Chp 11

Chp 12
Chp 10

"It's nice of you to join us," greeted Nick as AJ and Elena walked into the entertainment room. They just sat down not saying a word.
"Hey guys, I've been thinking," began Brian. "Since Elena's birthday is just two days after Kev's, we could have a joint celebration. We'll take you guys to a club. Let's see…" He looked at the tour schedule mounted on the wall. "We'll be in Detroit. Perfect! I know a great place called The Stroke Of Midnight..."
"Oh, you guys don't have to do anything for me."
"But we want to. You're part of the Backstreet family. You're going. That's it. End of story."
Elena grinned. "Well, if you insist…"
"Oh yeah, we're doing more than insisting. We're holding you at gunpoint. *ring ring* Oh, excuse me. It's my cell. Gotta take this somewhere else. Be right back." Brian left and crawled into his bunk and pulled the little curtains closed for a little more privacy.
"Ello?"
"Brian! How dare you! You didn't even have the decency to call me?! I had to find out from the friggin' newspaper that you had been hurt!"
"Whoa whoa whoa! Wait a sec! Jen?"
"Yeah."
"Hey, honey! What's up?"
"I don't know. You tell me."
"What?"
"Are you ok? Why didn't you call me? Why didn't anybody call me? I was worried about you."
"There's nothing to be worried about, I'm fine. Nothing major. Just a couple of broken fingers and bruises, that's all."
"Still. You should've called me."
"I'm sorry. I just didn't want to get you worried."
"Brian, I worried anyway. I would've been less worried if you had called because then I'd be sure that you were alright and not in a coma or something."
"If I had been in a coma, you would've read about it anyway."
"Don't play with me, Brian."
"Sorry. Are you mad at me?" he asked her trying to sound as cute as possible.
Jen could just imagine him doing the sad puppy dog face on the other side of the phone and gave in. "
*sigh* No, I'm not mad. Are you sure that you're ok? Do you want me to fly up there to be with you?"
"As appealing as it may sound, there's no need for you to just drop everything and come here. I know how important this case is to you."
"You positive?"
"Yeah."
"Well too bad because I booked a flight to Detroit two days before Kevin's birthday."
"What? Are you kidding me?"
"I kid you not. Damn, Bri, you almost sound disappointed!"
"No! No, I'm so incredibly happy right now you don't even know! God, Jen, I haven't seen you in like two months!"
"I know! I'm really excited, too!" she giggled.
"How did you do it? I thought you couldn't take time off right now."
"Well, I decided that it was getting too stressful. I needed a break. Besides, I have plenty of time until the trial. It can wait. You can't. You're more important to me."
"I love you, Jentay. I can't wait. I've dreamt about kissing you and holding you and…"
"I know, Bri-Baby. I feel the same way."
"We're taking Kev and Elena out to a club for their birthdays. You want to come right?"
"Of course."
"Good. After we dance, we can go back to our hotel room and…" he smirked.
"How do you know I'll be staying with you?" she teased him.
"Jen," he pouted. "It's not nice to taunt me like that."
"Ok, ok, I'll stop. How do you know we won't be too tired from dancing, huh Mr. Littrell?"
"I'll make sure we don't dance a lot."
"I love the way you have everything under control. Ok, you win. All night long, baby…"
"Awww, yeah…Listen, I gotta go now, Jen, cuz if I talk to you like that any longer, I'm going to turn into AJ and jump inanimate objects and I want to save it all for you."
" *lol* Alright. I'll see you in a couple of days, hon. Bye."
"Bye, love."
Brian hung up the phone and jumped off his bunk hardly able to contain his happiness.
"WHOOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!"
He practically skipped into the room with the others grinning widely from ear to ear, his pearly whites all aglow.
"What are you so happy about?" inquired Kevin.
"Jen's flying to Detroit in a week and a half to be with me! I haven't seen her in so long! I've missed her so much and now, I'm finally going to see her!"
"Wow, that's great, Bri!"
"Yeah, man."
"I'm happy for ya, bro."
"Awwww, Brian, that is sooo sweet! I can't wait to meet her!"
"You're gonna love her, Elena. She's great. I'm sure you two will get along just fine."
"I'm sure I will, too. Finally, I'll have someone I can relate to. I mean I love you guys to death, but…you're guys."
"No need to explain, we understand."
"Hey, Bri, can I talk to you for a sec?"
"Sure, Bone, what is it?"
"Come with me. We'll be right back." He grabbed his arm and pulled him to the front of the bus, leaving the others in bewilderment.
"What's going on?" Brian asked confused.
"Nothing bad. I just wanted to tell you my idea for Kev and Eelie's birthdays."
"I thought we were going to take them out to a club."
"We are, but I have a little surprise in mind."
"Ooooh, I like surprises, do tell."
"I don't know if it's going to work because it all depends on…Ok, here's the plan…"
AJ quietly divulged his clever scheme to him. Brian nodded approvingly and chuckled.
"Aww, man, this is going to be good!"
"You think?"
"Yeah, it's just what Kevin always wanted!"
