Disclaimer: This story is fiction and does not represent the real people that might be mentioned here. If you are under 18 or if it is illegal to read this in the country where you live, the city where you are, etc. then don't. Again, this is just some fantasy I concocted in my head so don't get insulted. Also, the songs I use in my story are from the Backstreet Boys.
Author's Note: Sorry for the delay but I had some school work to finish up. This is a bit longer than the other chapters because it's one of the most important ones. After this it's all uphill. More and more exciting things are gonna happen so keep reading. I just want to thank a very special person, Z. Thanks for the talk and making me feel better. Stay as sweet as you are. So without further ado here's the story.
Chapter 10: Don't Wanna Lose Written by: "Bear"
Ring. Ring. The phone rang a couple of times on the bedside table of suite 817. The room was not overly done or lavished by any standards but was comfortable to stay in. It contained a full size bed, two bedside tables, and an adjoining TV lounge/dining area. Nick hurriedly left the bathroom with only a towel around his waist as he tried to answer the phone. "Hello!" Nick answered kind of exasperated.
"Hello, Nick?"
Nick's tone suddenly changed as he heard the person's voice on the other line. "Yeah, hi."
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I catch you at a bad time?"
Nick felt his stomach turn as he instantly felt guilt for raising his voice. "No, no I'm sorry I was just in the washroom and had to hurry up to get the phone."
"Oh..."
"Yeah, I'm sorry I didn't mean to sound mad or something." A small silence passed between them as the other didn't know what to say. "Um, did you want something?" Nick finally took the initiative.
"Uh...I was just wondering if you wanted to grab dinner with me tonight?"
Nick paused for a second and sighed. "I'm sorry but me and Brian are going out tonight. I don't know exactly what we're gonna do...maybe grab something to eat, go to a club, or just chill. I don't know exactly." Nick blabbed on.
"Oh, that's okay then. I guess I'll just stay here and grab something with one of the guys."
"Yeah, I guess. I'm really sorry but I have to go Justin. I have to get ready, kay?"
"Um...sure, bye."
"Bye."
Justin sat on his bed still kind of dazed from the whole conversation. He slowly hanged up the phone and stared into nothingness. He felt weird inside. The last week or so was so strange. He knew something was wrong but couldn't put a handle on it. Justin slowly got up from his bed and headed for the door. As soon as he got out of he stared at Nick's door across from his. Nick was right across the hall but in the last week he seemed to be a mile away. Justin just shook his head and headed down towards JC's room.
Justin knocked timidly on his friend's door. "Come in, it's open." JC hollered from the other side. Justin slowly walked in and lazily walked towards the bed. He didn't even bother to look at JC but headed for the bed where he just sighed and laid down. JC was sitting near one of the tables looking over paperwork. He was so involved in his work that he didn't even notice Justin's mood.
Justin fully aware of JC's inattentiveness sighed loudly. Justin kind of picked his head up from the pillow and took a look at JC's reaction. JC meanwhile just kept looking over documents and his work. Justin once again sighed but this time louder. JC picked up the papers he was looking over and put them all in a pile. He took a look at Justin and said, "You know Curly you're not seven anymore. You can just tell me you want to talk instead of sighing as loud as you can to get my attention."
Justin stared at JC intently before turning his back towards JC. He was disappointed at his friend's reaction. JC got up from his chair and started for the bed. "I'm sorry Just." JC sat on the bed and rubbed Justin's back. "Come on talk to me. I'm sorry, you know you can be my baby anytime, okay?"
Justin moved away from JC's hand giving JC the impression that this is important. JC lay down next to Justin and tried to pull him into a hug. Justin let JC hug him and moved him into his embrace. JC quickly tightened his embrace around Justin as Justin's back moved into his chest. "Come on now tell me what's wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong." Justin said in a pout.
"You know you're very cute when you're like this." Justin tried to break JC's hold but JC instantly tightened up. "Now come on tell me."
"Nick wouldn't have dinner with me."
JC quickly lost his embrace around Justin and sat up on the bed. "So?" JC asked with a slightly different tone.
Justin sat up too and turned around to look at his friend. "What do you mean, `so'?"
"I mean so what if he doesn't want to have dinner with you. It's probably better that way anyway."
Justin was angry and his face showed all his emotions. "Why don't you like him, huh JC? Nick didn't do anything to you."
"He might not have done anything to me but he's bad Justin." JC paused for a second to think over his next thought. "I just have a feeling, okay? He's a bad influence, Justin."
"A bad influence? A bad influence on who JC? On me?" Justin face changed from a look of anger to mockery towards his friend. "You sound like a mother protecting his three-year-old kid from the big bad wolves of the world. You're crazy, old man."
