Hello

By: Lara

"I’ve been alone with you inside my mind/And in my dreams I’ve kissed your lips a thousand times/I sometimes see you pass outside my door/Hello…is it me you’re looking for?"

Kevin Richardson glanced at his watch for the hundredth time as he slowly got his mail out of the box. He painstakingly studied each envelope, stalling as long as he could. Finally, his watch said 5:45. He walked out of the apartment building, trying to look as if he was just enjoying the fall sunshine. His eyes remained fixed on the daycare center located next to his building. His efforts at wasting time were rewarded as he saw the dark blue Lumina whoosh into the parking lot on the other side of the apartments. There she was.

Corrine slammed the car door behind her, cursing as she realized that her purse strap was still halfway inside the car. She dug her keys out of her blazer pocket and quickly rescued the purse. She hurried down the sidewalk, her high heels clicking on the cement. A man smiled at her from the doorway of the apartment building.

"Good afternoon," he said kindly. She nodded and smiled back but never slowed down. She continued down the sidewalk, never noticing the pair of green eyes that followed her every move.

Why couldn’t you just ask her name? Kevin asked himself, adding a mental kick in the ass. She seems nice, and what would she do, slap you across the face? He watched her body as she walked past him, admiring the way her long slender legs flowed out from under the short skirt of her suit.

Corrine entered the daycare center, her eyes searching the mass of children and parents. Her face lit up. "Veronica!" She called. The toddler turned and grinned.

"Mommy!" She hustled over as fast as her three year old legs could carry her, and threw herself at her mother’s legs. "Mommy!"

Corrine laughed and scooped her daughter up into her arms. "Oh, Ronny, Mommy missed you." She ruffled her daughter’s strawberry blond hair.

"No Ronny, Mommy. Veronica," her daughter ordered, playing with one of Corrine’s earrings. Corrine laughed again.

"Oh, I’m sorry. Veronica." Still carrying her child, Corrine went over and gathered her jacket and small bag. Veronica’s teacher walked over.

"Ms. Fields. Veronica seems to have learned a new word," the teacher said. Corrine frowned. The last word she had practiced at daycare was ‘dumbass’, which Corrine frequently used while on the telephone complaining about her boss. The teacher smiled. "No, don’t worry. This time it was ‘annoying’. She told Joey Davis that he was annoying her when he was walking around playing with the cymbals." Both women laughed. Veronica tugged at her mother’s arm.

"Mommy, I wanna go home. Sesame Street!" Veronica reminded her. Corrine sighed.

"Sometimes I wish she didn’t speak quite so well."

The women said goodbye and Corrine took Veronica’s hand and led her out of the building. As they approached the apartment building between the daycare and the parking lot, they ran into Vivien and Lisa. Lisa was a bit older than Veronica, and Vivien was Lisa’s mother. Vivien and Corrine began to chat while the little girls talked in their own version of baby talk. Veronica let go of Corrine’s hand, but she didn’t notice.

Kevin was about to go up to his apartment when he saw her stop not far away from the door. He loved watching her with her daughter. The little girl was absolutely beautiful, and he was desperately jealous of any man that got to have them as his family. He never saw a father/husband pick up the little girl, but that didn’t mean one didn’t exist. He watched the little girl let go of her mother’s hand, and wander over to a crack in the sidewalk where a flowering weed had pushed its way up. He had to smile as the little girl struggled to pull the plant out. She finally gave up and looked around her. Her blue eyes met his green ones, and he smiled at her. She gave a friendly grin back, then turned away. Her interest was drawn to the squeak of the swings at the park across the street. She looked up once at her mother, then took a few determined steps towards the busy street, obviously bent on getting onto those swings one way or another. Kevin watched in shock as she took a few steps off the sidewalk.

Kevin gasped as the little girl stepped out into the rush hour traffic, oblivious to anything but the park on the other side of the road. He momentarily froze as he saw the delivery truck rumbling in her direction, then sprang into action. He ran down the sidewalk, letting his mail drop to the ground.

Corrine and Vivien turned to gawk at the man who suddenly began sprinting down the sidewalk. It was then that Corrine realized Veronica was no longer holding her hand.

"Veronica? RONNY?" She shrieked, her eyes finding the small figure of her daughter out in the street. "Oh my god," she whispered, unable to move.

Kevin made a beeline for the little girl, scooping her up with one arm. Surprisingly enough, veronica did not struggle, but allowed him to run across the street with her clumsily tucked under his arm. He felt something smack against his foot, but ignored it. He didn’t stop running until he reached the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street. He collapsed to the ground, still holding the little girl tight.

"Are you okay?" He panted, gasping for breath. She nodded, stuck her thumb in her mouth, and settled herself closer against him. He looked down at her, then settled back against the low brick wall that separated the park from the sidewalk.

"Veronica!" Corrine shrieked, running across the street as quickly as she could, dodging cars along the way. She fell to her knees, sobbing as she took her daughter out of Kevin’s arms. She kissed her daughters hair, her tears falling through the strawberry strands.

"No, Mommy!" Veronica said loudly, reaching out for Kevin again. Corrine’s tearstricken face turned to him as Veronica crawled back onto his lap.

"I don’t know how to thank you," she whispered. "I never felt her hand leave mine. You have to believe me. I take very good care of my daughter!"

"I know you do," Kevin said reassuringly. "I…I see you with her every day. You love her very much, and it shows."

Corrine blushed, then said, "Are you okay?"

He nodded. "I’m fine. Nothing a good hot bath and a strong drink won’t cure," he said, smiling. She slowly smiled back, wiping the last tears from her face. She quickly took him in.

Tall, great body. Nice dark hair, gorgeous green eyes…killer smile. She caught herself. No. He’s a man, remember? Nothing good about him. That thought snuck into her mind before she could stop it. It seemed that lately she could only see men as the enemy, whether it be the man who delivered the mail at her office or the man who saved her daughter’s life. Her eyes wandered down to his feet.

"Oh my god!" She gasped, looking at the gash that ran from his ankle up his leg. His sweatpants were torn, and blood had seeped through.

"Oh. I hadn’t even noticed. It’s not bad," he promised, realizing that one of the tires of the truck must have grazed his leg. "I live right across the street. I’ll get cleaned up soon."

Corrine looked at Veronica, who was still snuggled against Kevin, sucking away at her thumb. "She hasn’t done that in over a year," she observed.

"It’s probably because she had the hell scared out of her. Oh! Excuse my language," he apologized, realizing that he was holding a small child. "Her name is Veronica?" Corrine nodded. "Veronica, why don’t you go back to Mommy now, okay? She’s upset, and holding you will make her feel better."

Veronica nodded and crawled back to her mother, who squeezed her tight. "Mommy, ow!" Veronica complained.

Corrine lessened her grip, and studied Kevin closely. "You look very familiar to me."

Kevin squirmed. "Well, I live right there, and I’m usually out getting my mail when you come by."

"No…not that." She looked at him intently, then realized how rude it seemed. "Sorry. Never mind."

"No, it’s okay. I…I sing. With some friends."

"You’re a Backstreet Boy," she said suddenly. "Oh my gosh. You’re Kevin Richardson. Kevin Richardson was almost killed trying to save my baby," she said, blushing deeply. "Oh, god. I am so sorry!"

He laughed at the red that crept across her face. "It’s okay. I’m just like anyone else. I am surprised that you could pick me out. You’re a bit older than the usual fan."

She blushed deeper. "I have both your CDs. I really like your music."

"Thank you," he said sincerely. He slowly got to his feet, gingerly placing weight on his ankle. "I think I’ll live. Let’s go over to the crosswalk and cross safely this time."

Veronica struggled to get down from her mother’s arms, and took Kevin’s hand, leading him to the intersection. "Over here," she instructed.

"I apologize. She is very…vocal," Corrine said.

They crossed the street and he walked them to their car. As Corrine unlocked the door, Kevin squatted so he was eye to eye with Veronica.

"Never ever cross the street without a grownup again, okay? It is very very dangerous, and if I wouldn’t have seen you, you could have gotten hurt very badly," he told her. She nodded, her eyes big. Corrine strapped her into her carseat, then turned to Kevin.

"How can I ever thank you?"

"Well, first of all, you could tell me your name," he said, finally asking the question that had haunted him for months.

"Corrine Fields."

"Well, Corrine Fields, please take these." He dug in the pocket of his jacket and pulled out two tickets for the Backstreet Boys concert the next evening. "You could take your husband, if he doesn’t mind about a zillion screaming teenagers."

A door closed behind Corrine’s eyes. "I don’t have a husband," she said defensively. Kevin acted as if he hadn’t noticed the coldness in her tone.

"Well, a friend or a sister then. Maybe they won’t mind the screaming either." He held out his hand. "It was very nice to finally talk to you, Corrine."

She slowly took his hand and shook it. "Thank you again, Kevin." She got in her car and drove away.

Kevin waved at Veronica as the car pulled out of the lot, his ankle forgotten. Corrine.

Kevin sighed as he packed his gym bag. He finally had gotten to meet the woman he had watched for all this time, and now he felt even worse. Someone had broken her heart. He had noticed how a door seemed to slam behind her eyes when he mentioned her husband. He stared into space, deodorant in hand, as he thought of the way that Veronica had snuggled in his arms. She was such a sweetie. He began to imagine what HIS child would look like…his and Corrine’s child. He snapped himself out of it, zipped the bag closed, and headed for the gym.

Corrine dug in her purse for her keys. "Mommy, Sesame Street!" Veronica wailed.

"I’m trying, honey, I’m trying." Corrine finally grabbed the keys and unlocked the door. Her daughter ran for the family room and turned on the television. She knew that PBS was channel six, and quickly flipped to the right channel. Dragging a pillow off the sofa, she plopped down on the floor. "Not too close, Ronny," Corrine reminded her.

"Veronica, Mommy," her daughter re-reminded her. Corrine smiled and went to the machine to check her messages.

As she heard the first message, she sank onto a chair, her head in her hands. It was Veronica’s father’s lawyer. She was in the middle of a huge battle for support, and was getting nowhere. He was finding all kinds of reasons NOT to pay, basically centering around the fact that he had never wanted children, and that he was sure Corrine had gotten pregnant on purpose, which she hadn’t. Corrine erased the message and went to the kitchen to start dinner.

As she opened a box of macaroni and cheese (Veronica’s favorite), she stared down at the counter, remembering a pair of beautiful green eyes.

"Kev, yo. You said you’d spot me!" Nick Carter said in annoyance. "Hello…Earth to Kevin."

"Oh, yeah, sorry man." Kevin came to stand behind the bench where Nick was laying.

"I’d appreciate your full attention here. I’d rather not smash this down on my chest," Nick said as he prepared to lift the barbell.

Kevin had to smile at Nick’s attempts to buff himself up. Nick had decided to get rid of the baby fat once and for all, and was wholeheartedly attacking every piece of equipment at their private gym.

"Nick, why don’t you just start by eating better? Quit eating all that fried shit you like so much," AJ McLean suggested from across the room where he was jogging on a treadmill.

"That’s easy for YOU to say. You eat whatever you want and your scrawny ass stays scrawny," Nick huffed from under the barbell.

"My ass is NOT scrawny," AJ replied, offended.

"Um, AJ? Not that I check it out on a regular basis, but it IS kinda scrawny," Howie Dorough offered from his seat on a fly machine.

"Shut up, Howie," AJ retorted.

"Okay, Kev, that’s good. KEV!" Nick shrieked as he tried to replace the barbell on its rack.

"Oh, shit, sorry!" Kevin exclaimed, grabbing the weight from Nick just in time.

"Man, what the hell is WRONG with you?" Nick scowled, reaching for his bottle of water. "You are totally not here."

"Nothing. I’m fine." Kevin went over to the step machine and stood on it, but didn’t turn it on.

"Sure you are," Nick said, staring at him.

"I think Kev’s met a girl," Howie said, smiling.

"No, not a girl. A woman," Kevin finally admitted, seeing beautiful blue eyes under a mass of honey colored hair. "A beautiful woman with a beautiful little girl."

"A little girl? Whoa…are you sure you wanna get with someone who has a kid?" AJ asked.

"I don’t wanna ‘get with’ anyone, AJ," Kevin said, glaring at him. "She’s not like that. She’s beautiful…and is SO good with her daughter."

"Do you know anything else about her?" Howie asked.

"Only her name, Corrine. And that she isn’t married, and that some guy screwed her over."

"Oh…I see…so you know her first name and that some guy dicked her over, but you don’t know her last name, her address, or her phone number," AJ observed. "Good work, Kev."

"Shut up, AJ," Kevin snapped, turning on the Stairmaster.

Corrine had Veronica in her high chair and was filling her sippy cup with milk when the phone rang. "Hello?"

"Hey girl." It was Corrine’s best friend and Veronica’s godmother, Wendy. "How is my baby?"

"Good. She learned a new word and practiced it at school today."

"Oh dear God," Wendy moaned. She had heard about the "dumbass" situation.

Corrine laughed. "No, nothing like that. Today it was ‘annoying’."

Wendy laughed also. "The reason I’m calling is because my mom said she misses Ronny dearly, and would love to have her for a night. I was wondering what you wanted to do…say…tomorrow?"

"How about a Backstreet Boys concert?" Corrine asked, pulling the tickets out of her blazer pocket.

"You are KIDDING! How the hell did you get tickets for that? It’s sold out!" Wendy shrieked.

