Chapter
Nine
When the Backstreet Boys went on stage, the girls in
the audience surged forward causing Tessa to have to work to get to where
AJ could see her. A security guard, who on instructions from Howie to watch
for her, made room for her up front, right in front of Howie.
Howie winked at her and waved then made his way around
the stage to AJ and somehow made him look in the direction of Tessa.
Always professional, AJ made it look like part of the
routine. He made his way to just in front of Tessa and let out a big smile.
The girl behind Tessa screamed thinking AJ was smiling at her, Tessa cringed.
She smiled back at AJ and mouthed "I Love You." He smiled again, waved and
finished the routine.
It was time for Howie to do his solo. He was so sweet.
He sang to her and made a show of it. Probably to torment AJ.
Then came Brian, followed by Kevin and then Nick. AJ
was last in line to do his solo. All the guys sang to Tessa at some point
in their solos. Nick even went down on the floor touching hands, sending
the girls around her forward trying to touch Nick. He was quick enough to
avoid problems and got back up on stage to finish his song.
BACKSTAGE
Howie, Nick, Kevin and Brian had all been telling AJ
how beautiful Tessa was and how lucky he was. They all teased him and told
him to be careful, because they were going to try to get her away from him.
He was beaming with pride.
What they had been doing actually, was checking Tessa
out. Before the concert when AJ was in another room, Howie had suggested
that they do something out of the ordinary during AJ's solo. Brain, Kevin
and Nick checked out Tessa and watched AJ looking at her and agreed to Howie's
plan.
When AJ went out to do his solo, all four other men
walked out with him. He stopped and watched them, wondering what in the hell
they were doing walking all over his solo. The crowd grew silent.
Nick went down to the floor followed by Kevin. The
security guards got Tessa through the crowd and to the arms of Nick and Kevin
who lifted her up to the supporting hands of Brian and Howie.
Howie hugged her and said, "Dance with him. You can
do it. Keep your eyes on him and don't think about the crowd. Get into the
music. He will guide you through it."
Kevin and Nick joined Howie and Brian and the four
walked off the stage. The crowd was stunned.
AJ stood there for a moment, but only for a moment.
He motioned Tessa to watch his eyes by pointing to them and mouthing "Watch
MY Eyes." She nodded.
AJ motioned the band to begin. He walked seductively
towards Tessa and began to sing. He twirled his finger at her so she would
begin to dance.
"Something about the way you moved that caught my eye.
I really did have to try it, yeah, I can't deny it." He walked around her
as if checking her out. He stopped behind her and took her by the hips, rubbing
his hands up and down. "The way your body swayed as I watched you from behind,"
he pressed himself against her and rotated his hips, "gotta me so excited.
How could I fight it?"
The crowd went nuts, screaming, yelling and applauding.
They loved it.
AJ spun Tessa around taking her into his arms, "Baby
let me be the one to hold you, give you the things I know you miss. You know
we can wait another lifetime, but we can never find another love," he bent
her backwards, "like this, sss," He brought her back up quickly.
BACKSTAGE
"Damn!" Nick said. The four other guys were watching
from backstage. "You were right, Howie. They look wonderful together. And
look the crowd loves it." The roar was deafening.
There was an unanimous there part harmony agreement
from the guys. "I can't wait to meet her," Said Brian.
"She's a knockout." Said Kevin.
"She's good for AJ." Said Howie.
"Why in the hell did I stay and play video games instead
of going to that bar with Howie and AJ?" Said Nick. "She is good. Real good.
I want to dance with her myself, in more ways than one."
Howie punched him in the arm.
ON STAGE
"Baby move a little closer. I want to feel your body
next to mine. And before this night is over, you will know just what it means,
to be loved until you scream."
Tessa was lost in AJ's eyes and arms. She moved with
him and for him. This was what she was meant to do. Love and dance with AJ
McLean. She forgot about the crowd. All she knew was that she was there,
with him, dancing to their song.
Actually, she could not even hear AJ sing. The noise
was so loud. But, AJ was such a strong dance partner, his body movements
and the pressure of his arms told her what to do.
Her left leg was between his legs and she followed
him all over the stage with no problems at all.
"Tonight, we'll find, find justa what we've been looking
for, good good lovin' and a whole lot more so, hold on, real tight, hold
me and don't' you let go, not till I tell you to...."
Tessa and AJ could not have danced any better with
each other than they did that night. They were beautiful together on
stage.