"I know, but we can't be sure she'll say yes to it."
"AJ, we've met her. She'll say yes. Anyway, it's worth a try. Are you going to tell Nick about it?"
"Nope."
"Why not?"
"Because I don't trust him as much as I trust you. Don't say a word to anyone, Brian, or I'll kill you."
"Don't worry, I ain't saying nothing to nobody."
"Good. Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta go make a phone call."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Two weeks later…
"Thanks for doing my hair for me, Elena. I'm not too expert in that field. The most I can do is a ponytail," laughed Jen.
"Hey, no problem. If I wasn't a journalist, I would've gotten into hair styling." She slid the last bobby pin into place. "Ok…now I'm done. Do you like it?"
She held up a mirror so Jen could look at her new do. Her long dirty blonde hair was swept into a loose bundle of curls on the top of her head with wavy strands hanging on the sides and delicate little jewels were randomly placed around her hair. "Oh yeah! It's great! You should've been a hair stylist!"
"I don't know about that. I love writing more than anything."
Jen smiled. "So I've heard. I'm really looking forward to reading this article of yours."
"Yeah, so are the guys. They're a little nervous, though. *giggle*"
"Do they have a reason to be?"
"Well, there are going to be a few little juicy details, but nothing that's too personal or anything like that. I go for the truth, not that National Enquirer kind of crap. It makes me sick to know that there are people so greedy and unscrupulous that they're risking to hurt and possibly ruin the careers of the people they write about just to sell a few measly copies."
"I know what you mean. That article about the threesome still makes me laugh. How can people believe such garbage?"
"I don't know, but there's nothing we can do about it."
"Sad but true. Anyhow, how do I look?" Jen stood up and spun around. She was wearing a royal blue three-quarter velvet short dress that dipped a little in the front to reveal just the right amount of cleavage. It brought the hint of blue in her dominantly green eyes.
"Great. Brian will love it. How about me?" Elena was dressed in a basic black spaghetti string dress. A silver charm rested just below her clavicle and her mahogany-colored locks cascaded down her back and over her shoulders with only the ends loosely curled.
"Beautiful. All the guys will bow before you."
"You think so? I just want a couple of dances."
"Oh you'll get them. Come on. I think we kept our boys waiting long enough."
"I can't wait to see Jen in that sexy dress I bought her," said Brian standing in the lobby with the other guys.
"Don't you mean out of it?" smirked Nick.
"Both's good."
"Just remember to wait after the party to take it off her, ok, Bri? I don't want our faces plastered on the front cover of the National Enquirer…again," added Kevin.
"I'll try my hardest to behave myself."
"But I won't guarantee that I will," commented Jen as she walked in followed by Elena. The guys' jaws dropped to the floor. Jen's eyes lit up as she took Brian's handsome features in. He was wearing tailored black slacks and a blue dress shirt that matched perfectly with his eyes. The rest of the guys looked great, too. Kevin was wearing khakis and a plain white shirt under his leather jacket. Nick was clad in semi-baggy gray pants and a black long-sleeved button-down shirt. And AJ was dressed in black baggy pants, a tight black tank that showed off his many tattoos, and sported silver-framed black shades.
"Damn woman, what are you trying to do? Give me a heart attack?" joked Brian as he slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her in for a kiss.
"I should be asking you that!"
"You look incredible, Elena," complimented AJ as he gave her the once over. 'God, I could take her right here and now.'
"Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself, McLean. All of you look really handsome. Aren't I a lucky girl," she grinned.
"I agree. Now let's go show you all off," stated Jen as she hooked her arms around Brian and Kevin. Elena did the same to Nick and AJ and they were off to a fun-filled night.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Where did the guys go?" asked Jen returning from the ladies' room to find Elena sitting all by herself at their table in the club where the music was blaring, the lights were shining, and the people were wildly dancing.
"Well, Brian went to the little boys' room, AJ's dancing with someone, and Nick and the birthday boy are sitting at the bar trying to pick up chicks or something," replied Elena putting her chin into her hands with her elbows on the table. "They left me all alone."
"It's ok. We don't need them to entertain us. We're independent girls, right Elena?"
"*sigh* Whatever you say. We've been here two hours already and no one's asked me to dance."
"You've danced with Nick and Brian."
She gave her an oh please look. "Yeah, well…it ain't the same. Hey, here comes your man."
Jen turned her head and watched Brian approach them. "Have you girls seen AJ? I need to talk to him."
"Yeah, he's over there dancing with that blonde slut, I mean girl," informed Elena smirking at her 'slip-up' and pointing to the middle of the dance floor where AJ was grinding with some blonde woman dressed in a incredibly short red mini skirt, black tube mid-drift, and black leather knee-high boots.
"Ah, I see. Okey dokey. Be right back." He made his way through the crowd and tapped AJ on the shoulder. "Sorry to interrupt, but Kev's present is wrapped and ready."
"Ok. Uh, it's been nice dancing with you," he said to the girl.
She rolled her eyes. "Whatever." And walked away.
"What a bitch," commented Brian grimacing in disgust.
