Chapter 2

"Kevin! Kevin!"

"NO!!! NO!!!!" I shouted sitting up.

Nick stood over me. "Are you okay? You were screaming. Did you have a nightmare?"

I drew in a deep breath. "Um...yeah. I guess I was." So much for a nice nap.

He sat down. "What was it about?"

I shut my eyes recalling the images of the dream. In had been a reinactment of my father's funeral. My mother and brothers sobbing, my entire surroundings were black and the preacher stood reciting the Lord's Prayer over the casket. I open my eyes facing Nick. "It was nothing, I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

I nodded running a hand through my hair. "Yes, I'm okay, Nick." I sat up facing him. "Sorry to wake you up, kid."

He rubbed his forehead. "It's no big deal."

I patted his knee. "What's wrong?"

"My head hurts and I feel kinda' funny."

His cheeks were now flushed with color and he could barely keep his eyes open.

I pressed my hand against his warm cheek. "Your temperature went up. Do you think you need a doctor?"

He shook his head. "I don't want to go to a doctor."

I moved my palm to his forehead. "Well, I think you should definitely get some medicine in you before this fever gets out of hand. Do you have any with you?"

"No. I'll be okay."

I stood grabbing my bag. "I might have something."

Nick rubbed his head. "You don't have to take care of me."

"I'm not going to act like your mommy, but I'm smart enough to know you need some Tylenol or something." I searched through my bag. "Damn, all I have is Aspirin!"

He laid down. "Can't I take that?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Kids cannot have aspirin, it's not safe," I explained.

He yawned. "Okay."

I sighed. "I guess I'll go look around the hotel for a medicine dispenser. Will you be okay on your own? If the hotel doesn't have any I may be gone awhile."

"I'll be fine. I don't need anything."

I paused doubting the idea of leaving a thirteen-year-old alone in New York. Should adults even be left alone in New York? "Why don't you go with me?"

"I really want to sleep."

I looked out the window. It didn't seem like a bad neighborhood and the hotel seemed trustworthy. I turned to him. "Stay in this room and keep the door locked at all times, understood?"

"Understood."

"And if anyone knocks on the door do not answer."

He raised his head. "What if it's one of the guys?"

"They have the other room key on them."

Nick pulled the covers over his body. "Okay, I stay in the hotel room and don't answer the door."

I nodded zipping up my jacket. "That's right. Are you allegric to anything?"

"No."

I paused at the door. "Are you sure you don't want to go with me?"

He stared at me. "Why? Are YOU afraid to be alone in New York?"

I rolled my eyes locking the door behind me.

I walked down the small hallway quietly trapped in my thoughts. 'Are YOU afraid to be alone in New York?'

Why should be I afriad to be alone in New York? I was alone in every damn city we went. I was always seperated from the others guys. While they were smiling and laughing I would be off to the side dwelling on business and other matters of importance. I stopped at the hotel desk.

The eldery woman that had checked us in glanced up at me. "May I help you, Son?" she asked in a thick accent.

"Yes, ma'am. Could you tell me if you have any medicine dispensers with Tylenol or Advil? In any of your restrooms perhaps?"

"Well, no I'm sorry we don't. But I have some aspirin in my purse if you're sick."

I shook my head. "No thank you. Could you tell me where I could get some?"

She pointed out the window. "There's a little general store across from the McDonalds. It's very small so you'll have to look carefully, but I'm quite certain they'll have what you're looking for, sweetheart."

I thanked her making my way into the city sidewalks. I was instantly surprised by the traffic. I could see the McDonalds only a block away, but at this rate it would take me an hour just to get there. Then, another fifteen to find the damn hidden general store. It seemed as if every sixty seconds a stranger would go out of their way to run into me, pushing me into another stranger that in return would swear at me in a foreign language. I would not be a tourist going out of their way to find an 'I LOVE NEW YORK ' t-shirt. I'd probably be crushed before I'd find one anyway.

A small man pushed me aside. "WATCH IT KID!" he shouted.

That man was half my size and he managed to push *me*?

I couldn't take much more. I took a deep breath and began running through the crowd without mercy, suddenly thankful for my football training in Kentucky.

I smiled as I stood infront of the McDonalds.  My smile soon faded as I was once again shoved out of the way being slammed into the door of one the nearby stores. I groaned as I massaged my aching side.

Why was it I wanted to leave Kentucky again? It was a very open space where people had to search for crowds- not attempt to survive in them!

