*Ring Ring*

“Nick. Get that.”

“Why?” he mumbled

“Because it’s your house.”

“Let it ring.”

*Ring Ring*

The phone rang again and the machine picked up.

"Yo! Wassup?! I’m not here...do your thing !” *Beep*

There was a clicking sound, letting them known whoever had been calling had hung up.

*Ring Ring*

“That’s yours. You get it.” he said as Rayanne’s cell phone rang from the nightstand next to the bed.

“No.”

*Ring Ring*

The phone rang three more times, before Rayanne sat up in bed.

“God that is annoying. How can you sleep through that shit?”

“I can sleep through anything.” he mumbled.

“HELLO?” Rayanne said annoyed into the receiver.

“Hey Ray! Wassup?”

“AJ?”

“The one and only.”

“Why are you calling us at...” she looked at the clock. “3:42 in the morning?”

“To let you know we’re home.”

“Huh? That’s good to know. Home from where?”

“No, I mean home, Florida. We flew in for the weekend, we’re going back with you guys Sunday.”

“Amanda too?”

“Yup. So where’s Nicky?”

“Sleeping...like I was”

“Sorry girlie. Wake his ass up.”

“Oh man, he’s not gonna like this.”

AJ laughed. “Do it anyway.”

“Nick. Nick. Nick. Nick!” she said poking him in the arm trying to, herself, stay awake.

Nick moaned and rolled over.

“What?” he asked grumpily.

“Morning sunshine, you have a phone call.” she said putting the phone in his face.

He jerked the phone out of her hand as she lay back down and tried to find the peaceful sleep she had been so fond of five minutes earlier.

“Yeah?” she could only hear Nick’s end of the conversation.
“No, we’ve been sleeping for like...a lot of hours.”
“Yes, I know.”
“Sounds good...can we talk about this tomorrow?”
“Where?”
“I don’t care, I just want to sleep.”
“Fine, get the key behind the gate.”
“I don’t care I said, just don’t wake us up.”
“Later.” she heard him click off the phone and felt him wrap his arms around her. “I’m kind of awake now.”

“Oh no. Try to go back to sleep please.” she pleaded with him.

“Ya know what I wanna do?” he asked kissing her ear.

“Sleep?” she asked hopefully.

“Nope.”

“Well, I wanna sleep.”

“So who gets what they want, you or me?” he whispered in her ear very softly.

“Me.”

“You don’t want to?” His voice was so soft it was putting her to sleep.

She rolled over to face him, opening her eyes.

“You know I do. And it’s not just that I’m tired. I’m sore Nick. More than I thought I would be.” she smiled and kissed him softly.

“Aww, Nicky’s sorry.” he let out a small laugh as he kissed her forehead. “We can sleep.”

“Thank you.” she said feigning exasperation. “Man, I thought you’d never leave me alone.”

“Oh yeah, fine then. Don’t you try to get all cuddly on me now.” he joked.

“Aww, but honey, I have to stay warm somehow.”

He used his arms to pull her closer to him. She rested her head next to his bare chest and tried to fall asleep.

*An hour later*
*Bang*, “OUCH!!!”

Rayanne sat up in bed, smacking Nick in the face with her hand.

“Ouch. Jesus.”

“Nick, what is it?” she asked anxiously. “It’s coming from the kitchen.”

Nick sat up and rubbed his eyes sleepily. He swung his legs off the side of the bed and walked to the door, Rayanne clinging to the waistband of his boxers.

“What are you doing?”

“Coming with you.”

They walked slowly out into the hallway and ran headfirst into AJ.

“Ahhhh!!!!” all four of them yelled in unison.

“Jesus, man, you knew we were coming.” AJ half yelled at Nick.

“And I also recall telling you not to wake us up.”

“Manda tripped over one of the dogs and made me run into the wall. So sorry.”

“Hey Manders!” Rayanne said walking by Nick and AJ to give her friend a hug.

“Hey!”

“I’m going back to bed.” Nick stated.

“OK, I’m coming. Where are you sleeping?” she asked Amanda.

“The other bedroom I’m assuming.”

“Sleep tight...and remember we can probably hear everything that goes on in that bedroom from where we are.” she said with a devilish smile.

