"Desiree, whats up?" Kerri asked Desiree the next morning as she stepped into the coffee shop at the airport. The two had taken their friends, Amanda and Carinne, shifts so they could go to a party.
"Not much." She said, looking at Kerri then smiling. "Did, uh, anything interesting happen last might?" she said, knowing the answer.
"Like you didn't know," she laughed. "I was at the studio Desiree, how could you tell him that I would be there."
"Don't act like you didn't enjoy it." She pulled up a chair, and leaning her elbows on the counter. "So what happened?" she asked, ready to listen.
"Maybe I won't tell you." Kerri teased. Desiree just grinned. "Ok, I will, you forced it out of me. He walked in and I was so surprised. He wanted to know if I was alright. I told him, Desiree, I told him everything. About me and Mark, about what happened." She finished slowely.
"What did see say?" Desiree asked, worried that something went wrong.
"The same thing you always say, about how I should not stand him doing that, hurting me. I said it wasn't like that. He asked me what I meant. I couldn't answer that. How do you tell someone who knows almost nothing about you that you love someone too much to let that person go. Maybe I will get a chance to talk to him again later… " all in one breath she got out, "he invited you and me to go backstage at the concert tonight."
Desiree jumped up and hugged her friend yelling, "Oh my gosh!" Both girls heard laughing and turned around. A line of customers had formed while they were talking, two kids at the front of the line were giggling at them.
"Whoops." Kerri whispered under her breath as they began to serve the people. They kept smiling despite the facts they were imbarassased.
Finally the six hour shift was over. Desiree bounced out of the airport.
"I can't wait for tonight!" then she slowed down and turned around to Kerri. "Does Mark know?"
"Um… I haven't told him." Kerri said quietly as they headed to the parking garage. "I don't think he needs to know, I didn't tell him about seeing Nick last night either. It would upset him too bad, and I think I've already put him through enough. When I came home he was at my apartment. He told me he felt bad about our fight and after he dropped me off. He came back because he didn't want me to be alone…"
"Or he just didn't want you out of his sight." Desiree said, she was right. Kerri just nodded as she unlocked her car. Even though deep down she knew Desiree WAS right, she couldn't admit it to herself. They drove down the rode in silence.
"What is he doing here." Desiree muttered as they pulled into the parking lot by Kerri's apartment, and again Marks car was there. "Why did you ever give him a key?"
"He IS my boyfriend Desiree, when I moved here I only had you, and him. I trusted him, and still do." She said, causeing Desiree to shake her head.
After a very slow walk up the stair, Kerri opened the door. Mark sat on the couch staring at her. The look he had on his face gave her the chills. Hit reached over and hit the answering machine. A voice could clearly be heard, "Hey Kerri, this is Nick. I called to tell you I ordered a limo to come pick you up at 5:30 for the concert. Hope you don't mind, see you then." The beep off the message sent a stab of pain thorugh Kerri's heart.
"Mark..." she started, walking to him.
"Stop." He said cutting her off. "I guess you didn't think of telling me about your plans, maybe you did." He said bitterly, still staring at her. Then he smiled at her, a vengeful smile. "I figured since Nick seems to be such a generous guy, that he wouldn't mind if I came along with you two. Well, it looks like it's almost 5:30, limo should be here soon."
Desiree looked out the window. "It just pulled up." She said quietly. Mark walked over to Kerri and wrapped his arm around her.
"Lets go." He rasped, his eyes flaring with anger.
Ch. 4
Mark led Kerri out of the apartment. Desiree slowly followed, I can't believe him, she thought.
"Hello miss." The driver said, a slight look of confusion filled his face. "Mr. Carter only said there were two ladies that I need to pick up."
"It's ok, he is with me." Kerri said sadly, wishing there WAS only two people. Mark took her hand to pull her into the limo. A sour look crossed Marks face. He quickly changed it into a fake smile, but not before Desiree noticed. She sat down across form her friend. Kerri stared out the window. What will Nick think, she thought. He didn't invite Mark and I'm sure Nick won't be glad he came. I just hope Mark doesn't make a scene. Marks voice interupted her thoughts.
"Wow, we are all going to have so much fun!" He tried to sound sincere, but it was obvious he was bitter about it. "Did you bring a camra?"
