chapter fifteen"Mr. McLean can open his gifts first, then the Youngin'," Jessica said, winking at Nick. Jessica, after her third wine refill, had become a little tipsy. Brian now held her - restrained her, rather - in his lap.
Brian said to AJ, "Bone, our gift is the blue one." He pointed to a medium-sized box with a modest bow on the top of it.
AJ took no time in unwrapping their gift. He lifted up the lid and brought out a hat that had "Mr. Pimp" embroidered on the back. AJ laughed and put it on.
"Check out the bottom of the box," Brain told him.
AJ took out the tissue paper and picked out a backstage pass to a Brian McKnight concert.
"Holy shit, dude! Where'd you get this?"
"I called up a few of his producers and they hooked me up, man."
AJ gave Jessica a kiss and Brian a hug, stared at the pass once more and then moved on to his other presents. He finally finished and let Nick open his gifts.
Nick's last gift was a small box with a card. It was from Lauren. He opened the box and saw an expensive watch.
"Thanks, Lauren, it's really great," Nick said. He put the watch on his wrist. It fit perfectly. He gave her a hug; one that was more warm than the one before.
"Check out the back of the watch later," she whispered in his ear. She heard the click of a camera and she looked up. She saw that Brian had taken a picture.
"Sorry, it was a Kodak moment," he shrugged and put the camera behind him quickly. He grinned goofily.
Later on, AJ took control over the party and began recalling funny stories on tour. He stood up and was pacing around the room. He mimicked people's voices very terribly, making everyone laugh.
Lauren listened only half-heartedly. Her eyes had been glued to Nick all night. He was sitting across the room from Lauren in an armchair, listening to AJ and every so often, adding a few words. He looked really good with a pair of baggy slacks and a long-sleeved deep green shirt. He wore his wire-trimmed glasses, which, when they were dating, Lauren always thought made him look sophisticated.
She watched him take off the watch and look at the back of it, just like she told him to. He mouthed the words "To your many tomorrows. May they be full of success and good health." He looked up and caught Lauren's eye. She smiled and then turned her attention back to AJ, who was now imitating a duck. Nick smirked and put the watch back on.
------------------ When the party ended, Lauren elected to drive AJ and Nick home. She inwardly was trying to avoid cleaning up the mess at Kevin's house. One of her ex-'s named Charles was the party king. He always left Lauren with a night full of housework. After she dumped him, she vowed to never clean up any party messes unless it was her own.
AJ kept the car in conversation, still thrilled from the party. He was talking a mile a minute and Lauren was glad AJ's house was close to Kevin's. Lauren walked AJ to his door when they arrived at his home. She gave him a hug and promised she'd call him when she got home.
Nick watched Lauren walk down AJ's walkway He had to admit, she was a looker. He had to really keep himself from drooling over her. She was so pretty. He turned his head when she returned to her seat behind the wheel.
"You still live in the Armstrong Village?" she asked, trying to concentrate on the road.
"Yeah."
Lauren nodded and turned onto the freeway. His house was the farthest away from anyone of his friends.
"How's your mom and the rest?"
"Great."
"I haven't seen Aaron in a while. Has he grown any?"
"Just a little. He's still a small fry," Nick replied with a smile.
"He's gonna be as tall as his brother, I know it."
"Nah. He'll always be a shrimp to me."
Lauren put her glasses on the top of her head and rubbed some sleepiness out of her eyes. She switched lanes and yawned.
"How have you been?" Nick inquired.
She glanced over at him quickly. "Well...I got a new job at McManner's as the manager's secretary. Um, a new house. I had a new boyfriend, but it didn't work out."
"Well, at least you had the initiative to get on with it," Nick said.
"What?"
"I haven't been so lucky. I haven't gotten my ass in gear yet. It's been kind of hard with touring and everything."
Lauren murmured a small "Yeah," as she got off an exit and made her way to the Armstrong Village. She finally found it and spotted Nick's house. Lauren parked in his driveway and walked with him to his door.
"Well," Nick said, "thank you. For the watch and the party. It was really great."
"You're welcome."
Nick uncertainly embraced her. He heard her take a sharp breath. He gave her a kiss on her cheek and walked into his house, shutting the door behind him.
Lauren walked back to her car, hand on cheek, stunned. At that very same moment, Nick leaned against his front door, his pulse quick and his heart about to leap out of his chest. He smiled and closed his eyes.