Chapter 21

It had been two months since Leighanne and Brian had lost the baby.  Remarkably, with prayers and heartfelt wishes sent from all around the world, the two of them were able to move on.   While it seemed as if their personal lives were turned upside down, their careers seemed to be soaring.  Ever since their third album was released, they had been going non-stop and hardly had time to think about anything else.

“Hey Nick, what are ya doing in there?” Liz asked from the front of the bus.   They were on their last week of the current leg of the tour, and they finally had one day to just relax.

“Hey babe…me and Katie are watching our favorite movie.” he said quietly, so as not disturb his precious little daughter.

“Tarzan!!” Katie hollered out.

Liz walked into the small tv room where she saw the two of them cuddled up together and singing softly.  “You’ll be in my heart…yes, you’ll be in my heart, from this day on, now and for ever more…”

“My mommy liked this song…dadda told me.” Katie said quietly as a lone tear made its way down her father’s cheek.

Liz knew that when Katie and Nick had their alone time, it was best to not disturb them.  It was the times that the two of them could sit quietly and remember the past.  Although Nick loved Liz very much, he would always have Heather in his heart, like he promised, and made time for him to tell Katie all about her.  When the movie was over, he would sit down with the journal that she wrote, and read her a new entry.  It was a tradition of sorts.

Their quiet meeting was soon rudely interrupted by the sound of two people yelling.

“Get the hell outta here and leave me the fuck alone!  What the hell did you DO it for??!!” a man’s voice shouted.

“Because you refused to see things MY WAY!!!” the girl cried.

Suddenly, AJ burst onto the bus screaming obscenities at Brianna.  “Get the fuck away from me you slut!  I can’t believe you did that…just back off!” AJ shouted again.

“Hey, who the hell do you two think you are?  This is MY bus!  And…don’t you DARE use that language around my little girl, ever again…DO YOU UNDERSTAND!?” Nick shouted to get the others’ attention.

AJ and Brianna just turned at looked at Nick, who was holding Katie in his arms.

“Dude, can I bunk in here tonight?  At least until we can get rid of this bitch?  We can dump her off at the next town, and leave her ass to rot in hell.” AJ muttered.

“I warned you about the language…not in front of Katie.  Now what in the world is going on here?” Nick asked in exasperation.

“Look, that little slut over there…” AJ started…

“Who are you calling a slut, you crack junky!” Brianna yelled back.

Nick immediately handed a crying Katie over to Liz and asked them to leave the bus.  “Hon, I will be out in a few minutes.  Why don’t you go and see if you can sit with Brian and Leighanne for a bit…at least until I get these two calmed down.” he said as he kissed her softly and then helped them down the steps.

Nick turned around, anger and fire in his eyes.  “Who the hell do you two think you are?  You had NO right to come marching onto MY family’s bus, shouting and stuff?”

“Hey, she started it!” AJ pointed, loosing his temper.

“Yeah, well, if he had just taken the time to see the situation my way, then I wouldn’t have had to do it.” Brianna cried.

“What are you two TALKING ABOUT??!!”  Nick yelled.  “What situation?  I thought everything was going okay between you two for once!”

AJ and Brianna both looked at each other, hate and fear both in their eyes.  They were afraid to say what the problem was…both for their own reputations, as well as their well-being.  Brianna finally got the nerve up to say something.

“It was ALL his fault.” Brianna cried.

“Oh please…it takes TWO to tango honey.” AJ retorted.

“Yeah, well getting me drunk on champagne wasn’t the best thing now, was it?!” she yelled back.

“Woah, am I to understand that you two slept together?” Nick questioned.

“Oh gee, you’re a real rocket scientist today Nicky-poo.” Brianna teased as Nick became red in the face.

“Hey, don’t you insult my friend you little bitch.” AJ looked sternly at her.  “And Nick, it’s not like it is a big secret…it’s been going on for ages.” he murmured.

Nick wasn’t shocked at the news, he was more confused by it.  “So, if that is the case, why are you two fighting?”

“Because, that asshole over there got me pregnant.” Brianna said in anger.

“And, what is soooo bad about that?  It’s not like there already isn’t a Backstreet baby…don’t worry.” Nick offered.

“That is not the problem Nicky…I didn’t WANT children, and I NEVER do!  And AJ knew that!  And, yet, he still made sure that I would lose the battle!” she cried as she ran out of the bus.

Nick and AJ looked at each other nervously.  Nick wanted to ask, but was afraid.  However, AJ could tell with the look on his face that there were more than just questions.

“Look Nick, before you start playing the all knowing father type, let me say one thing.  NO, I didn’t force myself on her…and I certainly didn’t mean to get her pregnant.  But…it’s okay…you don’t have to worry about anything ruining the groups’ image…she went and got an abortion already…” AJ said as he stood up and walked silently out of the bus.

Even with AJ’s back turned to him, Nick knew that AJ was trying to hold back more than anger…he was holding back tears.
 

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