The kind of pain that never hurts
The one you hate to love that's made for you
Another unsuspecting Sunday afternoon
~Unsuspecting Sunday Afternoon by The Backstreet Boys
“Her name’s Leslie,” Nick babbled as he hopped out of the car.
Brian followed after him, trying to pay as much attention as possible. His best friend had the gifted talent of being winded. When he got on a subject, it was hard to get him off it until he was damn well ready to.
“Is she good?” Brian asked.
Nick scoffed, “Good? Have you been listening to a single word I’ve been saying? She’s amazing. The guys all agreed that she was perfect for the tour.”
“You’re a little biased though aren’t you?” Brian smirked.
Nick couldn’t help but smile to himself a bit sheepishly, “Maybe a little bit.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about her?” Brian asked, reaching the front of the dance studio and yanking the door open.
Nick followed in after him, “We haven’t been seeing each other long. Besides, you’ve been so wrapped up with Leigh and the wedding that I couldn’t find a time to slip it in.”
Brian’s heart sank a bit, realizing then that he really hadn’t been around Nick enough lately to see what’s been new in his life. This had actually been the first time in over two weeks that they were actually alone together. Leighanne had been so enthusiastic about the wedding that she just seemed to drag Brian into it. He could see the happiness it brought her and he was in no position to deny her that. Unfortunately, it was definitely beginning to wear down on him, even though he tried so hard for it not to. The wedding was still months away, so he only hoped that Leighanne would relax a little bit. Either way, he felt like his life was out of his control lately. He felt like he had no say.
Nick quickly glanced over at him as they both walked through the lobby, “I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not a big deal Bri. I understand, I do. Getting married is a big step and it takes a lot of careful time and planning. Besides, it’s been nice to date someone without people hounding you all the time. It’s like I’ve had something of my own for once.”
“You must be pretty into her then huh?” Brian asked, stopping in front of the large dance room. The music could be heard blaring from the other side of the door. The bass pounded throughout the hall.
“Oh man, more than you know,” Nick grinned. Nick then opened the door, allowing a rush of music to escape and fill their ears. Brian followed Nick inside, immediately noticing the group of dancers in the middle of the floor, dancing in sync with one another.
Brian had missed dance tryouts over a month before so he had never gotten a chance to see Leslie. Nick had insisted that he tag along with him to watch her practice for Britney Spears’ latest tour. Brian was hesitant, but with Leighanne gone for the weekend to visit her parents, he had nothing else to do. It was the least he could do to meet Nick’s new girlfriend, especially if she was going to be apart of their new tour in just a few months time.
Nick had ceased to really pay attention to Brian. His eyes were fixed on the dancers, closely watching their moves. Brian looked through the crowd, impressed with the choreography. They joined a string of people on the side of the room, leaving the wall of mirrors visible for the dancers to watch their movements. Brian slightly hit Nick’s arm to get his attention. Nick tore his eyes away, leaning in. Brian had to raise his voice a bit, “Which one is she?”
Nick turned his attention back to the dancers and pointed, “She’s filling in for Britney today. They’re doing a quick run through before tomorrow’s concert to make sure everything looks okay.”
Brian looked to the girl in the front and wondered why he hadn’t noticed her before. She stuck out and not just because she was the center of the choreography, but because she was just that good. It didn’t even seem like she was trying. Her body moved with such precision and fluidity that it was no wonder why she was picked to be Britney’s stand in. It was no wonder why the guys had all agreed to sign her on as one of our backup dancers.
The dancers had just begun dancing to Britney Spears’ ‘Get Naked’ and it was pure entertainment. Their energy was explosive. So much so that it radiated throughout the room, energizing everyone else. The choreography was fantastic. It was sad to say but it probably looked better without Britney herself.
Leslie had noticed Nick in the middle of the routine and a smile had appeared on her face. Brian looked over at Nick and saw him smiling himself. Nick probably didn’t even realize the goofy grin he had plastered to his face, but Brian couldn’t blame him. The fact of the matter was that Leslie was beautiful. Brian hadn’t expected it, though he didn’t really know why. He had grown so accustomed to Leighanne’s beauty that he’d sort of been blind to anyone else. The fact that Leslie could catch his attention like she did now was a bit unsettling.
Brian had been skeptical about Nick’s sincerity concerning her, especially when it came to past tours and past dancers. Nick always chose one out of the entire bunch and always pushed for her to be put on the roster. He normally got his way, which was no surprise. He didn’t stop until he got what he wanted. But Brian could see now that Leslie was legitimate and he couldn’t help but understand the attraction he had towards her. She radiated with confidence. He thought she radiated with… well, Brian didn’t know. He sighed inwardly. He couldn’t quite pinpoint the right words that he was trying to express.
The music finally stopped and everyone dispersed to get some water. Leslie jogged over to Brian and Nick, immediately engulfing Nick in a sweaty embrace. Nick laughed, hugging her to him tightly. She pecked him on the lips and then stood back, breathing a bit heavily.
