~*Chapter 19*~
"I can't believe you're engaged,Bone!Way to go!Erica's such a great
girl," Nick replied,as they walked off the stage after the sound check a few
hours later.
They continued talking,and a few minutes later,Brian nudged Nick and
pointed."Is that Mandy standing over there?," he asked.
Nick followed his gaze,and he froze.Mandy was standing by the stage
entrance,looking over at him."I'll be back," he said,and slowly walked over
to her.He could feel the guys watching him.
He stopped in front of her."What're you doing here?," he asked,feeling
his heart begin to pound in his chest.She looked exacylt the way he
remembered her~long,brown hair with red streaks,and a body he used to not be
able to keep his hands off of.That was before she had changed....
She smiled at him and stepped closer to him."What a greeting.You haven't
seen me in almost two years,and all you can say is'what're you doing here?'
", she threw at him.
He ran his fingers through his hair."Look,I don't know if you should be
here or not.With the way things were between us,you're not very liked,Mandy,"
he told her.He waited for her to say something.
She was quiet a moment before saying,"You didn't have to get me
arrested,Nicky baby.All you had to do was tell me to get lost,and I would've
gone." She reached up and ran her finger across his cheek.
He stepped back."I had you arrested because of the way you treated me
Mandy.Do you know what it was like every time we were together?You were
constantly hitting me,and because of you,my family wanted nothing to do with
me.It's the only choice I had,and I don't regret it one bit," he told her.
She glared up at him."I didn't hit you,Nick.We both know that's a lie,"
she snarled at him.
He pulled up his shirt to reveal a well-toned stomach."Oh yeah?Then
what's this?," he asked,pointing to a scratch that went all the way across
his stomach."You did this with those razor-sharp nails of yours,and I still
have the scar to prove it!" He glared back at her."The past year and a half
has been very good for me.I'm seeing someone I'm crazy about,who treats me
with respect,and doesn't love me just because of my fame or how much money I
make,but for who I am inside.You have alot of nerve showing up here Mandy."
She turned and started to walk away.Then she turned back to him."GO TO
HELL,NICKOLAS GENE CARTER!," she threw at him,and left.
Nick took a deep breath,and a moment later the tears he had tried to hold
back came rushing forward.Blane walked up to him and folded him into her
arms."It took alot of courage to say that,and I'm very proud of you," she
whispered,as the other guys joined them and patted Nick on the back.
******************~*Chapter 20*~******************
Erica,Blane,and Lisa were all hanging out in Erica's room a few days
later.
"That's such a beautiful ring," Blane breathed,as she gazed longingly at
the ring on Erica's finger.
Lisa smiled at Blane."Maybe one day you'll be wearing Nick's engagement
ring," she said.
Blane laughed."Umm,I don't know about that.Yeah,I admit,Things between me
and Nick are great right now,but I can't picture him proposing to me anytime
soon." She noticed them looking at her and smiled."What?"
Erica grinned."You said things between you and Nick were great.JUst how
great are you talking?," she teased.
Blane blushed.She was just about to answer when there was a knock on the
door.A second later,AJ stuck his head inside the room."You ladies ready?," he
asked,and Blane and Lisa nodded and stood up.But Erica didn't move.AJ gazed
at her."You ok,babe?," he inquired.
Erica nodded."I'm ok.I just feel a little rundown,so I think I'll stay in
tonight," she told him.
AJ walked over to her and folded her into his arms."You haven't been
yourself the past couple days.Is there something you're not telling me?," he
coaxed her.
She shook her head."I told you,AJ.I'm fine," she snapped at him.A second
later she looked up at him."I'm sorry," she said,and gave him a small
smile."I'm ok.I just don't feel like going out,that's all."
He stood up and walked toward the door."Ok.We'll be back later," he
said."I love you."
She smiled at him."I love you too," she replied.As soon as he was
gone,she wrapped her arms around herself and let out a sigh.
~*Chapter 21 & 22*~
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