Without You

Nightmare Come True

*Chapter Sixteen*

Kevin sat down on the bed and dropped his head; running his hands frantically through his dark spiked hair. He just had to wake up; this wasn't really happening. He felt like he had just gotten kicked in the stomach and was trying to gasp for air. This couldn't be real...it just couldn't be. Nick's gotten angry before, but he's never actually walked out on them. What was going to become of them now? Everything they worked so hard for gone; fifteen years down the drain. And for what? Over a girl? Or was it something more? Something not even Kevin could see?

Howie sat down next to him; he was silent for a few seconds before placing his hand on his shoulder. Kevin glanced up to see his brown eyes glistering; neither one of them knew what to say. What were they going to tell their fans? They couldn't possibly tell them the truth...but how long could they prolong this? Was this truly the end for Backstreet?

Their heads jerked up when the door opened; hope filled within them. Maybe Nick realized the mistake he's made. The optimism quickly deflated as they watched Leighanne walk in. Like a positive magnet to a negative; she instantly was pulled to Brian.

Her arms constricted around him and she felt his body stiffen as a sob escaped. She could only imagine the pain he was in. This band was more than just a music career; it was his family. She pressed her lips against his forehead as she did her very best to console him; she knew no amount of words would be able to heal the ache.

"What are we going to tell JR?" Asked Howie in a low tone so that his voice wouldn't break, "I mean, maybe we can talk to Nick...maybe if AJ – "

"You mean if he apologizes?!" Interrupted Brian as he pulled from his wife's hold, "You know damn well that will never happen! Hell, he had it out for Nick the moment he smartened up and stopped going out night after night."

Kevin looked up at his cousin and nodded as he heavily sighed, "I hate to agree with you, but you're right."

"I know I am," he continued. "I mean think about it; he's finally happy and I don't know if it's envy or what...but AJ couldn't have that, so what does he do? He hits him where it hurt the most; he made him miserable and us in the process. He's the real reason why Nick left...I know you guys think it was that girl that got into his head, but it's not. You think if AJ treated Leighanne like that I'd just stand around and do nothing? No fucking way. Nick couldn't take it anymore and in all honesty I can't really blame him. I'd be at AJ's throat too...a guy can only take so much. He kept on pushing him until he met his limit."

Leighanne looked to her husband with such love in her blue eyes. She ran her hand up and down his muscular arm, "I did overhear him saying some pretty vicious things about his girlfriend. He knows that Nick has a temper, I think he wanted to see how far he could push him."

"Oh he pushed him alright," uttered Howie. "Pushed him right into getting a black eye."

Kevin ran a hand over his face and let out a loud groan, "I know...what AJ did was uncalled for. I'm not proud of what he did, but Goddamnit, we're brothers! We can't let something like this ruin years of friendship. Maybe Nick just needs time to cool down. Let's not do anything rash like going to the media until we're absolutely certain."

Howie looked up at him and asked, "So what are we going to do about Canada? We can't just show up without Nick, but there are a lot of people expecting us. JR is going to be fuming if we cancel."

"Well there isn't much we can do, is there?" He groaned and shrugged, "I don't know...I guess we'll have to tell him and the fans that Nick is sick."

Brian looked up at him and shook his head, "So how many times is that now? Every time Nick pulls something, he's always sick. Fans are going to start thinking he has some immune deficiency or something."