"Oh my gosh, the guy looks like a complete trip!"

Sarah laughed at Layla's face, surprised that her boyfriend's looks were able to shock the free spirited girl. "You spotted him, huh?"

"He was kinda hard not to notice. It looked like he had a friend with him too."

"It's hard to say which one it would be. What did he look like?"

"You didn't see him all the times you went out?"

Sarah shook her head no. "I didn't have much time either! I just wanted to know if Alex was here."

Layla rolled her eyes and laughed. "Well, as you know I was able to get the complete detail since I was out there for about ten seconds each time, so I'll try to be as thorough as possible."

"Oh stuff it! Hair color maybe?"

"It looked to be blonde."

"Oh yes! That would be Nick. You know, for someone who's the same age as me, I find it hard to believe you don't know a thing about these guys."

"It's just not my type of music, you know that."

"Alex probably brought Nick along to make it like a doubles thing."

Layla looked up from packing her small duffel bag. "Are you trying to set me up?"

"I didn't even know he was bringing him." Sarah looked as innocent as could be.

"Because you know, I'm not interested in being involved with anyone right now."

"I know, I know. I wouldn't do that kind of thing behind your back even if I did want to set you up. Look, Nick is really a nice guy. I'm not trying to make something happen, so I won't waste my time telling you how funny he is or even how amazing his voice is and I definitely won't fill you in on how he has these cute little attributes that make you wanna hug him even when he whines." Layla gave her a disapproving look. "You could always use more friends, so think of it as, like, a cattle call for a new best friend for when Jasper kicks it from all the alcohol." Her voice saddened as she finished her thoughts.

Layla frowned, taking Sarah's words to heart. "He's having a party tonight. I planned on talking to him there about things. Do you wanna come?"

"Mind if the guys tag along?"

"Are you sure it's their scene? I mean, from what you've told me they're pretty in the now, and the people I hang with are pretty much in the sixties and seventies eras."

"Wait until you meet them and then you can decide. All the guys are usually open to new things, so it's not like they'll think you're a freak or anything. Hell, Alex doesn't have the right to call anyone a freak."

Layla slightly smiled. "My dear, his freaky and my freaky could be two totally different freakys!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Nick, will you stop fidgeting?" It had been ten minutes since they left the show and they were now sitting in Alex's car. Nervousness filled the air and he sensed it. "What is up with you?"

"Do you think Sarah would introduce me if she does know her?"

"Is that what you've been thinking about this entire time?" Nick bit his lower lip and looked at him innocently. "Look, I'll see if she knows her." He began to sigh, but his breath caught in his throat. "Looks like I won't have to check on that after all," he smiled.

Nick glanced up and saw Sarah walking beside the mystery girl. "Shit, I'm not prepared for this. Knock me out!"

"Will you chill? Geez!"

He turned in the seat, facing forward so not to make eye contact. He should have been use to being around beautiful women by now. He saw plenty of them at their concerts and even more outside of the various hotels they stayed in while touring. It was all a part of his world. But, for some unknown reason, he just couldn't look at this girl and act normal. His hands would fidget too much from his nerves. His eyes would end up glazing over from the constant staring. His mouth would hang open in awe of everything she did. Everything that could happen would end up making him look like some pathetic puppy that was longing for an owner.

"What's up, my homies?"

Sarah's voice snapped Nick back to reality, forcing him to do exactly the opposite of what he wanted. He had to look in their direction now. So, he put on his best smile and tried to act as normal as possible. "Nothing much, foxy. What's up with you?"

"Hey, that's my line!" Alex insisted.

"Boys, boys, there's enough of me to go around. And if not, Layla can fill in for my time with you, Nick." Sarah's grin was absolutely evil as she looked Layla's way, receiving nothing but a glare in return. Nick, on the other hand, was left blushing. "Oops, I forgot to introduce the woman I just offered to you! This is Layla Harris. I'm sure you already know what she does for a living. Layla, I'd like you to meet my talented and adorable man, Alex McLean and the lovely boy beside him is Nick Carter."

"Lovely boy?" Nick crinkled his nose at her introduction. "How can you call someone that's twenty-two a boy?"

"Easy my dear. Please, remind me who threw the temper-tantrum just last night when Brian beat him at Mario Tennis?"

"Hey, the shot he took was totally calculated and he knew my Baby Mario couldn't possibly jump that high!" Nick looked around, noticing the amused faces that surrounded him. What he noticed the most is that Layla, who at first seemed uncomfortable, was smiling as well. "Anyhow, I don't see how that constitutes you calling me a boy," he finished quietly.

The two girls took a seat in the back of the car as Alex started it up. "So, what's the plan?" he asked. "Do you need a ride home?"

"Actually, someone is going to have to bring me back here to get my car. Sarah insisted I take up space in your vehicle."

