Direct linking to stories on this site without permission is prohibited and considered copyright infringement. |
CHAPTER 19
“Mornin’ guys,” greeted Jordan, opening the door to her hotel room.
“Morning,” returned Billy.
“Hey Shaq.”
“What brings you to my door?”
“We came to get you. It’s time to head out to the MTV thing.”
“Let me grab my bag,” she said.
Billy and Nick watched her move around the room. Grabbing her equipment bag and room key, she joined them in the hallway.
“Hop on,” directed Nick, as he turned his back to her.
“Shorty have you lost your mind?”
“No! Come on. It’ll be fun.”
She looked at Bill and asked, “Can I get out of this without him whining?”
“What do you think,” he asked, his deep laughter filling the hallway.
Sighing, she jumped on Nick’s back and he took off for the elevators. The three of them laughed all the way to the van. It was in the van that Nick let Jordan know Kristin was with Kevin.
After the side trip to Los Roques, Jordan went back to avoiding Kevin at all cost. It was easier when Kristin was around. She had taken off again as soon as they got back to the States.
Nick went on to tell her all the significant others were in town. Jordan tried steeling herself for encountering Kevin and Kristin as they arrived in the main part of Key West. The Boys were participating in MTV’s “TRL Summer Kick-off Special”.
Nick again insisted on giving Jordan a piggyback ride to the trailers. A production assistant for MTV led the way to the trailers being used as dressing rooms. Nick’s ex-girlfriend called out as he moved through the trailers. He hesitated for only a moment, but continued on without acknowledging her.
Jordan whispered, “Carter you rock.”
“Why’s that,” he whispered, his head turned to look at her.
“You have more class than that twit will ever have. I’m very proud of you for taking the high road.”
“We don’t having anything to talk about. I wish someone had told me she’d be here.”
“Don’t worry. Billy and I will make sure she doesn’t get near you.”
“Definitely,” affirmed Billy, as he leaned in to join the whisperfest.
Nick pretended to stumble as they entered the trailer, causing Jordan to squeal. She was smacking his shoulder as he laughed. She was still fussing as Nick stopped laughing and walking. Looking around his head, she saw Kevin.
“What are y'all doing,” he asked.
“Nothing. Just goofing,” replied Nick.
“So I see.”
“Honey you know it’s nice that Nick has found a playmate, but isn’t there a no fraternization rule,” asked Kristin, walking over to stand by Kevin. “Kristin don’t,” warned Kevin, still staring at Jordan and Nick.
“Nick please put me down.” Nick let go and her feet hit the floor. “Thanks for the ride.”
“Anytime Shaq.”
“Hi Brian. Are Howie and AJ going to be in here too?”
“Hi Jordan. No they are in the trailer next door.”
“Good. I’m going to check in with them and see if I can find Skip. Be back later to film you guys.”
After she left, Kristin said, “Boy she left fast.”
“Do you blame her,” asked Nick.
“What’s that suppose to mean?”
“Kristin you made her take off!”
“I was just asking for clarification of the contracts with employees.”
“Yeah right,” spat Nick. “Leave her alone. Jordan and I are friends.”
“I’m sure everything is fine. So Nick what did you do with your down time,” asked Brian, in an attempt to stop an argument.
Nick scowled at Kristin then turned his back on her and talked to Brian. Kristin rolled her eyes. She stopped when she caught Kevin’s gaze in the mirror. She raised an eyebrow to challenge him, but backed off when she saw his jaw clench. She remained standing by his chair while the hair stylist braided his hair.
Jordan returned to the trailer with Skip, who stayed long enough to go over the itinerary with the guys. After he left, Jordan began filming. Nick and Brian were trying hard to keep the mood light. Nick was acting silly as he got a phone call. Jordan stopped filming while he took the call. She talked quietly with Brian. She refused to acknowledge either of the Richardsons.
Filming resumed when Nick hung up. He and Brian started making fun of Snoop Kevy-Kev as they were calling him. They made Jordan turn and film the cornrow process. Kevin had closed his eyes right before she turned to face him. He had been watching her interact with the other two men until then. Jordan filmed Kristin playing with his hair.