“Oh, you should talk. I can imagine what you did before you went to bed last night, tonight, whatever it is.”

“Me?” Rayanne asked faking innocence. “Never. I’m a good girl.”

“And Nick’s a bad boy.” added Amanda.

“Now you watch what you say about my Nickolas Pickolas.”

“Oh my lord, he must love that name. So anyway...did you?”

“Did I what?”

“Get lucky?” came AJ’s voice from behind her as he walked out of the bathroom.

“I am lucky. I don’t have to get that way.” she responded at the same time Amanda slapped him on the arm.

“Go to bed AJ, I’ll be right in.”

“Yes Ma’am.” he leaned in and kissed her on the lips before turning to walk into the bedroom down the hall.

”So...” Amanda prompted her.

She just smiled. “I’m going to bed.”

Amanda’s mouth dropped open and she stared at Rayanne wide eyed. “You’re not going to tell me?”

“You know I wanted to. Do you think Nick didn’t? I think you can figure it out. Night Manders!”

She walked into the bedroom to hear Nick snoring softly. She crawled into bed and watched him sleep. She watched the slight part between his lips and the chunk of hair that almost always hung in his eye when he slept. She watched his body rise and fall with each breathe he took. She watched his eyelids flutter as his eyes moved behind them in a dream filled sleep. She watched his peaceful sleep until she found her own.

*The next morning*
“So, what should we do today?”

Rayanne and Amanda were sitting at Nick’s kitchen table eating breakfast. AJ and Nick were still asleep.

“I don’t know. I guess we’re staying here with you guys till Sunday. So we have today and tomorrow. I think we should...hmmm. Not sure yet.”

“Grab me the milk out of the fridge will ya?”

Amanda turned in her chair and grabbed the milk out of the black refrigerator.

“Good morning girls!” AJ walked out into the kitchen carrying Willie. “Guess how I woke up this morning?”

“He has a way of doing that huh?” Rayanne smiled.

“Every damn time I sleep here.” He walked to the cupboard across the kitchen and grabbed a bag of M&M’s.

“Mmmm, nummy, give me some of those.” She said as she crossed the kitchen to where he was standing.

“Ewww, M&M’s are so gross.” Amanda crinkled her nose in disgust.

Rayanne’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

“Yes. I hate them.”

“Amanda Lynn Jenkins. I cannot believe you.”

“Rayanne Elizabeth Winters, believe it. Skittles are better.”

“Skittles?!?!”

“Whoa girls...it’s too early to be arguing about candy.”

“Well, AJ, what do you think?” she asked getting closer to AJ, rubbing her hand up and down his arm.

“AJ...” Amanda walked up to them and placed her hand on his chest. “M&M’s or Skittles....?”

“Oh my lord...you girls.”

“AJ...” Rayanne whined.

“What the hell...?” They all turned to see Nick standing in the doorway to the kitchen, his hair sticking up all over.

“Baby!” She ran over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“What were you doing with AJ?”

“Hun, what’s better, M&M’s or Skittles?”

“M&M’s. Now what were you doing with AJ?”

“Nothing. See Manders! M&M’s are better!” she said playfully sticking her tongue out at Amanda.

“Whatever. Baby, what do you like?” Amanda asked AJ giving him puppy dog eyes.

“I like all candy. But for you, Skittles.”

Amanda threw a smile in Rayanne’s direction. “See?”

“But my Nicky likes M&M’s better.”

“And your Nicky wants to know what you two were doing to AJ before I came out.”

“Just trying to persuade him.”

“I see. And if I hadn’t come out....” he left the sentence hanging.

“I would have come and woken you up because I missed you so much.”

“Good answer.” he laughed. “And nice breakfast.”

“Nummy, have some.” Rayanne said holding the bag of M&M’s out for Nick to take some.

“No thanks hun.” Nick said grabbing some cereal out of the cupboard. “Anybody got an brilliant ideas for what we can do today?”

“Let’s have a par-tay!” AJ hooted throwing his hands up in the air.

Rayanne’s face lit up. “Yeah! Nick please?!?!?! A party would be so much fun! You can invite all your friends over you haven’t seen yet. We’ll have so much fun. Please?” she begged drawing out the please.

“Ray, why are you trying to hard to convince me? It’s not like I said ‘no’.”

