Three weeks later, the guys were back on tour and I was home with Leighanne. The phone rang. "Hello," I said. "Hi baby girl, how are you doing?" Nick asked. "I miss you," I said. "I miss you, too, the reason I'm calling is because we lost our opening act, they went to open for Ricky Martin, how about coming to open for us?" Nick asked. "I'll be on the next flight out!" I said. "Okay, get Leighanne and the girls, they can come, too, we're in Las Vegas, so come on out there, okay," Nick said. "Okay, see you, bye," I said. I hung up and Leighanne and I went to pack. She called Amanda and Kristen. We all went to the airport and got on the next flight to Las Vegas. The plane landed and we got off and went to the hotel. We went to the elevator and were stopped by security. "Ids, please," Bud asked. "Bud, it's us, Leighanne, Amanda, Britney, and Kristen," Leighanne said. We pulled our sunglasses down a little and he smiled. "Go on," Bud said. We went up to the top floor. We got off the elevator and saw Brian, Nick, and AJ wrestling in the hallway. "Brian Thomas Littrell!" Leighanne said. "Alexander James McLean!" Amanda said. "Nickolas Gene Carter!" I said. "Uh-oh," they said getting up. "To your rooms, now!" Leighanne said. They went into their rooms. I followed Nick in and put my stuff down. "Okay, bad boy, you are going to be punished," I said. "I'm sorry," Nick said with his puppy dog look. "The puppy dog look isn't going to work this time," I said. "Oh man," Nick said sitting down. I sat down beside him. He pulled me into his lap. "I love you, Nick," I said. "I love you, too, baby," Nick said kissing my neck. We pulled each other's clothes off and made love on the couch. We laid down and fell asleep holding each other. Two hours later, we woke up and got up and got dressed and went down to the venue. My dancers arrived. "Bri, you practice first," Brian said. I got up onstage and my dancers and I practiced the songs. After we were done, we all sat down. TJ and I talked. We got offstage and sat down and watched the guys practice. That night, after the concert, we all were backstage. I was sitting with Leighanne, Kristen, and Amanda. The fans with backstage passes came in and talked with the guys. I was talking with Leighanne when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked and saw a girl standing there. "Hi," I said smiling. "You are an awesome singer, Britney, I love your songs, they are awesome, can I have your autograph?" she asked holding out a pad of paper. "Sure, what's your name?" I asked. "Hayley," she said. "And, how old are you, Hayley?" I asked. "I'm ten," Hayley said. I wrote something for her and signed my name. I handed it back to her. She read it and smiled. "Thank you so much," Hayley said. "You're welcome, Hayley," I said smiling. "Can I have a hug?" Hayley said. "Sure," I said. I hugged her. She pulled back and smiled. "Thank you," Hayley said. She went over to the guys. I went back to talking to Leighanne. I felt a tap on my arm and I looked and saw a little boy. "Well, hi there," I said. "I'm Jake, I'm four," Jake said. "Well, hi Jake, do you want an autograph?" I asked. "Yes, please," Jake said. I signed my name and handed it to him. "There you go, sweetie," I said. "Can I have a hug?" Jake asked. "Sure you can," I said. I gave him a hug and a kiss. "Can I marry you?" Jake asked. I smiled. "I'm a bit too old for you, come here," I said. I whispered something in his ear and he smiled and went over to Nick and told him what I said. Nick looked at me and I smiled. He smiled and shook his head. I went back to talking to Leighanne. I got up and went to the bathroom and came back out and a crowd of fans came up to me. "Britney, can we have your autograph!" they said at once. "Oh lordy!" I said. I sat down and gave them autographs. After they left, I sat there wiggling my hand. The guys came over. "Ready," Nick said. "My hand hurts," I said. Nick grabbed it and kissed it. "Better?" Nick asked. "Much, thanks," I said. We went back to the hotel and Nick and I went to our room and locked the door. We went into the bedroom and pulled each other's clothes off and collapsed on the bed and made love. We fell asleep holding each other.

Chapter 7