“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
I walked into the room behind LeighAnne, leaning against the wall as I watched Terri make it a show of kissing Nick. I heard the collective ‘eww’s’ from the twins and had to grin, for she pulled away and glared at them. I shook my head, realizing that Terri might just be walking a rather thin line with those two. “Aight little ones, time to head out,” I told them as I clapped to get their attention. “Mom! We’re winning!” I glanced from them to the TV and realized there were playing some damn video game. Nick’s kids indeed! “Come on, it’s time to eat. Because, if I know your dad, he hasn’t fed you yet.” I glanced over at Nick who ducked his head and heard Brian chuckle. “Let’s go guys. Maybe, if you’re good, I might let you all come back later.” They jumped up, eager smiles on their faces at the thought of coming back to play with their dad. “That might not work. I had plans for Nick and
He pulled away, his head jerking slightly as he felt his phone vibrate. He blinked twice before he realized that, and quickly pulled it out, flipping it open and walking towards the other side of the room. He said something, nodded his head and shut it, shoving it back in the pocket. “I gotta go,” he whispered. “Terri?” “Yeah. I’ll catch you tomorrow.” With that, he quickly left. I ran my hand through my hair, wondering, just what the hell I was doing. There was no denying that I loved Nick, everyone knew this and everyone could see it. I was almost sure that’s why Terri put the act on that she did. And maybe she did have cause to put it on; after all, my idea was to seduce Nick. But, even though I knew he felt something for me, it was killing him. And that last thing I ever wanted was for him to be hurt. But, than again, I hadn’t done much so far in the way of seducing. So, I bough
“Sweethearts.” I turned around, seeing them there, along with Baylee, and LeighAnne, a smile in her eyes. “Hi. What are you doing here? Thought you were playing with Baylee.” Thomas looked from me to Nick and back to me. Tamara, on the other hand, had tears rolling down her cheeks. “Please, is she crying again?” Tamara whimpered and turned to hug LeighAnne’s legs. I quickly snapped around and growled at Terri and her lame ass comment. But before I could lunge at her, Nick’s arms were around my waist, holding me study. “You just shut up! You have no right whatsoever to talk about my kids!” I yelled at her, doing my best to control the loudness thought. That evil smile she sent my way had a chill running down my spine. “I have every right! Nick and I were discussing marriage! I’m gonna be their step mother!” My eyes roamed over her, seeing no diamond and I felt my heart ease som
“Baby?” His eyes opened wide as he asked the question. “I miscarried.” I finished off my drink before I turned back to look at him to finish my tale. “No doctor really ever pin pointed what happened. I think it was the stress, the loss. I was so very close to my grandmother, she was like my other best friend, and it really hurt me when she past. And my aunt was in that horrible accident and she left so violently, it was so hard, on all of us, actually. And than you all working, and traveling, it was stressful. I was about two months in.” “Nick knew?” “Oh, yeah, he knew. He wasn’t the only one,” I told him. “Who else knew?” “Did Nick ever tell you how he met Terri?” At AJ’s shake, I smiled. “When I got pregnant again, the doctor I saw wasn’t the one I first had, that doctor retired, so I had to go to a new office. Anyways, the, um, receptionist was Terri.” “You had
“That is their uncle, Terri. They have every right to see him,” Nick told her while she clutched onto Nick’s arm and batted her eye lashes. “But, this was an adult conversation,” she whined. “No, it wasn’t. Anyway, little man, back to this woman,” Nick said, turning his attention back to his brother. Aaron’s eyes lit up again. “She was…I just saw her from the back, but she looked around my age, maybe a tad older, black hair, nice behind!” I walked up to group and Thomas smiled. “Mommy!” he squealed. Aaron turned, gasped and blushed. “My, my, my, Aaron, you have grown up on me,” I said as I gave him a wink as I walked up to him to hug him. “That was you?” His voice held nothing but disbelief. “If you’re referring to the bus, than yes. And I’m way older than you.” “No, you’re not! But wow! You look good! Or, it’s just been forever.” “Just forever,” Terri
“I’ve seen you a lot of ways! But jealous, that’s a first! Even worse because we’re divorced!” I told him then I took a deep breath and heard my kids start to giggle. “Mommy beat daddy up!” “Thomas, out. Tamara, you too. Bed time.” “Theresa…,” Nick started. “Save it. Aaron, will you help your brother to his room. And put some ice on his eye. It’ll keep the swelling down, along with that shiner. I don’t need people thinking I abuse him.” “You didn’t, sis. You just knocked some sense into him,” Aaron said, amusement evident in his voice. “Thanks. Glad to know my brother has my back.” “You guys are not family!” Nick growled out, annoyance clearly coming off of him in waves. “More than Terri will ever be, Nick. Now, let’s go,” Aaron told him. “Night guys.” I grabbed my kids’ hand after they gave both their uncle and their dad a kiss goodnight.
