“That wasn’t even cool,” Howie said.
He was the first to emerge from the trees, fully clothed. Ty doubled over with laughter and nearly fell off the log she sat on.
“But you should have seen the looks on your faces!” she giggled. “It was priceless.”
The others came out, hastily tucking in shirts or tying shoelaces. They all glared at her.
“Guys, I think she deserves a payback for that stunt, don’t you agree?” Kevin said, glancing to his left and right.
They nodded, sly smiles forming on their lips. Ty tried to scoot away, but she didn’t have a chance. Within seconds, all five of the Backstreet Boys had descended on her like hawks, tickling her crazily.
“Ahhh! Stop! Oh God, no not the knees, not the knees!” she cried. “Uncle, peace, truce, whatever! Please stop!”
Kevin whistled, and they stopped. Ty rolled away from them, still laughing.
“Okay, you got me, I promise not to do it again,” she gasped. “But you gotta admit, it was pretty funny.”
“Sure it was,” Brian agreed. “Just wish it hadn’t been on us.”
Ty moved into a sitting position and looked at them, one by one. Her gaze finally settled on Kevin, and for some reason she felt herself blushing. Because of the kiss they’d shared earlier? No, couldn’t be, she told herself. She had never been affected by a simple kiss before. Of course, she’d never been kissed by Kevin Richardson before either.
“So now what?” AJ asked, breaking into her thoughts. “Do we go hunting or digging for worms or what?”
“Well, AJ, if you really want to dig for worms, be my guest. But I was thinking more of hiking some more,” Ty said.
Nick groaned. “More walking?”
“Uh yeah, that’s what hiking is.”
She was able to get them packed up within an hour. When they were all set, Ty gave them a big grin and pointed ahead of her.
“Onward, march!” she cried.
They all fell in step behind her, but she noticed Kevin chose to stay close to her side. It unnerved her.
“Would you mind walking on your own feet for awhile?” she asked, when he trampled her toes for the third time.
“Sorry,” he apologized. “About this morning...”
“Shhh, not now. Later.” She glanced over her shoulder to make sure the others were keeping up. “Hey, guys, sing me a song, would you? I want to hear more of your stuff.”
They sang to her for an hour, going through some of their new stuff and older songs. Ty was confused.
“Hold up, guys,” she said, stopping. “When do Kevin and Howie sing?”
Five men exchanged glances. “Uh, all the time,” Brian said.
“No, no, I mean solos. How come Brian gets all the leads? And AJ and Nick come in close behind. But, when do Kevin and Howie sing?”
Silence. Ty frowned and looked at Kevin.
“You’ve got a beautiful voice, how come I can’t hear it solo?”
“It’s a long story,” was all he said. He turned and started walking again.
“Wait!” she cried, stopping him in his tracks. “That’s not fair!”
AJ touched her shoulder. “We’ll explain later,” he promised softly.
Ty was still not satisfied, but she let it go.
They kept going, this time in a tense silence. Ty didn’t know how long they walked like that, but she was starting to get seriously annoyed.
Had Kevin done something and been punished or what? She wanted to know!
Suddenly, Brian let out a surprised cry. Everyone looked to see what the problem was. “A bird, a big bird, just crapped on my head!” Brian screamed.
Ty giggled and reached in her pocket for a tissue. “Here, wipe it out.”
“But it’s gonna get all dry and gross!”
She tossed him a bottle of water. “Knock yourself out.”
“I’m hungry,” AJ said. “Anyone got a big mac?”
“Sorry, bro, no Mickey D’s out here,” Howie told him. “But I’m hungry too. It’s almost one, can we stop and eat?”
Ty checked her watch. “Wow, I hadn’t realized. Yeah, eating would be good.”
They dropped their gear and Ty began searching for food. She saw Kevin wander off by himself. “Hey, Howie, take over lunch, will you?” And then she went after Kevin.
She found him videotaping a squirrel in a tree.
“Kevin?”
He didn’t answer.
“Kevin? Are you okay? Did I say something wrong?”
He slowly turned and faced her, lowering the camera. “No, you’re fine.”
“Then what?” she said, throwing her hands in the air.
“I clashed with management when we first started.”
“Huh?”
“We didn’t see eye to eye on our marketing and things like that. I didn’t want us to be stuck in a stereotypical role of ‘boy band.’ But I guess that didn’t work. So I was denied a voice for a few years. But that’s all changing now, we’re with a different management firm, things are better. I’ve got three solos on the latest album.” He smiled weakly at her.
“But that sucks! Just because you had an opinion that someone didn’t like...that’s mean!”
Kevin tilted his head. “You’re really cute when you’re mad.”
“What?”
He took a step towards her. Everything inside of her told her to run, now. But she stood rooted to the spot. And then Kevin had her in his arms and was kissing her. Slowly at first, almost hesitant. Ty could feel his heart beating against hers.
