What You Need - by Lyric

Felicity Fiction

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Nick saw a combat boot covered foot bouncing against the pavement and knew instantly it was Abe. His heart tripped like it had every time he’d thought of her since their conversation the day before. Glancing down at the in-dash clock, he noted the conversation took place 26 hours and 20 minutes ago. Not that he was counting.

He shocked both of them when he asked her to come stay with him. The idea never crossed his mind before he called, but was out of his mouth before he could stop it. It was her own fault. She made him tell her about his holiday. When he admitted he was alone, she had said his name and the way she said his name had done it. It was just his name, but the way she said it let him know she understood. She didn’t pity him or scold him. She just understood and that made him feel better.

Putting the Escalade in park, he grinned as he got out. His grin disappeared when he saw the look on her face.

“I know I’m late. Don’t be mad.”

“I’m not,” she replied, curtly. “Can you open the back?”

“Yeah,” he said in a dejected tone.

The ride to the house was filled with small talk and no emotion. They were both wondering if she regretted coming.

What was she doing here? Oh yeah, she’d lost her mind! It was a reasonable explanation, the only explanation for why Abe was in Marathon instead of at her apartment. Friday, she packed and made travel arrangements. Everything was set, that is until Nick called.

Thinking back on the conversation, Abe knew she was insane. He had sounded as down as she felt. It took some prodding on both sides for them to admit how their holidays were going. It hurt her to know he had been alone on Thanksgiving Day. The empathy made her vulnerable when he asked her to come stay with him. She smiled at hearing him get excited when she agreed. Nick made all the arrangements and it all made perfect sense. Then he was late. His tardiness gave her time to think and remember. Remember what he had said at the party. Think about how he and her mother didn’t want her to change. Think about the kiss and to remember how much her heart was tangled up with Nick.

Arriving at the property, Nick pulled out the bags he could carry and Abe grabbed the rest. She was surprised to see him head for the main house.

“I thought you might like staying in one of the guestrooms this time,” he tossed over his shoulder.

“Fine.”

She followed him. It amused her, because it looked like a hotel room. Sitting her bags down he turned to leave.

“Where are you going,” she asked.

“I thought I’d clear out and let you settle in. I’ll be at my place if you need anything. Do you want to go out for lunch?”

“Fine.”

“Fine,” he agreed, closing the door.

She lay across the bed until he knocked and asked if she wanted lunch. She brought work with her, so they would have something safe to talk about.

Nick was on a slow burn that lasted through lunch. He couldn’t understand why Abe had put a wall up, but there it was. She had sounded happy about coming down, but now it was like the conversation never happened. He felt like he was slamming his head against solid concrete each time he attempted to steer the conversation to non-work related topics. To boot, his stomach started to hurt on the drive back to the house. They parted without a word.

Abe returned to her spot on the bed. Her cell rang.

“Cavett.”

“I give. Where the hell are you?”

“Michele!”

“Good, no head injuries involved in your disappearance. Did you decide to stay home?”

“Not exactly. I’m sorry I didn’t call. It all happened fast.”

“What happened fast?”

“My change of plans.”

“Damn it! Will you tell me where you are?”

“Nick’s,” she replied, then winced, waiting for the reaction.

“Chel?”

“I’m here.”

“Say something.”

“Have a good time.”

“You mad?”

“Not at all,”laughed Chely. “Question.”

“Shoot.”

“Why do you sound depressed?”

“We aren’t talking.”

“Spill it!”

“Fine! He spent Thanksgiving alone. Can you believe that? He called and we talked late yesterday. He asked me to come. God Chel, you should have heard his voice when I said I would. Then he was late at the airport and you know how my mind works. I started remembering what he said at the party and then everything else. By the time he got there, I had shutdown. So, we’ve been weird since then. But then I guess he didn’t really want me down here.”

“He put me in a guestroom in the main house. He’s in his place. I can’t like him this much.”

