Hayley was at the club, Tabu. She was going to sing at the club. She saw Howie walking around talking to customers. She saw Nick Carter walk in. He looked around and saw her and went over and sat down. She went to get a drink and heard Nick and Howie talking.

"I wish I could find someone who will love me unconditionally, I can't seem to find that right person," Nick said.

"Nick, she is out there, you will find her, she could be here in this club," Howie said.

"Who is singing tonight?" Nick asked.

"Her name is Hayley Hardin and she's right behind you," Howie said. Nick turned and saw Hayley standing there looking out at everyone drinking bottled water. She looked over at them.

"Hi Mr. Dorough, you have a nice club here, thanks for letting me sing," Hayley said.

"It's Howie, Hayley, and you are welcome," Howie said. Hayley went to the stage.

"How did you find her?" Nick asked.

"She came in looking for a singing job, I had a sign up, she is good, very talented, a mix between Britney and Jessica," Howie said.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Hayley Hardin," John said over the intercom. She sang Take My Breath Away by Jessica Simpson. She looked at Nick as she sang and their eyes locked. They stared at each other as she sang With You by Jessica Simpson. After she sang her other songs, she got down off the stage. Howie came over to her.

"Hayley, you were awesome," Howie said.

"Thanks, and thanks again for letting me sing here, it gets my mind off things," Hayley said. Howie smiled.

"How would you like a record deal?" Howie asked.

"I'm not sure I'm ready for that," Hayley said.

"Sure you are, I know talent when I hear it, let me talk to the guys and I'll bring them in so you can sing for them, and we can get you a record deal," Howie said.

"You got my number," Hayley said. Howie nodded and went to talk to the bartender. Hayley got her stuff together and went out the door and went home. She didn't notice that she was being followed. She got home and went inside and locked up and she went upstairs and got into the shower. She got out after she was done and heard the doorbell rang. She wrapped a towel around her and went downstairs. She opened the door and saw Nick standing there. He came in and she closed the door.

"I followed you home, something happened when I saw you," Nick said.

"What," Hayley said.

"I fell in love with you," Nick said standing close to her.

"Nick," Hayley said. He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her softly.

"What," Nick said.

"I fell for you, too," Hayley said. He kissed her deeply. He picked her up and carried her upstairs to her bedroom.

 

Chapter 2

 

Hayley sat in her kitchen the next day. She had woken up and found Nick gone. She remembered their lovemaking the night before and wondered if she scared him away or did something wrong. That night, she went to the club and saw Nick talking to Howie. She went over to them.

        “Hey Hayley,” Howie said.

        “Hi Howie,” Hayley said looking at Nick who didn’t look at her. She looked at Howie.

        “Brian, Kevin, and AJ are in a booth over there, I’ll introduce you to them,” Howie said. She followed him over and stood beside him.

        “Guys, this is Hayley,” Howie said.

        “Hi Hayley,” Kevin said smiling at her. Brian and AJ said hi. She looked back at Nick and he looked at her. She talked with Brian, AJ, and Kevin and then went over to Nick.

        “Did I do something wrong?” Hayley asked.

        “What do you mean?” Nick asked.

        “I mean, I woke up and you were gone this morning and you won’t even look at me,” Hayley said.

        “I don’t want to talk about it,” Nick said.

        “I deserve to know if I did something wrong, Nick,” Hayley said.

        “It’s not you, it’s me, okay, just leave me alone for now, okay, go sing,” Nick said walking off. Hayley went to the stage and talked with the band and performed With You. After she was done singing her songs, she got down and walked over to the guys. Nick didn’t look at her.

        “You were awesome,” AJ said.

        “Very talented,” Brian said.

        “You have what it takes,” Kevin said.

        “We would like to offer you a record deal, we can talk to our record company about it and let you know,” Howie said.

        “I feel more comfortable singing in clubs,” Hayley said.

        “Hayley, it’s not that bad, all the attention, all the excitement,” AJ said.

        “I don’t like big crowds, they make me nervous,” Hayley said. The guys looked at each other.

