It didn't take long for Nick to figure out why Kyndall wasn't talking to him. He knew within days. It had now been a couple of weeks. What he didn't understand was why she had forgiven AJ so easily. It wasn't like HE had been kissing Shelly behind her back. He grimaced remembering his brief experience with her and what it had been like. Not that there was anything wrong with Shelly. She just…well, she wasn't Catlyn. "Oh well," he mumbled. "Its not as if I care what Kyndall and AJ do." He was about to step out when the phone rang. "Hello?"
"Nick? It's Crystal." He stared at the phone in his hand, wondering if he'd heard correctly. "Umm…you there?" she asked.
"Huh? Oh," he laughed nervously, still in shock. "Yeah. Wow. Been a while."
"Yeah," she agreed. "I was…I was wondering if perhaps we could get together. Talk or whatever."
"Well," he said looking at the floor. "I…umm…sure."
"Really?" Crystal exclaimed.
A smile formed on his lips. "Yeah. How about we go grab something to eat tonite and then hang out at the Cove?"
"Awesome," she said softly. "8 then?"
"That's fine with me," he nodded.
"Okay then. Look, I have to go, but I'll see you at 8."
"8 o'clock, then," Nick confirmed. "See you then." He hung up the phone wondering if it was real. "Okay, that was a little odd," he mumbled.
"I'm happy as I can be back here," Catlyn laughed.
Kyndall sighed. "Why don't you come back to Florida? I miss you."
"Yeah, I miss you, too. I just…I'm not ready to face him."
"I understand," Kyndall said softly. "Have you heard from Keebler and the gang?"
Catlyn giggled. "Well, indirectly. At least from Justin. Joey calls me every once in a while. Says Justin and Britney are going out. I think he thinks it bothers me. I don't have the heart to tell him that I could care less." The girls talked some about what was going on with the Boys. Kyndall told Catlyn about Kevin and how he's dallying about asking Shawna to marry him. She told her about Leighanne and Brian's plans for the wedding. Catlyn asked about Howie and Carmen, which set Kyndall off on another tale of blissful romance and happiness. Catlyn noticed with relief that Kyndall hadn't mentioned Nick. "Well, looks like everyone is doing well," Catlyn said wistfully.
Kyndall grinned. "And you. Are you seeing anyone?"
"What? Me?" she laughed. "All I have to choose from are farmers, cowboys, or wannabe punks, okay. There is NOTHING for me here."
"Yeah well. Cowboys aren't ALWAYS a bad thing. Nice butts," Kyndall joked. She laughed even harder when AJ looked at her strangely.
"Want that I start wearing Wranglers and boots?" AJ teased walking with an awkward stagger.
"Umm…no," Kyndall giggled.
"Oh god. That's a horrible sight," Catlyn shuddered picturing AJ as a cowboy.
"Tell me about it," Kyndall grinned.
"So, things are good with ya'll then?"
Kyndall nodded. "Yeah. We have our occasional spats when AJ gets too annoying," she laughed at the face he made.
"She's more annoying than I am," he hollered.
"I seriously doubt that," Catlyn answered.
Kyndall laughed. "Hehe. Told you she'd take my side," she said sticking her tongue out at AJ.
"Gonna use that, or just tease me with it?" he asked, walking past her to the stairs.
"Tease. Definitely," she winked.
"I'm so glad that ya'll are happy," Catlyn smiled.
"Me too. It's rough sometimes. Dealing with all the fans and stuff," Kyndall shrugged. "But I love him so it's definitely worth it."
Catlyn nodded. "Well, I should be going. Adam wants me to go to Tumbleweed's with him. Line dancing, beer drinking, and lots of cowboys," she said in a mock southern accent.
"You do that well," Kyndall noted with a smirk.
"Shut up," Catlyn murmured unamused.
"Hehe. I'll talk with you later darlin."
"Okay sweetie. Tell everyone hi for me."
"I will," Kyndall said softly. "Bbye."
"Bye," Catlyn said hanging up the phone.
AJ came down the stairs a few minutes later to find Kyndall curled up on the couch, lost in thought. He sat down beside her, pulling her into his arms. "You miss her don't you?"
Kyndall nodded snuggling up to him. "A lot. I hope that everything is okay up there. She sounded so…different."
"Yeah," he nodded. "She sounded more like a hick," he grinned. Kyndall smacked him lightly on the arm. "I'm just kidding. She sounded kind of distracted or something the short bit I talked to her. I don't know. Could be me," he shrugged.
"No," Kyndall shook her head. "Something is bothering her. I just wish she'd tell me what it is."
"She will baby, just give her time." He kissed her softly on the cheek. "But unfortunately, we have to go meet Howie and Carmen at the restaurant in an hour and we haven't even BEGUN to get ready yet."
Kyndall sighed. "Yeah, I know," she said softly. "Guess I was hoping you'd forget," she smiled.
"Not a matter of me forgetting sweetie," AJ said as he helped her up. "It's Howie. And you know how he gets."
