I tapped my finger nails along the table, waiting for the buzzer on my place to chime. I glanced down at my phone once more, checking the time. I jumped, even though I was waiting for that sound. I flung the door open, grinning as LeighAnne gave me a big hug.
“Resa, I’ve missed you so much. We’re going to have a blast today.” I turned, seeing Brian stepping in with Baylee beside him.
“Brian!” I squealed, quickly hugging him tightly.
“Hey Resa.” I gave him another hug, then turned to Baylee and gave him a hug.
“Hey auntie Resa. Are they in their rooms?” Baylee asked, referring to the two holy terrors known as my kids.
“Yup, and they’ve been waiting for you!” Baylee flew down the hallway waving a bye in the ladies direction. I shook my head and turned my attention to Brian. “Are you sure about all of this?”
“Positive. You need this. And he needs you, even though he’ll never admit it,” Brian answered with a nod.
“If his friends are so against him being with her, why does he stay?”
“Stupid. She has him wrapped around her finger pretty well. But, we all know you can charm him back. You’ve done it before.” I blushed at that comment from Brian. I really had no faith in myself. After all, he was the one who wanted to end it, not me.
~*~*~*
Eight hours later, I pulled a cap on, not wanting Brian to see the new me. I walked inside, laughing at something that LeighAnne said.
“Hey, hush, the kids are asleep,” Brian said, glancing up at us from the couch.
“You got my kids to fall asleep with Baylee here. How did you manage that?”
“Promised they could say on the bus with me and Nick.” I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop the evil smile at that.
“Oh, that’s a good one. He doesn’t even know they are going.”
“Why wouldn’t he? He knows your workin’, right?”
“Yeah, Brian. He probably thinks my mom is watching them. But she can’t. So, they get to bug the hell out of him. Oh, and in front of his girlfriend, no less.” I felt like rubbing my hands together at the pure evilness of that. It was too perfect for me and sadly, I shouldn’t be like that, but I really couldn’t help it.
“You are beyond bad.” I laughed at Brian’s comment.
“Well, go ahead and head back to the hotel and I’ll drop Baylee off tomorrow.”
“Do I get to see the new you, Resa?” Brian asked, trying to yank my hat off.
“Not till I see everyone. Good night.”
~*~*~*
I walked down the walk way and over the stage, my heels clicking rather loudly. All six heads turned and looked me over, one even whistled. And inside, I had to smile. My hair was shorter, to my shoulders, and layered rather nicely. And the mid thigh skirt I was currently wearing was shorter than anything I’ve worn before. And it wasn’t my style, but LeighAnne said it was a must, and after those looks from all five guys, I had to thank her.
“You call this practice?” I questioned as I walked right up to them.
“Theresa?” My eyes landed on Nick, who had shock written in the depths of his eyes. I had to smile, and so badly wanted to tell him to pop his eyes back in.
“The one and only.”
“Good Lord woman, you look hot.” I laughed as AJ quickly jumped up and ran over to give me a hug.
“Thank you. And you, mister, need to stop with the tats already,” I told him as I smacked his chest.
“But, I have some new sexy ones I wouldn’t mind showing you,” he whispered with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
“Alex, leave her alone. Wow, Resa, my wife cleaned you up rather nicely.” On that, I turned around, knowing the tank top that I was wearing was sure as hell gonna show off my new body work and smiled at Brian.
“Bri, your wife did that to her? Wow, didn’t know she was able to do magic.”
“Terri!” Nick glared at Terri as she clung to Nick’s arm, and wow, she almost looked nervous.
“I don’t have to pretend to like her, Nicky, she doesn’t like me,” Terri uttered, with a roll of her eyes.
“Actually, Terri, I don’t know you. I only hear what OUR twins say.” That brought Nick’s gaze quickly to mine.
“And what do OUR twins say, HONEY?” Nick asked, the word ‘honey’ dripping with disdain.
“Ask them yourself, they’re on your bus.” Nick’s eyes opened wide again, and this time, anger flashed in those precious blues.
