What You Need - by Lyric

Felicity Fiction

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Thanks to traffic, Abe didn�t get to the arena until right after the guys headed under the stage for the start of the show. She got a recorded message when she tried calling Nick. Figuring his battery was dead; she made a mental note to get him a new battery on their way to the airport in the morning. She did reach Roger who told her to not worry everything was under control.

Reaching the arena, she practically skipped into the backstage area and found Roger beside the stage. Together they watched the show. The guys were cutting up and enjoying their last show. Roger laughed at her, because she was dancing and singing along.

About an hour into the show, Roger got a call. It was the hotel�s banquet manager calling about some last minute details. Roger asked Abe to back to the hotel early to make sure everything was ready. She hated to miss all of Nick�s last show, but to refuse would have been suspicious and they were so close to never having to hide again.

Before leaving, she went out to the pit. She wanted Pat to know where she was going and so Nick would know she had been there. She knew Nick would worry if he got off stage and didn�t know where she was. She also didn�t want to hurt his or AJ�s feelings, because they didn�t think she cared enough to see their last show. Walking over to Pat, she smiled up at Nick. He didn�t respond, but he was in the middle of doing a more difficult dance combination. She winked at AJ as she left. He turned away abruptly and she thought he didn�t see her.

She bounced along to the music as she left the arena. Looking up, she saw a beautiful crescent moon and a sprinkling of stars.

Climbing inside the courtesy van for the ride back to the hotel, she sighed, �It�s the perfect night to be in love.�

Angelica checked her make-up in the bathroom mirror. Straightening her dress, she attempted to calm her nerves. She had been forced out of Main Xpress within a month of being kicked off Backstreet�s tour. Sure, Vanessa and Gretchen had said they were going on without her. They had even found a replacement, but they would never make it. She was the star, which is why this had to work. Nothing else had. Main Xpress� manger, Malcolm, had dropped her and she couldn�t get another agent to let her in the door.

Backstreet had caused all her problems; therefore Backstreet could fix all her problems. She knew her ticket back in was Nick. She had done her homework, the tour ended tonight and they were having a celebration at the hotel.

Armed with this information, she had spent the afternoon primping. Satisfied she looked perfect. Angelica left the bathroom and headed for the bar. As she passed through the lobby, she saw Abe getting out of the courtesy van. Ducking back around the corner, she watched the other woman walk up to the main desk, before heading off in the other direction with a member of the hotel staff.

Letting out the breath she didn�t realize she�d been holding, she made a beeline for the bar. It had been a close call. If that fat cow had seen her, Angelica knew she wouldn�t get anywhere near Nick. Nothing would get in her way on this night. Not any of the pathetic fans staked out all over the main floor of the hotel and definitely not some fat, bitch assistant.

She ordered a glass of champagne and smiled to herself as she looked around the bar. None of these women came closed her. If she was completely honest with herself, she was quite a catch. She was beautiful, talented, and smart. She could have any man and tonight she would have Nick Carter. He was gullible. Hell, he had already bankrolled one girlfriend into the music business and in Angelica�s mind she was a far more deserving a recipient of Nick�s generosity. She glanced out into the lobby and saw Abe waiting for the elevator. Turning a critical eye on the girl, Angelica acknowledged she had lost some weight, but she was still fat and still didn�t know how to dress.

�Dyke,� she muttered, before signaling the bartender for another glass of champagne.

It would be her last glass, until after she had securely hooked Nick. She would get him a little drunk, and then take him upstairs. In his suite, she planned to fuck his brains out. Shouldn�t be too hard, what little brains he had were all in his dick anyway. She�d drain him then he would be all hers. Boys were so simple that way and Nick was a boy in her book.

Activity in the lobby caught her attention. Security had increased. They were milling around, making sure everyone stayed in a roped off area. Backstreet must be close.

She paid her tab and walked over to her hiding spot by the bathrooms. She watched as Brian, Leighanne, and Howie were escorted in rapid succession. AJ was the next one, followed by Kevin. Nick brought up the rear. She made her move, rounding the corner in time to come face to face with Nick.

�So your what all the fuss is about,� she chuckled.

Frowning, Nick said, �huh?�

�All the fuss. I was here meeting friends and we couldn�t figure out why all these females were hanging around.� She paused. �Nick don�t tell me you�ve forgotten me already.�

�Angelica?�

�That�s me. It�s so good to see you again,� she cooed, pulling him into a hug. �Can I buy you a drink?�

Pat cleared his throat. �Nick, don�t you want to check in with Abe?�

He watched as the younger man�s face changed. His mouth was set in a firm line.

