Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2001 09:50:15 -0800 (PST) From: William Strickland Subject: Just Another Player Chapter 1 Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction and is not meant to imply anything about the sexuality of Brian Littrell or any other members of the Backstreet Boys or NSYNC. Chapter 1 Ring-ring. . . ring-ring. . . ring-ring. . . ring-ring Devon turned over in his bed hoping that the caller would hang up or the machine would pick it up. He had not slept at all during the night, and he wanted to catch a little before being at work by 8:00. Ring-ring. . . ring-ring. . . "If this is not an EXTREMELY attractive man, I am hanging up right now!" "You don't sound very happy for someone one-quarter century old," a nearly identical voice said from the other end of the line. "Steve! Happy Birthday!" "Happy Birthday yourself! How's it going bro?" "Could be better." "What's wrong?" Devon sighed. He and his twin were very close, but Devon always found it hard to talk about his relationships with Steve. Although Steve had been nothing but supportive and great over the last year, (he even told their parents that if they cut Devon off, just because he was gay, he would leave right then and never talk to them again) He always seemed uncomfortable when it came to talking about Devon's love life. But Devon had to talk to someone. "John and I broke up yesterday." "Oh bro. I'm sorry man." "Don't be. You and Missy were right as usual. He was an asshole." "What happened?" asked Steve with no hint of squeamishness in his voice. "I caught him fucking a professor in one of the practice rooms at the conservatory." "Shit. That's harsh." "The only good thing I have to say about it is that he professor in question is being put on review and he will probably be denied tenure and fired. He and John had apparently been having an affair for two months. How could I have been so stupid not to realize?" A few tears started to form in Devon's eyes, of anger, not sadness. "You were in love, although I don't understand why. The guy is a first-class snake. He treated you like his whore when he needed a hole to plug. How many dates did he break with you?" "Too many to count." "And there were no tell-tale signs he was cheating on you? No let-up in the sex you had with him?" There was a pause in Steve's voice as he started talking about his brother's sex life. "Nope. We did it nearly everyday. Sometimes twice. And it was always hot. He may be a snake, but the boy sure knew how to. . ." "Please don't say it. You know I love you and support you no matter what, but I really can't stomach the image of you actually having sex with a man." "If it's any consolation, the thought of what you do with girls makes me want to puke." "Oh really! Just for that, I am now going to give you as a birthday present a play-by-play of just how exactly Karen and I fuck and all the places on her body that I touch, and. . ." "If you do that, I will get that guy in the room down the hall from you to do a striptease until you throw-up." Both boys were laughing by this time. "Hey faggot," bellowed Jason, Devon's roommate. "Get off the damn phone so I can get on-line." "Was that Mr. Hatemonger himself?" asked Steve. He was well aware of the things Jason said and did to Jason on a regular basis. "Why are you still living with that redneck?" "The rent here is the cheapest that I've ever had." "If you don't move out soon, I will leave New York, come down to Rock Hill, and personally drag. . ." "Cocksucker! If you aren't off that phone by the time I count to five, I'm gonna. . ." Devon didn't need to be told what would happen after five. He still had the bruises from last time. "Steve, I love you, Happy Birthday. I will talk to you later." "Devon, I love you too. Please leave that place." "Bye Steve." "Bye Devon." Devon hung up the phone and held his breath. He waited for Jason's door to slam and to hear the modem dialing into the server. He wasn't sure exactly where he had gone wrong in judging Jason's personality, but he had make a huge mistake. The verbal abuse wasn't so bad. He could give as good as he got there. When Jason started throwing punches was when he got in trouble. At last he heard a beeping sound coming from Jason's room. Devon jumped from the bed, pulled on some Umbros, grabbed a shirt, jeans, socks, shoes, and his Subway shirt. He went to the living room, got his wallet and keys, raced out the door to the car, and drove quickly to his sister Missy's apartment across town. "Well, at least I left without a new bruise today," Devon thought to himself, knowing that if he didn't remove himself from the situation soon, he wouldn't be that lucky again. He turned his radio on to 107.9 FM, his favorite station, out of Charlotte. The Bob and Sheri morning show was on. "OK all you crazy Backstreet fans," Sheri said, "As I'm sure you all know, the boy's will be returning to Charlotte in two days." Then Bob broke in. "The Link has two front-row tickets with backstage passes that are up for grabs to