“Too late.”

“Thanks.”

“Bestest Friend, you are in deep.”

“Too bad he’s not. Why can’t he see the brilliance of me,” she asked with a ruthful chuckle.

“Don’t know. I do know that you are not helping your case by shutting down on him. Where are you now?”

“In the guestroom.”

“Nick?”

“His place.”

“My advice is get you’re brilliance on the other side of the property and knock on the door. You are down there, because he asked you. He obviously wanted to spend time with you.”

“He probably ran out of options.”

“Stop it! Do it!”

“Yes ma’am. Why do you put up with me?”

“Because you aren’t nearly as bad as, you think. Besides, you put up with me. Say bye Chel.”

“Bye Chel.”

The door opened as Abe reached Nick’s place. He looked surprised.

“I was thinking about pizza for dinner.”

“Fine,” she said.

“Fine! Fine! Everything is fine,” he exploded

“I’m not stupid. I learned your fine isn’t fuckin’ fine! I’m sorry I made you come down here.”

“Nick you didn’t make me.”

“Yeah I did. I forgot you were just an employee. You only came down here, because you thought you had too. Thanks for reminding me that we aren’t friends!”

He started to pass her, but she placed a hand on his arm. He spun around as he yanked free of her.

“You can’t drive like this.”

“Yes I can,” he yelled.

“No you can’t," she yelled back

“Why do you care? Ah, I get it. You’ll have to find another job.”

“Fuck you!”

Nick’s mouth opened, but nothing came out.

“I don’t want you getting hurt. I do care about you, Nick.”

“Then why have you been acting like you don’t?”

“I’m sorry about today.”

“Its not just today. You’ve been actin’ weird since New Orleans. I thought when you said you’d come down here, you’d gotten over it.”

“I’ve been acting weird,” she scoffed.

“Yeah. Ya got this damn wall up, but just with me.”

“I don’t,” she protested.

“Don’t give me that shit! You know you have. You want me to say it I will. I’m sorry I kissed you.”

“Great! Just what I wanted to hear. You hated kissing me,” she said.

This time, she turned to leave. He grabbed her shoulders to stop her.

“I didn’t say I hated it! I said I was sorry I kissed you, because it fucked everything up. You stopped talking to me.”

“I didn’t stop talking to you, because of the kiss.”

“Why then,” he asked, his eyes pleading with her.

Her head dropped. He placed a finger under her chin, lifting it to force her eyes to meet his again. He whispered, “why?”

“Because you hate the way I’ve changed.”

“No I don’t,” he said, confusion clouding his eyes.

“You said you did…after the kiss. You and my mom agree. She wishes I hadn’t changed either. But I’m not doing it.”

“Doing what?”

Taking a deep breath, she said, “Gaining the weight back.”

Her chin was defiantly high, but her eyes were wary, waiting for him to hurt her.

“I wasn’t talking about your weight.”

Abe frowned as she asked, “then what the hell did you mean.”

“I don’t know. I’m going to get the pizza.”

“No you don’t! Explain. Just say it. If I don’t understand, I’ll ask questions.”

“Abe,” he said, now looking as scared as she did.

“Nick.”

Damn it! She did again. Said his name in that way that said she understood. Running his hand through his hair, he drew in a shaky breath.

“Okay, its like this…I never thought much about what you did when you weren’t with me. Stupid I know, but honest. I guess I just thought if you weren’t with me, you were by yourself. Which is pretty shitty in itself, because it means you were alone if you weren’t with me? Get it?”

She nodded.

“Yeah…anyway…in Dallas you dropped the bomb about you going to the party with AJ. I mean damn, not only were you guys friend, but you were goin’ with him to this fancy party. Then ya got Kevin helping teach you to dance. It just threw me. Then the party. Did ya know Tony came up to hit on you in the lobby?”

“What,” she exclaimed.

