DENVER, CO – HOTEL – MAR. 31th, 2002 – SUNDAY

     “Oh, one more thing.” Jacob said as the elevator door opened and they headed off to the hotel lobby.

     “Yes?” Kirstin looked at him.

     “Could you please not… tell Ashley we had this conversation?”

     “Oh, ok. But can I ask you why not? You didn’t say anything bad about him.”

     “I know, it’s just that… I don’t know… maybe he’ll get the wrong impression, like… that I was trying to mess with something that is not my business.”

     “We both know Ashley and we both know he wouldn’t see the situation like that, but… ok, I won’t tell him anything. Don’t worry.” Kirstin grinned at him.

     “Thanks. You’re actually nicer than I thought you would be.”

     “Oh, thanks. You are too.” they smiled at each other and then Kirstin felt someone grab her hand.

     “Hey, what’s going on?” Ashley asked Kirstin, looking at her then to Jacob.

     “Nothing.” Kirstin looked up at him and Jacob left the spot.

     “Really?” Ashley asked and Kirstin just nodded “Was Jacob giving you a hard time? Because he can be like that from time to time and if he ever bothers you just tell me and I’ll…” Ashley got cut off by Kirstin’s lips on his.

     “Everything is fine. Really. And I think you give Jacob just… a hard time. Just… relax, alright?”

     “Ok.” Ashley frowned and looked deeply into Kirstin’s eyes.

     “Good. Now… is it time to go already?”

     “Yes. Actually, the limo is already out there.” Ashley led them out “What took you so long to get your purse anyways?”

     “Oh, nothing. I met Jacob in the hall and we just talked for a while.”

     “You and Jacob talked? For a while?” Ashley stopped and looked puzzled at Kirstin.

     “Yes, Ashley. But I already told you everything is fine, so can you just forget it?”

     “Ok…” Ashley kept the frown as they headed outside the hotel and into the limo.

DENVER, CO – RADIO INTERVIEW – MAR. 31th, 2002 – SUNDAY

     “No… we’re still picking out the name. It’s pretty hard, actually.” Dan answered the DJ when he asked the guys the name of their new album.

     “Yeah. It’s way harder than we thought it would be. The first one didn’t actually have a title, it was self-titled, so that was no-brainer. But this one, we wanna put some thoughts into it.” Ashley added to Dan’s answer.

     “I see. Good luck with that, guys.” the DJ said “Now… what’s the name of this song we’re gonna hear? It’s a preview, right?”

     “Yes. Actually, it’s just a teaser. We don’t have all of our songs ready yet. Even this one you’re gonna listen now isn’t ready. So it’s just a pick.” Jacob answered.

     “The name is of this one is From the Damage.” Trevor added.

     “It was partially written by Ashley here.” Erik informed.

     “Oh, really?” the DJ asked.

     “Yep.” Ashley affirmed.

     “We all are gonna have songs written by us in this album, so it’s a pretty special album for us.” Jacob told the listeners.

     “Great. Well, thank you guys for being here.” the DJ thanked.

     “Thank you.” the five guys said in unison.

     “Where do you guys go from here?”

     “We leave tomorrow to Salt Lake City and then we hit Redding.” Erik answered.

     “Good. Than, once again, thanks. The talk was great. Now let’s hear the preview of From the Damage. Thank you, O-Town.” the DJ informed and played the song.

 

     Kirstin smiled as Ashley got near her.

     “So… too boring?” Ashley asked.

     “No. I was actually rather funny. Trevor just cracks me up sometimes.” Kirstin grinned and pecked Ashley’s lips lightly.

     “Yeah, he has that gift.” Ashley smiled and led them out of the studio.

DENVER, CO – LIMO – MAR. 31th, 2002 – SUNDAY

     “Anything else we have to do today, Mike?” Dan asked when they had just left the radio station.

     “Not today. Tomorrow we leave after lunch. You have a local TV show to do, but they are going to the hotel to shoot. The crew will get there at 10:30 a.m.”

