"Fucking little piece of..."

"Nick, you need to calm down."

"I'm calm! I'm about as calm as I can be, Brian! The girl has my television! The girl most likely took some of my clothes! God knows if she touched anything else! Oh man my compact discs! Shit!"

"Nick, the community called the cops. They're gonna make sure nothing else was taken."

"I called those sons of bitches last night and warned them not to let her in!"

"Nick, she could've sent anyone."

"Not just anyone is on the damn fucking list!"

"Okay, you gotta calm down."

"No, I don't need to calm down! I don't need to act mature about this, either! I don't need to control myself and I sure as hell don't need to keep my emotions bottled up anymore!"

Brian sat in amazement. He'd seen Nick pissed before, but never like this. He was always pretty good at keeping his cool when it came to girls, but this one hit him hard. "You know I'm here for you," he comforted.

Nick glared in his direction. "Why the hell didn't that come out of you mouth months ago?"

"Hey, you've known that I'm always here for you!"

"Yeah, always here for me," Nick scoffed. "You're always here but it ain't for me! When the lights are out and the venues are empty it ain't me you're wantin' to bum around with!"

"I'm so sorry if I have someone that loves me!" As soon as the words tumbled out of his mouth, he wished so much he could take them back.

Nick swallowed hard, his hands clenching into fists. "Leave, Brian. I can't talk to you right now and if I continue to I'm afraid I might hurt you due to your stupidity."

"Nick, I'm sorry."

"Don't, Brian, just please go. I need to be alone." Nick listened to the soft click of the door being shut, mirroring the way he felt his heart becoming; completely shut off to anyone.

"She's a brick house! She's lettin' it all hang out! Shake it down, shake it down now!" AJ walked out of the bathroom in his bathrobe, dancing as he walked over to his bed. "Hey, Nicky, shake it down, shake it down now!" he giggled.

Nick looked up at him, wishing AJ wouldn't have taken that aspirin to feel better. "I don't feel much like shakin' it right now, Bone."

"Is this about Mandy?" Nick only nodded, hoping that not talking would give AJ the hint he didn't want to discuss the situation. "Dude, you gotta forget her. She's no good. The little one got her record contract already. Now she'll move on to some hotshot agent and use him for a couple months."

Nick held back the tears, not wanting to get started again. "Yeah, I suppose you're right," he whispered.

"Besides, you're Nick Carter! You'll get another gal pal in no time. You'll at least get a good fuck buddy if nothing else."

Nick knew he wanted this conversation to continue no further. "Bone, you gonna be out for the night?"

"Hell yeah! I'm makin' our time in New York count!"

"Out to the bars again?"

"Yeah, but I'm bein' careful tonight. No falling down drunk for me!"

Nick simply rolled his eyes. "Anyway, I'm gonna stay here tonight."

"Doin' anything interesting?"

"You remember that Toria girl from Crimson Kiss?"

"Which one is Toria? Is she the hottie with long brunette hair and piercing green eyes?"

"Yeah, that'd be her. She's comin' over tonight for some room service."

"Any other kinds of service go along with that?" AJ smirked.

"Nah, not this time at least. I don't think she's like that."

"Wait a sec, when did you talk to her?" They were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"She came over last night while you guys were out." Nick answered while he walked over to see who was out in the hallway.

"Hey guys!" Leighanne smiled. "What's shakin'?"

"Well, AJ was a while ago," Nick laughed.

"She came here?" AJ asked, completely ignoring everything else.

"Who came here, Toria?" Leighanne butted in.

"How did you know?" AJ asked, completely confused.

"You really don't remember anything about last night, do you?" Leighanne continued. He shook his head no, more lost than ever. "Well, Toria Sampson knows who you are and I'd watch out if I were you!"

"Oh shit, what did I do?"

"I believe the words nookie and cookie escaped your lips once you came face to face with her," she giggled.

"Why does that not shock me?" Nick sighed.

"Okay, I'm getting out of this room before she gets here. Nicky, see ya later, I'm headin' over to D's room." He gathered up the rest of what he needed and headed out the door.

"Well, I'd better get ready."

"Nick, wait. Are you sure you're okay? I mean, I know you said you were last night, but something doesn't seem right."

"Gee Leighanne, it doesn't take a genius to see that Brian's talked to you."

"He's a little upset. He's just worried about you like the rest of us are."

"I'm fine, I swear. I'll get over her in no time."

"Just be sure you don't shut anyone new out without even knowing you're doing it."

"I'm not gonna shut Toria out. Hell, Leighanne, I've only known her for a damn day. Nothing's happened yet, nor do I know if it will."

"Just keep your eyes and your heart open, that's all I'm saying."

"I gotta get ready. You and Brian have a good time tonight doing whatever." He walked into the bathroom, leaving Leighanne even more worried about him.