Brian trudged over to the large banquet room. This was the part he dreaded. The last thing he wanted to do was talk to Nick - or any other Backstreet Boys. But no matter how much his brain told him to turn around and leave it all behind, his legs walked him to a table.

Howie and Rena made a couple of toasts before letting everyone do their thing.

Brian knew the meeting would be unavoidable, so he decided to get it over with. He walked over to Kevin's table and had a quick conversation before pulling Kevin away. Brian found Howie mingling with some relative of his. Brian only had to clear his throat and nod for HOwie to understand.

They found AJ easily, he was standing on a chair, entertaining a large table with jokes and stupid puns with his back to the three men.

Brian called AJ's name but he didn't respond. He tried again. Nothing.

Kevin gave his cousin a knowing look. He practically yelled, "Yo, Bone, over here, bro!"

AJ flipped around and saw them. He smiled and said with a mock-Mexican lisp, "Okay, man, give a sec."

Brian ignored AJ and tried thinking about something else. He was having mixed feelings about Nick not being at the wedding. One feeling was overjoyed, the others were upset. Brian knew no matter how he tried to avoid the topic, they were going to resolve it all.

Finally, AJ bowed and jumped off the chair. "What's up?"

Kevin shrugged. "Just the same old shit. Boredom, anxiety...break-ups," he added, darkly.

AJ laughed, despite the obvious mood of the conversation. "I missed that cynical edge of yours, Kevin. Let's go."

Kevin scowled and led the group to an empty room. He turned on the lights and herded them in.

Instantly, AJ plopped on the worn out, plaid couch. Kevin sat on a stark chair close to AJ and Howie was on a sofa chair to AJ's left. Brian leaned on the crease of the far corner of the room.

Howie looked at Brian. When the Littrell family arrived, Howie couldn't even see Brian. It was like he was completely someone else. No cocky smile, no confident posture or gestures, nothing. He was like a ghost, only whispering to his wife and child. Howie had almost broked down at the pitiful sight.

"Brian, come here," Howie softly demanded.

All three watched him glide over to them.

Kevin pondered if he really was a ghost from his mood his moods to his tiniest actions.

Brian sat down next to AJ.

Kevin's mind was racing with questions. What started the whole thing? What ended it? Were they supposed to go out like that?

No one said anything.

Finally, Brian looked at AJ. "How's Sophia?"

AJ was taken back by the question. He finally found his senses. "She's doing good she just received an award for Reporter of the Year for the Daily Herald."

Brian remembered Sophia writing him letters. Her handwriting was a beautiful mixture of print and cursive. She was a wonderful writer.

There was a knock at the door. Kevin said, "Who is it?"

The only jackass who would climb through a vent, Kevin."