        “We were scared when we started, so we pretended that there was only two people in the audience, we got over it and started loving what we do,” Kevin said.

        “Okay, I’ll do it, if you all think I have what it takes,” Hayley said.

        “You do,” Brian, Howie, AJ, and Kevin said. They looked at Nick.

        “What they said,” Nick said. He got up and walked off. Brian, AJ, and Kevin went to the bar.

        “Hayley,” Howie said.

        “Nick came over last night, he and I had sex, I feel like I did something wrong, because he was gone when I woke up and he wouldn’t look at me when I got here,” Hayley said.

        “Hayley, Nick’s a player, he uses girls for sex,” Howie said. Hayley looked at him.

        “He used me?” Hayley asked.

        “I’m afraid so, I should have warned you about him, but I didn’t think anything would happen,” Howie said.

        “I have to go,” Hayley said. She got up and went home and locked up and went upstairs and collapsed on the bed and cried herself to sleep.

 

Chapter 3

 

Three months later, Hayley found out she was pregnant. She knew it was Nick's baby and she swore she would never tell him. She was in the studio recording her album. Howie and Brian were watching her.

"I talked to Nick last night, he said he can't stop thinking about Hayley and the night they had sex," Brian said.

"Brian, you know how he is with girls, he just wants to use her for sex again," Howie said. Brian looked at him.

"What is your problem with Nick?" Brian asked.

"I don't like how he used Hayley, she really fell for him, now she hates him," Howie said. Brian looked at Hayley. Nick came in and saw them.

"Is she almost done?" Nick asked.

"Nick, just leave her alone, she wants nothing to do with you now," Howie said.

"She changed me, Howie," Nick said.

"I don't care, she was deeply hurt when she found out what you do to girls, I am not letting her get hurt again," Howie said.

"Are you two dating?" Nick asked.

"No, we aren't, she is like a little sister to me," Howie said.

"You are not the boss of her," Nick said. He looked at Hayley and saw her standing in the other room looking at them.

"I know I'm not but I won't let you hurt her again," Howie said.

"Howie, you can't keep him from talking to her, you can't control her or him, let them talk," Brian said. Howie looked at Brian and walked out the door. Hayley finished and came out and looked at Nick.

"Hi," Nick said.

"What do you want," Hayley said.

"I was hoping we could talk," Nick said.

"What is there to talk about," Hayley said.

"That night we spent together, it changed me, you changed me, I was cold to you that night because I was scared of the change, then when I realized how I felt about you, I couldn't find you," Nick said.

"What do you mean," Hayley said.

"I meant it when I said I fell in love with you, I was stupid and scared, but I know how I feel, I am in love with you, Hayley, and I would like to ask you to go out on a date with me," Nick said. Hayley looked at him. She didn't know what to say.

 

Chapter 4

 

That night, she was at Tabu performing. She saw Nick come in and sit down and looked at her. Howie came up to her.

        “Nick is here,” Howie said.

        “I know,” Hayley said.

        “I can’t believe you are going out with him tonight, after what he did to you,” Howie said.

        “It’s called second chances, everyone deserves a second chance, it’s my life, Howie, I am the only one who can make my own mistakes,” Hayley said.

        “Don’t come crying to me when he breaks your heart again,” Howie said.

        “Howie, the first song I’m singing tonight is dedicated to you,” Hayley said. She went onstage and performed Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson. She got offstage and Howie came over to her. She looked at him.

        “Hayley, I’m just worried about you getting hurt again, you are like a little sister to me,” Howie said.

        “Howie, I need to learn from my own mistakes, I am not a little kid, I’m old enough to make my own choices, I know you care but I want you to trust me, okay, if I get hurt, I get hurt, I will heal,” Hayley said.

        “Okay,” Howie said. Hayley went over to Nick and they left the club. AJ came over to him.

        “You just let her go with him, after what he did,” AJ said.

        “I’m not her baby-sitter and I can’t tell her what to do,” Howie said.

        “You are in love with her, aren’t you,” AJ said.

