First of all, let me just say that this is my first time writing any kind of fiction like this.
DISCLAIMER: This is a work of total fiction and is not meant to imply anything about the sexualities of Nick and Drew Lachey or anyone else mentioned in this story.
Yes it's true. Nick and Jessica are no longer together. I wish them both the best and I hope that they both find happiness again one day. Nick's brother, Drew, is married to Lea, he longtime highschool sweetheart. I wish them all the best in their marriage.
If you are too young to read this, or if Homosexuality offends you, then please don't continue any further and leave.
Other 98 Degrees stories I'd like to recommend are.
"Give Me Just One Night" by Unanoche. "69 with Jeff Timmons" by Zachary Scott Pritt "Nick Lachey" by Ken. "98 Degrees Is Hot" by Gay Night "The Reunion" by RinSong. and finally: "This Gift" by Sprout.
Now, I"ll let you get on with the story.
Enjoy.
Chapter 19
Silence filled the room. Everyone seemed afraid to speak or move.
I stood there, speechless, trying to let it sink in. Nick was asking me to marry him. but was I ready for marriage?
"Nick, I don't know what to say." I managed to get out.
Nick looked up at me, still smiling. "Well you could say yes." He said.
I looked at him and the rest of the guys as I prepared to answer him.
"Nick, I love you more than I ever loved anyone in my life. You and the guys have been wonderful to me these last few months. I've found myself friends that I never thought I'd have for as long as I live. But Nick, as much as I love you, I'm only 22 years old. I need more time to think about it. I don't think I'm ready for marriage just yet."
That answer couldn't have hurt Nick more than if I had punched him. His smile faltered and I could see hurt and anger flare up in his sexy blue eyes.
"I see." Nick said, his voice starting to rise. What's there to think about? As long as you love me, that should be enough. But obviously you don't love me as much as you say you do."
I was shocked to hear him talk like that.
"Nick.....I started.
"Forget it." Nick said, interrupting me, tears streaming down his face. "Just forget that I ever brought up marriage. In fact, why don't you just forget that I even fucking exist!"
He then started heading for the door to leave the hotel.
"Nick, Wait!" I called out to him.
He kept going and didn't listen to me. He left the room and slammed the door behind him. I collapsed on the bed and started sobbing. I couldn't understand why it was so wrong to want to wait for a while. Marriage was a big step for me. Both of us for that matter. Plus, I had some concerns about it.
First of all, the fan's reaction. Nick hadn't come out to his fans yet, which I'm sure would be disatrous if he did.
Second, we still had to deal with his family, who hadn't accepted him back into the family since they disowned him almost a year ago. Drew was the only one who they would talk to and Drew wasn't happy with the way they threw Nick out because of his sexuality and told them that he was going to stand by his brother no matter what. They weren't happy about that either and Drew moved out to support Nick. He hadn't talked to the family much since then.
I felt a hand on my shoulder as I sobbed on the bed. I looked up, my vision blurred from the tears, to see that it was Drew.
"Sean, I'm sorry." He said, sympathetically.
"How could he act like that, Drew?" I said. "I wasn't saying that I didn't want to marry him. I love him and I will want to marry him. I just think that it's too soon. We've only known each other for 3 months so far. Things are just moving too fast for me yet."
"I know you love him, Sean." Drew said. "I still don't know why he reacted that way. I guess he's just hurt and disappointed that you didn't say yes. Give him some time to cool off."
"I hope I haven't lost him for good." I wailed.
"You haven't, buddy." Danny said, coming over and putting his arm around me. "He's just hurt. Give him some time to think and I'm sure that he'll realize that he overreacted and he'll be back to apologize to you."
I was surprised that Danny wasn't angry by Nick's harsh words, earlier. But then again, I guess Danny knew that he was just hurt and didn't mean what he said. Another sign that he had grown to love Nick like a brother.
"Yeah, Sean, Danny is right." Jeff said, hugging me. I returned it.
"In the meantime, we're gonna go out for a while. Do you want to come with us?" Jeff asked.
"No." I'm gonna maybe wait for Nick and grab some lunch while I wait. You guys go ahead and have fun." I said to them.
"Alright then." Justin replied. "We'll be back later.
After saying that, he gave me another hug.
"Don't worry, everything will be alright." He said. "If you decide to join us, we'll be going back to the beach at around 4:00pm."
"Thanks, Justin." I said, as he released me. "I will join you if I feel like it."
"OK, then we'll see you later." Jeff said to me. "Ok, guys, let's get going." He said.
They all gave me one last hug and left my room, closing the door behind them.
I decided to go and grab my wallet and my cellphone so I could go out and explore L.A. I grabbed all my stuff and my key card and left the hotel. I decided that Nick could just wait for me. Until then, I was gonna see some sights. I hailed a cab and told him where to take me. Then I was on my way to my destination.
I got to where I wanted to go and I tipped the cab driver and he drove off. I took a moment to look around. The city was beautiful. I had never been to California before and decided to enjoy some of the sights. Who knows, maybe I'd even spot a few celebrities around. You never know.
