Nick was back in the basement again, working on a new song or something. Or, that's what he told Isabel.
Isabel was curled up on the couch watching a movie on tv when he finally ventured out and came in and sat down. "I have to tell you."
"Tell me what?"
"Tell you who Jennifer is...before you find out from someone else."
Isabel turned off the tv and sat up so she could see him better, "I know who she is Nick."
"How?"
"She called my cell phone today while I was at the publisher's office..."
Nick's eyes widened, everything was falling apart; he could tell it. "What did she tell you?"
"Everything."
"Everything?"
She nodded before standing up, "Yeah..she told me everything Nick. You and her dated like a year after I left for college. You got her pregnant, ran off to join the tour again and soon after found me again and now she wants the money for the son you two have. Why didn't you tell me?!"
Nick jumped as she pitched a picture frame in his general direction. "Isabel-"
"WHY COULDN'T YOU TELL ME!!"
"Isabel! Please!"
"Just when our whole lives are perfect, something happens!"
"I know! Let me explain, please!"
Isabel clenched her hands in fists as she tried to control all the emotions rushing at her at once. "Fine..talk."
"Me and Jennifer dated pretty much a year after you went to college. That's true. We broke up because I couldn't stand her being so manipulative and conniving. She moved up to Tallahassee and I soon found out she was pregnant from one of her friends. I know that boy is not mine Isabel. She is using that bit about us dating against me because she knows I don't want that leaked to the tabloids and I definitely didn't want you to know! Not from her at least!"
"You could of told me...when she called that day. You could of just told me then Nick."
"Where are you going?!," He exclaimed as she started walking towards the front door.
"I'm going to Kevin's for the time being. I don't think I can stay here with you right now."
"Isabel..baby..please! You have to believe me!"
Isabel kept walking and with each step towards her car, he got more and more paniced. "Isabel! Please! Just listen!"
"I listened Nick and now I have to decide what to do.."
"Isabel..please don't leave.."
"It's for the best Nick..really it is."
Nick finally collapsed on his knees as Isabel drove out of the driveway and out of sight.
Nick was sitting on the couch in the dark house when the phone rang. He thought about not answering it.
He really didn't want to.
But what if it was Isabel?
But what if it was Jennifer?
What if it was Kevin or one of the other guys or one of the wives calling to bitch him out?
On the fifth ring he finally picked it up, "Hello?"
"So Nick, how does it feel to be completely alone?"
"Screw you Jennifer."
"You already did that and look where it got you: no where."
"Did you have a point in calling Jennifer because I'm about to hang up."
"Now what just a damn second Carter; you know I called because I want the money."
"Still? You've already ran my wife off, I won't be surprised if she's filing for divorce right now as we speak."
"I want the money Nicky-poo..and I want it by next Monday or the tabloids get the story."
"We'll see Jennifer. Don't call me, I'll call you.," He said before hanging up and turning off the ringer.
Isabel didn't sleep at all that night at Kevin's. The next day, she found out from a friend where Jennifer lived and drove over there as soon as she was dressed and ready for the day. This wasn't just about her and Nick anymore..there was something..someone else involved now.
Once at the house, Isabel stared at the modest looking house before getting up enough courage to get out and walk up the front walkway and knock on that door. But she did it.
She knocked twice and waited for someone to answer.
The door opened to reveal a petite looking young woman with fiery red hair and blue eyes staring straight at you. "Can I help you?," She asked annoyed.
"I'm Isabel Carter, Nick's wife. I'm guessing you're Jennifer?"
"Of course I am. What a pleasure to finally meet you Isabel, although I really do wish it was on different circumstances."
Isabel brushed past her, "I'm sure you do. I want to see the boy."
"You can't just barge in here and expect for me to just let you see my son!"
Isabel swung around to look at the shorter woman, "You let me see him; I have to see him for myself Jennifer."
"This is my house and you have no right-"
"I do Jennifer. This involves my family, not yours. Where is he?"
"Hold on a second."
Jennifer disappeared into one of the other rooms and soom re-appeared with a small boy at her side. "This is Jacob; Jacob this is...a friend of mine; Isabel."
Jacob smiled shyly up at Isabel and Isabel bent down to his level, "Hi sweetie..how old are you?"
The little boy held up four fingers. "You're four? Wow, you're a big boy."
"He's a handful too, much like his father."
Isabel cleared her throat impatiently and stood up, "The resembelance is almost there Jennifer. Too bad, you have blue eyes and so does my husband. Blue plus blue does not equal brown. Learn the logic of heredity next time you try to blackmail my husband. Plus, your son is four?"
"That's right."
"You were pregnant more than four years ago; at least five."
"His birthday--"
"Is in six months; he just turned 4."
"How the hell do you know?!"
"I have connections. Believe it or not; being a Backstreet Wife does have its advantages; I could find out anything about you at the press of a button."
"Bullshit."
"Believe what you want. Leave my husband alone. He is NOT giving you any dime of his money."
"He will if he doesn't want anyone else to find out about Jacob."
"Keep thinking that Jennifer. I believe you'll be hearing from my lawyer--soon."
Isabel walked down to her car and got inside before opening up her left hand. Inside her palm was a strand of Jacob's red hair. She smiled; this was almost over and she could go home to Nick and tell him. She pulled away from Jennifer's house and drove toward's David's house; she pulled out her cell phone and dialed his number. "David? It's me. I got it. When can you do the test and find out?"
"It'll take a couple days but I'll put a rush on it."
"Sounds great."
"This'll all be over soon Isabel."
"I hope so."
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