Collaboration

Collaboration 20

*NOTE* I do not claim to know the celebrities mentioned below or their sexual preferences. This fictional story was written solely for entertainment purposes only and does NOT imply the sexual preferences of said celebrities or anything about their personal lives. Enjoy

Nelly got up from the couch and walked out of the lounge. He was upset at himself for being so selfish and not even finding time to hang with his best friend. He understood where Murphy was coming from because they were boys since even before he became Nelly and hearing him say that their friendship meant nothing was hurtful. He stood outside the lounge doorway, wanting to go and fix things between him and his best friend, but he didn't know how to do it without being completely honest about everything. As much as he wanted to fix it, he couldn't risk telling Murphy that he was in love with T.I. He couldn't see himself saying those words to any other person but T.I. He was beating himself up over and over in his mind as he got back into bed and stared out the window.

The days slowly dragged by with there being no sign of reconciliation between the two friends. Nelly became distant from everyone on the tour. The road managers could tell that the men were becoming weary of the tour and just wanted it to be over. Nelly even distanced himself from T.I., which was easier said than done. Although he did notice it, T.I. couldn't do much because he never had a private moment with Nelly on the bus and he wasn't going to risk trying to talk to him and get caught. They hadn't been intimate or even alone with each other in a long while and both men were missing each other's bodies badly.

The tour had only a few stops left before it would finally be over. Nelly didn't know what he was going to do after the tour but he wanted it to be over. Although this was the longest tour he'd ever been on, he liked the fact that T.I. was close to him always. When the tour ended, he and T.I. would have to go their separate ways and he didn't know how he was going to deal with that. He knew it had to be done because of the industry they were in but he honestly didn't know how to say goodbye to T.I. He dismissed those thoughts from his mind as he continued to make the sold out audience scream and chant his name. His last couple of performances were legendary because he poured his heart and soul into it and it showed. The fans reacted fanatically from the time he stepped on the stage the moment he left and he took it all in. Being on stage was a high for him that he doubted he'd ever leave or get enough of.

With only a few shows left, Nelly was as stressed out as ever. He was still on the outs with Murphy Lee and he needed T.I.'s body like he needed air. He was in his dressing room when he heard one of the tour managers knock and tell him that he had fifteen minutes before the bus left. He looked around the room to see if he had everything before he got up and left. He was one of the last people to board the bus. He saw that most of the guys were in their bunks relaxing, listening to music, writing lyrics, or talking on their phones as he made his way to his bunk as well. The bus was quiet as it pulled of. He rested in his bed, letting his thoughts roam freely until he started to feel hungry. He quietly got up and went to the kitchen area, where he fixed himself a bowl of cereal. He walked to the lounge and turned on the TV, making sure to put the volume low so as not to wake anyone. He was watching some late night videos and eating his cereal when he heard someone rustling about not far from him. He assumed it was one of the production managers and paid no mind to it until he say T.I. emerge into the lounge room.

"Hey," T.I. said.

"Hey. Did I wake you up?"

"No. I was just writing some lyrics and needed a break. I didn't know you were gonna be up."

"Yea. I can't sleep."

T.I. moved across the room and sat on the couch next to his man as they both stared at the TV. "What's up?"

"Nothing."

"Don't lie to me baby," he said as he held Nelly's hand in his. "What's bothering you?"

"Murphy's trippin'."

"About what?"

"He thinks that I'm ignoring him and shutting him out and stuff like that."

"Oh. Why does he think that?"

"Who knows. He doesn't see me as a friend right now. He was upset that I didn't really hang with him when

we were in Miami."

"I see. That's because I took up all your time," T.I. said as he looked away.

"It's not like that. It's just he knows something's up with me and he thinks I'm keeping it a secret from him for whatever reason."

"Well it's the truth isn't it. You are keeping a secret from him."

"I know but I'm not ready to tell him, or anyone else, about us. I don't think I'll ever be."

"I know but he has a point on something else too. I was taking up all your time in Miami."

"No. Don't think like that."

"It's okay. I know I was being selfish with you but I just couldn't help myself."

"Well it's the past now and we can't go back and change it."

"Yea. You want me to talk to him?"

"No. He might get offended that I was talking to you about him. He doesn't think we're that close and if you go talk to him he might suspect something you know?"

"I see your point. So how are you gonna fix it."

"I don't know. He wants me to be honest and open with him but I can't be. I just can't," Nelly said as he rested his head on the back of the sofa and looked up at the ceiling. "I don't know what to do."

"Well the best I can do is tell you to try your best and work it out with him without telling him everything because you clearly don't want to."

"He doesn't want to listen to me baby. It's like I don't exist to him right now."

"Well give him some time to cool off and think about things. He'll want to talk eventually."

"But I hate how it is now. I don't want to continue the tour when he's mad like this. He's my best friend. He shouldn't be mad at me."

"Don't worry baby. He just needs time."

"Listen, I'm sorry I haven't been talking to you as much as I would've liked this past couple of days. I just distanced myself from everyone but I don't know why."

"It's okay. I think it's because you're hurting and confused about all of this."

"I know but I promised myself that I wouldn't let these things get to me anymore."

"You can't help it. You're a compassionate man. You care about people more than you do yourself. That's one of the main reasons why I fell so hard for you."

"I can't keep breaking promises I make to myself though. What kind of man would I be then?"

"You'll be the same man I fell in love with. Your character isn't going to change because you break promises you make to yourself."

"I don't know. I mean it was hard before when we were working together and not be able to be open with each other but now Murphy's adding to all that pressure and stress. I don't know if I can handle it all baby."

"Don't worry. There's only a few shows left before the tour's over. Once it is, you'll feel much better, I promise."

