"Hello. I'm home," called Kassidy as she entered the condo.

"I'm in here," directed Grace from the piano she had borrowed from the Boys.

Kassidy dropped her briefcase and walked in the room asking, "So you writing a new song?"

"Yeah. I've had this idea in my head for a few days. Do you mind listening and telling me what you think?"

"Sure."

Kassidy listened to her young friend pour her heart into the song. There was no mistaking the song was about AJ. Grace had been moping since he left two days before for Florida. He was going to see his girlfriend, Melody. Things had not been going well with them. They weren't fighting, but Melody was using her work on the TV show as an excuse to pull away from AJ. The other guys were still in Nashville working on the album. They told AJ to take care of things so he could concentrate. They had two weeks to finish the album, because that's when rehearsals for the next tour were beginning. AJ was scheduled to return in three days, because Max Martin was flying in. Max usually never worked anywhere, but his studio in Stockholm. However, he said he had always wanted to visit Music City. Besides the record company was picking up the tab.

Grace finished the song and turned to Kassidy saying, "Well?"

"I think it's beautiful. Will AJ ever hear it?"

"Doubt it. He is too wrapped up in Melody. Anyway, why wreck a good friendship with my stupid crush?"

"Maybe AJ and Melody won't be together for much longer."

"Then he will be in rebound phase."

"You stay far away from him then."

Grace chuckled and agreed, "Promise."

"What do you want for dinner?"

"I don't care. Nick called just before you got home. He called to talk to you though he would never admit it."

"What makes you say that," asked Kassidy.

"Because he wouldn't ask specifically if you were here. Instead he asked what I was doing and was anything else going on. The general fishing for information."

"Why didn't he just ask?"

"Because he likes you and doesn't want anyone to know," replied Grace in matter of fact tone.

"What," exclaimed Kassidy. "No he doesn't. Why would he like me? I'm too old for him."

"Please you can't tell me you haven't noticed the way he watches you."

"Watches me?"

"Yeah if you are where he can see you, then he's watching you. Did you ever realize the guys always take a break when you come into the studio and Nick is working?"

"Now that you mention it, yes I guess they do. Why?"

"Because they know he won't focus until he's talked to you."

"You are lying."

"No I'm not. Ask AJ."

"No that's OK. I'm going to change. Be thinking about dinner."

As Kassidy was changing, the phone rang. Grace answered and it was AJ. He asked if she could get him at the airport. Grace borrowed Kassidy's car and was on her way. He sounded down. She wondered what happened in Florida.

She pulled up to the curb and instantly knew whatever happened was bad enough to make him start smoking again. He had quit after the Johnny No Name tour two months before. He put out the cigarette and climbed in tossing his bag in the backseat. He asked if they could go to Kassidy's. He wasn't ready to face the guys. Grace didn't push for information.

Once in the apartment, Kassidy greeted AJ with a hug. She had a feeling she knew what was up, but didn't pry. She took her keys from Grace and told them to behave and she would be back in a few.

"Kassidy didn't have to leave," said a dejected AJ as he sat on the couch.

Grace joined him saying, "I'm sure she had something to do. Now are you going to tell me what's wrong?"

"Why do you think something's wrong," he asked.

"Alex," said Grace in a chiding tone.

"Melody broke up with me."

"Oh AJ I'm sorry."

"Yeah well I should have seen it coming. She hadn't been calling. I get there and she didn't even come to pick me up. She sent her driver. I get to the set. She's in her trailer having a great time with a couple of her co-stars. I hang around and watch her work. When she's done she doesn't want to go home for quality time with me. She insists we go out with everyone. We finally get home and just go to sleep. She's not in the mood. This morning I find her out by the pool crying. She tells me she doesn't want to hurt me, but she can't pretend anymore. Pretend? I didn't know it was such a damn burden being with me! So we fight. She swears there is no one else. As crazy as it sounds, I believe her. She wants to focus on her career. I told her I could accept that, but she said she couldn't see us together in the future."

"Oh AJ."

"You know I didn't even realize until we walked back in the house that all her stuff was gone. She had already packed everything up and moved into her own place. She had gone by to check mail and stuff. Mom didn't even know she had moved."

