Brizee Hardin sat in her bedroom. She was packing her bags and going to Tampa to meet the Backstreet Boys and spend a year with them.  She was so excited.  She couldn’t wait to meet Nick Carter.  She really likes him.  Her best friend, Amy, came in.  She sat down.

       “Bri, you are so lucky,” Amy said.

       “I know, to spend a year with the BSB, it’s so awesome,” Brizee said.

       “I wish I was as lucky as you were,” Amy said.

       “I’m scared, Amy,” Brizee said.

       “Scared of what, Bri,” Amy said.

       “You know that Adam dumped me for another girl, I’m scared to get into another relationship,” Brizee said.

       “Bri, who said you would,” Amy said.

       “What if one of the guys likes me and wants to date me,” Brizee said.

       “Bri, Brian is with Leighanne, Kevin is with Kristin, AJ is with Sarah, only Howie and Nick are free,” Amy said.

       “What if Nick wants to date me,” Brizee said.

       “Bri, you haven’t met him yet, how do you know that Nick will want to date you,” Amy said.

       “I just have this feeling,” Brizee said.

       “Bri, you’ll be fine, okay, not all guys are like Adam,” Amy said.  Brizee looked at the clock.

       “I better go,” Brizee said.  She got up and got her bags together.  Amy drove her to the airport.  Brizee got on the plane and sat in her seat and looked out the window. She wondered what will happen when she gets to Florida.  She went to sleep.  When she woke up, she saw that the plane was landing.  She got her things together. She got off the plane and went over to the baggage claim. She got her bags and turned and saw Nick standing there looking around.  She felt something as she looked at him. She wasn’t quite sure what it was but she felt it. She pulled her luggage over and sat down. She heard voices.

       “Nick, man, did you find her,” she heard someone say. 

       “No, what do she look like?” Nick asked.

       “Let’s ask her,” someone else said.

       “Excuse me,” a voice said. Brizee looked up and saw Brian, AJ, and Nick standing there.

       “Can I help you guys,” Brizee said.

       “Are you Brizee Hardin?” Brian asked.

       “Yes, I am,” Brizee said.

       “We found her, hi,” AJ said.

       “Hi guys, I recognize you three so I know who you are,” Brizee said.

       “Ahh, good,” Nick said. Brizee looked at him and smiled a little. They got her bags and they all went to Nick’s house.   They put her bags into one of the guest rooms.  They all sat down in the living room and talked.  Nick couldn’t stop staring at Brizee. 

‘She’s an angel, I hope we can be more than just friends,’ Nick thought to himself as he watched her as she talked with Brian. She looked over at him and smiled and turned back to Brian.  Nick smiled.  She did have a beautiful smile. 

       “So, Brizee, do you have a boyfriend back home?” AJ asked.

       “Not anymore, he cheated on me and used me and he broke up with me to be with another girl,” Brizee said.

       “What a jerk,” Nick said.

       “I know,” Brizee said.

       “Are you okay now?” AJ asked.

       “I’m glad to be away from him, but I’m scared to get into another relationship, it’s my only way to not get another broken heart, if I stay single, no more broken hearts,” Brizee said.

       ‘Damn,’ Nick thought to himself. 

Chapter 2

The next day, Brizee spent the day with Nick, Brian, Leighanne, and Howie. Brizee and Leighanne talked and got along great. They went off by themselves and left the guys to talk.

       “Guys, I like Brizee,” Nick said.

       “So do we, she’s cool,” Howie said.

       “Yeah,” Brian said.

       “Guys, no, I mean, I like her a lot,” Nick said.

       “Nick, you know what she said about relationships,” Brian said.

       “Yeah, but I can’t help how I feel,” Nick said.

       “Nick, look, just be her friend right now, she had her heart broken, you know,” Brian said.

       “Well, she has to know that all guys aren’t like that,” Nick said getting up and walking off.  Brian shook his head. 

Meanwhile…..

Nick walked along and heard voices.  He hid behind a tree and saw Brizee and Leighanne talking.  He knew he shouldn’t be listening but he couldn’t help it.  

“Brizee, not all guys are like Adam, there are some guys out there who are nice and sweet and caring, take Nick for example, he is a nice, sweet guy who treats girls right,” Leighanne said.

“Then why doesn’t he have a girlfriend,” Brizee said.

“Because, he’s never been free to have a girlfriend, being a Backstreet Boy keeps them busy, he hasn’t had the chance to go find a girl,” Leighanne said.

“I see, I know all guys aren’t like Adam, but I just can’t get into a relationship again, it’s too hard for me to get past what Adam did,” Brizee said.

“Brizee, maybe Adam wasn’t the right guy for you, the right guy is out there somewhere,” Leighanne said.

“I hope so, but not now, I want me time, I want to be single and enjoy it,” Brizee said.

“It’s your choice,” Leighanne said.

Nick walked away.  He couldn’t believe it. He wouldn’t stop until she was his.  He’ll pretend to be her friend but at the same time, seducing her. He won’t give up without a fight.

Chapter 3

Nick and Brizee got to know each other.  They hung out a lot and talked about what they had in common.

       “You are really nice,” Brizee said.

       “Thanks, you are, too,” Nick said. Brizee smiled.

       “I can tell we are going to be really good friends,” Brizee said.  Nick smiled.

       ‘Good friends, we’ll be more than good friends when I can get you to realize that I’m not like Adam,’ Nick thought to himself as he smiled at her. 

       “Yeah, good friends,” Nick said.  Brizee smiled and went upstairs.  She went into her bathroom and changed into her pajamas and came out and closed her door and got into bed.  She went to bed.

Nick walked to Brizee’s door and quietly opened it and saw her in bed asleep. He smiled as he quietly shut the door and went to the bedside and knelt down. He knew she was dreaming.  He gently rolled the bedcovers down and reveal her body.  He slid his hand gently under her shorts and caressed her. He looked at her and saw she was still asleep. He knew he shouldn’t be doing this but he couldn’t help it. He wanted her. He slipped two fingers inside her. He heard her moan softly.  He worked her hidden folds.  Her body shook with an orgasm.  He smiled. He took his fingers out and his hand out of her pants and put them in his mouth to taste her.  He got up and left her room quietly. He went to his room and closed the door and laid down and smiled.  He stripped to his boxers and got into bed and went to sleep.  He woke up the next morning to knocking on his bedroom door.  He got up and opened the door and saw Brizee standing there. He noticed her expression.

       “Morning,” Nick said sleepily.

       “Morning, I was wondering if you were up or not, I guess I woke you up,” Brizee said.

       “Yeah, you did,” Nick said.

       “I’m sorry,” Brizee said.

       “It’s okay,” Nick said. She smiled.

       “Well, I’m starving so I’ll be downstairs,” Brizee said. She went downstairs. He watched her go.  God, he felt hot and hard. He closed the door and looked down at his bulge in his boxers.

       “Matter of time, little guy, matter of time before you score,” Nick said.  He got into the shower.  He heard the phone ring.  It stopped.  He took care of his erection in the shower.  There was a knock on his bathroom door.

       “Come in, it’s okay,” Nick called. 

       “Nick, your mother’s on the phone, she sounds freaked,” Brizee said. He poked his head out.

       “Freaked, what happened,” Nick said.

       “I don’t know, I didn’t ask, but she wants to talk to you,” Brizee said.

       “Okay,” Nick said.  Brizee left the bathroom. He knew she could see his body through the doors.  They were blurred but anyone could see the outline.  He smiled. He got out and dried off and wrapped the towel around his waist and walked into the bedroom and saw Brizee sitting on the bed with the phone. She handed it to him while blushing. He took it, smiling.

       “Hello, Mom, what, what happened, you okay, what about Dad, oh, okay, yeah, let me what happens, okay, bye,” Nick said. He hung up.

       “Everything okay?” Brizee asked.

       “My parents were in a car accident and the other driver is suing my parents for damage done to his car,” Nick said.

       “Whose fault was it?” Brizee asked.

       “It was an accident, mostly the other driver’s fault, though, that’s what my mother said,” Nick said.

       “Oh, okay,” Brizee said. She got up.

       “Where you going?” Nick asked.

       “Back downstairs,” Brizee said. She left the room.  He closed the door and got dressed. He was going to get her to realize that there is something between them. He wasn’t going to stop until she was his.

Chapter 4

That afternoon, Brizee and Nick met Leighanne and Brian at the beach.  Brizee and Leighanne went for a walk while Nick and Brian talked.  Nick told Brian about his parents.

       “Man, what are you going to do,” Brian said.

       “What can I do,” Nick said.

       “Better go out and see if you can do anything to help,” Brian said. Nick looked at Brizee and Leighanne.

       “Maybe I should,” Nick said.

       “Are you still trying to get Brizee?” Brian asked.

       “Yeah,” Nick said.

Brizee and Leighanne were talking.

       “Brizee, are you okay?” Leighanne said.

       “I had this weird dream last night,” Brizee said.

       “What was it about?” Leighanne said.

       “Someone was giving me an orgasm,” Brizee said.

       “What,” Leighanne said.

       “I dreamt that someone put two fingers inside me and gave me an orgasm, he didn’t have a face but I dreamt that,” Brizee said. Leighanne looked at Nick. 

       “What did you think?” Leighanne asked.

       “Well, it felt good, it felt real but I know it wasn’t,” Brizee said.  Leighanne looked at her.

       “Come on, looks like the guys are ready to go,” Leighanne said.  They walked up to Brian and Nick.

       “Hey, Nick’s going to LA to help his parents,” Brian said.

       “Really, that’s good,” Leighanne said.

       “Brizee, come with me,” Nick said.

       “Nick, I don’t want to be in the way, I can stay here, I’ll be fine,” Brizee said.

       “Yeah, she can hang out with us, we’ll stay with her or she can stay with us, go, this is your family, not hers,” Brian said.

       “Nick, you go to your parents, I’ll be fine,” Brizee said.

       “I really want you to meet them,” Nick said.

       “Why, Nick, why do you want me to meet them,” Brizee said. Brian and Leighanne looked at him.

       “Because you’re my friend, and I know they will like you,” Nick said.

       “That’s it, Nick, go now,” Brian said.  Brian pulled Nick away to his house.  Brizee looked at Leighanne.

       “Why did Nick do that, I don’t want to meet his parents right now in the middle of a crisis,” Brizee said.

       “I think he likes you,” Leighanne said.

       “Likes me, oh my gosh,” Brizee said.

       “Brizee, I think I figured out something,” Leighanne said.

       “What’s that,” Brizee said.

       “That dream you had last night, about you having the orgasm, I think it was real,” Leighanne said.

       “What,” Brizee said.

       “I think the reason you said it felt real, because maybe it was, I think Nick gave you that orgasm,” Leighanne said. Brizee felt betrayed. She held her head in her hands.

       “How dare he do that to me!” Brizee said angrily.

       “Brizee, I think Nick’s in love with you,” Leighanne said.

       “No, it can’t be true,” Brizee said.

       “Brizee, it is,” Nick said behind her.  She turned and saw him standing there.

       “What,” Brizee said.

       “I snuck into your bedroom last night and I’m in love with you,” Nick said.

       “So it was real, omg,” Brizee said.

       “I’m not going to apologize for it,” Nick said.

       “Time to go, Nick,” Brian said dragging him away. Brizee sat down and stared out at the ocean.

       “Brizee, you okay,” Leighanne said.

       “I want to be in love with him, but I’m scared of getting hurt,” Brizee said.

       “Brizee, Nick is a great guy, he won’t hurt you,” Leighanne said.  Brizee got up and went back to the house. She sat down and curled up on the couch.

Chapter 5

It’s been three weeks since Nick left to go to LA.  Brizee has been hanging with Brian and Leighanne.  Kevin, Kristen, Howie, AJ, and Sarah joined them a lot.  Brizee was beginning to miss Nick.  She didn’t want to admit that she’s in love with him. She was sitting at home when the door opened and close and Nick walked in.  He saw her.