        “No, but Kevin is,” Howie said.

        “He wants her, doesn’t he,” AJ said.

        “Yeah, big time,” Howie said.

Nick and Hayley walked on the beach, holding hands. He stopped and she looked up at him and he kissed her deeply.

Three months went by. Nick and Hayley have grown closer and were always together. Howie kept an eye on them to make sure Hayley didn’t get hurt again. He had a feeling that Kevin was going to do something to break up Hayley and Nick. Nick kissed Hayley and went to his dressing room. Kevin came up to her and he kissed her hard and went to his dressing room. Howie went over to her.

        “Hayley?” Howie asked.

        “Why did he do that?” Hayley said.

        “He’s in love with you, he wants you for himself,” Howie said. Hayley leaned against the way.

        “I want to be with Nick,” Hayley said.

        “Tell him that,” Howie said. Hayley went to Kevin’s dressing room.

 

Chapter 5

 

Howie sat there waiting for Hayley to come out of Kevin’s dressing room. Howie went to Nick’s dressing room. He went in and saw Nick playing video games.

        “Hey Nick,” Howie said.

        “Hey,” Nick said.

        “Having fun?” Howie asked.

        “Yeah, where’s Hayley?” Nick asked.

        “She went to talk to Kevin about something, want me to go get her?” Howie asked.

        “If you don’t mind,” Nick said. Howie went to Kevin’s dressing room and heard sounds. He quietly opened the door and saw Kevin and Hayley naked on the floor, having sex. They were doing it doggie style. Howie closed the door quietly and waited for her to come out. Ten minutes later, Hayley came out and closed the door and saw him.

        “Howie,” Hayley said.

        “I saw it, I know what happened, you have to tell Nick,” Howie said.

        “I can’t, I don’t want to lose him,” Hayley said. Howie pulled her into his dressing room and closed the door.

        “You just had sex with Kevin, he has to know, you can’t keep it from him,” Howie said.

        “I have to, I love Nick!” Hayley said.

        “If you loved Nick, you wouldn’t have fucked Kevin!” Howie said quietly.

        “Howie, please, I can’t tell him, and don’t you dare tell him, please, if you care about me, you won’t tell him,” Hayley said. Howie looked at her.

        “You want Kevin, don’t you, once isn’t going to be enough,” Howie said.

        “I want Nick!” Hayley said. Howie looked at her.

        “I can see who you want, it’s Kevin, you go to the person you want to be with, but you have to let the other one go,” Howie said.

        “I don’t want Kevin, I want Nick, he is the only one for me,” Hayley said. She went out the door and went to Nick’s dressing room. Howie went to Kevin’s dressing room and went in and closed the door.

        “Well?” Kevin asked.

        “I think you got her, man, she keeps insisting that she wants Nick, but I can see that she wants you,” Howie said.

        “I hate doing this, conspiring to get her away from him and be with me, it feels wrong,” Kevin said.

        “You want her for yourself, and I know you won’t hurt her like he did,” Howie said.

        “But they are so happy together, he hasn’t hurt her since they got together,” Kevin said.

        “He’s got to learn that it hurts when you hurt someone,” Howie said.

        “What’s the plan now?” Kevin asked.

        “Does she want to meet you again?” Howie asked.

        “She didn’t say, all she said was no one can know,” Kevin said. Howie smiled.

        “It’s time for seduction in my room and Nick will walk in on it,” Howie said.

 

Chapter 6

 

That night at the hotel, Howie told Hayley that she wanted him to come to his room for a chat about her music career. She went to his room. Howie gave Kevin the thumbs up. Howie went over to Nick and talked with him while Kevin snuck into Howie’s room.

        “Hey Nick,” Howie said.

        “Howie, I’m tired, and want to go to bed,” Nick said.

        “I need to come with me to my room,” Howie said.

        “Why,” Nick said.

        “It’s important,” Howie said.

            “Howie, I just want to go to sleep,” Nick said groaning.

