“That’s my girl. Remember, we used to be quite the pair back in the day. Come on, we can’t sit out here forever. They will start to wonder.” Evie stated as she was getting out of the car.

So, resigning herself to facing Nick again and determined to enjoy herself Kristyne followed Evie out of the car and up to the front door.

But it wasn’t Nick who opened the door. “Can I help you?” The stranger asked looking over his sunglasses.

“Yeah, is Nick here?” Evie asked. Always direct.

“Who wants to know?” AJ just knew these were a couple of fans who figured out Nick was in town for a few days. God, would they ever leave them alone for even a little bit?

“Hey Bone! Who’s there?” Nick called from somewhere in the house.

“Nick, its Evie…and Kristyne” Evie shouted, stressing the Kristyne. They could hear feet shuffling in the house moving closer to the door.

“Hey! You made it. AJ, you remember the paramedic from last night? The one I rode with to the hospital? This is Kristyne and her friend Evie. Girls, this is my, umm, friend AJ.”

AJ took both their hands and kissed them gently. “Nice to meet you ladies. Boy, if you worked last night, you must be as tired as we are.” There was laughter in his voice. ‘Man, only Nick would have the balls to invite her to the party after the night they had.’ Stepping to the side, “Well, come on in. Actually, you guys are the first here. The rest of the fellas are on their way over from Orlando now as we speak.”

Kristyne smiled briefly at both AJ and Nick before returning her gaze to the floor. She felt so small, so out of place, and so very scared.

“Wow, Nick, this is a great place!” Evie, always the bold one stated as she walked in the house. Kristyne followed on her heels. “What a view of the water. Look, Kris! You’ll LOVE this.”

When Kristyne looked up her breath caught in her throat. It was a spectacular view. She could only imagine living on the water like this. She’d never watch TV, hell she’d probably never want to leave the house. The far wall of the living room was floor to ceiling windows looking out over a pool and just beyond the waves crashed in the background. “Beautiful,” she whispered.

“Yeah, I always love it here,” Nick spoke quietly to her over her shoulder. “Come on, I’ll show you girls around.”

“Nick, I’ll be in the kitchen getting stuff ready. I’ll meet you outside to get the grill ready.”

“No problem, Bone.”

“Bone? You call him Bone?” Evie giggled.

“Yeah” Nick said sheepishly rubbing the back of his head. “That’s one of his nicknames.” When he looked at Kristyne she was smiling. “Its good to see you smile.” She immediately looked away.

‘Oh, Kristyne, grow up! Stop the bashful act already!’ Kristyne admonished herself. She made a promise to herself to loosen up and try to be more relaxed like Evie for once. Nick took them around the first floor showing them where they could put their bags, where the bathrooms were, the game room, and they finally found AJ in the kitchen.

“Hey, can I help?” Kristyne finally found her voice. Here was someplace she felt comfortable in. “Let me give you a hand carrying some of this stuff. How many people are coming to have all this food? Goodness, are you planning on feeding an Army?”

“Nah, just Nicky and Brian.” AJ joked.

“Don’t call me Nicky, ALEX.”

“Hey Nicky!” Someone called from the front door. They all started laughing.

“In here D! Looks like you get to meet everyone else now.” Kristyne watched as the remaining 3 Backstreet Boys walked into the kitchen followed by who she knew to be Leighanne and Kristin, both with their hands full.

“Hi, I’m Kristyne, let me help you with that stuff. Jeez, men, don’t know how to help carry stuff do they?” All the girls laughed as both Kristyne and Evie helped Leighanne and Kristin carry stuff out to the deck.

“Thanks, Kristyne.” Leighanne offered. “I’m Leighanne.”

“And I’m Kristin. You two friends of Nicky and Alex?”

“Yeah, I guess. I met Nick a few months ago and just ran into him last night.” Kristyne offered as an explanation. “This is my best friend Evie.”

“Well, I’m glad you girls are here. I just knew we were going to be drowning in testosterone. I’m glad things will be more balanced.” Leighanne joked.

Kristin piped in, “Yeah, we always need all the help we can get when it come to those guys in there.” All the girls laughed.

“Look Nick, they are already laughing behind our backs. This can’t be good.” AJ joked as he stepped out on the deck.

“Oh, Nicky, are you going to introduce us to the beautiful ladies you have over?” Howie winked as he walked up to take Kristyne’s hand. “I’m Howie, and you would be?”

“Back off D. That’s Kristyne and her friend Evie. Don’t scare them away before they realize how harmless we are.” Nick picked on his friend. “This is Kevin and this Brian. You have already met their wives. Well, I don’t know about all of you, but I am ready to get in the water. Ladies, if you’ll excuse me I’m gonna go change. You guys know where to go.”

Everyone seemed head in different directions and met again shortly back out on the deck. Surprisingly, Kristyne had a great time. Leighanne and Kristin were really nice and joked just as much as Evie did. They spent the early part of the day out on the boat then headed in to start up the grill. The rest of the day and well into the night was spent in and around the pool. They had water fights, chicken fights, played water volleyball, basketball, and even held diving competitions. Nick’s backward bellyflop got the hardest laughter and the loudest groans, of which he was quite proud. All the guys fought to throw each other in, and when they tired of that they went after the girls. After the sun set Nick decided it was time to start a bonfire on the beach, so everyone headed down to the water once again.

<~Chapter 8 or Chapter 10~>

Karina 2003