Chapter
12
"Places everyone!" Kathryn strode briskly up the steps to the
stage. "We
only have time for one run-through."
Pointedly ignoring the
speculative stares of her students, she opened her
music and turned to speak
with the band.
"Miss Morrison, are you--" asked one soft voice from the
soprano section.
"I'm fine, Susanne. Just in a hurry. Are we
ready?"
"I am!" Sweeping up behind her, Nick pulled her into a mock
embrace setting
off a spate of giggling from all of the girls.
"Nick,
you're incorrigible," she grinned.
"You say that like it's a bad thing.
Should I be hurt?" he asked, affecting
a faux pout.
"Hey Frack - hands
off my woman."
Every eye on the stage was focused on the scene as it
played itself out.
"No way, man." Wrapping his arms tighter around her,
he paused. "Wait! I
have a great idea! Got a quarter?" At the confused look
on AJ's face he
deadpanned, "I'll flip you for her."
"Nick --" AJ
warned.
"No, seriously, man. Best two out of three."
"Nick, I seem
to remember a certain incident in Boston last year. Did your
mom ever hear
about--"
"Whoa. Sorry, Kathryn. I'm outta here." Grinning widely, Nick
sauntered off
to flirt with the girls in the choir.
"What about
Boston? I can't believe that Nick would--" Kat prattled on
aimlessly, her
discomfort evident.
"I missed you this morning." AJ rested his hands on
her shoulders. "My bed
felt so empty." His eyes were suspiciously moist as he
studied her face.
"I missed you too."
"So ... what are we gonna do
about it?"
"Alex, I'm scared," she whispered, a solitary tear spilling
from her eye.
"Baby, I'm in this for the long haul. I love you and just
the sound of your
name makes me hard-"
"Shh!" she hissed, tuning four
shades of crimson.
"Geez, man. Kiss her already." Nick was standing in
front of the choir, his
hands on his hips. The teenagers behind him were
mesmerized by the entire
scenario.
"You know, for a pest, he has some
great ideas once in awhile." Pulling her
forward, he touched his lips to
hers. Not enough, though, it was never
enough. He wrapped his arms around her
back as her hands found their way
around his waist.
The choir erupted
into applause as Nick high-fived the boys in the front
row.
"Damn, AJ,
get a room already," Howie chastised, strolling onstage.
"Yeah Bone,
these are impressionable youngsters," added Brian.
The entire assembly
burst into laughter as one of the girls called out, "You
GO Miss
Morrison!"
The mood was broken, and AJ gave Kathryn one last hug before
swatting her on
the backside and pushing her toward the choir.
"All
RIGHT, people! What are you standing around for? Let's get BUSY!" AJ
called
out, looking at everyone as if *he* was the one being held up by
*their*
fooling around.
Kevin only shook his head and
smiled. Never a dull moment.