       “Hey,” Nick said.

       “Hey,” Brizee said.

       “How have you been holding up?” Nick asked.

       “Okay, been hanging with the guys and girls, having fun,” Brizee said.

       “That’s good, well, I’m going to go sleep off some jet lag, okay,” Nick said.

       “Okay,” Brizee said.  He took his bags upstairs.

The next day, Brizee and Leighanne were at the mall.  Brizee was looking at clothes.

       “Bri, you have to tell him how you feel,” Leighanne said.

       “I scared, what if he doesn’t feel the same way anymore,” Brizee said.

       “You won’t know unless you talk to him,” Leighanne said. 

       “How long has he been after me?” Brizee asked.

       “Since he met you,” Leighanne said.

       “He probably moved on,” Brizee said.

       “Bri, just talk to him, okay,” Leighanne said.

Three hours later, Brizee walked in and saw Nick sitting on the couch.  He looked up and saw her.

       “Hey, have fun,” Nick said.

       “Yeah, um, Nick, can we talk,” Brizee said.

       “Sure, have a seat,” Nick said patting the couch right beside him.  She shook her head and sat on his lap. 

       “What do I owe this pleasure of having you in my lap,” Nick said smiling.

       “Maybe because I’m falling for you,” Brizee said. He looked at her.  She looked at him.

       “Please tell me that you still feel that way,” Brizee said.

       “Yes, I do, I never stopped,” Nick said.  He crushed his mouth to hers and kissed her deeply. 

Chapter 6

Brizee was drowning in Nick’s kiss.  Something inside her told her to pull away and run.  It was very strong. She pulled away and ran upstairs and closed her bedroom down and locked it and threw herself on the bed and cried. She heard a knock at the door.  She looked at the door but didn’t move.

       “Brizee, what’s wrong,” Nick said.

       “Nick, just go away,” Brizee said crying.

       “We have to talk about this,” Nick said.

       “I can’t, please, just go,” Brizee said crying. She heard him go away and she cried harder.  She heard the phone rang. She got up and quietly went to the stairs and heard Nick talking. She quietly snuck downstairs. 

       “Brian, you don’t understand, I’m in love with her, and she admitted that she has fallen for me, we kissed, man, it was great, she sat in my lap and admitted that she fell for me and we kissed, then she ran to her room and I went after her and she locked herself in her room and was crying, I could hear her, she told me to go away, man, what should I do, no, I’m not moving on, man, Frick, man, I’m in love here, okay, Frick, what am I suppose to do, huh, go out and find another girl,” Nick said. Brizee felt tears in her eyes.

       “What, you want me to go out and find another girl, I’m not doing that, look, I know, okay, but I can’t help how I feel, I just don’t want to lose her, okay, if she doesn’t want to be with me right now, that’s fine, I just don’t want to lose her, Frick, I have to find a way to let her know that I’m not like her ex at all, yeah, man, bye,” Nick said. He hung up and sat there.  Brizee snuck back upstairs. She went into her room and closed the door and stood there.  She locked her door and sat down.  She laid down and stared out the window.  She cried and hugged her pillow.  She didn’t want to get hurt again.  But will she get hurt.

It’s been three months and Brizee did everything she could to avoid Nick.  She would wait until he left the house to come out of her room and she always ran to her room when Nick came home.  She heard Nick leave and came out and went downstairs.  She went to the kitchen and was getting something to eat when Nick came in.  She stood up from the fridge and saw him and jumped.  He looked at her.

       “What’s going on,” Nick said.

       “Um, I, I was hungry,” Brizee said.

       “Why are you avoiding me,” Nick said.

       “I’m not,” Brizee said.

       “Yes you are, you come out when I’m gone and you are back in your room with the door locked when I come home, what’s up with that,” Nick said.

       “I love my room and love being in it,” Brizee said.

       “You are avoiding me because you don’t want to see me and admit that there’s something strong between us,” Nick said.

       “Nick,” Brizee said.

       “Brizee, there is something between us, admit it, you are in love with me,” Nick said.  Brizee looked at him.  She started to walk away but he grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. He pushed her against the fridge.

       “Nick, please,” Brizee said softly.

       “Why can’t you give me a chance, did your ex really scare you that badly,” Nick said.

       “I don’t want to get hurt again,” Brizee said.

       “Brizee, I won’t hurt you, okay, I promise, I want to be with you, tell me you want the same thing,” Nick said.

       “Oh god, Nick,” Brizee said. He crushed his mouth to hers in a deep hungry kiss.  She pressed her body against his and he moaned. He devoured her mouth and moved his lips down to her neck.  She moaned softly.

       “I don’t want to lose you, Brizee,” Nick said.

       “You won’t,” Brizee said. They kissed again and they sank to the floor, kissing.

Chapter 7

They were on the floor kissing when they heard someone clear their throat.  They broke apart and looked up and saw Mandy standing there.

       “Nick,” Mandy said.

       “What are you doing here, how did you get in,” Nick said getting up.

       “My key,” Mandy said.

       “Can I see it?” Nick asked. Mandy held it up and Nick grabbed it.

       “Thanks,” Nick said.

       “Nick, what’s going on,” Mandy said.

       “I’m kissing her, what does it look like,” Nick said as Brizee got up.

       “You are cheating on me,” Mandy said.

       “Cheating on you? Mandy, we’ve been over for a year because you slept around on me and you cheated on me, I never cheated on you,” Nick said.

       “That is not true,” Mandy said

       “Yes, it is true,” Nick said.

       “It’s not and don’t deny it!” Mandy said.

       “I’m going to deny it because it isn’t true!” Nick yelled.

       “How dare you yell at me!” Mandy said.

       “I can yell at you if I want to, free country, get the hell out of my house!” Nick yelled.

       “Nick, I love you,” Mandy said.

       “Well, I don’t love you, there is only one person I love and she’s right there,” Nick said pointing at Brizee. 

       “Why do you love her?” Mandy said.

       “You think I’m going to tell you that, it’s just how I feel, okay, she makes me feel alive, okay, just by looking at her and being with her, okay, is that clear enough, she is like me, okay, she’s been hurt like me, you hurt me, her ex hurt her, we are alike in that part, okay, you hurt me, you made me feel like dirt, I am so glad that I broke up with you because I hate you so much!” Nick said angrily.

       “Fine, have a nice life, both of you, I’m gone,” Mandy said.  She ran out the door.  Nick locked it.  He turned and looked at Brizee.  She came over and hugged him.

       “I’m sorry,” Brizee said.

       “Me, too,” Nick said.

       “Do you love me, Nick?” Brizee asked.

       “Yes, I do,” Nick said.

       “Don’t ever stop,” Brizee said.

       “Not in this lifetime,” Nick said.

       “Good because I love you, too,” Brizee said.

       “You do?” Nick asked.

       “Yes,” Brizee said.  He smiled and they kissed. He picked her up and carried her in to the living room and laid her on the couch and he laid on top of her and kissed her hungrily. 

       “I don’t want to lose you, Brizee, never,” Nick said.

       “You won’t, I don’t want to lose you either,” Brizee said.

       “Can I call you Bri?” Nick asked.

       “Yes, you can, you can call me anything you want that is a good name,” Brizee said.

       “How about baby, or baby girl,” Nick said.

       “I said anything, Nick,” Brizee said smiling.  He smiled and kissed her deeply. 

Chapter 8

That night, everyone met at Tabu, Howie’s club in Orlando. No one knew that Brizee and Nick were now a couple. 

       “Hey you two,” Brian said.

       “Hey Frick,” Nick said.  Brizee smiled.

       “Hey Brizee, how are you,” Brian asked.

       “I’m fine, Brian,” Brizee said smiling.

       “What’s going on between you two,” Brian said.

       “Guess,” Nick said as he and Brizee went to the bar.  Then they hit the dance floor as Kevin, Kristin, Howie, AJ, and Sarah arrived.  They went over to Brian and Leighanne.

       “What’s up, cuz,” Kevin said.

       “Um, Brizee and Nick are a couple,” Brian said.  They all looked on the dance floor.  They saw Brizee and Nick dancing.

       “They’re what,” Kevin said.

       “They are a couple, like you and Kristin, me and Leigh, AJ and Sarah, a couple,” Brian said. They watched as Nick and Brizee kissed. They all looked at each other and smiled. 

Brizee pulled back from the kiss and looked up at Nick and smiled.  He smiled back.

       “As much as I want to keep kissing you, this isn’t the place for it,” Nick whispered. 

       “I know,” Brizee said smiling up at him. She rested her head on his chest as they swayed to the music. Nick looked up at the guys and saw them smiling and giving him the thumbs up sign. Nick smiled.  Brizee and Nick walked over to everyone and talked to them.  An hour later, Brizee was drunk and flirting with all the guys in the club. 

       “Who let her have drinks?” Nick asked.

       “She ordered sodas,” Leighanne said. 

       “Shit,” Nick said going over to Brizee and picking her up.

       “Why, Nicky, you want me, don’t you,” Brizee said drunkening.

       “Yes, I do, come on,” Nick said carrying her out the door and putting her in the limo and took her home.  Brizee got out and Nick got out and Brizee jumped on him.

       “I want you, Nicky,” Brizee said kissing his neck.

       “Off the bed you go!” Nick said carrying her upstairs.

       “Care to join me,” Brizee said.

       “Bri, you are drunk, okay, time for bed, you alone,” Nick said as he laid her on the bed and covered her up. He went to his bedroom and shut the door and locked it. He leaned against the door and groaned. He went to bed. The next morning, he woke up and got up and went downstairs. He fixed some coffee.  He heard a noise and turned and saw Brizee standing there.

       “Hey,” Nick said.

       “Is the room spinning?” Brizee asked.

       “Nope, but I believe you do have a hangover,” Nick said.

       “Don’t yell, please,” Brizee said.

       “Sorry,” Nick said.

       “Why can’t my head stop pounding,” Brizee said.

       “Here’s some coffee,” Nick said.  Brizee took a sip and cringed. Nick gave her some aspirin.

       “Thanks,” Brizee said.  Nick kissed her forehead.

       “I’m going to go to hang out with Brian, okay, you rest,” Nick said.  Brizee smiled.

       “Okay,” Brizee said. Nick kissed her cheek and left. 

That night, Brizee was laying on the couch when the phone rang.  She reached over to it.

       “Hello,” Brizee said.

       “Brizee, it’s Brian, can I talk to Nick?” Brian said.

       “He’s not here, he said he was going to hang out with you,” Brizee said.     

       “I haven’t seen him since last night,” Brian said.

       “What, where could he go?” Brizee said.

       “I don’t know, I’ll go look for him, okay,” Brian said.

       “Okay, bye,” Brizee said.  She hung up and laid down.

       ‘You better not be hurting me, Nick, you said you wouldn’t hurt me, ever, you lied to me, you better have a good reason,’ Brizee thought to herself. 

Chapter 9

Brizee went upstairs and started packing her bags. She heard someone come in and come up the stairs.  She kept packing. 

       “What are you doing,” Nick said.

       “I’m packing,” Brizee said.

       “Where are you going?” Nick asked.

       “Back home to Missouri,” Brizee said.

       “Why,” Nick said. Brizee looked at him with anger in her eyes. She moved past him and took her bags downstairs.

       “Bri!” Nick said following her.

       “Leave me alone!” Brizee said

       “Bri, what is going on,” Nick said.

       “You lied to me, that’s what!” Brizee said.

       “What do you mean,” Nick said.

       “You told me you were going to hang out with Brian, but you weren’t, were you, Brian called here asking for you and he said he hasn’t seen you since last night!” Brizee said.

       “Look, I’m sorry, okay, I lied because I was working on a surprise for you,” Nick said.

       “A surprise?” Brizee asked.

       “Yes, a surprise, come with me and I’ll show you the surprise,” Nick said.  They got into his Durango and went to the marina. Nick blindfolded her and carried her to the spot and he put her down.

