Chapter 6

Three months later, it was the end of the tour in the US and the guys went home to rest for heading to Europe for the European leg of the tour. Hayley went home to Nick’s house with Nick. Over the last three months, they become officially in love with each other. Two months before, Nick surprised her with a romantic dinner where he told her that he loves her. She told him she loved him and they sealed it with a kiss. Nick put her stuff down along with his and pulled her close and kissed her deeply.

        “I love you,” Nick said.

        “I love you, too,” Hayley said. Nick smiled and kissed her tenderly.

        “Do you want to be in my room with me, or do you want your own room,” Nick said.

        “Nick, I’m not ready yet,” Hayley said.

        “I know, Hayley, I meant, just sleep, you know, like sharing a bed and sleeping, just holding each other while in bed, but with clothes on,” Nick said.

        “That sounds good,” Hayley said. Nick hugged her. She rested her head on his chest.

        “I would not do anything you aren’t ready for, Hayley, I told you I would wait forever for you,” Nick said kissing her head. The doorbell rang. Nick opened the door and saw Brian, Leighanne, Kevin and Kristin standing there.

        “Hey Nick, Kris and Leigh wanted to meet Hayley,” Kevin said. They came in and saw Hayley standing there.

        “You must be Hayley, I’m Leighanne, I’m Brian’s wife and this is Kristin, Kevin’s wife,” Leighanne said. Hayley shook their hands.

        “It’s nice to meet you, Kevin and Brian told me all about you two,” Hayley said.

        “They told us about you and we just had to meet you, Kevin told me that you are the one that makes Nick the happiest anyone has seen him,” Kristin said. Nick blushed and smiled.

        “Let’s go into the kitchen,” Leighanne said. She grabbed Hayley’s hand and pulled her into the kitchen. Kristin followed. They sat down at the table.

        “Kevin told me that Nick is your first relationship,” Kristin said.

        “Yeah, I’m still learning the basics of a relationship,” Hayley said.

        “You have told him you love him, right,” Leighanne said.

        “Yeah, I’m just a little scared,” Hayley said.

        “Scared of what?” Kristin asked.

        “I’m not sure what I’m doing or if I’m doing anything right at times,” Hayley said.

        “I thought AJ and Howie were teaching you about relationships,” Kristin said.

        “Yeah, they were, but sometimes I feel like I’m doing something wrong,” Hayley said.

        “Did Nick say anything about you doing anything wrong?” Leighanne asked.

        “No, but I think he just doesn’t want to hurt my feelings,” Hayley said.

        “Nick, could you come in here?” Leighanne called. Nick came in with Kevin and Brian behind him. Leighanne looked at Nick.

        “What’s up,” Nick said.

        “Truth, Nick, has Hayley done anything wrong?” Leighanne asked.

        “Tell the truth, Nick, we can fix it if she did,” Kristin said.

        “She hasn’t done anything wrong,” Nick said.

        “Really?” Hayley asked. Nick knelt down beside her and took her hand in his.

        “Yeah, this is the best relationship I’ve been in, I love you, Hayley,” Nick said. Hayley smiled.

        “I love you, too,” Hayley said. Nick smiled and kissed her hand. The guys went to the other room. Hayley looked at Leighanne and Kristin.

        “We can tell he loves you,” Leighanne said.

        “He had love in his eyes,” Kristin said.

        “I haven’t even had sex with him,” Hayley said softly. Kristin and Leighanne looked at each other.

        “Did he say he would wait forever for you,” Kristin said.

        “Yeah, but I still wonder if he’s going to find someone to satisfy him, I’m scared he’ll get tired of waiting,” Hayley said softly.

        “He won’t,” Leighanne said.

        “How do you know?” Hayley asked.

        “Brian told me, Nick told him, Brian had that question for him, Nick told him that you are worth waiting for, and if has the urge, he’ll just go to the bathroom or showers to take care of it, by himself,” Leighanne said. 

        “I hope so,” Hayley said.

        “Hayley, don’t worry about a thing, he is your man, if he wanted someone else, he wouldn’t have gotten together with you,” Leighanne said.

        “Kevin told me that Nick has been in love with you ever since he first met you, you have nothing to worry about, if Nick messes up, Kevin and Brian will kick his ass,” Kristin said.

