-Their Game -

Nick paced around the hotel floor. He couldn’t go back into his room, cause Memphis would be waiting for him there. What was he going to do? He couldn’t go to AJ because he didn’t want AJ to know that Nick was having any emotions towards Memphis at all.

Had he lost his mind? What the heck was going on inside him?! He couldn’t stand it! Couldn’t take the pressure of it all! What the heck was he suppose to do with all these emotions swiveling inside of him. Who could he talk to?

Brian.

It had been a long time since Nick and Brian had a serious conversation. Of course, they where still good friends and enjoyed hanging out but they had lost that closeness that they used to have and Nick always missed that.

For a long time it had always been Frick and Frack and then Brian met Leigh Anne, and things started to get serious. And suddenly Brian was getting married, leaving Nick behind in the world of single men.

So Nick had turned to AJ and they had become the best of friends. Nick liked the friendship he had with AJ but he would always treasure the times that Brian had been there for him.

Nick found himself standing in front of Brian’s door, his hand reaching out and knocking gently. His mind screamed at him to run before Brian could answer. After all, admitting that he really had feelings for Memphis, to Brian wouldn’t be the smartest thing. Brian was all ready under the impression the Memphis and Nick where in love with each other.

But by the time his feet could react, Brian was opening the door and smiling brightly at him. “Hey Nick! What’s up?” Brian glanced behind Nick, as if searching for someone.

‘Oh right… Memphis,’ Nick thought then turned his attention to Brian. So what was going to be his excuse for coming to his old best friend’s room at 9 PM, “Memphis was asleep and… I got bored so I thought maybe you might want to… umm… hang out?”

Brian smiled gently at him and opened the door wider so Nick could walk in. Nick was grateful that Brian didn’t press the issue, but he thought this too soon, “What’s wrong Nick?”

“Huh?” Nick looked at him, a blank expression on his face.

“You don’t come to me to ‘just hang out’ anymore,” Brian stated, the hurt evident in his face. Nick frowned, he had no idea that he was hurting his friend like this, “You normally ‘just hang out’ with AJ. And if you expect me to believe that Memphis is asleep, after I just heard you two singing that song, you’ve got the wrong impression of me.”

Nick looked surprised, he didn’t know Brian had heard them singing. A smile lit up his face as he remembered dancing with Memphis, watching her eyes sparkle… and the way her lips felt against his own…

“You really love her don’t you?” Brian stated more then asked, sitting on the bed.

Nick sighed and sat beside him; running a hand, as was habit, through his hair. “I… I don’t know… I’m not sure how I feel. I… I want to… Brian…” Nick looked helplessly at him.

“Go ahead and tell me Nick, you know you’ll feel better afterwards,” Brian coaxed, recognizing the pleading look in his friends eyes.

“Okay…” Nick sighed and began his story. Of the game. Of the dares. Of how this was the last dare. The only part he left out was AJ’s feelings for Howie. That was his place to tell and he wasn’t about to break AJ’s trust. “And now… I think… I think I’m starting to feel things for Memphis… things I shouldn’t be feeling if I’m suppose to break her heart. But I want AJ to tell this person how he feels and I want AJ to be happy but I don’t want to hurt Memphis…” Nick sighed, “What should I do?”

Brian looked at him, seriousness written all over his face, “First… I think you and AJ are both very immature for playing this game. The harmless pranks are okay… even when AJ grabbed me… but this is a girl! A real girl with REAL emotions! A nice girl at that. How could you even think of doing this? Why did you agree?”

“I told you! I want AJ to tell Howie how he feels so that they can be happy together.” Nick covered his mouth when he realized his mistake. He shouldn’t have said that… oh shit AJ was going to kill him!

Brian blinked. “AJ… AJ likes… Howie?”

“Loves,” Nick corrected, figuring Brian might as well know it all, since he heard that part.

“Why… why hasn’t he said anything? I mean… why hasn’t he made some sort of sign… pointed it out or something?” Brian asked, standing and walking in the direction of the phone.

Nick starred at him. This was not exactly the reaction he was expecting. Maybe some yelling, a few bible versus, but… Brian seemed… excepting. Like… he was mad that AJ didn’t do anything about these emotions before.

And Nick just continued to stare as Brian picked up the phone and dialed a few numbers, “Howie? Yeah it’s Bri….. Can you come to my room?…… Right now, yeah…… It’s really important….. Well…… Let’s just say it has to do with AJ….”

There was a loud click that Nick heard from across the room. He looked up at Brian and frowned. “What’s this all about? Why… you’re not gonna tell Howie are you?”

“Howie has to know.” Brian stated, all ready making his way to the door.

“But… AJ’s gonna flip when he knows that I told you, let alone Howie knows!” Nick stood up, ready to fight Brian if need may be. “

Nick… Howie’s got to know because…” Brian paused and looked hard at him, “Because Howie feels the same.”