**This chapter is dedicated to Kat who is the light shinning in my dark tunnel. Girl, you mean more to me than you will ever know and I'm blessed to have a friend like you.**
Kevin quietly went from room to room waking each of his band members up. Once they were all together he ushered them into AJ's room.
"Guys, I'm sorry I got all of you out of bed but this is important. We will be taking a week off starting immediately. I'm calling The Firm as soon as we finish here."
"What's going on Cous, and where is Nick?" Brian asked.
"Yeah where is the little shit? Is he late again?" AJ asked smirking slightly.
Kevin looked around at each guy. Brian in his undershirt and shorts, AJ in his wife beater and boxers and Howie in his long pajama pants and he smiled sadly. "Nick is exactly where he belongs. He is sleeping. Guys he has a problem, and we didn't notice. We, his brothers, his best friends, didn't notice. Nick hasn't been eating."
"We all go through that Kev." Howie said. "Just give him some time and he'll....."
"No you don't get it! He isn't eating at all! He's been taking diet pills, too many of them, and not eating....AT ALL."
"None?" AJ asked quietly.
"None." Kevin answered flatly. "He can't remember the last time he ate. The diet pills make him so jumpy that he can't sleep. So every night he has been going to the hotel gym to work out until he can finally sleep. He gets about an hour or two a night."
"That's it?" Brian asked. "I mean I knew he wasn't eating enough but not sleeping either? Is he gonna be ok?"
"Yeah. The doctor wants him to take a week off and to concentrate on getting well. When we get back to Florida, he'll have to seek some counselling. In the meantime, we need to eat together and ALL of us need to pay attention to what he's doing. For the next week, I'm going to be his shadow. I'm not leaving his side."
"But Kev, what about Kristen?" Howie asked.
"Kristen will just have to deal. Nick needs me right now."
"But she's your wife." AJ added.
"Yeah but he's.....he's...." Kevin stumbled on saying the words.
"He's our little bro." Brian threw in watching his cousin closely. "We all made a pact to be there for each other, remember? Nick needs us right now. More than ever."
Kevin looked gratefully at his cousin. Brian had just saved him and they both knew it. The older man wasn't thinking about his wife at all, he couldn't. A set of blue eyes were the only ones he could see. And it appeared not only did Brian know it, he approved as well.
"I need to get back in there with Nick and make sure he's ok."
"Can I come with you?" AJ asked hesitantly.
"Me too." Brian added and Howie nodded his agreement.
"OK." Kevin answered. "But no one is to wake him up, ok?" Everyone agreed and Kevin lead the way.
Nick was in his room sleeping peacefully. Brian teared up at the thought of how close he had come to losing his best friend.
AJ saw Brian duck his head for a moment and wipe his eyes. AJ touched his back gently, lending support he knew his friend needed. Brian glanced back at him and the younger man just winked. Brian gave a trembling attempt at a smile.
Brian felt AJ's hand resting on the small of his back and unconsciously leaned into the touch. It had been so long since he had been touched like that. By someone offering unconditional love and support. Leighanne was filming a new movie and hadn't been able to take any time to see him. He sighed softly as AJ's hand rubbed in small circles.
Everyone gave Kevin a hug and asked him to come and get them when Nick finally woke up. Howie offered to talk to Kristen and explain the situation to her. Brian offered to make the call to The Firm. Kevin agreed and just asked them to ring his cell phone, so the ring wouldn't wake Nick, and let him know.
As Brian opened the door to his room, AJ followed him in. "I thought you might need some company." He offered in explanation. Brian gave a small smile.
Once he hung up with The Firm, who weren't happy about the break but accepted it, AJ gathered the other man into his arms and hugged him tenderly. Brian's tears began to flow. AJ just let him cry and rubbed his back soothingly. He knew how sensitive Brian could be when it came to his friends and family. He resolved to be the rock his friend needed. Brian let go and sobbed in AJ's arms.
Hours Later:
Nick rolled over and blinked, trying to focus his eyes on the room around him. He finally realized he was in his hotel room and that Kevin was asleep in the chair next to the bed. "Kev?" He asked softly. Green eyes immediately opened and met his.
"Nick. How are you feeling?" Kevin asked anxiously, immediately sitting on the edge of the bed and taking a hold of the blond's hand.
"Sore." Nick laughed hoarsely. "You been here the whole time?" His eyes looked so hopeful.
"Only left once and that was to explain to the guys. I've been here pretty much the whole time."
"I guess they're pretty mad at me huh?"
"Nick, no one's mad at you. If anything, we are mad at ourselves for not noticing. I'm so sorry we didn't notice that you needed us Nick. I'm so sorry." Kevin's deep green eyes filled with tears.
"Aww, Kev, man don't cry over me. I'm not worth it..."
"Nick, you don't get it do you?" Kevin asked touching Nick's face gently before laying beside him on the bed. "I can't think of a better person to cry over. I've never wanted to cry over anyone else like this and I hope I will never want to again."
"That bad?"
"No YOU'RE that wonderful." Kevin answered. Nick's eyes began to tear up.
"Nick, can I ask you something?"
"Sure." Nick answered.
"When did you first fall in love with me?"
"I've always loved you, Kev. I just had to admit I WANTED you too."
"Well when was that?"
Nick blushed at the memory. "Not long ago. I uh....well...I went to uh...ask you about the schedule and when I walked into your room you were....uh...you were.. you were using you're um...you're hand."
Kevin's eyes widened and shock covered his face. "You mean you walked in on me masturbating?"
"Yeah." Nick answered blushing furiously.
"Nick that's....that's um..."
"Kev, you are the most beautiful man. I never thought a man could really be beautiful but you are perfect in every way. I just couldn't quit thinking about it. I even had some wet dreams."
"Nick, do you have any idea how erotic and stimulating that is? Thank you for telling me."
"No problem. Kev, I'm getting sleepy again, will you stay with me?"
"I won't ever leave you again, baby." Kevin said cradling the other man's body with his own. "I love you."
"Kev.....you do?"
"I do, but we'll talk about it when you wake up. Go on back to sleep." Kevin answered. Nick nodded sleepily and snuggled in closer to Kevin's body. Kevin kissed his forehead and both men drifted off to sleep.