Chapter 55

A couple weeks later

Kevin put his shirt on and I helped him button it.

"There you go," I said as I kissed him. "You look so handsome."

"Thank you baby," Kevin said.

He took my hand and we walked downstairs.

"Want me to make you breakfast?" I asked.

"Nah, that's okay," he said.

"A bagel or something?" I asked.

"No, I've got to go pick up the guys," Kevin said.

"All right," I said.

"Love you," Kevin said as he kissed me. Then he walked out the door.

"Bye. Love you," I said as I waved at him. Then I walked into the kitchen and made myself an egg.

Ring! Ring!

"Hello."

"Hi. Is Mr. Richardson there?"

"No. May I ask who this is?"

"This is John Hook from KSAZ channel 10 and we'd like to talk to Mr. Richardson about his lawsuit against Mr. Lou Pearlman."

"He has no comment."

"Well my number is 555-6852. Have him call me any ways."

"He has. . ."

"And I can get your name? Are you his girlfriend? Did you persuade him to file this lawsuit against Lou Pearlman because you and him got into a fight?" he questioned.

"No comment!" I said angrily, then slammed the phone down.

"Damn reporters," I muttered.

Every since the Boys had filed their lawsuit against Lou Pearlman and their management, reporters had begun calling, waiting in the front, and even stopped us when we were out. Lou had even called us and threatened that the guys would never be successful again. He tried to blame me, which made Kevin furious.

Everyday Kevin would come home stressed out. We would do something fun to try and help him forget about it. But it didn't really help him.

While he was in court, I searched for a job. I had had a few interviews but I hadn't decided on anything yet. After a few hours of searching the computer I decided that I needed to get out.

I went upstairs and put my work out clothes on. Then I grabbed my keys. I went to the back and got Candy.

"Candy! Come here!" I called.

She came running and jumped on me.

"Hi girl!" I said as I placed a leash on her collar. "Come on. Let's go for a walk."

I went to the truck and let her in. Then I got in and drove to the park. As she saw the kids she whined to get out.

We got down and then walked around the park with her leading me. Afterwards I went and tied her on a pole while I sat on the swing.

Little kids would run up to her and look at her, unsure of whether they could pet her or not.

One little boy reached out his hand to pet her and she licked him. He pulled his hand away and giggled.

"It's okay sweetie. Go ahead and pet her, she won't bite," I said.

He smiled and then asked, "What's her name?"

"It's Candy," I said.

"Hi Candy," he said as he petted her head.

Soon there were a bunch of little kids gathering around her. She was enjoying the little kids playing with her.

After a while I began to get tired so I decided to leave. All the little kids waved good bye as Candy and I left.

I drove home and Candy I walked inside. She went and laid down by the couch. I went upstairs to take a shower and change.

I walked into my room and Kevin was lying there sleeping. He still had all of his nice clothes on, along with his shoes.

I took his shoes off. Then I grabbed a blanket and covered him. I kissed his forehead and then walked into the bathroom.

I wondered why he was home early, but I didn't want to wake him. He was extremely stressed with everything. He was trying to find new management, keep the other guys in good spirits, and keep the media out of it. Which was basically impossible to do. He felt as though he had to take control and be the leader, since he was the oldest. It was his job to make everything all right.

I got out of the shower and got dressed. Then the phone began to ring. I rushed to it and grabbed it. I closed our bedroom door and walked out.

"Hello."

"Hey Shorty."

"Hey B-Rok. What's up?"

"Is Kev there?"

"He's sleeping right now."

"Oh. Well Ashley and I invited the guys over for a barbecue and to watch some movies. Just to do something fun. You and Kevin are welcome to come over."

"Thanks Brian. I'll mention it to Kevin when he wakes up."

"Make sure you tell him. My cuz needs a little fun right now. I'm worried about him. He's just really stressed out right now."

"Yeah, I know."

"But hopefully that'll end sometime this week."

"Why? What happened in court?"

"Well, it's over with. All we're waiting for right now is the judge's decision."

"When's that?"

"Probably in a couple of days or so."

"That's good. Then this whole mess will be done with."

"Yeah, it'll be a huge burden off all of us."

"Good because I hate to see my Boys stressin'. Okay, well we might see you later."

"All right. Just drop by whenever you want."

"We will. Thanks Brian. Talk to you later."

"Bye."

I hung up the phone and walked back upstairs. I walked into our room and Kevin was still sleeping. So I went on the computer to search for a few more jobs.

I wrote a few addresses down. Then I grabbed a couple of my resumes and placed them in envelopes. Then I searched the desk for stamps.

"Hey Pumpkin," Kevin said as he walked in. He went and sat on the chair.

"Hi baby," I said as I got up and walked over to him.

He grabbbed me by the waist and pulled me onto his lap. I turned and kissed him lightly.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Just looking at jobs," I said.

"Oh," he said as he held me.

"So how was court?" I asked.

"It was court. But now we're just waiting for the judge's ruling," he said.

"You okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, I just want this to be over with," he said.

"Want to go to Brian's tonight? He's having a barbecue," I said.

"I don't know," he said.

"Come on, it'll be fun," I said as I stood up. I took his hands and pulled him up. "It'll take your mind off of everything."

"Oh, all right," he said.

I stood on my tip toes and kissed him.

Then we got ready and left for Brian's. We got down and rang the doorbell.

Ashley opened the door. "Hi guys!" she said brightly.

"Hi Ashley," Kevin said as he hugged her.

"Hey girl!" I said as I walked in and hugged her.

We walked into the living room where the guys were playing video games.

"Hey everyone!" Kevin said.

"Hi Janel and Kevin!" they replied.

We sat down and began talking with everyone. Kevin and I enjoyed ourselves. All of us needed to laugh and forget about the lawsuit. We played video games and watched movies.

Over the next couple of days it was nothing but waiting. Finally on Thursday the guys were called back into court. The judge had ruled that the Boys were no longer under Lou Pearlman's management. They were free to chose whomever they pleased. The guys were so happy with that news. But there was a down side, Lou would still receive money due to a clause in their contract. But he wouldn't receive as much. They wanted nothing to do with him, but he was still there in the background.

Kevin and I walked into the house and he collapsed onto the couch pulling me with him. He began kissing me as he held me tight. Then we just laid there.

"Finally over with," I said.

"Finally," Kevin sighed. "But Lou still receives money. That just pisses me off to no end."

"I know it does baby," I said. "But now you can find someone new. Someone who will take care of you and the group and worry about the group's needs and not their own."

'Yeah," he said. "And I think I've found the right management team to do that."

"Really?" I asked. "Who?"

"The Firm," he said. "They work with Limp Bizkit and KoRn."

"Really? Have you talked to them?" I asked.

"Yeah, but on Monday all five of us are going to talk to them," he said.

"More work," I said.

"Yeah, I know. But we have to get this situated," he said.

"I know, but maybe we can take a little vacation after this is over with," I said.

"Where to?" he asked.

"Back to Kentucky," I said. "Spend some time with our family. We haven't been there for the New Year yet."

"Yeah, you're right," he said.

"How does that sound?" I asked.

"Good. Go back to a quiet place with family," he said.

"Yep," I said as I kissed him.