Brandon was fairly certain Nathan had nicked his jacket again.
It wasn't the first time, not for any of them. When you were all on the road together, suitcases tossed in and run from bus to hotel more times than should be possible, things were likely to get mixed up. Or borrowed. Or conveniently removed and not returned. Ben had been wearing a pair of jeans for the last six months that Brandon was almost certain had originally belonged to Mark, and Kyle's hairspray constantly running out was probably not due to overuse but the fact that Nathan had started borrowing it when he wasn't looking.
Not that Brandon wasn't guilty. He wasn't quite sure where the comb in his pocket had come from, he just knew that Mark used to have one an awful lot like it.
It was his damn jacket, though.
Kyle was napping on the bed next to his, but he wasn't sure where the others were. Ben and Mark were talking about going shopping so they were probably out. Nathan could be in his room if he wasn't out as well.
London had been feeling a little too nippy ever since they landed from Mexico, and he needed his jacket.
He pushed off the bed. Nathan wasn't far away, just a few doors down the hall. He ambled down the hallway and was about to knock on the door when he heard Nathan's voice, probably talking to someone.
"Come on. I miss you." He sounded like he was pouting. Nathan's voice was husky, shrill, and a little bit croaky, making him ideal for the preppy numbers they did. But right now, it sounded deep and enticing. Brandon wondered who could be on the other end of the phone, since he couldn't hear anyone else in the room.
"Why not?" His voice was low, a bit sooky. "I love you."
Brandon's eyes widened in realization. He was probably talking to his girlfriend, Gillian. As funny as Nathan was, he could be absolutely soppy when it came to love. He'd heard him spend entire nights on the tour bus talking to her on the phone, acting like a love-sick puppy.
"Aw, baby..." Nathan soothed. "Poor thing. Can I kiss it all better?"
There was a laugh from him. "I will. I promise. Kiss you all over," he sighed.
Brandon shook his head. He was, in all likelihood, trying to entice her into having phone sex. Not surprising at all, considering they spent so long away from home. From what they'd seen of Gillian, she was a firecracker. And the Prime Minister's daughter, of course.
The fact that Nathan was in a relationship with the Taoiseach's daughter was something only the four of them knew. They had been together since 16, and had a really strong chemistry. They were 20 now, and totally loved up. But since they were an up and coming boyband, with young girls as the target audience, they had to hide their relationships as best as possible.
He turned away from the door, deciding to not interrupt his private moment. When he entered his room, Kyle was awake and idly switching from one TV channel to another.
"Hey," he looked at him as he walked back to his own bed and collapsed. "Where have you been?"
"Just...around." He shrugged, reached for his phone on the side table. They were supposed to be at a club for a gig that night. That meant more makeup, costumes, and fancy moves. They were also scheduled to appear on the Late Late Show after the gig. That meant answering more questions on their upcoming album. "What are we watching?"
"There's nothing on TV," Kyle shook his head, then yawned. "You want to pick a movie?"
"Not in the mood, really." Brandon sank back against the satin-y pillows and sighed. Mexico had been fun, shooting for the music video, plus lots of shopping, sightseeing and eating. He'd shopped for himself-- jackets, shades, shoes. He'd also shopped for his family, though he wasn't sure when he'd actually be able to give them the things.
His phone rang. The number was that of his home phone. It was his dad on the line when he answered.
"Hi dad," he smiled. "We're back in London. How's everything?"
"Everything's fine, son," he could hear his dad smile. "Your mam wanted me to check if you lads had landed yet."
"We did a couple of hours ago," he looked at Kyle, who was watching a music video with the sound muted. "You guys are being flown down next week for the gig, right?"
"Oh, yes. We are." His dad laughed. Their gigs were still really small, but they were getting bigger, with everyone wanting a piece of them. Their security had also been increased after certain untoward incidents by fans, either at airports, in front of hotels, or outside their cars. Now they had two guards each wherever they went.
They were the support act for Mariah Carey next week, after having recorded a duet with her for their first album, and their families were being flown in for the gig. It would be a new and exciting experience for both them and their parents.
"Ben's parents are also coming, right?" He asked, although he knew they were. As busy as they were, they still tried to be present at most of their performances.
"Yes, I think they are," his dad replied. "Thomas is home and Emily sounded very excited about watching you lads."
"Oh." He ran a finger through his hair, felt Kyle's eyes on him. He knew what Brandon was thinking, why the sudden interest in Ben's parents. "I'll probably get to meet you after the show, then," he said, dropping the subject. "Say hi to mam from me."
"You take care of yourself," his dad said. "We'll see you next week."
He stared at the screen of the phone long after the call had ended. It was only when Kyle spoke that he was jerked out of his thoughts.
"You okay?" He asked, balancing the remote on his knees. Brandon nodded. Kyle smirked, turning back to look at the TV.
"Thinking of Izzi, aren't ye?" he asked, humour in his voice. Brandon didn't want to admit it, but he nodded anyway. Kyle laughed.
"What?" He frowned at him.
"Just..." He switched a channel, stopped on a random movie. "I'd never thought you'd fall in love with her," he laughed again. "I mean, you've gone out with the most popular girls in the town. You used to have a new girlfriend every week, remember? And then you get hooked to Izzi." He looked at him, that cheeky smirk plastered to his face. "I thought you go for the blondes."
"Izzi is better than all of those girls combined," he defended her. "At least she doesn't give me a headache with perfume or makeup or constant chatter."
"That's if she talked at all."
"She does talk. You have to know the right things to say to her."
"Uh-huh? And what are they?"
Brandon shot a glare at Kyle. He hadn't changed one bit. Still the rascal trying to bully others. Even when he knew Isabel's history.
"Why are ye so interested? He snapped without meaning to. "Haven't you got a girl of your own?"
"At the moment, no." He bounced his legs, his eyes fixed on the movie. "Don't worry. I'm not after her. You're the only sane person who'd want to be with a weirdo like her."
"She's gone through hell, Kyle," his voice rose a little. "How would you feel if you were locked in a basement, starved, and beaten up? Or thrown against the wall? Or..."
He trailed off, the very images nauseating him. He closed his eyes, shook his head to clear his mind and got off the bed.
"Fuck you." Brandon snapped at Kyle as he left the room and shut the door behind him.
"Hey Brandy. I was about to go get you." Nathan was leaving his room, smiling. "Your jacket was in my bag. Here."
He threw the familiar brown leather at him. Brandon grabbed his jacket and slipped it on, walking slowly towards his blonde friend.
