Nick sat there on the bleachers of Lincoln High School watching the girls get ready for their big game. They were playing for the state championship. The boys were playing after the girls. Nick sat with his teammates and best friends, Brian, Howie, AJ, and Kevin. Outside of school, they would hang out and sing at the underage club, the Underdog. Nick saw Brian’s girlfriend, Alicia, Howie’s girlfriend, Amy, Kevin’s girlfriend, Kristin, and AJ’s girlfriend, Amanda on the court with their best friend, Brizee. Nick really liked Brizee. They were friends but Nick wanted to be more but was afraid of admitting his feelings. He watched Brizee as she warmed up with the girls. Brian was the only one who knew of Nick’s feelings for Brizee. He looked at the crowd and looked back and saw Brizee staring at him. He smiled and waved. She waved back and made a motion that she needed to talk to him. He got up and went down to the court and she ran over to him.

        “Hey, good luck out there,” Nick said.

        “I don’t know if I can do this,” Brizee said.

        “Briz, it’s a game, just think of it as just a game, there is no championship, just a normal game and just play to win, you guys can do this,” Nick said.

        “I’m team captain, Nick, what if I fail leading them to victory,” Brizee said.

        “You won’t, there is no I in team, they can’t blame you if you guys lose, they would have to blame themselves, too, but you guys are going to win, I know it, it’s a big win day for Lincoln High, coach wants you over there, good luck and I’ll be cheering you guys on with the guys,” Nick said. Brizee smiled and ran back over to the bench. Nick went back up and sat down.

        “What’s up,” Brian said.

        “She’s nervous about the game,” Nick said.

        “Oh,” Brian said.

        “I so much wanted to hug her,” Nick said. The game began and they watched the girls fight for the title. Nick watched Brizee play and smiled and cheered when she would make a basket and she even made a few three pointers. He watched her dribble down the court and ran around the players and one player from the opposite team pushed her to the floor and started smacking her. The refs pulled her off of Brizee. Ali, Amanda, Kristin, and Amy stood around Brizee as the coach of the team yelled at the player who has been ejected from the game. The coach of the other team talked with the ref and the refs talked and went over to talk to the girls’ coach and talked with the announcer.

        “Due to the circumstances of the player’s attack on Brizee, the Maysville Panthers have forfeited the game, Lincoln High wins it by default and are your new state champions!” the announcer said. The whole place went crazy as the other team shook hands with Lincoln and went to their locker room. The Lincoln girls had their pictures taken and they went to change. The guys went down to warm up for their game. Brizee came out and saw them warming up and smiled. She saw Nick shooting baskets and the ball bounced back and rolled to where she was standing. He saw her and came over to her.

        “Hey, I told you that you would win the game,” Nick said. Brizee smiled.   

        “Only by forfeit, it wasn’t even halftime yet,” Brizee said. Nick smiled.

        “But you won, I can’t believe that girl, what happened,” Nick said.

        “She said she didn’t like my face,” Brizee said.

        “What a bitch,” Nick said.

        “I know, I’m just glad no one went after her,” Brizee said. Nick nodded.

        “Yeah, shows how much respect Lincoln High has for the team,” Nick said.

        “I’ll be in the stands cheering you guys on,” Brizee said. Nick smiled.

        “Good, hey the guys are getting together with their girls after the game, going to the Shake Shack, wanna go?” Nick asked.

        “Don’t we all always going to the Shake Shack after the game,” Brizee said.

        “Yeah, but we will be celebrating,” Nick said.

        “Count me in,” Brizee said.

        “Cool, I gotta get back,” Nick said. He took the ball and turned to go back and she grabbed his hand and pulled him back. He looked at her.

        “Nick, wait,” Brizee said.

        “What,” Nick said. She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him tenderly. She pulled back.

        “Good luck out there,” Brizee said. She went up to the stands where the girls were. Nick watched her go and headed back to the guys.

        “Nick, what was that,” Kevin said.

        “I’m guessing it was for good luck,” Nick said. He shot a three pointer.

        “Nick, ask her out,” Brian said.

        “We all are going to the Shake Shack, right,” Nick said. They nodded.

        “She’s coming, too,” Nick said.

        “Tell her how you feel,” Brian said.

        “I can’t, Frick,” Nick said.

        “Fine, I will,” Brian said as he ran up to where Brizee was sitting.

        “Hey Briz,” Brian said.

        “Hey, Brian, good luck out there,” Brizee said. He kissed Alicia.

        “Thanks, I have something to tell you,” Brian said.

        “What is it,” Brizee said.

        “Nick is too shy to tell you himself, he really likes you, like more than a friend, he has for awhile now,” Brian said. Brizee looked at Nick who was sitting on the bench and leaning over watching them.

        “I feel the same way, Brian, that’s why I kissed him, I wanted him to know how I felt,” Brizee said.

        “He needs to know that,” Brian said.

        “I’ll talk to him after the game,” Brizee said. Brian nodded and kissed Alicia one more time before heading back to the guys.

        “Why did you do that,” Nick said.

        “Because you wouldn’t,” Brian said.

        “What did you tell her?” Nick asked.

        “That you like her more than a friend and she feels the same way, Nick, that’s why she kissed you,” Brian said.

        “Thanks a lot,” Nick said.

        “Nick, you need to just go for it, okay, don’t hide your feelings for her, you need to share them, don’t be shy, you guys are friends no matter what,” Brian said. Nick nodded and looked up at Brizee. She smiled at him and winked. He smiled and winked back and got ready for the game. It began and the guys went to battle for the title. Brizee cheered when Nick made a basket and smiled as she watched him play. The buzzer sounded and the game was over and Lincoln High was now the home of two state champion teams. The guys posed for pictures and shook the other teams hands and went to change. Brizee, Alicia, Amanda, Kristin, and Amy went down to the floor to wait for their guys. Brian came out and ran to Alicia. Kevin came out and ran to Kristin. AJ came out and Amanda ran to him. Amy saw Howie and ran to him. Nick came out and looked up and saw Brizee waiting for him. He walked over to her and stood there.

        “Awesome game, we did it,” Brizee said.

        “Yup,” Nick said smiling. Brizee hugged him.

        “We should go talk,” Brizee said.

        “Yeah,” Nick said. They walked out to his car.

        “Wanna ride with me to the Shake Shack?” Nick asked. Brizee nodded and got in his car. He put his bag in and got in and they went to the Shake Shack. They got a table and ordered food.

        “Brian told you about my feelings for you,” Nick said.

        “Yeah, he did, I feel the same way, Nick,” Brizee said. Nick took her hand in his and held it.

        “Be my girl?” Nick asked. Brizee smiled.

        “Yes, how about going out Friday night?” Brizee asked. Nick looked at her.

        “I can’t, the guys and I are going to the Underdog, we formed a music group and sing there Friday nights, we get paid for it,” Nick said.

        “I knew that, Ali told me, what about after?” Brizee asked.

        “Sure, Ali, Amanda, Amy, and Kris come to watch us, come with them and we’ll leave from there,” Nick said.

        “It’s a date,” Brizee said. Brian, Alicia, Amy, Howie, Kristin, Kevin, AJ, and Amanda came in. They saw them and came over.

