Never let distracted
Backstreet Boys Drive
The next day...
Nick pulled on his coat and called into the living room, “Mom, I’m leaving, I’ll be back around 3.” He tried to keep his voice quiet but despite the blow dryer and the fact that she was upstairs Mandy had heard him.
“Nick…” she came down the stairs as his hand was touching the door knob, “Where are you going?” she said sweetly
“Out…with a friend.”
Her eyes turned dark, “A friend? The same friend that you saw yesterday?”
Nick sighed, “Yup.”
“Then, I’m going with you… It’s not that I don’t trust you it’s that I don’t trust her.”
“Baby,” Nick shut the slightly opened door and approached her, “You know I would do nothing to hurt you.”
She giggled, “I know…but it’s just,” she sniffed for effect, “I never get to see you and I…*sniff* I just love you so much, *sniff* *sniff* I just want you all to myself.” She hugged Nick who patted her back for comfort
“Well…I guess you could come…”
She shot out of his arms “Great! Let me just get my bag, and we can stop at the jewelry store to get those earrings you promised me that we’d get yesterday.”
Nick sighed and watched as his mother peeked around the corner of the kitchen shaking her head slightly. ‘What does she know,’ he thought ‘I love Mandy.’
A moment later Mandy arrived and his mother walked out holding a pair of sunglasses, “Here, if you are going out take these, and don’t forget your hat. You never know who will be out and I don’t want you to be mobbed. Why don’t you have Randy follow you…he’ll be no trouble.”
Nick smiled at his mother’s concern, “Don’t worry I’ll be fine plus, I’ve got Mandy, here, to protect me with what she’s got in that bag she could knock anyone out.”
Mandy hit him playfully, “Oh, Nicky.” His mother rolled her eyes
“Why do we have to pick her up? Can’t she get a ride?”
“How many times do I have to tell you?” he paused and then continued a little more gently, “It’s her first time in Florida we wouldn’t want her to get lost,” Mandy snorted, “And…her brother just had a little girl so the house is pretty chaotic.”
A moment later they arrived at the address and Nick climbed went to the door Anne answered it. She had bags under her eyes and her hair was a bit of a mess, “Oh hello, come on in… Anastasia! Nick’s here!” she turned back to Nick, “She’ll be right down.”
Jessee walked into the room with three kids in his arms and one on the tail, his face was glowing, “Hi, Nick.”
“How’s Caitlin? Anastasia told me she had a girl.”
Jessee grinned proudly, “Yup, Laura Anne, we are going to go get her in about an hour. You’ll have to stop by and see her later, beautiful…just like her mom.” He began getting teary so he switched the conversation, “So…you’ve been seeing a bit of Annie lately.”
Anastasia walked in and shot Jessee a dirty look, “Are you harassing Nick?”
“Naw..” Jessee turned to leave, “Don’t stay out to late.” He winked and Anastasia threw her hands up in frustration, “You are SO annoying! Let’s go, Nick.”
They walked out to the car, “Oh, ummm, I hope you don’t mind but Mandy insisted that she come along too.”
“That’s ok,” though she much rather hit her head repeatedly into a wall than spend time in a car or anywhere’s with that girl.
“Where are we going?” Mandy asked from the front seat
“Didn’t Nick tell you? We’re going bowling…” she smiled sweetly as Mandy’s face turned red
“Nick! You know I can’t go bowling! I just got my nails done!!”
“Oh, well we wouldn’t want you to break one of those nails. I know, dear, how expensive those can get…” Anastasia spoke trying to keep her voice from cracking with laughter, “You can just watch while Nick and I play, or keep score. Nick might cheat.”
“Would not!” he looked back challengingly, “You’re afraid I’ll beat you!”
“NICKY KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD!” Mandy squealed
Nick looked over and swerved out of another cars way.
“Carter I could beat you with my hands tied behind my back.”
“I’d like to see that!” He turned around to look Anastasia in the eyes, “I happen to be a master bowler.”
“NICKY!” a scream came from the front seat
Nick quickly regaining control of the car laughed nervously and glanced back in the rear view mirror at Piggy who was doubled over with laughter. He smiled, she was certainly something else.