Chapter 6:
*Later
That Day*
"Ugh,
I can't get that note right. The range doesn't seem right to me," Bianca
said getting frustrated. "It's either high or low. There's no in
between."
"Look,
don't worry about it," Brian reassured her. "We'll take a break and
get some lunch or something. How does that sound?"
"It
sounds great. I need a break, or I think I might quit before I really
start," she said, putting her earphones down.
"Good,
Now since it's been decided, where are we gonna go grub?" Howie asked as
Bianca walked out of the sound booth.
"That's
a good question, Howie. I was wondering the same thing," she said sitting
down. "I'm starving. Those pancakes I had for breakfast are long gone.
Where are Brianna and Kevin?"
"They
went to lunch a little while ago. Just them," Brian answered.
"Nice
to know they're getting so tight," Bianca said, hiding the slight anger in
her voice. "We'll, let's go. I'm telling you, I'm starving."
"Hey,
guys, I have an idea," Nick said as they got to the door. "Why don't
we go to my house and have lunch? It would save us some trouble, and my mom
wanted to meet Bianca."(A.N.: I don't know how far it is from Nick's house
to Orlando, but for the sake of the story, it isn't far.)
"That
sounds great. We don't have to wear our hats and sunglasses and try to avoid
crowds," Howie replied.
"I'm
up for it," Brian answered. "A.J.?"
"Yeah,
that's fine with me," A.J. answered. he didn't really want to go, but he
decided he would have to go anyway.
"Do
you mind Bianca? If you'd rather go somewhere else, that's fine," Nick
said opening the door for her.
"No,
that sounds cool. I'd like to meet your mom," she said with a smile.
"Well,
Bianca's not the only hungry person here. Let's go already," Howie said
heading out the open door.
*At
The Same Time*
"This
is really good," Brianna replied picking up a French fry. "I've
always liked little places like this because the food is always just right.
"I
know. I love this place. The best part about it is that I can come here and
nobody knows who I am. It's great."
"I've
never really thought about it like that."
"What?"
"How
you guys have to avoid fans and hide. Don't you ever get tired of it?"
Kevin
thought for a minute before answering. "Yeah, we do, but we love what we
do. Sometimes I wish I had a normal life, but I worked so hard to get here. We
all did and that's the reason we keep doing it."
"That's
understandable. I've always thought Bean was kinda crazy for wanting to do all
this, but I never told her. We would get into fights because I wouldn't do it.
I just don't want her to end up hurt or disappointed. She's like my little
sister, and I love her.
"I
can relate to that," Kevin said smiling. "it's like I have four
younger brothers, and even though I know they can take care of themselves, I
feel a responsibility to make sure nothing happens. That's why Nick and I argue
a lot of the time."
"It's
weird, because they get so mad at you, but all you were trying to do was help.
I think I could write a book about this. But anyway, let's change the subject.
"Good
deal," Kevin said picking up his glass of iced tea.
"So...,"
Brianna said trying to think of something to say.
"So...um...I
was, well, I..." Kevin trailed off.
"You
what?" Brianna smiled. 'He's so cute when he's nervous. I wonder what he's
gonna say?' she thought to herself watching Kevin blush.
"Well,
I was just wondering if maybe you'd like to go out Friday night? We don't have
anything to do Saturday, so I don't have to be up at daybreak."
"Yeah,
I'd love to," she smiled. She felt like screaming and jumping around and
letting everyone know how happy she was.
"Okay,
we can go see a movie and get some dinner or something."
"That
sounds great. I'm sure Bianca can find something to do."
"Good
then. It's a date," he said checking his watch. "We need to get
going. It's already 1:00."
"Okay,"
she said pulling her wallet out of her purse.
"No,
I've got this. Go ahead back to your car. I'll be there in a minute."
"Sure."
She smiled as she walked out the door.
"Excuse
me, sir? Are you ready to pay?" The young woman behind the cash register
interrupted his thoughts. Kevin didn't realize he had been staring at Brianna
the whole time.
"Um,
yeah," he replied blushing.
Taking
his money, the girl told him, "Have a nice day,"
"Yeah,
you too," Kevin replied walking out the door to Brianna's car.
*At
Nick's House*
"Mom,
anybody, are you home?" Nick yelled as he walked into the hallway.
"Yeah,
sweetie, I'm in the kitchen making lunch," his mom answered.
"Hope
you're making lots of it," Nick laughed, "cause I brought home
company."
This
took Jane by surprise. Nick usually called before he brought the rest of the
Boys home.
"Well,
Hon, tell them to come right in; they know where the kitchen is. Our house is
always open."
