"And the winner for best song by a group is the Backstreet Boys and Shy Rose for 'One Time'" the now famous Christina Aguilera announced. It has been an entire year since the song had been released and it had finally won the award it deserved. The boys ran up to the stage with smiles plastered to their face.
"We're accepting this on behalf of Shy. She's out touring in Europe and couldn't be here tonight but I know she would be grateful." Brian announced. The rest of the guys lined up to say thank you.
"I'd like to thank my beautiful fiancée Izabel and our three year old son, Thomas. I love you both!" Brian was beaming from ear to ear and the audience cheered for him. He was a man in love.
"I want to thank my wife, Eve. Take care honey and take care of Shy! Don't let her get into too much trouble. We love you both!" Kevin shouted happily. Eve had since become Breanna's manager and was touring with her in Europe.
"This is for Natasha! Baby, you were with me the entire time we recorded this song and if it wasn't for you, I couldn't have finished the song much less the entire album. I miss you! Come home soon! Oh, Shy, babe, you are da bomb! Luv ya!" Nick and Natasha were still together but Breanna hired Natasha as a dancer on the tour. The two girls had become close in the past year and Breanna was successful at bringing her out of her shell. AJ stepped up to the mike and looked around at the audience as the crowd grew quiet. He smiled and let out the loudest cheer he could muster. He started jumping up and down and pumping his fist into the air. The group had finally won the award that was predicted for that song.
"Thank you everyone! Mom, you guys, Mya! Hun, finish recording and get home! I miss you too, Shy! We all do." AJ was looking at Howie who seemed to be lurking in shadows staring at the ground.
"D? Your turn." Brian smiled at Howie.
"Thank you God, our families, friends, and significant others. We'd like to especially thank the fans. If it wasn't for you, none of this would be possible. You really *are* larger than life. Thank you Shy. This was one of your best songs. We all miss you and hope the tour is going well."
The guys all went out to the after parties with Alexei in tow. He and the guys had remained good friends over the past year and partied together whenever the guys were in LA or whenever Alexei was in Orlando visiting his sister. After the parties died down everyone went to Alexei's new house that he had just moved into. Alexei had become a successful stockbroker and the first thing he wanted was a 6 bedroom home overlooking the ocean in Santa Monica. AJ was always in heaven when he stayed at Alexei's house. The two had become close friends and AJ would frequently fly out to LA to party with his bud.
"Lex, how much did you spend on this place?" Nick asked, walking around the house.
"I didn't buy it." Alexei stated while looking through the liquor cabinet for champagne to celebrate the Grammy win.
"What? You didn't buy it?" Nick asked again.
"Nope. Breanna bought it for me. Didn't she tell you?" Nick shook his head in response.
"I hardly talk to her anymore. Not since the breakup." Nick mumbled. Alexei nodded his head. He knew that Breanna's career kept her away from everyone, especially her friends.
"So, Eve never told you about the house either? She's Kevin's wife!" Alexei teased.
"I don't think Eve knows about it." Nick answered. The rest of the guys were wondering around the house looking at all the photos and the interior design of the house. The only person who had ever stayed in the house so far was AJ. He was in his room on the phone with Mya who was back in Germany recording another album. Howie wondered into the living room when he heard the phone ring.
"Answer it, D." Alexei stated. Howie shrugged his shoulders and picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey, this isn't Lex." Breanna replied.
"Nope, it's not." Howie answered back.
"How are you?" She questioned with a feeling of guilt and pain.
"I've been better. At least we won." He smiled into the phone.
"I know, I heard. Eve told me a few minutes ago. Congratulations!"
"You, too! Hey you wrote it!" Howie felt a little bit better talking to Breanna.
"Thanks. So, you like Lex's house?"
"It's amazing! It's really nice. I can tell that you picked it out." Howie missed Breanna more than words could express but he knew that pressing the issue would only end with her hanging up on him.
"Nah, he picked it out himself. So, is he around?" She asked in a calm voice even though she was on the verge of tears.
"Yeah, hold on." Howie walked towards the kitchen where Alexei was trying to open the bottle of champagne and placed the phone in front of him.
"It's your sister." Howie smiled at Alexei. Anyone could see that that smile was fake. Before Alexei answered the phone he watched Howie slowly walk up the stairs to his room in no mood to celebrate.
"What did you say?" Alexei demanded.
