CHAPTER THREE

~ PRESENCE ~

Micah sat in the passenger's side of Nick's Durango, ten minutes after getting into the car. "So..." Nick started, suddenly, breaking the silence that had settled comfortably in the car. "Does your family live around here?"

"No. My parents live in Albany and my sister lives in Lower Manhattan." Micah told him, playing with the bottom hem of her dress.

"So you're from New York?"

"Yeah but I was born in Lexington, Kentucky. We moved to New York when I was like three months old."

"Kevin and Brian are from Kentucky."

"Yeah, AJ told me yesterday after rehearsal."

"Ohh...so how come you moved down here?"

Micah wasn't too sure how Nick would take it if he found out that she had dated JC from *NSYNC. She knew, though, that the only hatred between the groups was with their fans. "My ex-boyfriend wanted me too, so I could be closer to him." she informed him, leaving JC out.

Nick nodded, glad to hear 'ex-boyfriend' coming out of Micah's mouth. "Did you live together?" he questioned.

"No." she answered. "You don't live in Orlando right?"

"Yeah. I live near like Tampa."

"Wow you drove all the way from there?"

"No. Brian and his wife Leighanne live in Orlando and I'm staying with them for rehearsals. I'm the only one who doesn't have a house in Orlando."

"Oh." Micah responded, staring out the tinted windows at the highway. "I like it down here. It's so pretty and open. I was so used to crowded tall buildings."

"The beaches are beautiful too."

"Yeah. I've been down to Miami and the Keys a couple times."

"No place like it." Nick responded, dreamily thinking of his own beach front property. He hadn't been home in nearly a month but the second date on the tour was in Tampa and they had three days off before they had to perform. Nick planned to spend pretty much the whole time in his house or out on his boat.

"Do you live near your family?"

"Um...yeah but my Mom, brother and one of my sisters are normally at the house in LA. My dad and two other sisters stay here." Nick responded, with a sigh.

That was mostly his mother's doing. She loved the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and only spent time at the Florida house when she had too. Nick's dad and his sisters BJ and Angel lived in the Florida house full time and Nick's Mom spent most of her time in LA with Nick's other two siblings Leslie and Aaron who were also both in the recording industry. Nick and his father, Bob, both hated how the family was so spilt but Jane, Nick's mother, didn't seem to listen.

"I'm never home that much anyway. I see them when I can." he added as an afterthought.

Micah nodded. "I don't see my family much either. I tour with people pretty much nine or ten months out of the year. I only see them when I'm going through New York." she responded, sympathetic with Nick's situation.

"You only have a sister?"

"Yeah. Celia. She's twenty-eight. A stockbroker at Wall Street."

"Wow."

"Yeah. She took after my dad. He worked their until he retired like two years ago. My mom's a lawyer." Micah replied. She giggled before adding, "In other words I don't fit in too well."

Nick laughed. "My whole family's basically somehow involved in the industry. My Mom pretty much manages my younger brother Aaron and my sister Leslie. My sister BJ models and my dad drives the tour buses sometimes for me, Aaron and Leslie." Nick told her.

"Don't you have another sister?"

"Yeah. Angel. Her and Aaron are twins. My Mom keeps trying to get her in but Ang doesn't really want it. She's just fine going to school and sitting back and watching everyone else."

"The normal one." Micah teased Nick. Nick laughed and nodded. Angel was the only one who actually got a real childhood. Often Nick found himself envying her, even though he wouldn't give up his life for anything. "You do a pretty good job on the guitar during 'Everybody.'"

"Thanks." Nick nodded, a bit grateful that Micah had changed the subject.

"You been playing it long?"

"Not really. I've played the drums longer...How long have you played the drums?"

"My grandmother gave me my first set of drums when I was four and I started taking lessons when I was five."

"Damn."

Micah laughed. "Yeah. I play a couple other instruments too." she replied.

"Like what?"

"Ummhhm...Piano, keyboards, guitar, bass, sax, flute, clarinet, piccolo, violin, viola, cello and I play a little trumpet."

"Jesus!" Nick exclaimed, his mouth dropping open. He looked away from the road to look over at Micah to make sure she wasn't kidding. She looked like she was being serious. "Your kidding right?"

Micah shook her head. "Nope." she assured him.

"And don't you dance and sing too?"

"I started taking dance lessons when I was four and did it until I was thirteen. I took voice lessons from thirteen until sixteen. Then I started touring. I'm better playing an instruments..."

"But you were good enough to be a back-up dancer and singer..."

Micah shrugged. "Yeah I guess." she answered, as Nick made the turn off that lead into AJ's neighborhood. The two remained quiet as they past through the security gate and didn't talk again until they parked. They had to park a block and a half away from AJ's house because of all of the cars. They could hear the music and feel the bass of AJ's stereo from where they parked though.

"Last time AJ had a party here one of the neighbors called the cops. I guess the same thing's gonna happen again." Nick commented as they walked down the sidewalk towards AJ's house. Micah was looking around at the humongous houses on both sides of the street. She had seen big mansions before but nothing like these.

