Music - http://phatbowling.com/bsbfiction/Where_are_you_now_part

Chapter 4

“Nick!” Abby yelled, “Wait up!” She said as she jogged up behind Nick and grabbed his arm. “Are you ok?” She asked concerned.

He turned his tear-streaked face to look at her. “Does this look like I’m ok?” He asked, almost yelling.

“Wanna go back to the hotel?” She asked softly.

“Yeah.” His shoulders started to shake as he turned his back to Abby and started walking away. “I wanna go back alone.”

3 weeks ago

She signed the note quickly and grabbed her bags from the closet. She bit her lip wondering if this was really the right thing to do. She let the bags fall to the floor as she began to cry. She walked over to the bed where Nick lays sound asleep, and brushed the hair out of his face. “I love you.” She whispered between sobs. He rolled over at her touch and mumbled something that she couldn’t understand. “Goodbye Nicky.” She said as she grabbed her bags, turned the knob, and walked silently out the door. Her two best friends greeted her.

“You know Bonnie, you could always change your mind and walk straight back in there.” Lydia said.

“Can’t.”

“You’re being ridiculous! You’re throwing away the best thing that’s ever happened to you! Are you crazy?” Lydia scolded.

“Listen Lydia, if you came to say goodbye then say it. Otherwise get out of my way, I’m gonna be late.” She said and wiped the tears from her face.

“Lydia’s right Bonnie.” Debbie added softly. “Don’t go, please.” She said, her eyes begging.

“Bye guys.” Bonnie said as she quickly walked away. When she reached her cab she stopped, realizing that once she got in that cab she could never come back. “What the hell am I doing?” She asked herself aloud and took one step back towards the hotel. She shook her head and pushed the thought out of her mind and jumped in the cab. She was soon at the airport and boarded her plane to Orlando.

Present

Nick sat on his bed reading the note over and over again. “Why Bonnie?” He asked to no one in particular. “Come back.” He begged. He jumped at the sound of someone knocking on his door. He shoved the note back into his book and wiped his face off before he got to the door. He opened it with a forced smile on his face; it quickly dropped as he looked at Brian. “What do you want?” He asked coldly as he opened the door wider so Brian could come in. Brian pushed a stroller with his 4-month-old baby girl, Madison, into Nick’s room.

“Thought you’d like some company, besides, Maddy misses her Uncle Nick!” Brian said smiling. Nick smiled as he looked at the sleeping baby.

“Bonnie always wanted to have a baby girl first.” He said looking up at Brian. Brian sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

“Nick, I’m sorry about earlier.”

“It’s ok Rok,” Nick said as his eyes filled with tears. “I just miss her ya know?” He said as the dam of his eyes gave way and the tears came pouring out.

Debbie took another shot down at the bar and laughed as Lydia, Howie, and AJ downed yet another one. “You guys are pretty wasted!” Debbie exclaimed.

“Like you’re one to talk Deb.” AJ said pulling Debbie into a kiss. “I’d say, you’re worse off than me baby,” he said when they parted. “Ya know Deb if you’re getting tired, we could always take some drinks upstairs.”

“Alexander James McLean, I do believe you’re trying to get me in bed!” Debbie said smiling. AJ threw his hands up defending himself.

“Hey, you said it. Wanna go?” He asked wiggling his eyebrows at her. Debbie linked her fingers together behind AJ’s neck and kissed him. “I’ll take that as a yes, bye guys.” He said and grabbed Debbie’s hand dragging her to the elevator. Howie and Lydia ordered more drinks, and they looked up as Nick walked over to their table.

“Yo Nick!” Howie said and pointed to a chair, offering it to Nick. “Want anything to drink? It’s on me.” Howie said.

“Nah, I just wanted to get out of my room. I tried going over to see if Abby wanted to talk, but she wasn’t in her room. Whatcha guys up to?” He asked.

“Nothing much man, we were just gonna head on over to the club. Wanna come?” Howie offered.

“Nope,” he sighed. “I’ll just go back up to my room. Night guys.” He said and stood up slowly.

