They all got off their buses and gathered in a group in front of a little shack. AJ scratched his head and looked around, he definitely stood out in this place,
"Where in the hell are we?" One of the bus drivers walked past us,
"Richburg, South Carolina population just over four hundred." Nick frowned,
"Does that include the mosquitoes too?" Howie swatted around his head trying to keep from being eaten alive,
"I thought mosquitoes came out at night." Nick shook his head,
"Must be these country mosquitoes right Kevin?" Kevin shook his head,
"You guys can't appreciate this, it's too bad. This is a great way to grow up." Nick saw Brian nodding his head and AJ took the words out of Nick's mouth,
"Yeah thats why y'all live in Atlanta and L.A." Tim, Marcus and Andre walked over to them, "Come on you guys let's get inside. Not that we have to worry about rabid fans but who knows what else is around here." Nick nodded,
"Yeah, it's getting dark, there might be one of those gun battles in the middle of the street." The guys followed their security guards in. Nick was first and when he saw the patrons he stopped, which caused a domino effect and they all ran into each other. Brian groaned,
"What's the big idea? Nick would you go." Nick stepped to the side,
"Um, you guys decide where we sit." The other guys made their way into the little cafe and they all pretty much had the same reaction as Nick. Tim pulled Nick's arm,
"Come on. Right over here." The guys settled in a booth, their security a couple of tables away so they were able to see them. Howie leaned forward and whispered,
"I'm not prejudice or anything but we're the only white faces in here." AJ nodded and pointed towards outside,
"Even the dog is black." They all laughed heartily as they watched a black dog walk dog the sidewalk but it became nervous laughter when they realized the attention shifted to them once again. AJ, Brian and Howie were facing the door. Nick and Kevin were opposite them in the booth and were facing the majority of the patrons. A large old black woman made her way over to their table and Nick couldn't help but smile. She looked like the perfect grandmother, he bet she gave the best hugs,
"What do you want?" Nick saw Kevin's head snap back and looked over to see that the look on his face wasn't exactly the most inviting,
"Can we get some menus?" She shrugged and brought four sheets of blue paper over. Brian cleared his throat,
"Thank you. Can we have a few minutes please." Howie held up his glass,
"Can I get another glass please? This one has waterspots on it." Nick frowned slightly, he could tell she was not happy with them. Why they couldn't just go with the flow he didn't know. He looked over and AJ seemed to be thinking the same thing. Once the older lady left AJ whispered,
"Could y'all chill out? This ain't the Russian Tea Room. Waterspots Howie? That means it was washed ya wuss." Howie shrugged then smiled as the old lady made her way back over with a new glass. She placed it down on the table and in front of no one in particular,
"Now what can I get ya?" Brian looked up,
"Can I have the roast and potatoes with sucatash and let me get a sweet iced tea." She nodded as she wrote that down and Kevin piped in,
"Make that two."
"Make that three." Howie added. She seemed to grunt and Kevin and Brian exchanged disapproving looks. AJ was moaning and groaning as he looked over the menu,
"Hmmm, let...me...have..." He sighed as he looked up at her,
"Let me get a cheeseburger and fries with a Mountain Dew." She shook her head,
"This is a soul food restaraunt, we have real food here." AJ sighed heavily and she chimed in,
"I'll bring you meatloaf and mashed potatoes, its the same thing." AJ frowned,
"How is it the same thing?" She looked at him defiantly,
"Its made of the same things..beef and potatoes." Nick smiled,
"Yeah AJ same thing." She looked over at Nick, who was smiling and sitting on the outside of the booth across from Howie,
"Did you make anything on here?" She smiled,
"Of course sugar. Fried chicken, greens, macaroni and cheese, cornbread and a few more things." He nodded,
"Let me get what you just said but not too much and a lemonade." He placed his hand on his stomach,
"Gotta watch what I eat." She laughed and loud booming laugh that threw Nick off guard,
"Chile, you need some meat on them bones." She ran her pen over his hair that was on his forehead,
"And a haircut." He smiled as he nodded,
"Yes ma'am. My mom said the same thing." She nodded before she walked off,
"Smart momma." The guys looked at him,
"Are you that hard up without Shayna that you're hitting on an old broad?" Nick shook his head,
"Don't call her that AJ. That's not nice." Howie laughed,
"Nicky's got a crush." Nick rolled his eyes,
"Dude, please. I just, I used to watch old people when I was a kid." He shrugged,
"Guess I still have a soft spot. But she could probably kick all our asses." They all nodded in agreement as they laughed. AJ pointed at Nick,
"You gotta point there."
Ms. Lucille, that was their waitress' name because when she brought the drinks back Nick asked her what should they call her, arrived with their plates on a rolling serving cart. She handed everyone their plates and bowls then looked over at Nick,
"Now, I made these yams. You try them, fresh out of the pot. You can't eat that without this. Now you try them." Nick nodded as he picked up some with his fork and placed it in his mouth,
"This is so good Ms. Lucille. Thank you." Her hand was on his back as he tried to latest dish, she rubbed his back before leaving, telling them to enjoy their meal. Nick was busy stuffing his face and when he finally looked up he noticed everyone was staring at him,
"What?" AJ shook his head,
"She was pretty much cold to all of us except you." Kevin nodded,
"Yeah our service was definitely not friendly and with a smile." Nick smirked,
"Didn't you know?" Howie shook his head,
"Know what?" Nick sat back, like a king on his throne,
"Blonde hair and blue eyes will get you anything." AJ threw his napkin down on the table in disgust,
"I knew it." Brian shrugged,
"Not with me." Kevin shook his head,
"That's cause you're not on a mission to seduce anything with breasts like Mr Loverman over there." Brian smiled at Nick,
"What's with you and this new Romeo you?" Nick smiled,
"I dunno, just a lot more comfortable in my own skin lately but trust me its all about Shayna since we got back together."