"Crazy? Crazy? Look at yourself. For the last month and a half you've changed. You've been late to almost every meeting. Nobody can find you when you're needed. You mess up on the most simple steps during concerts. And to top it all off you've been so ignorant towards everybody except Nick. You follow him around like a little lost dog playing tricks after tricks."
"So that's it? You don't like to be pranked upon. Well, JC it's a joke. I'm sorry if you can't take one but that's not my problem." Justin responded acting all cocky.
"No, that's not the problem Just. The problem is you're acting like a kid. You're almost 19 years old Just...act like you age."
Justin felt like a stake go through his heart. He almost wanted to cry at that point but he tried to hold his composure. "Act like my age?" he said almost in a whisper. "JC, I'm 18 years old experience things that people my age should have not have experienced yet. I've had to grow up so fast and so quick that I didn't even know where I was a majority of the time. I've followed your ass for the last couple of years not asking one question of why. I think I'm entitled to acting stupid once in a while. To act crazy sometimes. To make my own mistakes."
JC's stubborn side took the best of him at that moment. "Well, you would have thought after all that time you would have mature some."
"If you stop treating me like a child then maybe I will." Justin yelled back as he slammed the door as he left.
JC was so mad that he kicked his bed. He felt such anger but didn't know why. He looked at the phone that was knocked to the floor when the bed moved. He picked it up and dialed a familiar number. "Hello."
"Hello," JC said softly.
"JC, is that you?"
"Yeah, its me."
"Why what's wrong?"
JC sighed before answering the question. "Me and Justin had a fight. I don't even know why it happened?"
"How about you start from the beginning."
"I don't know. Justin's just been different the last month or so. It's like I don't know him anymore. We hardly do anything together. I guess I have been working a lot lately but I still try to make time."
"And?"
JC sighed once more. "Do you know Nick Carter from the Backstreet Boys?"
"Not personally but yes."
"Well, Justin has been hanging around him lately. Sometimes it seems like they're joined by the hip or something. They play basketball together, eat together, go shopping together."
"I don't know JC but I haven't heard a problem yet."
"Well, they've been playing pranks on the guys during this whole tour. One night they had prank phone calls keep me awake all night then finally I had to leave the phone hanging. Then the following night they had Chinese food delivered to my room every hour on the hour." A giggle came from the other end of the phone. "It's not funny. I was so exhausted."
"Come on JC, it is kind of hilarious. They keep you from doing your most favorite hobby and then the next night while doing that they have Chinese food delivered to you which is one of your favorite foods."
"Maybe it is but I just don't like Nick. I don't like his influence over Justin."
"JC," the tone of her voice change, "when I asked you to look after Justin. I just wanted someone to be there for his overall well being. He's eighteen now JC and he's doing great. I have you to thank for most of that. You've been there when I haven't been able to. But, that's the thing JC he's eighteen. He can choose who he wants to be friends with. You might not like it but just show your concern. Warn him and in the end let him have the decision. You will not always be there and as will I." Lynn paused for a second as she tried to continue her train of thought. "He's grown up faster than anyone should be let to and lost experiences that he should have had. If there's still a child in his heart that he wants to express that I'm more than happy to let him do so. And if this Nick brings out that innocence in him I'm glad Justin has meet a friend like him."
"I just don't know Lynn. I just have this bad feeling about Nick. I can't explain it but there's something there that he's just not showing. I can't read him."
"I don't know what to say either JC. You're the one there and I trust you and Justin also. Just let Justin know your feelings and warm him."
"Okay Lynn, I'll try that. Thanks."
"No, I should be the one thanking you for always being there for him. Bye, JC."
"Bye"
As soon as Justin slammed JC's door he didn't know what to do or where to go. He looked to the right and saw his room. Then he remembered Nick's room was right across from him. He didn't want to deal with that right now. There was no other choice for him so he walked to his left. His eyes holding tears that wouldn't fall and his heart crushing before his grief. He didn't look where he was going because he didn't know where he was going. He just kept walking while looking onto the ground. He bumped into something or probably someone but just kept on his way.
He found himself in front of Lance's door and knocked lightly. He heard some shifting on the other side and waited for an answer. Lance opened the door slowly looking as perfect as ever. Lance had a perfectionist side to him. He would work hours on making himself presentable. Sometimes it would be funny how early he would get up for something to get ready for it.
As soon as Lance saw the state that Justin was in he knew there was something wrong. He immediately ushered Justin inside his room and sat in a chair. "Justin, what's wrong?"