"Um…I met someone today who gave me a pair. Interested?"

"HELL yes I’m interested! Anything to get me closer to Nick Carter’s sweet baby blues!"

"Wendy…you do realize that the boy is ten years younger than you?"

"Who the hell cares? He needs a woman to teach him things," Wendy replied. Corrine had to laugh.

"Okay, I guess we’re going to the concert then."

They chatted for a few more minutes and then Corrine finally got herself some dinner as Veronica worked on a Popsicle. She flipped on the kitchen TV set, and flipped the channels. The local news was doing a feature on the Backstreet Boys, and Corrine froze as Kevin’s athletic body and green eyes seemed to fill the small screen.

"Kevvy!" Veronica shouted, smacking the tray of her high chair. "Mommy! Kevvy!"

"What, Veronica?" Corrine asked. Yet again, she was amazed by the capacity of her small daughter’s brain.

"Mommy, I wanna see Kevvy? When? When?"

"I don’t know, sweetie," Corrine replied, but mentally added but soon would be nice.

"I can see it in your eyes, I can see it in your smile, you’re all I ever wanted, and my arms are open wide. ‘Cause you know just what to say, and you know just what to do. And I want to tell you so much…I love you…"

"Lemme see those tickets," Wendy said as they drove to the arena.

"Wendy, just keep your eyes on the road, please," Corrine suggested as they merged into the sea of cars heading for the concert.

"Let me see them," Wendy ordered, holding out her hand. As they paused at a red light, she glanced at the row and seat. "Corrine! We are in the sixth row center!" She shrieked.

"Oh, really? I hadn’t noticed," Corrine lied, though it was the first thing she had noticed.

"Oh my God! We will be six rows and x number of yards away from Nick!" Wendy sounded ten instead of twenty-nine.

"Wendy…calm your hormones," Corrine said, laughing.

They parked and began the long trek to the arena. They went to the souvenir stand first, to pick up a t-shirt for Veronica, then found their seats.

"I don’t fucking believe this!" Wendy said, staring at the stage, which seemed to be right in front of them.

"Well, the seats won’t seem that good when there are a zillion screaming little girls all around us," Corrine said.

"I don’t care, because I will be screaming the loudest," Wendy pointed out. "I’ll say, ‘Nick! Over here! The woman who is gonna teach you everything you ever needed to know about wild sex is right here, baby!’ and then he’ll hop off the stage and carry me away." She sat back in her chair, oblivious to the dirty looks she was receiving from some of the mothers nearby. Corrine laughed so hard she almost fell onto the floor.

I wonder if she’ll be here. I wonder if she even wanted to see me again. I wonder if she brought a friend. I wonder if that friend is male. Maybe she made this into a date. I gave her the opportunity to go on a date with someone other than me! Kevin was thinking frantically as he did some stretches in a corner backstage. He mentally pulled himself together. He realized that a Backstreet Boys concert was hardly the place to bring a date.

"Kev, you okay bro?" The voice of his cousin snapped him back to reality.

"Hey, Bri," Kev said, smiling from his seat on the floor where he was stretching his legs. "I’m fine. How are you feeling?"

"Good. The old ticker is still ticking," Brian joked, joining Kevin on the floor. "So…tell me about this girl."

Kevin sighed and rolled his eyes. "AJ just cannot keep his mouth shut, can he?"

"Yeah, he can. It was Nick this time."

Kevin groaned and bent his head over his knee. "Brian, she’s beautiful. She’s smart. She’s fun. She’s sexy."

"I thought you knew nothing about her," Brian replied, confused.

"I don’t. Not yet. But I can just tell. She’s everything I ever wanted in a woman. And she has the most wonderful little girl, named Veronica." Kevin smiled as he remembered the sweet little girl.

"Well, you know I just want you happy, bro, but you gotta be careful. If she’s alone with a kid, she could just be out for your money."

"No!" Kevin snapped, glaring at his younger cousin. "She’s not like that." His tone softened. "Besides, we’ve only had one conversation. For all I know, she thinks I’m grosser then the Creature from the Black Lagoon."

"Doubtful," Brian said kindly, slapping him on the back. "Just be careful."

Kevin nodded as the rest of the guys wandered over. He glared at Nick. "Is it impossible for you to keep your mouth shut for five freakin’ minutes?"

Nick smiled in embarrassment. "It just slipped out, Kev, sorry."

They sat in a circle and talked, getting revved up for the show that would be starting in fifteen minutes. Kevin made himself drive Corrine from his mind as he mentally prepared to give the ever-growing crowd in the arena a show they would never forget.

Wendy bounced up and down with anticipation. "I can’t believe it! I can’t believe we’re this close to them!"

"Wendy…chill…you’re acting like a ten year old."

"So?" Wendy asked, sticking her tongue out at Corrine. Corrine sighed and rolled her eyes, though she was as excited as Wendy was, but for a different reason. She hadn’t been able to get Kevin out of her mind since their encounter the day before, and her mind was straining to remember every detail. Was he really as beautiful as she had remembered him?

"How’d you get these tickets again?" Wendy was asking her.

"I told you. I met someone and he gave them to me."

"Well, gimme his number. I want to thank him personally."

Corrine smiled, thinking about how Wendy would freak if she really knew who had given her the tickets.

The house lights dimmed, and the music began. Before they knew it, the whole arena erupted into a mass of screams and yells as the guys took the stage. Kevin was right in the middle for the first song, and Corrine froze as she stared at him. He wore the tightest pair of black jeans she had ever seen, and they accentuated the muscles in his thighs and backside. He had on a dark green silk shirt that was unbuttoned, and as she looked at the bronze muscles of his chest and stomach, Corrine felt her mouth actually water.

"Oh my God! There’s Nick!" Wendy shouted, her eyes glued to Nick as he pranced about the stage, smiling that sexy half-smile. "I’m in love."

"No, that’s lust, Wendy," Corrine pointed out, finally finding her tongue. She was unable to say much more as she watched Kevin dance. She knew that the ankle he had injured must be causing him a lot of pain, but you would never know to look at him.

After a few fast songs, the lights went all the way down and the guys sat on stools. The beginning guitar strains of "All I Have to Give" filled the arena, and the fans screamed even more, but soon quieted down to hear the guys sing. For many reasons, this was Corrine’s favorite Backstreet Boys song, and her eyes never left Kevin as the group sang it.

Kevin’s eyes wandered over the crowd, searching the general area of the tickets he had given to Corrine. He hadn’t had a chance to really look until now, and when his eyes found hers, he almost stopped singing. There she was. She wore a simple blouse and jeans, but he felt as if he was seeing a vision.

Corrine noticed Kevin’s eyes on her, and almost gasped in shock. He wasn’t just looking in her direction, he was looking at her.

"And my love is all I have to give…without you I don’t think I could live…I wish I could give the world to you…" he sang, as if he was singing right to her. She swallowed deeply, blushing a deep red. Wendy turned to stare at her.

"Girl, you alright?"

"Y-yeah…fine…" Corrine mumbled, quickly sitting down as the song ended.

The guys ran backstage for a costume change and Kevin motioned a security guard over. "I need you to do me a favor. The people in seats 6 L and 6 M. Don’t let them leave, okay? Bring them backstage as soon as the show is over, okay?"

"Uh, sure, Mr. Richardson. No problem." The guard looked at him strangely, but walked away so he could change.

She was there! She was there and she saw him. Of course she saw him but she was looking at him! Right at him! Not at Nick…not at Brian…at him. Kevin felt like a teenager with his first crush as he yanked on the hockey jersey for the next part of the show. AJ was staring at him.

"Kev, you have the goofiest grin on your face…what’s going on?"

"Nothing, McLean, nothing. None of your business." Kevin ran a comb through his short hair. "Now let’s get out there and kick some more ass!"

After the last encore, the Backstreet Boys wearily made their way back to their dressing room. Though the adrenaline was still flowing, they were physically exhausted. These shows took a lot out of them, but there was nothing they loved more than being onstage.

He wanted nothing more than to go home and soak his throbbing ankle, but Kevin made himself hurry into the shower. He wanted to look a lot better than hot and sweaty by the time Corrine came backstage…if she came backstage, that is.

"Oh, GOD that was fabulous," Wendy exclaimed, falling back into her chair as they waited for the crowds to thin out some. "I swear, Nick was looking right at me. Did you notice? Those baby blues were glued to me."

"Yeah…sure…" Corrine mumbled absentmindedly. All she could remember was a pair of clear green eyes smiling down at her. "Hey, let’s go. I’m tired."

"Corrine…it’s a Friday night. Let’s go for a drink or something," Wendy suggested. "It’s only eleven o’clock!"

"I don’t know…I mean I have to get…"

"You do not have to get Veronica, Corrine. She’s with my mom, remember? How about you try something new tonight. Act like a single twenty-six year old, instead of a single twenty-six year old mother."

Corrine frowned at her friend but said nothing. It was true, she hadn’t been out in a while, but she liked it that way. Didn’t she?

"Excuse me, ladies." They looked up at a large man wearing a "security" t-shirt. "I have to ask you to follow me."

They looked at each other, then slowly stood, gathering their purses and purchases together. They followed the man out of the arena and down a backstage corridor.

"See, I told you you shouldn’t have been yelling at Nick like that," Corrine snapped in a whisper. "His mom is probably back there waiting to beat the shit out of you."

"Shut up!" Wendy hissed.

The man stopped in front of a black door, and knocked three times. A voice yelled that it was okay to come in, and the security guard opened the door for them. "Have a nice evening, ladies."

Corrine took a cautious step in the door and about fainted. There were the Backstreet Boys, minus Kevin. AJ sat on a folding chair, his head hanging down, covered by a damp towel. Brian Littrell was changing his shirt, Howie was on his cellphone, and Nick was zipping up a pair of jeans.

"Oh my God," Wendy whispered as she watched those jeans slowly zip up. "Please tell me I’ve died and this is heaven."

"Behave!" Corrine snapped, smiling weakly as the guys did a double take.

"Can we help you?" Brian asked politely.

"Um…I don’t know. I have no clue why we are here and…" Corrine began. She stammered to a stop as Kevin walked in from the showers, wearing only a pair of gym shorts.

"Corrine!" His smile lit up his whole face, and she couldn’t help but smile back.

"That’s Corrine?" AJ whispered to Nick, his head snapping up from under the towel to take a closer look. Howie quickly ended his phone call and looked the women over as well.

"Wait a minute." Wendy stared at Corrine. "Excuse us a moment," she threw over her shoulder to the five men. She glared at her friend. "Um…how the hell does Kevin Richardson know your name?"

"Um…he’s the one who gave me the tickets. Still want to thank him personally?" Corrine teased. She couldn’t help it. Seeing how gorgeous Kevin really was, and the pleasure that lit up his eyes at the sight of her made her happier than she had been in a long time.

"I’m so glad you came back here. I’m so glad you came to the show," Kevin began, then realized he was babbling. He took a deep breath and started over. "What did you think?"

"Fantastic," Corrine said.

"Yeah, fantastic," Wendy whispered, her eyes never leaving Kevin’s gorgeous body.

"Ahem," AJ said, clearing his throat quite obviously.

"Oh…sorry." Kevin took Corrine’s hand and led her a step forward. "Guys, this is Corrine. I guess you already know, but that’s AJ, Howie, Nick, and my cousin, Brian." He pointed to each one.

"Hi," she said shyly. She felt a sharp poke in her back. "Oh. This is my best friend, Wendy."

"Hello, Wendy," AJ said, looking her over from her ebony hair down to her skintight stretch pants.

"Hi, AJ," Wendy said, though her eyes never left Nick. Nick blushed slightly, but it was obvious he didn’t mind the attention of the older woman.

Kevin refused to release Corrine’s hand, and led her over to a sofa in the corner as Wendy began a flirtatious conversation with Howie, AJ, and Nick. Brian got dressed and borrowed Howie’s phone.

"I’m so glad you’re here," Kevin said almost shyly. "I had hoped you’d bring Veronica though. How is she?"

"She’s fine. She’s with Wendy’s mom. She asked about you today, though."

"She did?" Kevin was amazed, and touched.

"Wanted to know where "Kevvy" was."

"Kevvy?" Kevin asked, laughing. Corrine smiled and nodded.

"She’s become quite attached to you already, after one meeting."

"Well, I hope to get to see her again," Kevin said cautiously, inwardly groaning as the shades began to fall behind Corrine’s eyes.

"We’ll see."

"So, what are you two up to now?" Howie was asking Wendy.

"Um…I’m trying to convince Corrine to go out, but so far she’s not biting. She never goes out anymore," she emphasized dramatically.

"We’ll change that," AJ said, jumping to his feet. "Yo, Kev!" He called, totally ignoring the look on Kevin’s face that said leave us the hell alone, McLean! "Let’s all go out. Let’s go to the Chameleon, or something."

"I don’t know," Kevin began, turning to Corrine. "Do you like to go dancing?"

"She loves dancing," Wendy replied before Corrine could open her mouth.

"Great. That settles it. Kevin, get some clothes on and let’s roll!" AJ announced.

They decided that the women would go in Wendy’s car, so they would have their own way home. Corrine and Wendy left.

"Nick is a hottie and everything, but there’s something about that AJ. Damn. I’d do him in a heartbeat," Wendy said as they squealed out of the empty parking lot.

"Wendy!" Corrine said, trying to appear shocked. Nothing about Wendy really shocked her.