        “Come on, man, it won’t take long,” Howie said. They went to Howie’s room and saw Kevin and Hayley having sex on the couch. Nick froze and felt his heart break. Howie cleared his throat and Hayley and Kevin looked and saw them. They scrambled to get dressed.

        “Oh god, Nick, it’s not what you think!” Hayley said.

        “It’s not what I think, you were having sex with one of my friends, my big brother, how could you!” Nick said angrily.

        “He seduced me, I was waiting for Howie because he wanted to talk to me about my music career and Kevin came in,” Hayley said.

        “I don’t want to hear any excuses, we are over!” Nick said angrily. He walked out. Hayley ran after him. Kevin looked at Howie and shook his head.

        “I hope you are happy now, you just broke her heart, she won’t be with me, she loves him too much,” Kevin said. He went to his room. Howie closed his door and sat down. He got up and went to find Hayley and found her sitting in the lobby. He took her up to his room and sat her down.

        “What happened,” Howie said.

        “He wouldn’t talk to me, he wouldn’t listen to me, it’s over, god, Howie, I love him so much,” Hayley said crying.

        “It’s my fault, Hayley, I set it up, I told Kevin to come in here and seduce you so Nick would walk in on it and break up with you so you could be with Kevin,” Howie said.

        “How could you!” Hayley yelled.

        “Hayley, I think you are better off with Kevin, I know he won’t hurt you,” Howie said.

        “How dare you, it’s my life, not yours, it’s my choice on who I’m with, I wanted Nick, but you had to ruin that, I don’t want to be with Kevin, I never did!” Hayley yelled.

        “I care about you!” Howie said.

        “If you cared about me, you would let me live my life the way I wanted to, not the way you wanted me to, it was my choice on who I wanted to be with and I wanted to be with Nick but you had to come and mess that up!” Hayley said.

        “I’m sorry,” Howie said.

        “I will never forgive you, ever!” Hayley said. She went out the door.

 

Chapter 7

 

Hayley sat in the lobby with her bags. Brian and AJ came up to her.

        "Hayley," Brian said.

        "I never told anyone, the reason I've been getting fat, I'm pregnant, six months along with Nick's baby, it happened the first time we slept together, now I've lost him, why am I so stupid!" Hayley said crying.

        "Hayley, you have to tell Nick," AJ said.

        "He won't listen to me, he doesn't even want to see me, that's why I'm leaving the tour, I'm going to find a place and settle down," Hayley said.

        "Hayley, Nick will have to listen, once you tell him that you are having his baby, he will listen," Brian said. Hayley went up to Nick's room and knocked on the door.

        "Go away, Hayley!" Nick said. Brian came up to the door and heard Nick.

        "It's Brian, man," Brian said. Nick opened the door and saw Hayley with Brian behind her.

        "I said go away!" Nick said. Brian helped her into the room and sat her down. Brian looked at Nick.

        "What now!" Nick said.

        "Did you notice how much Hayley's been changing for the last three months you two were together?" Brian asked.

        "Yeah, so," Nick said.

        "Put your hand on her stomach," Brian said.

        "Are you crazy," Nick said.

        "Just do it, Nick," Brian said. Nick came over and put his hand on her stomach and felt something moving. He looked at Hayley.

        "You're pregnant?" Nick asked. Hayley nodded.

        "She's having your baby, Nick," Brian said.

        "Why didn't you tell me," Nick said.

        "I wanted to make sure that I didn't have a miscarriage before telling anyone, I didn't want to say anything to anyone and then lose the baby and have everyone sad, I wanted to wait until I was safe," Hayley said. Nick knelt down beside her.

        "We are having a baby?" Nick asked.

        "Yeah," Hayley said looking at her hands.

        "Hayley," Nick said.

        "Howie set up me and Kevin, he thought I would be better off with Kevin so he got Kevin to seduce me in the dressing room to make me want him, but it didn't work so he set it up so that me and Kevin would be having sex and you would walk in on it," Hayley said.

        "Howie did this," Nick said.

        "Yeah, he thought I was getting hurt too much and thought I would be better off with Kevin," Hayley said.

