The Gift

Chapter 3

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Lainie woke to a soft knock on her door. She glanced at the clock. It was 7:32am. She wasn't sure if she had actually heard a knock or not until there was another one.

"Just a minute," she said sleepily. She got out of bed and pulled on a pair of shorts. She opened the door and stared into the smiling face of Nick Carter with sleepy eyes.

"Get up," he said. "We've gotta get moving if we're gonna catch some fish."

"Damn. I forgot about that," Lainie said, rubbing her sleep-crusted eye with the back of her hand. "Give me a few minutes, OK? I need to get a shower and stuff."

"No need to shower. You're just gonna get sweaty anyway. Just throw on some clothes and let's go," he said. He sounded just like a little kid wanting to go to Six Flags or something.

"Can I at least brush my teeth?" she asked irritably. She hated being awakened so early in the day.

"Please do," Nick laughed. "Morning breath is unattractive."

"Gee thanks," she muttered, rolling her eyes. She brushed past him as she walked out of her room and down the hall to the bathroom. She splashed some cool water on her face, brushed her teeth, and pulled her hair up into a casual twist, held with a chopstick. A few silky tendrils fell around her face, but she didn't pay any attention. She went back to her room and pulled on her jeans, t-shirt, and Timberlands and went downstairs. Nick watched her descend the stairs, and he swallowed hard. She was beautiful. Even with no makeup on and just out of bed, she was beautiful. She stopped and looked at him. Their eyes locked, and they stared at each other for a few seconds. Nick felt butterflies in his stomach.

"Are we going or not?" Lainie asked, placing her hand on her hip impatiently. Nick shook his head slightly.

"Oh yeah. Sorry," he muttered. "You driving or should I?"

"I'll drive," she said. Then she thought better of it. No way was she going to drive Nick Carter around in her 1996 Toyota Camry. NO way. He probably drove a Ferrari or some kind of convertible Mercedes or something. Her car was beneath him for sure. Embarrassing.  "No, I guess I'll let you drive."

"Suit yourself," Nick said. He grabbed his keys and they headed out to the car. She climbed in the passenger seat of the Expedition rental and put on her seatbelt. He backed out and they headed to Walmart. As soon as they entered the store, Chip, the manager, former captain of the football team, ran out to meet them.

"Hey Lainie," he said, smiling brightly. "How's it goin'?"

"Fine," Lainie said, blushing and looking down.

"Who's your friend?" Chip asked, his smile fake and plastered on his handsome face.

"Nick Carter," Nick said, smiling and holding out his hand to Chip. Chip shook it, the smile never leaving his face.

"Chip Bennett. Nice to meet you, Nick. So you're the Backstreet Boy, huh? I heard you were in town. My little sister has been looking everywhere for you since you got here. I'll have to tell her I saw you today."

"Well, that's awfully nice, Chip," Nick said. "Hey, can you tell us where the fishing gear is? We're gonna head to the lake today."

"What? You and Lainie?" Chip snorted.  Lainie looked down at the floor again, wishing it would open up and swallow her.

"Yep. Me and Lainie," Nick said, smiling down at Chip. Chip was a good 4 inches shorter than Nick, and Nick used it to his advantage. He could tell Chip was a dick, and he wanted to make him feel as small as possible.

"Well... let's see. The sporting goods department is on the left side of the store behind the toy section. Good luck. Hope you catch some big ones," Chip said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. He was clearly pissed off about something. Lainie knew it was because she refused to go out with him, but she was doing something with Nick. She kept her mouth shut and began to walk towards the sporting goods section. Lainie grabbed a bag of Oreos and a bag of Doritos for the picnic as they walked by the snack section.

"Hey Lainie," Chip called. Lainie stopped and turned to him. "We just got some new low-fat Doritos in. Wouldn't want you to gain all that weight back, now, would we?"

Lainie stared at him open-mouthed for a few seconds, then put the snacks back. She turned and began walking toward the sporting goods section again, tears in her eyes.

"What was that all about?" Nick asked, catching up to her.

"Nothing. It was nothing," she replied, choking back a sob. How could Chip be so mean? Oh yeah. Chip was one of the cute guys. Once a jerk, always a jerk. And as soon as Nick found out about her past, he'd be a jerk too.

"Why'd you put back our lunch?" Nick asked, his brow furrowing.

"Why don't we pick up some salads from Subway?" Lainie asked, checking out the fishing rods.