I glanced at the door I had been roughly shoved into. 'Casey's General Needs'....Sometimes I really have to wonder why fate works in mysterious and sometimes forceful, shoving ways.

I stepped inside the small store happy to see it wasn't crowded. A blessing in my opinion. I glanced around trying to figure out where I should venture to get the pills and get back to Nick. Although, he was more than likely safer inside the hotel than I was on the sidewalks of New York.

I browsed through the aisle finding a small grouping of various medicatons next to the hygiene products. I scanned the shelf. Mylanta, Tums, Aspirin, Midol........Tylenol! I grabbed the small bottle glancing at the price tag.  "Four bucks and fifty cents for a bottle this size!" I gasped.

"May I help you?" a soft voice asked.

I noticed an employee behind me. I blushed. "Um....I was just commenting on the uh..price."

She stood infront of me. "What were you wanting?"

I held up the tiny bottle. "Tylenol."

The employee searched through the stacks of medicine. "Maybe I can help you."

She retrieved a large red bottle twice the size of the bottle I held. She handed it to me. "Here, it's a generic but will do the exact same thing and it only costs two dollars."

I smiled. "Thank you."

She was a breath of fresh air after the hell I had been through. A beautiful young lady, fairly tall and slender with soft auburn curls falling to her waist, bright emerald green eyes and ivory skin. Her consideration as well as her smile were geniune. "May I help you with anything else?"

"Um....I needed a thremometer."

"Are you on a budget?" she asked softly.

I cleared my throat. "Yes, I am kinda'."

She handed me an old fashioned thremometer. "This takes longer than a digital thremometer, but it's half the price and still gets the job done."

I accepted it. "Thank you very much. You have no idea how much you've helped me."

She shrugged. "Let's just say I know how you feel."

I followed her to the register grabbing a twelve pack of generic lemon lime soft drink. "Oh, really?"

"Uh huh. Let me guess....You're not from New York, you're attempting to take care of someone and you're filled with confusion?"

"How did you know?"

"It's not rocket science. You don't have an accent, you weren't sure on medical supplies and you look lonely. And I'd guess you to be a performer, an actor maybe." She paused. "I'm sorry if I'm being nosy."

I shook my head. "No, not at all. You're pretty amazing. I'm a Kentuckian, stuck with a thirteen-year-old and I'm a performer-a singer. Although, once I tried my hand at acting." I extended my hand. "I'm Kevin."

She accepted my handshake. "Cricket."

"Cricket?" I chuckled.

She rolled her green eyes. "My parents were hippies."

I rested my elbows against the counter. "So, what's your story? You don't sound like a New Yorker."
"I'm an actress and I grew up in Montana."

"Man, you're a long way from home."

"Yeah, but I got lucky coming here. I got a job performing and working within one week of coming here. It may have only been an extra in a Broadway play, but it meant a lot to me. But the show closed last week."

"I'm sorry."

Cricket shrugged. "I got another job. I should be happy."

"You're not?"

"I'm a Rockette now it some Irish Riverdance gig. Tons of little girls want to be a Rockette, I am but I'm not happy. I love acting not dancing."

"Then, go back to acting."

"Let's face it in this business you take whatever job is open. This was it."

I smiled. "It should be okay. My girlfriend is in the Rockettes. She's a very nice girl and very excited about it. She'll be starting with you I believe. She's perfoming on a cruise ship right now."

Cricket grinned. "Small world." Her smile soon faded. "I need all the friends I can get. I had to learn that the hard way."

"What do you mean?"

"In the last show I was in I pushed anyone away that wanted to be friends. I was so focused I forgot- you can't be on stage all the time. Eventually, you have to come off and when you do..... You need people that are there for you. I can't live in the past. I can't run to my mother or best friend when they are so far away. I have to let people in. It sucks to be around a large group of people and still be alone."

The girl sounded so much like me I was shocked. "Uh, yeah, it does."

She raised an eyebrow. "Are you all right?"

I sighed. "I know where you're coming from. I'm in this group...with four other guys and I'm not exactly close to them."

"Why not?"

"Well, they're just not like me. The fifteen-year-old is such a pervert and the thirteen-year-old is hyper as hell."

She crossed her arms. "Well, most fifteen-year-old males are perverts and most thirteen-year-olds are 'hyper as hell'. What's so wrong with them?"

"Well, nothing, I guess."

"And what about the other two members?"

"Howie D. he's a great guy. And Bri-he's my cousin, but we were never close."

