So stereotypically me…
I was beyond mortified by what I had just done. I had only done that two times in my life, once I was maybe 10 years old and the urge to vomit hit me so hard that I couldn’t do much more than sit in my own bed and puke my guts out. The second time happened right as we got off stage one time in Germany, I was maybe about 15 or 16 and felt so ill. We bowed and suddenly while standing up from that bow I felt the bile rise in my throat and I ran, barely able to make it off the stage right before puking my guts out.
Don’t get me wrong, I have been sick many times, too many to count with my head hung over a toilet bowl but I’m talking about uncontrolled vomiting like I just did in front of the guys.
The fact that they all laughed made it even worse, but then I had Kevin giving me that look he so often did as he helped me off the ground, just as he had done in Germany all those years ago.
“I’m okay.” I said quickly to brush his help off and get myself into the bathroom where I shut the door to them and never wanted to open it again. I heard them murmuring outside the door, AJ explaining that I had a headache and trying to cover for me.
I threw my soiled shirt off and flung it into the garbage can, almost wanting to cry. How quickly being with them all made me feel like a baby again. I guess the projectile vomiting didn’t help make me feel like such a grown up either. Finally the talking ceased, I’m sure most of them went to go change.
“You okay in there?” I was wondering who would ask. I remember when I was a kid and was in one of those moods where I acted like the entire world was going to end. I always sat in anticipation of who would come to my rescue? Who would actually take a minute to see if I was okay? Most of the time, it was Brian. Back when I was young and naive, I used to think it was because he cared the most. It wasn’t until I got older that I realized maybe it was because he was given the job as Nick’s babysitter.
It was that thought that made me realize what a foul and sad mood I was in, “I’m okay.” I barely was able to whisper. Had I actually started to cry? What the hell?
“Are you sure?” I wanted to say no, but I couldn’t. Dramatics were no longer allowed once you hit 21, at least that is what I was told by a stern Kevin one night on the Black and Blue tour when we were ready to kill each other.
“I’m sure Brian…thanks for asking.”
“If you need anything just holler okay?”
“Kay.”
And then he was gone too, I heard him walking away. I splashed some water on my face, and noticed that I looked like total hell. No wonder I kept catching AJ staring at me on the long drive to the hotel.
My head was still pounding so I went searching for aspirin. Howie had a bag in here which was a good thing, I opened it, knowing he wouldn’t mind and couldn’t help but laugh at some of the things I was pulling out of there.
“How much lotion does one person need?” I shook my head as I pulled bottle after bottle of lotion out of the guy’s bag only to finally come across what I was looking for. Tylenol! YES!
I opened the bottle as if I was an addict, taking out about five of them and popping them in my mouth before sticking my head under the faucet and chugging down some water. That being done I allowed myself to sit down on the floor of the bathroom and close my eyes, trying to get a hold on my emotions before I walked out the door.
“Is he all right?” My cousin was quick to ask as I walked back into the main room. I have to admit I was still kind of confused about the events that transpired while I was attempting to pee in peace. How odd but yet not, to see all of my band mates gathered right outside the door as Nick spewed his guts all over the floor. What does one say to that exactly? I almost said, “Well howdy Nick, nice to see you again too.” But decided it probably wasn’t the best time.
You know I used to not be able to handle stuff like that before Baylee was born. I would have been right next to him puking up my guts but since having a child, I’m totally immune to all things gross. Bring it on I say, I’m ready to handle it.
Howie on the other hand, looked like he was ready to just vomit all over the place as he was walking around shirtless with a garbage bag containing his brand new Versace shirt. Yes he did make it a point to let us know it was a Versace, as he tossed it in the garbage.
AJ was already on the balcony smoking. I waved to him as I started for the door. “Hello? Brian…is he all right?” Oh yes my cousin’s question, I had forgotten to respond.
“I don’t know, he didn’t sound all right but he said he was okay. I think he just needs his own space for a few minutes.”
“Well I hope he doesn’t take too long, I need to a shower after that.” I laughed at Howie as he stood there shaking his head.
“I’m going out to talk to AJ.” I said once again making my way to the balcony, when he saw me; he kindly threw his cigarette into the ash tray.
I slid opened the door and stepped outside. The night air was crisp but felt good, not nearly as cold as Georgia had been. Seems like I can cling on to summer a little longer, I’m glad I brought so many pairs of shorts.
“How are you doing Boner?” I asked moving in for a hug. Do to the unexpected bathroom incident we never did get a decent hello.