I sat on the edge of the pool, my feet swinging in the water, so very lost in my thoughts. That kiss happened over two hours ago, and yet, it wouldn’t leave my mind. When Leigh caught us, Nick couldn’t leave fast enough. And yeah, I can understand that the kiss was wrong, but I knew him, and knew he felt that it was right. I sighed, yanked my shirt off, thankful I had changed into my swim suit before coming down, and dived in. Maybe the pools coolness will cool me down. I swam to the deep end, freezing as I heard a splash. I quickly turned around and about freaked as AJ showed up right in front of me, a huge grin on his face. “What in the world are you doin’?” I asked. “Same as you, swimming!” I rolled my eyes at his smart ass comment. “Not funny, McLean.” “I thought it was. Aight, I saw you sitting there, and it looked like something was bothering you. So, when you jumped in, I figured it wo
“My mommy is not a bitch! You are!” My jaw dropped as I looked down at Tamara before I glanced over at Nick, he’s eyes dancing with laughter. “Why you little…” “Woah, watch what you say there Terri,” I said as I turned my back on her, grabbing Tamara’s arm. “And you, Tamara Elizabeth, are in so much trouble. Nick, let me take him, you need to talk.” “I’ll be right there,” he said. I gave him a questioning look yet all he did was shake his head. I walked over to my room, watching as LeighAnne gave Tamara a huge grin before closing the door. ~*~*~* Nick watched as Terri leaned against the door frame, her arms crossed over her chest. “You can’t defend me against your ex-wife?” she asked. “What you said was uncalled for Terri. Those kids only want to be with me.” “So do I. We really haven’t ever gotten alone time. This was supposed to be tha
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
“What are you doing?” Kris sat down next to Howie and glanced at his lap top screen.“I’m looking through a virtual yearbook from my high school days. When you click on the names, it gives you the info to some people, whatever they want posted.”“Hey, that’s a cool idea.”“There were a lot of people that I lost contact with that I would love to get to know again.”“You mean, so they could freak out that they know a Backstreet Boy?”“Aren’t you funny?” Howie rolled his yes at her but grinned. “We do have friends outside of the group.”“Oh, I know that. I met a couple of AJ’s the other night.” AJ lifted his head up from the hand he was holding and looked up.“Oh, Bob and Susie. She’s about ready to pop too. Dang, could you imagine popping out 3 kids at one tim
“But you have always said that you liked when woman wear your clothes. You said you found it sexy. And being that I felt so bad, it was comforting to be in your clothes.”“First of all, not every piece of clothing that’s mine on a woman is sexy. Second of all, I really don’t need you getting your sick germs all over the clothes that I wear. I can’t afford to be getting sick, thank you.” Nick stormed into the room, quickly followed by Terri.“Wait just a damn minute. You leave me when I need you and than I can’t wear your clothes.”“Uh, hello, I have a job to do! It’s not like I can sit here and cater to your every need right now.” She tilted her head and than strolled over to him, running her hands up his stomach and his chest.“You know, they say that sex can help get rid of colds.”“Not happening tonight.