Abe opened the door to her hotel room, while pulling up on her pants. �Hi AJ.�
�Hello. I see you need one of my presents,� he said, breezing past her with bag in hand.
�You have presents for me? As in plural,� asked Abe, her ears perking up.
�Yes. How was your time off?�
�Relaxing. Yours?�
�Boring. I take it Nick�s here too.�
�Yes. AJ?�
�Huh?�
�Where are my presents? And they better not be expensive or weird.�
�Weird? Weird? For that crack I shouldn�t give them to you.�
Abe just pouted.
�Oh all right. Here,� he said, handing her the bag. �Geesh! You pout as good as the kid.�
Beaming, Abe took the bag and pulled the tissue paper out. She frowned as she looked from the bag to AJ�s face. Reaching into the bag, she pulled out a black belt. Holding it up, she looked back at AJ.
�You said you didn�t have one and you need one.�
�Thanks AJ.�
�Try it on!�
Suddenly shy, Abe stood up and ran the belt through the loops of her pants. It fit and had a hole to spare.
AJ watched her face. She looked troubled.
�What�s wrong Abe?�
�How did you know what size to get?�
�I didn�t. I just went shopping with mom one day. I was looking at the different women in one of the stores. I saw a woman about your size. You should have seen the look on her face when I asked if I could hug her.�
�Hug her?�
�Yeah. Abe, I�ve been dancin� with ya for the last two months. I know how you feel. Anyway, I hugged her. She was a little bigger than you, but still close. I showed her the belts I was looking at and asked her to get her size. Don�t worry, I didn�t look, cause I knew you'd freak.�
Abe just looked at him for a moment, before walking over and hugging him. �Thanks AJ. This is one of the sweetest gifts anyone's ever given me.�
To AJ�s amazement, he felt himself blush, he replied, �You�re welcome. Glad you like it.�
As they pulled apart, someone knocked at the door.
"My second present.� Opening the door, he pulled up short. �Lee?�
�Hello to you too, AJ,� she chuckled. �May I come in?�
�Sure,� he answered, shaking his head and opening the door wider.
�Hi Lee,� greeted Abe.
�Hello. How was your time off?�
�Good. Yours and Howie's," she asked in a teasing tone.
�Great, but I don�t know what I�m going to do with him.�
�Why?�
�He completely forgot to give this to you,� replied Lee, pulling a red piece of material from behind her back.
Abe immediately recognized it as the skirt Lee and Howie wanted her to try on in Spain. �Why would he give it to me?�
�Because we bought it for you silly!�
�I appreciate the thought, but I can�t accept it. It would never fit.�
�You can�t refuse it until you try it on,� interrupted AJ.
�AJ, it is not going to fit,� argued Abe, getting upset.
�Did you try it on before?�
�No,� she said, not looking at him.
�Then get you�re butt in the bathroom and try it on,� he ordered, taking the skirt from Lee and forcing it on Abe. He swatted her on the butt as she walked into the bathroom and was rewarded with a growl. �Do it!�
�Fine!�
After the door shut, Lee said, �thanks AJ.�
�It�s a pretty skirt.� Walking to the door, he knocked. �You have to come out and show us before you take it off.�
She yelled, �fine!�
AJ and Lee laughed. Slowly Abe opened the door.
�Come out here. See it does fit,� stated AJ.
�Abe it�s pretty on you,� said Lee.
�Thanks,� she replied in a small voice, fidgeting with the tie waistband.
�So you�ll keep it,� Lee asked.
Abe nodded, �It's not that I don�t appreciate it. I do. It�s a beautiful skirt. Thank Howie too.�
�I will. Well I�ll get out of here. See you guys later.�
After Lee left, Abe changed back into her pants. AJ smiled when he saw she was wearing the belt. He found a station to his liking on the clock radio. Pulling her close, they started dancing. He was impressed with how far she had come. She now followed him without hesitation. When the song ended, he directed her to put on her highest dancing shoes. She grumbled, but did as he asked. There was yet another knock on the door.
�What is it with people knocking on my door,� asked Abe.
AJ ducked around her and said, �it�s your second�well I guess now it is your third present. Kevin, my good man, you are right on time.�
�Hey Bone. Hi Abe.�
�Hi.�
Abe looked from one man to the other, frowning.
