Nick knocked on Liz’s door and got no answer. She had forgotten to take her purse from him, and he realized that shortly after returning to his room. He reached down and tried the knob, and of course, it opened. After making a mental note to scold her about leaving her door unlocked, he stepped inside, planning to leave the purse on her bed.
As he put it down, he noticed a notebook lying open on her pillow. It was the notebook he had seen her write in when taking notes for her story. Too curious to listen to his conscience and leave it alone, he picked it up.
“NICK CARTER UNFAITHFUL!” was scrawled across the paper in huge letters. Oh, no, she would never! His eyes scanned over the page and saw notes about the pregnancy, as well as several other Backstreet scandals, some blown out of proportion, and others completely made up. This was not happening.
Just then, the door to the bathroom opened, and Liz stepped out in her bathrobe. Her eyes widened when she saw what he was reading. “Put that down!”
“It’s too late. I’ve already seen everything,” he stated. “How could you do that to us, Liz?”
“Let me explain. My editor called – “
“I don’t wanna hear it.”
“Please, Nick. How many times have I let you explain things?” she begged.
“Fine, make it quick,” he ordered coldly.
“I broke up with Joel because when we got back from the arena tonight, I realized I was in love with you.”
“Ha, funny way of showing it,” he muttered.
“Will you let me finish? Right after I got off the phone with him, my editor called and said he wanted dirt on you guys or I was fired. I started to make those notes and then I got in the shower. While I was in the shower, I realized I couldn’t do something like that to you. I was going to tear them up and throw them away as soon as I got out here, but I guess it’s too late, huh?”
“Yeah, frickin’ right. I give you credit for coming up with an excuse so quick, but you expect me to believe you?”
“Really, I’m not lying!”
“Whatever, Liz.” He spun on his heel and walked to the door. “And to think I was in love with you.”
“Nick, please! I swear I’m telling the truth!”
“Sure,” he muttered, slamming the door behind him.
Bursting into tears, Liz called her editor back. “Mr. Gibson, I can’t do it,” she sobbed.
“What can’t you do?”
“I can’t make up lies about these guys! I can’t do that!”
“Fine, then, O’Leary. Have fun trying to find a new job,” he stated coldly.