CHAPTER ONE

It didn’t take long for Nick to find Brian. He was in the lounge, spending a quiet moment reading before show time. Nick plopped down next to him. “Hey. I gotta tell you something.”

“Okay. Hold on a sec. I’m almost done with this.”

All right. He could do that. Nick slouched into the soft cushions of the couch and relaxed, staring mindlessly at the ceiling as he waited. And waited. And waited. Bored, he began to whistle.

"Nick.”

“Huh?”

“Stop the whistling.”

Oops. He stopped, trying hard to be patient.

“Nick.”

“What?”

“Your foot?”

Oh. Nick stopped jiggling his foot. “Sorry.”

He sighed. Jeez, how long was he supposed to wait? Like, forever? He wanted to tell Brian. Now. Leaning in, Nick threw a companionable arm around his friend. “Brian. Guess what?”

“What?” said Brian, not bothering to look up from the article he was reading.

“I have decided…” Nick declared and then took a dramatic breath, “that it’s time to find you a boyfriend.”

There was silence. Then a groan from behind the magazine.

“No, not again.”

“Yes, again.”

“Nick. No.”

“Brian. Yes.”

“No.”

Nick reached out, pulling the magazine away from Brian’s face.

“Yes.”

Brian studied Nick for a moment. “You do remember what happened the last time, don’t you?”

“Of course. It was a total disaster.”

“Good. Then I rest my case.” Brian picked up his magazine and resumed reading.

Nick decided to ignore that and gave Brian a little nudge to the ribs.

“Yep, we’re gonna find you someone.”

Brian sighed, tossing the magazine aside. “Waddya mean, we?”

“Okay. Me, then.”

“Nick...”

“Come on Brian, I’m serious about this.”

“You were serious the last time,” Brian reminded him.

“I know. I know. But now, I really mean it.”

Brian rolled his eyes.

Nick stuck out his tongue.

Brian got up off the couch and went in search of something to eat.

Guess Brian didn’t believe him. Nick shrugged. So, what else was new? He chewed on his thumb as he sat, contemplating that. In all fairness, he did have to admit his past history on keeping his word was shaky, at best. But this time. Yeah, this time he’d prove Brian wrong. Show him that he meant business; that he could do it. He was determined to find Brian a boyfriend. Determined. Ever since Brian had announced that he was bi... well, actually, it hadn’t really been an announcement. More like bad timing. Very, very bad timing. But, hey! How in hell was he suppose to know that Brian was making out in the back of their tour bus?! It wasn’t like the bus was off limits to him or anything! So when AJ suggested throwing a few hoops before the concert, he had rushed to find Brian. Um, yeah. He found Brian all right. Pushed tight against a wall, moaning between kisses as a local stage crew’s hand worked its magic deep inside Brian’s pants.

After the shock had worn off, after Brian’s angry threats to beat him senseless if he so much as breathed a word of this to anyone, an awkward, uncomfortable silence had filled the air. Nick couldn’t remember when he felt more upset and confused. Brian, his best friend, was bisexual. Brian, his best friend, was AC/DC. Since...when? And why had he never suspected it? Fuck! He’d known Brian since he was thirteen! He was around Brian 24/7. They invaded each other’s space more than most married couples did! If anyone should have known Brian swung both ways, it would have been him, dammit! Was he truly that stupid not to notice it? Or, was Brian just that smart to hide it? And why would Brian try to hide it, anyway? Nick wasn’t stupid. He understood what would happen if the press discovered it, how it would affect all of them and their careers. He also understood about Brian’s religious upbringing, and the torment it must have caused him. What he couldn’t understand was why Brian never said anything to him. Never confided in him. What did Brian think Nick might do if he did? Condemn him? Avoid him like the plague? He worked in the music business for Christ’s sake; he had met all sorts of people, straight, gay, and bi. It never fazed Nick before. Why should it now? Wounded, feeling betrayed, he had questioned softly, “how come you never told me?” and that’s when Brian broke down, shedding some serious tears, admitting his innermost secrets and fears to Nick. By the time his confession was complete, Nick wasn’t sure who was more exhausted, Brian or he.