        "Oh god," Nick said.

        "Nick, I didn't want to sleep with Kevin, I didn't want to hurt you at all, I tried to get away but I was afraid of hurting the baby," Hayley said.

        "You are not leaving me and I never will hurt you," Nick said stroking her cheek. She smiled at him.

        "You are the only guy I want," Hayley said. Nick kissed her deeply. Brian left the room and saw Howie standing there.

        "What's going on?" Howie asked.

        "Hayley and Nick are back together, Hayley's pregnant, and leave her be, she is happy now, she don't need you make her decisions," Brian said going to his room.

 

Epilogue

 

Three months later, Hayley was standing at the door to Howie’s office at his club. She knocked and went in and saw him sitting at the desk.

        “Hi,” Hayley said. He looked up at her.

        “Hi,” Howie said.

        “Can we talk?” Hayley asked.

        “Sure, how have you been?” Howie asked as she slowly sat down.

        “Okay, I guess, I can’t see my feet anymore, but I’m doing okay, I can’t wait until the baby is born,” Hayley said. Howie smiled.

        “Nick was here yesterday, we straightened things out,” Howie said.

        “I know, he told me, that’s why I’m here,” Hayley said. Howie looked at her.

        “I’m sorry for trying to set you and Kevin up, I just thought that the way you’ve been hurt and all, I thought you would be better off with someone who won’t hurt you, I’m sorry for being protective, it’s your life, not mine, it was just that you were like a little sister to me, and I wanted to take care of you, but I realized that you could take care of yourself, I heard you two are getting married,” Howie said.

        “Yeah, we are, after the baby is born, where I can fit into a wedding gown, I don’t want to look like a whale going down the aisle,” Hayley said.

        “I’m ending karaoke night, wanna sing one last song,” Howie said.

        “Sure,” Hayley said. He helped her up and they went out and she sang With You. After she was done, she got down off the stage. She felt something and she looked at Howie.

        “Hayley,” Howie said.

        “My water broke,” Hayley said. He helped her out to his car and took her to the hospital. Once she was settled in a room, Howie called Nick and the guys. Nick came in and went to be with Hayley. A few hours later, Nick came out with a smile.

        “I have a son!” Nick said. The guys hugged him.

        “What is his name going to be?” Kevin asked.

        “Nickolas Robert Carter,” Nick said.

An hour later, they were in the room with Hayley as she held the baby.

        “Thanks, guys, for being here, Nick and I want you to be his godfathers,” Hayley said.

        “We are honored,” Kevin said.

        “Yeah,” AJ, Howie, and Brian said. Nick kissed Hayley’s forehead and his son’s forehead and sat beside her on the bed. Hayley knew everything was going to be okay.

 

The real me is a southern girl with her Levis on and an open heart
Wish I could say the save the world, like I was super girl
The real me is to laugh all night lying in the grass just talking about love
But lately I've been jaded life got so complicated 

I'm still thinking about it almost forgot what it was like
Do you know what it feels like?
Cause with you
I can let my hair down 
I can say anything crazy
I know you'll catch me right before I hit the ground
With nothing but a T-shirt on
I never felt so beautiful
Baby as I do now
Now that I'm with you 
With you
Now that I'm with you 

You speak and it's like a song
And just like that all my walls come down
It's like a private joke just meant for us to know
I relate to you naturally
Everybody else just fades away
Sometimes it's hard to breathe
Just knowing you found me
Cuz I'm still thinking about it almost forgot what it was like
Do you know what it feels like?
Cause with you
I can let my hair down
I can say anything crazy
I know you'll catch me right before I hit the ground
With nothing but a T-shirt on
I never felt so beautiful
Baby as I do now
Now that I'm with you
With you 

Come and take me
Love you save me
Like nobody else
Now I can be myself
With you
With you
I can let my hair down
I can say anything crazy
I know you'll catch me right before I hit the ground
With nothing but a T-shirt on
I never felt so beautiful
Baby as I do now (Baby as I do now)
Now that I'm with you

 

THE END!