I find it somewhat amusing that I am in Los Angeles taping a performance for MTV Brazil while a photographer is snapping pictures for a Japanese magazine. Music is truly international, or at least our popularity I should say. We just finished doing a medley of some of our hits but Brian wants to do it again. I was perfect; I don't see why we have to do this again. I didn't crack, didn't hit a bad note, even got in a few kick ass adlibs. For all I know we did need to sing it again. Although, it was due to someone else's performance, like I said, I know I was perfect. I have to admit I wasn't concentrating as much as I should have been since my thoughts were with Brehan.
Brehan has taken up a lot of my thinking lately. That's one thing with me. Although I can handle having physical relationships with many girls I can only handle one at a time when it comes to the emotional. Brehan is number one in my head right now and everyone else is on the back burner. There is just something about her that makes me want to be there for her. From the outside looking in someone like her with so many "friends", a wonderful career and money seems on top of the world but I know from experience that can be very lonely. Sure, there are always people around you but it doesn't mean they are there for you; that you can talk to them. I want to be there for her because something tells me even though she seems like she's in control and has it all together she isn't; that she needs someone to be there to support her. I've seen her icy facade melt a few times and when it did it was nothing nice, she was a mess.
"Ok, let's get ready to do it again." Someone called out and on cue I shrugged my shoulders at the Japanese photographer and smiled as he snapped my picture. It's all so easy once you get into this thing. You just do what people expect you to do and they act as if they know you so well and think what you do is part of who you are. In actuality, it's me who knows them so well and I do what I know they expect me to do; makes them feel like they know me.
We have to do a small interview for this Japanese interview then, and I can't believe this, we are done for the day. With three shows in a row there was no way any of us were going to participate in anything more than what needed to be done. It was lunch now then the quick, and I do mean quick, interview. They were only given thirty minutes and I'm quite confident they aren't going to need all thirty because they won't ask anything that hasn't been asked already and can't be found in some magazine or internet site.
"Nick my boy, what are you doing tonight? Or maybe I should ask who will you be doing tonight?" I frowned as I bit into a tuna fish sandwich. I could eat these things everyday. Especially on toasted bread with lettuce and tomatoes, it's the only thing I get when I eat at Subway. The guys weren't going for it when we made our requests for the different venues so I went along with the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
"What are you talking about?" He smiled and his glance towards Brian didn't go unnoticed on my part. Before he could wipe his goofy smile off his face I caught Brian cheesing at AJ,
"What's going on?" Brian shook his head and ineffectively tried to change the subject,
"Nothing. Kevin, are you coming with Leighanne and me? We're going to that vintage furniture store she and Kristin found last month." There are times when I envy Brian and Kevin for their marriages, it seemed to really complete them and add some calm to their life, a little normalcy. As cheesy as that may sound it was true, I've witnessed it with my own eyes.
"Yeah, I'll tag along. I wanted to stop by the jeweler and pick something up for Kristin too. Kind of a congratulations for that part in the play she got." I listened as they talked about some grandfather clock and it reminds me of why I don't envy them the majority of the time. They were always talking about some family function, home improvement project or anniversary. As if that wasn't enough they were shopping for furniture. I can see them walking behind those women with bags on each arm and car keys in their mouths. I've been through that shit, lagging behind some broad as she goes on a shopping spree but she can't manage to hold them even after she didn't have to pay for any of it. As if all that wasn't enough, Leighanne was one of those anniversary overload chicks. I don't know how Brian remembers to celebrate the first time she ate off his plate.
"Brian, what is AJ talking about?" I let him think he got away with it. The delayed questioning only made it more enjoyable for me. He shook his head,
"I don't know." I looked over at AJ with a look of expectation and he caved immediately,
"You had sex with vamp last night huh? I knew you couldn't hold out for long. In fact, I bet you already did it and just won't tell us. But I don't know why you wouldn't, I would announce that from the roof top." I shook my head at him. Maybe he didn't cave in, he was truly excited about blurting out that bit of news.
"AJ." I turned my head and looked at Mr. Loose Lips,
"And Brian, I did not, I have not, slept with Brehan." Kevin frowned as he joined the conversation,
"What makes you think she slept with Nick? Did you see her leave his room or something?" Brian was enjoying being the center of attention,
"No, I saw her in his room this morning getting dressed." He saw her zipping her skirt not getting dressed. I shook my head at Kevin. Giving him a 'can you believe this' expression,
"She spent the night but nothing happened. We're just friends." AJ snorted loudly and rolled his eyes.
"I'm getting sick and tired of hearing you say you're just friends particularly after you've spent the night together. What the hell were you doing? Having a sleepover?" Leave it to them to believe the worst, or in there opinion the best.
"Nothing happened. She spent the night and she was completely dressed when you came in Brian." Brian frowned comically and shook his head,
"Nick please, you cannot be friends with a beautiful girl like that. A not so cute girl? Ok, but not this woman. She is gorgeous." I was just about to scream loudly when Kevin spoke up,
"It sounds like you guys are trying to see something that isn't there. If Nick says they are just friends then maybe you should believe him." Thank you Kevin, they definitely are jumping to conclusions and I'm glad they are hearing it from someone other than me. Brian shook his head in disbelief,
"Don't tell me you don't think something is going on with those two?" He shook his head and shrugged his shoulders before taking a sip of water. AJ and Brian looked at each other and Kevin; they couldn't believe he didn't think anything was going on between Brehan and me.
Just as we were finishing up lunch my cell phone rang,
�Yeah?� I grabbed a mint from Howie, who didn�t want me breathing on him since I ate tuna. I could make jokes about what he eats, and I�m not talking food, but I didn�t bother,
�Hey kid. Meet me.� Only one woman calls me kid and she�s the only person who is demanding enough to order me somewhere, at least in such a serious tone.
�Where are you? When? I have an interview right now.� I heard her desperate groan before answering,
�In about an hour or so at one of my photo shoots. Just hurry.� She handed the phone to her assistant who tried to give me directions but I gave up and handed the phone to Carl. I had to laugh at the two of us we were pathetic. God help us if we were ever together alone and needed something accomplished, we would be lost.
Chapter 75
Stranger Than Fiction
Stories
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