Chapter Four


Morning came quickly. Nick awoke, after barely sleeping at all, feeling surprisingly rested. It was remarkable. Before he met Gwen, he had the worst time sleeping. No matter how many hours he slept each night, he was always exhausted the following day. Since Gwen had bounded into his life...nights were easier to get through. Knowing that tomorrow would be another day, filled with Gwendalyn, he slept well. He slept even better if Gwen was next to him. As ironic as it sounds, he felt safe and protected when she was with him. Complete. He untangled himself from Gwen’s limbs and showered quickly, making his way downstairs to let his pugs out. He started on breakfast, but was interrupted when the phone rang.

“Carter.” he answered, fully expecting one of his agents.

“Nick, man! How’s it goin?” Brian asked.

“Bri? Hey, I’m good, things are great.”

“Sorry I’m calling so early, but Leighanne’s been on my case about calling you.”

“No problem, man. What can I do for you?” Nick asked running his hand through his hair quickly before opening the fridge door. He scanned the contents looking for the bacon.

“BBQ tomorrow. The rest of the guys are coming. Can you and Gwen make it?” he asked. “Come on buddy...you gotta come. It wouldn’t be a Backstreet Party without you...”

“Ah...I don’t know what Gwen’s doing. I’m free and clear to come. I’ll check with her when she wakes up.”

“Yeah..sounds good. What have you guys been up to?”

“Not much..just basic wedding planning. She got her dress yesterday.”

“And she told you?!”

“Not exactly.” Nick said laughing to himself. “I pulled it out of her.”

“Frack, you never cease to amaze me. How did you manage that one??” Brian asked chuckling into the phone.

“I have my ways...”

“You’ve always had your ways.”

“I know.” there was a silence in the conversation.

“I like Gwen.” Brian said simply.

“Well that’s a good thing. She’s going to be my wife, you know?” Nick said smiling. He shook his head at his friend.

“I know that Nick. I just think that you two are perfect for each other. I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks.”

“Jeez, remember the day you brought her to one of our rehearsals??”

“That was the first time that she had met you guys. I couldn’t believe AJ..the guy’s a lunatic.”

“Major flirt, you mean. I felt so bad for her. Not to mention Leighanne and Kristen were all over her. Needless to say...they liked her better than your other girlfriends.”

“You think?”

*Flashback*
“You’ll be fine. Everyone will love you.” Nick said giving Gwen’s leg a comforting squeeze before resting his hand on her thigh.

“What if they don’t? Maybe they’ll hate me, think that I’m a distraction from your work..think I’m a tramp...I’m immature, all wrong for you, will ruin your life?!” she spit out in one breath.

“What? Gwendalyn.” he laughed, looking over at her. “tramp? Where did you come up with that one?” he asked looking her up and down. She wore a light blue sundress and sandals, with her blond hair pulled back into a bun. Nothing trampish about her.

“I don’t know...just, what if.”

“Gwendalyn..you are beautiful, perfect for me. No one will hate you. I promise.”

“You sure?” she asked hesitantly as they pulled up in front of the dance studio where the Backstreet Boys rehearsal was to begin in a few minutes.

“I’m sure.” Nick said turning the car off. He climbed out and met Gwen at her side. She shut her car door and brushed the wrinkles out of her dress.

“Do I look okay?” she asked glancing up at Nick.

“Beautiful, like I said.” he said giving her a quick kiss. He grabbed her hand and led her into the building. She could hear the rest of the guys before she saw them. They sounded....interesting. “Just relax” Nick whispered in her ear before they entered the room occupied by the Backstreet Boys. “Hey!” Nick said, announcing their presence. Everyone in the room turned their attention to Nick and the unfamiliar girl on his arm. Silence... Gwen squeezed Nick’s hand nervously as she glanced at the floor, not wanting to keep eye contact with anyone.

“Hey Nick.” Brian said first. He made his way over to Nick and gave him a pat on the back as he looked at Gwen. “You must be Gwendalyn. I’m Brian.” he said extending his hand. Gwen shyly made eye contact with Brian, feeling comfortable around him instantly. She smiled and shook his hand.

“Please, call me Gwen.” she said laughing a little. “It’s really nice to meet you, Brian. Nick’s told me so much about all of you.”

“Nice to meet you too. Come on, meet everyone else.” he said leading Nick and Gwen over to the group. Nick went straight down the line of people.

“Kevin, Howie, Leighanne, AJ, Amanda and Fatima. Fatima is the choreographer.” he said pointing to each person. “Everyone, this is Gwen.” he said smiling down at her as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders tightly. She smiled.

“Hi.” she said. She was met by a chorus of ‘heys’ and ‘hellos’. Leighanne came towards her.

“Hi Gwen.” she said giving her a small hug. “You can hang with Manda and I while the guys practice. We can entertain ourselves with a good dose of ‘girl talk’. We have got to get to know you!” she smiled. Gwen nodded and looked up at Nick.

“Have fun...” he said giving her a kiss on the cheek. She followed Leighanne and Amanda to the side of the studio and sat with them in metal fold out chairs. Nick watched from his position with the rest of the guys as she laughed with the two other women.

“She’s cute.” a raspy voice said. He turned his attention away from Gwen to look at AJ.

“I know.” he smiled.

“Nice rack.” he said lowering his sunglasses to look over top them at Gwen.

“Stop looking at her like that.” Nick said whacking him in the chest. Usually Nick was okay with his wandering eye...except for now. When it was his girl.

“I can’t help myself.”

“She’s mine..”

“Dude, chill. I’m not gonna steal her!” AJ said in a defensive tone. “Jesus, you’re never like this about girls..what does this one have that the others didn’t?”

“Class.” Nick said shrugging his shoulders. He smiled at AJ before walking away. He made his way over to Kevin. “Hey.”