       “Are you ready,” Nick said.  Brizee nodded. Nick took her blindfold off and she saw a boat decorated with lights. She read the bottom of the boat. It said: “Brizee My Angel From Above”. Brizee almost collapsed and looked at Nick.

       “Nick,” Brizee said softly.

       “Like it?” Nick asked.

       “Yes, I love it, I’m your angel from above,” Brizee said.

       “Yes, you are,” Nick said smiling.

       “And you are mine,” Brizee said.  They kissed deeply.

       “Am I forgiven?” Nick asked.

       “Oh yes, you are,” Brizee said smiling

They got on the boat and Nick drove the boat out and stopped it a half hour later.  He turned off the engine and came over to where Brizee was and sat down and wrapped his arms around her.  She leaned against him.  He kissed her neck.

       “It’s so peaceful out here,” Brizee said.

       “I know, I like to come out here and think, that’s what I did today, too, I came out here and thought about stuff, it’s a great place to be when you need to think,” Nick said.

       “I love you, Nick, thank you for the surprise and I’m sorry that I was going to leave,” Brizee said.

       “I love you, too, and I don’t want to lose you, okay,” Nick said.  Brizee smiled.

       “I don’t want to lose you either, because I’m never letting you go,” Brizee said.

       “I will fight to keep you in my life, Bri, I’ll do anything to keep you in my life,” Nick said.  Brizee smiled and they held each other and stared out at the sky. 

       “I love you,” Brizee said.

       “I love you, too,” Nick said.

That night, Nick and Brizee were home, cuddled up on the couch.  The doorbell rang.  Nick got up and opened the door and saw Willa standing there.

       “What do you want,” Nick said.

       “I want to continue what we did today,” Willa said.

       “I don’t know what you are talking about, get off my property!” Nick said angrily.

       “You and I slept together today, in case you forgotten and it was so good, you were begging for more,” Willa said.

       “You must have been dreaming!” Nick said angrily.

       “It was real and you know it!” Willa said.

       “It’s a lie! I would never sleep with you, you disgust me, I wouldn’t touch you with a ten foot pole! Get off my property and stay out of my life!” Nick yelled. 

       “Fine, goodbye,” Willa said.  Nick slammed the door.  He went back into the living room and saw Brizee glaring at him.

       “Brizee, I swear, it’s not true, I could never do that to you, you have to believe me,” Nick said kneeling down in front of her.

       “Nick, promise me that you will never hurt me,” Brizee said.

       “I promise with all my heart and soul,” Nick said.

Three months went by and Nick and Brizee were closer than ever. The guys were at the Orlando Arena getting ready for a show.  Brizee was in Nick’s dressing room.  Nick came in all ready to go.  Brizee smiled and got up and went over to him.

       “You look very sexy,” Brizee said kissing his neck.

       “You know how much I like that,” Nick said.

       “I know, baby, I know,” Brizee said.

       “I better go, come on,” Nick said grabbed her hand. They went out and got into the huddle.

       “Backstreet!” they all said.

       “BSB, what time is it?” Kevin said.

       “It’s time for me to go to work, ya all!” they all said.

       “What kind of work?” Kevin said.

       “Hard work!” they all said.  The guys hugged the girls and went on to perform.  The girls went out to the front row to watch. The guys came on and performed Everyone. Brizee only had eyes for Nick. Everywhere he went, her eyes followed.  Leighanne looked at Brizee and smiled, knowing that something was going to happen.  After the show was over, the guys went to shower. The girls went to their guy’s dressing room.  Brizee sat down in Nick’s dressing room.  The door opened and Nick came in and saw her and smiled. He closed the door and locked it and she got up and went over to him and they kissed deeply.  They got their stuff together and went home.  Brizee pulled him up to their bedroom that they recently started sharing.  She closed the door and locked it. She pulled him close and looked up at him.  He looked at her.

       “Nick, I have been thinking a lot lately, I want you to be my first, I want you to make love to me,” Brizee said.

Nick’s eyes widened as he looked at her.  He was speechless.  Should he do it? Should he give in and make love to her? He’s been wanting this ever since he met her. She was ready. But was he ready?

Chapter 10

Brizee looked at him as he stared at her.  She raised her eyebrows.  He cleared his throat.

       “Bri, are you sure about this?” Nick asked.

       “I am very sure, Nick, I want you so bad,” Brizee said.

       “Bri, this might not be the right time,” Nick said.

       “Nick, please, I need you so bad,” Brizee said.  She started kissing his neck.  He grabbed her head and kissed her hard and deep.  He lifted her up and moved over to the bed and laid her on the bed and laid on top of her. She pulled his shirt off.

       “Bri, tell me if you want me to stop, okay,” Nick said.

       “Never, I want this,” Brizee said.  He kissed her deeply.  She ran her hands over his shoulders. 

       “Bri, I have a confession to make,” Nick said.

       “Okay,” Brizee said.

       “I’ve wanted to do this ever since I first met you,” Nick said.  She looked at him.

       “I didn’t want to admit it, but I did, too,” Brizee said.

       “Really?” Nick asked.

       “Yes, I first saw you and I wanted you so badly,” Brizee said.  He smiled and kissed her neck.

       “Nick, I don’t want to go slow,” Brizee said.

       “I want you to enjoy this, you only have one first time, I want you to remember your first time,” Nick said.

       “Okay,” Brizee said. He went back to kissing her neck.  He unbuttoned her blouse and pulled it off of her.  He kissed her neck down to the top of her breasts. He pulled off her pants and she pulled his off.   He lifted her up and unclipped her bra and pulled it off and pushed her panties off.  He gazed at her body and smiled.

       “Beautiful, you are so beautiful,” Nick said.  He kissed her breasts and sucked on the nipples. She moaned in pleasure.

       “My baby girl like that?” Nick asked between kisses.

       “Oh yeah,” Brizee moaned breathing heavily.  He moved down to her stomach.  He pushed her legs open with his hand and moved down and licked her hidden core. 

       “Oh god!” She moaned.

       “You will like this,” Nick said.  He licked her again, only slowly this time.  She grabbed his head and pulled him closer.

       “Oh god, Nick, that feels so good!” Brizee moaned.

       “I knew you would like it,” Nick said.  He licked her again. He then let his tongue enter her.  He made love to her with his tongue.  She came in his mouth.  He moved up and kissed her deeply, letting her taste herself. 

       “You taste good, baby girl,” Nick said.  Brizee smiled and pulled him down for a kiss.  She pulled his clothes off and he laid on top of her. 

       “This is going to hurt, baby girl, I wish it didn’t but it will, you will only feel pain for a little bit but then you will feel pleasure,” Nick said.

       “Do it, Nick, now, please,” Brizee said softly.  He laid between her legs and started to enter her.  He watched her face and watched her close her eyes and saw tears rolling down her cheeks. He entered her all the way and took her virginity.  He cupped her face and wiped her tears away.

       “I’m sorry, baby,” Nick said.

       “It hurts so much,” Brizee cried softly.

       “I know, baby, I know, I have to move, okay, I don’t want to hurt you but I can’t stay still,” Nick said.  He began to move inside her.  He pulled out of her and went right back in.  She wrapped her legs around his waist.  He pulled out and thrusted back in deeper than before.

       “Oh god, Nick!” Brizee cried out.

       “You’re loving this, aren’t you,” Nick said.

       “Oh, yes, god, Nick, more, please,” Brizee moaned.  He pushed in deeper and harder. He pulled out and went back in harder and deeper.

       “Oh god, Nick, I’m coming!” Brizee moaned.

       “Me, too, baby,” Nick said.  He felt her tighten around him.  He came inside her and spilled himself inside her.  He collapsed on top of her and buried his face in her neck.  She held him close. Their breathing slowed as they held each other.

       “Baby, I love you so much,” Nick said.

       “I love you, too,” Brizee said.

       “You okay?” Nick asked.

       “Yeah, I’m okay,” Brizee said.  He kissed her neck and rolled off of her and laid on his back and pulled her close.  He kissed her forehead and held her close.  They fell asleep.

Chapter 11

The next morning, Brizee opened her eyes and looked around and saw that she was in her room.  She sat up and saw that she had clothes on and realized that she dreamed that she and Nick made love.  She got up and went downstairs and saw Nick and Brian sitting at the kitchen table, talking.

       “Hey girl, come here,” Nick said.  She went over and he pulled her down in his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek.

       “Morning, I think,” Brizee said.

       “It’s still morning, baby girl,” Nick said.

       “Okay,” Brizee said.

       “Rough night,” Brian said.

       “It was pretty good actually, I had an awesome dream,” Brizee said.

       “Really, what about,” Brian said.

       “I really can’t say,” Brizee said.

       “Why not,” Nick said as he nuzzled her neck.

       “Because it was just a dream, I don’t need to talk about it,” Brizee said.  Brian shrugged.

       “I gotta go, gotta meet Leighanne, talk to ya later,” Brian said.  He left.  Brizee looked back at Nick.

       “What,” Nick said.

       “I love you,” Brizee said kissing his forehead.

       “I love you, too, now what was your dream about?” Nick asked.

       “You really want to know?” Brizee asked.

       “Yes, I do,” Nick said.

       “I dreamt that you and I were making love last night,” Brizee said. His eyes widened.

       “Wow,” Nick said.

       “Was it really a dream?” Brizee asked.

       “You thought it was real,” Nick said.

       “Well, yeah,” Brizee said.

       “Baby, if it was real, you would’ve woken up with me right beside you,” Nick said.

       “It was a dream,” Brizee said leaning back against him.

       “Yeah, was it good in your dream?” Nick asked.

       “Yes, it was, very good, amazing,” Brizee said.

       “Was I gentle?” Nick asked.

       “Yes, you were,” Brizee said.

       “Good,” Nick said.

That night, Brizee and Nick were cuddled in front of the TV, watching a movie. The phone rang. 

       “Hello,” Brizee said.

       “Hi Brizee, thought I wouldn’t find you, huh,” Adam said.

       “What do you want,” Brizee said.

       “I want you back, Brizee, and I won’t stop until I have you back,” Adam said.

       “Oh really, not in this lifetime,” Brizee said.

       “Why,” Adam said.

       “Let’s see, does cheating on me with my best friend ring any bells,” Brizee said.  Nick looked at her.

       “Brizee, I’m sorry about that, I made a mistake, I love you,” Adam said.

       “Well, I’ve moved on, I have someone else in my life now and you should just move on,” Brizee said.

       “Someone else, huh, is he good in bed?” Adam said.

       “Look, I really don’t want to talk about that,” Brizee said.

       “You know I was your first time, Brizee, you can’t escape that,” Adam said.

       “Please, leave me alone,” Brizee said.  Nick grabbed the phone.

       “Who is this,” Nick said.

       “This is Adam, Brizee’s ex,” Adam said.

       “Look, why don’t you leave her alone, okay, she’s moved on,” Nick said.

       “Who are you,” Adam said.

       “I’m Nick, her boyfriend, okay, leave her alone, okay,” Nick said.  Brizee bit her lip.

       “I don’t have to do what you say, I have to go, bye,” Adam said.  Nick hung up.

       “What,” Brizee said.

       “I don’t think he’ll leave you alone,” Nick said.

       “He won’t get me back,” Brizee said.

       “Whatever he does, I won’t leave you,” Nick said.

       “I could have Billy pretend to be my boyfriend, Adam has this bad habit about people who are bigger than him,” Brizee said. Nick looked at her.

       “You’re joking right, he won’t be scared of me, huh,” Nick said.

       “I was just kidding, but not about the bad habit,” Brizee said.

       “So, I can tower over him and he would run away,” Nick said.

       “Something like that,” Brizee said.

       “Cool,” Nick said.  Brizee smiled.

       “Nick, whatever happens, I don’t want to be with anyone but you, babe,” Brizee said.  Nick smiled and they kissed.  They continued to watch the movie.