"I can’t help it. He’s just so sexy. He has this one hundred percent ‘fuck me’ attitude."

"Maybe you could talk AJ and Nick into a threesome," Corrine suggested.

"Hey…there’s an idea. AJ and Nick…talk about as different as night and day. I never even thought about them in the same sentence before." Wendy was miles away, deep in thought.

"Wendy, I was kidding!" Corrine exclaimed.

"Well…I’ll have to see what I can do. Enough about me, though. How the hell did you meet Kevin Richardson?" Wendy yelled, smacking her friend on her shoulder.

Corrine explained all the events from the day before. "And then he gave me the tickets," she finished.

"Girl, he is all over you. Can’t you see that?"

"He could have any woman he wants, any night of the week," Corrine protested.

"Stupid, that’s not what I meant. He really likes you. His eyes followed your every move in that dressing room. And when AJ started yelling about us all going out, it was like he just wanted to protect you from whatever might make you unhappy." Wendy sighed. "My best friend is gonna marry a Backstreet Boy!"

"Wendy, I just met him yesterday. I’m not marrying anyone."

"Mark my words. He is head over heels, and within the next six months, he’s gonna propose."

"Hey Mr. DJ, keep playing that song for me…" AJ sang as the group piled into their limo. Brian groaned.

"AJ…please…sing a song OTHER than something by the Backstreet Boys."

"Okay." AJ thought for a moment. "Tu y yo…ole ole ole…"

Everyone else groaned, and Nick smacked AJ on the side of the head. The guys got into a friendly scuffle, but Kevin stared out the window. He couldn’t believe he was finally getting the chance to spend some time with Corrine, after all these months of watching her.

Brian was watching his cousin carefully. "You’re right, Kev. She was beautiful."

"Definitely a hottie," Howie agreed.

"Well, since she’s taken, I’ll take her friend," AJ offered.

"Forget it, munchkin. She wants me bad," Nick said, smoothing down his hair in an exaggerated gesture.

"Munchkin this, little boy. She wants a real man, not some teeny-bopper’s fantasy." AJ glared at Nick, only half joking.

"Hey…why don’t you just wait and see?" Howie asked, trying to make peace. "Maybe you’ll both get lucky."

"Well, if McLean gets lucky, it’s only cuz he’s getting my seconds," Nick retorted. Everyone, even Kevin, turned to stare at him. Nick usually wasn’t this egotistical.

"You know, these are human beings we’re talking about, Nickolas," Kevin said sternly. He didn’t like the way Nick was talking about Corrine’s best friend.

Nick recognized the tone of Kevin’s voice as a signal that Kevin was not in the mood to be played with. "You’re right, Kev. We’ll let the little lady make her own choice."

Corrine paced back and forth in front of the club. Wendy had been right; she did love to dance. She had never been inside the Chameleon; only the ‘right’ people were admitted. What if Kevin and the guys had been playing some kind of cruel joke? What if they were at some other club, laughing their asses off at the two dumb fans who had actually expected to hang out with them?

"Corrine, knock it off! You’re making me dizzy," Wendy said from her seat on the curb. "If they don’t show, we go to another club, find two hot men, and have the hell fucked out of us. No biggie."

Corrine glared down at her friend in annoyance. Wendy hadn’t had a steady relationship in over two years; she preferred the more "temporary" situation. Since Michael had left her when she found out she was pregnant with Ronny, Corrine had not even gone out on a date. Not many men wanted to spend time with a young mother, and those who did were only interested in one thing, and Corrine wasn’t about to just give it away.

The limo pulled up in back of the club and the guys piled out. They wandered around the side of the building towards the front door. They didn’t like appearing out front with the limo, since the little wannabes and groupies jumped on any limousine that drove by.

Kevin’s eyes frantically searched for the two women. He spotted them a few yards down from the entrance and had to keep from running up to Corrine. He thought she looked so nice. Her long hair was swept up in a dark blue clip that matched the dark blue of her blouse. Her beige jeans hugged her long legs, and her waist looked non-existent.

"Corrine," he said quietly, not wanting to scare her. She whirled around, her face brightening.

"Kevin! I’m so glad to see you! I was afraid you guys had ditched us!" She said before she thought. She blushed a furious fire engine red and he laughed. He tentatively reached out for her hand and she slowly took it.

"I would never do that, unless it was really really important," he promised her.

"Miss Wendy, you look good enough to eat!" AJ announced, putting an arm around her.

"And I’m just hungry enough for the first course," Nick added, taking Wendy’s hand and pulling her towards the entrance. A fuming AJ shot daggers at Nick’s back with his eyes. Howie slapped him on the back.

"Come on, man. There’s many more right through these doors."

"I’ve never been here," Corrine said to Kevin as he carefully guided her through the mass of people. Occasionally he and the other guys stopped to sign autographs, which she thought was very considerate, since they were on playtime now.

"Who are you?" A woman in the crowd snapped, grabbing at Corrine’s arm. Her eyes widened as she tried to think of something to say.

Kevin felt Corrine’s hand pull out of his, and he turned to ask what was wrong. He saw the deathgrip the woman had on Corrine’s arm, and noticed the fear in Corrine’s blue eyes. He walked over, smiling his best smile.

"Would you like an autograph or something?" He asked politely. The woman melted under his emerald gaze.

"Um…uh…sure," she stammered. He signed the paper that she thrust into his hands, smiled again, and took Corrine’s hand once more.

"You’re quite the hero," she remarked, trying to regain her nerves.

"I should make it my part time job," he joked. The bouncer at the door recognized him, and let him in without any trouble.

Corrine tried to see clearly in the smoke filled, dimly lit club. The room was packed, and the dance floor on the lower level was crowded.

"Do you want a drink?" Kevin yelled in her ear. She shook her head. "Come on." He took her hand and followed the rest of the group to a private back room. The room had a solid door and was almost soundproof. "This is where we hang every time we come here. The music kicks ass, but sometimes you just wanna veg without being stared at."

The room had a large circular booth in one corner, and a smaller table for four next to it. Wendy sat at the table for four, and Nick and AJ immediately took seats on either side of her.

"I’m buying the first round," Howie announced, throwing his jacket on the table. "What can I get ya’ll?"

Everyone shouted out drinks and beer brands. Corrine relented and ordered a wine cooler. She slid into the booth, and Brian and Kevin sat on either side of her.

"So, Kev says you have a daughter?" Brian asked. Corrine’s face lit up.

"Yes, I do." She pulled out her wallet and the most recent snapshots of Veronica.

"Wow, she is beautiful!" Brian said.

"Just like her mom," Kevin said softly so only Corrine could here. She blushed.

"Well, since I have a few extra, here you go." She handed Kevin a picture of Veronica on her tricycle. "You can have this, if you want."

"Wow. Thanks. I’d love to have it." He immediately put it in his wallet. They were disturbed by a commotion at the other table.

"I asked her to dance first, fool!" AJ was yelling at Nick.

"Well, I said she’s dancing with me after we finish our drinks!" Nick retorted as Howie returned with a tray full of drinks.

"Whoa whoa whoa!" Wendy put up her hand, laughing. "Let’s finish our drinks, and then we’ll all dance together, okay?"

"Fine," Nick sulked. AJ laughed.

"You are such a baby!"

"Am not," Nick pouted, then realized how he had sounded. He laughed too.

Everyone sat around and chatted as they worked on their first round of drinks. Brian watched Kevin and Corrine, not saying much. He immediately saw what his cousin liked about her, and realized that she was not a money-hungry female just after Kevin’s fame and fortune. She was a nice person who seemed very lonely. And though Kevin would never admit it, he was looking to settle down and start a family, and would even leave the group if need be.

"Okay everyone, drink up. I’m ready to get down!" Howie said, doing a few impromptu dance steps.

"Go ahead, Howie. We’ll find you," AJ said. Howie smiled and took off for the dance floor.

"Are you ready to go ‘get down’ with Howie?" Kevin asked Corrine. She laughed.

"As ready as I’ll ever be." Kevin stood and reached for her hand. She took it and he led her out of the private room towards the stairs down to the dance floor.

They made their way through the crowd to a small area in the center where Howie was jamming with a blonde and a redhead. Corrine noticed that a few people did double takes when the Backstreet Boys walked down, but since so many famous people were already out on the floor, the moment didn’t last long. Since the floor was packed with people, she was practically pressed up against Kevin, not that she minded.

Kevin looked down into Corrine’s happy blue eyes and sighed. He hadn’t enjoyed himself this much in a long time. He loved the feeling of her body so close to his, the body that he had admired from afar for so long. A few strands of honey fell from her clip, and it took everything he had not to push them back. He didn’t want to scare her. He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her. He wanted to take her back to his apartment and make slow love to her. He wanted to take her and her daughter on picnics, and to the zoo. He just wanted to be with her.

Corrine looked over at Wendy, who was grinding up against Nick, much to AJ’s annoyance. AJ rolled his eyes, then grabbed one of Howie’s new friends and began to dance with her. Wendy put her arms around Nick’s neck and he pulled her close. They began kissing right there on the dance floor, and Corrine rolled her eyes. She turned back to Kevin, who was staring down at her. Before she knew what she was doing, her hands worked their way up to his shoulders, and she felt his hands on her waist. He bent his head down and she turned her lips up to his, grasping his shoulders to steady herself as electricity seemed to flow through her body. The kiss was gentle but not without passion. She moaned a tiny moan as his hands pulled her closer. He was the first to pull away.

"I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that," he apologized, afraid that he might have moved too fast.

"No, it was wonderful," she whispered. She glanced over his shoulder, saw someone watching her, and froze.

Kevin drew back in shock as the doors behind her eyes violently slammed shut. She pulled back from him.

"I have to go," she blurted. She broke away from him and ran to Wendy. "Wen, we need to go. NOW."

Wendy pulled her mouth away from Nick’s. "Um…Corrine…I’m busy here," Wendy growled as Nick’s hands moved down to caress her backside.

"Wendy…I’m not fucking kidding!" Corrine said as tears began to fall.

"Okay, okay, we’ll go!" Wendy said, pulling away from Nick. She smiled apologetically at him, but turned to her friend. "Let’s roll."

They ran out the front door without another word, leaving Nick and Kevin staring open-mouthed.

Wendy waited until they were well on their way before asking, "Um…exactly what the hell happened in there? I was closely investigating Nick Carter’s tonsils!"

Corrine sat and sobbed for a long time before answering, "It was him, Wendy…it was Michael!"

"Oh. Oh, baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t see him," Wendy said, apologizing for freaking out. "Are you sure it was him? I mean, who the hell does he know to get in to the Chameleon?"

"I’m positive…at least I think I’m positive." Corrine tried to calm down. "It was the eyes. You know how ice blue they are. They stared right through me. And his face…the look on his face was like he was looking at the worst kind of slug that just crawled out from under a rock. I had to get out of there!"

"I understand." Wendy patted her hand sympathetically.

Corrine stared out the window, thinking of Kevin. She just knew she had seen the last of him. Maybe it was for the best. After all, his job took him all over the world, and she didn’t want Ronny to get too attached to him. Men, after all, were the worst creatures God had put on the Earth. Weren’t they?

Kevin and Nick stared at the retreating backs of the two women, then looked at each other.

"What happened, Nicky? Did she find out how young you REALLY are?" AJ teased.

"Shut up, AJ," Nick warned, his eyes never leaving Kevin. "Kev, what the hell just happened?"

"I don’t know, Nick. We were dancing, I kissed her, then all of a sudden it was like she saw a ghost or something." He couldn’t hide the disappointment in his tone. "I don’t know what I did!" He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "And I have no way of contacting her."

"Yes, you do, bro," Nick said suddenly, grabbing Kevin’s shoulder. "Come with me."

Wendy pulled up in front of her mother’s house. "Are you sure about this, Corrine? I mean, you could always pick her up tomorrow."

"No. I want her with me now," Corrine said, feeling as if her whole sense of safety had been taken from her.

They tiptoed up the walk, trying to make as little noise as possible. It was after one am, but Corrine knew that Ronny would never wake up. She slept like the dead.

They reached the door, and Wendy turned to Corrine with wide eyes. "Shit!" She swore. "I had my car keys in my pocket, but Mom’s house keys are in my purse…back at the club!"

"Dammit!" Corrine sat down hard on the front step. "There’s no way they’ll believe us and let us back in."

"I’m sorry, Corrine, really," Wendy said.

"It’s okay. Just take me home, okay? I don’t want to wake your mom up. I’ll come back for Veronica tomorrow morning."

Nick dragged Kevin back to the room where they had first hung out. He pointed to a table triumphantly. "Look, Kev! They ran out of here so fast that Wendy forgot her bag. You can get her info and call her, and she’ll hook you up with Corrine."

Kevin’s heart began to beat a bit faster, but he frowned. "Maybe I did something wrong, Nick. Maybe I totally freaked her out, and she wants nothing to do with me."

Nick took the purse and slapped it against Kevin’s chest, so that he had no choice but to grab it. "Just call Wendy, man. Make sure everything’s okay, then just nose around about Corrine." He smiled a sly smile. "Then you’d better give the bag back to me. I want to return it myself."

"I long to see the sunlight in your hair…and tell you time and time again how much I care. Sometimes I feel my heart will overflow. Hello? I’ve just got to let you know…"

The next morning, Kevin sat and stared at Wendy’s purse for a long time. He took a long swallow of his coffee and finally dug out her wallet. He found her information card and dialed the number.

