I woke up the next morning to Nick's beautiful face in his arms, and once again I couldn't be happy because I knew that he was leaving. Again. He was leaving and I didn't know when and if he'd be back. I wanted to wake up like this next to him knowing that he didn't have to leave the next day. I wanted him in my life knowing he was here to stay. But I knew that I was being selfish and unreasonable. He was doing what he loved and I knew nothing would change that and I didn't really want to change it because it was part of him. I liked him for who he was. Being a Backstreet Boy and growing up in the spotlight helped him become the guy he was and that was who I liked.

I felt him stir and his eyes opened. He gave me a slight smile,"What time is it?"

Looking at the clock on my nightstand and I answered him,"9:00."

"God that's late for me,"Nick yawned, unwrapped his arms from around me and stretched. He then looked at me and pulled me to him,"I know you're pissed coz I'm leaving."

"Not pissed just...disappointed,"I softly replied, not meeting his stare, pulling my light blue sheet up around my bare chest.

"I know, me too,"Nick said, lying back down on my bed.

"This isn't going to work Nick. You know it's not,"I said.

"Don't be talking like that Ang,"Nick said, closing his eyes, his arms behind his head. He looked so relaxed.

"Talking like what? I'm being practical and realistic,"I said, standing up, yanking the sheet off of my bed in frustration and wrapping it around myself. He looked at me in surprise. His blue eyes were wide.

"Look Angela, I never meant for this to happen ok? I never meant to meet a girl I really like on tour but it happened. What the hell do you want me to do?"he sounded angry and it was my turn to look back at him in surprise. I wanted him to hold me and kiss me until he had to leave, that's what I wanted.

"Absolutely nothing. I don't want you to do a thing,"I snapped, walking to my drawer and pulled it open roughly, pulling out a pair of bright green underwear. I could feel Nick's eyes on me as I tried to get them on without dropping the sheet. I heard him snicker behind me. The asshole was laughing at me.

"What the hell are you laughing at Carter?"I said in an annoyed tone. Apparently he found my remark even funnier and started laughing harder. He didn't answer me and I dropped the sheet and pulled an oversized Philadephia 76ers t-shirt over my head. He was still hysterically laughing as I turned around to face him. I tried not to smile as I saw him sitting there. His face was a little flushed from the laughter and his eyes were practically tearing.

"Come here,"he grinned, calming down a little bit.

"Why should I, you laughed at me,"I teased, staying planted where I was.

That started him up again and he went into another fit of laughter.

"I'm glad I amuse you Nick,"I replied.

"No, it...it was just so...funny,"Nick got out in between his laughter. "You were trying...to put on your...underwear with the sheet...and...and-"

"Alright I get the picture. I know I'm a riot,"I replied giving into the smile that I had been trying to resist.

"So now will you come here?"he laughed, gesturing for me to come to him.

I walked over to the bed and sat on the edge. He pulled me onto my back suddenly and grinned cheekily when I glared at him.

"Aww baby did I piss you off?"Nick asked with a smile, almost in a mocking tone.

"Mocking me, Carter?"

"Never,"he grinned. "Seriously though, did I make you mad?"

"Not when you laughed at me,"I shrugged, and let him pull me into his arms. I was learning very quickly that Nick like to cuddle and kiss. Not that I minded of course.

"When I yelled at you?"he asked, running his hand up and down my thigh.

"Yeah, I mean I was just telling you how I felt Nick. I seriously don't think this is going to work. No matter how much we want it to. It's just not practical,"I said honestly.

"Does everything have to be practical with you?"Nick asked me with a smile and kissed me cheek.

"Seriously, just think about it Nick. I live in New York. You travel around the world. I'm a waitress. You're a star. I have nothing. You have everything,"I said, sadder than I hoped it would come out.

"So this is what this is about huh?"he said, rolling away from me.

I touched his strong, tanned shoulder gently,"Come on Nick."

"What do you want me to say Angela?"

"I don't know. Just tell me how you feel."

