Chapter 11
"Okay how do I look? Tell me the truth, good or bad." Jayme asked Karen of her look for the award show.
"Like an angel, you look so beautiful. So beautiful in fact, that Nick might not even wanna go to the award show but stay here instead, if you catch my drift."
Jayme blushed and looked at herself once more in the mirror. "I'm so nervous, not just about the date but everything else. Even though I'm not nominated or performing this is my first award show."
"I understand, but this is gonna be a night you will never forget, you'll have a great time and these things will get easier and easier, and better and better."
Jayme smiled and turned to look at Karen, who was surprised to see tears in Jayme's eyes. "Thank you for being there for me, as a stylist and a friend." Jayme said hugging Karen. "Well, I suppose I should go. Or I'm gonna be late."
"Okay sweetie bye."
Jayme made her way outside to find fans and limo's everywhere, she felt someone touch her back and turned to see Howie. "Nick's on his way." He whispered in her ear. She noticed Kevin, who was with Kristin, giving her that look that he gave her the night he tried to persuade her not to go with Nick to the awards. She suddenly realized that she hated that look and turned her head in the other direction.
Screams grew louder as Nick stepped outside, Jayme turned to him giving him a hopeful smile. She knew that tonight was gonna be anything but nice. Nick walked up to Jayme and grabbed her hand which caused many fans to stop and stare at the two.
As they made their way to the limo Jayme heard a few girls shout things towards her. She tried ignoring them but their words rang in her head.
"That slut stole my man."
"Who does that little whore think she is?"
Her agent also warned her to stay away from Nick because it would ruin her career, but Jayme didn't wanna take orders from anyone, she was too stubborn to. Plus she knew that if she did she wouldn't be able to act on her plan to pay Kayla and Jake back, that was too important to over look.
Once in the limo everyone was silent and seemed quite nervous. Everyone heard the situation outside due to Jayme and Nick being together. Jayme was more than humiliated, she wanted to crawl under a rock and die. She couldn't wait until the night was over.
Nick sat next to her looking at his hands something he obviously did when he was nervous. He snuck a look at Jayme out of the corner of his eye, he noticed how beautiful she looked and also didn't miss how upset and embarrassed she looked. He then looked up at everyone, they were all looking at him. All but Kevin turned away, he just looked at Nick and shook his head slowly.
Nick, who was sick and tired of fame ruling his life, rested his arm on Jayme's shoulder, making sure Kevin saw him. Jayme's eyes widened as she looked at Nick who was smiling down at her.
The limo suddenly stopped and the driver opened the door for everyone to exit.
Outside again were fans, stars, camera's and a disaster waiting to happen. Jayme felt Nick take her hand and she gasped realizing she wasn't ready for this. She looked up at him hoping he'd realize how scared she was but he just looked ahead flashing that million dollar smile of his. She sighed and began walking towards the MTV crew which would interview them all.
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"And we are back and present we have the Backstreet Boys live at the 2001 Teen Choice Awards." John Norris spoke into the microphone. He began asking them questions, the last one Jayme expected but was unprepared for.
"So," John began. "Jayme Caruso, one of the new up and coming pop princess's is also here. So it seems you and Nick have become close touring together, would you like to comment on that."
Jayme looked at him and nearly froze, she looked up at Nick for some kind of help.
"Umm, we are just hanging, nothing serious." Nick answered for her.
"Do you have anything to say Jayme?"
"No, Nick covered it really. We're just friends hanging out."
"Nothing more?"
"You never know." Nick answered slyly.
"Well, have fun tonight and good luck."
"Thank you." They all said at once and began heading towards the arena.
The show started out great, up until it was time for Jayme to present an award. She was so nervous she thought she was gonna throw up. She prayed to God begging him not to let her slip and fall or to mess up terribly while talking.
And obviously he was listening, when she was announced, along with another star she was presenting with, she walked out and spoke her lines correctly, she did everything the way they had practiced it the day before. She wore a big smile and every once in awhile she would glance over at Nick who was smiling her way.