“I’m good, tired as all hell and never want to see a car again, but otherwise good.”
“He didn’t do that in the car did he?”
“If he did, you know I would have just left his ass on the side of the road.” I laughed, that was AJ for you. He had changed in so many ways over the past few years, all of them for the absolute best, but the one thing that didn’t change was his sense of humor and I for one was very grateful for that.
“How hard has today been for you?” He asked me already lighting up another cigarette.
“Pretty hard, I think I called home about ten times already. Bay is sick which isn’t helping.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Thanks, and he cried and wanted me to come home.”
“You know Rok; no one would hold it against you if you invited them to come here early. We all know he’s just a baby.”
As much as I wanted to believe that, I knew it wasn’t true. Leighanne was always a big factor in many of the arguments that took place between our group right before the break. They felt she was hanging around all the time, which she was I guess, but then again she was my wife. Nick especially wouldn’t be very happy about that so for now I’ll just suck it up.
“It’s okay, I have to get used to it if we are going to have another go at this.”
“Well, just so you know, we’ll understand.”
“Thanks.”
“Is Senor pukey pants out of the bathroom yet?”
“Nice nickname.”
“I’m telling you Rok, I have a ton.”
“No he’s not and when he is I think Howie has dibs.”
“Great, I’ll never get in there. Tell me how we can manage to stay in a huge ass suite with only one bathroom?”
I laughed as he finished his second cigarette, “I’m going inside before I freeze my nuts off, are you coming?”
I shook my head, “I think the fresh air will do me some good actually.” I said giving him a smile.
“Fair enough, have fun…” And with that being said he walked back inside leaving me to some peace and quiet, well if you didn’t count the car horns blaring down below.
I came back inside in time to hear part of a conversation concerning what had happened as we made our grand entrance. “I worry.” That’s how I knew, just hearing Kevin say those two words. He worries a lot Kevin, but in this case I totally was on that same page with him.
He looked at me and nodded as did D who I couldn’t help but laugh at in his boxers and tee shirt. It was so uncharacteristic of him. “Why are you walking around naked?”
“Because Nicky threw up all over my brand new Versace shirt.”
“And the boxers?”
“He threw up on my jeans too.”
“Not Versace I take it?”
“No, they were Gap.”
“Ah I see.” I loved teasing Howie, true when it came down to it that was Nick’s job, but still every chance I had to make fun of him I gladly took. I love that guy, honestly.
“How was the ride?”
“Long”
“Care to tell us why you ended up driving here?” Let me explain something about Kevin, as I stated before he was a worry wart plain and simple. The man worried about anything and everything and that was something that was stereotypically Kevin, he was what we called a misplaced worrier. We being Nick and I, we gave him that little moniker one night when we were both having a pity party about not being old enough to go out clubbing with the rest of the guys. We sat there and compared Kevin stories and what we realized is when he worried about one of us and that person was unavailable, he automatically went right down the line to the next one. For instance, one time Nick missed his ten o’clock curfew. I know he’s not our dad or anything but still you wouldn’t even believe how anal Kevin was even if I sat here with pages upon pages of proof. So Nick doesn’t make his curfew, instead of going out and trying to find Nick, he comes to my room where he finds me smoking. The man sat with me for two hours lecturing me on why smoking is bad for my health. When Nick got home, he was so lectured out he just nodded to the kid and said ‘hey’ before going back to his room. Nick smirked at me that night knowing full well it was because the misplaced worrier had struck again.
It was that thought that stayed in my mind when I decided to leave out the details of my irresponsibility concerning booking flights and went with my good old stand by answer, “Well it seemed like a good idea at the time.”
“I bet you’re tired huh?” He asked eyeing me carefully.
“Yeah, a bit.”
“I was certain you had missed a flight or something, that’s a really boring and slightly disappointing story AJ.”
“Sorry to disappoint you Howie. Next time, I’ll make something up.”
“How have you been feeling?” See? Again the misplaced worrier was on the loose. I wasn’t going to let it happen again though, with age came wisdom.
“I’ve been fine but I don’t think it’s me you have to worry about Kevin.” HA! Try bouncing it back onto me know Kevin, I dare you!
“Is he hung-over J?” suddenly I felt guilty; maybe I should have just taken one for the team.
“No, I don’t think so Kevin. I just think he stupidly went to bed very late and didn’t get enough sleep.” Hadn’t I said this already?
“Because he looks like crap so I wasn’t sure.” Kevin said now shaking that foot of his as he crossed it on top of his other leg.
