“No…” said Aimee as Nick’s arm fell to his side, holding the ring, “I’m not going to marry you Nick… I waited for you… Nick… the whole time when we were in school.. I waited.. that Valentine’s Day… I wanted you.. and you just blew me off.. and even after you left school.. I tried. You knew I loved you… but Brian was there for me.. he wanted me.. and I fell in love with him.”

“What about that one night…” said Nick as Aimee interrupted him.

“Nick… I don’t wanna blame you but that was all you.. I was trying to help you with your homework and you just like started kissing me… I liked you. Do you think I was going to tell you no?” asked Aimee.

“But you can say no now?” asked Nick.

“Yes.. I can.” said Aimee as Nick pressed his lips together and looked around, “Nick.. I love Brian and he loves me and I’m going to marry him.. you or nobody else is going to stop me.”

“Please.. don’t do it.” said Nick as he walked up to her, “I will do anything and give you anything you want.. just don’t do it okay.” as he got down on his knees in front of her and was about to cry.

“Don’t do this.” said Aimee.

“Please.. Aimee I’m begging you.” said Nick, “Don’t.”

“I’m sorry…. it’s too late.” said Aimee, “You should have done something about it before I fell in love with Brian.”

“Don’t marry him Aimee… just don’t… just take that ring off.. and put this one on and we’ll leave and never look back, don’t do it.” said Nick, “I can’t let you go.”

“I’m only getting married once.. I told you that before. I’m going to marry Brian. I’m sorry Nick.” said Aimee as she started to turn around and leave when Nick grabbed her hand, pulling her down on the floor with him, “Don’t do this… just.. leave okay.”

“Look at me.. what do you see when you look at me?” asked Nick.

“My friend.” said Aimee, “My fiancee’s best friend and when I have a baby… his or her godfather.”

“You’re pregnant?” asked Nick as Aimee looked down and looked back at him.

“No… but one day…. I’m gonna have his baby. I will and I want you to be there to share that with me… so please tomorrow.. don’t make a scene and ruin my day okay. I love you, but I’m in love with Brian and we’re going to have a family. That’s what he wants and what I want and I want you to be a part of it, so don’t ruin us or your friendship with Brian.” said Aimee as Nick started to wipe tears from his eyes.

“I don’t want you to marry him.” said Nick, “Don’t marry him. He’s older than you.”

“Five years.. that’s not a big difference.” said Aimee, “Nick.. I need to go. My sisters and all are upstairs waiting for me.” as she stood up and looked down at Nick.

“Don’t leave me..” said Nick, “I swear to god if you leave me I’ll never make it… don’t do that.. don’t leave me…”

“Nick.. I’m marrying Brian okay. I love him and he loves me. I’m sorry.. but get over it.” said Aimee as she picked her purse up off of the floor and started out as Nick sat there on his knees and started to cry.

“Aimee!!” yelled Nick as he leaned over, putting his head on the floor, crying, “Aimee…. come back…”

He lifted his head up as tears was falling from his eyes and heard someone saying his name, “Aimee??”

“No man it’s me.” said Howie as he walked up to the door and looked at him, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing…” said Nick as he wiped the tears away and stood up.

“You sure?” asked Howie.

“Yeah…” said Nick as he looked around, putting the ring he had bought for Aimee back in his pocket.

“Come on.. let’s go to the party.” said Howie as Nick stood there, debating it, “Come no Nicky.”

“Okay..” said Nick as him and Howie made their way to the elevators. It was a dead silence. Niether of them said anything to each other. They made their way into the party, walking into the door to see a bunch of guys sitting around, drinking, talking, partying. The usual bachelor party except without any strippers. Brian wouldn’t allow any.

“Nick! You made it!” said Brian as he walked up to him, handing him a beer and put his arm around his neck, “Man I never had one when I got married before but these are damn fun.”

“Yeah..” said Nick as he patted him on the back and smiled, “Enjoy it.”

“You okay man? You’ve seemed weird the past few days.” said Brian.

“I’m fine.” said Nick as he walked over and sat down.

“Dude so when did you start dating Aimee bro?” asked Brian’s brother Harold as Brian smiled. Nick just looked over at him and then looked down at his beer.

“Not long after Nick left FSU…. She was.. she’s perfect for me. She believes in true love and we found that with each other.” said Brian.

“Rok don’t shoot me when I say this but I swear I thought Aimee and Nick would end up together.” said Kevin as everybody started to laugh but Nick. Brian just looked over at him.

“I did too…” said Brian, “Me too.”

“But we didn’t….” said Nick as he took a sip of his drink, “Guys.. I’m tired. I’ve already had too much to drink.” as he stood up and Brian looked at him.

“You sure buddy?” asked Brian.

“Yeah..” said Nick, “I’ll see you guys in the morning.”

“Alright take it easy little man.” said Kevin as Nick smiled and walked out of the hotel room. He shut the door and then leaned up against it, sighing while Aimee’s older sister Courtney walked out of Aimee’s room down the hall.

“Aimee down there?” asked Nick as Courtney nodded her head yes.

“Yeah.. don’t bother her. She’s asleep.” said Courtney as she walked past him and went to the elevator.

“Fuck it..” Nick thought as he walked down the hall and up to Aimee’s door, “Shit wouldn’t hurt to try…” as he turned the knob and it opened.

“Damn..” whispered Nick as he pushed the door open lightly to see Aimee lying on her bed asleep. He just stood there looking at her for a minute and started to cry.

“I’m too late…” Nick though as he bit his lower lip while he shut the door, “Just too late…”

_______________________________

“And by the power invested in me and the state of Florida, I now pronounce you husband and wife.. you may now kiss the bride.” said the preacher the next day as Brian lifted Aimee’s vail and they begin to kiss. Nick stood beside Brian, playing the role of Best Man the best he could but all he wanted to do was die.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, will you please rise as I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Thomas Littrell.” said the preacher as the music began to play. Aimee and Brian started walking down the isle while everybody laughed and cheered on. Nick and Aimee’s maid of honor, her sister Courtney weren’t far behind. Nick and Courtney made it to the end of the isle to see Aimee and Brian standing outside kissing. It almost tore his heart out.

“Alright guys time to go to the reception!” said Barbara, the wedding cordinator as everybody gathered in the limos and make their way to the reception.

Nick sat in silence the whole time while he sat in the limo with Aimee’s sisters Courtney and Bailey, Kevin, Howie, AJ, and Aimee’s cousin Chelsea. He listened to the others as they talked about how beautiful Aimee looked and how beautiful the wedding was, but it made him sick to his stomach.

“Wow.. this is so beautiful!” said Howie as they walked into the reception while Brian and Aimee greeted all of the guest.

“Yeah..” said Nick as Howie looked over at him.

“You okay Nicky?” asked Howie.

“D… you are my brother. You know I love you don’t you?” asked Nick as Howie nodded his head yes.

“Of course man.. I love ya.” said Howie as they hugged.

“Good….” said Nick as he felt a tap on his shoulder and looked over to see Aimee standing there.

“Hi.” said Aimee as Nick smiled.

“Hey.” said Nick.

“Can I talk to you alone?” asked Aimee as Nick nodded his head.