+Intent42-44+

The next day Win signed a contact that she would record one song only, and one video. She’d receive one seventh of the profits from the CD single that would be released along with the video. She’d also agreed on two photo shoots and grudgingly one concert of Clive’s choosing. Aside from the things Clive wanted, Win also had several clauses written into the contract to suit her. The first was that the contract expired by the end of the three year tour, as well as she got to keep her job as executive assistant, and she would do no traveling that took her away from the tour, and the guys. Clive was not happy about the contract, but he had at least something.

Work on the song had already started in the past week. A few of the lyrics had to be rearranged and changed for Win’s part. Kevin was working with Win, teaching her some piano and AJ helped her with the vocals. Siberia was one of the songs she’d never heard, because they did not perform it at their concerts. After she’d listened to it a few times Win liked it, and could work a good harmony with it. Now it was not uncommon to find the guys and Win working at the piano at the venue at all odd times of the night and day.

At the beginning of the sixth tour month, Clive came to the guys with several video layouts. Win was not too particular, she said she’d go with whatever Clive or the guys wanted, within reason of course. Unfortunately she had to meet with Daemon and Dennis and a venue manager the day the final video was picked. When she returned to read the script and see the mock-ups she was livid.

“I am not making out with all of them! Forget it! What the hell is this, a porno, or a music video?” she asked when she saw the concept sheet.

Kevin, Brian, Nick, AJ and Howie are boyfriends of Winifred.

Each is lamenting on her leaving him, and they are all thinking

Back to the good times with her. Each views the other guys as

Competition. All scenes will be paralleled between Winifred and

Each of the respective boyfriends. These scenes will include

Kissing, making love, hugging, and various other ideas to be

Named later. We close we the guys walking away and leaving her

To a snowy fate.

“It’s a perfectly common music video sketch.” Clive responded.

“Perfectly common? Then open up your friggen mind and make it uncommon! No way in hell!” she shouted.

“I got to agree on that one Clive, I mean, we’re friends, and two of us have wives, not to mention the fact that Win and AJ are dating.” Kevin said seriously. Clive’s ears pricked up at the sound of the word dating.

“What was that? You and AJ are dating?” Clive asked.

“Yes,” Win said exasperated.

“How long exactly?”

“Well, We’ve been touring since March, I met Win in April, so, it’ll be five months in a few days now. Wow, can you believe it, five months.” AJ said shaking his head.

“No I can’t, but that is not the issue here!” Win replied.

“Look, this is going to be real clear. It’s acting. You just do it okay? If you don’t like it, I don’t care. Besides, your wives should understand these things by now. You are entertainers, you do what you have to.”

“Excuse me, but I am not an entertainer by any stretch of the word!” Win said angrily.

“You signed a contract, so for now, you are. Besides, I don’t hear your, what is he, boyfriend, making any complaints, now do I?” Clive asked in a contemptuous tone, staring at AJ.

“Because I know to argue with you about this is just fruitless. But make no mistake in this, I am not happy about it.” AJ replied sternly.

“What if we boycott the video, and just not do it?” Brian asked.

“Then I shut down the tour. End of story.” Clive sat back and let the effect of this sink in.

“I guess we’re doing the video then. I just have on thing to say to you Clive.” Win said with clenched teeth.

“What’s that Winifred?” Clive asked.

“You are one sneaky, nasty bastard!” Win got up and hurried out of the office with AJ right behind her.

“Hey, hey, wait up, hold on.” AJ said finally grabbing her and pulling her into his arms.

“Oh, what a jerk, I knew I should not have signed anything!” Win said, now positively shaking with anger.

“Okay, calm down, it’s all right. We can deal with this. Really, it’s not as bad as all that.” AJ said kissing the top of her head.

“I should not have trusted him, why couldn’t I see that?” Win asked, her body only slightly trembling now.

“Because it happens sometimes Win. Even I didn’t see this coming. Look, it will be fine, okay, really.”

“Are you sure about that?” she asked.

“Look at it this way. One of those guys is me, so you’re comfortable with that, right?” he asked. She nodded.