"Salad? Who the hell eats salad for lunch?" Nick chuckled. "I was thinking more along the lines of foot-long club sandwiches and a huge bag of Doritos. Maybe a giant Coke or something."

"Get whatever you want," Lainie said dismissively.

"What's wrong with you?" he asked, turning her around.

"Nothing," she said, shrugging away from him. "I don't wanna talk about it."

"Alright," Nick said, shaking his head. They picked out their fishing tackle and went to the register. Lainie pulled out her wallet, but Nick elbowed her lightly.

"I'll get this," he said, shaking his head.

"Whatever," she replied, replacing her wallet in her purse. As they walked out of the Walmart, a group of teenage girls ran up to them in the parking lot.

"Omigod, you're HIM. You're really HIM!" one of them shouted.

Nick smiled. "Hi girls. What's up?"

"Ohmigod can we get a picture with you?"
"Ohmigod can I get your autograph?"
"Ohmigod you're so much cuter in person?"
"Ohmigod is this your girlfriend?"

Lainie snorted at this question. Yeah right. Nick's girlfriend. Her? Whatever.

"Sure you can have a picture and an autograph. No, this isn't my girlfriend. She's just a friend. Her name's Lainie Matthews," Nick laughed.

"Lainie Matthews?" one of the girls said incredulously. "My brother went to school with a Lainie Matthews, but she was fat."

Lainie sighed heavily and walked to the car, where she waited for Nick. He returned a few minutes later with a huge smile on his face.

"Anything for the fans, huh?" Lainie muttered.

"Yep. They're what keep us going, you know. I love 'em. Except when I'm trying to eat dinner. Then they can be a pain in the ass. You know, you don't want somebody snapping your picture when you're digging into a plate of fettuccine alfredo. It doesn't make for a pretty snapshot."

"I can imagine," Lainie said, rolling her eyes. Nick unlocked the door and opened it for her. As she climbed into the seat, she realized that this was the first time a man had ever opened a car door for her. Ever. In her entire life. Nick got into the driver seat and they headed back to the house.

"So, what's for breakfast?" Nick asked. "I'm starved."

"I don't know. I guess we could stop and get something."

"McDonalds? Burger King?" Nick asked hopefully, then his face fell. "Oh yeah, you don't like fast food. I forgot."

"No, really. If that's what you want, we can go there," Lainie said, trying to sound convincing. Nick laughed and pulled into the Waffle House parking lot .

"Real food," he said, turning to her with a satisfied grin on his face. Lainie couldn't help but smile. Maybe he wasn't such a jerk after all.

They made their way to a booth, and the waitress, Charlotte, came to get their order.

"Hey Lainie-Laine," Charlotte said, a happy smile on her face. "What can I getcha?"

"Just orange juice for now," Lainie said.

"And what for you, cutie pie?" Charlotte asked Nick.

"Orange juice. A big one. The biggest one you have," Nick said, smiling up at her.

"Sure thing, Hon," Charlotte said, smiling. "Hey Laine, I'm sorry about Old Edward. I know how much you like the old duffer. I don't know why. He was a mean old coot, but if you liked him, he must have been good for something."

"Thanks Charlotte. Oh, by the way, this is Nick. He's Edward's nephew," Lainie said, laughing.

"Oh crap. There goes my tip," Charlotte said, embarrassed. "Listen, honey. I'm sorry for what I just said about your uncle. I'm sure he was a nice man. It's just that after he threw eggs at me on Halloween when I was a kid, I just got kinda scared of him."

"It's ok," Nick laughed. "His sense of humor wasn't for everybody."

Charlotte nodded and went to get their drinks. Nick reached across the table and lightly grasped Lainie's hand, not really thinking about his actions. He looked down at her fingers. Long and slender. Just like the rest of her.

"So," he mused, "do you know everybody in this town, or what?"

"Pretty much," Lainie replied. "I've lived here all my life. Except for when I went to nursing school in Birmingham."

"What was it like growing up here? This town is so small, it seems like everybody would know your business."

"Yep. Everybody knew your business alright. The question is, did they care? I didn't have much business for them to get into," Lainie said, looking down at Nick's hands playing with her hands. She felt a tingle in her stomach. And in her groin. Just then, Charlotte brought their orange juice and placed it on the table. She saw Nick holding Lainie's hands, and her painted on eyebrows shot up.

"So, Nick, you in town for awhile?" Charlotte asked.

"Just for a few days," Nick said, smiling. "I've got to get back to Florida next week. I've got some business to take care of. Closing on a new house and all."

