| Chapter 23 "Nick, are you about ready?" Diane asked, walking into his room. Nick was sitting on his bed, a towel wrapped around his waist, and a very confused and frustrated look on his face. Diane walked over to him, "What's wrong baby?" Nick bit his bottom lip, pointing to his closet. Diane was confused as to what he wanted, then it hit her. He was having trouble figuring out what to do next. "It's OK Nick, this is part of that sequencing problem the doctor mentioned when you were in the hospital. We really haven't had to deal with it yet because you weren't doing things for yourself then," she said, trying to reassure him. Nick sighed heavily and looked at her with a �why can't I do this?' look on his face. Diane turned and walked into his closet, her heart breaking at the look on his face. "OK, you want to wear something comfy right?" she asked. He nodded. "OK, how's this?" she asked, pulling out a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Nick nodded, taking the jeans from her and starting to put them on. "Wait, aren't you forgetting something?" she asked, smiling at him. He looked around the room for a second, then back to her. "Underwear," she said. He smiled and shook his head. "Nicky, underwear is our friend," Diane teased, "I've seen way to many videos of you where you obviously didn't have any." Nick grinned at her, his cheeks turning red. Diane went to his dresser and pulled out a pair of boxer-briefs, tossing them to him, "Wear them, besides, I think they look good on you." Nick raised his eyebrow at her and laughed, putting the underwear on. Diane watched him get dressed, helping him when he needed it. She had just finished tying his shoes for him, "You know, we should get you some shoes that have a zipper or velcro or something." Nick shrugged, going into his bathroom to brush his teeth and fix his hair. Diane stood in the door, watching him mess with his hair. It was getting long and he was having a hard time fixing it the way he wanted, plus the cast on his arm didn't help any. He finally looked over at her. "You need some help?" she asked. He nodded, sitting down on the toilet as she fixed his hair. "There you go, that's the best I can do," she said, as he got up and looked. He smiled, reaching up to pull a few strands of hair over to cover his scar. Then he turned and headed out of the bathroom and downstairs. Diane followed him, picking up his computer from the table as she passed by it. "What car do you want to take?" she asked. Nick grabbed a set of the keys and walked out to the garage, Misha on his heels. He pointed to the SUV and handed the keys to Diane as he got in the passengers side. Diane silently breathed a sigh of relief as she got in and started adjusting the seat so she could reach the pedals. She was afraid that Nick would want to drive and she'd have to be the �bad' person and not let him, but he seemed to accept it alright. In fact, he was laughing at her as she adjusted the steering wheel, then the mirrors. "What? I can't help it that I'm vertically challenged," she laughed. Nick smiled at her as Misha crossed the console and tried to sit in her lap. "Oh no, you get in the back," Diane said. Nick reached over and took the puppy, placing her in the back seat. "Thank you," she said, looking around, "OK, how do you open the doors?" Nick punched a button in the console and the garage doors started to open. "Oh cool," Diane said, starting the truck and slowly backing down the drive. "Which way?" she asked. Nick pointed left, and she backed out. "OK, you're gonna have to tell me where to go," she said, slowly driving down the street. Nick pointed to a street up ahead. "Turn there?" she asked. He nodded. Slowly they made their way the mile and a half to Jane and Bob's house. As they pulled up the drive Diane had to keep from staring with her mouth hanging wide open. Damn, what a house, she thought, as she parked the truck and got out. This was the ultimate tricked out rock star house. It had everything anyone could even imagine they wanted. Nick laughed at her as they walked to the front door. "Stop that, it's not like I see this stuff everyday you know," she teased. He smiled and took her hand as he opened the door and walked in. Misha ran through the house, playing with the other dogs, as Nick and Diane walked into the great room. "Hey guys," Aaron said from the couch. "Hi Aaron," Diane said, "Where's Jane?" "Her and B.J. are in the kitchen," he answered. Diane looked around, wondering just where that