How far would you go to find happiness? Would you lie, cheat, steal, seduce? What? Or, would you simply smile, nod your head and let all your dreams and hard work simply go? But, that would be for the sake of someone else’s happiness, right?“I want to marry her. I’m gonna marry her.” I plopped down in the chair and frowned into the phone. I had hoped he didn’t want me to say anything because I wasn’t sure I could. “Resa?”“Wow.” Damn, that was all I could say?“I want Tamara and Thomas in the wedding.” My eyes flew to the twins who were currently occupied by some show on Disney.“No. They are too young and wouldn’t understand.”“Resa…” But Theresa, or Resa to her friends, quickly cut him off.“Nick, please. Don’t subject your kids to that.
“Than why did you let him go?”“Look, it’s not a conversation I want right now, forgive me, LeighAnne,” I answered with a sigh.“I know and I hate to say anything. It’s just that you and he fit so well together, Theresa.”“I know. But, please, really, enough about that. Are you and Baylee going on the tour?” I absentmindedly picked at the blanket that was thrown over the back of the couch as I questioned LeighAnne.“Yeah, probably, why? Oh, are you working? Oh my gosh, yes!” she exclaimed, causing me to roll my eyes at her.“Woah, chill out there, LeighAnne!”“I’m excited now. I know Kristin wasn’t ‘cause she’s working, and Leigh was still up in the air.”“Well, will Mason go?” I ask of her; Mason being Kristin’s and Kevin’s son.“If Thoma
I tapped my finger nails along the table, waiting for the buzzer on my place to chime. I glanced down at my phone once more, checking the time. I jumped, even though I was waiting for that sound. I flung the door open, grinning as LeighAnne gave me a big hug.“Resa, I’ve missed you so much. We’re going to have a blast today.” I turned, seeing Brian stepping in with Baylee beside him.“Brian!” I squealed, quickly hugging him tightly.“Hey Resa.” I gave him another hug, then turned to Baylee and gave him a hug.“Hey auntie Resa. Are they in their rooms?” Baylee asked, referring to the two holy terrors known as my kids.“Yup, and they’ve been waiting for you!” Baylee flew down the hallway waving a bye in the ladies direction. I shook my head and turned my attention to Brian. “Are you sure about all of this?”
“Take the kids and go home.”“I can’t Nick. You see, I need to work, and so do you. And, I can’t leave two five year olds by themselves,” I crossed my arms as I replied, letting the sarcasm come through.“You’re kidding!” I glanced behind Nick to look at Terri.“Sorry, didn’t mean to intrude on your fun there. Nick does have to play the daddy role.”“You bitch! You did that on purpose! You…” she snarled at me.“Terri, shut it. My kids, I’ll take care of it,” Nick told her, giving her a look before looking at me.“Nick, there is no taking care of it. I have to work, you have to work, and no one can watch the kids. I know you can put two and two together.” Nick glared at the rest of his friends, who were all snickering. He grabbed my wrist and quickly ha
I walked into the dressing room and leaned against the door frame, smiling at all the commotion going on. I shook my head as both Leigh and Kristen turned to look at me, annoyance flashing in their eyes. “I believe you’re in the wrong room, groupie. Do I need to call…,” Leigh started but Kristen quickly cut her off. “Wait up Leigh. Resa?” I smiled and both girls shrieked and ran to give me a hug. “Oh my goodness, you look so different!” Kristen exclaimed. “Good different, right Kristen?” Leigh asked. “Yeah, Leigh, good different.” “Yeah, shorter hair, dyed back to black, new clothes, and all thanks to LeighAnne.” Both girls turned and gave LeighAnne a thumbs up. “You two are way too much. But, I had to come in and say hi before I go look around the arena.” “Sweet, you’re working!” Leigh exclaimed. “Well, with as much as you shop Leigh, someone has to protect you,” I rolled my eyes
I pushed my hair to the side, watching as the kids got way too excited. I smiled as LeighAnne opened the door, her lips frowning at my attire.“That is not the sexy outfit I was talking about, you know.” I glanced down at my slippers, the boy shorts and the tank top and offered a shrug as I looked back up to her, knowing that would only cause her to glare more at me. I knew this wasn’t the outfit she referred too, but oh well.“Not tonight, not in front of Terri,” I told her and LeighAnne rolled her eyes as she allowed us in.“Mason and Baylee are already in the room, you guys.” The twins beamed at LeighAnne as they quickly rushed over to the bedroom.“I think the only reason they are going to have fun is because of their cousins.”“You have to love the Backstreet family,” she said with a shrug.“Hey, someone hollered Backstreet.” I gl
