Chapter 17
Amanda opened her eyes to the morning glare. She let out a groan and rolled over, facing AJ. He was still sound asleep with his head buried into his pillow. Amanda smiled and scooted closer to him. She kissed him lightly on the lips and watched him sleep peacefully. Amanda glanced over his shoulder at the clock. It was almost two in the afternoon. "Geez we've slept the day away," she said to herself. She started to wake up AJ, but declined and let him sleep. Carefully she crept out of bed and went to take a shower. When she finished she put on her clothes and stepped back into the bedroom. AJ was sitting up in bed watching TV. He smiled when he saw her.
"Good morning," he said with a cheesy grin.
Amanda laughed. "Good morning? More like good afternoon. We slept all day."
"Hey I was tired," AJ defended. Amanda smiled and sat on the bed next to him. "Where's my kiss?" he said.
"Coming right up," Amanda said then kissed him.
"Thank you," AJ said with a laugh.
Amanda shook her head in amusement. "You're too much," she said as she started combing out her wet hair. "So what do you want to do today?"
"I don't know. The day's almost over. We have a flight to catch tonight."
Amanda sighed. "I know. I don't know how you guys do it. I mean you're always running around doing something. Going place after place. Honestly I'd get sick of it."
AJ smiled and rested his hand on her thigh. "When you're doing something you love the traveling doesn't bother you. Plus when you have someone special to be with, everything feels right."
Amanda stopped combing her hair and smiled. "You're so sweet," she said then leaned in for a kiss.
AJ kissed her lightly on the lips. "I'm going to go take a shower."
"Okay," Amanda said as she watched AJ get up and go to the bathroom. While he was in the shower Amanda started packing up things in the suitcases. She picked up a purple sweater from off the bed. "God this thing is huge," she said quietly to herself. She let out a loud sigh and looked down at her stomach. "You better be worth it." The sweater slipped from her hands and fell to the floor. Amanda let out a frustrated groan. "Damn it," she muttered under her breath. She struggled to bend over and pick it up. Just then she heard laughter coming from the opposite side of the room. She turned her head to see AJ standing at the bathroom doorway smiling at her. Amanda brushed the stray hair from her face and glared at AJ. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing you just look so cute struggling to get that sweater from off the floor."
"Shut up and help me," Amanda said in a huffy tone. AJ snickered and picked up the sweater for her. "Thank you," she said as she snatched it from his hands. AJ grinned at her from the edge of the bed. Amanda couldn't help but laugh. "Ah God I hate you," she said as she threw a pillow at him.
AJ busted up laughing. "I'm sorry baby. I really am," he said as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Yeah sure you are," she said as she playfully pushed him away. Amanda folded up the sweater, put it in the suitcase and zipped it up. "There, that's done," she said then laid down on the bed.
AJ slipped on a T-shirt and laid down next to her. Gently he kissed her on the forehead and placed his hand on her stomach. "Hi baby," he whispered and kissed her stomach.
Amanda smiled as she watched AJ caress her stomach. She noticed a change in his mood. The smile from his face slowly faded and his stopped caressing her stomach. "AJ what is it?"
"Hmm?" he said as he looked up. "Oh, it's nothing," he said softly.
"No, something's on your mind. Tell me."
"No, I'm fine. There's nothing on my mind. I just--"
"Alex...," Amanda said gently then placed her hand on top of his.
AJ looked into Amanda's eyes and sighed. "I'm just worried about something that's all."
"What are you worried about?"
"Nothing, just forget it."
"No, I won't forget it. AJ we're a couple, we're supposed to confide with each other. Now please tell me what's wrong."
AJ sat up a little and looked over at Amanda. "I worried that I'm going to be a bad father."
Amanda stared at AJ in shock. "What? How can you say that? AJ you're going to be a wonderful father."
"What makes you so sure?"
"AJ just look at the way you glow when you think about the baby. The way you always touch my stomach. That smile you get when you see a child. How can you not think you're going to be good father?"
"All my life I grew up without my father there. He missed out on all the important things in my life. I'm afraid that with me being on the road all the time I'll miss out on everything."
"Aww honey," Amanda said as she wrapped her arms around him. "You're going to be a wonderful daddy. I know you will. And know the baby will love you just as much as you love it. And he or she will have a great life with you as their dad."
"You really think so?"
