Birds In Your Garden - Chap. 7

Message Board Posts for Chapter 7 (fictional)

"Well, will you look at him?" Frank said to Carlos after the gig. Kevin, some crew and quite a few patrons were sitting around a table with a deck of cards, loud, rambunctious and so drunk they were slurring their words already.

"That's why I'm here," Carlos said, shaking his head. "Management just called me. They want Kevin out so they can kick everyone else out."

"Discreet, aren't they?" Frank chuckled. "Need help?"

"He's a puddle," Carlos said with a sigh. "I may need a sponge more than help. But I'll let you know." Carlos made his way over to the table and put his hands on Kevin's shoulders. "Hate to break up the party folks, but…I'm breaking up the party. Come on, Big Guy." He patted Kevin's shoulder as Kevin swayed his head to look at Carlos. "Bed time, dude. Bar's closed."

Kevin turned to the table, and a drunken smile appeared. "Not in my room it ain't."

"Yeah, actually, it is," Carlos clarified, pulling Kevin's chair from the table and grabbing under Kevin's arms, yanking him out of the chair. "Say g'night to your friends, buddy."

"Byyeeee!" Kevin waved as Carlos threw one of Kevin's arms around his shoulder and followed the bar manager through the back. "Where're we going?"

"Back way," Carlos said. "Too many people in the lobby."

"Oh," Kevin said. "'M sorry, Car. Got a little drunk t'nite."

"Yup, you did," he agreed. "I don't mind now. Apologize tomorrow when you're going to be miserable and cranky."

"'Kay," Kevin answered, falling into the corner of the service elevator and dropping his head back loudly. "Ow."

"Don't do that," Carlos said easily.

"'Kay," Kevin answered, trying to get Carlos in focus. "Whoa!" Kevin reached for the handrails as the elevator started moving. "Yee-haw!"

"Shut-up, Kev."

"'Kay," Kevin answered. "'M usually very good, Carlos. I only make you baby-sit very little."

"Yes, Kevin, I know," Carlos said with a slow nod. "I appreciate that, dude."

"'Kay," Kevin said. "Jus' so you know. Thassal."

"No problem, Kev," Carlos chuckled. The elevator stopped and Kevin stepped forward, losing his balance, but Carlos caught him and helped him out into the hallway. "Okay, I'm going to take you into your room, but you're doing the rest, man."

"Right." Kevin nodded and lifted a finger in agreement. "I do the res'." AJ came out of his room and stopped midway to Brian's room, watching Carlos walk Kevin down the hall. Kevin took one look at him and groaned loudly, trying to turn his head away. "Aw, man," he grumbled. Pointing to AJ, he licked his lips quickly. "You don't see me, do you, buddy?"

"Hell, yeah, I see you!" Alex answered with a chuckle. "Smell you too, dawg. Rum?"

"Lo'sa rum, yeah," he answered, turning to look at him over his shoulder as Carlos kept him walking. "Sorry, dawg!"

Alex followed them and sat down on the edge of the bed as Carlos rolled Kevin off his arm onto the mattress. "You're on your own, man," Carlos said.

"Thanks, Car," Kevin said, nodding against the pillow. "You da man!"

"Yup, remember that in the morning."

"Dude, you're a fucking mess!" AJ laughed, patting Kevin's leg as he rolled onto his side. "Did we have fun downstairs this evening?"

"Yup," Kevin answered, dropping his chin to his chest and squinting to get him into focus. "Really fucking drunk, aren't I?"

"Oh, yeah, AJ confirmed with a nod. "Really fucking drunk."

"Thought so," Kevin answered, closing his eyes. "That means the bed's gonna spin, innit?"

"Your entire world is gonna spin, Kevy-Kev," AJ said. "Not a fun ride."

"Nope," Kevin agreed.

"You okay?" AJ asked, dropping down onto his elbow and turning to face Kevin.

"Jus' fine!" Kevin answered easily, waving a hand sloppily in front of him. "I'm not drivin'!"

"You might be steering the porcelain wheel," Alex warned him.

"No way, dude! I'll jus'sleep it off."

"Need some help getting undressed?"