“Okay, and next, Kevin is married, he’s going to be just as uncomfortable as you are, and Tessa is going to be right there. Third, Brian, who is also married, and has a new little girl, thanks to you. That’s three down.” Again Win nodded.

“Then there’s Howie and Nick, you’re friends with them, plus they are also my friends. So we’ll just tell them that if anything happens, I’ll kill ‘em? Okay?” he asked. She laughed.

“Okay, you’re right. But aren’t you worried?” she asked.

“Of course I am. I mean Clive wants my four brothers to play act like they are kissing and having sex with my girlfriend, on camera. What guy would be okay with that? But I also know that it is just acting. And like I said, if they touch you the wrong way, I’ll kill ‘em, that’s all.” Win laughed again.

“You feeling better about it?” he asked.

“Yeah, a lot better. But before the video, we’re having a little conference with the guys, and Tessa and Brianna, just to go over a few rules.”

“Good idea. And one more thing, you are not allowed to enjoy being with any of them either.” AJ added as an afterthought. Win laughed.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be so uncomfortable you’ll be plenty happy.”

Taping for the video was scheduled in October. Win decided to worry about it when it came around, as did everyone else. The tour went on as planned. Win was working her tail off, while the guys were getting tired of the tour. Brian was missing Brianna and Winnie terribly. So much so, that when they had more than one night off, he flew home to Florida. Lately Kevin and Tessa had been arguing, and no one was sure about what. Kevin had not spoken to any of the guys, and Tessa had not spoken to Win.

Despite the attitudes that were going around, Win was doing her part to keep people in good spirits. She acted the clown, burst into song at odd times and would use anything in reach as a hat.

However, AJ’s spirit could not be dampered as long as Win was around. He did his best to keep the tour from becoming monotonous. He and Win’s relationship was flourishing. He’d never been so happy in a woman in his life. Win was never happier in her life, except maybe when she’d been a kid, living with Elizabeth, but she felt just as safe and just as loved now.

The one person who had been unusually quiet during all of what had happened lately was Red. There were of course several reasons, and he was not happy about any of them. First off, his girlfriend had dumped him. Then Win had been hired away, he had no gopher to treat like a piece of crap any more, or take his aggressions out on. Not only that, but because he had no assistant he was much busier than usual. He was also especially mad that Win was getting all this attention. Here she was, on the tour less than a month, and sleeping with one of the Backstreet Boys, not to mention probably Daemon as well, and then she is promoted. Not only that, then she’s offered a music deal. Nothing else could have made Red more angry than watching Win, a woman he considered so beneath him, a homeless bum, and drug addict to boot, sleep her way to the top. But he’d show everyone what she really was. He’d show her.

One evening when there was no concert, Win was practicing on her own at the piano. Brian, Kevin and Howie had just left to get something to eat, and AJ and Nick would return shortly, bringing dinner back for Win and themselves. No one else was at the venue because it was a free night and they were all taking advantage of the city.

Win was picking at the keys when she remembered that’d she’d left her keys by the control panel while she had talked to Gina that morning when they were setting up. Not wanting to forget them again, Win went to look for them.

It was quite inconvenient to look for her keys in the dark, so she flipped the lights on and found her keys. She was just walking back to the piano when she saw Red.

“Hey Win, you’re just the person I wanted to talk to.” He said casually approaching her with a smile on his face.

“Hi Red, what do you need?” Win asked in a friendly matter. She’d not seen or talked to Red in a while, considering her new job, and the obvious reason, she didn’t like him. But she thought it best to be friendly as she could.

“Well, I just got something, that I thought you’d like.” Red said putting a hand on her back, leading her towards to the back of the stage.

“What would that be?” Win asked.

“Oh, I thought you and I, could just go into one of the vans, drink a little vodka, listen to a little Hendrix, smoke a little reefer, get a little friendly.” Red said smiling. Win stopped in her tracks.

“I don’t think so Red, maybe some other time.” She said retreating.

“No, not some other time,” he replied grabbing her arm.

