| Chapter Six Fortunately the parking lot at Miller Park had pretty much cleared out where Dee and Melanie were parked by the time they made their way to their cars with Todd and Lonnie or the two huge men would've definitely brought attention to them. Melanie said every 'NSync fan would be able to recognize them as their bodyguards. When they drove up to the Brewer management office area that Todd directed them to, the bodyguards got out, went inside and brought the bandmembers out. There was a handful of girls waiting around and the guys did stop and say "hello" and then ran toward the girls' cars. Lonnie, Lance, JC and Justin got into Melanie's Blazer and Todd, Joey and Chris got into Dee's Trans Am. "I don't think this car has ridden this low to the ground ever," Dee said, laughing, as Todd got into the passenger seat next to her and closed the door. Dee pulled up next to Melanie and told her that she'd follow her to the club. Traffic in downtown Milwaukee was never busy, particularly at this time of night on a weekday, so they were able to find parking spaces within a block of the club. However, there was a small line at the TomTom Club waiting to get in, so Todd said he'd go ahead and talk to the doorman and see if he could get them all in at once. He came back and walked across the street to Melanie's car and they all piled out and then came back to Dee's car and said, "Ok, let's go…they're not only getting us all in right away, but they're getting us a couple tables in a corner." "Do they know that Justin's not legal?" Chris asked. "What they don't know won't hurt Justin," Todd said, "And I don't think they'll argue with me. Just don't give me any reason to haul your ass outta here, J." "Who me?" Justin asked, looking as innocent as he could. Everyone quickly walked past the 10-15 people waiting outside, but it was pretty hard to disguise who they were and a few girls recognized them and screamed "NSYNC!" The guys waved nonchalantly as Lonnie hurried them inside. As soon as they stepped in the door, they were assaulted with flashing lights and loud dance music. Joey immediately went out onto the dance floor and found the nearest girl and started dancing. JC shook his head and smiled. Lonnie led the rest of the group off to a corner near the dance floor where there were three empty tables. As Dee sat down, JC said, "You're Dee, right?" Dee nodded. "Guilty as charged." "You'll have to forgive Joey's manners. He's a party animal, loves to dance, loves to flirt, loves to have a good time, but he's a great guy." Dee watched the subject of JC's description and guessed it was pretty accurate. The girls were loving the bumping and grinding he did and he didn't exactly look disinterested in their reaction. A slow dance song came on and Dee saw Lance grab Melanie's hand and take her out to the dance floor. Melanie's face could only be described as euphoric as Lance easily took her into his arms. Dee's reverie was interrupted when she felt a tap on her shoulder. "Would you like to dance?" Chris asked. "Sure." Dee hadn't danced with anyone but Paul in years. She was unsure of herself, but couldn't sit at the table all evening. Chris was a great dancer and chatted and made her laugh while they were dancing. Good thing too, as she watched Joey dancing with a buxom girl, so close it looked like they were fused together. She wasn't sure why it bothered her, but she was glad Chris was turning as they danced and Joey was disappearing from her line of sight. After sitting down and talking with Justin and Chris awhile and dancing once with JC, Dee checked her watch and saw that it was after 1am. "Hey, it's been really fun, but I'm afraid I'm going to be a party pooper. I have to be to work in 5 hours, " she told Chris, who immediately started singing "Every party needs a pooper that's why we invited you, party pooper!" "Hey…make me feel rotten why don't you?" she teased. JC, Justin and Chris stood up and hugged her and thanked her for coming along. She then went to find Todd. "I forgot that I wasn't going to stay very long. Is this going to be a problem getting everyone back to the hotel?" "Nah. We can take a cab. Don't worry about it," he said. "Thanks for the ride here." Dee then found Melanie and Lance talking near the bar. "I hate to interrupt, but I've gotta get going," she told them. "Already?" Melanie asked. "You haven't even danced with Joey yet!" "Well, he seems to be otherwise preoccupied, so I don't think he'll be devastated," Dee joked. "Yeah, he's being kind of a jerk. After all, he did invite you," Lance mumbled staring daggers out on the dance floor. "It's okay. Have fun and behave," Dee said, smiling slyly as she turned to leave. The night air was warm and she could still hear the strains of music as she walked down the street. Dee slid into her car and closed the door and sighed. What a night! Just then someone pounded on the window and Dee jumped a foot and screamed. There was Joey, leaning down, looking into the car. Dee rolled down the window. "You scared the hell out of me! Don't be going knocking on ladies windows in the middle of the night in downtown Milwaukee!" Dee said in mock horror. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry about scaring you and I'm sorry about ignoring you in there," he said nodding toward the club. "JC just read me the riot act." Dee laughed. "Is he the father figure of the group?" "No, just the most level-headed and he keeps us in line." "Well, you looked like you were having fun. You'd better get back inside before the ladies miss you." Joey reached in and put his hand over Dee's hand on the steering wheel. "Honestly, I am sorry. I wish we'd had time to talk." He had the biggest, saddest puppy dog look on his face. "Well, maybe in another lifetime. I've gotta get going. Thanks again for the tickets. Good luck on the rest of the tour." Joey waved and watched as Dee pulled away from the curb. Dee sighed…a big sigh. She couldn't figure out why she was so attracted to this party boy…. someone she would never, ever be interested in normally. Paul had been so reserved, inhibited, practical……..so boring. Dee felt guilty for that thought and shook it out of her mind as she drove the rest of the way home. Chapter Seven Home |