Chapter 23

 “Ten minutes til curtain!  Let’s go guys!  Take your places!” the stage director yelled down the hallway to the guys.

“Damn, do we have to do this tonight?  I mean…come on…we have played this city for the last three nights.  Aren’t they sick of us yet?” AJ mumbled.

“Look, those people out there pay your paycheck dude.  Come on, we owe them.  Not only have they supported us more than anyone, but, they have stuck by us when things went bad.” Brian whispered to AJ.

“Yeah…you’re right.  Let’s go out and give them one hell of a show!” AJ shouted, trying to hide his real mood.

*** *** ***

“Baby, please try to forgive me, stay here, don’t put out the glow.” Brian sang softly,  “Hold me now, don’t bother, if every minute it makes me weaker, you can’t save me from the man I’ve become…oh yeah..”

“Looking back on things I’ve done, I was trying to be someone, I played my part, kept you in the dark, now let me show you the shape of my heart…”

“Sadness is beautiful, loneliness if tragic, oh, so help me, I can’t win this war…oh no,” AJ sang.  “Touch me now, don’t bother, if every second it makes me weaker, you can’t save me from the man, I’ve become….oh…”

“Looking back on things I’ve done, I was trying to be someone,  I played my part, kept you in the dark, now let me show you the shape of my heart…” each of them sang.

“I’m here, with my confession, got nothing to hide no more, I don’t know where to start, but to show you the shape of my heart….”

“I’m looking back on things I’ve done, I never want to play the same old part, or keep you in the dark, now let me show you the shape of my heart, looking back on the things I’ve done, I was trying to be someone, I played my part, kept you in the dark, now let me show (now let me show you the true shape of my heart) you shape of…show you shape of my heart…” they all sang as the stage started to lower itself indicating the intermission of the concert.

Tons and tons of girls were screaming for the show to start again, and AJ was standing unsure of himself.

“Guys, I can’t do the next song…I just can’t.  I give up, it’s not gonna happen.” He pled with everyone.

“Look, ‘Get Another Boyfriend’ is the next song…if you can’t do it…it will ruin the show.” Kevin snapped.  “Come on, we have a reputation to hold on to out there…if we are going to stay at the top, then we need to just do our job!”

“Yeah, that’s the way to get him to go back on.  I mean, damn Kevin, is that ALL you think about?  Your image or something?” Howie snapped back.

AJ walked away, just trying to blow off steam.  He was going back on stage, and he was going to sing that song, even if it killed him.  All he could think of was how Brianna had just walked away…rather how she left without any further argument.  AJ wasn’t satisfied…there were no fireworks or explosions when she left.  It was simple…they fought and then once he wanted her gone, she left, without a second thought.

How could it have been so simple?  It was too easy.  Something in his stomach told him it wasn’t the last that he would hear of her.  Maybe she would vow to seek revenge on him, maybe she would spread nasty rumors about him, or maybe, just maybe, she was able to just let things go, and move on.

AJ collected his thoughts, and found his way back to his position for the second half of the show.   Never did he expect what was about to happen.  Not even in his scariest or worst nightmares.

*** *** ***

As the guys danced and continued the show, there was an unexpected phone call backstage.

“Look!  The guys are on stage…and they can’t just stop what they are doing to talk to you.  AJ said that he wasn’t speaking to you anymore!”  the stage hand yelled in the phone.  “Yeah, well screw you too, and the horse you rode in on!”

After several minutes, he finally hung up the phone.  He was in no mood to argue with an irate ex-girlfriend.  Within minutes, his phone was ringing again, but this time, it was a far more different mood than the first.

“Look, give it up…it’s over Brianna…do I have to spell it out for you?  I know you are upset Brianna, but it’s over between you and AJ.  You walked away, even though he was going to try and talk it out.  Now, look, just leave him alone.  He is already having a hard enough time…” he said, but was quickly interrupted, “What did you say?!” he yelled into the phone, the color in his face fading quickly.

He quickly ran to the side of the stage to try and get AJ’s attention.  It wasn’t until Nick spotted the commotion going on and motioned for AJ.  AJ continued to finish his verse and then quickly made his way to the side of the stage.

The others paid little attention, trying to act inconspicuous and keep the attention on the stage.  However, as soon as the song was over, the audience heard the most terrifying sound ever.

“NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!” AJ screamed, his voice carrying over the mic that was hanging around his neck.  “Oh God No!  BRIANNA!!!!”

All the others could do was run from the stage, and do their best to catch AJ before he collapsed to the floor.
 
 

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