Nick followed behind the New York Times reporter after the interview was complete. As he held the door to the hotel suite she smiled,
"I saw your Cosmo article." He rolled his eyes and smiled,
"God, does everyone read that magazine?" She laughed as they walked down the hall,
"Yes and you take one hell of a picture." He smiled from embarrassment as he looked down at the floor. The elevator doors opened and she steped inside,
"Thanks for the interview, good luck." He nodded as he waved goodbye and made it back to his room. For the first time he realized the MTV cameras were not with him,
"I'm gonna go lay down before we go and get the guys." He noticed Sam and Tim look at each other briefly but he didnt think much of it as he began to strip down and climb into bed.
He was talking into the camera about how much his friends meant to him when he saw Pete walk through the gate. Sam and Nick ran towards him, screaming and causing a bit of a scene. Nick jumped over a row of chairs and they laughed as they were in a giant group hug that included Mike as well. Nick was so caught up in his group hug and high fives with his three friends he didn't notice Craig had walked over and stood next to Tim. They watched as the four friends hugged and wrestled with Nick and Mike ending up on the floor. Sam stretched out his hand and pulled Nick off the floor, Pete did the same for Mike. Nick, smiling and taking a deep breath, slowly released it when he looked over and saw Craig next to Tim with the cameras beside them. He knew he couldn't react like a child in front of the cameras so he went over and smiled big and hugged Craig quicker than usual,
"Come on guys, let's go." They walked through the airport unaware of anyone else and they seemed as if they owned the place. It wasn't intentional it was habit as all his friends seemed to shield him and he ended up in the middle of the pack. A little girl walked towards them with her camera, a notebook and pen,
"Can I get your autograph?" Before anyone could say no Nick stopped and bent over so he was at eye level with her,
"Of course sweetheart." He smiled at her,
"What's your name?" She smiled shyly, the empty space where her tooth should have been appeared and it made it smile even more,
"Lisa." His eyes widened,
"That's a pretty name." He took the pen and notebook from her and signed it then handed the camera to Mike and posed with her for a picture,
"Thank you." she said in the faintest voice. He shook his head,
"Thank you, can I have a hug?" Her eyes became the size of saucers as she nodded her head enthusiastically and wrapped her arms around his neck. He stood up and waved to her as Tim ushered him along telling him he couldn't get stopped in one place for too long. Their trip to the van was interrupted several times as Nick refused to say no to anyone.
Back at the hotel they all sat around Nick's room drinking, watching television and gossiping,
"What the hell are we watching?" Nick looked over at Tim and laughed,
"It's something on cable about pimps and prostitutes." He looked down at the television guide,
"Uh....it's called Pimps Up Hos Down." He laughed at the expression on Tim's face. They were watching the show when Nick screamed,
"Oh hell no. Fifty bucks for a blow job?" Pete shook his head,
"She's not even cute." Mike laughed as he shook his head at them,
"Well a guy that could pull a good-looking girl wouldn't be driving around picking up someone on the corner at two in the morning." Sam stood up,
"She must not have any fucking teeth. I'm gonna get something from that all night diner I saw earlier, someone come with me." Pete stood up,
"I'll go." Nick stood up and pulled some money from his pocket,
"Tim man, get what you want, it's on me." They gave their orders and the guys walked out of the room. Seconds later Mike jumped up,
"Where are you going?" He called out of his shoulder,
"I wanna change my order." Nick shrugged and went back to watching TV until Tim stood up,
"Where YOU going?" Tim walked towards the door and looked at him,
"Not that it's any of your business nosey ass but I'm going to take a shower if I'm allowed that is." Nick threw one of the pillows from the couch and it missed by a mile,
"No rhythm AND no aim, straight up white boy." Nick rolled his eyes,
"Whatever." he smiled as Tim closed the door behind him. He looked around and his eyes connected with Craig who was sitting in the corner, his head resting in his hand,
"You plan on talking to me?" Nick turned his attention back to the TV with a sour look on his face.
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Chapter 90a