"Hello?" A voice said groggily.

"Wendy?"

"Yeah?"

"This is Kevin Richardson."

"Kevin!" She squealed, and he could hear her quickly wake up. "How great to hear from you!"

"We found your bag and I just wanted to let you know. If it’s not too much trouble, Nick would like to run it over to your house today."

"That would be fantastic!" Wendy said, and Kevin couldn’t help but smile at the eagerness in her voice.

"Um…Wendy? How is Corrine? Is she okay?"

Wendy noticed the concern in Kevin’s voice, but knew she couldn’t tell him anything without Corrine’s okay. "She’s fine, Kevin. She just…she needed to get out of there."

"Oh," Kevin replied miserably."

"It’s nothing you did, I promise."

"Okay," he replied, but it was obvious he didn’t believe her.

"Look, Kevin. She didn’t say it right out, but Corrine really likes you. Just give her a few days and then give her a call, okay?" He heard her yawn and stretch. "Now, I gotta go. I gotta get ready for my visitor!"

Kevin said goodbye and hung up, then realized he had never gotten Corrine’s number. He picked up the phone, then paused. Maybe he should just let it go. He could still see her every day when she picked Veronica up. He dialed Nick’s number.

Corrine was at Wendy’s mother’s house at nine am, after a night of almost no sleep. She kept seeing Michael’s face…those blue eyes…it haunted her every time her eyes closed. She wasn’t physically afraid of him, but he represented everything hateful about men. He had called her all kinds of names when she had finally told him that she was pregnant. He called her a slut, a whore, had told her that it couldn’t have been his, because he had taken precautions against such things. She didn’t remind him that birth control was not 100% safe.

"Corrine! I didn’t expect you for hours yet!" Wendy’s mother, Leigh, let her in the door. "She’s coloring in the kitchen."

Corrine entered the sunny room, and a wave of love swept over her as she saw the light head bent over a coloring book. "Hey, baby," she said softly.

"Mommy, I don’t wanna go home. I hafta color this," Veronica said seriously.

"Why don’t you sit down for a cup of coffee until she finishes her picture?" Leigh said. Corrine nodded and sat down at the table.

"Those are very good pictures, Ronny," Corrine told her daughter. Veronica ignored the nickname for once and continued to color.

Leigh poured them each a cup of coffee and joined the other two at the table. "Is everything okay, Corrine?"

"Yes, fine," Corrine replied, her eyes avoiding those of the woman who was like a mother to her.

"Something happened last night, didn’t it," the older woman said softly. Corrine’s eyes welled up with tears.

"I…uh…saw Michael last night, at least I think I did. It scared me. I mean, the only contact I’ve had with him over the last three years has been through attorneys. But there he was, at the club. And he just stared at me, like I was some kind of bug. I was dancing with someone, and he just looked right through the guy."

"You were on a date?" Leigh asked, intrigued. Corrine had to smile.

"Not exactly. We…uh…were out with the Backstreet Boys."

"The singing group?" For an older woman, Leigh was very up to date on current events in music, television, and movies from her job as a seventh grade teacher.

"Yes," Corrine blushed slightly.

"Wendy must have had a fit!" Leigh said, laughing. "So, which one were you dancing with?"

"Kevin," Corrine said softly, remembering the tenderness of his lips on hers. Leigh noticed the faraway look in her eyes, but said nothing.

"Kevvy?" Veronica said, looking up. "Mommy, I wanna see Kevvy!"

Leigh looked from Veronica to Corrine. Corrine explained what had happened the day they had first met Kevin.

"He sounds like a wonderful man," Leigh said. Corrine nodded. "But you are worried because you just ran out of the club without saying anything. You’re worried that he thinks you’re a basket case or something."

Corrine stared at her. "I swear, you have second sight or something."

"No, I’m just a woman like you. That’s how I’d feel. Why don’t you just tell him about Michael and everything that happened?"

"I don’t want to unload all that baggage on him, or even get him involved. I’m just gonna go on with my life as it was before, and pretend that I never even met Kevin Richardson."

Wendy tore her mouth away from Nick’s as the phone rang. He had arrived at her house about twenty minutes earlier, and it had only taken about five minutes before they were trying to tear each other’s clothing off.

"Baby, don’t answer that," Nick moaned as his hands deftly pulled her t-shirt up and off.

"I have to…it could be important," she mumbled, sighing as he made quick work of her bra and began to lightly caress his breasts with her fingertips. "Damn…how do you know so much at nineteen?"

Nick didn’t answer that question, and instead placed his mouth where his fingers had been. Wendy clutched at his blond hair and arched her back up towards him. He lightly bit the nipples until they stood up hard against his tongue. She moaned again, her nails moving down to dig in his back. "Still want to answer the phone?" He said. She pulled at his shirt as a reply, and he smiled a sexy smile as she began to drag him to the bedroom.

"I have an answering machine for just this type of situation."

Corrine left a short message on Wendy’s machine, then slumped back onto the sofa. Veronica was watching a Disney video, and Corrine decided to use the time to clean out her bedroom closet. She just couldn’t seem to get the energy to get up and actually do it. She just wanted to crawl into bed and cry. Kevin was so wonderful, so kind and considerate. Maybe she should tell him. He’d understand why seeing Michael had thrown her for such a loop. She looked over at her daughter and smiled. Veronica was singing along with Ariel the mermaid, and every once in a while she would look over at Corrine and giggle. She loved being the center of attention, a trait she had definitely inherited from her father. Corrine thought of Michael and frowned. She hated him for ruining her life, for still having this hold over her.

Two hours later, Wendy and Nick finally came up for air. Wendy threw on a robe and went to check her machine. She heard Corrine’s voice and quickly dialed her number.

"Hey, chick, what’s up?"

"I’m just trying to get Veronica to eat some vegetables, and I am quickly losing the battle," Corrine replied, glaring at her daughter sternly.

"Sorry I didn’t answer earlier. I was…uh…busy," Wendy said, giggling as Nick put his arms around her and kissed behind her ears.

"Hi, Corrine!" He yelled in the direction of the phone.

"Is that Nick?" Corrine said in shock. "Wendy, he’s almost half your age!"

"So? He sure as hell doesn’t act nineteen," Wendy replied as Nick wandered off towards the kitchen to hunt up a snack. "Though he does have the stamina of a younger man. Damn if he didn’t about wear me out!"

"I do NOT want to hear this," Corrine said sharply.

"Why…jealous?" Wendy said rudely, offended by Corrine’s judging tone.

"No, I am definitely not jealous. Chasing every guy that looks at me twice is not my idea of a life," Corrine retorted.

"Well, at least I’m getting something instead of having everything dry up and rot off because it hasn’t been used in so long!" Wendy yelled.

Corrine hung up, furious with her supposed best friend.

"Dammit!" Wendy yelled at no one in particular, slamming the phone down.

"What is it, baby?" Nick said, coming back into the room, eating a banana.

"Corrine! She’s such a bitch!" Wendy said. Nick pulled her into his arms.

"Forget her. Let’s go back to bed and snuggle."

Wendy willingly allowed him to lead her back to the bedroom, and soon his smooth hands and soft touch drove all thoughts of anyone but him far from her mind.

Corrine wanted to scream with frustration. She had no idea why she even cared what Wendy did. That was the life she chose, and as long as she was careful, it didn’t really matter to Corrine one way or the other. Maybe she was jealous. It had been so long since she had had a man touching her body, making her feel as if she were full of electricity. Kevin’s kiss had done exactly that, and had left her body begging for more. She mentally kicked herself for not getting a phone number or something from him before running out of the club like a child. She knew where he lived, but knew she would never have the nerve to knock on his door. She buried her head in her hands, totally aggravated. Veronica chose that moment to throw her bowl of green beans onto the floor. Corrine jumped to her feet, enraged. She cleaned up the mess, took Veronica out of her high chair, and put her in her room for a nap. She then curled up on her own bed and cried herself to sleep.

Kevin wanted nothing more than for rehearsal to end. They were going out of town the next day, and he wanted to be able to at least see Corrine one more time, if not talk to her.

"Kevin, where the hell is your mind today?" Their choreographer asked. "I need it here, please, for just a few more minutes."

"It’s busy with a beautiful woman," AJ teased.

"Fuck off, AJ, okay?" Kevin growled. The other guys stared at him. Kevin was usually a lot more in control.

"Ignore him, Kevin. He’s just jealous cuz he ain’t got a woman of his own," Nick pointed out. AJ glared at him.

"And I suppose you do?"

"Hell, yes I do. I spent the weekend at Wendy’s house, if you must know," Nick bragged.

"So that’s why you didn’t answer any of my pages," Fatima said. Nick hung his head in embarrassment.

"Why in the world would she spend the weekend screwing you, when she coulda had me?" AJ asked, obviously not believing him.

"Because you never gave her your number, and I was the one who found her purse at the club," Nick pointed out. AJ opened his mouth to say something else, but Fatima interrupted.

"One more time, guys, from the top, then I’ll let you outta here."

Kevin did the routine, but his heart wasn’t in it. His heart was in the hands of one of the most wonderful women he had ever met, and she didn’t even know it.

"Yo, Kev, wait up!" AJ ran after Kevin as he hurried out the door.

"What, AJ? I don’t have time for this."

"What’s Wendy’s last name, do you remember? Do you remember anything about her phone number? Her address?"

"Why do you want to know?" Kevin stopped walking and turned to him as Brian walked up to join them.

"She was fine, bro! I want some of that. There’s no way baby Nicky could please her like I could."

Kevin rolled his eyes as Brian asked, "AJ, maybe she doesn’t even WANT you. Maybe she’s totally happy with Nick."

"Doubtful," AJ scoffed.

"AJ, all I remember is her last name was O’Connell, and she lived in Martinsville, okay? Her address on her driver’s license was Martinsville."

"Classic! Thanks bro! I owe you!" AJ rushed off. Brian turned to Kevin.

"Want some company? I know you’re gonna go hang at your place and wait for Corrine, and I thought you might feel better if I was there. Ya know, just for company or whatever."

Kevin smiled gratefully. The more he thought about it, the less he wanted to be alone. "That would be great, Cuz. Thanks a lot."

Corrine slowly drove up the street in front of Kevin’s apartment, her eyes raking the sidewalk for any sight of him. The news that morning had broadcast the fact that the group would be leaving town the next day, so she expected he would be at his apartment packing. She wanted to see him, but at the same time wanted to avoid any contact with him. She was so confused. Part of her wanted to beg him to understand, wanted to explain to him exactly what had happened. Another part saw him only as a man, and as a person that might possibly hurt her. She sighed as she pulled into the daycare center’s lot. No sign of Kevin.

She briskly strode down the sidewalk, not noticing the two figures that hovered in the doorway of Kevin’s building.

"There she is," Kevin whispered.

"Kev, she can’t hear you," Brian pointed out. "No need to whisper."

Kevin ignored his cousin and stared at Corrine, memorizing every little detail. The shine of her hair, the cut of her light blue suit, the line of her long legs. He sighed a sorrowful sigh, and Brian’s heart went out to him.

"Come on, Veronica. Mommy really wants to get home," Corrine said as Veronica took her time putting her toys away.

"Mommy, I’m hungry."

Corrine sighed. "Veronica, you are always hungry. You must have gotten that from your father."

"Kevvy? Kevvy my daddy?" Veronica asked. Corrine fell to the ground beside her daughter, sitting down hard on the floor.

"N-no, baby, Kevvy’s not your daddy." She helped pick up the remaining toys, fighting the tears that threatened to stream down her face. "Now, let’s go."

Corrine walked briskly down the sidewalk, tugging at Veronica’s hand to make her walk faster. She looked down at her daughter, and wasn’t watching where she was going. She slammed into another body, and immediately began to apologize.

"Excuse me! I’m sorry and…oh…it’s you!"

"Wendy O’Connell," Wendy said absentmindedly as she answered the phone.

"Wendy? This is Denise."

"Oh, hi, Denise," Wendy said. She stretched back in her chair, wondering why her next door neighbor was calling her at her job as an interior designer.

"I just thought you might want to know, I saw someone crawling in your bedroom window."

"Of my HOUSE?" Wendy shrieked, sitting up straight. "Did you call the police?"

"Um…no. Not yet. He was carrying flowers, and on all the TV shows and movies I’ve seen where someone breaks into something, they never carry bouquets of roses."

"ROSES?" Wendy yelled. "I’ll be right over."

She flew down the highway, muttering curse words as she thought of Nick Carter crawling in her bedroom window. How absolutely rude. How thoughtless. He could have gotten himself arrested. Leave it to a nineteen-year-old male not to think things through, she muttered to herself as she pulled into her driveway. Of course, she wasn’t sure that’s who it was, but there was a rental car parked in front of her house, and she just couldn’t see that any burglar would be dumb enough to do something like that.

She slowly let herself in the front door. Sure enough, there was a path of rose petals that started at the front door…and led towards her bedroom door. She followed the trail of peach, pink, and white petals to her closed bedroom door. She opened the door, and froze in shock. There, on her bed, were hundreds of blood-red rose petals…and a naked AJ McLean.

"Hello, Corrine," Brian said, his blue eyes smiling down into hers. He looked down at the child next to her. He squatted down to her level. "And you must be Veronica. My cousin Kevin has told me SO much about you."

"Kevvy?" Veronica asked, looking around for Kevin.

"No, he’s not out here. He’s upstairs finishing his packing," he said, directing the answer towards Veronica but looking at Corrine.