“Goody. Can we decorate?”

“You and Manda can. I have no interest in decorating.”

“Well fine Nickolas Pickolas, you two go get the food and we’ll clean up and decorate.” Amanda said.

“Oh lord, you’re gonna start with that Nickolas Pickolas shit too? I don’t know what to do with you girls!”

“I know what would be fun to do with them.” AJ grinned.

“Bone, you’re sick.”

“No, Nick, I believe you’re the one who’s sick, assuming I meant something sexual.”

“Well, you usually do.” Amanda piped up.

“See that man?”

“Well, this time that’s not what I meant.” he said as he picked Amanda up and carried her toward the door.

Nick followed his lead, grabbing Rayanne and her M&M’s and following him. AJ walked over to Nick’s inground pool releasing Amanda from his arms. Rayanne watched as she made a splash in the pool, going under pajamas and all.

“AJ, you’re so cruel. But that was funny.”

“You think so?” Nick asked as he stepped closer to the pool.

“Nick, don’t you dare.” she warned him.

“Don’t dare what?”

“Throw me in the pool.”

“OK, if you insist.” he said, quickly grabbing the M&M’s from her hand and throwing her into the pool. She landed right next to where Amanda was coming up for air.

“Alexander James, I swear!” Amanda yelled.

“Yeah!” Rayanne added, coughing up water.

“You girls better get out of the pool if you want to get ready for this party.” Nick scolded jokingly.

“Yeah, and whatever possessed you to go in the pool with your clothes on?” AJ asked with a confused look on his face.

They two laughed and turned around to walk into the house. Rayanne and Amanda climbed out of the pool and followed them.

“Nick is getting the biggest hug from me when I get in that house.”

“Ooh, yeah, good idea.”

Rayanne reached the sliding glass door and opened it slowly, peeking her head inside. She didn’t see Nick or AJ anywhere, so she grabbed Amanda by the hand and crept inside slowly. She walked through the kitchen and into the living room. They found the guys sitting down trying to find something to watch on TV. Nick was eating his bowl of cereal, AJ toast.

Rayanne walked over next to the chair Nick was sitting in unnoticed. She reached down and took his cereal away from him, setting it on the coffee table.

“What are you-” he was interrupted by her sitting on his lap.

“Have I told you today how much I love you?” she asked leaning in and kissing him on the lips. She wrapped her arms around him and snuggled her body as close to his as she could.

“Rayanne Elizabeth, I’ll get you for that. I’m all wet.”

She jumped up off his lap to see that Amanda was already being chased out of the room. The girls headed up the stairs, Rayanne running into Nick’s bedroom. She was almost to the bed when he tackled her from behind, pinning her down on the floor. He lay on top of her and kissed her.

“I’m already wet, I figure I might as well enjoy this.” he joked, tickling her sides.

“Enjoy away...I love it when you enjoy yourself like this.” She winked at him returning his kiss.

“We can enjoy ourselves later, we should get ready for this party.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I hate it when you’re right.”

“But it happens all the time sweetness.” he laughed as he climbed off her.

They walked down the hall hand in hand to find AJ and Amanda making out in the other bedroom.

“Ahem.” Nick cleared his throat. “Let’s go Bone. We should buy some food and whatever.”

AJ climbed off Amanda. “Let’s get something to drink too. What do you girls like?”

“Wine.” Rayanne said.

“Yup.” Amanda agreed.

“OK, wine. I’ll get some vodka and pucker for us Nicky. How many other people do you think are coming?”

“No more than five or six.”

“Alrighty, let’s go.” AJ said motioning Nick out of the room.

AJ and Nick left in AJ’s Mustang. Rayanne and Amanda decided to take showers, then decorate for the party.

*A while later*
What a girl wants, what a girl needs, whatever makes me happy sets you free.” Rayanne sang.

“I wanna thank you for giving me time to breathe, like a rock you waited so patiently, while I got it together, while I figured it out.” Amanda joined in.

They had decided not to decorate but were cleaning and moving all Nick’s nice stuff upstairs. Rayanne had thrown on old shorts and a tank top and sweatshirt. Moving the furniture was making her warm. She walked over to the CD player and advanced the CD to track 5.

