*~The Dream Of A Lifetime~*

Did you talk to Nick yet about what’s going on?” Alyssa asked Valondra as they packed up Alyssa’s stuff.

“Not yet,” Valondra said.

“What are you waiting for?” She shrugged. “It’s been over a year.”

“I know that.”

“He’s going to find out.”

“But not by you.”

“He suspects something.”

“Yes I know.”

“So tell him. He can’t figure out when you guys stopped confiding in each other.” Valondra sighed. “You have to talk to him about the way you’re feeling. And I don’t just mean about the whole wedding thing. I mean, everything including what happened a year and a half ago with Bridgett. I know you’re still upset and hurting over it.” Valondra stopped what she was doing and sat on the bed, as she started crying. “Oh, Loni D.” Alyssa sat beside her and hugged her.

“I’m so afraid that Bridgett’s going to take Nickolas away from me. I’m afraid she’s going to find a way to end our relationship and say something Nicky will believe.”

“It’s not going to happen, because Nick loves you. Nothing will ever change that.”

“What if it does?”

“It won’t.”

“This ain’t fair to Nick.”

“So tell him.” She got up. “Valondra, if you and Nick get married you can’t go into the marriage with this whole thing between you two. You’re not going to be happy or feel better unless you tell him.” She looked at her. “You and Nick are going to be spending the rest of the US tour together so during that time I want you to tell him.” They looked at each other. “I want you to tell him by the time I meet you guys in Canada. That gives you three weeks.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“I don’t want to hear that. I want to hear ‘ok, Lys, I promise I’ll tell him in the next three weeks’.” She smiled and Valondra shook her head. “Fine I ain’t going to force ya. If you want to ruin your great relationship with Nick, because you refuse to be honest with him, then that’s your problem. I’m tired of kissing your ass.”

“No one told you to.”

“If Nick finds out from someone else he’s going to be angry with you. He asks you repeatedly what’s bothering you and each time you refuse to tell him. You’re ruining it with Nick yet you don’t know it. Nick’s only going to put up with it for so long yet before he tells you to hit the road.”

“Don’t you dare say that again!”

“Is that what you want to happen? Do you want Nick to leave you?”

“No.”

“Well that’s what its going to come down to in the end if you’re not honest. Nick loves you and if you love him you will tell him no matter what.”

“My relationship with nick is no one’s business.”

“Then why’d ya tell me?”

“Because I didn’t think you’d try to make me do anything.” She went to walk out.

“Nick needs to know.”

“What the hell do you want me to tell him, Alyssa? ‘Oh, I’m sorry, Nicky, but I can’t marry you, because I’m scared shitless of marriage.’ I can’t do that to him, because it’ll break his heart.” Alyssa looked at her then looked pass her. Valondra turned around and saw Nickolas.

“Um…I came to take ya to the show,” Nickolas hesitated.

“I ain’t going,” Valondra snapped and walked out as Nickolas followed.

“Loni,” Nickolas said.

“Just go do your show, Nick,” Valondra said.

“Not without you.”

“I’m not going. I’m not going to the show and I’m not going on tour with you.” She walked into her room and slammed the door shut. Nickolas opened it before she locked it and went in. “I ain’t going, Nickolas.”

“What’s going on?”

“I don’t want to get into this now.”

“But I do.”

“Well I don’t!” Nickolas just looked at her shocked by the tone in her voice. She sighed and looked at him. “You have a show in a couple hours and you don’t need to be bothered by this.”

“Well it’s my choice.”

“You need to do a good job tonight.”

“It’s not a requirement.” She looked at him. “Even if we talk about this now or wait I’m still not going to do a good job. Through that whole concert I’m going to be thinking about what’s happening this second.”

“Ya shouldn’t.”

“I’ll decide what I should and shouldn’t do, huh? If I want to leave right now and not ever come back I will.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“I will if you make me.”

“Why would I make you?”

“Then tell me what’s going on.” She just looked at him. “Come on, Princess, if there is one person that understands you better than anyone it’s me.”

“I don’t want to bother you with it right now.”

“And you didn’t want to bother me with it a year ago or five months ago. It wasn’t the right time you said. When will it be the right time, Lon? When I’m happily married to someone else?” Those words stung Valondra in the heart and tears rushed to her eyes. She looked at Nickolas, wanting to hit him repeatedly, but just clenched her fists and backed up. “Damn it! I’m sorry, Princess.” He went towards her and she backed up shaking her head.

“Don’t touch me, Carter. You said some mean things to me in the past four years, but never did you speak of someone else.”

“God, Loni, I’m sorry.”

“Yeah; so am I.” “I just want us to talk about this.” She shook her head. “Why not?”

“Because I don’t want to.”

“But I want to know why my fiancée is scared shitless of getting married after she told me yes.” She just wiped her eyes and went out on the balcony. Nickolas followed her a couple minutes later and stood beside her. “Princess, I put up with you not telling me what’s going on for the past year and a half and I don’t want to do it anymore.”

“What do you want from me, Nick?”

“Truth, honesty, and confiding in me like before.”

“It ain’t that easy for me.”

“Just tell me. You’ll feel a lot better.” She looked at him. “I’m afraid I’ll hurt you.”

“You’re already hurting me by not telling me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“The moment of truth is now, Lon. Either you tell me right now or I’m out the door and I won’t come back…ever.” Valondra just looked at him and thought about what Nickolas said. God, she didn’t want to be without Nickolas. And she didn’t want to tell him and hurt him. She didn’t know what to do. She loved Nickolas so much and this was hurting them both. She spent a couple minutes thinking about it and made her decision. Before she could say anything though, Nickolas stopped her. “So I guess you made your decision. I’ll see ya around sometime.” He went back inside.

“Nick, wait.”

“I have a show, Loni.” He walked form the room and she ran after him.

“Nick, please don’t go.” She followed him all the way outside, but he just got in his car and left. “Nick!” She ran to the end of the drive and watched him drive away.