Date: Sat, 22 Dec 2001 06:57:52 +0000 From: N D Subject: Nick and Ashley-Chapter 5 DISCLAIMER: I don't know O-town and I am not implying anything. I am not affiliated in any way with them, J records, MTV or ABC or anything. The only thing I have remotely in common with these boys is that Ashley Parker Angel and I were born on the exact same day. FIRST THINGS FIRST: This story is becoming very popular and I'd like to thank everyone who is emailing me with suggestions and encouragement. I'd like to give one shoutout especially to a guy named Tim Reeves...go check out his stuff entitled "Blinked Boy band". Also, please email me with suggestions...once the story starts to unfold a little more I'd like to start another relationship within the two bands or anyone else in the story. I'd like it to be a gay relationship but a straight one would be ok too...email me with who you would like to see together. Nick and Ashley-Chapter Five The tour buses rolled into windy North Carolina. It had been almost a week since Ashley had his experience with Nick in the hot tub but it was all he could think about. The guys were beginning to notice that he was day dreaming a lot more these days. They had finished the first Florida segment of the tours with stops in Miami and Daytona Beach. Nick and Ashley always found a dark room to show their affection to each other, feeling that it wasn't a good time to tell the guys yet and it definitely wasn't a good idea to let anyone in the public on to what was happening. That would be career suicide but both men knew the consequences and they chose to accept a hidden relationship as long as their friends and family are cool with it. The buses pulled into a pretty large Marriott in downtown Charlotte and all of the boys got out and stretched their legs. Each boy received a key to a room on a floor that the bands had all to themselves. Ashley settled into room 13A, which was much more than one boy needed for himself but I guess that's what luxury brings. He threw his duffle bag down and sat down on his bed. 'How am I gonna do this?' Ashley thought to himself as he ran his hands through his platinum blond hair. Ashley was contemplating how to approach this sticky situation of letting his "brothers" know about his new sexual status. 'We've always supported each other in every decision. This shouldn't be much different...I hope.' Ashley tried to reinforce in his head. The phone rang suddenly and Ashley picked it up. "Hello?" Ashley said "Hey buddy It's Jacob...dinner in my room...we'll order in" "Ok I'll be over in a little bit. Bye" Ashley responded. Ashley heard the phone ring again almost directly after he hung it up. Frustrated, Ashley picked it up again. "Hello?" Ashley said "Hey Ash" Nick's youthful voice sounded out over the telephone wire. "Hey Nick" Ashley took a sigh after answering him "You haven't told them yet huh?" Nick asked "Nope" Ashley responded "Me neither." Nick said. "I'm headed over to Jacob's for dinner and they're all gonna be over there so I think I'll tell them tonight." Ashley said. "Yeah I'm gonna do the same." Nick agreed "This is gonna be rough." Ashley said "Ash, no matter what I'll be by your side." Nick said. "Thanks Nick, that's why I'm dating you. You've been awesome. I'll call you a little later to tell you the results." Ashley told his boyfriend. "Bye sexy" Nick said as he hung up the phone. Ashley hung up his side of the phone and slipped into some sweats for comfort since they had a night off tonight after the harsh touring in Florida. Gray sweatpants, a blue t-shirt and Adidas sandals are what made Ashley truly happy. He loved to just lounge around. He figured he might as well be comfortable if he's going to do this. He locked his door and walked across the hall to Jacob's. He knocked on the door and after a "come in" he opened the door to see all the guys waiting for him, which was not a very uncommon scene. "Sorry guys got held..." Ashley began. "Held up, yeah we know." They all responded. "We already ordered cuz we couldn't wait. We got Chinese and ordered Chicken and Broccoli for you." Jacob said. "My favorite." Ashley said. "I know" Jacob said. "You guys are awesome, I don't think I could ask for anything more in 4 brothers than you guys." Ashley started. "Hey Ash, what's with the sucking up to us all of the sudden?" Trevor asked "No reason." Ashley said. "C'mon Ash, what's wrong?" Trevor continued "I've got something to tell you guys." Ashley began. "I'm not sure how to say this but..." Ashley put his head down and faced the floor. "I...I... I'm gay" The room was silent for a good minute, which seemed like an eternity for Ashley. He looked up with tears in his eyes to see Dan standing in front of him. He lifted Ashley up into an embrace and said, "I told you you're my brother and I will support you to the end." "Thanks Dan" Ashley said as his increasing respect for Dan Miller widened even more. The rest of the guys got up and got into a group hug as all the guys said encouraging words to make sure Ashley knew he was still loved. Ashley had never felt so close to 4 people in his life. His life was taking a new turn and he was loving this new direction. The food showed up at the door