"Tampa Bay....All the way!!"


*Knock Knock*

“Cassidy, Becca!! You guys up??” Kirstie called.
Cassidy rolled over and bumped into Nick.
“Hey pretty girl...” he smiled, pushing some hair out of her face.
“Hey you...” Cassidy smiled.
“CASSIDY!!! Get your butt outta bed and open this door!” Kirst called once again.
“Urgh!” Cassidy moaned, dragging herself out of bed and opening the front door.
“Hey cuz...” Cassidy said sleepily.
“Hey Cassidy...sorry about waking you...” Kirstie said not smiling.
“I’ll get over it.....hey what is that on your face??” Cassidy asked worried, suddenly noticing the bruise on Kirstie’s left cheek.
“Oh, it’s nothing, I was surfing yesterday and a wave dumped me straight onto my board..” Kirsite said a little hurriedly.
“Nasty..” Cassidy added.
“Her board wouldn’t leave a mark like that...” Cassidy thought inside her head.
Nick walked drowsily into the room.
“Err...hi Nick, am I interrupting something here?” Kirstie grinned at Cassidy.
“Hey Kirst...awww...nasty bruise...you ok?” Nick asked inspecting her face.
“Yeah I’m fine...I errr....hit it on my surfboard when I was getting it out of the jeep yesterday..” Kirstie replied again quickly.
“Hang on...she told me it actually happened in the surf...” Cassidy thought puzzled to herself. She then shrugged it off. “Everyone makes mistakes...”
“Is Emma nearly packed?” Cassidy asked.
“Yeah mostly, AJ came around and helped her get everything together...I’m gonna miss her so much...” Kirstie’s eyes suddenly grew sad.
“Aww....we all will, but she’s wanted this for so long...” Cassidy gave her cousin a hug.
“Yeah...I know...I’m just gonna be lonely that’s all, you’ll be on tour for two months!” Kirstie sniffled on Cassidy’s shoulder.
“You’ve got Matt... Cassidy suggested. She felt Kirstie’s body stiffen as she pulled away slowly.
“Matt...” She replied in a whisper gently touching her bruised cheek.
“You ok Kirstie??” Cassidy waved a hand in front of her face.
Kirstie snapped back.
“Huh? Oh yeah sure! Umm...anyway..I’ve gotta get moving anyway...I’ll see you guys later...” Kirstie gave Nick and Cassidy hug and then she was gone.
“What’s this Matt guy like?” Nick asked Cassidy.
“I’m not really sure...I really don’t like leaving her here when we go on tour...” Cassidy said suddenly.
“I know...but there’s not much we can do...” Nick said.
“Yeah I know, you want breakfast?” Cassidy asked.
“Sure...what you got?” Nick said as they headed to the kitchen.

*ONE WEEK LATER*

“Hey Em!! How’s Australia??” Becca said excitedly over the phone.
“Oh I forgot how beautiful it is back here!” Emma beamed.
“I’m glad you’re happy!!” Becca smiled.
“Yeah, I’m still missing you guys heaps but! How’s Kirstie?” Emma asked.
“She’s ok, missing you like crazy...she’s been over here a lot...” Becca replied.
“That’s good..”
“Hey you wanna talk to Cass?” Becca asked.
“Yeah put her on...” Emma answered.
“HELLO!!!” Cassidy said excitedly into the phone.
“Woah...Cass, turn the volume down baby...” Emma laughed.
“Oops! Sorry...how are you?” Cassidy asked.
“I’m great! I love my job….I finally feel….complete,” Emma replied sincerely.
“That’s so wonderful I’m so happy for you…” Cassidy beamed.
“Have you guys unpacked the laptop yet??” Emma asked.
“No, we haven’t….what’s you’re AOL screen name so we can chat?” Cassidy asked.
“Ummm…..baby_emmie69……make sure you do ok??” Emma replied.
“I promise…..well we’ve gotta get going ok?” Cassidy said a little sadly.
“Yeah ok….say bye to Becca for me ok?”
“Will do….cya!” Cassidy hung up the phone.

*Honk, Honk* (CN: Omigod! What the hell was that!!?) (BN: Shutup you! A car horn could sound like that!!”)

