You could hear the crowd. All the yelling, screaming - all the "I Love You"'s from a crowd of about 5,000. That is all the this high school field would hold. They were all there for one reason - to see and hear any and all members of the Backstreet Boys. They were nearing the end of their 2004 sold out BACK WITH A VENGEANCE U.S. tour and had a few days to promote the last date of the tour - Kevin's hometown of Lexington, Ky. It had been a couple of tough years for the guys and they wanted to end the tour in a "friendly" place. All of the guys hometowns were put in a hat and Aaron, Nick's little brother, got to pick. No one lost on this - all the guys got to play in their hometowns but playing in Kevin's on the last date was particularly special.
Six months prior to the tour, while all the planning was going on, the guys new management had the top PR firm in the country working on promoting, advertising and arranging all the aspects of the tour. The PR firm assigned one of their newest and freshest members to work very closely with the guys - a Kentucky native, Nicole Barrington - top in her class and a fan of BSB so the fit was perfect. Nicole was very excited to get the job of working with BSB - this was her first big assignment and, she would get to work with Kevin, her favorite.
The meeting was on a Monday morning in the Atlanta office of Blue Sky Unlimited PR. The guys were excited to say the least. It had been far too long since the last tour and since changing labels and getting new management, they were all hyper and wanted to get this tour started. The meeting was set up to be informal - all input was needed from everyone - the guys, their management, crews and the PR firm. This first meeting had to be a brain storming session and Nicole had her work cut out for her. This being her first big assignment she was heading up plus the fact she would be working for BSB, her nerves were shot!
"I can't fuck this up!", Nicole was talking to herself in the bathroom mirror of the ladies room. "What the hell are you doing Nicole, talking to yourself again?", Jennifer, Nicole's co-worker was coming in the ladies room. "Why are you getting yourself so worked up over this? You've handled concert tours before!". "Yea, Jen but I've never headed one up before and this is for BSB - their long awaited tour and if I fuck this up, I'm out of a job!", Nicole was starting to sweat. "Chill girl, you can't go in that meeting all sweaty and nervous. Breath in, breath out". Jen was always had herself together, and she knew Nicole better than anyone and how to get her to calm down.
Nicole closed her eyes, took some deep breathes, checked her make-up and her outfit. "Jen, how do I look?" "You've got it going on, girl! Nicole, you will be fine". " I hope so Jen". Nicole starts to head out the bathroom when she realizes one thing - "Oh shit Jen!" "What now Nicole?" Jen replies. "Kevin is going to be in that meeting!" "Yea, so?" "So, is that all you have to say Jen is so?" "My God Jen, he is my dream - I can see myself now falling flat on my ass and he will think "gee what an idiot" and then I'll just die, I'll just die!". The expression on Jen's face was this of "oh, not again". Nicole was the best in the firm but her self esteem left little to be desired. "Nicole", Jen started, gripping Nicole by the arms "You are the best and brightest in the firm. You've got the awards to prove it and I love you like a sister but if you don't stop this damn shit of always feeling something bad is going to happen and you are going to screw up, I'm going to kick your ass personally. Now go in that meeting room, and do what you do best and forget who these guys are. They are like everyone else - they put their pants on one leg at a time just like everyone else". Jen had a way with words and was always straight forward with Nicole. "Ok Jen. Ok. I can do this. I can do this. I've got to do this." Nicole fluffed her hair, turned around, out of the ladies room and headed down the hall to the elevator to the meeting room on the top floor.
Nicole stood at the elevator going over all the notes and ideas she had been working on for 3 months for this meeting, making sure she was ready for any questions that might come up. The elevator open, thanking God no one else was on the elevator and pressed the button for the 24th floor - meeting room central. Her stomach felt like it was in her throat and if she opened her mouth, she knew she would just throw up! Never had she been so nervous. Finally, she was getting to meet BSB but the fact that Kevin would be there was sending her body into shock. Here would be her dream man. That dark hair, long and wild hair, just like it was in the "More Than That" video. "Wonder if he will have on the cowboy hat?" Nicole thought to herself - "he looks hot in the hat". Then she thought of his dark eyes - those "bedroom, come fuck me, eyes" she thought again. "I'll never be able to look at him directly in his eyes - I'll melt for sure". She closed her eyes and just pictured Kevin - tall, great long legs, muscular chest, that six-pack stomach and that deep voice - only in her dreams did she hear that voice and it was always while he was whispering how much he loved her as they made love. The elevator "ba-ling", bringing Nicole back to reality - and to the reality that when those elevator doors opened, she would be in the meeting room, with BSB waiting, and with Kevin waiting.