was. Nick led her to the kitchen, greeting his mom and sister, then headed back to watch TV with Aaron. "I was beginning to wonder about you two," Jane said with a smile. "Well, we had a bit of a problem getting ready," Diane said, jumping in and helping them finish lunch. "Oh what's that?" Jane asked. "We're discovering some of his sequencing problems," she answered. "Sequencing problems?" B.J. asked. "Yeah, he has trouble remembering how to do things in the right order," Diane said, "He couldn't remember what to put on first." B.J. laughed. "B it's not funny," Jane scolded, "This stuff is really frustrating for your brother." "I know," B.J. said, "I'm sorry." Jane shot her daughter a look that Diane was sure came straight from some deep dark hole in the pits of hell somewhere. That small glimpse was the Jane she'd heard about as a fan, and she was ready to have the nice kind Jane back. "Um, so what's for lunch?" she asked. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Well did ya or not?" Aaron asked, grinning at his brother. Nick rolled his eyes and shook his head: I'm not telling you! Aaron laughed, "You did didn't you? Was it good?" Nick groaned at his younger brother. "Come on Nick, I'm eighteen now, give me something here," Aaron begged. You are so immature, I'm not telling you about my sex life, Nick typed. Aaron pointed his finger at Nick, "Ah hah, so you do have a sex life!" Nick threw a pillow from the couch, just missing Aaron's head, "Hey, watch it!" Nick laughed as Aaron walked over and sat down next to him, becoming serious, "So you really love her?" Nick smiled nodding his head. "And she loves you?" he asked. Again Nick nodded. "Then I'm happy for you bro," Aaron said, hugging him. "Aww, brotherly love is so sweet," Angel teased as she came in the room. "Shut up," Aaron said, "You're ruining the moment." Nick laughed, pushing Aaron off him. "Well lunch is done if you wanna eat," Angel said, turning and heading back into the dining room. Nick and Aaron followed her, walking in and taking their seats. Nick sat down next to Diane and leaned over, kissing her on the cheek. She smiled at him, as everyone passed around the food, filling their plates. Bob came in, "Sorry guys," he said, walking around the table and kissing Diane on the cheek before he sat down, "The label execs want to hear a remix before your promotional tour," he told Aaron. Aaron groaned, "So when do we start?" "In the morning," Bob answered. "Damn it!" Aaron said, "I was gonna go out with the guys tomorrow." "Well you'll just have to cancel it," Jane said. Diane watched the tension build between the family and Nick's reaction was less than happy. She could tell he was upset with his parents, but wasn't sure if it was about what was going on at the moment, or something in the past. She reached under the table and touched Nick's leg. He looked over and half smiled at her, a look on his face like this happens all the time, then went back to eating. The rest of lunch was filled with small talk, and when they had finished, Diane got up to help clear the table. "Um Nick, Diane, can we talk to you for a moment," Bob asked. The two looked at each other, then followed Bob and Jane to a small study. "Have a seat," Bob said. They both sat down on a small couch, wondering what this was all about. "Diane, you know when you agreed to come and stay with Nick we told you that we would pay you," Bob said. "Yeah, but ..." Diane started. "Well we think we've come up with a fair amount," Jane said, handing her a piece of paper with an amount written on it. "We would pay you every Friday," Bob went on. Diane stared at the paper, trying not to freak. "T-this is the amount for a week?" she asked. "Yes," Jane said, "If it's not enough we can..." "No! It's to much," Diane said looking at them both, "I'm not doing this for money. I can't take that, it's way to much." "Diane, we're going to pay you," Bob said, "You've given up a lot to come here." "I came here because Nick wanted me to, not because of the money," Diane said. "We know that dear, but you have to be paid. What you're doing is a full time job," Jane said. "What I'm doing is being there for someone I care about," Diane said. Bob and Jane glanced at each other, somewhat frustrated that she wouldn't take what they were offering her. Nick pulled his computer out: What do you think is a fair amount? Diane looked at the paper again, "I didn't get half this at my last job for a two week pay period. I'm not doing this for the money." I