Back at the house, everyone was sitting around talking. Nick watched TV, a little bored since his Amy wasn't there, yet he managed to entertain himself while Amanda and Brian talked to Amanda's parents. Due to the time and the fact that Howie and I were out, Frack knew that we weren't going to be 'decorating' the band bus that night. As the night grew long and the boy grew tiresome, he decided to retire to the bus. There, he had two dogs, a computer, and nintendo to keep him company. Danielle and Kevin were talking to each other on the wood deck in the backyard, in the light of some kerosene lamps. Things had really died down since D and I had left and everyone was just chillin' in and around the house, relaxing--something they hadn't done since March.
"Come on, let's go down to the lake. Maybe we'll find Steph and Howie D there," Kevin suggested, getting up. Dani got up and the two walked off the deck and towards the lake. It was very dark, and they were guided only by the reflection of the moon on the water. Kevin grabbed Danielle's hand and held on to it as they made their way to the lake. When they got to the water's edge, it was so dark they couldn't see anything except for the moon and stars' reflections.
"Kev, we shouldn't be down here. It's too dark. It's creepy. I feel like someone's going to jump out at me," Dani shivered. Kevin let go of her hand and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling Danielle into him.
"Don't worry. I'm here. I'll protect ya," he lightheartedly joked. Dani laughed softly, feeling so safe in his arms. She rested her head against his chest, while wrapping her arms around his waist. Kevin smiled to himself. This is what he had been wanting for all those months. It felt so right, so comfortable to him. They walked on in silence. The two continued down the lake in the moonlight, until they heard a shocked "HEY!" Danielle and Kevin stopped and he put his arms around her in protection....just in case.
"Kevin! Over here!" Howie called. Kevin's now adjusted eyes found the two of us on the bank a little further ahead of them. Kevin let go of Dani and the two of them walked over to us.
"How long have you guys been out here?" Danielle asked.
"Geez, I don't know. Maybe a few hours," I thought. She looked down on us, me wrapped up in Howie's tight arms as I leaned up against him on the ground. She smiled, enjoying seeing us that way.
"Great night isn't it?" Kevin noted.
"Beautiful night. You can hear the crickets if you wait long enough," Howie pointed out. There was a pause of silence as we listened for the insects' music to play. It didn't.
"Well, we better continue on our way, leave you two to yourselves," Kevin replied, wrapping his arm around Dani once again.
"Goodnight!" I cried as they made their way down the bank. Danielle rewrapped her arms around Kevin's waist. He was so warm next to her, on this breezy night. Kevin looked down at her and kissed the top of her head. Without him seeing it, she smiled to herself, loving every minute of it.
"Gilli and Howie make a great couple don't they?" Dani started up again.
"Mmm hmm," Kevin agreed.
"I don't know what I'd do if they broke up. I don't know how they could break up. They're so perfect for each other," she continued. Kev chuckled a little. "What?!"
"Nothin," he said in almost a whisper. Danielle grinned to herself again. She couldn't believe how lucky she was to have such the perfect man right there, with her, wanting to BE with her. They saw a dock and walked onto it. They strolled to the end, then sat there, over the lake, watching the water move in rhythmic motions as the wind blew over it. Dani was nearly ready to fall asleep in Kevin's arms as they sat there, watching the lake and the reflection of the stars. It was a gorgeous night and the dull lake had magically turned into such a romantic place.
"Well dear, we're off to bed. Make sure you turn everything off and lock up the house before you go to bed. It was great meeting you Brian. No one else has made our daughter this happy before," Mr. Gage replied before he and his wife made their way up the stairs. Amanda and Brian said goodnight to her parents and watched as they disappeared up the stairs.
"Let's go out to the lake. I can take you to my favorite place," Amanda suggested. Brian couldn't turn down the offer. It seemed as if the lake was the place to be at night. The two walked out of the house and through the thick trees to the lake. They walked blindly as they waited for their eyes to adjust to the sudden darkness. The two strolled along the beachside, watching the water and listening to the rustling of the trees as the wind blew through them. Amanda was so comfortable here, it was like a second home to her. All the nights she spent with friends out there came back as the two walked along the lake. Each had an arm wrapped around each other as they strolled, taking the same path Howie and I and Kevin and Danielle had taken. It was not long before they came across me and D.
