Brian sang,
looking directly at Emily the entire time. Emily held back the tears. Those 10 seconds were the sweetest
she had ever experience in all her seventeen years. She had just wished she had someone serenading
her...and there he was. Brian Littrell.
“Wow...that was for you, chica.” Kaity said elbowing Emily. She swayed back and forth from the hit,
but her eyes never left the stage or Brian. “What a sweetie.”
“Mmmm hmmm.” was Emily’s only response.
‘I Want It That Way’ began a half an hour later and Kaity reacted quickly.
“Show time!” Kaity said collecting her things. She grabbed Emily’s hand a pulled her towards the
exit. The two were followed by rounds of ‘Goodbye Kaity’s and Emily’s’. Kaity waved frantically as her and
Emily stepped out into the Arena tunnel.
“Where are we going?” Emily asked as she was tugged down the tunnel.
“We have to be on the bus before the guys are. As soon as they’re on the bus, the bus pulls out of
the lot. If we’re not on it...adios amigos!”
“You’re kidding!”
“No way...come on!” Kaity said walking faster. She pulled Emily into the depths of the Arena, past
dozens of bodyguards, and finally out the back door.
“How do you know your way around here?”
“All arena’s are the same. Same set up, same shortcuts.” Kaity said shrugging. Behind them the
girls heard the final explosions signaling the finale of the concert. “Run.” Kaity instructed. Emily picked up
the speed and the two girls climbed aboard the second tour bus. “This is it. Make yourself at
home.”
“Cool.” Emily said sitting down on the couch. “How much longer?” Kaity held up a finger.
“And five, four, three, two...” screaming began and Emily saw AJ run out of the Arena and climb on
the bus ahead of them. “..one.” Kaity said dropping onto the couch next to her best friend.
“This is exciting.” Emily said watching Kevin and then Howie race out of the building.
“Sure...if you’re here...and not out there.” Kaity said pointing to Brian hurrying out of the back
door. He climbed on the bus seconds later and Emily was in his arms.
“Hey, Em.” Brian said kissing her temple. Nick exited the Arena moments later and the guards
closed the door immediately. Nick climbed on the bus and the driver signaled the other bus to leave. Both
busses pulled out of the parking lot and drove around the side of the building. Girls were already pouring
out of the Arena, screaming and running along side the bus.
“Wow!” Emily remarked.
“Now..imagine this happening when the bus is sitting still.” Kaity said laughing as Nick pulled her
down on the couch to sit next to him.
“Nicky!”
“Whaty?”
“You stink.”
“But you still love me.” Nick said planting a kiss on Kaity’s cheek.
“So what?! You reek!” Kaity said waving her hand in the air to clear the sweaty stench.
“Aww. Come on..gimme a kiss.” Nick said puckering his lips.
“Ew..no way Buster.” Kaity said moving to get up. Nick grabbed her hand and pulled her back
down next to him.
“Just a little one? Please?” Nick asked pouting.
“Nickolas...” Kaity said laughing.
“Hmmm? Just a lil peck?” Nick asked.
“Oh alright.” Kaity said kissing him. She leaned into him and ran her tongue over his lips before
he parted them for her. She pulled away.
“Hey!” Nick complained.
“Hehe...you said you wanted a little peck.” Kaity said shrugging. The bus pulled into the
underground entrance of the hotel they were staying at.
“Yeah, a little peck..not to be teased!” Nick said standing up. He grabbed his bag and Kaity’s hand
and headed of the bus and into the hotel.
“Alright, listen up!” Denise said loudly as the group passed through the lobby. “We need you guys
to go upstairs and shower immediately. We’re meeting down here in 30 minutes, you hear! Half and
hour...and the bus leaves this hotel. If you’re late, you call the airport and get a ticket to Salem, Oregon
because we’re leaving without you!”
“Yes, Ma’am. AJ said saluting his mother.
“Alexander...”
“Sorry, Mom, I’m going.” AJ said going for the elevators. The rest of the group followed. Back in
their room Nick showered quickly while Kaity packed up the room. When Nick was finished, Kaity hopped
into the shower too. The met the rest of the guys and crew in the lobby twenty minutes later.
“Now, that is what I’m talking about!” Denise commented. “Everyone is here, and you’re all ten
minutes early! Load em up!” Everyone climbed aboard their busses and settled in for a long night of
driving ahead of them. The next stop was the capital of Oregon, some 15 hours away. The Boys had to
make it to Salem, Oregon by mid afternoon the next day in order to be set to perform that night and then
they would stay over and perform a second concert there the next night.
“You were right, Kaity.” Emily said sitting down on the couch next to Kaity in the back
room.