know you're not, but they're right, you should be paid something. You gotta have some money, Nick typed. "Would half that amount make you feel better?" Bob asked. "Yeah but it's still to much," she answered. "Well why don't we compromise. We'll pay you half that every Friday, and you take it, OK?" Jane said. Diane looked at Nick. He smiled at her and nodded his head. "Alright," she said. "Great," Jane said, "Now that's settled, why don't you come with me and the girls for a while. We'll show you around a bit and pick up anything you need for the house while we're out." Diane glanced at Nick, "You'll be OK here for a while?" He smiled: Yeah, go have fun. Let my mom buy you some stuff, she loves that sorta thing. Diane laughed, "Alright, we'll be back later then." Nick pulled her in for a kiss then watched as she and Jane left the room. Bob smiled down at his son, "I think you got a keeper there." Nick nodded, getting up and following his dad out of the room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hours later the girls finally returned. Jane, Leslie, B.J. and Angel all came in carrying a handful of shopping bags. "You buy out the stores again?" Bob teased, coming out of the kitchen. "Almost," Jane said, flashing him a smile. Bob looked at Diane, "Where's yours?" "We dropped them off at Nick's," she said, "Speaking of, where is he?" "He and Aaron went up to Aaron's room a couple hours ago. They're probably in the middle of some game," Bob said. "Oh," Diane said, looking up the stairs. "Go on up, it's the door at the end of the hall," Jane said, taking her bags to put them away. Diane went up the stairs, going to the door and softly knocking. Aaron came to the door and let her in. Diane's heart melted when she saw Nick asleep on his brothers bed, hugging a pillow and looking so peaceful. "How long has he been asleep?" she asked in a whisper. "Bout an hour," Aaron replied, "I didn't wanna leave him alone." Diane smiled at him, "Thanks for looking after him." "No problem, how was shopping with mom?" he asked. Diane laughed, "That was an experience." Aaron smiled at her, "Yeah it can be. She didn't buy you one of everything did she?" "She was gonna but I wouldn't let her. I don't need all that stuff anyway," she said. Aaron smiled at her, "So, how do you like it here so far?" "I love it," she replied, "I've always loved the ocean." "Well then you and Nick should get along really well, he practically lives in it," Aaron said. "Yeah, speaking of that, I need to ask your dad if he'll teach me how to drive Nick's boat. I know Nick's gonna want to go out on it, and he'll be disappointed if I won't let him," she said. "Yeah, I didn't think of that," Aaron said, "How's he doing with all that anyway?" "All what?" she asked. "All the changes, not being able to drive and having you with him all the time," Aaron said. "I think he's doing alright. I haven't had to stop him from doing anything yet, and I guess he's alright with me being there... I know that must be hard for him though, having me around when he's used to being alone," she said. "Yeah, but he never was happy when he was alone. He's happy now," Aaron said. Diane blushed, "Yeah, so am I." Aaron leaned against the door and smiled at her, "So, anything you wanna know bout him while he's asleep and can't defend himself." Diane laughed, "Wanna talk dirt huh?" "What kind of little brother am I if I can't embarrass him?" Aaron teased. "Hum, well, let me think," Diane said, trying to think of something she'd always wanted to know about Nick but was to shy to ask him. She looked at Aaron, "Why does he have such a hard time trusting people? I mean I think I know some of the reasons, but there has to be something bigger to it...." She stopped when she saw the look on Aaron's face. He looked almost distraught, and torn between telling her or not. "Aaron, you don't have to tell me... I just always wondered," she said. He shook his head, turning and closing the door. He walked around the bed and sat in one of the bay windows, motioning for her to come and sit with him. Diane sat down next to him, "Aaron, if it's that bad, then don't tell me." "No, you should probably know about it," he said, "It might help if you know." Diane stared at him, seeing the troubled look on his face, "What happened?" Aaron looked up at her, "It started when the guys went overseas, when they first started out. They had an assistant manager that traveled with them, his name was Tim." Diane flinched at the way the man's name dripped