Nick smiled at the sight of his best friend soundly asleep in his bed. He got closer to the bed and pulled the covers on Brian. 'Poor guy must've been drained by tonight's show. I'll let him shower first next time.' He got in bed and turned off the bedside lamp.

About two hours later, when he was sure Nick was sleeping, Brian got up. He hadn't slept at all. He faked sleeping earlier to avoid having to face Nick. He simply couldn't explain to him what was going on and it was killing him. It was the first time he'd kept something that important from Nick and he didn't fell good about it.

He walked slowly to the bathroom. He knew that he would not sleep at all that night. It had been worse than usual with Liam. And there was no way he was going to stay awake 8 hours without taking a shower after a show, and especially, after Liam.

Nick woke up and heard the shower run. 'Brian?' He looked at his watch. 'What's he doing in the shower at midnight?' He waited patiently until Brian came out of the bathroom. The light was still turned off so Brian hadn't seen that he was fully awake.

Brian was fixing the sheets on his bed when he heard Nick move. He turned around and saw in the shadow that Nick was sitting on his bed.

"Nick, what are you doing up? It's late."

Nick got up. "What are you doing up? Since when do you take showers in the middle of the night?"

"I fall asleep while you were in the shower last night. It's no big deal."

"It couldn't wait until tomorrow?"

"What do you care so much about? I woke you up? Sorry."

"It's not about waking me up. Something's wrong, Brian. Something's happened to you and you won't tell me what. We've always told each other everything. What's changed? What's so important that you can't tell me?" At first Nick's tone was harsh but by the end it was soothing. He put his hand on his friend's arm. "You're keeping something from me. What's going on? Maybe I can help you..."

Brian sighed. "I can't tell you. Not yet. I'll tell you someday, but now I just can't."

"So there is something bothering you?"

"Yes." Brian whispered.

"Is there anything, anything that I could do to help you?"

"Nick, I don't want to talk about this. Believe me, it's better if you don't know."

"But-"

"No but's. I'm not telling Nick, so butt out."

"Alright." Nick said. He went back in his bed. As he was about to turn off the light, he turned to Brian. "But if you ever wanna talk about it..."

"I know. You're there. And I appreciate it." Brian smiled. "Good night."

He turned off the light. "Good night Brian."

Go to Chapter 12
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