“About what?” Kaity asked yawning.
“This bus is huge, but the beds are sooo uncomfortable.” she said giggling as she yawned as well.
“It’s after midnight, what are you still doing up?”
“Couldn’t sleep. I’m still wired. I was just watching Dirty Dancing.” Kaity said motioning to the
television.
“You are so obsessed with this movie.” Emily said making herself comfortable. “Why do you like it
so much?”
“I don’t know. This was the first movie that Nick and I ever watched together, ever since that time,
over ten years ago, both he and I always watch it. In fact, under different circumstances, I would wake him
up to watch it with me, but he needs sleep.”
“Yeah...they all look exhausted already.”
“Yeah...they still have another month and a half to go too!”
“I know..so tell me about you and Nick. You guys looked very close today.”
“Yeah.” Kaity said nodding.
“So....”
“So what?”
“So..how far have you guys gone?” Emily asked turning to Kaity.
“Why is that the only thing that people ask about?”
“Because it’s interesting..so?”
“No, Em. Nick and I haven’t gone that far.”
“Yet?”
“What do you mean yet? No....I’m not ready.” Kaity said turning back to the television.
“That’s responsible of you, Kaity.” Emily said softly.
“What do you mean? You and Brian?”
“No...no way. Brian and I have only been together romantically for three weeks, the relationship is
too new. I just...you and Nick love each other so much. It is so obvious to anyone around you. I’m
envious.”
“Say what? You envy me? Oh please.” Kaity said brushing the comment off.
“Kaity...Nick is head over heels in love with you.”
“I wish...we’re just very close. Sure, I love him. I’ve loved him for awhile, but I don’t think it’s that
extreme yet.” Kaity said.
“No, see that’s where you’re wrong. Nick is completely in love with you. Even Brian agrees with
me.”
“Really?” Kaity asked. She didn’t want to believe it just yet. She was in love with Nick so deep that
it scared her. She didn’t want to admit it to anyone for the fear that Nick wasn’t as serious about their
relationship as she was.
“Really, Kaity. What about you? How do you feel?”
“Honestly? I’m so scared, Em. I love him so much, I didn’t think this was possible. You know how
all those sappy romance novels describe love as this powerful, hypnotic drug?” Emily nodded rapidly.
“That is how I feel. Nick walks into a room and I forget how to breathe.”
“Oh my God! That is so romantic!” Emily squealed as quietly as possible.
“Shhhh.”
“I know...I’m sorry. I wonder what Nick’s going to do for your birthday! It’s tomorrow!” Emily
pondered aloud.
“I have no idea..but I’m excited. This is a big thing. Eighteen is a huge year.”
“Yeah, you’ll be legal!” Emily said laughing.
“Sure, sure..but still...yeah it’s the big 1-8 but...it’s more. I have a boyfriend, my senior year,
touring the country with the world’s most successful pop group!”
“Ah! This is cool. I think I’m gonna get Nick alone tomorrow and find out with he’s been
planning.”
“He’s very secretive...I asked Brian what he got me or if he was planning anything and Brian just
smiled.” Kaity said remembering the conversation during which she had attempted to pump Brian for any
information. She came up with nothing.
“Brian knows?? I could see if I can get anything out of him..”
“No.”
“No?” Emily asked.
“You can find out..but do not tell me.”
“Why not?”
“I want to be surprised when Nick gives me whatever he got me.” Kaity said smiling. She was
looking forward to her first birthday as Nick’s girlfriend. Whatever he got her was sure to be special. He
always thought out gifts...he wanted them to be perfect.
“You sure?” Emily double checked.
“I’m sure...surprises are good. Very good if they come from Nick.” Kaity said.
The Backstreet Caravan pulled up outside the Arena in Salem Oregon around 3 pm later that day.
Everyone unloaded from the tour busses, stretching and breathing in fresh air.
“That tour bus sucks!” Kaity muttered to herself as she bent down to touch her toes a few
times.
“Nice view.” Nick commented as he came up behind her, giving her butt a light tap.
“Yeah, I turn you on.” Kaity said pulling her hair out of a messy pony tail, only to pull it back
again, this time neater.
“You sure do.” Nick said bending down to kiss Kaity.
“Yeah..me and my stale breath. I’m sure I make you dizzy.”
“Aw...your breath is fine. And, yes, you make my head spin.” Nick said and he picked her up
spinning her a few time before placing her back on her feet.
“Thanks, I needed that. Now we can add discombobulated to the list.”
“What else is on that list?” Nick asked wrapping his arm around her leading her into the
building.
