The rest of the tour Nick was a nightmare to live with. He was always in a bad mood screaming and shouting at people just because he felt like it. ‘Okay that’s it I’ve had enough of you Carter what the hell is wrong with you?’ ‘My life is just so fucked up Alex that’s what’s wrong.’ ‘What do you mean?’ ‘Your really wanna hear it?’ ‘Yeah man I mean I’m gonna kill you pretty damned soon if you don’t ease up on the damned attitude!’ ‘Okay okay I’ll tell ya but not now alright don’t want the entire Backstreet Gang to hear about it.’
‘Okay fine I’ll come to your room tonight and I want details Nick…you can’t go on like this always being a thundercloud Lord knows I don’t know you like this…and I don’t like you like this either get it off your chest man.’ ‘Yeah see ya tonight.’ ‘See ya buddy.’
A.J. was standing outside Nick’s door banging on it when eventually Nick opened it looking puffy eyed and worn-out. ‘Damn man you’re a mess.’ ‘Yeah well come in.’ Nick and A.J. sat down on his bed and Nick stared down at his hands. ‘Okay Nick wassup?’ ‘Umm…well you know maybe this wasn’t such a hot idea.’
‘Nick I ain’t leaving till you tell me now spill it. C’mon it can’t be that serious Nick it’s not like Nerine left you or she’s pregnant or some shit.’ Nick looked A.J. straight in the eyes and A.J.’s eyes grew wider. ‘What are you Alex? Some sort of Mustafa? That’s exactly what happened okay you happy now?’ ‘Damn Nick I’m sorry man. Please tell me.’
‘Well okay so Nerine phones me and tells me she’s pregnant and then I said I wanted to be there but I can’t then she said she has to break it off because it’s not just about her anymore. Okay look in a way I understand but God she just tells me I’m a father well gonna be a father and then she shoves me outta her life I don’t get it then why did she tell me in the first place. I mean I thought she was the one ya know I was gonna ask her to marry me when we got back from tour but now that’s shot to hell as well and God…Alex I can’t anymore okay I’m broke I need her and I can’t carry on without her and I don’t know what to do and and and everything this just fucked.’
Nick broke down crying into his hands. ‘Why don’t you call her? Ask how she is why don’t you tell her what you just told me?’ ‘I don’t think she wants to speak to me.’ ‘You don’t know that Nick it could have been just hormones or something.’ ‘So you think I should phone her?’ ‘Yeah man I mean she’s your girl…’ ‘Was A.J. was my girl.’ ‘Anyways whatever and point is she’s carrying your child just pick up the damned phone and call her okay.’ ‘Yeah okay I will.’ ‘So can I leave you now in hopes of seeing the old Nicky back tomorrow?’ ‘Dammit don’t call me Nicky you know I hate that your starting to sound like Howie now for heaven’s sake.’ ‘Ya know that’s more like ya.’ ‘I hate you so bad.’ ‘Yeah so do I see ya tomorrow Nicky.’
Nick glared at A.J. as he walked out the room. - Okay Nick you can do this just sit on the bed bring the phone closer then pick up the receiver and dial her damned number she can only put down the phone in your ear I mean it ain’t that bad ya know. Okay I’m gonna do this I really am. -
Nick dialed her number and waited for the familiar voice to answer the phone. ‘Hello.’ ‘Umm hi who’s this?’ ‘Who’s this?’ ‘It’s um Nick. Is Nerine there.’ ‘Yeah she is, but I seriously don’t think she wants to speak to you.’ ‘I’m sorry but who is this?’ ‘My names Michael I’m Nerine’s brother.’ ‘Oh yeah she told me about you um well could you tell her I’m on the phone and I’d like to speak to her please.’ ‘Yeah sure, hang on. Nerine!’ ‘Yeah what?’ ‘Nick’s on the phone wants to speak to you, you wanna speak to him?’ ‘Not really what does he want?’ ‘She wants to know what you want.’ ‘Tell her I wanna speak to her bout everything.’ ‘He says everything Reenie.’ ‘Okay fine I’ll talk to him.’ ‘Right she’s coming.’ ‘K thanks man.’ ‘No problem.’
‘Hello.’ ‘Hi Nerine how you doing?’ ‘Looking like I swallowed a blimp and you?’ ‘I’m shitty. Missing you.’ ‘Yeah well…so what did you want Nick?’
‘I just wanna talk to you I have some stuff to say that I better just come out and say right before this thing goes any further.’ ‘Yeah so say it.’
‘Well okay…um Nerine I don’t know why you left me but ever since you did I haven’t been able to get one night’s decent sleep I’m always finding myself crying because of you and I wanna so badly be a part of your life and of the baby’s I mean wow…I’m gonna be a dad and you like taking that away from me. I wanna be with my baby and with you I mean did you know that I was gonna…no you didn’t but that’s besides the point now. The point is Nerine that I need you in my life and I love you with all my heart and I really really really wish you’d come back to me please.’
There was a long silence and then he heard Nerine’s sobs on the other side of the phone. ‘Nerine you okay?’ ‘Yeah um just hormones emotional. Nick I dunno what to say I mean I still love you I always will but I mean and I want to have you in my life and especially in the baby’s life. You’re its daddy you deserve a chance to prove that you can do it right. Well look okay if you really wanna sort it out then come see me when you have a break okay.’ ‘Okay, I’ll see ya tomorrow then. Love you.’ ‘I love you too. Bye.’ ‘Bye babe.’
Nick put down the phone and started jumping on the bed screaming at the top of his lungs. A.J. came running inside and looked at Nick his sunglasses slightly tilted to the right. ‘Are you okay?’ ‘I’m great she said she wants to sort things out too. I’m gonna be a part of my kids life I’m gonna get the love of my life back I’m gonna be happy again!’
‘That’s great yo but listen dawg when you gonna tell the rest of Gang Backstreet?’ ‘I dunno dawg lemme first see how tomorrow goes okay then I’ll tell ya.’ ‘K but if they ask me…’ ‘I know I know you ain’t gonna lie I respect that it’s cool Bone really.’ ‘Okay check ya in the morning.’ ‘Nope sorry won’t be here flying to Tampa to go speak to Nerine.’ ‘Okay well then see you in Chicago.’ ‘Yeah see ya there. Bye man and thanks.’ ‘Only a pleasure little bro.’