�Angelica, I�ll take you up on that drink, but let�s go to the party. That way I can have a bottle and it�s on Backstreet.�

�Sounds like a plan. I think you�re party�s this way,� stated Angelica, taking his hand and leading the direction Abe had gone earlier.

Before they walked into the banquet room, Pat said, �Angelica, go on in. I need to speak with Nick for just a moment.�

�What the fuck,� asked Nick, after she had disappeared into the room.

�What�s going on with you?�

�Nothin�s goin� on with me.� His tone sullen.

�What about Abe?�

�What about her?�

�Nick, she�s your girlfriend.�

�Not anymore. It�s the end of the tour. She got what she wanted.�

�But��

Nick snapped. �Look. You�re my bodyguard, so do your job and guard me. I�m going in here and get fucked up and later I�m going to get fucked. Got it.�

�Got it,� said Pat, his jaw clinched tight.

Abe walked into the banquet hall. Music was going and most everyone seemed to be there. She did a quick scan of the room. She didn�t see Nick. She finally spotted Pat. Their eyes locked and Abe�s stomach immediately knotted up, but she didn�t know why. She looked around Pat for Nick; suddenly she saw the back of his head. What was he doing? She gasped when she realized he was kissing someone. Her feet felt like cement blocks as she made her way across the room.

Finally, she was standing in front of Nick. He was still �involved� with whomever he was kissing. She tapped him on the shoulder. He ignored her. She tapped him again.

�What,� he bellowed, as he head swung around.

Abe looked from him to the girl he was kissing. Her heart jumped into her throat when she saw Angelica.

�Did you need something,� asked Angelica, an evil grin playing at her lips.

�Nick?�

�What do you want AB,� he asked, taking a huge gulp of Jack Daniels straight from the bottle.

�What�s going on?�

�A party,� he replied. �Tour�s over. Time to party.�

�I don�t understand,� she said, her bottom lip beginning to tremble.

�Tour is over.� He over-enunciated every word. �You completed your assignment. Go have fun.�

�So that�s it,� she said, feeling like her legs would give way at any moment.

�That�s it,� he replied in a cold tone.

�I think somebody had a crush on you,� taunted Angelica. �Is that it Abe? You had a crush on Nicky and thought it would play out tonight. That you would get the boy? Sorry hippo, but I got the boy. Now run along and stuff your face.�

�Shut up Angelica,� hissed Pat.

�Nick can he talk to me like that,� she whined.

�Yes I can,� Pat said, and challenged Nick to cross him.

With as much dignity as she could muster, Abe turned to leave.

Nick watched Abe start to walk away as he stuffed his hands in his pockets. His fingers bumped the little dragon. He pulled out of his pocket as he stood.

�Bella,� he called after her. He saw the hope in her eyes, when she faced him. �Here. I don�t need this anymore.�

Abe caught it. She looked from his face to Angelica�s and then turned to Pat, giving him a big hug.

�Abe what the hell is going on,� Pat asked.

�I don�t know, Pat. All I know is I�ve got to get out here.�

�I�ll maker sure he leaves you alone when we get up to the room.�

�No Pat. I mean I�m leaving. I can�t stay here. He doesn�t want me anymore.� Her voiced hitched on emotion. �I�ll leave my key on the coffee table in the room.�

�Abe��

�Don�t Pat. He doesn�t want me.� Her voice began to break. �He doesn�t... I can�t stay and watch this. Have a safe trip home.�

She never looked, again. Instead, she walked over to Roger�s table.

�Hey there Abe. You�re not leaving the party, are you?�

�Yeah. I want to get an early start in the morning. I think I will try to catch an earlier flight home. Do you need anything else from me?�

�No. It�s been a pleasure working with you Abe. You did a fantastic job and stay in touch.�

�I will,� she said, hugging him.

Just outside the banquet room Abe ran into Marcus and AJ.

�AJ, what�s going on with Nick,� she asked, barely able to control her emotions.

�Why,� asked AJ, showing no concern for her distress?

�He�s in there making out with Angelica.�

�What,� exclaimed Marcus, his eyes going huge.

�Yeah,� replied Abe, wiping away a tear that had escaped down her cheek. �AJ?�

�What do you want me to say?�

�Did something happen?�

�You tell me?�

�AJ, what�s wrong with you,� she asked.