"Look at them. So comfortable. You'd swear they had been going out all this time," Brian muttered as he looked down on us. Howie was on his back, his right arm wrapped around me. I was asleep on my side, my hand on his stomach. Amanda patted Brian's chest.
"Come on, let's go. Leave the two love birds alone," she replied. Brian lightheardly chuckled and they continued on their way. It was not long before they got to the dock, where they spotted two figures at the end, huddled close together. Curious as to who it was, Amanda and Brian made their way across it. Recognizing his cousin, Brian lightly called his name. Kevin gently turned around and put his finger to his lips, indicating that Danielle had fallen asleep. They waved goodbye and left him alone with Dani, who was asleep against him. It was around 11:45 in the night. Soon, though, the two reached Amanda's spot. It was a little cove on the other side of the lake. A makeshift lean-to was standing up at the edge of the sand, a worn blanket placed underneath it.
"Everyone goes here. We all keep it together and fix it up or make repairs when they're needed. It's a great little place for people to go and do things like homework or hang out. I grew up with this as a my sanctuary," Amanda explained. Brian took her hand and led her over to the lean-to and sat down on the blanket. As soon as Amanda sat down, he let his hand guide its way to her neck as he began to kiss her.
The next morning, Amanda woke up in her own bed. Brian had staked out the couch in the living room and fallen asleep on it. He arose to the sound of a whistling kettle. The boy opened his eyes and squinted to see a robed Mrs. Gage in the kitchen, removing the kettle from the stove. She heard Brian's yawn and turned around.
"Well hello Brian! I didn't know you were asleep on the couch! I'm sorry if I woke you up," she apologized.
"Oh no that's okay," Brian smiled warmly at her.
"Would you like some coffee?" Mrs. Gage offered. He said he did, so Amanda's mother quickly made two cups and brought them over to the living room, where Brian was, and set them on the coffee table. "You and Amanda were out late last night, weren't you?" Brian blushed.
"Yeah. The lake is so beautiful at night," he softly replied, taking a sip of the hot coffee. It smelled good, helping to wake him up some. He cupped the mug in his hands, keeping him warm in the airy room.
"You and Amanda get along great. She really loves you," Mrs. Gage continued. Brian's face brightened again. "How do you manage to stay together with her, being so busy all the time?"
"She has been coming with us on the bus since the tour started. Two months ago, we were in Lexington and she was able to meet my family. They really like her," Brian explained. Mrs. Gage leaned back in her chair, cupping the coffee mug in her hands as she comfortably crossed her left leg over her right and rested her elbows on the arm rests.
"Please, tell me about your family," she urged.
"Well, I have a brother, Harold, who is three years older than me. We get along great. My dad and mom are both very caring people. They have supported me and watched over me since I was born. They consider me their miracle, because I wasn't supposed to live this long," he told her.
"What?! Amanda never told me this," Mrs. Gage cried.
"Well I had heart problems when I was a baby and I wasn't supposed to be able to do anything active. But I guess their prayers really saved me because I picked up a basketball when I was little and have been doing fine until a few years ago, when the doctors found that my heart had enlarged and had two holes in it. So I had surgery and now I'm doing just fine. When I was in...I think it was first grade...I was held back because I was always missing out on school due to my health," he confided in this kind, motherly woman.
"Really? That is so interesting! Amanda had a similar problem when she was a baby as well," she surprised Brian.
"Really? She never told me that," Brian replied. "But I guess that's because she didn't know about my problems."
"Yeah. She was held back like you, because she had bronchial problems. And she had to have surgery on her heart when she was a baby. We haven't had any problems since, which is a blessing. We consider her our miracle baby too," Mrs. Gage enlightened Brian. He smiled. They had so many similarities. "Oh good morning darling!" Amanda had walked down the stairs.
"Hey mom. Hey babe. What are you guys talking about?" Amanda wanted to know, making her way over to the couch.
