Nick eased himself into the darkened room. It was quiet, except for the air kicking on. He shifted his weight, leaning back against the door.
"I heard you and Tony."
"What'd you hear?"
"Just you two yelling. I'm sorry I caused a problem," she said in a shaky voice.
"You didn't. Abe?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I turn on the light?"
"Yeah."
Locating the light switch, he flipped it on. They both squinted. A knock at the door made them jump. Nick pulled the door open to find Mike and Tony on the other side.
"Nick, we're going to down to the party. Pat's next door if you need him."
"Thanks Mike."
"Sure. Night Abe," he called into the room, while Tony sulked silently.
"Night," she replied with her head down.
He closed the door and turned back to her. He didn't know what to do. She seemed vulnerable. He thought of her as many things, but vulnerable was not on the list. If this were a girl, any girl, he'd know what to do. He'd hug her. This was Abe though and for all he knew she'd punch him if he tried. Nope, he was at a loss. Luckily, he didn't have to think about it much longer, because of another knock on the door. This time he opened it to reveal Kevin and AJ.
"How is she," asked AJ, in a low voice.
Brushing her hair out of her face, Abe said, "she's doing fine."
"Good to hear," replied AJ, moving past Nick.
Kevin followed. "We brought you some ice."
Rolling her eyes, she said, "thanks."
"I'll just put it in the bathroom."
For a third time, there was a knock at the door.
"What are you doing here," asked Nick, upon seeing who was at the door.
"Angelica has something she needs to say to Abe," stated Vanessa, as she and Gretchen pushed Angelica into the room.
It took a hard pinch on the arm from Gretchen, but Angelica said, "Look, I'm sorry I slapped you."
Abe steeled herself for an insult. None came, so she said, "apology accepted."
Angelica walked out of the room.
"Angelica," exclaimed Vanessa.
"What? I apologized."
"I'm sorry she's such a�"
"Bitch," AJ finished.
"Yeah. We'll get out of your way," said Gretchen. "I'm sorry all this happened. Thanks for the opportunity."
"Sure. Goodbye girls," replied Kevin.
The girls left the room. Again, silence passed over everyone. Abe looked at Nick. He stared at her for a moment. Without her explaining, he realized what she needed.
Opening the door, he said, "guys there's a party downstairs."
"Gotcha," said Kevin. "Come on AJ."
"Come on?"
"Yes," he said, giving the other man a pointed look.
"See y'all later. Abe, you need anything."
"I know. Thanks."
Closing the door, Nick turned to see her with her head down again. Only this time she seemed to be shaking. He moved to stand in front of her. When she didn't acknowledge him, he brushed the hair from one side of her face. It was then he saw a tear sliding down the side of her nose. He immediately dropped to his knees.
"Hey," he whispered. "Don't cry."
"I'm sorry. It's so totally stupid to cry. Go to the party and I'll be fine."
"Will you stop that shit?"
"What shit?"
"That I'll be fine shit. You're not fine. You're upset," he answered, cupping her face in his hands.
"I'll get over it. Its just I don't understand." Her voice trailed off. Refusing to look at him.
"Don't understand what?"
Looking into his eyes, she said, "why its so easy to be mean to me."
"Oh Abe." Large tears spilled over her lashes and splashing onto his fingers.
"I'm serious Nick. I have to do something. People wouldn't be so mean unless I provoked it."
"You didn't provoke it. Angelica's a bitch."
"Its not just Angelica. Tony hates me."
"Tony's being a dickhead. You didn't do anything to him and he will treat you better from now on. I promise. Now, who else is mean to you?"
She looked at him for a minute. He had such a solemn expression; it made small smile tug at the corners of her mouth. "Nick you can't make everyone stop being mean to me."
"Yes I can!"
"Everyone?"
"I can try," he said, brushing away new tears that had escaped and slid down her cheeks. "What can I do to make it better?"
She tried pulling away from him, but he refused to let go.
"Abe, tell me what's going on inside you." She closed her eyes. He didn�t even realize what a loaded question he was asking. "Tell me," he whispered.