"Oh well. Where's the present?"
"It's behind the back entrance. I already asked the DJ if I could use the microphone, so…"
"Let's go get Kevin."
"Yeah, touring can get a bit tiresome sometimes, but we enjoy it a lot…" Kevin was flirting with a pretty redhead who giggled after his every sentence. "So what do you do?"
"I act in adult films."
Kevin raised an eyebrow. "You mean…?"
"Yeah," she chuckled. "I love it. Especially when my best friend Rena co-stars with me. The love scenes are especially pleasing. We're very good, if I do say so myself. We should be, considering we rehearse almost everyday. You get really sore. Her finger nails shred me up inside all the time. I'm always telling her to cut them, but she won't listen---"
"That's great…yeah…" 'Oh my Gawd, what am I getting myself into?!' Kevin felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around silently thanking God. "Hey Brian, hey AJ."
"Hi, listen we have to borrow you for a minute---" Kevin shot up from his seat.
"No problem. Let's go."
"But don't you have to---" Brian said pointing to the confused redhead as Kevin dragged him away.
"Bye, Carley. It was nice talking to you," Kevin muttered not even looking back. "So what's up?"
Brian looked at AJ and he nodded back letting him know that he understood. "We need you back at our table, Kev." Brian disappeared back into the crowd.
"What's going on?" inquired Kevin utterly confused.
"You'll see." When they got back to the table, everyone was already there. AJ grabbed a chair and placed it in front of the table facing the dance floor. "Sit."
Still clueless, Kevin just shrugged and did as he was told. The music suddenly stopped.
"Ladies and gentlemen, can ya'll do me a quick favor? Just clear the dance floor please?" came a voice from the speakers. Everyone looked to find Brian had taken over the DJ's place. "Please? We need the space. It'll only be for a few minutes I promise." All the people reluctantly walked back to their tables. "Thanks. Well as some of you may or may not know, today we are celebrating the birthdays of two very special people. My good friend, Elena DiLorenzo and my cousin and colleague, Kevin Richardson. Yeah he's the big guy sitting in the chair like a fool turning beet red at this moment and giving me menacing looks," Brian laughed. All eyes turned to their table. Elena was hiding behind AJ, while Kevin overcome with embarrassment shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "Anyway, me and my partner in crime, who shall remain nameless, cooked up a plan to make this a birthday he would never forget. We got him the perfect gift. Something that he's always wanted but never had the time to find due to our grueling schedule…Kev, I hope you like it and all of us at table 22 want you to know that we love ya, man! Take it away, DJ!"
Brian stepped off the platform and the DJ stuck in some unknown CD. Soon a sitar began playing a haunting melody. Two burley men came out from the back door rolling out a huge wrapped box. They placed it in the middle of the dance floor and left it there. The music became fast paced.
'Oh my Gawd, you guys didn't!' thought Kevin to himself as his eyes widened. As if on cue, the box burst opened and out popped a girl dressed in a red and gold mid-drift, harem pants, and a veil that left only her brown eyes visible. She daintily jogged to Kevin and began undulating her firm stomach and snaking her arms this way and that. Kevin couldn't do anything but stare. Brian walked back to the table and chuckled.
"You think he likes it?"
Elena laughed. "Oh I'd say so!"
The belly dancer continued to roll her body and gyrate slowly for several more minutes before ending her number on Kevin's lap. Everyone clapped and hooted, especially the guys.
The girl wrapped her red satin scarf around Kevin's neck and pulled him in closer to her. "I told you I'd be seeing you later, stud muffin," she whispered into his ear seductively. Her hot breath against his skin made him shiver. He was extremely aroused. He prayed that she wouldn't notice.
"W-w-what?"
She pulled down her veil and smiled slyly. Everyone at their table, except for AJ and Brian who were smirking, gasped loudly in surprise.
"Oh my Gawd! Staci?! Aaaaaahhhhhhh!!!" screeched Elena as she ran to her friend and gave her a hug. "What the heck are you doing here?! How did you get here?!"
"I think it's quite obvious that I'm here as Kevin's birthday present and it was all AJ and Brian's doing!" she explained laughing.
Elena turned to them and stared incredulously. "You two did all this?!"
"Yup," Brian stated proudly. "It's was mostly AJ's idea, but I helped carry it out. We knew Kev would like it. Right, Kev?" he grinned elbowing him. Kevin was speechless.
Staci turned her attention back to the birthday boy and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Happy birthday, hot stuff. I hope I didn't scare you too much. *giggle* "
He was still dumbfounded. "Duuuuh…ya…"
"Umm, if you guys will excuse me, I gotta go change out of these hoochie clothes," she said as she returned to the box and pulled out a gym bag. "Be right back." She started to walk away when she noticed that the whole club was staring at her. "What are you waiting for?! Get your asses dancing! Come on!" she shouted. Everybody responded with a enthusiastic collective yell and crowded the dance floor once more just as Your Love Is My Love by Whitney Houston started playing.
"I can't believe you guys made her do that!" exclaimed Elena chortling.