“Yep. It shocked the hell out of me when you turned around. I mean damn Abe you looked hot! But it was more than that…ya looked happy and stuff. And I was…fuck I’ll say it…Jealous.”

“Why?” Her questioned floated on the breeze.

“Because AJ did that!”

“No he didn’t. He helped, but he didn’t do it.”

“Ya know what I mean. It hurt, because here I thought I knew you.”

“You do.”

“No I don’t. If I knew you, I would have known you and AJ were friends. I would have known Howie and Lee got you that skirt in Spain. I would have known all the times Tony was a fuck to you. I would have stopped him sooner. I would have helped you learn how to dance, not Kevin. I would have been a friend like you are for me. You are my friend right?”

“Yes Nick, I’m your friend.”

“It’s not just the job?”

“It is not just the job. I promise.”

“So I guess I just wanted my Abe back.”

“Nick the part of me that is your Abe is still here. Besides you helped get the ball rolling.”

“I did?”

“You made me workout with you. I like the changes I’m making and I’m not going back. It’s hard because I’ve got so many things to fix, but the weight is coming and that’s one thing. I don’t want to be the AB or Abe I was when we met. I definitely don’t want to be Anna like my mom wants.”

“Abe it was never about your weight. I mean you look good and I’m glad you’re happy, but you’ve always been pretty. In New Orleans, it was the way you looked…your light was so bright. That night, you weren’t AB, Abe or Anna. You were…Bella. Just so you know, I know Bella means beauty or beautiful in Italian. That's what you were…Bella.”

Abe studied him for a minute, then asked, “How do you get me to tell you stuff?”

“Hello,” he exclaimed. “I’m just sittin’ over here spillin’ all this shit!”

She chuckled, “God, what a pair we are!”

Nick’s head tilted to the side and he closed one eye to appraise her. She watched a slow grin spread across his face.

“What,” she asked with an eyebrow raised.

“I think we make a damn good pair.”

5:47pm – Shit! He was early. Letting out a frustrated breath, Nick looked at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. He was showered, shaved, and dressed. Nope nothing left to do. Screw it! Abe would just have to deal with it. He didn’t bother with shoes, when heading for the main house. He was too antsy to wait any longer. Besides, he had every right to be in the main house. He owned it.

Abe woke him early, asking for the keys to his SUV. He wasn’t awake enough to ask questions. It was a different story when she returned a couple of hours later. She merely handed him a McDonald’s bag with his breakfast inside and told him he was banned from the main house until 5:00. He started to puff up. She leveled him with a look and orders to cleanup and dress nice.

Instead of knocking, he walked in the backdoor. His stomach growled, reacting to the smells filling his nose.

Walking into the kitchen, Abe scolded, “you’re early.”

“So,” he replied.

Ignoring him, Abe removed rolls from the oven and placed them in a basket. “This way Mr. Carter.”

He followed her without another word. He was too busy staring. First off, Abe was wearing a skirt. It was only the second time he remembered seeing her legs and again he was seeing quiet a bit of her leg. The skirt was black and hung to her ankles. The slit on the right didn’t stop until mid-thigh and afforded him the view he was currently enjoying. He watched her bottom sway as she moved around the table. His eyes finished their inspection when she turned to face him. She was wearing a black sweater that hugged her and the deep V-neck gave him a wonderful view when she leaned over to place the rolls in the center of the table.

“Happy Thanksgiving Nick,” she said, beaming.

“For me,” he asked, pointing at his chest.

“Yes,” she said.

“Wow,” he whispered.

“Dig in before it gets cold," she ordered, suddenly feeling awkward.

Dig in, they did. Nick couldn’t get over her going to the trouble of making a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Again, she surprised him. He had no idea she could cook. Everything was great and he felt stuffed when he finished.

“Wanna sit on the pier,” he asked, after helping clean up.

“Sure.”

“Meet you outside,” Nick said, disappearing down the hall.

Abe waited on the patio and turned when she heard the door opening.

