"So, how cold do you think the water is?" I asked.
"I dunno…probably around 65 or 70. Still have a week or so before we can swim. Wanna find out?" he grinned.
"Nah , that’s cool!" I said, giving him a funny look. "It’s really pretty out here!"
"Yeah. Especially at sunset!"
"Really? Well, you should show me sometime…" I smiled, nudging him in the side with my elbow.
We hung out at the dock for a while, watched the sun set, and went back inside.
"You want something to eat?" he asked, closing the sliding glass door behind me.
"No thanks, I’m, for once, not hungry."
"Well, I’m starving. At least come in here and take some more Tylenol."
Considering I was still a little achy, it wasn’t a bad idea, so I followed him into the kitchen, got two more Tylenols and swallowed them painlessly.
"You know what?" he asked, shoving a ham and cheese sandwich in his mouth.
"What you pig!?" I laughed, only joking.
He laughed. "I’m really bored. Wanna do something?"
"Sure. What are we gonna do?"
"Good question. If worst gets to worse, we can always go harass Brian!"
"Sounds…thrilling actually. Gimmie ten minutes, there’s no way in hell I’m going out in public looking like this!"
Ten or so minutes later, I was making my way back down the stairs. We both decided that harassing Brian would be kind of fun, so we jumped into the 3000 GT and headed over to Brian and Kevin’s apartment.
"Watch this!" Nick whispered, creeping over the door of Brian’s apartment. He knocked on the door, then ran back over to where I was standing, grabbed me, and pulled me around the corner and out of sight of the door. The door opened and Brian stepped out. "Hello?" he shouted, looking around. He waited for a minute, scanning the area as if he were James Bond or something. I was struggling not to laugh. "Damn kids!" he sighed, shaking his head and closing the door. I really could not help but to laugh. Nick was seventeen, but he acted eleven. I was almost in tears I was laughing so hard.
"Now how are you gonna get him to open the door when we ACTUALLY knock?" I asked in a hushed whisper.
He grinned, pulled keys out of his right rocket and dangled two of them in my face. "It’ll be REALLY funny when we go in, and he’s sitting on the couch in nothing but his boxers!"
"You’re bad!" I laughed shaking my head.
"I’m bad, but baby, I AM SMOOTH!"
"Nick!? Is that you?" came a yell.
"Holy shit!" he whispered. "Come on!" He pulled me into the laundry chute like he had done it many, many times before. It was a pretty small area, and it looked almost identical to a closet you would normally hang your clothes up in.
"Um…Nick, I don’t know if you noticed, but we’re in a laundry chute," I pointed out. "Don’t you find this TAD strange?"
He looked around. "No, not really. I’ve been in stranger places!" he winked.
"Okay James Bond, whatever you say!" I laughed, pushing him against the wall.
"Damn it girl! Don’t make me…" he grinned, grabbing my arm and yaking me close to him.
"Don’t make you what, huh?" I asked with a smirk.
Without say anything, he bent down, and kissed me.
"Do you EVER learn?" Brian asked, busting into the laundry chute.
"Damn it, damn it, damn it!!!" Nick yelled.
Brian smiled and let out an evil cackle. "Hey girlie!" he said with a wink.
"Hey Bri," I laughed.
"Y’all come on inside, wont you?" he asked, glaring at Nick. "We have COMPANY!" he yelled, opening the door to his apartment.
I gave him a strange look.
"He and Kevin enjoy sitting around this place in their boxers, and it would be inappropriate for you to have to witness horror such as Kevin walking around almost butt naked.
"Like you don’t enjoy sitting around in your boxers!" I teased him.
"Ohh la la!" Brian chucked, pitching Nick’s butt.
"Damnit Steph, look what you’ve started!" Nick whined.
Once we actually got inside, Brian made us all glasses of tea, and we hung out inn the living room.
"So," Brian said, taking a sip of his tea, "Steph, how ya doing?"
"As far as…?"
"Your folks."
"Oh. Well, um, good I guess. It could definitely be better. It’s just that everything’s weird now. If you thing about it, I’m an orphan now, to an extent."
He nodded. I wish I could tell you I knew the feeling, but I can only imagine. I’m sure Nick’s takin’ good care of you, right?"
"Oh, definitely!" I laughed
"Could you do me a favor?"
"Sure, what’s that?" I asked.
"Can you get me some more tea? I’m to lazy to get it myself."
"Sure, that’s the least I can do for you guys puttin’ up with me. Nick, you want some more while I’m up?"
"Yeah, thanks babe!" he smiled, handing me his glass.
I glanced over at Brian. It was unlike him to get someone to do him a favor in his own place. I watched Steph walk out of the room when my thoughts returned to Brian.
"She’s definitely a keeper!" he said in a whisper.
"Yeah," I sighed. "Too bad she dosen’t believe in love."
"Well, what’s gonna happen when we go ton tour?"
"Do what? C-c-come again?"
"What are you gonna do with her when we go on tour? You’re all she’s got left."
I stared at him blankly. "Okay, back up. I missed something!"
"Donna called. We’re releasing the album in August and we go on our first world tour opening for Brandy."
"Alright Rok, whatever. Don’t screw with my head."
"I’m not."
I sat there in disbelief. I was to shocked to say anything.
"Shhh, she’s comin’. Don’t say anything, I’m not sure how she’ll take it."
A couple of seconds later Steph came strolling back into the living room, scoping out Brain’s place. She looked impressed.
"Bri, I am REALLY diggin’ this place," I said, handing the guys their glasses.
"Why thank you! Me and Kevin did it all ourselves."
"Cool."
"Thanks. Hey, that reminded me, I’m havin’ a party on Friday, you two are MORE than welcome to come. Y’all up to it?"
Nick and I exchanged glances. Simultaneously, we both glanced at each other, shook our heads, and answered with a "Yeah baby, yeah!"