AN: And the tour continues... *********************** Nightmare of a Lifetime: Chapter Seventeen ******************** “So, care to tell me about Robert the Gentleman?” Nicole dropped the episode briefs she had been going over for episode eight, glanced around the suite for the hovering Bill, and snuck to the suite bathroom, leaving her microphone behind before closing and locking the door as she glared at her phone like it was a traitor. “Shit Kell, don’t surprise me like that!” “Don’t surprise me?” Kelly Osbourne demanded from her end thousands of miles away. “Don’t bull shit me Perry, I know you too well. What the hell happened?!” Perry flinched and ran a hand through her newly curled hair which was currently plum and adorable as it framed her pale face like a demented halo. She sank to the cold tile of the bathroom floor, her back propped against the sink cabinets. “I don’t know,” she answered with a sigh, desperately wishing that her best friend was here, with her, instead of an ocean away on more promotional stuff, “nothing, everything. I mean it was just a night you know? It didn’t mean anything, shouldn’t, never has before. Its just, oh my god Kell, he was SO perfect. He was hot and rough in all the right places and he looked at me with desire and I wanted him and he wanted me and it was wonderful. It was one of the best nights I’ve ever had. Ever. “And he kissed me and held it when it was over and I didn’t want him to leave. And I fell asleep in his arms and he waited until I was sound asleep before slipping out that morning. He left his phone number on the dresser and folded my clothes before he left. He even put them next to his number on the dresser. And the bodyguards told me he thanked them politely for seeing him out and caught a cab and my god Kell, he was like the man I’ve been searching for forever…” She trailed off, embarrassed for the longing she hadn’t bothered to hide in her voice. Kelly Osbourne started laughing and Nicole growled. “What the hell are you laughing at brat?” she demanded, irate. “Oh come on Pear Bear,” her best friend managed through wheezes, “you’re one of the most unromantic women I’ve ever met. You’re like a man with breasts! And here you are claiming love at first sight…” “Not love Kelly,” Nicole muttered as she shifted. “Just lust okay, a lot of lust and, well, I get lonely here sometimes. Maybe I just miss Frankie.” “You miss Frankie like a toothache,” Kelly snarled before continuing, softer, “don’t let him guilt you into going back to him. Just because he loves you doesn’t mean he’s good for you, or that you’re good for him.” Nicole groaned. “I freaking hate it when you’re right.” “I’m always right, thank you very much.” She groaned again. “So how did you find out about ‘Robert the Gentleman’? I didn’t tell anyone…” “That’s what gave you away Pear. You always talk about your conquests. I watched this week’s episode and saw you bring him back and it struck me as odd. I guessed the rest.” “You suck.” Kelly laughed. “How’s Aunt Sharon doing?” The younger Osbourne sighed. “She’s okay. She’s back in chemo early.” Nicole felt herself pale. “I thought they were going to wait for a few months, let make an official announcement and get some of her strength back before giving her radiation treatment.” Kelly’s voice was resigned and weary over the phone. “I know but they’re afraid to wait. I… I’m so scared for her Pear, so scared I’m gonna loose my mum. She always seems to tired. And Ozzy is going to go insane. He can’t handle this… I can’t handle this. He’s canceling next year’s Ozz Fest. He refuses to go; he wants to stay home with her.” “What about Jack?” Nicole asked softly. “Its horrid,” Kelly cried, “he’s such a wretched snake and I know he’s just acting out from the pain, hell I did it for years, but it kills me to see him drunk and on weed and screwing any fame seeker who can claw her way into his bed. He’s going to kill himself and mum doesn’t need to deal with Jack’s shit right now.” “Let Jack go,” Perry counseled gently. “You know how it is… You can’t make him stop. He’ll go until he freaking burns out- then you’ll be there to help him pick up the pieces. Make sure Ozzy has people watching out for him. He can’t handle another self destruction spree. Visit your mum on your days off. Call her and let her know you love her. Never take anything for granted, life’s short enough without us ignoring it.” “How’s Steven?” Nicole brightened immediately with the subject of her baby brother. “He’s awesome! I talked to his tutor the other night and his grades are improving in English and History, though his Math grade still sucks but I don’t blame him; I was never much of a math person. He’s on the Little League team too. I’ll be home for the last half of the season and promised to go to every single game or I'm going to crucified.” “He must miss you,” Kelly said wistfully. “Yeah,” Nicole replied, missing her brother back with a tangible ache, “I miss him too. He’s the only reason I’m still here today. I would have given up years and whole lot of shit ago but I couldn’t leave him alone.” “I know Perry, I know. You’re the most amazing person I know.” “Kell…” she warned. “Oh hush. I can compliment you if I want.” They laughed together and continued to chat about less painful subjects before hanging up. Nicole stood stiffly and groaned as her lower back complained. She opened the bathroom door and stood face to face with a very curious Bill. “Any particular reason you just spent the last hour in the bathroom without your microphone?” “No comment.” Nicole tried to brush past him but things were never that easy. “Must have been a pretty interesting conversation… Yup.” “Go away, dammit!” “Come on Perry, inquiring minds want to know.” She smiled sweetly. “Inquiring minds can go to hell.” ************************************************************************************** Nicole turned the number written neatly on a small scrap of paper over and over in her hands. She jumped when JC sat next to her at the booth that served as a dining area on his bus. She glowered at him and he raised dark brows. “Why don’t you just call him, you know you want to.” The glower turned to a glare. “You don’t call one night stands JC; shit like that just isn’t done. You should know that.” Jayce smiled cheerily and patted her on the cheek, ignoring the subtle dig, before standing up. “You do when you want it to be more than a one night stand.” “Screw you,” Nicole snapped tartly. Jayce laughed. “Screw him; you seemed to have fun last time you did.” Bill howled with laughter and she turned her glare on him and his damned camera. “I hate you all,” she snapped as JC and Bill laughed together. She really, really did hate them. And she really, really wanted to call Robert. Nicole buried her head in her hands and groaned helplessly.