| CHAPTER 23 |
| It had been almost a week since the proposal and Dillan had yet to hear of any rumors about it. She had told all her family, her friends back at Hallmark, everyone she knew about her engagement. It was when she was shoping at the Virgin Mega Store in downtown Orlando when she finally saw the news cast. They had a wall of tvs that made up one big screen and had it programmed to MTV. "Hey this is Carson Daly. Welcome back to TRL. Before we get to the number one most requested song, we're going to bring you to a live press conference of the Backstreet Boys in Germany." Dillan found herself frozen like a kid in front of a toy store window. "Two of you are already married. Do you think that having a third Backstreet Boy get married is a good idea?" Brian jumped in before Kevin could answer. "We try to live our own lives. Being a Backstreet Boy is no doubt a big part, but we have to have a real life somehow." "The fans had nothing but well wishes when we got married to our wives," Kevin added. "Just because another is getting married doesn't mean that we're not going to be us anymore." "AJ, do you think your fans are going to change and find someone else to admire?" "Hopefully not," he said as he laughed. "This is the best thing that has happened to me. I love my girl with all my heart, my family right behind her, and my fans are very close to the bumper. I'll still be the same AJ on stage and off, I'll just have a wife to come home to thats all." They cut the press conference and went back to Carson. "Wow. You heard it. Three down with two left. Another Backstreet Boy is getting married. I wonder how the fans will react. Anyway. Now the number one most requested song..." Dillan smiled and continued her shopping for some cds. ~*~*~*~ A month and six days into the tour, three-four phone calls a day, AJ started having problems with his separation from Dillan. Before each day started, he would lay in bed and not get out before calling Dillan. Before the meet-n-greets, or the interviews started, he'd have to call Dillan. Before the concert, he'd have to stop his vocal exercises and call Dillan. And sometimes, if he felt like three calls weren't enough, he'd call her again after the show. "AJ what is wrong," Dillan asked after the fifth call of the day. "I miss you, thats all." "I miss you too, but this is your life babe. You can handle it, we can handle it." "Will you come again?" "Fly out there again?" "Yea." "I'd love to but babe I'm starting school next week." "Oh. When did you do this?" "I did it like the second week after you were gone. I had to pay a little fee for late registration but its okay." There was a silence. "I'm taking music classes," Dillan added trying to spark his interest. Still no answer from him. "AJ, come on. You have less than two months left. I love you." He can never resist responding when she says she loves him. "I love you too," he said quietly. "Reporters keep buzzing the gate to get me to talk to them. I better go fend them off." "Alright. I'll call you tomorrow, princess." AJ slammed his fist into the wall of the the hotel room, making a dent. He didn't want to be in this hotel. He didn't want to be on tour. He wanted to be at home with Dillan, playing pool, swimming, or just watching a movie, anything. He just wanted to be with her. "AJ are you okay," Brian asked outside his door. AJ opened it and found both Brian and Howie curious as to what that sound was. "What happened," Howie asked as he saw the dent in the wall. AJ didn't say anything. A furious expression remained on his face as he paced around the room. "I can't do this," he muttered. "I can't." Both Brian and Howie looked at each other. "What can't you do?" "THIS," he yelled as he threw his hands up in the air. "I'm sick of this! I can't do it anymore. I'm sick of the beds." He threw the blankets off the bed. "I'm sick of the tvs." He threw the remote off the balcony. "I'm sick of the lights." He knocked down the lamp and kicked the light that was attached to wall. He caught his breath as he looked at Brian and Howie who had a scared look in their eyes. He trudged past the two and out the door. Not stopping to wait for the elevator, he headed down the stairs, and out of the hotel. Chapter 24 Featured Stories Main Page |