"So this is a little weird,"Jessica said, laughing nervously. The moving truck had left and Jessica's things had been unloaded into the house.

"Yeah,"Nick nodded, looking around his house, embarrassed. "Sorry I live like a slob. I shoulda cleaned up or somethin before you came."

"Oh, I knew what to expect before I came. I've known you for a long time Nick,"Jessica smiled and looked around the house. Dirty dishes, silverware, and cups littered the counters and sink. Shoes were left carelessly in the middle of the floor. Movies and DVDs were strewn all over the place. The house was a complete pigsty. "I guess we should clean up later though before someone breaks their neck."

Nick laughed, turning a shade of pink,"I'm really sorry Jess."

She nodded and smiled,"It's really not a problem Nick."

"Hey, let me show you to your room,"Nick said, grabbing her two biggest suitcase and started walking towards the stairs. Jessica grabbed her other two and followed Nick up as they climbed the long stairs in Nick's mansion. They traveled down the hallway that seemed neverending and Nick swung open the door to one of the rooms. Jessica's eyes widened as she stared in. It was easily her favorite room in the house. Nick had moved into this house while they were still together and Jessica remembered falling in love with this room as soon as she saw it. It was a lovely, very large room, decorated with soft blues and greens. The queen size bed had a beautiful quilt covering it with many decorative pillows. There were tall dark wood bedposts on all four corners. Cream colored leather armchairs decorated the room. The floor was a dark, hardwood and a big, pretty rug layed in front of the doorway. The room also had a walk-in closet, a desk, and a matching dresser. Jessica's eyes traveled to the elegant walk-on balcony that had a gorgeous view of the bay. The room was complete with a huge window and a window seat.

"It's beautiful Nick. Thank you so much. This means a lot to me,"Jessica said softly and turned towards him.

Nick nodded and gave her a smile,"I know it does. That's why I picked this one out. I know you love it."

Jessica wrapped her arms around Nick's neck giving him a hug. He kissed the top of her head as he pulled her tight.

"Aight, lemme let you get settled, then maybe we can go out on the boat later,"Nick told her and pulled away from the embrace. She nodded and he turned out of the room and closed the door on his way out. Jessica sighed happily and flopped down on her new bed.

"What are you doing here???"Jessica heard Nick yell from downstairs. Jessica got up from her bed and opened the door, listening from the doorway.

"How could you?!"came a female voice that Jessica recognized as Mandy.

"What are you talking about??"Nick sounded angry.

"You were fucking around with her weren't you?? I know everything!!"Mandy said, her voice choking up. Jessica's eyes widened as she realized that Mandy was crying.

"I wasn't fucking around with anyone Mandy!"

"Yeah, my ass! Now she's fucking living with you??? I can't believe you Nick Carter! I pity the next fool that you use to get over Jessica. If you're so in love with her why don't you just marry her?! I hope you're satisfied now, because I'm gone."

Jessica's breath caught in her throat as she listen to Mandy sob to Nick. He was silent as she spoke.

"I'm sorry Mand, I really am. I wasn't fucking around with her while I was with you though."

"That's not the damn point Nick! Don't you understand???"

"No I don't I-"

Mandy's voice softened,"Listen Nick. AJ told me what happened with him and Jessica. Now I understand that you and I can't be together because you love her. You'll always love her and she'll always love you. AJ's was right when he told me that you two can never be in love with anyone else."

"I don't know what else to say..."

"You don't have to say anything. I just wish we hadn't wasted our time with eachother."

"I don't think we wasted our time."

"I don't want to hear anymore lies Nick. I really don't,"she told him softly. Not angrily, just sadly.

"I'm so sorry,"Nick replied sincerely. "So I guess this is goodbye?"

"I guess it is."

"Good luck with your career. I really hope you make it Mandy."

"Thanks good luck with everything Nick,"Mandy replied and Jessica heard the door open then close.

Jessica sat on the floor by the doorway. She was ashamed she had intentionally listened to something so personal. She felt bad for Mandy, just as she had felt bad for AJ. Her and Nick put them both through a lot of shit. AJ's friendship had meant a lot to her and she knew she'd never be happy until he forgave her. Jessica knew what she did was wrong and she was so upset at herself for hurting AJ.