�Why�s she frownin�,� asked Kevin.
�She doesn�t realize you�re her present?�
�He is?�
�I am?�
�He is and you are.�
�Explain,� ordered Abe.
�If you will both be seated. Kevin, I�ve been working with Abe for the last couple of months. I�ve been teaching her to dance.�
Abe just hid her face in her hair.
�Okay,� replied Kevin with a cautious tone.
�She�s doing a great job, but I think she probably needs to try dancing with someone else.�
Abe�s hand disappeared in her hair as she covered her eyes.
�I�m the new dance partner.�
�Yep.�
�No,� she said. �Really! I�ve learned enough. I can hold my own if I ever need to dance, which I don�t. Thanks for stopping by Kevin.�
She was still hidden behind her hair and didn't see the two men exchange a smile.
�Like you�re shoes.�
�What?�
Kevin repeated, �I like you�re shoes. AJ can we put on something else?�
�Have at it. You can do the radio or go through her CDs. You�ll appreciate her CD case.�
�Why�s that,� asked Kevin, moving over to the clock radio and flipping dials.
�She is just as anal as you. She actually alphabetizes her CDs!�
�AJ, we've been through this. If they aren�t in alphabetical order how will I know if one is missing?�
�By the empty space,� he teased.
�Sure, but how will I know which CD is missing. Nevermind, organization is wasted on you.�
�Ain�t it the truth,� he laughed.
�Make perfect sense to me,� stated Kevin.
�Figures,� muttered AJ. �Now are you two going to dance?�
Kevin settled on a station playing some latin flavored instrumentals. Walking over to Abe, he extended his hand. �May I have this dance?�
�Why,� she asked, looking up at him. Her face still beet red.
�I�ve missed having someone step on my toes.�
�Very funny.�
�I�m teasing Abe. Come on. Dance with me.�
Abe glanced at AJ, who nodded. Standing up, she took Kevin�s hand. He looked at the space they had to work with and shook his head.
�This will never do. Come on.�
Before Abe or AJ could ask any questions, Kevin was leading them out to the elevator. Soon Abe found herself in Kevin�s suite. He let go of her hand and moved to the entertainment center. Turning on the stereo, he found the same station.
�Much better.�
Satisfied, he took the young woman�s hand again. Her body stiffening didn�t surprise him when he pulled her close. He moved her around the floor. She was following, but it was a struggle.
�Abe let him lead ya,� directed AJ from his spot on the couch. �Abe you know how to do this.�
�AJ shut up,� ordered Kevin.
After a moment of silence, Abe whispered, �thanks. Sorry I�m not very good.�
�Actually, I can�t tell if you are good or bad, because you haven�t relaxed yet. One point in your favor is you haven�t stepped on my toes yet.�
�I�m trying not to,� she said, her eyes never leaving the �T� in Kentucky on his T-shirt.
Kevin let go of her hand and placed his fingers under her chin, lifting it. �Stop trying. Close your eyes and trust me. I�m not going to let anything happen to you.�
�But you don�t like me,� she blurted out.
�I don�t?�
�No and you�re justified.�
�Why?�
�Because of when I put you on your�well�you know.�
Smiling, he said, �yes, I know. I got over it. Just don�t ever do it again.�
�I�ll try not to.�
�Only try?�
�You want me to answer you honestly?�
�Yes.�
�Then try.�
�Fair enough. Now close your eyes and let me lead.�
Taking a deep breath, Abe did as asked. After a couple of songs, Kevin was impressed. She did follow well.
�You know AJ we have that Masquerade Ball in New Orleans.�
�Yes we do,� replied AJ.
�Abe you're good.�
Blushing, she said, �thanks.�
�Back to the ball. Are you thinking what I�m thinking?�
�If you�re thinkin� she should go then yes.�
�What,� asked Abe, her eyes as big as saucers.
�We�re all invited to this big Masquerade Ball on Halloween night. Remember we have the evening off. It�s for charity.�
�And AJ needs a date,� finished Kevin.
�Are you serious?�
�Yes he is,� answered AJ. �So Abe whaddya say? Will you be my date?�
Looking at the two men in front of her, Abe said, �is that a rhetorical question?�
�Sure is,� replied Kevin.
