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 as I joked with her on that, letting her know I was joking.
“Can you please not remind me how much she spends!?” Howie called from the other side of the room, causing all of us to laugh.
“Even with a son, he’s a tight ass!” Leigh said which sent everyone laughing even harder.
“I work hard for that money, girl!”
“The last time I check, shaking your ass and making little girls scream was not hard work!” retorted Leigh, right back to her husband. And that whole comment just made Howie shake his head.
“Hey, some of us do more than shake ass here!” AJ chimed in, defending his long time friend.
“Oh, yes, AJ, and let me add humping the floor in your case!” I threw out, earning a glare from AJ.
“Hey, what is going on?” Nick asked, passing me as he entered the room, Terri’s hand entangled with his. I could feel it; the closeness that was there just seconds ago was shattered as soon as she showed up. There was a friendship that was had by the Backstreet wives, I suppose you could say, and mistresses just didn’t fill the right spot. And either she didn’t notice, or she didn’t care.
“Theresa says we don’t work hard.” Nick glanced over at me, a smirk overtaking his lips, before he looked back at AJ and shrugged in response to his statement.
“That right there gets those poor, helpless females. That’s what they pay to see! And I don’t know why!” I said, laughing all the more.
“Mommy, mommy, mommy.” I straightened up as one twin ran to clutch onto my leg, quickly followed by the other.
“Okay, tag team partners, what’s up?”
“Big, mean…” They trailed off as Nick’s bodyguard stepped up.
“Oh, Dave, yes, he’s scary indeed. But,” I dropped down to their level, the skirt hiking up even more, “he’s a big teddy bear.”
“Hey guys, let’s go play. Dave is fun to play with,” Baylee said, running up to the room.
“Hey, mini Bri, wait.” LeighAnne quickly gave Bri a kiss and flew out of the room, following her son. My kids glanced at me and I nodded, letting them fly after Baylee.
“Go ahead Dave, the guys will be fine and I’m about to take a tour around the arena.” Dave smiled at me and waved to the guys, before walking after the all too rowdy bunch.
“Aight, you all behave. Don’t make me take any of you out.” I smiled as I walked out of the room.
“Hey, wait up for a sec.” I turned and raised my eyebrow at Nick and at his request.
“Yes, Carter?” He smiled and damn it, my heart pounded against my chest.
“I owe you a rather huge sorry.”
“Amongst other things,” I muttered.
“You never let anyone slide, huh?” I chuckled at that.
“I have two five year olds, I can’t let anything slide. Let’s chalk it up to nerves. You’re not an asshole to them.”
“And you’re not a bitch, sometimes.” I shook my head at him and glanced down at the floor. “Is everything okay with your mom? Usually she would take them.”
“There are just some problems going on that she has to take care of. Nothing to worry about.”
“Theresa…”
“Really Nick. I do gotta go make my rounds.”
“I thought I mentioned I didn’t want you working in that,” he said as he crossed his arms.
“In what? A skirt? Heels?”
“A skirt that short that makes your legs do that!” I had to bite my lip.
“I like the outfit,” I told him.
“I do too. So does AJ, and I think Howie, and Howie’s married. But that means other men…” He stopped his lecture and actually blushed.
“Nick, when you want to be, you’re rather cute. But I gotta go, for real.”
“Theresa…” I shrugged and turned to walk away, not letting him finish. In no way, shape, or form, did that man run my life anymore. If he didn’t like what I wore, well tough shit on him. He had his woman, take care of her, that’s how I saw it. But, damn, that was nice indeed.
~*~*~*
“They’re staying in the hotel for tonight, than heading on the busses tomorrow. Want to watch a movie with Bri and me?” I turned my attention from the screaming fans to glance at LeighAnne.
“And who else might be there?”
“AJ. Possibly Nick.”
“Does that mean Terri?” I asked LeighAnne, who only shrugged. “You know that means Terri.”
“Yeah. Ugh, I wish she wouldn’t come,” she said, letting out an annoyed noise.
“Give her a chance.”
“Why, by the time I do, you’ll be back in your rightful spot.” I busted out laughing at her comment, causing Leigh and Terri to look in our direction.
“Nick wants to marry her.”
“What?”
“He told me that,” I offered, along with a shrug.
“And you’ll let him?”
“Did you see what I bought? No, I don’t plan it on it LeighAnne. But, there’s a lot you all don’t know. And as much as I love him, and want him, I’m not sure I can win him back. I can only change so much.”
“He wanted you to change?” I shook my head at her question, not wanting to go on when both Leigh and Terri were heading over.
“So, movie night in Bri’s room, right?” I glanced over at Terri as she asked than at LeighAnne, wanting to laugh.
“Yup,” LeighAnne said with a quick nod.
“Sweet, and Resa, you’re my date right.” I glanced behind me to see AJ stepping over to our group, having overheard that it was movie night.
“Wait, wait, who said I was going?”
“It’s a tradition and you damn well know it!” AJ said, giving me the side eye.
“Fine, I’ll be there. With my pains in the asses,” I mumbled, but couldn’t quite wipe the grin off my face.
“You can count on my too,” we all glanced at Kristen as she walked up. “Hey, Mason loves playing with all his cousins.”
“Well, James is acting up, so I think D and I are gonna have to ditch tonight,” Leigh said, giving us all an apologetic look.
“Aww, Leigh, is there anything,” I paused and glanced around “anything we can do to help?” She laughed, knowing that there was nothing but mothers in this group.
“No, but thank you. I know where to turn to,” she tossed out over her shoulder as she walked back to her room.
“Okay, so it’s PJ night.” I was about to turn when LeighAnne grabbed my arm. “I want you to wear THAT number,” she told me.
“LeighAnne!”
“He’ll die, please?” I glanced at Nick who was talking to Terri and had the strongest urge, yet again, to be sexy.
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
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