�Cait� God� just� it�s over.� He said and she took a sharp intake of breath. She had prepared herself for this. She knew it was coming. The past few months had been hell on both of them. Their relationship was at a stand still and the seperation had rubbed their friendship thin. She was just lucky that their friendship could still be saved. She�d be the same Cait she�d always been. After a few moments of silence he spoke again.
�Hello?� He asked gently, as if one wrong step would cut them off forever.
�Yeah� she said softly. �I�m just� kinda.. numb.� She mumbled as tears slid down her cheeks.
�I wish I could be there with you but this is just so hard.� He said. She knew he still loved her she just wasn�t sure if he knew it.
�I know Nick, it�s okay� Listen I need to go. I have A final in an hour. Toni sends her love and she said she can�t wait to see you guys next week.�
�Your not coming with her?� he asked
�No� I should stay here. I umm� need to get the dorm room cleaned up and pack.� I managed to say.
�Alright� The guys send their love. Bye� he said simply and the line went dead.
�Bye� � She whispered into nowhere. A moment later Toni gathered her into her arms and hugged her.
�I�m so sorry hun� She said softly.
�I�m okay� It�s okay..� I was expecting this remember? I wasn�t supposed to be upset.� She said as she sobbed gently into Toni�s shoulder.
�You know you don�t have a Final today and you know everythings already been shipped home.�
�Yeah I know�� and then she laughed. She had no idea why but she laughed, Toni smiled and wiped her tears away.
�Aww that�s my girl!� Toni said.
The next month went by quickly� Cait, Toni and Emily moved back to their home in Florida. College was finally over, They were all relieved that they were done with it. Caitlin had majored in English� she wanted to be a songwriter ironically enough. And Toni was shooting with high hopes to be in the management business. They�d all dealt with Lou enough to know more about the business than he did. The girls packed what was left of their stuff and left for Florida where they had moved 4 years previously, cause the weather was warmer, the guys were hotter and of course because that�s where the most important guys in their lives lived! Aj and Toni were closer than ever and Cait and Nick seemed to have drifted apart some way, some how. Emily on the other hand had found a new love of her life, she started going out with Eric, from EYC, when they were on tour with the guys. They were super cute together and since college was over Em opted to go tour with Eric in Europe for a while. Caitlin dated on and off mostly because of the lack of company. She�d been invited back on tour with the guys numerously but she couldn�t deal with that just yet. No one she dated had held her interest for very long, No one like Nick, no one could stir up her emotions with just the look of an eye like Nick could. Cait got bored quickly with the lazy act and JIVE offered her a job as a talent scout. Hey she had been the one who had shown Jane Nick could sing right? Well she was busy with that and Toni and she talked almost everyday and Emily seemed to call when it was convenient and it just seemed she was leading a different life so they drifted apart.
Caitlin was sitting at home curled up on the couch in front of the fire place reading when the phone rang.
�Hello?� She answered after the second ring.
�Open your door.� A soft voice said before there was a click meaning they had hung up. Curiosity got the better of her and she hopped up and opened the door. On the �Welcome� Mat laid a blue tipped white rose, Her absolute favorite. She picked it up and there was a note attached.
�Check your car.� It read. She hurried down the steps and ran to her car that was parked beside the house and she opened the door. Laying in the backseat was a baby blue silk dress, with matching shoes and another rose. She smiled to herself and picked it up gingerly. Attached to the hanger was another note.
�Hurry up! Get Dressed!!� It read. Cait went back inside dress and shoes in hand and got dressed. She threw her hair up into a curly ponytail and had twists all around her hair. She slipped on her shoes and put on her make up.
�Now what?� She thought to herself outloud. Almost as soon as the words had slipped through her lips there was a car horn from outside. She walked to the window and their infront of her lawn was a black stretch limo and a chauffeur. She walked outside and out to the limo. The door was opened for her and she stepped inside.
�Toni Oni One!!� Cait squealed in delight as she hugged her tightly.
�Cait Anne!� Toni said hugging her back and Caitlin glared at her.
�Funny!�
�Oh you know I love you!!� Toni said and the girls hugged again.
�I know you�ve missed me terribly and all but I�m guessing your not the one who is doing all this?� Caitlin said and Toni grinned.
�And you guessed right!� Toni handed Cait another rose. By that time the Limo had reached it�s destination and they stepped out.
�And we�re here why?� She asked and Toni rolled her eyes ignoring the question. They were standing facing the �National Car Rental Stadium� and it flashed �Backstreet Boys Live in concert Tomorrow Night!!� followed by �Sold out� then the message that had been meant for her. �I�m sorry Cait.� And she smiled to herself.
Toni and Cait made their way inside the dark arena and they walked towards the stage that has been set up already. It was eerie being in there without the screaming fans she was so used to being surrounded by.