Amanda shook her head. "No....I know so."
Chapter 18
***WARNING*** Contains some adult content Rated PG-13
"Oh yeah right there," Brian said as he closed his eyes. "Yeah that feels good."
Rachel laughed as she continued to massage his shoulders. "Geez honey you're so stiff."
"I know it's from sleeping on the plane," he said. "Little more to the right."
"Well, I can't press that hard. Take off your shirt." Brian took off his shirt and leaned his head forward as Rachel rubbed her hands up and down his neck and shoulders. "Mmm this feels so good."
"Lay down on your stomach so I can do you lower back," said Rachel. Brian did as he was told and enjoyed the massage. "All right that's all I can do. My hands are getting stiff."
Brian sat up and gave Rachel a kiss. "Thank you baby."
Rachel smiled and kissed him back. "You're welcome."
"Turn around. It's my turn to give you a massage." Rachel turned around and Brian began massaging her neck and shoulders. He loved the feeling over her smooth, silky bare shoulders exposed from her tank top. Slowly Brian leaned his head down and began kissing her neck. His tongue trailed down her shoulders as he wrapped his arms around her waist. Rachel let out a soft moan then turned around to face him. They're lips met and Brian leaned forward, causing Rachel to lay down. He ran his fingers through her dark brown hair and kissed her ever so gently. His tongue wandered into her mouth as he slowly began to go up her shirt. His hands slid up to her breasts, his lips never leaving hers. Brian slowly lifted her shirt up even more.
"Brian....I'm sorry....I can't," Rachel said in tears.
Brian stopped and looked up at Rachel. The tears were streaming down her face. "Aw man I did it again. Rach I'm sorry."
"No, it wasn't you. It's me. I'm sorry. I just can't. I mean how can you stand being with someone so...so...horrid?"
Brian stared at her in confusion. "Whoa where is all this coming from? Honey you're not horrid. What on earth would make you think that?"
Rachel sniffled and looked up Brian. "Because of my scar."
Brian swallowed to hide his smile. "Your scar?"
Rachel sobbed again. "Don't make fun of me!" she said then hid her face in the pillow next to her.
"Aw honey I wasn't making fun of you. Look," he said as he pointed to his scar. "See we match!" Rachel didn't move. Brian sighed and put his arms around her waist. "Baby you're beautiful. Not just on the outside but the inside too. Don't let your scar make you feel bad about yourself."
Rachel turned over and looked up at Brian. She placed his hand on his cheek and smiled. "I'm sorry. I think I've been too stressed lately."
"It's okay," Brian replied then kissed her.
"Now where were we?" Rachel asked.
Brian smiled. "I think we were right here," he said then planted his lips onto hers.
Chapter 19
***WARNING*** Contatins adult content. Rated R
Nikki paced around the hotel room and waited for Howie. She glanced at her watch. It was close to seven PM. "God where is he? He should've been here two hours ago!" Letting out a frustrated sigh she took off her jewelry and put them in her travel jewelry box. She untucked her shirt and changed into her pajamas. She was about to walk into the bathroom when Howie walked into the room. Nikki glared at him from bathroom doorway. "Where the hell have you been? I've been sitting in here for over two hours for you to come back so we could go out. Now it's too late to do that. You have no idea how worried I was. Why the hell didn't you call?"
Howie held up his hand and sighed. "Nikki don't start. I've had a long day."
Nikki scoffed. "Long day doing what? I don't think snow boarding would make you have a long day."
"Look I'm sorry I'm late but it was something I couldn't help," Howie said as he sat on the bed and took off his shoes.
"Yeah I'm sure of that," Nikki muttered under her breath.
"What?"
"Nothing," she said with a sigh.
"I'm tired and I don't wanna argue about this. I'll explain everything after I've taken a shower."
"Fine, whatever," Nikki said as she moved out of Howie's way. While Howie was in the shower she began picking up her things and throwing them into her suitcase. "Men!" she grumbled to herself. Tears formed in her eyes and she continued to toss her clothes into her suitcase. A few minutes later Howie came out of the bathroom. Nikki turned around to find Howie standing at the bathroom doorway wearing only a towel. She swallowed hard and looked the other way.
"Where are you going?" Howie asked.
"What do you care? You didn't even bother to call me. What the hell was so important that you couldn't pick up a damn phone and call me?"