        “That’s for sure,” Leighanne said. The guys came into the kitchen.

        “Kris, we better get going,” Kevin said.

        “Yeah, same here,” Brian said. Leighanne and Kristin got up and they each hugged Hayley. Kevin and Brian hugged her and left with their wives. Nick sat down at the table.

        “Christmas is in a week,” Nick said.

        “I better call my parents and see what they are doing,” Hayley said.

        “I don’t have plans,” Nick said.

        “Who said you would stay here,” Hayley said. Nick smiled.

        “You mean I go with you?” Nick asked.

        “We are a couple, aren’t we?” Hayley said.

        “Yeah,” Nick said. Hayley called her parents. She smiled and hung up.

        “Christmas at my parents, they said you can come,” Hayley said.

        “You didn’t tell them why,” Nick said.

        “I don’t have to,” Hayley said. Nick pulled her close. He hugged her.

        “Nick,” Hayley said.

        “Yeah,” Nick said.

        “Kiss me,” Hayley said. Nick pulled back and kissed her deeply.

        “I love you, Hayley,” Nick said hugging her.

        “I love you, too,” Nick said.

A week later, they were at her parents’ house for Christmas. Nick was surprised to get presents.

        “Well, Hayley called us and when she told us you were coming, we thought we should get you presents, she helped us pay for them,” Hayley’s mother, Laura said.  Nick opened his presents and smiled.

        “Thank you,” Nick said.

        “You like them?” Hayley asked.

        “I love them,” Nick said.

Two days later, Nick and Hayley headed back to Florida. They went to Nick’s house and sat down.

        “Wow,” Nick said.

        “What,” Hayley said.

        “That was a great Christmas,” Nick said.

        “Really?” Hayley asked.

        “Yeah, your family is great, your parents are amazing, better than mine,” Nick said.

        “Well, I’ll be your family,” Hayley said. Nick looked at her and smiled.

Chapter 7

Five days later, it was New Year’s Eve and Hayley had plans for Nick.  She was at the mall with Kristin and Leighanne.

        “Hayley, are you sure about this,” Leighanne said. Hayley smiled.

        “Yes, I am, it’s a good way to start off the New Year,” Hayley said. Kristin pulled Hayley into Victoria’s Secret.

        “Then you will need something from here,” Kristin said. Hayley looked around.

        “Do you think he’ll like this,” Hayley said.

        “Hayley, if it’s on you, he’ll love it, he loves you, you love him,” Leighanne said. Hayley found a couple of things and went to try them on. She looked in the mirror and smiled. She got dressed and went out and smiled at Kristin and Leighanne.

        “I like these two,” Hayley said. She went to buy them. The sales lady looked at her.

        “Miss, it said the account has been closed,” she said. Hayley looked at her.

        “There has to be a mistake, I just used it a few minutes ago at the bookstore,” Hayley said. The lady tried again.

        “You were right, it was a mistake, computers, thanks for shopping,” the lady said. Hayley smiled and took her bag and put it in her bag from the bookstore and walked out of the store and saw Kristin and Leighanne.

        “What’s up,” Hayley said. They looked at her.

        “I just got off the phone with Brian, he’s at Nick’s,” Leighanne said.

        “Well, let’s go,” Hayley said.

        “Hayley, wait, Nick was cleaning out his closet and found a shoe box, your shoebox, with cassette tapes, he listened to them, you lied to him, you can sing,” Leighanne said.

        “So, I might be able to sing, but it’s the crowds that I don’t do well,” Hayley said.

        “Hayley, he threw your stuff out,” Kristin said.

        “Oh great,” Hayley said. She ran out to her car and went back to Nick’s. She ran in and saw Nick sitting on the couch with Brian and Kevin. Leighanne and Kristin came in behind her. Nick looked up and saw her.

        “Get out!” Nick yelled.

        “Nick, shut up and let her explain herself,” Leighanne said. Hayley sat down in the chair. Leighanne and Kristin stood with their husbands. Everyone looked at Hayley. She started shaking. Leighanne saw her shaking. She went over to Hayley and knelt down beside her chair.