"Oh. Well, I hope you guys have a safe trip and everything," Corrine said nervously. "I should be going."

"Corrine, wait." Brian put a hand on her arm. "He is so miserable. He hurried over here after rehearsal so he could watch you again one last time before we leave."

"What do you mean ‘one last time’, Brian?" Corrine asked, her eyes narrowing.

Oh, shit, Brian thought to himself. He decided to just be honest. "He has stood here for months, ever since we’ve been in town, and watched you every time you picked Veronica up from daycare. He just never got the nerve to talk to you until that day when he ran after Veronica."

"He stood and watched me?" Corrine repeated, not quite sure what to think.

"Yes. He’s been in love with you since the first moment he saw you."

"Oh," she said simply. "Well, anyway…"

He refused to let her go without a fight. "Corrine, he’s right upstairs. Couldn’t you at least come up and say hi or something? Don’t let him go like this, please."

Corrine began to say no, but that idea was soon squashed by her shrieking daughter.

"Mommy! Mommy! Kevvy! Up there!" Veronica jumped up and down, pointing to the top floor window. Corrine tilted her head back and saw Kevin looking down at them. "Mommy, Kevvy! Please!"

Before she could reply, Brian scooped the child into his arms and disappeared into the apartment building.

Wendy stared at AJ open mouthed, for once unable to think of anything to say. He smiled his most devilish smile.

"Honey, you’re home!"

"Um…uh…AJ…what the hell are you doing here?" She stammered.

"If you’ve got something to say, spit it out…or swallow it," he replied, winking. "I thought I would come and say hello before we had to leave tomorrow."

She continued to stare at him, her eyes running over his slender frame. She had never thought she would be attracted to him; she preferred someone more Nick’s style and shape. However, the sight of him lying naked on her bed sent the blood rushing through her body. "AJ, you shouldn’t have broken into my house," she finally said, taking a few steps closer to the bed.

"I didn’t ‘break in’. The back window wasn’t locked. That’s not very safe, you know," he scolded, standing and walking the last few feet towards her. He trailed his hand down her cheek. "So, you spent the weekend with little Nicky, huh?"

"Is that what this is all about?" Wendy said angrily, her dark eyes flashing. "You got jealous because he bagged me before you could, is that right?"

"Oh, I was incredibly jealous," AJ murmured, his eyes glinting dangerously. He reached up and undid the bun that held up her long dark hair. He ran his fingers through it, bringing it to his nose. He inhaled deeply. "God, I LOVE dark hair."

"AJ, get some clothes on and get the hell out of my house," Wendy said sharply, trying to pull away. He wrapped his hands in her hair and pulled her mouth to his. She moaned and tried to fight, but soon abandoned the idea as his tongue outlined her mouth.

"You don’t want me to leave, do you, Wendy? You want me to stay here and fuck the living hell out of you," he said softly as he pushed her blazer off and began unbuttoning her shirt.

"You fucking prick!" She yelled, reaching up to smack him across the face. In an instant that arm was pinned behind her back as his other hand ripped open the blouse, causing buttons to fly everywhere.

"Don’t fuck with me, Wendy, and this will go a lot easier." He unzipped her skirt and slid it down her body.

"What, you’re a rapist now?" She asked, kicking at his hands as he removed her stockings.

"Can’t rape the willing," was all he would say as he buried his face between her legs. He sucked at the soaking wet material of her underwear and she moaned unconsciously. Rose petals were crushed between her fingers as she grabbed at the covers on the bed.

"Oh, God…AJ…" she groaned as he tore her underwear in two. His tongue slithered up inside of her as one finger slowly rubbed her clit in rhythmic circles. "Don’t stop, please," she begged. He immediately stopped and bent her legs until her knees almost touched her shoulders. She felt his cock slam into her and she shrieked. He continued to thrust as deep as he could.

"Still want that little boy? Still want Nicky? Can Nicky fuck you like this?" AJ demanded, his hands reaching down to pinch at her breasts.

"N-no…AJ…only you," she panted as she felt herself already about to cum. With a groan he slammed into her one last time, unable to hold back as he felt her walls tighten around him.

"I THOUGHT so," he said in a moan as he shot his load inside of her. Rose petals flew everywhere as he collapsed next to her, placing his head on her chest.

"Brian…Brian Littrell! Come back here with my child!" Corrine yelled, grabbing at Brian as he dashed into the building.

"Nope!" He said, smiling as he grabbed an elevator that was just closing.

"Dammit!" Corrine cursed as she jabbed the up button.

"Kevvy!" A voice shouted from outside Kevin’s door as the doorbell rang.

"Yo, Kev! Open up, Cuz!"

Kevin opened the door to see Veronica Fields riding piggyback on his cousin’s back. "Veronica?" He said in astonishment. He looked past Brian. "Where’s Corrine?"

"Coming along." Brian brushed past Kevin and entered the apartment. He flopped Veronica down on the sofa, and she made a beeline for Kevin. "I kinda abducted her daughter to get her ass up here."

"You WHAT?" Kevin gasped as Veronica jumped into his arms.

They all looked at the door as the doorbell rang again. Picking up Veronica, Kevin went to answer it. "Corrine…hi."

"Hello, Kevin," Corrine said breathlessly, all anger at Brian suddenly fading. Kevin wore only a pair of sweatpants, and she could hardly keep from running a hand down his smooth muscular chest. She looked up at Veronica, snuggled against his shoulder, and couldn’t help but notice how right she looked in Kevin’s arms. If only her own father would hold her like this. The thought of Michael hardened her heart. "I’m sorry that Brian burst in on you like this, but he stole my daughter away. I’m just here to get her. Come on, sweetie." Corrine reached out for Veronica.

"No, Mommy. I’m staying with Kevvy!" Veronica said stubbornly.

"Veronica, let’s go watch TV in ‘Kevvy’s’ bedroom," Brian suggested. She went to him without a word and they retreated to the bedroom, closing the door.

Corrine sat on the sofa, and Kevin sat on a chair nearby. "So…you guys are leaving town tomorrow."

"Yeah…we’re going out west and touring around there," Kevin replied, nervously glancing around the apartment. He finally built up all his nerve. "Corrine, I really like you. I was having a wonderful time the other night. Did…did I do something wrong?"

Corrine softened. "God, Kevin, no. It totally wasn’t you. I just…I couldn’t…" she couldn’t find the words without telling him about Michael. And for some odd reason, she didn’t want to tell him. She didn’t want to bring him into her problems. "I didn’t feel comfortable. I don’t know…"

Kevin moved over to sit next to her. He took her hand. "Corrine, I think we are sort of friends, right? You can talk to me. As a friend, if you want."

Corrine wanted nothing more to tell him about Michael and everything she was going through with the support battle. She wanted to tell him how she hated her job, but needed it just to make ends meet. She wanted to tell him how she and Wendy had fought, and that she missed her best friend already.

"Wendy and I had a fight," she blurted out. Kevin looked at her strangely. "Nick was at her house, and I guess I made her sound like a whore or something, and she told me that I basically wouldn’t know sex if it hit me in the face because it’s been so long, and now we’re fighting."

Kevin burst out laughing at her run-on sentence. Corrine blushed furiously, realizing what she had just said. "I know Nick was over there all weekend. AJ got really jealous, and I think he’s over there now. Maybe you’re right about her."

"I am not! You have no right to talk about my best friend like that!" Corrine said angrily.

"See? You don’t really think that," Kevin said, smiling slyly.

"Oh, you are so bad! You made me say that," Corrine said, smacking him in the shoulder.

"Call her. Apologize. I bet she’s dying to talk to you," he told her.

"Maybe," she admitted.

"Corrine, could I call you when I come back into town again? Maybe I could take you and Veronica to the zoo, or to the movies or something."

"Kevin, I don’t know. I don’t want her getting attached to someone and have it not work out. She’s not used to having a man around." And neither am I, she added to herself.

"Um…if I can ask…where’s her father?" Kevin said cautiously.

Corrine suddenly stood. "We have to go." She strode through the living room and threw open the bedroom door. "Come on, Veronica."

"But Mommy…"

"NOW!" Corrine snapped, grabbing her and picking her up. "Brian, thank you for watching her. Good luck on your tour." She walked past the amazed cousins and headed for the door, Veronica wailing over her shoulder. "And Kevin? Please don’t call us. Don’t contact us at all. And please stop watching me."

Corrine slammed the door of her apartment. It made her feel a little bit better, but not much.

"Sesame Street?" Veronica asked simply. She had not said a word the whole way home. Corrine knew that her daughter was upset because they had left Kevin’s apartment, but she ignored it.

"Yes, Veronica. Go ahead." Veronica took a few steps towards the living room, then ran back to hug Corrine’s legs.

"I love you, Mommy."

Tears streamed down Corrine’s cheeks. "I love you, too, baby."

Veronica went to the TV, and Corrine tried to decide on something for dinner. She preheated the oven and took a frozen pizza out of the freezer. She usually tried to make something a little healthier, but she just didn’t feel like cooking. She kicked off her high heels, and stared at the phone. She finally picked it up and started dialing.

"You will NOT answer that," AJ panted. Wendy was on her hands and knees in front of him, and he was VERY close to cumming.

"No," she promised, moaning as his hand reached around to stroke her breasts. Her ears strained to hear who it was.

"Wen? It’s Corrine." She could hear the tears in her friend’s voice. "Look…I’m sorry about whatever the hell happened the other day. I need you…bad. Please call as soon as…" as she began to sob, she hung up the phone.

Wendy kicked back until AJ moved away from her. "What the fuck?" He yelled angrily. Wendy pulled on a robe.

"I have to go, AJ. I’m sorry."

"WHAT?" He said, staring at her.

"Corrine needs me. She sounds really upset." Wendy went into the bathroom and turned the shower on. He followed her.

"But I need you, too, baby," he murmured against her neck, his hands reaching around to untie the knot in the robe.

"No, AJ," she said firmly, pushing his hands away. "You got what you wanted: revenge on Nick. Now, I’m asking you to please get dressed and go."

AJ stared at her open-mouthed as she stepped into the shower. No woman ever said no to him. Especially when he was right in the middle of doing her doggie style! "Wendy…"

She poked her head out of the shower. "AJ…please. I’ve had a great afternoon and everything, but it’s ending now, okay?"

AJ stumbled back into the bedroom. He picked up his clothing and sat on the edge of the bed in total shock. As he pulled on his boxers, he began to smile, realizing he had met his match in Wendy O’Connell.

An hour later, Wendy was knocking on the door of Corrine’s apartment. She heard Corrine yell for her to come in. Veronica was just finishing her dinner and Corrine was watching the news.

"Hey," Wendy said, bending down and kissing Veronica’s forehead.

"Hey," Corrine said softly. "We have extra pizza. Want some?"

"Yeah. I’m starving."

Corrine threw a piece of pizza into the microwave as Wendy wiped off Veronica’s hands and face. She went to her room to play.

"Look…Wendy…I’m so sorry I said what I did."

"You didn’t really even say anything. I just took it all wrong." Wendy sat down and took one of Corrine’s hands in her own. "I’m sorry for saying what I did. It was rude and thoughtless. And maybe you’re right about me. I am a slut."

"I never said…" Corrine began. Wendy held up her hand.

"I know you didn’t. But it’s true. I’m twenty-nine, never been married, no kids. I mean, I see you with Veronica and I get so jealous sometimes. I want to settle down. But I know that Nick Carter and AJ McLean are NOT the type of men to settle down with."

"AJ too?" Corrine couldn’t help but ask. Wendy nodded.

"Yeah. Actually, we were getting busy when you called."

"And you made him STOP?" Corrine asked, beginning to smile.

"Um, yeah." The more Wendy thought about it, the more she began to laugh. "I think he was shocked. No one ever says no to AJ, I don’t think." The women laughed for a moment. Then Wendy grew serious. "What’s wrong, honey?"

"Oh, Wen," Corrine said sadly. "It’s Kevin. I like him so much. But I just CAN’T let him in…not yet. I feel like I’m lying to him, but really all I’m doing is not telling him something."

"Corrine, Kevin is a wonderful man. Remember when I talked about settling down? He is a prime example of the type of man you settle down with. He’s kind, and sweet, and generous, and considerate. Not to mention hot as hell and sexy, too! I’m sure he’d understand about Michael. And if you were with Kevin, you wouldn’t need Michael’s money, and you could quit this court thing."

"Wendy, that’s just it!" Corrine said, smacking the table. "I do NOT want Kevin to think I’m after his money, which is what it will sound like." She sighed. "No, I think I’ll just have to forget Kevin Richardson ever walked into my life."

Two months later

"I CANNOT believe you would even attempt to ask me to do this, Tim!" Corrine all but shouted at her boss. "You know I have responsibilities here!"

"Corrine, look, I’m not treating you differently than any of the other employees," Tim Brady said, his stare unwavering. "You’ve always said that you wanted to be treated just like one of the guys, and that just because you are the only woman this high up in this advertising agency you should NOT be treated differently. Well, I’ve taken someone with me to this conference every year, and now it’s YOUR turn. As a matter of fact, I think we have been very lenient when it comes to you and your daughter."

"I know." Corrine sighed and dropped into a chair. "But three days! I’ve never been away from her for so long."

"Hey, I understand." He sat behind his desk and smiled at her. "I know how great she is, and how much you love her. But the guys upstairs wanna know why I keep rotating people who accompany me and why your name is never on the list. I’m sorry, Cor."

