Aaron stopped greeting some of the crews and turned around. He watched his brother and mother, a frown creasing his face. He knew about the whole stalking business and how it was affecting Nick. A part of him wanted him to get over it- but he was worried as hell too.
“AC!” Brian’s voice made him whirl around in surprise.
“Hey Bri,” he replied, bearing the hair-ruffling with resignation. Really, it was nice being appreciated, but did he have to go into extremes?
“You look like someone thinking seriously,” Brian noted, grinning. “You aren’t planning to pull another prank on Nick are you?”
“I don’t think he’ll notice even if I chucked a bucket of Jell-O at him.” Aaron retorted moodily.
“How?”
Aaron looked up at him. “You know…the caller thing,” he said carefully.
Brian winced slightly and looked somberly at him. “It can’t be that bad, I reckon.”
“Mum’s really worried. So is dad.”
“Aren’t we all?” Brian muttered under his breath. “It’s going to be okay, Aaron. Don’t worry. There’s a professional working on it.”
“Is that the new bodyguard they were talking about?” Aaron asked excitedly.
“Yeah.”
“Who is he? I heard mom talking about him.”
Brian hid a grin and pointed. “You mean Rachael. That’s her over there. Looking like she just chewed a bug.” Aaron followed the direction.
“What-?” he burst out, surprised. “You’re joking, right?”
“Nope. That’s her.” Brian looked at him shrewdly. “You’re wondering how on earth a woman could be a bodyguard, right?”
“I did expect someone that’s the size of Butch,” Aaron admitted. Butch was his guard, a heavyweight giant of a man that nearly swallowed everyone in his path. Brian burst out laughing, and he added defensively, “Well, I’m not saying girls can’t be bodyguards- I’m pretty cool with it. I mean, it’s pretty unusual, but they can be one if they want to.”
Brian ruffled his hair again. He was REALLY getting fed up with that. He was thinking about showing him what it felt like, but he still had a few more years to go if he wanted to demonstrate, so he gave up on the idea.
“If Nick had that attitude, this whole thing would’ve been much easier,” Brian said, almost to himself. Then he grinned down at him. “Race ya to the Catering.”
And I thought I was the kid around this joint, Aaron thought before running after him, yelling at the top of his lungs.
Rachael watched the chase behind half closed eyes, a great lumbering Brian being closely pursued by a blond boy dashing after him.
Aaron Charles Carter. Born in 1988, Florida. Younger of the twins in the family. Started out as a singer in 1997. Toured with the Backstreet Boys in 1998. One album out. Owner of two dogs, two cats, one iguana and God alone knows what else, Rachael thought disgustedly. She forced her brain off from the processing information procedure. She hated the fact that it wouldn’t stop analyzing and re- analyzing data and chewing on it until she was ready to spit it out. An excruciating habit, she mused sourly, and damned hard to break, too.
“Miss Harrison?”
She jerked her attention back to the present. She inclined her head to the familiar blond woman in recognition.
“Mrs. Carter.” “I thought we were over those titles,” Jane said resignedly. “But never mind. How’s everything?”
“Not too bad,” Rachael replied with a perfectly straight face. If she only knew, she thought in wry amusement.
“I know something happened to Nick,” Jane began firmly. “You have to tell me what it is.”
“I’m sorry I can’t do that, ma’am.”
Jane stared up at her. “Why not?”
“I have been asked by Mr. Carter not to mention the…happenings, if possible.” She said blandly.
“Now you listen here,” Jane started angrily, “This is my son we’re talking about, and this is my son who’s in trouble. If you’ve been asked by my son to not tell me about what happened, very well,” she drew herself up. “I’m demanding you to do the impossible. Tell me exactly what happened so far. Every detail of it.”
Rachael didn’t even blink as the stinging reprimand rained on her. Her blue eyes held Jane’s for a moment, then she gave a small sigh. “I see where I stand.” She muttered, then pulled herself up to her full height. “If you would like to follow me, Mrs. Carter.”
Jane Carter was pale when Rachael finished her recount of the weeks so far. “Dear God,” he whispered. “Is that all?” she demanded after a while.
Rachael gave her a cool look. “I have told you the facts and event that took place for the last two weeks, Mrs. Carter.”
Jane lowered her gaze, troubled. “Of course, of course…” she murmured. She looked up. “Thank you. I know I was a little abrupt back there.”
Rachael gave the slightest of a shrug.
“What I can’t understand is,” Jane started presently, “Why he won’t tell me?”
Rachael had no intention to get into a conversation, but she felt she had to offer an explanation. “Most of the time they find it difficult to talk about it.”
“He’s changed,” Jane noted sadly. “Before all this happened…”
Rachael was getting bored already.
Marcus lumbered up to her. He winked. “Hey Rocky, Nick wants to talk to ya.”
Rachael gave him a flat condensing look. “Really.”
He grinned. “Damn. Didn’t work that time.”
Jane was looking at them, confused. Be fore Rachael could speak, Marcus so ‘helpfully’ explained, “See, ma’am, your son and Miss Harrison here don’t get along very well.”
Rachael’s smooth face suddenly hardened as if turned to rock. As fast as it came, however, it went.
“If he’s being difficult, Miss Harrison, I-” Jane started.
“He’s not,” Rachael said curtly, cutting her off. With barely a nod at her, she stalked away. Jane looked alarmed, peering uncertainly at Marcus then to Rachael’s retreating back.
Marcus shook his head ruefully. “Don’t worry about her, ma’am. She’s like that most of the time.”
Maybe we should have hired another.” Jane said doubtfully, a hint of anger in her voice.
Marcus shrugged. “So says Julian.” Seeing her astonished look, he said, “I wouldn’t know what she’s like, but from what I’ve seen, she’ not that bad. As a security agent, that is,” he added quickly.
Jane nodded slowly. “So you say.” From her opinion, Harrison wasn’t doing very much. She shook her head. Just what was going on between those two?
Chapter 19
