Chapter 2

“Than why did you let him go?”

“Look, it’s not a conversation I want right now, forgive me, LeighAnne,” I answered with a sigh.

“I know and I hate to say anything.  It’s just that you and he fit so well together, Theresa.”

“I know.  But, please, really, enough about that.  Are you and Baylee going on the tour?”  I absentmindedly picked at the blanket that was thrown over the back of the couch as I questioned LeighAnne.

“Yeah, probably, why?  Oh, are you working?  Oh my gosh, yes!” she exclaimed, causing me to roll my eyes at her.

“Woah, chill out there, LeighAnne!”

“I’m excited now.  I know Kristin wasn’t ‘cause she’s working, and Leigh was still up in the air.”

“Well, will Mason go?” I ask of her; Mason being Kristin’s and Kevin’s son.

“If Thomas and Tamara are.”

“If I’m working, and Nick’s working, I don’t have the cash to afford a baby sitter, ya know.”  LeighAnne laughed, but in all fairness it was true.  You’re reading this thinking, right, hello, I married a flippin’ Backstreet Boy and wasn’t getting money?  That’s right.  Ya see, the only money I was getting is what the divorce court deemed legal, since there was a pre-nup.  How nice indeed.

“If you bring them, I wouldn’t mind watching them,” she offered.

“LeighAnne, you do know that there will be four kids, plus a baby, if James goes.”

“And that’s probably a given.  So, back to security?”

“Light security, but yeah,” I answered, closing my eyes and mentally seeing the Backstreet family.

“Did you and Nick get into it?”

“Shockingly, no.  He made a comment and I told him he didn’t have the right, he just sorta let it go after that.”

“Oh.”  I paused, not liking that tone that LeighAnne just took.

“What?” I asked her.

“Nothing.  So, we’ll see ya in a few days right?”

“I’m guessing so.  Haven’t heard…” I trailed off as the home phone started ringing.  “Hey, that’s them; I’ll talk to you later.”

“Yeah, bye.”  I quickly hung up and reached for the phone, catching the caller ID just to make sure it was my company.

~*~*~*

I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket, frowning as I read the name that popped up.

“What’s up there girlie?”

“Are you busy?” the woman on the other end asked.  I glanced around at the bags I was packing.  I had three days to get packed, take care of everything, and fly out to LA.

“I’m only packing.  But, I’m almost done, why do you ask LeighAnne?”

“I figured you need to shock the hell out of Nick.”  I wrinkled my brows at that simple statement that would hold way more power than I thought.

“Why would I want do to that?”

“Because you want him back.” I lifted a brow at that.

“LeighAnne, he has every intention of marrying Terri.  I can’t compete with someone who’s prettier, or smarter, sweeter, or whatever the hell she is!”

“She’s a fake, Resa.  She’s no good for him.”  I sighed, letting my head drop back.

“It’s not my concern,” I uttered.

“Do you love him?”

“LeighAnne, it’s not my concern!”

“Do you love him?!” she repeated, and I heard the tone in her voice.

“I’m not…”

“Damn it, do you love him?” she asked for the final time and I could hear the edge in her voice now.

“Yes!  What is your point?”

“Than damn it Theresa, fight for what is yours!”