Chapter 24

"Hi girls," Denise said. Then she turned to the band and said, "I would like you to meet Janel Evans, Kevin's girlfriend."

"Hi," I said waving.

"Lauren Bailey, Howie's girlfriend," Denise said.

"Hello," Lauren said smiling.

"And Stacey Edwards, A.J.'s girlfriend," Denise said.

"What's up?" Stacey said.

Each one of the band members came up to us and introduced themselves. After that we sat down with them and talked.

"You guys did a wonderful job on the show," I said.

"Thanks," came the reply from the band.

Then we talked about what they liked about being the Backstreet Band. They told us some of their funniest times and best places to visit.

"Do the two different buses actually have food fights?" I asked curiously.

"Oh yeah," Tommy said.

"And we always win," Mindi said happily.

"Oh no Janel, looks like you're in for a treat," Lauren said.

"Sounds like fun," I said smiling.

"Oh that's right. I forgot to tell you guys that Janel is going on tour with us," Denise said to the band.

"Oh, competition?" Dennis asked.

"You bet," I said jokingly.

We continued to get to know each other and then the guys came in.

"Hey Shorty," Kevin said.

"Did you like my sign?" I asked. "I thought you'd like to know where I was."

"Yes, it was cute and so are you," he said as he hugged me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he pulled me in a for a kiss.

"Okay you two. Get a room!" yelled Brian.

"And you're not going to lock yourselves in the entertainment room either," Nick said.

"Why not?" I asked.

"Um. . .my video games," Nick said.

"Oh that's right. I forgot you can't live without those things," I said.

"Okay, are we ready to leave?" Denise asked.

"Yes," came the reply from everyone except Lauren, Howie, A.J., and Stacey. They were still talking to each other.

"Sorry guys, but we really have to go," Denise said.

We all headed out to the buses. Once we got to the buses the band said good bye and then got on their bus. The nine of us stood outside the guys' bus. Denise rode with the band, but it was her job to see that everything went smoothly. Nick and Brian were the first two to get on the bus. They said good bye to Lauren and Stacey and then got on. Then it was my turn to say good bye to Lauren and Stacey.

I hugged Stacey and said, "I'll miss you so much. Thank you for everything."

While I was telling Stacey good bye, Lauren was saying good bye to Kevin.

"Do me a favor?" Lauren asked.

"Anything," Kevin said.

"Take care of her," Lauren said.

"You know I will," Kevin said. "Thank you for giving me the chance to see her again."

"You're welcome," Lauren said. "Have a fun trip."

I walked over to Lauren and hugged her. "I owe you my life. You saved me when I was drowning. Thank you for looking after me and bringing me back to Kevin," I said beginning to cry.

"You're welcome," she said. "Please don't cry," she said as she wiped my tears away. "Go enjoy your trip." I let go of her and smiled.

"You two better stay in touch with me," I said.

"You can count on it," Lauren said.

"An e-mail everyday," Stacey said.

"Bye," I said as I stepped on the bus with Kevin behind me.

"What do you think you're doing?" yelled Lou.

Both Kevin and I turned around to look at him. Then we continued to get on the bus.

"Hey! I'm talking to you two!" yelled Lou.

"Lou, it's okay. She's going on tour with the guys," Denise explained.

"And who gave her permission?" he asked angrily.

"I did," Denise replied.

He got on the bus and went after Kevin.

"Kevin! Kevin! Damn it answer me!" Lou screamed at Kevin as we continued to walk to the entertainment room.

"Not tonight Lou," Kevin said as we walked into the entertainment room.

He closed the door behind us and locked it. I picked up my bag up off of the couch and pulled out my Limp Bizkit CD. I put it into the CD player and pushed play. I changed it to #4, which was Break Stuff, and then I turned the volume up. Lou was banging on the door and yelling. Kevin was sitting on the couch smiling at me. I took my Skechers off and then I sat down next to Kevin. We started to laugh at how much we were pissing Lou off.

Outside the girls were still saying good bye.

"I'm going to miss you so much," Stacey said.

"It's okay baby. I'll talk to you everyday and try to see you as often as I can. I love you baby," A.J. said.

"I love you too baby," Stacey said as they began to kiss each other.