She was saved from continuing to film them when Nick started talking about the sucker he was eating. He and Brian went back to acting like a comedy act. Jordan finally had to turn off the camera when they started messing with Nick’s teeth.
“OK we’ve reached the gross out quotient for the day,” she laughed.
“Come on Dan look inside his mouth. It’s bad. Really bad,” teased Brian.
“I’ll take your word for it B. Hey where’s Leighanne?”
“She and Sarah are shopping.”
“Ah, so AJ is still with Sarah.”
“Looks like it’s for the long haul.”
“I see,” she replied.
“Why are you so curious Jordan,” asked Kristin. “Nick not satisfying you?”
“Nick can satisfy anyone he puts his mind to. However, that’s not where our friendship is at.”
“So you going after a new Boy? Want a challenge so you are going after one who’s taken.”
“Enough,” exploded Kevin. “Everyone out!”
They all left the trailer quickly. The hair stylist headed to the other trailer to work on AJ and Howie. Brian, Nick, and Jordan stood outside the trailer. Kevin’s explosion was the only one heard. It took about ten minutes, but when the door of the trailer opened and everyone moved back inside Kristin was very contrite. Nothing else was said about the incident.
The guys had a good time performing. The Backstreet women stood to the side of the stage and watched. Jordan kept her distance from Kristin. She noticed Sarah giving her some strange looks, but left her alone until the girl approached her.
“Hello.”
“Hello Sarah. Good to see you again.”
“You too…you too.”
The two women went back to watching the guys on stage. Sarah kept glancing over at Jordan.
Turning to face her, Jordan said, “Sarah just say whatever is on your mind.”
“Are you after my man?”
“Let me guess. Kristin’s been talking to you.”
“Yeah.”
“To answer your question, no I’m not after your man. Kristin and I have a conflict of personalities. So I stay away from her.”
“She seems to have a conflict of personality with a bunch of people.”
“I wouldn’t know. Seriously, Sarah you have nothing to worry about. Neither does she.” “So you and Nick hooked up?”
Jordan burst out laughing, “boy she really has been busy. No Nick I have not and will not hook up.”
“Looks like their taken a break. See you later Jordan.”
“Bye Sarah.”
Jordan allowed everyone to disperse before heading back to the trailers. As she reached the Boys trailers Kevin pulled her between them.
“Kevin what do you want?”
“Are you OK?”
“I’m fine. Do me a favor though.”
“What?”
“Get your wife under control.”
“What’d she do now?”
“She had Sarah afraid I was after AJ.”
“Shit. I told her to keep quiet.”
“Well Kevin she didn’t. Have you done anything to make her suspicious?”
“Me? No!”
She studied him for a moment before replying, “good. I mean it Kevin, get her under control or I will.”
“No. No. I can handle my damn wife!”
“Well. Well. If it isn’t Kevin Richardson.”
“Mandy what do you want?”
“It’s Willa now and I was just walking by. I saw you arguing with a blonde and thought it was your wife until I got closer. I saw you earlier. You were humping Nick’s back.”
“If you think that was humping, then you are clueless about sex. Hmmm…must be part of the reason Nick left you,” Jordan said in a syrupy sweet voice.
“You Bitch!”
“Willa stop,” ordered Kevin as he stepped between them.
“Oh I get it. This is your latest toy,” she exclaimed. “Wow Kevin you’re being really brave to have your two wh…women so close to each other.”
“Mandy don’t go there. You really should be worried about your own business.”
“What’s that suppose to mean?”
“I mean it’s pathetic how you bring Nick’s name into every interview. You do realize the only reason people are interested in you is because you are the ex of a Backstreet Boys.”
“Oh and don’t forget her lovely photo spreads where she literally spreads it for all to see,” piped up Jordan from behind Kevin.
“Jordan stop! Now Mandy stay away from Nick today. For that matter, stop calling him too.”
“If I don’t?”
“You’ll answer to me.”
“Am I suppose to be scared Kevin?”
He stepped into her and said in a low growl, “have you forgotten who I am?”
“No. I’m just not scared anymore,” replied the girl, as she took a step back.
“Then little girl be afraid of me,” stated Jordan.
