The group was relaxing at a local nightclub after the show. It was nice and dark, and, surprisingly, quiet for a Friday night. Nick had protested about going, he wanted to stay and play his video games and gorge himself on junk food. Kevin had felt sorry for him. Nick had recently broken up with his long-time girlfriend and he had been very anti-social. All of them had been there at various times, with various girls. They all agreed he needed to get out, even if it was just with the guys.

"C'mon Nick! It won't be the same without you!"

"Brian, you know I hate going to clubs. I don't feel very good, leave me alone!"

"Nick, think of all the gorgeous girls that will be there!"

Nick looked Brian square in the eye.

"I don't want to meet someone new. Heather took my heart and pounded it flat. I'm not ready to hand it to another person just yet."

He tried to push the hotel door closed but Brian stuck his foot in the jamb.

"You are coming, my friend. Even if we have to drag you there."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kevin looked across the table at his blond friend. Nick wore a look of deep boredom. He was tapping his knuckles on the table and softly humming to himself, before he spoke up suddenly.

"God, the music sucks here."

"It lives! My God! It's alive!" AJ laughed manically as Nick glared at him.

"Can we go now? Please?"

"Let Howie and Brian finish their pool game okay?" Kevin chuckled at Nick's look of disgust. "Then we'll go."

"Alright, but I want another drink. Those two could be forever."

AJ signaled the bartender for another round and got up to join Howie and Brian at the pool tables.

"Okay, who had what here? Your other waitress had to leave."

Kevin looked up and smiled at the pretty newcomer. "We both were having beer, thanks."

"What's with your friend?"

"He's just a little depressed. He'll be fine with another beer in him." Kevin joked.

Nick was looking up at the ceiling fans, before he dropped his head to meet her gaze. "I'm not depressed." He tossed her a sexy half smile and looked back up at the ceiling.

She laughed. "Whatever!" She walked away from the table and Nick swivelled his head to watch her progress to the bar.

"What are you thinking Nick?"

"Nothing." Nick grinned at Kevin. "Except how she might feel in my bed tonight."

"I thought you were through with girls."

"Not through." Nick corrected with a grin and a shake of his finger. "Momentarily put off."

Kevin laughed and patted his bandmate on the shoulder. "Just make sure you take care as you jump back in the saddle, got me?"

"Yeah, yeah." Nick brushed the hand away with a shrug. "I'll be careful. I always am."

Their waitress came back with their beers and Nick invited her to sit down with them. She looked around before accepting. The bar was dead, she could take a minute. Nick looked her over admiringly. Her long, blonde hair was gathered in a clip and tumbled down from the top of her head, framing her heart shaped face. She looked at them both with sparkling hazel eyes.

"I haven't seen you guys around here before, are you visting someone?"

Kevin and Nick exchanged glances. Didn't she know who they were?

"No, we were in town for a concert." Kevin said.

Her forehead wrinkled in concentration. "No one's in town except the Backstreet..." Her eyes opened wide and then she stared at each of them closely. "You're not?"

Nick grinned and nodded. "We are."

She sat back in her chair and laughed. "Wow, my sister will kill me! Sharing a beer with two of the Backstreet Boys!"

They introduced themselves and talked about the tour briefly. "Well, I really should get back to work." She stood and shook their hands.

"Nice to meet you Jessica." Kevin gave her brief hug.

"Here you go." Nick handed her a napkin. "An autograph for your sister." he explained. "And something for you, if you're interested."

She blushed and looked at the folded paper in her hand. "Oh, wow, thank you Nick!"

And that had been it, she was interested and she was his. For better or worse.