The elevator doors opened - it seemed the doors were opening at super slow motion - she thought they would never fully opened. She took a deep breathe and stepped out when the doors finally opened. The meeting room was occupied by the attendees - everyone standing, chatting, laughing but all Nicole could see where peoples backs. "Where is Kevin? Please don't let Kevin be the first one I meet!" she thought to herself. The head of the firm turn around when he heard the elevator open and saw Nicole. "There is our girl", Mr. Graham said. Mr. Graham was the head of the firm - the original founder - better known as B.J. by the clients but Nicole always was proper and called him Mr. Graham. "Good morning, Mr. Graham.". "I hope I'm not late." "Nonsense Nicole" Mr. Graham stated, "You are right on time. Our newest and best clients were early - that is a good sign - they are very anxious to get started.". At that point in time, all the others in the room turned around - now ALL eyes were on Nicole. "Oh, shit" Nicole thought to herself.
"Gentlemen, please let me introduce you to our brightest and probably our best PR rep, Ms. Nicole Barrington". The room filled with hello's from everyone. Nicole was feeling weak at the knees. "Hello" Nicole responded. Nicole slowly eyed the room, looking at everyone, but really just looking for Kevin. She so wanted to me him but now the thought that she really would, was scaring her to death. "Gentlemen", Mr Graham voiced up, "Ms. Barrington will be leading this meeting and the project, so please, give her your full attention. Nicole, it's all yours.". "Thank you Mr. Graham". "Ok, gentlemen, lets sit down and get started, shall we?". Nicole could feel her blood pressure rising all the while trying to keep herself together, and professional.
"Lets get started by having everyone introducing yourself to the group and what position you will play in getting this tour off the ground." The group consisted of members of the PR firm as well and Nicole wanted everyone familiar with everyone - it made for great communication. Everyone went around the table, saying who they were, whom they were with and what their function was. Nicole made sure to write down everyone's name and function - vital to getting the project running. All the PR firm introduced themselves, all men. BSB management was next, the vital BSB crew members, then BSB themselves.
"Hello, I'm Brian - BSB member and the best singer of the group". Chuckles could be heard throughout the room. "Hellllloooo - my name is A J - BSB member, and I'M the best singer, Brian". The chuckles were getting louder. "Good morning, I'm Howie, BSB member. I'm the honest one, unlike Brian and A.J..". "These guys are crazy" thought Nicole, grinning the entire time. "Hey everyone, I'm Nick - I'm the sane one of this bunch." Laughter broke out. "Yea right, Nick" A. J. said, "Keep thinking that". Everyone was laughing except Kevin - Nicole noticed him just shaking his head, trying not to laugh. While all the laughter and little comments were going on, Nicole fixed her eyes on Kevin - there he was. The man of her dreams - in the same room with her, and about to speak to her for the first time. "Nicole, I'm sorry for the way my fellow band mates are acting. I'm Kevin - BSB member and unfortunately, the big bro to this group of clowns." Kevin, trying to be the more mature of the group, just started laughing as well.
"He said it , he said my name" Nicole was saying to herself. She didn't care what he said, he said her name. She knew he was being funny. "What he just said was so sexy" she thought - "Oh my gad, he is just so sexy". Nicole had to compose herself to get this bunch, a friendly, fun bunch to brain storm about this tour. "Ok, gentlemen. Thanks for the interesting intros". "I think we are going to have alot of fun putting this tour together, at least that is what I'm aiming for.". Everyone was calming down. "Maybe I can do this?! Nicole thought "So far so good". "Gentlemen, here is what I have come up with so far to get this tour off the ground" Nicole gets up from her set, and starts to pass out her proposal about the tour. She walks around to each person, everyone anxious to read what she has done. Each of the BSB guys thank her but Kevin made it a point to have direct eye contact with her and mention her name again "Thank you Nicole". Nicole was ready to just pass out - here she was, right next to Kevin and him taking the papers from her hand and personally thanking her - "I'm going to die, I'm simply going to die" she thought.