"Thank you, God," Nick whispered.

"What did you say?" Alex questioned.

"Nothing," Nick quickly stated.

"Yes, you did!" Sarah accused. "I saw your lips moving!"

"How the hell could you see my lips moving when you're in the back seat?"

"How the hell would your ass like to move back there if you talk to my girlfriend like that again?" Alex threatened.

Nick gave him a cross look and stared straight ahead. "How would you like to lick my nut sack?" he whispered.

"All right, I heard that!" Alex shouted.

Nick smirked, but it soon faded from his face when he saw that AJ was pulling into a nearby parking lot. "What are you doing?" The fear of God must have entered his eyes, because Alex's smirk was one of satisfaction.

"Get in the back, now."

He hung his head low as he opened the door and made his way to the other side of the car. Sarah stopped him when they crossed paths. "You can thank me later," she smiled. Nick's eyes grew as he realized she set him up for absolute embarrassment. All that was left for him to do was get in next to her and pray for guidance in his speaking.

Layla eyed Nick as he stepped in the back seat. For someone who was as popular as Sarah made him out to be, he seemed very unsure of himself. His body language said it all. Head hung low, slumping shoulders and lack of eye contact. Maybe he was just like this around strangers. This definitely was not the guy that Sarah had described so many times. She decided to put her charm to work and see if it got her anywhere. "Hi!"

Nick's eyes immediately rose at the sweet sound of her voice. Her eyes seemed to burn into his as they stared him down. "Hey," he barely got out.

She lightly giggled and turned her attention towards the front seat. "Hey, do you have any Doors?"

"Like, in my house?" Alex questioned in an amused tone.

"No, you dope, she means the group!" Nick interrupted.

"You know The Doors' music?" Layla was a little surprised.

A spark lit inside of Nick, excited that he seemed to have strummed a positive chord with the girl. "Just because we perform pop music doesn't mean we don't listen to other stuff."

"No, of course not, I hope you don't think I was trying to judge you."

"Nah, it happens. Plus, I really don't look like the type of guy that would be interested in sixties music."

"Looks can be deceiving," she smirked.

Nick's shyness began to show through and all he could do was grin slightly and look away.

Layla unzipped her bag and pulled out a compact disc. "Can we listen to this?" She held out the item in front of Sarah.

"I don't see why not," she said nonchalantly.

(The song ‘Peace Frog’ begins to play)

Layla's eyes returned to Nick, who was sitting quietly next to her. She smiled quickly, noticing he was staring at her. An idea suddenly sprang to mind. "You wanna play thumb war?"

Nick was snapped back to reality, realizing her sweet voice had spoken. "Huh?"

She laughed lightly, realizing his mind wasn't quite in the moment. "Are you good at thumb war?"

"Well, I beat my brother every time, but he's only thirteen so I guess that's not really something to be proud of." He lowered his head a bit, rolling his eyes at his own stupidity.

"Care to play me? I mean, I'm only a girl so if you beat me you still won't have anything to be proud of. If I win though, then I can say I kicked a guy's ass!"

He chuckled, liking her sense of humor. "Aren't you afraid I might let you win?"

"Let me win? Honey, get ready to rumble!"

"Rumble, who's gonna rumble?" Sarah turned around in her seat to check out what was going on.

"Turn around and sit down," Alex demanded. "Why isn't your seat belt on? Sweetie, I've gotten pulled over enough for speeding. I don't need to get pulled over for you not wearing a seat belt too."

"Blah, blah, blah," she mumbled as she faced forward, buckling her seat belt in the process.

Layla smirked at the back of her friend's head; but quickly turned her attention back to Nick, her fingers grasping his waiting hand. “Are you ready?”

Was he ready? A thousand volts shot through his body immediately with the contact of her skin, and she wanted to know if he was ready for thumb war. At the moment, playing a silly game was the furthest thing he was thinking of doing; but he swallowed hard and pushed the other thoughts to the back of his mind. “Prepare to go down.”

“Nick, you’ve known her for less than an hour and you’re telling her to go down? Layla, are you that kinky?”

“AJ, man, why ya gotta be that way?” Nick’s exasperated voice was almost pleading with Alex to shut up. It was then that he noticed Sarah slap Alex’s arm hard.

“What? I was merely making conversation.”

“You’re not that innocent,” Sarah remarked in a dry tone.

“Oops! I did it again because I’m not that innocent!” he sang in a high pitch voice.

Nick immediately let go of Layla’s grasp and buried his face in his hands. “Why now?” he mumbled quietly.

Layla was about ready to burst out in giggles. She liked Nick and Alex. They were genuine people in a normally non genuine business. Most celebrities she met were not this real. “Hey, are you guys up for a party?”