Chapter Six: My Nipples are My Business

The phone woke me. Crap. Now I would have to roll to the other side of the bed to get it. Lucky for me they hung up after only two rings.

I snuggled back down, feeling quite a bit better than I had during my last bout of consciousness , and attempted to slip back into sleep. I was hampered by a voice carrying on a one sided conversation.

“No, he’s still sleeping, but if you don’t stop calling every five minutes....no I don’t think that’s a good....for heaven’s sake....yes.....I know....I will Kevin, as soon as he wakes up. Yes I know this is important....I see....Dr. Monsour....yea, I got that....good, fine. Yea, I have his medicines right here. Yes I checked. OK. Later.”

“Was that Kevin?”

“NICK!” Maybe I shouldn’t have creept up on Michael. Maybe I should have been more than one inch from him when I asked the question. Maybe I shouldn’t have reacted in anger and rushed into the living room without taking stock of my current clothing situation. Damn it, I was still nude.

Michael restricted his eye-contact to no lower than neck level, which I respected. He also made a gallant attempt at wiping the shit eating grin off his face.

“You cold Nick?”

“No.” I’ll be dammed if I’m going to cave first. AJ wouldn’t.

“Really?” What was he up to?

“No.”

“No you’re not cold or no you really are cold?” Don’t try and make sense out of what I say! You’ll just confuse me!

“Nick, I think you’re cold.”

“Why do you say that?”

“The hair on the back of your neck is standing up.”

“So?”

“The skin on your neck has goosebumps.”

“It does that a lot.”

“Your nipples are hard.”

“I’m going to get dressed.”

I slammed the door behind me just in time to muffle Michael’s shouts of laughter. Great. Another AJ. I threw on briefs, socks, sweats and a tee. NO part of me was going to look cold. I noticed the clothes Michael had loaned me folded in a chair. Mr. Richardson had been busy during my nap. For some reason this infuriated me further. I snatched them up on my way out.

“Here,” I flung the clothes at him. “ thanks.”

“Hey Nick, come on, I was just kidding.”

“I KNOW, I’m not that dense.” I’m not that bright either. “Michael...thanks for helping me last night and this morning, really. But I think you should know...”

“That you are a really private person and are not thrilled that Kevin and I were discussing your health problems?”

I had no comeback to that. Damn the man, be pleasant and reasonable. He’s starting to remind me of Howie.

“Something like that.” Exactly like that.

“Nick, Kevin is worried about you. And these meds...” My meds? Where did he get my meds? “This is pretty strong stuff...this must be serious.” How the hell would he know?

“Where did you get my meds?” First things first.

“They were on the bathroom counter. When I called Kevin and told him the shape you were in when I found you in he was concerned.” Let’s see, if memory serves me I was curled up in a ball on the floor. Perhaps Kevin felt a triangle would be better suited. “He asked me if there was any medication around and when I told him there was stomach...”

“How did you know that?” I need all the facts before I decide on the size of the tantrum.

“Oh, I guess there hasn’t really been time to mention it, but I’m a medical student.” Maybe that explains why he wasn’t bent out of shape by all my nudity.

“Oh.” I was at a loss for words.

“So when Kevin called your doctor..”

“HE WHAT?”

“...um...called your doctor. Nick he was really worried! He says these prescriptions are much stronger than you had before..”

“That’s my business! I can’t believe he talked to my doctor!”

“Nick,” Michael’s spoke in a soft, low tone. I guess he didn’t think all my screaming was good for my condition. “ Kevin didn’t talk to your doctor. He CALLED him and spoke to someone in his office, but when they told him that your test results weren’t back yet...” Oh God, no. “...he freaked out and starting asking questions about the tests...and then the office realized he wasn’t calling on your behalf and wouldn’t give him any more information.” Thank goodness. “Nick, none of the guys know about these tests, do they?”

“No. It’s my business.” That is my mantra. If I repeat if enough I might begin to believe it.

“Nick I told Kevin these medications are last ditch....he knows something serious is going on.” Shit, shit, shit. “Maybe you should sit down.”

“Maybe you should shut up!” Michael really does have blue eyes. It’s much easier to see them, as wide as they are now. “Sorry. I’m sorry.” I flopped down on the couch and put my head in my hands. I think better this way.

“Nick, you want me to leave?”

“ ‘s OK. I’m sorry Michael, I’m mad, not at you, just...”

“I know. The situation sucks. But Nick?” I looked up at the question in his voice. “Why didn’t you tell the guys?”

“Because..”

“It’s your business?” I had to crack a grin at that. Michael’s tone of voice was just too funny.

“Sort of. I was trying to take care of my business by myself.”

“But...the guys are your friends...right?” I nodded. “Why wouldn’t you want their help? Wouldn’t they help you?”

“Lord yes. That’s the problem. Sometimes they help too much, to the point I can’t help myself.” Michael look a bit confused, but then he didn’t have much Backstreet background. He seemed willing to learn. Michael took a seat opposite me and made a motion for me to continue. I gave him a brief sketch concerning my relationship with the guys, especially Kevin. How I joined the band so young and Kevin had to take care of me because my Mom wouldn’t and I didn’t know how. Heck, I could barely wipe my own butt when we first went to Europe.

I told Michael how much this meant to me, how much of my upbringing was the responsibility of the guys as much as (and sometimes more than) my parents. And I do appreciate all the guys, especially Brian and Kevin, have done for me. But...

“I’ve grown up and they don’t understand that. Or that I have to make my own mistakes and learn from them. If they know I’m having a problem they butt in and solve it before I have a chance. Or if they let me work on it they never like my solutions.” Never. Not once.

“I find it hard to believe they would treat you like an helpless child! What are you, twenty-one?

“Twenty. And may I remind you of the most recent example of Kevin’s “help”?” Michael raised one eyebrow. What do you know, a Richardson dominate gene. “Kevin does not like Nick’s girlfriend and Nick won’t get rid of her..”

“So Kevin will do it. Yea.” Michael’s gaze dropped to his hands. “I guess that would drive anyone crazy. But does he, do the guys, really do it that often?” I gave him my famous “do ducks have lips?” look. I think he may be catching on.

“But Nick, your health...”

“I know, I know. But really, I have it under control.” Now it was Michael’s turn to give me a look.

“So.....puking your guts out all night and sleeping on the bathroom floor are part of your health regime?” Don’t be an asshole.

“No.” I went for the polite answer.

“Nick, maybe the guys need to butt out, but I really can’t imagine...” A knock on the door cut him off. Good. Saved in the nick of time.