“No need to worry Kevin, I’m sure maybe it’s nerves being back and lack of sleep…”
“And you most likely were driving like a lunatic.” Howie cut in, so much for Sweet D.
“Nope in fact I was driving like a granny.”
“Yeah granny from hell maybe.”
“Howie don’t you have a new Versace shirt to go put on or something?” I asked him playfully which brought out a smile and a wink from him.
“Yes I am going to go change and shower…AGAIN!”
“Oh great well before you do that I need to use the bathroom if Nick ever comes out of there.”
“I’m going to go check on him actually, let him know I don’t plan on killing him or anything,” Howie said.
“Good idea,” I replied as I watched Howie leave the room.
I walked into the master bedroom, which I was quick to claim as my own. Usually Kevin always ended up with it, how that happened was anyone’s guess but since Brian and I were the first two in, I decided to gobble it up. Brian didn’t seem to care; I don’t think he even realized it. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised though if when I got out of the shower, Kevin’s stuff was in here and mine was out in the hallway.
For now, I plopped on the huge king sized bed, still half naked. I tried to talk myself out of taking another shower, truth was the days traveling had all but wiped me out and it’s not like Nick actually vomited on me. It was just my clothes that got it. I could wait until morning, get up extra early and hop in the shower before the other guys were even awake.
“Yeah, like that’s gonna happen.” I said sitting up and shaking my head.
It is no big secret that I enjoy my sleep, in fact it’s one of the many things the guys get on my case about. In a playful way of course, why does everyone love to pick on me? It was far from uncommon to wake up with something stuck in my mouth. One day I was going to choke to death because of that and than I’d be sure to come back and haunt Nick for the rest of his life.
Anyway back to my sleeping problem. As much as it sounded like a good idea to get up early and do the shower thing, in all actuality I know that I’m going to be the last one to wake up, as always.
“Howie” I looked up to the sound of a hoarse and tired voice. There stood Nick peeking his head into my room holding his body against the door frame. ‘Okay maybe I won’t be the last one up,’ I thought as I looked at him.
“Hey Nicky”
“Hey, I just wanted to say I’m so sorry about that. I’ll buy you whatever it is I ruined okay?”
I don’t know what it is about this kid, for as long as I’ve known him he has driven me crazy. Picking on me to NO end, as if I was his pet or something but yet, he just got to me. Maybe it was how small he was when we first started, how lost he always looked and how he always followed me around with those big puppy dog eyes of his, but I could never stay mad at the kid, ever.
“It’s no problem Nick; I have a ton of shirts really. Are you feeling any better?” He took that as an invitation to walk into my room and then plopped on the bed next to me.
“I can’t believe I did that, God I’m such a loser.”
“I have to admit, it was kind of funny.” I said with a smile, not really thinking it was all that funny but trying to make him feel better. He was always putting himself down and I hated that about him. Of course I would never say that to his face because that ironically enough would be putting him down and what good would that do?
“It wasn’t funny, it was dumb and now you all think I’m an idiot.” He said rubbing at his eyes.
“No we don’t…” I was quick to answer.
“I do…” We both looked over at the door to see AJ with a towel over his shoulder, “I’m going in for a well deserved shower, do you need to puke or anything?”
Nick smiled, “Nah I’m good for now.”
“You’re just going to wait until I come out and then ralph all over me too huh? Is that how you work?”
I love how AJ has the ability to take any situation and make light of it. In this case it was very much needed. I was glad to see Nick smiling and laughing along with him, you never knew sometimes.
“Yup that’s my plan, let me know when you’re done and I’ll be waiting for you.”
“Sure thing buddy,” AJ replied winking at the two of us before turning and walking into the bathroom.
Once gone I decided to finally get myself up and put my pajamas on since AJ made the decision for me to wait until tomorrow before showering. “So how have you been? Well besides the puking thing?” I asked as I put my sweats on.
He sat up and ran his hands through his hair, “I’ve been okay…been really busy. I was working with Tommy on some stuff. He’s using me on one of his tracks on the album.”
“That’s very cool! Congrats!”
“Thanks, it’s not something I wrote but I’m singing on it. It’ll be cool just to be on a rock album like that. I hope he really uses it.”
“I’m sure he will.” I said pulling on a tee shirt and sitting on the bed.
He crossed his legs Indian style and once again rubbed his eyes, “Why don’t you go to bed Nicky, I know you’ve had a long day.”
“Truthfully? I don’t want to pass Brian and Kevin.”
