CHAPTER 40

It was about one AM on a Sunday morning when the Backstreet Boys arrived in Orlando.

The time difference would catch up with them soon, but not tonight. By the time Kevin and Nick arrived at Kevin's house, they were both wired. Tristan and Holly weren't expecting them for another thirty-six hours. Tristan had already gone to bed when they tried to sneak into the house, but Holly was still awake watching old movies on TV in her panties and an oversized tee shirt. When she heard the handle move on the front door, she almost choked on her popcorn. She jumped up and ran to another room trying to hide and then cursed herself because she hadn't turned off the TV. She decided she would have to make a stand and grabbed the first thing she could lay her hands on to use as a weapon. She stood, ready to defend herself when the male figures stepped into the foyer.

Holly froze in shock, unable to speak at the sight of Nick and Kevin standing inside the door. They couldn't speak either, seeing Holly standing there, wild eyed, in a tee shirt and little else. Her strawberry curls were askew, her eyes were as big as saucers and she was brandishing a large wooden spoon as if it were a machete. She tried to speak but her voice came out in a high pitched squeak. She was confused and wondered if she had lost an entire day. Her squeak sounded angry.

"What are you doing here?" , she demanded, her tone accusatory.

"Well, shit!", Kevin shot back. "I can't come into my own house?"

"I thought you were burglars or something!", Holly snapped defensively.

Nick laughed at her and pointed to the spoon. "What were you gonna do? Stir us to death?"

Holly lowered the spoon. "Why didn't you let us know you were coming home early?", she scolded.

"Kevin wanted it to be a surprise." Nick couldn't stop grinning at the woman before him.

"Well, you sure surprised the hell out of me!", Holly growled, looking back and forth between the two.

Kevin waved his hand in the air, trying to get a word in edgewise.

"I really hate to end this tea party, but would you kindly tell me where Tris is?"

Holly pointed to the staircase and Kevin bounded up the stairs. He hesitated on the first landing and looked down at Nick.

"You remember our talk, right Nick?"

"Yeah, sure Kev."

"Goodnight then." He said and disappeared up the stairs.

"What was that all about?", Holly asked, still fixed to her spot.

"Nothing really. Kevin just wants to make sure he and Tris aren't disturbed."

"Gee, I wonder why?", Holly giggled.

Nick became serious. "I think I can guess. How about you?"

Holly looked at the floor. "It's late Nick and you've had a long trip. Aren't you a little tired?"

"Listen, Hol. I don't feel that there's any part of me that's either little or tired right now, and if there was, all you'd have to do is show me a telephone. Hell, a picture of a phone would do it. I hope I don't sound...well...insensitive....but after the last few weeks, I can barely hear a phone ring without getting hard for you."

Holly raised her head and looked across the room at the sweet face gazing in her direction. It may not have been Shakespeare, but his words hit her heart like poetry. She ran across the room and jumped up on Nick, wrapping her legs around his waist, running her hands through his hair and scattering kisses across his face.

"You ready to take this upstairs?" Nick asked, grinning at her enthusiasm.

"Oh yeah!"

Nick carried Holly up the stairs still wrapped around his waist. By the time they reached the second landing, Holly had started unbuttoning Nick's shirt and his hands had moved up her bare back under her tee shirt. He didn't have to worry about dropping her because she was hanging on for dear life. Their laughter, murmuring and kisses automatically stopped when they reached the "Kevin Zone" surrounding his door and resumed when they crossed into safety. Fortunately, Holly had been staying in the bedroom at the far end of the hall.

Nick moved to put Holly down when they got inside the room. He kissed her gently as she unwrapped her legs from around him and slid to the floor. He turned to close the door and when he turned back , Holly was opening the windows. Light breezes caught in the sheer curtains causing them to billow inward. A storm was coming up from the south. Flashes of lightening lit the sky but the thunder was distant and low. There was no rain yet.

Holly took a deep breath of the ionized air and when she turned to face Nick, she found him standing, not moving, watching her. Holly suddenly felt a moment of shyness. She had always dealt with strong emotions using humor, but tonight she didn't feel light hearted. She felt hunger and need. Nick wasn't smiling, either.. His expression seemed to mirror her own feelings and when she walked back to him, he grabbed her and pulled her close to his chest. His hands moved to her head as he searched her face.

