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“Cheer up Brian, I hear this meeting was called by Nick. Anytime Nick willing converses with management, you know he’s going to ask for something outrageous. Remember last time?”
Brian chuckled, “Yeah, how could I forget? Something about touring only along the ocean. Does he not realize that out of fifty states, more than half are nowhere near the ocean?”
Howie shook his head sadly as Brian talked. “He had charts and everything ‘proving’ how we’d preform better by salt water. Such a silly little boy he is.”
Grinning, the two entered a small room with ten chairs, eight of which were occupied.
“Late again, I see.” A stern looking lady, Haley -- their tour manager -- frowned and wrote something down on her clipboard.
Shrugging, Brian settled down between Kevin and Nick, his usual seat. Sitting between these two band mates had its perks. Kevin always took notes, so Brian could just read over his shoulder and know what was going on, without ever listening to a word that was said. Then on the other side, he could always look over Nick’s shoulder, who never took notes. Instead Brian would find himself amused by cartoon drawings of burning planes crashing down on ‘Nsync concerts, or something similar. Today, however, Nick actually seemed alert. Glancing around, Brian noted that AJ, perched next to the large blonde, was also extremely awake and had a look of fierce determination on his face. Interested, Brian settled back, waiting for the meeting to begin.
The first fifteen minutes was the standard briefing. Concerts, blah blah blah, record sales, blah blah blah, attitude, blah blah blah. Bored, Brian peeked over at Nick’s notepad, and was unhappy to find that it was completely free of all doodles. Glancing at Kevin’s, he was not suprised to see that his cousin was on his third sheet of paper already. Just as Brian was about to go stir-crazy, AJ spoke up.
“Yes. Nick and I called this meeting because we feel like we are missing a very important asset in the Backstreet family,” he said, obviously in response to a question that Brian hadn’t heard, not unsual, seeing he hadn’t really heard anything past the “good morning.”
Surprised by his serious tone, everyone in the room visibly sat up and paid attention, including Brian.
“I am sure everyone is frustrated by all the scheduling errors we’ve had lately. Flying to New York, when interviews were really in Los Vegas, or having to be at TRL at three, and Detroit at seven to perform. It’s been a lot of unnecessary stress. Not to mention a waste of time, money, and effort. Problems such as these should not be plaguing the number one selling band in the world. I propose that we hire someone who will be specifically in charge of scheduling.”
Haley thoughtfully tapped the end of her nose with her pencil. “Alexander, that is a very good idea. However, because we are on tour, finding such a person with such short notice will be extremely difficult.” The other staff membors and directors nodded in agreement.
“Usually this would be true, but I think I know just the person for the job,” Nick said. “A few weeks ago, I talked with my cousin, and she’s looking for a job. I know she is be willing to go on tour with us and handle all the appearances and whatever else she will need to do.”
The tour manager pursed her lips. “Nickolas, you know how we feel about hiring family members. We won’t make any exceptions for her. If she doesn’t do her job, she won’t last.”
Nodding, Nick said, “I understand. I’ll have her meet the rest of the band tonight. AJ has already met her, so he can help me introduce everyone. I think it’s important for all of us to get along with her, because she will be the one conveying information directly to us.”
The lady tilted her head slightly and steepled her fingers together. Surveying the band members she finally spoke, “Very well then. Arrange a meeting together, and if you all approve, I will see her tomorrow at ten. If there is nothing else,” she paused and continued when no one spoke up, “then this meeting is dismissed.”
*************
“Your cousin? What’s all this, Frack? Huh? “Brian pestered his friend, slightly hurt because he hadn’t know about Nick and AJ’s idea ahead of time.
Nick kept walking and shrugged. “Talk to AJ, it was actually all his idea. But, uh, I’m going to have to talk to you all about something, ok? I was thinking that we could go out to eat in the hotel dining room at 6:00. That ok with you?”
Puzzled, Brian was a bit slow on his response. “Yeah, I guess. So tonight you’ll tell me what’s going on, right? You’ve been acting a bit differently lately.”
“Sure 'Rok. Infact, I’ll even let AJ tell ya.”
*************
Mandy pulled the curtain towards the wall and pressed her hand up against the sliding door that led out to a spacious balcony. Frowning, she studied the railing and the distance to the ground. It might be possible for her to swing down to the balcony below, and continue that way until she got to ground level.She was no gymnast, but she was pretty flexible. Although with all her aches and brusies, it would be painful. After a quick glance behind her, to make sure AJ hadn’t returned, she slid open the door and stepped out into the afternoon sun.The railing was damp from the morning rain, and had left the air heavy with amuggy tang. Mandy leaned over, standing on her tiptoes in order to see farther own. About ten feet to the next railing. If she slipped, it was a few stories to the ground, which looked pretty high from up here. Mandy eased back until she was once again standing beside the railing, instead of hanging over it. She took a step back and sighed. Should she risk it? As soon as her mind registered the unspoken question, she knew the answer. Yes.
Not wasting any more time, she swung one leg over the railing so it was straddled between her legs. With a heave of confidence, she gripped the slick railing in both hands and allowed both legs to slide over the railing, so that they were hanging below her. Mandy reached with her toes until she felt the metal below her, and eased her hands down the railing. She was about to swing into the balcony below when a shout startled her.
“Hey! What are you.. oh God.”
Instinctively, Mandy looked up. A frightened and angry face was only a few feet above. Before she could let go of the railing, two large hands clamped down around her wrists. Mentally kicking herself for hesitating and not jumping when she'd had the chance, Mandy was helpless to do anything. If she struggled, he might accidentally drop her, and as much as she didn’t want to see AJ, she’d pick him over a hundred foot drop any day. What she COULD do, though, was give him a piece of her mind.
“Damn you, AJ. Let me go!Can’t you take a hint?”
Her insults apparently didn’t phase him at all. Ignoring her, he tilted his head and yelled into the room, “NIIIIICCCK!”
Mandy could feel the heavy vibrations as someone, she assumed Nick, ran out onto the balcony. She was right. AJ’s urgent call had brought him in a hurry. Two unbelieving eyes stared down at her, complete with a mouth hanging open. Mandy watched him shake his head, scowl, and reach down toward her. Using his height to his advantage, he stretched over the rail and grabbed her roughly under her arms. With a grunt he heaved her half-way up and AJ quickly seized her by the waist and pulled her over the railing. As if I was a rag doll, Mandy thought with disgust.
For a second, no one moved, and Mandy remained in AJ’s arms. She stepped out of the embrace just as he started yelling.
“What the FUCK to you think you were doing? Trying to kill yourself? Is that it, huh? Escape by climbing down a building? You’re not fucking Spiderman,” AJ ran a hand through his hair, looked at Nick and said, “I’ll take if from here. Will you be in your room if I call in a few?”
Nick burrow his brow and his mouth turned down slightly. “Yeah, sure,” he said tightly and left.
AJ turned back and studied Mandy. She was pressed against the rail, as far away from him as possible. She would have been huddled somewhere in the room if he wasn’t efficiently blocking the entrance to the room. AJ wondered what he had gotten himself into. Maybe Nick was right, this was stupid, and she’d only end up bringing them trouble. Mandy bit her lip, and quickly looked away when her eyes met his. AJ sighed and ran a hand over his face. Shit. Why always him? Didn’t anyone else ever end up in situations like this? Noticing Mandy avoiding his gaze, he spoke again.
“We need to talk.”
Mandy opened her mouth, about to protest but closed it when she couldn’t think of anything to say.She just nodded silently and slowly followed AJ inside.
New Beginnings