It was about eight at night the Thursday before they got back from Mexico. Summer was just sitting up in her room channel surfing when the phone rang.

Summer - "Hello." No answer. "Hello?"

Nick - "Hey." His voice brought a smile to her face even if it did make her heart jumped up into her throat.

Summer - "Hey."

Nick - "what are you up to?"

Summer - "Nothing just channel surfing. What about you what are you doing?"

Nick - "I just got done packing."

Summer - "How was Mexico?"

Nick - "Hot. But it's nice I like the traveling."

Summer - "Yeah I guess you would have to." There's an uncomfortable silence.

Nick - "So I was calling cause I was hoping maybe you could meet me when I get in."

Summer - "Sure."

Nick - "It's like three in the morning are you sure?"

Summer - "yeah. What's the flight number?"

Nick - "8908. Thanks."

Summer - "No problem."

Nick - "Well I guess I'll let you go I'll see you in a couple hours."

Summer - "Are you all right?"

Nick - "Yeah I've just been doing some thinking and I wanted to talk to you when I got in."

Summer - "Thinking. Sounds serious what's up?"

Nick - "Can it wait I'd much rather see you."

Summer - "Yeah I guess."

Nick - "Okay I'll see you later."

Summer - "All right bye."

Nick - "Bye." They hang up. She reaches over and flips through her date book and gets AJ's number to call him.

AJ - "How did I know it was going to be you?"

Summer - "You must be pyshic."

AJ - "Either that or I knew Nick was going to call you."

Summer - "What does he have to talk to me about? Cause if he's going to blow me off and say he never wants to see me again I can't take it and I want to be prepared."

AJ - "If he was going to tell you that he never wants to see you again do you think he would drag you to the airport at three in the morning."

Summer - "I don't know would he?"

AJ - "No he wouldn't. So have you figured anything out?"

Summer - "No not really. Brett left three days ago to go visit his grandmother for two weeks. I meant to talk to him about seeing other people before he left but I just didn't get that far."

AJ - "Still avoiding confrontations."

Summer - "Yeah."

AJ - "Well I don't know this Brett guy but I can tell you Nick's a great kid. He thinks the world of you. He even stole this old picture I have of you and is carrying it around in his game bag. Which if you know Nick, is scared."

Summer - "I think I might be able to dig up a newer one for him."

AJ - "Hey what about me?"

Summer - "Oh no you're not getting one until you come here to see my dad. He really wants to see you."

AJ - "Well we've got a few weeks off before we get started with the tour rehearsel and stuff I can come down and see you then."

Summer - "Perfect Zeke's suppose to be getting in some time this week and then I'll have my whole happy little family together again."

AJ - "Oh yeah can't wait."

Summer - "Oh shut up it'll be so much fun."

AJ - "Well Lily I should really go."

Summer - "Okay. Call me."

AJ - "I will."

After Summer hung up, she looked at the clock. It's about nine so she called Ginger quick.

Danny - "Hello."

Summer - "Hey Danny is Ginger there?"

Danny - "Kinda she's downstairs doing something. Want me to get her?"

Summer - "No just tell her that I need her to cover for me. I'm going to go out with some friends tonight and might be out kind of late so if dad calls her tomorrow to check my story I was over there watching movies and fell asleep on the couch."

Danny - "You are aware you're an adult and don't have to make up stories to tell your dad."

Summer - "Danny please don't you start bullying me too."

Danny - "Hey you never know maybe your dad would appreciate you being honest with him."

Summer - "My dad. You've met my dad right. Stuck up English guy thinks the whole world has it in for his kids. Even the two that don't appreciate him. I'm the only quote unquote good one left. I'm just not ready to burst his bubble about me yet."

Danny - "Okay but tell me where are you really going."

Summer - "Just out with the girls."

Danny - "You're not sneaking out with Brett." His opinion about him is tainted by Ginger's and he feels that since Zeke is in California it's up to him to protect Summer.

Summer - "No he's visiting his grandparents so I thought I'd go have some fun solo."

Danny - "well be careful. And don't get into too much trouble."

Summer - "I won't Danny. Thanks. Tell Ging thanks too. Bye."

Danny - "Later." Ginger comes back upstairs.

Ginger - "Who was on the phone?"

Danny - "Summer. She wants us to cover for her she's going out with her friends but she's going to tell Hugh that she's watching movies over here."

Ginger - "Something's up with her she's acting weird."

Danny - "She always acts weird."

Ginger - "Well weirder then usual. She's really jumpy. And ever time I talk to her she likes drifts off in the middle of the conversation. There is something going on in that little head of hers. And I'm going to get to the bottom of it."

Danny - "Cause leaving her alone and letting her tell you by herself is just crazy."

Ginger - "See you're learning how our family works." Danny shakes his head. "Come on I found my tape measure let's see if that new hutch is going to fit."

Danny - "I'm telling you it's not. I'm the arictech here I can tell about these things."

The two of them go in to the bedroom and measure for the new furniture.

Chapter Fourty-Eight