When Nick awoke the next morning, he felt terrible. Terrible that he had feelings for Eli, and even worse for acting the way he had with his best friend. Rolling over to his side, he thought about how much he wanted to hold her in his arms again. Even in his sleep he missed her...
**Same Time**
Kevin walked down the dusty road not knowing quite where he was headed. He was just hoping that this walk would take his mind off things. Dragging his feet while pebbles flew left and right, he couldn’t help but think of Sarah. Sarah was his girlfriend; “was” being they key word. Before they left for New Hampshire, Sarah had threatened to leave him. She said that she was tired of him always being on the road and was sick of only being able to see him on T.V; that she had come to a point in her life when she needed to be in a real relationship, and not some game. But what she didn’t seem to understand was that there was nothing he wanted to give her more than a ‘real’ relationship. He knew that if he didn’t come up with some kind of a solution, he would lose her forever. And that was something he just wasn’t ready to accept...
**Later That Afternoon**
“Ok, so just stand there, read the lyrics, and sing” Jane Floyd directed, leaving me behind in the soundbooth.
I had gone in for my first recording session, and everything was going faster than I had anticipated. Cracking my voice, I held my headphones flat against my ears and waited for the music to start. With a flick of her finger, the music began to fill my head. They had me recording a new song, and it flat-out sucked. It was one of those dancy/pop cheesy bubblegum tracks.
“Yeah-yeah-yeah- I love you baby-yeah” I sang along hesitantly.
Then it stopped. Looking at Jane questionably, I waited for an explanation.
“What the hell was that?” I heard her voice echo through the speaker.
Removing my headphones, I apologized “I’m sorry! But I can’t sing this. It’s crap.”
Right then I saw Brian enter the room Jane was in. The two conversed a while before he turned to smile at me from across the glass.
“You Ok Eli?” he asked, shutting the door behind himself as he came to join me.
“No, I’m not” I answered bluntly, leaning on my stool “Did you hear this song? It’s shit. No, come to think of it, shit sounds appetizing next to this! Sounds more like someone throwing up and swal-”
“Ok, I get it!” Brian laughed “But you’re not exactly in a position to object here. You gotta do what they ask ya...”
Straightening, I protested “No way!! The last thing this world needs is another Britney Spears. Look, I know that this is all being done for me, but I’d like to have a say in this whole thing too. Shouldn’t I start with a good song? Something with a little more substance than ‘baby-baby-baby’???”
He stared at me, apparently deep in thought. “You’re right” Brian agreed before returning to discuss the matter with Floyd.
**Later That Day**
“Why is it, that all this time, you couldn’t see that you and I were meant to be...”
And for the last time, I sang the final verse of my new song. Brian had convinced Jane to let me record another song that was on the B side of some other pop star's album.
Before leaving, Floyd informed me that they’d be sending it to various radio stations so that I’d get airplay. She also gave me the good news that JIVE was eager to sign me to its label. That woman sure had connections…
As we waited for our cab, (which had now become a frequent scenario), I felt Brian’s arms rap around my waste. Feeling his warm breath against my skin, my whole body tingled. What had I ever done to deserve him?
**Meanwhile, Back At the Hotel**
“Nick, you coming with?” Howie hollered.
“Nah, I’ll just chill here for a while” He answered blankly, pointing the remote at the T.V.
Howie sighed before locking the door behind himself. Nick had been glued to the tube all day, and he knew it was because of what happened with Brian. Although he wasn’t certain, he had the feeling Eli had something to do with it as well. Howie could see the pain in his eyes whenever she was around. He felt bad for one friend, but was glad for the other. Brian deserved to have someone like Eli and not Becca in his life. Now if only he could find someone...
**That Evening**
“Thanks for supper” went Jena, giving me a kiss on the cheek.
“Welcome” I said placing the dishes in the dishwasher.
“Oh, I almost forgot” Holly shrieked, running into her room only to reappear a few moments later.
“This is for you” she smiled, handing a pile of papers to Jason who was already lying on the couch.
“What’s this?” he asked, taking them from her dubiously.
“It’s your homework. Your teacher asked me to send it to you”
An expression of pure disgust appeared on his face.
“Uh, you shouldn’t have” he muttered.
“I know!” Holly said proudly, not detecting the sarcasm.
“No, I mean you really shouldn’t have ” he mumbled tossing the sheets aside and returning to his program.
I wiped my hands, laughing when I heard a knock at the door.