“I’m sorry I’m so sweaty,” she breathed, fanning herself.
Nick shook his head, “Hardly. If I had just got done dancing like that, I’d be pouring out gallons of sweat.”
She scrunched up her nose a bit in disgust, “Maybe it’s best that you don’t ever dance like that then.”
Brian couldn’t help but laugh at her comment, “I’d have to agree with you there Leslie.”
Leslie turned to look at Brian, a bit startled at hearing her name, but a huge smile spread across her face all the same, “Brian! Hi! I’m sorry I didn’t see you.”
She quickly stepped forward and flung her arms around Brian’s neck, hugging him to her. Brian was a bit taken aback, but as an instinct wrapped his arms around her back. He squeezed gently, accidently noticing how soft her skin felt beneath his touch. She pulled back, “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“She’s a bit forward,” Nick stated, looking a bit embarrassed at Leslie’s initial enthusiasm.
Brian shook his head, chuckling, “It’s refreshing actually. It’s nice to finally meet you too Leslie.”
Brian then motioned to where Leslie was just dancing, “You’re pretty amazing. You should just fill in for Britney tomorrow night.”
She turned a little shy, “Thank you, but I doubt she’d really go for that. Especially with the fact that she’s gone a bit,” she glanced at the people around them and then lowered her voice, “Crazy.”
Both Nick and Brian laughed. Brian couldn’t help but notice how her smile seemed to make him want to smile. He had always heard of smiles being infectious, but he had never actually experienced it to this extent. He had barely just met Leslie but he had already had the urge to get to know her better. Brian had never taken that initiative with any of Nick’s past girlfriends. But then again, Nick didn't have that great of a track record. Leslie seemed to be different.
Brian interjected, “We wouldn’t want her running you over with her car now would we?”
“Nah, I wouldn’t say that we would. But hey, thanks for coming. It’s nice to see some fresh faces around here. This one seems to be a permanent fixture in this room lately,” she said, pinching Nick’s cheek gently. Nick grabbed her hand and pulled her to him, tickling her slightly. She wriggled under his touch and laughed, “Sorry babe, but it’s true.”
Nick shrugged, “You’re hot, what can I say?”
She slapped his arm and blushed a little bit. Brian smiled at their interaction, especially at the fact that Leslie didn’t seem to take compliments very well. She had no reason to not take them well because, quite frankly, she deserved them. Her humbleness and modesty was encouraging, especially when it came to Nick. It was nice to finally see Nick find a girl that was as down to earth as he was.
“Anyway,” she rolled her eyes, turning back to Brian, “Congratulations on your engagement. You must be a very happy man.”
Brian nodded, “I am, thank you. Leigh’s more excited than anyone, I’d have to admit.”
She nodded, “Of course. It’s her dream isn’t it? To get married and have a huge lavish wedding. Or is that just me?” She grinned and Brian couldn’t help but chuckle. He noticed how her smile made her blue eyes light up and it only intrigued him more.
“But that’s great Brian. I’m happy for you both,” she continued. Brian didn’t know it, but at that moment, Leslie was thinking the same thing about his smile.
“I appreciate that,” Brian smiled at her.
“When can I meet her?” she asked. Brian was a bit taken aback, but recovered quickly.
“Well, she’s out of town for the weekend, but maybe we could all do dinner on Monday?” Brian suggested.
Nick was gently rubbing the back of Leslie’s arm as Brian and her spoke. Leslie looked up at Nick, expectantly. Nick shrugged, “Sure, why not. That could be fun.”
“Fantastic!” Leslie exclaimed. She then noticed the dancers beginning to congregate in the middle of the room again, so she quickly turned to us and excused herself, “Must get back to work. Are you guys sticking around?”
Nick looked over at Brian, raising his eyebrows as if to say that it was Brian’s decision. Brian nodded, “Yeah, sure. We don’t have anything else to do.”
Leslie smiled, “Great. Well, don’t be too critical of me okay?”
“Sure thing babe,” Nick said.
Leslie quickly kissed him and ran to the middle of the room, with ‘Gimme More’ starting up right as she got into position. Leslie was at the lead of the pack, dancing in sync with all those around her.
Nick leaned into Brian, “So what do you think?”
Brian responded, “She’s great Nick. Beautiful, smart, attentive. I think she’d be good for you.”
Nick seemed content with that answer, slapping Brian’s back and nodding. They both turned back to the dancers, watching their every move. Brian leaned back against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest. He was finding it hard to look away from Leslie. She was like a magnet. Unease seemed to creep up through his stomach. As he stood back watching her toned body move to the beat, slow realization dawned on him. He hadn’t realized it until he saw her, but she radiated something that he was lacking. She radiated passion. Passion for dancing, passion for people, passion for life. The way her arms and legs moved with grace, the way her hair flipped and fell over her face, the way she arched her back and rolled her midsection, the way that she somehow seemed to glance at him with each turn she did with an intensity he’d never seen before, made him feel something that he hadn’t felt since he had first met Leighanne: Lust.
