Chapter One-Hundred-Fifty-One
When the lady pierced Dakota's ears Nick expected to have to gather a hysterical four-year-old into his arms and hold her close to him while she cried but none of those things had happened. The moment the lady pierced her ears the only sign Dakota made that it had hurt was slightly flinching but she did not cry. When the lady had finished doing both of her ears, Nick noticed that she was quite shocked at Dakota's reaction.
"Wow…you're a tough little girl…most little kids who come in here to get their ears pierced end up leaving the store crying."
"Nots me," Dakota insisted. "I'm a big girl," she added in an ever so proudly tone. Ashley giggled a little.
"And you're your daddy's little girl – you're just as brave as he is," she added as she rubbed her hand over Nick's back as Nick stood there quietly trying not to cry. The lady handed Ashley a bottle of ear care and explained to her how to take care of Dakota's earrings and as soon as she finished Nick gathered Dakota into his arms. Dakota slid her arms around him and kissed his cheek.
"Thank-you Daddy, I loves you…"
"I love you too baby," he told her softly as he hugged her close to him protectively and he kissed her cheek affectionately. While Nick spent time with Dakota, Ashley took Sarah from Kori then and kissed the top of her head as she followed Kori back to the jewelry rack they were looking at and resumed their argument over which one they should get. They spent a few more minutes doing that and then suddenly Spencer came bounding into the store with Wiley right behind him. He ran up to his mom immediately.
"Momma look what Wiley bought me!" he exclaimed and he opened up his bag to show her. Kori peered inside to find a gray HIM brim beanie hat, and a Family Guy Domino Game set.
"Wow baby that's really neat. Did you tell him thank-you?"
"Uh-huh," Spencer answered and with that he ran on over to Dakota and Nick so he could show them. Wiley walked up behind Kori and slid his arms around her waist and he kissed the back of her neck softly. Ashley, pretending not to notice, kept all her attention on the jewelry.
"So…what did I miss?"
"Not much really…except Nick finally caved and let Dakota get her ears pierced."
"Really?" Wiley asked shocked.
"Yup."
"Poor bloke…how did he take it?"
"He handled it pretty well considering…"
"Wow…" Kori nodded and turned her attention back on the jewelry too.
"So are you going to tell me what you wanted that was so important in this store?" Kori grinned and showed him the necklaces and bracelets that read 'Friends Forever" and 'Sister's Forever' and s tuff like that. Once Wiley saw them he understood and grinned.
"Ohhh…I see."
"This is the only store that I know of that has them. We're having a hard time deciding which ones to get. Ashley likes the necklaces and I like the charm bracelets."
"I like the necklaces too," Wiley announced after eyeing the jewelry critically. Kori looked up at him amused. "If I were a girl that's what I would choose." Kori suddenly pretended to have a coughing fit and in the middle of it she coughed out the word 'suck up'. Wiley looked at her with an expression on his face like he'd never been so insulted and Kori stuck her tongue out at him.
"Careful love…or I might just grab some scissors and cut that tongue right out of your mouth." He threatened playfully.
"I guess that's two against one sis," Ashley spoke up as she grabbed a set of necklaces off of the rack. One necklace says 'sisters' and the other 'forever' and they're two halves of a heart. Kori pouted playfully.
"You two don't even get a long and you still gang up on me. No fair…" she whined, but she took the necklaces nonetheless and went off to pay for them, leaving Wiley and Ashley standing there alone together. Ashley smiled at him nervously and then hurried off after her sister.
~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile, when Aaron and Q had arrived at the park he looked around and to his disappointment didn't see Stacy anywhere.
"Damn…" he muttered to himself and he kicked a nearby rock out of frustration. He looked up at Q who squeezed Aaron's shoulder gently.
"Why don't we hang out here for a little while incase she turns up? If she doesn't show up in the next twenty minutes we will go look somewhere else. Okay?" Aaron nodded and he followed Q over to the Ramada and they sat down at the picnic table. Max who had of course followed them there, hid inside a bush and he watched the little boy who looks so much like Nick and the security guard carefully while contemplating on what they're up to. Who are they waiting for…and why? As he sat there he suddenly felt his phone vibrate. Groaning he reached into his pocket and looked at the caller ID to see that it reads Cole. He picked up the phone and put it to his ear.
"Cole if you've called to yell at me again so help me –"
" - Shut up Max, Trevor and Sean are on the phone too. We're on three way call here," Cole quickly interrupted.
"Oh…sorry…" Max immediately apologized and he felt his cheeks turn red in embarrassment.
"It's alright," Trevor reassured, sounding very amused. "Where are you? Why are you two not together?"
"Max insisted that we should try splitting up. I'm at the mall following Nick, Ashley, Kori, and their friends around and Max is trailing a teenager that we just discovered is Nick's younger brother – I have no idea where he is though."
