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CHAPTER 3

"Did you need something Kevin,” asked Skip, looking up from some paperwork.

"I was wondering if you’d found a production assistant yet."

"No, but I do have a couple of interviews scheduled for tomorrow. Why?"

"What do you think about Jordan Buchanan?"

"I hadn't. Why? Have you?"

"I just think she's done a great job. Plus she hasn't flirted once with any of us."

"True, but I can't imagine her wanting to give up her job here to go on the road for a year."

"Maybe. Still it couldn't hurt to ask. Think about it."

Jordan stormed into Delaney's office. She controlled herself enough to not slam the door.

"Woah Nellie," exclaimed Delaney.

"I can't believe my life!"

"What's going on?"

"It's official. Shelly's not coming back."

"I thought that was a good thing."

"Nope."

"Why?"

"I have a new boss."

"Who," asked Delaney getting a sinking feeling.

"Bob."

"That's insane! Did David tell you why?"

"He said, well you know you were just filling in. You did a great job, but I need someone with more experience." Jordan imitated her boss.

"Bob manages the food services. He has no experience dealing with acts."

"I know, but you know they are old buds. David knew him before he was made general manager last year."

"Man that so sucks Dan."

"Tell me about it. Bob has already called to tell me what he needed. He will now be dealing with that boy band as he called them."

"Did you suggested he not call them a boy band?"

"No I'm not clueing him in. It's time to update the resume."

"No Jordan!"

"Delaney you've been around David long enough to know he will never see me as anything more. He likes where I'm at."

"I know and I hate it."

"Me too. I suppose I should get the boy band file to Bob."

"Hang in there."

Jordan made a face as she left her friend's office. She collected all the files. She attempted to go over everything with Bob, but he wasn't interested. He was too busy holding court with some of his old staff. He said he would call if he had any questions, but he was sure he would be able to figure it all out.

Jordan went back to her office and immersed herself in work. She also quickly updated her resume during lunch. She got a call from security when Backstreet showed up. She had them call her everyday so she could check in with Skip and the group.

"Hi Jordan," greeted Skip.

"Afternoon Skip. How are things going?"

"Good."

"What do you need today?"

"I can't think of anything at the moment."

"I’ll check in later."

"That won't be necessary."

Both of them turned to see Bob standing in the doorway.

"Excuse me," asked Skip.

"Hello I'm Bob Johnson, Jordan's new boss and you are?"

"Bob this is Skip Matthews."

"Nice to meet you Skip. What do you do with this boy band."

"I am the Backstreet Boys' manager."

Jordan watched Skip's jaw clench.

"Oh! Well if you need anything have them find me," said Bob oblivious to his faux pas.

"Will do," said Skip.

"Jordan I'm sure you have something to do," said Bob.

"I do. Skip it was a pleasure working with you," replied Jordan, smiling at Skip.

"Same here Jordan."

Skip watched her leave then endured a few moments with Bob. He was very happy to be called to the stage. He decided Kevin might be onto something and would make a point of talking to her.

Late in the day, a knock on Jordan's door got her attention.

"Hi Skip."

"Jordan do you have a moment?"

"Sure."

She was surprised when he closed the door and took a seat.

"Jordan I don't know how to broach this subject with you so I'm going to be blunt. Are you happy working here?"

"What," asked a stunned Jordan.

"I'm asking, because I have an offer to make you."

"Which is?"

"I need a PA for this tour. Would you be interested?"

"Why me?"

"You've done a great job while we've been here. I have asked around today about your job here. I had no idea we were the first group you had handled. I would have never known. To find out you've been juggling us with your regular duties is commendable. There is an ulterior motive."

"And that would be?"

"I haven't had any hassles with you hitting on the guys."

"I wouldn't."

"I know, but you would be surprised at the people who do."

"Actually no I wouldn't."

"Jordan you still haven't answered my question…do you like your job?"

"I have always enjoyed my work here, but to answer your question in the most diplomatic way possible…I have recently decided should an opportunity present itself, I would be open to exploring a job change."

They talked for the next few minutes about schedules, salary, and Skip answered her questions. She asked if she could sleep on it. He agreed and left.

Jordan was torn. She was hurt and upset by the turn of events, but she really did like most of the people she worked with and her job for the most part. The problem was she really enjoyed what she was doing while filling in for Shelly. Going back to doing only her old job would be boring. However, she also wasn't sure she was ready to take off on a tour for a year only to come back and look for a new job.

Bob made her decision easier. He spotted Skip coming out of Jordan's office when he was heading home. He got paranoid about them having a closed-door meeting without him. He was sure they were discussing him. He didn't care how good everyone thought Jordan Buchanan was he going to put her in her place now. He walked into her office and with out saying a word closed her door.

"May I help you Bob," asked Jordan.

"We need to set some ground rules."

"Which are?"

"I thought I made myself clear that you were no longer handling the boy band."