“Take the kids and go home.”“I can’t Nick. You see, I need to work, and so do you. And, I can’t leave two five year olds by themselves,” I crossed my arms as I replied, letting the sarcasm come through.“You’re kidding!” I glanced behind Nick to look at Terri.“Sorry, didn’t mean to intrude on your fun there. Nick does have to play the daddy role.”“You bitch! You did that on purpose! You…” she snarled at me.“Terri, shut it. My kids, I’ll take care of it,” Nick told her, giving her a look before looking at me.“Nick, there is no taking care of it. I have to work, you have to work, and no one can watch the kids. I know you can put two and two together.” Nick glared at the rest of his friends, who were all snickering. He grabbed my wrist and quickly ha
I walked into the dressing room and leaned against the door frame, smiling at all the commotion going on. I shook my head as both Leigh and Kristen turned to look at me, annoyance flashing in their eyes. “I believe you’re in the wrong room, groupie. Do I need to call…,” Leigh started but Kristen quickly cut her off. “Wait up Leigh. Resa?” I smiled and both girls shrieked and ran to give me a hug. “Oh my goodness, you look so different!” Kristen exclaimed. “Good different, right Kristen?” Leigh asked. “Yeah, Leigh, good different.” “Yeah, shorter hair, dyed back to black, new clothes, and all thanks to LeighAnne.” Both girls turned and gave LeighAnne a thumbs up. “You two are way too much. But, I had to come in and say hi before I go look around the arena.” “Sweet, you’re working!” Leigh exclaimed. “Well, with as much as you shop Leigh, someone has to protect you,” I rolled my eyes
I pushed my hair to the side, watching as the kids got way too excited. I smiled as LeighAnne opened the door, her lips frowning at my attire.“That is not the sexy outfit I was talking about, you know.” I glanced down at my slippers, the boy shorts and the tank top and offered a shrug as I looked back up to her, knowing that would only cause her to glare more at me. I knew this wasn’t the outfit she referred too, but oh well.“Not tonight, not in front of Terri,” I told her and LeighAnne rolled her eyes as she allowed us in.“Mason and Baylee are already in the room, you guys.” The twins beamed at LeighAnne as they quickly rushed over to the bedroom.“I think the only reason they are going to have fun is because of their cousins.”“You have to love the Backstreet family,” she said with a shrug.“Hey, someone hollered Backstreet.” I gl
All heads turned and glanced at Terri and her outburst. Tamara glanced at her and burst into tears, making Terri sit up and roll her eyes in annoyance. Tamara finally climbed on her dad’s lap, her head resting against his chest. He glanced up and his eyes locked with mine. I stood up, and he quickly followed, leaving Terri.“Hey, wait for me.” Nick turned and glanced at her.“Family discussion. I’ll be right back,” he told her.“I’m family too!” I glanced at her and her outburst then I grabbed Tamara from Nick’s arms and walked to the bedroom, more than pissed off at Terri! Who the hell did she think she was to yell at my child, and than for her to say she’s family? Over my dead body!“Thomas Elijah, get your ass out here now! And you can say goodnight, because you, mister, are not coming back!”“Mommy!&rdq
“Daddy!” Thomas yelled. I moved back, shocked that those feelings were so strong, actually in both of us. And he looked just as shocked as I.“Coming!” He smiled at me. “I better go and tuck them in.”“Yeah, I think they’re calling for you.”“Night, Resa.” I nodded my head and turned to head into my room, not closing the door until I heard Nick head out.~*~*~*“You look way tired.” I grabbed my jacket, two way phone, and the small gun, tucking both phone and gun into my pants pocket.“Thanks Leigh, you’re a sweet heart,” I told her. She chuckled as we walked down to the limo. “Where are the guys?”“Nick’s room. With all the kids. Brian told LeighAnne he’d take Baylee, since Nick had the twins. And Kevin is
I walked into the room behind LeighAnne, leaning against the wall as I watched Terri make it a show of kissing Nick. I heard the collective ‘eww’s’ from the twins and had to grin, for she pulled away and glared at them. I shook my head, realizing that Terri might just be walking a rather thin line with those two. “Aight little ones, time to head out,” I told them as I clapped to get their attention. “Mom! We’re winning!” I glanced from them to the TV and realized there were playing some damn video game. Nick’s kids indeed! “Come on, it’s time to eat. Because, if I know your dad, he hasn’t fed you yet.” I glanced over at Nick who ducked his head and heard Brian chuckle. “Let’s go guys. Maybe, if you’re good, I might let you all come back later.” They jumped up, eager smiles on their faces at the thought of coming back to play with their dad. “That might not work. I had plans for Nick and
He pulled away, his head jerking slightly as he felt his phone vibrate. He blinked twice before he realized that, and quickly pulled it out, flipping it open and walking towards the other side of the room. He said something, nodded his head and shut it, shoving it back in the pocket. “I gotta go,” he whispered. “Terri?” “Yeah. I’ll catch you tomorrow.” With that, he quickly left. I ran my hand through my hair, wondering, just what the hell I was doing. There was no denying that I loved Nick, everyone knew this and everyone could see it. I was almost sure that’s why Terri put the act on that she did. And maybe she did have cause to put it on; after all, my idea was to seduce Nick. But, even though I knew he felt something for me, it was killing him. And that last thing I ever wanted was for him to be hurt. But, than again, I hadn’t done much so far in the way of seducing. So, I bough
“Sweethearts.” I turned around, seeing them there, along with Baylee, and LeighAnne, a smile in her eyes. “Hi. What are you doing here? Thought you were playing with Baylee.” Thomas looked from me to Nick and back to me. Tamara, on the other hand, had tears rolling down her cheeks. “Please, is she crying again?” Tamara whimpered and turned to hug LeighAnne’s legs. I quickly snapped around and growled at Terri and her lame ass comment. But before I could lunge at her, Nick’s arms were around my waist, holding me study. “You just shut up! You have no right whatsoever to talk about my kids!” I yelled at her, doing my best to control the loudness thought. That evil smile she sent my way had a chill running down my spine. “I have every right! Nick and I were discussing marriage! I’m gonna be their step mother!” My eyes roamed over her, seeing no diamond and I felt my heart ease som