"Maybe I was at the hospital with Kevin!" Howie shouted.
"What!?!?!" Nikki said in shock.
"You heard me. I was at the hospital with Kevin. He hurt his shoulder really bad while we were out snowboarding. I've been there this whole time. There are you happy now?"
Nikki stared blankly at Howie and slowly sat down on the bed. "Oh...Howie I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to explode at you like that. Is Kevin okay?"
Howie nodded and walked over to the bed. "Yeah, he just pulled some ligaments in his shoulder. He'll be okay," he said as he took a seat next to Nikki. "I'm sorry I didn't call you. I tried a couple of times but you weren't answering the phone."
"That must've been when I was out shopping with Sarah," Nikki said then lowered her head.
Howie placed his hand under her chin and lifted her head back up. "Hey," he said gently. "What is it?"
Nikki's lip quivered as she stared Howie in the eyes. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to explode on you like that."
Howie smiled and kissed her tenderly on the lips. "It's okay. It's my fault. I should've explained what happened as soon as I got in the door. Can you forgive me?" Howie asked as he gave her a sad puppy dog look.
Nikki snickered and kissed him. "Okay I forgive you."
"Good," Howie said as he kissed her. Nikki slid her hands down his bare chest. Tiny water droplets from his shower remained on his chest. "How about I make it up to you?" Howie whispered into her ear.
"Mmmm sounds good to me," Nikki murmured as she slid her hands down to his waist.
Slowly she undid his towel and tossed it to the floor. Howie kissed her passionately and pulled her shirt over her head. Softly he kissed her breasts and he slid off her PJ bottoms. He slid his tongue down to her navel, sliding her panties off with his teeth. Howie brought his lips back up to her and moved down to her neck.
"Mmm you taste so good," he said.
"God stop teasing," Nikki replied.
Howie grinned and continued kissing her neck. "Patience my dear," he said as he licked her ear lobe.
"Oh god you're killing me. Do it now."
He looked up and stared at her seductively. "This will be the ride of your life," he said then turned off the light.
Chapter 20
Sarah quietly packed the rest of her and Kevin's clothes into the suitcases early that morning. She was almost finished when she heard a light tapping on the door. Sarah got up and answered. Outside the door stood Kristin.
"Hey, how's the patient?" Kristin asked.
Sarah smiled and rolled her eyes. "He was whining all last night. God I thought he'd never shut up. He's asleep now. Hopefully he won't wake up for a while." Kristin laughed and handed Sarah a small white paper bag. "What's this?" she asked as she opened the bag.
"Pain killers for Kev. Denise had me run and get them for him."
"Okay," Sarah said with a smile. "How many of these does it take to shut him up?"
Kristin laughed. "If he takes one when he wakes up he'll be fine for the next six hours."
"Good," Sarah said. "Hey what time are we leaving?"
Kristin looked at her watch. "In an hour. You better get Kev up. It might take him a while to get ready."
"All right. We'll see you later," Sarah said then shut the door. She walked over to the bed to find Kevin laying in bed awake. "Good morning sleepy head," Sarah said as she laid down next to him.
"Who was at the door?" Kevin asked softly.
"Kris, she dropped off some pain killers for you. Now I can shut you up and I can have some peace," Sarah said with a snicker.
"I don't wanna hear it," Kevin said in a cranky manner.
"Well, I told you not to go snow boarding yesterday. I told you, you would get hurt. But did you listen to me? No. Now look at you. My boyfriend is defected," Sarah teased.
"Sarah don't start! God I just woke up and you're already giving me a hard time."
"Aw honey I'm just kidding," she said the kissed him. "I love you no matter what. Even if you're a cripple." Kevin glared at her. Sarah laughed. "Honey I'm sorry. I had to take it. It was too easy."
"Yeah sure," Kevin said.
"Come on you gotta get ready. We leave in less than an hour," Sarah said as she helped Kevin sit up. He winced in pain. "Take one of these," she said as she handed him a pain killer. Kevin took the pill and sat there motionless. Sarah picked out a pair of wind breaker pants and a T-shirt from his suitcase. "Put the pants on and I'll help you get your shirt on."
"I don't need help," Kevin insisted.
"If you say so," Sarah said with a grin.
