Once at the hotel everyone, including AJ whose bus had managed to catch up, had dinner together. It was a nice long dinner with lots of laughter and teasing. Brianna got all caught up on what Leighanne and Kristen were up to. AJ talked about Denise a bit. Not much was mentioned about his recent girl problems. Over all, it was an extremely pleasant evening. Afterwards AJ announced he was going out. Brianna thought she sensed a bit of tension in the air, but figured she was imagining it.

AJ looked over at Nick. “Hey, why don’t you two come out and party with me? It’d be fun.”

Nick started to answer no, but looked at Bree first to make sure. She just smiled. “Sorry Aje. Not tonight, okay man? It’s gonna be quite a few months before I see her again we already picked out some movies for tonight and I had Billy get us some popcorn, soda, and movie munchies. Another time?” He was glad that Bree was okay with staying in.

Actually, he wouldn’t have minded going out, just to keep an eye on AJ, but was relieved when Howie and Kevin said they’d be happy to go have a few drinks. He knew they’d watch, well as much as AJ would let them. He already knew that AJ wouldn’t come back when they wanted to come back. Even reminding him of the early morning interview wouldn’t help.

“That’s cool.” He stood and gave Brianna a hug and kiss on the cheek. “Next time you come we’ll party, okay?” Then he winked at her before walking away, Howie and Kevin following.

Bree and Nick stayed up until 2 watching movies and eating popcorn. If the truth be told, more popcorn ended up on the floor, couch, and everywhere else except in their mouths. House keeping would have a blast in the morning. Laughed out, talked out, and just plain tired they crawled into bed and practically fell asleep when their heads hit the pillow.

While Nick was busy with interviews, the meet and greet, and sound check Brianna wandered around town and did a bit of shopping. She always liked to pick up little momentos, when she could, of the different places she went when she visited Nick. Sometimes she’d pick up something special, and then send it to him in one of his holiday care packages as a reminder of a fun time spent somewhere. This time she found something and had to laugh. It was just too perfect for this visit, and she knew she would wind up giving it to him before she left.

During sound check the guys decided to have a light meal/snack before the show and everyone go out to dinner afterwards. The whole time during dinner Brianna kept teasing Nick about having a gift for him, but she wouldn’t tell him what it was.

He whispered to her, "Damn it, Bree, why’d ya tell me you had something if you weren’t going to tell me what it was?"

“Because, I love suspense.”

“Nicky, what you two whispering about over there?” It was Howie, of course.

“Nothing, D. Bree’s just givin’ me a hard time, that’s all.” When Howie raised his eyebrows at Nick’s comment Nick went on to say, “She has a present and won’t tell me what it is.” He rolled his at Howie’s obvious innuendo.

Now everyone was asking what the present was. “I’m not saying. Nick will just have to tell all of you tomorrow. So suffer.” She was laughing at Nick’s pout.

Dinner was fun, and the large group finished three bottles of champagne during the course of dinner and the talking afterwards. It was almost 1:30 a.m. when Nick and Brianna made it back to their room.

“AJ’s going out again? She asked.

“Yeah, he’ll sleep in the morning. It’ll be fine.” Nick hoped she didn’t want to get in deeper about this. He only had a few hours left with her.

“Yeah, I’m sure he will. He knows how to handle himself. Heck, he took care of me that night.” She stopped short and looked down.

Nick lifted her chin, “Bree, sweetie, it’s okay. Even the best of friends have a fight now and then. I think after 3 years we were due one. Don’t worry about it okay.” He was looking right down into her eyes and suddenly had to fight a very strong urge to kiss her. Shaking his head he walked towards the bar. “Thirsty?”

Bree had saw something flash across his face, but wasn’t quite sure what it was. “Um, sure. What are we having?”

“Let’s see.” He began looking through the bar; he actually did feel like having a drink. “Coke or Jack and Coke?”

“Don’t really like Jack Daniel’s. Do they have any Vodka? How about a screwdriver.” Nick looked at her funny for a second. “What?”

“Nothing. Sure, one screwdriver, well two. I’ll have one also.”

“Cool, you fix the drinks. I’m gonna go change.” She returned shortly in a T-shirt and shorts. “Much more comfortable.” He handed her the drink. “Thanks. Why don’t you go change now and then we can settle in.”

“Will I get my present then?” He asked walking to bedroom.

“Soon, you’ll get it soon.” The present was actually hidden underneath one of the pillows, so the trick now was to try and get him to go lie down to talk. “Hey Nick, I don’t really feel like watching TV. Besides, you know, this late there’s nothing on anyway.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m beat from today. I just figured we’d settle in and talk till we fell asleep.” He answered from in the bedroom.

“Sounds good.”

He returned shortly in pajama bottoms and a T-shirt. “You know, all those clothes we wear up on stage, sometimes I just really hate wearing stuff. I gotta be comfortable.”

She was smiling remembering Billy’s warning. “Well, as long as I’m here you ARE going to be wearing something. Okay. I don’t need to be scarred for life or anything.”

“Hey! I resent that. You wouldn’t be traumatized, ya know.”

“You never know, Nick. You never know.” Finishing her drink she set her glass down and started walking towards the bedroom.

“Where ya going?”

“Do you want your present or not?” She laughed disappearing into the room.

Taking a big drink, “Hell yes. You’ve been teasin me about it all night. Where is it?”

“You have to come in here to get it.” She had already pulled back the covers.

Nick’s thoughts raced for a second. They had had a few drinks, yes. Nothing too strong. They were just friends. So where was this going and why did he feel so funny all of a sudden.

“You comin’ in here or not?”

<~ Chapter 17 or Chapter 19 ~>

In the End

Karina 2003