"We didn't make her! We simply called her and asked if she would like to come up here for a while to keep you company and wear basically nothing in the cold weather to entertain Kevin for his birthday! Nothing out of the ordinary! People belly dance for Kevin all the time! *lol* Besides, she jumped at the chance! Not that I doubted she would."
"How long is she staying here?"
"She's leaving with you."
"Wow. You guys are something else you know that?"
Brian gave her a cheesy grin. "Yeah, aren't we? The guys and I'll take Kev to the bar for a little brandy. He looks like he's gonna pass out. You three lovely ladies can just chat and get to know each other a little better. You know talk about whatever you girls talk about."
"You mean you?"
"Sure why not. C-ya! Fellas?" Nick, AJ, and Kevin (still a little dazed) followed Brian's lead to the other side of the club.
"So…" began Jen. "You've known the belly dancer long?"
"What? Oh you mean Staci. We've been friends for about five years now."
"How did you two meet?"
"She used to date my brother."
"Oh. She seems pretty interesting."
"She is."
"Sorry I took so long, girls," Staci said as she walked over to them and took a seat. "Where'd the boys go?"
"To the bar. I thought you said you were going to change out of your hoochie clothes."
"Ha ha. Very funny." Staci was wearing a sparkling black tube dress. Very short and very tight.
"I like to think so. Oh let me introduce you two formally…Staci, this is Brian's girlfriend Jen. Jen, this is my best friend also known as the belly dancer Staci." They shook each other's hands.
"Pleased to meet you."
"The pleasure's all mine."
Silence followed for a few minutes.
"So Jen, how did you meet Brian?" asked Staci trying to start up a conversation.
"Well, I was one of the lawyers involved in the law suit against their management a while back if you remember. And a couple of years later, Bri and I met again at a mutual friend's party. We got talking, he asked me out on a date, I said yes, and here we are two years later. Happy and totally in love. How did you meet Kevin?"
A smile crept to her face. "I barged in on them changing when I went to a concert. My good friend Elena here got us backstage and I accidentally opened the door before Nick got his pants completely on. It was good."
"Hehe. I'll say! How about you, Elena? How did you come in contact with these seemingly unattainable wonderful boys of ours?"
"I was at a club sitting all alone at the bar. I look to my right and there he was. This unique individual with fire engine red hair. He was trying to pick me up. Hehe. He used something along the lines of 'What's a beautiful lady like you doing here all alone' or something like that. *lol* I basically told him that I was too old trying to get him to go away. What can I say, I don't usually date younger men. Especially those who are barely legal. But he continued flirting with me. He was trying so hard. I thought it was so cute. *giggle* But I decided to leave. I was about to walk out the door when I noticed his friend sitting alone at a table. Of course I didn't know who they were at the time, but he caught my attention. I asked AJ to introduce me to him. He did and we got talking and we danced at we exchanged phone numbers."
"Who? You and AJ or you and his friend?"
"I gave them both my number."
"Ah, I see. You were playing them, right?" teased Jen.
"No. I formed special bonds with both of them."
"This friend was Howie right?"
"That's right."
"Did they fight over you?"
"Umm, not that I know of. I don't think so."
"I'd like guys to fight over me," added Staci.
"Nah, I wouldn't do that to them. I couldn't break up a friendship."
"You're too nice, Eelie."
"I guess I am. Oh well."
"Psst Eelie," Staci leaned over and hissed, "don't look now, but I think someone's coming to ask you to dance."
"What?" Elena turned around to find AJ (looking mighty fine) approach her smiling. She returned the smile. "Hey, AJ. What brought you back here?"
"Well as much as I was dying to dance with the guys, they're not exactly light on their feet and I noticed I was the only one who didn't ask you to dance and you are just sitting here…"
Elena decided to play dumb. "Uh huh, so?"
"So I was wondering if you would do me the honor of dancing with me. Do you want to?"
"It's about time you asked me to dance, McLean. Excuse me, ladies." She stood up and AJ gently grabbed her hand and led her to the dance floor. I Can Love You Like That by All-4-One started playing. He wrapped his arms around her small waist while she let her arms rest upon his shoulders. They gracefully swayed to the music.
"They read you Cinderella You hoped it would come true That one day your prince charming Will come rescue you You like romantic movies And I never will forget The way you felt when Romeo Kissed Juliet And all this time that you've been waiting You don't have to wait no more I can love you like that I can make you my world Move heaven and earth If you were my girl I can give you my heart Be all that you need Show you you're everything That's precious to me If you'll give me a chance I can love you like that…"
'God she smells so good. I should tell her how I feel…' He pulled her in a little closer. She smiled at him and rested her head against his shoulder.
"I never make a promise I don't intend to keep So when I say forever Forever's what I mean Well I'm no Casanova But I swear this much is true I'll be holding nothing back When it comes to you You dream of love that's everlasting Well baby open up your eyes…"
"Awww look at them! Don't they make the cutest couple!" exclaimed Staci as she watched the two dancing.
"You know, they actually do!" replied Jen discerning the fact that they actually did.