�Nothing is wrong with me. What the fuck can I say? It�s the end of the tour. It was good working with you. Have a nice life?�

�What the hell is going on,� she cried.

�Nothing.� He replied, shrugging his shoulders. �Looked like you were going somewhere.�

�I was going up to get my things and leave.�

�Don�t let us stop you.�

�So this is it?�

�Pretty much.�

�You and Nick are mad at me, but I don�t know what I did.�

�You�re a smart girl, Abe. I�m sure you�ll figure it out. See ya.�

Abe stared in disbelief as AJ walked into the banquet room with a floored Marcus following him. Finally, she made her way to the elevators.

�Is that AJ�s girlfriend?� She heard someone in the roped off section ask as she stepped onto the elevator.

Someone else answered, �No that�s just Nick�s assistant.�

Abe opened her eyes to find herself face to face with the butt of a semi-automatic rifle and sat up quickly. Disoriented, she tried figure out where she was. She couldn�t believe she had actually managed to sleep.

�Mornin� Miss,� greeted a voice from above her.

Looking up warily, Abe saw a National Guard patch on the man�s army fatigues. �Morin�. Am I in trouble?�

�Heck no,� he said with an easy chuckle. �Cap�n just wanted to make sure you and your bags weren�t bothered while you slept.�

�I�m sorry. You should have woke me. You have more important things to do.�

�Don�t worry. Things are usually pretty quiet when flights aren�t comin� in and out. Well, now that you�re awake I�ll be on my way.�

�Hey...uh��

�Corporal Ranson.�

�Corporal Ranson, thanks for standing guard. Tell the Captain thanks too.�

�Will do. You have a good trip.�

Checking her watch, Abe saw it was 4:12 AM. Eighteen minutes until the ticket counter opened and she could try for an earlier flight. Wiping sleep from her eyes, she looked around. She was still the only one in the lobby. After stretching, she maneuvered her way through the roped off area leading to the ticket counter.

Thinking back, she barely remembered getting her stuff out of the room. She didn�t remember the cab ride to the airport at all. Once there, she tried calling Michele, but got no answer at the apartment. It was then she remembered Michele and Tim were visiting his grandparents, which ruled out calling her cell phone. It was probably just as well, she really couldn�t have a breakdown in the middle of the airport. Thankfully, her brain shutdown and that must have been when she dozed off.

Standing there waiting for the ticket counter to open, she came close to loosing it when she pulled the little dragon out of her pocket. Instead, she buried the figurine in the bottom of her bag and swallowed all the pain threatening to wash away her composure. She ignored the word screaming over and over in her head�WHY? WHY? WHY?

Less than twenty-four hours before, it had all seemed so perfect. Maybe that was it. Girls like her didn�t get perfect. Girls like her didn�t get their prince. She felt like such a fool for thinking she would be enough.

She had to swallow back bitter bile at the thought of Angelica being with Nick. Visions of Nick kissing her�him moaning that vile creatures name danced before Abe�s eyes. Angelica�s shrill laugh shrieked in her ears. The phrase, �She�s just his assistant," echoing in her head. She felt light headed and realized she was beginning to hyperventilate. She took in a slow breath and held it.

Regaining control not a moment too soon as she was joined by another early morning traveler. Within minutes, a line had formed behind her, one family of four and the rest individuals. She focused on these mundane things to keep herself in check.

A door behind the counter opening caught her attention. An airline employee walked out and picked up a folder, before disappearing in the back again. Abe wanted to scream. She had to get on an earlier flight. She wanted to be out of the airport completely, when Nick or any of the others showed up for their flights. She checked her watch. It read 4:30. Her foot was bouncing hard as her anxiety escalated. The door opened again and all the attendants came out. Finally, one signaled for her.

It took a few minutes, but they did manage to get her on an earlier flight. Granted it would require a three hour layover in Atlanta, but she to be out of this airport a good two hours before any of the others showed up.

Passing through security, Abe finally began to relax. She had an hour until she boarded her flight. After getting some caffeine, she checked out a magazine stand. She came across the local paper and Nick was on the cover. It was a shot from the previous night�s concert. She ran her finger over his image. Biting her bottom lip, she blinked rapidly to keep the tears from falling. She purposely moved over to the books and selected the latest in a science fiction series she had been reading.

Moving on to her gate, she walked past a pastry shop. Giving into her impulse, she bought enough sweets to put herself into a sugar comma. She then walked to the bathroom. Once securely in a stall, she quickly ate all but one of the gooey treats. Finding a seat at her gate, she pulled out the last of her breakfast and slowly ate it. She made sure to keep the bag that had held all the items in her briefcase, thus hiding the fact she had eaten everything. Of course, she was only hiding it from herself. Unfortunately, her body didn�t co-operate.