He was the only person she allowed to call her by any kind of a nickname, and when he did it always made her smile. "Okay, Tim. There’s nothing I can do, I know. I’ll find SOMEONE to watch her."

Kevin morosely flipped channels on the hotel room TV. As usual, 65 channels and nothing on. He sighed and turned off the power. He placed his hands behind his head and stared at the ceiling. It was ten o’clock on a Friday night, and he was in a hotel room alone. AJ, Howie, and Nick had gone out to a club, and Brian was in his room on the phone with a new girlfriend. Kevin frowned. He didn’t know what the big deal was, but Brian wouldn’t tell them anything about the new girl.

Kevin pulled out his wallet and stared at the picture of Veronica that Corrine had given him. She was so beautiful. The picture was dog-eared and wrinkled from all the times he had looked at it. And he didn’t really look at it to see Veronica, though he already loved the little girl. It was the fact that he could see so much of Corrine in her. He sighed again and put the picture away. He sat up suddenly. This was no way to get Corrine out of his head and heart. He quickly threw on a tight pair of black jeans and a pine green shirt. He would go find the guys and have a good time. This was Denver, dammit, not some hole in the wall. There were hundreds of girls out there, and one of them had his name written all over her.

"BRI!" He yelled, pounding on Brian’s door a few minutes later. "Get your ass off the phone!"

"What?" Brian said rudely, throwing the door open. "I’m on the phone, Kev."

"Duh," Kevin remarked. "Where did the guys go? Do you know?"

"The guys? You want to go out with them?" Brian said in disbelief. Kevin rarely went out with the other guys unless Brian went along.

"Yeah."

"Um…I think they mentioned hitting that new club that opened last week. Remember we saw the billboards when we drove in? I don’t remember the name."

"That will do, Cuz. The taxi driver should know. Thanks."

Kevin strode down the hall. Brian stared after him, then slowly closed his door. He hurried back to the phone. "Still there? Sorry, sweetie. Kevin is acting really weird…"

A few days later

"Be good for Aunt Wendy, okay?" Corrine hugged Veronica for the hundredth time. "Do what she tells you." She looked at Wendy. "I’m still not so sure this is a good idea."

"Corrine, I can do this. My mom is just a phone call away." Wendy picked up Veronica and kissed her cheek. "It’s about time I start taking some responsibilities."

"Well, I don’t know if I like Veronica being your first responsibility," Corrine mumbled.

"I heard that," Wendy replied, smiling. "Besides, I hardly ever go out anymore, you know that. I like staying in."

"Yes, I’ve noticed. I haven’t quite figured that one out yet," Corrine said, looking at her friend closely. "Is there something you aren’t telling me?"

"No!" Wendy was quick to say, but she refused to meet her best friend’s eyes. Corrine gasped.

"Wendy! You don’t…do you…you don’t have HIV, do you?"

"GOD, no! I would tell you something like that!" Wendy said, putting Veronica down. "I promise, everything is fine, okay? The whole club scene was just getting old."

"One more hug." Corrine took her daughter in her arms. "Mommy loves you, Veronica. Very very much."

"I love you too, Mommy," Veronica replied, squirming to get down.

"I’ll call as soon as I get to Phoenix," Corrine told Wendy, who rolled her eyes.

"That’s not necessary, Corrine."

"Too bad." She hugged Wendy, and kissed Veronica one last time before she forced herself to leave.

"Man, it is way too hot!" Howie complained as they walked from the tour bus into the hotel.

"It’s just as hot in Florida," AJ pointed out.

"But not this kind of hot. This is just dry…and…yucky."

The other four men turned to him. "Yucky?" Nick remarked, snickering.

"No other word," Howie replied, pushing the up button on the elevator.

Once they entered the elevator, Kevin leaned against the wall, closing his eyes. In every city since Denver, he had hooked up with a woman, and it hadn’t helped. No one was Corrine. He was thankful that Phoenix was the last city on the western leg of their tour. After tonight, they’d get to go home for a few days. Maybe he’d call her…maybe she’d…

"Yo, Kev. Fifteenth floor, this is us." Brian gently nudged him.

They went to their rooms. Kevin started to unpack but soon flopped onto the bed, once again staring at the ceiling.

Corrine sighed with relief as they walked out of the conference room. "That had to be the most boring meeting I have been to in my whole entire life," she murmured to Tim.

He smiled. "And just think. Two more days!" She groaned and he laughed. "Let’s take a load off. I’m taking you to dinner and then we’re going out on the town."

She frowned. "I don’t know, Tim. I mean, I’m tired, and…"

"Absolutely no refusing. We deserve this, and it’s not like we have to pay for it." His hazel eyes twinkled at her, and she couldn’t help but smile. Tim was about 8 or 9 years older than she was, and still single. He had short blond hair and a smile that could only be described as contagious.

"This is not a date, right?" She asked, suddenly serious. He grew serious as well.

"I don’t date co-workers, Corrine, not that I have many female co-workers. This is totally platonic, I promise."

They made plans to meet in an hour, after they could shower and get changed.

"So, Kev…going out with us again tonight?" Howie asked as they stretched out in the green room of the arena.

"You bet," Kevin replied, though his heart wasn’t in it. He didn’t really feel like going out, but it was their last night on this part of the tour, and even Brian was disengaging himself from the telephone for the night.

"So, what flavor are you looking for tonight, Kev? Brunette…blond…redhead?" AJ asked, referring to all the different girls Kevin had hooked up with over the last few weeks. Brian frowned. He knew that Kevin was looking for companionship and nothing more, but he also knew that it couldn’t be good for Kevin emotionally. Kevin was looking for another Corrine, and it just wasn’t gonna happen.

"Maybe all of the above," Kevin replied with a wry smile. He got up and walked out of the room.

Brian sighed. "Anyone know where Nick is?"

"No way. We can’t eat here!" Corrine protested when they met in the lobby. Tim had suggested eating in the hotel’s extremely fancy, extremely expensive restaurant.

"Why not? It’s not our money." He took her hand and began dragging her towards the doors of the restaurant.

"It just doesn’t feel right," she insisted, dragging her feet. She looked over her shoulder, sure that everyone was staring at the scene Tim was causing. She glanced towards the elevator and froze.

"Yo, I’m coming. I couldn’t find my shoe," Nick said into his cellular. "I swear, Brian, I’m on my way. I’m in the lobby now and I’m…" He looked up and saw a pair of blue eyes watching him. "I’ll…uh…be right there."

"You know what? You’re right. This is absolutely great. Let’s go!" Corrine began shoving Tim towards the door, desperate to get out of the lobby. Nick Carter had just walked off the elevator, and she knew he had recognized her. It was obvious that he and the guys were staying in this hotel. The same hotel that her conference was in. The same hotel that she and Tim were in.

"Corrine, are you okay?" He turned around and noticed how pale her face had become.

"I’m fine, Tim. Just hungry. Let’s go eat!"

"’Cause I wonder where you are, and I wonder what you do, are you somewhere feeling lonely? Or is someone loving you? Tell me how to win your heart, for I haven’t got a clue. But let me start by saying…I love you…"

Nick avoided Kevin when he finally arrived at the arena. He was positive that the woman he had seen at the hotel was Corrine. But what was she doing in Phoenix, and who was that guy she was with?

"Nick, where the hell have you been?" Kevin said angrily as he burst back into their dressing room. "We’re set to go on in about five minutes, and you aren’t even warmed up!"

"I’m sorry, Kev. It won’t happen again," Nick replied, yanking off his shirt and reaching for the one he was wearing for the first part of the show. The other guys stared. Nick never apologized for being late. It was something they had all come to accept. Nick was always late, Kevin always yelled, and Nick always blew him off.

"Well…uh…make sure it doesn’t," Kevin stammered before leaving the room again. Howie and AJ went back to their last minute stretches. Brian walked over to Nick.

"What’s going on?"

Nick thought for a long moment before deciding to tell the truth. "Bri, I saw Corrine at our hotel. With another man."

"WHAT? Are you sure?" Brian yelled in a whisper.

"I’m positive. She saw me, too, and then practically shoved the guy inside the restaurant."

"Maybe he’s the reason they ran out of the club," Brian said thoughtfully.

"I don’t know," Nick shrugged.

"Tim, what would you think about moving to another hotel," Corrine began as the waiter served their salads.

"Why? The conference is here. This way we don’t have to even get up until about ten minutes before it starts," he observed, slopping on his blue cheese dressing.

"Well, I mean, we’re here all day anyway. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a change of scene?"

"Corrine, are you okay? Is there something wrong with this hotel?" He asked, putting his fork down. She sighed.

"No, I’m fine. This hotel is fine." She took a bite of her salad. "So, what’s on the agenda for after dinner?"

A few hours later, the Backstreet Boys were collapsing around their dressing room, panting and sweating. Nick looked at Kevin for a long while.

"Hey, whataya say we just go from here to the club?" Nick suggested.

"Well, I don’t know about anyone else, but I’d kinda like to go change into something sharp," AJ told him. "I got these great pants today and I’m dying to show them off." Howie and Kevin rolled their eyes.

"Well, we have all these cool clothes here. Why don’t we just wear one of the outfits we didn’t use tonight?" Nick continued. His eyes met Brian’s, and he mentally begged Brian to follow his lead.

"You know, Nick’s right. Let’s save time by showering and changing here. No reason to go all the way back to the hotel when the club is just a few blocks down the road," Brian pointed out. The other guys sighed and grumbled, but agreed. Nick smiled at Brian gratefully. He was willing to do anything to keep Kevin from returning to the hotel until long after Corrine was fast asleep in her room.

Tim found a parking spot about three blocks from the club. Corrine struggled out of the tiny rental car, cursing herself for wearing such a short skirt. Wendy had insisted she borrow the outfit, and it was definitely not something she would have picked out herself. It was a skin-tight green halter top, a la Britney Spears, and a short black skirt that flared out when she walked. Not too slutty, but showing enough skin to draw attention.

"Have I told you how fabulous you look tonight?" Tim said, walking behind her. She blushed.

"No, but thank you. You don’t think it’s too much? I don’t look like…"

"You look like a gorgeous young woman out to have a good time," he interrupted, throwing an arm over her shoulder. "I wish I wasn’t your boss, for just five minutes." She laughed and elbowed him in the ribs gently.

They walked up to the club. It was relatively new, and packed with people, but there was no "VIP" list; anyone could get in. Tim paid their cover and they shoved their way through the mass of people.

"Wanna drink?" He yelled over the thumping bass music.

"Nah, I’m fine!" She yelled back. She stared at the weird metallic sculptures that were hung from the ceiling and attached to the walls. "What’s the name of this club again?"

"The Forge. You know, like blacksmiths and stuff. I think I see an empty spot on the dance floor just big enough for us. Come on." Tim took Corrine’s hand and began to pull her onto the floor.

"The Forge? What the hell kind of name is that?" AJ grumbled as they piled into the limo. He hated the fact that even though the club was a short walk away they still had to ride, or get mobbed by fans.

"I dunno. It has something to do with metal or sculptures or something. I asked around and the people at the arena said it was the best club in town, so quit your bitching," Howie replied.

"Why doesn’t this limo have a fucking phone?" Brian snapped, practically crawling over his bandmates as he searched for a carphone.

"Where’s your cellular?" Nick asked. Brian smiled sheepishly.

"I forgot it."

"You know, your little tart can wait a few hours. We’ll be home before you know it," AJ pointed out. Brian reached over and smacked him on the side of the head, hard.

"She is NOT a tart, and if I hear you, of all people, say anything else like that, I will beat the living shit out of you, do you understand me?"

"Okay, okay. I’m sorry," AJ said, sounding anything but apologetic.

"Here, Bri." Howie handed over his ever-present cellphone.

"Thanks, bro."

Kevin sighed and looked out the window. He knew how difficult long distance relationships were, but he still envied his cousin. He had found someone that loved him for him, not for his money and fame. As usual, his thoughts drifted to Corrine. It was still early back at home. He visualized her in her living room, watching TV or reading a book, having just tucked Veronica into bed. He smiled at the thought of the little strawberry-blond head dreaming sweet dreams. Or maybe Corrine was out on a date. His smile faded.

They pulled up to the club and began to get out of the limo. Kevin clapped AJ on the back. "Don’t be mad at Brian, bro. He was just dumb enough to get himself tied down. On the other side of those doors are hundreds of women, lined up and ready to be chosen."

Corrine had actually forgotten all her problems for about five minutes, and was giggling as Tim bumped and grinded against her.

"You’d better stop that, or none of these girls is gonna want to dance with you," she pointed out. "And that blond over there looks like she would be very interested."

"Oh, really? Where?" He glanced around them, frowning as he realized that Corrine was joking. "You are a wench." He pulled her close again and she started to giggle once more. "How about a drink. Come on, I hate drinking alone."

"Okay. Gimme a beer or something."

"Cool. You stay here and I’ll be back."

Oh, my God, Nick thought. A big city, tons of clubs, and there she was again, practically inside that guy’s pants. The guy released her and headed for the bar. Nick walked over, watching Corrine’s eyes widen as he approached.

Shit, she thought to herself, but pasted on a smile. "Nick! God what a weird coincidence!"

"Exactly what I thought. Look, I think you’d better leave," he suggested.

"Excuse me? I was here first, and it’s a public place," she pointed out.

