CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR-“And The Grammy Goes To…”

 

“Break it down for me, Rok!” 

 

“Baby, don’t bother telling me your reasons why.  Just let us sing this story  ‘bout you and I.” Brian sang into his mic, following AJ’s lead.

 

“Don’t want you back that’s all I know…” They sang in unison while balancing on the stage by a glistening, metal pole.  “…All I can say.  Don’t want you back, you know you gotta go.” 

 

The Kentucky crowd was completely spellbound with the boys, just like all the rest.   Lina, Kristin and I were watching the show from our usual seats.  In counting this had to be like my 16^th or 17^th show, and I still got excited every time I saw it.  Maybe it was because of the subtle changes they’d make in each show, or maybe it was because of the hot guy up on stage that would secretly make contact with me.  I smiled up at Brian, as he passed by over our side of the stage.

 

As soon as the concert was over, the bodyguards, and Yvonne came around ushering us out to the van that waited outside.  We were on our way to the airport to get on a red eye flight to Los Angeles. 

 

 Tomorrow would be a long day for everyone. Yvonne told Lina, she had a fitting at 8 in the morning, and the flight would be getting in at around 6am.  After that she would go to a quick rehearsal at the Staple Center, were she would rehearse her lines for tomorrow night.  She would be presenting an award.

 

“Hey, see you guys tomorrow.”  Brian said, as we got into the van.  He took my hand discreetly, and squeezed it gently in his.  “Everything changes tomorrow.”  He said, and then let my hand go slowly.

 

“Bye, Brian.”  I said with a smile and then I got into the van.

 

“Ok this is it.”  Yvonne said to us as she signaled for Madd Dogg to get out of the white limo first.

 

The chauffer came around and held the door open for us.  Madd Dogg reached his hand back in and helped Lina get out of the car, Grace Kelly style.

 

“Just smile, gorgeous.”  Madd Dogg whispered to her.

 

Lina did as he said, and ate the attention right up.  Yvonne and I followed behind her.  There were flashes of light everywhere.  It was already dark, but there was so much light coming from the high beams, the camera flashes, and from spotlights, that it looked as if it were early morning.

 

“Ms. Mayfield, over here!”  One photographer said.   When Lina turned around to face him he caught her smile on print.

 

“Angelina,” Another person screamed.  “Look here.”

 

“Over here, Angelina” Yet another one yelled.  “You look beautiful.”

 

“Thank you.”  She yelled back giving him a smile.  He took her picture.

 

She did a couple of interviews on the red carpet, and everyone was just inquiring about her dress.  It was made just for her in less than twenty-four hours.  An Anne Klein original.  The designer herself had asked Lina if she could design the dress for her a couple of weeks ago.  It was a handmade one-shoulder dress ending just above her ankle, with a long slit coming up directly on the opposite side of the off shoulder.  The bold, citrus hued dress is shaped by darts in the front and back and it drew everyone’s attention to her bare right shoulder.  Her hair she had in an ornate twist, and she had on a pair of priceless emerald earring that were on loan from Lord & Taylor.

 

We were stopped by MTV News’ John Norris, and he was asking Lina if the rumors where true, that she was dating Justin Timberlake from Nsync.  Her face immediately gave away the correct response; the two had never even been in the same room together.

 

“I didn’t even know people were saying that.”  Angelina Mayfield told John, as she laughed it off.  “We’ve never even met, and my schedule is much to busy to include any romance of any kind.”  She boldly lied.  Yvonne was proud.

 

All of a sudden the shrieks from the fans became louder, and someone shouted, “IT’S THE BACKSTREET BOYS!”

 

Everyone turned around to see Nick, Howie, Kevin, AJ, and Brian step out of the limo...with their dates.

 

I couldn’t help but feel just a bit green with envy at how she clung to his arm while they walked up the red carpet.  Her beautiful, long, blonde hair complimented nicely the lacey, black dress that enhanced her figure.  She looked like an Academy Award Winning Star, but she wasn’t, at least that’s what I kept telling myself as so not to completely feel bitter.

 

Suddenly, my simple spaghetti strapped, scarlet dress that fell just below my knee, and had a soft draped neckline didn’t make me feel as glamorous as it had a few minutes ago.  I was still grateful to Kristin for helping me pick it out, though.

 

 The reporters as well as the fans went wild with screams and snapshots.  We headed inside as everyone’s attention was directed to the boys.  We took our seats inside the Staple Center, and a couple of minutes later the boys found theirs directly in front of us.