All heads turned and glanced at Terri and her outburst. Tamara glanced at her and burst into tears, making Terri sit up and roll her eyes in annoyance. Tamara finally climbed on her dad’s lap, her head resting against his chest. He glanced up and his eyes locked with mine. I stood up, and he quickly followed, leaving Terri.“Hey, wait for me.” Nick turned and glanced at her.“Family discussion. I’ll be right back,” he told her.“I’m family too!” I glanced at her and her outburst then I grabbed Tamara from Nick’s arms and walked to the bedroom, more than pissed off at Terri! Who the hell did she think she was to yell at my child, and than for her to say she’s family? Over my dead body!“Thomas Elijah, get your ass out here now! And you can say goodnight, because you, mister, are not coming back!”“Mommy!&rdq
“Daddy!” Thomas yelled. I moved back, shocked that those feelings were so strong, actually in both of us. And he looked just as shocked as I.“Coming!” He smiled at me. “I better go and tuck them in.”“Yeah, I think they’re calling for you.”“Night, Resa.” I nodded my head and turned to head into my room, not closing the door until I heard Nick head out.~*~*~*“You look way tired.” I grabbed my jacket, two way phone, and the small gun, tucking both phone and gun into my pants pocket.“Thanks Leigh, you’re a sweet heart,” I told her. She chuckled as we walked down to the limo. “Where are the guys?”“Nick’s room. With all the kids. Brian told LeighAnne he’d take Baylee, since Nick had the twins. And Kevin is
Terri rested her elbows on the table, her head on her folded hands, her gaze lingering out over the city, in total awe by how beautiful New York City looked by night. “You have outdone yourself this time baby.” Nick looked out as well but turned his gaze to her as she spoke.“Why do you say that?” She took a deep breath and turned to him.“The other night, at the show, I may have caught you making out, with Resa.” Nick just lifted a brow.“Why would you say that?”“Cause its true. I thought you didn’t want me anymore.” She choked back a little sob and Nick had to smile, seeing that she was putting on an act as well. “Terri, had I told you that?”“No. At least not in so many words. But things have been so rough and rocky with us lately. Honestly baby, I don’t know where we stand. Or, that was, until you brought me up here. It’s such a beautiful spot. How did you ever find it?” Nick rested his arms on the table, knowing that he couldn’t tell her the truth, that the owner o
Nick looked in the mirror of the hotel room as he gelled up his hair, his heart pounding slightly and his stomach flipping. Yes, he was nervous, for tonight, he was really going to have to play the role of a lifetime. He knew Terri’s plans; he saw the drugs there in her suitcase, even knew where she got them for his own two precious kids had over heard her. So, tonight, to make everything believable, he was treating her to a very special, very expensive dinner. He was going to romance her then bring her back here and make love to her. The whole acting part of this was pretending that he was in love with her.Oh, sure, when Resa started working again, he didn’t think he would change his feelings about Terri. But he should have known that he wasn’t in love with her. That it was lust. Hell, after 30 plus years, you would think he knew the difference between love and lust. When he started cheating, he knew it would break Resa’s heart, but at the point in time, he just didn’t care
Terri watched the retreating back and then looked at Nick, her gaze finally landing somewhere and nearly flipped.“What the hell has him up?”“What?” Terri stepped closer and made it a point of glancing down at his awaken package. “It’s nothing.”“Bull shit it’s nothing. Is that over Resa?”“No.”“Yes it is Nick. Are you playing me now? Is that it?”“Terri, give it a rest, I’m not. What would I have to gain by playing you? Why would I do it? If I wanted Resa, don’t you think I would have dumped you along time ago to get back with her?” Nick asked, crossing his arms, his brows lifted, silently daring her to challenge him. Finally, she saw the truth in his words and rested her hands on his hips.“I’m sorry Nick. I shouldn’t be thinking about things like that. You’re right. You wouldn’t have cheated on her if you still loved her. Or even wanted her.” She stood up on her toes to give him a kiss, hoping he would deepen it. And deep within himself, he knew he should, that he