"Look, Corrine, I like you and everything, but it will kill Kevin seeing you hump that guy on the dance floor."

"He’s my boss!" She said angrily. She didn’t even want to think of Kevin. When she thought of Kevin, even the loud music couldn’t hide the sound of her heart breaking. "And what I do is none of your business." She began to say something else, but she looked a few feet away and froze.

Kevin smiled down into the dark eyes of the brunette he was dancing with. He had already forgotten her name, thanks to the three strong drinks he had gulped down as soon as they arrived.

"Oh…God…" Corrine whispered. He was so handsome, and that girl was so lucky. He was trailing his hands up and down her sides, and occasionally his thumbs would trace the sides of her breasts. Corrine’s body ached for his touch. "Nick, just leave me alone, okay? You have nothing to worry about. Kevin has definitely forgotten about me."

Tim walked up with a beer for her, and a scotch and soda for him. She grabbed the scotch, downing it in one gulp. "Hey! You said you wanted a beer!"

"I changed my mind, but I’ll take that, too." She took a large swig out of the beer, turning her back on Nick. "What would it take to convince you to go get us some more drinks?" She said, turning her best smile on Tim. The men stared at her.

"Are you sure?" Tim asked. She nodded. He sighed and dove back into the crowd. She turned to Nick again.

"Nick, go away. Go play with your little friends. Leave me alone!" She shouted, making heads turn. As Nick turned away from her, Brian caught sight of her. He hurried over, pulling her out of Kevin’s eyesight.

"Corrine! What the hell…Nick was right! He did see you!"

"Brian, leave me alone," she said rudely, taking another large swallow of her beer.

"Corrine, you have to talk to Kevin. He’s been miserable without you."

"Yeah, I see how much he’s been pining away," she said wryly, watching him give the brunette a deep passionate kiss.

"That’s not Kev. That’s a man trying to forget the woman he’s madly in love with." Brian sighed. "Look, Corrine, I know. About Michael."

"Michael?" She whispered, almost choking on her beer.

"Yes, Michael. I…did some research. Kevin won’t care about all that. He’ll be behind you one hundred percent."

"I don’t care what Kevin thinks, okay? Brian, please go back to your friends and leave me alone. I am just fine." She turned her big smile on Tim again as he returned. "Tim!" She said happily, throwing herself into his arms and giving him a big kiss. Brian stared in shock, then slowly returned to his friends.

As the first glimmer of sunlight crept into the hotel room, Corrine’s eyes fluttered open. She felt as if a bus had done doughnuts on her head. She groaned and started to sit up. She let out a short scream as her hand touched skin. She looked over at the blond man sleeping next to her, and began to cry.

"Hello?" Wendy said sleepily, grabbing the phone as soon as it rang so Veronica wouldn’t wake up.

"Honey? It’s me."

"What’s wrong?" Wendy said, glancing at the clock and sitting straight up. "It’s six in the morning. What’s wrong?"

"Oh, shit. I totally forgot the time difference. Sorry, sweetie."

"It’s okay." She tried to rub the sleep out of her eyes. "Veronica will probably get up soon, anyway."

"I’m sorry, baby. I’ll make it up to you, I promise."

"Brian, cut the crap. What’s going on?"

Brian sighed into his end of the phone, imagining Wendy curled up under the covers. "I miss you, hon."

"You called me at six to tell me you missed me?" Wendy said, a bit of grouch in her tone.

"No, that’s not why. We saw Corrine tonight at a club."

"You were at a club?" Wendy said, her tone moving from grouchy to jealous.

"I always go along when it’s the last night in a town. I told you that. We all go," Brian began to explain.

"Nevermind. You saw Corrine? Are you sure?" Wendy realized what he had just said.

"Yes, I’m sure. Both Nick and I tried to talk to her. We were trying to get her out of there before she saw Kevin, but it was too late."

"Oh my god," Wendy whispered. In the two months that she and Brian had secretly been seeing one another, he had told her how Kevin picked up a different girl in every club. "It must have killed her."

"I don’t know. She was with some guy…her boss, I think, and she was all over him. Of course, she DID have a lot to drink," Brian said in her defense.

"Oh, shit," Wendy said, lying back against the pillow. "Did she leave with Tim?"

"I don’t know. She basically told us to leave her the hell alone. Seeing Kevin with that girl really hurt her. He didn’t see her, though, or it might have been even worse." Brian sighed. "I’m sorry to waken you about this, but it just really worried me."

"That’s okay." She snuggled back down in the bed, thinking of Brian’s cheerful smile. "So, do you miss me?"

"Every minute. The guys all tease me about this new girl who has such a hold on me. I wish I could tell them how wonderful and sexy she is."

"I just don’t think it’s a good idea," Wendy said quietly. Even though Brian was wonderful about not judging her past actions, and even though he knew about her little flings with AJ and Nick, she still felt that it wasn’t right to subject him to all the crap the other guys would give him if they knew she and Brian were dating.

"We’ll see. I want the world to know I love you, Wen."

"What?" She whispered in shock.

"I said, I love you, Wendy," Brian said softly.

"I love you, too," she said, before hanging up the phone.

"Oh my God," Corrine whispered, beginning to sob. "What the hell have I done?"

"Corrine?" The man next to her mumbled, rolling over and rubbing his eyes. "What’s wrong? Why are you crying?"

"Nick, what the hell happened last night?" She said, hardly able to speak between sobs.

He slowly sat up, fighting his own minor hangover. "Nothing, Corrine, I swear."

"Yeah, right," she said skeptically. "Then why am I here in bed…with you?" He looked insulted. "I didn’t mean it like that."

"Corrine, you were so drunk last night. Your boss ended up with some other chick, and you were sitting in the corner feeling sorry for yourself. Some loser started hitting on you, and I came over and acted like I was with you."

"Oh," Corrine said, struggling to remember. "Then what?"

"I kept you away from everyone else, and then you asked me to take you home." What Nick didn’t tell her is that she actually had offered to come home with him. "And then I brought you here, and gave you that t-shirt to wear."

"Why didn’t you take me to MY room?" She asked suspiciously.

Because you were all over me before you finally passed out, he thought to himself. Instead, he said, "Because you really were starting to feel sick, and I thought we should both just try to get some sleep."

"Oh, okay." She looked at the clock. "Oh, shit! I have to be at that conference in an hour and a half!" She jumped out of bed, instantly regretting it. "God, this is going to be one long fucking day."

Nick smiled. "Go take a shower. It will help."

Corrine looked down at him, and saw why Wendy had been so attracted to him. He really was adorable. She impulsively bent down and kissed his cheek. "Thanks, Nick." She headed for the shower.

"Now, if I can just get her off this floor before Kevin starts wandering around," Nick said out loud to himself.

Kevin groaned as he opened his eyes. He didn’t have a hangover. Unfortunately, he remembered everything, including the girl he had brought back to his room, then kicked out after a quick few hours of sex. He felt like shit. He needed to talk to Corrine. He couldn’t take this anymore. No matter how he tried, he couldn’t forget her. No other woman could take her place.

He stretched and got out of bed. He started looking for his wallet. He had stuck Wendy’s phone number in there. Maybe he could convince her to give him Corrine’s number, or at least give Corrine his cellphone number.

"Shit!" He said out loud. The night before, Nick had asked to borrow a few dollars for a drink, and he had simply given him the whole wallet.

Sighing, Kevin pulled on a pair of sweatpants and headed out the door towards Nick’s room.

Nick quickly pulled on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt while Corrine showered. He was reading the room service menu when a knock at the door made him jump. He peered through the peephole. Holy shit. It was Kevin.

"Yo, Kev, what the hell are you doing up so early?" Nick said, barely opening the door.

"I gave you my wallet last night, and I need a number out of it."

"Oh, okay, hold on." Nick shut the door in an amazed Kevin’s face. The door opened a few moments later. "Here you go."

"Nick, is everything okay?"

"Um, sure…" Nick replied, glancing over his shoulder.

"You got someone in there?" Kevin asked, a sly smile crossing his face.

"Well…um…" Nick blushed.

"Good for you, bro! I’ll talk to you…"

"Nick? Do you think I could borrow a pair of sweats or something? These clothes smell totally revolting," a female voice called from inside the room. Nick’s eyes filled with fear as Kevin’s face clouded over.

"I know that voice," Kevin said quietly, shoving the door so hard that Nick fell to the floor.

"Nick, what’s all the…oh my God!" Corrine gasped, wrapping the towel around her more securely. "Kevin!"

"So is THIS why you didn’t want to see me again? Because you were FUCKING someone I considered like a brother to me?" Kevin shouted.

"Kev…no…wait…" Nick stammered. "It’s not what you think!"

"No, Nick, it’s EXACTLY what I think," Kevin snarled. He stared at Corrine, his green eyes emeralds of pain. "Corrine, you could have just told me. We could have been friends."

"Kevin, please…"

"Shut up, Nick!" He yelled. He eyed Corrine coldly. "Guess Wendy isn’t the slut, after all."

In two steps Corrine was in front of him, her hand flashing out to slap his face. "You’re just jealous that Nick got to experience what you’ll never have!" She shouted.

"Hardly. I get some every night," Kevin retorted, his heart breaking.

Corrine walked over and snuggled against Nick so he had no choice but to put an arm around her. "But you don’t get this," she taunted.

Kevin whirled around without a word. He slammed the door behind him. Corrine leaned her head against Nick’s shoulder and burst into tears.

Kevin stomped back to his room and slammed the door behind him once he was in. He could not fucking believe what he had just seen. Corrine…with Nick? No way. It had to be some kind of nightmare. He looked down at the wallet in his hand and furiously whipped it across the room. It came in contact with a vase of dried flowers, knocking the vase to the floor. It shattered on impact.

A knock at the door made Kevin jump. "Yeah?" He yelled. The door opened.

"Kev, are you okay? What the hell was that?" AJ, whose room was next door to Kevin’s, hurried inside and looked around. He saw the vase on the floor and stared at Kevin. "What’s wrong?"

"It’s Corrine…and Nick…" Kevin sighed, sitting down on the edge of his bed.

"What about Corrine and Nick?" AJ said in confusion. He sat on a chair by the bed.

"Corrine’s here, AJ. In Phoenix. I was just at Nick’s room, and she was there…in a towel…nothing but a towel…and she snuggled up to him and told me that he had had something that I’d never have: her." He hid his face in his hands, and surprised himself by starting to cry. AJ quickly moved to sit next to his friend, and put his arm around his shoulder.

"Kev, you know she’s not like that. Maybe you just misunderstood…"

"There was no misunderstanding, AJ. ‘You’re just jealous that Nick got to experience what you’ll never have’ is kinda hard to misunderstand." Kevin raised his head, angrily wiping the tears away. "Just make sure he fucking stays away from me, okay?"

"Corrine, what the hell did you do that for?" Nick said, finally pushing her off his shoulder. "He’s gonna fucking hate me now!"

"I’m sorry, Nick…he just said such awful things, and he looked at me as if I was the lowest worm. And his eyes…they were filled with such pain…and it’s all my fault!" She sniffed, and Nick took pity on her.

"Shhh…come here…" He held her for a long moment, and she finally moved away.

"I’ve got to get out of here." She gathered her clothes together and disappeared into the bathroom to change.

"Corrine, let me talk to him. Maybe…"

"No, Nick!" She snapped, hurrying out of the bathroom fully dressed. "He won’t want anything to do with me now. He thinks I’m some whore who sleeps around. Just worry about getting him to like you again, okay?" She stopped in front of him and kissed his cheek. "Thanks for everything, Nick. I’m sorry that I brought you into this." She left him standing in the middle of the room, wondering what the hell had happened.

Nick slowly walked towards the tour buses, his sunglasses hiding the apprehension in his eyes. He hated the thought of meeting up with Kevin, but this had to be dealt with. He climbed the steps and entered the bus. The other four guys were already there, and they stopped what they were doing to stare at him.

"Nothing happened between me and Corrine, okay?" He finally yelled, deciding to get the upper hand from the start. "Nothing! I wouldn’t do that to Kevin!" He turned on the oldest member of the group. "And I think it was really shitty for you to call her a slut, comparing her to Wendy!"

"Hey!" Brian shouted, but everyone ignored him. Howie and AJ settled back onto their chairs, watching the youngest and oldest group members with interest.

"Look, Nick, don’t…" Kevin began angrily.

"No! You just shut the hell up and listen for once. Kevin, she loves you so much! She saw you last night, with that tramp at The Forge. She’s in town on business and she was at the club. She saw you, was really upset, and started drinking. I saved her from some asshole, brought her back here, and then she passed out in my room. She had just gotten up to take a shower when you came barging in."

"But I bet you slept in the same bed with her, didn’t you?" Kevin retorted, beginning to feel like an ass.

"What the hell does that have to do with anything? I wasn’t about to sleep on the floor or the couch, because it was MY room! She was passed out, so I just fell asleep next to her." Nick ran a hand through his hair. "You shoulda given her a chance to explain, Kev."

"But she…she…she all but said that you and she…" Kevin sputtered, REALLY feeling like an ass.

"Well, what did you expect? You pretty much called her a whore, saying that she was worse than Wendy."

"Will you please leave Wendy the hell out of this!" Brian shrieked in exasperation. Four pairs of eyes turned to stare at him curiously. He blushed a deep red. "I mean…uh…"

"B-Rok, what is your obsession with Wendy all of a sudden?" AJ asked.

