Chapter Fifty-four

AJ - "Summer you act like you haven't seen him in like months."

Summer - "It's felt like months." She stares out the window of the car. "Are we almost there?"

AJ - "Yes." His phone rings. "Hello?"

Howie - "Is it possible for you to ever be on time?"

AJ - "Sorry but they couldn't find Lily's luggage at the airport."

Howie - "You brought her back with you?"

AJ - "Yeah. She said she wants to spend time with me but she hasn't shut up about Nick since we left."

Summer - "You know I can hear you."

AJ - "I know. We'll be there in a couple minutes."

Howie - "Okay I'll meet you out front I've got an idea."

AJ - "Okay we're coming down the street now."

Howie - "See you in a bit."

The car pulls up front and Howie is waiting for them. "Hi Delilah."

Summer - "Howie for the last time call me Summer."

Howie - "Alright. So you want to help me mess with Nick."

Summer - "Sure I guess."

Howie - "Okay here's the plan." He explains his plan to her and then the two guys go inside.

Kevin - "It's about time."

AJ - "Sorry got a little tied up at the airport."

Nick- "How's Summer?"

AJ - "She's good."

Nick - "Did she give you anything to give me?"

AJ - "No. Was she supposed to?"

Nick - "No I guess not."

Howie - "What's wrong Nicky she didn't write you a letter."

Nick - "Shut up Howie."

Howie - "Maybe you should just forget about her. You know there's a lot of beautiful young ladies auditioning today maybe one will catch your eye." The five guys settle down at a table near the back of the arena so they can watch the auditions without making the dancers nervous. Kevin motions to Fatima that they are ready.

Fatima - "Okay now we'll do the ladies first. If I can have you all line up for me on this line here." Over twenty girls line up and then Summer stands at the far end. Brian notices here and nudges Kevin. They both look at Nick who hasn't even glanced at the stage once.

Kevin - "I think I'll take the one on the end."

Brian - "Nah she's too short for you."

Kevin - "I like 'em short."

Brian - "No you don't. Loren's tall."

Kevin - "I know it would be nice to look down at a girl for once."

Howie - "You guys haven't even seen her dance yet. And you're fighting over her."

Brian - "She must be able to dance to get this far. Besides look how cute she is."

AJ - "Careful Rok. Christine might hear you the whole way back in Atlanta or where ever she is."

Brian - "Just because I have a girlfriend doesn't mean I cant think another girls pretty."

AJ and Howie - "Yeah right."

Brian gives them a half dirty look. "But seriously she reminds me of someone. Hey Nick," He nudges him, "that girl on the end, does she remind you of anyone?"

Nick puts down the magazine he was reading. "Look guys you know I don't really care about this shit. Just pick mine for me I'm getting out of here." He gets up without even looking at the stage.

Howie - "But Nick..."

Nick - "No but Nicks, I'm going to go call Summer." He takes out his cell and starts dialing as he walks up the stairs.

On stage Summer sees Nick walking away. AJ looks up at her and shrugs his shoulders. She runs backstage and through the door Howie and AJ brought her in. She runs around to the front of the building. She can hear Nick as she gets closer.

Nick - "well I guess you're not really home. Probably out doing something fun without me."

Summer - "Like anyone could have fun with out you." Nick turns around and almost drops his phone. "Surprise."

Nick - "Oh my god you came." He hugs her close. "When did you get here?"

Summer - "I came with AJ." She backs out of his embrace and hits his arm. "You are really dense you know. I was standing up there on that stage waiting for you to look up and notice me but you didn't. Instead you get up and leave! Where were you going?"

Nick - "To call you and ask why you didn't send me a letter back. But I'll take you over a letter any day." He hugs her again. "Let's get out of here."

Summer - "Don't you have to work?"

Nick - "Nah, they can take care of it. But still lets get out of here quick before Kevin decides I should really be here instead of out with you."

Summer - "Okay." He takes her hand and they head off to his car. "Hey aren't we missing somebody?"

Nick opens her door for her, "Who?"

Summer - "Well when AJ got off the plane there has this big guy there to meet him. He said that when you guys are in Orlando you never go anywhere with out your bodyguard."

Nick - "Well we usually don't but then I don't think I really need a bodyguard to take you back to my place."

Summer - "Oh we're going to your house?"

Nick - "Yeah just for a little bit, til we figure out something else to do."

Summer was a little nervous about going back to Nick's house with him. Please God don't let him try to put the moves on me cause I'll fall for it, she thinks to herself.

Nick looks over at her and smiles. "You're being awfully quiet, what's up?"

Summer - "Oh nothing just glad to be here. Can I turn on the radio?"

Nick - "Yeah sure go ahead. We'll be at my house in like ten minutes."

Summer - "Okay." She concentrates on the scenery as they get to a more exclusive part of town. Nick's phone starts to ring as the pull on to his street.

Nick - "Knew it wouldn't take them long." He answers. "Hello."

Brian - "Where are you?"

Nick - "Almost home."

Brian - "That's what I thought. Look AJ is flipping out."

Nick - "Why?"

Brian - "Because he promised Summer's dad that he would take good care of her and she's not even in town an hour before you and her run off."

Nick - "Christ man she is nineteen."

Brian - "Look we are well aware of that fact but her dad is like super protective of her. AJ still doesn't know how he got her out of Miami. Just don't be you okay."

Nick - "What's that suppose to mean?"

Brian - "Don't fuck around with her and then drop her."

Nick - "Jesus, Brian! Is that what you guys think I'm going to do?"

Brian - "You have a few times in the past."

Nick - "Well yeah but those were different. Look when you guys get done why don't you all come over to my house and we'll have a barbeque or something, okay."

Brian - "I can't I've got to get Christine at the airport. But I'm sure AJ will come."

Nick - "Okay well have them give me a call later. I'm pulling up to my house now."

Brian - "Later."

They hang up. Summer had heard the whole conversation because Brian has talking very loud. She was going to ask Nick about the other girls but decided it might not be a good idea. After all he said that she was different.