Kevin stood up and slid on his pants. He attempted to put on his shirt, but groaned in pain as he lifted his arm. "Okay maybe I do need a little help," he confessed. Sarah smiled and helped him put on his shirt. "Thanks baby," he said then kissed her. "I'm going to brush my teeth," he said as he headed to the bathroom. When he was finished he came back out and sat on the edge of the bed to put his shoes on.
"I think you better put these on instead of those tennis shoes," Sarah said as she handed him his Adidas sandals.
Kevin sighed and slipped on his sandals. "Where's my sling?" Kevin asked, while looking around for it.
"Right here," Sarah said as she handed it to him.
"Thanks," Kevin said as he tried to put it on. He groaned in pain then sighed. "Do you want to help me? I can't quite get it."
"Sure," Sarah replied as she carefully put the sling on for him. She looked over at Kevin who was biting his lip from the pain. "Are you sure you're going to be able to perform tonight?"
"I don't really have much of a choice," Kevin stated.
Sarah's face saddened as she wrapped her arms around his waist. "Just be careful," she said then kissed him.
Kevin smiled and leaned his head against hers. "I promise."
Later that night after the concert everyone was asleep on the bus. Sarah rolled over to find Kevin not there. His side of the bunk was cold. She knew he'd been gone for a while. Sarah slipped on one of Kevin's Kentucky sweatshirts and got up to find him. She looked in the back room to find Kevin sitting on the couch in the dark.
"What are you doing up?" Sarah asked.
"I was just thinking, Kevin said as he scooted over so Sarah could sit down.
"About?" she asked curiously.
"About home."
"You miss everything in Lexington don't you?"
"Yeah, I do. I mean I love traveling and performing but sometimes I get a little homesick."
Sarah cuddled up next to him and laid her head on his shoulder. "I know how you feel. Sometimes I miss my home too. But I could never go back."
"How come?"
"Because I have nothing left there for me. After I ran away with Keith I lost all contact with my family. Now I'm away from Keith and I'm with you. Which I'm completely thankful for. But I feel bad because I have nothing to offer you but me."
"That's all I'll ever need," Kevin said tenderly. Sarah smiled and kissed him. She sighed and leaned against Kevin as he wrapped his good arm around her. "Something else is on your mind. I can tell," Kevin said.
"It's nothing," Sarah lied.
"Sarah," Kevin said as he tilted her head up with his hand under her chin. "Tell me."
"I do have something I need to tell you. I better do it now or I never will."
"Then tell me," Kevin urged.
Sarah drew in a deep breath and faced Kevin. "Okay here goes. When Keith and I were together we had a join back account. He would always spend the money on his booze and I'd have hardly any left for rent. When I left I had less than twenty dollars in my pocket. I just spent the last of my money when I was at the mall with Nikki. I have no money for food. I've worn all my clothes out. I'm ashamed to tell you this but your girlfriend is penniless."
"Baby you have nothing to be ashamed of. It wasn't your fault. It's that ass named Keith's fault. But he's gone, and we're together now. You don't have to worry about money OK."
"I know but I just feel so stupid having you pay for everything."
Kevin chuckled. "Don't worry about it. I don't mind. We'll be in Detroit from the fifth to the eighth. I want you to go shopping for clothes while we're there. Get whatever you need and put it on my credit card. Don't worry about the amount. Just as long as you have what you need. You're my girlfriend and I love you. I want to take care of you."
Sarah looked up at him and kissed his lips. "Thank you," she said.
"No problem. In the future don't be afraid to tell me things. I'm here for you. I always will be."
"I love you," Sarah whispered.
"I love you too," he responded. "Come on lets get back to bed. It's late."
"OK," Sarah said then followed Kevin back to the bunk.
Chapter 21
It was the last night in Detroit for the boys and the concert was over. Kristin was in the dressing room wrapping up one of the dancers' knees. "All right you're all bandaged up and ready to go. When we get to the hotel I want you to put ice on that knee."
"Okay," said the dancer as she left the room.
Kristin was putting away her things in her bag when she heard the sound of Rachel's voice.
"Hey Kris," she said.
"Yeah," Kristin answered, not looking up from what she was doing.
"I think you better get back here and take a look at Nick."
Kristin's head shot up. "Why? What's wrong?"
"I dunno. He doesn't look too good. They sent me back here to get you."