“Tired, moody, achy, knotted, smelly, and wrinkled.” Kaity said looking down to take her
appearance in. An entire night on the tour bus definitely didn’t do her good.
“But you’re still my Love Bug.” Nick said tugging on her pony tail.
“You still want me? Looking like this?”
“Course I do. You’re beautiful.” Nick said kicking the door to the Backstreet dressing room open.
“Have a seat, lay down, sleep if you want. Me and the guys could be awhile. Unless you want me to have
Denise call the limo service..then you could go back to the hotel??”
“Would you be incredibly upset if I went back to the hotel?” Kaity asked.
“No, not at all. In fact, I think you should skip tonight’s concert.”
“What? No, Nick I’m not that tired, I can ju-” Nick silenced her with a finger on her lips.
“Nope, you look tired and run down. I want you to go back to the hotel, take a long, hot bath, and
go to sleep. Just relax...”
“But why?”
“Why? Because, tomorrow is your birthday, and you deserve a day of rest before you turn eighteen.
Besides, tonight’s concert will be no different from the other ones you’ve seen. And, not to mention we’re
performing here again tomorrow night..you can come to that one.”
“Are you sure?” Kaity asked as she watched Nick pull his cell phone from his pocket.
“Yes, just let me call Denise for a limo and your room key and you’ll be set.”
“Alright. Whatever you say.” Kaity said laying down on the couch to wait for her ride back to the
hotel.
“Hey Chica!” Emily greeted Kaity happily. “Wow, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I’m just over tired. Nick’s sending me back to the hotel for a day of rest and
relaxation.”
“Are you coming to the concert tonight?”
“Nope.” Kaity said smiling “He won’t let me.”
“Really? Wow. Demanding man isn’t he?” Emily giggled.
“Sure is...”
“Is he a no buts kinda guy?” Emily asked seriously.
“I like butts!” AJ said catching the last part of Emily and Kaity’s conversation. “Whoever is a no
butts kinda guy has a problem.”
“AJ!” Kaity whined. She wasn’t in the mood for comedy.
“What? It was a joke, obviously a poor one at that.” AJ said kneeling next to Kaity. “What’s wrong
with you? You sick or something?”
“Tired..she’s just tired.” Emily said.
“Oh..you leaving us?” He asked giving her a pitiful look.
“I’m sorry AJ, I have to go. My boyfriend is sending me to the hotel to sleep.” Kaity
pouted.
“Awww...you poor thing. Of course you don’t want a few hours of extra sleep in a bed with
comfortable mattresses. Oh, and we can’t forget how awful it is to have your loving boyfriend take care of
you.” AJ said mocking Kaity.
“Shut up, don’t make fun of me!” Kaity said laughing weakly.
“Here we go!” Nick said reentering the dressing room. He held up a hotel room key. “Limo is
awaiting you.” he said pulling her up off the couch. He walked her to the limo, handed her the hotel room
key and gave her a kiss goodbye. “Go enjoy yourself. I love you.” he whispered as he helped her into the
car.
“Thank you, Nick. I love you too.” Kaity made it back to the hotel in minutes and immediately
stripped off her messy clothes to soak for an hour in the large bath tub. After she finished her bath, she
dressed in the most comfortable clothes she had with her, which happened to be sweatpants and one of
Nick’s large T-shirts. She loved to swipe Nick’s clothes when he wasn’t looking, especially the ones he wore
for a few hours, didn’t get dirty, and took off just because he had an interview to go to. They smelled like
him, and that made her feel safe. She climbed into bed and grabbed a trashy romance novel she had
brought with her, but hadn’t had time to read yet. She made it through the first hundred pages before she
drifted off. She awoke in the middle of the night to Nick removing the paperback from her hands. She gazed up at him as he
scanned the back for the plot.
“Quite the book you have here. ‘Female exotic dancer, scheduled to entertain at a bachelor party,
finds love one day when she meets up with a past love. He is engaged and she has a daughter, but will
those two factors stop a heated passion from unfolding?’” Nick quoted from the back of the book. He
raised his eyebrows. She smiled weakly at him before taking him in. He smelled fresh and his hair was still
damp.
“I showered at the arena.” Nick told her, noticing her looking him up and down. He stood up and
undressed until he was in his boxers. He reached inside his bag and pulled out a pair of flannel pants and
slid them on. “Move over.” he instructed. Kaity slid over so that she wasn’t taking up the entire bed. Nick
climbed in next to her and pulled her into his arms.
“What time is it?” she asked.
“12:22.” Nick answered looking at the digital clock next to him. “Happy Birthday, baby.” he
whispered before they both fell asleep.
Chapter Nineteen
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