"Oh nothing. I should go wake your father up and get dressed before everyone else comes in. Nice talking to you Brian!" Amanda's mother called as she got up and placed her cup in the kitchen. As she walked past her daughter, she whispered, "I like him." Amanda giggled and blushed as she walked to the couch and sat down beside Brian. Once next to him, she wrapped her hands around his arm and rested her sleepy head on his shoulder.
"Get a good night's sleep?" she asked. Brian kissed her forehead.
"Yeah. Great. Your mother and I had a great conversation. She reminds me a lot of you," he told his girlfriend.
"That's what a lot of people say," Amanda told him. Just then, they heard the glass door sliding open. Howie walked in, his hand in mine.
"Morning you two!" he cheerfully greeted us. I waved to them, sleepily.
"Did you guys sleep out at the lake all night?" Brian asked.
"Yeah I guess so," I told him.
"We saw you two asleep as we walked along, but we didn't know you'd spend the whole night like that," he replied. We lightly laughed.
"The sand is nice to sleep on," I lightheartedly joked.
"Whoa you guys are gettin a little serious, eh?" Brock remarked. I blushed. I never really thought it to be anything out of the ordinary. We always did things like that, it was just that now, the relationship between us was a lot different. As if timing couldn't have been more perfect, Dani and Kevin broke the tension as they walked in through the front door. We all shouted hello to them, then Amanda walked over to the kitchen.
"Who wants pancakes?" she wanted to know.
"I do!" Dani answered.
"I do!" echoed Brian.
"Who wants Trident? I do I do! Who? ME!!!" I burst out. Everyone turned to look at me, their brows wrinkled.
"The stuff that comes out of her mouth. Really makes ya wonder..." Dani sighed. Howie reached for a pillow and smothered my face with it. I laughed, grabbing it and moving it away.
"Hey Steph. Do us all a big favor and go back to the planet you came from," Brian told me.
"HEY!!!" I exclaimed.
"Okay I'm makin pancakes," Amanda announced.
"Manda, you got a stereo system?" I asked. She pointed out where it was and I walked over to turn it on. I flicked through the stations until I found "Genie In A Bottle." Immediately, I began to lip the words, dancing. I danced my way over to Howie D and began to lip synch to him. He rolled his eyes, totally use to it. That boy had alway been forced to be an audience to my lip synching and dancing. All of my life. I danced around, lipping words, until the song ended.
"Somebody lock her up," Kevin muttered, covering his mouth with his hand as if he didn't want me to hear.
"Oh Big Brother. Are you embarrassed by me?" I cried, standing in front of him with my hands on my hips. Kevin looked up at me, furrowing his brows. I laughed. "Hey what did you two end up doing last night?"
"Sitting out on the dock. Dani fell asleep and I had to wake her up so we could go back to the bus," Kevin explained.
"What did you do while she was sleeping?" I wanted to know.
"Thought about stuff. Watched the water and listened to the crickets. It reminded me of Dad's camp. Really peaceful. Might go back tonight, if Dani doesn't mind," he answered.
"I don't mind at all. I love that place," she spoke up. Kev smiled at her, putting his arm around her shoulders and pulling her into him. She leaned into her boyfriend and put her head on his shoulder. They looked so comfortable together.
"Pancakes are done!" Amanda called from the kitchen. At the small table sat a plate stacked tall with pancakes that smelled delicious. Ten plates sat on the table, along with ten forks, ten knives, a bunch of napkins, some butter, and some maple syrup. We all took our share of Manda's pancakes and sat back in the living room, eating them. Her parents came in and joined us, and Brian ran out and invited Jeff and Nick to come and eat.
Nick had been moping. It was kind of obvious. I could read it in his eyes.
"Has he talked to Amy yet?" I whispered to Manda. She shook her head no. "Has Brian suggested he do something for her birthday this weekend?" She shook her head again.
"Have him do it! Her birthday is...today actually. If he doesn't do it now, he'll never do it. Believe me. He'll just chicken out." She nodded and, as soon as they were done eating, pulled Brian aside to talk to him.
