Chapter 83

I walked into the living room and Kevin was talking on the phone. I went into the kitchen, grabbed a couple of sodas, and then sat next to Kevin on the couch.

"Well I better let you go, my baby just walked in with food," he said.

The other person on the other line said good bye and then Kevin hung up.

Kevin set the phone down and then wrapped his arms around me. I breathed in deeply, smelling his wonderful cologne.

"How was your day?" he asked.

"It sucked ass," I said simply.

"What happened?" he asked as he let go of me.

"If looks could kill, I would have been dead about 15 times, if not more," I said.

"Are you serious?" he asked.

"Oh yeah. Those Backstreet fans knew who I was. And they weren't afraid to let me know that they disapproved of me," I said.

Kevin sighed. "I should have just left you at home. Then none of this would have happened."

"Don't blame yourself Kev," I said as I kissed his chin.

He looked down at me and kissed me.

"So how was YOUR day?" I asked as I handed him a hamburger.

"I spent the entire day on the phone," he said.

"With who?" I asked.

"Every person in management. And then Brian called me and Ashley had to talk to me to make sure that you were okay along with Lauren, Howie, Stacey, A.J., Tina, and Nick," he replied.

"Wow, you talked to the whole gang," I said.

"Yep, they were all checking up on you," Kevin said. "Actually I'm surprised I haven't heard from Rick. I mean, he is one of your best friends and always trying to protect you," Kevin said bitterly.

"Kevin Richardson, stop it," I said.

"Stop what?" he asked.

"I know that tone of voice," I said.

"There was no tone of voice. I just wanted to know why he wasn't being so protective of you," he said.

"Whatever," I said as I rolled my eyes at him. "And for your information Rick was on a date last night with Char."

"Well good for him," Kevin said.

'Now he can stop thinking about my girlfriend,' Kevin thought.

"Yeah, I'm happy for him," I said.

"So. . .do you work tomorrow?" Kevin asked.

"Just a couple hours in the morning," I said. "Why?"

"Because I have an interview tomorrow," he said.

"What? With who? And what do you mean you do?" I questioned.

"Carson, on TRL, and I don't want you to come, for your own safety," Kevin answered.

"Excuse me. I think I have the right to say something," I said.

"Janel please, just let me go. It'll be best," he said.

"No Kevin. I'm going to go with you. I don't want everyone to think that I was afraid to come or that I couldn't speak for myself," I said angrily.

"Pumpkin, please. I don't want Carson to put words in your mouth. I don't want you to be forced to say something that you don't want to," Kevin said.

"You can't change my mind Kevin. I'm going with you," I said.

Kevin sighed. "You're being so stubborn."

"I learned from the best," I said as I kissed him on the cheek.

He smiled. "All right, you can go."

"Thanks for you permission, but I all ready knew that I was going," I said.

He rolled his eyes at me.

"I love you," I said.

"Love you too," he said.

The next morning I got up early and went to work a little earlier than requested. I wanted to make sure that I could get off when I needed.

I was a little nervous about going on t.v. with so many people watching. I had been out in public with Kevin before, but I had never done an interview or anything like that.

The day at work passed by quickly and soon I was driving home.

I walked in and Kevin was sitting there watching t.v..

"Are you sure that you want to come with me?" Kevin asked.

"Yeah. I just need to change," I said.

"All right," he said.

I walked back to my room and searched through my closet. I didn't want anyone to suspect that I was pregnant. So I wore a pair of overalls and a green top.

"Okay, I'm ready," I said as I walked out.

He smiled at me. "You look adorable."

"Thank you," I said.

Then he got up, grabbed my keys, and we left.

Kevin held my hand as we stood backstage watching Carson.

"Today we have a special guest, but first we're going to show you the number 10 video," he said.

My heart began to race as I watched the video play.

"It's okay," Kevin whispered as he kissed me on the cheek.

I smiled at him.

Then the video ended.

"Okay now it's time to find out who our mystery guest is," Carson said. "Come on out."

Kevin held on tightly to my hand as we walked out.

A couple of girls screamed as they saw Kevin.

We walked up to Carson and shook his hand.

"I'm glad you made it, Kevin and Janel," Carson said.