Desiree shot him an angry look. "Did you bring any common sense or compastion?" She hissed, causing his fake smile to turn into a sneer. Kerri's eyes widened, oh no, she thought, don't start. For once, Mark kept his mouth shut. Desiree's words stung him slightly. She had never liked him and was always cutting him down. This time it actually effected him. He sighed and put his arm around Kerri, spitfully glaring at Desiree. She is only encouraging Kerri, he thought, but they will both pay.
The familiar sound of screaming girls fiiled their ears as they pulled up to the arena. Girls waved signs happily as they waited to be let inside. Some chased after the limo, thinking it held the Backstreet Boys.
"We are here." The driver announced as he parked next to a few similar limos. He came around and opened the door, Desiree stepped out followed by Mark and Kerri. He pointed them to the door. It was total chaos inside. Musicains, dancers, and the stage crew bustled around preparing for the show. The three visiters stood watching in amazment. A hand reached out and grabbed Desiree's shoulder, she screamed from surprise.
"Aj!" She said turning around, smiling happily that it was him. "You scared me!"
"Oh, I'm sorry." He said laughing and then gave her a hug. Then he looked up and noticed the guy with Kerri. "You must be Mark." He said, his voice soft.
Mark nodded and Aj had to use all his strenght not to hit him. Nick told him about Mark, the things he does to Kerri. Why is he even here, Aj thought. I need to tell Nick before he finds out for himself.
"There is food and drinks over there. Help yourself, I'll be right back." Aj said before he hurried away to find Nick.
Ughh, Kerri thought, I couldn't eat a thing right now. It appeared Desiree couldn't either. Mark walked over, HE had no problem eating.
Aj saw Nick around the other side of the stage. "Nick!" He called to him. Nick turned around to see who was calling him. Aj motioned for him to come over.
"Hey, what's going on?" Nick asked, seeing the look on Aj's face.
"Not anything good, man. Desiree and Kerri are here…" He started, talking slowly. "and Mark is with them."
Aj saw a flash of anger in Nick's eyes, but it quickly faded. He nodded and asked where they were. I have to stay calm, he thought, I don't want to set Mark off. They walked to where Desiree, Kerri and Mark were. When Mark noticed Nick coming he glared at him and slid his arm around Kerri's waist, as if he was saying 'she's mine, stay away'.
Nick forced a smile onto his face as he said, "I'm glad you guys could make it."
Mark continued to stare as Kerri gave him a weak smile. Her smile faded as Mark pulled her even closer to him. Nick tried to ignore it.
"I was hoping that we could use Kerri for our show tonight. We need someone to sit on stage so we can sing to them." Then he looked at Mark. "Do you mind?"
"Actually I do." Mark sneered, "I don't want anybody singing to my girlfriend."
There was a long pause, everyone was to shocked by what Mark said. Aj was the first to snap out of it. He tried to keep things from getting too tense.
"Hey, that's alright. We have another lovely lady right here." He said, placing his hand on Desiree's shoulder. "Is that ok with you, lovely lady?"
Desiree nodded and smiled. She was still upset that Mark wouldn't let Kerri go on stage though. He just had to come along and ruin everything for Kerri, she thought. Not like it was the first time he ever spoiled Kerri's fun.
"Lets go guys, last chance to practice before the show!" Fatima, their choreographer, yelled. Hearing Fatima gave Nick an idea. I'll make it up to Kerri, he thought, and this time I won't let Mark mess it up. Aj and Nick said goodbye and headed off. Kerri looked after them sadly, they were going to sing to me. Desiree sensed her friend's thoughts and mouthed to her, it will be ok.
When the time came a secuirty guard came to get Desiree to go onstage. Despite her bad mood, Kerri and Desiree both had to smile. At least Desiree gets to go, and not some other fan. After the show Nick pulled Desiree aside.
"I want you to gice this to Kerri later. Whatever you do, don't let Mark see it." He whispered as he handed her a note. She nodded and they headed over to the backstage door where Kerri and Mark were waiting. He said goodbye, he wished he could give Kerri a hug, but he couldn't because of Mark.
"Ready to go miss?" The limo driver asked Kerri.
She nodded slightly and followed him to the limo with Mark and Desiree. When they were dropped back off outside of her appartment, Mark kissed her goodnight and then got into his car and drove off. Desiree immediately pushed Kerri into the appartment.
"Kerri, I know you had a horrible time, but this might make you feel a little better." Desiree said handing her the note.
"What is it?" She asked, staring at it.
"A note from Nick." With that, Desiree left. Kerri stood there, looking at the note. After a while she walked to the couch and sat down. What did he write, she thought. Only one way to find out, she opened up the letter and began to read.
