Chapter Six

Sadly, Megan didn’t get her wish. Robbie from their record company called AJ’s house, asking them if they could come in for a couple hours and discuss plans for an upcoming tour. AJ said sure thing, and then ran around the house banging on doors, yelling at them to get out of bed, basically pissing everyone off.

Megan and Dana made a quick run home for fresh clothes and then went back to AJ’s where they split up to go to the studio. Dana went with Kevin, Nick and Howie hitched a ride with Brian, and AJ and Megan went in his big red truck.

“Oooh,” Megan said, admiring the truck. “Me likes, me likes a lot.”

“Really? Everyone else seems to hate it.”

“Why?”

“Cuz they think I’m too skinny to drive a truck this big.”

“Size doesn’t matter,” Megan said lightly, buckling her seatbelt.

“Haha, riiiight.”

They arrived at their destination and Megan followed everyone inside. She seemed to be the only one in awe of the place. Gold records hung from the walls and pictures of famous music groups stared back at her.

“Impressed?” AJ whispered.

“Hells yes.”

They met with Robbie, who greeted Dana with a kiss on the cheek and shook Megan’s hand. Then they got down to business. The Boys were soon involved in their plans and the girls quietly watched from a couch.

“Look at him, isn’t he gorgeous?” Dana asked softly, smiling at Kevin.

Megan burped.

“Megan! My God, that was rude.”

“Excuse me,” she apologized when everyone turned to look at her. “I had some sour milk this morning.”

AJ snickered, and Dana rolled her eyes. Megan listened to the conversation, intrigued at how a tour was put together. After a couple of hours, Robbie was satisfied with the rough plan and let them go. Kevin wanted to discuss something with Robbie, and Dana stayed behind with him. The others bolted for the doors.

Brian’s cell phone gave a loud shrilly ring just as they stepped outside. He moved a couple steps away and answered.

“So this is what you guys do?” Megan asked Nick.

“Yup.”

“I never knew so much work went into something like this.”

“And that’s not even the final schedule,” AJ said, putting an arm around her shoulders.

Brian rejoined them, a huge smile on his face. “Leighanne’s coming home early! So, we gotta run, her flight lands in an hour.”

“Ah, that means we must go with our driver,” Howie said, smiling. He hugged Megan good-bye. “Guess we’ll be seeing more of you, huh?”

“Hey, if anyone’s gonna be seeing more of her, it’ll be me,” AJ teased.

“In your dreams maybe,” Megan retorted. AJ clutched his heart and moaned.

“Ahhh, she’s killed me.”

“Clowns, all of you,” Nick said. He hugged her too. “Maybe I can teach you how to play Mario Cart sometime?”

“Sure thing.”

Brian hugged her last and then they were off.

“How long has Leighanne been gone?” Megan asked as she and AJ headed for the truck.

“Hmmm...it’s been at least a month. She was doing this big modeling shoot in New York. Brian’s been going nuts without her.”

“Awww, that’s sweet.”

They reached the truck and AJ unlocked the driver’s side door, set the keys on the dashboard and reached for his pack of cigarettes that were resting in the cupholder. Megan stood beside him as he lit one and puffed on it.

“Ick,” she said, waving aside the smoke. “Remind me not to kiss you anytime soon.”

“You disapprove, huh?”

She nodded. “You know, smoking stunts your growth.”

“I’m done growing,” he told her, taking another puff.

“I’m not talking about your height.”

AJ smiled at her. “Oh, you mean...ah, well, smoking has never been a problem for him.” He patted himself lightly.

“You’re a sick individual.”

“And you like it.”

“Yeah, well, maybe. But I don’t like this!” she cried, grabbing the cigarette and running.

“Hey! Give it back!”

He chased her around the truck, finally catching up with her back at the driver’s side door. He threw himself against her and they went slamming into the open door. Their combined weight knocked it shut. Megan tossed the cigarette away, thinking AJ would go after it. Instead, he planted his lips on hers and kissed her long and hard.

They broke apart a minute later, breathless and hot.

