Chapter 28

“Hi, I’m Mark Goen, and this is Julie Moran.  In our ET Spotlight, we have the finale of the most intriguing event of the year.  When we return, we will tell the world about the wrongful death lawsuit against pop music’s bad boy, AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys.” Mark said before they went to commercial.

It was the moment that they world was waiting for.  Could AJ actually be blamed for the death of his girlfriend, Brianna?  Everyone was pinned to their seats, their couches, and glued to the television.  Because the case had been kept so confidential and no word from the court was allowed until after the verdict was read, no one was really sure what was happening.

“And now, back to our top story.  Alexander James McLean, the Backstreet Boys’ ‘bad boy’, was in court today for the verdict on his wrongful death lawsuit.  ET was there to hear the verdict, and now we will show you just what happened in the courtroom today.”

As the camera panned across the room, you could see AJ sitting at the defense table with his head down.  His whole demeanor had changed.  He wasn’t the usual perky smart ass that he normally was.  Rather, he sat there, looking like a scared little child, who was told his puppy dog had died.

“Today, AJ was present with the rest of his friends, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, and Kevin Richardson as his fate was read by the jury foreperson.  Ms. Janice Smith read the verdict as follows…”

As the camera panned around to catch the jury panel, the color in AJ’s face faded.  “We, the jury find Alexander James McLean, on the charge of wrongful death, under the statutes of the state of Florida…” she said and then held her breath.

The courtroom was so silent that you could have heard a pin drop.  Everyone took a sharp breath of air in before she finished her sentence.

“…not guilty.” She finished and then dropped silently into her seat.

At that very moment, the courtroom exploded in the loudest roar that anyone had heard.   People were clapping and jumping around, and the entire room was in total chaos.   The judge was beating his gavel furiously, trying his hardest to maintain control.  However, no one in the room actually heard him as he yelled for control.

When the camera’s turned back to the reporter, all that could be heard was the excitement in the courtroom.  The reporter wasn’t even able to get a word in edgewise.

“And that was the pandemonium in the courtroom today as AJ McLean was found innocent in the wrongful death lawsuit.  But, now, as an ET exclusive, we have Mr. McLean in our studio to talk to us one on one.  After these messages, we will come back and actually talk to AJ, to get his reaction on the whole ordeal.”

Once the show went to commercial, AJ was walked to the stage and asked to sit on a stool next to the studio desk.  Julie and Mark were prepping him on the types of questions that may arise, while he sat there silently.   It wasn’t until Mark asked if he was okay when AJ finally spoke.

“AJ, are you okay?  If you can’t talk about this right now…we can do it later.” Mark offered.

“No Mark.  I owe this to my fans.  They want to hear about me, so, I will tell you what you want to know.  But, all I ask is that you don’t ask about Brianna.  Please.” He said solemnly.

Mark and Julie just nodded their heads while the tech helped attach the small microphone to AJ’s shirt.  “And now, in three, two one…”

“Welcome back to Entertainment Tonight, for December 17.  Tonight we have AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys.  He is here to answer our questions about the whole lawsuit.  You can email you questions to the address on your screen.  And now…let’s get to it.” Julie stated.

“So, AJ, how are you doing after today’s announcement?” Mark asked.

“To be honest…I am just plain exhausted and of course I am a bit relieved.  However, if I may speak freely…” he hesitated.

“Sure…go right ahead, this is your time.” Mark encouraged.

“Well, you see, although the court found me innocent of the wrongful death situation, I don’t feel that I am.  I know that my peers decided that I wasn’t at fault, but my heart tells me I am.  You have no idea how it is to sit there and listen to all the things that they said.  I had to listen to things that Brianna did…things I did…and then the whole world got to hear about it.” He said, trying to keep his cool.

“But, to be honest with you, it is all a big joke.  Life is just a big joke full of disappointments that seem to keep coming.  Not only do I feel worse now that this whole thing is over, but, I don’t think I will ever forgive myself for the things I have put the Nelson family and the great group of guys that I have called my brothers for so long.” He finished.

“AJ, look, do you think that this whole things has really affected your fan base or your careers as bad as you think it has?” Mark asked.

“Do I think?  NO, I KNOW that is has ruined us all.  Ever since this whole thing happened, bad things have happened to my friends.  Dee is losing her career in fashion design, Nick and Liz have been bombarded by the press about Katie, we all fight, and we all are so stressed out.  Trust me…this is the worst thing that has happened to us.” AJ said, his face loosing color quickly.

Julie and Mark looked at each other.  The interview was not going as planned, and now there were questions coming over the internet that asked even more touchy questions.

“AJ, we have an email here from Jessica in Ohio.  ‘Dear AJ, do you think that the BSB are gonna break up because of all this?’” Mark read.

“Well, to be honest, I don’t know.  I hope that we can work things through.  But, at this point…I just don’t know.” He answered honestly.

“And, from LA, we have Lillian.  ‘AJ, do you think you will ever find someone to love after all this?’” Julie read slowly.

“Look…I don’t think right now is the right time to be thinking about that.  Honestly, where do these people come up with this stuff?” AJ said exasperated.  “I think this interview is over.  I swear, this world is out to hurt people, rather than help.” He said as he ripped the microphone off his shirt and left the stage.

Mark and Julie looked at each other, with nothing but confusion.  “And, that was AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys.  Our hearts go out to him as he continues to struggle with the tragic events of the last few months.”

AJ soon left the studio and decided to drive home.  It was almost Christmas and he hadn’t even set up his house for the holidays.  On the drive home, he decided that there would be no Christmas in his house, even if his mother insisted.   He didn’t want to participate in the gift exchange with the guys and he certainly didn’t want to host the usual parties.  As far as he was concerned…he wanted to stay from everything that reminded him of the life he once knew before everything seemed to deteriorate before his eyes.
 

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