"What? What are you talking about?" Breanna asked quietly.
"This should be one of the happiest days for him but instead he's going to bed. What did you say to him?" Breanna sighed.
"I didn't say anything. I asked how he was, how he liked the house and I congratulated him on the Grammy. What else could I say?" She demanded as tears streamed down her face. Breanna sat in her hotel suite overlooking the Eiffel Tower. It was the same hotel room that she and Howie had occupied over a year ago when Eve and Kevin became engaged.
"I'm sorry, Breen. I didn't mean to snap at you like that. It's just, well, you and D are meant for one another. He really needs you and I know you need him!" Breanna sighed again as she pushed a long strand of auburn hair out of her face.
"I don't need him. I don't *need* anyone. I have you and Eve. Who else do I need?" She demanded as she cried harder.
"You need him. He needs you. Why did you two end it?" Alexei asked gently. Alexei spoke with his sister while he poured champagne for everyone. He motioned to the rest of the guys who were in the living room that the champagne was in the kitchen. He walked slowly towards the private den to speak with his sister to see if there would be any way to get Breanna and Howie back together.
"I couldn't handle the pressure. And I couldn't handle him not having anyone there for him. He deserves someone to be there to hold his hand and to tell him everything will be alright. I couldn't and I still can't do that. Where would I find the time? When he's touring, I'm in the studio. When he's in the studio, I'm touring. When we both have time off, it's at different times. If he's in the US, I'm in Europe. If he's in Europe, I'm in the US. If..." "Okay I get the picture." Alexei stated flatly. "Breanna, you are one of the smartest people I've ever met in my life! And I'm not just saying that because you're my sister, but sis, I think you my have made one of the dumbest mistakes of your life!" Brian walked into the room and sat down on a nearby couch. He held out his hand to Alexei who handed him the phone.
"Hi, Hun." Brian greeted quietly.
"Oh, hi bro." She joked back as she sniffled."Do me a favor?" Breanna asked.
"Sure, anything!" Brian stated happily to his 'little sister'.
"Please don't nag me about D. I can't handle it." She sobbed quietly. He sighed nodding his head.
"I won't. I promise. I just wanted to see how you were doing, that's all."
"I'm fine. The tour is fine. It's exhausting and all I want to do is go home but I'm still having fun." He laughed at her.
"All tours are like that." She smiled and listened as he told her about all the hard times he had while on tour. After 20 minutes she became quiet.
"Thinking?" Brian asked. Breanna nodded her head then let out a laugh.
"Um, yeah. I just realized that you can't see me nodding my head." Brian laughed at her.
"Want me to let you go? I'm sure you have things to do."
"No, I really need to speak with Kevin. That's originally why I called." Breanna stated in a concerned voice. Brian didn't like the tone of her voice but agreed to go find Kevin.
Brian walked into the living to find all the guys including Howie in a deep discussion.
"Um, cuz. Breanna's on the phone for you. She sounds a bit worried." Howie looked up the minute Breanna's name was mentioned.
"Why? What is it?" Kevin asked as he stood up to take the phone from Brian.
"I don't know. I didn't ask. I walk on egg shells when I talk to her." Brian said. Kevin grabbed the phone from Brian and walked up to his room to speak to her. On the way up to his room he made small talk with her while Howie watched and listened intensely.
"What are you doing up so early, young lady?" Kevin teased.
"Up early? You think this is early! It's almost noon here!" She shouted back with laughter.
"It sounds so good to hear you laugh again." Kevin stated.
"It feels good to laugh again. I should try to get on with my life again. It's been almost six months but I just can't move on yet." She explained while she played with her necklace. The necklace was a thin strand of sliver with the promise ring that Howie had given her hanging from it.
"Six months isn't a long time. Don't worry! You'll move on when you're finally ready." Breanna smiled again. Lately, Kevin had become her rock when it came to dealing with her breakup with Howie. He never pressed her to tell him about why and how they broke up and he never pressured her into trying to work things out. He just listened to her and gave her the best advice that he knew she would be willing to take.
"So? What's going on? Brian said you sounded concerned." Breanna let out a slight giggle.
"Okay, I know she doesn't believe me, but I think that Eve is pregnant." Kevin's eyes grew wide as he dropped the phone. He quickly bent down to pick it up and apologized as Breanna laughed.
"What? How do you know?" Kevin asked out of breath.