As soon as Lance said those words the tears that Justin had been trying so hard to control started to fall. He reached out for Lance and took him in an embrace. Lance tried to soothe Justin's worries and rub his back so he would stop. It took a couple minutes but Justin soon got his composure together again. Lance took a look at his friend's red puffy eyes and felt sympathy for his bandmate. "Justin, are you okay? What's wrong buddy?"
Justin sniffled a bit before answering Lance's question. "I had a fight with JC. He started yelling and then I started yelling. Then all of a sudden I stormed out of his room. And then..."
Lance once again took Justin into his arms. "It's okay. You and JC just had a little argument. You guys will be all okay tomorrow I promise."
"I don't know Lance. We said some pretty mean things to each other. Those things just don't go away."
Justin pulled away and so did Lance. "Why, what happened Justin?"
"It was all so weird, so stupid. I just wanted to JC that I was feeling kind of lonely. No, that's not the word. It's not lonely..."
"its okay Just. Take it easy. What are you trying to say?"
"I don't know." Justin stopped and tried to think what he wanted to say. "It's just that you guys have all been so busy. JC and his writing and paperwork. You and Freelance. Chris and his FuManSkeeto. And Joey, you can't even have a decent conversation with him without a girl first getting in his line of sight."
"I'm sorry Curly. I didn't know we were ignoring you."
"No, its not that Lance. I understand that you guys have things going on. I'm not mad, there's something else and I just can't get a handle on it. That's what makes it so frustrating."
"If it's not that Curly then what is it?"
"I don't know. God!" Justin put his head in his hands as he tried to think over what happened. After a while he brought his head up once again and got up from his chair. He started to pace around the room. "It all started with me going to JC's room. I just wanted to talk to him about Nick." Lance nodded his head as he watched Justin walk back and forth. "I mean you know how in the beginning I kind of hated him."
"I don't think you hated him at all Curly."
Justin stopped and looked at Lance questioningly. "What do you mean I never hated him?" Justin thought for a second and then started pacing again. "It doesn't matter. So anyways, I just wanted to talk to JC about Nick. In the start Nick really got on my nerves but then we were cool you know. We hung out and stuff. I thought we were straight but now he's like avoiding me or something. I don't know if I did something wrong or said something bad. I hardly ever get to say one word to him without him trying to get away. We haven't had one conversation in the last week where it didn't feel uncomfortable. I mean we use to talk and talk for hours about anything and nothing and it was okay. Now, our conversation consists of hello's and goodbye's and even at that it's weird."
"Curly, maybe there's something going on in his life that he has to take care right now. Maybe, he needs time alone."
"Like I called him earlier to ask him if we could get some food together. It was weird. He said he was going out with Brian and then he started to ramble. Then he just stopped and then said he had to go."
"Maybe you're just overthinking this whole thing. Maybe he was just running late and was kind of flustered."
"No, that's not it. Nick is always so cool and easy to talk to. Plus what's with the whole Brian thing? They haven't hang out together this whole tour and now all of a sudden they do."
"They are best friends Curly. Maybe now they just need to reconnect and make- up for lost time."
Justin pouted and thought, `I thought I was his best friend.'
The restaurant was dimly lit. It shared space with the rest of the hotel lobby. There was a huge bar when you entered and in the back some nice and quiet tables. Near one of the windows a table held four men having a good conversation sharing some delicious food.
"So AJ, have you gone out to check out the nightlife?"
AJ looked up from his New York steak and looked at the well-groomed man with blazing hair. "Actually Joey I really haven't had time."
Joey lightly chuckled. "If you get your ear out of your cellphone for a couple of minutes then maybe you would have some time."
The other two men at the table laughed at Joey's joke but not AJ.
"You know contrary to what you guys think I don't spend all my time on the phone."
"Yeah sometimes he's on sleeping or in a chair getting another tattoo on some part of his body."
"That's not funny D. I do a lot of other stuff too."
Knowing that something was brewing the other man stepped in. "Okay guys don't make something out of nothing. D, cool it and AJ, it was just a joke."
"So, how about you Kevin what have done since we've got here?" Joey once again asked.
"Um, me. I took some time to go horseback riding. I've kind of missed it ever since. I used to go a lot when I was little but now with the schedule and everything. It's hard to..."
"Oh God, don't let him get started." AJ let escape out of his mouth.
"Yeah, you know how old fogies are. When you get them started on a story they never stop." Howie agreed.
Kevin looked at his two bandmates a little bit hurt. "You know what I shouldn't have had stop you two. You can fight anytime you want to and next time no one's gonna stop you."
"God Kevin. Now, who can't take a joke." AJ answered. A silence passed the table as most of their conversation leaded into nothing or an argument. Finally, AJ saw two figures pass them in the window. "Now, where are those two going?"