Jessica stood up and walked over to her suitcases and put one of them on the bed, opening it and pulled out some of her clothes and put them away in the drawers and the closet. After she had all the clothes she owned put away, she left the room and went downstairs. Jessica found Nick in his living room, laying down on the couch, staring aimlessly at a show on his big screen TV.

"Hey,"Jessica said, sitting down on the armchair near the couch.

"Hi,"Nick said, not looking at her.

"I, uh, heard...when Mandy came over I mean. I'm sorry Nick. The way it ended. AJ and I ended the same way. It sucks doesn't it?"Jessica asked him softly. Nick sat up and looked at her, motioning for her to sit next to him. Jessica went over and sat down.

"I feel like the biggest asshole,"Nick said with a sigh. "I didn't want to hurt anyone."

"I know where you're coming from Nick, I really do. AJ's so mad at me right now. I mean, he loved me and I was just so cruel to him. I just don't feel the way he does. I can't help it,"Jessica said, angry at herself.

Nick gently put an arm around her,"It really sucks, I know."

"We're asses Nick,"Jessica said, looking at him, serious but giving him a smile.

"Yeah,"Nick nodded with a smirk.

"I really do have to work it out with AJ though. I still want him as my friend. I don't want him to hate me forever,"Jessica said.

"He doesn't hate you Jess. He's just hurting right now. I know how it feels when the person you love is gone,"Nick said quietly.

Jessica stared at the TV uncomfortably.

"So anyway, you should talk to him,"Nick suggested.

"Yeah I want to give him a little while to calm down. He was pretty mad,"Jessica said.

"From what I heard he was also pretty drunk,"Nick said.

"Leighanne told you that?"

"No I talked to Brian after I talked to Leighanne. He told me what happened. I'm sorry he was like that Jess. You didn't deserve it."

Jessica laughed sarcastically,"Right. Ok. I didn't deserve it. After I kissed you. Snubbed him. Basically made him feel like shit. You're right Nick I'm just you're average modern day good samaritan."

Nick rolled his eyes,"You're way too hard on yourself."

"Aren't you even going to try and make amends with Mandy?"Jessica asked, looking at him expectantly.

"Nah. She made it clear she didn't want to talk to me. Me and her are different than you and AJ though. You and AJ were good friends to begin with. Sure, I feel like the biggest asshole right now because she was right. Everything she said was right. Except that we were fucking around. But I kept wishing it would happen anyway. The relationship was fake."

Jessica blushed a little and turned away,"So I'm gonna go change and then could we go on the boat?"

"Yeah,"Nick agreed as Jessica got up off the couch and went back up to her room, shutting the door. She pulled out her black bikini, short light denim shorts, and a navy blue hoodie. She peeled off her jeans,sleeveless black shirt, and underwear then put on the other clothes, zipping up the hoodie. Jessica knew from previous experience with going out on Nick's boat that it was chilly out on the water. So she never wore just light clothes anymore. Jessica began thinking about the last time she was out on Nick's boat. They were still together and they ended up making love over and over again for hours just out on the water with no one around. Jessica missed those days. She missed Nick so much. More than she wanted to admit to herself. Jessica walked over to the window seat and sat down, staring off at the beautiful water. She got lost in her thoughts for a few minutes then headed back down the stares.

She found Nick in the kitchen in navy blue swimming trunks and a white wife beater. His white pullover sweatshirt was in one hand.

He smiled at her,"Took you long enough."

"Geez, sorry. Didn't know we were on a schedule,"Jessica said, raising an eyebrow and giving him a playful smile.

"Women. Can't live with 'em. Can't live without 'em,"Nick teased as Jessica pulled her dark hair into a ponytail.

"Gross. I just got a mental image of what the world would be like if there weren't any women. You definitely need us,"Jessica stated.

"Oh shut your piehole,"Nick joked and took a hold of her hand. "So are you ready or am I going to have to wait another 20 minutes."

"I'm ready, calm yourself,"Jessica said, giving his hand a little squeeze. So hand in hand, they left Nick's house and went out into the breezy Florida air.

Home

Butterfly Kisses

Chapter Sixteen