Chapter One

“Tell me once more why I’m here,” Megan Daniels asked.

“To help cheer up AJ,” her friend Dana Allen said as she rang AJ’s doorbell.

“And which one is AJ again?”

Dana sighed. “The one with all the tattoos. I still can’t believe you don’t know who the Backstreet Boys are!”

“Well excuse me for not listening to pop.”

“Instead you like that depresso mood stuff.”

Megan glared at Dana but chose not to start another argument over her choice of music. “So, how come you’ve been seeing, oh crap, what’s his name, Kevin? Yeah, Kevin, for five months and I’ve never met him?”

“He’s out of town a lot, touring and stuff.”

“Oh okay. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t because you were ashamed of me or something.”

“What? Whatever gave you that idea? You’re my best friend!”

“Good. ‘Cause you know, I *can* be embarrassing if you really want me too.”

Dana threw her a look. “No, please, not tonight,” she begged.

Megan grinned and began flapping her arms around while she squawked like a chicken. Dana desperately tried to get her to stop before someone saw them, but she didn’t succeed.

Kevin was the lucky one who answered the door. Megan screamed at the sight of him and promptly fell over onto the grass. Kevin frowned.

“Is she okay?”

Dana rolled her eyes and helped Megan up. “She’s fine...for now. But I’m gonna kill her later.”

“Yeah, right, suuuure,” Megan drawled, brushing dirt from her jeans.

He ushered them inside. “I was wondering when you were gonna show up,” he said, taking their jackets and hanging them in the closet.

“We would have been here sooner if a certain someone had been ready when I came to pick her up,” Dana said, glancing at Megan. Megan just stood there and smiled proudly. “Well, Kev, this is Megan. Megan this is Kevin.”

Kevin extended a hand and Megan gave it a firm shake.

“So where’s this AJ person?” she asked, moving her hand away and looking around.

“Out by the pool, follow me.”

“Now remember, he might be a little sensitive. His girlfriend walked out on him a month ago, left him really depressed,” Dana whispered as they walked towards the back of the house.

“So I guess sex on the first date is a no-no?” Megan whispered back.

Dana nudged her in the ribs.

They stepped outside where the music was blaring and found the party going in full swing.

“Do you want something to drink?” Kevin asked them.

“Just water for me, baby,” Dana said, standing on tiptoe to kiss his chin.

“What have you got?” Megan asked, annoyed at this sudden display of affection.

“Probably anything. AJ always keeps his parties well supplied.”

“Anything that’s not crap then.”

Kevin nodded and headed off.

“So where the hell is this bad boy?” Megan wondered out loud.

Dana scanned the crowd. “There, by those girls,” she said, pointing.

Megan watched AJ laugh and flirt with the circle of admirers he had around him. “Yeah, he looks like he’s hurtin’ for love,” she muttered.

Kevin came back, handed her a beer, Dana a bottle of water, and then put his arm around Dana. “Found Bone yet?”

“Bone?!” Megan squealed. “You call him ‘Bone’?! I don’t know if I should die laughing or be prepared for a rocking good night!”

“Is she always like this?” Kevin asked softly.

“Always. Why don’t you get AJ over here?”

“All righty. Hey, Bone!”

AJ looked up, saw Kevin and waved. Then he excused himself from the women and started pushing his way over.

“Skinny little thing, ain’t he?” Megan asked.

Dana nudged her again.

“God dammit, girl! I know you’re my friend, but one more time...!” Megan threatened.

“Hi,” AJ greeted them. He leaned over and kissed Dana’s cheek.

“Hi, AJ. Great party.”

He shrugged and smiled. “Well, I try.” His gaze moved to Megan. “Are you going to introduce me to this fine young lady?”

“Young? I’m older than you are,” Megan snorted.

“You don’t look that old.”

“Makeup, dear. It does wonders.”

“O-kaaay,” AJ said uncomfortably.

Dana tried to save the evening from total disaster. “Um, Megan loves to dance. How about you guys go and hit the floor?”

“You dance?” AJ asked Megan, almost cautiously.

“Sure do! Let’s go!”

She grabbed his arm and pulled him out to the dancing area. Dana and Kevin watched them go.

“She’s a strange one,” Kevin said.

“I know, but I love her. She’s like a sister to me.”

They moved over to a deck chair and Kevin began to massage her shoulders. “I’ve missed you,” he whispered into her ear.

“Me too. How long are you off for this time?”

“A couple weeks.”

“That’s not long enough.”

“I know, I’m sorry.”

He tilted her face towards his and kissed her gently.

“Whoops, sorry to interrupt,” Nick said, skidding to a stop.

Dana laughed. “No, it’s all right,” she said. “Sit down.” She patted the spot next to her.

“No, it’s not all right, scram,” Kevin teased.

Nick grinned and sat down beside Dana. “How are you?”

“I’m good, what about you?”

“Tired. And uh, wondering who that girl dancing with AJ is.”

All three looked to where Megan was busy doing a serious bump and grind with AJ.

“That’s my friend Megan. Why, you like her or something?”

Nick blushed. “She’s pretty.”

“I know she is. But I think she’s a little old for you.”

“How old is she?”

“Twenty-eight.”

“That’s not old,” Nick said, turning towards her. “That’s Kevin’s age.”

“Yeah, and aren’t you always calling me the ‘old man,’ Nicky?”

Nick ignored Kevin. “Is she seeing anybody?”

“Not at the moment,” Dana said.

A slow song came on and Megan melted into AJ’s arms.

“They look cozy,” Kevin observed.

Nick rose to his feet. “Think AJ would kick my ass if I cut in?”

Kevin laughed. “There’s only one way to find out.”

“Wish me luck,” Nick called out, hurrying away from them.

They watched as Nick tapped politely on AJ’s shoulder. AJ and Megan broke apart and looked at him. AJ said something, Nick said something back. AJ glared at Nick, and Nick glared back. Megan stepped away, grinning.

“Uh oh, looks like trouble. I better go intervene,” Kevin said, standing.

“No, wait. Let it go. Megan can take care of herself,” Dana said quickly, grabbing Kevin’s sleeve.

“It’s not Megan I’m worried about.”