     “Right. Then tonight we can all just relax. Thank God!” Dan closed his eyes and stayed that way during the rest of the ride. Everybody was pretty tired too, so they all kept quiet or did just like Dan.

DENVER, CO – HOTEL – MAR. 31th, 2002 – SUNDAY

     “Hey, you two are going to bed already?” Erik asked Ashley and Kirstin when they were about to get into the elevator.

     “We thought we might. Why?” Ashley wondered.

     “Nothing. It’s just that Trev and I are gonna hang in the bar for a while. Wanna join us?”

     Ashley looked at Kirstin and she smiled.

     “Sure, why not?” she said, following Erik and Trevor.

    

     Trevor, Erik, Ashley and Kirstin talked the whole night. It was actually fun to be around the guys. Kirstin was really enjoying the trip and it really kept her mind off of things, which was just what she needed at that time. She just smiled, watching the guys in front of her having some fun. They sure were a fun crowd. Then she woke up from her thoughts after hearing her cell phone ring.

     “Hey!” she greeted all excited after checking her caller-ID.

     Ashley watched her without her noticing his face. Ashley knew who it was and he still wasn’t used so sure if he felt comfortable about him calling Kirstin whenever he felt like it. But he had promised himself he wouldn’t get jealous about Tom anymore. He had understood that Tom was nothing but Kirstin’s friend now.

     “Hey, KeeKee. What’s up?” Tom asked on the other end.

     “Nothing much. What about you?”

     “Same here. Enjoying your trip?”

     “Oh, yes. It’s been so much fun.”

     “Good. Good.” there was silence for a moment, then Tom continued “Well, I was wondering when you’re coming back.”

     “Hm… I still don’t know, Tommy.” when Erik and Trevor became conscious of who Kirstin was talking to, they all turned to face Ashley. Ashley just gave them a half-smile “Wait, let me ask Ash.” Kirstin placed her cell phone aside and turned to Ashley “Baby, Tommy wants to know when we’re coming home. Do you have a date already?”

     “No, I don’t think so. It will depend on how things go in Redding.”

     “We still don’t know, Tommy. But why do you ask?”

     “Oh, it’s just that Grace called a while ago telling me Mark is coming to town and she was thinking about throwing a party.”

     “Oh, that’s so cool. But when is Mark coming?”

     “They have a game against the Mets on the 11th. That’s on a Thursday. The party is gonna be probably on Friday, the day after the game.”

     “Oh, ok. I’ll talk to Ashley and see if we’re gonna be in New York by that date. I’ll let you know afterwards, alright?”

     “Ok. Then I’ll be waiting.”

     “Alright, Tommy.”

     “Ok, K. Then we’ll talk later.”

     “Yeah, sure. Bye Bye.”

     “Bye.” Kirstin pressed the off button and placed her cell phone back on her purse.

     “So… how’s Tom?” Ashley tried hard not to show his jealousy.

     “Good. He called about this party Grace is throwing for Mark.”

     “Oh, yeah?” Ashley asked.

     “Mark, the baseball player?” Erik wondered. He remembered Mark from the charity baseball game they’ve been to a few months ago.

     “Yep.” Kirstin smiled at him.

     “Grace is still with that guy?” Trevor asked this time.

     “Yep.” Kirstin smiled now at Trevor.

     “Good for her that everything is going fine between them.” Erik said.

     “Yeah, I think it’s good too. Anyways… she is gonna throw this party because he’s coming to New York to play the Mets on the 11th, so… Tom was calling to see if we’re gonna be there so we can join the party.”

     “Oh, it seems nice. If we’re there, we can surely go.” Ashley told Kirstin.

     “Nice. And if you guys are there too, I’m sure Grace would love if you guys could come.”

     “Really? We’re there!” Trevor exclaimed.

     “Yeah… we just don’t refuse any party invitation.” Erik smiled big to Kirstin.

     “Good.” she smiled and they continued talking and laughing in the bar.