�Toni� why are all the lights off?!� she asked
�So you would ask questions!� Toni said and made her sit down in second row and she sat down beside her and fog filled the arena. A spotlight hit the center stage and a soft music began to play and slowly got louder and louder. The center of the stage began to rise and Nick appeared. Caitlin shifted in her seat uncomfortably. He opened his eyes and looked up, one of those old fashioned microphones stood infront of him. He looked directly into Cait�s eyes and she couldn�t move.
He sang slowly and smoothly.
Oh baby, I'm missing you
We used to love so strong
Tell me where did we go wrong
Oh baby, I'm missing you
They say I'll learn to forget
But it sure ain't happen yet
-;- When AJ stepped out on stage -;-
I've been checking up the places
Where we used to go (used to go)
And looking for your face inside the crowd
I've been talking to the people
That we used to know
But nobody wants to say where you right now
-;- Nick -;-
And when I call your phone
Seems like you're never ever home
And you don't return my calls (return my calls)
No, it tears me apart
This breaking of my heart
-;- Brian, Kevin and Howie came on stage- -;-
Oh baby, I'm missing you
We used to love so strong
Tell me where did we go wrong
Oh baby, I'm missing you
They say I'll learn to forget
But it sure ain't happen yet
Sure ain't happen yet
I still have your picture hanging around my room (around my room)
That's the only thing
That's left of you and me
Girl what can i do
To make you come back soon
And make it just the way it used to be
Oh, is there someone new?
I can never go on without you
Girl, I don't wanna think about
(think about this)
I can't sleep at night
No, this can't be right
Come back into my arms
(come back, baby, come back)
I'm missing you
We used to love so strong
Tell me where did we go wrong
Oh baby, I'm missing you
They say I'll learn to forget
But it sure ain't happen yet
I know there's chance for you and I
And I believe
There's no way our love could die
So no matter how long it takes
I'll wait for you
And whatever it takes
I'll be there for you
I'll be there, I'll be there
I'm missing you
We used to love so strong
Tell me where did we go wrong
Oh baby, I'm missing you
They say I'll learn to forget
But it sure ain't happen yet
Oh baby, I'm missing you
We used to love so strong
Tell me where did we go wrong
Oh baby, I'm missing you
They say I'll learn to forget
But it sure ain't happen yet
But it sure ain't happen yet
But it sure ain't happen yet
Sure ain't happen yet
But it sure ain't happen yet
Cait sat there in awe� not quite sure what to make of it. Everyone�s eyes were on her and Brian hopped down and walked to her and handed her a white rose that matched her other ones and she smiled and thanked him. They hugged tightly.
�I�ve missed you so much B�� Cait said misty eyed.
�I�ve missed you too Cat� we all have.� He said emphasizing the �all� and directed his eyes towards Nick who was still standing there looking at her. She nodded knowingly and walked towards the stage Toni and
Brian followed. AJ hopped down and hugged her tightly.
�It�s so good to see you again sis!� He said and she smiled and kissed his cheek.
�You too bro!� She said and he handed her another rose.
�Thanks!� She said laughing about the small bouquet she held which was rapidly growing larger. She then said hello to Kevin and Howie and they gave her roses as well. She then sat them on the stage and hopped up and walked towards Nick, their eyes were connected and there was nothing but each other to them. She stopped a few feet away from him.
�Why�d you do it?� she asked.
�Why�d I do what?� he retorted.
�Why�d you break up with me? Make my life miserable then have to waltz back in with a bunch of roses thinking everything to be dandy?� She asked fighting the urge to take him in her arms and never let go.
�I�m blonde and I thought that my feelings for you weren�t what they are but I was completely wrong.� He said
�Completely!� Brian added
�Thanks man..� Nick smirked
�Anytime yo!� Brian grinned cheekily.
�So you think that singing to me is going to solve everything like it used to when we were five?� she asked and he looked down.
�No, but I thought it would be a good start. You look beautiful tonight by the way�� He added.
�Thank you for everything Nick� but if you want to be back in a relationship we�re going to have to take it slow.� She said softly and he nodded.
�Now what the hell are you just standing there for? You better give me a hug!� She continued and he hugged her tightly, and longer than the others had and everyone applauded. She hugged him back and he kissed her gently.
�EWWW� this isn�t a new routine is it?� A voice called from the entrance.
�No, but I could get used to it.� Nick said.
�AARON!!� Cait said and she left nick�s grasp and ran to him and hugged him tightly.
�Hey, you always gotta bust in on my moments?� Nick complained as he followed a few moments after Cait.
�Yup!� He grinned and Cait kissed his cheek.
�I�ve missed you so much!� Cait exclaimed and hugged him again
�You are looking so cute!� She continued and looked him over.
�I can�t believe how much you�ve changed. It�s only been a few months since I saw you last!� she commented and he grinned at her then Nick and Aaron hugged.