"Well…I…um…"

"She’s your new girlfriend, isn’t she?" Kevin said, suddenly realizing why Brian was so uneasy about discussing the new person in his life.

"Um…well…yes," Brian said, his voice suddenly firm and unwavering. His blue eyes went from person to person, daring them to say something bad about her.

"Cool," Howie said finally.

"You’ve got yourself a winner there," AJ remarked, going back to the magazine he was reading.

"Good luck, cuz," Kevin said finally. "I’m sorry if I said anything about her that pissed you off."

Brian was shocked. He had expected something smart to come from AJ, about passing her around, but he was pleased and touched that his friends just wanted him to be happy. "It’s okay."

"Anyway, back to the issue at hand." Kevin turned to Nick. "I’m sorry, man. I wasn’t thinking. I was just so jealous that she had picked you over me."

"She didn’t pick anyone," Brian said. "Kevin, the reason she has been turning away from you is because of Veronica’s father. She has been trying for years to get support from him, and he has basically been saying she got pregnant on purpose, even though she knew he didn’t want kids, so he’s refusing to give her a penny. That night at the club, she saw him for the first time in years, and it freaked her out. Wendy told me."

"That’s what happened?" Nick asked. Brian nodded.

"I could give her money. I’d love to support her and Veronica," Kevin said.

"I know, Kev. But she doesn’t want to ask you. She doesn’t want to look like she’s only after your money," Brian told him, hoping Wendy wouldn’t be TOO furious that he had told everything.

Kevin sighed and sat down, burying his head in his hands. Nick sat next to him. "We’ll get her back, bro. You two are meant to be together."

"Wendy, it was horrible! He just…he looked at me like I was some new kind of slug he had discovered…and then told me that I was worse than…that I was basically a slut," Corrine said between sobs. Leigh had Veronica, and Corrine was crying her eyes out on Wendy’s shoulder.

"He told you that you were worse than me, didn’t he?" Wendy said quietly. When Corrine didn’t respond, she knew she was right. "Corrine, there’s something I have to tell you." She pushed Corrine up into a sitting position. "It’s very likely that Kevin now knows about Michael." Corrine’s mouth dropped open.

"Wendy, how could you tell him? That was something I…"

"I didn’t tell him, Corrine. Brian did."

"Brian? Brian Littrell? How did he…" her eyes widened. "You’ve been seeing him, haven’t you? That’s why you don’t go out anymore. That’s why your phone bills have been astronomical."

"How do you know how much my phone bills are?"

"I saw one on your desk this afternoon. Anyway, how did all this happen?" Corrine asked, forgetting her problems for a minute.

"He called one day after they had gone out west. He wanted to find a way to help Kevin…and you. We just got to talking and it clicked."

"So you haven’t even been on a date yet."

"No. Not yet," Wendy said nervously.

"He’s got to love you. How could he help it?" Corrine asked, smiling through her tears. Wendy smiled back.

"I hope so, Corrine. I really really like him."

Corrine sighed, happy for her friend but still miserable. She wanted to talk to Kevin, to call him, but the guys wouldn’t be back in town for a few more days. She took a deep breath. "Okay. I just have to get on with my life. I need to just go back to the way things used to be, and forget about Kevin Richardson."

Wendy raised an eyebrow. "Forget about him?"

"Sure. That shouldn’t be too hard. I just won’t watch TV, won’t listen to the radio, and won’t let myself think for any more than five minutes." New tears streamed down her cheeks and she once again buried her face in Wendy’s shirt.

Kevin sat down next to Brian in the "living room" of their bus. "So…cuz…when were you gonna tell me about you and Wendy?"

Nosy AJ immediately came over and sat by them. "I wanna know about this, too."

"AJ, don’t you have something else to do?" Kevin snapped.

"Nope," AJ said, looking at Brian expectantly.

"It’s okay, Kev," Brian said, sighing as he closed the notebook he had been writing in. "We just got to talking, and…I really like her."

"Why didn’t you say anything?" Kevin asked, looking slightly hurt. "I mean, I thought you would have told me, or Nick, even."

"Well, it was weird, because of the whole thing going on between you and Corrine. And Nick, well…" Brian looked uncomfortable.

"You thought we’d have something smart to say because we slept with her," AJ said. Brian nodded, blushing. "Bri, Wendy was fun and everything, but you’re our friend. We never woulda said anything to hurt your feelings. Give us some credit." Now it was AJ’s turn to look insulted.

"Well, AJ, you do tend to be a bit crass and obnoxious," Kevin pointed out. AJ mumbled something but didn’t deny it. Kevin turned to his cousin. "Wendy seems really nice. I’m glad you’ve found someone."

"Now if we can just get you and Corrine hooked up, it will all be good," Brian said. Kevin’s face fell.

"I don’t think she’ll ever want to see me again, not after what I said to her. And Bri, I’m sorry about what I said concerning Wendy."

"Don’t worry about it. You had every reason to think that way about Wendy, but that’s not how she really is. She’s wonderful," Brian remarked, smiling as he thought about her.

AJ rolled his eyes. "Oh puhleeze." He went back over to the TV.

"I don’t know if I can do this," Kevin said to Nick as he stared at the phone in his apartment. It was the morning after they had returned home. It was Saturday, so Kevin had no way of seeing Corrine that day.

"Just call her, Kev. I’m sure she’ll talk to you," Nick said, smiling in an encouraging way.

"You’re right," Kevin said, feeling like a teenager. "We’re both adults." He picked up the phone, dialed the seven digits that Brian had gotten from Wendy, and then promptly hung up the phone. "I can’t."

Nick sighed and laid his head back against the back of the sofa. "This is gonna be a long morning."

Wendy rushed around, dusting furniture that she had already dusted and rearranging knickknacks that had been rearranged two or three times before. A knock at the door made her jump. She sighed, then put the duster away. She straightened her sweater, brushed imaginary lint off of her jeans, and then slowly opened the door.

"Hi," Brian said nervously, his beautiful eyes looking everywhere but at her. "I…uh…brought you these." He handed her a bouquet of long-stemmed pink roses.

"Oh, they’re beautiful!" She exclaimed, opening the door so he could come in.

They went to the living room and sat on the opposite ends of the sofa. Brian tapped his fingers on his knee nervously, and Wendy felt her palms sweating.

"I’m…uh…gonna go put these in water." She jumped up and disappeared into the kitchen.

Brian moaned to himself, hiding his head in his hands. This was NOT the way he had planned their first meeting after the tour. He had imagined sweeping her into his arms and giving her a huge hug and kiss, letting her know how much she meant to him. And then if things progressed to the bedroom…fine. If not…fine. He really liked Wendy, and wanted this to be more than just some kind of fling.

Wendy snipped off the ends of the rose stems, and ran them under water. Brian had thrust them at her, as if to keep a barrier between them. She was so excited to see him, and yet he acted as if he was visiting a stranger.

Brian leapt to his feet. He was acting like an idiot. He marched out to the kitchen and took the roses from Wendy, throwing them into the sink.

"What…" she began to ask, but he silenced her with a kiss. She sighed into his mouth, letting her body melt against his.

"I am SO glad to see you," he said finally, hugging her tightly.

"I missed you, too, Brian!" She said, laughing out loud at how foolish they had been. He pulled back to look at her, taking her hands in his.

"Look, Wendy, you know I like you, and that I want to really get to know you. I also know about what happened between you and AJ, and you and Nick. I just don’t want us to go down that path right away. Not that I don’t want you, because God knows I do. I just want it to be right…" Brian let his words drift off, feeling foolish.

She caressed his face. "Brian, I understand. I already know this is special, and right. We can wait forever, or ten minutes, and that would be fine." She kissed his cheek. "Now let me rescue my roses, please."

"Kevin, this is crazy!" Nick finally shouted three hours later. "Just pick up the fucking phone or I’M going to call her!"

"Nick, I just can’t call her out of the blue! What would I say? ‘Hi, Corrine, sorry I called you a whore, but I love you.’ I’d sound like an ass!"

"Well, you DID act like one," Nick pointed out. Kevin gave him the finger, but knew his friend was right. With a frustrated sigh, Nick grabbed the paper with Corrine’s phone number on it, and grabbed the cordless phone.

"Nick, wait!" Kevin shouted. Nick danced out of Kevin’s way as he dialed the number.

"NOW who is it?" Corrine asked no one as she reached for the phone. She was up to her elbows in Veronica’s old clothes. She was taking advantage of her time alone, and was cleaning out a closet so she could give the clothing to Goodwill. "Hello?"

"Corrine? It’s Nick. Nick Carter."

"Oh, Nick!" She said, unable to keep from smiling. "How are you?"

"Good. How are you? How’s your little girl?"

"Veronica? She’s great. Isn’t it something about Wendy and Brian?"

"Yeah. It’s amazing what someone you thought was close to you can keep hidden," Nick said. "Hey, I was wondering what you were up to today. Maybe I could take you and your little girl to the park or something."

"That would be sweet, but Wendy’s mom has her for the afternoon so I can get some housework done."

"Well, would you mind if I came over and just talked to you while you worked? I could help or something. I could bring lunch. How about Chinese?"

Corrine laughed. "You don’t give up, do you? Okay, Chinese is fine. Nothing spicy though," she warned before hanging up.

About an hour, she was interrupted by the doorbell. She tried to brush off some of the dust as she walked to the door.

"Nick, I’m sorry I’m such a…"

She stared up into the emerald eyes of Kevin Richardson.

They just stood and looked at each other. "I brought dinner," Kevin said finally, holding up the take-out boxes he held. "Chinese…nothing spicy, just as you asked."

"Well, I can’t just let you stand out there holding my dinner. Come on in," Corrine said ungraciously, sweeping aside so he could enter.

Kevin came in, carrying the boxes into the kitchen. He stood nervously by the table until she motioned for him to sit.

Corrine fussed around the kitchen gathering silverware and napkins, looking everywhere but at Kevin. She knew she should be furious, but she couldn’t find it in her to yell at him. She missed him too much. And she knew she was looking her absolute worst after cleaning all day. She made a mental note to cut Nick’s heart out with a spoon.

Kevin watched her bustle around the kitchen, thinking she had never looked so beautiful. She wore an old plaid shirt and jeans, and her hair was done up in a messy ponytail. Smudges of dust were on her cheeks, but he was too bashful to wipe them off for her.

Corrine plunked down the dishes and asked what he wanted to drink. Without waiting for an answer, she poured them both a glass of Kool-Aid.

"Thank you for dinner," she said as she finally sat down.

"You’re welcome. Nick told me what you wanted and…" Kevin gave up trying to remain cool. "Corrine, I am so so so sorry. I should have listened to you and Nick before flying off the handle like that. I was just so upset…so jealous."

Corrine felt tears leap to her eyes. "I’m sorry I lied to you about Nick and I. I was just so hurt and upset."

"I never should have said the things I said, about you OR Wendy. She is your friend." He reached up and wiped the smudge off of her face. The tears that streamed down her cheeks aided him.

"Oh, Kevin, I’ve missed you so much. When I saw you with that girl at the club in Phoenix, I thought my heart would break."

He took her hand and brought her over to sit on his lap. "She meant nothing to me. I acted like a real dog on tour, grabbing any woman I could get…trying to replace you." He reached up to pull down her ponytail. "But no one could replace you, Corrine. You’re the only one for me." He gently kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and passionately kissed back. She was the first to pull away.

"I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Michael, Kevin. I just didn’t want you to think that I was after you solely for your money."

"Corrine, I know you’re not like that. And besides, who watched who first?" He asked. She smiled.

"Yes…couldn’t that be considered stalking?" She teased.

He blushed and she laughed. "I think that this Michael guy owes you a hell of a lot of back support. I will help you fight him in every way possible. And if you lose in court, I will take care of you and Veronica for as long as I live." His green eyes grew serious. "I want to marry you, Corrine. I don’t have the ring or anything, but I love you. I want to be with you forever." He sighed. "Of course, I won’t be around much for the next few months, while we finish touring, but after that we’re hoping to do more recording, and I should definitely be around." He gave her a look that seemed to penetrate her soul. "Will you marry me?"

"Yes! Oh, yes!" She shouted, hugging him tightly. He squeezed back, unable to help the tears that began to stream down his cheeks. She pulled back and wiped them away with the sleeve of her shirt.

"Um…when do you expect Veronica back?" He asked cautiously, not sure how to approach this subject.

"Not for at least two or three hours," Corrine said, beginning to ask why, but seeing the answer in his eyes. Without a word, she stood and took his hand, pulling him up with her. She led him to her bedroom, shoving some clothing off the bed. She slowly unbuttoned her blouse and slid it off of her body as his green eyes raked over her. She then pulled at the bottom of his shirt, pulling it up until his strong smooth chest was exposed. She swallowed deeply. She wanted him so badly, but it had been so long since she had been with a man. He seemed to understand.

Kevin took Corrine in his arms, kissing her slowly and deeply. As his lips moved to her neck, he reached around to unclasp her bra. As soon as it was on the floor, he dropped to his knees, using one hand to explore one breast while his mouth gently caressed the other. Corrine moaned, placing her hands in his dark hair. He slowly pulled down on her jeans until she stood naked before him. He stood, and just looked at her body until she blushed.

"You are beautiful," he told her. As he removed the rest of his own clothing, she went over and turned on the stereo. He took her in his arms, and slowly laid her down on the bed.

‘Cause you know just what to say, and you know just what to do…and I want to tell you so much…I love you

The End

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