Chapter 3:

 

Together

A collective sigh of relief escaped from the Backstreet Boys as they collapsed onto the hardwood floor of the exercise room. They had been practicing their movements non-stop, until they had complained that the air-conditioner didn’t seem to be working right and that under no uncertain terms would anyone start again until the air was cranked up. As Fatima left to go find someone in maintenance she warned them not to get too comfortable. AJ snorted and muttered "right" then sprawled spread-eagle onto the ground. Kevin and Howie got up and walked over to the water cooler while Nick sat up, reached over to his duffel bag and fished a Nerf football out.

"Heads up, Bri," he warned and tossed the ball, hitting his friend smack in the face.

"Thanks, Nick." Brian gave him the finger and torpedoed the ball back at him as fast as he could. With a quick reflex, Nick rolled, caught the ball one-handed and off-balanced, then let go with a wicked laugh.

"Yesssss! Two points."

"Lucky catch." groused Brian, clapping his hands impatiently for Nick to toss him another throw. The blond singer made a heroic leap as Nick threw a high one, then flashed him a brilliant smile. "Three points!" Brian crowed, rating his catch.

"In your dreams, Rok!"

AJ groaned and rolled over onto his side, hand propping his head, as he watched the two players try to outdo each other’s catch. He groaned again, this time more audibly, trying to gain some sympathy. "Doesn’t anybody have indigestion?" AJ watched as Nick came sprinting by, then playfully stuck out his leg, hoping he could trip Nick running for a catch. He missed. "And just whose brilliant idea was it anyway to have Chinese food before practice?"

"Howie," answered Kevin, Nick and Brian simultaneously.

"Hey," protested the offended party. "Can I help it if your stomach isn’t used to quality food?"

"Hey," mimicked AJ. "Mind if I fart in your direction next time we practice?"

"Better than slapping me in the face again when we’re rehearsing. You’re timing today is horrible." Howie retorted.

AJ gave Howie a "who me?" expression and Kevin smiled as he sat down next to his reclining friend. The oldest of the Backstreet Boys glanced about the bare room, shaking his head.

"Jeez, you’d think they could afford a chair for us to rest on." Kevin grumbled as he took a sip of his water.

"Naw," replied Howie, "Backstreet management would have a heart attack over the expenditure!" AJ and Kevin laughed at their friend’s remark. Sometimes the simplest needs were too hard for their management team to comprehend.

AJ nudged Kevin with his leg and motioned for him to share his drink. Kevin passed the water to him and then watched as his cousin made a between-the-legs catch. "I heard that they got rid of John." commented Kevin. Nick and Brian stopped tossing the ball when they heard that.

"I thought John quit," offered Brian.

"Huh? What do you mean? Quit? Fired? Which one?’" questioned Nick.

AJ sighed. "Whatever. Doesn’t matter now. We go through bodyguards like water!"

Howie glanced over to the group, all sitting down now, except for him. He splashed some of his water onto his neck and face to cool himself off. "Well, do they have a replacement?"

Kevin shrugged. "They better. Tour is starting soon."

Brian lay down on his back, juggling the Nerf ball from hand to hand until Nick grabbed it. " I wonder who’ll get him?"

Howie shrugged. "Does it matter?" he asked.

***

 

 

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