Chapter 24
"So tell me about yourself."
"Well, I have an older brother and sister. Cedric who's twenty eight, and Michelle who's twenty six."
"Ahh and so you're the youngest?"
"Yeah." Keyana smiled. She looked over at the guy sitting at the table next to them. Nick's bodyguard sat quietly, sipping coffee and reading the paper. It made her feel a little uneasy having some huge guy there, but Nick seemed comfortable, like it was the most natural thing.
"Lucky, I'm the oldest."
"Oh sure, I bet you beat the crap outta your younger brother and sisters!"
"I did not! Well Aaron maybe." Nick grinned.
"Oh stop lying! Oh yeah I forgot, your brother sings too right?"
"Yeah he does. I can't believe how far he's come, but at the same time I really miss him you know."
"Really? How so?"
"You know, he's out there and having fun, but he's gone. I'm gone just as much and we rarely see each other. It's so much and he's only twelve. I just don't want him feelin' like he's missin' out on anything. It's not worth it in the end, none of it. He's got his whole life and if he doesn't want all this anymore, then I'm gonna do all I can to make sure he gets out." Nick stated firmly.
Keyana could tell he had experience in that area. "It seems like you're pretty deadset on that."
"Yeah, I just want him to know he doesn't have to do what he doesn't wanna. That he can say no." Nick replied, looking away.
Keyana nodded, and there was a comfortable silence. She looked over a few minutes later and giggled."Ohh, don't look now, anxious teenagers a twelve o'clock." She laughed.
"E-excuse me, Nick?" Came a soft voice from behind the table.
Keyana looked over to see Nick's bodyguard put the paper down and look over at the table. Nick turned to look at the girls.
"Hey ladies." He smiled.
"Can we, can we have your autograph?" One girl asked softly.
"Sure can! What's your names?" Nick winked, taking their pens and signing their cd liners.
"I'm Christina, and that's Kathy."
"Alright Christina and Kathy. You ladies enjoying the new album?"
"Yes! We love it!" Kathy squealed.
"Great! That's what I love to hear. There ya go." Nick smiled, handing the other girl her pen and liner.
"Oh one more thing. Do you think we can get a picture?" Christina asked.
"Sure." Nick stood and Christina took a picture and then they switched. Nick hugged them both before they thanked him and walked off, squealing in excitement.
"You really love that don't you?"
"Yeah, anything we can do to give back to the fans I'm all for."
Keyana smiled, then looked down at her watch."Well Nick, I must be returning. My next appointment's in thirty minutes." She dug into her purse and pulled out her change purse.
"Don't worry, I got it."
"Nick! You paid the last time, let me do this." Keyana ordered.
"Nope." Nick winked, placing a few bills on the table.
Keyana sighed and stood and they piled into Nick's truck and headed back to her office. Once there, Nick walked her to her office. "Well thanks for lunch Nick. It was nice. I'll be in touch about where you stand with the orders. I just put them through this morning."
"Ok."
"Keyana?" Came another voice from the door.
Keyana looked behind Nick to see Erin and Gabs standing there, staring at Nick. "Come on in girls. Nick Carter, these are my friends Gabrielle Bessey and Erin Louks, girls you know who this is of course."
Nick turned. "Hello ladies." He smiled.
Erin grinned and Gabs just stared. Erin poked her in the side. "Hi Nick, it's nice to meet you!" Erin stuck her hand out.
"Nice to meet you too." Nick grinned, shaking her hand. "Gabs, nice to meet you also."
"Mmm hmm." She murmured, shaking his hand.
"Hey Nick can I ask you a favor?" Erin questioned.
"Uh, sure."
"Can you hook me up with AJ?"
"Erin!" Keyana exclaimed.
Nick chuckled. "Sure, I'll see what I can do. Give me your phone number."
"Get out! Are you serious???!! Damnit Keyana, give me a piece of paper!" Erin stormed over to Keyana's desk. Keyana rolled her eyes and handed her a piece of paper and a pen.
"You're awfully quiet Gabs." Nick announced.
"Am I? Sorry bout that. Wasn't expecting to see you here. " She smiled.
Erin walked over to Nick. "Here you go, I gave you Gabs number too. See what you can do with her and Brian." She whispered to him.
"I heard that!" Gabs exclaimed.
"No prob!" Nick winked. "Well as much as I hate to leave you ladies, I gotta jet. Once again it was nice meeting you Gabs and Erin. Keyana, I'll see you later." He murmured, before leaning down and kissing her cheek gently and sauntering out the door.
The three women watched him leave. Erin and Gabs turned and looked at Keyana.
"What?"
"Client huh? Looks like he's more than a client to me." Erin smirked.
"What is going on with you two?" Gabs asked.
"Nothing, I'm telling you we're just business associates. Friends at the most."
"I dunno Keyana, he didn't have that "just friends" look." Erin stated.
Keyana rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Look ladies I gotta lot of work to do."
"Ok Gabs, that's our cue to get the hell out. Call us later." Erin demanded.
"Yeah yeah, whatever." Keyana smiled. "Later girls." She waved as they left.
