One Day At A Time
“I'm glad you came early,” Joe sighed as he sat down next to Dougie. Nick and Kevin were on the stage checking their guitars sounded okay.
“Me too,” Dougie smiled.
“Nick's been really funny lately.” Joe wondered if he was crossing the line talking to Dougie about his brother, after all the two boys were best friends, surely if something was up with Nick Dougie would know.
“What do you mean by funny?” Dougie asked.
“He's been avoiding everyone.” Joe replied sadly. “He hasn't spoke to anyone of us properly since we went on tour. All he does is speak to some boy on the phone. Yesterday we went out and it was fun, though it felt a little false.” Joe looked over at Dougie trying to read his face, but it was blank. “Do you know what's going on with him?”
“Yes.” Dougie replied simply. “And it's not my place to say what so please don't ask me, Joe.”
“Is it because he's gay?” Joe said which startled Dougie. “I put two and two together.”
“If he was... would that be a problem?” Dougie asked with a raised eyebrow.
“No.” Joe said straight away. “He's my baby brother and I love him no matter what.”
“No matter what?” Dougie asked.
“No matter what.” Joe nodded.
“I'll talk to him, get him to tell you.” Dougie smiled.
“Thanks Doug.” Joe grinned.
-x-
The week seemed to fly bye. Nick spent most of his time with his brothers and Dougie; it was easier with Dougie there so when his mind was over loaded with images of him and Joe he would distract himself by talking to Dougie. Dougie didn't mind, he was glad he was there because with him there it seemed Nick wasn't as disgusted with himself. He smiled more, and that made everyone else smile too.
“Nick, Big Rob's picking up your friend now.” His mum called and Nick jumped up from the sofa.
“Can I come?” Nick asked eagerly.
“No you can do sound check with your brothers.” His mum said straight away. Nick wanted to pout, he wanted to see Gareth so much but he knew he'd have to wait.
“You should tell your brothers about him.” Dougie said, he was smiling at Nick's reaction to Gareth being here. He was like an excited toddler on Christmas day.
“So they can disown me, no thanks.” Nick laughed.
“Nick.” Dougie stated. “Joe knows.”
“What?” Nick's voice shook with emotion. Joe knew what?
“That you're gay.” Dougie smiled.
“You told him?” Nick felt betrayed and confused.
“No. He asked me if I knew what was wrong with you. And then I said I did but it wasn't my place, and he asked if it was because you were gay.”
“How did he know?” Nick choked.
“Said he put two and two together.” Dougie smiled. “Said he's okay with it. You're his brother and he loves you no matter what, his words not mine.”
“He said that?” Nick asked a small smile on his lips.
“Yeah. So tell them, before they see Gareth.”
“You mean now?” Nick stuttered.
“Yeah why not? Kevin knows too well he must do I mean Joe can't keep this sort of thing to himself without his hair deflating,” Dougie laughed. “So look they're over there on their own just go tell them.”
“Okay, and you'll come with?”
“No, Nick. This is something you have to do on your own, you'll be okay.” Dougie smiled. Nick nodded, he knew that Dougie was right.
Kevin and Joe were standing on stage talking to each other about Gareth, both wondering what the boy that stole their brothers heart was like. They stopped talking when they noticed Nick walking over to them alone, Dougie was sat on one of the chairs away from the stage talking to someone on his phone.
“Hey Baby J,” Kevin grinned. “How's it going?”
“Good...erm... I need to tell you something.” Nick sighed. He wasn't too sure why he was so nervous because apparently they both knew already. The two brothers exchanged looks and nodded. “I'm.. well.. gay.”
“Seriously?” Kevin asked.
“Yeah.” Nick chewed on his lip.
“Good for you Nicky.” Joe smiled, he knew how scared his brother must be even if Dougie had told him he knew, which is was obvious he had. Joe wrapped an arm around Nick and pulled him close. Kevin joined in the hug.
“We love you. Gay, straight, we love you because of you.” Kevin grinned.
Nick was finding it hard to breathe being so close to Joe, his arms were tight around him and he rested his head against his shoulder. He felt warm and protected, how a baby brother should feel towards his brother, but then there were the feelings he shouldn't even know about. The way his stomach tightened as Joe ran his fingers through his hair, or the way his groin reacted when Joe ran his tongue over those perfect lips.
“So is Gareth like your boyfriend?” Kevin asked.
“Not too sure.” Nick shrugged. “We talk a lot, and well we kissed but we haven't really spoke about it.”
“When did you kiss?” Joe asked.
“The first day I met him.” Nick blushed.
“Wow Nicky J puts out on the first date.” Kevin laughed causing Nick to laugh even more.
“Shut up.” Nick mumbled.
“So you like him huh?” Joe asked.
“Yeah, I like him.” Nick repeated though not as much as he liked his brother. He sighed and then pulled away from the friendly embraces. “We should do sound check.”
It took an hour for sound check to be finished and Nick was a nervous mess. Once it was finished they all headed to the backstage area knowing that's where Gareth, Ali and their mum were. “You nervous?” Dougie smiled.
“Terrified.” Nick replied honestly.
“Don't be. He should be the nervous one, you do realise that me and your brothers are going to be weighing him up and down to make sure he's good enough for you.” Dougie smiled.
“Be nice.” Nick warned them all.
“Scouts honour.” Joe grinned putting his fingers to his head and giving Nick a cheesy salute.
Joe walked in first and was greeted with a loud scream. “Hey you must be Ali.” Joe grinned with his best fan voice. Nick walked in last, and smiled over at Gareth.
“Nick, Nick Nick!” Ali grinned. “Oh. My. God!” She screeched as Nick picked her up. “You're so much cuter in real life.” Nick was amazed that a ten year old had made him blush but smiled through it.
“Happy Birthday.” Nick grinned.
“Thank you!” She giggled and ran over to her mum suddenly shy.
“It was real sweet of you to invite us.” Their mum smiled at Nick. Nick again blushed and walked over to Gareth.
It was awkward, Nick could feel four pairs of eyes on him. “Hey.” He said causally.
“Hey yourself.” Gareth laughed.
Denise decided they should all go out for lunch and Nick was glad, it was too crowded in the back stage area. They got into two cars, Nick pleased that he was with Ali, Gareth and their mum, Big Rob driving. The others in a black SUV following behind.
Nick sat next to Gareth, their hands touching slightly. They spoke casually on their way to the diner. They got their first and got a table big enough for everyone. “I'm just going to the toilet.” Nick smiled and headed off, Gareth following.
Nick walked into a stall and smiled as Gareth followed him in. “I missed you.” Nick said as Gareth wrapped his arms around him.
“Missed you too Nicky.” Gareth smiled sweetly. They looked at each others eyes and then leaned in together. The kiss was soft and gentle and Nick felt himself loosing everything to the touch of those delicious lips and he didn't care.