I spent the following weeks doing major promotions. My single turned into a huge radio hit, yet I was still to shoot a video for it. I even began recording songs for my upcoming album! Brian said that I was extremely fortunate to have as much say and liberty as I did when it came to my career. I just thought I was taking matters in my own hands. I really missed him. This had been the longest we’d been apart since we'd met.
**Regis and Kathy Lee**
« So, I hear you Boys are about to embark on a world tour. I’m sure it will be wonderful » Kathie Lee said in her usual perky annoying voice « Any secrets you can share with us ? »
All 5 of the guys began to ponder, but Kevin was the first to speak out « Well, we’ll be performing all of our well known songs, as well as some lesser know ones. We also might be throwing in a couple newbies, but shh, that’s a secret »
Regis pretended to seal his lips « What about opening acts ? I heard that your younger brother will be joining the tour Nick »
« Um yeah » Nick said, coming back to earth « He’s going to be touring with us »
« Anyone else ? »
Nick thought a bit « Yes, but not all of them have been decided yet. But since it’s going to be a major tour, we’re going to have many acts with us. Plus our dancers. We’re going to be having ‘Angel’ with us. A very talented new artist. »
Brian sighed as Nick said her name. He felt so empty with out her. He couldn’t wait to start touring so that he could be with her night and day.
Right after the interview was over, they went back to their hotel.
Brian slowly made his way back to his room, anxious to fall dead asleep in his bed. But before he could do that, he was interrupted by a knock at the door. Opening it, he came face to face with Nick.
« Hey man » Brian said sleepily.
Nick didn’t need to say a word. Brian knew exactly what he wanted.
« Sure, I’ll shoot some hoops with ya » he grinned trying to make up for all the times he had ignored him while Eli was there.
**That Afternoon**
Trying to conceal all signs of enthusiasm, Kevin gingerly pushed Sarah’s chair beneath her before taking his own seat. Since his plans on returning to Orlando for a few days had been spoiled, he graciously offered to fly his girlfriend out to meet up with him. This was the first time they’d seen each other in months, and Kevin believed that the ideal place to reunite was indeed over a candle light dinner in a fancy French restaurant.
« You look beautiful » Kevin said, admiring her perfect body in that tight fitted ruby red dress of hers.
« Thanks » she said uneasily. Watching him scan through the menu, she decided it was now or never.
« Kev ? »
« Hmm ? » he mumble not quite paying attention.
Taking one final deep breath, she let out what she had been holding back for so long
« I think we should see other people »
Kevin froze in the middle of reading the contents of the escargot plate « What ? »
« We’re not in this relationship for the same reasons. You’re here because you care, I’m here because I couldn’t bare to tell you I didn’t any more » she admitted on the verge of tears.
Kevin couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Mainly, because he refused to.
« I’m sorry Kevin » she said getting up. She took one last look at his pain stricken face and ran out of the restaurant.
Kevin sat there in disbelief ‘it’s over’.
**That Evening**
A.J and Howie sat bored in front of the T.V watching a meow mix commercial.
« Are you feeling as bummy as I am ? » Howie asked slouched in the couch.
« More so » A.J responded deadly. Amanda had left over a week ago to return to her university classes. Even though they hadn’t parted on great terms, they were still a loving couple. Only with a small pebble in their shoe.
« Wanna go clubbing ? » Howie suggested.
Agreeing, they both changed and were soon on their way.
**Later**
Howie sat alone at his bar stool slowly sipping away at his marguarita. Oh, he could have been with someone. Anyone. But he chose not to. He wanted it be in a meaningful relationship, not just another fling. And Dawn ! How he missed her. After waiting so long to get any news from her, he lost all hope of finding her again.
« D ? »
He thought he was become senile. He could have sworn he heard her voice.
« D, is that you ? »
Turning around, he saw her. Dawn ! She was there. Her blonde hair flowing wavely over her shoulders. Her fitting black dress only accentuating her perfect curves.