"Okay," Kristin said as she grabbed her bag and quickly ran out of the room. She ran backstage to find Nick sitting on a chair looking really pale. Kristin quickly ran over and kneeled in front of him. "Nick," she said. He didn't respond. "Nick honey answer me," Kristin said in a more frantic tone. She looked over at the guys who stood next to Nick. "Did he eat today?"
Brian thought a minute. "I don't think so. He didn't eat anything before the concert or at lunch. He said he felt sick to his stomach."
"Did anyone see him take his medication?" Kristin asked. The guys shook their heads. Kristin sighed and drew her attention back to Nick. "Nick tell me what's wrong."
Nick shook his head. "Nothing....I'm...I'm fine," he said as he stood up then nearly fell against Kevin.
Kevin grabbed him before he hit the ground. "Whoa Nick you better sit down."
Kristin placed her hand on his forehead. "Sweetie you're burning up. Someone go get me a wheelchair. I'm not gonna let him walk to the van."
Brian ran and grabbed a wheelchair from the first aid center and wheeled it back to Nick. Kristin helped Nick into the wheelchair then thought for a moment. "Kevin go grab one of the body guards and have him tell the van driver to bring the van to the back doorway. We don't want to scare any of the fan trying to get Nick in the van through the side door."
Kevin did as he was told while the others followed behind Kristin. They all waited at the back door for the van. When the van pulled up everyone piled in as Kristin helped Nick get into his seat. They rode to hotel to find a large amount of fans waiting outside. "Damn it," Kristin exclaimed under her breath. "We can't drag Nick into that. They'll clobber him."
"Stop here everyone but Nick and Kristin get out," Kevin said. "You two can go in through the back way."
"Good idea," Kristin said.
Everyone got out and the van pulled around to the back entrance. "Thank you," Kristin told the driver and helped Nick out of the van. She pulled out the wheelchair and reached her hand out to Nick. "Sit," she said.
"I don't need it," said Nick as he wobbled his way to the door.
Kristin grabbed his arm before he slammed into the wall. "Nick sit in the wheel chair now," she said firmly.
"Fine," he muttered as he sat in the chair.
Kristin opened the back door and wheeled him to the elevator. They got in and went up to their floor. Swiftly Kristin wheeled Nick to their room. Once they got in Kristin helped Nick off the chair and onto the bed. She grabbed some clothes from his suitcase and handed them to him. "Put these on and get in bed," she said as she placed her bag down on the table and pulled out a thermometer. When Nick settled himself in bed she placed the thermometer in his mouth. Kristin flicked on the lamp next to the bed.
"Ah bright," Nick said.
"Sorry hon, but I need to see. Keep your mouth shut for one more minute," she said as she kept time on her watch. When the time was up Kristin removed the thermometer from Nick's mouth. Her lips pursed as she read the numbers. "You're temperature's up to 103," she said as she stood up. She reached in her bag again and pulled out a bottle of alieve. "Here take this and I'll be right back." Kristin went into the bathroom and ran cold water on a wash cloth. She folded it up, went back to the bedroom, and placed it on Nick's head. "Leave it there for a little while. It'll help your fever. I'm gonna call room service and order you some soup. You haven't eaten anything all day and you need to eat," she said as she dialed the number. After the room service came and Nick had eaten the soup Kristin pulled the covers over him and kissed him on the forehead. "Get some sleep sweetie. You've had a long day."
Nick reached up and grabbed her hand. "Lay down with me please," he said with puppy dog eyes.
Kristin snickered. "Okay let me get changed," she said as she headed to the bathroom. She came back out with her PJ's on and laid down under the covers with Nick. Nick cuddled closely and laid his head on her chest. Kristin smiled as she ran her fingers through his hair. "You know you scared me today," said.
Nick sighed and sat up. "I know, I'm sorry."
"Don't be, just be a little more careful next time. Don't wear yourself out when you're sick like this."
"I promise to be more careful," said Nick.
"Good, now get some sleep."
"Okay," Nick replied as he laid down on his stomach.
Kristin scooted closer to him and laid on her side. "I love you."
Nick opened his eyes and smiled. "I love you too," he said with a yawn.
"Go to sleep," Kristin whispered then rubbed her hand on his back. Nick shut his eyes; slowly his labored breathing became steady. Kristin knew he was asleep. She gave him one last kiss on the cheek and turned off the lamp.