"Nope," Kevin answered. "I'm jus' fine. 'S'all good."

"Is it?" Alex asked again, patting Kevin's leg again. "You're awfully drunk for a school night, Kev." Kevin burped loudly and rolled onto his back, laying his hands on his stomach and blinked at the ceiling. "Do me a favor, dude, stay on your side." He tugged Kevin back and smiled.

Kevin blinked several times at Alex and sighed heavily. "I am so proud of you, man," he said. "Not that I'm showing much support at the moment," he clarified, "but you weren't s'posed to see me like this."

"It's okay, Kevin."

"But, really, dude," Kevin said, pointing a finger at him and curling his other arm under his head, "I am so proud. And I'm really fucking sorry."

"It's okay, Kevin. Really."

"Not jus' for now, but for then. 'Cause I was a complete dick," Kevin said firmly. "Had no right sayin' those things to you…or poundin' on the door like I did…or…"

"Breaking it down?" Alex finished for him. "Really, Kevin, we've been over this. It's okay. You don't have to be sorry."

Kevin pulled himself up onto his palms and blinked, pausing until the room stopped shifting. "But I am, man. And here I am, like this now. I suck, dude. I so suck."

"Kevin, you're fine," Alex said slowly, shaking his head to try and make his point. "You're allowed to drink."

Kevin burped again and fell back onto the mattress. "I had no right sayin' those things to you. You were already bummed enough, you know? I shoulditna said anything to ya because I wasn't helpin'."

"You were. Kevin, you're fine. We're fine. I love you, man, okay?" Alex stood up and tugged at Kevin's boots. "Just try to sleep some of this off, and we'll talk tomorrow."

"Promise?" Kevin said. "Cause I really want to talk about it."

"Promise."

"You da man, Alex!" Kevin pointed at him over his shoulder.

"I'm da man, Kev. Sleep." He turned the bedside light off and headed out of the room, shaking his head with an amused smile and bumping into Brian in the hallway.

"What's so funny?" Brian asked.

"Your cousin," Alex answered. "Totally piss drunk in there."

"Kevin?"

"He's passed out by now," Alex said, closing Kevin's door. "I'd keep my distance from him tomorrow though if I were you. He's gonna be miserable."

AJ waited until early afternoon before venturing back into Kevin's suite. Everything was pretty much left as it had been the night before, the lights on in the suite room, Kevin's suitcase still on the luggage rack near the door and the bedroom still dark. However, at some point, Kevin had realized it was too painful to sleep in jeans and they were bunched up at the side of his bed, along with his tee shirt.

He went over to the mini-fridge, and pulled out a bottled water and headed back into the bedroom, placing the bottom of the bottle between Kevin's shoulder. Kevin bolted up and away, cursing loudly as he turned to see who it was and dropped back against the mattress with a groan. "Good afternoon, Kevy-Kev," AJ said, sitting on the edge of the bed and handing Kevin the water.

Kevin mumbled, rubbing his eyes with a heavy sigh. "That was a shitty thing to do."

"Couldn't help myself," AJ said, sprawling across the foot of the bed. "How're you feeling?"

"I'm still asleep," Kevin muttered with his eyes closed. "Ask me when I don't have to be awake and in pain."

"Hmm, that would be ideal, but it is afternoon and we need to talk, remember?"

Kevin squinted his eyes open and looked at him. "Now?"

"You have something better to do than clear your conscience to your friend?" AJ asked, poking Kevin's leg.

"I doubt you'd accept sleep off a hangover as something better, eh?"

"A few weeks ago, I might have." He smiled. "But after last night? I think we need to talk. I've got food coming up and we can talk over lunch."

"You're just cruel," Kevin grumbled. "Food?"

"Nutrition, Kev," AJ chuckled. "We're sorely lacking these last few days and you need to hydrate. Sugar and water is what you need. You don't have to eat. I'll meet you in the suite room. Get up, throw a robe on and go slouch on the couch." He sat up and looked at Kevin seriously. "I do think we need to talk, man."

"Right," Kevin agreed reluctantly with a sigh. "Okay. Five minutes."

"Real time or Backstreet?" AJ asked, nudging Kevin.

