Chapter 18
"So Kev, call me as soon as you get into the hotel ok?" Shannon
said, while hugging him. The guys were officially on the way to Europe for the beginning
of their world wide tour. Shannon was sad to see them go, but was used to it by
now.
"I know Shay, I will."
"Ok, and don't forget this, I had it developed this
morning," Shannon pulled a picture out of her purse and handed it to Kevin. His eyes got
big and a huge smile spread across his face. "How'd you get this?" he asked in a whisper.
He was looking at a snapshot of him and Lauren when they had gone golfing with
Shannon and Brian. Kevin saw himself bent over her, his arms resting on hers, and he
was trying to show her how to hold the club, and then follow through and swing. The
picture had captured him looking down at the position of her hands, and Lauren looking
at him while he explained the proper stance. They both didn't know the picture was being
taken, which made it all the more natural.
"I took it silly" Shannon laughed, "You
guys were so into the game you didn't even notice"
"Thank-you Shannon" he said,
and gave her a big hug. "I'll definitely hang this up on the bus, next to the one of you and
me"
"You better"
"So are you going to come over at the beginning of
July?"
"I'm sure I will, but I don't want to make any promises"
"Well, I hope you
will"
"Don't worry. I don't think I'll manage life with out my Kevvy for long." They
said their last good-byes and Shannon ran over to her other favorite Backstreet Boy and
jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist. "Sweetie-pie, don't leave
me!!"
Brian laughed and kissed her hard on the cheek, "You're so crazy. But I'll miss
my bumpkin while I'm gone"
"Brian! You know I hate that nick-
name"
"Bumpkin, bumpkin, bumpin!" he shouted, bouncing her up and down in his
arms. "Alright alright, don't go to crazy, Brad might be around"
"No I'm sure he's off
expanding his rock collection."
"Yeah yeah, I'm sure he is" she said rolling her
eyes.
"Shannon, we're gonna find you a nice European man when you come over to
visit us"
"You do that"
They looked at eachother for a few seconds longer,
smiling like little kids. Brian let her go and kissed her on the cheek again. "Now go say
good-bye to the other fellas, or they'll think I'm hogging you"
"Ok daddy. Have a
good time touring. Don't miss me to much" she called back.
"I'll try not
to"
Shannon made her way over to where Howie was standing talking on his cell
phone.
"Yeah, yeah mom, I know.....yes I love you too....ok...put Polly on..........Hey
Polly......I'll call as soon as I get there...ok...tell John I said bye..alright...ok..bubye."
Howie clicked off his cell phone, and turned to face Shannon. "Sorry about that, I had to
say good-bye to the fam."
"Oh don't worry about it, I understand, I just wanted to say
good-bye to you"
"It'll be weird not seeing you for a while you know"
"Yeah, I'll
miss the noise all you guys make when you're at Kevin's"
"Heheh, well you won't
have to worry about that for a while."
"I know that's the sad thing"
"Aww, don't
worry Shannon we'll be back before you know it. Now come here and give me a hug"
Howie said cheerfully, spreading his arms wide to embrace her. She fell into them and
stayed for a minute, then kissed him on the cheek before saying another good-bye and
walking over to Nick, where he was talking to Korrie.
"Well Nicky, I just wanted to
say good-bye before you leave."
"You're coming over to Europe with us aren't
you?"
"Of course, but not for another few weeks."
"Well good. Touring isn't the
same without you there"
"I'm glad you feel that way. Well good-bye Nicky" she said
softly and gave him a quick hug.
"Umm, excuse me? This is my boyfriend, keep your
hands off him. And his name is Nickolas, not Nicky." Korrie snapped.
Shannon just
stood there a little shocked at what had just happened. She just smiled at Nick again, and
walked away.
"Damnit Korrie. What the fuck is your problem? That was one of my
friends. You don't treat people like that, ok. Especially my friends"
Korrie burst into
to tears and ran to the other side of the private waiting room, where Shannon was
finishing her good-byes to AJ
"Ok well don't work too hard"
"I won't, I
promise"
"Good, and when I come up I wanna hang out with you and this woman you
have an interest in"
"Rachel you mean?" AJ gushed with a misty, far-off look in his
eyes.
"God you're acting like your in highschool again"
"Mmmmm," he
agreed.
"Well before I lose you completely its time for me to say good-bye and
go"
"Ok Shannon, see you soon" he said while hugging her.
"I'm getting so many
hugs today..aren't I lucky"
The boys flight number was called and they began to
quickly pick up their bags. Shannon ran over to Kevin for one last hug. He held her tight
and kissed the top of her head. "I'll miss you Kevy-Kev"
"I'll miss you to
Shay"
"Call me as soon you can"
"I know"
"Kevin, your not going to cry are
you?"
"No" he said simply, wiping his eyes which were about to overflow with
tears.
"Aww, don't cry sweetie"
"I know, but I'll just miss you"
"Well you
have my picture, and that one of you and Lauren, so you're all set."