Nick turned as he heard the scream, his eyes opening wide, trying so hard not to laugh as he watched both of us slide on the grass and then finally land in the puddle. He glanced at Brian who watched as well, and then both of them finally crack up and rush over to us, trying to help us up.“Nicky, this is your fault!” Terri wailed as she tried to grab onto his arm.“How is it my fault? I told you to be careful!”“If we left earlier, we would have missed the rain!” She finally got her legs steady and rose up, the mud covering at least her lower part, and in that regard, she was lucky. But not me. Nope, I took a straight nose dive in and was covered head to toe.“Look, it doesn’t matter. We have got to get back to the hotel and into dry clothes! They can’t get sick and I don’t want the kids to either.” I started wiping the mud off as best as I could, feeling the daggers that she sent at my back.“I don’t like this being on me. Nick, help me wipe it off.”“I don’t have anything
“Nick! How long have you been behind me?”“Not very long.” He smiled at her and then walked into the living room area, lying about what he told her. He had heard every damn word and he was going to make sure everyone knew just how low Terri was. “Why? Did something happen?” He tried to look concerned, but that act was getting hard to play.“Oh, no, nothing. Was just asking, that’s all.”“Oh, okay than.” He sat his bag down then went into the bedroom.“Uh, Nick, what are you doing?” Terri followed him, her brows crinkled as she watched him start to change.“Tamara and Thomas wanted a daddy day, so I’m heading to the park to play some ball with them.”“Is Resa going?” Nick pulled his shirt on and gave her a pointed look.“Resa, is by rights, my bodyguard. So, yes, Resa is going.” Terri chewed on her lower lip.“Can I go?” That made him pause. He was kinda hoping of spending the day with his family, or at least before the show. But then again, his ass would be on the line i
“Nick and I are going to dinner. A romantic little place when we get to New York. I guess you can see the city and how gorgeous it is. He bought me this elegant evening dress. Plus this ruby studded broach!” I rolled my eyes at Kris who was sitting across from me. Why I thought it was a good idea to come down to breakfast this morning was really beyond me. Every female was here and Terri just had to sit with us and was currently telling Leigh about her big plans. Kinda sad that I knew what they were for I had helped him arrange the whole damn thing.“When are you going Terri?” Kris asked, glancing down the table at her.“Oh, in a few days, when they get a break in their touring. It’s the only day he has off,” Terri gushed out.“Wow. You’re taking time away from his kids?” I kicked Kris under the table, not needing Terri to be ticked off yet. Not that the mention of the kids would do anything. And the fact that she was cold hearted enough to want to ruin a day with Nick an
“Terri?” Nick stepped out on the balcony, looking for her.“Yeah?” He turned around and saw her sun tanning, mentally thinking she needed it.“Hey sweetie.” He leaned down and gave her a soft kiss, sitting down on the edge of her chair.“Oh, it’s sweetie now?”“It’s always been. Why would you think other wise?”“I talked to Julie.”“And? You’re gonna believe everything she tells you?”“When it’s about you and you’re little cozy family, than yes! I thought you loved me but you’re off pleasing HER!”“Terri, HER is my ex wife, the mother of my children! I can’t just say screw you in front of the kids! Geez.” He stood up, running his hands through his hair. “You know, I came out here to make peace with you, to try and s
Terri stomped her foot as she slammed her phone shut, the talk with Julie upsetting her greatly. She knew that Nick was really out of her realm, so what the hell was keeping him here? With her? When he so badly wanted to be with his ex wife? Terri was not a fool, she saw the band that was on his hand again. Damn it! She knew she should have pawned it when she had the damn chance. She ground her teeth as she started pacing the room, her plans starting to unwind.“Not yet! He can’t go. I refuse to let him go. I just have…got to speed up my plans.” She did a quick turn around and flew to her room, looking at the pills. “If Nick wants to leave, fine. But I will be damn sure that I am taking him for everything he has. He will be stuck with me for the rest of his life.” She read the instructions than grabbed the laptop, logging onto the net. &ld
I paused, slowly swallowing, wishing I could make the simple connection between that woman and Terri. Yet, to my knowledge, no one had a clue. I cleared my throat and then placed a hand on each twin’s arm, looking at Nick.“We better go. I’m not getting them involved in this.” That snapped Julie back to attention and her eyes narrowed.“Does Terri know about this little outing?”“You know what Julie, not everything that I do has to be cleared by her, no matter what you, OR SHE, might think. Sorry. I have a life of my own and kids to take care of. Now, excuse me, I got to pay for these.” He held up the two outfits and we blew past her, her jaw dropping. Gosh, if it wasn’t Terri ruining a perfectly good and fun day, than it was her little goons or friends. I rolled my eyes as I followed Nick and the kids, stepping off to the side when he took out