AJ and Kyndall arrived at the restaurant ten minutes before they were supposed to be there. "Wow," AJ said smiling down at her. "Think I just set a record."
"For what, surpassing the speed limit?" she teased as the host directed them to their table.
"Funny," he said poking a finger in her side, tickling her. "For being early."
"Heyhey," Howie smiled as they walked up to the table. Taking Kyndall by the hands, he kissed each of her cheeks, commenting on how beautiful she looked.
"Flattery will get you everywhere darling," she laughed. "Hey Carmen," she said hugging the petite Spanish girl.
"Hello sweetie," Carmen smiled returning the embrace. "Wow, that is an awesome dress."
"Thanks," Kyndall said smoothing the see through black lace down. "AJ picked it out," she rolled her eyes with a smile.
"That would explain the animal print underneath," Carmen giggled as they sat down.
"What was that?" AJ asked leaning over and grinning. "I heard my name spoken."
"No you didn't you egomaniac," Kyndall laughed pushing him away.
"Hmph," he pouted turning his attention back to Howie. The waitress walked up, bringing their drinks and taking their order.
The guys had gotten on the topic of touring, which was part of the reason they were having this dinner. They were the only two that seemed to be focused on the group at the moment, real life distracting the others. Howie was set on a new tour within two months. The fans were itching to see the Boys again, and the longer they pushed it off, the more disenchanted they would become. And with all the 'Nsync hype at the moment, they really couldn't afford to lose too many fans.
AJ agreed with him, but he wasn't as eager as Howie to jump onto the tour bus again. He was enjoying his time off with Kyndall. He didn't want to have to leave her for any amount of time. Sure, she could travel with them some, but he wasn't sure she was going to want to hang out the WHOLE tour. "Look," AJ said. "It's not that I don't want to go back on the road. I just," he glanced over at Kyndall who was chatting happily with Carmen. "I'm not ready to leave her. And you know how hectic it gets."
Howie sighed. "I know. I'm not ready, either. But dude, you gotta think about our jobs and stuff. The fans forget we have real lives. And without the fans, we really don't have a job anymore. So you see, we're kind of stuck."
Kyndall glanced over at the annoying sound coming from AJ's area. He was tapping his fork on the table, indicating that he was annoyed with something. "Okay, ya'll must be in a deep discussion," she said reaching over and taking the fork away from AJ.
"Huh?" he asked looking at the fork as she placed it on the table.
"You're irritated," she smiled. "What's up."
Howie sighed. He started to say something but was interrupted by the waitress bringing their food. After she left, he looked at the girls. "We're discussing going back on tour."
"Oh," Kyndall said looking down at the table. "So, umm…why would this be irritating to you?" she asked trying to force a smile on her face.
"Because I don't want to leave you yet," AJ whined.
"Dude," Howie laughed. "You sound like Nick."
"Who sounds like me?" a voice said from behind him.
"Huh?" Howie asked looking behind him. "Man, you don't sneak up on people like that. It's…rude."
Nick laughed. "Hello Howie. Nice to see you, too. So," he smirked. "Who sounds like me."
"You may as well join us," Howie nodded towards the empty chair next to him.
"Well, okay…but I," he waved an arm to someone. "I have a guest."
AJ looked over at Kyndall and then at Nick. "Who-"
"Hey ya'll," Crystal said walking up next to Nick. "Wow," she smiled at Kyndall. "You and AJ are together."
"Crystal," AJ said in surprise. "When did…how are you?"
"Umm…" Howie said looking at Nick's old girlfriend with the same expression AJ had. "Carmen, this is Crystal…his…an…"
"An old friend," Nick finished for him.
Crystal looked at him funny for a moment before turning her attention towards AJ. "Wonderful," she replied sitting down in the chair Nick slid up to the table for her.
"So," Howie said after Nick was settled. "We were discussing a tour. When do you think is a good time?"
"Tomorrow," Nick grinned. "What?" he asked innocently, noticing the looks on AJ and Howie's faces.
"Nick," AJ sighed. "We're being serious."
"So am I," Nick said, losing the smile. "What do I have holding me here," he looked at Crystal. "No offense."
She smiled. "It's okay. A new tour sounds fun."
AJ looked at Howie and then at Kyndall. "I just…I don't…would you want to come along?" he asked her.
"Think I'm going to let you out of my sight?" she grinned, hooking her arms through his.
AJ smiled. "It's a crazy mess out there. And I'm NOT a friendly person when I'm tired."
Howie laughed. "I can attest to that," he nodded.
Carmen was sitting quietly a little left out from the conversation. Kyndall looked at her, unhooking herself from AJ. "I'll be right back," she said grabbing Carmen by the hand. "Come here, I have to talk to you." Carmen followed her, wondering what Kyndall was going to say. When they were a safe distance away from the table. "You don't think I'm going to let you stay here in Florida while we're out gallivanting around the country do you?"
Carmen looked at her funny. "I don't…"
"You think he's going to leave you here, don't you?"
"Well, he…hasn't asked me to go yet," Carmen said softly.
Kyndall laughed. "He will. And even if he doesn't, you don't think I'm putting up with those monsters by myself do ya?"
Carmen giggled. "Thank you," she said hugging Kyndall tightly.
"No," Kyndall said softly. "Thank you. Thank you for making Howie happy. He deserves it."
They walked back to the table laughing about some old people they'd seen at a table where they were standing. Howie looked up and smiled at Carmen. When she sat down, he leaned over and whispered, "I hope you're going to come along."
She glanced over at Kyndall and smiled. "But of course," she said turning back to him and kissing him.
"So," Nick said clapping his hands together. "We're making this for when?" Crystal was hanging on his arm, looking at Carmen and Kyndall suspiciously.