"I've been trying to drill it into her head that AJ really likes her and that she should at least give him a chance! Sure, he's not exactly the most normal of guys, but we all have our quirks and his happen to be really adorable…"
"Looks like someone likes someone!" Jen said in a sing song voice and winked at Staci. Staci stared at her shocked.
"Who? Me? Like AJ? No way! I mean I love them all and I think AJ's special in his own unique way and really cute, but not my type. I go for the vampiric guys. You know, tall, dark, mysterious? Kevin's my man."
" *lol* You think Kevin's vampiric?"
"A little. I mean he's always in the background, lurking in the shadows, hardly ever smiles and he's got that certain come hither charm. Extremely sexy. I swear I'm gonna have that man before I leave."
"Well you certainly set some goal for yourself!"
"You better believe it, chica! Now let's get back to the subject of AJ and Elena…I'm telling ya, those two are going to end up going out. Even possibly, dare I say it, getting married."
"Uhhh, getting married? I think that's just a little too farfetched. But as for going out, I don't know, maybe. But AJ doesn't seem like her type. Howie had made her so incredibly happy and AJ's the complete opposite---"
Staci's head jerked back. "Wait a second, what did you just say?"
"I said that AJ's the complete opposite---"
"No, before that."
"That Howie made her happy?"
"Yeah. That's what I thought you had said. Run that by me again?"
Jen looked at her confused. "I just meant that Howie and Elena were the happiest couple. They were so much in love. Brian told me that he even got her an engagement ring, but he never got the chance to---"
"Excuse me for a minute." Staci stood up and started walking away.
"If you want tenderness I've got tenderness And you can see it through To the heart of you If you want a man who will understand You don't have to look very far…"
'I'm going to tell her. It's now or never.' AJ took a deep breath and exhaled it in ragged little puffs. His heart was beating so rapidly, he was afraid it would jump out of his chest. Elena looked up at him concerned.
"What's wrong?"
He gazed at her bright green eyes.
"I-I-I have something to tell you and I don't know how you're going to take it, but…Elena, I---"
"Sorry to interrupt, but I have to borrow her for a second, excuse me, AJ." Staci came from behind, grabbed her arm, and pulled her away from him. Elena looked back confused and shrugged as she was being dragged into the crowd. AJ stared after her in shock. He sighed in frustration and let his arms drop to his sides. He just stood there.
"What the hell are you doing?!"
Staci led her into the ladies' room, checked the stalls to see if anyone was there, and returned back to Elena with a scowl on her face and her hands at her hips.
"So how close were you and Howie exactly, huh?"
"Uh, very close?"
"Really? Very close as in best buds or very close as in being engaged?"
Elena blinked not understanding at what she was getting at. "What?"
"Nevermind. I already know the answer to that. Why didn't you tell me? Aren't friends supposed to tell each other everything?"
"Wait, what are you talking about?"
"Jen told me about you and Howie. I know you two were more than just friends. You were friggin' engaged!"
"Jen told you that?"
"Yeah, but that's besides the point."
"No, how did my relationships come into your conversation?"
"We were discussing how cute you and AJ looked dancing and she mentioned Howie. It wasn't her fault. She assumed I knew. I mean of course she would! I'm your best friend, right? You tell me everything, right? There aren't any secrets between us, right?"
Elena felt really bad. She looked at the ground not knowing what to say. She couldn't deny it. It was true. There was nothing left to tell.
"Didn't you trust me? Why was I the only one left clueless? Was I the only one left clueless?"
"Staci," Elena began quietly. "I didn't say anything to you because I just wanted to keep something special for myself. I mean if I told the whole world, everything would come crashing down on us. I didn't want to risk that."
"I wasn't going to ask you to tell the whole world. Just me. Did you really think I'd blab it out to everyone that you were dating Howie and make your lives a living hell? I thought you knew me, Elena," she replied the hurt evident in her voice.
"I'm sorry. But, I just didn't want to risk it. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. It still is 'till this day. Are you really mad at me?" Staci looked at her watering eyes and sighed.
"No, I guess not. I'm just bitter."
"I'm sorry."
"No, I'm sorry for coming out like such a raving bitch. Forgive me?" Elena smiled through her tears
. "Yeah. Forgive me?"
"Of course." They hugged and then dabbed their tears dry with tissues. "So…is there anything else I should know about?"
"What more do you want to know?"
"Is that the whole story? Or is there something interesting like Howie and AJ duking it out to get a piece of your ass? You know a love triangle or something?"
" *lol* No, nothing like that. That's pretty much the whole story."
"Ok, then. How long had you two dated?"
"Almost four months."
"FOUR MONTHS?! Only four months and you two were going to tie the knot already?! DAYUM, he worked fast!"
Elena's eyes saddened. "No, we were never engaged."
"What? But Jen said---"
"He was going to propose…but he never had the chance to. I found out too late. AJ showed me the ring a few hours after…we buried him."
Staci stared at her in shock and suddenly felt the grief in her heart that Elena must have felt. "Oh Elena, I'm so sorry. I had no idea…"
She smiled sadly at her. "It's ok. You didn't know. And that was my fault. *pause* Anyway, I left poor AJ hanging. He's probably still waiting for me."