While she attempted to read, she began feeling sick. She fought the urge for as long as possible, but soon her stomach would not be ignored. She quickly moved back to the bathroom. Once she was sure she was alone, she threw-up everything.

�Well I won�t be doing that again.� She muttered to her distorted image in what passed for a mirror, before splashing cold water on her face.

Taking a seat in the waiting area of her gate, she pulled out her book and made better progress on her reading. Fellow passengers were filling up the seats. Seemed like the airport was waking up. She looked out the window and noted the activity outside had picked up too.

As she went back to reading, she had the sense she was being watched. Taking a look around her eyes settled on two young women, a blonde and a brunette. They were standing against the glass wall over looking the tarmac. They didn�t look away when she made eye contact. Instead, they began to move toward her.

�Excuse me. Are you Nick Carter�s assistant?�

�Nope,� replied Abe.

�Then why do you have Backstreet passes on?�

Abe looked down to see her credentials still hanging from the lanyard around her neck. �I forgot to take them off.�

�So you are Nick�s assistant,� pressed the brunette. �We�ve seen you around the Boys and someone told us you were.�

�You caught me. I was Nick�s assistant.�

�That�s cool,� she squealed. �I�m Beth and this is Sandy.�

�Hi,� replied the blonde as they both sat down across from Abe.

�Hello.�

�So what�s it like working with Nick? I would just die. He�s so hot!�

�Who�s your favorite, Beth?�

�I�m an AJ kinda girl.�

�I see.�

�Yeah,� the girl replied while exchanging a look with he friend. �So are all the stories true?�

�What stories,� asked Abe, afraid something had gotten out about her.

�That AJ is back to partyin� and drinking and stuff? Has he got a new girlfriend?�

�Yeah and what about Nick?�

�No AJ isn�t out drinking and stuff. He goes out from time to time, but he is still clean and sober. As far as their love lives go, I can�t help you on that one.�

�Oh come on you can tell us. We won�t tell anyone,� replied Beth, while both women did their best to look innocent.

�Nope. Not gonna happen. So where are you guys from?�

�Chicago.�

�And you just happen to have a flight out this morning,� questioned Abe, her eyebrow cocking. The girls looked sheepish. �Someone told you the guys would be flying out early this morning.�

�Yeah we got a tip. Our flight doesn�t leave until this afternoon.�

�Which explains how you got to the gate.�

�So when are their flights?�

�Not a clue. I don�t keep up with that.�

�Not even Nick�s?�

�Not anymore,� replied Abe, shaking her head.

�You got fired,� asked Sandy, her eyes going wide.

�No. The tour ended last night. My job is done.�

�Well that sucks,� stated Beth. �Do you not like them anymore?�

�No I like them.�

�What about Nick,� asked Sandy.

�Love him to death.� Abe hoped her voice and expression gave away nothing.

Just then the gate attendants began the boarding announcements for her flight.

�Well girl�s it is time for me to go. Thanks for keeping me company.�

�Thanks for talking to us.�

Once in her seat on the plane, she looked out the window. She was fighting to keep her composure yet again. It was hard talking to the girls about Backstreet, but she would never do anything to hurt the guys� image. She brushed away a single tear. Even though they didn�t deserve or appreciate it, they had her loyalty. Too bad they didn�t care. And like it or not, Nick had her heart. Too bad he didn�t want it.

AJ walked in to the suite and immediately lit a cigarette. He hadn�t stayed long at the party, because he was still too upset about Abe.

�So, you mind telling what the hell that was with Abe,� asked Marcus.

�Not a fuckin� thing.�

�Wrong, my friend. It looked like a fuckin� huge thing. And what the hell was Nick up to with that whiney-ass bitch?�

�I�d say he�s getting the bigger bitch out of his system.�

�Cheap shot,� stated Marcus.

AJ stopped his pacing and leveled a look at Marcus. �I wasn�t talkin� her size. I was talking what she did to Nick. Hell, to all of us.�

Marcus waited for him to continue. He didn�t. �I am too tired to try and pry it out of you. You don�t want me to know, cool by me. I�m going to bed.�

AJ took a draw off his cigarette and watched Marcus disappear into his room for the night.