I walked downtown and decided to grab something to eat in a nearby restaurant. I was hungry. Again.
So I entered it and a greeter immediately led me to a seat and gave me a menu. I looked over the menu and my eyes widened at the prices of food.
"Damn, Food sure is expensive here in L.A. restaurants, but I can afford it with the job I'm doing out here." I said to myself.
A waitress came over and asked me what I wanted. I ordered Chicken Parmagiana and a Coke for lunch. The waitress took my order and rushed off to assist another customer. I sat there, thinking about Nick and his earlier reaction when I said I didn't want to get married right away. I was totally shocked that he'd reacted that way that he did. He hadn't even given me a chance to explain why I wasn't ready. He'd stormed out before I could. I only hoped that after I had a chance to talk to him later that he'd understand that I didn't mean to hurt him.
I must have gotten pretty lost in thought, because the next thing I knew, I heard someone talking from beside me.
"You sure look like you could use some company. Do you mind if we join you?"
I looked up to see who was talking to me. My eyes widened and my jaw dropped.
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon were standing there, looking down at me, smiling warmly.
"I don't believe it!" I gasped. "Is it really you guys?! Am I dreaming?!
Ben and Matt laughed at my starstruck expression.
"No, you're not dreaming, man." Matt laughed. "It's really us."
"This is so cool." I said, standing up to introduce myself. "I'm Sean Perry." I said, extending a hand out to Ben first. He took it and we shook hands.
"It's nice to meet you, Sean. I'm Ben Affleck, but you already seem to know that." He said with a laugh.
"Yeah I do." I laughed. I then held out my hand towards Matt.
"It's nice to meet you too, Matt." I said as he shook my hand.
"The pleasure's all mine." Matt said with his trademark smile.
"So, I'll ask you again: May we join you?" Ben asked.
"Sure, have a seat." I said, smiling.
We all sat back down at my table and started talking.
"So, Sean, where are you from?" Matt asked me, with a sexy grin on his face.
"Well, I'm originally from Chicago, Illinois, but I now reside in New York." I told him.
"Do you like it there?" Ben asked me, also smiling.
"Oh yeah." I said with a smile. "I love New York. There's so much to do in the city."
"Well, I'm sure it must be hard being away from your family sometimes." Matt replied.
I cringed at the mention of my family and my face fell. Ben and Matt saw this and got concerned.
"What is it, Sean?" Ben asked, his expression showing worry in his eyes.
"Yeah buddy, did I say something wrong?" Matt asked, worried as well.
"My parents are dead. They died in a car accident 4 years ago." I said, sadly.
"Shit man!" I'm sorry!" Matt gasped, horrified.
"That's ok, Matt, you didn't know." I said. "But do you want to know what the worst part about their death was?"
"What?" Ben asked.
"I never got to make up with them before they died. We had a major fight and they threw me out of the house for a few days. A couple days later, I went back to the house and their car was gone. I entered and checked their messages. There was a call from my former boss, telling me that my parents were dead."
"I'm sorry, Sean." Ben said to me, putting a hand on my shoulder. "I know that had to be rough on you."
I smiled at his gesture of comforting me. Then Matt asked me the one question that made me have to tell them everything.
"What was the fight about?" He asked me.
"Alright, I'll tell you. First I want you to know that there's something that I'm gonna mention in the story that's really intense and might make you guys think differently about me once you find out the truth."
"You mean that you're gay?" Ben asked me.
I looked at Ben, shocked at his bluntness.
"How did you know?! I asked in surprise.
"What can I say?" Matt and I must have good gaydar then." Ben laughed.
My eyes widened in surprise. "You mean-"
"Yep." Matt said. Ben and I are gay too. We're a couple as well."
"Cool. And don't worry, I'm not gonna run to the tabloids or anything. I'm not like that." I said to them.
"We didn't think you would." Ben said. So, is that what you fought about with your parents a few days before they died?" He then asked.
"Yeah." I said. Actually 6 months after high school, I'd broken up with my ex-girlfriend, Sarah. It wasn't working out between us. I'd realized that I was gay and told her that she deserved to love someone who would love her back the way she deserved to be loved. Anyway Mom and Dad found out about it and were shocked. Dad took it even harder and asked me why I broke up with her. I told them that I was gay." I said, then added.
"I'm actually bi but I like guys more, Anyway, they were both shocked. Dad went ballistic and threw me out of the house and I was forced to stay in a hotel for a couple days. Then the day I came back, I found out that they were dead." And I never had a chance to make up with them." I finished and broke down, sobbing.
Ben and Matt got up and knelt by my chair and both of them pulled me into a hug. I accepted their comfort and calmed down.
"You alright now?" Matt asked. I noticed that he had tears in his eyes as well. So did Ben.
"Yeah, thanks for your comfort guys. I really needed it." I said, giving them both a smile of appreciation.
"No problem. We're glad to help." Ben said, wiping at his eyes.
"How about we talk about something else now?" Matt asked as he and Ben sat back down in their seats.
