Light filtered through the curtains. Abe snuggled up with a pillow, her hair spread out behind her. Nick watched sleep as he readied for a radio interview with the rest of the guys. He wanted to crawl back in bed with her, but knew he couldn’t get out of this interview. Walking to the credenza, he picked up the little figurine he had been carrying with him since she gave it to him.
“I can’t believe you are still carrying it,” her sleep deepened voice said.
“It’s small and fits in my pocket perfectly. Besides, it always reminds me of you.” He dropped a kiss onto her bare shoulder. “By the way, good morning.”
She gave a lazy smile.
“I wish I didn’t have to leave.”
“I wish you didn’t have to either.”
“Will you be here when I get back?”
She shook her head as she sat up in bed. “Probably not. You have to go straight into your meeting with Roger and the accountant.”
“I don’t want to sit through another long ass meeting.”
“Hey, this long ass meeting means after the show tonight you are a free man. If you weren’t meeting this afternoon, you would have to fly either back here to New York or out to LA to finish closing out everything for the tour. This way you have everything done. Besides, I’m going to do some shopping for tonight.”
Kissing her fully, Nick asked, “oooh, what are you getting for tonight?”
“Just some stuff. Since, it is our last night before we head to my parents. Otherwise, known as the sex free zone.”
He groaned, “Don’t remind me.”
“I have every intention of wearing you out tonight.”
“You do?”
“Most certainly.”
“Damn, I think I’ll just skip the radio station visit,” he said, attempting to crawl into bed.
“No. No. No.” Getting out of bed, she said, “You will just have to wait until tonight.”
“Bella, you’re killing me here,” he whined, his eyes raking over her body, before she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close.
“Aw, baby its called anticipation.” Her hands dropped down to grab his ass, while she nibbled on his neck.
“Fuck me,” he moaned
“I definitely plan to tonight. Now go.” Without another word, she turned and went into the bathroom.
Nick followed. He stared at the closed door then banged his head against it. “I am so going to you get you for this.”
“Certainly hope so,” she replied.
With a growl, he left for the stupid interview.
********
She found the closest mall and went to Victoria’s Secret, where she found a beautiful nightgown for the evening. It was white silk with lace detailing. Sequins and beading decorated the delicate bodice. A side slit revealed most of her leg. She bought the sheer full-length robe that was paired with it on a mannequin in the store. She even splurged on satin slippers with feathers and three-inch heels.
She also located a store with chocolate-covered strawberries and truffles. Her last stop was to purchase roses and candles. On her way back to the hotel, she checked with the concierge to make sure the coast was clear. After confirming he had left for the venue, she called Nick and got his voicemail.
“Hey Nicky. It’s me. I’m running late. I will be at the arena as soon as I get things fixed at the hotel. You did a great job at the radio station. I hope the meeting wasn’t too long ass,” she chuckled. “Do we have to stay at the party for very long? I just want to get back to our room and have some quality time with my man. Don’t laugh at me. If I’m your woman then you’re my man. Love you baby. See you soon. Bye.”
********
The accountant been droning on and on for over two hours. Nick had tuned him out a long time ago. He figured if there were some issue, Kevin or Brian blowing a gasket would alert him. He was doing something far more important…daydreaming.
Abe was moving in with him. It had taken him awhile to get up the courage to ask her. He had been thinking about it, since she told him about Michele and Tim buying a house.
He could see her in the kitchen standing, on the boat dock. He could picture her in his bed. He could see her everywhere. His only concern was his family. He had some time, because his mom was on the road with Aaron. He knew his dad would like her. He figured everyone would, except maybe his mother, but she’d have to deal with it.
“You may want to pay attention,” whispered AJ, bringing him back to the present.
Nick sat up straighter. “What are we talking about?”
“Same shit, but Kevin is about to kick your ass.”
Nick glanced over at Kevin, who was glowering at him. He rolled his eyes, but gave the accountant his attention.
Howie had flipped ahead in the report. “Why is Abe getting two checks?”
“Okay. Um…I guess we can jump ahead,” replied the accountant, frazzled at having his presentation being interrupted.
“Abe is getting an extra check,” asked Brian, flipping through the pages.
The accountant said, “Yes. We always print a separate check for bonuses.”
“What bonus,” asked Brian, becoming agitated. “Kevin did you know about a bonus?”
”No. I didn’t.”