”Hey boy don’t you know, I got something going on. All my friends are gonna come, gonna party all night long...” she sang as she pulled her gray sweatshirt over her head.

“Rayanne Elizabeth, what is that?!”

“Huh?” Rayanne looked at Amanda confused.

Amanda walked over to her friend and turned her around. She touched the still fairly fresh tattoo on Rayanne’s shoulder.

“Oh! That! Me and Nick got matching ones. Cute huh?”

“Wow, those never come off ya know.”

“Oh my God! Really?! Uh oh, what am I supposed to do now?” she said sarcastically. “Duh Manders.”

“Oh no.” Amanda got a scared look on her face.

“Manders? You OK?”

“Ray, what if AJ wants us to do that? He loves those things.” she said her face turning white.

Rayanne giggled. “Tell him ‘no’. You don’t have to get one just cause me and Nicky did.”

“Do they hurt?”

“It didn’t feel good.” she admitted. “But it wasn’t horrible.”

Just then Nick and AJ walked in the door carrying four bags a piece.

“There’s more in the car, go grab some.” Nick said leaning his head down to give Rayanne a kiss as she took two of the bags from him.

“Come on Manda.” AJ said pulling her toward the door.

“Did anyone call?” he asked as they unpacked bags of chips from the grocery bag.

“Anna. I told her about the party, she’s gonna call back later.”

“OK, I’m all stinky. I’m taking a shower. Finish unpacking that stuff for me will ya?” he spoke to all three of them as Amanda and AJ walked in the door carrying more bags.

The next hour was unpacking groceries, putting food in bowls on the table, doing dishes and making the living room as “unbreakable” as possible. Nick and AJ took showers and the four of them got dressed.

Rayanne wore khaki drawstring cargo pants with little white tee shirt. She pulled her hair forward in two pigtails hanging in from on her shoulders and wore her fisherman hat that matched her pants. Amanda put on a pair of black Capri pants with a red halter top. She twisted sections of her long brown hair into small twists on top of her head which she secured with tiny dragonfly clips and let the rest hang down her back.

“My, my, don’t you look sexy.” Rayanne said quietly walking up to Nick as he entered the room wearing Tommy jeans and a white shirt.

“My, my, I try.” he smiled as she took his hands in hers.

“Anybody here?”

“John and Anna are. Andy just called. He’s on his way to pick up Catie, so they should be here in a few minutes.

“Good. Let’s go downstairs.”

“Giddyup!” Nick laughed as he grabbed her pony tails and pulled them behind her.

“Get on, I’ll give you a piggy back ride.”

“No way, I’m too heavy.”

“You’ve put all your weight on top of me before.”

“That’s different.”

“No it’s not, if I can hold all your weight on me when we wrestle, I can pick you up. Remember the first night I was in Europe? I had you and Brian on top of me.”

“Oh and Brian weighs, what? 5?”

“Just shut up and get on.”

“Yes ma’am.” Nick laughed as he hoisted himself up on her back.

“Uuh.” Rayanne grunted but held his weight and stayed on her feet. “Let’s go.” she walked slowly out of the bedroom and down the hall to the livingroom.

“Look who it is! Nicky and Rayanne! Nicky on Rayanne.” John laughed as Rayanne fell backwards on the couch, on top of Nick.

“It’s about time you two joined us. What ever could you have been doing in the bedroom?” AJ asked with a less than true innocence in his eyes.

“Funny AJ, never off your mind is it? I was cleaning, I didn’t know anyone was here yet.”

“Sure. That’s why Nick just decided to go in there. Was he cleaning too?”

“I can’t...he takes a lot longer than that.” Rayanne said hoping to end the conversation.

“Ooh, nice to know. Guess you told me huh?” AJ laughed.

“Where’s Anna and Manders?”

“Lord knows. Kitchen I think.”

“I see...to the kitchen I go. Can’t be alone with three boys.” Rayanne flashed a smile and turned to go into the kitchen. “Hola sistas.”

“Hey. Where were you?” Anna asked.

“Bedroom.” Amanda grinned.

“Ugh. Please. I was cleaning! There was no sex. I swear. You know I’d tell you guys anyway.”

“So tell us about yesterday.” Anna said.

Rayanne smiled shyly.

“Ray! You’re blushing!” Amanda exclaimed.

