"Hey Nat, it's Sam.  Is Jayms there?"
 
    "Uh, yup, just a sec...JAYME!!!!!"
 
    I held the phone away from my ear.  Sheesh.
 
    "Hello?  Sam, is that you?"
 
    "You betcha.  How's it going over there?"
 
    "Oh, it's going.  Still living and breathing, so I guess I can't complain too much, now can I?"
 
    I shook my head.  Yep, Jayme had always been the upbeat one.
 
    "So, how's the tour going?  I've read bits and pieces of reviews from the concerts on the internet, but they don't get into the personal stuff, obviously.  So c'mon, spill!"
 
    I laughed at her.  "It's going great Jayms, everything's super.  The guys are all happy with how well the tour is going so far, and they put on a spectacular performance every time.  The fans have been incredible too.  I expect to see you in the front row once we get over there!"
 
    "And I'm expecting a backstage pass, so you'd better not disappoint me!  Well, how are you and Nick?" I could imagine the grin that was spreading across her face as she asked the question.
 
    "Funny you should mention that Jayms.  Things with Nick have been super, but it's so hectic right now, I mean with the tour and all, and getting engaged, trying to plan the wedding-" I was cut off by Jayme squealing.
 
    "AHHHHHH!!!!  You guys are engaged?!  Oh my gosh!  That is so awesome!  Why didn't you tell me before?"
 
    "Well, we had a few problems at first, and I didn't really want to tell anyone besides the guys here until I was sure everything was going to work out.  But it has, so now you're the first person I've told!  Jayme, I'm so excited!"  I babbled on and on about this until I finally ran out of breath.  Then I turned serious for a moment.  "Jayms, a lot of our plans for the wedding we're really unsure of right now, but I know without a doubt that I want you to be my maid of honour.  Would you do that for me?"
 
    The response on the other end was classic Jayme: "Duh!  Like you even have to ask!  I would be thrilled to be your maid of honour!"
 
    With that settled, we talked for another half hour or so, until Nick came into the room.  "Brian wants to talk to you" he mouthed.  I told Jayme that I had to go and do something, and Nick took the phone from me.  "Hey Jayme, how's life?"  I heard him ask.  I left him to talk to her as I made my way over to Brian's room.  I knocked on the door, and I heard a faint "come in".
 
    As I walked into the room, I passed Lindy on her way out.  I scowled at her and she gave me a dirty look back, and then she was gone.  Brian saw this and shook his head at both of us in disgust.  He patted the chair that was facing him, and I sat down.  "What's up?"
 
    "Sam, first I just want to thank you for being so concerned about me yesterday.  I really appreciate it.  Second, I want you to know that Lindy and I are still together, so any dirty looks you could refrain from giving her would be great.  I'm glad you're sticking up for me, and I know what she did was wrong.  But since we're trying to work things out, it would be a lot easier if you could try to trust her again, like I'm trying to do."
 
    I opened my mouth to protest, but he shushed me.  "It's gonna be tough, I know.  But I think she's worth it.  I'm not trying to be mean when I say this, ok?  She asked me to talk to you.  She really does respect you Sam, and she wants very much for you to like her again.  She understands it'll take time, so if we all work at it maybe it'll turn out the way we hope, ok?"
 
    "What about the other guy she's been seeing?  What's she gonna do about him?"  I looked him square in the eye, as if to remind him that this guy was still out there, waiting for her to come back to him.
 
    "She called him last night and told him what was going on.  He wasn't very happy or understanding about it, in fact, he called here again this morning and wanted to see her, but I told him no.  So he got all upset with me and started yelling and everything, and we got into this huge fight, and ugh, it just wasn't pleasant.  So now Lindy's a little bit peeved with me for getting into a fight, but hey, that's the way it goes.  I found out who he was though."  He had fire in his eyes as he said the last sentence.
 
    "Really?  Who is it?" I asked with curiosity.
 
    "You know ‘N Sync?  Well, turns out it was that JC prick."  (Author's Note: I do not hate ‘N Sync, nor do I think JC is a prick.  It's JUST A STORY.)
 
    My jaw dropped.  "I thought he was supposed to be the goody-two-shoes of the group!  Wow, that really surprises me!"  Brian scowled, and I backtracked.  "Uh, not that it isn't believable, I mean, I totally believe that it was him...uh, it's not like I know much about him or anything, I mean, who am I to judge, um-"
 
    "Hey, Sam, sorry to interrupt this conversation you're having with yourself, but could we?  Like, possibly get back to the matter at hand?  My relationship is hanging by a thread here, so if you don't mind..."  I looked back at him.  This wasn't typical Brian behaviour, although there was nothing typical about this situation either.
 
    "Yeah, uh, sure Bri.  Sorry I got off track there."
 
    He sighed remorsefully, "Don't apologize, it's not you.  I'm just really stressed out right now.  Knowing who the guy is just makes it that much harder, y'know?  I just wish none of this had ever happened."
 
    "I know.  I mean, I don't really know, but I can imagine what you're going through.  I understand it's tough, and you're under a lot of stress right now.  But you can't let it get to you, or you'll crack.  Just try to take it one day at a time, and for heaven's sake, don't worry so much!  If this doesn't work out for you, then obviously there's something better waiting for you down the road, right?"
 
    He smiled and commented, "What would I do without your words of wisdom?"
 
    I shook my head and replied, "Probably the same thing I'd do without yours."
 

    ***Later that Day***

 
    After talking to Jayme, and knowing that everyone else on the tour knew about it, I figured it was time to phone my parents and tell them about the engagement.  Actually, it was a tag team effort that brought me to my decision; after I'd talked to Brian, Nick and I had phoned his parents together and told them.  After finding out that I hadn't told my parents yet, Jane and Nick had ganged up on me and convinced me to phone them.  So once again I found myself in my room, looming over the phone.  I took a few deep breaths and dialed my parents' home number, bracing myself for what they'd say.
 
    "Hello, McKinley residence" a gruff voice answered.
 
    "Shane?  It's Sam."
 
    "Hey Sam, how's it goin'?  Can you just hang on a minute, I'm on the other line."
 
    I waited nervously, gripping the bedspread tightly.  After a couple of seconds, Shane was back.
 
    "So how's the tour life?  Making lots of cash?"
 
    "It's pretty good.  I miss you guys though.  Hey, are mom and dad home too?  I need to tell you guys something."
 
    "Umm, yeah I think they're here somewhere.  Hang on a second, I'll hunt ‘em down."
 
    I tapped my toes impatiently and I gnawed on my nails.  How would they react?
 
    "Sam?  Honey?  It's so good to hear from you!  How have you been?  How's work?  Oh please tell us everything, it's been so long since we've talked!"
 
    My mother's voice came through the miles of telephone wires loud and clear.  I knew without a doubt as my breath caught in my throat and I broke out into a cold sweat that it was now or never.
 

Chapter Twenty-Three
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