"I just know! She's always sick, always cranky, always tired, and she's fainted a few times but luckily someone was there to catch her each time. The doctor checked her out but said it was probably too soon to tell if she was pregnant without a test and Eve won't take a test. The tour's going to be over in two months so she wants to wait until then to find out but Kev, I don't want her touring if she's pregnant. I want her home and resting, with you beside her." Kevin smiled as he listened to Breanna. With all of her problems with fame, fortune, and Howie, she always thought about everyone else first.
"What do I do? What do *you* do? Kick her off the tour?" He joked.
"That's a possibility. But that's a last resort." Breanna stated. Kevin realized that she wasn't joking.
"Come out to London next week. Pick her up and take her home! Her mood swings are really starting to piss me off!" Breanna laughed. Kevin laughed at Breanna as he got dressed for bed. He put Breanna on speaker phone when he got to his room.
"I really do hate speaker phone, train." Breanna joked using his nickname, something she had never done before.
"I know, I know! Sorry but I'm getting dressed." He explained as Howie walked into his room.
"Oh, can I watch?" Breanna joked as Kevin laughed. Kevin gave Howie an odd look for barging in while he was getting dressed but let it slide. He knew his friend was miserable without Breanna and figured hearing her voice would make him feel slightly better.
"It sure as hell can't make him feel worse." Kevin thought to himself.
"So? Are you coming to London next week or not?" She demanded with a laugh.
"Yeah, I think so. We have that week off from the studio. Knowing the guys they'll all want to come along, too." Kevin hinted to Breanna.
"Good! Bring 'em! I've missed all of them. And I know Natasha and Eve would be delighted." Kevin laughed.
"Is Natasha bumming around as much as Nick is?" Breanna was quiet for a second before answering.
"No, I don't allow any bumming around. If we're bored, we're out dancing. If we're not on stage or practicing or dancing, then we're trying to catch up on much needed sleep."
"Ah, the joys of touring!" Kevin mussed.
"So, you're coming?" Breanna ignored his joke in search of an answer from Kevin.
"Yes, for sure we are coming. I'll call you later to let you know the flight info."
"What good will flight info do? I'm not picking up your sorry asses! Find yourself a cab!" She joked. Kevin was quiet as he comprehended what Breanna had just stated. "KEVIN! I WAS JOKING! Geez, lighten up daddy." She teased as he laughed.
"If I can't pick you guys up, I'll send out a limo. Eve won't know about this cause I want to surprise her. Natasha, too for that matter." She stated.
"Alright, I'll see you next week!" Kevin stated happily.
"Alright, pops! Geez, you're taking this so much better than Brian." Breanna joked.
"I'm drunk right now. Talk to me in the morning. Goodnight, Bree. I miss you!"
"I miss you too. I love you. Goodnight!"
Breanna walked out of her room and ran into Eve in their hallway.
"Ouch!" Eve shouted, jumping up and down holding her arm.
"Oh c'mon! That didn't hurt." Breanna teased.
"Yes it did." Eve pouted while Breanna laughed.
"You two beating each other up again?" Natasha yelled from downstairs.
"Yeah, you know I take pleasure in hurting a pregnant woman." Breanna replied sarcastically as Natasha giggled to herself.
"I am NOT pregnant." Eve stated.
"Yes you are! You're married, it comes with the territory so get used to it." Breanna smiled at her friend.
"I still don't think I'm pregnant." Eve and Breanna walked down the stairs together to the living room where Natasha was kicking back watching TV, more precisely, watching Nick in the video for 'I Want It That Way'.
"I think you're pregnant." Natasha smiled towards Eve while Breanna nodded her head in agreement.
"Couldn't you both find someone else to pick on?" Eve pleaded.
"Nope. You're it. If someone else was pregnant, we'd pick on them. Last time I checked, my period ended last week so I'm not pregnant." Natasha looked at Breanna.
"I haven't had sex with anyone but Howie so I'm sure as hell not pregnant."
"What is up with the pregnancy talk anyway?" Eve shouted. She was going through heavy mood swings and that just happened to be one of them.
"Okay, Eve, you're living in a world called 'Denial' while Nat and I live in a world called 'reality'. I really do suggest you join us." Breanna teased Eve.
"Okay, fine. I'm pregnant. So fuckin' what?" Eve shouted.
"You're pregnant?" Natasha asked in shock. Eve had been in denial for so long that Natasha was almost ready to believe that she really wasn't pregnant. Eve nodded her head.