“Nicky, muchos props in the girl department. It’s good to see you with a girl like that. It’s a change from the others you’ve dated.”

“Please, Kev. Don’t start with that. I just got an ear full of how nice her body is from AJ.”

“Well, that’s good, because I was going for something like ‘she looks like a nice girl.”

“Oh, sorry.” Nick said smiling.

“AJ can be a dick sometimes. Just disregard anything offensive he said. His head doesn’t work right sometimes.” Kevin said putting a hand on Nick’s shoulder.

“I know.” he said before Fatima began the rehearsal. For the next hour he concentrated on his dancing. When Fatima finally said they could take five, Nick made his way over to the girls. “’Scues me ladies.” he said standing behind Gwen. He lifted a few strands of hair off the back of her neck and kissed the exposed skin. “Having fun?” he asked playfully.

“We’re having a blast Nick. Now go away, you’re interrupting girl talk.” Amanda said shooing him.

“Aw, come on. Take a five minute break. Lemme have my girl.” she said pulling Gwen up.

“You look great out there.” she said giving him a kiss. She pulled away but was met by Nick’s pout. He had started this look whenever he wanted more. She giggled a little before pressing her lips to his again. He wrapped his arms around her pulling her against him so he could take over the kiss. He pulled away, still holding her to him.

“Are you doing okay over here?” he asked. Gwen, still breathless from the kiss nodded her head. “Yeah?” he smiled.

“You’re so evil.” she said swatting at him. He released his hold on her, letting her fall away from him.

“What did I do? Kiss you?” he teased. They had been seeing each other for a little over two weeks and he had already learned that the way to stupefy Gwen was by kissing her or touching her in any way. Any type of romantic contact made her go weak in the knees.

“Yeah.” she said crossing her arms. She jumped in surprise when she felt two new arms envelope her. She looked at Nick and saw him smiling.

“Nice to finally meet you.” AJ whispered against her neck. She shivered and squirmed to get out of his grasp.

“Bone...” Nick said in a warning tone. Gwen reached for him as AJ let go.

“Nice to meet you too...AJ.” Gwen said smiling.

“No problem, it was my pleasure entirely.” he said in a seductive tone.

“AJ!” Amanda said whacking her boyfriend on the back of the head. “You’re scaring the poor girl. She isn’t used to your obsessive flirting with anything in a skirt yet.” she looked at Gwen and smiled in apology. Gwen loosened her hold on Nick, relaxing a bit.

“It’s okay Amanda. I’m fine...just a little..startled.” she smiled at AJ before giving him a hug. AJ smiled and laughed as she pulled back.

“Nicky, I like this one...can we keep her?” AJ asked.

“Oh shut up.” Nick said smiling.

“Hey..anyone else hungry for lunch yet?” Leighanne asked coming back to stand next to Gwen.

“I am.” Gwen said laughing.

“Great...us girls can go out for lunch.” Amanda said grabbing Gwen’s arm. She looked back and Nick and waved as the other girls pulled her out of the room.

“Bye!” she yelled from the hall. Nick laughed and turned to AJ.

“Great girl.” he whispered in congrats to Nick. Nick nodded his head and the two of them rejoined the group.

“Hey Nicky. I have to say..she’s amazing.” Howie said as they regrouped to begin dancing again.

“I know..” Nick said looking at his friends. He saw approval in each one of their eyes...
*End Flashback*

“I was really surprised when you walked in the studio that day with this innocent looking girl attached to you.” Brian admitted.

“I know Bri. Everyone was. I was actually surprised that I was going for someone like her. It wasn’t my style.”

“What do you think attracted you to her?”

“I’m not sure...maybe it was her innocence. Or, it could have been the fact that I matured a lot after I broke up with Amanda. I realized that I had to look for something that was substantial..that meant something. It was time for me to grow up.” Nick said scrambling some eggs for he and Gwen in a pan. The microwave beeped signaling the bacon was done cooking. He checked his watch, Gwen should be up soon.

“Whatever it was, be lucky you snatched her up before someone else found her.” he said.

“I know..I thank the Lord everyday for leading me to her.” Nick said as Gwen stumbled into the kitchen still wearing his wrinkled t-shirt. “Hey baby!” he said pulling her into a hug.

“Morning.” she mumbled making her way to the stove to explore the food. “Looks good.” she said nodding in approval.

“Thanks. I’m talking to Bri, he wants to know if we can make it to a BBQ at his place tomorrow night. You free?”

“Hmm? Yeah. I get out of class at four. Is that okay?” Gwen asked.

“What time does it start, Bri?” Nick asked, smiling when he got his answer. “He wants us there at seven.”

“Dinner at seven? Is he crazy? I can’t go. I just can’t. I need to eat my meals three hours apart..seven just won’t do it for me.” Gwen said shaking her head. She laughed when she heard Brian’s voice raise over the phone. “Oh tell him to button it! Of course I can make it.” she said raising her arms above her head to stretch. Nick’s smile grew even wider as the t-shirt lifted higher and higher up her thigh. “Nick.” Gwen said looking at him. “Tell the man we’ll be there.”

“Oh..Bri, we’ll be there.” he said quickly, snapping out of his trans. “I gotta go...”

“Nicky...” Brian complained.

“Sorry...duty calls.” he said hanging the phone up. “C’mere.” he said wiggling his finger at Gwen. She shook her head. “Gwendalyn....”

“Nope, food’ll burn.” Nick flipped the burners off.

“No it won’t.” He pointed out before he grabbed Gwen, tossing her over one shoulder.

“Nicky!!” She squealed smacking his butt in attempts to make him drop her.

“Gwen, that’ll only make it worse.” he said heading out of the kitchen and up the stairs, laughing the whole way.


Chapter Five
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