Karen and Nick spent their first and second week anniversary at the beach and their relationship was slowly growing. Karen had forgotten her feelings for Brian. Nick spent the night at their place every second day. He couldn't bare the thought of leaving her side. They hung out with Brian as much as they could because they didn't want him to feel ignored.
Brian on the other hand became friends with Jordan and he apologized about everything. He realized that Jordan was an understanding guy and he was good for Leigh Anne. He had learned to let go of Leigh Anne and his feelings for Karen was still not known. The bracelet he bought for her he kept in his sock drawer. He had forgotten about it. He tried his best to keep busy by working out and playing ball as much as he could at the gym.
Leigh Anne was trying to prove that Brian cared for Karen not only as a friend but more. She thought it was something she could do to make up for hurting Brian. She didn't want to hurt Nick either but she knew Brian liked her deep down. He just didn't want to admit it. Brian was really fragile deep down but being the great person he was he kept his head high no matter what the situation was. Leigh Anne knew he deserved someone to treat him right and he deserved to be happy.
Well, on this fine night, Nick decided to go home for the night, he had to attend a family dinner. He asked Karen to join him, but she felt she would be in the way. So she told him to go and she'd talk to him later. No matter how much he begged and pleaded, she denied his invitation. "You go ahead, I'm kind of tired anyways...I was with you all day, you should spend time with your family now alone." she said. She said as she kissed him. "It's not like I'm going to run away from you." she laughed.
"Okay, I'll call you later tonight." Nick smiled. Giving her one last kiss, as he left.
Karen went up to her room and changed into pajama pants and a tank top. She then walked down to the kitchen to grab some munchies and headed for the family room. She had the house to herself so she decided to watch some TV. 'Nick's a great guy, I don't know what I'd do without him.'
An hour later, Brian returned home from his secret place. He had been there quite a lot lately to get away from reality. He went into the family room and saw Karen munching away on chips. "Well, well, aren't you bumming around. Where's Nick?"
"Hey, he's had a family dinner to go to and I felt like staying at home tonight so... here I am!"
"Mind if I join you?" Brian asked.
"Not at all."
"Okay, I'll be back, I'm going to change."
"Alright."
Brian went upstairs and changed into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and went back down to join Karen. "Well, have you eaten yet?" he asked Karen.
"No.."
"Let's order some pizza, what kind do you like?"
"Cheese pizza."
"Really? That's my favorite..." Brian smiled. "I'll go order it." He returned to the family room and asked, "So how was your day?"
"It was actually pretty cool. Nick took me out for lunch and we went to the beach today."
"Yeah he loves the beach."
"I know, he told me..." Karen laughed. "What about you?"
"I went to my secret place." he said.
"Oh, are you okay?"
"Oh yeah.." he said. "I go there all the time. It helps me relax."
"That's good. So I see that you are getting along well with Leigh Anne and Jordan."
"Yeah, he isn't that bad after all." he said. "He's a lucky guy." he sighed.
"I'm sorry I brought it up." Karen said feeling bad. "Anyways..." she changed the subject. "Find anyone special yet??"
"Nah... I haven't found the girl of my dreams yet..." he laughed. "Actually, I think I'm enjoying single life right now..even though it's kind of lonely and my two best friends are going out....but it's cool I'm making new friends."
"Wicked.." she turned the channel and there was an old interview the Backstreet Boys did at the beginning of their last tour being played on MTV. She watched intently.
Carson Daly: "So how's the famous life treating you?"
Kevin: "Well, it's hectic, but hey we love to do it. Music is our life."
A.J.: "Yeah, we love our fans and performing."
Daly: "That's good. Well, we have a letter here and it says, 'Dear Backstreet Boys, my sister, Charity, met you guys last year through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The doctors said she had a week to live and after your visit with her, her spirits lifted and miraculously she lived another 8 months. She died last October and I'd just like to thank you for taking time out of your busy scheduale to make her wish come true. I know she's up there watching over me and my family, and I know she's playing your CD over and over again driving others crazy up there in heaven. Thank you and I love you. Love, Tracy' (He looked up at the boys and they were wiping away tears.) Well, guys, you've touched many people's hearts by making their dreams and wishes come true. How has this affected your loves?"
Brian: "I remember Charity, she was a cute little girl. I remember seeing her laying in the bed all helpless but once she saw us (he said wiping away another tear), she was the happiest little girl alive."
Nick: "I remember that too."
Howie: "It's touched our lives greatly. I think it makes us want to continue to make music and be good role models to these people especially the younger audience. We try our best to fulfill every fan's dreams but to the fans who need us more, we feel if we could make a difference we'll do our best to make things a little bit easier and better for the grieving families."
Daly: "Hey all you fans out there, these guys sure do have huge hearts. I have another letter here. 'Hey Carson and the Backstreet Boys, I'd like to know if any of the boys are seeing anyone right now. Thanks, from Kristy in Mississippi' Well guys the girlfriend question. What'll it be?'