All the guys shift and turn in their chairs as they try to get a look at what AJ was referring to. Joey answered, "Oh, I think they're going out to dinner or something."
"What?!" Kevin answered a little too loudly as he got stares from AJ and Howie.
"What do you mean?" Howie questioned.
"Brian told me that he was taking Nick out in the town tonight. Maybe have dinner, catch a show, go clubbing, don't know really."
Kevin was storming. He was so angry that he slammed his fist onto the table. Everyone looked his way as their dishes shifted at the table. "Would you excuse me for a second?" Kevin left the table not wanting his anger to get the better of him.
"I'll be right back guys." Howie said to Joey and AJ as he took off after Kevin.
"What was that about?" Joey asked.
"Hmmm Hummm" AJ said as he shrugged his shoulders.
Howie catched Kevin as he was about to go up the elevators. "D, I'm not the best person to talk to right now so I would suggest for you to go back and finish your dinner."
"Kevin, you're not thinking clearly. You're letting your emotions get the best of you."
Kevin faced Howie. "D, you know what's going to happen and I don't want pick up the pieces again."
"Maybe they're just going out to do something. It doesn't have to mean something. They can be friends you know."
"Brian doesn't think that way. He always has some ulterior motives and with Linda gone I know what he wants."
"He's your cousin Kevin. How can you say that?"
"That's the reason I can say that. He's my cousin. Linda's gone and he just wants to get his rocks off and Nick's gonna get run over in the process."
"Brian wouldn't do that."
"Wouldn't he, D? Wouldn't he?"
Kevin sat in his room waiting for the inevitable. It had been a couple of hours since the incident with Howie. He wasn't steaming as he was before but he was still mad. He knew he had to talk to Brian. It was wrong of him to do this. Brian can't use Nick's feelings against him. He had to talk some sense into Brian.
Kevin soon heard some keys rambling in the hallway and the door across from him open and close. He got up, opened the door, and knocked on Brian's door. "It's open." Brian answered from the other side. Kevin opened the door, walked in, and closed the door. Brian looked up and saw his cousin before him. "What's up Kevin?" Brian asked he tried to get ready for bed.
"Bri, we need to talk."
Brian kept on doing what he was doing and said, "Okay, shoot."
Kevin was getting angry again. He wanted Brian's attention and he wasn't giving it to him. "Brian stop. I want to talk to you."
Brian stopped what he was doing and walked up to Kevin. "Okay, what's up?"
"What the hell was that this evening?"
Brian acted all innocently and naive. "What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean?"
"Stop talking in code Kevin. If you don't say what you want then nobody's gonna get it." Brian said as he tried to walk away.
Kevin took Brian's arm and made him turn his way again. "What the hell was this whole evening with Nick, huh? What are you trying to do?"
"I'm not trying to do anything Kevin. We just went out to hang." Brian said as he tried to lose Kevin's grip on his forearm.
"I know you Brian. You're gonna hurt him again. Linda's away and you want someone to get your off."
"What the fuck Kevin how can you say that?"
"Because I know you Brian and this time I don't want to be left there again picking up the pieces."
Brian looked at Kevin intensely. He tried to look and figure something out about his cousin. "He got to you didn't he? He got to you?"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Did he suck you off Kevin? Did he give you a blowjob? He has one little hot mouth you know."
Kevin was so angry that he took Brian by the shirt and pushed him to the wall. Brian groaned as his back hit. "What the fuck are you saying?"
"Did you like it Kevin? He's a natural you know. Didn't have to teach him one thing. Did he deep throat you? He has one hot fucking mouth you know. I guess I don't have to tell you that." Kevin pushed Brian into the wall again. Brian groaned in pain. "Did you fuck him Kevin? Did you? He has one tight ass doesn't he? Whenever I fucked him it was like the first time allover again? Did it feel good Kevin? Your dick up his warm tight hole?"
Kevin was so angry he took his arms away from Brian's chest and brought his grip into Brian's neck. "Stop it. Stop it." Kevin yelled as he pushed Brian against the wall again. "You listen to me Brian. If you do anything and I mean anything to hurt him you're gonna answer to me. Not to Nick or Howie, not anybody but me." Kevin looked at his cousin with his grip around his neck. Kevin shook his head and pushed Brian into the wall one more time. "You're a fucking asshole Brian." Kevin let go of Brian as he proceeded to left the room. Brian fell to the floor as he tried to catch he breath again.
Brian thought, `I'm gonna get you back for this Kevin. I mean it. And if I want Nick I'm gonna get him and no one is gonna stop me.'