She opened the door and walked out. Staci followed close behind. She searched the crowd for AJ and found him squeezing his way through to get to her.
"Hey, AJ! I'm over here!"
"Yeah, I'm coming! Pardon me." He jogged over to her. "As I was saying, I've been hiding this for a while, but---"
"Hey Elena, AJ, Staci!" They all turned to see Nick. "Brian's got an announcement and he wants all of you present!" Elena immediately knew what it was. She couldn't help but smile.
"Let's go, people!"
They followed Nick back to their table where they noticed everyone was standing, except for Jen.
"Thanks for bringing them back, Nick, I want everyone to hear this."
"No prob, bud."
"Ok. Umm…" He gulped and almost started hyperventilating.
"Brian, are you alright?" Jen asked concerned as she started getting up, but Brian nodded and made her sit back down.
"Yeah, I'm just a little nervous, that's all. U-u-umm, ok I'm just going to let it out. Which ever way it comes out that's fine." He looked deeply into her eyes. "Jen, you know you mean the world to me. You make me feel complete." He knelt down in front of her and took her hand into his own. "I dedicate this song to you. Listen to the words very carefully. It explains it all…" He took a deep breath and began singing his heart out to her…
"Maybe it's intuition But some things you just don't question Like in your eyes I see my future in an instant And there it goes I think I found my best friend I know that it might sound more than a little crazy But I believe I knew I loved you before I met you I think I dreamed you into life I knew I loved you before I met you I have been waiting all my life There's just no rhyme or reason Only this sense of completion And in your eyes I see the missing pieces I'm searching for I think I found my way home I know that it might sound more than a little crazy But I believe I knew I loved you before I met you I think I dreamed you into life I knew I loved you before I met you I have been waiting all my life…
I'm sorry, I know there's more, but I'll choke," he laughed as a couple of tears escaped from his piercing blue eyes. Jen was crying as well.
"Brian, that was so beautiful. What more could I possibly want? It was perfect."
"No, but there is more." He pulled out a small box from his pocket and opened it to reveal a gorgeous sparkling diamond ring. She gasped and covered her mouth and she started crying harder. "Jennifer Marie Forrester, will you marry me?"
"You can just call me Jennifer Marie Littrell from now on! Yes!" He stood up and they engaged (no pun intended) in a long and loving kiss. Everyone at the table was hooting and clapping. When they broke it off, everyone went to express their happiness for them.
"Yeah, Rok!"
"Congratulations, man!"
AJ and Nick shook his hand and then hugged him. "It's about time! You're getting old!" Kevin joked as he engulfed his cousin in a hug.
"Yeah now it's your turn!"
"Oh my God, Jen! Congratulations! I think I'm going to cry!"
"I already am! I'm so happy for you, Jen!" Staci and Elena each gave her a hug as the tears of happiness streamed down each of their cheeks.
"Thank you! I can't believe it! I'm the luckiest woman in the world!"
Then each group switched off and sat down.
"Let's celebrate! Champagne on me!" Nick shouted and snapped at a waiter to get it. He gladly filled up their glasses. "Let's make a toast to Brian and Jen! May your future together be filled with happiness, health, success, and a lot of kids so you can name one after me!"
Everyone laughed and clinked their glasses together. "I'd just like to say something!" announced Kevin
standing up. All eyes turned to him. "Brian, my dear cousin…who the heck would've thought that you'd be getting hitched before me!" Everyone laughed again. "But seriously, we've been through a lot together these past ten years. Some things were much harder than others, but we've come through and I'm sure there will be many more trials and tribulations and again we'll overcome them as long as we all stick together. Ok, I'm kind of getting off the point here, but…what I really wanted to say was that even though we've always been family, I've never felt closer to you than I do right now. Everyone knows you're my cousin, but you're much more than that. Brian, you're my brother and I want to wish you and Jen the best and I love you."
Everyone 'aaaaaaawwwwwwww'ed and Brian pretended to wipe away tears.
" *sniff sniff* Oh Kevin, that was so beautiful! Thanks, man. Love you too, cuz."
I Need To Know by Marc Anthony started playing. Staci squealed and shot up from her seat. "Sorry guys, but this is MY song! Kevin, dance with me!"
"But I don't know how to---"
She grabbed his hand and swiftly pulled him off his chair and dragged him off. She immediately began to groove in a very suggestive manner. Kevin's eyes wandered up and down her body.
"I can't dance Latin. I don't have that natural rhythm."
"Oh please. You don't have to be Latin to dance Latin. I'll teach you, big boy." She turned around so that her back was to him, leaned in, and placed his hands on her hips. "You just feel the music inside you and go with the flow." She started rubbing her body against his while dancing slowly and sensually. "Come on, don't be afraid. I won't laugh at you…much." He tried following her lead the best he could. He was actually pretty good. Their bodies seemed to merge into one flowing form. "I knew you could do it."
"I had a good teacher."
She turned to face him and placed her hands around his neck. She brought her face closer to his until they were gently touching foreheads. She grinned devilishly.