        “Hayley, you’re shaking,” Leighanne said.

        “Yeah, I do that when everyone has their eyes on me,” Hayley said. Leighanne held her hand.

        “I’ll hold your hand, just tell us why you lied,” Leighanne said.

        “It’s true, I can sing, when I was little, I was at this talent show at the town’s carnival, I wasn’t expecting the turnout, I had the most beautiful dress, I picked it out, I had the perfect song, one I knew by heart, I practiced for days, I went onstage and saw everyone looking at me, I started singing, I walked back and forth on the stage, singing my heart out, and I tripped and fell on my face, and my dress flew up, showed my underwear, everyone was laughing hard, but I was so embarrassed, I ran off the stage and ran to my mom and she took me home, the next year, I tried to do the talent show again, but everyone remembered what happened and once I was on the stage, everyone started laughing and calling me names, it took five years for everyone to grow up and move on from that, but by the time it happened, I was afraid of the stage and crowds and everything so I just told everyone that I hated singing and hated being in front of the crowds, I told everyone at work that I couldn’t sing and was scared of crowds, to be honest, I never looked at singing professionally, just something to do, just a fun thing to do, but I didn’t want to make a career out of it as my mom wanted me to, I told her that I didn’t want to sing anymore, I just wanted to be a kid and do what I want, not what she wants, she never said anything to me about singing after that,” Hayley said. Leighanne hugged her. Brian and Kevin ran out the door and came back in with Hayley’s stuff. Nick came over and knelt in front of her.

        “Nick, guys, I’m sorry for lying about that I can’t sing, I didn’t want to bring back that night, the night that made me stop singing,” Hayley said.

        “Just be honest from now on,” Nick said.

        “That was the only thing I didn’t tell the truth about, there is no more lies,” Hayley said.

        “Good,” Brian said. Brian, Kevin, Leighanne, and Kristin hugged her and left. Nick looked at Hayley.

        “What did you get at the mall?” Nick asked.

        “Just books, and something else, but I need to get everything ready, I have a present for you, a very late Christmas present,” Hayley said.

        “I won’t peek, just call me when you are ready,” Nick said. Hayley got the bag and went upstairs.

Chapter 8

Hayley got everything ready and sat down and took deep breaths. She was dressed in a nightie that she bought at Victoria’s Secret. She called Nick to come up and went into the bathroom. Nick came into the bedroom and looked around and saw all the candles. He sat on the bed. He looked up and his eyes widened. Hayley stood at the bathroom door in green lingerie that definitely showed the shape of her body. She turned off the light and came over to him. He stood up and pulled her close.

        “You look so beautiful,” Nick said.

        “Thank you,” Hayley said.

        “What do you have in mind?” Nick asked.

        “Well, I have thought about it and well, I am ready for the next step, I want to start off the new year right, I want you to be my first, Nick, tonight, and into the new year,” Hayley said. Nick smiled and kissed her deeply. She helped him strip to his boxers. They kissed deeply.

        “Are you sure about this?” Nick asked.

        “Yes, I am, I love you, Nick, I want to prove it and I want you to prove your love for me,” Hayley said. Nick kissed her hungrily.

        “From now on, you can call me Nicky,” Nick said. He kissed her neck.

        “Nicky,” Hayley said. He groaned and nibbled her shoulder.

        “Hmm, you like it when I say it,” Hayley said.

        “Oh yeah,” Nick said kissing her deeply. He laid her on the bed and got on top of her. They began kissing. He started to slide the strap of her nightie down when the doorbell rang. They groaned. Hayley got up and put her robe on and went downstairs and straightened her hair and opened the door and saw a girl standing there. 

        “Is Nick here?” she asked.

        “That depends on who you are,” Hayley said.

        “I’m Mandy, his ex,” Mandy said.

        “I’m not sure he’ll want to see you,” Hayley said. She asked her to stay there.

        “Nick!” Hayley called.

        “Yeah,” Nick called.

        “Um, Mandy’s here!” Hayley said.

        “I’ll be right there,” Nick called. A couple minutes later, Nick came downstairs in his robe.

        “What do you want,” Nick said.

        “Well, it’s New Year’s Eve and I figured you were alone,” Mandy said looking at Hayley.