"Real time. Promise."

He watched AJ leave the room and sighed to himself, wondering what he'd been thinking last night. He knew what he said, he did remember everything, embarrassing as it was. But why did he have to say anything at all? They'd been over this already when he went to see AJ in re-hab. What more was there to talk about? And how was he supposed to talk about it when every molecule in his head was shriveled like a raisin and clanging against his skull? Thinking was just going to tax his brain cells that much more, wasn't it?

He could hear room service being delivered and managed to swing his legs out of the bed and make his way to the suite room, cringing at the daylight coming through the windows. He attempted to shield his eyes, and AJ stood up, closing the curtains over in an act of mercy. He truly didn't seem to be angry that he had tied one on last night.

Kevin's skin prickled in the cooler air around him and he shuffled to get the complimentary robe from the bathroom, returning to smells of French fries and a hamburger, making his stomach shrivel like the raisins in his head. Food was definitely out, but as soon as he saw the trademark red color of the Coke can, he knew what he was craving and sat down, taking the can from the cart and popping the top, downing half the can in one tilt.

"So," AJ said, taking the plate over to the coffee table and settling in the chair, "door is closed and you have some stuff to talk about with me. Have at it, man." He took a hearty bite into the hamburger and looked at him. Somehow, in spite of the short blond hair and mass of tattoos, Kevin could still see that little punk-kid he'd met years ago in Orlando. He wasn't a kid by any means anymore, but perhaps this is how his brother's looked at him these days. That kid is still hiding in there somewhere.

"Sorry about last night," Kevin said, leaning back, almost lying on the small couch. "I know better."

"It's gonna happen," AJ said with a lift of his shoulder, taking another bite and putting the hamburger back down on the plate. "Sucks, but it's gonna happen. It's not seeing someone drink that's going to make me want to drink, although avoidance helps. It's going to be situations that I need to be cautious of. So far, we're good. But last night you were talking about Boston, not being drunk. What's up with that? I thought we talked about it already." He took another bite of the hamburger, keeping his eyes on Kevin curiously.

"We did," Kevin sighed, "I still wish I handled it better."

"You handled it just like I knew you would" AJ told him calmly. "All of us know that when you get to a boiling point with us, we have really fucked something up. And I knew I had. I know that temper you have, and I know I was pushing all your professional buttons. Not that I cared," he shrugged, "but I knew I was. It was only a matter of time."

"I guess I didn't want it to get to that point, and that's what I'm pissed about. That I let you get to that point where I did explode on you instead of trying some other way because we knew you were having problems. We knew it from the start."

"We did," AJ agreed. "And we tried to address them the best way we could. It wasn't enough, and it got to the point where it took you breaking down the door to get through to me. You're not the only one that was frustrated and pissed off, Kev. I was too. Brian was. Nick was. Howie was. Management was. My mother was. It was a lot of anger and tension, and it was bringin' us all down. You just had enough of it first. No saying who might have blown up if it wasn't you. I kinda rely on that, to a degree. You let a lot of shit slip, but when enough of it's slipped, you let us all know. We all kind of look to you for that guidance, whether or not we want to admit it. That's why you're the older brother in this group, dawg. You keep us in check."

"Then why didn't I keep you in better check?" Kevin asked seriously. "Why couldn't I have gotten to you before breaking down the door when we were calm and rational and discussing what you needed?"

"Because I wasn't ready to admit what I really needed," AJ answered him easily. "It's not like you could have talked me into anything any sooner. You pushed a few times and I pushed back, but I couldn't push back after that. You were right. I was selfish, obnoxious, not pulling my weight, and lazy. I was a fucking asshole, and you called me on it. Not under the best circumstances, but really, dude, when is the right time to tell someone they're fucking up? I'm not holding anything against you. Shit, even I didn't see what I was doing to y'all until I was sober and could see it. And watching you guys on TRL? Nick in tears, and you barely able to keep from crying yourself? Shit, man, that's when I saw what I was really doing. It wasn't because you were pissed at me at all. You were fucking scared. So was I. But look at us now. We're back, better than before and better for it. I know where I stand with everyone, and I know what y'all will do when I fuck up. Life lessons learned the hard way, as you said."

