Not that Nickwantshim to be feeling like shit, but… it would be nice not to be alone in it.
“Well, we all know the real reason you guys are here with me today,”the host continues, her excitement audible.“You’re going to play us a couple of tunes. Can you tell me more aboutthe cover you’ve chosen today? I have to say, it’s not what I expected!”
Matt’s laugh is almost sheepish, and just barely covers the loud snort that Nick is pretty sure comes from Spencer.“It’s a bit of an oddball choice,”Matt agrees.“But we didn’t want to pick a song that already sounds like something we’d play—we like to take something different and make it sound like us.”
“It’s a fun thing to have in our back pocket if we ever want to mix up a setlist,”Casey adds.“But this one, this one’s pretty special. We’re all super stoked to be playing it, and we can’t wait for people to hear it.”
“Then I won’t keep everyone waiting any longer!”the host enthuses.“We’re ready when you are!”
No one speaks for a few seconds, and the only sounds are the shifting of bodies and instruments. Somebody, probably Matt, clears their throat. Spencer starts a backing beat, and the guitar kicks in.
It’s achingly familiar, the rhythm right on the tip of Nick’s tongue—he knows this song, he’s sure of it—and then Matt starts singing and all the air leaves Nick’s lungs at once.
They’re playing Britney Spears.
Matt’s voice is low, sultry, and slightly husky as he sings the opening verse. It reverberates through Nick. Arousal floods through him, but it’s secondary to the absolute tidal wave of emotion wrecking its way through his mind as the man he loves sings “Toxic” on national radio.
Oh, shit. He loves Matt.
There’s no way he can possibly deny it anymore: he’sobsessedwith this man. And hearing him sing about slipping under, about being addicted, Nick hopes—prays—that maybe he’s not in it alone, that he’s forgiven.
It’s an incredible cover, is the thing. The band has clearly put a lot of time and effort into it, keeping the feel of the original butgiving it their own flare;Britney would be proud, Nick thinks somewhat hysterically.
Beside him, his phone buzzes several times, but he can’t bring himself to move. He’s got his eyes closed as he listens to the song—his favorite song. Matt knows that and he’s singing itfor him. Does this mean he’s listened to the voicemail? Is this his way of accepting Nick’s apology, or is it just… a commitment the band made, too late to switch it up when the time came?
No. They’ve done dozens of covers that could’ve worked for this. Keeping this song was intentional. Asking Nickspecificallyto listen to it was intentional.
It has to be.
As the song ends, Nick realizes he’s shaking. He’s trembling with the force of his own feelings as they cascade through his body after weeks—let’s face it,months—of being ignored and pushed away and denied. The applause through the speakers of his iPad echoes in his eardrums, and Nick is vaguely aware of the host complimenting them on the song but he doesn’t care. He just wants to rewind and hear it again, and again, and again.
He finally snaps to awareness enough to check his phone, heart still beating triple-time. He’s got several texts, and he laughs at the one at the top, from Sofia.
Sofia
NICK TIERNAN YOU HAVE SOME EXPLAINING TO DO BOY!!!
The next is from Connor, a simple “Told you so” because the Canadian is nothing if not eternally smug. Marco and Lindsay have both texted him—Lindsay with a series of exclamation points and nothing else, while Marco’s reads:
Marco
THIS MAN IS SERENADING YOU HOLY SHIT
Nick
I KNOW!!!
Nick texts back, fingers stuttering over the screen.
Marco
Are you freaking out rn or?
Asshole. Nick narrows his eyes as he responds.
Nick
NO rude I am fine
