Author: MJ
Rated: R
Feedback: maryjennifer@webtv.net
Chapter 2"Do you guys know what's wrong with Nick lately?" Brian asked.
"Naw." AJ answered. "The kid is keeping to himself though, ain't he?"
"Maybe one of us should talk to him." Howie suggested and immediately three heads and three pairs of eyes swung to stare at the fourth person. Kevin rolled his eyes.
"Big brother time again, huh?" He asked. "All right, I'll talk to him." He sighed and stood up. A minute later he stood outside Nick's room knocking. It was quiet inside but a gut feeling told him Nick was awake. That same gut feeling had been around since he met Nick. He could always tell if his bandmate was awake or asleep or even if he was playing a practical joke. Kevin never understood his intuition about Nick, he just listened to it. He knocked again.
Nick lay quietly in his bed. In the fetal position with the blankets fisted under his chin, he rocked back and forth. "Go away." He whispered. "Go away. Go away. Go away..." It became his mantra as he repeated it.
"Nick, I know you are awake. Open the door. I just want to talk."
"Go away." Nick said louder.
Kevin heard Nick's muffled voice and frowned. The younger man sounded so lost and alone. "Nicky, open up this door right now."
"Just go away, Kevin. I want to be alone."
"I'm not leaving, Kid. Not until you open this door."
"Please, Kevin." His voice rose in desperation. "Please just go away."
"Not gonna happen, Kid. Open the door or I get the master key and open it myself." There was silence on the other side of the door for close to a minute before Kevin heard the lock disengage. The door was pulled open and in the time it took Kevin's eyes to adjust to the blackness of the room; Nick was back in the bed.
Kevin made his way over to the bed and sat at the edge. Nick moved as far away as possible and Kevin frowned again. "Nick, man, talk to me. What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I just want to be alone right now."
"No way Nick. I'm not leaving until you talk to me." He said putting a hand on his friend's thigh. Nick immediately flinched away. "Are you hurt?" Kevin asked anxiously, immediately turning on the light. Once the room was lit, Kevin jerked back the blankets and immediately scanned Nick's boxer covered thighs for any bruises. There were none.
As his eyes made their way up Nick's body, he noticed his friend was a little "excited". He gave a slight smile until his eyes reached Nick's face. He saw the tear-stained cheeks and the bright blue eyes which were currently red and swollen and brimming with unshed tears.
"Hey, Nick, man, it's ok. We all get excited at awkward times. Now talk to me. Are you hurt?" He bit his lip in concentration as he waited for the answer.
"Don't do that!" Nick moaned. Kevin just raised an eyebrow in question. "Don't bite your lip. Just don't do that."
"Ookkkay. What's up with you, Nick?"
"Look Kevin, just leave me alone....Please? I know you mean well but you aren't helping. I just need some time alone." Kevin stared into his eyes for several minutes and Nick wondered what it was that his friend could see.
"OK." Kevin answered finally. "I'll let it go for now, but if you don't talk soon, I'm gonna force you. Got me?"
"Got ya."
Kevin gave a smile and Nick sighed softly. Just the second Kevin had touched his leg had heated his blood to boiling. He was going to have to relieve himself and he knew it. But having the object of his desires giving him advice was too much. Nick couldn't do it. He'd have to settle for dreams. Anyway if Kevin ever found out he'd kill him.....right?