"Just once I'd like a life lesson learned gently," Kevin lamented with a shake of his head. He sat up and swallowed a few more gulps of the Coke. "And I'd like for once to be able to pave the way a bit better than letting y'all fuck it up once." He shook his head and smiled to AJ. "Just once, I'd like one of y'all to pay attention to what I have to say, that's all. But y'all insist on doing things the hard way. Ungrateful punk-asses that you are."

"Yeah, but think of what your life would be like without us."

Kevin looked at him seriously. "I did. We all did. So don't make me pull off the hinges to another door, got me?"

"Yo, dude, I learned that lesson!" AJ laughed. "I was on the other end of that tantrum, remember? Scared the shit out of me! I saw that door come off, and then I saw this mad man on the other side… Hair out to here, bulging veins and really big fucking fists at the end of really fuckin' thick arms. I thought I was dead! And there was nobody going to pull you off once you started! Hell, it was Nick, Brian, and Marcus pulling you back, dude and even they had to struggle."

Kevin closed his eyes and took a deep breath, barely remembering the scene through his rage, but AJ was right, he did remember a struggle, although he wasn't sure who it was with clearly. Nick's voice rising in fear, Brian's voice trying to remain calm, Marcus screaming 'what the fuck's going on?' and AJ in the corner of the bathroom, scared and glaring at the same time, trying to keep cool but losing it at the same time. "I just wish it wasn't me," he said plainly, looking at him. "Not very brave or friendly to say, but it's true. I wish it wasn't me."

"I'm glad it was. I don't have real brothers, Kev. And believe it or not, I do listen to you guys. I wasn't taking it seriously until one of you flipped. When someone gets you that pissed, it's business, dude. And that's part of what triggered the whole thing. Part of it; don't go taking all the credit."

"So the next time y'all don't listen to me, I have to throw a friggin' fit in order to show I'm serious?" he asked curiously.

"You could try," AJ said, stuffing the rest of the hamburger into his mouth. "But we'll still ignore you when it's stupid."

"It'd do y'all some good to pay attention on occasion," Kevin scolded. "Hell," he leaned up to make sure the door was closed over, "Nicky? What the fuck's he thinking? She comes all this way and the night before?"

AJ held up his hand and shook his head. "We've been there and done that, man, but somehow you never learn that lesson by observation now, do you? Especially you, dawg… Maybe you can teach us how you always end out on top though, eh? Shit, I leave the house to empty the trash and get in more trouble than you did leaving the friggin' state!"

"Please, you don't know what you're talkin' about. You're not on the other end of the phone being given a Sunday sermon about breaking God's laws." Alex dropped back in the chair and started laughing. "Don't even!" Kevin lifted a finger and pointed at him with a threatening look. "If he had any idea about the real world… Man, it's got to be dull as all get-out in his bubble!"

"So you're just giving him topics to preach, is that it? Man, let's hope there's no fans in that congregation!"

"No shit!" Kevin laughed.

They both turned hearing a knock on the door and Kevin called 'come in', wincing as it echoed through his brain as soon as he said it. Brian stuck his head in the door and wandered in, looking around and sitting on the other chair across from AJ.

"Where's the other half?" Brian asked. Kevin lifted his head up slightly to look at him. "Jana," he clarified and Kevin dropped his head back down.

"Geez, man, don't do that," Kevin grumbled. "I thought Kris showed up again."

"No, she's been busy trying to figure out how to make your marriage work," Brian answered. "Calling me and LeighAnne for advice and counsel, can you believe it?"

This time Kevin sat up and turned to face Brian, glancing to AJ as he snickered playfully. "You've gotta be shittin' me." Brian lifted his eyebrows and gave him a goofy grin. "You shittin' me, you dildo?"

"Well, no," Brian answered, "but we've been keeping out of it. At least, trying. I don't know what LeighAnne tells her when she calls her at home… But I've told her that we shouldn't get involved. I think she's looking for more, but we're not giving it to her."

"Dang it!" Kevin groused, dropping his head to the back of the couch. "I'm sorry. I'll tell her to quit callin' y'all."