After a moment, they stopped, but Ty didn’t move away.
“That was nice,” Kevin said softly, resting his chin on her head.
“Yeah. But we really shouldn’t.”
Kevin sighed. “Back to this again. Why not?”
“You guys kind of have a reputation. All celebrities do. You know, for dating beautiful women who are models, actresses, dancers...”
“You’re a beautiful woman, and you’re smart, funny, and you love the outdoors, like me. Hel-lo! I see a perfect match!”
“Yeah sure. And when you’re off touring the world, I’ll just sit by the phone and wait for you to call. I don’t think so.”
“It doesn’t have to be like that. We could try.”
“I really don’t think it’s a good idea.”
Kevin looked down at her. “You’re afraid of me.”
“Damn straight I am! I’m afraid of all of you!”
“That’s silly.”
Ty took a step back. “I came after you to find out why you didn’t sing as much. Not have a serious talk with you.” She stuck her tongue out at him. “I don’t do serious very well.”
“So I’ve noticed,” Kevin said dryly.
“Yo, lovebirds, if you’re done making out, the hotdogs are cooking!” Nick called.
Ty’s face went white. “He saw us!”
“I’ll just threaten to beat him up if he teases us.”
“Oh sure, that’s real nice of you.”
They walked back and wolfed down the hotdogs in no time flat.
“God, do you know what these things are made of?” Howie asked. “And I just ate four of them.”
Ty made pig noises from where she sat.
Howie tossed a twig at her playfully. She ducked and it hit Kevin instead. “Whoops, sorry, Kev,” Howie said.
“No problem. Just remember, I know where you live.”
Ty rolled her eyes. “Empty threats. All right, let’s go. I want to get to the new campsite before dark.”
They loaded up their gear and started walking again. A couple hours later, Brian cried out again.
“Not another bird,” Ty groaned.
“No, a big fat raindrop,” Brian said, looking to the sky. “Guys, I think we’re in trouble here.”
Ty looked up. Dark clouds were rolling in, and a raindrop hit her in the eye. “Crap. We’re not even close to where I want to be.”
“Do we keep going?” AJ asked.
“No, we stop here. It’s better to stop in a storm. Let’s set up camp.”
“Uh, do we have tents or something?” Nick wondered out loud.
“Why, afraid you’ll melt if you get wet?” Ty teased. “I have two tents, little pop up ones. We’ll have to split up.”
“I call Ty’s tent!” AJ yelled, raising his hand.
“Me too,” Kevin said.
“Oh God,” she groaned.
They set up the tents so the door flaps were facing each other. Howie, Brian and Nick crawled inside theirs, and Kevin, Ty and AJ went inside theirs. The rain started and it looked like it wasn’t going to stop anytime soon.
AJ unrolled his sleeping bag. Kevin and Ty followed suit.
“Well this is just ducky,” AJ said. “I hope this thing doesn’t leak.”
“Uh oh, I knew I forgot to check something before we left.”
“You’re joking right? Please tell me you’re joking.”
Ty sighed. “Yes, AJ, I’m joking.”
He breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay, now what do we do?”
“AJ, you just can’t stand it out here can you?”
“Nope. I have to be doing something. Hey! I’ve got a great idea! Let’s play strip poker!”
Ty’s eyes widened. “Uh uh. Not on your life, McLean! No way are either of you seeing me in my underwear!”
“Damn,” both men muttered.
“Pigs, the both of you,” she said, trying to sound angry. But her smile betrayed her.
They sat there, twiddling their thumbs, listening to the rain outside. It seemed to be coming down harder. And then the thunder started.
“It’s creepy out here,” AJ whispered.
“Yeah,” Kevin said. “I hate being out in storms.”
“As long as no ghosts or witches come to get us, we’ll be fine.” Just as she said that, their door flap flew open. All three of them screamed bloody murder.
“Geez!” Brian yelled loudly over the rain.
Then suddenly Brian, Howie and Nick were forcing their way inside the tent.
“What the hell?!” Ty demanded. “There’s not enough room in here for all of us!”
“But it’s scary over there,” Nick said. “Come on, just till the rain stops.”
“You guys are soaking wet,” Kevin pointed out, scooting over so Brian could sit beside him.
“No kidding, bro. It’s only pouring out there.”
Howie closed the door flap and looked around. “Cozy,” he said.
Ty narrowed her eyes. “This is ridiculous! You have to go back to your tent.”
Nick shook his head. “No way. Ty, please.”
He gave her the puppy dog eyes and she couldn’t say no. “Damn you all!” she declared.
“All right, you can stay. But just until it stops raining, or until midnight. Whichever comes first. Got it?”
“Got it,” came the grateful reply.
