Chapter 30

Rick was walking towards the elevators when a pretty blonde caught his eye. His eyes lit up and he smiled as he called her name.

“Deej!” he shouted across the corridor to his younger sister.

“Rickay!” she shouted back before he reached her and enveloped her into a bear hug.

“What the hell are you doing here?” he asked putting her down.

“Josh and I,” she began, referring to her boyfriend, “Were just visiting some friends. We were passing by and I saw the tour bus outside. It’s pretty hard to miss.”

“Where is Josh anyway?” Rick asked her, looking around.

“He went to get us something to eat. He should be back any minute now.” DJ said flipping her blonde hair as she looked at her brother.

“I hope you guys are staying for the show tonight.” Rick said.

Debbie Jean Camden cringed.

“We can’t.”

When Rick opened his mouth to protest, she rushed on, “I’ve got to get back to work and we promised Josh’s parents that we’d stop by before going back home.”

Rick folded his arms and pouted. DJ wasn’t deterred. She was used to it by now.

“That face is not going to change my mind, big brother.” She told him shaking her head, “It may work on millions of other girls but not me.”

“Aw come on Deej!” he said in that whiney voice he reserved for his siblings.

“I really want to Rick, but I can’t.” she insisted.

“Fine. Call me when you’re free and I’ll fly you to our venue.”

“One of the perks of having a famous brother.” She said shaking her head.

“You know you love me.”

She reached up and kissed his cheek.

“I do.”

She was about to walk away to find Josh, then paused, “Don’t forget, I’m still your sister so if you ever need to talk or anything, I’m always here for you.”

Rick smiled his thanks, then grinned wickedly.

“Actually,” he began walking up to her again, “There is one tiny thing you could do for me.”

DJ raised her eyebrows as her brother related his plan.

**

Abigail was getting her bags packed when Rick came into the room.

“Rick-“

“I’m really not in the mood to talk to you at the moment.” He told her, walking past her.

“I know.” She said softly, “Look Rick, we really need to find some middle ground here if we have to continue to work together.”

“There is no middle ground.” Rick stated firmly.

A knock on the door sounded then.

“Would you mind getting that while I get my stuff to take to the venue.” He told her, his voice cold.

Abigail sighed and nodded just before he walked into the bedroom. She figured she deserved the cold shoulder after all the lies she’d told him.

She opened the door and narrowed her eyes at the pretty, blonde girl before her.

“Hi, can I help you?” Abigail asked.

The girl smiled sweetly.

“Yeah. I’m looking for Ricky.” She all but purred.

“Excuse me?” Abigail cocked an eyebrow.

Rick came out the bedroom then and the girl caught sight of him.

"Ricky!"

She squealed, pushing Abigail away to run up and jump on him, her legs wrapping around his waist.

“Baby!” Rick replied, holding on to her.

Abigail closed the door and watched the two, a twinge of jealousy crossed her as she watched the affection in Rick’s eyes for the girl he was holding.

She cleared her throat then and Rick cast her a glance before putting the blonde down.

“Abby, this is uh-“

“Debbie.” The girl said quickly, extending a hand to Abigail which she took hesitantly.

“Are you a friend of Rick’s?” Abigail asked her.

Debbie turned to wink at Rick before facing Abigail again.

“Oh much more.” She replied seductively.

“And you are?” she eyes Abigail suspiciously.

“I’m his girlfriend.” Abigail said firmly.

“You’re not my girlfriend.” Rick’s voice was flat.

Abigail gaped at him.

“I am.”

“Not.” Rick countered.

Abigail was appalled.

“Rick-“

“Baby, why don’t you wait for me in the bedroom, I’ll be there in a minute.” Rick said turning to Debbie.

“Sure hun.” Debbie said. She smiled at Abigail before stepping into the bedroom and closing the door.

“Rick, what the hell do you think you’re doing?” Abigail hissed, facing him, her hands on her hips.

“It’s just like you said.” Rick told her walking up to her until they were merely a foot apart. “There’s nothing between us. And if you’re involved with Jason, why can’t I be involved with someone as well?”

Abigail could only watch him dumbfounded. She said a quick prayer for patience before she continued.

“Rick, are you forgetting that I’m under cover? That we’re both playing a role here with “our” relationship? And in order to make that believable we have to act like we’re in love! You can’t just bring girls up to your hotel room. Someone is sure to notice-“

“I didn’t bring anyone up here!” Rick broke in, “And as you said, we’re only pretending. Just because our relationship isn’t real, doesn’t mean I don’t have real relationships with anyone else. With people who have real feelings for me and are willing to act on them!”

The room fell silent as those words hung in the air.

“So it all comes back to sex, doesn’t it?” she asked bitterly.

“Do you think sex is the only thing I want from you?” Rick asked harshly.

“Isn’t it?”

“Damnit Abby.” He ran his hands through his hair as he looked at her. “What does it matter anyway? You’re involved with Jason and you’ve already explained it loud and clear why you can’t sleep with me. Just because you’re not getting any right now, doesn’t mean that I’m not either.”

She would never let him know how much those words hurt her.

“Rick-“

“Why don’t you go wait in the bus. I’ll be down in a minute.”

“But-“

“Just go.”

She turned her back and left the room.

DJ came out the bedroom then and saw the hurt look on his face.

“I hope you know what you’re doing big brother.” She said, putting an arm around him.

“I hope so too.” He murmured.