Chapter 12

Three weeks went by and Brizee and Nick have gotten closer than before. It seemed that now, no one could break them apart. They were never apart.  Nick, Brizee, Brian, Leighanne, Kevin, Kristin, AJ, Sarah, and Howie were at the Orlando Arena. The guys were onstage.  They went backstage to get something to drink. Leighanne, Kristin, Sarah, and Brizee got onstage.  They were laughing and decided to have a little fun.  The band played the music for the song, Can’t Fight the Moonlight.  Brizee sang lead while Leighanne, Kristin, and Sarah sang backup.  They were having a lot of fun.

Meanwhile backstage…..

The guys heard the music and someone singing. They went out and saw Brizee singing with Leighanne, Kristin, and Sarah. They stood there and watched.  They looked at each other and were in shock.   After the song was over, the guys clapped.  Brizee smiled and blushed.

       “Bri, that was awesome!” Nick said running over and hugging her tightly.

       “Thanks,” Brizee said.

       “You are a great singer, have you ever thought about going into the music business,” Kevin said.

       “No, I haven’t, and I don’t want to, I don’t really want to perform in front of a lot of people,” Brizee said.

       “Bri, you could make it into the big time, you could be famous, you have what it takes,” Nick said.

       “Nick, I just want to be your girlfriend, I don’t want anyone thinking that I’m only dating you to get a record deal, I don’t want that to happen, I just want to be your girl,” Brizee said.

       “Okay, but if you ever change your mind, let one of us know, okay,” Brian said.

       “Okay,” Brizee said.  Nick hugged her close.

That night, Brizee was backstage with Leighanne, Kristin, and Sarah. They were talking about the guys.

       “Girls, I think tonight is the night,” Brizee said.

       “Is Nick going to be your first time?” Kristin asked.

       “No, but it will be the first time for us,” Brizee said.

       “It’s your choice, Bri,” Leighanne said.

       “I really love him, I love him so much,” Brizee said.

       “We know, we can see it,” Leighanne said.

The guys came into the room, ready for the show.  Brizee and Nick hugged.

       “You okay, babe,” Nick said.

       “Oh yeah, especially about later,” Brizee said.

       “Why, what’s later,” Nick said.

       “Nick, I have decided that tonight, I want you to make love to me,” Brizee said quietly.

       “Are you sure,” Nick said. Brizee started kissing his neck.

       “I am very sure, I want you so bad,” Brizee said.

       “Okay, I’ll see you later, baby,” Nick said.  He kissed her neck and hugged her and went to catch up with the guys. Brizee knew that night was going to be special. She couldn’t hardly wait. She knew she was ready to take that step and she knew she loved Nick more than anything. That night is going to be special.

Chapter 13

After the show, Brizee was waiting in Nick’s dressing room.  Leighanne and Kristin came in. 

       “Bri, you have to meet this guy, he is so nice and he gets along with the guys, he just was hired to be the guys’ assistant,” Leighanne said. They went out and they saw the guy talking to the guys.  His back was towards them.

       “Adam, this is Brizee Hardin,” Leighanne said.  Adam turned around and saw her and smiled. 

       “Hi Brizee,” Adam said.

       “No, you stay away from me!” Brizee said.

       “Bri,” Nick said.

       “Guys, this is Adam, my ex,” Brizee said.

       “You’re Adam,” Nick said.

       “Yeah,” Adam said.

       “You bastard!” Leighanne said.

       “What,” Adam said.

       “You hurt her really badly, you cheated on her, you hurt her,” Leighanne said.

       “Brizee, I’m really sorry, I was out of my mind, I love you, you know I love you, please give me another chance,” Adam said.

       “Sure, Adam, I’ll give you another chance,” Brizee said.

       “Bri!” Nick and Leighanne said.

       “In another lifetime, Adam, I don’t want to be with you ever again! You hurt me! I moved on, okay, I’m no longer hurting, I found someone else, someone who loves, someone who I know will never hurt me like you did!” Brizee said angrily.

       “Adam, you are no longer welcome here, as of now, you are fired and you are not to be seen anywhere near us or Brizee,” Kevin said.

       “Fine, you are nothing but a slut,” Adam said before walking off.  Leighanne ran after him and slapped him and Kevin knocked him out.  Lonnie and Billy took him out.  Brizee looked at Nick.  He came over and pulled her to his dressing room.  He closed the door and locked it.  He pulled her close.

       “I love you,” Nick said.

       “I love you, too,” Brizee said. He kissed her deeply.  They moved over to the couch and collapsed on it.  Nick laid on top of her as they kissed. 

       “I want you, Nick,” Brizee said as Nick kissed her neck.

       “Let’s go home, baby girl,” Nick said getting up.  He pulled her up and they went home.  He closed the front door and locked it and turned and Brizee jumped on him and he carried her upstairs to their bedroom.  He closed the door and locked it.  He turned and found her gone.

       “Bri, baby,” Nick said.

       “I’m in the bathroom, I’ll be right out,” Brizee said.  Nick sat down on the bed.  He took his shirt off and his shoes and socks.  He turned off some lights and lit some candles.  He turned and saw Brizee standing at the doorway of the bathroom in a green silk nightie.  She came over to him and ran her hands down his chest.

       “Bri,” Nick said softly.

       “Like it?” Brizee said.

       “Oh yes, very much,” Nick said kissing her neck.  He pulled her close and kissed her hungrily.  She reached for the button of his jeans and unbuttoned them and they fell to the floor. Nick stepped out of them. Brizee pushed his boxers off.  He pulled off the nightie and ripped her panties off. They moved towards the bed.  Brizee laid on the bed.  Nick laid on top of her and gazed over her body.

       “You are so beautiful,” Nick said huskily before kissing her lips and moving to her neck.  Her hands ran over his shoulders.

       “Nick, I need you, now,” Brizee said softly.

       “Not yet, baby girl, I want to love you with my mouth,” Nick said huskily.  He moved down and moved her legs apart.  He licked her hidden folds.  She moaned.  He smiled and licked her again.  He made love to her with his tongue.  She grabbed his head and pulled him closer.  She came into his mouth.  He moved up and kissed her and she tasted herself.

       “You taste good, baby girl,” Nick said before kissing her again.  She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close. She pushed him onto his back and got on top of him. She started kissing his neck.

       “It’s your turn, baby,” Brizee said.  She moved down and kissed his chest.  He moaned and she smiled.  She kissed his stomach.  He groaned.

       “Baby,” Nick said.

       “Nick, you are so sexy, everything about you is sexy, you have one sexy body,” Brizee said.  He smiled. She moved down and licked the top of his length. 

       “Oh baby,” Nick moaned.  She smiled and took him into her mouth.  She sucked, caressed, and bit his length.  He came into her mouth and she swallowed every drop.  She moved up and laid beside him.  He rolled over on top.

       “I want you, Nick, now,” Brizee said.  He laid between her legs and pushed himself inside her.  He kissed her deeply.  She wrapped her legs around his waist and pushed him deeper.  He moaned and pulled out and went right back in.  Their hips moved together. 

       “Baby, you feel so good,” Nick said as he kissed her neck.

       “Oh god, Nick!” Brizee moaned.  She tightened around him.  She came with him right behind her.  He spilled himself inside her. He collapsed on top of her and buried his face in her neck.

       “God, I love you so much, Bri,” Nick said.

       “I love you, too,” Brizee said.  He rolled off and laid beside her.  He pulled her close and kissed her forehead.  They fell asleep holding each other.

Chapter 14

Brizee opened her eyes and saw Nick laying there beside her.  She smiled and snuggled up to him.  He stirred and opened his eyes and looked at her and smiled.

       “Morning, gorgeous,” Nick said sleepily.

       “Morning, did we make love last night?” Brizee asked.

       “Oh yes, we did,” Nick said.

       “Oh good, it wasn’t a dream,” Brizee said.

       “How was it, baby,” Nick said.

       “Amazing,” Brizee said.

       “Good,” Nick said kissing her forehead.  She got up and wrapped the blanket around her.

       “Where are you going?” Nick asked.

       “The bathroom,” Brizee said.

       “Okay, come right back,” Nick said.

She went into the bathroom and closed the door and locked it.  She looked in the mirror and saw that she was glowing. She smiled and sighed happily. She heard a voice in her head. ‘You are nothing but a slut’  She leaned against the wall. She slid down and sat there thinking of what Adam said.  She started crying softly. There was a knock at the door.

       “Baby, you okay in there,” Nick said.  She got up and opened the door.  He looked at her and pulled her close and held her.

       “Nick, I love you so much!” Brizee said.

       “I love you, too, baby,” Nick said.

       “Hold me, Nick, please,” Brizee said.  He sat her down and sat beside her and hugged her close. 

       “Baby, what’s wrong,” Nick said.

       “Do you think I’m a slut,” Brizee said.

       “What!” Nick said.

       “Adam called me a slut, do you think I’m a slut,” Brizee said.  Nick pushed her down on the bed and got on top of her.

       “No, you are not a slut, Adam is a jerk and needs to get a life, you are not a slut, how many guys have you slept with,” Nick said.  Brizee looked at him.

       “Adam was my first time, we only did it that one time, then last night with you was my second time,” Brizee said.

       “See, you aren’t a slut, you are my girl, okay, I love you more than anything in the world, I never want to lose you, okay,” Nick said.  Brizee smiled.

       “I love you, too, I don’t want to lose you, either,” Brizee said.  They began making out.  The doorbell rang. Nick groaned. He got up and put a shirt on and went downstairs and opened the door and saw Brian and Leighanne standing there. 

       “Hey you two, come on in,” Nick said.     

       “Nick, we’ve got a problem, Adam is suing us,” Brian said.

       “What!” Nick said.

       “He wants Brizee, or he’ll go to the press,” Brian said.

       “He wants my girlfriend, I don’t think so, she doesn’t want to be with him,” Nick said.

       “He said he’ll go to the press if he doesn’t get her,” Brian said.  Nick sat down.

       “I can’t lose her, Frick, I can’t,” Nick said.

       “Nick, I have to do this,” Brizee said.

       “Bri, no, I’m not going to let you, we can hold a press conference and tell them ourselves,” Nick said.

       “What does he have for the press,” Brizee said.

       “He said he’ll expose us as liars, I don’t know why, we didn’t do anything,” Brian said.

       “Nick, please, let me go to him, let him have me,” Brizee said.  Nick looked at her.

       “Bri, I love you, I don’t want to lose you, please, let us handle this, baby, please,” Nick said.

       “I’m sorry, Nick, but I can’t take that chance,” Brizee said.  She kissed him deeply and got her purse and left.  Nick sat down.  Nick looked at Brian.

       “Why did she do this,” Nick said.

       “Because she loves you,” Brian said.

       “We could’ve handled this, I mean, why would he blackmail us when he’s a jerk,” Nick said.

       “I don’t know, Nick, but it has to be something really big to ruin our careers,” Brian said.  Brian and Leighanne left.  Nick sat there with tears in his eyes. He laid down on the couch and fell asleep.

Chapter 15

Brizee arrived at Adam’s house.  She rang the doorbell.  Adam opened the door and saw her and smiled.

       “Come in,” Adam said.  She went in and he closed the door and locked it.

       “What is wrong with you, Adam, why can’t you move on,” Brizee said.

       “Because I love you,” Adam said.

       “Well I don’t love you, I don’t think I ever did, Nick is the one I love, give up and move on,” Brizee said.  Adam came over to me.

       “You know I don’t have anything on your guys, I just said that to get you, and it worked, you are mine now,” Adam said grabbing my arm.

       “How dare you!” Brizee said as she tried to pull away.

       “You are mine, you were mine, first, you slept with him, didn’t you,” Adam said.

       “Let me go,” Brizee said.

       “You did, didn’t you, you are a slut, come on,” Adam said.  He dragged her upstairs.  He pulled her into the bedroom and closed the door. He pushed her on the bed and got on top of her.  He smiled and kissed her neck.  She tried to fight but he held her down.

       “Fight and I will hurt you,” Adam said.

