Later that night after the concert the entire group headed back to the hotel. It had been decided at lunch that things would be much quieter and controlled if they stayed in to party. So, Brianna, Nick, the rest of the guys, Leighanne, a few of the dancers and bodyguards all went to Nick’s suite.

Sometime around 1:30 a.m. Brian approached Nick. “Nick, when did Brianna start drinking so much?” Up until now only Nick, AJ, Tony, and Billy knew about her regular drinking, and Billy didn’t know about her arrest.

“As far as I know she started back around her graduation last year. I think this guy she was seeing started her, ya know.” Nick had slowed down a bit when he realized just how much Brianna had been drinking. However, he didn’t stop completely. He figured since they were in the safety of his own suite he could afford to drink a little and still be able to keep an eye on Brianna.

“Aren’t you worried about her? I mean, for someone so little, she sure is drinking a lot.” Brian was concerned because not only was Brianna drinking, she was acting uncharacteristically loud and flamboyant.

“Yeah, a little. But she keeps telling me she has it under control. She’s just getting a taste of freedom, ya know. We’ve all gone through this partying stage.” Nick tried to reason.

“Under control, huh? Just like AJ?” Brian said dryly before walking away. He got Leighanne and the two of them said their goodnights and left.

Nick was stunned. He didn’t think Brianna was nearly as bad as AJ. He was even more stunned over Brian’s comment regarding AJ. Nick really didn’t think Brian had even noticed the heavy partying. Speaking of AJ, he was well on his way to being completely wasted, yet again. Nick tried not to worry about AJ either. After all, Nick himself was guilty of staying out too late, drinking too much, and partying too hard on occasion.

Brianna was flirting heavily with everyone around her. When Nick saw one of the dancers push another shot of Tequila into her hand he decided it was time to say something.

“Brianna, I think you’ve had enough for one night.” Nick started and realized too late that his voice sounded a little too harsh.

“What do you mean ‘enough’? Nick, you’re not my father.” Brianna was surprised by Nick’s statement. She thought he was enjoying the party.

“No, I’m not you’re father, I’m you’re friend, and I think that you’ve had enough to drink tonight. You’re going to be hung over in the morning as it is.” Maybe reasoning would help.

“How do you know what I’ll be? Have you spent anytime with me recently?”

“Bree, you know the tour…”

“Don’t the tour me, Nick. I know about the tour. I’m here visiting you ON TOUR aren’t I? Sheeze I thought you wanted to party with me tonight, not control me.”

“I want to spend time with my friend, talking and laughing, sober. I can’t do that if you are so hung over you’re sick and passed out.” Nick was quickly starting to lose his temper. Quickly he ran his fingers back through his hair and then forward again. “Bree lets just go somewhere and talk for awhile, out on the balcony, in the room, just away from the party.”

“I don’t want to be away from the party. I’m having too much fun. Maybe you should go away from the party.” She snapped.

“Yo, Nick, what’s the problem?” AJ slurred slightly as he walked up after having noticed the confrontation from across the room.

“Nothing Aje.”

“Don’t look like nothing. Brianna, everything okay, one of these guys giving you a hard time?”

“Yeah, he is.” She stated looking pointedly at Nick. Then actually pointing her finger at Nick, “He is.”

AJ did a double take at her accusation then looked at Nick. “What’s up, Nick. Don’t get jealous over these guys flirtin’.” AJ laughed.

“Ya know, AJ. Just shut up, okay. You don’t have a clue.” Why were things getting so blown up? All he wanted was to spend time with his friend for her birthday. Was that too much to ask? Throwing his hands up a little in frustration he snapped at her, “You know Bree, do what ever the hell you want. You’re obviously going to anyway. I just wanted to spend time with you for your birthday, not watch you get trashed. But I guess THAT is just too much to ask.”

Brianna started to open her mouth to say something when Nick raised his hand to cut her off. “But, if you’re going to continue to party I don’t want to watch it. Nick’s room is officially closed to all drinking.” Then raising his voice even more, “That means EVERYONE OUT!” Returning his attention to Brianna, “And don’t expect me to ‘nurse’ you in the morning. Don’t come to me to snuggle and make you feel better. You wanna do this to yourself, you deal with the results yourself in the morning.”

Nick turned off the music before walking to the door and opening it. “OUT!” He yelled to the entire room. His scowl became even more pronounced when he noticed AJ talking quietly to Bree before putting his arm around her and leading her to the door. “Bree, if you leave, I mean it, I don’t want to see you in the morning.” His voice was quiet but his eyes were icy and serious.