"I think it's finally time for the friends to become lovers, Holly."

He kissed her then, deeply and with a tender force. His tongue felt firm in her mouth and she became breathless. As his tongue probed deeper, Holly finished unbuttoning his shirt. He lowered his arms long enough for her to push it off his shoulders. His hands did not return to her head but moved under her shirt, up her sides and around to her breasts. Nick stopped to watch her as his hands explored her body and when he reached the swelling of her breasts, she closed her eyes and sighed deeply. Nick pulled the shirt over her head and once again pulled her to him so that her bare breasts could press against him.

"Jesus, Holly. You feel so good to me.", he muttered under his breath.

Perhaps the hours spent on the phone helped them pass through the initial timidity most couples have when they make love for the first time. Whatever the reason, any hesitation between them was gone. Holly began to stoke Nick through his pants and he froze for a moment, closing his eyes, just enjoying the sensation of her hands on him. When she broke away, his eyes flew open and he found her pushing down her panties and climbing into the bed.

Nick smiled at her now. He lowered his pants and briefs and removed them before getting into the bed with her. When Holly went to touch him again, he gasped and then instinctively found her breast with his mouth, sucking hard on her nipple in rhythm with the movements of her hand. Holly moaned his name as she felt his teeth nipping at her. Her hand left him and traveled to his shoulder to hold him against her. As he moved his mouth to her other breast, his hand moved down between her thighs and caressed her there. Her legs parted of their own volition as he slipped one finger and then two into her and felt how wet she was for him. Nick couldn't wait any longer to be inside if her. He released himself from her breast and looked into her face. They were both breathing quickly, almost panting.

"Are you ready for me, Holly?" His eyes were pleading with hers.

A simple question deserves a simple answer.

"God, Nick. Yes, I'm ready."

Nick removed his fingers and pressed himself against her opening, slowly sliding himself into her. Holly arched her back in response and groaned aloud as Nick quickly began a rhythm. Holly had never felt so filled. She would come quickly and hard - she could feel it. Nick could feel her building, too and began to move faster, grabbing onto her hips, helping her to meet his movements. His mouth was near her ear and he continued to murmur to her, urging her on. Holly began to call to him and then tensed so tightly around his hardness that she literally squeezed the life out of him and he exploded inside her, still trying to push himself deeper.

His weight collapsed on top of her with a shudder and he repeated her name over and over, whispering in her ear.

Holly had never had a physical sensation cause such an emotional response. Her eyes were wet as she lay under Nick, stroking his cheek with her fingers. They lay that way, completely drained and at peace until they fell asleep together, still joined.

**************

Kevin slipped into the bedroom and dropped his bag on the floor by the dresser. He took off his shoes and watch and looked upon the figure sleeping on the bed. There was enough light in the room to see that she was uncovered and sleeping on her stomach. When the lightening briefly lit the room, he saw that she was wearing a light gauze gown. Even in the dim light, Kevin could see that Tris was naked beneath the fabric. The stiffness that he had carried for her before he entered the room grew even larger. He relieved himself of his clothing, never moving his eyes from the sleeping form. The cravings he's had for her before seemed incidental to the desire he felt for her now.

Kevin sat on the edge of the bed and brushed his hand lightly across her bottom through the gown. She made a little noise in her throat, but didn't wake. He needed to be touched badly and she was the only one who could meet that need. He laid down beside her and began to run his mouth over the backs of her thighs and up to her buttocks, stopping to suck on the soft skin that lay where the two meet.

Tristan stirred some and mumbled. Kevin smiled in the darkness as he let his hands move under her gown along her hips. Her skin was smooth and soft and felt cool to his touch. Kevin gently raised her gown and leaned down to kiss the small of her back. He took a breath and sighed as the faint scent of honeysuckle rose from her.