"Well I meet this beautiful, nice girl in New York who's a waitress but that doesn't matter because I don't care about that kind of stuff. It's really cool because she understands me and doesn't care that I'm a Backstreet Boy. Now she tells me that it's not going to work because of my so called status. Jesus Angela, I've known you for all about two days but it doesn't feel that way. It feels like I've known you for a long time and I really like you. Maybe it won't work, but maybe it will. If we don't try how are we gonna know?"

As I listened to him talk I realized that he was right. I wasn't being fair. Especially since I haven't liked someone as much as I liked him in a long time. If we didn't even try we could miss out on something really great.

"Yeah you're right, but it's going to be hard,"I told him. Nick held both of my hands and nodded then kissed me.

When we broke apart, he looked down at my shirt and pulled on it lightly,"Sixers suck." Whoa he did NOT just go there...

"Do not insult my men,"I warned him seriously, pointing a finger at him. I was a huge fan, especially since I grew up in a town outside of Philly in New Jersey.

He found this amusing and smirked at me,"Your men? You live in New York though."

"Yes my men. I love this team. Dude just because I live here now doesn't mean I'm a New Yorker,"I said, gesturing towards my shirt for emphasis. Meredith likes to avoid me during basketball season. I'm a "little" vocal when it comes to the Sixers, and I think I scare her when I'm watching the games sometimes. Ok, so I know I scare her, but hey she acts like a teenybopper sometimes so it's ok. It's better to be a basketball maniac than a teenybopper at 23 years old right?

"Lakers all the way baby. Shaq rocks,"Nick smiled, knowing it would get a rise out of me.

"Shaq is a big, cross eyed idiot,"I said.

"He's an awesome cross eyed idiot,"Nick pointed out. "And Kobe too."

"Ugh, Kobe's even worse! He thinks he's God's gift to basketball, and it's a shame he's from Philly,"I shouted.

"Ok, ok calm down,"Nick said with a light laugh.

"This season's gonna be great this year for the Sixers I know it,"I gushed with a sigh.

"I'm sorry I got you started now. Remind me to steer clear of that subject next time,"Nick teased. Just then we heard my apartment door open and then close.

"It's Merrie, put some clothes on. We don't wanna give her something else to freak out about do we?"I joked, giving him a light poke in the stomach. He smiled then got out of bed, sliding his boxers and a t shirt on. Hand in hand we walked out of my bedroom to see Meredith with Theo in her arms.

"Hey guys. Good night last night?"she said, with a knowing smile, placing Theo on the floor gently. Nick immediately scooped him up.

"Uh huh,"I replied then took note of her tonsiled hair and wrinkled clothes and raised an eyebrow. "You?"

"Yep,"she replied simply.

Meredith and I were like that. We were best friends but didn't give out too many intimate details of our sex lives. She freaked out and demanded details after my first night with Nick, but I understood because that was different. Normally, some things are better left unsaid.

"Nick...I know you probably think I'm insane already and I would understand if you said no..."Meredith started. I groaned. Where was this little speech heading?

"...but do you think I can meet the rest of the guys?"she finished hopefully. Ok, that wasn't so bad.

Nick grinned,"Sure. We're leaving today but I can take Angela and you to the hotel if you want."

Meredith nodded quickly. You didn't have to ask her twice.

"Ok, so we'll leave in a little while after we get dressed,"Nick said with a smile.

"Meredith, this is Brian, AJ, Howie, and AJ. Guys this is Meredith, Angela's best friend,"Nick introduced once we got back to the hotel and found the guys in Kevin's room. Meredith was in awe. If I thought the look on her face once she met Nick was funny, this was a hundred times better. She must've shaken AJ's hand for a full minute before he let go and put his arm around her with a smirk.

"You guys remember Angela,"Nick said and put an arm around my waist. I gave them a little smile and a wave,"Hey everyone."

They all smiled at me and said hello. AJ grinned like a cheshire cat,"See, I did good. I should leave notes like that on tables for myself."