        “Well, I’m not,” Nick said.

        “Who is she,” Mandy said.

        “Why do you care, you broke up with me,” Nick said. Mandy looked at him.

        “Because I want you back,” Mandy said.

        “Sorry, I’m over you, I have no feelings for you anymore, plus, it’s been three years, what happened, you realized that you couldn’t be without me,” Nick said.

        “I realized that you were my true love,” Mandy said.

        “Mandy, meet Hayley, she is my true love, it was love at first sight for us and this is our first New Year’s together, and you interrupted it, I have moved on, Mandy, why don’t you, now please leave,” Nick said. Mandy looked at him and Hayley and left. Nick locked up and picked Hayley up and carried her back upstairs and laid her on the bed and got on top of her after removing their robes. He started removing her nightie. He slowly removed her nightie and gazed at her body.

        “You are so beautiful,” Nick said kissing her lips softly. He pulled off his boxers and reached into his nightstand and pulled out a condom and slid it on.

        “Are you ready, baby,” Nick said. Hayley nodded. Nick slowly and gently made love to her. Afterwards, he laid beside her and pulled her close.

        “I love you,” Nick said kissing her forehead. Hayley looked at the clock.

        “I love you, too, Happy New Year,” Hayley said. Nick looked and saw that it was after midnight.

        “Happy New Year, baby, what a way to start the New Year,” Nick said holding her close. They went to sleep holding each other.

Chapter 9

Nick woke up and saw Hayley gone. He got up and got dressed and went downstairs and heard voices and people laughing and walked into the living room and saw Hayley, Leighanne, Kristin, Brian, Kevin, AJ, and Howie.

        “There is the sleepyhead,” AJ said.

        “Hey Nick,” Kevin said.

        “How long have you guys been here?” Nick asked sitting next to Hayley.

        “A couple hours, Hayley said she tried to get you up but you grunted and turned over, she decided to let you sleep, she wouldn’t let any of us bug you,” Brian said.

        “She also told us about the little visit from Mandy last night,” Kevin said.

        “Three years and she wants me back, well, I’m taken,” Nick said hugging Hayley close.

Two months later, they were on the European leg of the tour. The guys were upset that one of their opening acts dropped out. They talked and looked at Hayley, who was typing something on Nick’s laptop. She looked up and saw all five guys looking at her. She looked at them strangely. They gathered around her. She looked at all of them.

        “Guys, what is it,” Hayley said.

        “How would you like to start singing again?” Nick asked.

        “No way, no how, not in this lifetime, sorry, boys, but nothing is getting me on that stage, no blackmail, nothing,” Hayley said.

        “Hayley, please, one of the opening acts dropped and we need another one,” Kevin said.

        “And I said no, I’m sorry, but I can’t go on that stage, no matter what you guys do, I’m not going out there so leave me alone!” Hayley said. She went to Nick’s dressing room and slammed the door. Nick looked at the guys and went to his dressing room and went in and saw Hayley lying on the couch.

        “Baby, I’m sorry, it was Kevin’s idea,” Nick said.

        “You guys know I’m afraid of the stage and crowds, I’m mad anyone would think I would want to go sing again,” Hayley said.

        “I’m sorry, I won’t push you,” Nick said.

Three months later, they were heading home from the tour and going to their homes. Brian and Leighanne went home to Atlanta. Kevin and Kristin went home to Kentucky. AJ and Howie went to their homes. Nick and Hayley went home to the keys.

        “It feels so good to be home,” Nick said walking in the front door. He picked Hayley up and carried her upstairs to the bedroom and they collapsed on the bed, kissing.

        “Let’s sleep,” Nick said holding her close. Hayley closed her eyes and was asleep within a couple of minutes. Nick soon followed.

Three weeks later, Nick went out on his boat. Hayley stayed home to talk to her mother. The doorbell rang. She opened it and saw Kevin. She motioned him in and closed the door.