 

“Hey Angelina,” Nick said turning around in his seat.  “You must be doing pretty well, you got the seats behind us.  That’s an honor you know.”  He joked.

 

“Nick,”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Turn around.”  Lina said.

 

Nick smugly turned around knowing he had once again gotten to Lina.  It seemed he lived for that.  Lina on the other hand had other things on her mind.  She was going to present one of the most prestigious awards this evening, Album of the Year.

 

Throughout the course of the evening, the Backstreet Boys kept losing in each category they were nominated in.  They had lost BPA to Sting during the pre show, but they were mainly concerned with the last to awards of the night.

 

“Yo, I swear, man.”  Nick began.  “We better leave here with at least one award.”

 

Howie looked over at him, a doubtful expression on his face.

 

The Backstreet Boys switched places with the seat fillers, as they headed backstage, to prepare for their performance.

 

“Hey there, Angelina, Isabelle.” Leighanne said, for the first time addressing me since the last time I had seen her in New York.  She was turned around in her seat, a smile on her face.

 

“Hi, Leighanne.”  Lina said.

 

“Hi” I said, with a fake of a smile as she was giving me.

 

“So, how’s it going?”  She asked.

 

“The tours going great, Leighanne,” Lina told her.  “Just fine.”

 

“I didn’t mean with the tour,” she said, the most incriminating smile resting on her lips.  “Cute dress.” She said giving me the once over.

 

“Thank you.”  I said.

 

“Did you get Angelina to pay for it?”

 

“Excuse me?”  I said, as her comment completely threw me off.

 

Her smile widened as she just turned back around.

 

Lina looked at me warily.

 

I shook my head, gesturing that I had no idea.  But I had this overwhelming wave of guilt.  Ugh, I couldn’t wait for Brian to break up with her.

 

“Hey, great job!”  Yvonne told the guys as they came back and sat down in their seats.

 

“Yeah, baby, you were great!”  Leighanne added, grabbing Brian’s arm as he sat down, then she pulled him in for a kiss.

 

Brian hesitantly ran his hand cross the back of his neck almost as if he could feel my hot stare.

 

Lina stood up and was ready to be ushered backstage so she could give out the award.  “Yo,” Nick called to her.  “Hook us up.  Ok,” We all laughed, but we also held our breaths when Lina came onto the stage.

 

“Please welcome to the stage, tonight’s Rap Grammy winner and the up an coming new star, My Name is What, My Name is Who…Eminem, and Angelina Mayfield.” Rosie O’Donnell said introducing them.

 

“I’m telling you AJ, I don’t care whose name she calls, I’m walking up there to get that award.  I think Santana’s had enough.  Don’t you think?”  Nick said.  “I mean, where is he planning on putting all those awards anyways…”

 

“Be quiet, Nick.  I’m trying to hear Angelina.”  AJ said back, paying Nick no mind.

 

“Yo, so check it, Angelina.  What do you say, you and me get together after the show tonight.”  Eminem started off the skit.

 

“Well, we’re kinda in the middle of presenting an award here.”  Lina said back.

 

“Well, ya don’t mind.”  He said to the audience.  “Do ya?”

 

“I mind!”  AJ said.

 

“Yo AJ, he’s trying to mack to your girl up there.”

 

“Maybe we should just stick to Grammy presenters for now.”  She joked getting a few laughs from the crowd.  Her biggest supporter, of course AJ.

 

“That’s right baby, you tell ‘em,” AJ yelled.

 

“Aight, maybe later then…So this is the final award for tonight, Album of the Year.”  Eminem read.

 

“This years nominees include some very diverse genres, such as Country, Pop, R&B, Jazz and Rock.”

 

“This year’s nominees are…Millennium, Backstreet Boys.”  Eminem announced, Larger than Life came into play.  “Fly, Dixie Chicks, When I Look In Your Eyes, Diana Krall, Supernatural, Santana, Fanmail, TLC.”

 

Lina once again stepped up to the mic meanwhile opening the white, imperative envelope. “And the Grammy goes to…Supernatural, Santana.”  She hid her disappointment very well.

 

Everyone applauded, including the losers. There was really no surprise there, but wishful thinking never hurt anyone.  A booming voice came on I believe describing the formula of writers and producers that went into making the impeccable album.  I don’t think any of us paid much mind to it.

