Tony was the one who met Brianna at the airport this time. First they went by the hotel. She took a small duffel bag up to the suite and her suitcase went on the bus. Not that it would make any difference. Fans had commented about her walking into the hotel with Eddie when she visited Nick in Minneapolis, and that she had left to go to the show with the guys, and that she came back with the guys. They would surely see her this visit and make comment about it.

The fans knew, or thought they knew everything. Some of them who had been fans for years and had been around actually knew Brianna and that she and Nick had only been friends. But some still liked to play the “Oh, who is Nicky’s new girlfriend?” game. She wasn’t sure which she hated worse, that game or the “Where’s Nicky?” game. She didn’t mind the comments about her, per say, it just seemed sometimes he never got any peace, yet he always gave all he could to the fans. She admired his patience, something she most definitely lacked.

She sat down at the show just as the guys were rising up from the stage. She could tell that already Nick was trying to scan the crowd through his sunglasses looking for her. It wasn’t until halfway through ‘Everyone’ that he saw her. Even through his smile she saw how tired he was. During the concert she noticed that all the guys seemed to be tired, more tired than they normally looked during a tour. Yes, she and Nick definitely need to catch up on a few things.

After the show Nick didn’t even shower. He just changed, grabbed Brianna and Billy, and told everyone they were going right to the hotel. Brianna teased him about having to share the same car with him, sweaty and all from the show. So, what did he do? Made sure he gave her a great big hug and got lots of sweat all over her. Billy followed them down the hall the laughter of the other guys behind him.

Once back at the hotel, both clean and comfortable they settled on the couch to find a movie. “I swear, how many cable channels they got these days, and I still can never find anything good to watch. Late-night TV sucks.” Nick was pouting.

“Don’t pout, Nicky. Didn’t really want to watch something anyway. Actually, I’m starving, how about something from room service?”

“Bree, I don’t think they make peanut butter and banana sandwiches here. But something to eat does sound good. How about pizza?”

“You get pizza. I’ll get my sandwich, just watch.” Bree called room service and ordered Nick’s pizza with extra cheese and something for her. “That right, just peanut butter, no jelly. Mmm hmm. And, I’d like a banana and a glass of milk. Yep. That’s all. Thanks.” Smiling, she put down the receiver. “See, I told you I’d get my sandwich.”

“You know, Bree, that thing you call a sandwich is just gross.”

“This coming from Chef Cater, here.” Plopping down next to him on the couch she poked him in the stomach.

“At least I can cook a few things. Didn’t your dad ban you from cooking at their house the last time you set off the smoke detector?” He grabbed her hand and pretended like he was going to bite it but let her snatch her hand away before he could.

“That wasn’t my fault! No one warned me that grease and water don’t mix.” They both leaned back on the couch.

“Now you know, right? God, it makes me feel good to know someone is actually a worse cook than I am.” He teased as he stretched and put he hands behind his head.

After they’d eaten and talked until almost 3 in the morning, both were exhausted and decided to get some sleep. They had all day Wednesday to talk on the bus, and for once Nick was actually looking forward to his bus ride. Crawling into bed Brianna took her usual spot snuggled up to Nick’s side.

Nick turned and faced her pulling her into a hug and kissing the top of her head. “God, I missed you, Bree. Please, no more fighting?”

Smiling, she hugged him back and snuggled in closer, “Sounds perfectly fine by me.”

“When are you gonna let your hair grow out again?” He said absentmindedly playing with the short hairs at the back of her neck.

“Mmm, don’t know. I kinda like it short, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I do. I guess I’m just so used to you with long hair, that’s all. If you like it this way, then keep it.” He tucked one of the longer strands at the front behind her ear before kissing the top of her head again. “Night little girl.”

“Night Goliath.” She felt more than heard his soft chuckle. Soon after they were both fast asleep.

<~ Chapter 14 or Chapter 16 ~>

In the End

Karina 2003