"She won't listen, dawg," AJ said, crossing his feet on the coffee table. "Some honeys just don't know when to say when. She'd be one of them. She's determined to keep you." Brian looked at Kevin, and Kevin looked back to Brian. "What? What'm I missing? What's that look about?"

"I already know how determined she is," Kevin said calmly. "Now she gets to see how determined I am." He looked over to Brian. "You know she's calling the family too? I already got a lecture from Ma and Jerry about the preservation of marriage and breaking my vows."

"Well," Brian hesitated, "they are right to a degree, but even I don't think this one is worth more work than you've already put into it. I could talk to them if you want."

"No," Kevin said tiredly. "I told them I was old enough to make my own decisions. I will talk to Kristin though and tell her to knock off calling everyone, though, dang it."

"You're not having a good day are you, dawg?" AJ asked, lifting a foot and tapping Kevin's leg with his toe.

Brian looked over to AJ with a smile. "Think of how much better it would be if he hadn't tied one on last night, huh?"

"Oh, it wouldn't have been much better," Kevin argued lightly. "I'd still have a headache with all this other crap going on."

"You still have a headache?" AJ asked, leaning over and yelling at Kevin. Kevin reached up and grabbed AJ's shirt, pulling him over until he fell. Brian moved the table out of the way quickly as AJ grabbed Kevin and yanked him off the couch to play wrestle for a while.

"Pile on Kevin!" Nick appeared at the doorway and bolted across the room, flopping himself over AJ with a laugh. Brian dove in, piling on top of Nick, and soon Howie appeared with a running leap and dropped down on Brian with Kevin moaning and cursing at the bottom of them all.

Sarah slowly walked around them, laughing and leaned over, resting her hands on her knees to look down at Kevin. "Can you breathe?"

"No," Kevin gasped, struggling to get up as the rest of them wrestled with each other in laughter. "I'm gonna puke!" he hollered, hoping that would make them stop.

"Come on, Sarah!" Nick reached out and dragged Sarah away, and AJ grabbed her.

"Pile on the hot chick!" AJ called and she screamed. Nick grabbed her by the waist and pulled as everyone fell over into various corners of the carpeting, Sarah managing to break free and flee across the room.

"Stupid punk-ass," Kevin laughed as he sat up and grabbed Nick by the waist, pulling him over and wrestling with him.

"Oh no, man!" Nick called, landing on his knees just before Brian leaped after him, bringing Nick down flat on his stomach.

"Pile on Nick!" AJ called and heaved himself on Brian, followed by Howie and that's when Kevin leaned around and grinned to Nick.

"Oh, shit, man," Nick gasped, laughing. "Oh, no...Kev! Kev, man…" He called out as Kevin bounced directly on top asking how Nick liked it. "I'm the little one, dude!" Nick protested, attempting to crawl out from beneath. "You're killin' me!"

Rachel and James appeared around the corner, looking into the room curiously before busting into a laugh. James scampered into the room with his eyes exaggeratedly wide and then suddenly seemed completely crest fallen. He turned and went back to Rachel and put his head on her shoulder. "And I had such hopes they'd all be naked," he whined playfully. "It was almost my fantasy come true, Rache!"

"There, there, little bear," Rachel patted James' head with a laugh. "Maybe if you ask them really nice."

"No such luck!" Kevin laughed, bouncing one again to make Nick cry out.

"But, Kevy," James teased. "I'd settle for just you." He winked at Kevin as Kevin busted out in a laugh. "You're a fantasy and a half!"

"Thanks," he paused and pounced again for another grunt from Nick and moved off Nick and dropping to the couch as everyone else found a spot to sit down or sprawl out, "but I just don't think I could handle the pressure, James. You'd intimidate me, dude."

Nick sat up, clutching his stomach. "Shit, guys, go on a diet!" Nick grumbled.

Message Board Posts for Chapter 7 (fictional)

Birds In Your Garden Disclaimer | Email Coriander

Read the companion story:
Oreos for Breakfast (Nick Fanfic)
by The Pumpkin Coach & Paperbag Princess

c. 2001, 2002 by Coriander
Some content not suitable for children. You have been warned.

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