"How is your mom?"

"She's pissed at Melody and worried about me. You know mom."

"Yeah. I'm surprised Denise didn't go after her."

"She thought about it, but I told her not to bother. Good thing I was looking to have the house redecorated. Melody helped me last time."

"I guess that is good," said Grace.

"I just can't believe I was so wrong about her. I really thought she loved me and wanted to be with me. I'm not going through that again."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean it's all strictly casual."

"Why?"

"That way no one gets hurt. So what have you been doing while I was gone?"

"Nothing much. Just hanging out."

"Cool. You know I could go for some food. Want to get something with me?"

"Let me call Kassidy and see what she had plan."

"Cool. I need to take a leak," he said as he headed to the bathroom.

Grace quickly dialed Kassidy's cell number and waited for her to answer.

"Hello."

"Kassidy, its Grace. I don't have much time. I don't want AJ to hear me.

He and Melody broke up. He wants to go to dinner."

"Go. Is he OK? Wait you can't go anywhere, you don't have a car."

"He's back to being Boner. I don't know about the car."

"Look I'll come back and give you guys the car."

"Thanks Kassidy."

"No problem. See you when I get there."

Kassidy arrived at the apartment and handed over the keys. Grace and AJ left. Kassidy stripped down to her T-shirt and settled in for the evening. The phone rang.

"Hello."

"Hey it's Kevin."

"Hey Kevin. What's up?"

"Is AJ there? Denise called looking for him. He doesn't have his cell turned on."

"He's not here right now. He and Grace went out to eat."

"OK. How did he seem?"

"Down, but all right."

"Good."

"If you talk to Denise again, tell her I will have him call when they get back."

"Thanks. So they left you there?"

"I figured I would give them a chance to talk. So where are you at?"

"Hotel. We called it a night. We're ready to head out to dinner. Want to come along?"

"Nah. Grace has my car. Thanks for the offer."

"You sure? What?"

"Huh?"

"Hang on Kassidy. What Nick? Yes I'm talking to her. No she doesn't want to come to dinner. What? Fine."

Kassidy heard the phone being passed off and then, "Kass come to dinner with us."

"I can't. Grace and AJ have my car."

"We'll come get you. Please," Nick pleaded.

For some unknown reason Kassidy said, "All right Carter."

"All right. Ow! Hang on Kevin wants the phone back. Bye Kass."

"Bye Nick," chuckled Kassidy.

"It's Kevin. We will see you in a few. Bye."

Kassidy threw on some jeans and tennis shoes. Nick came to the door. He looked cute in his standard outfit of baggy jeans, jersey, and baseball cap. He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the Expedition they were using. It was already full so Nick got back in and pulled her into his lap.

Kassidy found herself acutely aware of Nick's hands. One was lightly resting on her thigh and the other was resting low on her back. She was also aware of his reaction to her being in his lap. Both of them were glad he was wearing baggy jeans.

During dinner, Nick sat beside Kassidy and kept his leg pressed against hers. She found this amusing and exciting. As much as she hated to admit it, this kid got to her. She found herself, staring at his lips when he talked. She remembered how soft those lips were.

They took advantage of Grace not being there to plan her good-bye celebration. It was hard to believe she would be gone in a week. Kassidy was really going to miss having her around. Kassidy's car was at her place when they returned after dinner. Nick was visibly peeved when Kevin insisted he walk Kassidy to the door. He wanted to check on AJ and see if he needed a ride to the hotel. Kassidy said good night and walked with Kevin to the door. She never knew Nick's eyes didn't leave her until she closed the door.

Kevin and Kassidy found AJ and Grace snuggled up on the couch watching a movie. Kevin told him, Denise was looking for him. He said he would call. AJ declined Kevin's offer of a ride to the hotel. He said he just wasn't up to the third degree from the guys. He would explain it all the next day at the studio. Kevin said good night and left. Kassidy made AJ call his mom. After he had talked with Denise, Kassidy again told them to behave then went to bed. Grace and AJ watched the TV until they drifted off to sleep.