Howie: "I'm single."
Kevin: "I'm still looking."
A.J.: "I'm seeing someone."
Nick: "I'm free."
Brian: "I'm seeing someone."
Daly: "Well there you have it girls.. 2 out of 5 of the boys are dating. Well, that's all the time we have today. Thank you Backstreet Boys for stopping by. And I hope to see you guys soon."
Kevin: "Thank you."
Karen turned off the TV, she had tears in her eyes. Brian looked at her. "What's wrong?"
"That was so sweet of you guys to do that for the little girl." she said.
"It's part of our job." he said softly as he walked over to her and gave her a hug.
Ding! Dong! "Pizza's here." Brian said getting up. He went to pay for the pizza and the two sat there eating and talking.
At the hotel, Theresa and Dawn were watching the interview as well. "Dawn, I'm going to miss my friends in New York, I mean moving to a new city and having to make friends all over again." Theresa said. "I don't think I want to move here. Sure it's a beautiful city and everything, but I've lived there all my life..."
"I will too. But hey, it'll be fun, we still have each other." Dawn smiled.
"Yeah, that's all that counts right?" Theresa said sadly.
"Of course, we'll be there for each other when we get married and have children." Dawn joked.
"Yeah..." Theresa drifted off.
"Hey we have to tell the guys..." Dawn started, "They'll be happy to hear the good news.."
"Yeah, I hope so.." Theresa sighed. She was thinking about Nick and Brian. She felt they weren't quite fond of her after what she had done to their beloved Karen.
"Don't worry, Theresa, they're probably over the incident anyways." Dawn assured.
"Yeah.." Theresa sighed.
"Come on Theresa, don't let this put you down again."
"I'm sorry. I just can't forget about Nick. He's... I admit I'm jealous of Karen but I don't like her at all. She's out there to hurt him. I have a feeling about it."
"Theresa.."
"I know what you're going to say...please don't say it.." Theresa interrupted.
"Well, can you at least try to have fun...God summer's almost over and you're moping around like someone died."
Theresa laughed. "Okay... I'll stop."
Dawn continued, "But these past couple of weeks you have truly been YOU, not the rude person I saw a couple of weeks ago but the NICE and KIND Theresa you really are. I like you that way."
"Thanks Dawn, I love you, you're the only person that really knows who I am." Theresa went over to give her best friend a hug.
The two went back to their gossip and giggling. The two fell asleep smiling, they had a good time with each other and that's what they needed in a long time.
Back at the house, Karen and Brian were having good laughs. "You know this reminds me of the first day we met." Brian said. "We haven't hung out like this for weeks."
"Yeah, I know what you mean, it feels good doesn't it?"
"Yeah it does." Brian laughed, "I never knew we were so much alike." he smiled.
"Yeah, isn't that funny." Karen joked.
"You're such a kidder."
"So are you."
Their laughing drifted off as they looked into each other's eyes. Their faces got closer and closer and their lips locked into a deep kiss. They quickly backed away from each other. "I'm.. I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to.." Brian said nervously.
"I.. I.. umm.." Karen said at the same time. 'Oh my god, Nick can't find out about this...'
"It was my fault. I didn't mean to kiss you." Brian apologized.
Karen looked at the nervous guy in front of her. "Don't worry about it, it was a friendly kiss... right? Nick doesn't have to know about it." Her heart was racing crazily.
"Yeah Nick doesn't need to know about it... It was a mistake.. a friendly kiss." Brian mumbled.
"Umm.. Brian I'm going to go to bed." Karen said getting up. She was fidgeting with her fingers. She quickly ran up the stairs.
'What have I done?' Brian said. 'I just made a move on my best friend's girlfriend. God, I'm so stupid!' he said smacking himself in the head.
Upstairs, 'We kissed?!' she said touching her lips. 'His lips were so soft.' She said treasuring the moment. "Oh no, Nick! What have I done? I've just cheated on him with his best friend." she said out loud worried. 'No, I didn't sleep with him or anything, it was just cause we were having a good time, it was a friendly kiss. Friends can kiss friends right?' she asked herself. 'But not like that.' She sat on her bed. She laid down and starred at the ceiling. 'God, should I tell Nick?'
Back downstairs, 'I have to go talk to her.' Brian thought. 'We have to get things straight.' He slowly headed up the stairs. 'I just hope this doesn't come between our friendship.' he walked up to her door and knocked.
The door opened slowly. "Brian?" "Karen?" "We need to talk!" They said at the same time.
"You go first." Karen said.
"Karen, I didn't mean to kiss you like that. I don't know what I was thinking. I didn't mean to do that to my best friend. I didn't mean to make a move on my best friend's girlfriend." Brian explained. "But that kiss, it felt weird.. it felt like we connected."
'What is he talking about?' Karen thought. "Brian, it was partly my fault, I didn't exactly push you away or make an effort to stop... it felt different, yes!" she said trying to make it easier for them to talk.
