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Thanks to Ayleen, Tori D, AjsSweety, frackandbonechick, Anastacia, SweetAngelicAngel and Stephanie for reviewing 18. I can't wait to see what you think of 19!!!

Chapter Nineteen

Amber sighed as she flipped over on to her stomach to read her magazine from a different angle. Angel, Leslie and B.J. had all just left her room fifteen minutes prior and she was alone again. She was enjoying the peaceful quietness, taking advantage of it. Nick’s sisters were great, and so friendly, but she liked being alone too some. It was two days after Christmas. Amber couldn’t believe that two days of the non-touring life was gone already. Gosh, how time flew.

“What’s up?”

Amber looked up, seeing Aaron standing in the doorway. She bit her lip nervously. Nick had been right in the sense that his younger brother was just like him, in every way imaginable. He was like a clone of his older brother. She still didn’t feel comfortable around him though.

“Not a lot,” she answered, “You?”

Aaron shrugged, “Bored beyond shitless, ya know. Nick and Aje are blowing me off. Stupid fuckers.” he then muttered.

Amber couldn’t help but laugh. She felt sort of sorry for the young, sixteen year old boy. The whole plane ride there, Nick had raved about how awesome his brother was and how great they got along. He’d stated that he couldn’t wait to see him and they would catch up on what they’d missed over the past months. Ever sense A.J. had showed up though, they had been ignoring him, making Amber wonder if Nick and Aaron were as close as he’d made them out to be.

“I know how you feel,” she stated, deciding to be nice to the young blonde and give him a chance. If her suspicions were true, then Aaron would be just like Nick. She had nothing to worry about, “Your brother’s been ignoring me too.”

Aaron walked further in to the room, looking around cautiously. Amber could feel her body start to tense, but slowly took in a few breaths, letting them out slowly. She knew that everything would be okay. She could feel herself start to loosen up again. She had to trust that Aaron wouldn’t hurt her, and even if he wanted to, he wouldn’t dare with Nick in the same house. Then she wondered if Aaron even know of what had happened to her. Nick told her that he’d informed his sisters, but never said anything about Aaron.

“Um...would you like to go out sometime?” Aaron asked nervously, almost so quiet that Amber couldn’t hear him, but she had. He kept his eyes fixed upon the floor as he ran his fingers along the top of the footrest of her bed, “You seem really nice and are really pretty.” he added, looking up at her slowly.

Amber froze at that moment, not knowing how to answer. Her mind screamed for her to get out of the room and as far away from Aaron as she could. He was trying to get with her, and she didn’t like that at all.

“What do you say?” Aaron asked, his eyes hopeful.

“I...I don’t think so,” Amber stammered, “You’re only sixteen...I’m almost twenty.” She hoped that her excuse was enough to convince Aaron to go after someone else.

“Age doesn’t matter,” he pressed.

“I don’t date,” Amber stated bluntly.

“But...”

Suddenly, Nick walked in to the room. He froze, staring at Aaron for a long moment, his eyes saying that he was less than pleased.

“Aaron, what are you doing in here?” he finally asked

“Talking,” he answered, knowing that if he told Nick he’d been trying to get a date with Amber, that his brother would kick him out of the house for the remainder of his break.

Nick pointed towards the door, “Get out.”

“But I...”

“Out, now,” Nick demanded again, his voice colder this time.

Aaron’s shoulders slumped as he shot Nick a dirty, hateful glare before walking out of the room. Nick took in a deep breath before speaking walking over to Amber and sitting next to her on the large bed.

“I’m sorry about him,” Nick apologized, “He’s at that age where he thinks with his hormones rather than his brain.”

“But isn’t that any guy at any age?” Amber joked, staring at him with wide, innocent eyes

Nick chuckled, “Yeah, I suppose...but the older we get, the less likely we are to speak our thoughts...most of the time.”

“Oh,” Amber stated, “I see. Well, it’s fine. He wasn’t hurting me...just took me by surprise by asking me out and all.”

Nick rolled his eyes, “Should have known he would try to ask you out. He see’s a pretty girl, and automatically think that she’ll swoon over him.” Amber gave Nick an odd look, “Don’t get me wrong...he ain’t self-centered or anything. He just...it’s hard to explain.” Nick rambled, feeling bad for Aaron’s inappropriate actions, “Anyways, I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” Amber assured him, not about to tell Nick that she had, in fact, been slightly frightened of the boy. She looked at Nick in curiosity, “Was there anything that you wanted in particular?” she asked him.

Nick froze, remembering the reason he’d come to see her. It was to pop the question that could ruin their friendship, compliments of A.J. Nick secretly hoped that she would decline the offer. That way, he could say that he tried, but nothing bad would happen.

“Nick,” Amber said, taking him out of his deep thoughts.

“Oh, um, yeah...A.J. and I are going to the mall later today..around three-ish. I was wondering if you wanted to come with us.”

Amber shook her head, “Nah..I think I’ll pass. I...I don’t want to go out in public yet...not that public, anyways. I’d feel much safer here.”

Nick breathed a discrete sigh of relief before standing up. He’d gotten the ‘no’ that he had wanted. There was no use in asking again, just to make sure, right?