"Yeah I
guess"
"Now go, or you'll miss your flight"
Kevin pulled away, but held onto her
hand, there fingers sliding apart only at the last second. Shannon waved and watched as
her five friends boarded the plane together.
Two days
later
Rachel laid down on her bed and closed her eyes. She had a pounding
headache and felt slightly nauseated. They were in Germany and had just gotten back
from the first show. It had been amazing but had also been alot of work, and she was
exhausted from running around between costume changes. She dozed off but was
awoken when there came a light knock at the door. "Come in" she called softly, not
finding the energy to get up and answer the door.
AJ walked in and frowned when he
saw the grimacing look on Rachel's face.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I just have a
headache. I'll be ok"
"I just wanted to say good-night. I won't keep you
long"
"Hey don't worry about it" she said, but squeezed her eyes shut in pain, as her
temples pounded. Her headache was now what seemed to be a migraine, and it felt as if
her skull was about to burst.
"Not used to all the screaming huh?" AJ asked, moving
over to the bed and sitting down.
"Definitely not. And its so noisy being under the
stage"
"Do you want a cold cloth for your head?"
"That would be nice" she
whispered, keeping her eyes shut.
He bent down and kissed her softly on the lips
before getting up again and running a cloth under some cold water. Rachel smiled to
herself. AJ was such a nice guy, and she was so happy he cared for her like he
did.
"You know" she said, when he returned, "It really is a surprise that I got my own
room, I mean it seems a little unfair, don't you think? Since the other crew members are
sharing"
"I requested you get your own room"
"AJ, why do you treat me so well.
You completely swept me off my feet only a day after we met"
"I know, seems
shady, doesn't it? There is just something about you Rach, I just fell head over heals as
soon as I saw you sitting in your little convertible"
"Oh don't remind me of that
day"
"Babe, your hurting, I'll let you sleep a little." he bent down and kissed her
again, and got up to go to his own room. Rachel reached out and pulled him back down.
"AJ?" she said quietly.
"Uhuh?"
"Sing me to sleep"
"Sure, what
song?"
"Anything but a Backstreet Boys song" She laughed seeing the frown on his
lips. "I'm sorry sweetie, but after listening to ALL your songs tonight, at a much higher
volume than I'd like, I don't think I can hear them again"
"Ok" he smiled, and thought
a minute, "This one's a sleeper" He cleared his throat and hummed a little to get the tune
right.
Rachel waited patiently for him to begin, and she got butterflies when he began
to sing.
"Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you...sweet dreams that leave all worries
behind you...but in your dreams whatever they be..dream a little dream of me....say
nighty night and kiss me...just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me..while I'm alone
and blue as can be...dream a little dream of me"
Rachel's lips drew into a smile at
the sweet lyrics and she slowly slipped back into a deep slumber as he crooned the last
few verses.
AJ stayed where he was sitting, and ran his hands over her head while
she slept. Her breathing was steady and rhythmic. Her eyes fluttered as his hand brushed
across her cheek, so he stopped not wanting to wake her up. Instead he laid down beside
her and looked closely at her face. He loved the way her skin glowed in the soft lighting,
and how her lips curled into a tiny smile while she slept. He ran his thumb over her
mouth, wanting to kiss it so badly, but not being brave enough, in case she woke up. He
stayed that way for most of the night, not being able to take his eyes off her.
Rachel
soon woke up and looked at AJ, a little confused. "Your still here"
"I couldn't leave
you. You looked so beautiful while you slept, so calm and peaceful."
"I feel much
better now. Thank you for letting me sleep. How long have you been laying
there?"
"Since you fell asleep, I was watching you as you rested"
"Oh god. I
wasn't drooling or anything was I?"
AJ laughed and kissed her hand."No baby you
weren't drooling"
"What time is it?"
"I don't know, maybe 1 or
something"
"Shouldn't you go to sleep? You worked so hard on stage today"
"I
like being here with you though"
"Well I think you should rest"
"Do you mind if
I stay here and sleep?"
"What if Nina finds out?"
"You're right. That would cause
some problems"
"AJ, why do you care so much, whether she knows or
not."
"Because its the whole, boss employee deal"
"But I thought you said I
wasn't employed by you, that I just helped you out?"
"Hun, don't worry about it. Let's
just keep it quiet for a little longer ok?" AJ asked giving her his puppy dog eyes, and
pouty lips.
"Ok, I guess maybe you have a point."
"Good"
"Now go get some
sleep silly"
"Alright just for you" He got off the bed and she kissed him good-bye. He
pulled her closer her to him to deepen the kiss, but again she pulled away telling him to
go to bed. He left saying he would come by in the morning, and she climbed into bed
after slipping on some silky pajamas. She tried falling asleep but was a little troubled by
what AJ had said. "Why couldn't his manager know about them?" she wondered. It wasn't
like they were "exclusive" and she knew that she wanted to keep their relationship simple
for the time being, but at the same time, she didn't want to keep it a secret that they had
feelings for eachother. She couldn't quite understand and didn't want to try to figure it
out, fearing she would create another head ache for herself. Instead she flipped off the
light, and fell asleep for the second time that night.
Chapter 19
INDEX