Once they announced the winner and he gave his speech they all walked backstage and Jayme was more than relieved.
When she made her way back to her seat Nick kissed her cheek lightly saying, "You did great."
"Thanks I was so nervous."
"You will be the first couple of times, then it will just be an everyday thing, you feel like a robot." Nick answered someone sadly, Jayme looked at him, and felt sorry for him, knowing how he had been used and thrown away by so many, and she knew fame had changed him, she wondered what he would be like if he had never gotten involved with the Backstreet Boys.
'But I'm doing the same thing.' She thought. 'Using him.'
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"What a night and who knew AJ could get down like that?" Jayme laughed, remembering the party she and the guys attended after the awards.
"AJ is always like that. Those poor girls didn't know what they had coming when they agreed to dance with him."
"Yeah, poor Sara..........but all in all it was a blast."
"Sara knew what to expect with AJ, he's faithful though. But yeah it was fun."
"Well, Carter guess we better get some sleep."
"Yeah suppose so."
Nick looked down at Jayme who was searching in her purse for the room key, Nick then lifted her chin with his finger and leaned down to kiss her. It was a slow passionate kiss but soon Jayme pulled away.
"What? What's wrong?"
"Nick we shouldn't....I mean.......I don't know."
"I'm sorry......I just.......wanted to kiss you."
"I'm sorry Nick but we just had a great time tonight but I don't think we should take this further just yet."
"I hope the media and Kevin haven't gotten to you."
"No! No, I just feel we need to take things slowly." Jayme looked down at her hands and then looked back at him. "I just got out of a relationship and I'm still hurting. I'm sorry."
"It's okay I was just in a relationship also so I understand. We'll take things slowly."
"Thanks. Well, goodnight."
"Night."
Jayme stepped in her room closed the door and leaned against it, she closed her eyes and sighed heavily. Then thought aloud, "Why am I doing this?"
She then opened her eyes and looked at her bed which had a suitcase halfpacked lying on it. "Because next week when I fly home, I will make sure Nick will be with me and he is just what I need to win Jake back. My plan has begun now all I have to do is string Nick along until I have him right where I want him."
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A week later Jayme had just finished her set on the show and was now in her dressing room crying. It had been like the past few night.............awful. Girls would bring signs that read awful comments, and would boo her off stage..................all because they thought she was dating Nick.
Her and Nick had become good friends but Jayme knew they would never be more than that, and even if they did why did the fans care so damn much.
Someone knocked on the door and Jayme quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks and went to answer it. Nick was on the other side with his head hanging low, "I'm so sorry." He told her. "I wish they wouldn't do this to you. They just hate the idea of me dating someone." He reached over and wipe another tear, that fell from Jayme's eyes, with his thumb.
Jayme considered turning away from his touch but for some reason didn't. Instead she opened the door for him to enter.
"I hate this, I mean God we are JUST friends. Why do they do this?" Jayme pleaded.
"I can't answer that, I don't understand it myself."
"I guess Kevin was right. I should have waited longer before going out on a casual date with you or anyone famous." Jayme realized sadly.
"No. Don't do that to yourself. I did, look where I am."
"I can't wait to go home. I hate this so much! I want out."
"Don't do this because of me. Jayme you have talent, you can be successful, and this is your dream. Don't give up."
"I guess your right. I just hate this."
"Well, you won't be on tour with us much longer and once people see that we aren't together they'll give you a chance."
"Promise Carter?"
"Cross my heart J."
"Okay. But I still can't wait to go home and get away from this for awhile."
"I hope you have fun."
"What are you gonna do? Go see your family?"
A sad look took over Nick's face as he looked down at the floor. "No, my little brother is on tour and my family is with him."
Jayme realized this was her ticket. "Well, come home with me. Meet my family and friends."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes! My Mom will love to have you. Please, please, please?" Jayme begged giving him puppy dog eyes.
"Okay you talked me into it."
"Yay, we'll leave two days from now, I'll call tomorrow and get you a plane ticket."
"Can't wait."
"Me either Carter. This is one trip we will never forget."
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