“Debbie, promise me one thing.” AJ said looking at the girl in his arms.

“What?” She asked and kissed his chin softly.

“Don’t ever do to me what Bonnie did to Nick.”

“What do you mean?”

“That bitch left him, she used him, and left him.” He said disgusted. Debbie sat up suddenly and looked at AJ, dumbfounded by what had just come out of his mouth.

“Don’t you dare talk about her that way, she’s one of my best friends.” She said as she jumped out of the bed throwing her clothes on.

“How can you say that about her? She’s a liar, and she doesn’t deserve Nick. I knew he made a mistake when he asked her out.”

“AJ! Please stop! Bonnie is still my best friend whether you like it or not. Besides, you don’t even know why she left, so don’t go making up dumbass stories about her!” She yelled and headed for the door.

“Baby, what are you doing?”

“Leaving.” “When will you be back?”

“Dunno.” She said simply and slammed the door behind her.

Lydia and Howie sat in the back of the SUV on their way to a local club.

“Ya know what Lyd?” Howie asked.

“Hmmm?” She responded, scooting closer to him.

“I feel sorry for Nick, usually he’d jump at the chance to hit a club with us.”

“Yeah.” Lydia said avoiding Howie’s gaze. Howie stared at her, he could tell she was hiding something.

“Lyd, hon,” he started. “Look at me. What do you know?” Lydia’s head quickly turned around to face him.

“N…Nothing.” She stammered nervously.

“You’re lying.”

“Howie, I promised that I wouldn’t tell anyone…ok? Besides, if Bonnie didn’t want anyone knowing she’s pregnant—“

“What?” Howie exclaimed.

“Shit.” Lydia whispered under her breath. “Howie listen to me, you’re not to tell anyone! I promised!”

“Wow.” Howie murmured. “So that’s why she left? Nick’s baby?”

“Yes and yes. But Howie, promise me!”

“Ok ok.” He said and kissed her. “I promise.”

*

“Sorry.” Debbie said to Nick as she bumped into him on her way out of the hotel room.

“It’s ok.” Nick smiled. She was noticeably upset. “What’s wrong?” He asked casually.

“AJ.” She said and rolled her eyes.

“Fight?”

“Yeah.” She said and looked down to the floor. “Nick?”

“Hmm?”

“Wanna go downstairs and get a drink with me?”

“Sure.” He smiled.

3 weeks ago

Nick rolled over and put his arm around what was supposed to be Bonnie, instead his arm hit air and his eyes opened slowly. “Bonnie?” He asked weakly. Silence. Maybe she’s in the shower he thought. He got out of bed and knocked on the bathroom door. “Bon? You in there?” Silence. “Maybe she went to get breakfast.” He said aloud and headed back to the bed. Just as he was pulling the covers up a small white envelope on the dresser caught his eye. Curiously he walked over and picked it up. His name was on the front in Bonnie’s handwriting. He tore the envelope open quickly and unfolded the note. His heart sank with every word he read. He leaned against the wall, sliding down so he was sitting. He put his head in his hands and began to cry.

Present

Howie ran quickly to the elevator at his hotel. He needed to speak to AJ right away. “C’mon, open!” He said to the elevator doors. Finally, they opened and Howie stepped in. “Damn, what floor is J on?”

“He’s in 23.” Someone said behind him. Howie turned around quickly to find Shelly standing there. “Go on, push it. Or do you need me to?” She asked, flirting with Howie.

“I got it thanks.” He said. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was gorgeous. “So…um, how did you know that was AJ’s floor?” He asked.

“Oh, ya know Debbie? She’s my sister.” She said and stepped closer to Howie. He nodded his head and heard the bell ring for his floor. “Well, I um, guess that’s me, see ya later.” He said and smiled.

“I hope so.”

He walked down the hall to AJ’s room. Lydia was going to kill him for this, but he needed to know how AJ felt about not telling Nick. He reached the door and knocked. The door opened quickly, “Debbie?” AJ said. His hope fell when he saw Howie standing there. “Oh, come on in D.” AJ said and walked to his bed to sit down.

“You and Deb having problems?” He asked.

