--3 Months Later—-

“Yeah Howie, I’ll be there. Don’t worry. I’m all packed. Just heading out the door. Yes dad, I’ll drive careful. I KNOW it’s a holiday. That is the whole reason why I am coming to Orlando to spend the 4th at your club instead of QUIETLY on MY BEACH. Yeah, tell the guys I’ll see you then.” Nick sighed as he hung up the phone. ‘Sometimes I wonder why I moved down here. Maybe it will be good to spend some time in Tampa.’ He grabbed his bags and headed out to meet up with his 4 bandmates and brothers for a special July 4th party at Tabu. He knew he would have fun once he got there, and he really did miss all of them.

Meanwhile in Orlando.

“So, he is coming right?” questioned AJ

“Yes, he said he was just heading out the door.”

“How can he be like that. I mean he has been holed up in that house down in Marathon since the tour ended. Doesn’t he get bored?”

“Unlike YOU, Alex, Nick enjoys lounging and doing nothing, especially when it is on the beach.”,br>

“I just can’t not do anything for that long. Man, I’d go outta my friggin’ mind.”

“Well, I hate to say it but I think Nicky needed this break more than any of us. I mean, none of us has had much time to be ourselves, but Nicky, well he never really had ANY time to figure out who his self was. You know what I mean, bone?”

“Yeah, I know. I guess I forget that sometimes. I’ll be glad when he gets here, I miss the little guy.”

“Who are you calling little? Surely not the 6’2” blonde giant making his way up the Florida Keys as we speak?” They both began to chuckle.

JULY 4th

“Kristyne come on babe, go out with us tonight. You know you want to.” Pleaded Evelynn.

Back in April Evelynn had received a very surprising phone call from her best friend Kristyne. She needed to make some changes in her life and getting out of Gainesville was one of them. Evie thought it was about time, but bit her tongue. When Evie got accepted to USF in Tampa her parents bought her a house so she wouldn’t have to pay rent in some run-down neighborhood, and so she wouldn’t have to work and take time away from her studies. So, naturally Evie invited her best friend to come stay with her.

FLASHBACK

“Listen girl, I got plenty of room. You know I do. Come stay here. You won’t have to worry about rent and we’ll just split the utilities and stuff, ok? Besides I know you can get on with the Rescue squad down here. With Tampa being such a huge area they have so many stations it isn’t even funny.”

“You sure. I mean, I don’t want to get in your way. You are still in college and like to party a lot. You know I’m not into that now.”

“You are my best friend. You need to get away from all those sad memories and have some fun. You won’t be in my way. Trust me. I want you here. I miss you!”

“Well, I have a few things to take care of here. I have to give notice and make sure Chris has a place to stay.”

“I don’t know why you continue to worry over him. He sure doesn’t give a second thought to you.”

“Evie, I know. But he is my brother, my twin, and my only living relative I have left! I just can’t turn my back on him completely.”

“You know, that heart of yours is gonna get you in trouble one of these days. Ok. You do what you gotta do. There is a home here waiting on you when you are ready. In the meantime I will make some calls and see what I can find out about the local rescue squads for ya. How’s that sound?”

**sniff, sniff**

“Kristyne? What is it babe?”

“Home. I haven’t had one of those in over a year. I know, I’m being silly. I’ll be in touch, Evie. Don’t worry it won’t be long. I am so ready for change.”

“I’ll be here for ya, always girl.”,br>

END FLASHBACK

“So, whaddaya say? You gonna come with us?”

“Evie, you know I have to work tonight. I can’t go.”

“So call in or something. You are always at work, take a break for once.”

“Tonight is not the night to call in, what with it being the 4th and all. They need all of us there. Besides, this is what I love to do. I’ll go out with you another night.”

“But tonight is gonna be a kickin’ party!”

“Evie, every party you go to is ‘kickin’” Kristyne laughed.

“I know girl, just want you to have a good time. Hey, have I told you how happy I am you are here?” The younger girl hugged the older.

“I’m glad I’m here too. This has been good for me. You have fun tonight and be careful. The last thing I want is to pull up on a call and it be you. Ok? You hear me?”

“Yeah, yeah, Mom. I’ll be careful. We are taking a taxi anyway. No one wanted to be designated driver so this was the safest way. Don’t give me that look. I know how to be responsible.” They both laughed and Evie headed out to meet her friends for dinner before the party.

LATER THAT NIGHT AT TABU

“Howie, man this is awesome!” Nick yelled to his friend above the music. “I really missed you guys and didn’t realize how much ‘til I got here.”

“Nicky man, we all needed to relax. So, have you decided if you are gonna stay up here a while?”

“Yeah, I think I am. AJ won’t leave me alone about it. Besides, I miss Tampa. It really is my home.”

“What’s that about Tampa being home?” AJ interjected as he came off the dance floor into the middle of the conversation.

“I was just telling D how I was gonna stay up here for awhile. You know, since you can’t seem to live without me.” Nick snickered, teasing his close friend. Ever since Brian got married and AJ went through rehab the two of them were even more like brothers than before. The two youngest Backstreet Boys had formed a close friendship and they had missed each other over the past few months.

AJ reached up and tousled the younger man’s hair, “Glad you decided to stay. Now get you ass out on that dance floor. Those girls over there have been asking for ya all night.” With that the three men hit the dance floor once again, soon to be joined by Brian, Kevin and their wives.


<~Chapter 4 or Chapter 6~>

Karina 2003