�Well what am I suppose to wear?�
�We�ll figure something out.�
�AJ this thing is two months off, promise me if you think of someone else you would rather go with, you will take them.�
�I promise and I have an idea about what you can wear,� said AJ.
Abe could only shake her head in trepidation.
Chapter 27
Abe knocked on Nick's door. A yawning Mike opened the door.
"Mornin'," she greeted.
"Mornin'."
"I made a Mickey D's run."
"Ahhh. Thank you!"
"He up?"
"What do you think?"
"Anyone with him," she asked, pulling food out of bags she had dropped on the coffee table.
"Nope."
Mussing Mike's hair, Abe headed for Nick's room with food in hand. Slipping inside the darkened room, Abe stopped by the bed. The air conditioning had chilled the room, causing Nick to burrow under the covers. She watched him sleep. It had been awhile since she had been in his room. Should anyone ask why she was there now, she couldn't tell them. More accurately, she wouldn't tell them. Her heart accelerated. She was stealing a few moments to watch the man, who held so many of her waking thoughts captive. It would be so nice to curl up with him. She wanted nothing more than to shut out the world and sleep away the day, but Nick stirred and Abe knew the moment was over.
"Wake up blondie," she whispered. "I brought you breakfast."
Nick rolled to his back and stretched. "Do I smell Mickey D's?"
"You sure do. Sit up."
"Actually, Abe close your eyes."
She looked at him for a moment, then smirked and closed her eyes after rolling them. Nick threw off the
covers. Darting around Abe, he picked up sweatpants off the floor on his way to the bathroom. Abe was
still in the same spot when he came back into the room. She didn't dare open her eyes for fear he might walk out in nothing. She didn't think her heart could take seeing him in the all together.
Pulling a Egg McMuffin from her hand, he said, "come on, let's eat."
"Here," she asked, after opening her eyes to see him plopping down on the bed.
"Yes here," he said.
Taking a seat, Abe unwrapped her food.
"Drinks," Nick stated, before disappearing through the door to the outer suite. Coming back he handed Abe a water.
"Thanks."
They ate in silence. Taking a drink of water, Abe noticed him looking at her intently. She lowered the bottle and raised her eyebrows. He continued to chew as he stared.
"What," she asked, wiping at her face.
"When was the last time we had a fight?"
Taken aback, she thought for a moment, then replied, "I guess when we argued about your laundry."
"Naw, that was just you fussing at me," he said with a grin. "I mean a real fight."
"Then I guess Europe was the last time we got into it. Um�in Belgium?"
"That's right! Boy, you were pissed when I locked the bedroom door."
"Only because I couldn't wake you up! You missed the interview."
"Yeah," he said, with a nod. "Abe, thanks for covering for me. I know Roger really chewed you out."
"I figured you'd been doing so good and it was just a slip. However, I won't do it again. We may be
friends, but still."
"I promise, I won't do it again."
"You better not," she said, pointing her finger at him.
Nick leaned forward and tried to bite it. She yanked it away, only to push on his forehead. He dove for her. Unprepared, Abe shrieked and fell back on the bed. Nick playfully grabbed her wrists, pinning her to the mattress. She resisted, but not very hard. Their eyes met. He opened his mouth as if to say something, then suddenly stopped. Instead, he quickly released her and sat up.
"Are we still free until sound check?"
Puzzled, Abe replied, "Yes."
"Great! I'm going for a swim," he said, getting off the bed. "Thanks for breakfast."
"You're welcome. I'll get out of your way," she said.
What just happened? Abe stood outside Nick's door, staring at it like it would have an explanation. If she didn't know better, she could swear that he came very, very close to kissing her. "Yeah right!" she said, shaking her head to clear those thoughts right out.
******
The Los Colinas Four Seasons Resort and Club is home to The Byron Nelson PGA Championship. Abe's room included a balcony overlooking the golf course. Closer to the hotel were the Villas and the pool.
She stepped out onto the balcony. Nick, Tony, Mike, and even Pat were down at the pool. They weren't the only ones. There were also several girls in revealing bikinis. Abe watched Tony push Nick into the pool. Soon the three younger men were in the water. Each had a girl on his shoulders and a game of chicken began. The girls were all clamoring for Nick's attention and he was enjoying it. Jealous, Abe watched until Nick noticed her. When he waved, she waved back then quickly turned and went inside.
