--chapter one - page eight--
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Jane demanded the moment Nick, Aaron and Malu stepped offstage. “I can’t believe you used your little brother’s concert as a venue to announce something like this You just told thousands of pre-pubescent fans your having a baby with some girl only a couple months older then themselves! A girl that I’ve never met! And you didn’t even think to consult me first!”
Malu’s temper flared up. She knew she looked young for her age, but to call her pre-pubescent? That was a low blow. The anger rose into Malu’s face, causing a red coloring to appear under her make-up. Lalaine sensed her cousin’s frustration, and placed a hand on Malu’s shoulder. This was Nick’s battle to fight, and it was best if they stayed out of it.
Nick himself had flinched at his mother’s biting remark. He knew Malu would be upset, but he also realized she could take it. Getting the two women in the same room at the same time caused Nick to reach a very important conclusion: both had the same tendency to speak their mind and not spare others’ feelings. This would no doubt lead to many conflicts in the future, and Nick thought it would be best if everyone just started to get used to it.
In reply to his mother’s angry ramble, Nick rolled his eyes. “As if you’ve never used my career to further Aaron’s, or Leslie’s, or even your own, Mom. Or any combination of those.”
Jane ignored Nick’s comment as though it had never escaped his lips. Instead, she demanded of her eldest son: “And right before your new CD comes out, before Backstreet’s new CD comes out. Do you have any idea of what you’re doing to your career?”
“Your Aaron’s manager, Mom. Not mine. I’ve talked it over with the guys, the record label- everyone. They’re cool with it. I don’t see why you can’t be.” Though his words were strong, Malu could hear the strain in his voice. She took a step closer to Nick. He looked down at Malu, and from the expression on his face, they both knew. They were glad to be there for one another.
“I just hope you know what you’re doing,” said Jane with a sigh. She turned to look at Malu for the first time. Where other girls would cringe under the judging gaze, Malu stood up straighter. She brushed a lock of hair out of her face, before wrapping an arm tightly around Nick’s waist. All the while staring Jane Carter directly in the eyes. “She’s so young.”
“I’m almost nineteen,” Malu offered, knowing she looked younger then she actually was.
“You were twenty when you had me, Mom.” Nick reminded his mother.
“All the more reason why I’m not ready to be a grandmother,” Jane sighed again. It was all people seemed to do around Nick and Malu recently. Sigh. “Well, let’s go get something to eat. Then you can fill me in on this whole situation.”
...to be continued...
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