“Damn,” AJ muttered.

Megan licked her lips and nodded. “I know.”

“No, I mean, damn! The truck is locked and the keys are inside!” He released her and pressed his nose against the glass, peering in at the keys still sitting on the dashboard.

“Oh, damn!” Megan said, tugging on the door handle. “Do you have a spare?”

“Sure I do...at home.”

“Then we better start walking.”

“Are you kidding me?!” AJ screeched. “It’s like, miles back to my place!”

“We can do it.”

“Nuh uh. We’re asking Kevin for a ride.”

Megan shook her head violently and sat down on the cement. She crossed her arms while still shaking her head.

“No way. I’d rather have my eyes gouged out with a spoon!” she declared.

“I’m sure Kevin would be happy to oblige, with a spork in his case. But we are asking for a ride.”

“Fine, you’re asking. But I refuse to talk to him.”

“Fine. You don’t have to. Just ride in his car for a bit.”

They waited for Kevin and Dana to come out. Megan tired of sitting on the ground and moved to the bed of the truck. AJ soon joined her and began fiddling with his rings. Then he moved to his earrings. When he started to tap his watch, Megan couldn’t stand it any longer.

“Having a nic fit or what?” she asked.

“Huh?”

“You’re just dying for a cigarette right now, aren’t you?”

“You can tell?”

“AJ, do you often play with things, and I don’t mean that, while you’re doing an interview or press conference?”

“I’ve been told I play with the hem of my shirt and rub my nose a lot.”

“Nic fit,” Megan said again.

AJ coughed and looked at his watch. “Um, what do you think they’re doing in there?” he asked.

“I don’t wanna know.”

Just then, the two in question exited the building.

“Hey you guys!” Dana called. “What are you still doing here?”

“We had an accident,” AJ explained. “Megan locked the keys inside, OW!”

Megan had smacked his arm. “It was you, not me, you!”

AJ rubbed his arm. “Well, anyway, Kev, can we get a ride back to my place, please?”

He seemed to think it over. “I don’t know if I want her in my car.”

“And I don’t know if I want to be in your car,” Megan said. “Come on, AJ, let’s call a cab.”

Dana listened to the exchange between her best friend and her boyfriend and was very disgusted with them both.

“Yes Kevin will give you a ride, and yes, Megan will get in the damn vehicle,” Dana said firmly. Then she began walking towards Kevin’s 4Runner, leaving them to only stare after her. Reluctantly they followed.

Kevin unlocked the doors and everyone got in. Everyone but Megan. AJ had to get out, physically pick her up and set her inside. He even buckled her seatbelt.

Megan examined the surroundings. “Nice,” she said. “Very clean. Not even a gum wrapper or anything.”

“Kevin’s a neat freak,” AJ said in a stage whisper.

“It’s almost....sterile,” Megan continued, checking for Kevin’s reaction. She watched his grip on the steering wheel tighten.

“You know, Megan, you’re a real smart aleck,” he said.

She shrugged like it was no big deal. “Better to be a smart aleck than a dumb-”

“Ahhh! Ahh, ack, *cough, cough,*” AJ interrupted. He punched Megan’s arm.

The rest of the ride to AJ’s house was silent. When they finally pulled into his driveway, Megan was first to jump out of the car.

“Thanks for the ride,” AJ told Kevin.

“No problem.”

“I’m going home with Kev, will you be okay?” Dana asked Megan.

“I’ll be fine. AJ’ll get me home safely. Have fun with the grump.”

“He’s not a grump,” Dana sighed, lowering her voice. “Call me tomorrow?”

“Sure thing.”

Kevin backed out of the driveway and Dana waved goodbye. Megan and AJ waved back, then went inside to get the spare keys for the truck. They headed back to the studios in one of AJ’s other cars.

“You two are terrible. I’ve never seen Kevin clash so badly with someone, especially a woman.”

“Well, I’m different. Just because he’s a good looking guy doesn’t mean I’m instantly gonna fall at his feet.”

“So you think he’s good looking huh?”

