Lauryn:

 

            I unlocked the door to my apartment, my arms loaded with groceries, and flipped on the overhead light. I set the bags down on the kitchen counter, and pressed “Play” on my answering machine. While I put my perishables away, I listened to the messages from the day. “You have five new messages,” the automated voice said.

            “Hey, Pooka. You know who this is. Call you later. Love you,” Brian loving voice said through the speakers.

            “Hey, Lauryn. Kevin. Just checking in. I’ll try back later,” Kevin’s voice stated.

            “Lauryn, this is your mother. Call me, will you. I haven’t heard from you in a while,” the nasally voice of Ms. Matthews said.

            “Hey, Laur. Shea. Just wanted to chat, but I guess you’re probably at work. Talk to you later,” Shea’s voice stated.

            “Hey, Pooka. Me again. Are you ever home?” Brian criticized jokingly.

            My machine beeped indicating the end in messages, and I played Shea’s message again. The hidden sadness in her voice yanked at my heart. I could tell that something was wrong by the way she said her words. Most people wouldn’t have noticed, but I’m not most people. I’m her best friend of twenty-two years.

            I had no idea what time it was in Europe, but then again, I didn’t care. I knew Shea needed me. I dialed her cell phone number and listened to it ring again and again. Feelings of horror began coursing through my body and images too vivid, heartbreaking, and scary ran through my mind. Finally, someone picked up. “Hello?” a tired, gruff male voice snapped into the phone.

            “Sorry to wake you, Nick, but I really need to speak with Shea. Is she there?” I hurriedly apologized.

            “Yeah. Hold on a sec, Lauryn,” Nick replied. I heard muffled voices talking in the background and a couple seconds later, Shea said hello.

            “Hi, Honey. Sorry I woke you. I’m not very good at figuring out the time change,” I apologized to an obviously half-asleep Shea.

            “No. That’s okay. I’m glad you called,” Shea responded, the sleepiness leaving her voice.

            “You sounded upset on the machine. I couldn’t wait until later,” I explained. “What’s up?” I asked.

            There was silence on the other end and for a moment, I thought I’d been disconnected. That was until I heard Shea’s sniffs. Sniffs of a person trying not to cry.

 

Shea:

 

            I sat next to Nick on the bed, listening to Lauryn explain why she called. She knew I was upset. She could hear it in my voice and she called me. I love her for that. For being able to sense my feelings and emotions unlike anybody else.

            I didn’t want her or Nick to hear me cry, so I tried to stifle my sniffing. “What’s wrong?” Lauryn questioned me again. She obviously could hear my failed attempts at stifling my sobs. I climbed out of bed and walked to the bathroom, closing the door behind me.

            “I don’t know. I just miss home. You. I don’t think we’ve ever been separated for this long before,” I told Lauryn.

            “It will be okay. In five weeks you’ll be home. I’ll be there. I’m not going anywhere,” Lauryn assured me.

            The tears streamed down my face and I was unable to hold back my sobs. “Okay. Five weeks. I can do this,” I said more to convince myself than Lauryn, although I was having a hard time believing it.

            “When’s your next show?” Lauryn asked.

            “Tonight in Madrid. Then we have two shows in Frankfurt in two days,” I answered, my sobs now under control.

            “Then I’d better let you go so you can be ready for tonight...well, tomorrow night for me,” Lauryn stated with a hint of chuckle in her voice.

            I chuckled slightly at her comment before agreeing. “Thank you, Lauryn. I couldn’t ask for a better friend.”

            “Me either,” Lauryn whispered.

            I shut off my cell phone and opened the bathroom door, I found Nick sitting outside waiting for me. He looked up at me with concerned blue eyes. I sat down next to him and he cuddled me in his always-loving arms. “Sh...Whatever it is, it will be all right. We’ll get through this together,” Nick whispered soothingly as he gently rocked back and forth.  Some how I knew that with Nick’s help, and with Lauryn only a phone call away, I’d make it through the next five weeks.

 

Kevin:

 

            “God! I can’t wait to get off this damn bus!” Howie muttered loudly from his bunk.  I knew exactly how he felt. I was sick of riding the bus. Three weeks was long enough. I didn’t want to endure another five.

            “Just chill, D. Madrid is only another ninety minutes,” Conrad, the driver, called from the front. Conrad. He’d driven the bus every time we toured Europe for the last five years. Before we got famous. At least in the U.S. He was a delightful German man with a hearty laugh and an incredibly thick accent making it difficult to understand him half the time.

            “Oh, jeez! Only ninety minutes!” Howie cried sarcastically.

            After about another ten minutes of listening to their friendly banter, I decided to find a quiet corner and call Lauryn. She and I had become really close, talking almost everyday. Usually about nothing, but it still didn’t keep us from talking for hours at a time.

