"Damn it AJ, don't talk with your mouth open!" Kevin yelled in his fatherly tone. AJ just opened his mouth and stuck out his tongue, food falling on his plate. "Real grown up, J. I would expect that from Frack, but not you."

They all shut up waiting for a whine to come from Nick in objection. Nothing. He kinda sat there staring off into what they all was nothing. In reality, he was observing a couple a few boothes away. The guys went back to their morning arguement. Nick sat there comepletely entranced, trying so desperately to read their lips. They were obviously in a discussion, and not a good one. She was crying and was very upset. Thats when it hit him. He thought she looked familiar, but it wasn't until she looked up into her boyfriends eyes that he placed her face. Jenna. His former girlfriend from 3 years ago. He'd seen that same expression when they broke up, and it tore his heart up seeing some other asshole treat her like he did.

He tried joining in on conversations with the others and when a fan would walk up, he would fake a smile and scribble his chicken stratch of an autograph. His eyes always fell back on Jenna. He assumed they guy was her boyfriend, soon-to-be-ex. Yup, he was right. Jenna pleaded with him, but he got up and left her there bawling. That jerk even left the bill unpaid.

"Move outta my way, Rok." Nick quietly spoke. Brian didn't hear him. "DAMNIT BRIAN MOVE!" Four pairs of eyes darted to Nick, as Brian quietly moved so Nick could get out of the booth. He didn't say anything to them, but got up and headed towards Jenna's table. They shrugged him off, like most of the time. He was a moody kid.

Slowly, Nick reached her table. She was trying franctially to clean up her tear-streaked face. She reached to pay for the bill. He stood over her. "I've got it."

She looked up at him. Her eyes widened. "Nicky?" He smiled down to her.

"Hey." He said softly. "Can I sit?" She nodded. He sat across from her. There was an awkward silence.

"I must look like shit, I'm gonna go to the ladies room to freshen up. Don't go anywhere."

Nick sat there and thought about how much she's changed. Last time he saw her was three and a half years ago, when they were both 17. Damn she grew up good he thought.

In the bathroom, Jenna could not believe Nick. When did he grow up? He looked so good. What is he doing here anyways? She freshened up her make-up and brushed her hair. She straightened her outfit and checked the mirror once more. Nick was fumbling with his fingers when she approached the booth. He quickly stood and stared at her.

"Jenna....I..I mean I just wanna...." She threw her arms around him and began crying all over again. Suprised, Nick enveloped her, rubbing her back.

"Hey come on now. Don't cry. He's not worth it."

She let go and looked at him. "How'd you know?"

"I kinda saw. I didn't mean to. And I um, remember the same look in your eyes when I, um you know." His eyes lowered.

"That's all in the past Nick. That was three years ago. God, we were 17! You're gonna be 21 soon. I can't believe it's been that long."

"Yea. Now that I think about it, it has been forever. Come on, sit and tell me about you."

They both sat and shared with each other their lives over the past three years. Of course Jenna knew Nick was a Backstreet Boy and was very famous. That didn't matter to her since she's known him since he was 14. In the end though, that was what broke them up. He didn't want to be tied down to one girl and she couldn't accept that. Now he's grown up and realized he was wrong about that. He needed one stable person in his life. Someone to keep him grounded, sane even.

He told her about his travels and family. He avoided talking about the group. Fact is, he was starting to feel trapped and suffocated with the group and felt like he needed to escape. He finally confided in her that what he gave up three years ago, is what he was seraching for now. He was tired of temporary girlfriends or arm trophys as the guys called them.

Jenna sat and listened to all he had to say. Her heart broke for him as he discussed all the heartache he's encountered on the road. She wondered how any girl could use him and treat him they way he described. He was a good person and deserved better.

Kevin came over. "Nick, we gotta go to the venue. Meet us outside in five minutes." He looked at Jenna wondering who she was.

"Ok Kev. I'll be there." Kevin left the table. Nick turned back to Jenna and looked down. "This sucks."

"What does Nicky?"

"Going back to my 'life' after having such a normal conversation with you." He thought for a few seconds. "I have a show tonight at the Forum, would you like to come?"

"Oh, Nicky I wish I could. I have to work late tonight. Maybe we can meet up after for some dessert," she paused. "Like old times?"

Nick thought back to how they would meet up after his gigs. Always at Village Inn for some pie. He grinned. "I'd like that. The one on South Dale Mabry... 11:15?"

"Works for me."

They both stood and hugged. Not speaking, Nick slipped out the door.

*************************************

Nick wandered around the venue like he always did. Trying to clear his mind and get away just for a while. He was really disappointed that Jenna couldn't come to the show, but was very excited about meeting up with her. He'd already cleared it with security. They insisted that Billy go, but he would take a seperate car and stay out of site so Nick could have some privacy. Part of the deal was Nick would disguise himself as much as possible.

Later on in the dressing room, Nick couldn't wait to get on stage. The sooner the show started, the sooner it ended.

"Bro, what's wrong with you? Why are you so jumpy?" Kevin asked concerned.

"I just have to be somewhere after the show. Nothing big."

"Nothing big?? Is that why you've chewed your nails down to the skin." Nick examined his nails. "It's that girl isn't it?"

Nick didn't say anything. "Who is she? A fan? A groupie?" Kevin's voice was demeaning.

"NO! She's an ex of mine. We're just meeting to catch up." He beamed.

"Oh. You still like her?"

"I dunno. We'll find out I guess."

**********************************

The first few songs went by pretty quickly. Nick made his way to the edge of the stage on the left side. He was singing his line when he saw her. There in the 3rd row was Jenna, grinning wildly. That little sneak! Nick could not stop smiling. He winked at her and she waved. Of course the girls around her were squealing thinking Nick winked at them.

Throughout the show, Nick paid a lot of attention to the left side of the stage. He would sing to Jenna, wink, wave, smile, do anything to keep her attention. A few girls around her would make comments and give her dirty looks.

"Are you his girlfriend or something?" One girl said, standing with her hand on her hip.

"No, I'm not." She smiled.

She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see a very tall, very large man in front of her. "Here, Nick asked for you to meet him after the show." The man handed her a backstage pass. "Don't lose it." Then he was gone.

The same girl whirled around. "You ARE his girlfriend, aren't you?!?"

"No, honestly. I'm not." She put the pass around her neck and looked up to see Nick grinning at her again. She pointed towards backstage and he nodded, then mouthed "NOW" to her. She nodded, smiled and excused herself out of her seat.

At the end of her row was that same man that handed her the pass. "Follow me."

She followed him through the crowd to a black curtain, which led to the backstage area. He brought her underneath the back of the stage. The lights went down in the arena and the screams intensified. The show was over. All five guys appeared from under the stage, sweaty and out of breath, but full of energy.