| Chapter 36: Opportunity Bangs Down the Door Lauralee was sitting at home, trying to make get as much work done as she could. The girls were going to fly out to Orlando for Alex and Nick’s birthday party that night. She was going to miss 2 days of classes and a paper, so she had to finish it early. She e-mailed her professor the paper and slumped back in her chair, when the phone rang. “Hello?” “Happy birthday to me!” “Yes it is!” Lauralee laughed. “Finish your work?” “Just finished and all packed, ready to go.” “Good, because I’m counting the hours until you get back here.” “Me too, the cab is picking us up in half an hour.” “Then I’ve got about three hours to kill. What shall I do?” “Take a cold shower until I get there.” “I’d rather take one with you.” “Patience my dear boy, patience.” “Alright, can’t wait to see ya. I’ll get the bathroom ready.” “Bring the bubble bath. Bye.” “Bye.” ~*~ Lauralee got out of the bathroom, wearing a cropped black jacket over a long purple dress. Alex sat on the bed waiting. “Happy birthday to Alex,” he let out a long whistle. Lauralee smiled as she put on her earrings. “You said that in the bathroom.” “But that was when we were naked,” Alex put his arms around her. “The clothing thing works on you.” Lauralee sighed. “I am so nervous. This whole coming out thing is more racking than being in secret.” “Hey, it’ll be easier than you realize, you’ll see. When I show up with you on my arm, you’ll forget about all of the people.” “Yeah, but the fans…” “Are gonna understand. Did anyone tell you, you worry too much?” Alex winked. “Almost everyone I know.” Alex grabbed her hand. “Let’s party, it’s my birthday!” ~*~ The van pulled up with Alex, Lauralee and Marcus. They figured it would be easier if they were separate when they came in. Marcus came and opened the back door. Lauralee was shaking. “Come on girl don’t be nervous,” Marcus looked at her from the door. Alex smiled. “It’ll get easier. You’ll get used to it.” “OK,” Lauralee voice trembled. Alex got out and waved to the fans that were standing there. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY AJ!” He turned around and helped Lauralee out of the van. “Now smile. These people are like dogs, they smell fear.” Lauralee smiled as Alex grabbed her hand. He walked over to the crowd and signed autographs. “Is that your girlfriend?” One girl asked as Alex signed her paper. “Yeah she is.” She turned to Lauralee. “I’m so happy for you guys. You’re so lucky to go out with a Backstreet Boy!” “Yeah, I guess I am,” Lauralee looked at the girl and smiled. The crowd faces were mixed, some were oohing and ahhing, others were giving her dirty looks. Lauralee didn’t really talk to the crowd as Alex signed some autographs and they then walked into Planet Hollywood. The rest of the girls and the guys were inside already. “Hey guys,” Laura gave them a hug. “And happy birthday!” “Thanks, now point me to some beer cause I’m legal now!” Alex and Kevin went to the bar as Laura and Lauralee stayed behind. “Was it nerve racking?” Laura took her hands. “Yeah, but most of them were real cool,” Lauralee smiled. “It wasn’t bad at all.” Alex and Kevin came back from the bar, giving Lauralee a soda and Laura a glass of wine, since her 21st birthday was last month. The others joined them as Lauralee gave Nick a hug. “Happy 18th!” Lauralee exclaimed. “Thanks,” Nick put his arm around Bianca. “Now maybe we can join you at the clubs.” “I’ve already been,” Bianca smiled. The girls took her for her birthday to “christen” her. Riley came up to them. “Hello all.” “Hey Riley,” Elizabeth waved. “What’s up?” “Guys, Clive Davis is over there, better say hello.” “Geez, even during my birthday,” Alex squeezed Lauralee’s hand. “We’ll be right back.” The guys left Riley to the girls. “Good, because I wanted to talk to you.” “What’s up?” Laura took a sip of her wine. “Do you know who that is?” Riley pointed out to a man in the crowd in his late fifties, talking to a bunch of men in suits. “Hell yeah I know him! That’s Tommy Mottola,” Lauralee stood there wide-eyed. “Who’s Tommy Mottola?” Veronica looked on with the girls. “He’s the president of Sony Music Entertainment. You may remember him, he was married to Mariah Carey.” “That explains why you know about him Lau,” Elizabeth laughed. “Listen, I played him the tape of you girls singing in my office, and he wants to meet you,” Riley whispered. “Now?” Veronica asked. “Yes, now. I’ll wave him over,” Riley motioned over to Tommy. Tommy lifted his glass and walked over. “Ladies, this is Tommy Mottola. Tommy, I would like to introduce you to Lauralee, Veronica, Bianca, Elizabeth and Laura.” “A pleasure to meet you,” Tommy shook their hands. “I must say I was impressed with your vocals.” “Really?” Lauralee tried to act professional. “Thank you very much.” “Riley told me that you girls were into R & B. That’s quite a leap.” “If those people can do it, so can we,” Laura said matter-of-factly. “I like that attitude. Would you ladies like to meet me in New York next week? I would like to discuss some things with you.” Elizabeth looked at the other girls. “Sure no problem.” “Great, my secretary will contact Riley and make an appointment. It was nice to meet all of you.” “Bye Mr. Mottola,” Lauralee shook his hand. “Please… Tommy,” he winked as he left the girls. The girls let out a quiet squeal. Lauralee became quiet all of a sudden. “We need to talk.” She dragged them to the corner of the room. “What’s wrong?” Veronica took her hand. “Lau aren’t you excited?” “Yeah, but, let’s keep this quiet for a while, at least until we know something is there.” “You mean from them,” Bianca looked on to the guys taking some pictures with Clive Davis. “Yes, from them. This is their night, not ours. Promise me you won’t say anything.” “Alright Lau,” Laura looked at the other girls. “We won’t.” “Good.” They all walked to join them as they finished their photos. Alex came up to Lauralee and kissed her forehead. “I was getting so bored.” “Gotta mix business and pleasure I suppose,” Lauralee smiled. “Well… not all the time,” Alex winked. “They’re bringing out the cake in a minute,” Nick smacked his lips. “It’s always about food with you,” Brian shook his head. “Especially when it’s my cake.” “You mean ours, right?” Alex looked down through his sunglasses. “Yeah whatever dude. Come on, they want us by the front.” The guys went to the front of the stage with the girls, Nick and Alex’s family in the background. They sang happy birthday as Alex and Nick blew out the candles. The waiters took the cake away to serve it while they mingled. Alex’s mother Denise gave Alex a big hug, and Lauralee was standing next to her and Ursula. “My baby is 21,” Denise started to let the tears flow from her eyes. “Mom, please don’t start,” Alex wiped her face. He turned to Lauralee. “She does this every year.” “And why not? She’s your mother for heaven’s sake. You’re lucky I’m not blubbering right now,” Ursula handed Denise a tissue. Alex put his arm around Lauralee’s waist. “Mothers,” he sighed. Lauralee gave him a poke in the ribs. “But I will say this one thing,” Ursula out her hands on Alex’s and Lauralee’s shoulders. “Who knew that this would happen. I always told Catherine that we would always be connected, but I never knew that it would be in this way. In other words, you don’t know how happy I am for both of you.” “Thanks Grandma,” Alex gave Ursula a hug. “Looks like they’re serving. Let’s go eat.” Chapter 37 Contents Chapter 35 |