Chapter 15

Nick sat on the balcony, staring out into the starry sky. The moon shone down brightly, lighting his silhouette. The air was chilly and he pulled his jacket tighter. Each breath he drew in was returned with a small puff of smoke when he blew out, his warm breath startling the cool air. Unlike Florida, the night here was silent. The markets had closed for the night and most people, if they were out, were near the clubs. She lived away from it all in a rather quiet area, except during the day when the streets came alive.

Looking over his shoulder, he saw her sitting at the bar, the cordless phone to her ear. As they were finishing with the dinner dishes, her assistant from her company had called. She had told him she wouldn’t be long, but it had been over a half hour since she said that. He let himself out onto the balcony, enjoying the quietness of the night. Leaning back in the wrought-iron chair, he sighed. The past month had been such a whirlwind of events, but at the same time, it passed by slowly. So much had happened but in so little time. Until the accident, he had never really had a chance to just sit back and think about everything. Now, he had too much time. Maybe thinking too much was his problem.

From behind him, the door slid opened and Riley stepped out into the night.

“Sorry about that.”

“Is she the one taking over here?”

“Yeah. She basically ran it while I was in the States and did a great job, so I figured I’d pass my torch onto her.”

“Is she excited?”

“Very. She wouldn’t stop talking.” Riley sat down in the chair beside him, letting out a sigh of relaxation. The air was still as were they. His watch beeped suddenly, interrupting the awkward silence.

“What’s that for?” She asked.

“Medication. Sad, I know, but I’d forget without it.” He dug into the pocket of his hooded sweatshirt and withdrew a vial of medicine. Uncapping it, he shook one into his hand. Riley handed him a glass of water as he replaced the vial into the pocket.

“Thanks.”

He swallowed it and handed the glass back. She set it on the railing, hoping gravity wouldn’t get the best of it and let it fall.

Silence. A car honking in the distance. The sound of a door closing somewhere. But mostly silence.

“Nick?”

“Hm?” He didn’t take his eyes off the sky as he watched a plane fly over.

“How’d you get it?”

More silence.

He took in a breath and hesitated before he answered. “Remember Kelly?”

“Bartender from Vegas?”

“Yep.”

“Yeah.”

“That’s how I got it.”

“She didn’t tell you?”

“No.”

“Did she know?”

“Yep.”

“Does she know about you?”

“Yeah.”

Riley sat up, leaning her elbows on her thighs to sit forward.

“Did Emily know?”

“No.”

“You didn’t ever…”

“No. That’s why she dumped me. Our relationship wasn’t going far enough.”

“Are you ever going to tell her?”

“She’ll find out soon enough.”

Silence.

“Are you scared?”

“To death.”

He looked over at her to see her eyes sparking in the moonlight from tears threatening to fall.

“Rye… don’t be sad. I’m not sad anymore.”

“Why?”

“Why be sad? I have just as much chance at living than anyone else, except I have one more factor in it than some. I mean, tomorrow, you could walk out on the street and get hit by a car. Anything can happen. I just learned to take life one day at a time.”

“You won’t let me get hit by a car, will you?”

Nick laughed, relaxing into the chair again. “No, I won’t. I promise.”

Silence.

“Why did you wait so long?” She sat back in the chair again.

“I didn’t want people feeling sorry for me or feeling different about me. I just wanted to be the blonde Backstreet Boy, not that one Backstreet Boy with the HIV.”

“But what about the guys and your family?”

“I don’t know. I made mistakes. I should’ve told everyone, but I didn’t. I regret it in a way, but at the same time, if I still had told, I would’ve lost a best friend a lot earlier.” His voice was sad as he spoke. It made him feel guilty to talk about the secret he had kept for so long. “If it would’ve come down to a situation where someone needed to know, I would’ve told. But I read the books and I got online and I knew what to do. I was cautious. I never put anyone in harms way until I fell off that stage. And then I told.”

“But you feel better that you told?”

“Yes. And when its time for the tour again, I’ll tell the World. I won’t hide it any longer.”

She smiled at him before patting his knee.

“I really am sorry, Riley.”

“I know. And it’s okay. We’re even. You lied and I was selfish. Now we’re even. And I’m tired. Let’s go to bed.”

“You make it sound so dirty.”