 

I would say that the Grammy’s were a complete and total disillusionment for the Backstreet Boys…but they were incredibly proud of themselves for their impressive performance. 

 

The room was dim and the music was loud, we were at The Firm’s Grammy party.  It was supposed to highlight any awards the boys may have picked up tonight but non-the less, everyone was enjoying themselves.  This was the first time the Stardom of the BSB had hit Lina and I.  Besides the Scream 3 screening, this was the only time in my life I had been socializing with so many celebrities.  Fred Durst was standing four feet to my left, and Lina was talking to Diane Warren, a songwriter.  She approached Lina and asked if she would ever care to go into the recording studio and consider a song she had written a couple years back but hadn’t found the right vocals to carry out it.  Lina was thrilled.  So was her management.

 

Kristin and I were coming out of the ladies room, when we walked into Brian and Leighanne.  She had on her coat, and was walking out the door.

 

“Are we leaving?”  Kristin asked pretending her motive was innocent.

 

“No, she just had to go.”  He said looking directly at me.  “Early wake up call tomorrow.”

 

“Oh ok.”  Kristin said.  “Have you seen Kevin…”

 

“He should be somewhere…”Brian began

 

“Don’t worry, I’ll just find him myself.”  Kristin said purposely leaving us alone.

 

Brian waited a few till she was out of sight, and one with the rest of the crowd, then he spoke.  “I didn’t get a chance to do it.”

 

My face must have given away my disappointment, though I really had tried not to show it.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

“No, it’s ok.”

 

“We just didn’t have anytime with the awards and all the running around.”

 

I smiled up at him.  “It’s ok.”

 

He smiled back, and inched in closer.  He put his hands on my waist then pulled me in slowly.  He was about to lean in, but he stopped.  He quickly removed his hands, and then looked around subtly.  We forgot…we were in public.

 

At around 3 in the morning, we headed back to the airport.  Lina and the guys had a concert in Minnesota, literally tonight.

 

“Hey Brian,” I said, walking over to where he, Lina and AJ were seating.  “I think you’re in my seat.”

 

“Oh, well do you mind if we switch seats, AJ and I are kinda gonna work with Angelina on a song we’ve been writing for her.”

 

“Yeah, ok sure.   Where were you supposed to sit.”

 

“Right there,” he said pointing to the seat diagonal from them, the one next to Howie.

 

I had a feeling there was more to this seat-switching than just to help Lina with a song.  I felt weird sitting on next to Howie after what he had seen.  I don’t think he and I had said two words to each other since that day; I certainly didn’t want to sit next to him on a three-hour flight.  I gave Brian a pleading look.

 

“Just sit there.”  He whispered back, not getting up from the seat, and it was obvious he wouldn’t.  “Please.”  He said pretending to pout.  “For me.”

 

I smiled to myself and started to walk away.  He quickly grabbed my hand and I turned back around.  “I’ll make it up to you.”  He whispered, a sweet smile on his lips, a wicked look in his eyes.

 

“You better.” I said, and went over to sit by Howie.  He had his eyes closed, and appeared to be asleep.  I sat down and pulled up the magazine that was stacked behind the seat in front of me.  I flipped it open randomly, and ironically there was a picture of the Backstreet Boys with a small article on them and their Grammy nominations.  I didn’t bother to read it, didn’t really care what were they’re predictions.  Instead I put the magazine back and opened up my journal. I had been working on my poem for Lina, her birthday was coming up real soon.  It was actually coming along nicely.

 

“Is that your diary?” 

 

I slammed the book closed as a reaction to Howie’s voice.

 

“Oh I’m sorry, I guess it is.”

 

“No, I’m sorry you just startled me.”

 

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

 

“No, it’s ok.”  I told him.  I must have been really concentrating on Lina’s poem, because I hadn’t noticed that everyone was asleep.

 

“So, did you have fun tonight?”  Howie asked, I guess his best effort to strike up a conversation.  He was still in the white suit he had worn to the Grammy’s.

 

“Yeah, I did.  The party was fun too.”

 

“Trust me, it would have been a lot better if we’d at least won one award tonight.”  He said, though he didn’t sound bitter at all.

 

I nodded.

 

There was a small pause, which if timed was probably a ten second break, but it felt like a lifetime.  I knew sooner or later the topic I feared would come up, so I decided to make it sooner than later.  Howie was thinking the same thing.

 

“Look Howie,”

 

“Isabelle.”

 

We laughed, as we both spoke at the same time.