“Let go of me!” Win screamed twisting her arm out of his grasp. She started to run but Red knocked her down, pinning her arms behind her and wrapping something around them. He flipped her over and she tried to scuttle away on her back.

“Oh no you don’t, you think you’re so high and mighty, fucking everyone around here, just to get ahead. Taking away, what should have been my rightful promotion, I’ll show you, you bitch!” Red yelled at her, grabbing an ankle and pulling her back under his legs.

“Get off of me!” Win screamed. Red slapped her hard across the face.

“Shut up, it’s time to pay your dues!” he shouted back. He unbuckled his belt and Win’s eyes grew wide and she screamed again, pushing backwards with her feet.

“Not so fast, your so quick to pay everyone else a visit, you can do it for me too!” Red slapped her again and ripped at the button on her jeans. She continued to scream and struggle for what seemed like an eternity. Red slapped her again to make her shut up but this time she took aim and kicked him in the groin. He crumpled for a second and she pushed away from him again with her feet, struggling to get up.

She screamed for help as she ran but Red caught her again and she slammed headlong into the piano bench. He kicked her ankle sharply and stars popped into her eyes as she felt a lump growing on her forehead. Red flipped her over on her back, slapping her again as she tried keep from losing consciousness. She cried feebly for help as she saw Red exposing himself. She felt her jeans being loosened from her hips, and her vision became blurry. She tried to kick her leg again, but Red had sat on them and pinned them down. Cold tears hit her cheeks as Red positioned her hips for him. He grinned evilly. She called out for help one more time.

“Please, some one, anyone, help me.” “Get the fuck off her!” Red looked up long enough to see AJ diving at him. Win felt Red’s body fall off her legs with a crash as AJ fell beside her. She heard the scuffling beside her and she did her best to crawl backwards.

“Hold on Win!” she heard as she was pulled out from under the piano and helped her up, fixing her clothes.

“I got ya, I got ya.” They said again pulling her up and releasing her hands. Her head hurt so much she couldn’t see. Her vision cleared for a moment and she saw Nick’s worried face pulling her close to him and holding her tight.

“You son of a bitch!” AJ roared pinning Red to the floor as he struggled.

“What the hell is going on here?” Taylor called jogging onto the stage.

“He attacked Win!” Nick said.

“You jerk! Hold on to him AJ.” Taylor called the police and then helped AJ pull Red off the floor. “

You bitch, you’ll get what’s coming to you!” Red screamed.

“Come on Win, let’s get you out of here.” Nick said trying to lead her forward, but she stumbled.

“Here Win, take it easy.” Nick said leaning down and picking her up, pulling her close to his body. Her head hurt so much she couldn’t really think of much else. Nick carried her out to the lobby and sat down with her still in her lap.

AJ came out a minute later and took Win from Nick.

“Oh baby, I’m so sorry, I am so sorry. I should have been here.” He said holding her and stroking her hair.

“I’m okay, really,” Win replied. Her eyes were still full of tears, her head hurt so bad, and she felt humiliated.

The police arrived and took Red into custody. They spoke to Win, with AJ hovering over her, and she gave her statement and agreed to press charges.

“When you take her to the hospital, make sure they take pictures of the injuries.” The head policemen commented as AJ picked her up.

“We will.” Nick said putting a hand on Win’s shoulder and rubbing it.

“Miss, we’re going to take him down to the police station now, you don’t have to worry about him. We’ll have the court set up a time in the morning to get this taken care of right away.” He said looking at Win.

“Thank you officer.” She replied quietly.

Win was silent on the ride to the hospital, and even quieter as she was taken care of. Both cheeks were extremely swollen and she had a large bump on the left side of her head. Her ankle was twisted and she had bruises on her abdomen and hips from where Red had grabbed her. When she was finished, the doctor handed her a folder with all her information, and copies of the pictures for the court hearing.

The doctor accompanied her out to the waiting room to help her on her bad leg.

