CHAPTER FORTY-“Who Said It Couldn’t Be Done”

 

Early the next morning, I hugged my dad goodbye and watched as he got into the silver, executive cab that would be taking him to the airport.  It wasn’t so bad this time saying good-bye.  I would be seeing him soon after the tour.  I was flying back out to Canada the same night of the last tour date and then we would be both flying back to New York.  I waved him off before I got into the tour heading to Orlando for the last shows of the tour.  There were exactly three more shows to go.  The last had been added just recently and it was to be publicized on live television.  Everyone was excited about that, especially Lina.

 

“This is so awesome.”  She cried excitedly as the bus drove off.  She pulled me by the hand when I didn’t respond and led me to the small table in our improvised kitchen.  “Do you know who’s going to see this?”  She asked, but she was too animated to wait for my answer.  “EVERYONE!”

 

I nodded with a smile.

 

“Do you know who everyone is?” 

 

Knowing Lina, she was talking about a specific person.  “I have no clue.  Who’s everyone?”

 

With a twisted smile on her face she said, “Jason Pulaski.”

 

The smile on my face kept building till I couldn’t help it anymore and I had to laugh at her lunacy.

 

“What?”

 

“Jason Pulaski?”  I said trying to keep a straight face so my point would have more of an impact.  “The guy that dumped you for your best friend.”

 

“Ex! Best friend.”  She said with annoyance.  “Jennifer Graham.  That hoe!”

 

I laughed even harder. 

 

“Why do you keep laughing?  I’m serious here.”  She said though she was on the verge of cracking herself.    “I wish I could see the look on their faces when they see me on TV.”

 

“Yeah, if they even remember you.  Didn’t you go out with him more than three years ago?”

 

She laughed.  “Ok, so I see your point.  But I’m not the same person I was back then.”

 

I smiled.  “You’re not even the same person you were when we left eight months ago.”

 

She nodded.  “I just want everyone back home to see that.  But I guess it really doesn’t matter.”  She said with an unseen smirk.

 

“Hey look what I found in one of my bags.”  Kristin said coming out of the bunkroom. She held up the magazine so we could see.

 

“Oh, that’s one of the spreads I did in Chicago.”  Lina said as Kristin handed me the Allure magazine.  Her headshot was on the front cover.

 

“Doesn’t she look great?”  Kristin commented.

 

“Thanks.”  Lina said with a big smile.

 

I looked back up from the magazine at her.  “You know what, you’re still the same person that left Canada.”  I said holding up one of the spreads in the magazine depicting her as one of the most brazen and talented new artists.    “You’re just more accomplished now.  And trust me, no one back home’s gonna fail to spot that.”

 

She smiled, content with herself.

 

I kept looking through the magazine before I realized Kristin and Lina were communicating amongst themselves silently.  I rose just in time to catch them making eye contact with each other.

 

“What?”  I asked.

 

“Nothing.”  Lina said innocently.  “We were just wondering how things were going with you.” 

 

“Fine.”  I said brazenly.

 

“Well, with you and…with Brian.”

 

I knew that was coming.  “I really don’t want to talk about it.  Just believe me when I say, I’m over it.”  I said going back to the magazine.

 

They just stared at me.

 

“Ugh, now what?”

 

“Well,” Kristin began.  “Usually when someone says they don’t want to talk about it, it’s because they aren’t over it.  At least not fully”

 

“Trust me, I am.”  I said looking back down.  “Fully!”

 

“If you say so.”   Lina said doubtfully. 

 

I closed the magazine.  “Ok, fine, let’s talk about it.”

 

“No, we’re sorry.”  Kristin apologized quickly.  “If you don’t want to talk about it. We respect that.”

 

“No, it’s ok.  You’re going to find out anyways, I might as well be the one to tell ya.”

 

“Good, because I didn’t agree with Kristin about not letting you talk about it.”  Lina blurted.  “I want to know why on earth, if Leighanne’s out of the way, aren’t you guys back together.”

 

I sighed.  “It’s a long story.”

 

“We’ve got an entire day before we reach Orlando.  Tell us.”

 

“Fine, well you both know that I went up to Kev…” I was cut short when the bus came to an abrupt stop.  And we all turned to look as John pulled back the curtain. 

 

“Sorry ladies.  But the bus ahead of us stopped directly in front of me.”  He informed us.

 

We waited to see what was going on then John opened the side door letting the guys on.