"I'm tired Nick. I'm tired and so alone."
"You're not alone."
Her eyes flew open. She replied, "Yes I am."
"I'm here, Abe."
"Nick, go to the party. I'll be fine. I'm sorry to cause problems."
"Stop it," he quietly commanded. "I'm you're friend."
"Friend?"
"I think we've become friends," he said, backtracking in his mind, suddenly feeling as vulnerable as her.
"Oh."
"Don't you?"
Abe thought for a moment before speaking, "Yeah I guess we have. Boy, Tony will be real happy about that!"
"You let me worry about Tony. Okay?"
She nodded her face still in his hands.
"How about we order room service and watch some of the strange shows they have here?"
"You sure?"
"Absolutely," he said with a smile.
After they ordered room service, she excused herself and took a quick shower. While in the shower, their food arrived. When they finished eating, she made him take a shower. She said he was stinky smelly. He acted offended, but still went next door to grab a change of clothes. Pat never said a word when he explained his plans for the evening.
She wasn't prepared for him when he walked out of the bathroom after his shower. He was in sweat pants and drying his hair with a towel. Letting the towel drop around his neck, he caught Abe staring at him.
"What?"
It had never occurred to her that he would come out without a shirt on. She blushed at being caught.
"I was just looking at your tattoos."
"Hey I want to see yours."
"Mine? Why?"
"Well you've seen mine. It's only fair."
"Do I have to," she whined.
Sitting down on the bed next to her, he said, "yes!"
Sighing she stood and moved to stand in front of him with her back facing him. She slowly lifted her T-shirt and felt his fingers touch her lower back. She felt the fingers of his other hand barely ease under the waistband of her sweats and lowered them slightly.
"It's not what I expected."
"What do you mean?"
"When Allen described it, I expected it to be this real mean looking dragon."
Giggling, Abe said, "Well, it's definitely not that kind of dragon. Have you ever heard of Pocket Dragons?"
"Nope."
"They are little figurines. I've collected them for years. They each have a name. My first one was Stalking the Cook Jar. Then I got Zoom and Under the Mistletoe." She felt his fingers trace over her skin. No one had ever touched the tattoo before. "Disappointed?"
"Huh? No. Why?"
He had moved in for a closer look and now she could feel his breath on her back. She was finding it hard to concentrate.
"Um�because he's not a fierce dragon?"
"No this little guy suits you."
Nick wasn't sure why he was still touching her. It was just her skin was soft. It wasn't that he thought her skin would be something other than soft. Rather he hadn't thought about her skin at all. Now the softness came as a shock to him. She was standing so still, letting him touch her. Clearing his throat, he removed his hands.
"Abe, turn around," he requested softly. Turning, she looked down at him. She was standing between his legs. They were almost touching. Brushing her hair behind her ear, he gently inspected the cheek Angelica slapped. "The hand print is almost gone. Does it hurt?"
"No."
They stayed frozen for a moment.
Finally, in a bad British accent, he said, "shall we see what's on the telly."
"Please let's," she replied in an equally bad accent.
Flipping through the channels they settled on something they both liked. She made it half way through the show, before falling asleep. He continued to watch until the end.
Turning off the TV eliminated all light in the room. He debated on what to do. He could leave, but that didn't feel right. He pulled the extra pillows from behind his head. As he moved to put the pillows on the floor, she moved too. She turned away from him, but snuggled back against his side. It was a natural response to turn on his side and spoon her body. Her hair brushed against his chest and he shivered at its softness. He gently let his fingers move through the length of it. It felt like silk. Wrapping an arm around her, he pulled her closer and heard her sigh in her sleep. Burying his nose in her hair, he inhaled deeply. Clean was the first word to come to mind. Her hair smelled clean. He realized she never wore heavy perfumes. Tilting his head to the side, he placed his nose against the curve of her neck and inhaled. Again, she smelled clean, but to that was added the scent of baby power and musk. Now that he had smelled it, he would never smell it again without thinking of her. Allowing his head to drop back on the pillow, it was his turn to sigh. Somewhere deep in his subconscious, his mind was registering how right this felt. The comfort brought him sleep.
