| Chapter Eight The next day, during the sound check, Kaelyn was bored, so she was helping the sound crew. Jerry, one of the technicians, handed her the five microphones and asked her to carry them to the guys on stage. As she approached the stage, Nick jumped up from where they were sitting. "I'?m going to the can." He said as he dashed off. "Okay..." she answered, shaking her head as she handed out the microphones. She was left holding the extra mic when the head technician shouted across the arena. "Come on guys! Let's get a move on, we're running late!" "But shouldn't we wait for Nick?" she asked when the others stood up. "Nah." AJ said dismissively. "This is just checking the mics. Why don't you do it for him?" "Me!?" she exclaimed. "I could never..." "You've got a great voice, Kay." Brian said. "Besides, it's just us. You start singing something and we'll join in." Kaelyn hesitated for a long moment before answering. "Does it have to be one of your songs?" Kevin laughed. "Not if you don't want. Just sing whatever." Looking nervously around the arena, Kaelyn lifted the microphone to her mouth. Taking a deep breath, she began. "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I?m found Was blind, but now I see..." The guys recognized the first line and joined in with harmonies and counter-melodies. When the hymn ended with a long note from Kaelyn, there was a short stunned silence in the building. During the silence, Kaelyn looked around with her heart in her throat. Then everyone broke into applause and some cheered. "Way to go Kaelyn!" Nick said as he bounded back onto the stage. "Should I be worried about you taking over my place in the band?" Kaelyn blushed. "No, no worries Nick. I'm not a singer." "Sure you are Kaelyn." Howie responded. "Yeah, you should definitely share your talent." AJ agreed. She looked around for a moment, then focused on Brian's face, which was smiling broadly. A frown started to form on her forehead. "Did you put them up to this?" she demanded. "I thought you?d given up on that foolish idea." "I didn't do anything!" he protested, his grin fading. Kaelyn spun on her heel, handing the mic to Kevin. "Thanks for the compliments guys, but I don't deserve them." She turned and stalked off the stage and into a back room, where she leaned against the wall and sank to the floor, her head in her hands. "Okay, what just happened?" Nick asked. "Why did she get mad when we complimented her?" Brian explained briefly how he had tried to convince her when they had first met. "But I still think she should go for it. But I don't know how to convince her." The other four looked back at him in silence, thinking of a solution. "Let me go talk to her." Nick said. "Let's see if I can figure out why she's so against the idea." Since the other couldn't think of a better idea, they let him follow in the direction Kaelyn had gone. Nick found, a few minutes later, the room that she had fled to. He walked in, closed the door behind him and sat down next to her. "I'm so embarrassed." She said a moment later. "I shouldn't have sung." "Why not?" Nick asked. "I really enjoyed hearing you. In fact, I'd like to hear more." She looked at him suspiciously. "Are you here to try to convince me to accept Brian's hare-brained scheme? If you are, save your breath -- it's not going to work." "Actually," he began. "I'm just curious why you're so set against it. It's not such a foolish idea. I mean, if it were, we wouldn't be here, would we?" Kaelyn chuckled. "No, I guess not." She sighed. "I just don't think I have the kind of voice that would appeal to anyone. I don't want to waste money on something that won't succeed." "I have another question for you, now." Nick said. When she nodded, he continued. "Seeing as how we've been in the business together for at least nine years, don't you think we might know what we're talking about?" "Yes, but..." Nick cut her off. "And seeing as how Kev and Howie both produce music for us and other artists, and I manage two successful artists, there might be a chance that we could be considered authorities in the matter?" "Yes, but..." "So why can?t you trust us?" That stopped her short. "Well..." "If you're not going to even give yourself a chance, what's the point?" "What's the point in what?" Kaelyn was puzzled. "In anything!" Nick replied. "Come on, Kay. Brian's got his heart set on you doing this. Why don't you just try it?" he cajoled. She stared at him for a long moment, then sighed. "Alright. But if we lose lots of money, no one can blame me for it." Nick grinned. "I promise. Wanna go tell him, or should I?" "Can you send him in here? I want to tell him, but I've got a few conditions." She answered. "You got it kid!" he winked, kissed her cheek, and hurried out of the room. A minute later, Brian hurried into the room, looking expectant. Kaelyn took a deep breath and began. "If I do this, there are a couple of conditions." When he nodded cautiously, she continued. "One. I only sing the songs I like, whether or not they fit a designated audience. Two. I'm not wearing skimpy, skanky clothes just to attract fans. If they're going to like me, it's going to be for my voice. Three. If, at any point I see that it's not successful or that we're losing money, I have the right to pull out and say 'I told you so'. Okay?" Brian fought a growing grin. "It's a deal. Does this mean you've decided to do it?" he asked hopefully. Kaelyn bit her bottom lip, drawing out the suspense. "Yeah, I guess so." "Yes!" Brian exclaimed, pulling her into his arms for a hug. "You won't regret this Kay!" he gave her a loud, smacking kiss on the lips. They froze, staring at each other for a long moment, until Brian lowered his head and kissed her again, more softly. Stunned, Kaelyn allowed him, merely feeling the sensation. When she felt his hair between her fingers and realized that she had wrapped her arms around his neck, she blinked and placed her hand on his chest and pulled away. "Brian." She began. "I can't do this. If you weren't married, I'd definitely be tempted, but..." she trailed off. Brian was blushing. "I know. I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me." She smiled reassuringly at him. "Let's forget about it, okay?" she held out her hand. "Friends?" He smiled back. "Friends." He took her hand, shook it, then pulled her into a friendly hug. "Oh, I forgot to mention one thing..." she began as they were walking out of the room back to the others. "Yeah?" he asked. "Since Kevin is producing, I'll only record when BSB has down time. I don't want to interfere in your careers in any way." Brian looked at her with a new respect in his eyes. "You're an amazing woman, you know that Kaelyn?" "Yeah, I know." She mimed buffing her fingernails on her shirt. Brian laughed and put his arm across her shoulder companionably. |