�Venus, I have a question for you,� Nickolas said, as the two of them sat on a park bench in Massachusetts.
�Shoot,� Venus said.
�Why are you hanging out with me?� Nickolas asked. �Since ya told me Sunnie doesn�t deserve someone like me since I�m such a monster. I mean, doesn�t this defeat the whole purpose.�
She chuckled and said, �Well, I want to see what it is that Sunn finds so fascinating about you.�
�It happens to be my sexy boyish good looks and my ability to make any girl melt when they see me, and also my irresistible southern charm.�
�You�re so full of yourself.� They laughed.
�I�m just kidding, but honestly I don�t know why she likes me so much. We haven�t talked since that day Jo broke up with me.�
�I�m sorry, but I�m here to talk.�
�Thanks.�
�I figured that since Sunn is one of my best friends I should try and get along with the man she wants to be with.� He grinned. �I might not like it, but I�ll do it for Sunshine.�
�And so will I.�
�Excuse me?�
�Try and get along with you; one of her best friends. Your words really hurt me.�
�Good.� He looked at her and she laughed. �I�m kidding. I didn�t do it to hurt you. I just did it to make a point.�
�Right; I respect Sunnie and would never make her do anything she�s not ready for and never disrespect her; not intentionally anyway.�
�That�s good.�
�Now if I was being controlled by some alien device then there wouldn�t be much you can do.�
�I guess not.� They laughed. �But if you did it purposely I would have to go all the way to the means of cutting your dick off and not have any second thoughts or regrets.�
�I can understand that, but you have nothing to worry about.�
�I hope not for your sake.� They looked at each other and she smiled. �So you doing anything tonight?� She made a face. �That was a stupid question. Of course you are, you have a concert tonight. Just scratch that.�
�Speaking of which.� He looked at his watch. �We better get back so Kev don�t yell, because I�m late for rehearsal.�
�Then we best get you back.� They stood up and the two bodyguards walked towards them. �We wouldn�t want to upset Master Kevin.� Nickolas just smiled and remembered Sunshine�s humor. They started walking with the bodyguards right behind them.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
�So what�s the story with you and Alex?� Danielle asked, as she, Sunshine, Destiny, and Josephine sat in the audience area waiting for the guys to start rehearsal again.
Destiny looked at her friend and waited for an answer and looking directly at her, Sunshine said, �Just friends and that�s it. He�s fun to hang out with.�
�Yes he is,� the girls agreed.
�Who?� Venus asked joining them and they looked.
�Alex,� Josephine said.
�He�s lots of fun,� Venus replied sitting down and looking at Sunshine. �I�ve been meaning to ask about the two of you.�
�What about?� Sunshine asked looking at Nickolas, as he looked at her.
�What�s the story?� Venus asked.
�No story,� Sunshine replied. �Just friends.�
�Good,� Venus said.
�Good?� the girls said in unison.
�Yeah,� Venus replied. �I mean he is my ex-boyfriend after all and I don�t think it would be right for her to go out with him.�
�And why not?� Sunshine questioned. �Howie�s my ex-boyfriend and Dani and Des went out with him and I didn�t care.�
�That�s your problem,� Venus said.
�What the hell?� Sunshine rebutted. �Why does it matter if I go out with Alex? You didn�t want him.�
�Doesn�t mean I want one of my best friends to go out with him,� Venus said.
�They�re not dating, V,� Destiny cutted in. �Just friends.�
�And if you have a problem with the fact that we�re friends then that�s your problem,� Sunshine said. �You hang out a lot.�
�Means shit,� Venus said.
�And what about you and Nick? You two are spending a lot of time together.�
�We�re just friends.�
�Ditto,� Sunshine tried to control her temper. �I don�t see why it matters any if I date Alex.�
�It�s just wrong.�
�Oh, but it�s ok for Jo and Des to go behind my back and date Nick; the man I love!� She was shouting now and they all looked at her. The guys even stopped singing and dancing and looked. �But I can�t fucking go out with Alex, because he�s your ex. God, you�re so hypocritical anymore, V, and it�s pathetic and sad. What? Do you want me to tell Alex to go to hell so he�s not hanging around me? You can�t pick who your ex hangs out with, V, so get over it.� She got up. �Enjoy the tour, because I�m going home.� She walked away and the others watched her.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Alexander walked to the back of the bus and saw Sunshine sitting there. She didn�t look at him and he walked over and sat beside her. She still said nothing or look at him. They sat there in silence a few moments and she sighed.
�Are you sure you want to sit here with me? Venus might go loco if she sees this.�
�Venus doesn�t own me and neither does anyone else. I�ll sit where I want, when I want, and by who I want.� She grinned. �I thought you were going home.�
�I don�t know. I don�t want to give Venus the satisfaction of having control over who her ex hangs out with. By leaving that just gives her that right ya know.�
�Yeah.�
�I�ve been thinking, Alex.�
�About what?�
�Something you asked me a couple weeks ago.�
�And what was that? A lot has happened since then.�
�About the whole girlfriend/boyfriend couple thing.� He looked at her interested. �I say let�s go for it. You did ask me to be your girlfriend anyway.�
�Right.�
�I mean if the offer still stands.�
�Well yeah, but I was thinking about that too.�
�And?�
�Well I think we should just be friends.�
�Oh.�
�It�s not that I wouldn�t love to go out with you, but look at all the fun we have together being just friends. Do you actually think we�d have this much fun if we were more than friends?� She shrugged. �We can do whatever we want around each other and not care what the other thinks, because you�re trying to impress them.�
�True.�
�Let�s just see what happens.�
�I can do that.�
�Good. If it leads to more then that�s good too.� She nodded. �So are you staying or are you going to run away?� She shrugged. �C�mon you can stay. Don�t let Venus win. I never knew you to be a quitter.�
�I�m not.�
�Then stay.�
�Fine I�ll stay just to shut you up. I have no plans anyway. I�m free until after my sisters wedding.�
�Good. I have to go get ready though. You better still be here after the show.�
�Yeah, yeah.� He kissed her forehead and got up. She watched him walk away and sighed.
CHAPTER 20
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