 

John’s intercom went off and Yvonne’s voice came through, along with some static.  “John? What’s going on, why’d you stop?”

 

“Sorry ma’am.  But the young men have decided to mount our bus.”  He explained as he watched them get on.

 

“I should have known it was them.  Guys!”  She cried.  “You do know we’re on a schedule here!  We have no time to be…”

 

AJ smiled and took the radio piece from John.  “Uh Yvonne, what was that?  You’re not coming in clear.  Over.”

 

“I said, we have no time for this nonsense you all know very well that…”

 

“Sorry, but your breaking up, again.  Over.”  AJ said artificially creating even more static than there already was.

 

Nick was of course cheering him on, while Howie and Kevin couldn’t be bothered.  I have to admit though, AJ knew how to get Yvonne wound up.  And that was pretty funny.

 

“AJ give me back to John.  I have no time for this crap…”

 

“What was that last part.  I couldn’t hear it over all this static.  Yvonne, you should really look into getting better buses for us next time, ones without cheap radios.  Over.”

 

“McLean give the fucking radio back to John before I go over there and shove it up your…”

 

We all laughed, including AJ. 

 

“Can you repeat that, I don’t think it came through.”

 

Silence.  The radio went dead. 

 

“Oh shit.”  AJ said putting the radio back in John’s hand. “C’mon man, drive.  She’s probably on her way over here.”

 

John smiled and started the bus back up.  Just as we pulled off, Yvonne’s car came into view.  “Don’t make me get out of this car.”  She cried out to AJ.

 

But he just playfully smiled as he stuck his tongue out at her.

 

“Ok AJ, enough.”  Lina said becoming impatient.  “Leave Yvonne alone before she does get out of her car and beats the shit out of you.”

 

Again we all laughed.  And AJ did stop.

 

“So what are you guys doing here?”  She asked.

 

“Hello...” Nick responded, he had his video system in hand.  “It’s our last day in Atlanta.  We’re coming over for breakfast.”

 

We each stared at them.  “So…where is it?”  Lina asked looking at their empty hands. 

 

“Right here.”  Nick said opening the refrigerator.  “Now get cracking.  I’m hungry.  Oh, and I like my eggs sunny side up.”

 

“What!”  Kristin, Lina and I cried at the same time.  “You’re joking right?”

 

“Yes.”  Howie assured us.  “He is.  We’re going to make breakfast for you.”

 

“Well that idea we like.”  Kristin said with her melodic laugh.  Then she looked around.  “Where’s Brian?”

 

All of the four Backstreet Boy’s eyes fell discretely on me, if that was possible.

 

“Um…I think he said he had a…headache, right?”  Howie said looking at the rest of the guys for reinforcement. 

 

“Yeah, that’s what he said.”  AJ agreed.

 

“So he stayed back at the bus all by himself?”  Lina asked.

 

“Well, he said he wanted to be alone for a while.  He might come over if he feels like it later on.”  Kevin told us.

 

“Right….” I muttered to myself though it was loud enough for every one to hear.  “I’m going to the back.  Call me when you guys are done.”  I said walking away.

 

“I got the TV.”  Nick cried rushing past me with his game.

 

“Don’t you guys have a television back on your bus!”  I snapped.

 

“Yeah and?”  Nick absurdly asked.

 

“Nevermind.”  I said as I followed him in. 

 

I lay down on the couch, and watched him as he set up his system.  Even though I had woken up three hours ago, my eyelids felt heavy and I was finding it hard to keep them open.  At first I kept myself awake watching Nick play some zombie killing video game.  But soon that was giving me a headache.  I closed my eyes for a second before Nick decided he wanted to have a conversation.

 

“So when do you start school?”  He asked not at all turning his head away from the game.

 

“Well, I move into the dorm this Thursday and I start classes on Monday.”

 

“Classes start so early?  I mean, it’s only the beginning of summer.”  He said turning his head for a second, then going back to the game.

 

“Well I signed up for a writing course for the summer.  It’s a non credit course, I just took it so I’d have something to do after the tour.”

 

He hit the pause button on his controller.  “So, you’re voluntarily going to school in the summer?”  He asked a small grin on his face.

 

I nodded.

 

“You’re a nerd.”  He said teasingly.

 

I laughed and sat up.  “Am not!”

 

He laughed too.  “I’m just playing.  I think it’s really impressive that you’re going to college.”

 

“Impressive?”  I asked confused.  “Nick, a lot of people go to college.”