Tristan began to wake now, confused and frightened. Kevin laid his body on hers, his hands reaching up under the gown and pushing it up towards her shoulders. When she began to squirm and raise herself, trying to free herself from the weight, Kevin brought his hand to the front of her, gently squeezing her breast and running his thumb across her nipple, causing it to harden.

"Shhhh...it's me, Tris. God, baby, I need you so bad..." His mouth went to the back of her neck and he began to suck the skin there.

"Kevin?...What are...?"

"Shhh, baby...."

Kevin got up on his knees and pulled Tristan up by the hips to a kneeling position, her back to him. He pulled the white gauze over her head and felt her hair tumble back down her back and onto his chest. When she leaned her head back against his shoulder, he could feel her hair brushing against his shaft. The sensation was almost enough to push him over the edge. He sucked in his breath and pulled himself away from her, not wanting his climax to come until he was buried inside of her.

Tristan felt Kevin pull back and then move her hair to one shoulder with his hand, leaving the other shoulder bare. His goatee rubbed against her shoulder as he murmured his needs into her ear while his hands moved to the front of her body and lightly stroked her belly. Tristan's needs were great, too and she began to beg Kevin to touch her, to make her cum. Kevin smiled against her shoulder and moved his hands down to her moist cleft, using his maddening method of barely touching her skin and filling her with both delight and frustration. Tristan began to rock on her knees.

Looking over her shoulder, Kevin watched himself manipulate Tristan to orgasm. Her hands clasped onto his when she came and she doubled over, pleading with him to enter her.

Kevin was more than ready and he guided her forward so that her elbows were on the mattress and her hips raised. Then, without warning, he mounted her from behind. Groaning her name loudly, he pumped himself into her, going deeper with each thrust. Kevin could soon feel Tristan begin to spasm around him and so he stopped, pulling himself from her. Then he flipped her over and re-entered her, continuing his frantic pounding. It had been so long since he had seen her cum and he ached to see her face as he brought her to orgasm again. Neither of then had to wait long. They reached their apex together. His climax was long and powerful and filled her so completely that his fluid spilled back out of her and onto the sheets. Tristan's back continued to arch several more times as she began to come down from her high.

Flashes of lightening lit up the sky, illuminating their wet bodies as Kevin lay in Tristan's arms, his head against her breasts. Together, they slowly drifted from the heights of passion to the depths of sleep and comfort as Kevin brought Tristan's fingers up to his cheek and held them there.

CHAPTER 41

A few days after his return home, Kevin finally got the chance to meet the great Asa Whitmore. He had decided to surprise Tristan one afternoon when his day had ended earlier than expected. Tristan had not been scheduled to do any work for the symphony or youth orchestra until the middle of September but on days when Kevin was occupied, she often when to the concert hall to catch up or help out.

When Kevin walked backstage to find Tristan, he was the one who got the surprise. Standing on the other side of a small rehearsal hall were Asa and Tristan. deep in conversation. Asa was waving his arms around trying to make some kind of point and Tristan was shaking her head and laughing. They almost looked like a couple. Kevin had recognized Asa right away from the photographs he had seen. Unfortunately, that celebrity compliment wasn't returned. Asa turned to Kevin as he approached and had the unmitigated gall to ask him, in a nice way of course, what he wanted. "What do I want you pompous jerk? What do you want is the question, asshole!" Asa didn't recognize Kevin either as Tristan's partner or as a member of what was arguably the most popular vocal group since the Beatles - or at least he pretended not to. Tristan was surprised to see Kevin there and it showed. He felt his hackles rise. She had never mentioned that she was expecting a visitor today.

"Kevin!", she smiled and ran over to meet him, throwing her arms around his neck.

Richardson - 1, Whitmore - 0

"Hey, baby! I thought I'd surprise you. I didn't know you had company." Kevin looked toward Asa and then bent down to give Tristan a kiss, complete with a little tongue.

Richardson - 2, Whitmore - 0

Tristan was nonplussed by Kevin's amorous demonstration, particularly in public. She stammered a little and made the introductions.

"Asa, this is Kevin Richardson. Kevin, you've heard me mention Asa Whitmore." She stood back and watched the two men appraise each other.