"That's another thing. How do you expect me to say goodbye to you. I know I can't do that."

"Baby it's okay. This is our lives. We'll can't be together all the time. I honestly don't know how to let you go either but we have to find a way. We have our careers to think about."

"I'm stressed out because I want the tour to be over but then I'm going to be stressed when I have to leave."

"You're not leaving me and I'm not leaving you. We'll just be off pursuing other projects. We'll still talk on the phone and meet up in cities when we get the chance."

"I know but it's not the same. I've only had you sleep net to me a few times and I've been hooked since that first night. All these nights sleeping without you next to me is hell."

"I miss having your strong arms around me too. We have to be responsible and accept the situation as is though."

"I know but damn it's hard."

"I know baby. I know. I'm gonna go to bed. Don't worry. Everything will work out for the best," T.I. said as he got up and walked to the doorway. He stopped when he heard Nelly whisper something. He looked

back.

"I love you so much baby," he heard Nelly say in a soft tone.

T.I. smiled as he walked back to the couch and hovered over him for a second. He reached over him and softly kissed him on the lips. It was innocent and only for a second but Nelly wanted more, like he always did when T.I. kissed him. He opened his eyes to see T.I. making his way out of the room. He sat there mesmerized for a while before getting up and going to bed himself.

It was a cold day in New York as the tour finally reached it's destination. They had three shows to do in New York and the tour would be over with. The bus pulled in to the hotel parking lot a day earlier than expected but the men weren't complaining because it meant that they had some free time on their hands. They all got checked in to their rooms and their luggage almost instantly disappeared with the bellboys. Nelly wanted the free time but he knew how he was going to spend it. He missed T.I. but he also couldn't help but remember that he didn't spend enough time with Murphy. He was torn on what he should do, either hang with his best friend or man. He decided to think on it later as he made his way to his room.

The room was large and boasted views of downtown New York City and Central Park. Everything was covered in snow as he stared outside for a while. He was tired and felt dirty so he went and gathered up a pair of boxers, shorts, and a tank top and made his way to the bathroom. He let the warm water run for a while and began to disrobe. He stepped into the shower and went under the shower head. The warm water beating down on his skin immensely helped him relax and clear his head. His thoughts dissipated as the water kneaded his tender skin. He was relaxed and didn't even want to get out of the shower but had to because he heard his phone ringing. He hopped out of the tub and began drying his skin and didn't hear his phone anymore. He slipped on his boxers and pants as he made his way out of the bathroom. He quickly put on his tank top as he went to see who he missed. He picked up his phone and flicked through it. He smiled faintly as he called the number back.

"What's up?" he heard T.I. say.

"Hey. You called me?" Nelly said as he fell back on his bed. "I just came out of the shower."

"Oh. So what's going on?"

"Nothing much. I was gonna call you and see if we could hang out."

"What kind of hanging out are we talking about?"

"I dunno. Just hang out. Go to a club or something."

"Anything else?" he asked, knowing well what else Nelly had in mind.

"Well---"

"Well what?"

"Come on baby. I miss you. I can't help it."

T.I. let out a cute laugh. "Aww! I see what your game is. You plan to take me to a club, get me drunk, and then bring me back to your room and take advantage of me don't you?"

"We don't have to come back to my room. We could go to yours you know."

"Haha you're funny. We can't baby."

"Why not? I'll be careful and I really, really miss you."

"I miss you too but you know we can't risk that. Once the tour's over it'll be a little easier."

"No it won't. We'll be so busy that we'll barely see or have time each other."

"Trust me baby, I'm gonna make time for you. I love you and want to be with you."

"Thank you baby. I love you too. So will you at least hang with me tonight. I promise I won't take advantage of you," Nelly said slyly.

"I dunno. I really want to but I'm worried about Murphy."

"Why?"

"I have been taking up a lot of your time."

"I know but that's what people in relationships do."

"But he doesn't know that. I just think that you should ask him to hang out tonight."

"How about all three of us go?"

"Do you think you can control yourself when we get out there because I know I won't be able to."

"Good point but I really wanted to hang out with you. I miss you baby. I really do."

"Do you miss me or my body?"

"You suck!" Nelly mused. "I miss how you make me feel."

"You know I'm just messing with you. I miss you too but I don't think it's a good idea if we all go together."

"Why not?"

"This'll give you two a chance to talk and work things out."

"There's another reason I love you so much, you're always looking out for me."

"Well someone has to right?"

"I'm glad it's you."

"Me too."

"So what are you gonna do?"

"I want to fix things with him but I also really want to be with you."

"There'll be other times baby. You have to fix things with him now."

"Yea you're right. Dammit! I hate to admit it but you're right."

"It's not that hard shawty. I'm always right."

"Sure. I guess it's gonna be another hard night," Nelly said, alluding to something else.

"You're not slick baby. I know what you mean."

"So then you should help me out."

"Nah! You can use your hands for that."

"Shut up!" Nelly pouted. "I don't wanna use my hands."

"Well then it's gonna be a real hard night."

"And it's all your fault."

"How? I haven't done anything to make you that way."

"Yes you have. You know I can't resist you and we haven't been together in a long while."

"Aww! Do you miss my body next to yours?"

"You know I do. I'm going crazy here without you."

"Wow! Who knew you'd get so addicted to me," T.I. made his own pun.

"I don't know but I am very addicted to you baby."

"I can't help it. I'm just that damn good."

"Yea you are. Well I'm gonna call Murphy and get ready to go."

"Okay baby. I'll talk to you later."

"You want me to call you when I come back? It might be late."

"Yea call me. I love you baby."

"I love you."

If you have any questions or comments you can e-mail me at jc71883@hotmail.com