“Girls get you’re butts moving, we’re gonna be late!” Nick yelled from his car.
“Coming…..” Cassidy called as the two of them ran out, shutting the door behind them.
“God…tense much?” Cassidy laughed as they got into the car and Nick sped off.
“This is a performance….not a social outing….” Brian rolled his eyes.
Becca and Cassidy looked at each other and shrugged, Nick and Brian definitely seemed to have different attitudes when they were working.
“Sooo…are you just singing the anthem and that’s it?” Becca asked making conversation.
“Yeah, we’ll sing the anthem then come sit with you and watch the game…”
“I can’t wait…..I remember watching American Football on the TV and piss myself laughing…” Cassidy added grinning.
“Why?!” The boys asked confused.
“I don’t know…..probably the tights…or the padding…..or the helmets….” Cassidy laughed.
Nick cracked a smile. “What…..don’t your Aussie boys wear helmets..” He grinned.
“Nope….they’re as tough as they come….and some of them don’t have any brains to protect anyway..” Becca replied sarcastically. The boys laughed.
“Ok, we’re here……just go through the main gate and you’ll be able to find you’re seats pretty easy….they’re right up the front…” Nick said as they all got out of the car.
“Where are they rest of the guys?” Becca asked.
Brian looked at his watch, “Probably in there…..we’ve got to go…”
“Awww ok….good luck!” Becca reached up and kissed him.
“You’ll be great….wave at me!” Cassidy laughed and kissed Nick.
“Thanks….I will, you’d better wave at me!” Nick grinned, and they kissed again.
Brian cleared his throat and the two broke apart. Brian began walking.
“Come on Frack, let’s go…” They jogged toward the backstage entrance. Brian turned around and smiled at Becca.
“Love you…” He mouthed and they were gone.

“Ok let’s go find our seats!!” Cassidy linked her arm through Becca’s as they made their way through the main gate.
“Oo…..I’ve got to get a flag!” Becca laughed pointing to a merchandise stand.
“Ok cool!” Cassidy said.

“It’s about time guys….we nearly had a trio going out there….” AJ laughed as Nick and Brian entered the dressing room.
“Yeah, sorry we’re late…..how long till we’re on?” Brian asked putting on the Bucs jersey that a lady held out to him.
“Hey cool….personalized…” Nick pointed to the ‘CARTER’ printed on the back of his jersey.
“Awesome…..hey do we get to keep these??” Brian asked the lady.
“No sorry you don’t…….this isn’t a charity…” She said rudely then left the room.
The 5 guys looked at each other and laughed.
“Maybe they have a lot of people with the last name McLean?? They wouldn’t want to print another one…”
AJ said sarcastically and checked his hair in the mirror.

“Ok do you think we’re certified Bucs fans now?” Cassidy laughed as her and Becca put on their caps and waved their flags.
“Oh yeah! We’re the biggest Tampa Bay fans ever…” Becca grinned.
“Yay Bucs!” Cassidy laughed.
Just then a pretty blonde came to the seat next to the girls. She looked at her ticket then at the girls.
“Ummm are you Becca and Cassie by any chance?” She asked awkwardly.
“Uhh…..yeah….sorry, do we know you? Cassidy asked in her thick Australian accent.
Holly immediately smiled, “Hey, my name’s Holly…..Howie told me to look out for you guys.”
“Oh! Holly! Yeah hi!!” Becca now clicked on and shook her hand. “I’m Becca…” She smiled.
“And it’s Cassidy…..not Cassie…” Cassidy added as she also shook Holly’s hand.
“Oops sorry!” Holly blushed.
“Hey that’s ok! Easy mistake…” Cassidy smiled good naturally.
“So Holly, you a big football fan?” Becca asked.
“Oh yeah! I love the Bucs!!” Holly said excitedly.
“Any hotties on this team?” Cassidy asked mischievously.
“Hell yes….” Holly laughed.
“Score…” Becca grinned.
“Oooo there they are!!!” Cassidy pointed as Brian and the guys ran onto the field.