Jordan had quickly moved around Kevin. The girl sized up the woman in front of her. There was something about the smile and the tone of her voice. Also her eyes had a very chilling look to them. Mandy didn’t know why, but she got the distinct feeling she didn’t want to mess with this woman.
“Everyone of you are whacked,” exclaimed Mandy, throwing up her and walking off.
“How did you do that,” asked Kevin who had been standing behind her the whole time.
She turned and he saw in her eyes what the girl had seen.
Her voice was low and the look remained as she said, “get your wife under control.”
Chapter 20
They were back in Pittsburgh again. Two shows, then they moved on to Hartford, CT. Jordan gave into exhaustion the night they arrived and went to bed early. Flying from Greensboro, NC to LA for the Wango Tango Concert only to fly back to South Carolina in just over 24 hours had wiped them all out. Being on guard around Kristin had only added to Jordan’s fatigue. Nothing says married man like a wedding anniversary. Jordan had no idea how the couple celebrated, nor did she want to know. After the two cross-country trips this was the first real opportunity for them to rest.
Getting in from the venue after the first show, Jordan planned on going straight to be bed. Unfortunately, AJ had other plans.
“Hello.”
“Jordan Baby whatcha up to?”
“Bed.”
“No! No! No! You have to come to my room.”
“Why?”
“Because no one will come hang with me.”
“AJ go to bed.”
“Nope. You come hang with me or I go out.”
“AJ,” sighed Jordan.
“Please,” pleaded AJ in a quiet voice.
“Fine.”
“Be here in ten.”
The phone disconnected. Jordan hung up and changed into some comfortable sweats and a T-shirt. She ran into Kevin and Carlos in the elevator.
“What are you doing tonight?”
“Hanging in AJ’s room.”
“Why? Don’t tell me he’s got a party going.”
“No. I’m going to see if I can get him to bed.”
“Why don’t you let Carlos or Marcus handle AJ and come spend some time with me?”
“No.”
“Be indecisive why don’t ya?”
“Kevin…night. Night Carlos,” replied Jordan, stepping out on AJ’s floor.
“Night Jordan,” called Carlos as the doors closed.
Jordan knocked once and the door swung open. AJ pulled her inside and proceeded to bounce over to the bar in the room. Pouring two shots, he ran back to her.
“Drink,” he ordered as he shoved a shot glass at her and drank his.
“AJ.”
“Drink!”
Jordan threw back the shot. God she hated Jack Daniels. She watched AJ bounce around the room. Using one cigarette, he lit another. He was wired. She sat down in a chair. This was going to be a long night. Suddenly he plopped down in her lap.
“So Jordan tell me about you.”
“Nothing much to tell.”
“Sure there is. You got a mom, dad, siblings…a dog?”
“Yes, yes, no, yes.”
“What?”
“I answered you questions in order.”
“Fuck I’m to messed up for you pull that shit on me.”
“OK. I’ve got a mom, dad, dog. No siblings.”
“Gotcha. Dance with me,” he demanded.
Getting up he moved to the portable stereo and turned it up.
“AJ,” pleaded Jordan.
“Dan I know you can dance.”
“How?”
“I can just tell,” he replied.
He pulled her up and wrapped his arms around her back as a slow song started. He seemed content to sway to the music. Jordan hoped the JD was finally kicking in. No such luck. The music picked up again and AJ was off to get two more shots.
“I’m not drinking anymore.”
“Fine. No more after this one. I already poured it for you.”
Jordan downed the shot. Taking his glass, she placed them in the bathroom. Hoping out of site out of mind. AJ was no longer in the main room of the suite. She walked to the door of the bedroom and found him sprawled on the bed. He was flipping through channels. She stepped back into the main room and turned down the stereo.
“Did you turn it off,” asked AJ as she walked back into the bedroom.
“Nope. Just turned it down. Move over. Let’s watch a movie.”
“Wait I gotta piss.”
“You know were the bathroom is.”
“But Jordan won’t you help me,” he teased.
“Not this lifetime.”
“Don’t you want to see me in all my glory?”
“Been there…done that.”
“Shit that’s right. You’ve seen three of us in the all together.”
