"Candice?"
"Yes?" Her head perked up at the sound of his voice.
"Can I talk to you?" He asked sitting down next to her on the large sofa and stared out the window for a moment. "Do you love him?" She was so caught off guard by the question that all she could do was move her mouth up and down while no sound escaped. She knew he was usually blunt, and that's one of her favorite things about him. "Yes." She barely whispered. She understood where the question had come from, he was Nick's best friend after all...and she, well she was just his neighbor. A girl who tagged along during tours across seas. A girl backstage. Just anther fan.

"I find that hard to believe." His voice was low and husky. "What about Patrick, James, or Jeff?" Kevin's eyes stared deep into hers showing his concern. "I loved Patrick, I still do. James..well James was my best friend and I just used him for sex. I felt bad about Pat, and Nick. And Jeff," her voice cracked.
"Jeff was just a scapegoat." Her blunt statement did not shock him; he was used to her. After knowing her for almost two years he could predict this girl. He could tell she was thinking the same thing he was. Did she love Nick? She wasn't sure...she didn't even consider herself part of the BSB family, which she was and always will be. She made a huge impact on each member. Her and Aj were fast friends; it was the same with Brian and Howie. Kevin looked up to her. And Nick, well Nick was in love with her. Kevin thought about this life, he knew his extra years had made a significant difference.
"Good. And NICK? You know how hard your relationship will be. You know the ropes and such. You know the price of fame. I also know you know Nick, inside and out. He's been hurt so many times, twice by you." She took a deep breath and reached for Kevin's hand.
"Kevin. I know Nick is almost like your baby brother, hell he IS your baby brother. You know him ten times better than I know him, but you also know what Nick and I have been through together. You can see what we can't. You see the truth. I swear to you Kevin I never meant to hurt anyone. I was confused and I still am, but I will never hurt Nick again. I promise you this Kevin. I want your word--I want your word that you know Nick and I belong together." Her eyes filled with tears. She trusted Kevin with her entire life, and she felt safe with him. He was an amazing person in almost every aspect, but she knew he would tell her exactly what he thought and normally she would agree even if it was not what she wanted to hear from his mouth.

"Candice," he sighed as he squeezed her hand tightly. "I know you rely on me and that scares me. I'll tell you what I think. I think you and Nick will be together forever in one way or another, but that doesn't mean shit. It's all up to YOU and Nick. Not me. Not anyone but you two."
"Thanks so much Kevin, I love you," she wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek. "So I guess this is good-bye for now."
"Until August?"
"See you then, and thanks again Kevin. Truly." She whispered as a tear slid down her cheek slowly. Kevin stood and walked out of the room shutting the hotel door behind him slowly and quietly. He tiptoed in Nick's room next door and watched his friend sleep.
"I have faith Nick. Don't ever give up yours Nick." Nick began to stir and Kevin slipped out of the room and creeped back into his own room.

Candice woke early the next morning and tiptoed into Nicks still room. He was lying on his back and drool slid down his chin. She laughed and approached his bed. "Nick?" She whispered sitting on the corner of his bed. She could hear her heart beating her chest and she sighed. She knew in that moment that she did love Nick. She loved Nick more than anything in the world. She would wait, as long as it took for him to realize the same thing about her. Knowing he wasn't a very good morning person she kissing his cheek lightly. He groaned and turned over wiping the drool all over the hotel pillow. She giggled.
"Go away BRIAN!" Nick screeched. This sent her rolling off the bed with laughter. "What the hell? CANDICE?!" He sat up and pulled the covers over himself. "What are you doing here?"

She couldn't stop laughing but finally managed to choke out a couple words. Nick looked at her and laughed.
"Oh you are just so damn funny. Now go away. I have no clothes on and YOU are messin' with this mans beauty sleep."
"BEAUTY SLEEP??" She howled. "OH Nick you don't need none of that! You are just so pretty the way you are!" She hissed grabbing her sides because they were beginning to ache from laughing so much.
"Ok Miss Mary sunshine, what do you really want?"
"Well," she smiled sitting next to him in the bed. Trying to fight back to constant urge to laugh. "Nick I came to say bye."
He straightened up and turned toward her with a serious face. "What? Why?"
"Nick. I'm sorry it's really time for me to go. You can do the BSB thing. I've spent two years with you. I love you Nickolas Carter, but I know that if I loved you like I say I do I would be able to leave you just the same. So Nickels I will see you in August on my turf buddy!"
"But.." Nick stared at her. He knew what she meant. He knew all along. He had a new girlfriend and Candice had always been his friend, best of for a long time, more at other times. It was time to move on. He knew it. Time. To. Say. Good. Bye.
"I can't say it." He whispered.
"Then don't Nick Just do not say it." She kissed his cheek, then the side of his mouth. "See you later my Nickolas Carter."
"See ya later." Nick wrapped the bed sheet around his body and stood up to give her a long bear hug.
"Faith right Nick?" Candice whispered as she neared the door.
"Yeah. Faith Candice." Nick smiled as she shut the door quietly behind her.

She woke up quickly to sound of her phone ringing. She glanced over at her nightstand and read the time aloud. "Two in the morning? Who the hell is calling me at two in the morning?!"
"Hey do you think you could fly down?" She rubbed her eyes and almost gasp at the sound of his voice.
"It's two in the morning. I have to work and I'm tired." She growled, but regretted it as soon as the words flew out of her mouth. She could almost feel his pain as he began to speak.
"Please." His voice cracked and she could tell he was on the verge of tears.
"I'll be there in a couple of hours." She said hanging up her phone and throwing on a T-shirt and some jeans that had been wore the day before. She jumped into her car and grabbed her cell phone and dialed the airport. She couldn't believe she was on her way to Tampa.