"Welcome to my world!" Breanna giggled as she threw her arms around Eve. Eve sighed and shook her head. "I'm pregnant. Oh my god! What do I do?" Breanna and Natasha laughed at their friend.
"Well, you tell Kevin then you leave the tour! We don't want you here. You're an insurance problem." Breanna teased her friend. It was their only day off for the rest of the week. Natasha, Eve, and Breanna decided to hang out and do nothing. They watched MTV and videos that they had taped during the tour.
"So, Bree? You going to date what's-his-face?" Natasha asked out of nowhere.
"Who?" Eve asked.
"Martin asked her out on a date but she keeps turning him down." Natasha informed Eve.
"Martin? That cute dancer on tour?" Eve asked in shock. She had developed a major crush on him. Almost as bad as the crush she had on AJ. Natasha nodded her head happily while Breanna shook her head no in frustration.
"I'm not going to date anyone. Not for a long time." Eve looked at her friend and realized that she would probably never get over Howie and her pride kept her from going back to him.
"Just go back to Howie. It's not that hard." Eve stated with little sympathy. She was tired of Breanna moping around the hotels they stayed in and the way she put little effort into her interviews. It was obvious she didn't want to give interviews because they always asked her if she was dating Howie. She always replied that it was a rumor and that they were friends but when interviewers tried to probe further, Breanna would become frustrated and walk out. She had a reputation for being difficult to interview. Not because she was a bitch but because she was private. She never let any interviewer get too close to her or know any more about her other than she was born in Southern California and that she was 23. She was tight lipped about everything except for her music and the tour.
Breanna sat watching TV with the rest of the girls when she noticed that it was already night. She wanted to talk to her brother but she knew that he was probably out with the guys so she decided to call her house.
"I'm going to go check my machine" she stated as she got up and walked to her room. She dialed her phone number slowly and sat waiting for the inevitable message.
"Hey you've reached Bree and D. We're not in obviously so just leave a message." She heard Howie's voice with her giggling in the background. No one had really been home in a year so Howie hadn't changed the message yet. She dialed in her passcode and waited. Five messages but all for Howie. Breanna sighed and hung up.
"I really need to look for a place. Maybe I'll just stay with Lex." She commented to herself.
When Breanna and Howie broke up, they were in Tampa at the end of the guys’ US tour. She was getting ready to kick off her promotional tour in Europe the next day and decided to end it right then and there. Breanna looked back to six months earlier and realized that Alexei was right. She had made the worst mistake of her life.
She laid on her bed watching TV when her phone rang. "Why does it seem that the phone rings *all* the time?" She growled out as she answered it.
"What do you want and this better be good!" She shouted. The man on the other line was taken aback but recovered quickly.
"Hi, Bree, I mean Shy?" He asked quietly.
"Yeah? Who is this?"
"It's Chris...from Jive?" He replied. Breanna sighed and giggled.
"Sorry, it's been a long tour."
"My sympathies!" He stated in his slight English accent.
"So, what news do you have for me? You guys already have me working like a dog." She laughed.
"No, no work for you. I was in town and wanted to see how you were doing. Congratulations on the Grammy, by the way." He added. Breanna sat on her bed thinking about the Grammy win but it didn't seem like that big of a deal.
"Thanks. Oh, congratulations yourself! I heard you're CEO of Jive now." He laughed again.
"Yes, but I would rather have a Grammy." This time she laughed.
"Heh, I'd rather be a CEO."
"We should reverse careers, don't you think?" She laughed again.
"Yes! Let's do it."
"No, we can't. But we can do lunch tomorrow if you'd like." She thought about his offer.
"It's probably just for business. Why the hell not? And if it isn't for business, I need to move on with my life. Gotta start somewhere." She kept thinking about it for a few seconds as Chris waited patiently on the other line.
"Okay, I'd love to have lunch tomorrow."
"Great! I know where you're staying so I'll pick you up around 1?" Breanna glanced around her room and spotted her closet and the pastel blue dress she had hanging in it.
"Sounds great! See you in the lobby at one. Thanks, Chris! Goodnight!" Breanna hung up the phone and looked up to see Eve staring at her from the doorway, her arm against her stomach. "Baby kicking yet?" She joked as she got off the bed to walk towards her closet.
