-Their Game-

Nick took Memphis’ hand and led her to his car. The drive was silent but it was a comfortable silence, no one really having anything to say and just enjoying being together. In fact, the two didn’t really say anything until they where seated at the restaurant, waiting for their food to arrive.

Having all ready ordered, Nick figured this would be a good time to bring up a topic. Mainly about tour and her coming with him. “You look very nice tonight Memphis,” Nick said sweetly, smiling his famous Carter smile at her. The one that people seemed to have a heard time turning down.

“Why thank you Nick, you don’t look so bad yourself,” She giggled and blushed, a habit that Nick found quite appealing.

“Thank you,” He folded his hands, feeling like a businessman with a proposition in mind. “So… I’m leaving on tour in a couple days…”

“Yeah… I know,” Memphis nodded and looked down at her glass of water. Did he have to remind her of that?

“Mem?” He said questioningly, toning his puppy-dog acting skills, “Do you think… maybe… you might want to go on tour with me?”

Her eyes fluttered up and she looked shocked at him. Surprised that he even cared that much to ask her. Her heart fluttered, maybe he liked her, liked her a considerable amount? “Me? Go on tour?”

Nick couldn’t help laughing at the shock in her voice, “Yes… you. Go on tour!” He mimicked the way she had asked.

She giggled and swatted him playfully. He was always teasing her, but in a sweet sort of way, “I… I’d love to go on tour with you! That… wow… it’d be so amazing!”

“Really? Great!” Nick said excitedly, hoping the tone fooled her. The truth was, he was getting tired of this playing thing. Memphis was becoming rather annoying. He, of course, wouldn’t admit that… but only because he needed her so that AJ would admit his feelings and he’d be happy again.

Ever since the whole rehab thing, AJ hadn’t been the same. When Sarah broke up with him, he almost fell off the deep end. But Nick had been there to steady his emotions out and now he seemed to be on the right track. Though he wasn’t truly happy and Nick was convinced that is was because he wouldn’t admit his real feelings.

“Nick?” Memphis questioned after having asked him something and him not responding.

“Huh? Sorry, I sort of got lost in another world!” He laughed easily, brushing off the thoughts of his friends for the moment.

“It’s okay…” Memphis nodded and asked her question once more, “Do the guys know I’m going to go on tour?”

“No, not that I know of,” Nick shook his head. Though AJ knew she was suppose to, he hadn’t told the others he was bringing her. Not only did he have to fool Memphis, but he had to fool the guys as well, or else they wouldn’t let her stay on tour until she said how she felt.

“Oh cause I was talking to AJ today and-“ She started, but something didn’t sit right with that sentence.

“You where talking to AJ?” He interrupted, not really caring what else she had to say. Why was she talking to him?

“Yeah, we talk a lot,” Memphis looked surprised that he didn’t know that, “AJ called me the other day… he said… I thought you gave him my phone number.”

“Well I didn’t.” Was that jealousy? Was Nick jealous? He couldn’t be… he wasn’t really WITH Memphis, he was just with her. He needed her so AJ would… well he’d gone over it a million times before.

“Oh…” Memphis shrugged, not really to fazed by it all, “Well anyways, AJ was telling me about how him and Sarah broke up so he wasn’t bringing anyone on tour.”

“AJ told you about Sarah?” Nick looked fazed. AJ hadn’t even told the other guys that Sarah and him broke up… and he told Memphis? A complete stranger pretty much!

“Yeah,” Memphis nodded, “I feel so bad for him… after the whole rehab thing. And… did you know he had feelings for Howie?” Memphis covered her mouth, “Or should I have not told you that.”

“I knew,” Nick nodded, his mind was racing, he couldn’t BELIEVE this, why in the world had AJ told her about his feelings for Howie? Nick had had to guess them and make AJ confess, but he’d just come out and said it to Memphis? “Wow, I didn’t know he was talking to you about… well… AJ’s not normally like that… he’s not the normal one to just share all his secrets like that.

Memphis smiled, “Well I’m glad I could be a friend to him and listen.”