�Where�s momma?� Cait asked after a few moments
�Right here baby girl!� Jane called from the same spot Aaron had been. Cait smiled and hugged her
�Oh momma it�s been too long!� she said and Jane sniffled.
�Yeah but I�m happy I got to see that!� she said and Cait blushed.
Later that night�
�Toni, Your not wearing that to dinner!!� Cait exclaimed.
�Hell No she ain�t.� AJ said from the doorway looking semi-preppy.
�WHY NOTTTTTT!?� she whined
�Umm because that slit practically shows your ass crack and A-dude does NOT need to see that!� Cait retorted.
�Neither does anyone but me!� AJ said and Toni stuck up a peace sign and pouted.
�This is a peace sign�� she started and bent her index finger down �Here�s my piece and here�s yours!� she said flicking them off. Cait giggled and AJ shook his head and grinned as Toni walked back into her and AJ�s Hotel room.
Nick chuckled and wrapped Cait into a hug and held her close to him. He�d missed having her in his arms whenever he wanted, he�d missed the way her hair smelled, he�d missed her kisses, he�d missed her company, but most of all he�d missed her friendship. He knew he had screwed up big time the moment the words had come out of his mouth.
�I love you� he said and she smiled.
�I love you too� she said and they joined hands and walked into the lobby.
Cait and Nick laid in his bunk in each other�s arms, sure it was a tight fit but they were comfortable. Nick had his eyes closed for the moment and she glanced around his bunk wall, there were pictures of his family, Cait, Cait�s family, Aaron and Nick together, BJ, Leslie, Angel and Cait. Then of course there were pictures of the guys and there were some of AJ and Toni and there was one of Toni, Emily and Cait on the first day of the �Backstreet Boys Tour �96� they were all so young and they had all come so far since then. Her favorite picture was one that she shot of the guys who were all lined up at Urinals in the bathroom of Walt Disney World. She had snuck in the bathroom and stood infront of them.
�Hey fellas!� she had called and they all turned and she snapped the picture. Samantha wasn�t too happy about it at the time so she claimed it was her own and was even in her book. Brian had been so hurt over her, Cait was just so happy he�d found Leighanne, they were so cute together and she�d been there for him through the heart surgery and everything else he�d endured. She smiled to herself and her eyes fell on Nick, she knew they were meant forever. He opened his eyes and found himself looking into Cait�s eyes and he smiles and maneuvered over her and kissed her gently, slowly and lusciously. She kissed him back lovingly and softly. Their kiss became more passionate, very slowly. Nick slid his hands up and down her sides soothingly. The bus jerked as it came to a stop and Nick lost his balance and fell out of the bunk. As It happened, Brian was standing in the hallway when it happened. Brian chuckled and shook his head.
�I�m not gonna ask because I don�t wanna know!� He said and as soon as the words left his lips a pillow was hurled out of Nick�s bunk and it knocked Brian upside the head. Cait poked her head out and giggled.
�Oh it�s on!� He drawled in his country accent. Cait grabbed another pillow and hopped out of the bunk and Brian hit her in the head with the pillow he had in his hand.
�Hey!� she called and ran towards the front of the bus and Brian was right behind her.
�Joe Open the doors!� Cait called before she collided into the dash.
�I don�t think that�s a good idea!� He said and she stopped dead in her tracks and Brian didn�t stop in time and ran into cait causing them to both fall on the floor. Outside the windows of the bus door were around 100 girls screaming and knocking on the door. The sight of Brian only made it worse and they quickly made their way back to the end of the bus.
�Nick hide!� Cait said since he was just getting up off the floor.
�Why?� He asked and she shrugged and grinned.
�Fans�� she said and his eyes widened in mock fear. He dodged into his bunk and pulled Cait after him and Brian went and sat down in the �lobby� area. Nick chuckled and they both crawled out of the bunk and sat with Brian. Howie and Kevin were still asleep and Aj and Toni had run off somewhere.
�Girl you�re my angel� you�re my darling Angel, closer than my peeps you are to me�� Nick sang softly into Cait�s ear. She grinned to herself knowing she was in the position that every girl wished they were in. She leaned more against him and his arms held her closer to him, they were both on the couch watching some infomercial that was on. Cait glanced at the clock, which read 2:34, and she looked up at him.
�Tired?� She asked
�No� you?� he asked and she shook her head an evil grin crossed his lips and cait could tell something was up.
�No� Nick� No�� she said trying to wiggle out of his arms
�You know you wanna�� he said �that�s the best way to get worn out!� He grinned again and she laughed.
�Are you ever not horny?� she asked
�Am I ever not blonde?� he countered
�No� � she said and shook her head but was still smiling. He caressed her cheek gently and brought her lips to his, and they shared a breathtaking kiss.