CHAPTER FOURTEEN ~ Secrets Revealed

   "What did Ashley tell you?" Nicole asked wondering what exactly her brother had said.
    "He told me about your dad's violent tendencies," Jacob said reluctantly.
    "What?!?!?  Why would he tell you that?" Nicole asked shocked.
    "Ummm...actually, he told me because I asked him about the bruises on your back," Jacob answered.
    "What bruises?" Nicole asked surprised because she hadn't realized that she had any bruises.
    "The bruises that cover your back, Nicole.  I noticed them when you came out of the bathroom in your suit tonight and I asked him about it."
    "He had no right," Nicole said upset with her brother for telling the secret they had been keeping together for so many years.
    "Nicole, he didn't want to tell me, but let's face it, if you hadn't worn the t-shirt when we went swimming the first night, everyone would have been asking about it...well, alright, maybe not Erik, he was too busy sucking face with Rachel...but the others all would have noticed."
    "Jacob...I can't believe you said that," Nicole said, laughing.
    "What?  That everyone would have noticed?" Jacob asked not understanding what was so funny, but happy to see Nicole laughing and smiling.
    "No, that Erik and Rachel were too busy sucking face to notice," Nicole said when she was finally able to stop laughing.
    "Alright, it wasn't the nicest thing to say, but it was true," Jacob said laughing.
    "Yeah, I wonder how long those two think they can keep it from the rest of the world?" Nicole asked.
    "Ohhh...I don't know.  I think Erik wants to let it out...and he probably will before Rachel wants to.  I think she'd like to wait until we hit it big," Jacob answered.
    Out in the living room area, the everyone was chatting about their lives before O-Town, and the talk turned to girlfriends.  "So, Erik, you got someone special in your life?" Trevor asked wanting to see what his friend would say...or if he would admit to something going on between him and Rachel.
    "Well, there is someone that I'd like to go out with, but nothing has happened yet," Erik said, trying hard to keep from saying anything about Rachel.
    "Wow," Trevor responded.  "So, Rach, what do you think about Erik having a potential girlfriend?" he asked, sensing that Erik wasn't going to break and admit it just yet.
    "Well, Trev.  I'm sure that many of the potential fans of O-town will be disappointed that Erik is off the market if he makes the group, but I know they will get over it," Rachel answered truthfully.
    "Well, I know that...but how do YOU feel personally?"
    "I'm happy that Erik is going to be happy with whomever he is attracted to," Rachel answered. 
    Finally tired of hinting around trying to get the truth from them, Trevor decided to ask the two of them point blank, "Are you two seeing each other?"
    "Huh?" Rachel and Erik both said at the same time shocked by Trevor's forwardness.
    "You heard Trev.  Are you two dating each other or not?" Ashley repeated.
Erik looked at Rachel, trying hard to be strong to not give in and tell the guys the truth about the relationship he and Rachel had.  "Guys, we just met, how can we be dating?" Erik asked trying hard to cover the truth.
    "Very easily.  You're busy making out in the living room one night.  Tonight the two of you are sitting alone in a secluded hot tub.  Come on you two, how dumb do you think we all are?" Ashley answered.
    "Ashley Parker Angel, I will say this right here and now for all of ya to hear.  Someone else can pass the info on to Jacob eventually so I don't hear the same questions from him.  I CAN NOT DATE SOMEONE WORKING FOR TRANS-CON.  At the moment, there is a clause in the contract I signed with Lou before I was hired to do the co-op that prohibits me from doing so," Rachel explained.
    "Well, what are you gonna do after the band is named?  You can't keep your relationship with Erik quiet forever."
    "What relationship?" Rachel asked, yelling.  "There is nothing going on between me and Erik.  It was nice hanging out with y'all, but I really do have some work to do for Lou yet tonight," Rach said getting up and walking towards the door.
    "Wait.  I left something in your car," Erik said, jumping up and walking with Rachel towards the door.  Once they were outside he grabbed her arm forcing her to turn around, "What the hell?  Don't you think it would be a good idea to tell ME that you CAN'T date Trans-Con talent?"
    "Erik, come on, you and I need to talk, and we can't do it here where the cameras could show up at any minute," Rachel said unlocking her car doors.  Once the two of them were on the road, Rachel finally opened up to Erik with what was going on.  "Erik, sweetie, you're a great guy, don't get me wrong, but honestly, I don't know what to do about the contract I've got with Lou right now," Rachel said.  "I was looking over the contract last night, after you called me, and well, that's when I found that clause.  At the time I signed the contract, it didn't matter to me at all.  I didn't know anyone that I wanted to date that had a contract with Trans-Con at the time," Rachel added as she pulled over at a park near the house the guys were sharing.  "Erik, talk to me...say something, please."
    "I just don't know why you didn't mention this contract earlier today when we talked about US," Erik said through the tears.
    "Erik, I didn't want to hurt you.  I think you're a very special young man, and well, I am trying to figure out a way around that clause or to make sure that clause isn't in the contract I sign with Lou when my co-op is done," Rachel tried explaining.
    "Why don't you just not work for Lou?  Then you wouldn't have that to worry about," Erik asked, wiping his eyes.
    "Erik, you don't understand.  This co-op was designed especially for me by Lou to get me ready to work as the P.R. Rep and manager for O-Town."
    "You're gonna be our manager?" Erik asked.
    "Well, yeah...but don't tell anyone else that.  No one is supposed to know about that," Rachel said.  "I can't turn down a real contract with Lou; not when it means realizing my dreams, Erik.  I would never ask you to leave the group if Lou offered a spot to you because I know what it means to you to be in the entertainment industry.  Maybe if he gets someone else to manage y'all, I could get him to leave the clause out and still be your public relations rep, but I don't know yet, Erik."
    "I still think you should have mentioned that clause earlier today when we were talking in your office...or in the hot tub.  You said we could have a public relationship and let the guys know after Lou picked the final five," Erik said, still trying to not cry.
    "Erik...I'm trying to have that happen.  Just trust me on this for a little bit, please.  I need time to work on Lou and the legal department over the contract that I sign in January."
    "What if you can't get the no dating Trans-Con talent clause removed?" Erik asked hopefully.
    "Well, then, I guess I'll have to see if I can't find something working for someone else.  Erik, I promise, you and I will eventually be together...I just don't know how soon it is going to be," Rachel answered.
    "Well...how would you feel if I started dating other girls?  I don't think I can handle not going on dates for that long," Erik asked.
    "I'd be slightly hurt, but I understand, Erik. I think you should know, there are times that I'm going to be at events, and you'll be at most of them too, where it's going to be expected that I have a date, and unfortuately because of that clause, I can't go with you," Rachel answered truthfully.
    "You're going to make me see you with another guy?" Erik asked shocked.
    "Erik, I've already got the 'dates' lined up.  I'm going with one of my best friends down here, and all we are is friends, I swear."

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