and everyone sat down with a plate of whatever they had ordered. Halfway through his Chicken and Broccoli Ashley decided it was a good time to tell the rest of the guys about Nick. "Guys, I've also got something else to tell you, which may not be as hard as the first piece of information." Ashley told the group "Jeez, you're just a load of info tonight." Dan joked. "Ha ha, anyway umm the reason why I decided to come out to you guys was because I've kinda got a boyfriend now." Ashley said. "Well, well, well. Who's the lucky guy?" Erik asked "Nick Carter." Ashley answered. All of the guys stopped eating. "Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys?" Jacob asked "Yeah that's him," Ashley answered "Wow, I'm not even gay but that's impressive, man." Jacob said. "Haha Thanks man." Ashley answered. "Just make sure it doesn't interfere with the tour at all please." Trevor said "I don't think it should be a problem," Ashley said "We're all happy for you Ash, we just don't want to have any complications on this very important tour." Dan said "I appreciate the support and I realize how important this tour is so I'll try my hardest to not make it interfere." Ashley gave an answer that would make them happy and get off his back about it. "Well ok then, have fun!" Dan responded. "Thanks guys." Ashley said. The rest of dinner went quick with a lot of joking going on. Ashley felt very comfortable with these boys. He always has and this experience has been the best in his entire life. He was truly thankful for the many things in his life that were coming to him lately. He went back to his room with a huge smile on his face. He picked up his Nokia cell phone and dialed the number that Nick had given him to call whenever he wanted to talk. "Hello?" Nick on the other side of the line said. "Hey baby! I just told the guys and they were all really cool with. They even congratulated me on getting such a stud like you." Ashley said excitedly. "That's great Ash!" Nick said. "How did it go for you?" Ashley asked "Brian and AJ were really cool with it. They've always been the closest to me. They're like my older bros so they always watch out for me and would never not support me in anything. Kevin was more like my father. He said that it was fine but he just wanted to make sure that it wouldn't interfere with anything concerning the band." Nick answered "Howie?" Ashley asked a fearful question "Howie might need some time to get used to it. He didn't completely disown me but he definitely wasn't happy. Whatever, he'll deal." Nick said. "That's not a bad turnout though." Ashley tried to comfort Nick. "Yeah I know." Nick said. "Hey Nicky...how about we watch a movie tonight and just relax?" Ashley asked "That sounds great." Nick responded. "Ok come on over and we'll pick out a movie." Ashley said. Almost immediately after Ashley said the last word a knock was at the door. "Hang on Nick I gotta answer the door." Ashley opened the door and saw Nick standing on the other side on his cell phone. They both hung up their phones with a chuckle and walked into the room. "What movie do you wanna watch?" Nick asked "Ummm how about "Down To You"?" Ashley suggested "I love that movie." Nick said excitedly. "Awesome, I'll order it." The movie was about ¾ of the way done and Nick was lying on his side while Ashley spooned him on his bed. The part of the movie where Freddie Prince Jr. drinks the shampoo bottle because it reminds him of his girl had just come on and Nick turns around and stares into Ashley's deep blue eyes. "Sometimes it's amazing what people would do for the ones they love." Nick said. "Hey Nick have you ever wondered about the word "love"?" Ashley asked his boyfriend. "I think sometimes that word is thrown around way too easily" Nick said honestly. Ashley looked back at the TV and said "Yeah I agree, you never know though. I think that there is just a moment in the course of a relationship where people just know that this is the time and from that point on it's ok to say the 3 words. I don't know though..." Ashley looked back down at Nick and was immediately caught in his deep blue eyes. The two young men's gazes were locked in on each other. An amazing feeling was felt between both of them as if they were the only people in the entire world. "Ashley, is this one of those moments?" Nick asked "I'm not sure baby but I would like it to be." Ashley said. "How about we just say that we are falling in love and when we are ready we can say I love you to each other?" Nick suggested "That sounds great to me" Ashley responded. They both leaned in and gave each other a long, sensual kiss. The credits showed up on the movie so Ashley flicked it off with the remote, leaving the young lovers in the dark. They entangled their arms and legs in each other and slowly drifted off to sleep as Ashley ran his fingers through Nick's short, spiky blond hair. Both men enjoyed the silence and the darkness and just the comfort of each other's arms. Nothing in the world could be better than this and both of them seemed to know it and understand. The North Carolina night engulfed them and seemed to lull them both to sleep and it was just perfect. TO BE CONTINUED... <<<>>> ---ND---