"Noooooo. Who was that?" Eve asked, following her friend to her closet.
"Who was what?" Breanna asked back.
"You know what I'm talking about. On the phone!" She demanded.
"Chris. CEO of Jive. Lunch tomorrow. Get over it." Breanna stated sarcastically. Eve huffed chasing Breanna around her room as Breanna searched for different things to wear for lunch the next day. "Eve! What do you want?" Breanna was annoyed.
"What are you doing? Going on a date with someone? What about Howie, Bree?"
"Too many questions, Eve! What am I doing? I'm looking for something nice to wear tomorrow. Going on a date? No, it's called lunch. What about Howie? What ABOUT Howie. He's in LA and I'm in Paris. Remember Eve, we broke up?" Eve was flabbergasted. It looked like Breanna was just going to move on without Howie in her life.
"Bree, Howie was made for you! You two are soulmates. You two got along a lot better than Kevin and I do, and Kev and I are married expecting our first child! I've never seen two people more in love and you're going to throw it all away because of a fuckin' tour schedule? Do you see me doing that? I'm touring with you but I'm still married, having a baby. Do you see Natasha doing that with Nick? She's touring with you also. Why are you doing this? You're making a big mistake!" By the time Eve was done shouting she was on the floor crying for her friend.
"Geez, pregnant women!" Breanna shouted helping Eve up off the floor. "Eve, do me a favor. Try to act like your husband does. He listens and he gives advice but not once has he ever tried to get me to go back to Howie. I know he wants me to go back to him but he doesn't pressure me. He wants me to make my own decisions and if I fall on my face he'll be there for me. Just please, leave me alone. If we are meant to be, it will work out in the end. I know it will. Just, leave it alone, k?" Breanna asked wiping the tears away from Eve's face. Eve nodded her head and placed her arm over her stomach again.
"4 months." Eve muttered.
"What?" Breanna asked, unable to hear what Eve said.
"I said 4 months. I'm 4 months pregnant, going on five. It's a girl. I'm going to bed, goodnight." Breanna's chin dropped to the floor as she saw Eve walking out of her room. Natasha stood slightly off to the side of the door looking back and forth between Breanna and Eve. She pushed her blond hair back out of her face as she exhaled deeply.
"Remind me to never tour with you guys again. This is too emotional!" She joked. Breanna nodded her head as she squeezed her bottom lip with her index finger and thumb.
"I'm going to bed. Nighty night, Nat!"
Breanna met Chris for lunch as planned and thankfully it was all business. He showed her a few ideas for the next album and the next tour. She liked what she saw, but she liked what she saw in Chris even more. She had never actually met him before. All business transactions with Chris were done over the phone, email, and fax. He was a tall handsome Englishman. Like the fairytale always says, he was tall, dark, and handsome with large green eyes, very similar to Kevin. He was a gentleman through and through and Breanna was delighted with him.
"So, what are you plans for this week?" he asked her, taking a sip of his wine.
"Touring, touring and more touring. Oh, and the guys are coming to town but shhhh! Eve and Natasha don't know." Breanna smiled childishly at Chris.
"Mum's the word, m'dear." He stated. They talked about business and touring for another hour before Chris looked down at his watch. His face fell when he looked up at Breanna.
"Oh dear, it's late. I have a plan to catch and I'm sure you do, too." Breanna's eyes grew wide when she realized that her plane was leaving in two hours to England.
"Damn! I didn't finish packing."
"Shy, such language for a lady!" He playfully scolded. Breanna smiled back at him, unsure of what to say in response. "Anyway, we better be going. Oh, before I forget, I need a date for the award show next week and..."
"I'd be delighted!" She replied quickly before Chris could finish asking her out.
"Oh, well, okay then. Next week it is! Have a safe flight and I'll call you soon." Chris stood up and kissed Breanna on the cheek.
"Cheer up, sweetie. Things will go back to the way they used to be with Howie. You two were meant for one another." Chris had floored Breanna. Did she still look that upset?
"Don't worry. I read people well." He stated, after reading the expression on her face.
"Oh wow. Thanks, Chris. I'll talk to you next week." Chris walked away from the table as Breanna sat thinking of her situation with Howie.
Breanna walked into her room to find Eve packing her things. "I figured you forgot. So how was lunch?" Eve asked.
"Good. Wonderful, actually. He was the most handsome man I've met in a long time..." Breanna said dreamily as she helped Eve pack.