“Fuck you, Nick. I don’t want to see you either.” She spat before walking out with AJ and down to his room. Nick slammed the door behind them. He stormed into his bedroom and slammed that door too. He grabbed at his hair and pulled while letting out a half yell half growl. Still not satisfied he returned to the living room and downed three successive shots of Tequila, cussing the entire time. The Tequila finally starting to numb him, he returned to his bed and tried to go to sleep. For hours he lie there watching the clock, wondering what in the hell had just happened and what his two best friends were doing together, or to each other. He shook his head hard at that thought. AJ wouldn’t do anything to her. We all think of her like a sister. Nick fell into a restless sleep hoping he was right.

Nick woke to Billy shaking him. It was already after 12 and Nick had to get ready to go.

“Billy, you see Bree this mornin’?”

“Nope. I wouldn’t worry. Just get ready. We gotta get underway.”

So, he did exactly that, busied himself with getting ready to get on his bus. The entire time he tried hard not to think about Bree, but failed miserably. He knew she would have to be leaving soon to get to the airport and finally he talked himself into going to AJ’s room to say goodbye. Just as he got to the door he heard both AJ and Bree in the hallway.

“Thanks for last night, AJ.”

“Hey, my pleasure. It’s about time I got you all to myself. Nicky doesn’t like to share.” Nick felt his pulse race and his mouth go dry.

Share what, you scrawny… He refused to let himself finish the thought.

Bree was giggling. “Well, we’ll have to do it again sometime. I had fun, even if I still hurt a little.” Leaning his head against the door Nick was dumbfounded. He really hadn’t thought that AJ would do anything with her, even if he was drunk. “I gotta get going AJ, don’t wanna miss my plane.”

“Hey, wait. Aren’t you going to tell Nick bye?”

I’m right here Bree, just knock on the door.

“Nope. He said he didn’t want to see me, so I’m outta here.” Nick felt like he had the wind knocked out of him. He had said that last night, but he was mad and didn’t really mean it.

“You know he didn’t mean that.”

“Well, too bad for him then. He shouldn’t have been such an ass. I’ll see you later. Tell the rest of the guys goodbye for me.” Giving AJ a final hug Brianna walked away. She really did want to tell Nick goodbye but his words had hurt her. So, she just held her head up and left. It wasn’t until she was on the plane that she let her tears fall.

About 30 minutes later Nick managed to make his way to his bus. The entire walk he kept hoping to not run into AJ, there was no telling what he’d do to him. Finally settled on his bus he tried to play a few games, but just couldn’t get into them. Giving up, he went to lie down.

Around 3:30 his cell phone rang. Looking at the number and realizing it was Brian he answered. “Sup Roc?”

“Not much. How you doing today?” Brian asked cautiously.

Nick sighed. “Tired, man. Just tired.”

“I heard about what happened after I left last night. I guess it got kinda crazy.”

Chuckling, “That’s an understatement. All I know is she spent the night with AJ. I’m so pissed at him I can’t see straight. She’s like a sister, man. How could he go and do something like that?” Just thinking about it again made Nick’s heart pound and his eyes started to prickle with unshed tears.

“Whoa, hold up a sec, Nick. Don’t jump to conclusions.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? What do you know that I don’t?”

“Yeah she spent the night in AJ’s room. But that’s it. Well, actually that’s not completely it. She was upset and crying. AJ went to get a wet cloth for her face and when he came back to the room she was passed out on the couch. He carried her to the bed and fell asleep himself. That’s all. AJ wouldn’t do anything like you were thinking. He tried to get her to come see you this morning, but I swear that girl is just as stubborn and prideful as you sometimes.” Brian heard Nick release a long breath and knew he had been right in calling.

“Thanks, man. I just don’t know what’s up with her anymore. Things were just like old times yesterday afternoon, then, I don’t know. I don’t know where her head is. It’s like she’s somewhere else or someone else, ya know? Damn, I don’t know. I can’t think right now. How ‘bout we talk later, after I get some rest?”

“Sure. I figured you needed to hear the truth. Knowing you, you’ve probably been thinking about it and worrying about it all night and day. Seems like I was right. Get some sleep. Another town another show.”

<~ Chapter 10 or Chapter 12 ~>

In the End

Karina 2003