"I am at the playground," Max spoke up in a quiet tone. "I followed the little boy and security guard here and they seem to be waiting for someone – or searching for someone – I don't know who, but I'm trying to figure it out."
"Security is with him? Why is he so important that they feel they need to protect him from us?" Sean spoke up for the first time – he and Trevor are on two separate phones this time and are both in on the conversation.
"Maybe they think since he is related to Nick he is in danger too," Cole explained.
"Good let them think that," Trevor replied while grinning in amusement. "At least we know we have that kind of control over them.
"How old is this kid?" Sean questioned.
"Thirteen," Trevor answered while eyeing his best friend curiously as he noticed Aaron has suddenly sparked an interest in him. "I know him. His name is Aaron Carter and he is a pop star just like Nick. I've never met him but Nick is crazy about him. They're pretty close."
"Really…?"
"Yeah…what are you up to?'
"Max I have an assignment for you," Sean announced while completely ignoring Trevor's question. He's not really sure what he is up to yet either but if Aaron is that important to Nick then he just might be useful to him.
"What is it boss?" Max asked dutifully as pride shot through him. Sean has an assignment for him. Not Cole, him.
"I want you to keep trailing Aaron everywhere he goes. I want to know as much as possible about this kid – and most importantly, whom he is waiting for at that park. Can you do that for me?"
"Absolutely," Max insisted.
"I want you to report back to me in two days, you understand?"
"Yes boss I will do that."
"Good…and Cole, I want you to concentrate on Nick and Ashley. What are they up to?"
"Well like I said they're shopping at the mall with Kori and their friends – Nick's other siblings – his sisters, have wondered off by themselves, Brian Littrell – aka the other Backstreet Boy, his girlfriend, and that little boy you kidnapped are spending time alone. Nick, Ashley, Kori, and from the looks of it…Kori's boyfriend are together with Kori's son and Nick's daughter." Cole reported.
"And I suppose Ashley is surrounded by security, right?" Trevor questioned irritably.
"Well no, not really. They have one security guard with them. He's a big black guy and he definitely looks like someone you wouldn't want to piss off. But other then that no...It's just Nick and her sister."
"Marcus," Trevor replied knowingly. "That security guard is named Marcus – and no, you definitely don't want to piss him off. He knows what he is doing and does his job well. Whatever you do…don't let him see you. He is the most kindest guy you could ever meet…but if you get on his bad side you are done for."
"Great…" Cole muttered, as he remembered the night when Marcus had looked straight at him and Max – as if he knew they were there and threatened them. He still hasn't told Sean and Trevor about that incident. They would be in deep shit if he did.
"But anyway, we have to go. I have business to discuss with Trevor. Max, don't forget – report back to me in two days."
"I won't," Max reassured and he heard two clicks on Sean and Trevor's end telling him and Cole that they were both gone. The two of them talked with one another for a couple of minutes more, and then they too hung up and went back to their jobs that they were assigned.
~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile, at Stacy's house, Stacy was still shut up in her bedroom and had been ever since she got home after her latest encounter with Aaron. Ally, Brianne, and Jessica tried everything they possibly could to try and talk Stacy into opening the door and letting them in – and even her father tried a few times, but she just wouldn't budge. Becoming very fed up with her best friend's behavior, Ally stormed up the stairs with Jessica and Brianne right behind her and when she got up there and down the hall where Stacy's bedroom is she banged hard on the door.
"STACY MARIE CARMICHAEL! THIS IS YOUR BEST FRIEND SPEAKING! OPEN THIS DOOR, RIGHT NOW BEFORE I FIND MY OWN WAY IN! AND IF I HAVE TO DO THAT, IT WILL NOT BE PRETTY!"
"GO AWAY!" Stacy shouted back, and just by the tone of her voice it is clear to her friends that she's been crying.
"Stacy please…" Jessica pleaded. "Why are you shutting us out like this? Why can't you tell us what is wrong?"
"I want to be left alone!" Stacy insisted, her voice shaking with emotion, as she lay curled up in her bed, the framed picture of her and Aaron hugged close to her chest as if it were a soft teddy bear. Jessica and Brianne turned to Ally then.
"See? I told you she wouldn't let us in." Ally shook her head irritably.
"That is it. I have had it." She announced, and she turned and headed toward the stairs.
"Where are you going?"
"I am getting into that bedroom and I am going to knock some sense into my best friend!"
"And how may I ask are you going to do that downstairs? are you planning to apparate into the room or something?"
"Just stay there. I know what I am doing," Ally replied, and she stormed downstairs leaving her two friends standing there utterly confused.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Here's the next chapter.
Enjoy =)
Enjoy =)
