It was a cold day. Nick was shivering inside his downjacket. He tried to keep his fingers warm by rubbing them together, but it barely helped.
-OK! One more time.
Nick sighed. He'd heard same line at least ten times before. But he agreed. He wanted everything to be perfect.

Pain cut trough his neck. But he didn't complain. His left hand was numb because of his position. But he smiled when asked if everything was allright.

Two hours later he was finally on his way to the hotel.
-Has he arrived? he asked from his assistant.
-Yeah, just a little while ago.
-Good.
Nick leaned back and tried to relax. But it was hard. He had been so stressed previous weeks. Photo shoot after another, always a different town, different people but same hotel room, same lonely bed, same solitude dinners. Another interview, same questions. Always the pain and awareness of the space around him. Gracious Nick Carter.

Car drove under the hotel.
-Everything's ready? he asked from another assistant when they walked to the elevator.
-Almost.
-I want it to be done in an hour, he reminded.
-It will be.
-Good.
He watched as doors closed in front of his eager assistant's face.

Forty-five minutes later he heard a knock on his door and went to open.
-Cold dinner you requested, waiter said.
-Bring it in, he said and opened the door up. Without a thank you he slipped 20 dollars bill to waiter who gave him a wry smile.

It was almost time. He sat on the edge of his bed. He was exited, more than he wanted to admit. When door slowly opened, he felt like his heart was almost to stop.

-Hello? sweet voice asked and a tear ran down Nick's face. Quickly he wiped it off and stood up. Angelic face peeked in, followed by gorgeous body. In seconds they were in each other's arms.

-Are you hungry? Nick asked shyly when first emotional flood was over.
-Yeah, like a wolf, he answered. -Mrrr...
Playfully he showed his teeth and bite Nick from shoulder. Nick giggled.
-I ordered cold dinner for us. Here you go.
He lighted candles and they sat down. Nick leaned to his hands, unable to believe that he was really there. That he could see him lift cover up and see what kind of delicious food there was. To be able see his face... first crumble and then watch how smile spreaded over his face.
-Oh Nick, you shouldn't have, he said and smiled.
-It's least I could do.
He seemed so happy, so delighted. Nick leaned forward to see how they had placed their food.
-What the...? he jumped up from his chair. -What is that?
Nick stared gray thing on the plate.
-I really don't know, his quest answered. -And I'm not sure if I even want to find out.
-I'm going to kill her! My assistans made mistakes before but nothing like this.
Nick rushed to the phone and after two rings call was answered.

-Umm... So you don't want to know what it is? Nick asked when he had ended his call.
-No, not really.
-Shit. I always blow these things.
Desperate he sat down.
-I can't even spell right. I mean, if I write a note... Anyone could guess that brain isn't what I'm after.
-Brain?
-Yeah. Brain and brie. That's what you had.
-Oh I love brie.
-I know. That's why I wrote the note. But it was supposed to said Brian and brie.
Nick started to cry.

He wanted it to end. But he didn't want arms around him to disappear. Slowly he calmed down.
-It's just that... I've been so lonely since you were gone. I didn't understand how much you guys supported me, how much we gave to each other.
-I know. I've been missing you too. Especially you.
-And when I finally get you here, I go and order brain for us!
-I make that same mistake all the time, Brian reminded. -Remember how in our first tour we almost got that spelled in my name tag?
Nick grinned.
-Thanks to our Kevin it never happened.
-Yeah, thanks to Kevin.
They sat silent for a while.
-I never understood it, Nick said.
-You were so young when it started.
-I wanted to get rid of you, get on my own. And now I find myself here, crying in your arms, wishing that you'd all be here. That AJ would just pop in and make me crazy. That Kevin would tell me what to do and what not. That Howie's curly hair would be founded from my soup. That I could just hang with you and watch telly together.
-At least I'm here now, Brian said.

Later that night Nick watched Brian sleeping next to him. Carefully he petted his hair. Brian mumbled something and cuddled closer to Nick. Maybe he was happy. But in a bittersweet way. Brian was there. For now. But he had to go back home. Back to Leighanne and their sweet kids. Back to real life.

Nick sighed. It would never be the same. And he was afraid. He was really afraid. Warmth of body next to him eased him for a moment. But in the end he was alone. Alone and afraid.

† Short Stories Menu †