After the club closed Tony drove them all back to Brianna’s place. He having only one drink was the safest to drive. Once there Brianna pulled out the sofa bed and made it up with fresh sheets for Tony before disappearing into the bathroom to take a shower.

“Tony, she seem okay to you?” Nick asked once he heard the water start.

“Yeah man, just fine. Looks like she’s made some good friends here. You need to stop worrying about her so much.” Tony kicked off his shoes and laid down flipping the TV on with the remote.

“I know, I’ve just never seen her like that before.” Nick sat down in one of the chairs staring blankly at the TV. “I hate late-night TV.”

“I know. Maybe there’s a movie on somewhere.” They talked for a little while about the stupid shows they came across while flipping channels.

“Dude, you think she’s okay? She’s been in there like forever.”

“Nick you’re just worried about having to take a cold shower, that’s all.” Tony teased. “You take long showers too sometimes.”

“I’m gonna check anyway.” Getting up he knocked on the bathroom door. “Bree, hey you okay in there? You’re not sick are you?” He didn’t think she had much to drink, but he wasn’t absolutely sure. After all she had been at the club for a little while before he had arrived. He heard the water turn off and a minute later the door cracked a little.

“Sorry, just felt good standing under there. Um, I guess you want to shower too. There should still be some hot water, not sure how much." She was standing with the towel wrapped around her still dripping wet. “I’ll be out in a sec, okay?”

“Yup. I was just a little worried, that’s all.” Going back to the living room he grabbed his backpack and started pulling stuff out.

“Nick, I know you’re not doing that here.” Tony said staring at him.

“Do what?” He didn’t have a clue.

“Man, take that thing to the bedroom or else all your stuff will end up between here and there. This isn’t a hotel or on tour where people automatically pick up behind you.” Tony teased.

“You know what, screw you man.” But, Nick started stuffing his stuff back in his backpack anyway, which caused Tony to laugh.

“Who’s getting screwed?” Brianna asked as she walked into the room causing both Tony and Nick to snap their heads up.

Nick was dumbstruck. Tony answered, “No one that I know of right now.” Nick threw a balled up T-shirt at Tony and it landed on his head. Pulling if off and throwing it back at Nick he continued, “Anyway, I was just telling Nick to take that thing in the room before he gets his stuff all over the place.”

Brianna leaned over and kissed Tony on the cheek. “And he actually listened, I’m impressed.”

“Hey, I come all the way here to surprise you and you’re gonna pick on me. Is that how it’s gonna be?”

“Nick, don’t pout, honey.” She walked to him and hugged him before continuing. “We only tease ya because we love ya.”

“Well, don’t love me so damn much then.” That caused both Tony and Brianna to laugh.

“Aww, honey. Go take a shower it’ll help you feel better.” She gave him another squeeze before walking to the kitchen to fix a glass of soda.

“So,” Tony began with a big smile on his face. “Should I keep the TV turned on all night or what?” Nick smacked Tony on the back of the head. “What was that for?”

“I told you already.”

“Oh, we’re not back to this again. Nick, I’ve seen you two together. I KNOW it’s more than just friendship. You don’t have to pretend with me. Besides not only have I seen the way you were watching her tonight, I also saw the way she’s been with you, as well. What’s the big deal?”

Nick was trying to keep his voice down. “It’s really not like that. Okay? It’s just, well, you know.”

“No, I don’t know. Why don’t you enlighten me.”

“Damn it Tony. We’re not, I mean, we haven’t, well, it’s just that she’s still..” Nick took a deep breath and blew it out slowly shaking his head. How do I say this?

“You’re kidding!” Tony completely understood now. “No friggin’ way! She’s never slept with anyone yet?”

“Shush! She’ll hear you!”

“I’ll hear what? You two talking about me behind my back?” Bree asked walking up behind Nick, hugging him, and kissing him on the back.

Nick turned to face her. When he looked down at her, though, he couldn’t think of a word to say.

Tony spoke up. “Nick and I were just talking about how you looked tonight, that’s all. About how much you’ve, um, grown up.”

“Oh, I’ve grown up?” She wasn’t buying it, but it didn’t matter. “Go take your shower and then come be my snuggle bunny. I missed you.” Nick gave her a lopsided grin at the nickname, but it disappeared quickly when she stood on her toes and kissed him. He even forgot for a second that Tony was there and let himself be drawn into the kiss. But as quickly as she started she pulled away. Smiling as she walked away she said, “I’ll be in bed.”

After she left the room Nick heard Tony snicker, “I guess you’ll be needing that cold shower after all.” Nick flipped him off and walked away without a word.

<~ Chapter 39 or Chapter 41 ~>

In the End

Karina 2003