chapter twenty-two
chapter list
chapter twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-Three
We took their two-day break from their tour to move my things to Nick’s house in Florida. I also had to quit my job, contact my landlord, and say goodbye to all of my friends. I told them all about my story, and they were excited to meet the Backstreet Boys, especially Hailey’s father.
As soon as everything was moved in, we flew back to Europe so they could finish their tour. It was difficult trying to tell Hailey that Nick was her daddy. She was spoiled rotten by her uncles Kevin, Brian, Howie, and especially AJ. It took a while, but AJ forgave me. Because of him, Hailey was the best-dressed two-year-old ever.
The band and crew were very nice about welcoming me back. Most of them had changed, and I had never met the dancers before. It was nice to have more women on the tour.
Hailey was still unknown to the press. We weren’t hiding her, but no one saw her.
~<3~<3~<3~
“Nikki, can I come in?” I heard a voice through the door.
“Yeah. Come in Kevin.”
“Is Hailey around here?”
“No. She’s with Nick, so what’s up?”
“I just wanted to talk to you about the last time we spoke before you left.” I put my hand up.
“Kev, we don’t need to discuss this. It’s ok. I’ve gotten over it.”
“But I haven’t. For the longest time I thought I was the reason you left. I blamed myself all the time. The more I thought about it, the more I wished I would have said yes. Not only so you would stay, but because I realized I had feelings for you. Who cares about age? I thought that I did, but I don’t. Nikki, I want to try this. Do you want to go somewhere tonight? We could go to dinner and dancing. It could be fun.” I didn’t know what to say.
“I haven’t had a date in over three years. I don’t even know if I would know how.”
“You’re only 21 years old. You can’t give up dating. Nick could watch Hailey.”
“Ok. I’d like that.” He smiled.
“I’ll pick you up at 7.” He kissed me on the cheek and left.
~<3~<3~<3~
“This really feels like old times. You’re in my room, telling me about your love life.” I laughed.
“Well, that’s what you’re here for isn’t it? You’re just here to listen to me babble. I really do appreciate it, Brian,”
“Anytime, Hon. I actually missed it.” He hugged me, and I stood up to leave for my date with Kevin.
“Good luck.”
~<3~<3~<3~
“Dinner was great. Dancing was fun. Thank you Kevin. It was nice to have an adult only night.”
“It was fun for me too. I don’t go out much. I’m 30 now. Can you believe that? I didn’t feel that old until we went out tonight and I saw all of the people your age.”
“No. It’s not your age and my age. Age doesn’t matter, remember?”
“Yeah. It’s just – “ I put my hand over his mouth. “Sorry”
He walked me to my hotel room. “Do you want to come in? I mean just come in and talk or whatever. I don’t mean…”
“I wasn’t expecting that. I know what you mean.” We walked in and sat on the bed. We talked for a couple of hours, then he was getting up to leave.
“Wait. Don’t go. Will you stay? I don’t mean actually do anything. Just sleep together. Not really sleep together. Just…”
“I know what you mean. Sure.” I took off my dress and put on a t-shirt. Kevin stripped down to his boxers. He slipped into the bed next to me.
“I’m really glad you’re back.” He cuddled up to me.
“Me too.”
~<3~<3~<3~
“Wow. You two have been going out a lot lately.” Brian and Nick both looked surprised.
“Yeah, Nick. I have a lot of fun with him.”
“I remember when you and I were together and you used to complain about arguments you had with Kevin. Now you’re dating him. I’m really shocked.”
“Me too, I guess. It’s hard though. I haven’t slept with him yet. Now that I have a child, I’m always looking at guys as prospective husbands. I can’t just date for fun anymore. I’m only 21. It shouldn’t be this difficult.” Brian put his arm around me.
“Maybe you should. Sleep with him I mean. It’s been over three years. I think you need some action.”
“Brian!”
“What? I mean it.” I just shook my head. “If Nick’s the only guy you’ve slept with, you don’t know what you’re missing.”
“Hey!” Nick looked offended.
“I didn’t mean it like that.” Nick slapped Brian in the arm.
“I don’t know. Maybe you have a point. It’s just strange. I don’t know.”
“I’ll take Hailey tonight. You stay with Kevin.”
“Yeah. You could wear that black dress with the spaghetti straps.”
“And the strappy black shoes.”
“I can’t believe you guys are planning this out for me.”
“Oh you know you like it,” Brian said with a childish grin.
“I guess so.”
~<3~<3~<3~
‘What am I doing?’ I said to no one in particular. I was putting on my black dress with spaghetti straps and my black strappy shoes. ‘I can’t believe they got me to do this. I can’t believe I’m going through with this.’ There was a knock on the door, and I knew it had to be Kevin.
“Just a second. I’ll be right there.” I opened the door to find Kevin in khaki pants and a black shirt. He was holding one rose.
“Wow. You look amazing.”
“Thank you.” I hugged him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “We’d better go.”
chapter twenty-two
chapter list
chapter twenty-four
