"Nick, you gotta stop this. You shoulda seen how upset Jessica was when we told her about this,"AJ said to Nick who was sitting in the conference room of the recording studio in New York. They were all waiting for the meeting to get started with their managers and record label about Black and Blue.
"What are you talkin about?"Nick asked AJ tiredly.
"This partying. We told Jessica,"AJ said.
"That's none of her business anymore AJ,"Nick said looking away.
"Go find her Nick. She needs you,"AJ said quietly.
"So doesn't need me,"Nick replied, looking down, playing with his hands. "When did you see her?"
"The other day. She's looks really good, but inside she's falling apart,"AJ told him. Nick looked up.
"Does she still love me?" he asked hopefully.
"Loves the person that she was with then. I'm not sure she's going to love the person you're becoming,"AJ said.
"I don't want to talk about that. Does she look really good."
"Dude she looks hot. She cut her hair and dyed it blond,"AJ said, smiling.
Nick scrunched up his nose,"Blond?"
"Maybe she took notes from you,"AJ teased.
"Hey! That was a long time ago! Besides, look at you. You dye your hair a different color every week."
"Well that's my personality, what's your excuse?"
"AJ would you just be quiet. I have a headache,"Nick whined.
"Not my fault you were out partying. You knew we had to be here early,"AJ said with a shrug. "Did you bring anymore women back to the hotel?"
"None of your goddamn business!" Nick snapped.
AJ just shrugged again,"You're just going to end up hurting the one person you love even more. She's already hurt enough Nick. Doing this is just kicking her while she's down. You didn't need to add more wood to the fire."
"She would've never known if SOMEBODY didn't go around tellin her about it,"Nick said, annoyed.
"Don't you think she has a right to know that you're digging yourself deeper into this hole."
"Would you stop with the friggin metaphors."
"Sorry, I forgot that you get confused easily."
"SHUDDUP!"
AJ just smirked as the rest of the Backstreet Boys stared at the two of them curiously.
"What's going on?"Kevin asked sternly.
"Back off Kevin!"Nick snapped angrily.
"Nick what's wrong with you?"Howie asked.
"Nothing's wrong with me! I'm sick of everyone thinking there's something wrong with me. This is bullshit!"Nick yelled and got out of his seat abruptly, almost knocking it over and stormed from the room.
The rest of the guys turned to AJ and Brian said,"That's it, push him over the edge."
"Yo, I did not push him over the edge,"AJ defended.
"You know what this about? This is about her,"Brian accused.
"This isn't about Jessica!"AJ yelled.
"You think we didn't see you kiss her the other day!" Brian yelled back.
"So what? So I kissed her! Big fuckin deal! At least I didn't hurt her like Nick did!"
"That's not your problem! If you knew what was best for her and him you'd back off! You just want her for yourself."
"That's fucking bullshit and you know it!"
"It isn't!"
"YO!! That's enough! When did Nick and Jessica's problem start becoming YOUR problem,"Kevin yelled to Brian and AJ. "If AJ likes her who cares? God Brian, let it go. You're not helping anything! Just LET IT GO. Do you know how stupid you guys sound right now? You sound like goddamn children! Stop butting into their business. They broke up, stop dwelling over it. If they wanted to get back together they would. You don't need to put your two cents in. If you were smart you wouldn't even bring it up!"
Kevin was angry and AJ and Brian were beside themselves.
"Yeah your absolutely right,"AJ replied then faced Brian,"I'm sorry man."
"Yeah me too. We acted stupid,"Brian agreed.
"Who wants to go get Nick?"AJ asked.
No one volunteered and AJ rolled his eyes,"Fine I'll go. If I don't come back in 10 minutes go search for my body ok guys? Nick might be in a dangerous mood."
The guys groaned and AJ grinned at them,"Remember,ten minutes..."
"AJ just go,"Howie said.
AJ got up and walked out of the room. He wandered down the hallway mumbling to himself,"Why did I volunteer to do this?? I have no idea where he went." He squinted and saw a figure down the hall, sitting with his head down outside a recording studio. He walked further and it was clearly Nick. AJ approached Nick and without even looking up Nick said,"Just go away ok?"
AJ slid down and sat next to him on the ground,"You need to talk to someone Nick."
Nick lifted his head and AJ could see his eyes were glassy and red around the edges,"Why does it hurt this bad?"
"Love sucks doesn't it?"AJ half joked.
"Only when you get hurt,"Nick replied. "I love her so much AJ. I can't get over her. I never ever will."
"Maybe not,"AJ agreed. "But she needs you too."
"Maybe but she won't come back to me. She doesn't know how sorry I am,"Nick said shaking his head sadly.
"I think she does, but I think she just wants to give it time,"AJ replied.
"I love her,"Nick whispered. "Tell her for me ok?"
"Sure will,"AJ nodded and sighed,"Nick I did something really stupid."
"What'd you do?"Nick asked curiously.
"I kissed Jessica,"AJ replied,"In a way it felt wrong because I know she's still in love with you, but I could'nt help myself Nick. She was just so beautiful standing there and I just sorta did it."
"You kissed her? Like kiss kissed her?"Nick asked.
"No like fake kissed her Nick. Yes kisskissed her,"AJ replied.
"I feel pissed off but I know I shouldn't be,"Nick replied then said with a slight smile,"You know, kissing her is like kissing me."
"Eww geez Nick, I didn't need to hear that,"AJ replied, scrunching his nose up then got serious,"So are we cool now?"
"Yeah I guess, but I need her back. I can't go on without her with me,"Nick said seriously.
"You'll see her in a few weeks for the wedding,"AJ said.
"It'll be so weird,"Nick sighed.
"It might but you never know what's going to happen when you do see her again,"AJ pointed out. Just then one of the executives from Jive came walking down the hall.
"Let's go boys. What do you think this is? Social time? We've got a tight schedule here,"he scolded.
"Sorry Jerry,"Nick muttered and the two of them got up and followed him back to the conference room.
"Thanks AJ. You were right, I did need to talk,"Nick said. "So will you help me get her back?"
"I'll do my best Nick,"AJ said with a small smile. "I really do hope you get back together."
"Yeah me too,"Nick replied. "I need her."
"I know you do man,"AJ nodded.
"So I was thinking of wearing my hair down and curly for the wedding,"Leighanne said to Jessica showing her a picture of what she meant.
"That looks pretty,"Jessica said softly glancing at the picture.
"Are you ok?" Leighanne asked.
Jessica nodded,"Do you think things will be ready in time for the wedding?"
"Yes. The dresses are being made as we speak, the flowers, the food, the napkins, the plates, the silverwear, the photographers, the rooms, the hotel, the church, the silverwear...everything...it's all taken care of. That's why we hired a wedding planner,"Leighanne smiled.
"Look at you. You're glowing,"Jessica grinned.
"I'm marrying the man of my dreams with the wedding of my dreams. I'm just so happy Jess. I don't think I've ever been more happy in my life,"Leighanne replied.
"The wedding is so soon. You're going to be a wife,"Jessica smiled.
"And I'm going to make sure I'm a damn good one. I waited for Brian to ask me to marry him for a year and our future is going to be perfect,"Leighanne said.
Jessica laughed,"And it will be don't worry."
"Are you scared about seeing Nick again?"
"Shitless."
Leighanne and Jessica both laughed at Jessica's comment even though it wasn't far from the truth and they both knew it. Jessica wanted to see Nick again desperately, yet she didn't. She thought it would be better if they didn't see eachother but there was no way around it.