one lucky listener. Starting at 9:00, when you hear a Backstreet Boys song, be the tenth caller. If you answer all the Backstreet Trivia questions correctly you will win two front-row seats at the concert, plus backstage passes to meet the Boys before hand, plus tickets to the after party as the Boy's personal guests. So keep your radio tuned to the station playing the best of the eighties, nineties, and today." "107.9 the Link." A commercial came on. Devon picked up hi cell and made sure that the station's number was still programmed into his speed dial. He was not going to let a thirteen year-old girl with acne win tickets to see Brian and the rest in the flesh. Only someone Devon's age could truly appreciate Mr. Littrell's god-like form and therefore was the only one worthy to drool over it. Devon laughed at himself over his affected arrogance. But he did plan to win those tickets. He smiled as he pulled into Missy's complex and up to her door. He checked his watch. 7:00. He had one hour to shower, eat, and get to work. Enough time, but he knew that Missy and Kari, Missy's roommate, would start badgering him the moment he walked in the door. If Tom was there, which he probably was, it would be even worse. He knew that they did it out of love and concern for him, but it still got on his nerves. He hadn't told Tom about John yet. That conversation was going to be fun. He put the key Missy had given him in the lock and went in the door. "Damn AJ, it's never been like that. That was absolutely wonderful." AJ smiled. He liked making Nick feel good. The past year that they had been dating had been the happiest either one had ever had. AJ kissed Nick as his dick softened and slide free from Nick's asshole. "I love you, Bone." "I love you, Kaos." They held each other, basking in the early morning LA light. Neither one to them wanted to get up, but they had to go to breakfast in Kevin's room in half an hour so Kevin could give them the day's schedule. Nick wrapped his arms around AJ's waist and buried his head in his chest. AJ stroked the young blonde's hair and breathed in the Nick's scent. They wanted these last few minutes to last for just a little while longer. "Nick. AJ. Please let me in." Brian's choked up voice said from the hallway. The young lover's gave each other a look of concern. They jumped from the bed. "Just a sec, Bri," AJ called. The guys put on some boxers. Both were bewildered by the voice in the hall. Brian was supposed to be in San Francisco visiting with N'SYNC and JC in particular. Brian hadn't seen his boyfriend since Backstreet and N'SYNC had ended their joint tour a month ago. Brian was going to spend two nights in San Francisco and meet the rest of the guys in Charlotte the next day. If he was back in Los Angeles, less than twenty-four hours after he left, something bad must have happened. Nick opened the door with AJ standing right behind him. Brian stood in the hallway, his head hanging down to the floor. He was wearing the same clothes he had on the day before when he left. His duffle bag hung loosely in his hand. He looked up at his band mates. His eyes were bloodshot and his cheeks were tear-stained. His quivering bottom lip was a sign that he could begin with fresh water works at any minute. "Frack, what the hell is wrong? Why aren't you in San Francisco?" Nick asked, pulling his friend into the room. Brian opened his mouth and started to talk. "I got to San Francisco yesterday afternoon. Justin met me. . ." Brian quickly dissolved into tears again. Nick exchanged a worried look with AJ. Both of them could tell something had gone horribly wrong. Brian never got this upset over anything. "Brian," AJ said, putting his hands around his friend, "if you don't want to say anything right now, it's ok. But Nick and I can't help you unless you tell us what's wrong." Brian sighed. Looking at his two friends, he knew that they had a deep, abiding love for each other. Even if he hadn't known them and seen them on the street, he would have been able to tell just by their eye communication. He thought that he and JC had shared that. Maybe they had at one time, but that was over forever. Brian wiped his eyes and started again. "Justin met me at the airport," he said haltingly. " We went and got my luggage and went to the limo. He told me all that head been happening with N'SYNC since the joint tour had ended. He caught me up on how he and Joey were doing and asked about you guys. He said JC had planned to meet me but had a meeting with Johnny that ran over so he called Justin and asked him to pick me up. "When we go to the hotel, Justin took my bag to JC's room. Then we went to his and Joey's room and talked with Joey and Lance for a while. Chris came by after about an hour and joined in the conversation. Soon it had been three hours since my arrival at the hotel and JC still hadn't shown. Justin tried calling JC on his cell, but got no answer. So Lance called Johnny. Johnny said that the meeting had let out about an hour and a half ago and that JC had only been