Once Nick came out of the shower, he still looked perplexed, but I let it go and I went into the bathroom to take my own.

Once I was finished, I came out with a towel around my head and I was in a robe. " Nick, do you--Oh hey Aus. " I blushed somewhat.

" Hey Lauren, I was just leaving. " Austin glared at Nick for a second and it sounded like he said something like, " Tell her. " But I couldn't hear well enough.

" Why was Aus over? " I eyed Nick curiously as I went to my suitcase to find something to wear.

" Oh he, erm, wanted to borrow something. " Nick started cleaning up some of the things that he had thrown on the floor.

" He didn't leave with anything? " I looked at Nick.

" Oh, he's um, coming back for it later. " Nick hid his eyes from me.

" Nick, why are you acting like this? " I went over to him and he turned his head from me.

" What way? "

" That way! " I gently brought his face back to mine. After staring into his eyes, I saw hurt and confusion. " Nick..? " I was sincerely worried about him.

" I'm okay. I swear. " Nick dropped his things on the bed. " I gotta head to a meeting though with the other guys. " He pecked me on the cheek. " I'll be back soon. " Before I could say another word, Nick had left the room.

" Uh, but.." I closed my lips together in defeat and got changed into my clothes. When Nick came back, he smiled at me.

" Hey babe, " He kissed me.

" Yeah, hi. " I stepped away from him.

" Laur, I'm sorry. " Nick took my hand. " When I don't get enough sleep, I'm really grouchy and I don't act like myself. Forgive me? " Nick grinned and started to sing our song when I wouldn't budge.

" So now I come to you with open arms, nothing to hide, believe what I say, so here I am with open arms, hoping you'll see what your love means to me..."

" Oh agh. I'm such a sap. " I grinned and took Nick into a long and warm embrace.

" I know you are. " Nick smiled and I gently mussed up his hair. " Grr, " Nick growled like a bear and started attacking me by means of tickling.

" Ah, Nick!!! " I complained, while laughing.

" Hmm? " He grinned and stopped while helping me off of the floor. " We gotta get to rehearsal. If I'm not there soon, Kev's gonna kick my ass. "

I laughed. " My poor baby. " I kissed him and we went out of the room to the concert venue.

When we arrived, everyone else was there and, yes, Kevin looked a tad bit upset about Nick's tardiness.

" Okay, Mr. Reform. Why do I remember hearing Nick saying that this tour was going to be different? He was going to get to rehearsals on time?! " Kevin gave Nick the evil eye.

Brian nudged Kevin. " Remember, he said that before we knew the girls.."

Kevin looked annoyed. " Damn. I forgot. "

I laughed and stepped forward. " I'm sorry! I accept full responsibility for Nick's whereabouts. "

" Aw, well I can't hold a grudge against my baby sister. " Kevin gave me a hug. He called me his baby sister because that's exactly what he treated me like.

" However, I could hold one against her wonderful boyfriend. " Kevin smirked.

" Now, Kevy Kev, " I grinned. " Don't hurt my baby. " I went and kissed Nick on the nose.

" Yeah yeah, can we please get started now? " Kevin turned around to find Tommy playing at the keyboards.

After rehearsing for a few hours, we all went out exploring the city of Milan, Italy. After all, it was considered one of the greatest fashion centers in the world and I was determined to get some nice clothes.

Once again, as it was my tradition, I dragged Nick from store to store, making purchases left and right, running a high bill on my credit card, that I knew I would have to eventually pay off.

" Whaddya think? " I showed off a trendy, but conservative skirt that had a water color scene painted onto it.

" I think it looks incredible, but everything does on you! " Nick grinned and pulled me onto his lap, where he was sitting.

I kissed him and smiled. " Yeah right. You just wanna get lucky tonight. " I grinned and got off of him.

Once I made my purchase, Nick glanced at his watch. " Oh my God! We gotta get going! "

" Oh duh! " I grabbed my bags and Nick told the limo driver to get to the hotel as quick as possible. We dumped the bags on the floor and after messing with a few things, we left for the concert venue.

Kevin glared at Nick when we got there, but started laughing because he understood my slight, and yes, slight, shopping obsession.

After the opening acts came running off the stage, everyone backstage got ready for the ritual. " Backstreet, what time is it!? "

" It's time to go to work, y’all! "

" What kind of work? "

" Hard work! Urg!" The girls and I laughed as we screamed along with the guys and we each gave them a good luck kiss before they went onto the stage.

Austin stayed behind with us, but gave Nick another peculiar look before he left. I glanced at him, and decided that I would satisfy my curiosity by questioning Austin.

" Hey Aus, what's up with Nick? "

" What do you mean? " Austin shuffled nervously in place.

" Why was he acting that way this morning and what do you want him to tell me so badly? " I continued to interrogate.

" Erm, Lauren, " Austin looked me straight in the eyes. " It's not my place to tell you. Ask Nick when the concert is over. " Austin then averted his eyes and went to talk to some of the bodyguards.

I continued to watch the concert with a queasy feeling because the words that Austin had said made me feel uncomfortable. I would catch glimpses of Nick turning his head to smile and blow kisses at me during the concert, and I would grin back, but I was being torn up inside.

*~*

After what seemed an eternity, Nick and the other guys came off the stage, sweaty and sticky. Nick ran to hug me. " Oh my God! That show was so kick ass! " He wrapped his arm around my waist, but I was having trouble smiling. " Ok, what's wrong? " He looked at Austin who turned his head from Nick. " I guess we have to talk, eh? "

I nodded my head. " That would be nice. "

Gretch had come backstage and caught of us heading back to Nick's dressing room. " Hey guys! Nick, that was incredible! "

" Thanks, " Nick smiled and pointed to the other end of the backstage area. " The other guys are over there doing some meeting and greeting. I'll be back soon. " He smiled politely once again and we went into his dressing room. Nick shut the door behind him. " Okay, what did Austin tell you? "

I looked at Nick, almost hurt. " What did Austin tell me? He didn't tell me anything. He said that I needed to talk to you, and I'm beginning to think that I do! What's wrong and why are you acting like this? What happened with you this morning? "

" So many questions, " Nick took a deep breath. " You may want to sit down for this one. "

" Okay..." I took a seat on the sofa in Nick's dressing room and Nick sat down next to me.

" Do you remember the weekend that you couldn't come down to Florida because of the bad storms? " Nick began and I simply nodded. " Okay, well, I was kind've bummed that you couldn't come down, so Austin and I went out. We got really drunk and even though the whole night is still a blur, I..." Nick paused and looked into my eyes.

My eyes were ridden with confusion and misconception. " You what..? " I edged for me.

" Lauren, I slept with another girl. " Nick let his eyes fall to the ground and I felt my heart sink. " I don't even remember her, or her name, but I did, I cheated on you and I have never felt more worse about anything in my life. " Nick turned to me.

" I can't..." I stood up.

" Laur, please don't be upset.."

" Don't be upset? " I started yelling without my own acknowledgment." Why am I suppoesd to not be upset? You did what again? Just let me make sure I heard this clearly! "

" Lauren, please don't get so.."

" No No, and no! You have absolutely no right to even be talking to me right now. I can't believe you would cheat on me, and not tell me for so long! How could you? " I headed for the door.

" Laur! " Nick came after me and gently took hold of my arm. I slapped him across the face with a hard and precise movement.

" I don't want to ever see your face again! " I walked out of his dressing room to a very surprised bunch of people outside. When I saw their faces, I hid my own, and ran off towards the back of the building, with a few tears streaming from my eyes.