"So what are you guys up to today?" Mrs. Gage asked us.
"The dancers all have rehearsal, but we're just hanging out. We might have Amanda take us around town," Kevin told them. "Only if she wants to, of course."
"A trip around town? Oh TOTALLY!" Amanda blurted out from where she was talking to Brian.
"Which reminds me--Manda could you drive me and Dani to the hotel? Then we'll ride with the rest of the girls to the arena," I asked.
"Oh yeah sure! No problem!" she walked back over to where we were, then added, "When do we leave?"
"Lemme take a shower first, then we can go," I replied.
"Yeah, I gotta get my stuff too," Dani added. We put our empty plates in the sink and began to head out the front door.
"Steph you can use my shower if you want," Amanda offered. I thanked her, then left the house.
"So did you and Kevin have a good time last night?" I wanted to know as soon as the door shut behind us.
"Oh a great time Gilli. He's really the best," she told me.
"I know! The boy is finally growing up!" I cried, then laughed.
"What?!"
"Oh you really missed some great moments. I've seen those boys all drunk. Me and Nicky got tortured. Brian. Howie. Kevin. AJ. Seen all of them be drunk at least once. It's hilarious too. AJ starts stripping. Kevin sings. Howie tries to dance. Brian attempts to make jokes but he can't. Well, that's what they did when I saw them. Nick's been drunk before, but I don't think I've experienced that because he'd do it with his friends. One time, Kevin and I had a conversation about jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge and nearly made Brian throw up," I confided in her. Danielle looked at me and giggled.
"You're kidding me!?!" she said.
"Once Howie found a Frankenstein outfit that Kevin had for Halloween and tried to steal the platform shoes. He said it would make him tall enough to be AJ's height. Brian said if he did that he'd look like a Spice Girl," I tried to tell Dani without laughing between every word. We were now in the bus, cracking up. We grabbed our things and walked back to the house, where I took a shower. When I was done, Amanda took us to the studio, where we stayed for a good three hours.
That day, while Amanda, Brian, Kevin, and Howie went out on the town, Nick made a trip over to Amy's. On the way over, he and Mrs. Gage stopped by a floral shop, where he bought a wildflower bouquet, something different from typical roses that also had more color and life to it. Then, he stopped by a gift shop in the hotel and bought a stuffed dolphin. Then, he called up AJ and had him come down so that Nick could get up on the top floor to see Amy.
"Hey pal, got a little apologizing to do?" J asked when the elevator doors opened and Nick walked into it.
"Yeah tell me about it. Hey it's been kinda quiet without you on the bus with us," he replied.
"Really? Didn't think you guys would miss me too much," Bone laughed.
"Well it's not so much us. It's more Manda and Gilli and Dani," Nick clarified.
"Hoh really? HAHA!" J cried, laughing harder. There was a ding as they hit the top, restricted floor, and the doors slid open.
"Yo Nicky!" Louie called as he passed by. Nick waved to the band member as they walked down the hall. They passed open doors and closed doors, until they got to the destined one.
"Emily is with Mindi and me, and I think Amy is watching a movie. But she's all alone in there. We threw her a big surprise party this morning. Hey man, good luck," AJ informed Nick. He patted him on the back, then walked into another room, as Nick knocked on the door. It opened and Amy stood there. Her face flushed as she saw her somewhat-ex-boyfriend standing there with his hands behind his back and a big sunflower peaking out past his shoulder.
She tried not to smile, but answered, "yes?"
"Happy birthday Amy," Nick muttered, looking into her eyes with his baby blues. She let the smile break across her face as she told him thank you.
"Do you want to come in?" Amy asked politely, stepping aside for Nick to walk in. He did. Amy shut the door behind him, then turned around to see a complete bouquet of wildflowers and a stuffed dolphin in Nick's hands. She took them and thanked him again.
"Well, sit down!" He sat down on the other bed, beside hers and watched her careful, awkward movements as she did the same. He could tell she was just as uncomfortable in his presence as he was in hers.