        “Yeah, Mom, it was great, seeing Europe, yes, just enjoying being with Nick, yes, Mom, no, oh great, did Nick call you to bug me about that, no way no how I’m not singing in front of crowds ever again, Mom, if the guys couldn’t get me to do it, what makes you think you could, I know you are my mother, my life, Mother, my choice, I don’t want to get in front of a crowd, I didn’t want to, there was a thousand screaming fans wanting to see the guys, I would have been booed off the stage, that’s even more embarrassing that tripping and having my dress fly up, yeah, Mom, I have to go, Kevin’s here and he looks down about something, yeah, I’ll talk to you later, bye,” Hayley said. Kevin looked at her.

        “Sorry about that, seems that Nicky called her to get her to talk me into singing again, Kev, are you okay?” Hayley asked.

        “My marriage is over,” Kevin said.

        “What, what happened,” Hayley said.

        “Things weren’t working out, haven’t been for awhile, it started before the European tour, but we couldn’t let anyone know,” Kevin said.

        “Kev, I’m so sorry,” Hayley said. She hugged him. He broke down in her arms. She led him into the living room and sat him down. She went into the kitchen and came back with a glass of water. He took a drink and she sat down next to him.

        “Okay, so what exactly happened,” Hayley said.

        “She didn’t want to come on tour, she wanted to get back into acting, she wanted to stay home and go out to LA for auditions, I begged her to come with us on tour, we had a fight but then we talked it out a little, she came on tour and we slept in different rooms, when we came back, we had another huge fight and she left and said that she’ll come back for her stuff when I wasn’t there, I received divorce papers yesterday,” Kevin said.

        “So that’s it, it’s over,” Hayley said.

        “Yeah,” Kevin said.

        “What are you going to do now,” Hayley said.

        “I don’t want to go home, AJ and Howie weren’t home, Brian and Leighanne weren’t either, so I came here, I think being by the ocean will be relaxing, where’s Nicky?” Kevin asked.

        “He’s out on his boat, he’ll be back soon, I’ll talk to him,” Hayley said.

Chapter 10

Hayley made up another bedroom. She called Nick and told him the situation. He said Kevin could stay there for a while. After she was done, Kevin immediately laid down on the bed. She started to walk out of the room when Kevin spoke.

        “Hayley,” Kevin said.

        “Yeah,” Hayley said.

        “Nick’s lucky to have you,” Kevin said.

        “I know,” Hayley said. She sat on the bed. He sat up and smiled at her.

        “If I wasn’t married when I met you, I would have snatched you up for myself,” Kevin said.

        “You would’ve, huh,” Hayley said.

        “Yeah,” Kevin said. She started to get up but he pulled her back and he was on his back with her on top. She tried to get up but he held her and rolled over so he was on top.

        “Kevin, what are you doing,” Hayley said. He said nothing and she felt his lips on hers. She pushed him back. She got up and ran from the room. She went up to her and Nick’s room and closed the door and locked it and sat on the bed. She wanted Nick home soon. She heard a noise and someone knocked on the door. She froze. They knocked again. She slowly opened the door and saw Kevin standing there. She started to back up and ran into the bed and fell on it. He came over to her and stood over her.

Nick sat on his boat. He looked at the ring box in his hands and opened it and saw the most beautiful ring. He knew Hayley was the one for him. He headed back home. He got out of his car and he saw Kevin’s car and wondered why he was here. He went in and looked around. He heard noises and went upstairs and went to his bedroom. He opened the door and saw Kevin and Hayley on the bed, naked, having sex. He felt his heart break in a million pieces. He couldn’t believe his eyes.

        “What the hell is going on here!” Nick yelled angrily. Kevin and Hayley stopped and looked at him. They got dressed.

        “Nick, it was my doing, I seduced her,” Kevin said. Nick glared at him.

        “I don’t care who’s doing it was, I’m not blind!” Nick yelled.

        “Nick, she loves you,” Kevin said.

        “Has a hell of way of showing it, considering she was having sex with you!” Nick yelled. He looked at Hayley. She was breathing heavily. She collapsed on the floor. Nick ran to her.

        “Hayley, Hayley!” Nick said. He felt for a pulse.

        “She fainted,” Nick said. He picked her up and carried her out the door. He took her to the hospital. He sat with her in one of the examination rooms. The doctor examined her and left the room. She woke up and looked around.

        “Where am I?” Hayley said.

        “You collapsed so I brought you to the hospital,” Nick said. She looked away from him.

