Chapter 5



“Should I wear this one instead?” Jayme asked Lindsay the same question for the 7th time as she studied herself in front of the full length mirror. She held up a long black skirt and a blue oxford shirt.

“Jayme, look at the pile of clothes on your bed!” she exclaimed.

The digital clock on Jayme’s bed displayed 8:41. They had to leave around 9 to arrive just in time for the tour meeting at 9:30. Erica called earlier and said, “Be there on the dot.”

“Okay, geez! You don’t have to yell at me. I’m getting another headache.”

“I’m sorry,” Lindsay apologized. “It’s just that, well, look what I’m wearing, khaki pants and a white blouse. Erica didn’t say to show up in our prom dresses.”

“Yeah, I know. You’re right,” agreed Jayme as she looked at the pile of clothes on her bed. “Will this do?” she asked holding up black pants and a gray blouse.

“Perfect! Now, get dressed or we’re gonna be late,” replied Lindsay.

************************************************************************ “A.J.!!! Wake up! You’re gonna be late for your meeting!” Amanda exclaimed shaking a very tired A.J.

“Huh?” asked A.J. with blood-shot eyes. “What time is it?”

“It’s 8:51 and if you don’t hurry up and start getting ready, you’re going to be very late for your meeting and in very big trouble,” explained Amanda.

“Shit,” was all A.J. could say. “I have a killer headache.”

“Ring!!!” the phone startled the two.

“Hello,” Amanda picked up.

“Amanda, is A.J. up?” asked Nick.

“Yeah, he’s getting ready. Whatever happened to the Tylenol you were supposed to buy from the store?” she inquired.

“Oh, well, they ran out,” he replied.

************************************************************************ “Good morning y’all!” greeted Brian cheerfully as he entered the meeting room.

In the middle of the room was a long rectangular wooden table. Surrounding it were blue revolving chairs. Off to the far end of the room stood another table that served as the breakfast table. On that table was where the coffee and the cappuccino maker stood. Around it was an assortment of breakfast foods that included bagels, muffins, fresh fruits, donuts, etc.

Howie and Kevin, already seated drinking coffee, gave their hellos. Brian saw the breakfast table and decided to grab a blueberry muffin.

“Where’s Nick?” asked Denise.

“Oh, he’s coming. When I entered the building, he was just pulling up,” Brian assured her.

“Hey everyone!” greeted the blonde-haired BackStreet Boy as he opened the door. “Oooh...donuts!” he said excitedly and headed right away to the table to grab some donuts.

“Where is A.J.? It’s 9:15 already,” asked Kevin looking at his Tag watch.

“He’ll be here,” Nick answered with a mouthful of donuts. “Hopefully without a killer headache,” he added silently.

“What?” asked Denise confused.

“Oh, nothing,” Nick replied taking a sip from his glass of orange juice.

Just then A.J. walked in wearing his sunglasses. Nobody thought that was weird since it was his trademark. They weren’t aware that this time, A.J. actually had a very good reason for wearing sunglasses indoors.

Erica Tent walked in the conference room with the rest of the tour managers from Jive. “Good morning everyone!” she greeted. “Hmm...Jayme is not here yet.” Erica scanned the room. Everyone who was supposed to be there was present. Including 5 of Jayme’s dancers.

“Oh, it’s 9:20. She’s got time,” replied Denise.

“9:20, I have time to go to the bathroom. I’ll be right back,” said Nick.

“Thank you for sharing that Nick,” Brian said as Nick quickly ran out of the room.

************************************************************************ “Damn it! It’s almost 9:30,” panicked Jayme as she pulled the entrance doors of the studios.

“Relax. We have exactly 8 minutes to get our butts in there,” assured Lindsay as she walked faster to catch up with Jayme. They ran up two flights of stairs, turned to the long hallway to the left, and stood outside the conference room to catch their breaths.

“Okay, here we are,” Jayme said and opened the door.

“Jayme! There you are,” Erica breathed a sigh of relief. Erica Tent took care of the introductions. “Everyone, this is Jayme Caruso.”

“Hi Jayme, nice to finally meet the girl who will open up for the boys,” Denise McLean replied.

Each of the BackStreet Boys formally introduced themselves and shook her hand. After Jayme was introduced to the Boys and the tour managers, Erica introduced the dancers. “That’s Lindsay, Juli, Nicole, TJ, Adam, and finally Sean.” The same formal introductions and shaking of hands took place.

“Wait a second, we’re missing Nick,” Denise noticed.

“Hey, I’m back,” Nick greeted. “I’m not late, am I? It’s 9:30.”

“Oh, I’m sorry Nick. When Jayme arrived I introduced her to everyone,” Erica explained. “Nick meet Jayme, opening act for this tour.”

Jayme slowly extended out her hand and prayed to the high and almighty that Nick didn’t remember who the girl was at the grocery store the night before.

As Nick was about to shake her hand, he looked into her green eyes. He noticed her shoulder-length black hair. Now wait a minute. Haven’t I seen her before? I swear I met this girl before.

“You?!? What are you doing here? You’re that psycho girl!” Nick exclaimed incredulously as soon as he recognized her. He couldn’t believe it. What are the chances? It seemed impossible she was the same girl from the grocery store who wouldn’t give him the box of Tylenol.

Dammit. “Hello Nick, nice to meet you,” Jayme replied and acted like she didn’t hear Nick’s sudden outburst. She flashed him a big smile and prayed at the same time that her face wouldn’t suddenly get red.

The rest of the BackStreet Boys gave him confused and disapproving looks.

“Nick! I don’t think Jane raised you that way!” Denise said with a shocked look on her face.

Nick turned about 11 different color shades of red due to his embarrassment. Geez. Think before you speak. “Gosh, I’m sorry. My mistake! I was just joking!” he laughed. “You all know me. I joke around. A lot. You should be used to it by now. I mean...” he stopped talking for he knew he was just babbling like an idiot. He then shook Jayme’s hand and tried to convince everyone that there really was no other logical explanation for his previous comment. Other than the fact that he was JUST JOKING.

The rest of the people who witnessed this absurd occurrence looked at each other and gave half smiles and half laughs here and there. They had no clue what happened, but business is business. The meeting will start. As Jayme took a seat, Lindsay nudged her elbow with a questioning look on her face. Jayme gave her look that said, It’s a long story and I will have to explain it to you later.

As Brian sat next to Nick, he leaned over and whispered, “What has gotten into you? What was that all about?”

Nick just gave him sheepish look and shrugged. He can explain it to him later. Well this is a great start. I have a feeling this is going to be a long tour.

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