******
Through a sleepy haze, Abe realized her phone was ringing. She tried to answer it, but something was in her way. She was trying to leverage her way over the obstacle, when it spoke.
"Abe, I've got it�Hello? Hey Pat�Thanks man."
Nick hung up. Stretching, he yawned and scratched his chest. Letting his head fall to the side, he was face to face with Abe, who was struggling to wake up.
"Mornin'."
"Mornin'," she replied. "Sorry about falling asleep on ya last night."
"Stop apologizing."
"You stayed all night."
"Well...yeah. That okay?"
"Yeah. Thanks. What did Pat want?"
"We have to be ready to head to the airport in two hours. He wanted to make sure we were up."
Suddenly, she was up and moving around her room. He saw the panic on her face and started to help. She almost had a heart attack when she walked out of the bathroom to find him folding one of her bras.
"What are you doing," she demanded.
"Helping you pack. Then we can go over to my room and get me packed up."
"You don't have to."
"What's you're problem," he asked, then saw her eyes dart to the bra in his hand. "I've seen them before."
"You haven't seen mine," she said. Tugging at her jeans that had slipped down, she continued, "I appreciate the offer, but I can get everything packed up in 20 minutes. Go start packing your stuff up. I'll be over when I'm done."
He took hold of her arms to prevent her from running off. "We have two hours. Slow down and breathe. Get packed and bring your stuff over. I'll order breakfast and you can help me pack. Deal?"
"Deal," she said. He smiled and headed for the door. "Nick?"
Turning back to her, he said, "yeah?"
"Thanks for being my friend last night," she stated as she reached up to hug him.
He wrapped his arms around her and said, "anytime."
Chapter 24
Abe heard laughter behind her as she struggled to open the apartment door. She was weighed down by an armload of clothes and trying to get the key in the lock without seeing it.
�You need some help?�
�Please!�
Michele opened the door and followed Abe into the apartment they shared. �Oh my!�
�I know, but it�s all washed and dried,� said Abe, adding her armload to the pile in the middle of the livingroom floor. Dropping onto the couch, she said, �14 loads.�
�14!�
�Yep. Think about it. I had all the clothes from the road, plus the clothes I�ve worn this week. Remind me never to wait on doing my tour laundry again. Then you add in towels and sheets and you get 14 loads. Courtesy Cleaners and Laundromat were very happy to see me coming. Tuesdays are slow for them.�
�I bet they were happy," agreed Michele, laughing.
�It just leaves folding,� said Abe, as she slid off the couch to sit on the floor.
�I�ll help after I change.�
�How was work today?�
�The usual,� replied Chely, walking to her bedroom.
�Before I forget,� called Abe. �The next time you go into Courtesy ask for Hillary, the owner. You�ll get 25% off your next dry cleaning order.�
�Why?�
�A thank you for today�s visit.�
�Won�t you need it?�
�Not anytime soon.�
�Thanks,� said Chely coming back into the room and joining the other girl on the floor.
They talked and folded. It was Abe�s last night before heading to Marathon Florida. She had talked with both Roger and Nick during the break. It was decided it would help greatly for her to go down and help Nick get ready to go back on tour.
�Abe?�
�Yeah.�
�What aren't you telling me,� asked Chely, as she held up a pair of men�s boxers.
Abe�s cheeks flushed. �Those are Nick�s.�
�Why do you have them?�
�I told you he took a shower in my room the last night in London. I packed his dirty clothes in with mine. Don�t look at me that way!�
�I�m not. I just think it�s funny that you�re blushing.�
�Must you pick on me?�
�Yep.�
They both laughed and continued with the task. It took almost an hour for them to get everything folded. Standing up and hitching her thumbs in her belt loops, Abe pulled her pants back up into place. She disappeared into her bedroom and got her suitcases. While she packed, Michele cooked dinner and talked to her boyfriend, Tim. They ate dinner and Abe went to back packing while Chely cleaned up.