"That's
my mom for ya," Nick said looking at Bianca. "She loves to have a
full house."
Walking
into the kitchen, Nick hugged his mother warmly and gave her a kiss on the
cheek. "I wasn't expecting you home until tonight."
"We
got in last night, but it was so late we just crashed at a hotel. We were
showing Bianca and her friend Brianna around. Oh yeah, mom, this is Bianca. The
new Jive Records talent I was telling you about. We've been in the studio all
morning and we're starving."
"Nice
to meet you, Bianca. Make yourself at home. You're part of the family
now," Jane smiled sincerely at her.
"Nice
to meet you, too." Bianca replied. "Everyone's being so nice to
me."
"Well,
we try, sweetie. Where is Kevin at, anyway?"
"Him
and Brianna went to eat lunch alone," Howie said in a sing-song voice.
"Aw,
that's sweet," Jane said smiling. "Does he have a crush?"
"At
the least it's a crush," Brian stated laughing.
"Well,
mom..." Nick started, changing the subject, "we'll just fix our food
now."
"Sure,
darling. I'll be on the porch whenever you get ready to leave."
Bianca
fell into line with the rest of the guys to finish her sandwich. She needed to
talk to Brianna now more than ever. She was uncomfortable around these guys she
barely knew. A.J. was the only one she had really been around, but he was
acting aloof and unapproachable to her today. Come to think of it, he hadn't
said more than five words to her all day.
'Well,
I'm not making the first move on him today,' Bianca thought to herself. On the
upside, Nick was a lot friendlier to her today. He even opened the door for her
earlier. She decided she'd go talk to him. He was nice enough to invite her
over for lunch and his mom was sweet.
"Can
I sit here?" she asked walking over to Nick.
"Sure,"
Nick answered. "So are you enjoying your day so far?"
"Yeah,
it's just tougher than I imagined." Bianca continued, "I never knew
singing could make you so hungry." She laughed as she took a bite of her
turkey sandwich.
"Yeah,
tell me about it." Nick couldn't remember the last time he was that
nervous. He looked Bianca over as she sat across from him on the couch. Her
dark hair cascaded over the delicate straps of her tank top, and her short
shorts showed off her long tan legs.
Nick
looked up to see her staring at A.J. What's been up with A.J. today?"
Bianca asked innocently. "He's not acting the same."
"I
don't know," Nick replied. Deciding this was a golden opportunity he
decided to add, "he ignores people a lot."
"Really?"
Yeah.
He's really moody and acts different from day to day." Nick knew he was
risking her finding out he was lying, but he didn't care. He had to have this
girl. "Let me give you some advice about A.J. Don't set your sights on
him. You'll only succeed in getting you heart broken."
Bianca
wasn't expecting Nick to be so brutally honest, but deep down she knew he was
right. And it was better for her to know early. And besides, after talking to
Nick she had decided he was just as cute as A.J. She was enjoying talking to
him so much that she had almost forgotten about being abandoned by Brianna. 'I
hope her and Kevin are having a good time,' she thought to herself, 'cause when
we get back to the studio I really need to talk to her.'
*At
The Same Time*
"Look
to them, D. Can you believe this?" A.J. asked as he watched Bianca with
Nick. "That should be me talking to her, not Nick."
"Well,
A.J., if you feel so strongly about it, go talk to the girl. I think if you
wait for her to make the first move, you'll be waiting a while," Howie
said putting down his sandwich.
"No.
I told myself I was gonna wait for her."
"Fine,
man, but when Nick's got a girl and you don't because you wouldn't talk to her,
it'll be your fault. Remember that."
"Whatever.
What would make her fall for Nick, anyway?"
*10
Minutes Later*
"Hey
guys," Brian greeted Bianca and Nick. "Can I sit here?"
"Sure,"
they both answered simultaneously.
"So,
Bianca, how's your first day? I know how frustrated you were," he asked
picking up the remote to the stereo.
"It's
pretty good. Like I told Nick, it's nothing like I imagined. But, then again,
it never is," she smiled. "I'm a very impatient person. That's why I
got so frustrated. I hate it when I can't get something just right."
"Yeah,
I'm like that, too," Nick said. "Actually, I think we all are at
times. Especially Kevin."
"Speaking
of Kevin, I wonder if he and Brianna have gone back to the studio yet?"
Bianca thought aloud.
"Probably
so. I think we need to get going. What do y'all think?" Brian asked taking
the last sip of his iced tea.
"I
think you're right. Kev and Brianna are probably wondering what happened to
us," Nick said standing up.