"Amy. I am sooo sorry for what I've done. I don't know why I got so infatuated with talking about Lisa. I like her for a friend. I really do. Nothing more. No one could ever take your place in my life. I don't want your birthday to go out without at least sharing some of it with me. I love you and I don't want you to leave the tour. Lisa is a good friend of mine. And I admit that I miss her because I also miss playing basketball. And baby, it doesn't matter to me if you don't play and she does. Cuz in the end, I think it's better for us if we have our separate lives to some point, but at the end of the day, we can come back to each other and be here for each other," Nick tried out his well-rehearsed-in-the-head speech. Amy smiled at him again. Only this time, it was a bigger, more genuine one. She couldn't understand why she had gotten so mad at him over such a petty thing in the first place.
"Nick, I don't know why I was so jealous of Lisa. I guess because you two have a relationship that I could never share with you. I mean, she and you are friends on the court. I can't play basketball even if I tried. It was a stupid thing, and I don't know why I got so mad at you. So yes. I will forgive you," Amy decided. She hardly even got a chance to finish what she was saying before Nick had his lips against hers in a kiss.
The four town cruisers came back to the house with their arms loaded. Everything from clothes to briquettes were bought, as they hopped from store to store to store. That night there was going to be a big barbeque, with the band, the dancers, and the boys. We also had a little surprise for Amy. The bus brought me and Danielle back to the house, so we could get ready.
"Hey guys! How was the town?" Dani called through the house as we walked through the front door.
"Hey hun. It was great. We ended up going to Mall of America too," Kevin said, making his way to Danielle and giving her a kiss.
"Bought ya something, Steph," D announced.
"Really?" I asked, bashfully. "Well you can show me after I go change and hang out with the dog."
"Steph, bring the dogs in here! Mom and Dad won't mind a couple of chihuahuas!" Amanda cried. I said okay, then left the house to get changed into fresh clothes. When I reentered, a few decorations were up and everyone was preparing for the barbeque. I let the two chihuahuas down and they started off on an exploration of the house. I spotted Howie and walked up behind him, then rested my elbow on his shoulder.
"So, what'dja buy me?" I asked, almost startling the poor boy. Howie turned his head to look at me and said hi quickly.
"It's over there in the bag," he told me, nodding his head in the direction of the couch. I bounded over to the couch, my low pigtails bouncing freely, where I grabbed the bag and made my way back to my boyfriend.
Once I was next to him again, I took the hat out of the bag and looked at it. I gasped. I threw my arms around his neck. Howie, a little surprised, put his hands lightly on my waist as I hugged him, laughing a little.
"What is it?" Dani asked with curiosity.
"It's a black cap that says Dance is Life on the front in white and Dancer Girl in white around the hole in the back!" I exclaimed. Amanda walked over and looked at it.
"Oh my gosh Steph that is such a cute hat!" she cried.
"Isn't it?!" I replied. "The best thing about this boy is that he knows me inside and out so I know that whatever he buys me, I will like it!" Amanda and Danielle laughed.
"How come nobody makes jokes about them getting married..." Brian pouted. Kevin looked over at him and laughed.
"I hate to ruin your conversation, but when are the rest of the party coming over?" Mr. Gage interrupted us.
"Good question..." Howie sighed.
"I'll call them up," Kevin announced, grabbing the phone. Then he stopped. "Do you mind if I use this?" Enjoying his wonderful manners, Amanda's mom said she didn't. After making a few phone calls, Kev told us that they were on their way.
Ten minutes later, the doorbell rang. Amanda ran to answer it and we heard a loud
"HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYY!!!" Every band member, dancer, and bodyguard was crowded together on the front porch, waiting to be let in.
