"What do you mean Britney is better than Christina? Are you crazy, man?" Alesha asked, settling into the couch and switching the phone to her other ear.
"Well, Britney is more…ummm…filled out," Howie chuckled. "Although there is absolutely nothing wrong with Christina."
"I thought we were talking about singing ability, D," Alesha groaned.
"We were? Oh. Then Christina definitely."
Alesha laughed. "Freak. Are ya'll ready for tomorrow?" she asked.
"As ready as we'll ever be. Gonna be watching?"
"What the hell kind of question is that? Of course I'll be watching."
"Sure you don't want to fly down here and go with us?" he asked.
"Yes, I'm sure darlin. Thanks for asking though." Alesha sighed. "I'll getta see ya'll on Thursday."
"Promise?" he asked.
"Think I'd miss my boys in their home state?"
"Someone wants to say hi," Howie said. She heard muffled voices and the phone being handed over.
"Hello."
"Umm…hi," she said her heart skipping a beat at the sound of Nick's voice.
"How are you?" he asked softly. "Been busy?"
"I'm okay. Work keeps me running in circles. I'm sure I'm no where near as busy as ya'll though."
He chuckled, sending chills down her spine. "Gonna be at the St. Pete show?"
"Of course," she smiled. "Got the whole day off."
"Cool." His voice became muffled, as he was talking to someone next to him. Sighing, he said into the phone, "I have to go. I will see you Thursday then." There was shuffling as the phone was passed off again.
"Hey chicky. How ya doin'?" Lori asked
"I'm okay," Alesha answered.
"I am so worn out. You'd think I was up on the stage performing, instead of sitting in the audience watching. I feel for these guys. I don't know how they do this all the time."
Alesha giggled. "So everything is good with you and Kevin then?"
"Definitely. He is such a sweetie. We've been hanging out with Leighanne and Brian a lot. That's been interesting."
"Are you going to the Grammy's with him?"
"Yes," Lori said excitedly. "Leighanne helped me pick out a dress. It is sooooo pretty. I'm kinda nervous because I know it's going to be on national TV."
Alesha laughed. "You'll be fine. Cheer extra loud for me when the Boys win," Alesha said.
"Oh, I will. I have to go, darlin'. I'll see you Thursday."
The phone was handed off again, as Alesha talked to everyone. Hanging up finally, she grabbed her keys and wallet and headed out the door. She couldn't take being alone in the apartment, so she decided to take a drive. She ended up at the beach. She parked her car and walked down to the edge of the water. Sitting down, she looked out across the ocean. The darkness of the evening made the usually bright blue waters and inky black.
"Do you miss me as much as I miss you?" she whispered. Looking up at the sky, she remembered the last night she and Nick had spent together, before the tour had started. And try as she might, she could not find the star anywhere. "Oh Nicky. What have I done?"
Sliding her hands down his naked chest and kissing him softly, Sarah whispered, "I've missed you so much." Nick's eyes were closed, his face expressionless. He could have been asleep for all the reaction she was getting out of him. Sighing, Sarah moved up and pouted. "Nicky, you have to give me some encouragement for me to continue."
He didn't even open his eyes as he said, "I'm sorry, Sar. I guess I'm just not in the mood."
Sarah ran her nails lightly down his chest, tracing circles around his stomach. "I'm sure I can put you in the mood," she said seductively. She kissed the hollow behind his ear, tracing the indention lightly with her tongue. His eyes flew open, and he pushed her away, jumping out of bed. Grabbing his jeans, he pulled them on quickly. "Where you going baby?" she asked sitting up.
"I…out," he said, slamming the door behind him.
Walking down to the edge of the water, he stared out across the ocean. Sinking to his knees, Nick dropped his head into his hands. "Why did you leave me? I need you. I don't understand," he whispered as the tears fell. "What can I do to make you come back to me? What can I do to change the way things are?" he looked up in the sky, his eyes searching the heavens frantically. "It's not there," he whispered. "It's gone. What am I going to do now?" he said sadly. "No. This can't be happening…I need you Alesha," he cried.
"Dammit," Sarah pouted. Sighing, she got up from the bed and threw on a bathrobe. Looking at the mess in the room, she slowly started straightening. She picked up a pile of Nick's dirty clothes and stuffed them in the laundry bag. Grabbing a couple of the clean shirts he had thrown on the floor, she opened his suitcase to put them away. An unfamiliar notebook, tucked carefully into the bottom of the case, caught her attention. Curious, she dropped the clothes on the floor, picked up the book and walked over to the bed. Sitting down crossed legged, she examined the outside before opening it.
It was a plain black binder. Nick had drawn some of his favorite doodles on the outside in a silver paint pen. There were a couple of characters she didn't recognize. She looked at them closely and seen the small "AB" hidden inside.
Opening the notebook, there were a couple of pages with photos attached. They were various shots of Nick and Alesha together, a few of Alesha by herself, and a few of Nick. There was a smile on Nick's face that she had never seen before. It was a side of him she had never known was there.
Turning past the photos, there were some sketches by Nick. All of them were in some way tied to Alesha. The last of the sketches was one of Nick. It was a full-face portrait, done in pencil. Part of his face was shadowed darkly. At first glance he looked happy and playful, but looking deeper revealed a conflict of emotions. "Wow, this is really good," Sarah said softly. "Got to give her credit for this one," she murmured noting Alesha's signature at the bottom.
Turning the page brought her to what looked like a journal of some sorts.
January 2, 2000
I have met the most wonderful girl in the world. She is beyond perfect. I've never known happiness like I know with her…
January18, 2000
She left me. She promised she never would again. I feel so lost and lonely. I have no one to turn to. Except for Sarah. She's always there when I need her. Maybe I should try to make it up to her. To move on and do everything I can to keep her in my life. She seems to be the only one that wants to be here…maybe…
Nickybaby,
"God," Sarah groaned. "I'm so glad she's gone," she said putting the cover back and closing the book. She tossed the binder onto his suitcase and curled up and went to sleep.
Hope you think of me when you listen to this disc. Definitely a romantic tune, don't'cha think? Hehe. Glad to have finally found someone as wickedly insane for Metallica as me. I love you darling. From now until eternity.
Always…
Your Leshangel