"More handsome than Howie?" Eve asked nonchalantly.
"Eve...let's not go..."
"I know. Sorry, I wasn't even thinking. Forget what I said." Breanna nodded her head, looking around the room for anything else she might have missed.
"No." Breanna stated.
"No? What?" Eve was confused. Breanna had been thinking aloud lately and it confused her to no end.
"No. He wasn't more handsome than Howie. No one is."
Breanna walked towards the bathroom to pack up her makeup and hair supplies.
"All done packing?" Natasha yelled as she ran up the stairs.
"Almost! Have the bellboy take our things out to the limo. We'll leave when Bree is finished." Eve stated.
"It's almost 5pm and you're still in your pajama's Eve?" Natasha asked in disbelief as she called the lobby to send a bellboy upstairs.
"Yeah, I'll go get dressed right now." Eve walked out of the room slowly, arm across her stomach. That had become her favorite position. Breanna walked out of the bathroom to find Natasha staring at her photo album.
"Whatcha lookin' at?" Breanna asked smiling.
"Oh, you and D. Christmas, remember? You and I met for the first time." Natasha smiled, holding up the photo album to show Breanna the group photo of everyone. Breanna nodded quickly without looking at the photo.
"Thomas has grown up so fast." Breanna commented. Natasha frowned at her attempt to get Breanna to look at a picture of herself and Howie.
"Yeah, he has. Nick says he wants to learn how to ride a bike but Brian won't let him teach Tommy. Brian says Nick'll send Tommy out into traffic the minute a pretty girl walks by." Natasha explained, giggling.
"Nick may be in love with you but he is a normal guy. He loves the ladies." Breanna said laughing.
"I blame AJ." Natasha stated.
"Ya know what? Me too!" Breanna laughed again.
"What's so funny?" Eve asked walking back into the room in her Nike workout outfit.
"Nike?" They both asked.
"Okay, this baby is growing way too fast! My jeans won't zip anymore." Eve complained while Breanna and Natasha laughed at her.
"Come with me, Eve. I have some jeans I wear when I'm retaining water. They'll fit you."
Natasha lead Eve towards her room when Breanna's cell phone rang. "I'm out of hookers for the evening. You'll just have to settle for me" She said into the phone.
"I guess you'll just have to do!" Kevin greeted.
"Oh sorry, Kev! What's up?"
"Not much. Any news on the pregnancy?" Kevin asked quietly.
"I'm assuming by the tone of your voice that you haven't mentioned it to the other guys, right?" Kevin laughed slightly.
"No, not until we know for sure. So?"
"You know what? I don't know if she is or not. I don't think so anymore. But, she still needs to see you. She misses you like crazy!" Kevin smiled from ear to ear.
"Me too. Okay, well, we arrive in London tomorrow. Earlier than expected. When do you get to London?" Breanna wasn't sure when they would be in London but she couldn't ask Eve or Natasha because they would know that something was being planned.
"Hold on a second, Kev. Let me call Chris's hotel room before he leaves." Before Kevin got a chance to reply she picked up the hotel phone. Kevin listened intently on Breanna's cellphone.
"Hey Hun! It's Bree. Not much. When will I be in London? And what am I supposed to wear to the awards while we're at it. Okay, yeah, I'll call you when I get into Birmingham. Have a safe flight. Bye!" Breanna picked up her cellphone sounding happier than she had sounded in a while.
"Okay Kev! We arrive tomorrow. I guess there was a change in plans. We're going to Birmingham tonight and fly to London late tomorrow night. They want to have a press conference early the next morning."
"Bree? Who was that you were talking to on the phone?" Kevin asked suspiciously.
"Chris. Why?" She didn't see the big deal.
"Chris? Who's that?" He asked again.
"Jive...CEO. Oh, not you too, Kev! I just got done screaming at Eve about me being around other guys." Kevin could sense Breanna's frustration and backed down quickly.
"No, Bree. I was just curious. You tell me about everyone you meet and know. I just don't remember you mentioning a Chris so I was concerned. Don't worry, I won't nag you about him." Breanna smiled. Kevin really did understand her.
"Thanks, Kev. I love you! You know my cellphone number so give me a call after midnight tomorrow, k? We have a show. Ugh!" She groaned as Kevin laughed.
"Ah, it's not that bad. The Birmingham crowd was always good to us. Don't worry!"