Marcus chuckled when he heard the knock. He hadn�t even bothered to get undressed. �It�s open.�

AJ started ranting as soon as the door opened. �I�ll tell you what she did! She got fifteen grand as a bonus for making it to the end of the tour.� He paced back and forth. �Fifteen thousand fuckin� dollars! Can you believe it? She had all of us fooled. Poor Nicky got it the worse. He fuckin� fell for her and she let him, because it made her job easier.� He paused. � Why ya shakin� your head?�

�It don�t make sense AJ. I don�t think she�s that good an actress.�

�Well she is,� he said, but with less conviction.

�Wasn�t Nick flying home with her and meeting her parents?�

�He was.�

�Man, I don�t know, but that sure don�t sound like someone who was just playing a game to get her bonus.�

AJ thought about it then slowly shook his head. �Maybe, but you know we�ve all been fooled before. So, how the fuck can any of us�hell how can I be sure? You know?�

�You could talk to her.�

�Then I guess you won�t ever know.�

�Guess not. Man, this is so fucked up. I thought she was my friend, straight up and true.�

�I know. I know.�

�Where�s your key Nicky,� cooed Angelica. Things had been going like clockwork. Nick had been all over her at the party. She didn�t even have to feed him booze. He was downing the stuff like water. So far, seeing the fat bitch put in her place was the highlight of the evening. That had just been the best! Bitch finally got what she deserved. �Come on Nicky�the key.�

�Abe has it. Fuckin� bitch!�

�Yes she is, but I don�t think she has your key anymore. Think baby. Where could it be?�

Nick�s brow furrowed. �Pat gave me one earlier.�

�Good! Where is it?�

A huge grin appeared on his face. He leaned back against the locked door. �Ya gotta find it.�

�That so?� Nick�s head bobbed up and down. Angelica smiled as she searched him. She checked all his pockets and came up empty. She frowned. Letting him get this messed up wasn�t such a good idea. Pressing her body close to his, she whispered, �Baby, the sooner we get in the room, the sooner I can go down on you.�

�Fuck me,� he gulped.

�I intend to.�

He lifted his leg and giggled, �Sock.�

Patience wearing thin, she�d barely shut the door, when he lowered his zipper. Pressing her against the door, he kissed her�long, deep and sloppy. When he tried to force her down on her knees, she resisted.

�You said you�d blow me.�

Reaching out, she stroked him. �Don�t worry big boy, I�ll blow you. I just want to move it out of main room.�

�It�s a two-way street. I blow you. You fuck me and, baby, I�m a screamer.�

�You are,� he groaned.

�I am if you know how to push my buttons.� She leaned close, nipping at his ear lobe. �Do you think can push my buttons, Nicky?�

�I�ll push all your fuckin� buttons.�

Angelica pulled him into the bedroom. She flipped on the light.

�Fuck,� Nick squinted against the bright overhead light.

Her voice softened as her gaze traveled the bedroom. �Oh, Nicky�You didn�t need to go to all this trouble.�

He blinked. Slowly, the room came into drunken focus. There were unlit candles everywhere. Someone had turned down the bed and scattered red rose petal all over the sheets. But it wasn�t until he discovered the Pocket Dragon, that he realized what was going on...Bella. Suddenly, he felt sick. The room was beginning to tilt. He reached out a hand to steady himself, but stumbled instead.

Angelica rolled her eyes as she caught him. �Whoa, big boy! We had a deal, remember? I intend on keeping my promise.�

Nick watched her drop to her knees. His eyes were drawn back to the little figurine sitting on the pillow. It was like Abe was in the room. He felt the first flick of Angelica�s tongue and he knew at that moment he couldn�t.

�Stop,� he said on a ragged breath.

With a sigh and giggled, she ignored him.

�Angelica, stop!�

She glanced up. �What the fuck?�

�I can�t do this.�

�What do you mean you can�t do this?�

He stepped back and zipped up. �Sorry. Just go.�

Fire flared in her eyes. She slowly stood up. �Wait a minute. Who did all this shit? Who fixed up this room, Nicky? Did someone stand you up? � She looked around the room and her gaze came to rest on the figurine. �Looks like someone left you a present.�

She started toward it, but Nick was faster. He practically lunged for the bed. He managed to grab the dragon, but in his inebriated state, he didn�t notice the note beneath it.

Angelica picked up the paper, slowly unfolding it. �Looks like a love note to me,� she taunted.

Nick attempted to jerk it away and in the process ripped the paper.