"Sure is great to see you again Manda!" AJ replied, shaking her hand as he walked past. All our friends spilled through the front door, saying hello to us and the barking dogs. Mr. and Mrs. Gage watched on with shocked faces. They were beginning to wonder what they had just gotten themselves into. Amanda saw her parents and, using her oh so strong, loud voice (cheerleading did help in that aspect! Haha!), yelled "OKAY! EVERYBODY BE QUIET!!!" This shut us all up as we looked at her. "I want you guys to meet my mom and dad. Mom, Dad, these guys are our dancers, bodyguards, and band members. That's AJ, Louie, Tae, Nick, Amy, Emily, Mindi, Angie, Tommy, Bubba, Shivani, Reggie, Swoop, Q, Dennis, Marc, Sleepy, Kristin, Tom, Marcus, Ro Ro, Guy, Mike, Emo and...where's Nef?"
"RIGHT HERE!" Nef cried from the depths of the pit of people, waving her right hand frantically.
"And that's Nef," Amanda finished introductions.
"Oh forget it! Welcome everyone to our house! Dinner will be ready in about an hour!" Mrs. Gage called, throwing her hands up in the air. We all laughed and all the newcomers began to get comfortable, admiring the house and exploring it. I turned on the music to the station I had left it on that morning. Some random song, I think it was LFO's "Summer Girls," was on. I left it on and walked over to talk to Mindi and Emo. The party was huge, with 33 people in the house and spilling into the backyard. Mr. Gage turned on the outside speakers and the music could be enjoyed by those inside and outside. A few songs later, "I Want It That Way" showed up on the dial. As if planned, every single person on the Gage property (except for Amanda's dad) began to sing the song. We all danced around, singing every word.
"YOU ARE...MY FIRE...THE ONE...DESIRE...BELIEVE...WHEN I SAY...I WANT IT THAT WAY...BUT WE...ARE TWO WORLDS APART...AND REACH TO YOUR HEART...WHEN YOU SAY...THAT I WANT IT THAT WAY...TELL ME WHY...AIN'T NOTHIN BUT A HEARTACHE...TELL ME WHY...AIN'T NOTHIN BUT A MISTAKE...TELL ME WHY...I NEVER WANNA HEAR YOU SAY...I WANT IT THAT WAY...AM I...YOUR FIRE...YOUR ONE...DESIRE...YES I KNOW....IT'S TOO OOO LATE...BUT I WANT IT THAT WAY...TELL ME WHY...AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT A HEARTACHE...TEEELLLL ME WHY...AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT A MISTAKE...TELL ME WHY...I NEVER WANNA HEAR YOU SAY...I WANT IT THAT WAY...NOW I CAN SEE THAT WE'VE FALLEN APART...FROM THE WAY THAT IT USED TO BE...YEE-AAHH...NO MATTER THE DISTANCE, I WANT YOU TO KNOW...THAT DEEP DOWN INSIDE OF MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE...YOU ARE...MY FIRE...THE ONE...DEEESIRE...YOU ARE...YOU ARE...YOU ARE...YOU AAAARRRREEEE...DON'T WANNA HEAR YOU SAAAAAAYYYYY...AIN'T NOTHIN BUT A HEARTACHE...AIN'T NOTHIN BUT A MISTAKE...I WANNA HEAR YOU SAY/I NEVER WANNA HEAR YOU SAY...AW YEAH...I WANT IT THAT WAY...TELL ME WHY...AIN'T NOTHIN BUT A HEARTACHE...TEEELLL ME WHY...AIN'T NOTHIN BUT A MISTAKE...TELL ME WHY..I NEVER WANNA HEAR YOU SAY/I WANNA HEAR YOU SAY/I WANT IT THAT WAY...TELL ME WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY/AIN'T NOTHIN BUT A HEARTACHE...AIN'T NOTHIN BUT A MISTAKE...TELL ME WHY...I NEVER WANNA HEAR YOU SAY...I WANT IT THAT WAY...CUZ I WANT IT...THAAAATTTT WAY..." we all practically yelled. Everyone was dancing with each other, goofing off, having fun. Something that rarely ever got to happen between our entire crew. Most of the time, our big security guards were stuck peeling girls off the boys or standing guard over everything. The band was always rehearsing. The guy dancers always did their own thing. The girl dancers I only saw during practices. When the song ended, we all went back to what we were doing, occasionally laughing at what had just happened. I noticed that, behind the stairs, towards the back of the house, Danielle and Kevin were talking. I guessed he was giving her something because there was a shopping bag in his hand.