"Did I ever tell you that you're my favorite Boy?"
"No you haven't."
"Ok, well you are."
"I kind of figured that."
"Oh really? How?"
"Well I caught you staring at my ass once or twice."
"That's it? I've stolen glances at the others' asses, too. Got more evidence?"
"And that time you practically bit my lips off after the concert…You looked at their asses, too?" He gave her a little pout.
" *giggle* I can't help it. Nick's got a cute bubbly butt."
"Mine's better."
"Oh really? Let me double check." She glanced over his shoulder and smirked. "Yup, yours is better. And about that kiss…there's a lot more where that came from if you want it."
"Do you want it?"
"Yes…I want it that way !"
"Hmm, what way?"
She stood up on her tiptoes and whispered in his ear seductively, "Your way."
'Oh my Gawd, I gotta have her.'
Jen, Brian, and Nick were engrossed in a conversation, while Elena was simply sipping her drink and AJ was in his own little world, taking quick glances at Kevin and Staci who were practically doing it vertically, every now and then wishing it were him and Elena.. He began to lean towards her. "Elena---"
"Excuse me."
They both stopped what they were doing at the sound of the unfamiliar male's voice and turned their heads. Elena gasped when she recognized the stranger's hazel eyes. It was the same man who had caught her eye at IHOP in LA. She was speechless.
"May I have this dance?" he asked bowing. She looked over at AJ. He was about to tell her something. AJ saw the excitement in her eyes, sighed silently, and nodded smiling weakly. She smiled back and took the gentleman's hand and followed him to the middle of the dance floor. She delicately placed her arms on his shoulders and he gently wrapped his arms around her waist as a ballad started playing. Elena's heart was pitter pattering faster every second. She wasn't sure whether she liked the feeling or not. The last time she felt this way was when she was about to confess to Howie that she had fallen madly in love with him…Howie. The man looked down at her and smiled.
"Hi."
"Hi. I've seen you before…"
"The IHOP in LA."
"Yeah."
"What a coincidence."
"I'll say."
"What's your name?"
"Elena DiLorenzo."
He took her hand, bent down, and kissed it lightly. "Nathan Hayes. Pleased to meet you, Miss DiLorenzo. It is miss, right?"
Elena blushed and nodded shyly. "Yes, it is. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance as well, Mr. Hayes."
"Please call me Nathan."
"Only if you call me Elena."
"It's a deal." The music stopped and they let go of each other. There was a moment of awkward silence between them. He was the first to speak. "So…would you like to join me at my table for a while so we can get to know each other a little better?"
She was hesitant. "I don't know…I came with my friends…" She looked at him. His eyes were pleading and she was drowning in them. "I'll let them know." She walked over to AJ and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Eelie, you're back."
"Yeah, listen would you do me a favor?"
"Sure."
"If anyone asks, can you please tell them that I'm sitting with Nathan?"
AJ frowned. "Who's Nathan?"
"That guy who just asked me to dance. I'm going to talk to him for a little bit, but I'll be back. Would you do that for me, hon?"
He sighed and gave her a half smile. "Yeah sure."
She gave him a peck on the cheek. "Thanks, sweetie."
AJ watched sadly as she walked over to 'Nathan.' He smiled, took her hand, and led her to his table that was situated on the other side of the club. AJ felt like punching him in his flawless face and knocking all his stupid perfect teeth out.
"She didn't even give me a chance," he whispered to himself as he heard his poor little heart break into millions of tiny pieces.
Nathan pulled out a seat for Elena, and then sat down himself next to her. "So what brings you here?"
"My friends brought me here to celebrate my and Kevin's birthdays. Kevin's one of my closest friends."
"I see. Well I came here to just forget about my worries temporarily and find myself a pretty girl to dance with. I think I've succeeded in both departments."
Elena felt her cheeks get hot. "I'm far from being a girl."
"If it's true that beauty comes with age, then you, my lady, must be well over the natural human limit."
'He is smooth.' She looked down at her lap in embarrassment. "Please."
"It's true. I've had my eye on you ever since that morning in LA, but I was afraid to approach you."
"Why?"
"You were surrounded by some very good looking lads. I was intimidated."
She gave a small chuckle. "They're just my friends. Besides, why would you feel intimidated? I assure you, you're a very comely gentlemen yourself."
"Thank you. But how could I possibly compete with pop mega-stars?"
"You know who they are?" she asked surprised.
"Doesn't everyone?"
"Well, almost."
"What do you do, Elena?"
"I'm a journalist for Music Today. I've been assigned to tour with the Backstreet Boys for a month to write about 'their true lives and secrets.' That's explains why I'm here."
"It must be great to tour with your friends."
"It is. What do you do?"
"I'm the CEO for the Dell Computer Corporation. I'm here for a very important convention organized by the president of the company."
"Really? Wow. I own a Dell computer myself. It's extremely efficient."
"Many people seem to think so."
"Do you live in LA?"
"No. I was there strictly on business. My job requires me to travel sometimes, but not often. I live in Orlando, Florida."