Brian had been so afraid, so mortified. He liked girls, he really did; he just liked boys more. Nick immediately swore to Brian, cross his heart and hope to die, that he’d never reveal Brian’s secret. Ever. He also warned himself not to pry too much, sensing that Brian was hiding still another secret, one even more important, more significant than his sexual preference. What that might be, Nick didn’t have a clue. However, Nick knew enough not to push. He was willing to wait until Brian was ready to talk about it...that is, if he’d ever talk about it. Sometimes, Brian could be so stubborn. So although he decided not to pry, Nick figured meddling just a little in Brian’s social life couldn’t hurt. And what kind of a friend would he be if he didn’t...

“Earth to Nick, hello.” Brian had returned, bumping Nick with the toe of his shoe. “Want some?”

“Sure.” Nick grabbed a handful of chips. “Anything ‘round here to drink?” He munched away, watching Brian investigate what the refrigerator had to offer.

“Bottled water?”

“What? No beer?”

“Nick. Before a show?”

Right. He remembered now. A full bladder on stage was not his idea of fun. “Okay, gimme a water.” He caught the tossed bottle with one hand, neatly twisting the cap off with the other and took a sip.

Brian came over and sat down next to Nick, waving something in his face. “Look what I found. Want it?”

What a dumb question. Of course he wanted it. He loved Snickers.

Brian smiled and returned to his magazine, once again burying his nose in his half-finished article. The minutes passed by in silence. Nick looked at his watch. Hmm. Seemed like Brian forgot all about their little conversation. Nick gave a quiet scoff. Yeah, right. He knew Brian. He knew that when something got too personal, Brian would look for a way to change the subject. Brian was hoping that the candy bar would distract him, that he’d forget what they were talking about. Nick had to admit that Brian’s tricks usually worked. He gave a smug smile. Not this time.

Nick cleared his throat. “So. When can I start?” He casually licked the chocolate off his fingers.

“Huh?” Brian’s eyes never left the page.

“Start. Start. When can I start looking?”

“Whenever.”

Nick brightened. “Really? You mean it?”

Brian finally looked up. “Mean, what?”

Nick groaned. “Brian! Are you intentionally trying to piss me off? ‘Cause if you are, you’re doing a really good job of it.”

“No. No! I’m sorry, Nick.” Brian scrunched up his face. “Um, what did you ask me?”

“Oh my god.” Nick threw his hands up in exasperation. "Put that magazine down!” His eyes narrowed in suspicion. “What’s so interesting in there, anyway?” Nick made a lunge to snatch it away from him, but Brian easily avoided his grab.

“Nothing that would interest you.”

“Oh yeah?” He made another lunge, faster than the last attempt, and was successful.

“Hey! Gimme that!”

Nick was thankful he had been blessed with height. With one hand he held the magazine high over his head, the other hand braced firmly against Brian’s chest to keep him away. Nick tilted his head sideways, trying to read the page.

“Increasing your brain power,” he read aloud. Brian jumped up, giving a frantic swipe. Nick pushed Brian back. “Nope, can’t be that.” He managed to flip a page.

“Ten ways to look taller.” Nick smirked down at Brian. “Guess it didn’t help, did it?”

Nick almost lost the magazine, along with a few of his fingers.

“Ow! Ow! Shit, that hurt!” Nick protested. He turned his back on Brian, bracing himself against Brian’s onslaught. “Come on, come on,” he chanted. “It has to be here, somewhere!”

Brian was trying to claw his way up Nick’s back. “Nick! Dammit! Nick! Give it back to me, right now!”

“Ah ha! I found it! Finding Mr. Perfect!”

Brian slumped, defeated.

Nick smiled triumphantly. “Jackpot!” He scanned the article quickly and then crooked an eyebrow questioningly at Brian. “Hey. Wait a minute. What’s this? You’re willing to turn to a magazine’s help, but not mine?”

“Nick, I already know your track record.”

Nick waved the magazine in Brian’s face. “So what has that got to do with anything?”

Brian stared back at Nick, incredulous. “You are joking, right?”

“No.”

“Nick.” Brian sighed, shaking his head. “I know you want to help. I know. And I appreciate it. I really do. But I think getting involved with my love life isn’t such a good idea.”