“Shut up.” She playfully hit his arm as she stood up. “I’ll share my bed with you if you promise not to hog the blankets.”

“Deal.”

It almost reminded her of ‘Dawson’s Creek’ as she climbed into bed. It was like a Dawson and Joey moment. Friends sleeping the same bed. And they liked each other but wouldn’t admit it to one another. “This is nice.”

“What is?”

“Being beside you again. I can’t believe I lived without this for two years.”

“I know. What were you thinking?”

She kicked him as she rolled onto her side. Staring in the darkness, she wanted to say so much more, but knew she couldn’t.

What she didn’t know, was that Nick was thinking the same thing.

~~

“Is that everything?” Nick asked as he stood up, a roll of box tape in his hand.

“I think so.”

“Are you sure you want to leave the furniture? I mean, I’m sure there is someway for them to get furniture overseas.”

“I don’t need it. You have plenty of furniture… we definitely don’t need anymore.”

As Riley began sorting through things to bring to Florida with her, she realized she didn’t have much that she needed. She was leaving the furniture and the appliances. She had managed to fit her entire wardrobe into two suitcases. In several boxes, she packed other items that she wanted, and they would be mailed to Florida, arriving a few days after they did.

Earlier that morning, she had taken the boxes to her office, and along with the items in her office, she packed them and left them for the FEDEX man to take with him. She officially handed over the keys to Karenina and sent a memo to her employees about leaving for the states and the new company.

“What time does the plane leave?” He asked.

“One.” She replied, zipping the side of a suitcase closed. “We should probably leave soon.”

She walked through the apartment once more, making sure she had everything she wanted, and then met Nick at the front door. They carried down the several suitcases, stopping at the landlord’s apartment to hand him the keys.

“Enjoy America.” He said before closing the door.

“Was that sarcasm or was he being nice?” Nick asked as they went outside.

“Probably sarcasm.”

“So much hate…”

Riley snickered at him as she hailed a cab. As one pulled over, the driver popped the trunk open.

”Stop right there.” Riley commanded as Nick lifted a suitcase.

“What?” He asked, a confused look on his face.

“Drop the bag. You’re not allowed to lift stuff that heavy yet.”

“Aw Riley… it’s been five weeks.”

“Yes, and even after six weeks, you won’t be fully healed.”

Nick moved away from the bags, pouting, as Riley quickly put them into the trunk. As she closed it, Nick got into the back of the cab and she followed.

“Don’t pout. I just don’t want you to get hurt. You really don’t want to spend another month in bed, you?”

“No, but I feel fine.”

“Until you lift something to heavy. And anyways… the more you let yourself rest, the sooner you’ll be able to get back on tour.”

“Why weren’t you a doctor?”

“Because then I never would have met you. And honestly, would you want me to hold someone’s life in my hand?”

“Good point.”

“The airport, please.” Riley told the driver as he pulled away from the curb. They each peered out their own windows, watching the passing scenery.

“Are you sorry to be leaving?” Nick asked suddenly, interrupting the silence of the car.

“Nah,” She shrugged. “I’ll miss parts of it, but I’ve missed the States more. And its not like I’m leaving anyone behind. Well, besides the company, but I’ll see them again soon and talk to them all the time. And I won’t miss the weather.”

“Yeah, the sun could do you some good.” He teased.

“You’re not so tan yourself, buddy.”

“I have an excuse.”

“Psh. You live in Florida. There is no excuse.”

“Airport.” The driver said with a thick accent.

“I’ve got it.” Nick said, pulling his wallet from his jeans. He looked up at the dashboard and then back at Riley. He took a handful of bills from his wallet and handed them to her. She laughed as she counted at several before handing them to the driver, and then gave the rest back to Nick. “Thanks.”

“Poor kid. You’d never make it here.” She teased him as she took the suitcases from the trunk. She gave him the one with the wheels, and then his duffel bag. Taking the other two for herself, she closed the trunk and led him into the airport.

An hour later, after tedious security checks and a long wait in line, they were finally seated on the plane, awaiting take off.

“Halfway done.” Riley sighed, connecting her seatbelt.

”And a lovely ten hour flight in front of us.”

”Don’t remind me,” She groaned, sinking back into the seat. The engine started and the cabin filled with noise. The flight attendants went through their safety precautions before turning the lights out.