        “Hey guys,” Brian said.

        “Hey, B,” Nick said.

        “So what’s the scoop?” Brian asked.

        “We are together, she’s coming Friday night and we are going out after the show,” Nick said.

        “Cool, I knew you guys would end up together,” Alicia said.

On Friday night, the guys were at the Underdog. The girls were in the audience. Nick looked out and saw Brizee sitting with Alicia.

        “This is Brizee’s first time watching us,” Nick said.

        “She’ll like it,” Brian said. They heard the manager’s announcement and went out and sat down. Everyone was cheering. They performed I Want It That Way. Nick watched Brizee as he sang. After the song, everyone cheered. Nick looked at Brizee. She was smiling and cheering. After a few more songs, they said goodnight and got off stage. The girls hugged them. Brizee hugged Nick.

        “That was so amazing, the songs were awesome,” Brizee said.

        “Thanks,” Nick said smiling at her.

        “So, you ready for our date,” Brizee said. Nick smiled.

        “Yeah, bye guys,” Nick said. They left and went out on their date. They went to the beach and sat down in the sand and talked.

        “So where are you going to college?” Brizee asked.

        “I got accepted to UCLA, full ride, basketball scholarship, which my parents are happy about,” Nick said.

        “Nick,” Brizee said.

        “They didn’t want to pay for me to go to college at a big university, I could go only if I got a scholarship,” Nick said. Brizee looked at him.

        “What about the guys?” Brizee asked.

        “All five of us are going to UCLA on scholarships, they scouted us and they couldn’t decide so all five of us got scholarships,” Nick said.

        “Amy is going to New York with Amanda, Kristin is going to Berkley, Alicia and I are going to State, we are the only ones sticking close to home,” Brizee said. Nick took her hand in his.

        “LA is only two hours away, I can come home when the schedule permits, basketball practice doesn’t start up until October, and you can always come down to visit me, you and Ali, we are just getting started, no way would I want to give this up because I’m going to UCLA, Brian and I will come back to visit you two, I swear here and now that I will not be tempted by college girls, I will not cheat or anything,” Nick said. Brizee smiled and hugged him. He held her close.

Two months later, it was summer and Brizee and Nick were closer than ever. They were to the point of making out whenever they were alone and both stated that they would wait until marriage to take the next step. Brizee sat in her bedroom, staring at a picture of her and Nick at prom. She remembered that night where he had gotten a hotel room and they spent the night making out and sleeping in each other’s arms. Nick never tried to go further than she wanted to and she knew she was totally in love with him. Her cell phone rang. She looked and smiled.

        “Hi babe,” Brizee said smiling.

        “Hey baby, I miss you,” Nick said. Nick and the guys had gone to LA to perform in some underage clubs.

        “I miss you, too, how are things going?” Brizee asked.

        “Awesome, there has been some people come up to us and ask for autographs,” Nick said.

        “That’s great, I will gladly ask for your autograph all the time,” Brizee said.

        “You have more than that, baby, you have me, all to yourself in about two hours, we are heading home,” Nick said. Brizee grinned.

        “I can’t wait, but my folks want me to stay in tonight, I’m free all day tomorrow,” Brizee said.

        “No you aren’t, you’ll be with me all day tomorrow,” Nick said. Brizee smiled.

        “Like I said, I can’t wait,” Brizee said.

        “I better get going, the guys are waiting and they said I’m driving first so I will text you and let you know when I’m home,” Nick said.

        “Be careful, see you tomorrow, love you,” Brizee said.

        “I will, see you tomorrow, love you, too, bye, baby,” Nick said.

        “Bye,” Brizee said. She hung up and laid back on her bed. Her mom came in.

        “Honey,” Laura said.

        “Nick’s heading home, he’ll text me when he gets there,” Brizee said.

        “Go wait for him,” Laura said.

        “Mom,” Brizee said.

        “Honey, we know he has moved out to the guest house of his parents’ house, go wait for him, we’ll see you tomorrow night, we trust you, Brizee, we know what you have said about waiting until marriage to have sex, so go,” Laura said. Brizee hugged her mom and packed a knapsack and went to Nick’s house. His mom unlocked the guest house and hugged her and told her that she wouldn’t tell Nick she was there. Nick lived close enough for her to walk to his house. She put her bag down and laid on the bed and sighed. Two hours later, she heard a car door shut and she peeked out the window and saw Nick walking to the guest house and unlocked the door. He came in and closed the door and locked up and turned on the light and saw Brizee sitting on the bed smiling at him.

        “Hey stranger,” Brizee said. Nick’s face lit up and he closed the blinds and jumped on the bed and hugged her close and buried his face in her neck.

        “I’m so glad you are here, I missed you so much, I knew I wouldn’t sleep tonight with the thought of seeing you tomorrow,” Nick said.

        “I know, I think my mom knew because it was her idea for me to come tonight,” Brizee said.

        “So you get to stay all night long?” Nick asked. Brizee smiled and nodded. He grinned.

        “Let me get a shower first, baby,” Nick said kissing her before running into the bathroom. She laid on the bed and sighed happily. She heard the water running and thought about Nick standing in there naked. She held her head as she thought about it.  She got up and stripped as she walked to the bathroom and quietly opened the door. She saw Nick in the shower. She quietly slipped into the shower with him and hugged him from behind.

        “Oh god,” Nick said.

        “Sorry, I just wanted to join you, I hope that is okay,” Brizee said.

        “It’s more than okay, I was hoping you would,” Nick said. She smiled and he turned around and gazed at her and looked at her up and down and smiled and pulled her close.

        “Don’t worry, baby, I won’t do anything you aren’t ready for, we can shower together and make out,” Nick said. Brizee smiled and hugged him. He smiled as he felt her body against his.

        “Thank you, Nick,” Brizee said. Nick kissed her deeply. They showered and got out and dried each other off and he wrapped a towel around his waist as she wrapped a towel around her. He picked her up and carried her out of the bathroom and nearly dropped her when he saw his mom sitting on the bed.

        “I don’t believe this,” Jane said.

        “Mom, it’s not what you think, we haven’t done anything beyond this, I swear,” Nick said.

        “Jane, we aren’t having sex, we are waiting until marriage for that step, we aren’t backing out of that commitment, I swear, please don’t tell my mom about this, I went in, there is nothing bad going on here,” Brizee said.

        “Mom, you can trust us, we aren’t going beyond making out and showering together, if it makes you feel better, next time, I’ll shower in my trunks and she in her swimsuit,” Nick said.

        “Nick, Brizee, I get it, you both are 18, technically I can’t tell you how to live your life,” Jane said. Nick hugged Brizee close to him.

        “I know, Mom,” Nick said.

        “Brizee, you are like another daughter to us, I won’t tell your mom what happened, just be careful, both of you, understand,” Jane said.

        “Yes, Mom, what brings you here,” Nick said.

        “Brian called, basketball practice at UCLA starts in a week, you guys have to go early since you all are on the team,” Jane said.

        “Oh, okay, thanks, Mom,” Nick said. Jane hugged them and left. Nick locked up. Brizee got dressed in her pajamas. Nick put on his boxers and they got into bed and held each other.

