Brian had waited back at the hotel to try and find AJ, so when everyone stopped to eat, it was just Nick, Bree, Kevin, and Howie.

“Nick’s actually letting us see you today. I’m shocked.” Howie joked.

“Is it a crime that I missed her and wanted to spend a little time with her?” Nick was playing defensive, but he knew everyone was just teasing.

“Well, we’ve had a good time hanging out and talking.” She saw an opening here to maybe plant a seed. “I don’t know how you all can go so long on those busses, alone. I understand the privacy thing and all, especially with you and Brian being married. But, it’s gotta get lonely. I’d think you’d want to double up at times, talk, play games, write, watch movies, just something, anything besides being alone.”

Nick was looking at her with a blank look. Then he just shook his head and gave her a hug. “Yeah, I guess sometimes that would be good.” He’d play along like it wasn’t something they had actually discussed earlier.

Kevin piped in; “I’ve been kind of wondering the same thing myself lately. We’re all so detached from each other. We never know what the other is doing.” Nick knew he was talking about AJ now. “It’d be nice to do that, keep an eye on each other, talk, help.” He wasn’t saying anything specific, so Nick figured Kevin didn’t want to talk about it in front of Bree. Well that and the fact they were in a public place and it was too risky for people to over hear. Backstreet business was just that, Backstreet business.

Brianna smiled and grabbed Nick’s hand giving it a squeeze. “Well I think it is a great idea. You don’t have to spend ALL your time on the bus together, just break up the monotony, you know.”

After that conversation turned to lighter subjects. Brianna announced that she had decided on a major and that she wanted to go into Photojournalism. Maybe someone who covers sporting events or something. Nick laughed; the tomboy wasn’t completely out of her. The whole time they were talking she and Nick kept poking at each other, leaning their shoulders against each other, smiling at each other. And the whole time Howie watched with great interest.

Walking back to the busses Howie pulled Nick back a little. “So, what’s up with you two?”

“Same old thing, man. It’s great to have her back. I can’t believe we fought like that.”

“That’s not what I meant. You two seem different around each other. Something going on?” Howie smiled a little.

“D! Dude, that’s just, wrong. She’s my best friend. Damn, she’s like a sister.”

Now Howie was laughing a little. “Don’t get all upset on me. Just checkin', Nicky.”

“What ever, D. You guys are never gonna let up on that are you?” Nick smiled back at Howie as he walked away towards his own bus.

Quietly under his breath Howie said, “Not until you realize you are in fact more than friends.” Then he went to his own bus.

Bellies full, Nick and Bree decided to lie down in the back and watch movies. Bree took up her usual spot next to Nick’s side and snuggled in. As usual he laughed at her attempts to find just the right comfortable spot. “Are you done now?” He smiled at her.

“What? Just getting comfortable.” She smiled back. Just their typical banter. Both were thinking at that moment, once again, how happy they were their friendship was back on track.

“Just checking. Ready to watch the movie now?” When she nodded her head yes he pressed play.

Quiet time had always been easy between to two of them, so they fell into a comfortable silence. Neither of them was paying much attention to each other or what they were doing. Nick began playing with the back of Bree’s hair. A little bit latter she started rubbing his belly.

She had stopped watching the movie and had closed her eyes. For some reason John came to mind and she started thinking about that last kiss. Things had been pretty good between the two of them and she just couldn’t figure out her lack of reaction to his kiss.

Nick broke into her thoughts. “Bree, what’cha thinkin' ‘bout?” He asked in a whisper. He had noticed her eyes were closed, but she was still rubbing his tummy, so she wasn’t sleeping.

“Hmm? Oh, just kinda spaced out there I guess. That feels good.” Why am I afraid to tell him about John?

He kissed the top of her head. “I know, I always love it when you play with my hair. It’s relaxing.”

She looked up at him, lifted her head a little and gave him a kiss right on his jawline below his ear before placing her head on his shoulder. “I know it calms you, that’s why I do it.” She didn’t notice his sharp intake of breath. “Laying back here’s making me sleepy.”

“I know. Me too, a little. If you’re sleepy then take a nap. We still have several hours to go. We nap now, we can stay up and talk longer tonight.” He ran his fingers up the back of her hair and gave her a kiss on top of the head, this time holding her there just a few seconds longer than usual.

“Sounds good.” She said, barely a whisper, already drifting to sleep. Nick followed suit with Howie’s words repeating in his head, “So, what’s up with you two? Something going on?”

<~ Chapter 16 or Chapter 18 ~>

In the End

Karina 2003