       “You are hurting me!” Brizee said. Adam tore her clothes off and pulled his off and he raped her.  After he was done with her, he put his clothes back on and tied her to the bed.  He left the room.  Brizee laid there crying.

Meanwhile…..

Brian and Nick were talking at the studio.  Nick was still upset for losing Brizee to Adam.  Kevin, AJ, and Howie came in.

       “Okay, it was all a lie, Adam has nothing on us, he just said he did to get Brizee back,” Kevin said.

       “That bastard, we have to find Brizee,” Nick said running out the door.  They all searched the city for Adam’s house.  They arrived back at Nick’s house.

       “Dammit, we don’t know where he lives,” Nick said.

       “We can’t give up,” Kevin said.

       “We’ll find her, Nick, we will call the cops, get the bodyguards to help,” Brian said.

       “We have to find her!” Nick said.

       “We will, Nick, we won’t give up,” AJ said. 

Two days went by and no one has found Brizee.  The cops were searching everywhere.  Nick and Brian went to a house and rang the doorbell.  The door opened and there stood Adam.  Brian pulled him out and the cops arrested him.  Nick searched the house and found Brizee tied up in the bedroom. She was naked. She was asleep.  He went to her and untied her.

       “No, leave me alone,” Brizee said scared.  Nick looked at her.  She opened her eyes and saw him.

       “Hey baby, it’s me,” Nick said. 

       “Nick!” Brizee said wrapped her arms around him. He wrapped her up in a blanket.

       “What did he do,” Nick said.

       “He raped me, repeatedly,” Brizee said crying. He carried her out and took her to the hospital. He sat in the waiting room. An hour later, a doctor came out.

       “Mr. Carter, I’m Dr. Santos,” The doctor said.

       “How’s Brizee?” Nick said as Brian, Leighanne, Kevin, Kristin, AJ, Sarah, and Howie arrived.

       “She was raped, she said about three times, and it was painful, we gave her the day after pill to prevent her from getting pregnant by him, she has a few bruises, but she will be fine, she will be released soon,” Dr. Santos said.

       “Thank you,” Nick said.  Dr. Santos went back down the hall.

       “She’s okay, Nick,” Brian said.  Brizee came out in scrubs. Nick came forward.  He hugged her.

       “I want to go home,” Brizee said.

       “Come on,” Nick said. He took her home. She changed into one of his jerseys and a pair of shorts and she laid on the bed.

       “Nick, I love you,” Brizee said.

       “I love you, too, don’t leave me again, Bri, I’m lost without you,” Nick said.  She pulled him down.  He held her close. Brizee fell asleep in Nick’s arms. Nick holds her close and swears never to let her go again.

Chapter 16

Brizee woke up the next morning and saw Nick’s head laying on her stomach.  She smiled.  She ran her hands through his hair. He stirred and opened his eyes and saw her and smiled.

       “Hey baby girl, sleep well,” Nick said.

       “Yeah, in your arms, I felt safe,” Brizee said.

       “I wouldn’t let anything happen to you, not anymore,” Nick said. Brizee smiled.

       “What was I thinking, if I didn’t leave to go to him, none of this would’ve happened, he had nothing on you guys and I went to him, I was so stupid,” Brizee said.

       “Bri, it’s over now, he’s in jail,” Nick said.

       “They will let him out,” Brizee said.

       “No, they won’t,” Nick said.

       “What,” Brizee said.

       “Bri, he raped you, that’s a crime, he held you against your will, he tied you to a bed and raped you, he’ll be in jail for awhile,” Nick said.

       “Nick, I should not have gone over there!” Brizee said.  Nick held her close.

       “You thought that what he was doing was wrong and you wanted to stop him, baby, we knew he didn’t have anything on us, he was just trying to get you back,” Nick said.

       “But I went over there, he got me, Nick, he hurt me,” Brizee said with tears.

       “I know, baby, it’s over, you are safe, you are with me,” Nick said.  Brizee smiled through her tears.

       “This is where I want to be, Nick, with you, in your arms,” Brizee said. 

       “That’s good, because I’m not letting you go,” Nick said.

       “I don’t want you to,” Brizee said.

That afternoon, they went over to Brian and Leighanne’s for a barbecue. Brizee sat down on a lounge chair.

       “Hey girl,” Leighanne said sitting down in the chair beside her.  Brizee smiled.

       “Hey,” Brizee said.

       “Bri, I’m glad you are okay, we all are, we were worried sick, but you are okay and with Nick, everything is fine now, let’s talk,” Leighanne said.

       “How are things between you and Brian?” I asked.

       “Great, the best, I love married life,” Leighanne said.

       “I can’t wait to get married, you and Brian make it seem so much fun,” Brizee said.

       “Do you want to marry Nick?” Leighanne said.

       “I know he’s the one for me, but we haven’t been together that long,” Brizee said.

       “You love him, don’t you,” Leighanne said.

       “Yes, I do,” Brizee said.

       “You know he loves you,” Leighanne said.

       “I know he does, Leigh, but it’s not the right time in the relationship, we need time to just be together,” Brizee said.

       “Okay, okay, how about you and Nick and me and Brian all go out for dinner tomorrow night,” Leighanne said.

       “I’ll talk to Nick,” Brizee said.

       “Talk to me about what, babe,” Nick said sitting down on the lounge chair beside her.

       “Want to go to dinner with Leighanne and Brian tomorrow night,” Brizee said.

       “Sure,” Nick said.

       “Okay, we’ll pick you two up at six-thirty,” Leighanne said.

       “How do we dress?” Nick asked.

       “Formal, we are going to go to Bernhard’s,” Leighanne said.

       “Okay, we’ll be ready,” Nick said.

       “I need to look at my dresses,” Brizee said.

       “Let me know if you don’t have one, we’ll go shopping if you don’t,” Leighanne said.

       “Okay,” Brizee said.

The next day, Brizee and Leighanne were dress shopping.  Brizee was looking at dresses.

       “How about this one?” Brizee asked holding up a black dress.  It was silk with spaghetti straps. 

       “Go try it on, let’s see you in it,” Leighanne said.  Brizee went and changed. She came out. The skirt of the dress came to her knees. Leighanne smiled.

       “You look great,” Leighanne said.

       “Really, think Nick will like it?” Brizee said.

       “Brizee, when he sees you in that dress, he won’t be thinking about dinner,” Leighanne said.  Brizee smiled. She went and changed back and paid for the dress and headed home.

Chapter 17

Brizee went into the house and sat down at Nick’s computer and logged on and checked her email.  She got emails from her online friends, Theresa and Brittany. They were coming to Florida.  She looked and saw that they were coming today.  She got the info and went to the airport. She went to the first terminal where the flight from Iowa was coming in.  She stood there.  Her cell phone rang.

       “Hello,” Brizee said.

       “Hey baby girl, where are ya?” Nick asked.

       “At the airport, a couple of friends of mine are coming in and I’m meeting them here, I didn’t know they were coming until today,” Brizee said.

       “Oh, okay, I was just worried,” Nick said.

       “I’m fine, Nick, Billy is with me, I’ll be okay,” Brizee said as Billy came up to her.

       “I love you,” Nick said.

       “Love you, too, bye,” Brizee said. She hung up as the passengers got off the plane.

       “Excuse me, are you Brizee?” a girl asked.

       “Yes, I am,” Brizee said. 

       “It’s me, Theresa,” she said.

       “Hey girl, how are ya,” Brizee said as they hugged.

       “I’m great, I’ve always wanted to come here, now I have an excuse, I get to meet you in person!” Theresa said. 

       “Come on, Britt’s coming in,” Brizee said.  They went to the terminal and waited. 

       “So, where are you staying,” Theresa said.

       “You’ll find out,” Brizee said smiling.

       “Who’s this big guy,” Theresa said looking at Billy.

       “I’m Billy, Brizee’s bodyguard,” Billy said.

       “Bodyguard, girl, what do you need a bodyguard for?” Theresa said.

       “My boyfriend thinks I need one just so I would be safe,” Brizee said.  The passengers got off.  They saw a girl who looked young. She was looking around.  She came over to them.

       “Brizee, Theresa?” she asked.

       “Yeah,” they said.

       “It’s me, Brittany,” she said.

       “Little sis, how are ya!” Brizee and Theresa said as they hugged.

       “I’m glad to be here and see my two online big sisters,” Brittany said.

       “Well, come on, do you have your bags?” Brizee asked.

       “Yeah,” Brittany said.

       “Let’s go, I’ve got a surprise for you both,” Brizee said.

They went to Nick’s house.  Brittany and Theresa got out.

       “Wow, Brizee, this is great!” Theresa said.

       “I know,” Brizee said. The front door opened and Brian came running out with Nick behind him.

       “I’m going to get you, Frick!” Nick said.  Nick tackled Brian and they wrestled.

       “Brizee, is this the surprise?” Theresa asked.

       “Yup, Nick’s my boyfriend,” Brizee said.

       “Brian, Nick, guys, cut it out!” Leighanne said.

       “Is that Leighanne?” Brittany asked.

       “Yeah,” Brizee said. Leighanne made her way down to them.

       “Hi girl, Nick told us where you went, hi, I’m Leighanne Littrell,” Leighanne said. She shook Theresa’s hand and Brittany’s hand.

       “What started this,” Brizee said. Leighanne told them.

       “Nickolas Gene Carter!” Brizee said.  Nick and Brian stopped and saw them.

       “Uh-oh, Nick’s in trouble,” Brian said.  Nick got up and came over.  Brizee looked at him.

       “Bri, come on, I almost had him!” Nick said.

       “We have guests, Nick, this is Theresa and Brittany, I met them online and we have been talking for months,” Brizee said.

       “Hi,” Nick said.

       “I can’t believe this,” Theresa said.

       “They are speechless because they are meeting you guys,” Brizee said.

       “Hey, we are just normal guys, we may be famous but we are normal,” Nick said.

       “Can I meet Kevin?” Theresa asked.

       “Sure, let’s have a barbecue tomorrow and invite everyone over,” Leighanne said.

       “We would tonight, but we have this double date thing,” Nick said. 

       “Double date?” Brittany asked.

       “Yeah, me and Bri and Brian and Leighanne,” Nick said.

       “So, we’ll be home alone,” Theresa said.

       “Sorry, sis,” Brizee said.

       “Do you have movies?” Brittany asked.

       “Oh yeah, sure do,” Nick said.

       “We won’t be gone all night, it’s just dinner,” Brizee said.

       “It’s cool, we can hang out and get to know each other, and then we’ll hang out with you tomorrow, if that’s okay,” Theresa said. Brizee smiled.

       “Yes, it is,” Brizee said.

       “Uh-oh,” Nick said.

       “What,” Brizee said.

       “I made plans tomorrow, just you and me, I was going to take you out of my boat,” Nick said.

       “Nick, can we go some other time, I want to get to know Theresa and Brittany,” Brizee said.

       “Bri,” Nick said.  Brizee grabbed his head and kissed him hungrily.  Brian shook his head.  Leighanne smiled.  Theresa and Brittany giggled.

       “Please,” Brizee said.

       “Okay, okay, you win,” Nick said. Brizee smiled.

       “That’s settled, come on, Leigh, let’s get ready,” Brizee said.  Leighanne and Brizee led Theresa and Brittany into the house and showed them their rooms. Then Leighanne and Brizee went to get ready.

Chapter 18

That night when Nick and Brizee arrived home, they found Theresa and Brittany sitting around.

       “Hey you two, have fun?” Theresa said.  Nick smiled and went on.  Brizee sat down.

       “What’s up with him?” Brittany asked.

       “We just found out that Kristin left Kevin,” Brizee said.

       “What, why?” Brittany asked.

       “We don’t know, she filed for a divorce,” Brizee said.

The doorbell rang. Brizee got up and opened the door and saw Kevin.  He came in.

       “Hey Kev, we heard what happened,” Brizee said.

       “Am I a bad person?” Kevin asked.