« Hi, what are you doing here ? » he coughed out, patting the seat to his left « Sit. »
« I’m passing through town. I didn’t expect to see you here. Not in a club. But it’s a nice surprise » she grinned slightly tilting her golden locks « Are you here alone ? »
« No, but my friend is around here some place » he said modestly.
Dawn took a sip from her drink « Wanna dance ? »
« Shouldn’t I be the one asking ? » Howie said, laughing.
She shrugged « Have it your way »
Howie stood up, extending his arm to her « May I have the pleasure of this boogie ? »
Rolling her eyes playfully, she let out a muffled « yeah »
When Howie touched Dawn’s waist, electric shocks jolted through her body. She couldn’t believe she was falling for someone like him. Could she ?
**Same Time**
A.J watched his pal bring Dawn out to the dance floor « Not too shabby » he thought.
He took a turn, only to bump in to someone.
« Sorry »
« A.J ? »
He looked up to see someone he expected to be a fan, but he couldn’t have been more wrong.
« Becca ? »
The short red head leaped into his arms « Long time no see »
« Yeah » he said not quite there « Does Brian know you’re here ? »
« No, I thought I’d surprise him »
« Oh, he’ll be surprised alright... »
**Back At The Hotel**
« So you really like her, don’t you ? » Nick asked, holding his Pepsi can in his hands as they took a well deserved break from their eternal basket ball game.
« Yeah » Brian said sheepishly twirling the ball on his finger.
‘I guess that’s it’ Nick thought. He had to get over Felicity. He had no choice, and he knew it.
« But what about you man. I haven’t seen you with a girl in a long time. What’s up with that ? »
« Haven’t had time, you know » Nick said more or less truthfully « Guess I just need to keep my eyes pealed »
Brian bounced up « Come on, let’s go »
« Naw, I’m pooped. I’m going to bed »
Brian didn't bother objecting, for he too had become weary « Ok man, see ya tomorrow » he said before quickly making his way back to his room. But when he got there, there was an unexpected surprise waiting for himl: A.J
A.J looked furious « You told us you broke up with her » he barked.
« Who?! What the... »
« Becca, you moron » he yelled « You told us you broke up with her. But that’s not what she told me »
Brian gulped.
A.J nodded « Yeah, that’s right. Guess who I bumped into at a club tonight. She wanted to pay you a surprise visit. »
« And... » Brian demanded fearfully.
« And-- you’re lucky. I saved your ass B-rok. I told her that you’d just left town earlier today » A.J paused for a moment « You know that I don’t give a fuck if you’re two timing Becca, but I do care about Eli. And I thought you did too »
« I do care » Brian protested « And I did break up with Becca, but she refused to accept it. She begged me to think it through, and so I told her I would. I thought that after so many months, she’d get the point »
A.J knew that his friend wasn’t at all the type to mess around, so believing him, he began to walk away. Before stepping in to his room, he turned back « Hey Bri »
« Yes? »
« What are you going to do ? »
« I don’t know » Brain answered frankly.
And he didn’t have much time to come up with a plan either. He was going to see Eli in a little over a week. What could he possibly resolve in seven days?
**Meanwhile**
After hours of dancing and getting to know one another, Howie and Dawn sat down to enjoy a drink together. Out of the blue, a tall muscular looking man stepped up behind them.
« May I help you ? » Howie asked, disturbed by his presence.
The man looked frustrated « Not you. My girlfriend »
« Your girlfriend ? » Howie repeated.
« Yes, Dawn. Let’s go » he said pulling her by the arm.
« Hey ! » Howie yelled getting up «Get your hands off of her »
The man threw her to the side and grabbed Howie by the collar « If I see you with her again, I’ll kill you » and dropped him.
Howie was a bit shaken, but over all, was fine. He couldn’t believe what had just happened.
« Sorry » could be heard as Dawn was dragged away in tears.