        “I will miss you,” Brizee said resting her head on his chest. Nick kissed her forehead.

        “I’ll miss you, too, baby,” Nick said.

A week later, Brizee, Alicia, Amanda, Amy, and Kristin accompanied the guys to UCLA to help them get settled into their dorms. Nick and Brian were sharing a room and Kevin, Howie, and AJ had gotten a room with three beds. They were next door to Brian and Nick’s room. Brizee helped Nick carry his bags in.

        “I can’t believe you guys have to be here early, I guess they want the team to be the best and have lots of practice playing together, even though you guys have played together all through high school, they probably want you to be able to play with the rest of the team,” Alicia said walking into the room with Brian’s stuff. Brian came in.

        “I know, but this is college, not high school, it’s going to be rough, but the five of us are together so it’s cool,” Brian said.

        “We have to be ready, B, if we all want to stick together on the team,” Nick said.

        “I know, we have to see what is in store for us,” Brian said. The girls helped them unpack. Brizee opened a bag and pulled out a picture and put it on the nightstand by Nick’s bed. Nick looked and saw it was a picture of her. She got another one and put it next to it and it was a picture of them together.

        “There,” Brizee said. Nick hugged her.

        “That’s perfect,” Nick said kissing her neck. They finished unpacking Nick’s stuff and put the bags in the closet. Alicia and Brian finished with Brian’s stuff and put the bags up and sat down on the beds.

        “Middletown is not going to be same without you guys,” Brizee said.

        “It won’t be the same without seeing you two every day,” Nick said kissing Brizee’s forehead. There was a knock at the door. They looked up and saw a girl standing there. Brizee held Nick’s hand. Alicia held Brian’s hand.

        “You guys just move in?” she asked.

        “Yeah, me and him,” Brian said pointing to Nick.

        “I’m Nick, this is my girlfriend, Brizee,” Nick said holding her close.

        “I’m Brian, this is my girlfriend, Alicia,” Brian said holding her close.

        “I’m Ashley, I live down the hall, you girls go here too?” she said.

        “No, we are just helping them move in,” Alicia said.

        “We are going to college at State, it’s a community college outside of our hometown of Middletown,” Brizee said. Ashley nodded.

        “Well, welcome to UCLA, guys, you are here early which means you are on the basketball team, I’m on the girls basketball team, it’s my first year also, I got a scholarship, do you two play basketball?” Ashley said.

        “We did, we won the state championship for our high school,” Brizee said.

        “How come you didn’t get a scholarship,” Ashley said. Brizee and Alicia shrugged.

        “They said they had all the girls they need for the team here,” Brizee said.

        “I think I heard about that, they only had two positions open,” Ashley said.

        “Well, I think it went by performance in the final games, the reason we won state was by forfeit because one of the girls on the other team attacked Brizee,” Alicia said.

        “What, how did that happen,” Ashley said.

        “She said she didn’t like my face, so she jumped me and started slapping me,” Brizee said.

        “Man, I hope she didn’t get a scholarship anywhere, she doesn’t deserve one,” Ashley said.

        “She is banned from playing basketball anywhere for life,” Alicia said.

        “Good, if I was there, I would have marched on that court and pounded her face in for doing that, that isn’t the way to play the game,” Ashley said.

        “Briz, it’s time to go,” Alicia said.

        “I’ll leave now, it’s nice to meet you all and I hope you two will be regular faces around here,” Ashley said.

        “When we get the chance,” Alicia said. Ashley waved and went out the door.

        “So friendly,” Brizee said.

        “But you have nothing to worry about because I only have eyes for you, baby,” Nick said hugging her.

        “Ditto here for me,” Brian said hugging Alicia.

        “I love you, so much,” Brizee said resting her head on Nick’s shoulder.

        “I love you, too,” Nick said. She looked up at him and kissed him deeply. Kristin, Amanda, and Amy stood at the door. Brizee and Alicia hugged their guys one last time and left and went out to the parking lot and got into Brizee’s car and headed back to Middletown.

Two months later, Amanda and Amy decided to go to State along with Brizee and Alicia and Kristin. They decided to form a girl group and entered contests to win a record deal and soon they did. Kristin decided to not do it so Brizee, Alicia, Amy, and Amanda went on as a foursome. Kristin tagged along with them and would fill in if needed. They were in LA to record the first album. They were done for the day and headed over to the campus to see the guys. Brizee and Alicia knocked on Nick and Brian’s door while Kristin, Amanda, and Amy knocked on Kevin, AJ, and Howie’s door.  Nick opened the door and saw them. Alicia went in and hugged Brian while Brizee and Nick hugged.

        “Have you guys been behaving?” Brizee asked.

        “Of course, practice keeps us busy, we are worn out after we get back,” Brian said. Nick sat her down and sat beside her.

        “I told you, you are the only one for me, baby,” Nick said. Brizee smiled and hugged.

        “How is the recording going,” Brian said.

        “Awesome, Hank said we will be a big hit,” Alicia said. Brian looked at her.

        “Hank?” Brian asked.

        “The record producer, don’t worry, he’s in his 40s and married with kids,” Alicia said.

        “Guys, you have nothing to worry about, we trust you guys so you can trust us,” Brizee said.

        “I might have to check out the studio,” Nick said.

        “Nickolas, you said I was the only one for you, the same goes for me, you are the only one for me,” Brizee said. Nick smiled and kissed her softly.

        “Good, because I don’t know what I would do if I lost you,” Nick said softly. Brizee kissed him softly and hugged him. He buried his face in her neck.

Two months later, the album was done and the girls shot their first video. Brian, Nick, AJ, Howie, and Kevin received an advanced copy of the video and sat down to watch it. After it was over, they smiled.

        “Awesome,” Brian said.

        “My girl was amazing, and hot!” Nick said.

        “They all were, guys, we are so lucky,” Howie said.

        “Guys, I was thinking, of asking Briz to marry me,” Nick said.

        “Nick,” Brian said.

        “I can’t help it, I love her so much, I want to be with her forever,” Nick said.

        “Well, we could get engaged to our girls and get married after we are done,” Howie said. The door opened and the girls came in.

        “Hi baby!” Brizee said sitting on Nick’s lap.

        “We just watched the video, you were hot, baby,” Nick said kissing her.

        “Girls, we have something to ask you,” Howie said.

        “D, not now,” Brian said.

        “We have to go shopping first, D,” AJ said.

        “After we do it, guys,” Howie said.

        “What is going on,” Amy said.

        “We have a question for all five of you, we are going to ask at once and it is going to be from your guy,” Brian said. Alicia sat in his lap.

        “What is the question?” Alicia said. The guys looked at each other and counted.

        “Will you marry me?” they asked looking at their girls. The girls looked at each other and counted.

        “Yes!” the girls said. Nick and Brizee kissed. Brian and Alicia kissed. Kevin and Kristin kissed. Howie and Amy kissed. AJ and Amanda kissed.

        “You guys seriously planned this, didn’t you,” Brizee said. Nick shrugged.

        “We decided before you came in, baby,” Nick said. Brizee rested her head in his shoulder.

