Chapter 25

AJ stayed at the gravesite for over an hour.  The service was beautiful…and everyone was in attendance.  However, they all knew that he needed more than just a few minutes.  As they all sat in the limos waiting, AJ sat next to the casket that was covered in the most beautiful flowers that he could find.  He wanted to make sure that she was given only the best.

“I am so sorry angel…this is all my fault.  I will never forgive myself for the terrible things I said to you…never.  I hope that wherever you are…you understand that I never meant to hurt you.  But, now God will take care of you…and you will be happy.  I am just sorry that death was the only way for you to find happiness.  Please forgive me Brianna…please…” he said as salty tears gently flowed down his tired face.

AJ then stood up silently, closed his eyes, and then placed his hand on the casket.  “Good bye Brianna…may God protect you until we see each other again…I never truly stopped loving you.”

With that, he walked silently away, heading for the limo.  He felt so alone, even though all his friends were there.  As the others watched him approach, Nick stepped out of the car to greet him.

“Are you okay dude?  I know this is hard…trust me…I know.” He offered.

“Thanks Nick…but I will be fine.  I just have to deal with this on my own.  But, trust me, if I need anything, you will be the first I will come to.” He said as he gave Nick a hug.

As the two turned to get into the car, a hand landed on AJ’s shoulder.

“Mr. McLean, I am sorry to do this at such a terrible time, but I am forced to give this to you.” The courier said.

“Excuse me, I don’t understand.” AJ said softly.

“Sir, I don’t know how to tell you this…but, you are being sued by the Nelson family for wrongful death.  This is the subpoena.  I highly suggest that you talk to your lawyers right away.” The courier said as he handed the court papers to AJ.

AJ stood there in shock.  “I’ve been subpoenaed?”

“Yes, sir…the time and date of the hearing is inside.  Have a good day sir.” The man said and then walked away.

“Have a good day!?  HAVE A GOOD DAY??!!  My fucking life has gone to shit…and he tells me to have a good day!” AJ yelled as Nick tried to calm him down.

“AJ, get ahold of yourself.  Don’t worry…we will get the lawyers to handle this…it’s going to be okay.” Nick said, trying his best to make the situation better.

“It’s not going to be okay!  Brianna’s parents are blaming me for her death!  And, now…they are going to make sure I pay for it for all time!” AJ yelled as the car door was closed and the limos drove away.

*** *** ***

Several weeks had gone by, and the tension had begun to take its toll.  Kevin was at AJ’s throat all the time for the problems with Brianna.  Nick and Kevin were always fighting about how Katie would get into things.  Brian and Howie would sit and watch the others fight non-stop, to the point where everyone would end up with brain spliting headaches.

It wasn’t until the end of November that things seemed the worst.  With the trial nearing for the wrongful death lawsuit, AJ and the others seemed at their worst.

“Son, what in the world is going on?” Denise asked nervously as she walked into the conference room.

“Mom, I don’t know.  All I know is that my life is turning to fucking shit lately.  Not only is the media trying to slam us with comparisons against those OTHER boys, but now, I have this mother fucking, piece of shit lawsuit hanging over me.” AJ spat.

“Look, it will all work out…and screw the OTHER group.  Didn’t you say that it was the music that mattered anyway?  Look, the other group signed to your record label doesn’t matter, so just drop the bullshit and the pity party.  As for the lawsuit, you know we have good lawyers, and they will fix it.  Don’t worry.” She replied.  “And, the next time you cuss at me like that, I will have your scrawny ass over my knee and I will beat you within an inch of your life.

“Oh…umm, sorry about that.” AJ said, turning red as the guys all walked into the room.

“Oh, hello there Ms. McLean.” Brian said politely.

“Brian, didn’t I tell ya to call me Denise?” she laughed.

“Yeah, but I thought that since you were teaching AJ a few lessons in being polite, I better follow the example too.” He smiled and then sat down.

The conference room was ice cold, and with the tension in the room mounting, it only made things worse.

“Look, let’s get a few things straight.  We need to find a way to get this whole situation cleared before the media catches wind of it.  It’s bad enough we haven’t been getting the best of coverage lately.  Let’s not blow it all with this lawsuit.” Kevin stated, trying to take control of the situation.

Nick held Katie in his lap while the others sat around staring at each other.  It was a moment in their lives where they thought nothing could possibly get any worse.

There was a sudden knock at the conference room door, and then the management team quickly threw something on the table.

“BACKSTREET BOY AJ MCLEAN TO BE SUED IN WRONGFUL DEATH CASE.” Read the headline on the front page of the Orlando newspaper.

“No FUCKING way!  How did the press get a hold of this?!” AJ screamed.

“I believe that Brianna’s parents were upset that everyone was taking this so lightly, and went to the press.  Now we have a full blown disaster on our hands.  What do you all plan to do about it?” Ivan, one of the managers asked.

“What are WE gonna do about this?!” Spat Kevin as he stood up and hit the table with his fists violently.  “We aren’t doing shit about it.  You all are the ones that we pay to help us with this stuff!  Get the damn lawyers in here now!”

“Mr. Richardson, may I remind you that your tone of voice is out of line again?  The next time you verbally attack me like that, I will see that you will pay for it.” Ivan said sternly.

Kevin shot him a nasty look and sat down.  Katie Lynne was starting to cry, making Nick uneasy.  Howie and Brian recoiled at Kevin’s outburst, and AJ looked like he was ready to kill.  Katie quickly became out of control, kicking and crying.

“Mr. Carter, may I suggest that you take your daughter and leave for a while?  She seems to be a bit out of control.  I understand that you need to take care of her, but this is ridiculous.  Now go!” Ivan quickly said and opened the door for them.

Brian and Howie stood up, ready to leave.   “If the group can’t be here together on this, then I suggest we break for the day and try again tomorrow.” Brian offered.

“Mr. Littrell, it seems as if you think this is all a big joke.  Little do you know, you all are losing your career really fast.  I highly suggest we think of something to do before you all end up on the unemployment line.” Ivan stated and then closed the door again.

*** *** ***

Four hours of arguing had gone on before everyone decided to walk out.  They were in no better shape than they were when the got there.  And, now, to make matters even worse, the media had somehow congregated outside the building demanding answers.

“AJ, is it true that you are being sued by Brianna’s parents?” one reporter yelled.

“NO COMMENT!” they yelled in unison.

“Any word on what is happening to the group?!” another asked.

“NO COMMENT!” they yelled again.

“Do you have any comments on the fact that you all are losing out to NSYNC!?” a third reporter questioned.

At that moment, AJ did the unexpected and attacked the reporter, ripping the microphone out of his hands and throwing it across the parking lot. “SIR!  I SAID NO COMMENT!  AND IF YOU ALL DON’T GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE…THE I WILL KICK YOUR FUCKING ASSES!”

And with that…the four guys got in their cars and drove away.  The reporters of course now had an entirely NEW story to release to the world.  Now what was going to happen to the Boys?  What was happening would lead to their downfall if they didn’t find solutions extremely quick.  And with the way things were going, it didn’t look good.
 

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