"You did."

"Do not interrupted me," he snapped. Jordan merely looked at him and did not respond. "Now I am dealing with them and all their people. I saw the tour manager, Rip somebody coming out of your office. I expect you to direct them all to me. You are also never to close your door to meet with anyone. I am your boss and you are to clear your schedule with me. Do I make myself clear."

"Yes sir."

"Good. That will be all."

"Thank you sir."

They looked at each other for a moment before he spoke, "well?"

"Well what?"

"Aren't you going to leave?"

"Bob this is my office."

Bob's face turned red as he said, "fine. I'm going home anyway."

Jordan watched him go then checked her watch 3:30. The athletes would be cleared out of the weight room. She quickly changed into workout clothes she kept at the office and headed downstairs. She walked briskly past all the dressing rooms and entered the weight room.

She started taking her frustration out on the weights. She realized she had to get out. David had put Bob in charge. She had worked with people like Bob before. They made others do all the work with threats then took all the credit. She was not going to do Bob's job for him.

The job Skip offered her was a good opportunity. She purposely asked for more money than she was making currently. This ensured she could keep her apartment and save some for when she needed to job hunt in a year. She was nervous about leaving her apartment empty for that long, but she also didn't want to put things in storage. She decided to think about all of that later.

Finishing her workout in record time, she left the weight room and made her way back up to her office. She was stopped as she passed the dressing rooms.

"Jordan."

"Yes Skip?"

"Do you know where Bob is?"

"He was leaving when he stopped by my office."

"How I can get in touch with him? If he is going to be our contact I think we need to meet in the morning."

"I don't know his numbers, but David's assistant should and her extension is 2054. She should still be here."

"Thanks Jordan."

"No problem. Goodnight Skip."

"I will wait to hear your answer."

"You will get it in the morning. Promise."

CHAPTER 4

"What am I doing?"

"Right now you're not breathing."

"Del!"

"Dan calm down."

"Calm down? How can I calm down? I have lost my freakin' mind!"

"Why?"

"WHY?"

"If you do NOT stop repeating me I’m going to beat you!"

"Sorry. I'm just a little freaked here."

"Couldn't tell. Now why have you lost your freakin' mind?"

"Because I quit my job. I've taken a job that will last a year. It's a job I've never done before. If I suck I won't even have it a year. In a year I’ll be unemployed. I'm leaving my apartment for the entire time. I'm getting on a plane tomorrow and flying to Ft. Lauderdale. And I'm working for the Backstreet Boys. Screw it up and I could never work again in the business. I've lost my freakin' mind! I'm not going. Done. So what shall we do tonight?"

Delaney proceeded to beat her friend over the head with a pillow. Jordan finally managed to wrestle the pillow away from her.

Delaney breathing hard said, "You are going. If you don't go then you have lost your freakin' mind! You will screw up at some point. Everyone makes mistakes, it’ll be OK. Skip said he was willing to help you learn the ropes. You're smart and will pick it up quickly. Your apartment will be fine. I'm staying here. Thanks by the way. Laura and her boyfriend were making my life one for the roommate hell book. The Backstreet Boys are a bunch of singers who got lucky. You know as well as I do that there are people just as talented, but didn't get the break they did. They are all just a bunch of guys. Finally, we are getting you packed, so I can drag your ass to the airport and put you on the plane."

"You're no fun."

"I'm hella fun, but this is too important for me to let you give in to your insecurities."

"But I really, really, really want to."

"Suck it up."

Her last remark was answered with a pillow to the face. After a few more pillow swipes, they finished getting Jordan packed. Delaney thought she would have to call Mike to break out something from the hockey team's medicine cabinet to sedate her friend. She knew all about Jordan letting her insecurities get the best of her. Delaney was usually the one threatening to throttle her when she really got wound up. She was prepared for more than a few late night calls from her friend while she was on the road. Her hope that Jordan would not decide she was going to fail, because once Jordan made a decision she did her level best to make it happen as she planned.

They hugged goodbye at the airport. Delaney shedding tears and Jordan refusing to. Jordan took her window seat. As they took off, Jordan watched Nashville get smaller and leave her sight. She had never felt more alone in her whole life.

Granted she had always been a loner. An only child, born to overprotective parents, she had grown up alone. She fought hard for her independence. The battle had caused a wall to go up between her and her parents. Neither side knew how to get across. To them it seemed it was all or nothing…a winner and a loser. Though they only lived two hours outside of Nashville, Jordan was rarely home. Of course, her parents only ventured into the "big" city when they had to, because they hated the traffic.

Moving to Nashville was hard, but it allowed Jordan the anonymity she craved growing up in a small town. Everyone knowing you're name could be a real pain in the ass if you hated everyone knowing your business. Jordan hated it with a passion.

Sighing, Jordan let the events of the last two weeks play out in her mind. Had it only been two weeks? Once her decision was made everything seemed to fast forward.