Chely walked out to the livingroom where Abe was packing. "Anna you really don't mind Tim moving in here?"
"I really don't mind Chely. Besides, isn't he here most of the time?"
"Yeah," replied Michele, blushing.
"Don't worry about it. I've got at least another six months on the road with Nick." Her cell phone rang. Checking the display, she said, "speaking of the boyband member. Hello Nick."
"Hey! Whatcha doin'?"
"Packing."
"So you'll be here tomorrow right?"
"Yes Nick."
"Good."
Silence.
"Nick?"
"Yeah?"
"Need something else?"
"Um�I don't know."
"You don't know," chuckled Abe. "What do we need to do when I get there? Think of anything you need in Miami? Since you have to pick me up there, I figure it's a good time to take care of anything you can't get in Marathon."
"I guess the first thing we need to do is my laundry."
"Your laundry," exclaimed Abe, starting to pace. "Nick, I just did 14 loads today. I am NOT coming down there and doing all your laundry."
Nick whined, "but Abe I don't have a washer and dryer!"
"Your parents do."
"So?"
"So you better take you laundry there and do it."
"Abe!"
"Nick Carter! You live on the same property as your parents. Get your ass up and go do your laundry."
"But I'll screw it up," he said and was met with silence. "Abe you still there?"
"Yeah," sighed Abe. "Get all you're stuff into the Escalade. I'll take care of it when I get there."
"Thanks Abe."
"Oh no mister, you are going to help. I just haven't figured out how."
"Okay," he groused, but she could tell he was smiling.
"Who's coming to get me?"
"I am," stated Nick.
"Let me guess, in the Escalade."
"Yep."
"I'll bring my gas mask."
"You do that," laughed Nick. "I will be out in front of the airport tomorrow."
"Okay. It's back to packing for me and what are you going to do?"
"Huh?"
"Nick!"
"I teasing! I'm going to load up my clothes."
"Good boy."
"I'll show you good boy."
"What," squeaked Abe.
"Nothing. See you tomorrow. Bye."
"Bye Nick."
Disconnecting, Abe looked at her best friend. Seeing the look on Chely's face, she fell face first on the floor in the center of the room. Kicking her feet, she pretended to cry.
"Don't say it."
"Okay I won't," agreed Chely. "Won't change it."
Flipping onto her back, Abe said, "I know, but I can't like him!"
"You were a goner before you left for Europe."
"Not true!" Chely arched an eyebrow causing Abe to cover her face and started kicking her feet again. "What am I going to do?"
"Is there a chance?"
"Him liking me? Not even."
"Not the slightest chance?"
Looking at her best friend, she stated, "I told you about the Swedish swimsuit model. Well, the rest of his buddies look the same. They are all tall, skinny, and interestingly had a tattoo or two or more."
"You have a tattoo. Does he know that?"
"Yes."
"And Anna you've really lost weight."
"Some, but I'm never going to be skinny or tall. I don't want to be skinny, skinny anyway and my growth spurt is over. Besides, I am what I am."
"Which is?"
"A buddy, not a sex buddy, but a buddy none the less. You know me Chely, always the buddy, never the girlfriend. I just have to learn to accept it."
"That's not true Anna. Its only true if you decide it."
"I'm still waiting for someone to prove me wrong."
"Maybe Nick will," Chely said hopefully.
"Maybe someone, someday, but never Nick. I just have to get a grip on my feelings and it will all be fine."
"I'm sorry Anna. I wish I could make things different."
"Me too," replied Abe, sadly. "Well enough about that. It's time to pack."
Getting off the floor, Abe resumed packing with her best friend�s help. Chely let the subject drop. As much as it broke her heart, she knew her best friend had to deal with this on her own.
"What You Need" is a work of fiction.
The characters and events portrayed are fictitious,
and any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental.
Used with Permission
Copyright ©2002
All Rights Reserved
No part of this text may be copied or reprinted
without the author's permission.
