Putting her book bag over her shoulders, Britt said, “Nicky, you said you wanted to see what my day was like and you are getting it...I always park in this lot because it is the farthest away from campus and good exercise, plus parking isn‘t that great here.”

“I mean, I bought you that nice new ride and you don’t even pimp it around? You should have good spots, in front of the buildings your classes are in for safety. Something could happen to you walking this far by yourself,” Nick stated with concern.

“OK Dad...I only do this everyday. And, I am always here when it is light out anyway and if I am here late, I have someone walk me or give me a ride to my car. Don’t worry,” Britt said annoyed, her tone changed, “I think you are just trying to get out of walking.”

“Who me?” Nick said innocently.

Jumping on his back behind him, she yelled, “Chop chop my pretty little pony, we are going to be late for class.”

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

After attending 3 classes with Britt, Nick began to realize that he wasn’t cut out for college. He had fallen asleep in two of them and had somehow managed to avoid a jealous outburst when he met Britt’s lab partner, Seth. He just seemed a bit too touchy feely for his taste. The thing that made Nick feel good about the whole thing is that he got to see what life is like for Britt, and he could see that she was happy but noticing all of the guys checking her out bothered him.

Sitting down in Texadelphia, a restaurant near campus, Britt decided that it was time to bring up what had happened with Jordan and for them to finally discuss some of the problems they were having. Debating whether or not to bring it up, she decided to start with small talk, “So, how is the tour so far?”

“Same ol’...we are busy as hell and Kev is a bit more anal than usual, but I guess that is typical of him in the beginning of a tour. The 1st U.S. leg starts in a couple of weeks, we have rehearsals in Orlando next week.”

“How long is that going to last?” Britt asked.

“You usually know that better than me, I think about 5 months, but I get a week off at Thanksgiving and two weeks at Christmas. I want us to go somewhere then...just me and you. We haven’t done that in a while,” Nick looked at his girlfriend hopefully.

Shyly, Britt replied, “I would like that.”

Silence overtook the couple, neither really knowing what to say. They had both been tap dancing around the issues all day. Breaking the silence, Britt asked, “How are the girls?”

“Leigh was there for the entire European part, but she is going to only be on and off for the 1st leg of the American Tour. Kristen is about the same. AJ has been picking up whatever he can find since him and Amanda broke up and Howie is just Howie...you know D, nice as ever. Actually, that was something that I wanted to talk to you about,” Nick stated cautiously.

“Go ahead honey, what’s on your mind?” Britt asked curiously.

“Well, I was hoping that you would be able to fly out to meet me on the weekends once we are touring in the states again. Since you don’t have school and you are kinda in a central location for most places I will be.”

“I don’t know Nicky, I will think about it.”

Trying to calm down and not get mad, Nick took a deep breath, “Why not? You have always done that before when you were in school, I don’t see what could change that now.”

“Not here Nick.”

“Why not, you said you wanted to talk, we are talking, I am telling what I need from you. I am trying to solve a problem and you give me that ‘I don’t know Nicky’ bullshit, that is weak Britt, just say yes or no,” Nick said getting a little loud and cocky.

“Why are you doing this here? If you want to talk like this, lets do it somewhere else.”

“Fine...I’ll go get the food to go, you wait in the car,” Nick said a little too bossily.

Britt was starting to get fired up, but she controlled it until she got to the car. When she got in, she started it and blasted the music, then yelled out of sheer frustration.