Chapter 8
"What the hell?" Kevin moaned as he shook himself awake. He sat up examining the living room to see what had awakened him. When he came up unsuccessfully he stood making his way to the bedroom. He glanced inside to see Brian tossing from side to side restlessly as he whimpered.
Kevin gently stood over the bed shaking him. "Brian! Brian!" he begged. "Wake up!"
"Ahhh," Brian groaned.
Kevin bought his hands back to his sides wiping away the perspiration. "What on earth?" He pressed his palm to his cousin's forehead. "Aw, man! You're burning up!"
Brian took a deep breath. "I feel miserable."
"I can imagine. I'll go get you some medicine. I'm going to wake up AJ, so, he take my place in the living room and try to get some decent sleep. Then, I can keep an eye on you."
"Okay," he coughed.
"AJ, AJ...." the eldest singer whispered. "Wake up, buddy."
"Emmm...Hmmm....What is it?"
"Brian's really sick, so, you're going to switch beds with me."
"Why?" the rebel yawned.
"So, you can have a better night's sleep."
AJ narrowed his eyes. "I was sleeping just fine until you woke me up."
Kevin groaned. "Come on, just get up and go in the living room. Then, you can go right back to sleep, okay?"
AJ clutched his pillow pouting. "Okay, I guess."
"Brian, I'll be right back," Kevin assured him shutting the door.
Kevin made his way into the bathroom grumbling. "This just what I need! With my luck all four of them will be awake tomorrow night!" He clutched a thermometer and Tynelol bottle tucking them under his arm. He tossed a wash cloth and glass under the faucet turning on the cold water. "Twenty-four year-old male acting like the mother of an infant!" He stopped the water grasping his cloth and glass in his left hand. He threw open the door returning to the bedroom.
"OW!" a small voice wailed.
Kevin flinched dropping the wet cloth on Nick's face. He sighed retrieving his foot realizing he had stepped on the sleeping teen huddled on the floor.
"Oh, sorry, Nicky."
Nick rubbed his abdomen gently returning the rag. "That's okay. What's going on?"
"Brian's sick and I'm trying to take care of him."
"Oh," the blonde yawned. "Do you need some help?"
Kevin shook his head. "No, just go back to sleep."
He then returned to the bedroom. "Sorry it took so long."
Brian raised his head. "What happened?"
"I stepped on Nick."
"Poor kid. First, he has to sleep on the floor, now, he's a welcome mat."
The older man nodded slipping the thermometer under Brian's tongue. "Tough break. Youngest always gets that. You and I know that from exprience." He placed the cloth on the his relative's forehead. "Tim and Jerald would get bunk beds and I got a sleeping bag. Shitty deal, actually. At least, Nick is the oldest in his family, so, he gets a break eventually."
The thermometer sounded. "102," Kevin read aloud. "Maybe we should try to get a doctor."
"Just what I need," Brian whispered.
Kevin handed him the pills placing the glass to his lips. "Don't worry we'll get it down."
"Thanks, Kev," Brian breathed closing his eyes.
"Don't mention it. Now, just try to fall back asleep. I'll be right across from you in AJ's bed in case you need me."
Brian shook his head. "I'll be fine."
Kevin adjusted the covers on his new sleeping arrangements. "I'll see you in the morning." He smiled nuzzled himself up against the warm covers. "Peace at last!"
"OW!" Nick cried as Kevin shut his eyes.
"What now?!" the black-haired man growled throwing the covers to the side. He opened the door glancing down at Nick. "What happened?"
Nick clutched his stomach. "AJ stepped on me as he was running to the bathroom!"
Kevin gulped. "Did you say bathroom?"
"Uh huh."
"Oh no," he moaned as he heard AJ gagging. He looked toward the sky. "Couldn't you throw one thing at me at a time?"
"Who are you talking to?" Nick asked wrinkling his nose.
"God, but I don't think he heard me."
The toilet flushed and AJ cracked the bathroom door opened clutching his stomach. "I don't feel well! I want my mommy!"
"I know," Kevin sympathized wrapping an arm under his shoulders. "You want to go lay back down?"
"Uh huh," he moaned leaning against the stronger man.
Kevin dragged AJ back into the bedroom. "Here. You sleep here, it's closer to the bathroom."
AJ nodded. "But I thought I was suppose to sleep in the living room?"
"There's been a change of plans. How did you get sick so suddenly?" he wondered feeling his forehead He shrugged. "I dunno. It's the flu. These things happen."
"Luckily, your fever isn't too high. Just go back to sleep."
Brian sat up. "Is everything okay?"
"It's fine, Brian. Lie back down you have to rest and get that fever down."
He paused. "Will you two be all right on your own?"
"Yeah," his cousin assured him. "You go rest."
"You guys are sure?"
AJ nodded patting his belly. "Go away before you have it, too."
"Okay, goodnight, guys."
Kevin returned to the living room to find Nick lying on his couch. He poked him roughly. "UP!"
"Ah," Nick winced holding his stomach. "Did you have to do that?"
"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to hit your sore spot."
Nick pouted. "Could I please sleep on the couch?"
"No, Nick, I've been trying to take care of two sickies-the couch is mine."
"But people have been walking all over me!"
Kevin picked him up tossing him to the carpet. "Sorry."
"Oof!" Nick bellowed. "See if I get you a Christmas present!"
Kevin gritted his teeth. "Merry Christmas to all and to all a GOOD NIGHT!"
Nick glanced at Howie who remained in a deep sleeping trance. "That man could sleep through anything!"
"Well, I can't!" Kevin hissed. "So, go to sleep!"
"Okay, okay, Bigfoot!"
"Finally, some sleep!" he breathed into his pillow.
"AAAAAAGH! NOT AGAIN!" AJ groaned running from the bedroom.
"OUCH! DAMN YOU!" Nick complained sitting up wincing.
Kevin threw his pillow to the ground stomping on it in anger. "Why do I even bother?!"