"I am so sorry I wasn't there, man," Kevin said leaning back into the couch, stretching his legs out in front of him. "You're really going to do it?" he grinned and shook his head. "Congratulations."
"Thanks," Howie smiled. "I was kind of nervous, ya know. Haven't been with her that long and stuff. I know that I love her and she loves me and stuff, but ya know…" he said.
Kevin nodded. "Yeah, ya'll are really good together. Wow. Can't believe it. First Nick and then you," he said.
Howie sighed. "Yeah, Nick was pretty upset after I did it. I didn't even know that he had a ring for Lesh. I felt kinda bad afterward. Even so," Howie said making a face, " I don't understand why it bothers him so much."
Kevin shrugged. "He feels extremely threatened by this guy Alesha's been talking to on the computer."
"Yeah, but it's not like she's met him. He didn't even show up the day that HE set for them to meet," Howie said trying to figure out the situation. "I don't know. He doesn't talk a lot. And then when he does, it's mostly to Brian, as usual."
Kevin nodded. "I know," he said. "Is she happy?"
"Who? Lesh?" Howie asked. "I guess. She seems to be. I know she misses Nick like crazy and believes that one day things will work out for them. But she knows it won't be anytime soon."
"Hmmm…" Kevin said.
"Have you heard AJ's big news?" Howie asked changing the subject.
Kevin nodded slowly. Howie noticed how sad he looked about it. "Yeah," Kevin said softly. "I'm…happy for them. Has he…I mean…are they…"
Howie shrugged. "No clue," he said studying Kevin for a moment. "It bothers you doesn't it?"
"What does?"
"That's she's with him. That they're starting a family. You wish it was you," Howie said.
"That obvious?" Kevin asked.
Howie smiled softly. "Yes and no. How are things with Carrie?"
Kevin smiled. "They're good. We're taking it really slow," he shrugged. "I love her…I just…" he sighed. "I don't know. Sometimes I miss Lori, and seeing her with AJ is just…it just hurts I guess."
"At least he seems serious about her," Howie pointed out.
"I know. It's not that I doubt his feelings for her," Kevin smiled. "I don't know. Just petty jealousy I guess," he grinned. "AJ gets all the girls."
Howie laughed. "That's what he says about Nick."
"Brian, look," Nick said, his stare intense, his expression serious. "I don't want to talk about.
"But Nick, if you don't talk to her, if you don't tell her how you feel, you're gonna lose her forever," Brian replied softly, his blue eyes searching Nick's.
"I can't lose her," Nick said looking away as his eyes filled with tears.
"Then do something. The longer you wait, the more she falls for that net dude," Brian sighed.
"I know that Brian. But what can I possibly say to make it better?" Nick asked looking back towards him. " 'I'm sorry, Lesh. I really do love you. I'm a retarded dumbass. Please forgive me and give me another chance.' " Nick asked sarcastically.
"It's a start," Brian said smiling.
"It's not funny, BRok. There is nothing I can say or do to make up for being a complete idiot," Nick said looking away sadly.
"A ticket to Scotland," Alesha said holding the phone away from her ear, and staring at the envelope in her hand.
"From who?" Lori asked still in shock.
"DarkStar," Alesha murmured, cringing in anticipation of the reprimand she was sure Lori was going to give her.
Much to her surprise, Lori didn't say much. "Are you going?" was all she asked.
"I…I don't know. I mean, that's a long ways to go to meet someone," Alesha answered quietly.
"True. But even if ya don't really wanna meet him, you could always just hightail it out of the airport and enjoy the one place in the world that you have always dreamed of going," Lori grinned on the other end of the phone.
"Yeah," Alesha sighed. "But it won't be the same any more because Nick and I use to talk about going over there together. And I was kind of looking forward to going there with him, ya know?"
"Lesha dear, don't let him stand in the way. Who knows? DarkStar may be the guy you've been waiting for."
"Maybe," Alesha smiled.
"When do ya leave?" Lori asked. "I'm assuming Taelen will be staying with us."
Alesha laughed. "Trying to get rid of me? Next week."
"Hmm…you'll miss the press conference. Prolly better that way. They guys are going to be talking about all the current relationship developments."
Alesha nodded. "Yeah, kinda glad I'll be missing it," she murmured, her heart racing with excitement about her trip.