"Nice to meet you at last Asa." Kevin held out his hand. She couldn't have said Kevin Richardson, my boyfriend or Kevin Richardson, my partner or Kevin Richardson, the guy who screwed my brains out last night? "Tristan told me you two were old friends."

"It's good to meet you, too, Kevin. I'm sorry I didn't know you when you came in. I'm afraid I'm not up to date with the pop music scene", Asa chuckled.

Was that a little jab? "Oh, I'm sure you're too busy with the "serious" stuff," Kevin laughed.

Tristan was not enjoying this repartee. She knew where Kevin was going with this.

"Well, you're probably right.", Asa returned.

It was a jab, alright.

There was a slightly awkward pause and Kevin glanced at Tristan. Damn, why was she always wearing those low cut pants with those short tops? When did she get that top, anyway? I don't remember it. Jesus, Tris, couldn't you find one any tighter? When he looked back at Asa, he was staring at Tristan's midriff. Kevin cleared his throat and Asa looked up and grinned at him. Arrogant son of a bitch!

"Well, I thought I'd drop by and take Tris out to lunch, if she can get away." Kevin put his arm around Tristan's shoulder and squeezed the top of her arm affectionately.

"I had the same idea!" Asa laughed. He spoke to Tristan, "You're just a popular lady today, Trissy!"

"Trissy? I think I may vomit..." "Oh? you and Tristan had a lunch date planned? Why, she never mentioned it." Kevin squeezed her arm again - a little harder this time.

"No, it wasn't planned. I had to come to Orlando on business and I thought I'd drop by," Asa explained. "Why don't we all go, then?"

Oh boy, can we? "Sounds good Asa. Okay, Tris?"

"Sure." Tristan was skeptical. "Let me just get my things."

They both smiled at her as she walked back across the hall and through the doors. Kevin caught Asa adjusting himself. It pissed him off.

"It's so nice to meet one of Tristan's old friends.", Kevin remarked cooly.

"And it's so nice to meet one of Tristan's new friends.", Asa countered.

Kevin laughed, obviously feigning merriment. "I'm not exactly a friend, Asa!"

"I see. Are you and Trissy engaged?"

Kevin hesitated. "No...."

"Hmmmm..."

Hmmmm? What the fuck does that mean?

Tristan stuck her head back in through the door. "Okay, you two, let's go!" The door swung shut behind her.

Kevin saw Asa adjusting himself again.

"You having a little problem there?" Kevin asked casually.

"I wouldn't call it little, Kevin!" Asa laughed and slapped Kevin on the back.

What a dick head! When did Tristan start wearing clothes like that? I remember when she wore loose, baggy stuff all the time! She's showing too damn much skin..

They walked down the block to a small restaurant off of an alley and took a booth near the back. Asa on one side and Tristan and Kevin on the other. Their order was taken quickly and they made small talk while waiting for their food to arrive. Asa reached across the table and took Tristan's left arm in his hand.

"So, Trissy, how's the wrist doing? Are you able to play?" Asa was looking up and down her arm like he's never seen one before.

"It's better, I think. I've been playing some and I see improvement."

"That's good, Tristan. Do you stroke as well as you used to?" Asa asked kindly.

Jesus Christ! Is he asking her for a 'stroking' demonstration? Kevin looked up at the ceiling and shook his head in an exaggerated fashion. Then he locked eyes with Asa. "Her stroking is great, Asa. Couldn't possibly be any better."

Asa and Tristan looked at Kevin dubiously. Kevin squirmed in his seat and stared at the map of Florida on his placemat. Asa went on, sure that he mistook Kevin's double entendre.

"Grab my wrist, Trissy. Let me see if you can still stretch your fingers and palm all the way around it."

What Asa had demanded was just too suggestive for Kevin and he'd had enough. He'd be God damned if he was going to sit there and watch Tristan jerk off Asa's wrist! Jerk off his wrist? Anyway, he didn't like it. He grabbed Tristan's hand away and brought it under the table, holding it in his. "I think our food's coming."