“Yeah, but I don’t wanna talk about it. Why are ya here?”

“Well, I…Lydia…she told me why Bonnie left.” He said and shifted nervously.

“And?”

“She’s pregnant.” AJ’s mouth fell open. He didn’t know what to say or how to react.

“She…she left because of that?”

“Uh huh.”

“But…why? Nick would have understood, hell he’d be happy about this!” AJ said angrily. “We have to tell him. If that bitch is gonna hide it, we’re not.”

“But I promised Lydia that I wouldn’t tell anyone.”

“Well, you’ve already broken that promise, now c’mon!” AJ said as he burst out the room, almost running to Nick’s room. Howie reluctantly followed. They got to the elevators and Howie heard Lydia’s familiar voice behind him.

“Lydia?” He said sheepishly.

“You told him, didn’t you?!” She yelled.

“Well, I…I had too.” He said and reached for Lydia. She backed away disgusted.

“Howie, you promised me!” She shrieked. Quickly, she turned and headed for her room.

“Lydia!”

“No! Don’t come near me Howard!” Howie looked at AJ nervously.

“Eh, go ahead. I can tell Nick myself.” He said and smiled.

AJ finally reached Nick’s room and pulled out the key to get in. He fumbled around for a bit and finally pushed it open. “Nick?” He said as his eyes fell upon two sleeping people in each other’s arms. “Debbie?” He whispered. “What’s going on?” He said loud enough to wake them up. They both jumped quickly out of the bed.

“AJ? What…what are you doing here?” Nick asked nervously.

“I…Debbie? What the hell are you doing here?” AJ asked in shock.

“It’s not what it looks like honey. Really, we were just talking. We must have fallen asleep!” Debbie said defending herself.

“No, fuck you!” He said and left the room. Debbie started for the door, but Nick lightly grabbed her hand and turned her around to face him.

“Let him cool down Deb.” He said calmly and pulled his crying friend into his arms.

Chapter 5

Howie stood outside his hotel room door. “Lydia, hon. Let me in, I’m sorry!” He yelled through the door.

“Go away.”

“Lyd, please.” He begged. The door suddenly opened and Howie walked inside. “Can I explain.”

“No. How do you explain breaking a promise? You knew exactly what you were doing.”

Howie groaned in frustration. “Do you have to be so stubborn?”

“Yes.” She said simply and walked towards the door. “I’m going to see if Deb and AJ want some company tonight, see ya.” She said and headed for the door.

“Uh, Lyd?”

“Hmm?”

“Deb is mad at AJ at the moment.”

“Fine, I’ll send AJ up here to room with you.” She said and shut the door behind her. She leaned against the wall and looked at her watch before heading to Debbie’s room. She got half way down the hallway when she heard the door to her room open.

“Lydia wait,” he said and walked up behind her. Wrapping his arms around her waist. “I’m sorry.” He said kissing the top of her head. “Forgive me?”

“I was beginning to wonder what took you so long to come out here, it’s been almost 5 minutes babe.” She said smiling and turning around kiss him. “I’m sorry too.” The two of them headed back to their room and sat on the bed in silence.

“Lydia, J is going to tell Nick.”

“Ok.” She said and leaned over to rub his shoulders.

“You’re not mad?” He asked as he rested his head on her chest.

“No.” she said and laid down on the bed. “Wanna join me?” She said and giggled as Howie laid down next to her and kissed her.

*

Nick and Debbie sat in silence in Nick’s room. A ringing of a cell phone made them both jump.

“Oh, it’s me.” Debbie said as she looked at the caller ID. She noticed it was Bonnie’s new number, “Shit,” she mumbled.

“AJ?” Nick asked when her heard her.

“Uh, yeah. I’m um…gonna take this outside.” She said as she got up from the bed and headed for the door. She shut the door quickly behind her and headed down the hall. “Hello?”

“Deb?”

“Yeah, Bon? What are you doing?”

“I um…I wanted to talk to you.”

“Yeah? How are you doing?”

“Good…great.”

“You’re lying.”