“I am so in love you guys, it’s not even funny.”

“Awww...you guys are so cute together. So answer the question. Sex?”

“Yes.”

“Eeeeeeee!” the girls squealed together, Amanda jumping up and down.

“Whoa...calm down chicas.”

“So...anything you’d like to tell us about it?”

“No. That would be private. I liked it though.” she smiled.

“Yeah, it is nice.” Anna said with a far away look in her eyes.

“Manders? Nothing to add?” Rayanne asked after a minute of silence.

“I can’t add anything.” she laughed. “I’m completely inexperienced if ya know what I mean.”

“That’s OK, I was until yesterday...not too long ago.”

“So, did it hurt?” Amanda asked as Anna got up to get them something to drink.

*Ring, Ring*

“More the first time than the second.”

“You did it twice?”

The phone stopped ringing.

“You guys want some wine?” Anna asked.

“Sure.”

“Yup we did.” she answered Amanda.

Nick walked into the kitchen and grabbed the keys to the Durango off the counter. “Andy’s car busted, I’m gonna go get him and Catie. Make sure AJ and John don’t tear my house apart please.”

“Yes dear. Have fun.”

He walked out the door as Anna set three glasses of wine on the kitchen table.

“Mmm, I love this stuff.” said Rayanne taking a sip.

“We’re bored.” AJ said walking into the room followed by John.

“Let’s play a game.” Anna suggested.

“Let’s play a drinking game.”

“Ooh, fun. Which one?”

“How about that game where you have to go around the circle and say things that begin with each consecutive letter of the alphabet?” Rayanne suggested taking another drink.

“How’s that go?” asked Amanda looking confused.

“Like if we pick cities, we clap and go around, saying...Albany, Buffalo, Cicero... like that. Whoever doesn’t know one when it gets to them, drinks. Got it?”

“Somebody likes New York!” John laughed.

“New York girl. Born and raised.”

“OK, let’s do it.”

“Let’s start with...” Rayanne began.

“Bands.” AJ offered.

“You start Bone.”

They all began clapping. “Aerosmith.”

“Boston.” said Amanda.

“Hold up, hold up.” AJ interrupted. “No Backstreet Boys? What the hell are you some kind of traitor?”

“It’s a game.”

“Yeah, a game you’re INTERRUPTING.” added Anna.

“So sorry...continue the game.”

The clapping started again.

“Christina Aguilera.” Rayanne said.

“Hold up, hold up.”

“Ugh. What now?”

“I said bands. She’s a solo artist.”

“Christ AJ. Get a grip. Can we go with ‘musical acts’?”

“Fine.”

“AJ drink.”

“Why, it’s not my turn.”

“Just cause you’re being a turd.”

“Yes my little Ray of Sunshine.” It came out sarcastically.

“Don’t call me that. Drink.”

AJ took a long drink of his vodka and lemonade before promising to not stop the game again for anything stupid.

“Deana Carter.”

“Eagle Eye Cherry.”

“Fiona Apple.”

“Ggg...Ggg, umm...shit.”

“Drink Manders!”

Amanda took a swallow of her wine, her face crinkling as she put the glass down.

The guys started clapping..."Go Ray, H.” John prompted.

Rayanne sat there clapping without saying a word.

After a few seconds AJ pointed his finger at her. “Drink!”

“No fair! I was distracted by the facing she was making!” she said looking at Amanda.

“Nope, now ya gotta drink more cause you’re breaking rules.”

“You can’t do that!” she protested.

“Now you’re being unruly.” John said taking AJ’s side. “You have to drink that whole glass.”

Rayanne stared at John and AJ, across the table from her. “The whole glass?”

“Well I know you can’t do it, but I wanna see you try.”

“Alexander James McLean, I can do it.” she said lifting the almost full wine glass to her lips.

“Go.”

She tipped the cup up and drank the sweet wine, careful not to let any drizzle down her chin. As the glass emptied she tilted it up higher until the last drop fell from the rim into her mouth.

“Oh my God. I’ve never seen a girl do that before.” John said astonished.

“Girl?” Anna punched him.

“You heard me.”

“Ray, you OK?” AJ asked laughing.

“Mhmm.” she said getting up to fill her glass.