Again, Asa and Tristan looked at Kevin, bewildered. Asa took his napkin and began to unfold it. Tristan just looked sideways at Kevin who was, once again, suddenly fascinated with Florida geography. Then she got it. She found herself in Kevin's head and understood how he was perceiving this whole meeting. She removed her hand from his and placed it on his thigh, squeezing gently. Kevin felt the squeeze and looked at her smiling at him. He covered her hand with his, and returned her smile, relieved.

The ambiance at the table had improved greatly by the time the waiter brought their order. Kevin didn't appear to feel threatened any longer and participated in the idle chit-chat.

"Tristan, There was a reason I stopped by to see you today.", Asa admitted.

"What?"

"We're planning a big concert in November featuring works by Handel. I know he's your guy. I'd love for you to play of you're up to it. I think you will be, don't you?" Asa picked up a fry and popped it into his mouth.

"Maybe. What did you have in mind, Asa?"

"I found the music to an almost unheard of piece. It's really quite beautiful. It's difficult, but I don't know of anyone else who could handle it. I've already lined up a harpsichord."

"Harpsichord? I haven't played one of those in years!", she laughed. "What's the piece?"

Asa dug into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small notebook. He flipped it open and searched his notes for the title.

"Ah, here it is. "Air and Variations in E Major"."

Kevin and Tristan exchanged glances and then looked at Asa.

"I think that piece is beautiful on the piano.", Kevin said.

"You know the piece?" Asa was obviously shocked.

"Oh, I know it well.", Kevin answered. He returned his gaze to Tristan who responded to him with a smile and another squeeze to his thigh.

"Where do you know it from?" Asa was curious. The piece was rarely heard. There were very few artists who could handle it.

"Tristan played it for me once."

"Tristan?" Asa looked back to her. "Then you'll play it for me in November? That would be so wonderful. What a coup!"

"Sorry, Asa." she interjected. "I can't."

"You can't? Kevin just said that you played it for him."

"Let me rephrase my answer, Asa." Tristan was remembering her promise to Kevin. "I won't play it."

"Won't? I don't understand!" Asa was baffled by her refusal.

"Personal reasons." Tristan locked eyes with Kevin. "Let's drop it, okay?"

**************

Kevin made an announcement to Tris after dinner one evening. It was almost the end of August.

"I'm going home to Kentucky next week. I have some business to take care of."

"Oh?" Tristan was surprised. he had never mentioned any business in Kentucky.

"How long will you be gone, Kevin?" She didn't look happy.

"You're coming with me , Tris." He stated this as fact, never considering that she couldn't or wouldn't.

"Am I? What if I can't?"

Kevin looked up from some lyrics he had been studying. "What do you mean? You can, can't you?" His assumptions began to crack.

"Yes Kevin." Tristan laughed. "I can and I will. What business do you have up there?"

"You'll see...", Kevin said mysteriously as he picked up his papers and retreated to the studio.

*************

Mike had slowly begun to move things into place. His new alliance with Lily had given him the boost he needed. He planned for her to provide the finishing touch to his plans. Immediately after their meeting at "The Shotgun" he had revived the "Gettin' Hot" site and when Kevin had ordered some security to watch his home and Tristan, he had unwittingly provided Mike with closer access to their personal life. The security Mike had hired was legit but, like some of the others, desperate. As Mike fingered the sealed manila envelope that had just been delivered, he smiled as he recalled Kevin's anger and panic over the photo of their bedroom.

Mike opened the envelope and pulled out several sheets that contained the proofs of recent photographs. God, this guy as good! He pulled out a red pen and started marking the small squares that he wanted enlarged. He could see that a major update was in order for Mrs. Richardson's web page. He chuckled at the picture of Tristan doing housework in her bra and panties. She looked good. Real good. Mike almost felt sorry for Kevin. The one of Tristan sitting on the edge of their bed, pulling up her stockings, was nice, too. His favorite, however, was one taken of Tristan and Kevin together. Kevin was sitting on the steps at the shallow end of the pool as Tristan straddled one of his legs. The picture was taken from the other side of the pool so you could only see Tristan's back. You could, however, see that she was topless. Kevin's hands were reaching into the back of her bikini bottoms. You could only see one of her hands and it was just below Kevin's waist. The tips of her fingers were inside the waistband of his trunks. Jesus! Mike wondered if Anne Richardson would enjoy an 8 x 10 glossy.