       “No, you aren’t,” Brizee said.  Kevin hugged her and came in and saw Theresa and Brittany.

       “Kev, this is Theresa and Brittany,” Brizee said.

       “Hi Kevin,” Theresa said.

       “Hi,” Brittany said.

       “How old are they?” Kevin asked.

       “I’m 26,” Theresa said.

       “I’m 16,” Brittany said.

       “Only a year older than Aaron,” Kevin said.

       “Yup,” Brittany said.

       “Where’s Nick?” Kevin asked.

       “He went upstairs,” Brizee said.

       “Nice to meet you both, will you be at the barbecue tomorrow?” Kevin asked.

       “Yeah,” Theresa said.

       “Ok, we’ll talk tomorrow,” Kevin said. He went upstairs.  Brizee sat down. Theresa sat beside her.

       “Bri, does Nick know about Adam?” Theresa asked.

       “You could say that,” Brizee said.  Brizee told them what happened.  Theresa hugged her.

       “Oh sis, I’m sorry,” Theresa said.

       “Britt, T, Nick can’t know about the real reason Adam and I broke up,” Brizee said with tears in her eyes.

       “You didn’t tell him,” Theresa said.

       “No, I can’t, then Nick will think I’m a slut,” Brizee said.

       “Bri, you aren’t a slut, you were raped repeatedly,” Theresa said.  Brizee started crying softly.  Theresa hugged her.

       “I can’t tell him, I can’t,” Brizee said crying. Nick and Kevin came downstairs.  Brizee dried her eyes and put a smile on her face.  Kevin waved and left.  Nick came in and sat down beside her.  He looked at me.

       “Have you been crying?” Nick asked.

       “No, just my allergies acting up again,” Brizee said.

       “What’s going on,” Nick said.

       “Nothing,” Brizee said.

       “Bri, please, talk to me,” Nick said.

       “I lied to you, Nick,” Brizee said.

       “You lied, about what?” Nick asked.

       “The reason Adam and I broke up, that was a lie, Adam wasn’t cheating on me, I was cheating on him, when he found out, he raped me, then I entered this contest, hoping that I would win so I could get away from him, I did win and here I am,” Brizee said crying.

       “You two knew about this?” Nick asked Theresa and Brittany.  They slowly nodded.

       “Bri, how could you lie to me, you could have told me, I would’ve understood,” Nick said.

       “Nick, she was scared,” Theresa said.

       “She doesn’t have to be scared around me, Bri, you know you can tell me anything, you didn’t have to lie to me,” Nick said.

       “I wanted to forget about it, I didn’t want to bring it up,” Brizee said.

       “Instead it was eating you up inside, I can’t believe this, I believe in total honesty and you can’t even be honest to me!” Nick said.

       “Nick, I’m sorry!” Brizee said crying.

       “I’m going to stay at Brian’s for awhile, I need time to think, I don’t know when I’ll be back, but it won’t be tonight,” Nick said.

       “Nick, please!” Brizee said crying.

       “Don’t, I can’t even look at you right now!” Nick said angrily before walking to the door.  Brizee broke down crying. Theresa and Brittany tried their best to comfort her.  They felt helpless but knew they had to be there for her. 

Chapter 19

Brizee laid in bed.  Theresa and Brittany stood there watching their friend.  Theresa looked at Brittany.  They went downstairs. 

       “Britt, we have to do something, she hasn’t gotten out of bed in three days, we need to talk to Nick,” Theresa said.

       “But we don’t know where Brian lives,” Brittany said.

       “He lives in Atlanta, come on, there has to be a phone number somewhere,” Theresa said.  Brittany found the number and dialed the number.

       “Hello,” Leighanne said.

       “Leighanne, this is Brittany, Bri’s friend,” Brittany said.

       “Hi Brittany, how are you,” Leighanne said.

       “I’m fine, it’s Bri that I’m worried about,” Brittany said.

       “How she doing,” Leighanne said.

       “She hasn’t gotten out of bed in three days, she hasn’t eaten or slept, all she does is lay there and cry,” Brittany said.

       “Oh my god, I’m coming down, okay,” Leighanne said.

       “Okay, is Nick there?” Brittany asked.

       “No, he left yesterday and went to California to visit his family,” Leighanne said.

       “Damn,” Brittany said.

       “Okay, so I will be there, okay,” Leighanne said.

       “Okay, bye,” Brittany said.  She hung up.

       “Well,” Theresa said.

       “Leighanne is coming down, Nick left yesterday and went to California to visit his family,” Brittany said.

       “Dammit,” Theresa said.

       “What are we going to do, Bri needs Nick,” Brittany said.

Three hours later, Leighanne arrived and went upstairs to the bedroom and saw Brizee.

       “Bri,” Leighanne said.  Brizee looked at her.

       “Where is he,” Brizee said.

       “He left yesterday, he went to California,” Leighanne said.

       “I need him, Leigh, I love him so much, I hurt him, I mean, I lied to him!” Brizee said.

       “I know, I understand why you lied, you didn’t want to talk about it, you want to forget it, Brian and I tried to convince him, but he didn’t want to listen,” Leighanne said.

       “Does he want me to leave?” Brizee asked.

       “No, he doesn’t, he didn’t say that, he said he needed time, but he didn’t want you to leave,” Leighanne said.

       “I can’t lose him!” Brizee cried. Leighanne hugged her as she cried. Leighanne looked at Theresa and Brittany and they all wondered the same thing, will Nick come back?

Chapter 20

The next day, Leighanne, Theresa, and Brittany were sitting around the living room.  Kevin came in.  Theresa got up and they went out back.  Leighanne and Brittany talked.  The door opened and closed and Nick came in.

       “Nick,” Leighanne said.

       “Where’s Bri?” Nick asked.

       “She’s upstairs in bed, where she has been for the last four days, she hasn’t gotten up for anything,” Brittany said. Nick went upstairs. He walked in and saw the bed empty. He looked at the balcony and saw her out there. He went out there.

       “Hey,” Nick said.

       “Nick,” Brizee said.

       “I’m sorry, I should’ve understood why you didn’t tell me,” Nick said.

       “Yes, you should’ve,” Brizee said.

       “I want to make it up to you, I promise you that I will never leave you again,” Nick said.

       “Can we not talk about Adam anymore, or any exes,” Brizee said.

       “Yes,” Nick said.  She hugged him.

Three months later, the guys were on tour.  Brizee, Theresa, and Brittany were on tour with them.  Theresa and Kevin were now a couple.  They were in Boston. 

       “You aren’t going to LA,” Nick said.

       “Nick, come on, Daniel’s wife is having a baby, someone’s gotta go with him for support,” Brizee said.

       “Who else is going?” Nick asked.

       “Theresa, we are going with Daniel,” Brizee said.

       “Bri, I need you with me, I had a dream last night, I dreamt that something bad is going to happen,” Nick said.

       “Nick, it was just a dream,” Brizee said.

       “But it seemed real, I think something bad is going to happen to you,” Nick said.

       “Nick, I’ll be fine,” Brizee said.

       “I don’t want you to go,” Nick said.

       “You really think you are going to lose me, don’t you,” Brizee said.

       “Yes, I need you to be with me all the time, I don’t want to lose you,” Nick said.

       “Nick, I love you, you won’t lose me, I’ll be back before you know it,” Brizee said. Daniel and Theresa came up to them.

       “Ready to go,” Theresa said.

       “Yeah,” Brizee said.  Nick kissed Brizee.

       “Be careful, baby,” Nick said.

       “I will,” Brizee said. They left for the airport.  Nick got on his bus to head for Canada. He sat down.  He laid down and went to sleep.  He woke up and saw that the bus was stopped. He got up and went up and saw Bud talking to a cop.

       “What’s going on,” Nick said.

       “Two planes hit the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center,” Bud said.

       “We were asked to stop every vehicle heading to the border,” the cop said.

       “I’m clear, I’m a Backstreet Boy,” Nick said.

       “Nick Carter,” the cop said.

       “Yeah,” Nick said.  The cop nodded.

       “Okay, you can go,” the cop said. He got off and Bud drove across the border. Nick laid down and turned on the TV and watched the news.

       “The hijacked flights that hit the Twin Towers, the first plane that hit the tower was bound for Los Angeles, the second flight was bound for San Francisco,” the reporter said.

       “Oh god no!” Nick said sitting up. He dialed Brian’s cell phone.

       “Hello,” Brian said.

       “Brian, where are you,” Nick said.

       “At the border,” Brian said.

       “One of the planes was suppose to go to LA!” Nick said.

       “Oh shit, Danny,” Brian said.

       “Bri and Theresa were going with him!” Nick said crying.

       “Oh gawd,” Brian said.

       “Call Kevin, see if he can find out if Theresa and Bri got on that flight!” Nick said crying.

       “I will, just stay calm, man,” Brian said. Nick hung up and laid down.

       “Please, god, let her be okay!” Nick said as he cried. His cell phone rang.

       “Hello,” Nick said.

       “Nick, it’s Kev, Brian called and told me, man, as far as I know, they got on the flight, but I left before it was due to take off,” Kevin said.

       “NO!” Nick cried.

       “Nick, calm down, just pray that she wasn’t on there, just like I am for Theresa,” Kevin said.

       “Bye,” Nick said.  Nick curled up on the couch and cried.

Chapter 21

Nick arrived in Toronto.  He got off the bus at the hotel and went in.  He saw AJ and Howie.

       “Man, how you doing,” AJ said.

       “Terrible,” Nick said.

       “Come on,” Howie said. They went up to Nick’s room. Nick laid down on the couch.

       “Man, do you know if she got on the flight,” AJ said.

       “Kevin said he left before the flight was due to leave, he said that as far as he knows, she and Theresa got on the flight,” Nick said.

       “Did you call the airport,” Howie said.

       “Can’t get through,” Nick said.

       “Man, we are sorry,” AJ said.

       “I loved her so much, I knew something bad was going to happen!” Nick said crying.  Howie and AJ left him alone. They walked out into the hall.

       “Man, why did we leave him alone?” AJ asked.

       “Bone, he just lost the woman he loves, he needs time alone,” Howie said. They went to their rooms.

That evening, Brian and Kevin arrived and they all were at the venue.  Nick wasn’t onstage with the guys.

       “Where’s Nick,” Kevin said.

       “Up there,” Brian said. Kevin looked and saw Nick out in the seats.  He made his way up to Nick.

       “Hey,” Kevin said.

       “She said I wouldn’t lose her,” Nick said softly.

       “Nick, none of us knew this was going to happen,” Kevin said.

       “I lost her, I lost the woman I love, Kev, I can’t do this, how can I go on,” Nick said crying.

       “Nick, she’s in your heart, that’s where she will always be, in your heart,” Kevin said.

       “I need her here!” Nick said crying.

       “Nick!” They heard someone yell. They looked and saw Theresa and Brizee onstage. Nick and Kevin ran down. Nick ran to Brizee and hugged her tight.

       “Oh god, baby, I thought I lost you!” Nick said.

       “Daniel told us to go on with you guys, we got on a plane here and when the attacks happened, we had to land in Buffalo, New York, we rented a car and drove up here,” Brizee said. Nick kissed her deeply. Theresa and Kevin were kissing.  Nick and Brizee went off on their own. Nick hugged her tight.

       “Thank god you’re all right, I was so scared, I thought you were on that flight,” Nick said.

       “But Danny was,” Brizee said sadly.

       “I know,” Nick said.

       “Kellie is due to give birth, god, to know what she’s going through right now, it’s heartbreaking,” Brizee said.

       “Tonight’s show is dedicated to Danny,” Nick said.

       “That’s good, he was a hard worker, wasn’t he,” Brizee said.

       “Yeah, and a great friend,” Nick said.

       “He saved us, Nick, he saved us from going on that flight,” Brizee said.

       “I love you so much,” Nick said.

       “I love you, too, I told you that you wouldn’t lose me,” Brizee said.

