Chapter 49
The week had come to an end and it was time for Nick to go to Las Vegas for the 1999 Billboard Awards. I had decided I would stay home. I wasn’t quite sure I was ready to be in the limelight yet. I wasn’t feeling too good lately, and I felt that it was best that I stay behind and watch the awards from home. Nick felt bad that I wasn’t going, but he understood why.
“Baby, wish me and the guys lots of luck! I hope we do good tonight!” Nick said as he grabbed his bags.
“Good luck sweetie! Y’all will do very well! I just have that feeling.” I said as I kissed him goodbye. “Give me a call after the show and we can chat!” I finished as he stepped out the door and went to the cab that was waiting.
“No problem. I love you Heather!” he yelled back.
“I love you too!” I yelled as I frantically waved to him as the cab drove off.
*** *** ***
Later that evening...
The Billboard Awards had just started and it was time for the first set of awards. I knew that the Boys were up for several awards and I hoped that they at least got one. I crossed my fingers when I heard their names announced as nominees.
“And, the winner is....’The Backstreet Boys!’” the presenter said.
The guys all jumped up and started hugging everyone. I leapt up and danced around the living room as I watched the guys make their way to the podium. I was so excited as I listened to them thank everyone. Nick stepped up the podium and started to speak. He went through a whole list of people to thank. Then, he shocked everyone with his sincere wishes to Britney Spears, NSYNC, and all the other newer groups that are sweeping the Pop world. I watched and waited to see if he would blow me a kiss or say something sweet, but to my surprise, he didn’t. I thought that maybe it was because they had tried to cut him off. After they received “Artist of the Year”, I thought he would take a second to say something, but again, nothing.
I started to feel very hurt that he hadn’t even said, ‘I love you’ in his speech.
“Maybe it is just the hormones. Oh well, maybe he just didn’t have time, or maybe he forgot, or...or...” I said out loud. I got up and started to pick up the living room before going to bed. As I was cleaning off the table, I came across the tiny box that held Nick’s wedding band in it. I had it made especially for him. I picked up the box and opened it to reveal the band inside. After I carefully removed it, I glanced at the engraving on the inside.
“~~Always and forever~~”
I just looked at it and tears came to my eyes. I was angry at Nick for not saying anything about me. I was mad that he didn’t even care to say a simple I love you. The others found a way to get it in the speech, but why not him? My emotions getting the better of me...I put the ring back in the box and threw it across the room. It fell down next to the fireplace, and there it stayed. I was so upset that I didn’t care and went to bed.
I was awoken to the sound of the phone. I rolled over and picked up the receiver...
“Hello?” I said softly.
“Hiya honey! Did you see me?? We won!” Nick yelled into the phone.
“Yeah....I did. That’s great. Congrats. I am really happy for you.” I said, with sarcasm in my voice.
“You okay hon?” He asked. “You sound upset...what happened?” he asked, concerned.
“Nothing, I am fine. I was sleeping, and I don’t feel too good, so I think I will let you go. You will be home in the morning and then we can talk. See you then.” I said into the phone.
“Okay, hon...I hope you feel better...sweet dreams, and I love you.” He said.
“Uh huh. You too.” I answered and hung up the phone.
*** *** ***
Nick sat puzzled at my actions and started to worry. He sat on the bed, looking out the window of his room, until he heard a knock at the door.
The knocking continued when Nick didn’t answer. Finally, he heard the door open slightly, and then a voice.
“Hey, Nick, are you coming? We are going to celebrate. Come on.” Brian said.
“No thanks...I am going to stay in.” Nick answered.
“You okay? What’s wrong?” Brian quickly asked.
“Nothing. I am just going to get ready and take the next flight out to get home. Heather sounded upset and I don’t know why. She didn’t want to talk, except in person, so, I am going to head out. I will see you all back in Orlando.” Nick stated, then picked up his bags and went down to check out.
Brian didn’t really understand, but he went and told the others what happened. Nick caught the midnight plane back to Orlando, and made his way back home.
*** *** ***
I laid in bed, crying my eyes out. I didn’t understand why I felt so angry. I just knew that I was. The sunlight had started to peek in through the curtains. I just closed my eyes again and decided to go back to sleep.
After a short while, I felt someone brushing my bangs out of my face and then kiss me. I rolled over to see Nick sitting on the bed next to me. He had a look of concern in his eyes.
“Hello Heather. I am glad to be back home.” Nick said softly.
“Hi, I am glad that you are home.” I said and then rolled back over, turning my back on him.
“Okay, now that is it. Heather, what in the world is wrong?” he asked, frustrated.
“What is wrong?! What is wrong??? Oh gee, let me see....You thank that hoe Britney, and those dumbass alien boys that are commonly known as NSTINK, but you can’t find the time to say a quick ‘I love you’ or something to me? And you want to know what is wrong.” I said angrily.
“Oh Heather, I didn’t mean for it to happen like that. You have to believe me, I was thinking of you the whole time. I do love you and I always appreciate all that you do for me.” He tried to make things better.
“Oh yeah...sure. You also seemed to have found the time to sniff Ms. Kathy-stick-it-up-your-butt-cuz-I-am-too-stupid-to-know-who-each-of-them-are Whatever her name is’ foot, but you couldn’t say anything to me. That is why I am upset.” I finished and then rolled over.
Nick just sat puzzled and then a tear streamed down his face. He wiped it away as he got up and walked out of the room. I rolled over in time to see him slowly walk out and quietly go and sit on the back porch. He had decided to sit at the table in the back and watch the beach. It was the only that could comfort him at the time.
I started to feel really bad about blowing up at him, so I got up and went to find him. I finally saw him sitting outside and walked up behind him and wrapped my arms around him. With a whisper in his ear, I said, “I am sorry Nickolas, and I love you.”
“I love you too, Heather.” He said softly in return.
After a short while, things got back to normal. I had decided to go and take a shower and freshen up. I left Nick in the kitchen scrounging for food. After he found what he was looking for, he walked out into the living room and turned on the tv. As he sat there, he looked over towards the fireplace and saw a tiny box laying on the floor. He went over, picked it up, and opened it. When he saw what was inside, he started to cry. He was so touched by what he saw that he couldn’t hold back his emotions. He just placed the box on the top shelf of the entertainment unit, and then went to get dressed.
I, unfortunately, had forgotten completely about the ring, and went about my business as usual. The entire next week was filled with tons of stuff to get done...