"We're up for three nominations!" Howie exclaimed in the limo. "Last year at the MTV Music Awards we only had two! Do you know what this means?"

"That we have one more nomination this year than we did last year?" AJ questioned back with a straight face.

"Very funny, you dufo. It means one more step taken with being accepted into the mainstream!" Howie looked around at the faces of his band mates, wondering why they weren't joining in his enthusiasm. "Guys, what's wrong? Brian, come on, I know you're excited!"

"Why couldn't Leighanne join us in the limo? There was enough room. The fans already know about her."

"Howie's face fell. "That's what you're bummed about? Brian, she's gonna be there tonight. You're just not gonna arrive together. She didn't wanna sit through another mini rehearsal. After three years, can you blame her?"

"Yes," he shot back.

"Okay, what about you?" he asked AJ. "What's up with you?"

"Amanda and I broke up a few days ago and you're asking me that question?"

Howie bit his lower lip, not even thinking about that fact. "I'm sorry, bro. I know you miss her a lot."

"What? I'm just pissed I couldn't get another date in time!"

Howie was about to offer more words of comfort when the actuality of what AJ had said hit him. He stared for a moment and then turned to Nick. "What about you? You're usually stoked before a performance. A little nervous, but stoked."

"I'm afraid if we win an award I'm gonna say something stupid during our speech."

"I'm sure you'll be fine," he smiled. "What about you Kevin?"

"I'm afraid if we win an award Nick will say something stupid and you'll wink too much."

"Hey, I'll have you know I've tamed that down after the last tour thank you very much!" he responded confidently. "In any event, the only valid reason I've heard is Nick's. He is the one who said he resigned in Florida."

Nick squinted his eyes and pursed his lips. "I wouldn't talk if I were you; Mister my favorite food is pounani." Quiet chuckles suddenly filled the stuffy surroundings.

"That's no fair! That was an honest mistake and all you guys promised you wouldn't bring that up again!"

"Sure, just like you guys promised not to bring up the green undies incident," Nick snorted.

"That was at least funny! Me saying pounani when I meant pountine was something deeper," he pouted.

"Yeah," AJ began to sympathize, "when you're talkin' about pounani, you're talkin' about somethin' deep." Louder laughs filled the limo this time.

"Ha, ha, ha! Now that you guys have brightened up at my expense, are you feeling a little better?"

They all shook their heads. "Yep, I feel a lot better knowin' that I couldn't possibly say anything more stupid than pounani," Nick grinned.

"Whoa, looky looky I want the cookie." AJ stared out the window as they pulled up in front of the Metropolitan Opera House, seeing a new girl group arriving at the festivities. Crimson Kiss was slowly rising to the top in America, surprisingly never once having gone overseas to start their careers. "Damn, five girls. Whelp, that's enough for me!"

"A couple of those gals are pretty opinionated. I’ve seen the brunette one on that Politically Incorrect show late one night. Man, could she talk bullshit," Brian laughed.

"Think they're performing?" Nick questioned.

"I don't care what they do as long as you don't screw up like you did that one year, saying that Boyz II Men was a trio." As soon as the limo stopped, Kevin stepped out.

"I'm not the idiot who keeps sayin' Brian's my cousin a thousand times over," Nick mumbled as he stepped out last, wondering what the night would have in store for them.