Riptide

Voicemail again. "Hey, this is Mel. Leave your name and number and I'll get back to ya as soon as I can."

"Melanie I am so sorry, please call me so we can talk." Nathan said with hope and then hung up.

He threw his phone onto the bed and sat at the edge with his head in his hands. He ran his hands through his hair then grabbed his phone again and dialed.

Voicemail again. "Mels, please I didn't' mean to hurt you, I just let my curiosity get the better of me. I am so happy that you opened up to me and..I just...beeeeeeep"

He looked at the phone somewhat insulted that he was cut off. "Bloody voicemail."

He jumped when his phone vibrated. He quickly checked to see if it was from Mel.

He frowned. It was from Tom. "Mtg at 12."

Nathan threw his phone on the bed and jumped in the shower. As he was looping his belt through his pants, there was a knock at the door.

"Yah."

Tom peaked his head through. "Hurry up mate. You are always late."

"Sorry." He said then buckled his belt and reached for his shirt.

"You alright mate?" Tom asked concerned.

Nathan began to button his blue and white plad button down shirt. "I'm fine mate."

"Liar." Tom said not believing one word. "If you want to talk...I'm here."

Nathan nodded then bean to cuff the sleeves and roll them up above his elbows. "Let's go then."

At the meeting, the boys sat around a conference table and waited for Scooter.

"I can't believe we go on tour in a week." Tom said.

"Yeah, but this was a nice break." Max added.

Nathan contemplated telling the lads about the solo thing, but he just couldn't find the right words. "Hey did you guys ever thing what you'd do after all this?"

"That was random" Jay said. "Are you alright mate?"

"I'm serious...have you?"

Max nodded. "Course mate. I would probably go into acting."

"I don't' want to think about that." Added Jay.

"Well all I've ever done is model so...I suppose I'd do that again." Siva chimed in. "What about you Tom?"

"This conversation is fucked up." Tom said a bit annoyed. He turned to Nathan. "What the fuck dude?"

Jay put his hand across Tom's chest. "Mate relax."

Nathan looked like a younger brother getting bullied by an older sibling. He just stood there and took it.

"It's just random." Max added. "Ain't that right Nath?"

"Actually it is not random." Nano said as he stood in the doorway.

"Fuckin' A dude. Are you sneakin' up on us now?" Tom asked.

Nano rolled his eyes. "You were all arguing and didn't hear me walk in." he explained. "Anyway, Nathan's comment was not random. He is going to take a break from the Wanted to pursue a solo career."

Before Nano could even finish Nathan jumped up. "I am not! I never said that!"

The boys looked from Nano then back to Nathan.

"Its not true. You heard him. Why do you have to be such a dick Nano?" said Jay.

Just then Scooter walked in. "Boys you have to be open to this. We have spoken to Nathan many times and we feel that this would be the best thing for everyone."

Tom turned to Nathan looking a bit teary eyed. "You knew about this?"

Nathan looked down. "I did, but..." he stopped unable to finish.

Jay looked like a lost puppy dog. "Nath is this what you really want?"

"I dunno. Not really I mean."

"We can't be selfish boys." Siva said trying to be positive.

Nathan finally looked at Tom. "I love the Wanted. I don't want to do this."

Tom turned to Nano and Scooter. "Can us lads have some time alone?"

"5 minutes." Scooter said obviously not happy about the lost time.

There was silence after the door closed.

Nathan's eyes began to tear. "I swear fellas I did not ask for this. They have been pressurin' me for weeks and.....I just...."

"I believe you mate." Tom said then stood up and walked over to hug Nathan. The rest of the boys followed.

"We love you baby Nath."

After the hug, they sat back down. "So I am definitely not doing it."

" I wouldn't be so quick to turn it down mate." Jay said.

The boys nodded. "Yeah maybe you should think about it." Said Siva.

Just then Scooter and Nano came back in to start the meeting.

"Okay so let's talk about the US tour."

During the meeting, Nathan kept checking his phone for messages from Mel. He received no messages from her at all. He didn't know what to do. There was no way in hell he was leaving this place without talking to her again.

Plan B was in order. He text Casey.

Message from Nathan: Casey please call or text me asap. It is very important.

The meeting was over a few minutes later and there was no response from either of the girls.

On the ride back to the beach house, Jay came up with an idea. "Hey, we should have a black and white party."

The boys seemed very intrigued by this.

"That sounds brilliant, Jay." Max said. "A great way to end our stay here."

Nathan was not paying attention to this at all. He just kept checking his phone for any sign of Mel or Casey.

"Mate are you alright?" Jay asked clearly concerned.

Nathan did not hear him and continued to check his phone.

"Nathan."

His head shot up. "Sorry I am just distracted." He admitted.

Just then he got a text. It was from Casey.

Message from Casey: Hey Nath what's wrong?