Two days later, with rings on their fingers, the girls set out on tour as the opening act for Kelly Clarkson and Beyonce. They were doing meet and greets backstage. They sat together as fans came to get autographs.

        “You guys rock!” one guy said.

        “Thanks!” Brizee said signing his picture.

        “Thanks!” he said before leaving. That night, Brizee laid in her hotel room and smiled as she looked at her ring. Her cell phone rang. She picked it and smiled.

        “Hey babe,” Brizee said.

        “Hey baby, you always know it’s me,” Nick said.

        “Caller id, babe,” Brizee said.

        “I know, I miss you, baby,” Nick said.

        “I miss you, too, I can’t stop looking at my ring, it’s beautiful,” Brizee said.

        “Like you, baby, I can’t stop looking at your picture, I so much want to hold you every night,” Nick said.

        “Well, as soon as we are married, that will happen,” Brizee said.

        “I can’t wait, baby, I love you so much,” Nick said.

        “I love you, too,” Brizee said. They talked for awhile before saying goodnight and hung up.

Two months later, the tour was in LA. The guys had tickets and backstage passes. After the show, the guys came backstage and the girls ran to their guys. Brizee jumped on Nick and hugged him and wrapped her legs around his waist and buried her face in his neck.

        “I missed you so much!” Brizee said.

        “I missed you, too, baby, it feels good to hold you,” Nick said kissing her shoulder. They went to her dressing room and closed the door and collapsed on the couch kissing. They explored each other’s bodies with their hands. Nick deepened the kiss and their tongues explored each other’s mouths. Nick slid his hands under her shirt and rested on her back.

        “I love you so much,” Nick said kissing her neck.

        “I love you, too,” Brizee said closing her eyes and enjoying his lips on her neck.

        “I don’t want to be without you, I don’t want you to go,” Nick said resting his head on her shoulder.

        “I know, but I have to keep going, after the tour, I’m coming back to you,” Brizee said.

        “I can’t wait, baby, let’s go get married tonight,” Nick said. Brizee stroked his cheek.

        “Nick, the tour is heading out tonight for Phoenix, you have to stay and play basketball,” Brizee said.

        “Briz, I can’t be without you, I go crazy if I’m not with you,” Nick said. Brizee kissed him deeply.

        “I do the same, Nicky, but knowing that I will have you forever keeps me going, keeps me sane, knowing you are mine,” Brizee said. Nick kissed her hungrily.

        “I wish you could be at our first game, the coach said that he is going to take turns starting us, Brian gets to start the first game, I get the second game,” Nick said.

        “Let me know and I will see if I can get away to see you,” Brizee said.

        “Okay, baby,” Nick said. He kissed her deeply.

Two weeks later, it was the day of the game that Nick was going to start. The tour was in San Diego and they were off a couple days before the show so Brizee and Alicia drove to LA and went to the arena and took their seats. She saw Nick warming up. She went down to the bench and tapped Kevin who was sitting on the bench. He looked and saw her and smiled.

        “Hey girl,” Kevin said.

        “Hey, tell Nicky I’m here, and tell Brian that Ali is with me, we are up there,” Brizee said pointing. Kevin saw Alicia and smiled and waved to her.

        “I’ll tell them,” Kevin said. Brizee hugged him and went back up to her seat. Nick and Brian came over to the bench. Kevin was grinning.

        “What are you grinning about,” Nick said taking a drink. Brian took a drink.

        “Nothing, oh by the way, you two have two special fans in the crowd,” Kevin said. Brian and Nick looked around and they saw a sign. It said: ‘I love you Nickolas Gene Carter’. Brizee was grinning. He smiled and waved to her. She blew a kiss to him and waved back. Brian and Alicia smiled and waved to each other.  They went to play the game. After the game was over, they went to shower and change. Brizee and Alicia went to the door of the locker room as the players came out. AJ, Howie, and Kevin came out and hugged them. Brian came out and took Alicia in his arms and hugged her tight.  Nick came out and took Brizee in his arms.

        “Oh god, baby, I’m so glad you are here, I played so much better with you here,” Nick said.

        “Nicky, I can’t make it to every game, I want to but I do have to be with the tour,” Brizee said.

        “Baby, I need you here,” Nick said.

        “Nick, I know you do, the tour is almost over, it is over way before the games are over here, after the tour, I will come to every game,” Brizee said. Nick rested his forehead against hers.

        “I’m sorry, baby, I just love you so much, it hurts to be away from you,” Nick said.

        “I know, it hurts me, too, but the reunions are worth it,” Brizee said. Nick smiled and kissed her deeply.

        “God yes,” Nick said.

        “Hey Carter!” a voice said from the doorway of the locker room. Nick looked at the man in the doorway.

        “Hey Coach,” Nick said.

        “Who is this lovely young lady?” he asked.

        “This is Brizee, my fiancée,” Nick said.

        “I don’t know what you did to him before the game but he really impressed me out there, and he never fouled, what’s your secret,” the coach said.

        “I was here watching, that’s what happened, unfortunately I can’t be here for the next couple of weeks, I’m currently on tour right now with my friends and it’s over in two weeks and then I will be here watching and cheering him on,” Brizee said.

        “She’s my good luck charm,” Nick said.

        “Well, then Nick won’t play until she’s here all the time,” the coach said.

        “Oh dear,” Brizee said.

        “Briz, you have to stay,” Nick said.

        “I’m just kidding, Carter, think you can play well without her here,” the coach said.

        “Yeah, I can, I was just happy she was here and wanted to play good for her,” Nick said.

        “Nick, you are a great player with or without me here,” Brizee said.

        “Thanks, baby,” Nick said smiling and kissing her forehead.

        “Just got to keep your head in the game, Carter,” the coach said.

        “Once I’m on the court, Coach, that is where my head is at,” Nick said. The coach went on and they went back to the dorm. Nick and Brizee sat on his bed while Brian and Alicia sat on Brian’s bed.

        “How long can you guys stay?” Brian asked.

        “We have to be back in San Diego by early morning, press conference, radio show, we should head back tonight,” Alicia said.

        “No, we don’t want you guys to go,” Brian said holding onto her.

        “Guys, come on, two more weeks and we will be here as much as possible,” Brizee said.

        “I can’t be without you that long,” Nick said nuzzling her neck.

        “Guys, geez, you guys will have us forever, you both can survive two weeks, as soon as the tour is over, we will be here,” Alicia said. They got up and walked out to the car and said their goodbyes. Nick and Brizee kissed deeply. Brian and Alicia kissed and the girls got into the car and went to San Diego. Two weeks later, it was the last night of the tour. After they were done, they came off stage and changed and gathered their stuff.

        “Hey girls,” Barry said.

        “Hey Barry, so glad this is over,” Kristin said.

        “You will have four months off before another tour, so I’ll be in touch,” Barry said. The girls went to the bus and got on and told the driver to head home to Middletown. When they got there, they went home. Brizee walked into her house and saw her mom watching TV.

        “Hey Mama,” Brizee said. Laura got up and hugged her close.

        “I missed you so much, honey,” Laura said.

        “Another tour in four months, Nick wants me down there, Mom, Nick asked me to marry him, well all five asked all five of us girls to marry them, at the same time,” Brizee said.