       “I know and you were so right, baby,” Nick said hugging her close. They went back up and the guys hugged Brizee.  They went onto practice.

Chapter 22

It’s been three months since everything happened. It was New Year’s Eve.  Brian and Leighanne went to Kentucky. Kevin and Theresa went to Iowa to be with her family. AJ and Sarah were with Denise.  Nick and Brizee flew to LA to be with Nick’s family. Howie stayed in Orlando with his family. Brittany went home to her parents with the promise that she will return in January.  Her parents agreed to let her move down to Florida and go to high school in Tampa. She was going to live with Denise.  Theresa was going to move in with Kevin.  Nick and Brizee arrived at the Carters.  Jane came out and hugged Nick.

       “Hi honey,” Jane said hugging Nick tight.

       “Hey Mom,” Nick said. Jane looked at me.

       “I’m Brizee, Nick’s girlfriend,” Brizee said.

       “It’s so nice to meet you, Brizee, Nick couldn’t stop talking about you, it feels like we already know you, come on in, let’s party,” Jane said. They followed her in. 

       “Bri, this is my Dad, Bob, my sisters, BJ, Leslie, and Angel, and this is Aaron,” Nick said.

       “Hi” Brizee said.

       “Hi Brizee,” Bob said as they shook hands. 

       “Hi Brizee,” BJ, Leslie, and Angel said.

       “Hi Brizee,” Aaron said.

       “You can call me Bri if you want to, Nick and the guys call me that,” Brizee said. They all sat down and talked.

Later that night, a lot of people were over.  Nick was dressed in slacks, a shirt with a tie. He looked around and saw Brizee talking with BJ and Leslie. He smiled at her dress. She was wearing a black dress. It had spaghetti straps and the skirt went mid-thigh. Her hair was up and she wore a little makeup. BJ and Leslie went on.  Brizee looked around and took a sip of her water. He went over and slipped his arms around her waist from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder.

       “Did anyone tell you that you are the most beautiful woman in the room,” Nick said huskily.

       “No, but you just did,” Brizee said.

       “I love you,” Nick said kissing her neck.

       “I love you, too,” Brizee said smiling.

       “You smell so good, baby,” Nick said quietly.

       “Thank you, sexy,” Brizee whispered.

       “God I want you so bad,” Nick said.

       “We can’t, you know,” Brizee said.

       “I know, this is torture,” Nick said. Jane came over to them.

       “Are you two having a good time?” Jane asked.

       “Yeah, Mom, great party,” Nick said.

       “Nick, can I talk to you for a minute,” Jane said.  He kissed Brizee’s cheek and followed his mother out the door. Brizee went up to the bedroom that she was staying in. She found her locket and went to put it on when she saw Bob standing there. He closed the door.

       “We need to talk,” Bob said.

       “Okay,” Brizee said.

       “Please sit down,” Bob said. Brizee sat down on the bed.

       “What’s up,” Brizee said.

       “I know you are using my son, I want it to stop now,” Bob said. Brizee’s eyes widened.

       “I am not using Nick, I love him,” Brizee said.

       “I can see that you are, I know one when I see one, Mandy was like that, she used him to get a record deal,” Bob said.

       “I’m not using Nick!” Brizee said.

       “Prove it, if you aren’t using Nick, break it off,” Bob said.

       “No, I won’t, I am not using Nick, okay, I love him more than life itself!” Brizee said crying.

       “You are using him, admit it!” Bob said.  Nick came in.

       “I won’t admit it because it ain’t true!” Brizee said crying.

       “Dad, stop this!” Nick said.

       “Nick, she is using you!” Bob said.

       “No, I’m not!” Brizee cried. Nick grabbed my bags.

       “Come on, Bri, we are going home,” Nick said. Brizee got up and started to walk out but Bob grabbed her arm. Jane came in and got her bags. Jane took her arm. Bob held Nick back.

       “No!” Nick said angrily.  Jane threw Brizee’s bags out on the lawn and pushed her out.

       “If we ever see you again, I will get a restraining order, get off our property,” Jane said. She closed the door. Brizee stood there crying. She got her bags and walked to the airport. She got on a flight to Kentucky.  She rented a car and drove to the Littrells’.  She went up and rang the doorbell. She rang it again. It was five in the morning. The door opened and a sleepy Brian stood there.

       “Bri,” Brian said. Brizee burst out crying and Brian took her in his arms. He brought her inside and closed the door. He sat her on the couch as she cried softly. She told him what happened.

       “I love him so much, Brian,” Brizee cried softly.

       “I know, sweetie, I know, and Nick loves you, too,” Brian said.  Brizee cried softly.  Leighanne came downstairs.

       “What’s going on,” Leighanne said. Brizee told her the story. Leighanne hugged her. Brian went into the kitchen.

       “God, Leigh, I’m not using Nick,” Brizee said softly crying.

       “I know,” Leighanne whispered. Jackie came downstairs.

       “Brizee,” Jackie said as she sat down. Leighanne told her what happened.

       “Jackie, I’m sorry if I woke you up,” Brizee said.

       “It’s okay, sweetie, you must be tired, come on, I’ll make up the guest room,” Jackie said.

An hour later, Brizee was laying in bed staring out the window.  She started crying softly.  She fell asleep.  The next morning, Brizee woke up and sat up.  She remembered what happened and laid back down and cried quietly.  She got up and changed clothes and went downstairs.  Brian came over to her.

       “How are you feeling,” Brian said.

       “Like my heart was ripped to shreds,” Brizee said.

       “I called out to Jane and Bob’s, BJ said that Nick is still there, fighting with Jane and Bob,” Brian said.

       “Maybe I should go back home to Missouri,” Brizee said.

       “No, Bri, no matter what, Nick won’t call it quits, he won’t care what his parents think, he loves you more than life itself and he doesn’t want to live without you,” Brian said.

       “Oh god, Brian, his parents don’t like me, they are his parents, how can he go on against their wishes,” Brizee said.

       “Bri, he loves you, okay, you didn’t see him when he thought you were with Danny on that plane, he was really depressed and devastated, he didn’t want to go on,” Brian said.

       “Oh Brian, I love him so much,” Brizee said.

       “I know you do,” Brian said as he hugged her. That afternoon, Brian, Leighanne, and Brizee went back to Florida. Brizee walked into Nick’s house and saw Jane and Bob. 

       “What the hell,” Bob said.

       “Where’s Nick at,” Brizee said. Nick came downstairs with her stuff. 

       “Here is your things,” Nick said.

       “You believe them, don’t you,” Brizee said.

       “They are my parents, I know they wouldn’t lie to me,” Nick said. Brizee looked at him.

       “I thought you were different, but I guess I was wrong,” Brizee said.  She walked out the door. She went over to Brian and Leighanne’s house.  She went in.

       “Bri,” Leighanne said.

       “Jane, Bob, and Nick were over there, Nick believes his parents,” Brizee said crying.

       “Dammit!” Leighanne said. She grabbed her purse and left.  Brian came in.

       “Brian, I’m going home to Missouri, it’s over,” Brizee said.

       “Bri,” Brian said.

       “Goodbye, Brian,” Brizee said hugging him. She got her things and went to the airport.  She got on the plane to Missouri.  She sat down and tears ran down her face.  The plane took off.  She looked out the window.

       “Goodbye, Nick,” Brizee said to herself. 

Chapter 23

Leighanne went over to Nick’s house and walked in.  Nick, Jane, and Bob looked at her.

       “How dare you all!” Leighanne said angrily.

       “Leighanne,” Nick said.

       “Brizee is not using Nick, she loves him with all her heart, Nick, you know how close you came to losing her,” Leighanne said. Nick sat down.

       “What do you mean, Leighanne?” Jane said.

       “Brizee and her friend, Theresa were going to LA with Daniel Lee, they were suppose to be on that flight that crashed into North Tower of the World Trade Center, but Daniel told them to go join the guys in Toronto, so they joined the guys on tour,” Leighanne said.

       “Oh my god,” Bob said.

       “And has Nick told you about her ex-boyfriend,” Leighanne said. Jane and Bob shook their heads.

       “Her ex-boyfriend, Adam, hurt her deeply, when she found out he cheated on her, she went out and cheated on him to get him to leave her alone and break up with her, instead, he raped her, repeatedly, then after she got down here and she and Nick got together, he came down and kidnapped her and raped her again,” Leighanne said.

       “Oh my god, what have we done,” Jane said.

       “Mom,” Nick said.     

       “Nick, we know she loves you,” Jane said.

       “She does love him, more than anything,” Leighanne said.

       “Where is she?” Nick asked.

       “Over with Brian,” Leighanne said.  They went to her and Brian’s house. 

       “Bri!” Nick said running in.

       “She’s not here,” Brian said.

       “Where is she?” Nick asked.

       “She went back to Missouri,” Brian said.

       “I lost her,” Nick said sitting down.

       “Nick, go after her,” Leighanne said.  He ran out the door.  He went to the airport and went to Missouri. 

Meanwhile…..

Brizee sat there at her parents’ house, staring at her hands. Her mother sat beside her.

       “Honey, I know you wouldn’t use anyone, not after the way you got hurt before,” Laura said.

       “I loved him so much, Mom, I still do, god, I don’t think I’ll get past this, I want to move on but I can’t, my love for Nick is holding me back,” Brizee said crying.

       “Honey, why don’t you just call him,” Laura said.

       “I can’t, he’ll hang up on me,” Brizee said.  There was a knock at the door. Laura got up and opened the door and saw Nick.  She smiled.

       “Hi Nick, I’m Laura, Brizee’s mother, come in,” Laura said. Nick came in and saw Brizee.

       “Nice to meet you,” Nick said.

       “I’ll leave you two alone,” Laura said. She went outside. Nick stood there.

       “What are you doing here,” Brizee said.  Nick knelt down in front of her.

       “I know my parents are wrong, I don’t know why I believed them, it’s like, they don’t want to let me go, they want to run my life and I didn’t know how to stop, until they ran you out of my life, that’s when I knew I couldn’t live without you, I love you, Bri, more than life itself, you are my life, Bri, I’m lost without you, please, come back with me,” Nick said with tears in his eyes. Brizee looked at him.

       “I love you, too!” Brizee said as she hugged Nick.

       “Will you come back to Florida with me,” Nick said.

       “Oh yes, like you, I can’t live without you either, I thought I could but it’s impossible,” Brizee said. He smiled and they kissed softly.  They got her things and hugged her mother and left for Florida.  They went home to Nick’s house.  Nick put her things in the bedroom.

       “Bri, promise me something,” Nick said.

       “Okay,” Brizee said.

       “Promise me that you won’t leave me again,” Nick said.

       “I promise,” Brizee said.  He picked her up and carried her up to the bedroom and closed the door.  He laid her on the bed and got on top of her. There he proved to her that he wasn’t ever going to leave her or hurt her again. They fell asleep in each other’s warm embrace.

Chapter 24

Three months went by. Nick and Brizee were never apart. The guys and girls were over for a barbecue.  Brizee was talking with Theresa and Brittany.  Brizee noticed the looks that Brian and Brittany were sending each other.  Brizee and Theresa pulled Brittany inside and upstairs to Brittany’s bedroom.

       “What is going on, Britt,” Brizee asked as they all sat down.  Theresa closed the door and locked it.

       “I lost my virginity to Brian,” Brittany said.

       “What,” Brizee said.

       “Brian and Leighanne had a big fight one night and he came over here and we ended up in bed, it was when you and Nick were in California with his parents,” Brittany said.

       “Britt, was there any protection?” Theresa asked.

       “No, and I’m scared,” Brittany said. 

       “Britt, we’ll be there for you,” Brizee said.

       “Bri, come on, Leighanne is one of your best friends,” Brittany said.

       “Yeah, but you are like a little sister to me,’ Brizee said.

       “You all can’t tell anyone, Bri, you can’t tell Nick, T, you can’t tell Kevin, no one can know,” Brittany said.

