Chapter 42

“Nickolas Gene Carter…I can’t believe you are suggesting that!” Kevin said angrily.

“It’s it what we have ALL been feeling the past six months?!  I KNOW you feel the same way!” Nick quickly replied.

“Yes, but you know we can’t do that.  To me, it’s seems like you have a death wish!” Kevin shouted back, while AJ, Howie and Brian looked on nervously.

“Come on, even Howie and Brian feel this way!” Nick shouted, pointing towards them both.

Howie and Brian threw their hands up in the air.  “Don’t blame us!” they retorted.

Nick looked at them all, feeling defeated.  He knew that they wouldn’t go with the idea, but he had to try.  This was their lives he was talking about.  He couldn’t take the stress anymore.  He couldn’t do it alone anymore.  He felt like his life was being drained from him, and he couldn’t understand why the group didn’t see that.

“Look, just think about it, okay?  I know it’s a lot to ask, but maybe it is the best thing.  Please.” He begged as he got up from the conference table in the hotel.  He quietly left the room, leaving the other sitting there staring at each other.

“Kevin, he has a point.” Brian said softly.

“I can’t believe that you would want to go along with him.” Kevin said sadly.

“Kevin, we have been doing this for what, 10 years?  He’s just tired, that’s all.” Brian sighed.

Kevin knew Brian was right.  The guys were exhausted.  They had given 10 years of their lives to the Backstreet Boys.  They didn’t know anything else.  And now…they all wanted so much more.  Why couldn’t they just admit it?

“Kevin, he’s not asking for all this to end…just a break.  Just some time for his family.  Hell, I wouldn’t mind it myself.” Brian confessed.

Kevin looked at Brian.  “So, you want this too?”

“Yeah, I guess I do.  I have a baby on the way.  And, I don’t want to miss out on that.” He answered.

Kevin then looked to Howie.  “And you D?  What do you want?”

“I want to spend time with Kat and Kirstie.  I love them both very much.  I still have a wedding to work on too.” Howie said, lowering his head.

“J?  What do you want?” Kevin asked AJ.

AJ looked just as frustrated as Kevin.  He didn’t want anything to change.  He was happy with his life, and he was happy when he was on stage.  His life wasn’t as complicated as the others.  He was the only one who wasn’t married or on the way to being married.  He was a single, fun loving guy who wanted nothing more than to be up onstage with millions of girls screaming for him.

“I am with you Kevin.  I don’t want this to go away.” AJ said honestly.

“Okay, so we are 3 to 2 here.  I think we need to come to a compromise.  What can we do?” Kevin asked.

Howie, Brian, and AJ looked at each other.  Howie finally spoke up, wanting to suggest something that had been in his head for a long time.   “Umm, guys, I have a small idea.”

They each turned and looked at him, and then watched curiously as he got up from the table.

“Okay, we have, what, about 15 songs that we could put on an album, add a new song or two, and then release it.  That could buy us some time to think up a new album, work on it, record it…and then talk about if we want to tour or not.  I don’t think Nick was suggesting we never sing again.  That’s not it.  I think he is just sick of always being on the road.  He wants to have time to watch his daughter grow up.  And I can agree with that.  So, what do you all say?” Howie offered.

Brian and AJ’s eyes lit up.  “So, you are saying, release a greatest hits album, and that will buy us some time to work out more details?” J asked.

“Well, yeah…sort of.  But don’t call it a greatest hits album.” Howie said softly.

Kevin sat up, coming up with an idea.  “I got it…why don’t we call it Chapter One?” he asked with a smile.

Howie, Brian and AJ looked at him with a grin.  “Yeah…that’s good.  You know…it’s the first chapter of our lives…and now we can move on to the next chapter.” Brian smiled.

“So, Chapter One it will be.  I’m gonna go find Nick.  He needs to really be a part of this.” Brian said, jumping up and running up to Nick’s room.

*** ***

Nick was in his room, playing with his video game.  The girls were taking care of the kids, so, he had some time completely to himself.  He was just in the middle of kicking the enemies butt when he heard a knock on the door.  He paused the game, and walked slowly to the door.

“Brian.” He said softly as he opened it for his friend.

“Can I come in?  I have something to tell you.” Brian said.

“Sure…want something to drink?” Nick offered.

“Naw, I only got a minute or two.  We are needed downstairs in the conference room again.  But we all came up with an idea.  And before you go down there, I wanted to talk to you about it.” He said brightly.

Nick listened intently as Brian explained all the details.  To Nick, it sounded great.  It would give them some quiet time, time in the studio (which is something he really treasured), and time with his daughter.  Everyone seemed enthusiastic with the idea, now it was just time to act upon it.

“SO, what do you think?” Brian asked.

“I think it sound awesome!  And…there are still bunches of songs we recorded, but never made the album.  So, we can put a few of them on there.” Nick said, rubbing his chin.  “YEAH!  Let’s do it!” Nick said, jumping up and hugging his best friend.  “So, who actually came up with the idea?”

“Howie.” Brian replied.

Nick ran out the room and down the stairs as fast as he feet would take him.  He was so excited by the news, that he ran into the conference room, and over to Howie.  The next think you knew, Nick was planting a big kiss on Howie’s cheek.  “I LOVE YOU DUDE!” Nick said, startling Howie.

“So, I guess Nick likes the suggestion.” Howie laughed.

Brian walked in the room laughing uncontrollably, while Kevin and AJ joined in too.

“So, it’s settled…” Nick said, with a huge smile on his face.  “Why don’t we tell the fans on Monday at TRL?”

Everyone nodded in agreement and the meeting finally ended.  It was only a few hours to show time, so the boys went back to their rooms to gather their things and get a little rest.
 

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