        “Brizee,” Laura said.

        “Mom, we aren’t getting married until after Nick’s done with school, don’t worry,” Brizee said.

        “But he asked you to marry him,” Laura said.

        “I know, Mom, it will be a long engagement but we both know we want to be together forever,” Brizee said. She showed Laura the ring.

        “Oh gosh, it’s beautiful, okay, I’m happy for you, honey,” Laura said.

        “Thanks, I want to go sleep, tomorrow I’m heading out again, the girls and I are going to see the guys, they were practically begging us to come down after the tour was over, it seems that I’m Nick’s good luck charm at the games, the coach was very impressed, I went to one game and Nick started, and it was a perfect game, Nick never fouled,” Brizee said.

        “I barely get to see you,” Laura said.

        “I won’t be gone four months,” Brizee said.

        “Briz,” Laura said.

        “Mom, I’m 18 now, doing what I want,” Brizee said. Laura sighed and hugged her.

        “It should be like you are off to college,” Laura said.

The next day, the girls headed down to UCLA. They went to see the guys. Brizee and Alicia knocked on Brian and Nick’s door. Brian opened it and saw them and smiled.

        “Hey girls!” Brian said hugging Alicia. They went in.

        “Where’s my baby,” Brizee said.

        “Library,” Brian said.

        “Everything okay?” Brizee asked.

        “Everything is fine, he’s picking up books for us,” Brian said.

        “He isn’t checking out girls, is he,” Brizee said.

        “She’s had this weird feeling for the past week,” Alicia said.

        “Briz, he is 100% committed to you,” Brian said. Brizee nodded and laid down on Nick’s bed and hid under the covers. Nick came in with a pile of books.

        “Hey B, got your books,” Nick said putting them down. He saw Alicia.

        “Hey Ali,” Nick said.

        “Hey Nick,” Alicia said.

        “Where’s my girl?” Nick asked. He sat down on his bed, not noticing the bump in the bed.

        “Umm,” Alicia said.

        “She did come with you, didn’t she,” Nick said.

        “She’s around somewhere,” Alicia said. Nick felt a pinch on his butt and jumped up and saw Brizee grinning at him from under his covers.

        “Why you little,” Nick said jumping on the bed and tickling her. She burst out laughing.

        “Okay, stop!” Brizee said giggling. Nick stopped and laid beside her and hugged her.

        “I missed you, baby!” Nick said burying his face in her neck.

        “Take a nap with me,” Brizee said. Nick took off his shoes and got under the covers with her and snuggled up with her and held her as they went to sleep. Two hours later, Brizee woke up and saw Nick smiling at her. She smiled and cuddled up to him.

        “Brian and Ali went to hang out with the others, so we could be alone,” Nick said. He kissed her forehead. She smiled and rested her head on his chest.

        “My mom didn’t want me to come down so soon, we just go home yesterday, she was wondering why I didn’t stay long enough to catch up with her,” Brizee said.

        “Briz,” Nick said.

        “She understood that I was making my own choices, I told her we’re engaged, she wasn’t so sure about it until I explained we were waiting until after you were done with college and that we know we want to be together forever,” Brizee said.

        “I told my mom, she was happy for us,” Nick said.

        “I am so happy, Nicky, to have you, to have your love,” Brizee said laying on top of him. He rested his hands on her waist. She kissed him softly. She rested her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her.

        “I’m happy, to have you and your love, I love you so much, Briz, you are my everything,” Nick said. Brizee smiled and looked at him.

        “You are mine,” Brizee said. He kissed her deeply as he rolled them over and leaned over her and deepened the kiss and they were making out heavily when the door opened and Brian came in.

        “Sorry, guys,” Brian said. He sat down.

        “What’s up, B,” Nick said as he sat up.

        “Just came to get my wallet, I’m taking Ali out on a dinner date just the two of us, bye!” Brian said. He left. Nick got up and locked the door knowing Brian had his key. He walked over to the bed and laid down and they continued making out. Nick slid his hands under her shirt.

        “I love you so much,” Nick said kissing her neck.

        “I love you, too,” Brizee said.

        “Baby, I want to feel your skin against mine,” Nick said. Brizee smiled and they removed their clothes and laid under the covers and pressed their bodies against each other. Nick moaned and held her as they began making out. Nick buried his face in her neck and sighed happily.

        “I just want to lay like this for awhile, baby, just want to feel your skin against mine,” Nick said. Brizee smiled and held him close.

        “Nicky, I have a great idea, let’s go get married tonight,” Brizee said.

        “Briz, are you sure,” Nick said.

        “Yes, I am, because I love you and don’t want to be without you,” Brizee said. Nick kissed her hungrily.

        “Briz, I love you but we were going to wait until I’m done with college,” Nick said. Brizee groaned.

        “But I want you and we said we wouldn’t do it until marriage,” Brizee said.

        “Baby, you okay,” Nick said.

        “I just want to be with you forever and always and I don’t want to wait to get married,” Brizee said.

        “Briz, what is wrong, are you afraid you will lose me, baby, there is no way I am ever letting you go, you and I are forever, you mean everything to me, I can’t live without you in my life,” Nick said.

        “You promise?” Brizee said. Nick kissed her softly.

        “I promise, baby, I love you, I love you so much,” Nick said. He kissed her and held her close. They covered up and fell asleep holding each other.

Two hours later, Brian quietly unlocked the door and he came in and saw them asleep in bed together. He saw clothes on the floor and wondered what they did. He changed quickly. Nick woke up.

        “Hey,” Nick quietly said as he grabbed his boxers and slipped them on and slowly got up and kept her covered. He got dressed and they went out the door.

        “Nick, did you two have sex?” Brian asked.

        “No, I just wanted to feel her skin against mine, we have seen each other naked before, she wanted to get married tonight, she’s scared she’ll lose me, I told her that I couldn’t live without her in my life, she is everything to me,” Nick said.

        “Nick, get her up, Ali and I want to get married tonight, too,” Brian said.

        “Brian,” Nick said.

        “We are serious, we will secretly get married and then plan a big wedding after college, Kevin, Howie, and AJ are doing the same thing now, they are having a triple wedding, Ali is the witness, I came to get you guys,” Brian said. Nick went back in and woke up Brizee and told her what was going on. She got up and got dressed and they went to the courthouse and got a marriage license and got married in a double ceremony. After the wedding, they all checked into the hotel and got rooms. Nick and Brizee collapsed on the bed kissing. Nick pulled back.

        “I got to go get something,” Nick said.

        “Nicky, it’s okay, the girls and I went on birth control before we went on tour, we read that the pills help regulate our time of the months so we went to get started so we are safe, make love to me,” Brizee said. Nick crushed his mouth to hers as he removed their clothes and slowly and gently made love to her. He laid on top of her afterwards and kissed her softly.

        “Hello wife,” Nick said.

        “Hello husband, I love you,” Brizee said.

        “I love you, too, baby,” Nick said. They made love off and on for the rest of the night before finally going to sleep in each other’s arms. The next morning, they got up and got dressed and checked out and went back to the dorms. Brian and Alicia were in the room.

