Chapter Nine
Brian willingly lent Randi a pair of his sandals and soon the group was on their way to their sound check. And as usual, they were running behind. Nick hadn't been able to find the match to the shoe he absolutely had to wear. Kevin was thoroughly annoyed by this process, which happened at least two or three times a day. Randi, though, thought it was hilarious. For her sake, Kevin didn't yell at Nick, but just quietly reminded Nick that they had to go. Now. Nick stared at Kevin, amazed that Kevin wasn't yelling. Nick looked wide-eyed at Brian, who just shrugged his shoulders and glanced at Randi to indicate why Kevin was probably restraining his temper. Nick's eyes widened in comprehension as he smiled. When Kevin glared at the smiling Nick, Nick quickly resumed his search for his shoe.
"Would it possibly be on your bus?" Randi asked, trying to be helpful.
"I think the little lady may have an idea" AJ said, smiling at Randy.
Nick's head came out from under the bed. "Found it!" he announced triumphantly.
"Nick?" Kevin asked.
"Yo."
"We've been here, what? A day? How can you have managed to get your shoes lost under the bed already?" Kevin wearily asked.
Nick just grinned and shrugged his shoulders as he tugged his shoe on and tied the laces. "I'm ready to go!" he said, bouncing out of the room. Kevin rolled his eyes as everyone began to follow Nick towards the elevator.
"I take it Nick does this on a regular basis" Randi smiled at Kevin.
"Is it that obvious?" Kevin asked.
"Not really. But my roommate Maple is the same way. A total slob. Can never find a thing" Randi admitted.
"If you think that's bad, you ought to see Brian's room!" Kevin said.
"I think I'll pass" Randi grinned. They walked out of the hotel lobby and Randi stopped short at the sight of the giant black tour bus. "Jesus Christ! That's your bus?!" she exclaimed.
"Home, sweet, home" Brian grinned and offered to give Randi what he called "the grand tour."
By the time Brian had finished his "tour", the bus had arrived at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena. Before the bus had parked, Randi could hear the screaming.
"What is that?" she asked.
Howie went to the window and pulled back the corner of the curtain. "Randi, meet our fans" he said, gesturing outside. Randi looked. At the sight of the hundreds of screaming fans holding signs with the guys names on them, her mouth dropped open.
"Who are you guys?" she said in awe.
"Awesome, ain't it?" Nick asked, grinning.
"Nick, you're goin' first. Take Brian with you" Kevin commanded, opening the bus door.
"Why do I always gotta go first?" Nick grumbled as he and Brian stepped off the bus. The guys grinned as the screaming got louder when the fans caught sight of Nick, their overall favorite Backstreet Boy. Kevin and AJ left next, leaving Howie and Randi to leave last. Thank God for security, Randi thought as she watched the security guards hold the fans back. Howie held onto Randi's hand tightly as they followed Kevin and AJ towards the door to the arena