"That was the stupidest game of Monopoly I've ever played!" Nick said, in his usual SORE LOSER tone of voice.

"Yeah that's because you lost!" Colleen replied, pushing him playfully.

"No!  It's because this game is ridiculous."

"Yeah sure, ok Nicky," I mumbled, "Whatever you say."

"Bri, what time is it?" Col asked suddenly.

"Ummm 5:30." I replied, glancing at my watch.

"Oh I forgot to tell you…the rest of the guys are coming over at six.  AJ and Cefi are bringing pizza.  Let me go set the table." She said, disappearing into the kitchen.

"I'm gonna go shower quickly," Nick added, "Oh…I can use your shower, right?"

"Yep!  Go ahead." I replied. 

I was all alone in my living room, not that I minded.  It gives me time to think about "stuff."  You know:  my career, my two best friends, the rest of the fellas, and my beloved fans.  What I love to think about most is high school.  I have some of the best memories of me and Col back then.  Like the time that her and me had a huge water gun fight.  I remember it like it was just yesterday.  We were both chasing each other through the halls of our high school, squirting each other with Super Soaker 2000's.  She had gotten so pissed of at me that day, because she was wearing a white shirt…and after I had gotten her soaked, her shirt was completely see-through.  Well of course she forgave me, but I had to buy her ice cream afterwards.  That was so much fun.  I also remember the time we went to our Senior Prom together.  I think about a million guys asked her to be their date…but she begged me to come home to Kentucky for it.  Of course I couldn't resist!  We had the best time.  She dragged me onto the dance floor for just about EVERY dance.  I remember her telling me that I should get used to dancing in public, because being a Backstreet Boy would require a lot of dancing in front of people.  Yep…we had the greatest times back in Kentucky.  Sometimes I miss living back home in Kentucky…with her at my side most of the time…just the two of us.  Now, don't get me wrong…I love having Nick hang with us.  Him and Col get along so well…sometimes too well.  Not that I'm jealous.  I know that Col will always be closer to me…we have a history of friendship.  Just friends…

"DING-DONG!!!"

The sound of the doorbell made me jump.

I opened the front door and was greeted by AJ, Cefi, Marietta, Howie, and Kev. 

"Pizza's here!" AJ shrieked, running into the kitchen with the pie. 

"Let's eat everybody!" I heard Col say from the kitchen. 

"What's up Bri?" Kevin asked.

"Oh nothing.  Let's eat!"

Kevin and I walked into the kitchen.

"Here Bri…grab a slice." Col said, tossing me a plate.

"I think I will." I replied, taking a piece out of the box.

"Hey, where's Nick?" Col mumbled, taking a bite out of her slice.

"Uh, he's upstairs taking a 'quick' shower." I replied.

"What?  Nick can't take a quick shower, he's…"

"Hey!  Col!  I resent that remark!  I can take a quick shower!" Nick said, walking into the kitchen.

I watched him walk up to Col…I watched him start to tickle her…I watched her laugh hysterically…and I felt left out.  I get these feelings a lot.  Ever since Col met Nick…and that was a LONG time ago.  I get these feelings that they would be happier without me.  I know that's not true.  I'm like a big brother to Col.  We gave each other promise rings for friendship.  We mean the world to each other.  So why do I feel left out?

"Ahhh!  Nick stop it!  That tickles!" Col shrieked, laughing so hard, she was crying.

"Nope!  Take back what you said…about me being slow in the shower!" he replied, tickling her under her arms.

"Never!" she laughed, pushing Nick aside a running over to me.  She immediately sat on my lap…I was her protector.

"Oh man!!!  Forget it now!  Let's eat!" Nick said, giving up, and grabbing a slice of pizza.

"Aw…Nick's scared of Brian!" AJ chuckled, giving Col and me a high five for making Nick surrender.

"No!  I'm not scared of Bri." Nick pouted, sticking out his lower lip.

"Guys?  Can we please act like civilized human beings?  I have to talk to you guys.  It's really important." Kevin said, suddenly.

The table went completely silent, and Col sat down in the chair next to me.  We all wanted to hear what Kevin had to say.

"Ok Kev…spill." I said curiously.

"Ok here it goes.  Well as you all know, I'm still in love with Elyse.  And…"

"Kevin!  We know your still in love with Elyse, but you must move on.  It's been 3 years!" AJ interrupted, "Give the obsession up!"

"Shut up AJ." Sophia mumbled, "Let him say what he has to say."

"Sorry." He replied, "Go on Kev."

"As I was saying:  I've decided that I'm going to tell her how I feel.  I'm going to drive down to Tampa tomorrow.  I would normally wait until the tour starts up again…but if I wait I might lose the courage to say what I have to say."

Shouts of "Finally!" and "Congratulations" filled the air.  I patted Kevin on the back and whispered, "Good luck man."

I was really happy for Kevin.  He had been in love with Elyse for about 3 years now, and he's never had enough guts to tell her how he feels.  I hope that she feels the same way about him, because he will be absolutely crushed if she doesn't. 

"Hey, where's Nick?" I asked suddenly, noticing that Nick had gotten up from the table, after Kevin had made his announcement. 

"I have NO idea." Col replied.

"I'm right here!" Nick said, with a devilish grin.

I looked behind me and saw Nick holding my old Super Soaker 2000.  He was about to soak Colleen.

"Look behind you Col." Sophia and AJ said in unison.

She slowly turned her head, and at that moment…Nick squirted her in the face.

"NICK!!!!!!!" she shrieked, "YOU BETTER RUN!!!!"

"Oh crap!" he cried, running outside, trying to squirt her from behind. 

Everyone at the table was laughing hysterically…everyone but me.

"Oh man.  Poor Nicky…he's dead meat!  Col's gonna kill him." Howie said, laughing. 

"Hey Bri?  Are you ok?" Marietta asked, smiling.

"Oh yeah I'm fine.  I just feel real bad for Nick." I lied, forcing a smile.

I wasn't ok.  Why wasn't I ok?  One of my best memories with Col is our water gun fight.  And Nick was slowly taking away all of our memories.  I hated it.  Maybe I am jealous…but as I said before, I have nothing to be jealous about.  I'll always be Colleen's best bud…right?