“Here we go again,” Nick mumbled, his hands tightly gripping the armrest. Riley pried his fingers away and slid her hand into his. Together, they held on tight and waited for the plane to lift and slowly rise into the sky.

~~

“Riley.” Nick whispered. “Wake up, Rye.”

Her eyes fluttered open slowly as she took in her surroundings, reminding herself of where she was.

“We’re about to land.” He said softly, lifting the shade from the window beside her so she could look out. As she did, she nearly had to block her eyes from the bright sunlight gleaming off the water.

“We’ll be landing within the next few moments. The current weather in Miami is warm and sunny. The temperature is eighty-five degrees and the water temperature is seventy degrees. Please take all safety precautious as we land. Thank you.”

“Did you call the rental car place?” Riley asked, checking her seatbelt.

“Oops.”

“Nick-“

“I’m joking. Yes, I called them. Yes, I reserved a car and we can pick it up as soon as we land.”

“Good boy.”

Nick smirked at her before checking his own seatbelt. The plane jolted as it began to descend downwards.

“Don’t forget to breath,” Riley mumbled to him right before the plane began to bump along the ground.

The next half hour passed quickly as they finally exited the plane, retrieved their luggage, and then walked across the airport to the rental car building.

“Ooh an SUV.” Riley sang as they stopped in front of a black Ford Explorer. “Didn’t use the BSB excuse here, huh? We could have had a Denali or something.”

“I figured since we were only using it for about an hour and a half, it wouldn’t really matter. Want to drive?”

“Sure.”

Riley lifted the bags into the back before they both got in.

“You okay?” She asked, glancing at him as she started the engine.

“Yep. Just a bit tired.” Though tired, he forbade himself to sleep so he could keep Riley company on the way home.

The ride began fairly quiet but that ended quickly as Riley turned the radio on. She turned it to a Top 40 station before turning the volume up some.

“Uh-oh.” Nick said suddenly.

“What?”

“I forgot to tell Kev I was coming home. I was supposed to tell him when I was leaving.”

“And you’d think he was your father or something,” She rolled her eyes teasingly. “So call him now. You’re still technically on the way home, therefore, you’re not home yet.”

“True.” He dug his cell phone out from his pocket and went through the phonebook until he found the number. He pressed the call button before placing the phone to his ear. Riley turned down the volume on the radio as he began to talk. The conversation was short and within a few minutes, he hung up.

“Did he ground you?”

“Shut up,” Nick laughed. “He’s having a Halloween party in LA in a few weeks and wants us to come out.”

“You mean… another airplane?”

“Yep. And we’re meeting up with a few of the big wigs to try to get the tour back together the day before the party, so basically, I have to go. You don’t have to come.”

”No, I’ll come. It’ll be fun… minus the flight. When is the party?”

“Friday night. The meeting is a Thursday morning, so we have to be there by Wednesday night. Kevin said there’s plenty of room for us to stay with him. Howie will probably stay there, too.”

“What about Brian and Leigh?”

“They have a condo out there now.”

“Oh. Well then, we have to go shopping for costumes.”

“Two rules. No tights and no wigs.”

“Damn, there went my Peter Pan and Tinkerbell idea.”

“Don’t even think about it. What about Mario and Luigi?”

“Uh….no. There’s my rule. No video games.”

They spent the rest of the ride occasionally blurting out ideas, and shooting each other’s down. By the time they arrived in Marathon, they had nothing, except a long list of what they didn’t want to go as.

“Do we need to stop at the store for anything?” Riley asked as they turned onto the main street.

“Milk and bread. Unless there’s anything else you want.”

“I say we eat out tonight. I’m too lazy to cook.”

“Works for me. But maybe we should go for lunch first. It is almost two and we haven’t eaten lunch. And now you’re making me hungry.”

“Sorry,” She pulled the truck into the parking lot of the grocery store and parked it near the front doors. They both climbed out, this time rather slowly, as their bodies ached from being trapped inside an airplane for so long. They walked in, greeted by a cool rush of air and the sound of elevator music playing overhead.

“White or wheat?” Riley asked, looking at the options for bread.

“Wheat?”

She picked up a package of wheat sandwich bread and then led Nick to the dairy aisle. He picked out a gallon of milk. Riley continued walking, stopping in front of the meat and cheeses.