Walking into the bathroom, Abe studied herself in the mirror. She turned this way and that, before pulling her shirt over her head. Loosening the belt she had bought the week before in Atlanta, her Dockers immediately slipped down to barely hang on her hips. With a tug they slipped down her legs. Her bra was in the last set of hooks and her panties were loose. Sighing, she pulled her clothes back on.
Logically, she knew she'd lost weight, but anyway you sliced it, she didn't look like the girls holding
Nick's attention downstairs. Truth be known, she didn't blame him for looking and being with girls like
them. It was the natural course of things and the natural course of things meant Abe didn't measure up.
Nothing had changed.
Abe stood in front of the mini-bar. Her gaze lingered. She reached for a candy bar, but stopped. "No..." she growled. "NO!" she repeated with conviction. "I may never look like those girls, but I'll be damned if I give up on being healthy!"
Turning on her heals, Abe headed for the Spa determined to walk on a treadmill instead of eating. She was cutting through the lobby when the front desk clerk called out to her. He handed her an Express Mail envelope. Assuming it was Backstreet-related, she tucked it under her arm and continued on to the spa before she changed her mind.
After thirty minutes of exercise, she headed back to her room. While she waited for the elevator, she opened the envelope. Inside was a note:
|
Abe,
I forgot to give this to you when you were here. It's from Mark Tremonti. I was a good girl and didn't open it. You had better call me with a report, because you know I think Tremonti is HOT!
Later,
Chely
|
Abe chuckled at Michele's note. She carefully removed the pictures from the envelope. Her eyes widened. While she stared at the pictures, the elevator came and went...several times. As nice as it was to see photos of the party, it was her own image that captivated her. She glanced up and into the mirrored wall outside the spa. She shuffled through the pictures again, until she found a picture of her full body.
"Excuse me Miss, are you going to get on?"
Abe spun around to see an older gentleman holding the elevator door open from inside. "Huh? Oh yes. Thank you."
Abe stepped onto the elevator and continued to look at the picture of herself. She got off the elevator when the doors opened. Looking up she realized she was in the lobby. Walking across the lobby she kept thinking, why hadn't anyone told her? Thinking back she realized they had told her. She didn't listen, didn't believe, but here it was. Proof she had lost weight.
While she waited at the main elevators, she once again studied her image, this time in an ornate mirror over an antique console table. Two different mirrors. Two different floors. Same image...her face was thinner. No double chin even when she lowered her head. She glanced around to make sure no was looking. Satisfied she wouldn't be caught, she lifted her shirt, as she had done in the bathroom. A waist! She had a waist! She felt giddiness starting to take over the shock. The elevator chimed and doors slid open. She was face to face with Marcus and AJ.
"Hey Abe. Whatcha doin'?"
Abe looked around then started dragging AJ down the side hallway that led past the gift shop to the
hotel's Caf� on the Green Restaurant.
"Give us a second Marcus."
The man merely nodded.
"What's going on," asked AJ, when Abe stopped just after they rounded the corner.
"I'm going to show you something and you've got to promise you won't laugh or make fun of it."
"Okay," he said, drawing out the word.
"I meant it Alexander James."
"Wow! My given name, this is serious. I promise Anna Bella."
"AJ," she scolded.
Getting serious, he said, "I promise."
Looking around again, Abe held up the picture of her. "This is me."
"Yeah," agreed AJ, giving her a concerned look.
"This was what I looked like when I started working with Nick."
"I know Abe."
"AJ," she whispered. "I don't look like that anymore." Pausing for only a second, she continued in a rush. "I mean I know I'm not skinny, skinny. Not that I want to be, but I'm closer to where I want to be. Do you think I'm stupid?"
He saw the trepidation on her face. "Of course not, sweetheart! I'm glad you finally noticed the change.
Now what are you going to do about it?"
"I don't know�wait yes I do," she exclaimed, her eyes dancing.
"Well let's hear it."
"Well we're here through tomorrow night's show."
"Yeah."
"AJ, do you want to go shopping with me tomorrow?"
"Just try and stop me darlin'."
"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.