“I never said he wasn’t. I just don’t like his arrogance.”

“Ahh, okay.” They reached the parking lot of the record company and AJ pulled up beside the truck. “So which do you wanna drive back, the car or the truck?”

Megan beamed at the truck and AJ nodded.

“Okay, here’re the keys,” he said, passing her a key ring. She opened the door and was about to dash off when AJ remembered something. “Hey, do you know how to drive a stick?”

“I’ve handled a few,” she said, her gaze dropping to his lap.

He squirmed in his seat. “No, I mean for real.”

“I have, yes.”

“Okay,” he said, relieved.

“About ten years ago.”

“Megan!”

“I’m kidding! I’ll be fine.”

“I’m worried about my truck.”

“Oh thanks.”

“Now I’m kidding.”

She pecked his cheek and ran to the truck. He watched her unlock it and hop in. After a few minutes, she started it up. She looked at him and waved happily.

“Why does that scare me?” AJ asked to no one in particular.

The truck made a terrible noise and lurched forward.

“She’s grinding the gears! Ahhh!”

Megan rolled down her window and AJ leaned over and did the same with the passenger window.

“Where’s first gear again?” she yelled.

“Megan, Megan stop,” AJ begged. “Please, let me drive it, you can drive the car, it’s an automatic.”

“No way! This is fun! Oh, and I lied about being able to drive a stick.”

Then she hit the gas. AJ cringed at the noise. Megan then went peeling out of the parking lot and turned onto the street.

“She’s gonna kill someone!” AJ cried, taking off after her. She was too far ahead for him to get her to stop. And she was swerving like mad. Thankfully there were no other cars on the street.

And then, he saw the flashing lights pull out and go after Megan.

“Futhermucker!” he yelled, watching as Megan pulled over and the police officer stopped behind her. AJ stopped a few yards behind the police car and started praying.

The officer got out of his car and waved at AJ to do the same. Then they walked together to the truck. Megan peered down at them with innocent eyes.

“Good afternoon, sir, is there a problem?”

“Megan, get out of the truck,” AJ hissed.

The officer, whose name was Meyers, as Megan read from his nametag, studied them both from behind dark sunglasses.

“Do you know you were swerving back and force between lanes, miss?” he asked her.

“Yes, sir, I did.”

Meyers then turned to AJ. “Is this your vehicle?”

“Yes, it is.”

AJ began to feel uncomfortable as Meyers gave him a once over, slowly taking in his sunglasses, earrings, rings and tattoos. Things were not looking good.

“Don’t I know you from somewhere?” Meyers asked.

“Have you arrested him before?” Megan threw in.

This earned her an evil glare.

“No,” Meyers said, shaking his head. “But I know I’ve seen you somewhere, on tv maybe?”

“America’s Most Wanted?” Megan suggested.

“Megan, shut up!” AJ demanded. She ducked low in her seat and stifled a giggle.

Meyers suddenly snapped his fingers. “You’re one of those Backstreet Boys, right?”

“Yes, I’m AJ McLean.”

“My daughter loves you guys. She has posters all over her room.”

“It’s nice to know she’s a fan.”

The officer tilted his head. “I should really write you up on this,” he said to Megan. “But I’ll let it slide, if you’ll give me an autograph.” He looked at AJ, who sighed with great relief.

“Sure thing.” He signed his name and a brief message to Danielle Meyers on the officer’s notepad.

“Thanks, she’s gonna love this.” He looked at Megan. “Maybe you better let him drive the truck.”

Megan nodded and smiled broadly. “You’re right, officer. It’s my first time driving a stick. I guess you could say I’m a virgin.”

AJ’s face turned bright red and the officer tried his best not to laugh. “Yeah, well, whatever. You kids be careful now, okay?” And then he went back to his squad car and drove away.

“Out,” AJ ordered in a low voice.

“What?”

“OUT!” he yelled, yanking the door open.

Megan slid down and then took a quick step away from him.

“You drive the car. I’ll drive the truck. No funny business, got it?”