            I walked to the back of the bus, hoping the rec. area would be vacant, but I found Shea and Nick cuddled on the couch watching Brian and Andrea, another dancer, play video games. Brian had been spending a lot of time with Andrea in the last week. I suspected there was something more than friendship going on between them, but dismissed the idea quickly when I remembered it was Brian, not AJ It had to be completely innocent. Don’t get me wrong. Andrea is an incredibly beautiful woman with milk chocolate skin and dark, hypnotic eyes, but I knew Brian was deeply in love with Lauryn and nobody, not even the exotic Andrea, could change that.

            I left the room, no one even noticing I had been there to begin with, and crawled into the tiny confines of my bunk. I punched in Lauryn’s number and waited for her to pick up.

            “Hello?” she answered.

            “Hey, Beautiful,” I said softly.

            “Hey, Kevy. What’s up?” Lauryn asked.

            “Nothing. Just bored and thinking of you, so I thought I’d call. We’re on the road to Madrid. Nothing to do,” I replied. I glanced at my watch. It was probably close to three in Manhattan. “Hey, shouldn’t you be in bed?” I scolded playfully.

            “Well, if you think I should be in bed, you shouldn’t have called,” she retorted.

            “Then what are you still doing up?” I questioned.

            “Just thinking.”

            “About what?” I probed.

            “You. Brian. Shea,” she replied.

            “You were thinking about me?” I asked slyly, growling in a sexual manner.

            “Down boy!” Lauryn laughed. “Actually, I have a favor to ask of you,” she stated.

            “What’s that?” I inquired.

            “Can you fly me to Frankfurt for you’re next concert?” she asked. “I don’t have the money for airfare, and I really need to see you all,” she added in explanation.

            “Sure. I’ll set up a backstage pass for you too. I just so happen to know a few people,” I said in all seriousness.

            “Oh, you just so happen to know a few people?” Lauryn laughed again. I loved to hear laugh, and I tried to make her laugh as often as possible.

            “Yeah!” I said back. “I’ll let you know all the details when I know them myself.”

            Lauryn squealed. “Thank you, Kevin. Now I can go to bed,” she replied.

            “Talk to you later. I love you.”

            I clicked off my phone and closed my eyes. A minute later they snapped open at the realization of what I had just said. “I love you?” I asked myself in disbelief. I couldn’t believe I’d just said that.  Hopefully, she took it in a friendly way and not something deeper. I put my hands over my face and sighed loudly.

            Howie poked his head into my bunk. “You want to get of this bus too, don’t you?” he said with a knowing smile.

 

Lauryn:

 

            The next morning Kevin called to say my flight left at one o’clock that afternoon. I had to be on that flight in order to make it to the show tomorrow morning...well, their night, my morning. I ran downtown to request time off from Madame DuBois. I knew she wouldn’t turn me down. She knew how much I wanted to see Shea, Brian, and the rest of my Boys. Madame DuBois granted me two weeks of paid vacation leave to spend in Europe on tour with the people I love.

            When I returned to my apartment, it was close to ten. I needed to be at the airport by noon, and I had a lot of shit to do before then. As I clumsily tossed clothes into my suitcase, I punched in Kevin’s cell number. I let it ring and ring, but he never answered. I got his voice mail and left a message. “Just wanted to know who was picking me up at the airport. Guess I’ll find out when I get there. See you soon.” I hung up the phone and continued to throw things into my bag.

            I called for a cab, and just as I zipped my bag shut, the cabby buzzed my apartment. “Yes?” I asked, pushing the talk button.

            “Did you call for a cab?” a pleasant voiced driver asked me.

            “I’ll be right down.” I grabbed my suitcase, carry-on, and purse and trudged down the four flights of stairs to the awaiting cab. My ticket would be waiting for me at the terminal, and Kevin would most likely be waiting for me in Frankfurt.

 

Shea:

 

            I sat on the couch in the five-bedroom condo the Boys had rented for the three nights in Frankfurt. Kevin had been whistling since dinner, walking around half-dazed with a smile smeared from ear-to-ear. It made me sick. “What the hell are you so happy about?” I snapped from my seat as Kevin walked by for the umpteenth time, whistling the same annoying phrase over and over, again and again.

            “Just looking forward to tomorrow,” he answered, stopping in his tracks and looking at me with a twinkle in his eye.

            “Whatever, Kev. You’ve never been this excited for a concert before,” I stated. “Do you have a hot date after the show? Are you going to get some?” I teased.

            Kevin sat next to me on the couch. “No,” he simply said. “But something exciting is happening tomorrow and it involves you. That’s all I can say,” he stated with a smirk.

            I gazed at him with skeptical, questioning, annoyed eyes. He just sat there, looking back at me with a smirk that tauntingly said, “I know something you don’t know.” I wanted to slap it right off his face. I turned back to the TV, and Kevin got up and started whistling again.

