Chapter Nineteen-- The End
The plane taxied to a stop in Dublin, Ireland. The boys got off, and were driven to their hotel. By this time, Kevin had calmed down was in a much better humor, and was ready to talk to Nick reasonably. So when they had gotten settled in their rooms, he knocked on Nick’s door.
“Come in,” Nick called. He was sitting on his bed, flipping channels on the TV. He looked up, saw Kevin walk in, and groaned. “Great. You’re here to nag me, aren’t you.”
“Well, I prefer to call it constructive criticism.”
Nick snorted. “Whatever!” He flipped off the TV and turned to face Kevin. “Well, you might as well get it over with.”
“There are two parts to this lecture, because I’m a bit behind. They’re both centred around ‘ARE YOU NUTS???’”
“What?” Nick was clearly confused.
“Well. Number one, last night. Were you thinking at all? Do you know what could have happened? There are several possibilities. ‘A’, you could have gotten Drew pregnant. Do you know what that would do to your career? ‘B’, what if someone else had walked in on you? Although it’s not technically a crime here, both her mom and yours can press charges. She’s under 18, you’re over. Do you catch my drift here?” Kevin paused for breath. He looked at Nick, who was looking slightly sheepish. “Not to mention all other complications that could come out of this!
“Number two. Today in the airport, Nick. You could have been recognized! We haven’t gone public with the fact that you now have a serious girlfriend. That could really hurt our sales! Wake up Nicholas! You’re taking too many unnecessary risks. Do me a favour and at least think about the consequences of what you’re doing before you do it, okay?”
“Listen, Kev. I know you think that you know what’s best. But it’s my life. I’ll do whatever I want, whenever I want, with whomever I want.” Nick’s voice had raised and he started to storm out of his hotel room. “Wait a minute. This is my room. You get out!” He held the door for Kevin, who glared and stalked out of the room. “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”
“Drew Faith McClaren!” Tanna repeated. “Are you out of your mind!?”
“What, you too?” Drew sighed.
“Yeah, me too. Did you and Nick not think about the consequences? What if you get pregnant?”
“No, no. You don’t understand. I had that part covered.” Drew answered.
“Oh really.” Tanna raised her eyebrows.
“You know,” Mackenzie said softly. “That could be taken in so many ways.” Her comment cut through the tension in the cab, and the girls giggled.
“But seriously, Drew. If you get pregnant, it could totally ruin both your life and Nick’s career.” Tanna resumed her lecture.
“Fine, so I was wrong. It won’t happen again. Could we drop it?” Drew became petulant.
“Yeah, I suppose.” Tanna agreed.
“You’re not going to sulk on us, are you?” Mackenzie asked.
“Nah.” Drew answered with a smile. “Now, what are we doing for the rest of the day?” the subject was successfully changed.
“Kev just called a meeting, come on.” AJ poked his head around the doorframe to speak to Howie.
“Why?” Howie stood up and started to the door.
“Dunno. But we’ll find out soon.” AJ answered and turned toward Kevin’s room.
Soon, they were all assembled in the hotel room. Donna was sitting in the desk chair, and everyone else was on either the bed or the floor. Howie, AJ, and Brian seem puzzled, Kevin was upset, and Nick wore an expression of apprehension.
“So what’s the meeting about, Kev?” AJ asked.
Kevin looked at Donna, who nodded, and started to explain. “We have to talk, as a group, about how Nick’s relationship with Drew is progressing.”
“What do you mean?” Howie asked.
“I really don’t think that it is anyone’s business but mine, Kevin.” Nick interrupted.
“I mean,” Kevin continued, overriding Nick’s objection. “That I think that their relationship could affect the group. Nick is putting too much energy into it, and not focusing on the group.”
“Come again? I don’t follow.” AJ cocked his head to one side, questioningly.
“Nick, tell them what happened last night.” Kevin looked at Nick.
“I really don’t think that they need to know.” Nick squirmed beneath the combined looks of Donna and the rest of the Backstreet Boys.
“I do.” Donna said mildly. Nick sighed and told them how Kevin had found Drew and himself in bed together. Donna looked shocked, and Howie and AJ were amuse, but disapproving.
“Kev’s right, Nick. That really wasn’t the brightest move you’ve ever made.” Brian said apologetically. Donna nodded and explained, with basically the same words that Kevin had used, how that one move could have ruined his whole career.
When she finished, Nick was feeling sheepish about having blown up at Kevin. “Okay, I realize now that maybe I should have thought it through before hand. And Kev, I’m sorry for yelling at you earlier. I just thought that you were off on one of your self-righteous kicks. But now I see that this really is a concern that all of you have. I’m sorry, and it won’t happen again.”
“Well, I think he gets the point.” Donna said, brooking no argument. “Are there any other matters of business to discuss?” When everyone shook their heads, she adjourned the meeting, and they all scattered to their respective rooms.
Drew was in her room, organizing her teddy bear collection when her phone rang. She jumped up, and threw herself across her bed to answer it. In response to her jump, the boards under the bed shifted, and one corner of the bed fell to the floor. Giggling, she picked up the receiver. “Hello?”
“Hi honey,” Nick’s voice came through the line. “What’s up?”
“Oh, nothing. The corner of my bed just collapsed, that’s all.”
“And what exactly were you doing on it that made it collapse?”
“Not what you think!” she laughed. “I jumped on it when I ran to answer your call.”
“Oh, good. Anyway, there was a reason I called, besides an excuse to hear your voice.” He changed the subject smoothly.
“What’s that?”
“I’m calling about this summer. I’ve got the details for you.”
“And I’ve got permission to go!” Drew interrupted.
“Alright! That was basically the whole point of this convo.” Nick laughed. “I really can’t wait ‘till you come out here. I want you to meet my family and see where we hang out.”
“I can’t wait either, honey.” Drew answered.
“Well, I’ve got to go now, we’ve got rehearsal. I’ll call you later tonight.” Nick concluded.
“Bye love!” Drew said and hung up. She sat there for a while thinking. Then a huge grin split her face and she picked up the phone again.
“Hi, Tanna? Guess what?”
End of Part One
Wondering what happens that summer? Don’t forget to check out Part Two.