevin let go of him:
“Are you trying to ruin your fucking life, Nick? Is that what you’re doing?” Nick smirked at him:
“I’m not ruining my life. I’m living it.” Kevin, AJ, and Howie all started yelling. Brian just stood by quietly. Kevin was fed up and was determined to let Nick know just how much:
“Do you think that Aaron’s happy with you, Nick? Do you think that this is how he wanted you to mourn him? He’s not fucking happy, Nick. He’s up there, looking down at you, and looking at the fucking mess that you’ve made of your life. He’s disappointed with you, Nick.” Nick sat there quietly and took it from him. Kevin didn’t let up:
“What about Katelin? Huh, Nick? How do you think she’s feeling? She gave you everything. She put off her fucking life for you and moved down here-“ Nick interrupted him:
“I never asked her to do that.” AJ picked up where Kevin left off:
“Never asked her in so many words, Nick. But she still fucking did it for you. If you weren’t in her life, she never would’ve come down here. All she’s tried to do since Aaron died was help you and be there for you and you just kept pushing her away. You weren’t appreciative at all. You just threw it right back in her face. She loved you, unconditionally. If you came home wasted, she was there for you. No matter how much it fucking hurt to see you like that. When you were hungover, she always made excuses for you. When you didn’t come home at all at night, even though she knew what was probably going on, she never said anything for fear of what you might do. God, Nick. She loved you no matter what but you pushed her to the limit. She couldn’t stand by and watch you do it anymore so she got out.” Kevin stood up and started walking towards the door:
“And, now that’s what I’m doing. I’m getting out. I’m not doing this anymore. I can’t work with you, Nick. Until you get your act together, you guys are one Backstreet Boy short.” With that Kevin walked out the door. AJ was not far behind him:
“Make that two.” And then he was gone. Brian and Howie still remained. Nick looked at the two of them:
“Fine. If that’s the way you guys want it. I don’t need you guys anymore. I’m getting the fuck out of here.” Nick stormed out, leaving Brian and Howie there, speechless. Finally Howie broke the silence:
“Well, I guess this is it.” Brian still didn’t say anything. He just sat down and stared at his hands, shaking his head. Finally, he spoke quietly:
“I can’t believe it. What happened to my best friend? After all this. I never thought that it would end this way.” Tears sprung to his eyes as he thought about his last 9 years as a Backstreet Boy. Howie sat down next to him:
“I know man. I always thought that when it all ended, it would be on good terms. A time to say goodbye. Not like this, man.” He paused for a second before continuing:
“God, I just hope Nick wises up soon. I’d hate to see what happens to him if he continues with this life that he’s living.” Brian wiped his tears as he stood up:
“Well, I guess this is it Howie.” Howie stood up and hugged his brother:
“Tell Kate and Leigh I said hello and tell Kate that I’m sorry.”
“I will.” Howie walked out but Brian lagged behind. He turned around and looked back into the room right, sighing, before he walked out of that life forever.