“You really didn’t have to do all of this,” I said as Nick brought me a glass of Sprite.
“Well, I couldn’t just let you limp home. What kind of a person would I be, huh?” he said, sitting down in the chair, beside the couch that I was stretched out on.
I just smiled and took a sip of my drink that he had just brought me. I cautiously looked around his living room and among the many boxes, I spotted lots of plaques and awards.
“What are all of those for?” I asked, pointing to the awards sitting on tables.
“Those?? Oh, um…they’re for well, you don’t know?” he asked a bit surprised.
“Well, no, should I?” I asked.
He laughed a bit and ran his fingers through his blonde locks. “I just figured you knew who I was…” he trailed off, getting a bit nervous.
“Nick Carter?? Hmm…I’ve heard that name before, but I can’t seem to place where exactly,” I said.
“Well, allow me to help jog your memory. I’m a singer, dancer, performer, however ya wanna put it….” He said, beaming proudly of himself.
“Ohmygosh!!! You’re Nick Carter!!!” I yelled, feeling really stupid.
“Well, yeah, I already told ya that!” he laughed.
“No, no, I mean…you are NICK CARTER! From the Backstreet Boys!” I exclaimed.
“Why, yes, I am. I take it you’re a fan…?” he assumed.
“Yeah! I can’t believe I didn’t realize it was you! Ohmygosh and look at me!” I blurted out, feeling very self-conscious.
“No, you look fine. Please relax,” he said settling back into his chair.
“You’re right. You’re just a normal person. I’m sorry,” I apologized, regaining what composure I had beforehand.
“Okay, let’s change the subject. You probably know all about me, so tell me about yourself,” he said, gulping down his drink.
“Well, I’ve lived here for about a year. I moved once I graduated high school and I’m a photographer and a performer,” I explained to him, while his bright blue eyes gazed intently into mine.
“A performer??” he questioned, getting interested.
“Well, sort of. See, I’m taking voice lessons and I have auditions for ‘Bye, Bye Birdie’ next week, so hopefully I’ll get the lead in that. That would be my first big break, I guess…” I told Nick.
“Yeah, that would be great! Well, lots of luck!” he said, genuinely.
“Thanks, but I’m really, really nervous about it. I mean, the only people who have ever heard me sing are my parents, my voice teacher, and a few close friends. I’m nervous about singing in front of people I don’t know,” I confided my fears to him.
He laughed a bit, “I sing to people I don’t know ALL the time!!”
“Yeah, but that’s different…” I retorted.
“Different? How so?” he asked, a bit offended.
“Well, you’ve been doing it so long, it doesn’t bother you anymore,” I said.
“Sometimes it does, but you’re right, most of the time it doesn’t. I always tell Aaron to just pretend there is one person in the audience, like someone you know and trust,” Nick suggested and traded his little trick-of-the-trade.
“Thanks, I will really try to remember that when I go to auditions,” I said, smiling at him.
“How’s you ankle feeling?” he asked, changing the subject.
“It’s throbbing a little, but the ice is numbing it. I really appreciate you bringing me back here and taking care of my ankle,” I thanked him.
“Sure, it’s was no-“ Nick was cut off by the ringing of his cell phone.
“Hello?” he answered.
I turned my attention to Houston who was quietly sitting at the end of the couch, by my feet.
“Sorry about that…it was my girlfriend,” Nick said, placing the phone back on the table.
My heart sank into the bottom of my stomach.
Girlfriend?? He has a girlfriend?
“Are you okay?” he asked.
I took a gulp and swallow the dry lump in my throat and nodded silently.
“You’re really pale. Sure you’re all right?” Nick questioned a bit worried.
“Yeah, yeah…ya know, I should be getting back home. It’s awfully late and I have to get up early in the morning to do a photo shoot,” I said, sitting up abrubtly, suddenly very ready to get home.
“Okay, well let me drive you home,” he offered, as we headed out the door.
I got inside my house and took a long bubble bath with candles lit all around my bathroom. The word “girlfriend” seemed to keep popping into my head. I couldn’t believe he had a girlfriend. I mean, sure, a nice, gorgeous babe doesn’t come by like that everyday…
I finally dried myself off and changed into my fave pj’s. I fixed myself a nice, hot mug of Celestial Season’s and headed outside onto the deck. The breeze gently blew through my long blonde locks as I leaned over the banister and peered out into the ocean.
My thoughts were rudely disturbed by a very high pitched giggling. I looked over to Nick’s house and saw him outside with a female, who was probably his girlfriend. A full moon was out and I heard a bit more giggling then I saw a silhouette of their two bodies become one as Nick leaned in for a kiss.