Charlotte nodded, then smiled schemingly at Lainie. "Ok, Laine, what's it gonna be?"

"Huh?" Lainie asked, startled.

"Breakfast, hon. What'll you have?" Charlotte laughed. "You're jumpier than a cat in a roomful of rocking chairs today, girl."

"Oh. I think I'll have two eggs, over medium and toast," Lainie replied, pulling her hands from Nick's. He was what was making her so nervous.

"And what about you, sugar?" Charlotte said, turning to Nick.

"I'll have the three-egg breakfast scrambled and smothered, bacon, toast, extra butter, hashbrowns, scattered and smothered, minus the grits," Nick said, smiling up at her.

"Obviously you're used to fine Waffle House cuisine," Charlotte laughed.

"There's one in every city," Nick replied. "And it's one of the only places to eat at 3am when you can't sleep or you've been midnight-bowling. Besides, the ambiance is much better at Waffle House than at Denny's. I like truck drivers. Only hookers and transvestites in gold lame' dresses hang out at Denny's at 3am."

Charlotte cackled as she went to turn in their order.

"Does everybody like you?" Lainie asked, shaking her head in amazement. "I mean, wherever we go, people seem to like you."

Nick shrugged. "I guess it's part of growing up in the business. You learn to be pleasing. To make a good first impression. The other guys are much better at it than I am. I just try to be myself."

"You're lucky," she said, looking down. "I guess I just don't have a pleasing personality."

"I think you do," Nick said, smiling. Actually, he thought she was a snooty bitch, but he was trying to be nice.

"No. I'm way too shy to be pleasing," she said, shaking her head.

Nick took her hands in his again and looked into her eyes. She felt her heart melting. His eyes were so beautiful. They always seemed to be smiling, even when his mouth wasn't. She just had the urge to run her fingers through that soft blonde hair, too. It always looked good. It was like he didn't even have to try. Just the way he was was sexy.

"What's it like being famous?" she asked softly, tilting her head.

Nick smiled and looked away. "Sometimes it's great. Sometimes it's not so great. Just like any other job. Except that I have to be 'on' all the time. It's hard sometimes, you know. Even if I'm having a really shitty day, I have to be nice to people. I feel like I can't be myself. Every once in awhile, I just like to go into my room and throw shit. You know? Let out the aggression and anger that I can't let out in front of other people."

"You know, you can be yourself with me," Lainie said. "You don't have to be 'on' with me. I don't care if you're in a bad mood. Heck, I get in bad moods myself."

"I am being myself with you. That's why I'm enjoying it here," Nick said. "You know, I could have gone back to Florida today and just come back for the will reading Wednesday. But I thought I'd just stay and hang out for awhile. I like this town. It's friendly. Not too many screaming kids. No paparazzi. It's like a little vacation. Thanks for letting me intrude on your life for awhile. I really appreciate it."

Now she felt bad for wishing he'd go away. This really was a departure from his normal life. She made up her mind to make his stay as pleasant as possible, even if he was one of the cute guys, and he'd probably end up hurting her feelings eventually.
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Lainie sat under the huge water oak by the lake, watching Nick rig the fishing rod. He wasn't doing it right, but she didn't have the heart to tell him.

"Why won't this thing cast?" he mumbled to himself. He checked the rig again and shook his head. "Ok, I'm at a loss here."

"Let me help," Lainie said, taking it from him. Within a few seconds, she had fixed the problem, and handed the rod back to him. "Now you have to put the worm on the hook. I can't touch worms."

"Eww I forgot about that part," Nick said, wrinkling his nose. "Worms leave that sticky goo on your fingers after you stick 'em with the hook, don't they?"

"Yep. That's why I suggested plastic worms. But noooo you had to have the real thing," Lainie laughed.

Nick took a deep breath and dug through the little container of dirt until he found a red wiggling worm. He gingerly put it on the hook.

"That's not gonna stay on," Lainie said softly.

"Sure it will," Nick said confidently. He cast the line and sat back with her against the tree. His arm was pressed against her shoulder. She felt the warmth of his skin through their clothing. She closed her eyes. She had never really been this close to a guy before. They sat quietly and watched the cork floating in the water. It bobbed once... twice, then went under. Nick jerked back on the rod and reeled it in. No fish. Worm gone. Lainie laughed.

"I told you the worm wouldn't stay on," she said, smiling.

"Bite me," Nick grumbled. He dug out another worm and hooked it more securely. He threw the line back out and sat back against the tree. "Aren't you gonna fish?"

"I would, but I'd hate to show you up," Lainie said, laughing a little.