"Have you ever been to a Puff Daddy party?"

"You mean P. Diddy?" Nick teased her.

Micah giggled. "Yeah. Have you?" she asked. She had been to several with *NSYNC when she had dated JC and also when she had toured with Destiny's Child.

"Yeah and he knows how to throw a party."

"It's like totally insanity."

Nick nodded as he stopped in front of the stone walkway and waited for Micah who was a few steps behind him. "Is it just me or does it look like the house is shaking?" he asked, with a chuckle as they started up the walkway. Cautiously Nick put his hand on the small of Micah's back and waited for her to step away from him.  Suprisingly though, she didn't even acknowledge it.

"I think the house is shaking." Micah decided, as they reached the door. "Should we knock?"

"They probably won't hear it." Nick said swinging open the door. They stepped into the large front foyer of AJ's house and Micah whistled through her teeth. A large wall sculpture hung on one wall that looked like the opening scene from the movie 'The Devil's Advocate.' Under it sat a white grand piano that made Micah want to play it so much her fingers itched. Behind the piano was a huge bay window that opened out over the backyard that was full to capacity with people.

"Nice." she mumbled, reaching up and playing with the end of her right braid.

"This is just the foyer." Nick told her with a laugh. He had to agree AJ's house was impressive. He was used to it though. His -- along with the other guys -- house was pretty impressive itself. Gently he pushed Micah towards the kitchen where that would lead the to the backyard and pool.

Micah noticed the house seemed empty, as she let Nick lead her towards the backyard. Finally they reached the backyard to find that was where everyone was. The music was louder here, but no one seemed to be complaining. All of the people where milling around, chatting with one another, generally having a good time. Off to the left, Micah spotted Kevin and Howie by the grill, cooking hamburger and hot dogs.  

Suddenly, Micah felt an arm snake around her shoulders and she turned her head to see AJ standing to one side of her. "Well, well, well. I see you two have finally decided to grace us with your presence." he teased.

"Traffic." Nick offered with a shrug, resisting the urge to shove AJ away from Micah.

"Yeah? Brian and Leighanne said it was pretty bad when they came too." AJ replied, nodding.

"Everyone's here?"

"Yup. Kev and D. are about to get the grill going."

"Scary."

"I know. I have no idea why I'm letting them anywhere near that thing."

"Maybe because you have no ability to cook whatsoever?"

"This coming from the boy who doesn't even know how to boil water."

Micah laughed at the boys seemingly playful banter. "Okay, boys, I'm going to mingle. I will see you later." she said, stepping out from under AJ's arm and away from the hand Nick had placed on the small of her back.

"Mhm, mhm, mhm." AJ mumbled approvingly to Nick. "So, tell me why you drove all the way across town just to pick her up when it would have been more convenient for Kevin to do it, or even to have her call me for directions?"

"Because I wanted too." Nick offered, nonchalantly. "Where's Brian?"

AJ accepted the answer because he knew that Nick had a crush on Micah. It was obvious the way his eyes seemed to follow her around everywhere she moved and the way he watched her when she spoke. Plus when she looked at him, he seemed to blush just slightly. It didn't mean that AJ would be giving up, though. Micah would have to chose between the two guys and whoever she chose AJ would be fine with.

"I have no idea." he answered, truthfully. He looked over toward the grill where Kevin and Howie stood. "Now, I have to go make sure my house isn't blown up." He playfully punched Nick in the shoulder before walking away.

~!@#$%%^&*&^%$#@!~

Hours later, around eight thirty Nick sat with Brian, his wife Leighanne, Kevin and his wife Kristin listening to them go on about something about married life that he really could have cared less about. He was scanning the sea of people in front of him looking for Micah. He hadn't seen her since she had left to mingle earlier that afternoon and he had been looking in vain.

"Nick?" someone called, waving their fingers in front of his face.

Nick pulled his head back to see that it was Kristin who had been trying to get his attention. "Yeah?" he asked.

"Finally." Kevin teased him. "We've been trying to get your attention for like ten minutes."

"Oh. What?" Nick asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Who are you looking for?" Leighanne asked him.

"What makes you think that?" Nick questioned, surprised they had noticed what he was doing.

"Oh you know....maybe the way your eyes haven't stopped making sweeps of the backyard for nearly the past twenty minutes." Brian told him, with a shrug. "But then again you never know."

"I was looking for Micah." Nick told them.

"She's over there, with AJ and Howie." Leighanne informed him, pointing across the cement porch they were sitting on to where AJ, Howie, and Micah stood talking and dancing.

"Awww...Nicky's got a crush." Kevin joked, and Nick glared at him.

"Invite her over. I wanna meet her." Kristin stated, looking towards Micah. "She's the new drummer right?"

"Yes." Nick, Kevin and Brian all answered in unison.

"I feel bad for her." Leighanne giggled, leaning back against Brian. They, like Kevin and Kristen, where sharing a chaise lounge chair. Nick sat by himself in between the couples.

"Me too." Kristin agreed, with a laugh.

"Why?" Brian asked warily.