"If Howie is nice you could be friends and maybe this is a chance to be close to your cousin."

I shook my head. "I don't know if we could be friends."

She stared at me obsvering my features. "Maybe you're not meant to be friends. Maybe your meant to be more like brothers."

"Brothers? Yeah right."

"Well, you act like you're all strangers. Obviously that's not true."

"Why?" I asked bluntly.

She lifted my mercidise in her hands. "Would you be taking care of a stranger?"

I hate it when women have a good point. "I guess you're right."

"All I'm saying is if you've travelled all the way here to be in this group, it must be very important to you. They travelled with you so it must important to them as well. Maybe they're aren't that different from you."

I scratched my head. "Maybe you should audition for ER you could play a kickass therapist. Or keep it in mind if you ever get tired of acting."

She shrugged. "Actresses observe people. It part of the job you can't play a part if you don't know where the character is coming from."

I smiled. "I never thought of it that way."

She glanced at me. "Maybe you should try looking at things differently from time to time."

I nodded. "Maybe I should."

She rang up my purchases. "What's your girlfriend's name?"

"Kristin Willits and I assure you, Cricket, you'll have a friend. Kristin will adore you."

A huge smile escaped her lips. "That's music to my ears. Your total is $8.35."

I pulled the only money I had out of my wallet. "There 'ya go." I paused staring at a stuffed animal that was behind her."

She glanced over her shoulder. "What are you looking at?"

"Could I see that stuffed black dog?"

"Sure thing." She handed it to me. "This one?"

"It's the spitting image of Sabbath," I whispered holding the toy in my grasp.

"You want it?"

I nodded. "Please."

She redid my order. "Okay, that will make your total $11.40."

I glanced down at my palm. I only had a ten dollar bill. I could feel my skin paling as I  panicked. "Um....I...I"

Cricket noticed my dilema. "Oh, silly me! That's on sale today! Your total is ten dollars even!" She took my money pushing the sack towards me.

I stared wide-eyed as she slipped money out of her own pocket into the register.

I shook my head. "No, I couldn't!"

She squeezed my hand. "Yes, you can and you just did. Now, go on and get out of here, obviously someone needs you."

I paused at the door. "Cricket?"

"Yes?"

"A girl like you will never have a problem making friends."

Saying goodbye to the young redhead I ventured back into the frightening and crowded sidewalks of New York.

**********************************

"Nick? Nick?" I called opening the hotel door. "You awake?"

"Hmmmmm?" he moaned.

I faced him. "Why were you sleeping with the lights on?"

He squinted burying himself farther beneath the sheets. "I don't like the dark."

I sat the bag on my cot. "Whatever, kid." I began going through the purchases. "I got you some stuff that should help."

"Thanks," he grumbled into his pillow.

I sighed. "I know you don't feel good but you can't go to sleep until you get some medicine in your system."

"My parents always told me to 'say no to drugs'."

I ripping the plastic packaging surrounding the thremometer. "Don't be a smartass."

"It's better than being a dumbass."

"Don't swear!"

"You did!"

"I'm older."

"So, Brian's older and he doesn't swear."

I rolled my eyes. "Nick, Brian Littrell and Jesus Christ are practically the same person."

"You shouldn't compare Brian to the Messiah."

I swear Brian was turning the child into a youth minster, but if that kept him from annoying me I'd approve the career change.

I pushed the thremometer in his hand. "Take your temperature."

"I hate thremometers."

"Do it anyway."

"Why?"

"Because I went out of my way to get it for you. Now, open your damn mouth!"

He obiliged dropping his jaw.

I inserted the thermometer carefully into his mouth, pulling my fingers away quickly as the blonde attempted to bite me. I gritted my teeth together. "You are such a brat!"

"I am not!" he mumbled.

"Keep your mouth closed or your won't temperature register."

"You can't tell me what to do."

Maybe Cricket had been right about the members of the band being like my brothers. Nick was the definitely the younger brother from hell that I had never had. I unpacked the items. "I got you some generic sprite to drink."

He looked at me without an ounce of graditude. Definitely the little brother from hell....

I sighed. "Did anyone call while I was out?"

He shook his head coughing. He pulled out the thermometer. "I can't keep it in anymore."

I could feel my facial expression lightened. The kid really didn't feel well. I patted his back taking the thermometer. "I think it had been in long enough anyway." I glanced down struggling to read the numbers twirling the tube between my fingers. "It's 100.3 you need to get some medicine before it gets any higher."