“I gave her an ankle brace, it’s sprained but not too bad. She really got a bad bump on her head, and the rest are just really bad bruises that will hurt for a while. I gave her some sleeping pills and some pain pills for the next two weeks. If she’s still in pain, she’ll need to see another doctor. I suggested to keep ice on the ankle and the bump until the swelling goes down.” The doctor handed Win over to AJ who picked her up immediately. Nick took Win’s pills and folder from her, and listened to the doctor’s explanation.

“She will be all right? Won’t she?” AJ asked.

“Give it a few weeks, and she’ll be right as rain. But stay off that ankle as much as possible, and just rest.”

“Thank you doctor.” Nick said before they walked out.

Win stayed silent on the ride back to the hotel in AJ’s arms. When they arrived, the whole of the tour was in the lobby waiting to see if she was okay.

Nick quietly pushed them all back and let AJ take Win to bed.

Upstairs, AJ laid her gently down on the bed and went to get her medication.

“Lets see, two, every eight hours, and these, one before bedtime.” AJ said opening the bottles.

“Throw them away.” Win said quietly, curled into a ball on the left side of the bed.

“It’ll make you feel better.” AJ said grabbing a glass of water from the bathroom. He sat down on the side of the bed and held out the water and pills for her.

“I don’t want any pills, just throw them away.” She said sternly, not looking at him.

“Win, it’s just for you to get some sleep.” He tried.

“I don’t want to get rid of the pain. I don’t want to bury it and forget about it.” She said, still looking at the wall.

“Okay, okay, you don’t have to take anything.” I’ll just leave it here for you, in case you want it.” He said setting the glass down along with the three white pills.

“I said I don’t want them at all, why can’t you understand that!” she said sitting up and grabbing the pills off the side table. She scrambled up off the bed and hobbled over to where the other pills were and grabbed them.

“Win, you shouldn’t be walking!” AJ said going after her. She hobbled into the bathroom, ripping the lids off the pills and threw them in the toilet and flushed. She threw the bottles away and looked up at AJ.

“I don’t need any more pills!” she said, “I don’t want to medicate it away. It happened, I have to face that!” she said, the tears building in her eyes.

“You don’t have to face it tonight,” AJ said, trying to console her.

“Yes I do, cause that is the best time to do it.” She replied, the first of many tears spilling out of her eyes.

“Not always, Win, I understand.” He said, but that was the wrong thing to say. She put her hands up to her face and shouted.

“You don’t understand! You don’t know! You don’t get it!” She started to sob. She leaned back against the wall and slid down the wall till she was sitting on the floor. AJ kneeled and sat next to her.

“Then make me understand. I want to know, I want to get it.” He said, watching her shake and tremble, wanting to make her feel better, but not knowing how.

“Give me one of your cigarettes.” She said removing her hands and wiping away some of her tears.

“What?” he asked surprised.

“Just do it.” He pulled his pack out of his pocket and pulled one out of the package, sticking it between his lips and lighting it before handing it to her.

“Thanks,” she said taking it with shaking fingers and putting it to her lips and dragging on the stick. The smoke flared out from between her lips and out of her nostrils as she blew it out.

“Tell me Win.” He said gently. She puffed on the cigarette for another moment and then turned to him, her tear-streaked face just making him want to die.

“Elizabeth’s death wasn’t the only reason I starting doing drugs.” She said holding the cigarette in a shaking hand.

“The second night I was out on the street, after I got kicked out of the orphanage, I was walking along Green Street, it was night, and of course it was stupid to be out, walking at night. I heard someone walking up behind me, they were heavy steps, very heavy. Very ominous too, should have warned me. But I didn’t have time to think about anything, I didn’t hear anything else except the swishing of air when something hit my head. When I woke up I had a blind fold over my eyes and I was tied down. There was a man, he was on top of me, and he raped me.” Win said all of this as if she were explaining something to a student who hadn’t listened the first time she spoke. She didn’t look directly at AJ as she spoke, she couldn’t.

She took another long shaking drag of her cigarette and breathed out the smoke before she continued.

