AJ had been released from the hospital with some cuts and bruises but other than that he was in perfect shape. He was back to rehearsing with the rest of BSB for their upcoming world tour. He was still with.. her .
Taylor had talked to him periodically but not very often, Maria was usually in the room with him so they couldn't talk about anything personal. She talked with Nick almost daily as well as the other guys. JC and Tracey were seeing alot more of each other and becoming pretty serious.
It was a warm day, very humid and mostly cloudy. Taylor was sitting out on the deck with her feet up on the deck railing reading a book she had picked up. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail but a few strands had come loose. JC was inside watching a movie when the doorbell rang. Taylor heard the door open and him talk to someone, but she couldn't make out the other voice. The backdoor opened and closed, but she still didn't look up. Finally, she finished the page she was on and looked up to see Nick standing there. "Hey..You could of said something ya know.."
"I know..but you looked like you were concentrating hard.," He said smiling.
"Well sit down..what brings you all the way to Orlando? I thought you all were off today."
"We are buut..Frick called and wants to go to a club tonight so I agreed. The others are coming too. So, I thought since they pretty much all have dates and I don't..I thought maybe you'd come with me."
She put the book down and pulled her feet down off the railing and pulled them under her. "I dunno Little Man.Its been forever since I've beem to a club.."
"So? Come on Taylor..pllleassee?"
"Oh puhlease don't beg!," She said laughing.
Nick laughed, "So, you'll come?"
"I guess so..what do I have to lose?"
"Thats the spirit! I'll be back in two hours to pick you up so you better be ready.."
"I will..see ya Nick."
"Bye!"
She watched him wave to JC and then leave. She laughed to herself and got up and went inside. "So what'd Nick want?," JC asked looking up from the movie.
"Wants me to go to a club with him and the guys."
"You goin'?"
"Yep..I'm gonna go take a shower.."
"Okay.."
Taylor went to the bathroom and turned on the hot water. She stripped and then stepped under the warm stream of water.
Promptly, two hours later, Nick rang the doorbell. JC let him in and told him Taylor was just finishing up. She was in her room putting on her rings. She was wearing a black skirt and a lavender sleeveless shirt. She was going to wear her leather jacket just in case she got cold. She grabbed it, put it on, checked herself one last time in the mirror and walked out. Both guys whistled as she walked in and she laughed. "You guys are awful.."
"You look good Taylor.," JC said smiling.
"Yeah..damn fine!," Nick said.
Taylor laughed, "Well thank you..you ready Nick?"
"Yep..let's go."
"Bye JC..oh, and tell Trace I said hi."
"I will Taylor..you two have fun."
They both waved and walked out to Nick's green durango. They got in and Nick started to drive towards one of the hottest clubs in downtown Orlando, Millennium. (author's note: there's a club here in Lexington called that..I just thought of it now..not because of their album..lol..I don't know if there's one in O-town or not either..)
Once there, Nick parked on the side and they walked in. "Damn Nick..this line is huge..," Taylor remarked.
"Yup..buut..I got connections..the others should be here though.."
"Okay..cool."
They walked to the front of the club and were immediately let in. Nick and his 6'2 self saw the rest of the group and led Taylor over. There was Kevin and Marie, Brian and Jane, Howie and Alicia,and of course, AJ and Maria.
They all greeted each other and Nick and Taylor sat down. Jane and Brian got up to dance. Taylor, Marie, and Alicia were all catching up. Maria kept glaring at Taylor too. Alicia pulled Taylor over a little, "Is it me or is Maria shooting daggers at you?"
"Oh she probably is..she thinks I'm satan or something.."
"I wouldn't worry about her..she's a total bitch though.."
Taylor nodded her head in agreement and smiled. Just then, "Livin' La Vida Loca" by Ricky Martin came on. Nick ran over from the bar where he was drinking a coke with Brian and dragged Taylor out on the dance floor. Taylor laughed as Nick started TRYING to do some latin dance. "What? I can dance you know!," He exclaimed.
