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“Who is that?”
“I don’t know.”
“I’ve never seen her.”
Kassidy smirked as she heard the whispers. She had to admit she was achieving the affect she wanted. She was wearing black leather pants and a halter-top. Her black leather jacket was slung over her shoulder and you could hear the click of her boots on the cement floor. She was carrying her duffel bag. She had gone total rocker chick when she left the house that morning to catch her plane. She was hooking up with Nick at the Fleet Center in Boston where Metallica were kicking off the tour that night, which happened to also be New Year’s Eve. She wasn’t sure how Nick would handle the look, but it was her armor. She had talked to him throughout the week and he was having a great time. She was nervous about being around the other bands that went out of their way to be rude about Backstreet. An arm around her shoulder made her jump.
“Well missy don’t you look hot.”
“Hi James. How are you?”
“I’m good, but not as good as your boyfriend when he sees you.”
“Do you think he will like it?”
“If he doesn’t all the guys watching you walk down through here will. Nick’s in our dressing room.”
James made her wait outside the door. He told Nick there was a fan outside wanting for an autograph. Nick gave him a suspicious glance, but opened the door. He did a double take when he saw Kassi, then kissed her. After breaking the kiss he made her turn around for him.
“I’ve never seen you dressed like that,” he said as he watched her.
“You don’t like it.”
“No me likes. Me likes alot.”
“Really?”
“Really,” he said as he pulled her into another kiss.
“Break it up you two,” teased James.
“Yeah don’t we get to meet her,” asked Lars.
“Oh yeah. Guys this is Kassidy. Kassidy these are the guys.”
“Hi guys.”
“Hi Kassidy,” they replied.
“So was he a complete pain this week.”
“The worst,” teased Lars with a wink.
“Thought so. I will punish him for you,” replied Kassidy.
“Kassi,” scolded Nick with a grin.
“What? I’m an angel.”
“I believe it,” said Kirk.
They continued to talk until it was time for the band's meet and greet. Nick showed Kassidy the stage. He introduced her to the other bands. They were polite and for the most part seemed friendly to Nick. They went back to Mettalica’s dressing room where the band was warming up. Lars pulled Nick over to talk while a massage therapist worked on his arms. Kassidy went over to James.
“Thanks James. He looks like he had a great time.”
“He’s a good guy. We all had a good time.”
“So were there any problems with him being a Backstreet Boy.”
“The first day he was here Dexter from Offspring tried to start something. Nick held his ground. Dexter backed down. Lars and I had a talk with them and they backed off.”
“Thanks.”
“Anytime. The only problem we had was he wouldn’t shut up about you.”
“What?”
“I’m teasing, but it’s obvious he loves you. And he’s right, you are cute when you blush.”
“Shut up. Go back to warming up.”
Nick and Kassidy watched the bands from the side of the stage. James called them on stage as they counted down the New Year. The crowd was surprised to see a Backstreet Boy, but James said they were old friends. Confetti was released and they kissed.
There was a party afterwards. They stayed until Nick had enough of watching Kassidy in her leather pants. He wanted her alone. They said goodnight and headed up stairs where they proceeded to make up for lost time.
The following day Metallica had rented out one of the hotel’s ballrooms and had a big screen TV brought in. Everyone watched football.
Nick and Kassidy watched the show from the side of the stage again that night. After the show they said goodbye to James and everyone else. The bands got on buses and headed out. The couple went back to the hotel; they weren’t flying out until the next morning.
On the plane, Nick whispered, “Thanks for making this last week happen. It was great.”
“I’m glad you had a good time.”
“The only thing missing was you, but seeing you in those leather pants and little top was so worth it.”
“Do you want me to dress like that more often?”
“Anytime you want.”
“When do I get to see you in leather? Other than on stage.”
“Don’t know. Guess I need to get some leather pants.”
“Yes you do.”
“Yes ma’am.”
They talked the rest of the flight home. Since Kassidy was only gone two days the dogs had stayed home. Lily had stopped by to check on them and left a casserole.
Late in the afternoon, Kassidy got a call from an old Nashville friend, Dena. Dena was in town with Edwin McCain. She was his production assistant. Kassidy had remembered how excited Dena was when she got the job. They had kept in touch via email mainly. Dena invited them to Edwin’s show that night. She knew how much Kassidy loved Edwin’s music. Nick also knew of her love of Edwin McCain and thought this would be the right night for what he had planned.
Dena met them at the door and took them backstage. She introduced them to Edwin. They laughed and talked until it was almost showtime. When Dena pulled Kassidy out of the dressing room for a moment, Nick recruited Edwin for his surprise.
Dena lead them out to the front of the stage. Kassidy spent the night dancing and singing. Nick stood right behind her and tried to calm his nerves. Finally the moment came.
“This is the last song of the night, I’m sure everyone knows it. However, tonight I’ve been asked by a new friend of mine to dedicate it to his girl. Kassidy, Nick promises what this song promises…” trailed off Edwin as the song began.
The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful
Stop me and steal my breath
Emeralds from mountains thrust towards the sky
Never revealing their depth
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated
I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above
I'll be your cryin' shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
Rain falls angry on the tin roof
As we lie awake in my bed
You're my survival, you're my living proof
My love is alive and not dead
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up in the trappings of love
I'll be captivated
I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above
I'll be your cryin' shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
I've dropped out, burned up, fought my way back from the dead
Tuned in, turned on, remembered the thing you said
I'll be your cryin' shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life
As the song ended, Kassidy turned to Nick. She was crying. She caressed his cheek and pulled him into a kiss. He broke the kiss and pulled her to the back.
“Kassi there is something I have to ask you.”
“What?”
“I meant what he sang. I am your greatest fan. I promise I will get better as I get older.”
“I think you're great now.”
“Damn this isn’t coming out right.”
“Just say it Nick.”
Nick took a deep breath, then asked, “Kass will you marry me?”
Kassidy paused for a moment, so he continued, “think about it.”
“I don’t have to. Nick I will marry you.”
“You will?”
“Yes!”
“WOOOOOOHOOOOOO!”
“So folks I take it we’re engaged,” stated Edwin as he came backstage.
“Yep,” answered Nick.
“Congratulations,” exclaimed Dena. “Let me see the ring.”
“Don’t have one,” answered Kassidy.
“I hadn’t gotten to that part yet,” stated Nick, pulling a box out of his pants pocket. He opened it to reveal a round diamond solitaire.
“Excellent choice,” complimented Dena.
Nick placed the ring on Kassidy’s finger. She kissed him then they all went back to the dressing room. Soon they went home and made love into the early morning hours. For once Kassidy didn’t rush to organize things. She didn’t call anyone. She was content to savior this special time with Nick. Everyone would find out soon enough.
