Chapter 1
But let me tell you now
There are prices to fame, alright
All of our time spent in flashes of light
"Larger Than Life"
AJ McLean
Bourbon Street is in full swing tonight under the pale light of a new moon.
While the pleasures of cheap thrills, alcohol, jazz music, and Creole
cooking entices the average visitor, one man in particular looks for a
different kind of voodoo in the Big Easy. Yes, Alexander James McLean is in
search of the talent of his companion room who works in a semi dark room in
one of the apartments looking over the hedonistic street.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" asked a Cajun husky voice.
"Yeah, give it to me. I've been waiting for it for a while. Please give it
to me, Jerry," pleaded AJ to a sweaty man in a dirty wifebeater. The man
studied the young singer for a moment then went to a nearby table to arrange
his "tools". The moments of AJ's waiting were thankfully distracted by the
sounds of music and the mindless conversations of the partiers outside.
"You know the drill, McLean. Strip and prepare yourself on the bed. Now,
where do you want it?" asked Jerry as he turned the one hanging light in
the room, but it was still mostly darkness around.
"Right here, Jerry," AJ said as he positioned himself on the narrow bed. A
few moments later, Jerry returned to his side for the deed he was being paid
for.
"Now relax. You don't want me to poke you real hard, don't you? Relax and
stay still, AJ."
Jerry positioned himself over AJ while the backstreet boy relaxed his body
for the long stretch of pleasure and pain. The Cajun stared at AJ's skin and
began to descend his "tool" unto him. Soon enough, the humming tattoo needle
made contact on AJ's lower back and Jerry started on the latest piece of
body art to be seen on the young singer.
"So, it's been a while now since you gotten a new tattoo from me, AJ. It's
been like, I don't know, more than a year now, I guess. What's been going on
in the world of pop stars and music moguls, Mr. Johnny No Face?", asked the
tattoo artist joked as he continue to draw the ink into his skin. AJ tilted
his head on his crossed arms to signal a shrug.
"So, you saw my New Year performance, huh," AJ chuckled. "Well, things have
been pretty hectic this year. The Boys and I have been touring non-stop
since Black and Blue came out. NSYNC has their album coming out soon also.
Same with Christina. Britney is taking a break before they start shooting
for her movie. Jessie is promoting her new single. She really had a big
change of image. 98 Degrees are on extended vacation until Drew's arm heals.
I hear it was a sports-related accident. And I hear that Mandy Moore is
shifting to Jive. Oh, and Nick's brother, Aaron, is now recording a
so-called "more mature" album."
"The shit you just told me I could get off any teenybopper magazine's front
cover, you asshole. I'm asking for the real stuff that the public doesn't
even know about. The real deal, god-awful, son-of-a-bitch, I can't believe
it type of news." AJ laughed mirthfully while Jerry paused his work to
prevent any mistakes in the art. When AJ calmed himself enough, Jerry
continued to draw while AJ started to elaborate the few events that came to
mind.
AJ trusted Jerry with any of his secrets. It was like an unwritten law
among tattoo artists and their customers. 'All things mentioned while under
the needle is said within strictest confidence.' Out of the 20 tattoos he
had, soon to be 21, about 7 were made by Jerry. AJ favored him because of
the detail he puts into his work. He trusts Jerry within everything, and
Jerry never had a reason to break that trust.
"Well, I'm recording some tracks with Kevin. Good ones, mind you, for a
probable solo career. Nick is still Nick. Brian is expecting a baby in about
7 months. Kevin is happily married and is constantly horny when his wife is
around," Jerry raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Howie, on the other hand,
started dating Chris about 2 months ago." Jerry stopped his procedure and
looked at AJ to see if he was serious.
"You're serious, right? Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC?", asked the confused
artist.
"No, Chris Farley. Of course, Chris Kirkpatrick," confirmed AJ.
Jerry went back to continue applying the outline of the tattoo with
disbelief clearly written on his face. "I thought Howie was straight."
AJ snorted. "Well, he was for the past 8 years. Apparently, he and Chris
dated each other when they roomed together back in college. The Dipshit
didn't look at any other man until they met each other again at Howie's club
half a year back. Chris courted Howie until they made it official a couple
of months ago."
"So Howie's gay?" Jerry asked in clarification.
"No, he's Bi but I always had my doubts when it comes to Howie. You know
how quiet he is. Anyway, whatever he is I don't really care. It's none of my
business. And here's my final thought on their relationship, 'Chris is a
nut. Howie is a fruit. And together they're a fruitcake'."
Jerry laughed and decided to shift topics. "What about the other members of
NSYNC? Is it true that Justin and Britney are going to get married?"
"Well, that's true. At first, I thought it was a hoax."
"Why? Is it because of his old relationship with JC?" questioned Jerry.
"Well, yeah. They broke it off because JC ended up falling for Lance.