"I know you can..Just not latin dancing!," She said still laughing.
"Ohhh..funny!"
She laughed again. She hadn't had so much fun in a long, long time.
From the booth, Maria watched Taylor and Nick dance. She glared at her and turned her attention to AJ. He was watching her too. "AJ..What are you doing?"
"Huh? Oh nothing Maria.."
"Yea right..you're watching her aren't you?"
"No..I was just looking around!"
"Whatever..she came here looking like hoe anyways.."
"Uhh..no she didn't.," Alicia said.
"Whatever..she looks like one though."
AJ got up to go get another drink. Alicia leaned across the table, "What is your problem with Taylor? She's a nice person.."
"Like hell she is! The only reason she came here was to steal my man away from me!"
"Thats not true..Nick invited her because he knows she doesn't go out much! If you'd get your skanky ass out of AJ's maybe you'd be able to see she's over him!," Alicia hissed as Nick and Taylor walked over to the table.
Maria leaned back, crossed her arms over her chest and just generally looked pissed off. Taylor sat down and took a drink of her water. "Havin' fun?," Nick asked.
"Yeah! I've never had so much fun in my life.," She replied smiling.
"Shows what a bore you are then.," Maria muttered.
Taylor looked at Maria, she had heard everything she said. "Maria..I wanna know, here and now, what the hell is your problem?"
"My problem, Taylor, is you . Simple as that."
"Why? I haven't done a thing to you.."
"Easy. You're trying to get AJ back."
Taylor shook her head, "No I'm not Maria. We're just friends now. Like we were before we ever got together."
"Yea right."
"Believe what you want Maria but I'm through trying to be nice to you."
"Good."
Taylor groaned and then got up. She walked over to the bar and ordered a strawberry margarita. AJ was sitting next to her drinking a beer. "Whats wrong?," He asked turning to her.
"Your girlfriend's a bitch."
AJ nodded his head, "Oh..I see."
"She thinks I want you back AJ. We both know we're just friends."
"Are we Taylor?"
She locked her jaw and nodded stiffly, "Thats all we can be AJ."
AJ watched as she walked back to the table and sat down. He shook his head and drank another drink of his beer before getting up. He walked over to the table and leaned towards Taylor, "Dance with me."
He had noticed Maria's hopeful look, like he would as her to dance or something but it dropped when he asked Taylor. Taylor shoook her head, "No AJ."
"You're dancing with me.," He said taking her hand.
Instead of pulling away, Taylor let him lead her to the dance floor. A slow song was playing and he put his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. "AJ..this isn't right..," She said softly.
"Then why does it feel so right?"
She sighed, "I don't know..why are you fighting me with everything I say?"
"Because..you're wrong little one..I know everything about you and I know that you want this ..," He said pulling her even closer.
Taylor put her arms around his neck and struggled not to breath in that cologne that had always driven her crazy. "God AJ..why do you have to be so stubborn?"
"Because..if thats what I have to be to have you..then so be it.."
"AJ..what about Maria?"
"I don't like her Taylor. She's not you.."
"Thank God."
He laughed softly and then said, "I miss you so much..that house is so empty without you Taylor.."
"It is like three billion feet."
"Not that much. But..But..with you there it was so lively..like I couldn't wait to come home and see you.."
"You're making this too hard.."
"Taylor.."
"AJ..the song's over.," She said stepping out of his embrace.
"So? Dance with me some more.."
"I..I can't AJ.."
"Why not? You want this Taylor, as much as I do. Why can't you just forgive me?"
"I forgave you a long time ago AJ. But I'm not sure if I want another relationship with you.."
"Why not?"
"Quit asking questions AJ. When I figure it out..I'll give you an answer."
And suddenly, she was gone. AJ stood in the middle of all the people dancing to some disco song. 'She'll give you an answer when she finds out..better than a definite no..,' He thought.
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