Roger interrupted “It’s really no big deal guys.”
Kevin’s anger was barely contained. “Then why don’t you explain it to us?”
Roger gave Nick a wary glance. Clearing his throat he said, “We were having such difficulty keeping an assistant for Nick.”
“So Abe negotiated this with you,” asked Brian.
“No. The only thing she negotiated was Nick not being able to fire her. I was the one who came up with the bonus. I ran it by Jeff and he signed off on it. She was actually shocked when I told her about it.”
”How long has she known,” asked Howie.
“Since day one.
“Let me get this straight,” interrupted AJ. “Abe just had to last through the tour?”
“Yes and…well…get Nick in line. Sorry, Nick, but that was her job,” he apologized, shifting uncomfortably in his seat and not meeting anyone’s stare.
“And she couldn’t hook up with anyone,” stated AJ.
“AJ,” scolded Howie.
“It’s all right, Howie,” replied Roger. “No, Abe couldn’t hook up with anyone.”
“So she was being nice to all of us to get this bonus.”
”I don’t think Abe is like that,” said Howie.
“I don’t either,” agreed Roger. “She was to do her job.”
“Which she did,” stated Kevin.
“What,” exclaimed AJ.
Brian stepped in. “Calm down AJ. Kevin’s right. Her job was to get Nick to do his job.”
“The best money ever spent,” said the accountant, with a chuckle.
The room went deadly silent. He looked up from his copy of the report and was met with five angry glares. This time his chuckle was tinged with nervousness.
“Was that out loud?”
“It sure the hell was you little fuck,” yelled AJ. “For your information dick-wad, Abe…”
Nick finally spoke, “AJ, don’t.”
AJ’s head whipped around. “What?”
“They’re right. She earned it.”
“But…”
“I said let it go AJ.”
“What the fuck ever,” said AJ slumping in his seat.
Roger said, “I take full responsibility, but stand behind not only what I did, but why I did it.”
“Let’s hear it,” demanded Kevin.
“Telling you about the bonus would have pretty much guaranteed she wouldn’t last, Kevin.”
”You’re right,” agreed Kevin. “Well, let’s get back to it. We’ve got a show tonight.”
The accountant quickly finished up the report and beat a hasty retreat.
“Can we go,” asked Nick.
“Yes,” said Roger.
“I’m heading on over to the arena.”
“Anxious to get this show over Nicky,” asked Howie.
“Get Pat and Abe,” said Roger.
Without another word, Nick was out of the conference room and on his way to collect Pat.
“I’m ready to head out,” stated Nick, when he found Pat with the other bodyguards.
“We’re all going back to the hotel, so wait for everyone,” said Marcus.
“I’m going on over to the arena.”
”What about Abe,” asked Pat.
“Shopping.”
Nick’s response was monotone. Pat dropped it and not another word was spoken. Not even when they arrived backstage.
********
“Damn! It’s cold,” grumbled Nick. “Don’t you think it’s cold?
Looking up from his newspaper, Pat said, “Not really. Are you sick?”
“I don’t think so.”
“My jacket’s over there if you need it.”
“Thanks man,” replied Nick, getting the jacket and putting it on. “I’ll be back in a few.”
“Where ya goin’?”
“No place. I’m just going to wander around down here.”
“Are you okay,” asked his bodyguard, concern written all over his face.
“Yeah man. Just need to do some thinking.”
“All right then. Don’t wander anywhere you’re not suppose to without me.”
Even with the jacket on, he still couldn’t get warm as he wandered around the bowels of the arena. He didn’t want to talk to anyone. He wanted to be numb. Fifteen thousand dollars to make it to the end of the tour, that statement kept playing over and over in his mind. He loved her. He had trusted her. Trusted her like no one ever in his life. Fifteen thousand dollars was all it took for her to betray him. He knew he should be mad. Hell, he should have been tearing the fuckin’ conference room apart in a fit of rage, but he couldn’t.
At first he thought it was a mistake like the others, then he thought it was a joke, but when reality set in something snapped. It as something more than his heart breaking, it was as if his soul had been ripped out of him and now he couldn’t get warm.
He looked around. Nothing seemed real. It was like sleep walking, but he was wide awake. He could feel the pain skittered around the recess of his mind. He pushed it way. No, he would wouldn’t fall apart. Instead, he made two promises to himself. By the end of the night, he would be numb…and Abe would be gone.
