Nick was running late..again. He had driven to Orlando to meet with Brian for their basketball game after he'd dropped Brayden off at pre-school. Now, he was late getting there to pick him up. He had tried to call the school and let Brayden's teacher know he was running behind but wasn't able to get ahold of her.
He finally pulled up in front of the school and shut his car door before hurrying into the school. Nick glanced at his watch, school had let out nearly a half hour ago. 'Shit.,' He thought.
He hurried down the hallway, glancing into the classroom that Brayden usually occupied. Empty. He then heard children's voice and hurried to the back door that led out to the playground area.
There were two children and Brayden playing on the swingset while a woman with brown hair pulled back in a ponytail sat on the bench, keeping an eye on them.
Nick walked down the stairs and across the small road that seperated the school from the playground. Brayden seemed to sense him and looked up, waving, "Hi daddy!"
The woman turned her head and it was then Nick recognized her...Jordyn. She stood up, "I thought I recognized him."
Nick smiled a little sheepishly as Brayden hugged him, "I'm sorry..me and Brian got a little carried away and then traffic was awful.."
"That's okay daddy! I got to play with Jordyn and Katie and Michael!"
"Really? That's great Brayden....I'm sorry Jordyn, I'm not keeping you from anything, am I?"
"No..I bring Katie and Micheal here to play nearly every day, Brayden just kinda joined in and I figured you were running late, that's what he said."
Nick smiled and ruffled Brayden's hair, "I guess he's used to having a perpetually late dad...they yours?"
Jordyn shook her head, "No..my brothers' actually. Katie is five and Michael is four and a half. I've been watching them for a couple weeks now while my brother is at work."
Brayden ran off to join the other two so Nick took a seat on the bench. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, "I'm sorry.."
"Sorry for what?"
"Sorry that my son keeps running into you where you keep having to watch him."
Jordyn laughed, "It's okay, really. He's a neat kid..very intelligent."
"Yea..he is..sometimes I think he's smarter than me."
"Sometimes kids can be..it's a little wierd."
"Yea..."
"You look worn out.."
Nick nodded, "I am...I just got my butt kicked by my friend at basketball..which hardly ever happens."
"Ouch..sorry..so he's got bragging rights?"
"Yea...for another week or so..," Nick said with a chuckle.
Jordyn smiled, "You close to him?"
"Who? My friend?"
"yea.," She said with a nod.
Nick nodded, "Yea..he's one of my best friends.."
"That's nice."
"You close to your brother?"
"Yea..in fact, I'm living like right down the street from him..I told him I'd rather watch the kids than them be in daycare..plus, his wife is home three or more days of the week when she's going to be home, I work.."
"That's a good arrangement...Brayden stays with my mom or one of my sister or something like that..whenever I am busy."
"What do you do?"
Nick had dreaded this question...how do you tell someone you barely know that you're in a musical group? Nick's hands nervously wrung together and he licked his suddenly dry lips, "I'm umm..well, I'm in the music industry."
"He use to sing!," Brayden called out from one of the swings.
Jordyn raised a bemused eyebrow and looked over at Nick who was scowling out towards his son, "You used to sing?"
Nick scratched at the back of his head, "Uhh..well yea...me and four other guys...The Backstreet Boys?"
Realization dawned on her and her eyes widened, "Ohhhh.."
"Oh great, you like totally hate me now don't you? You were one of those girls that was never into popular music, were you?"
Jordyn laughed, "No! I don't hate you in the least! Hell, Nick, I barely know you! Actually...I was a really big fan of the 'Black and Blue' album..."
"You were?"
"Yea..I don't know why I never recognized you before..I mean, you look exactly the same."
Nick scowled slightly again, "Oh thanks.," He said sarcastically.
Jordyn laughed, "I'm sorry! That's wasn't meant as insult..I mean, it's just that you DO! Ok..I'm gonna shut up now before I stick myself in an any bigger hole."
Nick laughed as well, "It's okay, really.."
"So..your friend you played ball with..a backstreet boy?"
"Yea..Brian."
"And the guys you were with at that club that night?"
"Backstreet Boys."
"You all aren't even really 'together' anymore, in the musical group sense, and you still hang out?"
Nick nodded, "Yea..usually, I only see AJ and Brian the most...Kev and Howie have their own lives, but about once a month we try to get together to catch up with one another.."
"That's nice."
"Yea...it's all good.."
Jordyn smiled, "I just can't believe I never knew who you were! Ugh..I'm such a blonde sometimes!"
"Hey!"
"Oh sorry..geez, this just isn't getting any better is it?"
Nick shook his head, "Not really.."
"I'm sorry though..I'm an idiot sometimes, really."
Nick suddenly decided to take the plunge, "Would you..and the kids, like to join me and Brayden for a late lunch? I promised him earlier I'd take him out after school..."
"You want me and two kids to join you?"
"Sure..Brayden seems to like Katie and Michael..and I'm enjoying our conversation."
Jordyn was silent for a moment while she looked back at the three children playing amicably together. "Well..sure..I'd love to."
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