Meredith was grinning like an idiot and mouthed 'thank you' to me about 3 times. I would have to remind her that she had boyfriend. AJ seemed to be enjoying her company a little too much.

"Nick I hate to do this to you but we have to be outta here in ten minutes,"Kevin said, looking at me apologetically.

He nodded and glanced at me,"I know."

Meredith and I talked with the guys until they had to leave. It had to be the shortest 10 minutes of my life.

All of a sudden we heard sharp, loud knocks on the door.

"Alright boys, let's bounce,"AJ said, standing up. Meredith hopped up too. AJ looked at her and gave her an affectionate kiss on the cheek and a smile,"You're cool. We're gonna have to talk some more some time."

Meredith grinned again,"That'd be great."

"Um *COUGH*boyfriend*COUGH*,"I muttered softly with my hand against my mouth, giving Meredith a long, expectant look. She glared back at me, not saying anything. AJ looked totally oblivious to what I had just hinted at.

Nick pulled me over to the side and pulled me to him by the belt loops in my hip huggers. His arms then wrapped around my petite body tightly. He looked straight into my eyes,"These few days have been great Ang."

I nodded and he went on,"I'm gonna miss you so much, you have no idea. I'll call and write ok? We'll give us a shot if you want to."

"I want to,"I replied, as my hand went up to his face and stroked his soft cheek and traced my fingers down to the sexy stuble on his chin. "I'll miss you too. A lot. I'll miss talking to you. I'll miss making love to you. And I'll miss just being with you."

"Me too,"he nodded, and brought my hand to his mouth, kissing my fingers.

"You better get out of here,"I said, offering a small smile. "Before I decide that I'm not gonna let you go and kidnapped you."

Nick smiled at me then brought his lips to mine in an earth-shattering kiss. It was one of those kisses that seem to stop time and make it seem like we were the only two people in the world at that moment.

I pulled back,"Bye Nicky." If it lasted any longer, I seriously don't think I'd be able to let him leave.

He gave me another kiss. This one was chaste and sweet. "Bye Ang,"he whispered against my lips.

I pulled out of his embrace and looked at Meredith. She was waiting with the guys who were looking at us intently as if they were watching a movie. Nick and I both blushed a shade of pink.

"See I told you guys I did good!"AJ exclaimed proudly.

"Quiet Bone,"Howie silenced him.

"Next time guys, take a picture. It lasts longer,"Nick muttered to them.

"Bye guys, it was really nice to meet you all,"I told them.

They all said their goodbyes, giving hugs to Meredith and me. I glance back at Nick, giving him a wave and a small smile. He waved back and I pulled Meredith out the door of the hotel room, not looking back.

I didn't say anything to her when we passed five security guards outside of the door. Nor did I say anything when we got into the elevator.

"He really likes you Angela. I can tell. Just by the way he was with you. I know he really cares,"Meredith told me softly, placing a small hand on my arm.

"I know he does. I'm going to miss him. Hell, I already miss him,"I said softly.

"They were all really nice,"Meredith said. "Very nice, down to earth guys."

I nodded in agreement then looked at her with a raised eyebrow, amused by the whole situation,"Especially AJ? Do I have to tell Rob about this?"

She blushed and looked away,"That? It was just innocent."

"Uh huh. Sure it was,"I joked as the two of us walked out of the elevator, into the lobby where a few Backstreet fans were trying to be inconspicuous. There were dozens more outside of the hotel.

"Oh shut up,"she said, her face turning a lovely mix between pink and a light shade of red and I laughed.

"You are so blushing!"I accused, amused, pointing a finger at her.

"No I'm not!"she denied, as we left the doors of the posh, high class Manhattan hotel.

"Oh let it go. You think AJ's hot don't you? I pressed.

"Maybe,"she admitted.

"Yeah, I knew it. You totally want his body. Why want AJ when you have the the underwear model of the year. Two consecutive years in a row,"I said, with fake praise and admiration.

"Don't go there,"she warned playfully, and smiled at me.

But of course I went there anyway.

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Hanging By A Moment

Chapter Eight