Mike had also contacted a friend who was in a high editorial position at a prominent magazine. called 'Reputations'. It wasn't exactly 'U.S. News and World Report' but it was well read by women in the 18 - 50 age range. It was similar to Cosmo, but had more a tabloid feel. Mike had also obtained some older photos of Tristan taken at a photo shoot. The pictures from the shoot that had been published were long forgotten. These were the out takes and some of them could possibly be interpreted as sleazy, not that they actually were, but a subtle change in expression or position coupled with the right descriptive caption could move he mind of a reader in any direction you wanted it to go. Tristan had no idea that, before long, she would be a cover girl. Mike finished marking the page and put the proofs into his briefcase. He should have enlarged prints by early next week.

His finishing touch had already been taken care of. When the Backstreet Boys began the North American leg of their tour, one of their new dancers would be Lily Shafer.

CHAPTER 42

Tampa was certainly different than Orlando. Holly wasn't sure if it was because Orlando was more inland and closer to Florida's horse country or if it was because Orlando was more entertainment oriented. Tampa had a stronger Hispanic influence and didn't seem as urban as Orlando did. Maybe the two cities seemed so different because Nick was in Tampa.

Holly and Nick had spent many long hours in his bedroom since his return from Europe. Their first night together at Kevin's had been wonderful - frenzied and passionate - and neither of them had been disappointed, but in Tampa, Nick seemed to relax a little. Not that there wasn't still heat and fury in their lovemaking but they could also be slow and leisurely if they wanted to without having concerns about who they might disturb or who might disturb them. Nick had become quite vocal during these sessions. He was a confident lover - playful yet intense. Holly felt a slight change in him when he was away from the rest of the group. Nick and Kevin, in particular, seemed to have a strange tension between them that fluctuated between genuine affection and alienation. The two seemed so different to Holly. Kevin was serious, Nick playful. Kevin was quiet, Nick loud. Kevin was stoic, Nick was emotional. It was hard for Holly to imagine Tristan and Kevin together for the same reasons that Nick and Kevin seemed so different, yet you couldn't be in the same room with the two of them and fail to feel the sexual tension and the tenderness. Tristan was a dear friend to Holly and she wanted to hear about Kevin from Nick. Maybe he could give her some insights that would help her understand the strange dynamics of Nick's, Kevin's and Tristan's relationship.

Holly set down the tray she had brought up from the kitchen. It was loaded with bagels, cream cheese, fruit and orange juice. She watched Nick as he stuck his finger in the cream cheese and dipped.

"Damn, Nick!", Holly laughed. "How about smearing some of that on a bagel?"

That's downright sickening!"

"Maybe I'll just smear some on you!" Nick raised his brows and made a move to wipe the cheese on Holly's breast. "Of course, I'll have to lick it off. Wouldn't want to waste it."

Holly jumped back, giggling. "Sure, Nick. And then it'll be my turn to smear some on you, right?" Holly rolled her eyes in mock exasperation. "And I'll have to lick it off!"

"That sounds reasonable. I think I know where I'd like you to smear it." Nick nodded his head towards his crotch. "I remember what you said when Tris was in the hospital. - that you .....let me see...how did you put it? Oh yeah. 'I guess I just blow well'. That's what you said."

"Nick, you sweet thing, I blow the flute well. I think you have an oboe down there."

Nick's eyes grew wide and he grinned, candidly pleased with the compliment. "Thanks, Hol!" He grabbed a bagel and started chewing. Holly could almost see his chest puff out.

"Nick?" Holly asked. "Tell me about Kevin." She picked up a banana form the tray and then thought better of it. Later, sweetie The banana was exchanged for a handful of grapes.

"What do you want to know?" Nick looked at her openly. He was not one to mask his feelings with her so she knew she wasn't stepping over any Backstreet lines by asking.

"Is he a good guy or a bad guy?"

Nick pondered the question for a moment. "I think he's a scared guy, Hol."

His answer surprised Holly. "Why do you say that? He doesn't seem afraid of anything to me."