“Coming” I shouted, swinging the door open. I grinned; “Hi Brian”
“Hey there babe” he gushed.
He was so adorable “Um, I was just on my downstairs- nightshift. Care to join?”
“With pleasure” went Brian in a mock-bow.
Before leaving I told the twins to be in bed by nine “And Jason, don’t forget, it’s back to school for you tomorrow” I added as Brian and I left hand-in-hand.
**Same Time**
Kevin inhaled sharply as he held the phone to his ear, waiting for the person on the other end of the line to pick up.
“Hello”
“Sarah?”
There was a pause. “Kevin?” Sarah eventually retorted.
Kevin exhaled “Hi baby, how are you?”
There was another short silence “I’m doing Ok” she answered flatly.
“I miss you” went Kevin, expecting her to say the same.
But to his disappointment, she didn’t reply.
“Sweety?” he said softly
“I’m here. Look Kev, I’ve gotta go. We’ll talk soon, Ok?” she told him, hanging up abruptly.
Kevin didn’t get it… He was doing everything he could for her, and she still gave him the cold shoulder. What was he doing wrong?
“Still not talkin’ to ya?” Howie queried from the couch.
“Nope” he sighed miserable, putting down the receiver.
**In the Back Room**
Brian watched me attentively as I did the accounting.
“What?” I laughed, throwing down my pen.
Leaning back in his chair, he crossed his arms behind his head “I hate math!” he remarked plainly.
“Yeah well, it ain’t my passion either” I admitted, finally closing the book.
Staring at him, I couldn’t help but get lost in his marvellous blue eyes.
“Penny for your thoughts” smiled Brian.
“You’re my thoughts” I answered truthfully, even though I knew it sounded cheesy.
“Well whatcha know” he said leaning across the table “Likewise”
Moving closer to him, I closed my eyes and let him kiss me. He somehow managed to get up with out parting from my lips. Then all of sudden, I felt nothing. Opening my eyes, I saw Brian on the floor, laughing.
“What?” I asked, feeling a little hurt.
Brian was laughing so hard that he was hardly able to speak. “I-I—I fell on my ass”
“Smooth move Romeo” I joked, punching him playfully in the shoulder.
“Oh yeah” he went, grabbing my arms and pulling me down to the ground with him “Trying to act smart with me”
I didn’t utter a word, only wiggled my eye brows suavely.
Next thing I knew, he rolled on top of me and began to tickle me.
“No, no, please stop!” I begged squirming under him in fits of laughter “Mercy, mercy!”
Stopping, he looked in my eyes and brushed away the hair from my face “How could I ever resist those pouty lips of yours?” he said lovably.
I blushed. There was silence.
Smiling, I placed my hands on the back of his head “Come here you” I said pushing him down forcefully to my lips.
**Meanwhile**
Nick watched silently as Brian and Eli engaged in a nasty game of tonsil hockey on the floor. He had come downstairs to pay Eli a visit since he knew that she’d be working late that night, and needless to say, this was the very last thing he expected to see. It took him all the strength he had to stop watching them, but eventually he was able to tear himself away.
Walking back to his room, he could hear A.J and Amanda “sharing” their love. Rolling his eyes, he unlocked the door. Alone again, he decided it was high time to check his mail. Taking out his lap top, he logged on. He had 56 unread messages! All from fans; asides from one: chickmagnt79@aol.com. It was his long time friend, Chris. Making himself more comfortable, he opened the message.
(it read)
Hey there bro,
up?? Guess a world famous pop star like yourself ain’t got no more time for a small town dude like me no more, huh.... Don’t worry man, that’s cool. As long as you’re getting some action, I support ya. Speaking of which, are you seeing anyone? Damn I hope so... For your sake LOL. Anyway, I’d better get goin’. Sure you’re busy and all, you know, touring the world and shit. Just let me know how things are. See ya! Chris
Nick sighed to himself and clicked on reply.
Hey there man,
How’s life treatin’ ya? I’ve been goin’ nuts. And this time, it’s not because of my schedule... I met this girl...
Nick began to tell Chris all about Eli. From how she’d blush at compliments, to how her smile could light up a room. Then he proceeded to tell him about her and Brian (the hard part). Finally, he finished with the news of her record deal.
So now that she's gonna be signed to the same label as us, plus same management! I’ll be able to spend much more time with her. Not that it matters. Wait till you meet her.
And he sent it. A few minutes later, he dozed off.