“Jonathan! I cannot believe you’re making stupid ass comments about girls. That has nothing to do with drinking.”

“Do you think you could do what she just did?”

“Yes.”

“Manda?”

“Of course.”

“I can do it again!” Rayanne called from the counter, where she had placed herself next the bottles of wine.

“OK, we have three bottles of wine. Take one Manda, take one Anna, take one Ray. See who can last the longest.”

“Man, John, that’s not a good idea. Do you know how strong that stuff is?”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

“Nope. I’m doing it.” Rayanne said. “Girls joining me? It’s good stuff.”

“Yup.” the girls said in unison.

“See...they’re ours. That’s OK. Nick’s gonna kill us if he comes home and Ray’s shitty.”

“She already guzzled one glass man, she’s like, halfway there.”

“If they’re gonna do it, I guess we can at least have fun watching.”

John and AJ sat on their kitchen chairs drinking their vodka and lemonade while the girls held the wine bottles to their lips as long as they could. Anna pulled hers away first, her face red.

“Oh man. That shit is strong. I can’t believe them.” she watched as Rayanne sat on the counter with her bottle tilted up and Amanda stood in the middle of the floor doing the same. Rayanne put hers down next.

“I couldn’t breathe.” she laughed.

Amanda saw that Rayanne had stopped so she did too.

“I won! Drink to celebrate!” she said putting her bottle back to her mouth, Rayanne joining her.

“Ray, give me that.” AJ said taking the bottle from her. “Shit, it’s like three quarters empty. You’re are gonna be so sick girlie.”

“No I’m not. You talk like I’ve never drank before.”

“Manda stop.” AJ said taking hers away.

“Let’s go in the living room.” John prompted pulling Anna by the hands into the next room, AJ behind him ushering the other two in.

Rayanne flopped down on the couch. “Let’s watch a movie.”

Amanda and AJ sat in one chair, John and Anna sat in the other. “I miss Nick.” she pouted.

“Awww...”Amanda climbed off AJ’s lap and onto the couch next to her. She put her arm around her. “Hey, I have an idea.”

“What?”

“You have your Christina CD here right?”

“Yeah.”

“Go get it and we’ll dance.”

Rayanne’s face lit up. “OK!”

Rayanne walked to the bathroom to get the CD. When she got back to the living room, the lights had been turned off, except for a couple of small lamps and furniture was moved out of the way.

“We’re gonna have ourselves a little dance.” AJ smiled.

Rayanne put the CD in the CD player and Genie In A Bottle started. The guys sat and watched the girls dance to Genie In A Bottle, but got up when the second song started.

“I gotta pee, I’ll be right back.” Anna informed them.

“Don’t pee yet, you’ll be sorry!” Rayanne teased.

“I cannot hold it anymore!” she said running down the hallway.

The song ended and I Turn To You started.

“Manda, go dance with John.”

“Okies!” Amanda said and walked a little unsteadily to John.

“Dance with me Ray.” he said wrapping his arms around her waist.

“OK.” she said wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him close.

“You know I’m just teasing you right? Like when we were playing the game and I called you ‘my little Ray of Sunshine’.”

“Yeah I know.”

“And the sex stuff.”

“Yup, I know AJ. It’s OK.”

They stopped talking and listened to the music. Anna came back from the bathroom and started a three-way slow dance with John and Amanda.

And when I’m down, you’re there pushing me to the top. You’re always there giving me all you’ve got Rayanne sang along with the music.

She felt AJ’s breath on her neck. “I wonder when Nick’s gonna get back?” he said.

“I almost forgot he was gone there for a minute.” she joked.

“I have that quality about me huh? I can just make you up and forget about Nick that quickly.” he laughed.

The song was almost over when Nick walked through the front door followed by Andy and Catie. No one heard him come in so he stood watching them dance while Andy and his girlfriend went to put their coats in the game room.

Rayanne and AJ danced close. When the song ended the pulled apart and Rayanne turned and saw Nick standing in the doorway.

“Nick honey! You’re home!!” she said running to him. She jumped in his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist. “I missed you so much. You have no idea.”

“Ray, I was gone for like, a half hour.” he laughed.

“I know, just please don’t go anywhere else tonight.” she said squeezing him tight.

