"Brian, I really don't feel like going."

"You're giving up the perfect opportunity to possibly bump into your dream gal? Nick, she's almost certain to be there!"

"Yeah, and she'll almost most certain to be drinking," AJ giggled, already beginning his festivities compliments of the bar in the limo.

Nick had to laugh. "Really, guys, that's okay. I'll just have them drop me off at the hotel and then have the guy return to the club. It's just not my scene."

"Nick, we won tonight! You don't wanna celebrate any of that?" Howie asked.

"You don't wanna celebrate you not messing up during the speech?" Kevin smugly added.

"No thanks, I'm just not in the mood."

"That little vixen on stage could sure do it for ya! Arf, arf, arf!" AJ growled, signaling for Nick to go after her like a wild dog in heat.

"Okay, no more for him," Howie commented, taking the half empty glass away.

AJ turned to him, using his one hand as a gun and pointing the 'trigger' at his nose. "Don't make me use this." He kept it there for a few more seconds. "Bang!" he exclaimed, laughter escaping after. "That's okay, D, I'll share with my buddy. There be plenty for me at the party!" Kevin just shook his head, hoping AJ would pass out before they arrived.

Brian gave another look towards Nick. "Are you sure you don't wanna go?"

"Rok, I wouldn't be good company tonight anyway. She's got too much spunk to be dragged down by a moody son of a bitch like me."

"Hey, he just called Jane a bitch!" AJ giggled. "And after she wrote that nice book for you too."

Howie drug him out, not letting him speak another word. "Night, Nicky, we'll see ya back at the hotel.

He listened to the door slam, being left in silence. "Driver, will you phone the hotel and let them know to have security waiting out front?"

"Sure thing, Mister Carter."

Nick rolled up the partition that separated the front seat from the back, not wanting to have to worry about making small talk. He rode back in a daze. He wasn't thinking of Toria or the way she sang their song beautifully. He wasn't even thinking of Mandy. All he could think about was how alone he felt at the moment despite the hoard of girls waiting in front of the hotel.

At the club
"I do it all for the nookie, yeah the nookie, come on so you can take this cookie!"

Howie watched as AJ ran around the club, chasing after one of the models at the party. "Thank God the MTV cameras are off," he sighed. "I don't think the fans are ready to see him like that. Red hair and cowboy outfits are one thing, but this is frightening even for me! How about you guys?" He turned to Brian and Leighanne, seeing them exchanging a small kiss. "I definitely thank God the cameras are turned off."

"Howie, you worry too damn much."

"Where's Claudia at? I thought she'd be here," Leighanne intervened.

"She couldn't make it for this one. She said next time."

"The Latino Lover is on the prowl," Brian laughed, nudging him in the arm.

Leighanne's eyes wandered the scene as Brian and Howie continued to joke. She saw many familiar faces until one made her stop and look. "Sweetie, I'll be right back." She kissed Brian on the cheek and headed off.

They both looked in confusion. "I wonder what caught her eye," Brian said curiously.

Leighanne made her way through the crowd, having to make a few quick stops to greet some people, until she reached her destination point.

"L.A. baby!" AJ shouted.

"Alex, please, go over by Rok for a bit."

"You want me to touch your clit? Holy shit, baby, I never thought you'd make a pass at me publicly!"

She shut her eyes tight, feeling her face turn a million shades of red. "AJ, go to the bar!"

"You got it, baby. I'll get the aphrodisiacs." He winked and walked off, leaving Leighanne to hope Brian and Howie happened to see him and maybe tie him down.

She glanced around to make sure no one was staring, thanks to AJ's little comment, and started her way over to the destination point once more. "Toria Sampson?" she questioned once she reached the bubbly brunette.

"Yes, can I help you?"