Nick sat in one of the most uncomfortable chairs he'd ever been in, he was bored and wanted to go home. A tenth look at his watch proved it was going to be a looooong night. Only 10:30 p.m. and he knew the guys wouldn't want to leave till like 1 in the morning or something. Brian sat next to him nursing a beer that he had been drinking for the past hour or so. Howie and Kevin had headed for the bar a long time ago and were probably somewhere on the dancefloor by now. AJ had been dragged off by a female admirer to the middle of the dancefloor sometime before. Nick sighed and looked down at his watch again...10:33. Brian looked over at him and smiled, "Bored?"
"Yes...this just...this isn't me Bri.."
"I know..AJ just wants to help."
Nick nodded, "I know..he wants me to find another woman or something.."
"Yea..."
"You agree?"
Brian was silent for a moment and then nodded, "Yea...as much as we all liked Kate and all...she's not comin' back Nick."
Nick scowled and looked at his drink, "I'm painfully aware of that Brian..thank you for bringing her up."
"Sorry man...but maybe it is time for you to get back into dating. You're still a young guy.."
Nick sighed, "Look, maybe I'd just like to focus on my son right now, is that too much to ask?"
"No..but didn't you tell me once that Brayden wondered why he didn't have a mom?"
"He knows..I told him his mom wasn't ready to take care of him."
"Didn't he also ask you if he'd ever have a mom?"
"Yes. And I told him one day, maybe."
"Maybe it's that time Nick."
Nick rubbed his face, he was tired of everyone always on his case about dating all of a sudden. "Maybe it is...when I find her, then I find her Brian...that could be tomorrow or ten years from now...."
He nodded, "Fine..fine..I'll lay off, alright? We just worry about you.....you are our little bro, man...we'll always worry about you."
Nick smiled faintly, "I know...but sometimes you all can be a little over-bearing.."
Brian nodded, "Of course...we have to be, apparently it's our job."
AJ appeared suddenly, nearing bouncing around in his shoes, "Hey guys! I found the woman for you Nick, man!"
Nick looked at him, "Nu uh, don't set me up with anyone AJ!"
"AJ...maybe we should let Nick find a woman on his own...," Brian said trying to be the peace-keeper between them.
AJ nodded, "Sure, sure, whatever man. Anyways, look at that fine group of women over there...just look Nick."
Nick sighed and he did look, a group of four women stood off to the side, just out of the lights of the dancefloor. Being a guy, he checked them all out..but his eyes stayed on one that was in the back of the group, as if she didn't want to be seen. She wasn't dressed as scantily as others and looked as if she really didn't want to be there. She was pretty; long brown hair and dark eyes (he could tell..really)....then suddenly, she looked up and met his eyes. Nick immediately looked towards Brian as if he were really interested in whatever Brian was saying to AJ. 'Damnit...she caught me staring..how stupid could I be?,' He thought as he took a drink of his beer. One more glance over at the group, she was still looking at him and offered a small smile at him before turning back to her friends. Nick smiled a little as he tried to keep his eyes off her the rest of the night.
"So..see anyone you liked?," AJ asked as he took him back to his car.
Nick shrugged, "I dunno J..it's not like you can expect me to find 'the one' right off the bat.."
"I know...saw that one girl you were lookin' at...she was cute."
"Who?"
"Brunette..with that group of women I pointed out to you.."
Damn, AJ had seen him?? Grrr...he couldn't do anything without one of the guys seeing him! Nick blushed faintly in the darkness, glad AJ couldn't see him, "Yea...she was alright..."
"Uh huh."
Nick rolled his eyes, AJ never believed him. "Yea...thanks AJ though, for making me go out."
AJ smiled, "No problem...we'll have to do it some other time..ok?"
Nick nodded, "Yea..hey, listen, Brayden wants me to have a 'guys night out' with him..wanna go with me, him, and Bri to Disney next week?"
AJ thought for a moment, "Umm..let me see if Sarah's got anything planned..I'll let you know, alright?"
Nick nodded as he got out, "Sure...see you later."
"Bye Nick."
Nick unlocked his car door and got in, starting it and backing out of the spot and driving towards home.
LeighAnne brought Brayden to Nick's early the next morning. Surprisingly, Nick was awake and ready for the day...he had cleaned the house and everything...usually it was messy and cluttered. Nick opened the door and Brayden greeted him with a big hug, "Hi daddy!"
"Hey, big guy, did you have fun with the girls?"
Brayden nodded his head, "Yep!"
He looked up at LeighAnne and she smiled, "We had alot of fun.."
Brayden let go and ran towards the kitchen. Nick let LeighAnne in, "He okay?"
"Yea, he was fine Nick..nothin' to worry about.."
"You sure?"
LeighAnne nodded, "He was fine Nick, quit bein' a worrywart...now, how was your evening?"
Nick smiled, "It was good..."
"Just..good?"
"Leeeeiiigggh...I know you've already talked to the other guys..why drag it out of me?"
LeighAnne just smiled, "Because..I wanna hear it from you."
Nick rolled his eyes, "Whatever..want anything to drink or anything?"
She shook her head, "No, I've actually gotta get back..me and Bri are going to go out for lunch..you and Brayden want to join us?"
"No thanks...I think we'll just hang here for the day.."
"Alright.."
Brayden came back, "Are you leavin'?"
"Sure am, I'm glad you had fun with me and Kristen Brayden, we enjoyed hanging out with you."
Brayden hugged LeighAnne as hard as his little body could, "I had fun too!"
She smiled and reached over to hug Nick as well, "I'll see you two later."
"Bye Leigh..have fun with Brian."
"I will..see you later!"
Nick waited until LeighAnne had disappeared from the driveway before closing the door. "So, you had fun?"
Brayden nodded, "Yea! Did you have fun daddy?"
"Actually, I had a pretty good time."
"Cool!"
"You hungry?"
He shook his head, "Nope..ate with LeighAnne and Kristen."
"Alright..wanna come sit with me while I eat?"
Brayden nodded and took his father's hand, "OK!"
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