Elena's jaw dropped. "I cannot believe this!"
"What?"
"I live in Orlando, too! First we attend the same club at the same time and now we find out that we're practically neighbors! This is incredibly uncanny!"
"Good uncanny or bad uncanny?"
"Good of course."
He smiled and reached across the table to put his hand tenderly over hers. "Maybe it was destiny."
Elena just stared at his hand that completely covered hers. For some reason, she didn't pull it back like her mind was telling her to. 'Maybe it was.'
Staci and Kevin finally came back from dancing. She noticed Elena and AJ were gone. "That's funny, I didn't see AJ and Eelie on the dance floor."
"That's because they're not dancing," answered Nick. "Elena went to sit with some guy named Nathan and AJ's in the bar, probably getting hopelessly drunk."
She furrowed her brow in confusion. "Who's Nathan?"
"Some guy."
"Yeah, that helps. I'll be right back." She went in search of AJ.
'I'm stupid. Stupid stupid stupid stupid.'
"AJ, you'll give yourself a headache."
"Too late. I've already got one," he answered his voice muffled because his head was lying on the counter. Three and a half empty shot glasses stood beside him. Staci sat down beside him.
"AJ, pull yourself together," she said as she held him by the shoulders and forced him to face her. He had a big red spot on his forehead from the repeated bangs he gave himself on the hard wooden counter. He looked pitiful. "What is it?"
"Nothing," he muttered as he was about to finish his fourth shot. Staci took it away from him before it made contact with his lips. "Hey!"
"I think you had enough. Who's Nathan?"
He pointed to his table. Staci saw a very attractive man, looking to be in his early thirties, with light brown short hair, and bright hazel eyes talking to Elena. She had a stupid grin on her face and suddenly she began to laugh. He laughed as well and they're hands made contact with each other again.
"Damn, he's hot!"
AJ glared at her. "You just have to rub it in, don't you!"
She patted his arm feeling sorry for him. "Don't worry, they're just talking."
"So what? You think I care?"
"I know you care."
He looked at her sadly. "Well it doesn't matter whether I care or not cuz she likes him and he likes her."
"Why don't you tell her?"
"I've tried! But we were always getting interrupted!"
"So tell her when we get back to the hotel!"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because there's no point! She doesn't care about me! She doesn't love me the way I love her! I'll just let her be. She'll be happy with Nathan."
"AJ---"
"Don't tell her. Please?"
"But---"
"Please?" he begged her taking her hand. "It's better if she doesn't know."
" *sigh* I won't tell her."
"Thank you."
"How long have you liked her?"
"Ever since I first saw her at a club four and a half years ago. I was the one who introduced her to Howie."
"Ouch. I did not know that."
"Yeah."
"You've been pining all these years?"
"Yes, pathetic I know."
"No, it's actually kind of sweet."
"It's excruciatingly painful."
"That too. I don't know what to say, AJ."
"There's nothing to say. I'll just go on living miserably for the rest of my pathetic existence. Now excuse me while I find a hole to curl up in and die." He got up and slowly trudged into the men's room.
"Poor little guy. I wish I could help him," she said quietly as she shook her head sympathetically.
"No way! The Odyssey is my favorite book too! We have so much in common!" she stated loudly.
"I know! You're practically a female me!" he laughed.
"Who's your favorite band?"
"Aerosmith, definitely. I also like The Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews' Band, and The Four Tops, The Temptations…I'm a sucker for all those do-wop groups."
"Oh. I happen to love of course my very talented friends, BSB, and Savage Garden, 98*, and 'N Sync. I'm more pop oriented. I'm just a big kid."
"You're only as old as you feel."
"So that means I'm only sixteen?"
"Uh oh, I'm robbing the cradle!"
They both laughed.
"Excuse me. I'm sorry to interrupt, but Elena, we're leaving," informed Staci.
"Oh." Elena and Nathan stood up. "Nathan this is my good friend, Staci. Staci, this is Nathan."
She shook his hand wearing a fake smile. "How do you do."
"It's a pleasure. Elena since you have to leave me now, can I have your number?"
"Yeah, sure. I want yours, too."
They each exchanged numbers.
"I'll call you when I get back. Maybe we can get together or something."
"Yeah, that would be great. I'll see you, Nathan."
"Good bye, Elena. Good luck on the article."
"Thank you, bye."
"Bye. It was a pleasure meeting you, Staci."
"Likewise. Let's go, Elena." She practically had to pull her away from him.
"Isn't he great?" she asked with a dreamy look on her face.
"Yeah, he's a real prince," Staci answered hastily as she dragged her along. 'He's too perfect. I don't like him.'
"Is everyone ready to go?" Kevin asked once everyone had gathered. Everyone nodded, except for AJ. He didn't do or say anything. He just looked sadly at the ground. He seemed distraught. No doubt Nathan was the cause. Kevin made a mental note to talk to him later. "Ok then. Thank you all for making this birthday one I'll never forget."
"Yes. It's been a great night. Thanks," added Elena thinking about Nathan.
With all that said, they left.