“Okay, well, that’s fine.”

Amber smiled as Nick slowly walked towards the door. He feared that if he ran, Amber might suspect something was up with his intentions. That was one thing he didn’t want, and if she asked, he knew he would spill all. He wanted to keep an honest, open relationship with Amber. He wanted to gain her trust in full.

Just as Nick was stepping out of the door though, Amber called him back. Nick spun around, shooting her his famous Carter grin.

“Yeah?” he asked

“Come to think of it, I think I will go with you,” she stated, “I need more clothes than four outfits. It’ll be a perfect chance to find some other things, ya know?”

Nick tried not to show that he was less than thrilled now. Now he’d have to carry through with things. A.J. had won. Forcing the smile to stay on his face, Nick answered.

“Of course. Glad you decided to join us,” Nick stated, “So, we’re leaving in,” Nick looked down at his watch, “About an hour and a half.”

“Sounds great,” Amber grinned, “Thanks for inviting me.”

“Anytime,” Nick answered before he turned around and headed towards the winding staircase down the long hall. When he knew that Amber was out of earshot, he muttered, “You won’t be thanking me by the end of today.”

Nick shook his head sadly. He’d been so close to getting away home free without hurting or betraying the still frightened girl. He hoped that A.J. was right and his plan worked. He hoped that if it failed, that it wouldn’t ruin everything, for if it did, it could take months to regain what he’d accomplished with Amber.

“Why the fuck did I agree to this,” Nick murmured as he quickly made his way down the staircase. He shook his head in utter disgust with himself. Once again, he’d screwed up. He’d been doing so good too. Nick should have known that it wouldn’t last.

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Kevin sighed as he fell back on to his comfy, leather sofa. Slouching down, he grabbed the remote control, and turned the TV on, hoping to find something decent to watch. Kristen had left the night before for business to do with her modeling in LA. They’d gotten to spend Christmas Day together, and the day after, but that was it. He would be alone now for the remainder of his trip. Five days of loneliness and boredom. Kevin personally couldn’t wait for the break to be over. Then he’d at least have his four best friends to hang around with and talk to. He needed the company. Kevin shook his head in disgust with himself. Normally, he enjoyed being in silence, but this time, it was annoying him and he couldn’t stand it.

“Pathetic,” he muttered, “Look forward to a break, then will it away because I have absolutely nothing to do.”

Kevin wondered what the others were up to. He wondered if Amber was doing okay, coping with being thrust into a house of Nick’s younger siblings. He couldn’t help but chuckle to himself at the thought of five siblings going at one another as Amber sat coiled up in a corner, shaking with horror at the sight. He knew that it wasn’t funny. What was funny though, was how Nick, Aaron and their sisters fought sometimes.
Kevin continued to flip through the channels...all three-hundred and seventy two of them, thanks to satellite TV and digital cable. He rolled his eyes after going through half of them, finding that there was nothing worth watching on. He finally settled on a movie that he was only half way interested in. It was half way in, but so far, he caught on that it was an action/romance. He didn’t know, nor did he really care. His mind was only on how bored and miserable he was. He missed Kristen, and had wanted to go with her on her trip, but knew that it wouldn’t be possible for him to do so. He was just happy that he’d gotten to spend two days with her. It was better than nothing. Who knew when he would have his next chance to see and spend time with his wife.

Kevin’s eyes began to grow heavy. His boredom was hitting an all time low, causing him to drift off in to a sleep. He’d just awoken four hours prior, and here he was, already about to take a nap. This definitely was out of character for her. Soon though, he could no longer keep his eyes open. The sound of the TV became faint and the voices muffled. Just as Kevin was almost into a deep slumber though, the phone rang suddenly, quickly bringing him out of his sleep. Kevin groggily sat up, reaching over to the phone which sat on the oak coffee table beside him. He picked it up, yawning quickly before bringing it to his ear.

“Hello,”

The phone kept ringing. Kevin brought it away from his ear to stare at it in confusion before her realized that his cell was the right one. Quickly replacing the phone back on the receiver, Kevin quickly dug his cell out of his pocket, flipping it open and brining it to his ear. Although nobody had seen his major blonde moment, he felt extremely embarrassed, vowing not to tell a single soul. If anybody found out, they wouldn’t ever let it go.

“Hello,” Kevin said again.

“Hi, is Mr. Richardson there,” came a rather professional voice. Kevin wondered who was bothering him for business meetings this time on his break, realizing he'd rather have nothing to do than be in meetings.

“Him speaking,” Kevin replied.

“This is Officer Graham from the Cleveland Police Department in Ohio. We have some information on the case with Amber Harris.”

Kevin slowly straightened himself, sitting up with interest. He wondered what kind of information they’d found on her. It had been weeks since they’d heard a thing. Kevin had figured that nothing would ever come of it, and although he was still bitter with the station and officers within it, he wanted to know what had happened.

“Yes,” Kevin answered, “I’m listening.”

There was a brief pause before Kevin got his answer, which he had to a admit not even he had been prepared for.

“Amber’s rapist has been found.”