“Well, what do you want me to say? That I’m miserable without him? That I can’t do this on my own? That I made the biggest mistake of my life when I walked out that door?” She sobbed.

“Shhh, Bon. It’s ok.” She soothed with tears in her eyes. “You could always…ya know come back.”

“Yeah, that’ll go over really well.” She said sarcastically. “Hey Nicky, I left you because I’m having your baby, now I’m back.” She mocked.

“He loves you.”

“Deb, he’s as stubborn as me, you really think he’ll take me back just like that?”

“He deserves to know the truth. He’s a great guy Bonnie, it’s unfair to keep him in the dark like this. He’s miserable without you.”

“Ugh, I don’t need this right now, especially from you.” She said wiping the tears away. “I gotta get going.”

“Bon, wait.”

“What?”

“The baby is ok…right?” Debbie asked concerned.

“Yeah, healthy as a horse.” She said and rubbed her stomach. “Debbie, I really have to go, I’ll call you later this week or something.”

“Ok, bye. Take care of yourself.”

“Wait.”

“Yes?”

“How’s…um…how is he doing?”

“Honestly? He’s a wreck. His eyes don’t have the same spark as they once did.”

“Oh.” Bonnie said sadly. “Bye Debbie.” She whispered and hung up the phone. Bonnie sat on the edge of her bed crying. “I’m so sorry Nick.” She silently whispered. She slowly stood up and headed for the window. Night had just settled in on the city around her. Bonnie caught herself wondering what Nick was doing at that moment. “Well, baby, I think we need some ice cream.” She slightly smiled and walked down the hall to the kitchen, her hand on her stomach. “Chocolate ok?”

*

“Abby! Wait!” Nick called down the hall the next afternoon.

“Yeah?”

“Look, I know that when we were at TRL I was kind of…an ass. I’d like to start over, meet me for dinner tonight?”

“Nick, I’m leaving to go home tonight. I’d love to…but –“

“Then lets go now, I’m sure you have an hour or so to spare right?”

“Hmmm, you don’t have to twist my arm.” She said and smiled sweetly. “Where to Carter?”

“Your pick.”

“Well, I was actually on my way to Micky D’s with my friend…so, you mind going there?”

“Ah, a girl after my own heart.” Nick said as he held out his hand for Abby.

*

“McLean.”

“Baby?” AJ sighed loudly when he heard Debbie’s voice on the other line.

“What?”

“Nick and I, we’re not…ya know.” Debbie said cautiously. “Don’t be mad please, we were just talking and I…I didn’t wanna come back to our room, I was still mad at you. And Nick offered that I stay there. I was tired and –“

“Debbie?”

“Hmm?”

“Do you honestly think I could still be mad at you?”

“Well—“

“I love you.”

“AJ?”

“What?”

“I love you too, now could ya please open the door to our room so I can come in and take a shower?”

“You’re out there?”

“Yup.” She said as the door to their room opened and AJ scooped Debbie into his arms and kissed her.

“You said something about a shower?”

“AJ!” She said and hit him playfully. “I’ll race ya!” She yelled as she ran ahead of him into the bathroom.

“Hey! No fair!” AJ pouted.

“Alex?”

“Hmm?” He said as she grabbed his hand and pulled him into the bathroom.

“Wanna know what the loser gets?”

*

“Nick?”

“Yeah?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Shoot.”

“Well, um…yesterday. What was all that about?” She asked and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “I’ll understand if you don’t wanna talk about it.”

“Uh…no it’s alright. I um…just broke up with my last girlfriend. Bad break-up.” He said willing himself not to cry.

“Oh.”

“But, she’s long gone now. So I figure, why not look to the future.” He said and smiled. Abby blushed at his comment. “When you headed home?”

“Oh um…I have to be at the airport in an hour.” She said looking at her watch. “I should be getting back to my room to pack up and stuff.”

“Want any help?”

“Sure.” She said getting up and taking Nick’s hand in hers.

Sign Guestbook

View Guestbook

Jamie4120@starmail.com

Visitors: 00306

Page Updated Sat Apr 20, 2002 3:04pm EDT