Nick quietly shut the door. He was glad Cordelia had just decided to go to her own room.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid," Nick said to himself.
Nick thought Leigh had liked him, but she was obviously interested in Brian. That kiss had been intense. Why Brian? Brian was his beset friend. It's really hard to hate your best friend for liking the same girl you do.
Nick walked to the hotel pool and sat on one of the lawn chairs. Nick knew he shouldn't get involved with anybody on the road. Kevin and Howie had been lucky when they met Vanessa and Deanna, but Vanessa had even told Kevin that they wouldn't work out in the long run, before they realized they couldn't live without each other. All of the guys had struck out countless times when they dated girls from other cities.
But something tugged at Nick's heart. He had seemed attracted to Leigh by some inexplicable force. It felt like how Kevin said he couldn't breathe without knowing he had Vanessa with him forever. Or how Deanna and Howie hadn't been able to deny their feelings. How AJ had to fight with Grayson, just so they could make up. How Brian was always saying destiny had brought he and Dallas together.
Dallas. How could Brian be unfaithful to Dallas? He said he was so in love with Dallas. Whatever.
He headed back to his room and got there just as Leigh stepped out.
"Oh. Hey Nick," Leigh said. "Brian developed a minor headache. I thought I'd leave him in peace."
"Very thoughtful of you," Nick said, rather coldly.
Leigh looked confused and a little dazed. "What's wrong Nick?"
"Nothing that sleep won't cure," Nick answered.
"Where's Cor?" Leigh asked.
"In your room," Nick said. "Good night."
"Good night Nick," Leigh said, trying unsuccessfully to hide the hurt she felt.
Why was she hurt Nick asked himself. Well he had acted distracted, and maybe even cold. She didn't know he had seen her and Brian kiss. She didn't know he was hurt too.
It was foolish to imagine he had experienced love-at-first-sight. That only happened in the movies. Or to his friends. But he couldn't deny he was disappointed. Especially in his best friend. Leigh couldn't know how interested he was in her. She didn't know him well enough. But Brian knew him well enough to know he was completely sprung.
Chapter 5
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