Chapter 14"I went shopping and bought you something to wear for the audition," AJ said handing her a bag. Kristen opened the bag and pulled out a sleeveless, velvet, turtle-necked shirt.
"What's this for?"
"I felt kind of bad that you had to go to an audition with all them hickeys so I figured I would get you a turtleneck. It's hot out so sleeveless goes and you like velvet right? Do you like it?"
"Of course I do," Kristen said wrapping her arms around AJ and kissing him. "What are you going to do while I'm at auditions?"
"Going to Nick's place. Since Toni is taking Theresa to the airport, the rest of us and TJ are going to play some b-ball and swim around in the pool or something."
"Alright, well, I better get going," Kristen said putting the shirt on that AJ bought her. "We'll probably stop by Nick's afterwards and join in on some fun."
"Okay, I love you and good luck," AJ said kissing Kristen as she left. He got some of his stuff together then got in his car and drove to Nick's house. By the time he got there everyone else was already there. AJ went in the backyard to see Nick getting his butt kicked by Brian playing some basketball.
"So, how's the marriage life going?" Howie asked walking up to AJ.
"Hey, D. It's just the same as it was before but better. You know what I mean?"
"No, can't say I do. I've never been married."
"Oh yeah, good point. What happened after me and Kristen left after the wedding?"
"Danced with Mandy," Howie said with a grin and AJ gave him a weird look. "What?" Howie asked.
"Don't tell me you're getting a little thing for her."
"I don't know man. She's great and really sweet."
"Oh boy this could be interesting."
"What do you mean?" Howie asked confused.
"Kristen told me that TJ has a thing for Mandy too."
"Yeah I know. I saw him kiss her good night when she was leaving. Just a small kiss on the lips nothing more. I think she likes him too," Howie said sounding a little upset about it.
"If you like her you should take action about it before it's too late and she starts dating TJ," AJ suggested.
"Oh no, I won't do that to Mandy."
"Do what to her?" AJ asked confused.
"Well take Kristen for example. Both you and Nick were always hitting on her and she sort of had to choose between you two. I don't want her to be pulled into two different directions," Howie said then Nick took notice of AJ being there and went running up to him as Brian sent the basketball threw the hoop and started doing a little dance since he won the one on one game him and Nick were playing.
"So, give Kristen any more bruises last night?" Nick asked with a wicked grin. AJ looked at Nick weird trying to figure out what he was talking about. When he figured it out his mouth dropped causing Nick to start laughing. "Don't worry AJ, your secret is safe with me," Nick said walking away still laughing.
"Please don't even ask," AJ said since he knew Howie was going to say something. The guys played basketball for a little while and then all of them got in their swimming trunks and jumped in the pool. About an hour later Kristen and Mandy walked into the backyard to see the guys messing around in the pool. TJ got out of the pool and began walking towards the house when he took notice of them being there.
"Hey when did you two get here?" TJ asked.
"Just a couple of seconds ago," Mandy said.
"You two going to hang out here for a little while?"
"We thought about it."
"Alright, well I have to get going. Britney is going on a new tour and I've got dance moves to learn. I'll call you later," TJ said giving Mandy a kiss on the cheek. "See you later Kristen," TJ said walking into the house so he could change.
"Let's go get changed into our suits," Kristen said to Mandy as they went into the house. Kristen went into the bathroom and pulled out the new purple one piece swim suit she bought on the way to Nick's house. She knew she couldn't wear two pieces any more because of the scars on her stomach. "Shit," Kristen said to herself when she looked in the mirror after she had changed. She forgot about the bruise on her back and the hickeys were still clearly visible. "Hey Mandy!" Kristen yelled opening the bathroom door a little.
"Yeah?" Mandy asked.
"Can you go get AJ for me?"
"Sure, I'll be right back," Mandy said going out back. She was wearing a blue and green bikini and she had a towel wrapped around her waist when she stood at the edge of the pool to get AJ.
"How long have you been here?" Howie asked as he checked her out.
"Not too long."
"How did the auditions for you and Kristen go today?" Kevin asked.
"I think we both did really good. Kristen is upset because she thinks she could have done better but she was really good. AJ, she is in the bathroom and she wanted me to come out here and get you."
"Something wrong with her?" AJ asked.
"I don't know she just wanted me to get you."
"Alright, I'll be right back," AJ said getting out of the pool. Mandy dropped her towel and got in the pool. AJ grabbed another towel that was laying on the pool deck and wrapped it around his waist and went into the house. He knocked on the bathroom door and Kristen opened it letting him in and shutting it behind him. "You know you are starting to make me feel guilty," AJ said when he looked at Kristen.
"AJ I can't go out there like this. It's embarrassing."
"Can't you put a shirt on over it?"