        “Hello Mr. and Mrs. Carter,” Brian said. Alicia smiled. Nick smiled hugging Brizee close to him.

        “Hello Mr. and Mrs. Littrell,” Brizee said.

        “Let’s get going, Briz,” Alicia said. Brizee got her stuff together.

        “Where are you guys going,” Brian said.

        “We have to get back to Middletown, so much to do,” Brizee said.

        “But we are married now,” Nick said holding her close.

        “We will come back down for the game tomorrow, don’t worry,” Brizee said kissing him.

        “Girls, come on, we are married, together,” Brian said.

        “Guys, no one else knows we got married, our folks don’t know, we have to go home and pretend everything is normal,” Brizee said.

        “Brizee,” Nick said.

        “Nick, I’ll be back tomorrow for the game, okay, I love you,” Brizee said kissing him.

        “I don’t want you to go,” Nick said.

        “You guys need a good night’s sleep and you won’t get it with me and Ali here, you guys will find excuses to stay up and you need your rest,” Brizee said. She kissed Nick and Alicia kissed Brian and they went out the door. Kristin, Amanda, and Amy met them in the hallway and they left. Kevin, Howie, and AJ came into Brian and Nick’s room. Nick and Brian were sitting on their beds.

        “Guys, the girls did the right thing, we are playing UCLA’s biggest rivals and need the rest so we can be ready for the game and we won’t get enough sleep with the girls here,” Kevin said.

        “This is just so different, they are our wives now,” Brian said.

        “But we have them forever, guys,” AJ said.

        “I feel like I’m in heaven,” Nick said lying back on his bed.

        “We all feel that way, Nick,” Howie said.

        “Let’s get to bed, guys, we have a big game tomorrow and our wives will be there,” Kevin said. They all went to bed. The next day, they were at the arena, warming up. Nick looked around the arena and didn’t see the girls. The game began and when Nick was on the bench, he would look and never saw the girls. After the game was over, they changed and came out and didn’t see them. They went back to the dorms.

        “They never showed up,” Kevin said.

        “I’ll call Briz,” Nick said. He called Brizee.

        “Nick, thank god, I was going to call but you guys were at the game, we were heading out to come down there and we had a car accident,” Brizee said.

        “What happened,” Nick said. The guys looked at him.

        “A drunk driver hit us as we were crossing an intersection, I’m fine, just a few cuts and bruises, Ali is the same, but it’s Kristin and Amanda, they both are in a coma, Amy has a concussion, but she’ll be fine,” Brizee said.

        “Briz,” Nick said.

        “You guys should get up here, it’s not looking good for either of them,” Brizee said.

        “Who was driving?” Nick asked.

        “Amanda, and Kristin was in the front seat, the driver hit us head on,” Brizee said.

        “We’ll be right there,” Nick said. He hung up and looked at the guys.

        “Nick,” Brian said.

        “The girls were in a car accident, they were heading down here and a drunk driver hit them head on, Briz and Ali are fine, just cuts and bruises, Amy has a concussion,” Nick said.

        “What about Kris and Amanda,” AJ said.

        “They both are in a coma, Briz said it’s not looking good,” Nick said. They all locked up the dorms and headed home to Middletown. They went to the hospital. They saw Brizee and Alicia sitting in the waiting room.

        “Baby,” Nick said taking his wife in his arms.

        “I’m sorry we didn’t make it to the game, did you guys beat their butts,” Brizee said.

        “We beat their butts into the floor, skunked them,” Nick said. Brizee smiled. Nick held her head in his hands. She had bandages on her forehead and arms.

        “Oh baby,” Nick said.

        “I’m fine, just worried about Kris and Manda,” Brizee said. Nick hugged her. Brian hugged Alicia.

        “I was so scared, I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you, baby, I love you so much,” Nick said kissing her softly.

        “Nick, our parents know we got married, I told them, I assured them that we will be safe when we sleep together, they support us after I told them that we will have a big family wedding after you graduate,” Brizee said.

        “So does everyone know,” Nick said.

        “Everyone we care about,” Brizee said. Nick hugged her gently and they saw Brian and Alicia holding each other. Nick looked at Brizee.

        “What, Nicky,” Brizee said. He nibbled her ear.

        “I love you,” Nick said.

        “I love you, too, take me home, I’m so tired,” Brizee said. Nick helped her up.

        “Guys, we are going home, Briz is tired, let us know about Kris and Amanda,” Nick said.

        “Okay,” Brian said. Nick and Brizee went to his house and walked into the guest house. Nick locked up and closed the blinds and Brizee was in his arms.

        “Briz,” Nick said.

        “I need you, Nicky,” Brizee said kissing him.

        “Briz, you sure?” Nick asked.

        “Please, Nicky, make love to me,” Brizee said. Nick kissed her softly and lifted her up and laid her on the bed and laid beside her. She started yawning.

        “Sleep, baby girl, you need it,” Nick said. She looked at him and nodded and snuggled up to him. They went to sleep. Brizee woke up in the middle of the night. She looked and saw Nick still sleeping. She got up and went to the bathroom. She came back and sat down on the bed. Nick woke up and saw her sitting there. He sat up and moved behind her and moved her hair and kissed her neck.

        “You okay, baby,” Nick said softly.

        “I’m fine, I just need you,” Brizee said. Nick gently laid her on the bed and removed their clothes and he gently made love to her. Afterwards, they fell asleep in each other’s arms. The next morning, Nick woke up to the phone ringing. He reached over and grabbed it.

        “Yeah,” Nick said sleepily.

        “Nicky, it’s me, good news, Kris and Amanda woke up, they will be fine,” Brian said.

        “Thank god, I’ll tell Briz, bye,” Nick said. He hung up and glanced down at his wife. He laid there watching her sleep and stroked her cheek. She woke up and saw him and smiled.

        “Morning, baby,” Nick said.

        “Morning,” Brizee said.

        “Brian called, Kris and Amanda woke up and are going to be fine,” Nick said.

        “Thank god,” Brizee said hugging him.

Three months later, the girls were back on tour and the guys were helping the team become undefeated for the first time in college history. Nick was sitting in his room when there was a knock on the door.

        “It’s open,” Nick said. Ashley came in and he looked at her. She showed him a picture and he looked at her. She nodded. He felt like his life was over. He looked at her.

Brizee arrived at the UCLA campus and went to Nick’s dorm and opened the door and went in and saw something that made her heart drop. She saw Nick in bed with Ashley. She quietly closed the door and leaned against the wall. She couldn’t believe what she saw. She ran down the hall and bumped into Kevin and Brian.

        “Briz,” Kevin said holding onto her.

        “I have to go, got to get back on tour, so much to do,” Brizee said.

        “Briz, what happened,” Brian said.

        “Please, I have to go!” Brizee said crying. She took off out the door. Kevin and Brian looked at each other and went to the room and opened the door and saw Nick in bed with Ashley. They went in and slammed the door. Nick and Ashley woke up.

        “What the hell is going on here!” Brian said.

        “Brian,” Nick said.

        “Ashley, please leave,” Brian said. Ashley quickly got dressed under the covers and left the room.