            “Hey, Sugar,” Nick whispered in my ear before kissing my cheek. I leaned into the kiss, feeling the frustration and anger toward Kevin evaporate into thin air. Nick sat next to me, putting his arm around me. I laid against him, his fingertips caressing my bare arm.

            MTV returned from its commercial break, and Nick groaned loudly. “Baby, it’s the way you make me....” A rerun of Backstreet TV had just begun.

            “UGH! Do we have to watch this?” Nick whined.

            “Yes. I rather enjoy watching you chew your gum like a cow....and call Howie a dumbass....and sing opera....and--”

            Nick pinched my lips shut, cutting off my phrase. “I do not chew my gum like a cow,” he stated firmly.

            “Yes, you do! Look!” I said back, pointing at the screen.

            “That’s not how a cow chews!” Nick protested.

            “Nick, when I do this,” I asked, rotating my jaw in a cud chewing motion, “what do I look like?”

            “A cow,” Nick replied.

            “And what do you look like there?” I asked, gesturing to the screen again.

            “Ah, shut up and kiss me,” Nick said, pulling me toward him.

            “Not until I hear you say it,” I argued, pushing him away.

            “A cow,” Nick mumbled.

            “What?” I asked, cupping my ear with my hand.

            “A cow,” he said a little louder.

            “A what?” I asked again, leaning my head toward him.

            “A cow!! A friggin’ cow!!” Nick screamed as he tackled me. I giggled uncontrollably as he pinned me down and tickled my hips, my most ticklish area. He kissed me lightly before laying himself on me, kissing me deeper and more passionately.

            “Okay. I have to see this on the bus, in between songs, at rehearsals. I don’t want to watch it here too. Get a damn room!” Howie shouted good-naturedly at us.

            Nick broke the kiss. “You heard the man. Let’s get a room.” He scooped me up in his arms and carried me to his bedroom, shutting the door with his foot.

 

Kevin:

 

            Here I am. Sitting alone in my room, not tired, thinking about Lauryn, and trying to read the latest Stephen King book. I’d be picking her up in less than twelve hours, and I’m the only one that knows she’s coming. I chuckled quietly to myself when I heard a peel of laughter vibrate through the wall. Shea and Nick. They were so much in love. They shared something that I wished I could share with Lauryn.

            I picked up my cell phone to check my messages. I listened to her gorgeous voice, recorded as it may be, and smiled. God! I can’t wait until tomorrow afternoon.

            I glanced at the clock. Three am. She should be crossing the big, blue ocean right about now. Still not feeling tired, I left my room to see who else was still up. I didn’t bother knocking on Nick’s door. I gathered he was a little preoccupied by the way Shea was giggling through the closed door. Howie was snoozing on the couch, the TV blaring Spanish soaps. I turned off the TV and continued on only to hear the TV back on seconds later, two male actors shouting at each other in Spanish.

            The door to Bone’s room was closed, but I could see light under the door so I knocked lightly. He didn’t answer, so I figured that once again he’d fallen asleep with the light on. Brian’s room was empty. Where he was I had no clue. I decided to sit on the balcony to get away from the screaming Spaniards and to catch a breath of fresh air, but I wasn’t prepared for what I saw out there.

            Brian had his lips pressed to Andrea’s in a way he should reserve strictly for Lauryn. I couldn’t believe my own eyes. How could Brian, good church-going Brian, cheat on Lauryn? Or anyone for that matter? I could never betray her. I would give anything to have what Brian had. Lauryn. I’d do anything for her.

            I clenched my fists at my side, wanting to punch him in the balls for what he was doing to Lauryn. Fortunately for the both of us, I sneaked back into the condo unnoticed, and went straight to my room to contemplate the situation. Do I confront Brian? Tell Shea...or Lauryn? Will either of them believe me? I glanced at my watch. Three thirty-six. What was I going to say or do when I picked Lauryn up at the airport in just under twelve hours?

 

Lauryn:

 

            The plane landed at the Frankfurt airport, and I deboarded feeling exhausted, but yet excited. I couldn’t wait to see Shea and my Boys. I stifled a yawn as I set my carry-on on the x-ray conveyor belt. The guard smiled warmly at me, and I picked up my bag and headed toward the baggage claim area. I spied a tall, dark, gorgeous man standing next to the trolley, holding a peach rose in his fingertips. I ran toward the man and dropped my bag at his feet, embracing him tightly. “Hey, Kevy!” I squealed as I hugged him like I’d never hugged anyone before.

            “Hey, Beautiful!” he said, kissing my cheek. “What bag is yours, Sweetie?” Kevin asked, looking at the baggage trolley.