 

“Yeah, I know.  I didn’t though and I just think it’s something I would have liked to do.”  His voice sounded not exactly dejected, but there was certainly a speculating tone to it. 

 

“Nick, you can still go, you know.”

 

“No time.”  He said frankly.

 

“What do you mean no time?  There’s plenty of time.”  I told him.

 

“Naw, I’m always either on tour or in the recording studio.  There’s no way I could find time to go to college.”

 

“You could take courses…during breaks you could take a couple of classes and soon enough you’d get a degree.  You can always go back for a bachelors later on.”

 

He thought about it for a second.  “I guess I could do something like that.  Anyways, what school you’re going to again?”

 

“NYU.”

 

“Right.  Do you think you’ll like it?”

 

“Well, I love New York, I grew up there and college is supposedly one huge party.”

 

“Hey, hey, hey.  You better do some studying.”  He jokingly instructed turning back to the video game. 

 

“Yes dad, I will.”   I said with a smile.

 

He smiled back at me. 

 

I went back to watching him play and I was feeling drowsy again, when he said.

 

“Can you believe how fast time flies.  It feels like just yesterday we began the tour, doesn’t it?”

 

“Yeah, I guess.”  I said thought inside I knew it had felt longer than it actually was.  There were nights I recalled I was begging for the tour to end.

 

“But I’m glad it’s over.  We’re taking a break after this and I’m going to sleep for two straight weeks.”  Nick said looking at me.  He laughed, as I looked at him skeptically of his exaggeration.  “You know, I could sleep for two weeks  straight after this.”

 

I yawned remembering how tired I was right now.  “I believe you.”  I said.  “But is that all you’re planning to do for your two weeks off?”

 

“Well we’re going down the Keys.”  He said referring to the infamous vacation spot in Florida. 

 

“That sounds fun.”

 

“Yeah, AJ, Brian and I are going.  I think Angelina’s coming too.  You should come.”  Then quickly remembering “the Brian and Isabelle situation” he added.  “You probably wouldn’t want to come anyways.  It’s not gonna be that fun.”

 

I smiled, “It’s ok, besides I’m going to school remember.”

 

“Right,” he said, but now there was an uncomfortable barrier between us.  Luckily we didn’t have to sit together in silence much longer, Howie called us out to eat.

 

“We’ll be right out!”  Nick yelled back.

 

I rose from the couch.   Nick paused his game and threw the controller on the couch where he’d been sitting.

 

“Isabelle,” he said before we left the room.

 

I turned around to face him.

 

As not to be heard by the others, he softly said.  “You know that Brian having a headache thing is a lie right?”

 

I nodded, I had figured as much.

 

“He didn’t want to come because he knew it would make you uncomfortable.”  He said.

 

I looked away.  I felt guilty…just because what he said was true.   I would have felt weird if Brian had come over.

 

“I know him, Isabelle.  And I know he didn’t mean to hurt you.  I also know that he loves you very much and it’s eating him up inside that he can’t be with you.”

 

“I know the feeling, Nick.”  I said.

 

He nodded.  “I’m not saying you should reconsider you’re decision.  I just wanted you to know that.”

 

Again I nodded then turned around and we both walked back to the kitchen.  Never before in the time I’d known Nick had he ever looked more serious than the way he’d looked back in that room.

 

When we finally got to Orlando we had gotten so behind in traffic that Lina and the guys had to be dropped off at the venue itself instead of the hotel.  They would have to get ready there and go on right after without a single rehearsal not that anyone thought it would have been necessary. 

 

 The next morning however, it was non-stop rehearsing.  Some things needed to be changed in order for the televised concert tomorrow night.  Lights had to be rearranged and camera angles had to be presumed.

 

The Backstreet Boys had done something really cool.  Since the final concert was added on last minute, no seats had been sold so they were opening up the concert to the fans.  They didn’t care who got in, as long as every single seat in the stadium had been filled.  Once again the boy’s out reach to their fans had added yet another point to their “Best Boy Band Ever” scale. 

 

Kristin and I were in my hotel room waiting for Lina to return from rehearsals.  She would be done before it would be the guys turn to rehearse. 

 

“Well finally.”  I said when I saw her come in. 

 

“I’m so sorry it took so long, they worked my butt off.”  She said plopping down on the chair.  “They want it to be 110% perfect for tomorrow night.  Now I’m nervous.”

