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CHAPTER 7
"Nick you are the next one for the spotlight," said AJ as he walked into the dressing room.
"Huh?"
"Tabloids baby."
"No."
"Yeah. Look for yourself."
AJ handed the paper to Nick. He had snatched it from Skip on his way to the dressing room. Nick read the article. Without a word he left the room.
"Hey Nick," said Jordan as he passed her in the hall. "Nick?"
"Not now Jordan."
Jordan watched his retreating back then entered the dressing room. "What's wrong with Nick?"
"He's not happy with the latest article."
"AJ you didn't just dump it in his lap."
"No. I handed the paper to him. Shit he needed to know."
"Hi Ho all," called Brian as he entered the room. "Whoa what's going on in here?"
"Mr. Sensitive struck. I'll be back," answered Jordan.
She left AJ to explain. As much as she wanted to strangle him for how Nick found out, she was more concerned about Nick. She allowed her ears to lead her to the stage. Sure enough, Nick was beating the hell out of the drums. He's eyes were closed and he was taking all his frustration out through the drumsticks. She stood in front of the kit and waited.
Nick didn't know how long he’d been playing, but finally he stopped and opened his eyes to see Jordan standing in front of him. She didn't move or say a word, only waited. He used his T-shirt to wipe the sweat from his face. Still she watched him. Anyone else doing this would have pissed him off, but not Dan. In her eyes, he didn't see what he saw in others; there was no pity in the green eyes looking at him calmly.
A crewmember walked to the drums and retrieved the tabloid "Ya need this?"
Nick pulled his eyes away from Jordan's to see what the guy was talking about. "Yeah."
Nick stepped from behind the drums, taking the paper from the guy as he walked off stage. He didn't need to hear her steps to know she was following him. He walked out of the arena, heading for his bus. He heard the screams and his name, but he just couldn't handle it at the moment. He entered the bus and waited a moment at the top of the steps before closing the door. Again without looking he reached back and felt her smaller hand take his. He moved to the back of the bus and dropped face down on his bed. He felt her weight on the bed beside him. He still had her hand in his.
Jordan stretched out beside him and with her free hand began to stroke his hair. Reaching across him she took the tabloid from his hand. She dropped it on the floor then went back to running her fingers through his hair.
"Does it really seem like my life is like that?"
"Nick a picture can look like anything with the right caption. You know it."
"I know, but…" he trailed off as he turned his head to look at her. Again those green eyes were calmly looking at him. "I can't control what mom does with the kids. I just don't want the world to know it's like this."
"I understand. I think as long as none of you come out and confirm this story then no one will know for sure."
"Great they will just think my family is whacked."
"I hate to tell you this…"
"What?"
"Most families are whacked."
"For real?"
"For real."
"Even your's?"
"Don't get me started. The difference is I'm not famous. Millions of people are not aware of me."
"Don't count on it staying that way."
"Why?"
"Dan you just got on this bus with me. All those screaming girls out there saw us."
"Geesh. You're right. Then I guess I will become the mystery woman."
"Yeah and show up in next week's tabloid. Nick Carter's new woman," he said quietly as he flipped onto his back.
"Nick don't you go there."
"Go where?"
"Back into your head. Look at me." When he didn't, she gently turned his head and forced him to look at her. "I promise we are going to figure out who this is and get rid of them."
"It's so hard not knowing who to trust. I mean this person is someone around us."
"I know and it pisses me off. I’ll catch whoever it is."
"Thanks."
"I haven't caught 'em yet."
"I know. Thanks for this."
"Anytime Shorty."
"Shorty?"
"Yeah Shorty!"
Nick propped up on the hand not holding hers and looked down their bodies. He started to laugh at seeing how her feet stopped just below his knees. She wiggled her feet and joined him in laughing.
"So you feel better Shorty?"
"I sure do…umm…Xena."
"Xena?"
"You know the Warrior Princess."
"And like your dog. Boy you must really have a crush on Lucy Lawless."
"Do not," he whined.
She poked his side and said, "do too."
"So."
"Quick comeback Carter."
"That's it," he said as he began to tickle her.
"Stop. I give. Nick! You have to go inside and get ready for the show."
He stopped and pulled her into a hug. "Thanks."
"I like I said anytime." Pulling away, she stood and said, "Now get up."
Nick stood looking down at her. "Let's go Shaq."
"Shaq?"
"Well he was the tallest person I could think of."
"Cool."
As they walked back into the building, Nick smiled and waved at the fans. His earlier slight was forgotten. Inside the building, he threw his arm around Jordan's shoulders and headed for the dressing room.
"Where have you guys been?"