“Can you take these,” Nick asked.

“Got’em,” she replied, taking the champagne glasses from him.

Reaching back inside the door, Nick adjusted the blanket in his arms and grabbed a bottle of champagne. He allowed her to walk in front of him to the end of the pier. She spread out the blanket, while he opened the bottle and poured them each a glass.

They watched the water in silence for a few moments. It was comfortable and relaxed. Nick glanced down to see her thigh and thought about how it would feel to trace a finger along it.

Without looking at him, Abe said, “you look great. I really like that sweater. It brings out your eyes.”

Nick smiled, smoothing the light blue material over his chest. “I’m glad you approve. You’re Bella again.”

Pushing on his arm, while rolling her eyes, Abe said, “stop.”

“I’m being serious.”

Ducking her head, she said, “thanks.”

“Hold up. Are you blushing? You are! Well that’s just cute.”

“Stop it,” she ordered, turning redder.

“Man, I really missed the boat! If I had only known compliments made you blush, I would have given them to you a long ago.”

“You suck!”

“Only if you ask nice,” he said, leering at her.

“Down Blondie.”

“Come on Bella,” he teased.

“Nicky,” she countered.

“Say that again.”

“Nicky,” she taunted.

“Nope, doesn’t work. I like when you say it.”

“Damn it!”

“Ha! Ha!”

Abe just shook her head in defeat. A breeze blew lightly over the pier. Although it was comfortable out, she shivered against the cooler air. Noticing, Nick pulled her close.

Rubbing her arm, he asked, “better?”

“Yeah,” she answered, shivering again, but not from cold.

“You want to go in?”

“Not unless you do.”

“I’m good.”

Good? He was great. Nothing could make him move from that spot. His heart had tripped when she walked into the kitchen. Touching her made it beat double time. Her skin was like warm silk. He suddenly remembered the time they had shared a bed. If she weren’t sitting beside him, he would have smacked himself in the head. They had shared a bed and he had been clueless. He had to shift his position as he felt the familiar tightening the memory caused. Gently rubbing his cheek against her hair, he had to wonder if she was made of silk…her skin, her hair. He felt her shift closer to him and place her hand on his thigh. The heat of her hand burned through his khakis.

Abe was sure Nick could hear her heart. She expected it to fly out of her chest at any moment. Pressed against his side with the heat radiating off his body, she couldn’t think straight. She wanted him to kiss her so bad, her lips hurt. Of course, the pain could have something to do with the way she had them clamped between here teeth. Breathing, yeah breathing was good. Taking a slow, deep breath, she found out that was a very bad idea. She got a good dose of Nick scent. Not the funky, needs a shower smell, but the clean and all Nick scent. It took every ounce of her control not to bury her nose against his neck. She shifted closer to him and her hand landed on his thigh. She wanted to pull way, but didn’t want to be obvious. Honestly, she liked the feel of his thigh under her hand. She silently screamed at herself to get a grip!

Without breaking the contact of their bodies, Nick poured more champagne in their glasses and they drank it slowly. Anyone watching would have laughed at them. They were sitting very still, not talking. They looked like a couple of kids on their first date. It was awkward, but neither of them would trade it for the world. This was special and real. Everything they had been searching for without even knowing it.

"Abe, can I ask you a question?"

"Why did you do all this?"

"I wanted you to have Thanksgiving."

"Because I hate that you spent the day alone. Had I known, I would have taken you home with me."

"I didn't belong there," he said, looking away.

"You're right, but only because this time even I didn't belong there."

"Was it that bad?"

"Oh yeah," she said, pulling a face.

"I don't understand."

"My mother is a bit of a control freak."

"So that's where you get!"

"Don't start that fine shit."

Abe's reply was sticking her tongue out. Nick laughed as he emptied the remaining Champaign into their glasses.

“You just keep this stuff on hand?”

“Yeah. A toast…”

Abe said, “go for it.”