"Because she's stuck with y'all for the next three months with barely any female contact." Leighanne replied, with a smile.

"Plus Nick and AJ are gonna be trying to jump her bones the entire tour." Kristin put in, laughing. Nick's mouth dropped and everyone else joined Kristin in laughing.

"I am NOT trying to jump her bones." Nick cried, indignantly. It wasn't a TOTAL lie. Micah was probably the first girl that he wanted to know before he screwed her. Although, shacking up with her WOULD be a nice bonus.

"If you say so." Kevin and Brian muttered at the same time. Nick rolled his eyes and looked away from them towards Micah, AJ and Howie. Howie had a beer in his hand and AJ and Micah were holding water bottles. AJ was standing close to Micah but was keeping his hands to himself. This time it was Howie who was touching Micah. He had his arm wrapped loosely around her waist in a manner that Nick knew it was nothing more than a friendship gesture.

"Can you go get her, Nick?" Leighanne asked him, smiling.

Nick stood up halfway before stopping. "You're not going to embarrass me are you?" he asked looking back and forth between the two couples.

"Of course not!" the group of four chorused.

"Yeah I bet." Nick mumbled to himself before standing up the rest of the way and walking away. He walked through the crowd to AJ, Howie and Micah. "Hey." he greeted, coming up behind Micah.

"Hey." AJ and Howie replied and Micah simply nodded at him because she was taking a sip of her water.

"Kristin and Leighanne wanna met you, Micah." Nick stated, bluntly, smiling at her.

"Kristin and Leighanne?" Micah repeated slowly after swallowing her water. The names sounded familiar but, Micah couldn't quite place them.

"Kevin and Brian's wives." Howie informed her.

Micah nodded. "Okay. Let's go." she replied, walking away from Howie and AJ. Much to Nick's surprise and delight she grabbed his hand and let him lead her towards the two women. When they reached the lounge chairs Kevin and Brian had disappeared.

"Kris, Leigh this is Micah Saro. Micah this is Kristin Richardson and Leighanne Littrell." Nick introduced, looking around for his friends. While looking he saw AJ, with his eyes on Nick and Micah's intertwined fingers. There was no emotion on his face. He was simply staring. Nick couldn't help but smile proudly. "Where did 'Rok and Kevin go?"

"They went to get into the pool. They said to tell you to come." Kristin told him, before turning her attention to Micah. "It's nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too." Micah replied, returning the smiles she was getting from Leighanne and Kristin.

"Come in the pool with me." Nick suddenly suggested, pulling gently on Micah's hand.

"Nick, let her stay here." Leighanne replied. "After all we have to get to know this chick to make sure she won't be putting the moves on our husbands." Micah laughed, let go of Nick's hand and sat down in the lounge chair that Nick had vacated.

"I'll come in later." Micah promised him, with a nod. Nick nodded and lingered for a moment before turning back towards the pool. He could see Brian and Kevin already in with several of the guys from the band and the dancers.

"He has SUCH a crush on you!" Leighanne and Kristin exclaimed the second Nick was out of earshot.

Micah giggled as she leaned back against the chair and looked from Leighanne to Kristin and then to Nick's retreating backside. "I know." she admitted. "He's a sweetheart."

"What about AJ?" Leighanne pressed, raising an eyebrow. Micah immediately felt at ease with the two women.  At first when Nick had wanted said they wanted to meet her, she had been unsure. She had thought that they would tell her to leave their husbands alone. It had happened many a time before.

"What about him?"

"He likes you too, hun."

"AJ's a sweetie too." Micah replied, playing with the ends of her braids. Kristin and Leighanne exchanged a look that made no sense to Micah and with smiles shook their heads. "What?"

"GIRL! Your going to be on tour with both of them for like three months." Leighanne responded. "You and Nicky would make a really cute couple."

"So would her and AJ." Kristin put in.

Micah laughed and shook her head. "I'm sorry to disappoint you girls but I'm not looking for any type of relationship as of right now." she replied.

"But that may change soon." Kristin advised her, nodding. It was obvious Micah would end up hooking up with at least one of the guys by the time the tour was over. She would bet on it.

"Yea, she may not even be speaking to them by the time the tour's over." Leighanne joked.

Kristin and Micah laughed and when Micah didn't respond Kristin looked over at her and could tell that she was feeling uncomfortable. "We're not trying to like be mean or get on your case or whatever. We're trying to..." Kristin began to apologize, while searching for the right word.

"Warn." Leighanne finished.

Kristin giggled and rolled her eyes at Leighanne." Yeah, okay. Warn'll work. We're just trying to warn you about what might happen." she completed.

Micah nodded and smiled at the two women. "It's okay." she responded. She understood what they were trying to do and she was thankful for it. She was also happy that she wouldn't have any jealous wives breathing down her back the whole tour. "If something happens it happens, but I'm not going to worry about it now. I'd get stomach ulcer."

Kristin and Leighanne nodded in agreement before they switched the topic to shopping. Micah settled quickly into the conversation, like she was talking to two old friends.