“Mrs. Lane, that was delicious,” Aaron commented wiping his mouth off.
“Oh thank-you Aaron.”
Aaron smiled at her approval. “Brownie points,” Caden mouthed across the table with a smile.
“Well,” Mr. Lane stood up, ”We’re headed to bed. You all be good. Caden, keep an eye on things.”
After their parents were gone Jess stood up, “I’m going to take a quick shower.”
As she stood up to leave Aaron grabbed her hand and she stopped and turned to him. “Aaron, I’m sorry but you can’t go with her,” Caden smiled.
“That doesn’t mean I can’t give her a quick kiss,” he smiled and quickly kissed her.
“Please god, spare me the torture,” Caden joked.
“Oh, shush,” Jess smiled.
“Go get your shower real quick ok,” Aaron said and Jess walked away.
“You listen to me boy, if you hurt my baby sister I’ll personally see to it…”
“Hey, you don’t have to worry about it. I don’t see how I could ever hurt her.”
“You’d be surprised.”
“I’m serious Caden, I really think there’s something there. She’s like one in a trillion… like we could actually stay friends after we broke up just because I don’t think I could live without her with me in some way.”
“Aw, that’s so sweet,” Caden half mocked him.
“It’s true, there’s something special there.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear that.”
“Me too,” their mom walked in.
“Hey Mom,” Caden turned to her.
“Aaron, I’m glad you’re with my daughter. She’s needed someone like you for a long time, and don’t worry about her father. He likes you, it just kind of surprised him to find you like that with his baby girl.”
“Oh that was my fault mom,” Caden said laughing, ”I was wrestling them and I threw them on the couch and sat on them so they couldn’t move. It was great.”
“Yeah, for you,” Aaron rubbed his back dramatically.
“Oh shush, you liked it,” Mrs. Lane laughed, “Don’t think I didn’t notice.”
Aaron covered his face. “Oh my god. Did that seriously just happen?”
“Oh and you can just call me Mom from now on,” she walked out of the room laughing.
“What was that?”
“You’ll get used to her,” Caden and Aaron just smiled at each other.
“Let’s see what’s on the tube,” Aaron suggested and they went to the living room.
“It’s Nick!” Aaron almost yelled.
Caden turned it up. “So, may I ask where A.J. is tonight?” the interviewer asked.
“He flew home to visit his wife this morning. He’ll be back tomorrow.”
“You can guess what he’s up to,” Howie winked.
“Howard,” Jen was standing next to him.
“Hey, it’s not like he’s lying,” Nick laughed.
“Nick!” Erica punched his shoulder, “Shut up, what he does with his wife is his business.”
“Aaron, are they ok?” Caden couldn’t stop laughing.
“Ow! Ow! Ow!” Nick tightened up as Erica playfully grabbed the back of his neck.
“Yeah, they’re fine.”
“Do you miss him?”
“Yeah, I miss all my family a lot. We all have such busy schedules sometimes we don’t see each other for almost a year.”
“Wow, I would sure miss Jess a lot. Sure I make fun of her but I’m really protective of her.”
“Yeah,” Aaron turned away to see Jess standing in the doorway in a tank top and boxers. “Hi.”
“Comfy Jess?” Caden gave her a hug and walked back to his room.
“Aaron what was wrong with Nick that night?” Jess asked sitting down next to him.
“His ex-girlfriend’s name is Jess. She hurt him really bad. I don’t really think I should go into detail but lets just put it this way, she cheated and I think I might know who with.”
“Oh, who?”
“Well, I’ve heard all these people saying that Lance Bass, you know the guy who used to be in *N-sync before they went their separate ways, well, people say he has a new girlfriend who happens to be called Jess and looks a lot like her.”
“Oh, that’s not good.”
“Yeah well I just hope Nick doesn’t hear,” Aaron turned back to the TV.
“This is my girl Erica,” Nick said happily, “We just want to congratulate my baby bro on his good work and Aaron, I have your awards for you. I love you.”
“I won?”
“Aaron Carter won Male Artist of the Year and 3 other awards for his sales and videos,” the announcer said waving the boys on.
“Where’s my cell?”
“I think you left it in the car. I’ll get it,” Jess ran out he front door.
“Yeah, he just heard it on the TV, so how was the show?” Jess walked in the door on the phone.
“Jess, let me talk.”
“That’s great. Well Aaron wants his phone back now.”
“Jessica,” Aaron took the phone from her, “Hello?”
“Hey bro, was that her?” Nick answered.
“That’s her alright,” Aaron smiled and put his arm around Jess.
“You ask her out?”
“Yup,” Aaron kissed Jess’ cheek.
“Was that a kiss?”
“Yeah. Oh man Nick you should have been here earlier.”
“Do I even want to know?” Nick laughed.
“Her parents came home and we were in a bit of a situation.”
“Aaron! That fast?”
“No! That’s not what I meant. And it wasn’t my fault her brother threw me on top of her. It just got weird.”
“How weird?”
“Well… she… and I…”
“Aaron stop that and talk to me.”
“Sorry. Well her parents walked in and we were kind of stuck in a jam.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Aaron let me tell,” Jess took the phone from him. “Nick, we were wresting with my bro Caden and he threw Aaron on top of me and sat on us so we couldn’t really move and my hands were just in like the wrong spot and when I tried to move… you understand.”
“Are you serious?”
“Would I lie to you?”
“I guess not. Hey, I’m really sorry but I have to go.” Jess motioned for Aaron to share the earpiece with her,” Aaron, I love you. Be good and don’t get in too much trouble.”
“Ok Nick. I love you too. Say hi to Erica for me.”
“Ok man, bye. Nice talking to you Jess.”
They hung up the phone and Aaron gave Jess a hug. “Can’t keep your hands off her can you?” Caden walked back in.
Aaron slipped his hands in his pockets and kissed her forehead. “Very funny. Ok you two it’s time for bed I’m sorry but I have to get up in the morning.”
Jess and Aaron walked hand-in-hand down the hall and when they reached the end where their rooms were they stopped. “I’ll be across the hall if you need me,” Jess smiled. She kissed him and shoved him in Caden’s room and closed the door.
“Goodnight!” came his muffled response.