“Please stand for the National Anthem, today sung by Florida’s own……The Backstreet Boys!” The announcer boomed as the crowd went wild.
“Oh, they look so cute…” Holly grinned.
“You know you’re checking out Howie…” Becca teased.
The boys waved at the screaming crowd. Brian gave Becca a smile, took a deep breath and began the anthem.
Holly placed her right hand over her chest and began to sing the anthem also.
“Hey Cass….I think we’re suppose to be singing….” Becca whispered to Cassidy as she looked around at the crowds of people.
“But we don’t know the words!” Cassidy whispered back.
“Improvise….” Becca laughed as they too put their hands over their chest.
“la la la la…….” Cassidy sung quietly, looking at Becca unsurely.
Becca shrugged and did the same…..they kinda knew the tune so it was ok. Holly was laughing so hard she thought she was going to pee herself.

The guys finished the anthem and gave a big wave, “Have a great game Bucs!” Kevin said and they all jogged backstage again.
By this time Holly was still laughing.
“Holly!! Shh…..the game’s about to start!” Becca began to giggle.
“I’m sorry, but that was the cutest thing….” Holly continued to laugh.
“What was the cutest thing?” Nick asked as the guys took their seats, preparing to watch the game.
“Nothing!!” Cassidy defended as she waved her little flag.
“Almost didn’t recognize you guys in the caps…..” Brian grinned wrapping his arms around Becca.
“Oh yeah! We’re big Bucs fans now!” Becca grinned and looked at Cassidy.
“Yay Bucs!” Cassidy laughed and waved her flag.

*Half way through the game*

“Holly…..number 13….” Becca whispered.
“Ooo yeah……married, 4 kids…..” Holly whispered back.
“He’s still hot…..” Becca shrugged.
“Ooo half time….AJ’s favorite time of the match….” AJ grinned.
“What!? Oh....” Cassidy laughed as the Bucs’ cheerleaders paraded out.
The girls all raised their eye brows as the guys had their eyes glued to the colourful pom poms and short skirts.
“They’re better than the cowgirls….” Cassidy shrugged and Becca laughed. (CN: The cowgirls are the cheerleaders for our Rugby league team here in Australia, The Cowboys!!)
Cassidy laughed as the players ran back onto the field.
“What!” Nick asked.
“Those tights just crack me up!!” Cassidy continued to laugh, Becca and Holly also began to laugh.
“They’re not tights!!” Kevin said exasperated.
“Tights…..” Becca mumbled trying not to laugh.
“You used to play didn’t you!?” Cassidy grinned.
“Ah Kevvy Kev!” Becca laughed.
“Hey! It’s a manly sport!” Kevin defended.
“Ohmigoid…..do you have any pics of you wearing the tights!?” Cassidy smirked.
“Can we get off the tights??…. Please….” Brian sighed.
“Amen to that!” Nick laughed.
“I’ll find ‘em….” Cassidy relented and went back to asking Nick questions about the game in front of them.
“Tights, tights, tights……” Becca poked Brian in the side teasingly.
“Stop it you!!” Brian laughed filling Becca’s mouth with popcorn.
“Tights….” Becca mumbled, her mouth full.
“Becca!!!” Brian turned to her.
“Sorry!! Joking!! Sorry!!” Becca put her hands up.
“You’re lucky you’re so damn cute….” Brian kissed the tip of her nose.
“Excuse me for a second…BLURK….” AJ said pretending to throw-up.
“Shutup AJ…. you’re just jealous…” Becca teased and kissed Brian again.
“Whatever…..”

“Go Bucs!!” Holly cheered as the Bucs made a last touch down before the end of the game.
“Go Bucs, Go Bucs!!” Cassidy was up on her feet, waving her flag.
“Woah…. Cassidy’s scaring me!” AJ laughed and began to head towards the end of the aisle.
“Where are you going??” Cassidy asked as the rest of the guys stood up.
“We’ve got to do a media thing backstage…. There’s 5 minutes left…. Here’s some passes into the tunnel….just come find us when you’re finished ok??” Kevin handed the girls some passes and headed down the row.
“Hmmmm…..Backstage passes….” Cassidy grinned and hung the pass around her neck.
“You’re not thinking what I’m thinking!?” Becca grinned, also placing her pass around her neck.
Cassidy grinned widely, “Let’s go meet and greet shall we!” Becca laughed as she watched the players run off the field and back to the lockers.
Cassidy laughed at Holly’s expression. “I’m just joking….” She assured her.
“Are you kidding me? Let’s go meet us some Bucs!” Holly jumped up grinning.
“I love this girl!!” Becca laughed and followed her down the aisle.

Chapter 51
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