August 2000 (Day before the present)
"Nick can we talk?" Jessica asked coming into the hotel room Nick was in.
Nick glanced up from the TV,"There's a minute left in the game. Can we talk later?"
"You're putting me aside for a goddamn football game?!" Jessica couldn't believe what she just heard.
"Please don't start with me Jess ok? I've got a headache,"Nick mumbled running a hand through his blond hair.
"No we'll talk now. I don't care if you've got a fucking headache and I don't give a shit that there's one minute left in the game!" Jessica yelled turning off the TV.
Nick turned to face her. Jessica looked at him sadly. He wasn't the same person she once knew. He was sad, withdrawn, and exhausted. Jessica knew that this business had him emotionally drained.
"What happened to us Nick?" Jessica asked him softly, not quite meeting his eye.
"I don't know what you're talking about Jessica,"Nick said turning away from her.
"Yes you do,"Jessica insisted sitting next to him. "Do you love me anymore?"
"What?" Nick looked at her blankly.
"It's not a complicated question Nick. Do you love me anymore??" Jessica asked, her voice rising an octive.
"You know I do,"Nick sighed.
"No actually I really don't know anymore,"Jessica replied honestly.
"I do Jess. It's just that, my life is...it's I dunno...it's hard,"Nick said closing his eyes tightly as if to keep back tears.
Jessica touched his face. She loved him too much not to care,"I still love you Nick."
"I know,"he replied softly. He opened his eyes to look at her lovely face. "Maybe we should cool down for a little bit. I love you, I'm just on the verge of a breakdown.
Jessica felt her eyes water,"You want to break up?"
"No not break up, just chill out for a while, just so I can get my life back on track. You're the only sure thing I have and I don't want to lose you."
Jessica cleared her throat,"Ok, I can respect that."
Nick smiled a weak, tired smile then kissed her lightly,"Thanks."
Jessica nodded then stood up,"I should go. I'm going to get another room ok?"
Nick nodded,"That might be the best thing."
Jessica snuck another glance at him before walking out of his room.
"Nick you look like you could use a night out,"AJ said to him.
"No thanks,"Nick said.
"Where's Jess? I thought you two were joined at the hip or something,"AJ said sitting down next to Nick.
"We're cooling off,"Nick said not even looking at AJ.
"Cooling off? You guys broke up??"AJ asked his eyes widening.
"No, we're just...on a break,"Nick said.
"On a break? I'm guessing she didn't come up with suggestion,"AJ said, raising an eyebrow.
"Nope,"Nick said.
"Well come out to a club with me tonight,"AJ said,"It'll get you're mind off things."
"No,"Nick said turning the TV louder.
"Please?" AJ said, near begging.
"AJ go away,"Nick whined.
"Just say you'll come. You look like shit, this could be good for you,"AJ said.
Nick glared at him,"Fine."
AJ smiled,"But no women for you."
"I don't want another woman,"Nick said crossing his arms and leaning back more on the couch.
"I know. You and Jess are gonna be together forever."
"I don't know. I thought so, but things are so...so weird now. Everything's changing. Rok's going off to get married. Kevin is married. Jessica's actually talking about us getting married. It's not like it used to be with all of us. Ya know? It's just so different."
"Everyone grows up sometime Nick. We were just kids when we started this group. You were 12 or 13. Change is good. Everything changes eventually."
"I know, but why does it have to. About two years ago I wasn't sick of this business. I loved it and I was madly in love with the girl of my dreams. I'm still in love but it feels like we're already married and as for the business...don't even get me started."
AJ laughed,"It's kind of ironic. Everyone dreams about being a pop star or rock star or movie star and when you finally are one it's not a glamourous as everyone thinks."
Nick nodded, agreeing with him,"I just wish people treated me normally."
"God Nick, don't you think we all want that?"AJ said. "Anyway, don't give up with Jessica. You two were meant to be together. I know it, you know it, hell everyone knows it. I know it gets hard with work and trying to keep the relationship but when it all works out, it'll be worth it. I know you love her more then anything."
"I'm not giving up. I'm just sorta putting it aside for now. I do love her, I'm just tired of my life. I don't want to have to put her through what I'm going through."
AJ gave him a tiny smile and a pat on the back,"You've really gotten mature Nick."
Nick rolled his eyes and smiled,"Why do I feel like there's a hug coming on."
AJ grinned and hugged his friend quickly,"It's good to know you buddy."
Nick smiled then shook his head,"It's good to know you too Bone."
Later that night...
"Whoa Nick, slow down with the booze dude,"AJ warned his friend.
Nick had started with the alchohol as soon as they got there. He didn't think he was drunk. Just a little tipsy, just enough to loosen him up. "I'm not doing anything AJ. You were right. This night will be good for me." Nick looked at a tall, leggy blond that just walked past them, appreciatively.
AJ saw the look Nick gave the woman and his stomach tightened up. Why did he bring Nick here? It would turn out to be a major disaster. He didn't have a good feeling about this night. "Nick don't do anything stupid."
"Why would I do anything stupid. I'm just gonna have some fun. Jess and I are on a break,"Nick shrugged, following the blond.
"Fuck,"AJ muttered under his breath. If things got out of control he'd have to call Jessica and tell her. It be something he'd only do if things got too bad. She'd have to know, but he didn't want to be the one to tell her. It'd be partly AJ's fault for bringing Nick here. Why did he suggest this? "Ok follow Nick,"AJ said to himself, pushing his way through the crowd of people. He saw Nick attached to the blond. His arm was around her tiny waist and they were closer then AJ thought humanly possible. The blond leaned in to Nick and kissed his lips deeply. AJ's eyes widened in disbelief. Those lips had belonged to Jessica and only Jessica for the past two and a half years. He knew he should stop it but he also knew that it was too late. He was witnessing the first step of the breakup.
"I don't know what to do Leigh,"Jessica cried to Leighanne, who had just arrived back from shooting her movie. "He wants us to cool down for a little while. Did I do anything to make him feel suffocated?"
"Sweetie, it's not you, it's him. As you said, Nick's emotionally drained right now. Don't worry though he loves you and you two will be back to normal really soon,"Leighanne soothed, stroking her friend's long hair.
Jessica smiled a little,"I guess you're right."
"I'm always right. I know we've discussed this before,"Leighanne joked. The two girls laughed.
"I'm so glad you're back,"Jessica said.
"Yeah me too. Ooh did I tell you about the wedding gown?"
"NO, start talking!"
"Vera Wang is going to design my dress and all the bride's maid's dresses. We all have to go for fittings soon,"Leighanne said, excitedly, her eyes were sparkling with anticipation.
"Wow, I bet they're going to be beautiful,"Jessica breathed. Just then they were interrupted by the phone. "I'll get it Leigh."
"Hello?" Jessica said into the phone, hopping it was Nick.
"Jess,"AJ said into the phone, frantically.
Jessica laughed,"AJ are you ok?"
"Jess listen to me!"AJ practically yelled.
The smile ran from Jessica's face,"AJ what is it??"
"Oh god, Nick's drunk-"
"Is he ok???"Jessica yelled.
"Um yes, but I don't think you will be after I finish telling you what I need to tell you,"he said, his voice turning from frantic to sad.
"AJ tell me dammit! What is it?? What happened to Nick?!"Jessica choked out.
"Nick's drunk and he was all over this blond girl, they left for the hotel, I tried to stop them..."
That's all Jessica heard before she dropped the phone and ran from the room her tears blinding her as she ran, but she didn't care.