“Sure have. Don’t you have to piss?”
“Huh? Yeah!”
Jordan laid face down across the foot of the bed and waited for him to come back. She heard the flush and then he opened the door, but didn’t come back to the bed.
“Damn shame.”
“What?”
“You’ve seen three of us, but only one of us has seen you.”
“It’s staying that way.”
“I know, but it’s still a damn shame.”
“Why?”
“Because it should have been one of us that’s free.”
“AJ one word for you…Sarah.”
“Yeah but hell we ain’t married.”
There was silence for a moment.
“Do you regret it.”
Jordan flipped to her back and AJ sat down with his back against the headboard.
“I hate to admit, but I do regret it. Only because he won’t back off now.”
“Of course he won’t,” snorted AJ.
Jordan sat up to face him. “Why do you say it that way?”
“Kevin doesn’t give up when he doesn’t get his way.”
“He got his way. I gave him those three days.”
“You GAVE him those three days.”
“So?”
“So you were in control. Even when you got back here you were in control.”
“Explain.”
“Dan he’s use to women falling under his spell. Hell not just women…shit maybe I shouldn’t have let that cat out!”
“Doesn’t surprise me. Honestly AJ I’m only keeping up my end of the deal. I’m going back to the way things were.”
“There’s your problem. His ego is taken a bruisin’ because you aren’t all wrapped in him. He can handle women pursuing him after he’s had them. You walked away and as far as he knows you have no feelings for him.”
“I don’t,” snapped Jordan.
“Sure Dan keep telling yourself that. One day you may believe it. As much as you act like a bad ass in control of your destiny, you still can’t share what you two shared and not be affected.”
“How do you know we shared anything other than sex.”
“Simple baby. Kevin has never chased after someone after just sex, even good sex. You wouldn’t have agreed to this deal if you hadn’t developed some feelings for him.”
“Fat lot of good it does me AJ. He’s married and will not leave her.”
“I agree with you to a certain degree. He has no plans of leaving her anytime soon. However, if she were to leave him he wouldn’t fight it. I don’t pretend to understand those two. Hell trying to understand me is a full time job.”
“True Bone. Very true. Hey why don’t you get ready for bed and snuggle under the covers. We can watch a movie.”
“Changing the subject I see.”
“Yes.”
“Alright I'll drop it for now.”
“Good because I would hate to start analyzing you.”
“I don’t need analyzing.”
“Sure Bone.”
“Listen I don’t need your shit too.”
“Fine,” said Jordan as she got up to leave. “Go ahead and party yourself to death. To hell with everyone else. Everyone who cares about you. Good night AJ!”
“Jordan!”
Jordan stopped short of the door. “What AJ?”
“I’m sorry. Don’t go. Please stay until I go to sleep. Just don’t talk about that.”
“Fine. Don’t talk about Kevin.”
“Fine.”
Jordan turned and looked at AJ. He looked so lost on the big bed. He wouldn’t look at her for fear of what he would see in her eyes. He promised the fellas before the tour started he would stop all the crap. He had tried really hard. Well as hard as he was capable of on his own. He had been talking to someone, but it wasn’t working. Grandma dying was the last thing. He wanted to be numb. Numb was not a bad thing. It was easier to get through the day when the edge was off. Nights were the really bad time. He hated night because it meant he might be alone. It’s why he had called Jordan. He knew the others would be pissed at him for being so wired. Sarah and his mom were both gone. He knew no one was happy with him right now but he didn’t give fuck. Whatever got him through it was what he would do.
Jordan moved back into the room. AJ stood, dropped his pants and pulled his sweater over his head. Jordan pulled down the covers and he crawled in. She tucked him. He grabbed her hand.
“Please stay until I fall asleep.”
“You got it.”
She moved over to the free side of the bed and sat down. He played with her fingers as he dozed off. Once he was asleep she quietly left the suite and went back to her room. Sighing she crawled into bed and drifted off into a troubled sleep. She dreamed of AJ spiraling out of control and of Kevin continuing to pursue her.
Back | Home | Next |
Lyric's Home Page
BSB Main Table of Contents
Angelfire Home Pages