"I think Kevin's biggest fear is loss. He's afraid of losing relationships. He lost his father and that devastated him. I don't know that he'll ever get over it. He's afraid that he'll lose the group. That's why he's so tough when it come to us. Yeah, relationships are hard for Kevin. He's been knocked down a few times by people he thought he could trust. He's scared of rejection and betrayal, so he distances himself."

Nick's insights amazed Holly. He had given this some thought before. She tried to condense what he had told her.

"So that's why he seems so cold sometimes? I just don't know how he and Tris connected."

"Kevin's not cold with Tristan. He loves her to death, but..."

"But what, Nick?"

"I don't know...he's just really possessive of her, I think. He get jealous sometimes It's worried me some in the past."

"Possessive and jealous? He doesn't hurt her, does he, Nick?" Holly was becoming alarmed.

Nick closed his eyes for a moment remembering the bruises on Tristan's arm and the marks on her stomach.

"No, Holly. I don't believe that Kevin would ever intentionally hurt Tris,"

"Are you saying that he would unintentionally hurt her?"

"I guess what I'm saying is that he's more afraid of losing her than anything else. Kevin seems harsh to you because you don't know him that well yet. The guys all know that he's a softie inside. We've all seen what Tris has done for him. Kevin comes across like a bad ass but I think Tris is stronger than he is in some ways. I think he'd have to screw up pretty bad for her to leave him and if he ever did, I swear, I think I'd kill him."

Holly sat in the edge of the bed and digested what Nick had said. "What does Tris get out of this relationship?" she asked

Nick was quiet for a moment. "Tris gets to feel totally loved and protected. Kevin makes her feel safe. He does love her, Holly. Don't doubt that."

"What about you, Nick?"

"Me?!" Nick sat up in the bed and grabbed Holly's hands. "I love Tris, Holly, but as a friend. There's nothing between Tris and me!" He had read Holly's question as an implication and the look on his face as he watched for her reaction was imploring and sincere.

Holly smiled at him and stroked his cheek. "I know that, Nick. What I meant was how do you feel about Kevin?"

Nick relaxed and laughed. "He pisses me off, I piss him off. He says I'm nosy, I say he's stubborn. He says I'm flaky, I say he's got a stick stuck up his ass." Nick became serious and Holly saw that his eyes became wet. "But I'll tell you this, Hol. If I was in trouble or really needed to talk to someone, he's the one I'd go to."

"Really, Nick? Why?"

"Because I know that he loves me - even if he doesn't always like me." Nick tried to chuckle.

"What about Brian?"

He locked eyes with Holly. "I'd go to Kevin."

Holly had touched an emotional chord with Nick that she hadn't expected. She was glad she had asked him about Kevin. She would see Kevin differently now and could understand Tristan's passion for him a little better.

"What about you and Tris, Nick? You two seem to have a special relationship."

"I think the world of Tris, Hol. She's been through a lot, but her soul hasn't gotten dirty. Do you understand what I mean?"

"I think so, Nick."

"As much as I care about Kevin, if he ever.....well... messed up her soul, I don't know what I would do to him. It would be very hard for me to ever like or respect him if that happened."

Nick paused, looking at his hands and then running them through his hair. He smiled at Holly, lifted his arm and patted himself on the chest, encouraging her to get close. Holly didn't need much encouragement. She snuggled in beside him resting her head on his chest and wrapping her arm around his waist.

"I'm gonna tell you something, Hol. Nobody knows this but Tris and me. It may not sound like a big deal, but it was a very big deal to me at the time and I've loved her ever since."

Holly knew first hand of Tristan's generosity and kindness. She suspected that Nick had been a recipient of this early on. Nick took a breath and started.

"When we were in Stockholm last year, things were pretty tense. Maybe not for everybody else, but I was feeling a lot of pressure. I guess I was being overly sensitive or something, but the constant teasing and cracks from the guys were getting to me. Kevin didn't really pick at me, but the others did - even Brian. They were joking, but I guess my sense of humor was gone and it just got on my nerves. I don't have that much influence with the group. I'm the baby and I always will be. They still think I'm thirteen."