He nodded. "Okay, Kev."

I opened the medicine bottle. "Do you want me to call your mommy and let her know you're sick?"

"If you do she'll just worry and call all the time." He crossed his arms. "And I don't call her 'Mommy'."

I handed him the pills and a HI-C. "Okay, tough guy, just take your medicine."

He struggled to get the pills down. "Thanks. Sorry I'm being such a pain."

I pulled the dog out of the bag hiding it from Nick's view. "You're not a complete pain, just partly. Besides, you've gone through a lot, it's okay." I stared at the stuffed toy. "Um...Nick, I got you this. If you uh...don't want it just give it to Angel or Leslie... whatever you want to do with it."

I nonchanantly tossed the dog to him.

Nick ran his hands over the black fur staring at the gift. I shoved my hands into my pockets. "Are you okay?"

He looked up from the dog with teary eyes. "I'll never give it away. I want to keep it." His lips trembled. "Thank you, Kevin."

I cleared my throat. "Well, no reason getting all emotional, it's just a toy."

"It's more than that."

I walked over to his bed. "Well, maybe it'll help and I am very sorry about Sabbath." I patted the pillow. "Now, lay down."

He wrapped his arms around me not saying a word.

I looked around nervously. "What's this for?"

He pulled away. "For everything."

"That's enough excitement for now. Get some rest."

*********************************

"Man, that chick was fly as hell!" AJ exclaimed entering the hotel room.

"Shhhh...." I demanded. "Nick's asleep."

AJ rolled his eyes plopping down on one of the open beds. "I forgot kids need their naps."

"He's not feeling well."

Howie glanced at me. "Did you, Mr. Kevin 'Hardass' Richardson just defend Nick?"

"I'm not defending him, I'm just stating true facts. And I'm not a hardass."

Brian sat down beside me. "Kev, you've been a hardass ever since your dad-"

"That's enough, Brian!" I snapped.

He frowned. "Sorry, cuz."

We were interupted as the phone sounded. I stood smacking AJ's hand away. "I'll get it. You can't be trusted!"

I held the phone to my ear. "Hello?"

"Kevin, my boy!"

I grimaced. "Hello, Mr.Pearlman."

"Call me Lou, son!"

"Okay, Lou." I can call you Lou, but that doesn't mean I want you to call me 'son'. I cleared my throat. "What can I do for you?"

"Well, a major opportunity has just unveiled itself to us. We're having dinner at Little Italy with the owners of 'Island Entertainment' there's a chance they might represent you."

I bit my lip. "Gee, that's great. Do we all have to be there? Is this definite?"

"Of course it's definite! And you are all needed in attendence."

"Nick's sick."

"Everyone gets sick," he replied simply.

"Why didn't you just ask us before you planned this?"

He sighed. "Kevin, do you want to be part of this group or not."

That was a very good question........

"Yes," I whispered.

"Then make sure you are all dressed and in the lobby by seven o'clock and remember 'dress to impress'!"

I hung up the phone shaking my head.

Howie frowned. "Is everything okay?"

"We're having dinner at Little Italy with Lou and the head of 'Island Entertainment'."

AJ beamed. "That's great!"

I sat next to my cousin once more. "Doesn't it bother any of you that we weren't even  asked? That we were just informed?"

Howie gave me a sympathetic smile. "That's how this business works, Kevin. You just have to allow yourself not to be the boss."

"Not to be the boss of your own career?!" I hissed.

Brian patted my knee. "Don't be mad at him, Kev, it's not his fault."

I massaged my forehead. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it so harshly."

The Latino shrugged. "It's okay, no harm done."

Brian pointed to Nick's sleeping form. "Who wants to be the lucky one to wake up the sickie?"

I turned to AJ. "I give you the honor, Alex."

"All right!" he exclaimed.

"And do it nicely!" I instructed.

"But Kev-"

"No buts."

AJ poked Nick in the side roughly. "Get up, dork."

My eyes narrowed as Nick moaned and turned the other way unresponsive. "What did I just say?"

AJ faced me. "You said 'what did I just say'?"

"Don't get smart with me."

He shrugged. "Would you prefer I act dumb?"

I growled. "For someone that makes fun of Nick you act exactly like him!"

"Ew! Don't insult me like that!"

I rolled my eyes. "The truth can hurt."

Brian stood. "I'll wake up Nick before you two turn this into the WWF." He shook Nick's shoulder gently. "Get up, Nicky. We have to go get some dinner."