"We have to promise each other not to tell Nick. He'll.. he'll never understand." Brian said.
"I agree, but what if he finds out."
"It'll be hard to keep it a secret, he is my best friend..." Brian said sadly. 'Leigh Anne was right all along....' He sighed.
"He won't.. I hope.." Karen teared up.
Brian reached to give her a hug. "I won't tell if you won't. I promise you that."
"I promise," Karen said smiling weakly.
"Well, I'm going to bed too." Brian said. "Please... trust me.. I'm sorry for everything.. I know I've complicated your life again...But I swear to you I won't tell Nick..."
"No, you didn't complicate my life again...." Karen said.
"I'll see you in the morning." Brian smiled as he left the room.
Karen sat there...'My feelings for him are returning. But I do love Nick, he has done everything for me. My feelings for Nick are strong but now my feelings for Brian are just as strong. We've only been going out a couple of weeks and here I am, kissing his best friend.' she thought, 'I'm sure Brian doesn't return those feelings for me, it was just a coincidence.. that's all,' she believed. She laid down in her bed and under her covers, 'Do I really love Nick or is it Brian I want?' she closed her eyes, the kiss between her and Brian played over and over again in her mind.
Brian laid in his bed in his room, 'I never wanted to do this. I knew perfectly well she was with Nick and here I am kissing his girl. He'll never trust me again!' he thought. 'Leigh Anne keeps telling me that she can tell that I like her. Maybe it's just the thoughts she keeps putting in my head, now I'm making it real. Maybe that's the reason.' Then he heard a knock on his door. "Come in..." he answered thinking it was Kevin or Howie. To his surprise, there was Karen, "Are you okay?" he asked.
"No, I can't sleep. Our kiss keeps playing and playing over in my mind. I don't know where this puts me with Nick now." she said confused. "My mind is confused and I don't know.." she started to cry.
Brian got up and gave her hug. He too started to cry. "I didn't mean to cause you pain, I never wanted to hurt you, Nick's my best friend and so are you. I've just made your life, my life and Nick's life miserable. Even though Nick doesn't know about it, I feel like I've ripped our friendships apart all in one hour."
Karen listened, she had seen Brian cry before, but he was crying with his heart even more. She looked at him.. "Brian?" she said wiping away his tears. "We'll get through this together, somehow?"
Brian looked at her lovingly. They looked into each other's eyes and it ended up in a kiss. Brian continued to kiss her as he shut the door. Karen and Brian had no control over what was going on. Both their true feelings was taking over. They just didn't know. They deepened the kiss and Brian moved her to his bed. They got out of control as Brian slipped his tongue into her mouth, he massaged his tongue with hers forcefully as she ran her fingers through his hair. Karen rolled on top of him and slowly kissed his neck. Brian felt like he was in heaven, he had no regrets at that moment. Karen pulled his shirt off of him and started kissing his chest. She couldn't stop her urge to just want him. Brian placed Karen under him as he started to nibble her ear which moved down to he neck. He pulled her tank to up licking her belly. Karen sat up and he gently lifted her tank top off of her showing her bra. They sat there kissing each other more intently than ever. Both of them breathing heavily as their hands began to wander all around each other's bodies. Just then, a voice yelled out, "Brian are you there?" It was Kevin as the two stopped their heavy make out session and jumped off the bed to get their shirts back on.
"Umm... yeah, I'm in my room." He pulled out a deck of cards. "I'm playing cards with Karen," he lied.
"Oh alright? Howie and I are going out for dinner, you guys want to come?"
"No it's alright... we already ate." he yelled out to them.
"We'll be back in a couple of hours." Kevin yelled.
"Okay..." he looked at Karen. "Where were we?" he said forgetting about Nick.
"We were right about here." she grinned as she had forgotten about Nick as well. She leaned in and kissed him.
Brian laid her back onto his bed. They continued to kiss for a few more minutes. As they stopped their kissing, Karen laid in Brian's arms. 'This feels right. I belong here.'
'It feels good to have her here in my arms.' Brian thought. 'I just wish...' Brian got up quickly. "Karen?! I totally forgot about Nick... Oh no, I've done it again."
"Oh my god!" Karen said in surprise. "I forgot too."
The two looked at each other with worried eyes. "We'll keep this between us alright?" Brian embraced her. "Karen?"
"Yeah," she said.
"I think I love you." he whispered.
Karen sat there speechless. 'He loves me? Oh no, he doesn't know what he's talking about. He's still hung up on Leigh Anne, he musn't love me...' Karen's mind said frazzled. "You love me?" she said weakly.
"Oops, did I say that out loud?" he said worried.
Karen looked at him and kissed him, "I think I love you too." Karen said to him without knowing she had just said it.
"You do?"
Karen nodded as she was tired and laid down in his arms. She fell asleep as Brian held her, he too fell asleep.
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