"Gladly." I said. "What do you want to talk about?"
"Well for starters, What brings you out to L.A.? Matt asked.
"Well actually I'm here on tour with 98 Degrees." We're in town for a little bit."
"No way!" Matt whispered. Then a devilish grin crossed his face.
"Which one of them are you seeing?" He asked.
Just then the waitress appeared with my food and then proceeded to take Ben's and Matt's orders. Surprisingly Ben and Matt decided to have what I was eating and the waitress went to get their orders.
"I don't think I should tell you just yet, guys. I should get permission from "him" and the rest of the guys first before I tell you who it is." I said to him.
"Alright, that's cool. We understand." Ben said. "Just know that whichever one it is, we won't tell anyone."
"I know you won't." I replied. "I trust you guys."
Ben and Matt both smiled at me. I felt very relaxed around the two of them. They were both so friendly and easy to talk to. I then decided to talk to them about their movies.
"By the way, I loved you two in "Good Will Hunting." I said to them with a grin. "That movie was awesome."
"Thanks, We're glad you enjoyed it." Ben said.
"And congratulations on winning the Oscars for it too." I continued. "I was amazed when I found that you both co-wrote it too."
"Yeah we did." Matt said, rolling his eyes. "And let me tell you, it wasn't easy."
Before he could go on, the waitress returned with their food and drinks. and we started eating.
"I'll bet." I laughed. "Dogma was also good too. That was the first time I'd ever seen you two play bad guys, and Ben, you were so psychotic in that movie, that you totally scared the shit out of me."
Ben started laughing his ass off and Matt wasn't far behind him.
"You noticed that too?" Matt asked between his laughter.
"Yeah, but I mean it in a good way." I said. "You both were awesome in that movie. I know I'd love to star opposite you guys in a movie one day."
"You want to be an actor? Ben asked in surprise. "You never mentioned that."
"Well you didnt ask me until now." I said to him, laughing.
"How long have you been interested in acting?" Matt asked, while taking a bite of his chicken.
"Actually for a couple of years now." I said. "I just haven't had an opportunity to pursue it yet."
Ben then put down his fork and looked at me.
"Would you like to audition for a role in our next movie that's being cast in a few months? He asked me. "Matt and I could talk to the producers and casting people and recommend you for something."
I started to get excited. I couldn't believe it! Matt and Ben were both willing to help me start my dream of becoming an actor. I couldn't believe that it had been only an hour since I'd met them and now we were talking like we were best friends and about me becoming a major player in one of their films.
"You'd do that for me?" I asked, excitedly. Then my smile faltered.
"But you two hardly know me. I couldn't ask you to do that." I said to Ben.
"Nonsense man, We'd be glad to help you get your start in the business." Matt said.
Well thanks guys. I'd really be grateful if you could help." I said, smiling.
We finished eating and the waitress came to our table with the bills. I looked at my watch and noticed that it was almost 4:00 p.m.
"Oh no, I've gotta get back to the hotel and change. I'm supposed to meet up with the guys in case I wanted to go out with them tonight." I said, standing up.
Ben and Matt both stood up with me.
"Alright. Why don't you give us your address and phone number so we can contact you when it's time to start casting for the movie?" Ben suggested.
"That's a good idea." I said. "I'll give you my cellphone number too."
I got out a pen and wrote my home address and phone number on one of the copies of my bill that the waitress had given me. I also added my cellphone numbers to it. I handed it to them when I finished and they handed me their copies of their slips with their addresses, phone numbers, and cellphone numbers on them as well.
"Well I've got to go pay my bill and leave." I said.
"Ok, you take it easy." Ben said, embracing me in a hug.
"I will, Ben." I said.
He released me and I hugged Matt next.
"You take care, Matt." I said to him.
"You too, Sean." He said. "We'll be in touch."
"Yes we will." I replied to both of them. "Can I come and see you two later if we have time?" I then asked them.
"Sure, you can come by anytime." Ben said. "Matt and I live together in the Hollywood Hills. It's so quiet and peaceful up there."
"OK. I gotta go. I'll see you both soon." I said.
Matt and Ben both said goodbye as I headed up to the cashier. I paid my bill and left the restaurant. I hailed down and cab and got in. I told the driver to take me back to the hotel and he drove towards the hotel.
As the cabbie drove, I thought about my meeting with Matt and Ben. I was so surprised that they came over and talked to me. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I'd run into them today. But I did. and I got to talk to them and have dinner with them too. Now I had two new friends. Life seemed to be getting better and better. I couldn't wait to tell Nick and the guys about it.
The cab stopped in front of the hotel and I paid the driver and headed up to my room. I hoped that Nick was back and ready to talk. I know I was.
I rode the elevator up to my floor and walked down the hall to my room. I got out my key card and swiped it through the door. The light turned green and I opened the door.
Nothing could have prepared me for the sight I saw before my eyes.
Well that's all for this chapter. Stay tuned for Chapter 20 coming soon.
"What happens next?" Oh, if you only knew!
slpwriter