Nick almost, almost blurted out, “what love life?” but bit it back, just in time. It wouldn’t be nice to point that out, especially since Brian didn’t have one. Nick had made it a point to keep a close eye on Brian, ever since the “accidental discovery”. Not once did he see Brian with anyone, male or female; not once did he feel that Brian was searching, trying to find someone. He knew Brian was struggling to come to terms with his sexuality, to sort out his desires and needs, but how in hell was Brian ever going to discover what he wanted when all he did was stay in his room? Brian had become a hermit of late, never venturing out and it was driving Nick crazy. It was then that he decided to make it his mission to “help” Brian out. If Brian wasn’t willing to look, at least he could. And he did. Not surprisingly, Brian found fault with everyone Nick introduced him to. And the one, the only one Nick managed to find that Brian even remotely had an interest in, had turned into a total fiasco. So, he knew for a fact that Brian wasn’t getting any sexual relief, unless you counted the self-help kind. Nick frowned. How could Brian manage to go so long without sex? He knew he couldn’t. He decided to ask.

“Okay, let’s say we forget all about finding your true love. What about plain old sex? We both know you aren’t getting any. Don’t you just wanna get laid?”

Brian looked startled. “Nick...”

“What are you, a eunuch?”

Brian smirked. “Why, yes, as a matter of fact, I am,” he said in a very high voice.

Nick slugged him. Brian slugged back. Nick slugged him once more. “Come on,” Nick whined.

“Come on, what?”

“You know.”

Brian smiled. “Know what?”

Nick sighed. Brian was having fun, trying to annoy the shit out of him. “Let me help. Forget this stupid article. Let me help you find ‘Mr. Perfect’.”

“Nick, no.”

“I promise this will be the last time I try.”

Brian snorted. “Uh huh. Sure, Nick. Famous last words.”

“Please? Pretty please?” Nick began to kneel. “Are you gonna make me beg?”

Brian laughed. “Nick, get up!”

“Come on! Say yes. Please?”

“No.”

“You know, if someone were to come in right now, it would look pretty suspicious...”

Brian laughed again, rolling his eyes. “All right! All right! Jeez. I just know I’m gonna regret this!”

Nick jumped up, grinning. “You won’t.”

Brian snorted. “Yeah, right. Okay, so tell me, what are your qualifications for the job?”

Nick was confused. “Huh? My...my qualifications?”

“Yeah.”

“You mean as for me being your boyfriend?”

Nick stared at Brian, curious. Was Brian blushing? He could have sworn he saw Brian blush.

“No! No. What I meant was, what are your qualifications for finding me a boyfriend?”

“Oh.” Nick gave a nervous laugh. “I thought you meant...” He decided to drop it. “Qualifications?”

Brian nodded. “Yeah. You know. Your credentials. Your background. As far as I’m concerned, it sucks. Totally.”

“Hey! Okay, I’ll admit it, my last few choices were pretty bad. But who knows you better than me, huh? I’ll find your Mr. Perfect, you’ll see!”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Brian mumbled.

“Huh?”

“Never mind.”

The door opened wide and Kevin popped his head in. “Almost time,” he sing-songed and then left.

Both groaned as they headed for the exit. Nick held the door open for Brian, patting him on his shoulder as they walked down the hallway toward the arena. “Good. Then it’s all settled.”

“Not so fast, Nick.” Brian stopped in the middle of the hall, ignoring the rush of stagehands hurrying back and forth. “You gotta agree on something, first.”

“What?”

“That if this time it doesn’t work, no more. No more trying. Got it?”

Damn. Nick really didn’t want to agree to that, but by the look in Brian’s eyes, he knew he didn’t have a choice.

“Oh, all right. Last time.” Nick grinned slyly. “I already have a few guys in mind.”

Brian looked up at the ceiling. “God, save me.”

Nick made a face. “You don’t have to make it sound like a death sentence, ya know.”

“And yet, somehow it feels like one.” He sighed dramatically and continued down the corridor.

Nick stood there for a moment then ran to catch up with Brian. “So, for how long?”

“What?”

“How long? How much time do I have?”

Brian stopped. “For?”

“Jeez! Mr. Right! To find Mr. Right!”

“You mean, Mr. Perfect?”

“Whatever! How long do I get?”

“A month.”

Nick gaped. “Hey, that’s not enough time!”

Brian shrugged and began walking again. “Take it or leave it,” he called over his shoulder.

“I’ll take it,” Nick yelled. “And just you wait. I’ll find him. He’s probably here, right under your very nose!”