Justin gave him his freedom just so JC could be happy again. Now, JC and
Lance are happily together while Justin rebounded with Britney. The rebound
was good for him and now wedding bells are in the air for the both of them.
I guess Justin and JC were better best friends than lovers."
"What about Joey?"
"Oh, he's fine. His girlfriend recently gave birth. He now has a
4-month-old daughter. So he's playing Daddy for now but he won't settle
down. Both of them know it, neither of them was prepared when Kelly got
pregnant. At least Joey is willing to take up some of the responsibility for
it."
Jerry smiled at the news about Joey. He always found him a little
irresponsible. He never had a reason to straighten up. He thought this would
make Joey, at least, more serious about everything.
"Now what about the Degrees? Drew got a broken arm? From what?"
"Drew went skiing and bumped into a tree." Jerry laughed. "There are rumors
of him divorcing though. I don't think it will happen. Nick and Jess are
taking a break from each other, mostly because Jessica wouldn't put out.
Jeff is back in Ohio spending some father-daughter time. And Justin Jeffre,
like always, on the prowl for some nookie."
"That boys has some serious issues. Every since you brought him here and
introduced us, I haven't been hearing that guy get into any relationship.
All I hear is conquest after conquest."
"Yeah, but I envy the guy. He's like Peter North or something. He's always
dancing and romancing all the beautiful chicks out there and they all fall
for him like silly putty." Jerry rolled his eyes in disgust at the thought
of that lucky bastard.
"What about Ms. "I Won A Grammy" Aguilera? I heard from the pipelines that
she was recently in the hospital or something."
"Nope, haven't heard anything like that though. Maybe it's a fabrication by
her PR team to boost up her name. I don't know," AJ said nonchalantly.
"Well, I hope it's not true. Anyway, I've finished doing the outline of the
Capricorn sign on your back. You can look at it with that mirror," Jerry
said as he set aside his stenciling needle and started to prepare the ink
for the coloring. AJ sat up from lying stomach down and approached the
full-length mirror on the wall. Removing his tinted glasses to inspect the
craftsmanship, he nodded in appreciation and replaced the spectacles. He
went back on the bed and laid his head down on his crossed arms, stomach
down, and his legs crossed.
"The man's craft is a true reflection of how beautiful his soul can be,"
quoted AJ to compliment the artist's work.
"Oh stop that Balzac shit, Alexander. You know your intellectualism won't
work on me. I know about you and your reading habits. All your E.E.
Cummings, Walt Whitman, and Immanuel Kant. I can't stand that shit, so do me
a favor and leave it out the door," Jerry admonished while wiping the
targeted skin clean.
"Oh, you're the only one who isn't amazed at my knowledge of the classics."
AJ smiled in spite of himself. "Usually people are caught off guard when I
start spouting Dickens or Rushdie. Why aren't you like that?"
"Well, it's part of the real you, AJ. Just like all the tattoos on your
skin and the colors that you drown your hair in. The real you are a mystery
to most people who take you with face value. I know you like to show off
that knowledge every once in awhile but I know bullshit when I hear it."
AJ sighed as Jerry continued to spread over the red ink on his skin. "Thank
you, Jer, for being the one who puts me back on the ground."
"Don't mention it. Now what about you? Any relationship in the life of AJ
McLean?" asked Jerry with humor in his voice. Silence. "AJ, did you hear
me?"
"Yeah," he said softly. "I heard you. No, there's no one for me. There
hasn't been anyone for me for a long time."
A sad expression began to spread across Jerry's concerned face. "Are you
still hung up on Nick?"
"Yeah, I am."
"AJ, listen to me. I may not be around to talk to you every time but listen
to me when I say that you must move on. Nick can't help it if doesn't return
your feelings for him. He even tried for your sake. He just couldn't do it.
If he stayed with you, it wouldn't be fair to the both of you because it
would all be a sham, and you would be even more unhappy than you're now,"
Jerry said as he continued to color the Capricorn sign on AJ's back.
Even if Jerry couldn't see AJ's face, he could sense the tears flowing
behind the red lenses. "I know. It's just wish someone would come around and
make me feel like I do when I'm near Nick, you know. Someone who loves AJ as
AJ, not AJ the performer. Not a single one of the men and women I've dated
have ever reached any of my standards."
"Have you ever considered lowering those standards?"
"Heck No!" AJ smiled at that thought. "I just want it all!"
Jerry smiled at AJ's sudden reversal of mood. "Well, keep dreaming lover
boy. Don't worry, you'll find somebody. Now, let's move on the crazier
things. How are Toby Maguire, Fred Durst, Ben Stiller, and the rest of that
group that you affectionately call the "Pussy Posse"?
AJ howled at the question and soon began to ramble about the last
shenanigan that the group had with two porn stars in a strip joint.
Every time we're down
You can make it right
And that makes you larger than life
Chapter 2
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