Kevin called on Monday night and made me promise to bring Roz over to the studio the next afternoon. He wouldn't tell me why, so by Tuesday afternoon I was just as anxious to get there as her.

I rushed home on Tuesday to pick up Roz. As soon as I walked in the door, she started.

"What do you think he wants?" I kept telling her I didn't know, but she kept asking anyway.

"Did anybody call today?" I hoped to distract her at least for a couple minutes.

"Oh yeah, B called. Again. What's with you two?"

"Please Rozzie, don't ask. I don't know. Did he say what he wanted?" I hoped the minor lie wouldn't end up hurting me.

"Na, just told me to tell you he called. Are you ready to go now?" I nodded.

"Guess I'll call Bri back later. You're going to drive me nuts unless we leave now."

We were almost to the studio when I decided to pester Roz with questions the way she had done to me. "So, have you heard from Nicky?" I knew by the look on her face that I shouldn't have asked.

"No, and I don't know why, but I don't want to talk about it. I just... never mind."

"Ah, sweetie. We're going to talk about it later, okay?" I pulled the car into a parking space and I saw the anxiety flash in her eyes.

Kevin was on the phone when we walked in. He waved and the two of us sat down to wait for him. Roz fidgeted for the few minutes we waited until he hung up the phone.

"Great. Glad you're here. How's your sister?" Roz nodded meaning Meg was fine. "Good. So, how have you been?" I looked at Kevin.

"Are you trying to torture her? Hurry up and tell the girl why she's here." Kevin laughed.

"I'd love to tell you, but um ... there's been a minor delay." He got up and grabbed a stack of papers and a cassette tape from his desk. "Roz and I made this �demo' tape of a few songs a couple weeks back. Well, a guy I know heard some of it, and wants you to be his opening act. On tour. If we can pull together a few more songs." I watched as what he was saying sunk in for Roz. Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Finally I had to say something.

"How and when did you do this?" Kevin smiled.

"Actually, I'm mostly just the messenger. I made the tape, true. But I left it on my desk, the rest was purely ... accidental." I saw someone move out of the corner of my eye and as I turned I saw Nick put his finger to his lips to mean I should be quiet. Suddenly, I had some idea of what had happened.

Roz was still looking like she might fall over if a feather hit her when Nick snuck up behind her. "Hey babe. Think you can handle being on tour?"

Roz looked over her shoulder at Nick and then back at Kevin. "HE'S the one!" I saw her move her arm as if she would hit Nick, but he dodged her. "Why didn't you tell me?" He shrugged.

"Wouldn't have been a surprise then. Kev worked on it while we were in Calgary, I finalized the details yesterday." Roz still looked like she didn't believe any of it. I took the chance to ask my questions.

"So, you, " I looked at Kevin, "left Roz's tape out somewhere. And you, "I turned to Nick, " heard it and decided she should go on tour?" Kevin and Nick looked at each other and nodded. "What about your tour with Aaron?" Nick shrugged.

"Like I said, it's all good. I've been planning for my own tour anyway, and little brother's letting me off his. So, I need an opening act." I looked at Roz.

"You're gonna have to answer him sometime Rozzie. It's the opportunity you've wanted." Roz nodded, and then sighed.

"I guess I'm just surprised. How could you not tell me?" The smile that had been lingering on Nick's face widened as he leaned in to whisper to her. �I told you I'd do something to let us be together.'

I was trying not to watch as Roz's eyes softened and she hugged Nick. "Of course I'll go. How could I not go?" It seemed like it would take a crowbar to pry her eyes from Nick's as she turned toward Kevin. "Thank you. For ... whatever you had to do with this."

Roz, Nick and Kevin started talking about details and making arrangements for her, while I got lost in my own thoughts.

I was thinking about how much things had changed in the last few weeks when I felt a hand on my arm.

"Hey, how ya doin?" I heard the soft Kentucky drawl and looked up at Brian.

"Hey. I'm good." I nodded toward Roz. "You knew, didn't you?" Brian nodded.

"Yeah, Nick told me. Great isn't it?" I smiled.

"It's what she's always wanted." I sighed, thinking again. I suddenly realized he must have just arrived. "When did you get here?"

"A few minutes ago. I wanted to be here earlier, but I was dealing with some stuff back home." He paused to look at the little group that was so busy planning. "They're gonna be busy for a while, let's walk." Brian grabbed my hand and led me outside. Neither of us spoke for a few minutes as we walked down the street.

"What stuff were you dealing with at home? Is everything alright?" I wasn't sure why I hadn't thought to be concerned when he'd first said it.

"No worries. Just having some stuff sent up here. I'm gonna stay for a while." I felt a smile spread across my face.

"Really?" I reached up to hug him. That was definitely welcome news.

"Can't get rid of me now."

"Why would I want to?" Before I realized what was happening, Brian had leaned down to kiss me again. This time, I wasn't quite as surprised afterwards. Neither of us spoke until Brian spotted a basketball court across the street.

"C'mon." I must have looked at him like he was insane. "I got a ball in my car. Unless you're chicken." I glared at him and sprinted over to the court.

We played until the only light that lit the court was the street light at the corner. Looked at Brian and then at my watch as I saw Nick and Roz coming across the street.

"2 on 2. Lex and Bri, me and Roz. First to 21." I gave Nick a funny look when he called me Lex, Roz was definitely rubbing off on him. Roz and I looked at each other and shrugged as Nick set up to guard Brian who had the ball.

Nick and Roz ended up winning the game by 3 points, which wasn't very surprising, since they had height on their side. By the time we were finished it was well past midnight, and I had to work in the morning.

"Rozzie, you coming home, or hanging around for a while? I gotta go." I looked at Roz as Nick came over and used the top of my head as an armrest. Finally, I hissed at him, "Get your bony arm OFF me." Nick laughed and backed away.

"Alright. I'll make sure Roz gets home."

"Okay, see you later." I turned to walk to the parking lot and I heard Brian catch up to me a few steps away.

"Hey," he said as he settled into pace beside me, "what are you doing tomorrow? Nick and Roz are gonna be spending a lot of time on the tour stuff, so I'm here to keep you busy." I couldn't help but laugh.

"Tomorrow, hm. I was planning to spend it at home. You can come over though. Nothing exciting." Brian nodded as we got to the car. He looked so cute, with the basketball tucked under one arm, and leaning on my car with the other.

"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow."

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