Nick laughed, but Holly could see that it was painful for him.

"That's one of the reasons I never moved to Orlando. My self confidence is better when I'm away from the rest. Kevin would jump on me sometimes but he didn't pick at me. In hindsight I can see that he was usually on my ass for a good reason. He was the 'dad'. I guess he still is."

"I would get teased because fan magazines dubbed me the 'heart throb' of the group. Then I started getting grief because I sang so many leads, like I didn't deserve the spotlight because I was so young and I hadn't 'earned it' yet or something. I started to wonder if I was getting the lead vocals because I could sing or if it was because I was 'pretty'."

Nick blushed, not wishing to sound arrogant.

"Go on.", Holly said gently, rubbing his stomach.

"The label decided to record "I Need You Tonight" for the new album. Mutt decided that would pretty much be a solo , one of the few we've ever recorded. The guys do some background vocals on the track too, of course, but it was my ass up front on that one. I got some real shit from them when the decision was made. They acted like they were teasing, but it didn't feel that way to me. Kevin never said much about it. I remember making a crack to him about it one time and he'd just laughed at me saying that he wasn't used to singing any leads anyway. 'It doesn't hurt my feelings', he said."

Nick chuckled at the memory.

"Any way, when we went to cut the track, I just couldn't do anything right. We started again and again but it wasn't working. The guys were getting pissed and the more pissed they got, the worse I got. I was so wound up with all the crap, I just couldn't choke the damn song out."

Holly was puzzled. "But Nick, that's a beautiful song. You carry it so well and with such emotion. I don't understand." Nick smiled at her and looked away, reliving the past.

"One night, actually it was about three in the morning, I went down to the studio. I couldn't sleep and my nerves were shot to hell. Tris was there playing the piano, all alone. She'd been having a hard time sleeping, too. Well, she'd been at the studio every day and she knew what was happening. She knew I couldn't sing the damn song. What I didn't know is that she understood why I was having such a hard time. She's picked up the vibes and sensed that I was going through some shit. She started talking about the track and how nerve wracking recording could be when everyone was looking over your shoulder and stuff. I ended up telling her about how shitty I felt about not being able to do it and wasting everyone's time, blah, blah, blah. She says to me 'I believe you can do it, Nick.' She says there's too much tension in the studio, too many people. Then she says 'It's quiet now, just you and me. I'll play the piano and you sing. We'll see how it sounds. She's easy to be around, so I agreed. She started the intro and I started singing. I felt comfortable - she'd wound me down. She played and I sang. One take. That was all."

"What I didn't know is that she was recording that take. When we all came back to the studio the next night, the track had been laid. She had taken the track she had recorded, the one with her piano and my voice, and mixed it with the guy's parts and the other instruments that had been recorded before. That's the cut you hear on the album. That's not Tommy or a studio musician playing piano in that number. It's Tristan. Nobody knows that, so of course she's not credited and didn't want to be. She still doesn't want to be."

"She played it back when we were all at the studio the next night and everyone was shocked. They didn't remember me singing like that. Tristan made up some crap about mixing and cutting and the dumb shits bought it. They were sorry they'd given me a hard time, the track was great, and on and on. Tris came up to me later. I figured what she must have done and thanked her. She told me to shut up, that it was between her and me - period.. Then she said, 'Nick, don't ever doubt your abilities. You know you can sing. Don't ever let anyone, even the people you love, tell you that you can't. Now I don't want us to ever speak of this again!'

Nick wiped his eyes with the palm of his hand.

"And we never have spoken of it, Hol. When I hear that track, I remember that it was three AM in Stockholm, just Tris on the piano and me singing. No one knows about his but Tristan and me.....and now you."

Nick summed up his feelings for Tris in one sentence.

"That's why, Holly, if anyone ever fucks her up, I'm gonna be up their ass."

Tristan Trilogy - Story I

"Will You Play for Me?" is a work of fiction.
The characters and events portrayed are fictitious.
Any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental.

Copyright ©1999
All Rights Reserved
No part of this text may be copied or reprinted
without the author's permission.

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Fiction by Grace