Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 18:26:09 EST
From: SweetAngel472023@aol.com
Subject: 'A Second Chance' Chapter 16

'A Second Chance'
Chapter 16

Disclaimer: You all know these by heart. Not true. FICTION. Don't know the
guys. If you're too young or homophobic, please leave.

Hi everyone.
Here I am yet again. Thanx to all the people who are still reading this. I
hope you enjoy the next chapter.


    As soon as the words were said, Kevin jumped up.
    "You are what?" He yelled, loud enough to be heard across the entire
restaurant. He instantly realized that he was causing a scene and sat back
down. The last thing they needed now was some crazed teenager coming over and
requesting autographs. He continued in a more hushed tone.

    "You can't be engaged! You are way too young. You don't know what you are
getting yourselves into."
    "Guys, I think that Kevin is right. You are a little young." Chris jumped
in. "But, if you are sure about this, I'm the last one to stand in your way.
Kevin, they gotta make their own decisions."

    "Just, you know that I love you and I only want you to be happy, but are
you sure that you are ready for this?" JC asked.
    "Yeah, Josh. I know that I'm ready. There's no one else I'd rather be
with." Justin said, smiling. He looked over at Kevin, who was still
grumbling. Nick followed his gaze.

    "Kevin, you've known me for ages. Was I ever one to make hasty decisions?
You know that when I commit myself to do something, I'll stick with it. I
know that relationships have their ups and downs, but I love Justin and I
know that we can handle it." Nick explained. Kevin's face softened.
    "Alright. If that's what you want, you have my blessing. But if it
doesn't work, don't say I didn't warn you." Kevin was smiling now. The other
guys started talking all at once, and Nick and Justin told them about how
they both had had the same idea and ended up with two rings, which earned a
few chuckles.

    After they had all finished eating, they decided to go to a club to
celebrate. They grabbed a big booth in a corner of the room where the music
wasn't so insanely loud that you couldn't even hear yourself think. Everyone
headed out to the dance floor, except for Nick and Brian.

    "You haven't said anything all night. Are you alright with this?" Nick
asked his friend.
    "Yes and no. I'm happy for you guys, but there is one flaw in your plan.
If you're gonna get married, you'll have to come out to the public, and that
could destroy our careers. Have you thought about that yet?" Brian asked.
Nick nodded slowly.
    "Yeah, we've talked about it. Neither of us is quite ready to come out. I
mean, we barely just came out to ourselves. We need more time. Besides, it's
not like we've set a date yet. We could wait with the wedding until we're
ready to come out." Nick said. Brian started to reply when a waitress came
by. They ordered some drinks and waited for her to leave.

    "I just don't want you to rush into this. You know that we are all a
hundred percent behind you if you want to make this public. But it won't be
easy." Brian continued. Nick could only nod. This was difficult for him. He
knew that he loved Justin with all his heart, but there was this little voice
in the back of his head, telling him that he should give girls a chance. It
would be so much easier. Nick pushed the voice away and looked up in time to
see the waitress coming back with his rum-cola. He took a big sip and but the
glass back down.

    Brian followed Nick's actions with a disapproving glance. He wasn't much
of a drinker himself, but Nick was definitely too young to be drinking. But
he decided to let it go, just for tonight. After all, it was Nick's
engagement that they were celebrating.

    They talked for a little while longer, then Brian decided to head out to
the dance floor. Nick stayed behind, nursing his third rum-cola. He was so
completely lost in thought that he didn't notice the girl who had approached
him until she was literally screaming into his ear.
    "Hey, you're Nick from the Backstreet Boys, right?" Nick cringed, then
nodded. 'Busted.' He thought. Without even waiting for an invitation, she sat
down next to him and started babbling. He only followed her mindless chatter
for a few minutes, then drowned her out and concentrated on his thoughts
again.

    Since he wasn't used to alcohol at all, the rum was already beginning to
work its magic. His judgement was clouded. The voice in his head was becoming
louder and louder. The walls were closing in on him and all he could hear was
that voice. 'There's a pretty girl next to you. She likes you. It would be so
much easier. Being with Justin is just so complicated. Get to know her. You
might like her.'

    "Do you wanna dance?" he asked, interrupting her little speech. He hadn't
been paying attention anyway. The girl flashed him a smile and got up. He
followed her to the dance floor. The music was loud, and the lights were
flashing in all the colors of the rainbow. That, together with the alcohol
and the smell of cheap perfume and sweat was enough to put Nick in a trance.
His body was moving to the music, pressing close to the soft flesh of the
girl. He could feel her breasts against his chest. Even in his clouded mind
he realized that that should be turning him on. But it wasn't.

    Before he knew what was happening, they were kissing. Her lips were soft
and warm and eager. He didn't pull back. His hands were roaming over her
back, waiting for the pleasure that wouldn't come. Some corner of his mind
decided that this kiss was not a good idea and that he should probably stop.
But his body wouldn't obey him. He found himself unable to move.

    A loud voice broke through his fogged mind. He recognized the voice as
Justin's.
    "Nicholas Gene Carter, what the f*** do you think you are doing?"
    "I was wondering the same thing." Nick mumbled. Then he collapsed.


Uh...cliffhanger. How fun. :grinn:: Will Nick get a chance to explain what he
was doing? Will Justin forgive him? Or will they cancel the wedding? Tune in
next time to get all the answers!
Take care,
j