        “Why are you here, I thought you wouldn’t want to be near me,” Hayley said.          

        “I still care about your health,” Nick said.

        “But I ruined everything by giving into his seduction!” Hayley said.

        “We’ll talk about it after we are done here,” Nick said. Hayley stared out the window. The doctor came back in.

        “Ms. Hardin, I’m Dr. Davis, I have your test results, you are four months pregnant,” Dr. Davis said. Hayley looked at the doctor.

        “I’m what,” Hayley said.

        “Four months pregnant, and I assume that you are the father since you are her boyfriend,” Dr. Davis said. Nick nodded.

        “Yes,” Nick said holding Hayley’s hand.

        “That explains why I was throwing up for awhile, I thought I was sick with the flu,” Hayley said.

        “No, it was morning sickness, let’s get a ultrasound machine,” Dr. Davis said. She left the room. Hayley looked at Nick.

        “We are having a baby,” Nick said.

        “Yeah, but what about us,” Hayley said.

        “I’m not letting you go now, you may have slept with Kevin, but you are having my baby, a new life created by you and me,” Nick said.

Chapter 11

Hayley looked away from him and out the window.

        “I don’t want you staying with me because of the baby, it makes it sound like you are staying because you feel pity,” Hayley said.

        “Hayley,” Nick said. Dr. Davis came in with an ultrasound machine. They set it up and did the ultrasound.

        “There is your baby,” Dr. Davis said. Hayley and Nick looked at the screen.

        “Our baby, Nick,” Hayley said holding his hand. Nick kissed it.

        “Yeah, can you tell if it’s a boy or girl?” Nick asked. Dr. Davis looked closely.

        “Still early to tell here, I will be able to tell when Hayley is five months,” Dr. Davis said. Dr. Davis talked with Hayley and Nick. Hayley got up and went out the door with Nick behind her. They got into his car and he drove them to the marina.

        “I want to go home,” Hayley said.

        “Not yet,” Nick said. They went out on his boat. Hayley sat there. Nick came into the cabin and sat down beside her. She looked at him.

        “Nick, why did you bring me out here,” Hayley said. Nick sighed.

        “I thought you wouldn’t want to be without me, I thought you would fight to hang onto me, why are you giving up so easily, Hayley,” Nick said.

        “Because I hurt you, Nick, god, I slept with Kevin!” Hayley said.

        “But you are having my baby, and I love you too damn much to let you go,” Nick said.

        “Nick, it’s for the best, I can’t let you be with me only for the baby,” Hayley said. Nick held out a ring box. She looked at it and at him. She opened it and saw the most beautiful ring. She looked at him.

        “I was going to give you this before we knew about the baby and before I found you with Kevin,” Nick said.

        “Nick,” Hayley said.

        “I was going to ask you to marry me, I had the most romantic night planned,” Nick said. Hayley looked away. Nick took the box back.

        “But that’s changed,” Hayley said.

        “Yes, it has,” Nick said.

        “Yeah,” Hayley said.

        “As much as I want to, I can’t get the image of you and Kevin in bed out of my head, as much as I want it to be,” Nick said.

        “Then let me go, Nick, don’t hold onto what you don’t want!” Hayley said. Nick looked at her.

        “Hayley, I want to be with you more than anything in the world, it may take time but I will get over it, but I can’t let you go, like I said, I love you too damn much to let you go,” Nick said.

        “I can’t do this,” Hayley said turning away from him. Nick put his hands on her shoulders.

        “Hayley, I love you so much, don’t let us end, I don’t want it to, you are the one for me, the one I want, regardless of what you did, you are not going to lose me, it would still be that way if you weren’t pregnant, I want you and our baby, and I’m not saying this because you’re pregnant,” Nick said. He began kissing her neck. He felt her relax against him. His hands slid around and rested on her stomach. He slid his hands under her shirt and caressed her stomach.

        “I want to be a father so much, and I love you so much, will you marry me and give me the family I have dreamt about, you, me, lots of kids,” Nick said.

        “Only if you are serious, I don’t want to say yes and have you change your mind,” Hayley said. Nick slid the ring on her finger.

        “Not in this lifetime will I change my mind and let you go,” Nick said.