there a few minutes. Johnny said he hadn't seen JC in about four hours. "By this time we were all on our cell's trying to reach JC or someone who might have known where he was. Just as I was about to call Johnny back to see if he had had any luck, the elevator outside the door opened. Then JC walked quickly into the room. I ran to him and said " `Josh where have you been. You had us worried to death.' I went to hug him, but he put his hands out in front of him. " ` Brian, we have to talk now alone.' "We walked down to his room. When we got there, I tried to hug him again, but he stopped me again. " `Josh, what's wrong.' " `Brian, there is no way to say this easily so I'm just going to say it. I'm not gay.' " `Don't say shit like that man, it's not funny.' " `I'm not laughing.' " `What do you mean you're not gay?' " `I've been seeing a woman for the past six months. I just came back from the justice-of-the-peace. I'm a married man. I'm sorry.' "I fell back on the couch. As JC's words ran through my head I just started getting angrier and angrier. That's when he decided to kneel down beside me. " `Brian, I. . .' " `Don't even say you're sorry,' I yelled at him. `You inconsiderate asshole! For the last six months that we have been together you've been fucking some whore and now you're married to her. I guess I was just someone you used to get off with when you were bored with you slut!' " `Brian don't talk about Tiffany like that, I love her.' " ` I love you. You said you loved me. I gave you my virginity, and you just treat me like some cheap hooker, someone you used for a little sexual variety! How DARE you!' "I jumped off the couch, grabbed my bags, and stormed out of the room. I collapsed beside he elevator. Justin ran to me and held me while the other guys went down to JC's room to find out what was going on. " `Justin,' I said handing him my credit card, "call the airline and book me on the next flight back to LA.' " `Brian don't leave like this. Go talk to Josh.' " `There's nothing for them to talk about Justin,' Lance said, looking forlornly down at me. `Book the flight for him. I've already called the limo. I'll ride with him to the airport, while you, Curly, talk to your best friend.' "Justin gave Lance a questioning look, but did as he was told. Lance rode with me down to the waiting car and held me while I cried. The whole ride to the airport I did nothing but cry on his shoulder. When we arrived he checked my bags for me and walked with me to the VIP lounge to wait for the flight to be called. Justin called him and talked to me. He said he, Joey, and Chris had all reamed JC and that Johnny was on his way to have his turn. The press had already gotten hold of the story and every radio station and tabloid in the nation was running it. Of course they didn't know that I was involved in any way, but I think N'SYNC's ticket and record sales could be severely hurt by this. "My flight was called, and Lance walked me to the gate. He hugged me good-bye and said he'd call in a few days to check on me. "I just sat through the whole flight listening to my CD's and cried. I eventually fell asleep. The flight attendant woke me up when we landed. I called the hotel to send a limo and came back here." Brian, who had been on the verge of tears throughout the entire story, finally collapsed into sobs. Nick felt a tear fall down his own cheek and he hugged his friend tighter. AJ was angry and crying himself. He wanted to fly to San Francisco and beat the shit out of JC, but he knew that Joey and Chris would probably take care of that themselves. Just then the phone rang. "Hello," AJ said composing himself. "You OK man. You sound like you've been crying." Kevin's voice came in loud and clear over the receiver. "No, I'm fine. Just woke up." "Well, Cliff and Kenny are going to be in my room in about thirty minutes to brief us on today's schedule. You and Nick get down here pronto, if you can separate yourselves for five seconds." Kevin laughed at his lame joke. "OK Kev. See you in thirty." AJ hung up. "Brian, Nick and I have to go to Kevin's room for breakfast. You can stay here and sleep a little if you want." "No I'll go," Brian said wiping his eyes. "I need to tell Kevin and Howie what happened anyway. And I had better do it while I'm out of tears or they won't understand a single word. Is Christina going to be there?" "No, she left last night for an appearance in Milwaukee. She's meeting us in Charlotte tomorrow." "Good. I just want to see you guys right now." "Come on bud," said Nick. "Go take a shower and clean-up. AJ and I will walk with you to Kevin's room." "OK," Brian sighed. "Maybe a shower will make me feel better." Brian got up from the bed, took some clothes and a towel from his duffel bag, and went into the bathroom. Nick and AJ collapsed on the bed, AJ's head on Nick's chest, and held each other tightly. "Alex?" "Yeah sweetie?" "I really, REALLY love you." "I really, REALLY love you too." The boys kissed passionately and just held each other for a while before getting dressed.