When they arrived in London, it was almost midnight and raining. Breanna's cellphone had been ringing all day long and she dreaded answering it again. Natasha, Breanna, and Eve sat in their limo on the way to the hotel when her phone rang again. "Would it bother either of you if I tossed this thing out the window?" Breanna asked as she answered the phone. Both girls laughed at Breanna. She had grown increasingly less patient with all things electronic.
"WHAT?" She shouted into the phone. She heard laughter all around and recognized the voices.
"Oh it's YOUUUUU!" She moaned.
"We love you too, babe." Nick joked.
"I'm guessing Birmingham wasn't as nice to you?" Kevin asked.
"How could anyone not be nice to you?" Brian asked.
"That depends. I bet you didn't show any skin and the guys were pissed." AJ commented.
"Oh c'mon!" Howie groaned with a slight laugh. Breanna laughed at his discomfort.
"You don't have to walk on egg shells around me, D. And no, I had a good show, thankyouverymuch!" Eve and Natasha's eyes grew large at the mention of Howie's name and the giggle in Breanna's voice.
"Yes!" They both whispered to themselves in a slight cheer. Breanna rolled her eyes.
"You guys know how much I hate speaker phone!" she complained. Eve and Natasha smacked their knees.
"Damn!" They shouted aloud.
"Was that my girl?" Nick asked excitedly.
"Yes it was, Nick." Natasha placed her hand over her heart and smiled.
"I love you, baby!" She shouted.
"Ahhh, how cute!" The rest of the guys teased Nick. Nick smiled sheepishly.
"Okay, give me the 411 and give it to me now. You know what I'm taking about, Kev." Breanna said quietly into the phone. Eve and Natasha couldn't hear Breanna because the rain was pouring down too hard on the limo windows causing a pounding sound.
"Okay quick info. You know our cellphone numbers. We're in your hotel in rooms 2214 through 2222, even numbers".
"Wow, that's our floor. Okay, I'll call you guys later. An hour. Bye!" She said quickly into the phone before hanging up.
"What was that all about? How come we couldn't talk to them?" Eve asked.
"They said to tell you both that they love you, all FIVE of them love you, and that they'll call you in an hour. Your TWO will call you, no promises if the rest of the guys will be around to make gagging noises in the background." Breanna joked.
When they arrived at the hotel, they made a beeline to their hotel room, trying to avoid the fans in the process. Eve quickly undid her pants because they were too tight and Natasha plopped down on the bed. Dancing on tour had been fun but lately Breanna wanted to add more steps and Natasha, along with the rest of the dancers were too tired from their grueling schedule to learn any more steps. Breanna sat down at the desk in the living room and stared at the clock.
"I'll call them in five minutes." Breanna paced around the room waiting for time to go by when she realized that she hadn't seen Howie since they broke up. She started to become nervous. "What if I throw myself into his arms? What if he doesn't even want to be in the same room as me?" Eve walked into the living room to see all color drained from Breanna's face.
"What's wrong, Bree? You look like you've seen a ghost!" Breanna waved her hand into the air to indicate that nothing was wrong as she caught her breath.
"The tour is just catching up to me. I'm tired, that's all." Breanna walked slowly upstairs to her room and closed the door behind her. She grabbed the phone to dial Kevin's room when her cellphone went off.
"Hello?" She asked slowly.
"Oh dear, what's the matter?" Chris asked.
"Oh Chris!" She sounded relieved.
"What's wrong?" He asked again.
"It's Howie!" She said quietly into the phone.
"Howie? What's wrong? Is he okay?" Chris asked with deep concern.
"No, I mean, yes. The guys are here and I've missed them all but I just realized that I'll be seeing Howie for the first time since we broke up six months ago. I can't handle this!" She shouted.
"Okay, okay. Calm down. Need company?" Chris asked.
"No, well, not yet. Maybe in about 30 minutes when the guys show up here? I'll probably be locked up in my room after 15 minutes of greeting. Maybe you could come over and we can go over the plans for the next record? Or something?" She asked desperately.
"Anything for you, dear. But I do think you should stay and talk to him. Maybe fix things." He encouraged. Breanna shook her head.
"No, not now. Maybe when I get back to Orlando."
"Do whatever you want, dear. Call me as soon as you can. Or better yet, just page me and I'll be right over. Meet me in the hall."
"Okay, thanks Chris! I owe you."
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