One down, one to go.

The final concert of the tour was about to begin. Kevin was running around backstage barking orders at everyone. The other four were taking it all in stride and just tried to stay out of his way. They were used to this side of Kevin, although he hadn't been quite as intense the last couple months. But Howie understood. He also had a lady in the audience he wanted to impress.

Kevin didn't just want to impress Kelly; he wanted this last concert to be extra special. This was making him edgy, and the way he dealt with it was by trying to take control. Somebody really needed to calm him down.

The task fell to AJ. He grabbed Kevin's arm and took him aside. "Listen man, you really need to chill out a little bit. You're driving everyone crazy."

"Hey, someone's gotta take charge around here," Kevin said, defensively.

"Kev, buddy. Listen. I know you're worried about tonight. But it's gonna be great, I promise," AJ said, putting his hands on Kevin's shoulders. "Now just try to relax a little."

"Easy for you to say," Kevin muttered. But he realized AJ was right. He did need to calm down. He took a couple deep breaths and rolled his head around a few times to loosen up the muscles in his neck and shoulders. It helped but it wasn't enough. Maybe if he just had some time to himself. He walked out the door and down the hall until he found an empty room. He left the lights off as he sat down in a nearby chair. With his elbows on his knees, he rested his head in his hands and tried to clear out the anxious thoughts running through his mind. He thought about Kelly. She had come backstage to see him when she first arrived at the arena. His breath had caught in his throat. She looked stunning. Her auburn hair had been down around her shoulders, and her eyes had looked so blue. He almost got lost in those eyes. It wasn't until Kimberly had cleared her throat and asked about Howie that he even realized anyone else was in the room.

There was a part of him that wanted to just forget the show and take Kelly back to his hotel room right then and there. They had both been taking things slow ever since they met, but when she had walked in tonight, he knew. This was real, he loved her. And with that knowledge came the desire to give her every part of him. To know her in every way possible.

Kevin knew he needed to get back before someone had to come looking for him. He slowly stood and walked back into the hallway, blinking as his eyes tried to adjust to the light. As he neared the room where everyone else waited, his thoughts went back to Kelly. Tonight was the night he would tell her how he felt. One question plagued him however...what if she didn't feel the same way?

But he couldn't think about that now. It was time.

The energy was electric, and the arena was so full of excitement you could almost taste it.

Every time the lights flickered or the audience saw movement, the screams would erupt. Twenty thousand people were here to see Kevin, Howie, AJ, Nick and Brian do what they did best. The opening act had finished up twenty minutes ago, and the fans were getting impatient. Chants of "Backstreet Boys, Backstreet Boys" came from around the arena as the crowd grew increasingly restless.

Kimberly and Kelly were also anxiously awaiting the start of the show. They had been backstage earlier, but after Kelly saw the look in Kevin's eyes she thought it best that they not stay too long. Now the two girls sat in the VIP section waiting to see their men. Marcus came walking through the arena, and when he saw them sitting there, he came right over.

"Hi ladies, how you doin'? You alright?" he asked.

Kimberly nodded her head, and Kelly said, "We're doing great, Marcus. How about you? Are you looking forward to having a break after tonight?"

Marcus just laughed. "It does get kind of crazy at times. But I wouldn't trade it."

They talked for a few more minutes, and then Marcus said, "Well you ladies enjoy the show now." He winked at Kelly as he said, "I hear it's gonna be extra special."

As he walked away, Kelly turned to Kimberly. "What did he mean by that?"

Kimberly just shrugged. Kelly knew Marcus better than she did. Just then the lights went down, and immediately the screams rose to a deafening pitch. The music of 'Star Wars' came through the sound system, and the dancers made their way onto the stage. Everyone turned to the black box, waiting to see the Boys rising out of it on their boards.

Slowly, as the Star Wars Theme continued to play, smoke began to rise out of the box. Then five heads appeared, and although it didn't seem possible, the screams got even louder. A few minutes later, all five Backstreet Boys were onstage, and lined up for the opening number.

Kelly was surprised at how fast her heart was beating with excitement. For some reason she thought that after seeing the show as many times as she had, and now being intimately involved with one of the performers, would somehow make the whole experience seem routine. But she was just as excited tonight as she had been that very first show in Chicago. Maybe more so.

She gripped Kimberly's hand as the guys made their way around the stage to their side. And when Kevin did his eyebrow raise, she almost squealed. He looked down at her and smiled, Howie winked at Kimberly, and 'Larger Than Life' began.

The Boys were crazy for this last show. They almost did more ad libbing than singing. At one point someone threw a bra on stage, almost hitting Howie in the face. He lifted his hand and caught it just in time, then he and AJ proceeded to play tug-of-war with it, until finally Howie, with a mischievous look on his face, suddenly let go and the bra snapped on AJ. AJ fell down and pretended to be wounded, until Nick came over and helped him back up.

Brian got thrown a basketball, which happened at almost every show. He was carrying it around as he sang, when Kevin uncharacteristically snuck up behind him and stole it away. Kevin dribbled it around the stage, staying one step ahead of Brian who was desperately trying to get it back. Just as Brian caught up with him and reached out to steal it back, Kevin snatched it away, and laughingly tossed it to Kelly. Brian tried to look crestfallen, but he was laughing too. Kelly winked at him, and then handed the ball to Leighanne who was sitting a couple seats away.

Finally, the Boys left the stage, pretending it was the end of the concert, although everyone knew it wasn't. A few minutes later, they came back out for their encore. But this time, something was different. After singing 'I Want It That Way', they didn't leave like usual. Instead they spread out, each one taking one side of the pentagon-shaped stage, with Kevin standing in front of Kelly.

Brian began talking. "We'd like to do something a little bit different tonight. We have a brand new song we'd like to try out, if it's alright with you."

The crowd erupted with cheers. Kimberly and Kelly grinned at each other in anticipation, wondering what was to come. The AJ began, "This is a very special song, and we'd like to dedicate it to each and every one of you, with a special dedication to a beautiful lady named Kelly."

At this, Kelly's eyes widened as she looked up at Kevin. He smiled at her and then winked.

It was Howie's turn now. "So here it is...our Song for the Road."

Kelly wasn't really paying attention to Howie's introduction, so it wasn't until Kevin put his microphone to his mouth and began to sing, that she realized what exactly he was singing.

I've spent so many lonely times

But there's one thing you can give to me.

The rest of the group joined in on the chorus.

Sing me a song for the road

You've given me a song for the road.

Then Brian started the second verse, with AJ taking over halfway through.

I've been all around the world

'Cause in your arms I have all I need

Then all of them again for the chorus.

So sing me a song for the road.....

Kelly's mouth dropped open, her eyes filled with tears, and before they had even finished the final chorus, she ran out of the arena.

Chapter 22
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