off Aaron's tongue with such disgust and hatred. "He ...he started abusing Nick," Aaron went on. Diane's heart was in her throat, "What do you mean abusing?" Aaron looked down at his feet, "Sexually abusing him. He'd call Nick to his room after a concert or a meeting under the pretense of discussing some problem with him. He threatened Nick, told him that if he told anyone what was going on that he'd hurt the guys. It was months before anyone found out what was going on." "God," Diane said under her breath, her tears trailing down her face. "Brian knew something was up. Nick would come back to their room upset and scared. He would say something like he was homesick or he didn't feel good, trying to cover it up, but Brian knew something wasn't right. After a while Nick got really depressed...it got to the point that the guys were afraid to leave him alone ... afraid he would hurt himself if they did," Aaron said. "So how did they find out?" Diane asked. "Tim made the mistake of coming to Nick's room. Brian had told Nick he was going to Kevin's room for a while, making sure Tim heard him, and waited a few minutes, giving Tim enough time to go in. When Brian walked back into the room, Tim had Nick pinned down on the bed trying to get his clothes off him. Brian went completely nuts, if it hadn't been for A.J. and Kevin coming in and stopping him, he probably would've killed Tim. In any case, he sent him to the hospital. Bastard has a scar to this day where Brian hit him with the lamp," Aaron said, "Anyway it was a while after that before Nick started opening up and telling Brian what went on. He just couldn't believe that someone who was an authority figure over him, someone that was suppose to care about him and look out for his well being could do that to him." "How did they keep it out of the press?" she asked. "No one knows but the guys, me and dad .. and now you," he answered. "Your mom and sisters don't know?" Diane asked, shocked. Aaron shook his head, "No, and I wouldn't even know except that a few years ago I walked in on dad and Kevin talking about it. I made them sit down and tell me everything." "Does Nick know you know?" she asked. "Yeah, I let it slip that I did. He wasn't angry .. but he still won't talk about it. The only person he told everything to was Brian. He'd trusted Brian from the start, and he'd always been there for him afterwards .. so slowly he opened up to him. Brian only told the guys the basic things, he never gave any details. Anyway the guys threatened Tim that if he ever came near Nick again they'd let Brian finish what he started," Aaron said. "But they didn't press charges?" she asked. "No, they talked about it, but decided that it was best not to. If they did, it'd be all over the media and Nick would have to relive every detail in court in front of everyone. They didn't want him to go through that again," Aaron said. "God, no wonder he has trust issues," Diane said, her heart breaking at what he went through. "Yeah, and the string of girls in his life and mom coming out with that book about him didn't help matters any," Aaron said. "Oh yeah, the book," Diane said. "Nick didn't talk to her for like a year, it was tense to say the least," Aaron said. "Aaron, thank you for telling me. I promise you it won't leave this room," Diane said. He nodded, "I know. I can see how much you care for him, and this getting out would only hurt him. I know you wouldn't do that." Diane smiled, giving him a hug. Nick cleared his throat, scaring the hell outta both of them. "Hey, you been awake long?" Diane asked, scared that he heard and was angry at Aaron for telling her. Nick shook his head: Just now. What you talking bout? Aaron and Diane glanced at each other. "I'm giving her some good dirt on ya," Aaron said, smiling. "Yeah, he's filling me in on the days when he opened for you guys," she went on. Nick rolled his eyes: Don't believe him. I'm not as bad as he makes me out to be. Diane had to bite her lip to keep from crying, "No you're not baby." Nick sat up, running his hand through his hair. He looked out the window, seeing that it was dark out. We should go home, it's late, he typed. "Yeah it is, you're mom wore me out with all that shopping," she said. Nick stood up, hugging Aaron. "Night bro," Aaron said. Nick waved at him, turning and leaving the room. Diane hugged Aaron again, "Thank you." "No problem, now go take care of my brother. He needs you," he said. Diane nodded, turning and following Nick down the stairs. Chapter 24 |