As promised, Jordan had given Skip her answer the morning after he originally approached her. She had purposely gotten to the office early. She quickly pulled all of her personal things off her computer and out of her files and delivered it all to Delaney, who put it in her car. Jordan only took what was hers, but knew she was blindsiding her bosses and they would not be pleased. She wouldn't put it past Bob to insist on seeing anything she took. She'd be damned if the man would see anything personal.

A smile tugged on the corners of her mouth at the memory of her meeting with David and Bob. Their mouths fell open. Bob was the first to recover and as predicted he demanded that she be escorted out immediately. Dan recovered and took control of the situation. He told Bob to take a break and calm down. After he left, David asked her to explain her reasons for leaving.

Jordan explained she was exploring her options. She felt she had gone as far as she could with the company and was ready for a new challenge. David was too stunned to have a counter offer, so he accepted her resignation. When Bob returned, David explained that he had excepted Jordan's two week notice and he expected her to be treated with respected until she walked out of the office on her last day. Bob grudgingly agreed.

Jordan had one scene down and only one to go. She called her parents and told them. She found it better to share information with them over the phone. They reacted as expected…yelled and fussed. "You gave up a perfectly good job!" "What are you thinking?" "You're going on tour with a bunch of men!" "No daughter of mine is going to share living quarters with a bunch rock 'n roll punks!" "Don't come crying to us when you can't pay your bills or you get pregnant!"

The last statement caused her to loose it. She had been pacing in her living room holding the phone an inch from her ear. She could see her parents each on an extension looking down the hallway at each other while they took turns yelling, She knew laughing was not a good idea, but she couldn't help it. Her mother had blurted it out and Jordan laughed. It was instantaneous and the kiss of death. She heard a click of her father hanging up, followed by her mother ordering her home before she left.

One of her stipulations of taking the job with Backstreet was Skip tell no one until they left and she had made it through her final day at the arena. He agreed it would be less hassle. So the band packed up and left a week later with only Kevin knowing the truth.

Her co-workers threw a party on her last day. Delaney thought they were going to make her cry, but instead Jordan, being Jordan, refused to give into the emotion.

She had waited until the Saturday morning to drive up to her parents. They discussed, yelled and finally made a truce all before dark. The next morning they went to church then headed to the next town to enjoy the buffet at the Kentucky Fried Chicken. The drive back to the house was subdued.

Loading up her car, she promised she would call once a week and they could call her anytime. Her father ever the stoic hugged her then went to the shed to feed the cats and dogs that ran around the place. Her mother patted her face and told her to call when she got home. She could see both of her parents watching her as she pulled onto the road. Again she found herself questioning why there was always the battle.

As the pilot interrupted her thoughts to say they would be landing soon, Jordan realized she didn't have an answer for the question and probably wouldn't anytime soon.

Once the plane landed, Jordan collected her bags and grabbed a cab. By the time the cab pulled up in front of the hotel her nerves were back in full force. As she walked up to the front desk her nerves kicked into overdrive. She felt conspicuously underdressed in her jeans and T-shirt that said, "Everybody loves fruit" on the front of it. It had been given to staff to wear when a Fruit of the Loom sponsored concert had taken place at the arena. She had thrown it on that morning while packing. Delaney had insisted she didn't have time to change and catch her flight, so she had worn it. Now she was regretting the decision.

The clerk was taking forever to check her in. Jordan wondered why the woman had disappeared into the back with her ID. Finally, she came back and handed her everything. All Jordan could think was how out place she was. She thanked the woman and was ready to make a beeline for the elevator with her bags. However when she turned to grab the cart with her stuff on it, the smiling bellhop, who was waiting to escort her to her room, startled her. She walked quickly into an open elevator. The bellhop took care of getting them to the right floor. The doors opened and she walked straight into the wall known as Kevin Richardson.

"Woah," he chuckled.

"I…I…I'm sorry," she stammered, turning bright red.

"No problem. Did you just get here?"

"Yes," she answered as she saw him look over her shoulder at the bellhop and cart.

"Have a good flight?"

"Yes," she said again.

The elevator started to protest at its doors being open for too long. Kevin pulled Jordan aside and let the bellhop pass. Jordan didn't know what to do or say. She looked up to see Kevin reading her shirt. He arched an eyebrow as he looked into her eyes.

"Free promotional T-shirt. Um…I better go pay my bellhop. See you around Kevin," she finished in rush of words as she walked down the hallway and into her room.

"Jordan," Kevin said just loud enough to get her attention before she closed the door. She leaned out the door and saw the smirk playing on his lips. "I've always loved fruit."

Jordan's mouth dropped open only slightly. He nodded his head and turned around to press the call button again. Jordan tipped the bellhop as he left the room. Closing the door she collapsed on the couch in the sitting area of her room.

"Hell of a way to start your new job Jordan."