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Then and Now Chapter 7 Nick sat at the breakfast table, trying to pretend he wasn't eavesdropping on the girls conversation. He poked his cereal with his spoon and started swirling it around. Lis stopped talking to Han and looked across the table to Nick who was playing with his breakfast. She almost laughed when it almost spilled onto the table. "Nick, aren't you too old to be playing with your food?" BJ asked, watching her brother. "Huh? Oh yeah I'm just not hungry." Nick's response caused all his siblings to look at him wide eyed. Even Jane and Bob looked over. "Nick are you feeling all right?" Jane asked. "I'm fine mom. Just not in a cereal mood I guess." Nick answered, feeling his ears going red. He glanced across the table and saw Lis watching him. Han poked her arm and she went back to her whispered conversation. Lis' dad looked at his daughter. "What are you doing today Lis?" "We're going to the car rental place and getting a car." Lis answered trying to ignore the fact Nick was practically staring at her. She was so tempted to ask if he'd never seen a girl in a tank top before but she stopped herself. "What kind of car?" Aaron asked, being Nick's little bro he was interested in cars. "Hopefully a convertible." Lis smiled, not looking at her father. Knowing him he'd want his daughter driving a sensible vehicle, like a pick up truck. Nick's face lit up. "A convertible?" Lis looked at Han who was trying to suppress her laughter and not doing a good job of it. "Cut it out Han." she whispered, then turned her attention to Nick. "Yep a convertible. You know a car with no top." "I know that. I can drive you guys there and make sure you get a decent car." "That would be nice of you Nick, make sure no one tries to take advantage of my little girl." Danny said, smiling at him. "Fine if Nick's taking us, can we go soon Nick? I want to be back here early in case Boyd calls." Lis said, standing up. "Meet you up front in five." Nick answered, watching Lis leave the kitchen. Aaron poked his brother's arm. "Nice one Nicky." Nick looked at his brother confused. "What nice one Nicky?" Aaron grinned. "Even I can tell you like her and I'm only eleven." BJ who had heard Aaron's remark started laughing. Luckily the kitchen was nearly deserted by then. "He's got you there Nick. I've never seen you act so obvious. What's next, inviting her to spend the night in your room?" Nick went red. "No, now excuse me but I have to drive our houseguests somewhere." He walked out of the room, knowing his brother and sister were laughing at him.Lis grabbed her purse from her bed and looked at Han. "Coming?" Han sighed. "You sure you two don't want to be alone?" she asked with a grin. "The only male I want to be alone with is Boyd but my parents ruined that plan. Can we please just drop this me-Nick subject you seem to be imagining?" "I'm not imagining." Han said, jumping off her bed. Lis shook her head and followed Han outside. Nick stood in front of his Durango waiting for the girls to come out of the house. The front door opened and they walked out heading over to him. "Ready?" he asked, going to open the doors. "Yep." Lis said, getting in the passenger side. Han was just about to get in when Jane walked out the front door. "Hannah phone for you." Hannah looked at Lis. "I know its Bran! You go. I'll see you later." she said as she ran to the door. Before Lis could answer, Nick started the engine. "Guess its just us." "Looks that way." Lis managed to say, she fastened her seat belt and watched as Nick pulled out of the driveway. A funny feeling came over her, a cross between nervousness and excitement. In a way she was happy Han wasn't coming along, she didn't feel like Han analyzing her every action. Nick looked over at Lis as they drove into town. "Your awfully quiet." he stated, turning the radio down. "Am I?" she asked, looking over at him "I think the DJ on the radio has said more to me then you have." he teased. "Ha ha. Just thinking." "About Boyd?" Lis looked at him in surprise. "How'd you know?" "Because he's all you talk about most of the time. You've only been here a day and I think you've said his name a few thousand times." "Oh...I'll try to stop then." Lis smiled. "Its ok. What's he like?" Why do you want to know? she thought. "What's he like?" Nick nodded. "He's like you I guess, I don't know. He's a guy, he's fun, has a great sense of humor, loves sports. Plays hockey. He's two years older then me." Nick looked over. That's why her parents hadn't wanted her to go away with him. "Really?" "Yep. So how come your still single?" Lis asked then immediately went red. Even to her that sounded like a bad pick up line. She wished she could just jump out of the car. Nick smiled to himself as he drove. "No girl can put up with this schedule of mine. Gone for six months on the road, hard to keep a relationship alive ya know?" Lis nodded. She hoped two months wouldn't kill hers and Boyd's. "What about Aimee? She seems like she could stand the distance and everything." "Me and Aim are better off friends. Trust me." Nick laughed and pulled into the rental place. "Lets go get you a car." Next: Chapter 8 |