Chapter 65:
Leaving on a Jet Plane
The wind whipping in their faces, Nick
threw Howie a grin as they ran onto the tarmac, past the attendants who were
loading their suitcases. Backstreet Management had surprised them, chartering a
Gulfstream for their convenience due to the mad
holiday rush. Kevin grunted in reply when informed, saying he thought the gift
of chocolates had seemed pretty second-rate on management's part. Eyeing the
sleek plane, Kevin nodded his approval. This definitely made up for it
as he high-fived AJ, eager to climb aboard.
Xavier had driven them all to the airport
and was now patiently waiting for them to board. Howie went first, followed by
Nick. AJ jogged up the stairs then turned, sure he heard his name being yelled
above the noise on the runway. He saw Brian shout something to Kevin, then
Kevin holler something back, grabbing his cousin's arm to give it a rough
shake. Unable to hear what was going on, but knowing it wasn't good, AJ gritted
his teeth and hurried back down the steps. As he got closer he caught Kevin
screaming "Come on!" with Brian forcefully shaking his head.
Frustrated, Kevin turned as AJ grasped the older singer by his shoulder, giving
him a questioning look.
"Brian's not coming!" Kevin
shouted, obviously enraged.
"What?"
AJ glared at Brian. He was so close, so
close to going home, and now this.
"Go on!" yelled Brian,
indicating them to leave with a wave of his hand. "I'm not going
home."
"Dammit,
Brian, why?" argued AJ, glancing up to see Xavier standing close.
Brian shook his head again. "I've got
other plans," he said vaguely.
"More important than family?"
yelled Kevin angrily. Brian shrugged, not answering. Kevin threw his hands up,
way beyond pissed at his cousin. "Let's go!" he cried to AJ,
"forget him!" Kevin walked furiously towards the plane, noticing the
curious stares of Nick and Howie peering through the jet's windows.
AJ stood where he was, livid that Brian
was able to screw things up, even at the very last moment. Kevin would now have
to bear the brunt of his vacation time trying to explain to everyone back home
about Brian's bizarre decision. AJ glared at him for a moment, hoping that
Brian could read the contempt in his eyes. Disgusted, AJ turned away and headed
back to the plane, stopping at the base of the stair ramp to glance once more
at him. Brian stood there head bowed, hands in pockets, looking dejected.
Xavier came up from behind, bringing his hands down firmly onto Brian's
shoulders, shaking him as if to say "let's go." AJ noticed Brian
shudder, a quick look of anger, disgust, and panic all rolled into one. Brian's
eyes met AJ's briefly then he quickly turned away, following after the large
bodyguard. AJ stood frozen to the spot, suddenly remembering where he had seen
Brian's look of loathing before. He gripped the stair rail tightly, watching
uneasily as Xavier and Brian walk back into the terminal, merging with the
crowd, until they finally disappeared.
***