Turning they looked at Kevin as Nick replied, "on my bus."
"On your bus?"
"Yeah."
Nick didn't give Kevin a chance to say anymore as he turned he and Jordan around and headed to the dressing room. He could read the look in Kevin's eyes. The old man was not happy with anyone getting close to Jordan. Well too damn bad in Nick's opinion. Kevin was married and it didn't matter if the marriage sucked, he was still was and therefore had no business messing with Jordan's head. He had spent years watching Kevin use women, but ultimately he always went back to Kristen. Jordan had been descent to Nick today. She had been there for him. She didn't want anything from him. She didn't tell him it would all be ok. She just listened and made him feel better. He would return the favor by protecting her, even if it meant protecting her from someone who was like family to him.
Jordan had also seen the look in Kevin's eyes. She was determined he was not going to take his pissy mood out on Nick. She chalked his behavior up to him being worried about her going after one of them romantically. She gave Nick a squeeze before he entered the dressing room. As she turned around, she came face to face with Kevin or rather his chest. She looked up to meet his gaze. He tried to intimidate her with his height.
"Kevin it's not like I was 6'5" until last week and suddenly shrank. I've been this height or shorter all my life so standing over me will not intimidate me. Remember I'm closer to where I can really hurt you," she paused while he straightened some. "Don't get your jockey's in a wad. I'm not hitting on Nick. He is the latest victim of our leak."
"He is? I didn't know."
"Now you do. I followed him when he got upset. We wound up on his bus. We talked."
"Is he OK?"
"OK? No. Better? Yes. They have put it out there about his family situation."
"Shit."
"Yeah. So don't you dare be anything, but supportive of him. Be the big brother he needs."
"So you were playing big sister?"
"Yeah I guess I was. You got a problem with it?"
"No. Thanks for looking out for him."
"Like I told him anytime."
Nick stuck his head out the door. "Everything ok?"
"Yep. I have work to do. See you guys later," called Jordan as she walked off.
"Later Shaq."
"Shaq," asked Kevin.
"Long story. Tell you later."
"Deal. So I hear you have joined the ranks of Tabloid fodder."
"Yeah."
"Sucks don't it," said Kevin, mussing Nick's hair.
"Big time."
"Well we’ll figure out who it is."
"Yes we will. And heaven help the person if Jordan finds them first," said Nick with a chuckle.
"Del it's the strangest thing," Jordan said. The boys were on stage, which gave her a chance to call her friend.
"Well there have been three stories with photos in the last month. At least you know it's an insider."
"Yeah. Big comfort!"
"Dan you're a smart girl. What kind of person could pull this off?"
"Someone with complete access," she mused. "And can blend in. I'll be… I'm stupid."
"Who is it?"
"Tell you when I've caught him."
"You're no fun."
"As you say, I'm hella fun just not now. I'm getting off here. Call you later in the week."
"Fine. Later."
Hanging up, Jordan looked at the four tabloids laid out in front of her. The first one was the Kevin and Kristen story. Two weeks later two tabloids carried two different stories featuring AJ. One talked about his out of control drinking. The other talked about his violent temper and how his ex-girlfriend had finally ended the relationship when she found strength through religion. The accompanying pictures were of AJ looking very drunk and very menacing. Granted he had been drunk the night the pictures were taken, he was only playing like a big bad monster. The final story was about Nick's estranged relationship with his siblings. The pictures of him weren't particularly damning, but they played up the "little lost Backstreet Boy" theme of the story. Looking at the next day's schedule, she knew exactly when she could go snooping.
Chapter 8
"What are you doing?"
Jordan gasped as she whirled around. "Brian!"
"Yeah," replied Brian with a small chuckle. "What are you doing?"
"Me," squeaked Jordan, her heart still racing, the door now open.
"Alright I originally was trying to make you jump, but now I really want to know what you're doing? Isn't this your room?"
"Umm…"
"Then why are you going in?"
"Don't ask."
"Nope. Not good enough. Tell me."
Jordan looked at him a moment then said, "I may have figured out who our leak is."
"Who?"
The bell of the elevator sounded. Jordan on reflex grabbed Brian's arm and pulled him into the room with her, quietly shutting the door. He started to speak, but Jordan covered his mouth as she looked out the peephole. She watched Leighanne walk by. Sighing with relief, she removed her hand from Brian's mouth.
"Jordan tell me what in the hell is going on," demanded Brian as he reached in the bathroom and flipped on the light.
"I think Mike is our leak."
"Why?"
"Brian think about it. This person needs complete access and you guys have to be so use to them being around that you don't notice. Also they need to be unnoticeable while using the equipment necessary for taking these pictures."
