"I'm great…" Nick stuttered out, knowing he would have to add another person onto the list of people he was currently lying to. "… What are you doin' here?" Nick asked amicably, but knowing he was going to kill the Backstreet Boy who called him. Dr. Belkin smiled and pulled a CD cover from under his coat.
"You're the only Backstreet Boy who hasn't signed it…" He said laughing. "…For my sister…" He explained. "…She's with Alex right now…" Dr. Belkin said pointing over his shoulder indicating a room across the hall, and indicating AJ-why did he call him Alex? Nick nodded and asked his sisters name so he could scrawl it onto the CD cover along with his signature next to the ones of his band mates.
Nick began listing candidates responsible for this surprise meeting- Kevin was the first, followed by Brian.
"I'm just curious…" Nick began handing back his sisters CD cover. "… Who called you?" Nick asked trying to sound breezy and upbeat-he did not want to let on anything was wrong.
"Oh…" Dr. Belkin started realising he had not disclosed why he was here. "Brian called me…" His explanation was droned out in Nick's mind as in his head he declared Brian a dead man. Yes, Nick thought, Brian is just looking out for me, but he knows nothing-why does he want to look out for me?
"…Brian remembered my sister was a fan, and offered us some tickets, which was very kind of him…" He quickly added as Nick's attention was brought back to reality.
"Yeah that's just Brian for you…" Nick said trying to keep a smile on his face. "…He's very charitable…" Nick agreed with Dr. Belkin, feeling his temper becoming active…he had never wanted to become Brian's charity. "So…" Nick said quickly changing the subject. "… Let's go and see your sister…" He declared walking out of the room and heading into the room across the hall. AJ and Amanda were running around in circles and she was giggling hysterically, like children. "She has autism." Dr. Belkin whispered to Nick, knowing he was trying to decipher what was slightly peculiar about her. She was wonderful; Nick thought as she ran up to him and asked him to join the running around. Nick joined, not wanting to disappoint Dr.Belkin or Amanda. Nick pondered while he was running and laughing over how spoilt and selfish he felt. This girl was happy and smiling and lived with her condition, whereas all he could do was be depressed about something as small as anxiety attacks. Nick felt angry at himself, feeling like he was being a baby, and wasting his life that was such a gift to him.
After feeling slightly tired and realising show time was steadily ticking closer, he excused himself, his destination-Brian.
He first bumped into Leighanne who was taking Baylee, who was now awake, to play with Amanda. Baylee didn't get the opportunity to play with anyone other than adults often, so Leighanne thought it would be good for him. Leighanne signed Brian's death warrant by telling Nick where he was. Nick could feel his pulse rate increasing, feeling the skin at his wrist stretching with each rhythmic bump against his veins. He wasn't so concerned with acting now. He forced the door open angrily with his arm, which made Brian jump before smiling at his silliness and finishing his tea with honey. Nick stood in front of Brian with his arms folded. His gaze was fixed on Brian's wondering face.
"Why the fuck is he here?" Nick asked firmly after an awkward patch of silence. Brian's lips curled up while he was thinking of what to say, and how to brace Nick lightly for his opinion. Brian failed to answer quickly enough and Nick moved his broad stature forward until he was nearly nose to nose with Brian. "Why is he here?" Nick asked more forcefully but slowly, ensuring Brian heard every word he said.
Before Brian could answer, Kevin popped his head around the door rallying around trying to find his band for the concert they were to perform in twenty minutes. Nick looked at Kevin. He then looked at Brian. Later, Nick thought as he stormed out of the room and headed for wardrobe. He was furious, but he didn't know what he was angry at more-Brian taking things into his own hands, or Nick realising that his act was not as effective as he first anticipated.