"Not hungry....Want sleep."

Brian sighed. "I know you're not feelin' so hot, but eating might make you feel better."

"It won't if I have to get out of this bed," the youth grumbled. I found his answer hard to argue with.

"Everyone has to go," Brian explained.

Nick sat up. "Can't you tell Lou I'm sick? Please?"

I shrugged. "I tried, Nick. I couldn't get anywhere with him." I faced Bri motioning to the young teen. "Does he still have a temp?"

Brian felt his forehead. "Yeah, but it's not too bad, I guess."

AJ groaned. "Performing sick is something you have to deal with you should know that by now. So, dinner should be a snap, Nick."

Howie gently slapped AJ on the back of the head. "Who was the one whining his ass off all the way up here because he gets carsick?"

AJ crossed his arms. "Shut up, D."

Nick glared at the rebel. "Well, AJ, riding in a car is part of being in the group. So compared to sleeping on a tour bus car rides should be a snap."

I had to laugh. The kid despite his annoying tendencies had spunk.

*********************************

AJ fidgeted in the lobby. "Dress to impress?! These white shirts and tacky vests suck!"

Howie sighed. "Calm down, AJ, it's only seven o'clock now, you can take it off in about two hours."

The teen grimaced. "That's one-hundred and twenty minutes of hell."

Brian rubbed Nick's back as the blonde kept his head against his shoulder. "I thought Lou was going to be here at seven o'clock?"

I shrugged. "I dunno what's keeping him."

AJ wrinkled his nose. "If we go to dinner with Lou will we get any food? Or will he just claim it as his own?"

"AJ!" I hissed. "Bite your tongue."

"Howdy, boys!" Lou greeted his large round form walking in.

I stood. "Good evening."

He smiled rubbing his hands together. "This is a big night for us!"

"How so? Are we going to sing for them?"

"No, but they've heard your tape and now they're going to see you and speak with you."

Howie smiled. "I hope they like us."

AJ grinned. "How could they not like us? I'm irrestiable!"

"That's a matter of opinion," Brian chuckled pulling Nick to his feet. "Come on, Nicky."

Lou patted Nick's shoulder. "Come on, kiddo, you'll feel better once you get some food in your belly."

I promptly slapped AJ in the back of the head before he had the chance to comment on Lou's statement. "Don't even think it!" I mouthed.

He flicked me off as Howie led him to Lou's van.

Nick clung to Brian's side as we walked out. He glanced up at me. "Kev?"

"Yes, Nick?" I asked as I opened the van door.

"Do you have a cough drop?"

I pulled one out of my pocket placing it in his palm.

"Thanks," he whispered climbing in.

Brian sighed as he felt Nick's brow. "This should be an interesting night."

I nodded . "I have a feeling you're right."

**********************************

"This is Kevin, Brian, AJ, Howie and Nick," Lou instructed us to the stuffy management as we took our seats in the restaurant.

The man from 'Island Entertainment' extended his hand to me. "Hello, Kevin, I'm Charles Rowland." He nodded to the rest of the members. "Hi boys."

I was surprised to see how friendly the middle-aged man appeared to be. He continued speaking. "And this is my wife Linda."

The woman looked down her nose at us. "Good evening."

She looked like an aristocrat with a corncob shoved up her ass to maintain posture. She snorted. "You look like the second generation of 'New Kids on the Block'." Her gray eyes peered at me. "You look like Jonathon Knight, the short Latino is Jordan, the small blonde is Joey McInytre and-"

"Enough, Linda!" Her husband begged. "You heard their wonderful voices on the demo. The music hardly compares to the New Kids."

"Whatever you say, dear. Let's order and push this evening along."

I gritted my teeth. "We're sorry to trouble you. However, I'd like to know what you do? Is your job to move away performers before you even know them and send them to other agencies?"

Her jaw dropped as she stared at me in anger. And if looks I could.....Lou's eyes would've murdered me.

I was saved from a lecture as the waitress came to our table.

****************************

Another half hour passed with Lou trying to sell us to the man. Suddenly, I did feel a connection to New Kids on the Block......I felt like one of those damn Barbie dolls they had been turned into and set on a shelf to sell. I was surprised a price tag wasn't attached to my skin.

Lou stuffed a piece of bread into his mouth. "Kevin's a business man, like myself."

I raised an eyebrow glancing at Mr.Rowland. "I don't know if I would say that."

The man shrugged. "Nothing wrong with wanting to understand the business arrangements of your group, Kevin."