I think I knew that already, by the way he kept glancing over towards the door. I have to say I’m glad that I was always one of the older guys in this group because I never much had to deal with the side of Kevin that Nick and AJ had to deal with. To me, Kevin was always more of a mutual friend. I never had to deal with the guy who got on everyone’s case about fooling around and doing stupid things, but then again I never much did anything too stupid. I had my moments but still, lucky me I guess.
“Nick, I think Kevin is too tired to even say anything one way or the other, besides AJ explained that you were up really late last night.”
“I didn’t want our first encounter to be so stereotypically me you know?” God he looked so sad. I didn’t know what to say to make him feel better.
“I don’t consider what happened stereotypically you Nick, it’s not like every time we see you, you’re puking on one of us.” That helped, because he laughed.
“I guess your right.”
“I’m always right.”
“Thanks D,” He said standing up, “Maybe I’ll just sleep on your floor tonight, can I do that?”
“Nick, you have a huge bed why on earth?” But I didn’t have to ask that, I knew the answer. He didn’t want to be by himself and he certainly didn’t want to be lectured even though I assured him that wouldn’t happen. So I found myself doing the same thing I always did when he was young, it came out of my mouth before my brain could stop it.
“Why don’t you sleep in here then, this way you don’t have to deal with Kevin and maybe you’ll get some sleep.”
“Really?” He asked surprised and pleasantly at that. Meanwhile I wanted to slap myself. I can’t even tell you how many times I did that when he was little. He never wanted to sleep alone so he’d show up in my room and pretend it was because he wanted to pick on me. I knew it was because he hated being alone, on the few occasions that he was left to a room of his own, so I played along let him fall asleep on my bed and then would go into his room and sleep.
Force of habit and very stereotypically me!
He walked over and gave me a huge hug, “I love you Howie.” He said very sincerely.
“Yeah just don’t puke on me again, and I’m taking this room back tomorrow so don’t get too comfortable.”
Nicky jumped on the bed in his jeans and all, “It’s a deal.”
“Aren’t you going to change at least?”
“My bags are missing.”
“Oh” He already had his eyes closed so I moved towards the door and shut off the light, “Nighty night Nick.”
“Kay… bye.” He said which made no sense but I went with it and left the room.
And there I was all by myself again, not that I mind because believe me, I know once we really get the ball swinging on this comeback, I will never get an ounce of alone time, but for now I was more than willing to be at least a little social. Figures no one else was, first we had AJ who stayed and talked to me for about ten whole minutes before darting off to the bathroom. Brian went right from the balcony to his phone to call his wife yet again. Howie went in the back to go check on Nick who was probably in hiding.
“Ah just like always.” I found myself saying out loud to the empty space.
“What did you say Kev?” I looked over at Howie who was carrying a small bag with him as he walked into the main room, stopping long enough to give me a look as if I was insane when he realized that I wasn’t on the phone and had been talking to myself.
“Nothing, It’s been a long day. So?”
“So what?” He asked now sitting down at the small dining table we had eaten our pizza on earlier.
“How is he?”
“Tired, he’s asleep.”
“In the bathroom?”
“No, I gave him my room for the night.”
“Was he drunk? Or is he sick?”
“Kevin I don’t know, I didn’t give him the third degree. I think he was just tired.”
“Okay, thanks D.”
“Not a problem and you know now that we’re all here, I think I’m hitting the hay myself.”
“Have a goodnight buddy and it’s great to see you again!”
“Same to you.” He said walking over and giving me a firm pat on the back.
I stood up and stretched, thinking about calling it a night myself, but not before I checked on Carter, so I ventured down the hallway past the bathroom where AJ was singing a lovely song about laying a random girl in an elevator. After shaking my head I walked into Nick’s room.
How he managed to grab the master suite was a mystery to me but I would soon remedy that situation, for now though I walked in and turned on the small nightlight. Okay I know that seems weird maybe? That I would still enter the room and look in on him even when he’s sound asleep and an adult, but to me he’s still a kid. So I tiptoed over to the bed and just had a look. I know everyone would think that is such a Kevin thing to do but no one would know because I am sneaky! He was sound asleep, on his side. Huge dark circles under his eyes and I couldn’t help but frown.
I’d be talking to him in the morning most likely but for now I needed my bed, so I shut off the light and left the room, once again passing J’s beautiful song.
“Lord help me. I’m living with a bunch of crack pots!” I said as I smiled and made my way to bed.
Hey guys! Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends and Happy Columbus day to my fellow Americans lmao i'll be back on Monday with a new chapter and as always thanks for the feedback :O) You guys rock!