 

“Oh no, remember what happened the last time you got nervous?”  I said.

 

“Yeah, I ended up with the hottest guy on the tour.  It ain’t all bad.”

 

They both laughed.  I on the other hand couldn’t help but be reminded of someone else.

 

“Isabelle, what’s wrong?”  Lina asked.  “You don’t find AJ hot.”

 

“Funny.  You know it’s not that.”

 

“I’m sorry, I know.  You still haven’t told us what happened.”

 

“I will”

 

When I didn’t continue, Lina said.  “Ok, well then who wants to come with me?  Yvonne’s actually letting me go outside to get some stuff so you can take back to my family.”

 

“I’ll go.”  Kristin said.

 

“I’ll go too.”  I added.

 

“Alright, lets go get Madd Dogg.”  Lina said as we left the room.

 

“Oh wait.”  I said remembering.  “I have to give Nick back his emulator.”

 

“Well why don’t you guys do that and I’ll go get Madd Dogg.   I need to get some cash from my room anyways.”  Kristin said walking away.

 

Lina and I both nodded and I went back for the emulator.  We knocked on Nick’s door but like usual no answer. 

 

“Maybe he left for practice already.”  I said.

 

“Maybe.”  Lina agreed, but not before she tried the knob.  The door was open.  “We might as well leave it here for him.”

 

I walked in while Lina waited for me outside the door.  I placed the emulator on the table where I was sure he’d see it.  I looked around quickly for pen and paper where I could write ‘thank you’ on when I heard the strangest sound coming from behind me.  I turned around and noticed that it was coming from the bathroom.  It sounded like running water, but there was more to it.  When I finally figure out what it was I had to cover my mouth to keep from bursting out laughing.

 

“What is it?” Lina asked as I signaled for her to come here.  She too had to cover her mouth to keep her excitement in.  “This is perfect.”  She whispered.  “Where did you put the emulator.”

 

“It’s on the table.”  I whispered back to her. 

 

She walked back and got it.  Then she pushed the door slowly open so that he wouldn’t realize we where there.

 

“Wait.”  I told her as she went to press record.  “Not yet.”

 

She smiled, knowing what I meant and waited a few seconds.  “Ok, now.”  She said pressing the button. 

 

I nodded, still trying to keep it all in as Nick sang while in the shower.

 

“Every little thing I do.  Never seems enough for you.  You don’t want to lose it again, but I’m not like them.  Baby when you finally, get to love somebody, guess what!  It’s gonna be meeeee.”  He whined the way Justin Timberlake from Nsync did.

 

That was it, we couldn’t hold it anymore and we both laughed out loud.

 

“WHAT!!”  Nick cried.  “Who’s there?”

 

We were laughing so hard we couldn’t respond. 

 

He came out of the shower, quickly wrapping a towel around his lower half.  Not even bothering to dry off first.

 

“What are you two laughing about?  Did ya see anything?”  Nick asked nervously.

 

We laughed even harder but this time Lina managed to say something.  “It’s not what we saw.  It’s what we heard, baby.”

 

We both sang out.  “Guess what, it’s gonna be meeeee!”  Then we laughed again.

 

“Oh that,” he said trying to brush it off.

 

“Oh that, indeed.”  Lina said showing him the emulator.

 

That’s when we noticed a little redness plague his face.  “Ya didn’t.”

 

“Yeah, we did.”  I told him still trying to hold in the laughter.

 

“Ya wouldn’t.” He cried coming nearer.

 

“Hell yeah, we would!”  Lina shouted.  “We’re going to play this for everyone Nick, baby.”

 

He stumbled a bit, then said.   “So what, no one will know it’s me.”

 

“We’re still recording.”  Lina teased.

 

“GIVE IT TO ME!”  He cried lunging towards her.

 

“No way!”  Lina yelled running away from him.

 

“Give it to me!”

 

“No!”

 

“Give it to me!”

 

“No kid!  You’ve been dethroned!”  Lina said putting the emulator down her shirt with a huge grin on her face.  “We got you this time!”

 

“Don’t tempt me girl!  I will go there!”  Nick cried running towards her.

 

Lina screamed running out the room.

 

He turned to me.  “Isabelle, c’mon.  I thought we were friends.”

 

“Oh Nickay, we are…but we got you and we got you good!”  I said smiling as I walked out the room.

 

“Oh man!”  Nick’s voiced echoed down the hallway as Lina and I gave each other a high five.

 

 

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