�You have lost your fuckin� mind? Here take it.� She threw what was left of the note she was still holding at him. �I don�t blame whoever set this up for not sticking around. You�re fuckin� psycho.�

�Yeah I am psycho,� he spat as he grabbed her arm and dragged her through the suite. Shoving her out into the hall, he leveled an icy glare. �Get out and stay the fuck out of my life!� He slammed the door so hard that the pictures on the walls rattled.

Dropping to the carpet, he gathered up the torn pieces of paper. Hands trembling, he slowly reassembled Abe�s letter. He hesitated a moment before reading it.

Nick read the note again, trying to reconcile her words with her betrayal. It didn�t make sense, but it never made sense when someone betrayed him. No, this was all just an elaborate lie to keep him in the dark until she got her money. Well, he�d shown her. He left her first and she could have the fuckin� money. He didn�t need it.

The pocket dragon was on the bed where he�d dropped it. For a long minute, he stood there and studied it. The dragon represented Bella and Bella represented betrayal. Tears glazed his blue eyes. How could she? He picked it up, his fingers tightening around it. He wanted to smash it against the wall and destroy it. He didn�t. Instead, he sank to the mattress. Lying down, he held it as he drifted off. Just before completely slipping into his dreams, he whispered.

�Why Bella?�

Barbara Cavett waited for her daughter at baggage claim. Abe�s call from the Atlanta airport to say she caught an earlier flight surprised her, but she was eager to have her home and to meet the boy who had her daughter�s heart.

She spotted Abe moving toward her, but the girl had not seen her mother yet. Barbara noticed the young man walking beside her daughter. He was tall with dark curly hair. It surprised and relieved her to see he was dressed in business casual. She had pictured some tattooed musician type in baggy clothes and unkept hair. No this boy looked very nice. She was completely confused when Abe stopped in front of her, but the young man continued past. Frowning, she turned to see where he was going.

�Yes dear?�

�Uh�Hello?�

�Hello. Did you have a good flight?� She was still not face her daughter.

�Yes. What are you looking at?�

�Where is your boyfriend going?�

�He�s not here,� she replied, steeling herself for the reaction.

�He�s over there.�

Abe looked at the guy her mother was pointing to. �That�s not my boyfriend.�

�Oh. Did he stop at the bathroom or something,� she asked, finally turning to look at her daughter.

�No. He�s not coming.�

�What?�

�There is no guy. It didn�t work out.�

�What do you mean it didn�t work out?�

Taking in a shaky breath, Abe looked her mother in the eyes. �Can we go home?�

�Young lady explain what happened to me,� Barbara demanded, her hands immediately going on her hips and her foot tapping.

�Mother,� hissed Abe, through clenched teeth. �I can�t do this here. Don�t make me. Please, just take me home.�

Barbara saw the tears well up in her girl�s eyes. �All right sweetie. Let�s find your bags quickly. Mama will get you home.�

�Where�s Little Bit?�

�On the roof,� replied Barbara from her spot by the stove.

�I�ll tan her hide. I suppose her fella�s up there too.�

�No he�s not. Adam something happened. He didn�t come with her. Apparently, they broke up.�

�I don�t know. She won�t tell me, but she almost broke down at the airport.� Barbara turned and he saw the worry furrowing her brow.

�I�ll go talk to her,� he said, folding his wife into his arms for a comforting hug.

The ladder thumping against the side of the garage rousted Abe from her thoughts.

�Thanks Daddy,� she called down, only to be surprised when her father�s head appeared above the roof. �What are you doing?�

�In all the years you�ve done this I�ve never come up here. Thought today might be a good day to check out the view.�

Abe refused to look at her father as he settled himself next to her. He looked around and he understood why his daughter always ran to this spot when she needed to think. It was this little space hovering above the world. She could still see what was going on, but she could distance herself from it as well. Right now, she was trying to hold back a world of hurt. Hurt that was eating at her.

�So how was the flight?�

�Fine.� Her tone deceptively calm.

�Did you bring everything home you meant to?�

�Pretty much.�

�Your mama says your guy didn�t come with you.�

�She said you told you don�t have a boyfriend.�

�Yep.� Her voice shaky.

�What happened?�

�I let go of my heart, Daddy.�

�He didn�t catch it?�

�No, he caught it.�

She faced her father for the first time. Big tears started sliding down her cheeks. She gulped for air, but finally found her voice.

�He gave it back.�

Heartbreaks Interlude coming soon.

"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 ©2002-2003
All Rights Reserved
No part of this text may be copied or reprinted
without the author's permission.

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