“Um…Here’s to the best Thanksgiving I’ve had and to the person who made it that way.”

Their glasses clinked and they drank.

“Thank you Nick. I have a toast.” Nick sat up straighter and waited. “To how far we’ve come and for turning my whole holiday around.”

Time passed and the temperature dropped causing them both to shiver.

“I think we should go in before our teeth start chattering.”

“I think you’re right,” agreed Nick.

He stood and offered her a hand. Smiling, she allowed him to pull her up. He had to steady her.

"I think someone's drunk."

"Am not," she said.

"Yeah right."

"Okay I'm a little tipsy. I never drink champagne. I guess you're just fine."

He grinned and said, "I'm relaxed."

Gathering up everything, they took their time walking the short distance to the main house. Opening the door, Abe sat the glasses and bottle on the counter. Nick remained standing in the door holding the blanket.

"Here I can take that," she said, pulling the blanket from him.

Taking advantage of his hands being free, Nick slid his hand behind her head. Pulling her against him, he brushed her lips. She responded. He kissed her again.

With his lips still against hers, he whispered, “night Bella.”

Abe was dazed as she closed the door and watched Nick walk across the yard. He turned and waved before disappearing down the path.

She started to worry, but decided to pull a Scarlet O’Hara and think about it tomorrow. Grabbing something to sleep in, she headed for the bathroom. Before she could change, she heard knocking. She followed the sound to the backdoor, where Nick was standing in a T-shirt and sweats.

Opening the door, she said, “hello?”

“It's just a little after 8:00 and I was wondering…” He trailed off, obviously nervous.

“Wondering…”

“Would you like to watch a movie?”

“I have the schedule changes. Do you have a fax machine?”

“Let me check.” Covering the mouth piece, Abe asked, “He needs to fax something, may he send it here?”

“Sure. Tell him to send it to mom’s fax.”

“Roger, sorry about that. I’m here at Nick’s. Send it to his mom’s fax.”

“I didn’t realize you’re at Nick’s place,” he said after a pause.

“I came down to help him get ready to go back out.”

Nick took her hand when he saw the color drain from her face.

“Are you stuck doing his laundry again?”

“Actually, he’s doing it,” she said, pulling her hand free.

“Wonders never cease.”

“Do you have the fax number?”

“Yeah. I’m sending it over now. Good thing you went down there early. Sorry we had to cut the holiday short.”

“No problem.”

“I hear the fax, so I’ll let you go. See you in two days,” he said.

“See you then.”

Hanging up, Abe busied herself pulling the printed pages from the fax machine and looking over them. Nick watched her for a moment, before reaching to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. She never moved.

“I’ll call Pat and let him know about the change in plans. I hate pulling him away from his family.” Grabbing a legal pad, she started making a list. “Let’s see…book our flight. Maybe book Pat’s flight. Pack…close up the house. Can you think of anything else?”

“No,” he replied quietly.

“What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong with you?”

“There’s nothing wrong with me,” she replied, defensively.

“Why do you always lie when you’re upset,” he asked, his cheeks getting red as his temper flared.

“I don’t!” He looked at her and she threw down the pad and pen. “I’m scared.”

“Of what?”

“I don’t know. I’m being silly. Things will go back to the way they were and everything will be fine.”

“What will go back to the way it was,” he coaxed. He had to know what she was thinking.

“You and me…actually I guess there is no you and me. GAWD I’m being so stupid. Forget this conversation!”

“Because I’m an idiot.”

Lifting her chin so he could look into her eyes, he said, “Bella there is a you and me. I think. Unless…fuck.”

Chuckling softly, Abe said, “see…not so easy.”

“Do you having feelings for me,” he asked then chewed on his bottom lip.

Ducking her head shyly, she replied, “yeah. Do you?”

“Yeah,” he replied just as shyly. “I’m scared too.”

“Why,” she asked in wonder.