"All I have is the velvet turtle neck you bought me and I'm not wearing that in the pool. I'll look stupid and it will get ruined."
"Alright, I'll be right back," AJ said walking out of the bathroom. About a minute later he came back with his t-shirt in his hand. "Here, put this on. You can wear my shirt."
"AJ this is like your favorite shirt. It's black and the chlorine will change it to a brownish color."
"Don't worry about it. You not being embarrassed is more important than my shirt getting ruined," AJ said as Kristen put on his shirt. "That doesn't look to bad. You can still see two of the hickey's but the guys have respect they won't say anything about it."
"Are you including Nick when you say guys?" Kristen asked sarcastically.
"We're in a pool and I'm stronger than him. If he says anything I'll just dround him. Come on," AJ said grabbing Kristen's hand as they went to the backyard to get in the pool. AJ jumped in the pool and Kristen just sat on the edge with her feet in the pool. Nick went up to Kristen and leaned his arms on the edge of the pool.
"So, Kristen, how's it going?" Nick asked with a smile trying his hardest not to laugh.
"Shut up Carter. The day you mark up Toni during sex, is the day you will never ever hear the end of it."
"So is that a threat?"
"You could put it that way," Kristen said. Nick wrapped his arms around Kristen's waist and pulled her into the pool and shoved her head under water. AJ went up behind Nick and put his hands on his shoulders.
"Don't ever mess with someone when someone else is a lot stronger than you, Nicky boy," AJ said shoving him under the water as Kristen came up. Within no time, Brian, Kevin, and Howie joined in and all five of the guys were trying to dround each other. They were all mostly trying to dround Nick who was completely out numbered.
"What the hell are you guys doing to my man!" Toni yelled entering the backyard. The guys let go of Nick and looked at Toni while Nick swam to the edge of the pool and got out. He ran up to Toni and wrapped his arms around her.
"They are trying to kill me," Nick said.
"Nick get the hell off of me!" Toni yelled since Nick was getting her all wet. Nick just looked at her weird and still held onto her. "If you don't get off of me I'm going to be the one who is going to try and kill you."
"Fine," Nick said letting go of her. "Get changed so you can join us in the pool and I'll come with you," Nick said following her into the house. Toni just rolled her eyes at him. Mandy swam over to Kristen in the pool to talk to her.
"Listen, I see why you needed AJ and you're wearing his shirt and all. It doesn't look too bad so don't worry about it okay?"
"Thanks Mandy," Kristen said giving her a hug. A few minutes later they all heard Toni screaming in the house. Then Nick came running out with Toni in his arms and then threw her in the pool and he jumped in along with her.
"You are such an ass sometimes you know that don't you?" Toni asked him.
"Hey, you had to get in sooner or later," Nick said innocently. Toni ignored him and swam over to where Kristen and Mandy were.
"I forgot to tell you. You missed it after the wedding with your sister, Julie," Toni said to Kristen.
"Why? What happened?"
"Howie picked Angel up and started dancing with her then he gave her a kiss on the cheek. Angel wouldn't stop talking about it and she was driving Julie insane. She was all pissed off at Howie for it and she yelled at all the guys saying none of them could ever dance with her daughter again or touch her because she'll never hear the end of it."
"Are you serious?" Kristen asked disbelieving.
"Yep. She was pissed dude. You know how much she hates the Backstreet Boys then Angel wouldn't stop talking about them."
"She gets on my nerves so bad. Thank God that she left already," Kristen said then the three of them heard a loud splash. They turned around to see Nick sitting on Howie's shoulder's and AJ coming up out of the water.
"Oh yeah! Who's the man!" Nick yelled as he got off of off Howie's shoulders. "And you say you're stronger than me," Nick said sarcastically to AJ.
"I let you win," AJ said.
"What are they doing?" Toni asked.
"I think they were chicken fighting," Mandy said.
"Come on, it's your turn," Howie said to Mandy as he put his hands on her waist and lifted her up on his shoulders. AJ and Nick then came up behind Toni and Kristen and lifted them up on their shoulders.
"It's every girl for herself now," Howie said. The three of them began trying to shove each other off the guys' shoulders. At first Mandy and Kristen ganged up on Toni and she was the first one to hit the water then they began fighting with each other. In no time Kristen was in the water with Toni.
"Oh yeah!" Mandy yelled getting off Howie's shoulders.
"We make a great team," Howie said giving Mandy a hug.
"You can beat the shit out of Cassie but you can't shove Mandy off Howie's shoulders?" AJ asked Kristen.
"I was mad at Cassie. I have nothing against Mandy."
"We all better get going," Kevin said. "It looks like it's going to start raining and it's starting to get dark out anyways." Everyone agreed and they all headed into the house to change. AJ borrowed one of Nick's shirts since his was all wet then everyone went home.