Dani looked up at her boyfriend standing in front of her with such love in her eyes. For so long she wanted his arms around her and now there he was. Everything just seemed so surreal to her as he placed himself next to her by the stairs.
"Hi Kev...have fun shopping?" Kev looked at her placing his hand in the bag.
"Yeah I did. I got something for you," Kevin softly replied as he took out a small box wrapped in black paper. Danielle didn't know what to say as she looked in the box. Inside was a ring. But not just any ring...it was Kevin's ring.
"Kev this is your ring..." Dani said as she was cut off by Kevin taking it out of her hands.
"I know but I want you to have it. It's been a part of me for so long and I want the same with you." Kev took her hand in his as he placed the ring through the chain he had bought for her. Danielle wasn't sure how to react to Kevin being so sweet. She never asked him for anything and with this gesture she was about to let tears fall from her face. "Look inside the ring," Kev said, handing the chained silver ring to her. Dani looked inside the ring where there was an inscription which read "I could hold you for a million years to make you feel my love...love Kev." A tear dripped down her face as he latched the chain around her neck.
"I love it Kevin, thank you!" Danielle said as she slightly gave him a kiss and hug as a reward. Kev put his arms around her as well.
"I love you," Kev whispered, letting go of his grip. "Let's go back to the living room. Everyone is probably waiting." The two walked over to the location of the commotion, hand in hand, after their private moment together.
"Hey Amy, happy 20th!" I said as I walked over to her. She, Nick, and Howie were talking.
"Oh thanks Gilli," Amy answered. I moved to stand beside D, who put his arm around my waist.
"What did you do today? And it looks like you and Nicky got things fixed. That's good," I continued, shifting my glances from Amy to Nick and back again. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into him in a tight hug, giving me that insane,jaw-sticking-out, eyes-bulging smile of his. That only made me laugh.
Nick let go of Amy and she replied, "Yeah. We're back together. This morning, everyone in the hotel threw me a big surprise party on the top floor. THAT was fun. Hung out with the band and guys. I had a blast. Then Nick came over and we patched things up. So it's all good now." I smiled. Suddenly, we heard a loud scream and turned towards it. Brian had thrown Nef over his shoulder and was walking around, holding her legs as she clawed at his back.
"B-Rooookkk! What are you doing?" Kevin cried. Brian swung around swiftly, causing Nef to let out a short, shrill shriek, and smiled.
"She was being mean," he answered simply.
"Brian put the dancer down," Louie called. Brock dropped her on the couch, then sat down over her legs. Nef twisted her head around and glared at him, then attempted to kick Brian off her legs. He laughed out loud, then got up and walked away. We all hung out for some time longer, until the hot dogs and hamburgers were ready. Then, as if a fire had broken out in the house, everyone stampeded out to the backyard to get their dinner.
"Good god I'm starving!" AJ exclaimed as soon as he sat down beside Emily on the steps, putting his plate next to him. He stuffed that burger in his mouth and took a huge bite.
"Yeah AJ, that's probaby cuz you haven't eaten anything but McDonalds in like four days," I remarked.
"Soooooo?" he replied back.
It took a half hour before everyone had gotten their food and was eating. Thirty-three people certainly was a lot. We sat out in the backyard, talking and enjoying ourselves. It was one of the first times the entire crew had gotten together for fun. After eating, everyone split up. Kevin and Danielle headed straight for the lake, and were soon followed by Reggie and Kristin, who had pretty much started a relationship after growing on each other. Howie, Brian, Manda, and I cleaned up everything and made sure it was back in the house before the flys got to ALL of it. The Gages were exhausted, so we wouldn't let them do a thing. Band members went off walking, some stayed and talked with dancers. Dancers scattered. Some played with the dogs, some went back to the bus, some talked. The guards sat around playing cards, talking to everyone, or just being goofy. Our guards were so nice. Like big teddy bears.
Brian had been known to jump on them and Howie had them stretch him out before the concert.
What a relaxing weekend in the middle of a tour