 

“You first.”  He said.

 

“Well, I kinda know what you probably think of me right now,” I began.  “And I just want to tell you that this is really not like me, I never expected this to happen between me and Brian.  It just sorta did, on it’s own.  I just think you should know that I never planned for this to happen, and I really do care about him…a lot.”

 

“I know, Brian told me everything. And believe me, I was shocked at first, because this is not like, Brian…at all.”

 

I nodded again.  I knew that was true.  And it wasn’t like me either.

 

“He called me up last night after we had arrived in LA.  He said he was actually glad that I had found out because it was driving him crazy inside.”  Howie said, he was looking straight ahead.

 

“I didn’t know that.”

 

“Well, imagine trying to keep a secret this big from you’re closest friends. We’re like family.  He explained to me everything. And I know he really wasn’t asking me for any advice, because he seems to have his mind set on you.  But I told him, just follow your heart, man.”  Howie looked over at me, and smiled.  “And I guess that’s what he’s doing.  He cares a lot about you too, Isabelle.”

 

“I know.”  I said.  I couldn’t help but blush.  “Do you think the rest of the guys will be as open as you.” I asked him.

 

“Yeah, I mean they’ll be just as surprised as I was.  But in the end, we all just want Brian to be happy.”

 

“Thanks, Howie.”

 

He smiled back.  He really was a sweetheart.

 

I felt much better knowing that Howie was ok with it.  Well, not ok with it but at least he didn’t express disapproval.  After all the serious stuff was outta the way, which made it easier to relax now, we got into a conversation about his girlfriend, Claudia.  He rarely got to see her because she lived and worked in Europe, and he missed her dearly.  He showed me a picture, and she was very pretty, short brown, hair with big, pretty, and green eyes.  She looked sweet.  Just like him.

 

We heard some whispering coming from where Lina and AJ were sitting.  They must have woken up. Lina was talking in French.  I couldn’t really hear what she was saying, but the last part was clear.

 

“Je t’aime.”  She told him.

 

“I love you too, baby.”

 

“Aw see, now AJ,” We heard Nick’s voice coming from behind.  “You just had to mess it up, didn’t ya.  She’s being all sweet and romantic. Talking to you in French, and what do you do…tell her you love her in plain old English.  You suck dude.”

 

“Yo go back to sleep, Nick.”  AJ yelled back.

 

“Man, I’m just saying.  You could have said something back to her in French, you know, like, ‘Nunca te hare llorar, baby.’ Or something sweet like that.”

 

We all laughed.

 

“Nick, that’s I’ll never make you cry, and that’s Spanish.”  This time Brian yelled back at him.

 

“Oh, well…whatever point is it sounded better then, I love you, blah.  Ya need to be more creative.  Go ahead, Lina.  Say something else to him in French.”

 

She did.  “Tu es mon homme tres sexy.”

 

“Huh?”  Nick said.  “What’s she say?”

“Mind your business, Nick” AJ told him.

 

“Naw, c’mon what’d she say?”

 

“I don’t know I don’t speak French.”

 

“I said, AJ, you are my hot, sexy, man.”  Lina told him with a laugh.

 

“That’s right, baby.”  AJ agreed.

 

“Oh please.  You two need to get a room.”

 

“Don’t be bitter, Nick.  Someone will come along and teach you to speak the language of love.  Let’s hope they can teach you something else too…”

 

“Trou de cul” Nick said back.  “Is that French enough for you, AJ.”

 

Lina and I laughed.

 

“What’d he say?”  AJ asked.

 

“Don’t tell him, Lina.”

 

“Yo, Nick, what’d you say?”

 

“I dunno, I don’t speak the language of love, remember…dumbass!”

 

“Yo, man, what’d you say?”  AJ persisted.

 

We all started to laugh harder.

 

“I dunno!” Nick said, laughing just as hard as the rest of us.

 

When we finally got off the plane, it was it was around eight o’clock in the morning.  We were heading toward the exit, where another van was waiting for us.  Our luggage had been taken care of ahead of time.

 

“So,” Brian said when he finally caught up to me.  “What happened last night?”

 

“With?”  I playfully asked.

 

“You and Howie.”  Brian continued.

 

“It was cool.” I told him

 

He smiled.  “Yeah, I knew it would be.  How do you feel about it now?”

 

“Better.  I have a good feeling about us.”

 

“Yeah,” he said.  “So do I.”

 

 

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