"Yeah,
they probably are. Thanks so much for lunch, Nick. It was really good,"
Bianca said standing up beside him.
"No
problem. My mom enjoyed meeting you, anyway."
"Y'all
ready to go?" Brain asked A.J. and Howie.
"Yeah,"
A.J. answered brushing coolly past Bianca.
As
they walked out on the porch, Jane stood up. A.J. had already made his way to
the van without saying good-bye.
"What's
the matter with A.J. sweetie?" she asked giving Nick another warm hug.
"I
don't know," he replied looking at his mother. "You know how he can
be."
"Well,
tell him I said bye, okay?"
"Sure
thing."
Bye
Mama Jane!" Brian said hugging her.
"Bye
sweetie," she smiled. "It was good to see you again. Bye Howie."
"Bye.
Thanks for lunch. It was delicious."
"It
was no problem. You know you guys are welcome here any time."
As
Howie and Brian walked to the van, Bianca walked over to Jane. "Thanks for
letting me stay for lunch Mrs. Carter. It was really nice meeting you,"
she smiled nervously.
"You're
welcome," she said giving Bianca a hug. "I'm glad you enjoyed
yourself. You're welcome back any time."
"Thanks!"
"Well,
mom, I'll see you tonight," Nick said hugging his mom once more. "I
love you."
"I
love you, too, darling. I'll see you tonight," she said waving to
everyone.
*At
The Studio*
"Where
could they be? It isn't like Bianca to go somewhere and not tell someone or
leave a note," Brianna said in an exasperated tone.
"I
wouldn't worry about it. The guys probably all went to lunch together and
invited Bianca along. They'll be back soon," Kevin reassured Brianna as he
sat down beside her.
"I
know, but it would've been nice of her to leave a note telling me that."
Just
then, Bianca and the guys came walking in.
"Where
have you been?!" Brianna asked looking at Bianca.
"Excuse
me? You don't need an attitude. We went to Nick's house and had lunch."
"Well,
you should've left a note."
"Whatever,"
Bianca said with an exasperated sigh. "Listen, we can talk about this
later, but I have to go finish recording that song," she said walking into
the sound booth.
Brianna
let her stomp off. "She'll snap out of it after a while," she said
when she saw Kevin looking at her. "She just has to throw fits
sometimes."
"Sounds
like her and Nick would be perfect for each other," Kevin laughed.
Just
then they were interrupted by Brian. "Are you two gonna honor us with your
presence today, or not?"
Brianna
and Kevin looked at each other and laughed. Taking Brianna's hand, he lead her
into the sound booth to hear her best friend sing her heart out.
*Two
Hours Later*
"Okay,
we're almost ready to wrap this up," Kevin's voice boomed over the
microphone. "Bianca, are you ready to work on the last song for
today?"
"Sure
thing, Kevin." Bianca looked at how close he was sitting to Brianna.
'They're getting awfully tight,' she thought to herself. Brian stopped her from
thinking anymore.
"Kevin,
why don't we give her about 10 minutes to freshen up and rest her voice."
"Okay,"
Kevin decided. "Bianca, you can chill for 15 minutes or so." Nick
volunteered to show her where the soda machines were and off they went.
Brian
walked up to Kevin and Brianna and cleared his throat. "Brianna, can I
talk to you for a minute?"
"Sure,"
she said. "What's up?"
Kevin
reached down and took Brianna's hand, letting Brian know he wasn't going
anywhere. He wasn't gonna risk Brian blabbing about their conversation the
night before.
"It's
about Nick," he continued. "He's into Bianca, but he doesn't know how
she feels about A.J. I figured you could help me."
Brianna
laughed. "Bean doesn't move fast and A.J. tried to make-out with her last
night. And, on top of that, he hasn't talked to her today, that I know
of."
"Oh,
really?"
"Yeah,
and she doesn't need that. If we could just get her and Nick talking...wait! I
have an idea."
"Already?"
Brian asked.
"Yeah,
just watch," she told Brian. Pulling Kevin out of his chair they walked
over to where Nick and Bianca were standing.
"Bianca,
me and are going out Friday night. Just us. Can you find something to keep you
busy?" To add emphasis Kevin wrapped both arms around her waist.
Nick
jumped at this opportunity. "I'll go keep you company while they're
gone," he volunteered eagerly. "If that's okay with you."
"Sure,"
Bianca replied casually. It was better than sitting in a dull hotel room all
alone.
"Great,"
said Kevin. "Now let's get back to work."
They
walked back over to the sound booth in silence.
"I'm
so tired," Bianca said stretching her arms over her head causing her tank
top to rise, exposing her stomach. "I'm glad tomorrow is an off day."