"Howie, I'm going to miss you," Lauren said.

"Me too, Lauren. I love you," Howie said.

"I love you too," Lauren said as she hugged him and then they began to kiss.

"Sorry to interrupt, but this bus really has to leave now," Denise said.

The couples stopped kissing and hugged each other one last time. Then A.J. and Howie got onto the bus and waved good bye. The girls waved good bye and then walked back to the car.

Denise got on the bus along with Howie and A.J.. Nick and Brian were sitting at the table while Lou was yelling.

"Kevin open this door! I don't want you with her!" Lou yelled. Lou turned around and said, "Can someone please talk to him?!"

"Kevin's a grown man. He can make his own decisions," Howie said.

"Lou we don't have time for this. I gave them permission and the guys are on a schedule. If you'd like to discuss this further we can talk about it on the band's bus, but right now we have to leave," Denise said leading Lou away from the entertainment room.

"Yes. We will discuss this further. We will have a meeting the next day the guys have off, which is in about two days," he said to the guys. "Do you understand?"

"Fine," came the reply.

Then Lou stormed off the bus. Denise went to the entertainment room and knocked on the door. She could hear the CD blasting.

"Guys! He's gone now!" she yelled.

She told the rest of the guys good bye and headed towards the band's bus. Then our bus started to move.

"Finally," I said. I picked up the remote and stopped the CD. Then I continued to run my fingers through his hair. "This feels so right Kevin."

"I know. I could stay like this forever. Just you and me," he said.

"So what did the guys say about us going out? You could tell that they were surprised when you said yes that you had a girlfriend," I said smiling.

"Yeah, they were surprised. But after the show they told me that they were happy for me," Kevin said.

"I'm glad," I said.

"Oh wait. I forgot something. Stay here, I'll be right back," he said getting up.

He unlocked the door and went to his bunk. He grabbed his black backpack and came back into the room closing the door behind him. He sat down next to me and began searching through his bag. He pulled out a white envelope and then set his bag down. The front of the envelope read Boo. I knew that it was my letter that I had given him. Then he opened it and took out my ring. He put the envelope back in his bag and turned to me.

"Here. You should have your ring back. I know how much it meant to you," he said placing it in my hand.

"I can't believe you still have this," I said looking at it, "and the letter."

"I take the letter everywhere with me. I didn't want anyone to find it," he said. I hugged him tightly and he said, "I've kept your secret all of these years from everyone, including Brian."

"Thank you so much," I said letting go of him.

"Here let me pull out the couch. Then I can hold you in my arms," he said.

"Okay. I'll move our things," I said.

We threw everything to one side of the room and then opened up the couch. With the couch out we barely had any room to move. Then he put two pillows on top of each other and laid down. I climbed on the bed and laid down next to him. I turned onto my side and rested my head on his chest. Then I wrapped my arm around his waist while he put his arm around me. We laid there in each others arms just enjoying the touch of one another.

"Janel?" he asked.

"Yeah," I said.

"I want you to come with me to Lexington for Thanksgiving," Kevin said.

I just laid there not responding to him.

"Janel?" he asked.

"I don't know Kevin," I said.

"Why not?" he asked.

"Because. . .," I began and then paused, "I'm afraid to."

"You don't have to be. I'm here for you. I'll always be by your side," he said.

"I'm not sure. I mean, I miss my mom so much and your mom and your family, but Jerry. I don't know if I can face him," I said.

"You don't have to if you're not ready to. You can just talk to your mom in private and have Thanksgiving with us, your second family," he said. "It'd make both of our moms so happy to see you again."

"But I'm afraid," I said.

"How about you call your mom then?" Kevin suggested.

"What if he answers?" I questioned.

"Then call my mom. She'll be happy to hear from you," he said.

"Okay, I guess," I said.

Then he began to get up. He went to the side of the bed and searched for something. Then he pulled out his cell phone.

"Tonight?" I asked shocked.

"Yes," he said.

"But. . .," I said as he cut me off.

"I'm here for you. Don't worry she'll be up," he said handing me the phone.

I stared at it and then Kevin asked, "Do you remember the number?"

I nodded yes. Then I dialed the all to familiar numbers that I had dialed so many times years ago.