He looked over her shoulder at AJ and Amanda confused. “Drunk” AJ mouthed to him.

He pulled away from her and put her down. He held her face with his hands. “Is my honey drunk?” he teased.

“Maybe just a little.” she said smiling.

“You’ve already had fun without me.” he pouted jokingly.

He pulled her by the hand over to the couch and sat down. She climbed behind him wrapping her legs around his body and putting her hands on his chest pulling him back against her.

“John, go get me something to drink will ya? I don’t think she’s letting me go anywhere.”

“Nope. You’re mine.”

“I’m yours and you’re drunk.”

“Catch up.”

“I’m gonna.” he smiled and kissed her gently on the lips.

He pulled away and put his hands on hers.

“Don’t stop.” she said kissing his neck.

“You know I’d love to all night sweetness, but we’ve got company. And I can’t drink and kiss at the same time.”

John set two drinks on the coffee table in front of Nick. “Didn’t know what ya wanted man, so it’s vodka and lemonade in one and watermelon pucker in the other.”

“Thanks man.” Nick said taking a long drink out of one of the cups. “Hey.” he called to John who was almost across the room.

“Yeah?”

“It’s gone. Get me another one please?” He put the other cup to his lips and started drinking.

Rayanne pulled his arm bringing the cup away from his mouth. “Nick, hun, you don’t have to catch up that fast.”

He laughed. “This is how I do it my little Ray of Sunshine.” He put down the second cup as John returned with the first, refilled.

After drinking the third cup, he leaned back against her.

“Wanna dance?” he asked as “Reflection” came on.

“Of course I do.” she said as he pulled her to her feet.

They found a spot on the living room floor and started to dance. Nick pulled her close and moved his hands up and down her back.

“I am so gone Nicky.” she laughed.

“Me too sweetness. I think everyone is.”

“Did they tell you what we did? The three of us had a little drinking contest to see who wine could more drink for longer.”

“What?” he asked laughing at her.

“You know.”

“Come on.” he said pulling her to the kitchen as the song ended.

He went to the counter and poured her a glass of wine, and got himself a glass of watermelon pucker. They sat next to each other and talked as they drank. Two drinks and a lot of senseless babbling later, he decided they had had enough to drink. He took Rayanne’s glass from her and set them both in the sink. They walked hand in hand into the living room.

*No one ever said that love was gonna be easy, gotta take the ups and downs, the in-betweens...* He pulled her down on his lap watching AJ, Amanda, John, Anna, Andy and Catie dance. He wrapped his arms around her as she leaned her head back against his chest.

“Not much of a party huh?” he laughed and kissed her cheek. “Everyone got drunk too fast!”

“I’m having fun.”

“Good. Me too. I know how we could have more fun.”

“Company, remember?” she giggled.

*Never listen to the lies and jealousy....hang on to this good thing we’ve found* he sang into her ear.

“How do you know the words to this?” she turned around to face him, puzzled.

“Ray, you’ve only played it three billion times since you got it yesterday.”

“Let’s dance.” she pulled him to his feet.

They danced the rest of Love Will Find A Way. When the last song of the CD came on, Nick wrapped one arm around Rayanne’s waist.

“Come here sexy.” he said softly looking her in the eye.

She tried not to laugh at how drunk he was. “For you...anything.” she whispered back as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

”Can you hear it in my voice, was it something I let slip? Does the whole world know...isn’t it obvious?” she sang softly so only he could hear her.

”I’m the one who’s in control, now I’m acting like a fool. Do my feelings show? Is my face aglow? Isn’t it obvious?” he sang back to her.

He pulled her closer and she felt his lips touching hers, softly. She slipped her tongue past his lips, caressing his neck with her hands as she felt his hands making their way from the small of her back up to her neck and around to her face and back down.

She pulled away and put her lips to his ear. ”Suddenly these emotions are in control of my heart, can you see it in my eyes? Every glance, every smile must give me away and I feel so much I can’t hide”.

She kissed his ear softly, feeling his breath on hers. She pulled her head back to look him in the eye. She leaned in for a kiss first this time as he brought his hands up to her face, caressing her cheek. He ran his hands down her arms and took her hands in his. Without a word, he pulled his lips away from hers and let one hand drop away. Still holding one hand, he led her down the hallway to his bedroom.