"Get
used to it," Nick smiled nervously, trying not to stare at Bianca's toned
stomach. "You'll be glad to see an off day when we start touring."
"Yep.
We don't get many, so when we do it's pretty precious," Brian said
noticing Nick staring at Bianca. "Isn't that right man?"
"Uh
huh."
"Anyway,
you ready to finish recording?" Kevin asked leading Brianna to the couch.
"The sooner we finish, the sooner we leave."
"I'm
ready."
*20
Minutes Later*
Bianca
finally finished recording the final song, after countless times trying to get
it perfect. Stifling a yawn she said, "Boy, who knew singing could make
you this sleepy? I'm in for a treat, huh?"
"Yep,
but you'll love it. I promise," Kevin replied.
"I
know. I hope anyway."
"Well,
let's get going, Bean. I don't want you to fall asleep right here,"
Brianna said nudging her best friend.
"Okay,"
she said with another yawn. "Bye guys. See ya later."
"Yeah,
we had a blast," Brianna added.
"Goodnight,"
A.J., Howie, and Brian said in unison.
"We'll
walk you two to your car," Kevin said squeezing Brianna's hand. "It
might only be 8:30, but you never know what could happen.
"Yeah,
I know," Brianna smiled.
Kevin,
Brianna, Nick, and Bianca walked through the large, glass studio doors and into
the cool dusk-dark evening. Reaching into her purse, Brianna pulled out her
keys. She pushed a button on her remote keyless control and heard the locks on
her door click.
Kevin
reached down to open the door for Brianna, but she stopped him. Smiling slyly,
she said, "Who said I was leaving now?"
Kevin
just laughed. He liked her a lot. She was strong and independent, but still
feminine and extremely sexy. Those qualities turned Kevin on. He liked a woman
who could stand her ground.
"I
was hoping you wouldn't go yet," Kevin said. He put his hands on Brianna's
arms and ran his thumb around nervously. Looking down, he kissed her cheek. She
could smell his cologne. Kevin was more mature than the rest of the guys and
Brianna liked that. She felt like he was more on her level. She had to connect
with someone mentally before anything physical could happen, and she got the
feeling Kevin felt the same way.
"Brianna?"
Kevin was looking at her funny.
"Oh,
huh?" she snapped back to reality.
"I
just asked you where you were staying so I could pick you up Friday night. Are
you okay?"
"Oh,
yeah. I'm fine, just thinking," Brianna blushed in embarrassment. "Me
and Bean are staying at the Sierra Suites across town. On Houston Street."
"Okay,
I know exactly where that is. I guess I'll see you Friday. I'll pick you up
about 7:00."
"That
sounds good. What do I wear?"
Kevin
wanted to tell her just to be sexy as always, but instead he told her
"Something you can dance in. I know this great club where some of my
friends hang out."
"Great,"
Brianna answered excitedly.
"Cool
then, I'll see you Friday."
"Okay,"
Brianna was a little disappointed when he didn't say he'd call her the
following day, but her disappointed soon faded when Kevin started leaning
toward her.
Their
lips met and Kevin took her hand. Their mouths opened only slightly and they
continued in their tender lip-lock.
"Look
at them," Bianca said to Nick as they stood on the passenger side of
Brianna's car. "They don't even care that we're here. That's pretty
inconsiderate." Bianca still thought Brianna had deserted her at lunch and
still felt upset.
"Nah,
I think it's kinda nice how Kevin's acting. God knows he needs somebody to keep
him busy and keep him off our backs." Nick didn't add the fact that he
wished they were doing the same thing. "I think she'll be good for
him."
"About
Friday night, what are we gonna do?" Bianca asked.
"Well...I,
uh," Nick scrambled for words. "I thought we'd just hang out and
watch movies or something. I'm not really big into the night life like Kev
is."
"Good,
me either. Brianna loves it, but I'd rather just chill at home. Oh, look the
lovebirds are done," she whispered to Nick.
"Yeah,"
he answered.
Looking
at him she said loudly, "Well, Nick, I'll see you Friday. I think we'll
have fun."
Brianna
took her obvious hint and said to Kevin, "I guess I'd better get her back
to the hotel before she gets any crankier."
"Okay,"
he replied smiling. "I'm looking forward to our date," he said
squeezing her hand.
"Me,
too." Kevin opened the door for Brianna. Bianca was already inside.
"See you then," he said closing the door. Nick and Kevin watched the
two girls drive off. As their taillights disappeared, they looked at each other
and smiled knowingly. Walking back inside the studio they rounded up the other
guys and headed home.
***