“Turkey or ham?” She asked when he had caught up with her.

“Turkey.”

“Got chips at home?”

“Yeah.”

They stopped in the produce area, picking up a head of lettuce and tomatoes before going to the checkout lane in the front. A teenage girl began to scan their items as an elderly man sacked them at the end of the conveyor belt.

“Your total is $7.28.”

Nick opened his wallet and withdrew a ten-dollar bill he had kept behind the French bills. She opened the register before counting back his change.

“Have a nice day.” She said as she began to scan the next person’s groceries.

“You too,” He replied, walking towards the end of the counter. “Can I carry some groceries?”

Riley shot Nick an evil look as she swiped the milk from the countertop and walked out of the store.

“Just because I wouldn’t let you lift the heavy bags does not mean you have to ask before you lift everything.”

They got back into the car, thankful they only had a few more blocks to go. Riley soon pulled the truck into the driveway.

“Let’s unload the luggage later. I’m starving.” She said as they got out. Nick grabbed the bag of groceries and the milk before closing his door. As they walked up to the door, he handed Riley the milk so he could get his keys from his pocket. As he slid the key into the door, it clicked unlocked and he opened it, allowing Riley to go in first.

He followed her through the foyer and into the kitchen, where they set their groceries onto the counter.

“Fifteen messages.” Nick groaned, looking at the answering machine. He hit the play button as Riley withdrew the food from the plastic bag and set it out in front of her.

“What do you want on your sandwich?”

“Lettuce, tomato, and mayo,”

Getting plates from the cabinet, she opened the bread and took out four slices. Laying them across the plates, she slathered each generously with mayonnaise.

After deleting the last message, Nick walked around the island and opened a cabinet to take out a cutting board. Rinsing off the tomato, he set it on the board and withdrew a knife from a drawer.

They both worked in silence for several moments before Nick slid a plate of tomato slices and lettuce in front of her. He put the board and knife into the dishwasher.

“You know, you should really introduce AJ to a kitchen and all of its appliances.”

“Why?” Nick asked, laughing.

“The poor guy doesn’t even know how to dry a dish. I handed him a towel and a pan and he was like ‘what do you want me to do?’” She mocked him in a low voice.

“That’s because he lives on McDonalds and take-out. He eats of paper plates and uses plastic silverware, just because it’s easier.”

“We need to get him a girlfriend or something.”

By the time they had finished eating, large thunderheads had begun to roll in. The sun had disappeared behind the huge clouds, making it look dreary outside.

“Do you want to go look at your new office real quick before it storms?”

“Sure.” They quickly cleaned up the lunch dishes before going outside to the SUV.

“Should we just take this back now?”

“Well… why not? It’ll save us a trip in the morning.”

Nick used a numerical code to open the garage door. He dug into his pocket and pulled out his keys. He thumbed through several before finding the one he needed. Climbing into the mustang, he started the engine and waited for Riley to back out of the driveway before he did. He then shut the garage door and backed out of the driveway. They drove several miles down the main street before turning onto a side street full of businesses. He followed Riley into a lot full of cars where she pulled hers into a parking space. He pulled up behind the car and waited for her to run inside. She returned quickly and got in beside Nick.

“Okay, take me away.” She said as she hooked her seatbelt. She rolled the window down as Nick returned the car onto the street. Rather than turning back onto the main street, he crossed it and went straight.

“Oooh… is it on the water?” She asked.

Nick snickered. “What isn’t on the water down here?”

“Well… you never know.” She shrugged.

At the end of the street, he turned into the parking lot of a two-story white building. The two sides facing the water were nearly all glass while the other two sides were white stucco with a fair amount of windows.

“Is this it?” She squealed as he put the car into park.

“Yep.”

She almost forgot to unhook her seatbelt as she climbed out of the car. She dug into her purse for box that contained the key. Withdrawing it, she ran to the door and slid the key it. It clicked as it unlocked and she pulled the door open. Nick heard her suck in her breath as she looked around the open room. She walked around, going upstairs and coming back down twice, taking it all in. Nick stood, a satisfied grin on his face.  He suddenly found himself being enveloped into a tight hug.

“Thank you so much,” Her voice was muffled against his chest.

”You’re welcome.” He returned the hug. “It’s the least I could do.”

***

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