“For the next three days, maybe four, I can’t remember now, he used me. Or really it was more than just him. There were always other voices. I never saw his face. He would drug me, he’d inject me with something, I think it was heroin, but I’m not sure. Anyways, I usually woke up when they were in the middle of it. He never spoke to me. Just raped me. I don’t know how many times, I lost count.” She finished her cigarette here and flicked the butt into the sink. AJ lit another one and passed it to her.

“Thanks,” she replied, still shaking, her swollen face making her all the more tragic looking. AJ lit himself a cigarette as well and leaned his head back as he blew the smoke out of his nostrils, trying to let what had happened to her sink in.

“After he was finished using me he beat the shit out of me, slit my wrists,” she held them up to show AJ. He ran his fingers over the raised and jagged scars. These were the scars he’d thought she’d inflicted upon herself. She felt him take her hand and cradled it in his as she continued.

“He wrapped me in a rug, and threw me in the dumpster behind his apartment complex. I don’t know how long I was there, but I was convinced, that I’d die.” She paused here, sitting and smoking, watching while AJ stroked her hand, fingers and wrist. She finished her second cigarette and again flicked the remnants into the sink. AJ offered her a third and she accepted it, holding it to her lips as AJ lit it for her.

She sat back again and blew out a few smoke rings.

“I thought I had died.” She continued. “But when I woke up, I was in the hospital. I spent three weeks drugged on pain meds. I didn’t have to feel anything. When I was finally recovered enough, the police spoke to me, but there wasn’t anything they could do. I hadn’t seen the man. When I left the hospital for the streets, the memories haunted me. The pain rushed back, and I couldn’t deal with it. I had a few dollars and I knew a couple people who dealt in drugs, I mean, word travels. I got some stuff, and for the next three years, that’s what I focused on. During the day I stayed on pain meds to get me through my jobs, at night, I shot up, snorted, smoked, you name it. Anything to stop from remembering. The only good thing I had left was the choir. And eventually they noticed. You know the rest from there.” She said finally. She felt relieved. For so long she’d carried that around with her.

“Win, I, I am so sorry that happened to you.” AJ said finally.

“So is the guy that did it. Only he’s sorry I didn’t kick it in the dumpster.” She replied.

“How can you, how are you not afraid of,” AJ didn’t know how to finish.

“What, sex? I can distinguish between the two. That was not sex, that was not love. That was rape AJ. That was pain. It could never feel good. Sex feels good, I like sex, just as much as the next woman. I don't like being raped.” She replied.

“And you’re not afraid of anything.” He said.

“I can’t be. If I was, I’d never do anything. I’ve never actually told that to anyone before.” Win replied distantly, pulling the glowing embers closer to her fingers. AJ turned to her, and looked her directly in the eyes.

“I’m honored, that you told me Win, that you felt you could tell me, about, this horrible, horrible thing that happened to you. Win, I want you to know. That I am going to be here for you, forever. And you can always count on me, you can always call me, I’ll come right away, no matter how big, or how small. I love you Win, and I will always protect you. I’m going to be by your side, for the rest of your life. No one, and I mean no one, will ever hurt you again.” AJ felt tears in his own eyes.

“Oh AJ, it’s okay, don’t cry.” Win said wiping away his tears.

“It’s just so awful. And you Win, are this amazing, beautiful person, this incredible, wonderful person. You’ve been through so much, and you still have the strength to go on. You continue to amaze me, every time I look at you. I don’t understand why anyone would want to hurt you. And it makes me so angry, that I can’t do anything about it.” AJ said gently touching her face.

“You can do something about it, you can understand. You can be here for me. You can continue to love me the way you have, with your entire heart.” Win replied.

“And I do love you Win, I love you so much.”

“I love you too AJ.”

“What say we get up out of this bathroom and do something?” he asked.

“Yeah, okay.” Win replied. They both got rid of their cigarettes and he stood up. Win was trying to get up but he picked her up instead and carried her out to the bed and set her gently on it. He sat beside her.

“What do you feel like doing?” he asked brushing the hair away from her face.

“Chain smoke two or three packs, lay back, in your arms and watch the smoke curl away.” She replied.

“We’re going to need some more cigarettes then.”