“I’m use to girls like Mandy. You know who Mandy is right?” She nodded. He continued, “I’m just use to her and to the girls who are easy to get. They want Nick Carter not the real me. I don’t feel bad when I sleep with them and stuff then drop ‘em. Don’t look at me that way. You know as well as I do, they don’t give a shit about me. They just want to get what they can from me.”

“I know. It’s just harsh.”

“I know it is, but you’re different. You’re a nice girl. Someone worth treating right.” He frowned and looked down, before continuing, “you’re probably too good for me.”

Grasping his chin and lifting his head, she said, “don’t ever say that again. You are good enough for anyone you want and not because of your celebrity, but because of this really great guy I’ve gotten to know.”

“See that’s the difference between you and all the other girls. They don’t care how I treat them or if I’m a really great guy, but you do. It blows me away that you can know all my shit and you still like me. Why?”

“Nick, you’ve changed so much since we met. The great guy was always in there, but you kept living down to everyone’s expectations. I just believed in you until you could believe in yourself.”

“Yeah well most nice girls don’t want a guy like me.”

“They don’t want your image, but if they got to know you they would want you.”

“I just want you to want me,” he replied, holding her gaze.

“Nick this is so complicated.”

“Actually, it’s not. Contract states clearly that I can’t be involved with you.”

“What,” he exclaimed.

“You heard me. God this is insane. I’m acting like you want me to be your girlfriend.”

An initial shot of fear ran through his body at her words, but then it was gone and he knew what he wanted.

“Bella that is what I want.”

Tears welled up in her eyes, and Abe had to swallow the emotion in her throat before she could speak again. “Don’t say that Nick.”

“Why not,” he asked.

“If you’re not serious, then I can’t…”

“I am serious. Hey,” he said, cupping her face his hands. “What is it?”

“I can’t let you in if you’re just going to take off with someone when you get bored with me.”

“I won’t.”

“I mean it Nick.”

“I know you do. I mean it too. I care about you and it scares me, because it’s so different.”

“Then why are you being so level-headed and calm,” she asked, her bottom lip coming out a bit.

He thought for a moment, before replying. “I guess, because you are totally freakin’ out here and one of us has to hold it together.”

“Now we’re in big trouble,” she teased.

“Hey now,” he scolded, before pulling her in for a quick kiss. “So be my girlfriend. You know you want to.”

“Shit!”

“What,” he asked in an exasperated tone.

“Nick, I was serious about the terms of my contract. If we get involved, hell if I get a crush on you, I’m gone. Fired.”

“Fine. I’ll hire you.”

“Nick,” she whined. “That’s not a solution. What happens if we don’t work out?”

“Great! Now you’re breaking us up before we even get together.”

“I’m not Nick. I’m just saying if we didn’t work out. I still need my good rep to get jobs. It’s hard enough being in this business, but add to that being a girl and well you know. If it got out, I was involved with an act, I’d be finished.”

“So we’ll keep it secret.”

“For starters you can stay in my suite. Mike isn’t coming out, because he needs to be with his family. Tony sure as hell ain’t comin' out on the road. Pat likes having his own room.”

“Nick, I’m not sleeping with you yet.”

“Yet? Well damn that’s promising,” he said wiggling his eyebrows and causing her to blush. “Abe baby, I’m telling you the extra room in my suite would be free.”

“But Roger.”

“Roger will be happy to save the money on your room. Hell you stayed in my suite before the tour.”

“I don’t know.”

“I do. Say yes.”

“Let me think about it.”

“Yes,” he whispered, before kissing her.

Coming up for air, she said, “don’t know.”

“Yes,” he stated again, followed by another kiss.

“What about…”

“Yes.” Kiss.

“I’m serious Nick!”

“You always are. Yes.” Kiss.

“You are just so…” Kiss

“I know. Say yes.”

Kissing him hard, she said, “yes.”

“Woohoo!”

Kissing him, she said, “go finish your laundry.”

"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.