The next day, Dani woke up with Angie sitting on the edge of her bed.
“Morning,” Angie said as Dani opened her eyes.
“Hey…” she mumbled sleepily, “Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s not that. I just need to talk to you. And I know how you love to sleep in late.”
Dani smiled, “Yeah. I must have picked it up from hanging out with Kevin so much.”
Angie looked at Dani with a questioning expression.
“No, Angie. Not yet.”
“Oh.”
“So, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?”
“Nick.”
“God, Angie, what did you do to him this time?”
Angie had a way of telling Dani and Lori whatever trick she had most recently played on Nick before someone else told them.
“So what is it?”
“We kissed.”
“So, you told me that last night.”
“No, I told you about the time that Brian dared us to. I never told you about when you and Aaron went to the bathroom.”
“Oh if that’s a- wait a second. You and Nick kissed while Aaron and I were in the bathroom?”
“Yup. It got kinda…what’s the word…steamy.”
“ ‘Steamy?’ Angie, do you have the hots for Nick?”
“No, why would I? He’s a child.”
“He’s 19. That’s old enough. He’s only three years younger than you, Angie.”
“And he’s two years younger than you. Would you date him, Dani?”
“No, but my situation is different. I’m dating Kevin. So even if I wanted to go out with Nick, I couldn’t.”
“I see your point. But he’s still young.”
“You’re such a dork! So, when you say ‘steamy’ what exactly do you mean?”
------LATER------
Kevin met Dani and Aaron for lunch at Souper Salad, their favorite restaurant. At the salad bar, Aaron sprang his plan of attack on Kevin.
“Kev?”
“Yeah?”
“You know the last time we were together, you promised me a favor because I managed to get Nick out of your room so you could sleep?”
“Yeah…”
“I want to collect on that favor, if it’s okay with you.”
“What is it Aaron?”
“I want you to take me and Dani to the movies this afternoon.”
“I’d have to ask Dani if she has plans.”
“She doesn’t. I already asked. She said it was cool with her if it’s okay with you.”
“You sneaky little kid.”
“I learned it from Nick.”
“Figures. All right. We’ll take you to the movies.”
“YES!” Aaron shouted, jumping into the air and knocking a passing waitress down.
“Sorry,” he said, embarrassed.
He helped her off the floor (with some help from Kevin), and apologized again.
“That’s okay. I’m not hurt. I wasn’t looking – Hey! You’re Aaron Carter!”
He was embarrassed that he had been recognized before Kevin.
“Yeah,” he said, being unusually shy, “What’s your name?”
“I’m Janice. Could you do me a big favor?”
“Sure.”
“Could you sign this notebook?”
“Sure.”
“And could you make it to Darcie? She’s my little sister. She got me listening to you.”
“Why don’t I just make one out to each of you?”
“That’d be great, thanks.”
He set down his tray and Kevin grabbed it, taking it to the table.
“Wasn’t that Kevin Richardson?”
“Yeah, but he’s with girlfriend right now. Do you want me to go get him to sign your book?”
“Please. Wait a second. That’s his girlfriend? I thought she was just helping Fatima while she’s sick.”
“Oh you were at the concert last night?”
“Yeah. I wouldn’t miss you for the world. You’re so awesome.”
He blushed and walked over to the table. Kevin signed the book and waved to Janice.
“So, Angie and Nick shared a ‘steamy’ kiss after the concert last night?”
“Yep. She’s pretty sure that Nick will tell Brian, which means he’ll tell Lori. Then she’ll tell me and I’ll tell you and then it’ll be all over the news…”
Kevin laughed, “So are they gonna tell everyone?”
“I don’t know. I guess so.”
“I understand. But Angie and Nick, wow. It’s hard to imagine them together.”
“Yeah, but I guess they are, I don’t know. They haven’t said anything to me.”
Aaron walked back over to the table and Dani and Kev dropped the subject.
------DURING THE LUNCH------
Lori stared at Angie in amazement.
“You did WHAT?”
Angie had just recounted the details of last night to her.
“It didn’t mean anything Lori. We’re still just friends.”
“ ‘Just friends?’ Honey, from what you just told me, you like him a LOT more than ‘just a friend.’ “
“Shut up Lori, just shut up.”
------MEANWHILE, IN BRIAN’S HOTEL ROOM------
“Damn, Nick!”
“What?”
" ‘What?’ “ Brian imitated Nick, “From what you just told me, you and Angie almost got busy.”
“No, we didn’t. We just kissed. Why do you always gotta be so perverted, Brian?”
“Me, perverted? No way.”
Nick laughed, “That’s why you’re always talking about sex and thinking someone got busy.”
Brian blushed. He had to admit that he did talk about sex a lot, but not enough to be a perv!
Just before the movie started, Dani pulled out Kevin’s cell phone and called Angie.
“Hello?”
“Hey. Have you talked to Nick yet?”
“Nah. He’s talking to Brian right now. And I’m talking to Lori. I don’t figure that we’ll talk for the next two hours or so.”
“Don’t avoid him.”
“Who’s avoiding anyone? I’m just saying that we haven’t had a lot of time to talk to each other.”
“Yeah right. Anyway, after the movie, Aaron, Kev and I are all gonna go to the mall and shop.”
“What, does Kevin need more hair stuff?”
“Ha ha, very funny. No, it’s not Kevin. Aaron wants new shoes.”
“Figures. Okay well, have fun.”
“We will. Bye.”
Angie hung up the phone, dreading to talk to Nick. She’d have to try and explain that she wasn’t interested without looking into his beautiful blue eyes and melting.
With a heavy sigh, she walked out the door to end whatever it was that was going on between her and Nick.
------MEANWHILE IN BRIAN'S HOTEL ROOM------
“Nick, come on. Admit it! You’ve got the hots for Angie.”
Brian was trying to goad Nick into admitting that he liked Angie.
“I already know the answer. So spill it!”
“ALL RIGHT! I LIKE HER! NOW DROP IT!”
Brian clamped his mouth shut but kept a victorious smile plastered on his face.
“Wipe that goofy grin off your face before I knock it off you.”
“You’re welcome to try.”
Nick attacked Brian, leaping at him from his spot on the head of Brian’s bed. They toppled off the side, sending both guys crashing to the floor. They wrestled a bit and Brian managed to pin Nick on the ground and into a headlock.
“I said, ‘You’re welcome to try.’ Not ‘Please rip my head off.’ What are you trying to do, kill me?”
“No, just maim you a little.”
“You little shit head,” Brian said, releasing Nick from the painful lock, “So when are you gonna tell her?”
Nick stared off into space for a minute and finally turned to Brian.
“I honestly don’t know.”
Angie walked past Nick’s room and walked straight to Brian’s door. She knocked quietly and waited for one of the two guys to answer.
“Who is it?” Brian called.
“Angie.”
She heard them whispering and Brian’s sudden cry of pain. Nick must have hit him. They’re always wrestling.
The door swung open and Brian walked out, grinning.
“I gotta go find Lori.”
“Later,” she said, closing the door behind her.
“Nick, we need to talk....”
Chapter 4