-Their Game-

After saying goodbye to Benji and Joel, Nick led Memphis down to his car. “You’re brothers seem nice,” Nick opened the door for her, shutting it when she was safely tucked inside and making his way to the driver’s side.

“Yeah, they are,” Memphis nodded, smiling at the thought of them. “We’re pretty close knit family, outside my dad. And they’re really overprotective of me. I had to insure them that you where a good guy and not out to hurt me,” She laughed.

Nick, however, could only force a chuckle. He was out to hurt her in-a-way.

They arrived at Howie’s house around 3:30 pm, a few minutes later but that was typical for Nick. He opened the car door for Memphis then took her hand, leading her to the front of the nice house.

“Geez, this place is sweet,” Memphis looked around in awe, “Who lives here?”

“Oh, my friend Howie,” Nick remarked off-handily.

“You mean, this is a party with all your Backstreet friends?” Memphis asked, starting to really get use to his hand in hers.

“Yeah and a few other friends,” Nick nodded like it was no big deal, “We normally have a pool party about a week or so before tour.”

“Your going on tour?” The disappointment was evident in Memphis’ voice and Nick had to bite back a smile. Maybe it wouldn’t be too hard to get her to come with him after all.

“Yeah, come on,” He lead her into the house, not bothering to knock.

Memphis followed shakily, clinging on to Nick’s hand for comfort. Nick had a feeling making her fall in love with him would be simple enough. She all ready seemed to be strongly ‘infatuated.’

“We’re here!” Nick called out as Memphis and he appeared on the deck where the in-ground pool was.

They where greeted with ‘Hey’s’ and ‘Hello’s’, people waving in their general direction. “Now, I’ll take you on the rounds to meet everyone,” Nick explained to her, leading her to the general congregation of people.

“Hey Nick, who’s this?” A tall blonde girl with misty green eyes appeared in front of them.

Nick evidentially didn’t like her. Memphis could tell by the way his face looked annoyed. God, it was amazing how she could all ready read him.

In a protective gesture, for reason’s she didn’t understand, she wrapped her arm around his waist. As if claiming what was hers. But when had Nick become hers?

“Hey Ashley,” He said shortly, “This is my girlfriend, Memphis.” Not even a pause, he let his arm fall loosely over her shoulder.

Memphis tried not to let her surprise and joy show at Nick Carter saying they where dating. Even if it was to make some girl jealous.

Ashley was about to respond when AJ, Howie and Brian came up to him, “Hey Nick, who’s this?” Brian asked, gesturing towards Memphis.

“His girlfriend Memphis,” Ashley said snotty like before walking off.

“All right, who invited her?” Nick gestured to Ashley. The two had once been dating but had since had a pretty bad break up.

“She’s out visiting Leigh, we couldn’t just leave her at home alone,” Brian shrugged but then turned his attention to Memphis, “So, girlfriend uh? I didn’t know you had a girlfriend Nick.”

“Yeah well, we’ve only been going out for,” Nick glanced at his watch, “About three minutes.” Both Nick and Memphis laughed, the other guys joining in when they caught on, “But hopefully we’ll be together longer then that.”

Nick met Memphis’ eyes and smiled. She returned the smile, feeling butterflies in her stomach. God, was that gonna happen every time she saw him smile?

“So, you think she fits?” Nick asked AJ, leaning against the table, a Mountain Dew in hand.

AJ glanced to where Memphis was chatting away with Kevin and Howie, “She gets along with Kevin; oh yeah, she fits. I say A ++ for her.”

Nick smirked. True, she did get along with Kevin. She got along with everyone really, outside of Ashley. It was weird, like she was meant to fit with the group, meant to be part of them.

“Nick?” AJ’s voice broke through his thoughts.

Nick turned to him, “What? Sorry, zoned out for a moment.” “I said, do you think she’ll agree to come on tour with us?” AJ asked again.

Memphis caught Nick’s eyes from across the way, smiling and blushing a little. He smiled back, “Oh yeah, I think she’ll come.”