        “You slept with her, didn’t you!” Brian said.

        “Yeah, my marriage is over, so might as well have some fun,” Nick said.

        “Is that why Briz was running out of here crying,” Brian said. Nick looked at him.

        “What are you talking about, she’s on tour, cheating on me, she’s having an affair, Ashley found a picture of her with some guy, they were kissing,” Nick said.

        “No, Nick, your wife was here, we just bumped into her a few minutes ago, she was a mess, wouldn’t stop to talk, she was crying and ran out of the building, I would say the marriage is over, but it is your fault!” Kevin said.

        “Look at this picture,” Nick said. Brian looked at it and looked closely.  He called Alicia and told her everything. He hung up and looked at Nick.

        “You destroyed your marriage, Nick, this picture has to be a fake, Brizee isn’t having an affair, Ali has been sticking by Brizee’s side the whole tour, never saw her with another guy and this pic looks like it’s in a hotel lobby, the girls haven’t stayed at a hotel yet, the shows are back to back so they have to leave after each show to get to the next one so they are on the bus every night,” Brian said.

        “Get Ashley back here,” Nick said. He got dressed. Kevin went and brought her back.

        “Is this picture a fake, Ashley, is my wife really having an affair and you best tell me the truth,” Nick said.

        “No, none of it’s true, I wanted you for myself so I made the picture and gave it to you to make it seem like she was,” Ashley said.

        “Damn you!” Nick said angrily.

        “You better fix this, Ashley, or else,” Kevin said. She nodded and left the room. Nick sat on his bed and buried his face in his hands.

        “What have I done!” Nick said. He banged his fists on his bed in anger at the thought of what he did. He laid on the bed and covered his face in his hands and cried. Kevin and Brian watched him fall apart and they knew he was punishing himself.

Brizee returned to the tour and was met by Alicia. They went to the bus and went to the entertainment area and closed the door.

        “I talked to Brian,” Alicia said.

        “So you know,” Brizee said.

        “It’s not what you think, Briz, it wasn’t Nick’s fault, Ashley confessed that it was her doing, she wanted him for herself so she showed Nick a fake picture of you kissing some guy, she wanted you out of the picture so she could have him and she knew he wouldn’t believe her unless there was concrete proof, she lied, Briz, she set it up,” Alicia said.

        “Ali,” Brizee said.

        “Briz, I know Nick should have confronted you about it but Brian said that Nick is already punishing himself, he hates himself, Brian’s afraid to leave him alone, Nick keeps mumbling that he doesn’t have anything to live for, that his life is nothing now, I know Nick loves you more than anything and wouldn’t have done this if that picture didn’t exist, he wouldn’t have believed her or had anything to do with her if she didn’t have that picture,” Alicia said.

        “Ali, I don’t know,” Brizee said.

        “Briz, Brian knows Nick’s sorry, yeah, Nick should have talked to you about it, but he didn’t know what to think, he saw the picture and thought his life was over, you are his life, Briz, you are his everything, Brian said that Nick told him that life is not worth living if he didn’t have you,” Alicia said.

        “I need to think,” Brizee said holding her head.

Two weeks went by. The guys watched as Nick sunk into depression. Brian said that Brizee needed to think about everything. Brian watched Nick sleep. Nick went to class and basketball but afterwards, he would crawl into bed after a shower and lay there and cry himself to sleep. Brian talked to Ashley who had contacted Brizee to confess everything but was told by Brizee that she was already told everything by Alicia who had heard the story from Brian. Ashley assured Brizee that she wouldn’t go near Nick again and even told Brizee that she was moving out of the dorm. Brian sat there when there was a knock at the door. He opened it and saw a guy with an envelope. Brian took it and closed it and opened it and saw divorce papers. Brizee had filed for a divorce. Brian knew this would kill Nick. He went to Kevin, Howie, and AJ’s room and showed them the papers. Kevin ripped them up and threw them away.

        “Nick never finds out,” Kevin said. They nodded. Brian went back to his room and sat down to do his work.

Three months later, basketball was over and the guys headed home to Middletown to relax and spend time with their families. Nick walked into the guest house of his parents house and saw Brizee’s stuff gone. He laid on the bed and cried softly. Jane came in and sat down and held her son close.

        “I lost her, Mom, she won’t talk to me,” Nick said crying. Jane held her son as he cried himself to sleep. The next morning, Nick woke up and stretched and sat up and got up and showered and got dressed and went to meet Brian and Kevin at the Shake Shack.

        “Alicia is still trying to get through to Brizee, she said it’s like talking to a brick wall,” Brian said.

        “I might as well give up, I messed up big time and she won’t talk to me, I might as well face the facts that my marriage is over,” Nick said. He started eating his food and heard the door open and looked up and saw Brizee come in with Alicia and Kristin. Nick looked down at this food and just twirled a fry in his ketchup. Alicia and Kristin came over to the table.

        “Hi honey,” Alicia said kissing Brian’s cheek. Kristin kissed Kevin. They went to Nick and leaned in and kissed his cheeks at the same time.  He looked at them.

        “Hi girls,” Nick said. They hugged him.

        “We are still trying, Nick,” Alicia said.

        “Brian said that, just give up, Ali, it’s no use, she doesn’t want to talk to me, she doesn’t want anything to do with me, what’s the point, I’m the idiot who destroyed the marriage,” Nick said.

        “Nick,” Alicia said.

        “I can’t keep going on like this, Ali, she doesn’t want me anymore,” Nick said. He looked at Brizee who was sitting with her back to him.

        “Talk to her, Nick,” Alicia said.

        “It won’t do any good, Ali,” Nick said.

        “Just try,” Alicia said. Nick got up and sat down across from Brizee. She looked at him.

        “We need to talk about this,” Nick said.

        “There’s nothing to talk about,” Brizee said.

        “Why are you giving up on this, you know the whole story, I wouldn’t have done it if I knew what she was doing, she never did anything before that day, she didn’t try to come onto me or anything, then she shows up with that picture, I didn’t know what to think,” Nick said.

        “You should have talked to me,” Brizee said.

        “I know, I should have, if I could go back and change things I would but I can’t, I’m sorry about everything, you know I love you, you know how much you mean to me, why are you giving up on us,” Nick said.

        “Because you slept with her, if you didn’t do anything with her, I would have understood, if you guys just kissed, I would have understood, but you two had sex, she saw you naked, I can’t forget that, I can’t go back,” Brizee said.

        “So you are throwing everything away because of one mistake I made, I didn’t plan it, Brizee, it happened, I wouldn’t have done it if there was no picture, I thought my life was over when I saw that picture, I didn’t know what to think, I love you, Brizee, you are everything to me, do you think I’ve been happy these past three months, no, I’ve been in hell, that’s where I’ve been since I found out the whole truth,” Nick said. Brizee looked at him and shook her head.

        “I can’t be with you anymore, I can’t get the image of you and Ashley out of my head, I’m sorry, I can’t,” Brizee said giving him her rings and running out the door. Nick sat there looking at the rings. He held his head in his hands and cried as he held the rings in his hand. He felt arms around him and looked and saw Brian and Kevin. He cried as he leaned against them. They helped him out the door and took him home. He laid on his bed and cried. Two days later, he and the guys headed back to school. Brian and Nick walked into their room and Nick crawled into his bed and curled up into a ball.

