"Ya know, I really don't care," Miranda pouted. "I seen how you were looking at her. And I seen the sad, pathetic way she was looking at you."
"Whatever Ray," AJ rolled his eyes. "You are so paranoid and delusional," he said in disgust.
"I'm delusional?" she asked, her voice rising. "You're the one putting false hopes into that girl's head. Toying with her emotions. Making her think that you like her and then come running the minute I call your name."
"I do not," he said defensively, dropping down on the couch. "I just talk to her," he mumbled.
"Well, apparently she thinks it's more than just talking. And the more attention you pay her, the more she's going to keep hanging around," Miranda warned.
"You make her sound like a fucking stray dog," he grumbled.
"Well, if the analogy fits," she said flippantly. Seeing the flash of anger that crossed his face, she knelt down in front of him. "Baby, you wouldn't be happy with her. I'm the only one who could keep ya that way," she whispered caressing his cheek.
Looking up at her, she could see the doubt in his eyes. "What makes you think that you make me happy?" he asked in a flat tone.
Miranda laughed. "Because I know you, silly. I know what you want, what you need. Besides," she stood up, walking over to the door. Folding her arms across her chest, she smiled smugly at him. "You would've left by now if I didn't."
"Was that Catlyn?" Crystal asked studying the girl as she walked over to the table.
"Ummm…yeah," Nick said looking down at his girlfriend.
She smiled up at him, wrapping her arms around him and laying her head on his chest. "Ewww…you're all smelly," she said pushing him away and wrinkling her nose.
Nick laughed. "Well, we WERE playing basketball," he said walking upstairs. Stopping in the bathroom on the way, he grabbed a towel and wiped his face. "What?" he asked, peeking over the top.
Crystal shook her head. "Nothing. You just seemed to be having an awful lot of fun," she shrugged.
"It was basketball. Of course I was having fun," he smiled at her as they walked into his room. "She's good - for a chick," he smirked, pulling off his T-shirt.
"Kyndall seems really nice," Crystal commented, changing the subject.
"Hmm.." Nick murmured looking around the room. Walking to the corner, he began rummaging through a pile of clothes.
"You really should clean this place up," she said watching him. "You might actually be able to find something."
"I can…" he tossed a pile of clothes to the side; walking over to the chair, he lifted a couple of shirts and sighed, "…find stuff…"; walking back to the bed, he got down on his hands and knees, lifting the apron, "…no problem," he grinned pulling out the yellow FUBU jersey he'd been looking for. "Besides," he mumbled from beneath the shirt as he put it on, walking towards the door, "if it bothers you that much, why don't you clean it?" he asked a quick smile in her direction as he left her staring after him.
Dinner was a glimpse into the "real life" of the Boys. Brian and Nick were having a discussion over basketball teams - who was better, who had the best players, who the best players were, who the best coaches were, and the whys of it all. AJ and Howie were discussing recording studios, new acts, and the music industry in general. Kevin was bouncing back and forth, refereeing Brian and Nick and commenting on AJ and Howie's conversation.
Crystal and Miranda were talking quietly amongst themselves about some guy they had gone to school with. Miranda had seen him at the mall and was wondering if Crystal remembered him. Both girls were keeping an eye on their men and how they were reacting to the newcomers.
Leighanne and Shawna were talking to Catlyn and Kyndall, trying to make them more comfortable. Kyndall was trying her hardest not to watch AJ. She knew that Miranda was analyzing everything she did. And although it bugged her to no end, Kyndall kept her eyes averted. Catlyn was bored with the chitchat of the girls. Not that they weren't sweet and funny, but she'd rather have been talking sports with Brian and Nick or music with AJ and Howie. But unfortunately, she didn't know anyone well enough to decide for herself. So she pretended to pay attention to Leighanne and Shawna, but she was really silently sizing up the rest of the group.