"Show me up, huh? You probably don't even know how to fish," Nick taunted. Lainie rolled her eyes and grabbed the other rod. She hooked a worm on and threw her line out near a stump in the water. Within seconds, the cork disappeared, and she reeled in a nice catfish that weighed at least a pound. Nick shook his head disgustedly.

"Yes, I know how to fish," Lainie said, removing the fish from the hook and throwing him back into the water.

"Hey, why'd you do that? I figured we'd have fish for dinner," Nick said.

"Catch and release. It's the best thing," she said, smiling. "Let them grow up to be BIG fish."

She sat back down beside him and they watched the swans and ducks swim on the other side of the lake. The day was perfect. Late summer. Light breeze. Bright sun. Not too hot. Not too cool. Just perfect. No noise except for the quacking of the ducks and the wind in the leaves.

Nick turned her face around gently with his finger. His blue eyes locked with hers and he slowly brought his mouth down onto her lips. She closed her eyes and let him kiss her. His lips were so soft and warm. He gently opened her mouth and his tongue probed gingerly, searching for her own. She followed his lead, and their tongues intertwined slowly, languidly. Nick ran his hand to the back of her head, then down to her shoulder.

"You're beautiful," he whispered, as he pulled away. She opened her eyes and stared at him for a second, then turned away.

"You don't have to say that," she said quietly.

"But you are," he insisted, turning her to face him again. "You're beautiful. Why don't you like to hear that?"

"I guess nobody's ever told me that before," she said, looking down. He brought her face up to his again.

"Nobody?" he said, looking concerned.

"Nope. Nobody. Well, except for mama and daddy, but parents have to say that no matter what you look like," she laughed bitterly.

"Lainie... you're incredibly beautiful. And if nobody's ever told you that before, well... they're blind."

"Nick, I'm not what you think I am," she said quietly.

"What?" Nick asked, his eyes growing wide. "You're not a guy are you?"

"No!" Lainie exclaimed, laughing. "I'm not a guy. I'm just... Well, let's just say I haven't always looked like this."

"You didn't USED to be a guy, did you?" Nick asked, still cautious.

"No! Nothing like that. I used to be... fat."

"Really?" Nick asked, sounding relieved. "That's all? I thought you were going to tell me you used to be a guy. See, that would be weird. The fact that you used to be fat doesn't mean anything to me. Heck, we all had our problems. We all have flaws. Although, I'd be hard pressed to find one in you right now. Well, except for the fact that you're snobby. But other than that, you're perfect."

"Snobby? You've got to be kidding," Lainie snorted. "I've never been snobby in my life. Self-preserving, maybe. I guess I put up a wall around myself to shield myself from the torture the other kids put me though. But snobby, no."

"They used to torture you?" Nick asked quietly.

"Yep," Lainie said, looking away again. "Relentlessly. I was the butt of all jokes. All pranks. Everything. Didn't you ever have a fat kid in your class that you and your cool buddies made fun of?"

Nick was silently ashamed. He nodded.

"See what I mean? I was that kid, Nick. The one everybody picked on. The one the football players taunted in high school. It made me not trust people. Especially the so-called 'beautiful people' like yourself," Lainie said. She wasn't sure why she was telling him all of this. But something told her she could trust him.

"Lainie, I'm sorry," Nick said softly. "I'd never do anything like that to you. I like you. I think you're great."

"Great, but snobby," Lainie said, smiling a little.

"Well, yeah," Nick laughed lightly. "But now I know why, so that makes it ok. Hey, you got a bite!"

Lainie picked up her rod and reeled in the fish.

"You take it off the hook this time," she said, smiling at Nick. "I wanna see what kind of outdoorsman you are."

"Eww I can't touch a fish! They're wet and slimy!" Nick laughed.

"I knew it. You're a wimp," Lainie laughed.

"I'm kidding," Nick said, grabbing the fish and taking it off the hook. He threw it back in and washed his hands in the lake. "Hey, whaddya say we go for a swim?"

"I'm not skinny dipping with you," Lainie said, shaking her head.

"Who said anything about skinny dipping?" Nick asked, pulling his shirt off. She could see all of his tattoos and her heart skipped a beat or two.

"Well what do you suggest we wear?" she asked.

"Underwear. Underwear are good to swim in. I've done it many times," he replied, unbuttoning his jeans. He stepped out of them and stood in front of her in his boxers. She closed her eyes tightly, wanting to look but not wanting to at the same time. He was just... beautiful.

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