Mr.Pearlman seemed startled by Mr.Rowlands comment. "Well, he's just learning a few odds and ends. I'm still the big business man!" he bragged.

Well, he had the big part right.....

I glanced at the other members. Howie, Brian and AJ seemed more interested in their meal than in the conversation of business and Nick simply struggled to stay awake. I could see Brian gently poking him throughout the evening to awake him and not ruin the dinner and create reason for Lou gripe at Nick. The kid had been through enough for one day- we all had.

I cleared my throat. "You need to eat, Nick."

He sipped his sprite wincing. "Not hungry."

Mrs.Rowland glared at her husband becoming easily annoyed that she had been seated near the ill child. "I think we know enough now to make our decision, don't you?"

He nodded. "I suppose."

She turned to Lou smugly. "We'll let you know. Good night." She turned to me her gray eyes narrowing. "Good night, Kevin, and good luck. You'll need it."

It was beyond apparent a decision had been made from her disgusting tone. Her husband hung his head as she strolled off. "Um....I apologize for my wife. She isn't uh...feeling well."

She wasn't feeling well? Had anyone glanced at Nick? The kid looked like death warmed over.

Lou threw his napkin on the table as the couple exited. "So much for that deal."

Brian stared at the floor speaking gently. "The woman didn't seem very nice, Lou."

I crossed my arms. "Do you really want us managed by someone like that?"

"Kevin, the man was nice enough."

I nodded. "But what does that matter if his shrew of a wife is always with him?"

AJ finished his soda. "Maybe she'd be happier if they got it on more often."

Howie grimaced. "Shut up, Alex."

"Well, you have another audition tomorrow!" Lou exclaimed clapping his hands together. "Think positively."

Nick leaned over whispering in Brian's ear.

Brian patted the child's back and turned to Lou. "Could we head back to the hotel? Nick's a little tired."

Lou nodded paying the bill. "Of course! You all need sleep! Tomorrow is a big day."

"Who's more exciting about this?" I whispered to Howie. "Lou or us?"

Howie sighed. "I'd say Lou."

I stood following the group out of the restaurant to the van.

Nick shivered in the cold air clinging to Brian's side. I had to smile. Brian had only known the child a few months, but he had somehow connected to him in a way none of the rest of us could. Nick admired him and loved him like a brother. Nick looked as me as though I was the enemy. What did Brian have that I didn't?

AJ hopped in the van. "Hey, Lou?"

"Yeah, kid?"

"Are all management teams like that?"

The chubby man started the engine. "Not all, but a lot are."

I glanced at his reflection in the rearview mirror locking eyes with him. "Are you ever like that?"

He frowned. "What's gotten into you, Kevin?"

"Will you always be planning without us? Making us perform when we're sick?"

He shrugged. "That's part of the business. If you can't accept that- get another job."

Is that what I should do? Plant my ass on the next flight to Kentucky and go in the Air Force? Maybe I wasn't meant to be here.....I had never second-guessed anything in my life until now.

I was distracted as I felt someone's elbow bumping against my side. I looked up. "What are you doing, Nick?"

He stuttered. "I'm sorry, K-Kevin, I'm j-just cold."

I frowned. "That jacket your wearing is much too thin."

He shrugged. "It's only one I got right now. My family ain't rich and I've got four other siblings. I'm the oldest so I don't get hand-me-downs."

Brian stroked his hair. "We'll get you a new coat, I promise."

I nodded. "You bet we will." I began removing my coat. "Here, take this."

"Won't you get cold?"

I wrapped it around him like a blanket. "Don't worry about that. I'll be fine."

He began to lean against my shoulder but pulled away.

I gave him a small grin. "It's okay. You can lean against me, I know you don't feel so good right now." I turned to AJ. "And that doesn't give you an excuse to pick on him, McLean."

AJ gasped. "Why I do that?"

"Yes," Howie and I agreed in unison frowning.

I pushed Nick's hair away frowning his eyes as I felt his forehead. His fever had gone up and I was beginning to get concerned. "How you feelin', kid?"

He kept his eyes shut. "I just want to sleep. I'll be okay."

I raised my voice. "Lou, what should we do if Nick's still sick in the morning?"

"Just give him medicine, he'll be fine."

"I did and he's back here shaking like a leaf."

Lou kept his eyes on the road. "It's November in New York, Kevin, did you expect summer breezes?"

I took a deep breath fighting to control my temper. It was hard to trust this man at times.

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