"Good to be here," Kevin said.

"So what was that little incident with a fan about?" Carson asked as he looked at me.

"Okay, first of all the media has blown this whole thing out of proportion," Kevin said.

"Janel, is it true that you became jealous of the fan because she was getting Kevin's attention and that's why you hit her?" Carson asked.

"No, I'm sorry Carson but I wasn't jealous of her. And that was not the reason that I hit her," I said.

"So what happened? Why did you decide to hit her?" Carson asked.

"Out of self defense," I said. "Kevin and I were mobbed by a group of fans. And once I was separated from Kevin she started grabbing onto me, almost choking me. I'm sorry but she couldn't act like a mature fan."

"Yeah, unfortunately the fans got out of hand and ended up hurting my girlfriend," Kevin said seriously.

"Yeah, I didn't want to do anything like that, but the situation was getting out of control," I said.

"Would you like to apologize to her?" Carson asked.

I opened my mouth to say something, but Kevin cut in.

"Yeah, I'm sorry that you didn't get my autograph, but that's not the way you treat the ones that I love," Kevin said, then he kissed me on the cheek.

I smiled at him.

"Okay," Carson said. "Will you stay and continue to chat with us?"

"Sure," Kevin replied.

"We'll continue to chat with Backstreet Boy Kevin and his girlfriend, after we watch this video," Carson said.

I sighed as we watched the video.

Okay, it wasn't that bad. I could tell that he was disappointed when I told him it was self defense. He wanted some gossip or the inside scoop on what happened. Well Carson got the inside scoop, he got the truth.

We watched a couple more videos and then went to commercial. Afterwards Carson started talking to us again.

"Okay, so what about the rumors that you and Kevin are only together because of his money?" Carson asked.

"You know what, Carson? Those rumors are always going to be going around, but they're not true. I love Kevin for the man that I've known ALL my life," I said.

Kevin smiled at me.

"I know Janel better than anyone else, and I know that we're together because we love each other. Believe me, she's tried to slip away from me a couple of times, but I'm not going to let that happen," Kevin said.

"Yep, it has nothing to do with the money. Because even if Kevin were broke, I'd still love him as much as I do right now," I said.

"Aww! How cute," Carson said, almost mockingly.

Both Kevin and I smiled at each other.

"Well Backstreet fans it looks like Kevin is taken. And that little incident with a fan was purely an accident," Carson said.

"Yes, it was," I said, apologizing.

"I just want to let everyone know that I really appreciate all of the love and support that we, the Backstreet Boys, receive. I just ask that you please respect our family and girlfriends. And take into consideration that we are also human and we do have feelings," Kevin said.

Then TRL went to commercial.

I kissed Kevin as we stood there.

"See I told you I would take care of things," Kevin whispered.

"I know," I whispered to him.

Kevin and I stayed for the rest of TRL. Once the show was over with security helped us out. Then we drove home.

We pulled up and Kevin's cell phone began to ring.

"I bet it's The Firm," Kevin said.

"Commenting on the show, right?" I asked as we got out.

"Exactly," he said as he answered it.

We walked in as Kevin continued to talk on the phone. Both of us sat down on the couch. Then I laid down and rested my head on his leg as I pulled my feet up onto the couch. I closed my eyes as he began to play with my hair.

After a while Kevin hung up the phone. He looked down and realized that Janel was asleep. He gently lifted her head and laid it on the couch. Then he picked her up and carried her to her room. He gently placed her on the bed and covered her. Then he laid down next to her. He held her hand as he watched her sleep peacefully.

These were the moments that Kevin had missed. The times at night when he would just watch her sleep for endless hours. Always making sure that she was sleeping peacefully. Not wanting her to be afraid of the nights or her dreams. And when she was, he would be right there to protect her.

He had missed not loving her or being near her. He didn't care what they were doing as long as he was with her. And when he was on tour for the last month and a half he had been so lonely without her. It was eating away at his soul. He felt like he was slowly dying away. But now he had his angel back, to hold tightly whenever he wanted.

Kevin leaned forward and gently kissed Janel. He loved her soft lips on his.

"Night Pumpkin," Kevin said as he closed his eyes.