            “That one,” I replied, pointing a large black suitcase. Kevin handed me the flower, and he picked up my suitcase and offered me his arm. I slid my arm through his, and sniffed the rose as he escorted me down the terminal hall to the awaiting limo. Something seemed to be bothering, nagging, at Kevin, but I wasn’t sure of what it could be. “Something wrong, Kev?” I asked cautiously.

            Kevin gazed down at me and smiled. “No. Not at all,” he answered, putting his arm around my shoulder. I put my arm around his waist and squeezed gently.

            “That’s good. I only want wonderful things to happen while I’m here,” I stated with a broad smile.

            Just as we exited the airport terminal, the fans surrounded us, all talking at once...in German. Kevin graciously signed autographs and posed for pictures with the fans. “Can I take a picture of you and your girlfriend?” a young girl who spoke moderate English asked Kevin.

            “Sure, Sweetie,” Kevin replied, pulling me closer to him. I smiled brightly as Kevin held me close to his body, the cameras snapping away pictures from every side of us.

            “Kiss her! Kiss her!” a small group of girls shouted in the distance. I looked at Kevin with the smile still creasing my face, but his face was dead serious. The smile faded from my lips as he slowly leaned toward me, and tenderly pressed his thin lips to mine. Uncertainty flowed through my veins, but soon we deepened the kiss as the electric shocks of pure passion coursed through my body. All the girls screamed and I pulled away, my face red with embarrassment and arousal.

            Kevin escorted me to the limo, and André opened the door. He waved good-bye to the fans as he closed the door and the limo sped off. We sat in a moment of silence, neither of looking at each other. “I don’t think we should mention that kiss to anybody. Especially Brian,” I finally stated, folding my hands in my lap.

            “Whatever you think is best. He won’t ever have to know,” Kevin replied.

            The limo pulled to a stop in front of a beautiful condo, and André opened the door for us to get out. “Ready?” Kevin asked, taking my hand. I nodded. Kevin opened the door, and I heard all the familiar voices of those closest to me, but Shea’s was the most important.

            Kevin left me standing in the living room while he went to the kitchen where Shea, Nick, Brian, and Andrea played cards to pass the time.

 

Shea:

 

            Kevin entered the kitchen and kissed my cheek. “Hey, all. What’s up?” he asked, pouring himself a tall glass of OJ.

            “Playing ‘Go Fish.’ Wanna join?” I answered.

            “Nah.,” he muttered, taking a long swing of his juice.

            “Brian, do you have any Queens?” I asked, returning to the game.

            Kevin began walking out of the room, but stopped and said, “There’s a package for you in the living room.”

            I took the Queen from Brian’s hand, and set the pair down. “Andrea, do you have a seven?” I asked.

            “Aren’t you going to check out the package?” Kevin inquired, confused.

            “After this game,” Brian replied, never taking his eyes off his cards.

            “I’d do it now. I don’t know if it can wait that long,” Kevin said with a smirk before exiting the kitchen.

            We all set our cards down and walked into the living room. I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw Lauryn standing there in front of me. “Omigod!” I squealed, rushing toward Lauryn, and hugging the life out of her. “Omigod! What are you doing here?” I asked excitedly.

            Lauryn hugged me back just as tightly. “I came to see you perform,” she answered.

            “How long are you staying?” I asked, pulling away from the embrace and looking into her face.

            “Two weeks. I’ll be traveling with you on the bus, and then I’ll fly out from whatever city you’re all in two weeks,” she stated.

            I hugged her again, not wanting to let go, until Brian cleared his throat behind me. Lauryn pulled away and approached Brian, falling into his arms and kissing him passionately. When the kiss ended, Brian said, “Hey, Pooka. I’ve missed you.” I looked over at Kevin, and he rolled his eyes. I didn’t know what it meant, but I assumed it was the PDA between Lauryn and Brian.

            “I hate to break this happy reunion, but we have to be at the venue in 15 minutes,” Andrea said dryly.

            “I’m sorry. I don’t remember who you are,” Lauryn said, pulling herself away from Brian’s arms, and walking toward Andrea.

            “Andrea White,” she answered with a flip of her ebony hair. There was something strange about how both Andrea and Brian were acting, but I couldn’t put my finger on what it was so I dismissed the premonition quickly.

            “That’s right. Nice to see you again,” Lauryn said politely, shaking Andrea’s hand. Andrea smirked half-assedly before leaving the room. “That was a weird,” Lauryn mumbled.

            “Hey! Remember me?” Nick asked, coming up behind Lauryn.

            “Of course,” she smiled, hugging Nick tightly.

            “Well,” I began, looking at my watch, “she’s right. We have to be at the venue in ten,” I finished.

            Lauryn dropped her bag in Brian’s room, and we all headed toward the venue to prepare for that night’s show.