       “We won’t say anything,” Brizee said. They all went downstairs and heard yelling. We went out and saw Brian and Leighanne yelling at each other. Leighanne saw Brittany and marched over to her.

       “How dare you!” Leighanne said. 

       “What,” Brittany said.

       “You slept with my husband!” Leighanne cried.

       “I’m sorry,” Brittany said.  Leighanne slapped her.

       “You bitch!” Leighanne cried.

       “Leighanne, that’s enough,” Brizee said.

       “Bri, you are suppose to be my best friend, we tell each other everything, why not this!” Leighanne said.

       “Because I didn’t know until a few minutes ago,” Brizee said.

       “Yeah right, you probably knew all along,” Leighanne said.

       “No, I told them a few minutes ago,” Brittany said.

       “For 16 years old, you are a slut,” Leighanne said.  Brittany slapped Leighanne.  Brizee and Theresa grabbed Leighanne and took her inside.

       “Leigh, I’m sorry about this,” Brizee said.

       “My marriage is over!” Leighanne said.

       “I’m sorry,” Brizee said.

       “Goodbye, Bri,” Leighanne said.  She walked out the door.  Brizee and Theresa walked out back and saw Brian and Brittany talking.  Nick came over to Brizee.  They went inside. Brizee sat up on the counter.

       “Bri, tell me the truth, how long have you known about Brian and Brittany?” Nick asked.

       “She told me before we came out there, just ten minutes ago,” Brizee said.

       “Bri, I love you, okay, I don’t want to lose you, ever,” Nick said.

       “I don’t want to lose you either,” Brizee said.  Nick stood between her legs and pulled her close and kissed her hungrily.  His hands went up her shirt.  Her hands brushed his hair.

       “Nick, we aren’t alone, everyone’s out back,” Brizee moaned.  He smiled and picked her up and carried her upstairs to their bedroom. He closed the door and locked it and laid her on the bed and laid on top of her and slowly made love to her. Afterwards, they laid there grinning.

       “You can’t resist me, huh,” Brizee said.

       “No, I can’t, you are irresistible,” Nick said kissing her neck.  She smiled. She got up and got dressed. He got dressed and followed her downstairs and they went out and saw Brian and Brittany hugging.

       “Brian is going to get a divorce from Leighanne and be with Brittany, he has fallen for her,” Theresa told them. They sat down and talked with Kevin and Theresa. That night after everyone left, Nick and Brizee went to bed. 

Chapter 25

Nick sat up in bed, breathing heavily.  He looked and saw Brizee laying there asleep and sighed in relief.  She woke up and saw him and sat up.

       “Babe, you okay,” Brizee said.

       “Yeah, just a bad dream, that’s all,” Nick said.

       “What was it about?” Brizee asked.

       “I dreamt that you really got on that plane to LA, the one that hit the north tower of the World Trade Center, I saw you get on the flight with Danny, I’ve been having this dream ever since it happened,” Nick said.  Brizee wrapped her arms around him and held him.

       “I’m here, Nick, I’m fine, it was just a dream,” Brizee said.

       “It felt so real,” Nick said. 

       “But it was just a dream, I’m here, I’m alive, I’m fine,” Brizee said.  He kissed her hungrily.

       “Promise me that you won’t leave me, ever,” Nick said.

       “I promise,” Brizee said. 

       “I love you so much, more than life itself,” Nick said.

       “I love you, too,” Brizee said. He gently pushed her down on the bed and got on top of her and showed her how much he loved her.  The next morning, Brizee woke up and saw Nick still sleeping. She laid there just watching him, wondering what would’ve happened to him if she had gotten on that plane.  She got up and got dressed and went downstairs. The doorbell rang. She went and opened the door and saw Mandy standing there.

       “Hi, is Nick around?” Mandy asked.

       “He’s still asleep, what do you want,” Brizee said.

       “He left these at my place the other night, he might want them back,” Mandy said holding up a pair of boxers. 

       “What the,” Brizee said.

       “Bye,” Mandy said walking off. Brizee closed the door and leaned against it.  She looked and saw Nick coming down the stairs. He smiled at her.

       “Hey sexy lady, who was at the door?” Nick asked nuzzling her neck.

       “It was Mandy, she said you left these at her place the other night,” Brizee said holding up the boxers.

       “Boxers? Why would I leave boxers at her place when I was never there,” Nick said.

       “Nick, did you sleep with her?” Brizee asked.

       “No, I didn’t, Bri, you know I don’t wear boxers,” Nick said.  He looked at the size and smiled.

       “Mediums, too small for me,” Nick said.  Brizee looked.

       “Oh Nick, I’m sorry,” Brizee said.

       “Shh, not your fault, baby,” Nick said hugging her.

       “I love you so much, I can’t live without you, Nick, I just can’t,” Brizee said crying.

       “I love you, too, I can’t live without you either,” Nick said. He kissed her hungrily and picked her up and carried her over to the couch and laid on top of her and clothes went flying and there on the couch, they made love. Afterwards, they laid there smiling and holding each other.

       “I know you love me and you know I love you,” Nick said.

       “I know,” Brizee said. Nick kissed her neck and held her tightly to him.  The doorbell rang.  Brizee got up and got dressed and went downstairs and opened it and saw Brittany and Brian standing there.

       “Hey you two, come in,” Brizee said.

       “Hey Bri,” Brittany said. They came in and sat down.

       “Where’s Frack?” Brian asked.

       “Upstairs,” Brizee said.

       “Hey Frack, get down here,” Brian called.  A few minutes later, Nick came downstairs.

       “What’s up,” Nick said.  Brian pulled Nick out back.

       “So, what’s up, Britt,” Brizee said.

       “Brian asked me to be his girlfriend, it’s official, Leighanne signed the divorce papers, Brian signed the papers and it should be a matter of time before it’s final, then Brian will be free and we can be together,” Brittany said.

       “Britt, he’s 27, you are 16, are you sure about this,” Brizee said.  Brittany looked at her.

       “Yes, I am, Bri, I’m so in love with him,” Brittany said.

       “With Brian Littrell or Brian Backstreet?” Brizee asked.

       “Brian Littrell, Bri, what is the deal,” Brittany said.

       “Britt, it’s nothing, I’m just making sure, you are like a little sister to me, I got to act like a big sister, I’m happy for you, I just hope Leighanne doesn’t come back and cause trouble,” Brizee said.

       “I know, but she told Brian that she doesn’t want him anymore,” Brittany said.

       “But she is still my best friend, Britt, know that, okay,” Brizee said.

       “I know,” Brittany said.  They hugged. Brian and Nick came in and they all sat down and talked.

Chapter 26

The next day, Nick went to hang out with Brian and AJ while Sarah, Brizee, and Brittany hung out at Nick’s house.  Nick shot a basket and Brian grabbed the ball.

       “So, Nick, how’s things between you and Bri?” Brian asked.

       “Just great, I can’t live without her,” Nick said.

       “I can’t live without Sarah, she has really helped me,” AJ said.

       “What I feel for Brittany is different than what I felt for Leighanne and Samantha, Brittany makes me feel alive, I think we were made for each other,” Brian said.

They all went to Nick’s house and saw it up in flames.  They jumped out of the car.  The firefighters held them back.

       “This is my house!” Nick said.

       “I’m sorry, sir, but please let us do our job,” the firefighter said. 

       “My girlfriend, where’s my girlfriend!” Nick said.

       “Sir, there was no one around when we arrived, the house was like this when we arrived, I’m sorry,” the firefighter said.

       “No!” Nick screamed.  Brian and AJ held him back as the firefighters put out the fire. Howie and Kevin arrived.

       “Guys,” Kevin said.

       “The house is gone,” Brian said with tears in his eyes.

       “We see that,” Howie said.

       “Bri, Sarah, and Britt were home, it’s possible that they didn’t make it out,” AJ said crying.

       “Oh no,” Kevin said.  Nick broke down and sank to the ground and cried. Kevin got down and hugged him.  A firefighter came over.

       “Mr. Carter, this fire wasn’t an accident, it looks like it was set,” the firefighter said.

       “What about my girlfriend, and her friends,” Nick said crying.  The firefighter looked at him.

       “Your neighbor next door, she was outside and she said she didn’t see anyone leave,” the firefighter said.  Nick looked at AJ and Brian.  They all went to Kevin’s house. Theresa hugged Nick, Brian, and AJ. Nick went out back and sat down.  He looked up at the sky.

       “Please, god, let her be okay, don’t take her away from me, you almost did once, please, let her be okay,” Nick said softly crying. He felt a hand on his shoulder.  He looked up and saw Howie.  Howie sat down.

       “Man, I’m sorry,” Howie said.

       “She was my life, D, I can’t live without her,” Nick cried.

       “Nick, she is still with you, in your heart,” Howie said.

       “God, D, I want to feel her, feel her skin, feel her arms around me, now I can’t and I don’t know what to do!” Nick said crying. Howie hugged him.  He knew he had to be there for Nick, Brian, and AJ.  That day, Howie prayed for a miracle. He wondered if it was going to happen.

Chapter 27

After Howie went inside, Nick sat there staring out at the ocean.  How was he going to go on.  He heard commotion inside and he went inside and saw Brittany, Brizee, and Sarah.  Sarah and AJ hugged.  Brian hugged Brittany.  Brizee ran to Nick and hugged him.

       “I saw the house,” Brizee said.  Nick hugged her tight.

       “Oh god, Bri, I thought you were in there,” Nick said.  Brizee hugged him tightly.

       “Nick, Britt, Sarah, and I went shopping, we returned and saw the house destroyed,” Brizee said.

       “I’m so glad you weren’t in that house,” Nick said.

       “Me, too,” Brizee said.

Everyone went home. Nick and Brizee were staying at Kevin’s house with him and Theresa.  They were in a guest room. 

       “Nick,” Brizee said.

       “Yeah,” Nick said.

       “I love you,” Brizee said.

       “I love you, too, baby,” Nick said.  They went to sleep.

Three months went by.  Nick bought a new house.  He bought new clothes for them.  Everything was new and it felt like they were starting over.  Nick and the guys were getting ready to go on tour.  Theresa, Brittany, Sarah, and Brizee were going with them. They boarded the tour buses and were off. Nick and Brizee cuddled on the couch in the entertainment area, watching a movie.

       “Hey, you okay?” Nick asked.

       “I don’t know, I just haven’t been feeling right, my stomach has been upset,” Brizee said.

       “Maybe you have the flu or something,” Nick said.

       “Maybe,” Brizee said.  She ran to the bathroom and threw up.  She cleaned up and sat there.  Nick came in.

       “Maybe we should go to the doctor and see what’s wrong,” Nick said.  Brizee nodded.  Nick picked her up and carried her back to the entertainment area and laid her on the couch and put a blanket over her.

       “Rest, okay,” Nick said.

       “Okay,” Brizee said. Nick went up front and sat down.  He got out some paper and he decided to write a song.  As Brizee slept, Nick was writing, checking on her from time to time. He hoped that it was nothing bad and it was just the flu that Brizee had. 

Chapter 28

The buses arrived in Raleigh, North Carolina, and they pulled up in front of the hotel.  Everyone got off their buses and went inside and checked in. Everyone went to their rooms. Nick carried Brizee into their room and laid her down on the bed and she went back to sleep. There was a knock at the door. Nick opened it and saw Theresa and Brittany.

       “Hi Nick, how’s Bri feeling?” Theresa asked.

       “Not so good, she’s tired, and her stomach is upset, she threw up on the bus,” Nick said as they came in. He closed the door.  Theresa went into the bedroom and saw Brizee sleeping.  She came back out.

       “Nick, what symptoms does she have?” Theresa asked.

       “She has a stomach ache, she’s tired, she said the stomach ache is in the morning,” Nick said.

       “Oh dear,” Theresa said.

       “What, what is it,” Nick said.

       “Nick, from what you told me, it might be possible that Bri is pregnant,” Theresa said.

       “What, oh my god,” Nick said sitting down.