"Ok gentlemen. Please take a few minutes and look over what I have proposed and then we will get busy". "I like getting busy", AJ said "Man, keep it clean - be polite in front of Nicole" Kevin piped up. "Oh my god, he is defending me - Oh, I love him, I just love him" Nicole was thinking and not trying to grin. She knew Kevin was a real gentleman but now she was seeing him in action. "When is lunch?" Nick asked Nicole. "We are having lunch catered in about 2 hours - is that ok? We have the snacks behind you - help yourself during the meeting" Nicole responded. "Are we having pizza?" Nick asked again. Nicole grinning "I did my research on you guys and I have ordered all your favorites for lunch." "You are the cat's meow, Nicole" nick said grinning. "Why, thanks Nick!". "The cat's meow?" Brian said "Where in the world did you get that phrase at Nick?" - everyone just started to chuckle.
"Ok, is everyone ready to brain storm?" Nicole said, hoping that her ideas would fly. Everyone participated and some real great ideas came out and alot of progress was being made. A knock on the meeting room door let Nicole know that lunch had arrived. "Well, guys, lunch is here. Lets take an hour break, ok?" "I'm starved!" Nick said. "You're always starved, Nick", Howie commented. "Food, food, give me food!" Brian started to mock Nick. The guys start to goof off while the food was being set up. Kevin however, starts to read the very back page of the proposal that Nicole gave them. On that last page was the information about her, her training, her college, her awards at the firm and just things about her. Nicole was still sitting down jotting down some notes when she glanced up and saw Kevin looking at her with those sexy dark eyes and this little grin on his face. Before she could look back down at her notes, Kevin started to speak.
"I didn't know you were from Kentucky? And a UK grad? Small world. I knew I liked you for a reason!". Kevin was just all grins. Nicole was melting - she couldn't help but grin but didn't really know what to say. "Yes, a Kentucky Wildcat - that's me!" Kevin's just smiles but in a very flirty manner. "Oh my gad, look at him" Nicole thought. She was controlling herself the best she could but if he kept smiling like that at her, then she was afraid of what she might just do to him. "Ok, guys, lunch is ready" Nicole said. Brian and Nick race to be first at the food. "Guys, guys, manners, please." Kevin replied. "You act like you haven't had food before". Nicole just laughs. She is just in awe of how Kevin just is so laid back and in control.
Everyone gets there food and random conversation is heard throughout the room. Nicole keeps seeing Kevin watching her. She tries not to let him see her watching him watching her. "Why does he keep looking at me?" she thinks. Even though she loves the fact that he is looking at her, it makes her nervous all the same. She wishes that it was just her and him in this room and not everyone else. The thoughts going thru her head were "naughty" but what other thoughts could she have - she was looking at Kevin. After everyone had finished, Nicole got the meeting started again.
"I hope everyone enjoyed their lunch but we still have alot of work to do today." The meeting continued for about another 3 hours with great progress made. At about 4:00 Nicole stopped the meeting. "Gentlemen, I think we have gotten alot done today and I'm pleased you all are anxious to get this tour rolling. What i need from you all is to continue to brainstorm and look at the additional proposals I have past out. If we could, I would like to meet again on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. here. Is that ok with everyone?". Everyone agreed. "Well, if there is nothing further, I will let you all go and I want to thank you for a great brain storming session. I think this will be your best tour ever. Thanks again and I'll see you all on Wednesday.".
Everyone gathers up their papers and start to head out towards the elevators. The BSB guys start talk to each other about what to do for dinner when Kevin tells the guys "You all go ahead and do whatever. I'm working on other plans." Before they could say anything to him, he heads straight toward Nicole. Nicole is gathering her papers when she notices Kevin coming towards her. She starts to sweat. "Nicole. I really appreciate all the work you have done so far with this tour. I can tell you've put alot of work into this. I've got some ideas that I would like to share with you. Do you think we could have dinner together and discuss them?". Nicole could feel her mouth starting to drop and her knees were getting weak. "Sure Kevin. That would be great. I would love to". "Great!" Kevin smiled. "We are staying at the Four Seasons just down the street. They have a wonderful restaurant in the hotel and it is very private. Is 7:00 ok?". "Sure, that is fine." Nicole was smiling but all she wanted to do was scream. "Here is my room number with my cell phone number. I'll meet you in the lobby at 7:00. Call me if you have trouble, ok?" "Thanks Kevin. See you at 7:00". Kevin smiles and walks out. Nicole is speechless. Everyone has left and she just sits back down in the chair and spins around like a child. She had a date with Kevin. The man of her dreams.
