Page 23 of Meant To Be - Irresistible Bachelors

Leo lets out a few light snores, and I close my eyes and try to fall asleep. A buzzing sound startles me, and my eyes suddenly open. I glance over at the nightstand next to the bed and watch as my cell phone vibrates on top of it. I carefully reach over and grab it, trying not to wake Leo. Mom flashes across the screen, and I slowly climb out of bed, still trying my best not to disturb his slumber. I toss on his T-shirt as I go into the bathroom. I gently close the door behind me and answer the call.

“Hello?” I whisper, trying not to be too loud.

My mom coughs harshly into the phone. I get chills as I listen to how sick she sounds.

“Hello, Nikki?” she manages to say between coughs.

“Hey, Mom. How are you?” I ask.

I know the answer, but deep down inside, I want her to lie to me. I want her to tell me she’s doing great and that she’s getting better every day, but I know that isn’t the truth.

I spoke to her doctor the other day, and he said we’re running out of options. It breaks my heart to know that my mom might not have much longer to live. It’s been tough trying to take care of her and work at the same time. When Rocky first suggested the tour, I told him I couldn’t be away from my mom for that long. I wanted to put everything on hold until she got better, but she begged me to go.

Mom says I need to live my own life and not worry about her, but how can I not worry about my own mother? Especially when I know she’s getting worse every day. Her illness is another part of my life that I’ve kept from the public. I sure my fans would be sympathetic if they knew how sick my mom is, but this isn’t something I want to share with the world. This is something I’d rather deal with in private.

“I’m alright,” she lies.

I think she knows how badly I want her to tell me that everything is okay, but we both know it isn’t.

My mom continues, “I just wanted to call and see how the tour is going. I know it’s three hours later on the east coast, but I figured you’d still be awake.”

“Yeah, I’m up. I’m glad you called. The tour is going great,” I say.

“How is it being on tour with Leo Colt?” she asks.

I blush as I sniff his T-shirt.

“It’s great; he’s great. He’s really talented, and he’s such a hard worker,” I answer.

I wish I could tell her about our relationship, but I’m worried about how she’ll react if she finds out I’m seeing someone nearly twice my age. Not to mention the fact that he’s a rock star with a womanizing reputation. I think my mom would freak out if I told her I’m falling in love with him.

I think my fans might have an issue with me dating Leo, too. After all, I’m a pop princess who makes music for teens. The world might judge us and think that my rock star lover is taking advantage of me, but that couldn’t be any further from the truth.

The tabloids, for sure, would have a field day if they got their hands on the juicy details of our love affair. Leo was right about that. And while I don’t really care what the tabloids say about me, I would rather keep our relationship out of the limelight a little longer.

Right now, there aren’t any outside influences tainting our romance, but all of that will change once our relationship becomes public.

“That’s good, sweetie,” my mom says as she coughs again.

I cringe from the harsh sound, wishing I could be by her side.

“You know, Dad and I always loved his music,” she reminds me.

“Yeah. I told him about how we used to sing along to all of his songs together. I miss those days,” I reminisce, thinking back to a time when my dad had been alive and my mom had been healthy.

“Me too, honey,” she whispers, her voice hoarse.

“Maybe when I get back, we can go on a road trip. Just like old times,” I suggest.

She’s silent on the other end of the line. Uh-oh. There’s something wrong – something she needs to tell me, but she’s afraid to. I take a seat on the toilet as I prepare myself for whatever she’s about to say.

“We’ll see, sweetie,” is her only reply.

I close my eyes as I take a deep breath. Whatever she’s keeping from me is bad news. I want to pry deeper, but I’m afraid of what she might say. I’m scared, but I need to know. I have to.

“Mom, are you sure everything is okay?” I ask.

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