That guys had a show that night, and Leighanne and I were going to go watch it, along with AJ’s girlfriend, Amanda, who had been with them since the beginning of the tour. They went over to the arena before us, since the three of us still had to get ready.
**Backstage—Before the show:**
AJ and Howie were in an intense game of pool while Kev was in the corner talking on his cell phone. Brian thought that this was a perfect time to talk to Nick:
“So, now that she’s here, are you going to talk to her?” Nick sighed:
“I don’t know, Bri. I don’t know how to just come out and say it, you know? I don’t think she has any of those sort of feelings for me.” Brian patted his friend on the shoulder:
“It’ll all work out, Frack. Just gotta have a little faith.” AJ walked over to the two best friends, after he successfully beat Howie:
“Yes. I am the master! Anyway, what are you guys talking about? What’ll all work out?” Brian answered quickly:
“We’re just talking about how much our lil’ Nicky here is in love with a certain blond-haired, blue-eyed beauty named Katelin.” Nick shot a glare at Brian:
“BRIAN?!!” AJ started laughing:
“You think this is news to me, Nicky boy? I’ve known this since, hmm..let me think, uh, basically since the day that we met Miss Katelin. It was just confirmed today when all you could do was stand there with your mouth hanging open like a fucking dog.” Nick glared at his two friends, while they laughed hysterically:
“I’m glad you guys think that my love life, or lack there of, is amusing. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to drown my sorrows in my Nintendo.” With that he got up and walked over to where his precious video game system was set up.
Leighanne, Amanda, and I arrived about an hour later as the boys were doing their meet and greet with some of the fans. I sat down and got talking to Dave, another one of their body guards. He was really sweet, not to mention incredibly hot. I turned on my flirt mode very quickly. We were so deep in conversation that I didn’t even notice that the other guys had walked in. I started laughing at something that Dave said when I glanced up and saw Nick shooting me death looks from across the room. I gave him a weird look and went back to talking to Dave.
**** **** **** **** **** ****
After the show, I was totally and completely exhausted. I think we all were. I rode back to the hotel with Nick, Dave, Brian, Leighanne, Howie, and Eric while everyone else was in the other van. Nick had not talked to me since before the show even started. I glanced over him and noticed that he was staring blankly out the window. I reached over and touched his arm:
“Nick, what’s wrong?” He shrugged my hand away:
“Nothing.” I looked at him strangely:
‘What’s up with him? He’s been acting really weird ever since I got here. Whatever.’
Once we arrived back at the hotel, Nick, Brian, Leighanne, and I dragged ourselves up to the penthouse. Brian and Leighanne went straight to bed. I followed Nick into his room:
“Where should I sleep?” He shrugged and sat down on the bed, not looking at me:
“I don’t care. Wherever.” I went over and knelt before him, making him look right at me:
“Okay. Spill it. What is wrong with you? You’ve been acting strange ever since we got to the arena.” He stifled back a yawn:
“Like I already told you, nothing’s wrong. I just need to go to sleep. I’m really tired.” I gave him yet another odd look and then grabbed my pj’s to go change in the bathroom. After I was ready for bed I went back out and it was his turn to use the bathroom. I watched him slam the door and then I rolled my eyes and laid down on his bed.
**Nick’s P.O.V**
I walked out and saw Kate laying there on my bed, asleep. She looked like an angel:
‘Why can’t she see how much I love her?’
I sat down next to her and brushed her hair off her forehead. I was being an ass to her and I knew it but I was so jealous of the way she was flirting with Dave. Why couldn’t she act like that towards me? I wanted to tell her how I felt about her so badly, but I didn’t know how. I know that she thinks of me as a best friend and nothing more. Ugh!!! This is so frustrating. I glanced down at her once again:
“Good night Kate.” I laid down next to her and pulled her into my arms. In her sleep, she snuggled up close to me. I kissed her, lightly on the forehead, and then drifted off into sleep.