"But it's still pictures."
"Brian we really need to get your up to speed on technology. They are just captures lifted off video."
"Oh," said Brian a sheepish grin. "I'm not that backwards, but I am coming in on this out of the blue. So this is Mike's room."
"Yes. Now will you be lookout while I search?"
"Sure," replied Brian, taking his position at the peephole.
Jordan surveyed the room. She looked at the tapes laying on the credenza. All the tapes were dated and had titles on them like Rehearsals, MTV Show, The View, etc. She started opening the drawers, but found them empty. She started for the closet, but Brian broke the silence in the room.
"Shit!"
"What," asked Jordan crossing the room.
"Mike."
Jordan again grabbed Brian diving for the bathroom this time. Brian smacked off the light as the door began to open. The two conspirators climbed into the bathtub and waited. Mike didn't come into the room. Brian heard his wife voice.
"Mike have you seen Brian?"
"Hey Leighanne. No."
"Strange we came in together, but I stopped at the front desk for a moment. I thought he came straight up to our room."
"I didn't see him. Is he doing the radio interview with Howie and Kevin?"
"No. He has the afternoon off."
"Well I came up to grab another battery for the camera then I'm meeting Kevin and Howie downstairs. If I see Brian down there, I'll tell him you're looking for him."
"Thanks Mike."
"No problem."
Jordan and Brian held their breaths and listened to Mike move around the room. Suddenly the bathroom light came on and they looked at each other with eyes as big as saucers. They waited. Clunk, zip, then the rush of liquid. Their eyes got bigger. A hand from each reached out covered the others mouth as they fought hard not to laugh. After shaking the drips and a contented sigh, Mike zipped his pants and left the bathroom. They waited while he packed up and left. Once they were sure he was gone, they collapsed in the bathtub laughing.
"Ok he's is just gross!"
"Why?"
"He didn't even wash his hands," answered Jordan. Brian just looked at her. "Well he didn't!"
"Men," said Brian in a girly voice.
"Exactly! Come on. You're lookout again."
Brian moved back in front of the door. Jordan went to the closet, but found nothing. She finally broke down and looked through his bags.
"Bingo!"
"You found them?"
"Maybe. These tapes are dated but don't have titles like the others. Now I just need to watch them, but on what?"
"Come to our room. I have our camera. You can watch it there."
One explanation to Leighanne and the three were watching the first tape playback. It was of AJ drunk and playing monster with a couple dancers. The next tape showed Kristen and Kevin fighting. The last tape was of Nick. Mike caught him fighting with his mom on the phone, then walking along a corridor with his head hung down. The next scene was of Nick and Jordan getting on the bus. It clearly showed Nick taking Jordan's hand and leading her to the back of the bus. The final shot showed what happened in the corridor when they came back in. Suddenly, Mike's face appeared on camera.
"And they said I was stupid for taking a job with the backdoor boys. Hell I'm going to be rich by the end of this tour!"
Jordan stopped the tape and removed it from the camera.
"I can't believe that asshole," exclaimed Leighanne.
"He is so fired," said Brian.
"You can't fire him yet," declared Jordan. "Brian I think what we just did would be considered breaking and entering. We have to catch him in the act. I need to get these tapes back into his bag, be right back."
After Jordan closed the door, Leighanne spoke, "I can not believe you two."
"What?"
"Are you going to keeping doing the spy thing with her?"
"Leighanne."
"Brian. I don't think I like you hanging out with her."
"I've never hung out with Jordan."
"And it's not starting now."
"Enough Leighanne!"
"What," asked a stunned Leighanne.
"There is not reason to be jealous of Jordan."
"I'm not!"
"Then stop acting like it. You should thank her for figuring this out. There is no telling what else might have come out."
Jordan's knock on their door interrupted their discussion. Jordan instantly sensed the tension. Leighanne giving her the evil eye only increased the tension.
"Did you forget something," asked Leighanne.
"No. I thought you all might want to help with a plan."
"Let's hear it."
"Brian, I don't know if it’s a good idea to do this without the others."
"You're right Leighanne." Jordan continued when she stunned Leighanne into silence. "The others need to know what's going on, along with Skip and legal. However, I thought it would save time by putting our heads together. We can't waste time waiting for the others. Besides what I in mind will depend heavily on your acting skills."
"My acting skills," asked a stunned Leighanne.
"Yes! I don't think anyone else would be able to pull of what we need to get Mike where we want him. And we can't afford someone coming off as fake and tipping him off."
"True, so what is your plan Jordan," asked Leighanne.
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