Three days later, Nick received divorce papers and he read them and signed them and sent them back. He took off his ring and put it with Brizee’s rings. He knew his life would never be the same.

Four months later, it was summer and the guys packed up their rooms and went home for the summer. They decided to share a five bedroom house on campus in the fall and signed for it and went home and unpacked their stuff.

On Friday night, the guys resumed singing at the Underdog. Nick was sitting at the table with the guys when the girls came in. Brizee sat down at a table while the others continued their way to the guys table. Alicia kissed Brian. Kristin kissed Kevin. Amy kissed Howie. Amanda kissed AJ. Then all four of them hugged Nick. They went to sit with Brizee. Brian went over and whispered in Alicia’s ear. She nodded.

        “Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s been a long time since we saw these five boys, they have been rocking the basketball court at UCLA and led the team to the first undefeated season in college history and won the national championship, please welcome back, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson, AJ McLean, and Howie Dorough,” the manager said. The crowd cheered as the guys went onstage. Alicia looked at Brizee.

        “What,” Brizee said.

        “The song is dedicated to you, from your ex,” Alicia said. She looked at Nick who was looking at her.

        “He still loves you, he knows you can’t forgive him, but he can’t stop loving you, you are the only one for him and always will be,” Alicia said.  The guys sang the song.

Hmm, yeah, yeah
Baby, please try to forgive me
Stay here don't put out the glow
Hold me now don't bother

if every minute it makes me weaker
You can save me from the man that I've become, oh yeah

Lookin' back on the things I've done
I was tryin' to be someone
I played my part, kept you in the dark
Now let me show you the shape of my heart

Sadness is beautiful loneliness that's tragical
So heal me I can't win this war, oh no
Touch me now don't bother

if every second it makes me weaker
You can save me from the man I've become

Lookin' back on the things I've done
I was tryin' to be someone
I played my part, kept you in the dark
Now let me show you the shape of my heart

I'm here with my confession
Got nothing to hide no more
I don't know where to start
But to show you the shape of my heart

I'm lookin' back on things I've done
I never wanna play the same old part
I'll keep you in the dark
Now let me show you the shape of my heart

Lookin' back on the things I've done
I was tryin' to be someone
I played my part, kept you in the dark
Now let me show you the shape of my heart

Lookin' back on the things I've done
I was tryin' to be someone
I played my part, kept you in the dark
Now let me show you the shape of my heart

Show you the shape of my heart

After the song was over, everyone cheered. The guys sang two more songs before they left the stage. They sat back down at the table. Nick took a drink and saw Brizee gone. He knew he made a mistake. He saw Alicia look at him and she shook her head. He nodded and sat back in his chair.

The next Friday, they were back at the club. Brizee was there with the girls. Kevin and Kristin had a fight.

        “This first song is dedicated to my wife, Kristin,” Kevin said. They sang the song.

It's not that I can't live without you
It's just that I don't even want to try
Every night I dream about you
Ever since the day we said goodbye
If I wasn't such a fool
Right now I'd be holding you
There's nothin' that I wouldn't do
Baby if I only knew

[Chorus:]
The words to say
The road to take
To find a way back to your heart
What can I do
To get to you
And find a way back to your heart

I don't know how it got so crazy
But I'll do anything to set things right
Cuz your love is so amazing

Baby you're the best thing in my life
Let me prove my love is real
And made you feel the way I feel
I promise I would give the world
If only you would tell me girl

[Chorus]

Give me one more chance, to give my love to you
Cuz no one on this earth loves you like I do
Tell me...

[Chorus]

I turn back time
To make you mine
And find a way back to your heart
I beg and plead
Fall to my knees
To find a way back to your heart

After they were done with their set, they got offstage and Kristin ran to Kevin and they hugged. They went to talk. Nick said bye to the guys and walked out to his car and unlocked it. He put his hand on the door when he heard a voice behind him.

        “Do you still love me?” Brizee asked. He froze and turned and looked at her.

        “I always will,” Nick said.

        “I called off the divorce, I don’t want to be without you for another minute,” Brizee said. Nick took her in his arms and kissed her hungrily.

        “I was so stupid, so much time wasted, I want to come home and never be without you again,” Brizee said crying. Nick rested his forehead against hers.

        “I never want to lose you again, we are forever,” Nick said. Brizee cried and held onto him. They went to his place and collapsed on the bed and removed each other’s clothes and they made love. Afterwards, they laid there in each other’s arms.

        “The girls and I are going to take a break from singing and go to college, we chose UCLA, there are five openings on the women’s basketball team and they offered those spots to us,” Brizee said. Nick smiled.

        “Good because the guys and I got a five bedroom house on campus,” Nick said.

        “Awesome, now make love to me again, please,” Brizee said. Nick kissed her deeply and made love to her again before they fell asleep in each other’s arms. The next morning, Nick woke up and saw Brizee watching him and he smiled.

        “Am I dreaming?” Nick asked.

        “No, you aren’t, I’m here and not going anywhere, never again,” Brizee said kissing him softly. There was a knock on the door. Nick groaned. Brizee got up and got dressed and opened the door and saw Jane. Jane saw her and her eyes widened.

        “Brizee!” Jane said hugging her.

        “Hi Jane,” Brizee said.

        “You guys are back together, I’m so glad,” Jane said.

        “Yeah, and I am never letting him go this time,” Brizee said.

        “Good,” Jane said.

Two months later, the guys and girls were at UCLA, setting up the house and settling in and going to basketball practice. Nick came home from practice and sat on the bed. Brizee came in and laid down on the bed.

        “You could have told me how exhausting college basketball practices were,” Brizee said yawning. Nick smiled and leaned over her.

        “Is my baby tired?” Nick asked.

        “Exhausted, achy, I hurt all over, I can’t move,” Brizee said. Nick smiled and leaned down and kissed her softly. The kiss deepened. He broke away and got up and closed the door and locked it and laid down on the bed beside her and held her as she went to sleep. That night, Nick went downstairs to eat. Brian, Alicia, Amy, Howie, AJ, Amanda, Kristin, and Kevin were in the kitchen.

        “Hey Nick, where’s Briz?” Alicia said.

        “Sleeping still, practice wore her out,” Nick said.

        “Is that all that did?” Amy asked.

        “Yup, she laid on the bed and couldn’t move, fell asleep,” Nick said.

        “Practice was tough and exhausting,” Alicia said. Brizee came downstairs and into the kitchen and wrapped her arms around Nick. He hugged her close. She whispered something in his ear and he fought back a moan and she pulled him out of the room and up to their room and closed the door and locked it and pushed him on the bed and climbed on top of him. He smiled up at her. She kissed him deeply as she removed their clothes. He rolled them over and they made love.  Brizee laid her head on Nick’s chest as he held her close.

        “Oh god, I’m so glad that I stayed with you, I love you so much,” Brizee said. Nick kissed her forehead.

        “I love you, too, more than anything, I would give my life for you, baby, you are my everything,” Nick said. Brizee smiled and they went to sleep.