Aj stared at the pictures and almost choked on his own breath. They were from the initiation night with Theresa, her naked form tied tightly to the bed. He shuddered remembering how loudly she had screamed that night, she had gone hoarse the next morning. He hated himself for that night, he should have obeyed her pleas for them to let her go, but he had been as thick-headed and male-minded as Kevin and Nick were now. He heard a knock on the door and shoved the pictures into his bag, watching Nick poke his head in the room.
"Bone, we gotta get our hair and make-up done quick man! We only got a little while ‘til the show." Nick stated then ventured out of the room, leaving Aj alone to face Theresa again.
**~~**~~**
"Thanks for rescuing me." Theresa smiled to the brunette, grateful she had not let her temper flare and hit Brian. Stephanie grinned back at her and looked ahead.
"Hey, we girls gotta watch out for each other. And plus, you’re my best friend on this tour, I need someone around to help me out…"
"Yeah and I need someone to keep me sane." Theresa giggled softly as they stepped up to the soda machine. "Hey, can I ask you a question?"
"Yeah, sure…" Stephanie fed a dollar to the machine and hit the Pepsi button, waiting for the drink to crash down.
"Are you a virgin?"
"What?" Her chestnut eyes widened in surprise at the bluntness in Theresa’s voice. "That’s a kinda personal question isn’t it?"
"I’ll answer any question you have if you’ll answer that one…"
Stephanie cocked a dark eyebrow at her and shrugged, "Um, why don’t the dancers like me? Or better yet, what did you have to go through on your initiation?"
"I’m only gonna answer one, and it’s because you’re brand new around here and both Kevin and Nick want you. Now answer my question." Theresa avoided bringing up her past, not wanting to break down in plain sight of the crew and band members.
"Um, yeah, I kinda am…" Stephanie blushed slightly, noticing Theresa’s changing expressions. "Um, why do Kevin and Nick want me? I’m nothing special…"
"Well, Nick, as I’m sure you’ve noticed, has a bit of a butt fetish, and Kevin likes a girl that’s a bit of a challenge to conquest." Theresa explained as they walked back to the room.
"One more question then I’ll leave you alone…" Stephanie sighed before they walked into the room. "Why won’t you and Aj admit your feelings and get the hook up?"
Theresa just stared, without a real answer. She wasn’t sure that Aj even felt such feelings for her, how could she trust the insight of someone who knew very little about either person she was talking about? She just shrugged and stepped into the room where all five guys were waiting.
**~~**~~**
Aj watched Theresa and Stephanie enter the dressing room, both silent and observing the five men as they walked to their tables. They quickly got the guys ready, primping them to perfection. Aj was last to get ready, easing down into Stephanie’s chair first then resting in Theresa’s chair. She ignored him completely, carelessly doing his make-up. She swore under her breath when she knocked something off the table and the contents spilled over the floor.
"Theresa, I need to talk to you." Aj started, watching her face as she forced herself to ignore him again. He gazed up into the mirror and noticed Stephanie patiently waiting. She caught his silent message and headed for the door.
"You know what, I’m gonna go, um, get something. I’ll be back in a bit." Stephanie left the room before Theresa could stop her. Theresa glared at the door and locked onto the look in Aj’s eye.
"I have to talk to you…" He tried again noticing her shy stares at her silver and blue Nikes.
"So talk, it’s a free country." She smarted off, evading his guilty gaze. She felt his warm hand grasp hers tightly, refusing to be shaken off.
"About the pictures… I can explain…"
**~~**~~**
Stephanie wandered through the nearly empty halls of the backstage arena, hoping not to get too lost before Theresa was ready to go. She found a door on side of the hallway marked ‘Game Room’ and entered it, to find an assortment of pinball machines, a pool table, and other video games. She smiled and sat down in one of the chairs and played a short game of Mario Cart before the door opened. Stephanie looked up to see the small brunette dancer, Tonya glaring at her slightly.
"Hey Tonya…" Stephanie greeted politely, rising from the chair and acted entertained at the demo version of Pac-Man.
"Look here Bitch, I’m only gonna say this once. None of us like you, you’d do better off just quitting now. And if you decided to go through with the initiation, one thing you should know. They all like it a lot when you scream." Tonya stated in a hostile voice, stunning Stephanie with her bluntness.
"Excuse me, but would you care to clarify?" Stephanie stared at the younger woman, wondering why she looked so innocent when she was actually a vicious snake.
Tonya ignored the question and started for the door, stopping for a moment and turning back around to glare one last time at Stephanie.
"By the way, you may wanna check you’re little protector’s loyalty. Theresa ain’t your friend, how do you think Kevin got your thong? Oh, you want me to clarify that one for you? She’s playing you like a fool. Theresa gave it to him, since he fucks so well. She’s just the BSB Whore, just like you’ll be, so you’d be much better off just leaving now, before they drag you into the initiation."
With those venomous words Tonya was gone, leaving Stephanie to ponder everything said to her. It did make a little more sense. But Theresa seemed to really care.
**~~**~~**
"Christina did not get those pictures from me. Kevin is the one that kept all the pictures. And I would certainly never let her say something that to you." Aj explained, struggling to keep her eyes locked with his. Hers were already brimming with tears of frustration and anger.
"I don’t care! It hurts to even think about that night! You didn’t have to go through what I did that night and until you do, leave me the fuck alone. Now if you will excuse me, I’m gonna go find Stephanie and get the fuck out of here."
Theresa refused to give him a chance to respond and jogged out of the room. She bumped right into the one person she had been going to find.
"Steph, thank God I found you… You won’t believe what’s happening with me and Aj…"
"What?" Stephanie muttered, avoiding looking towards Theresa.
"It’s all fucked up, but I’m ready to go back to the hotel and eat something before we have to pack for the next city."
Stephanie nodded, quietly brushing past her and trudging towards the exit. Theresa noticed her distant attitude but silently followed behind. They grabbed a taxi to the hotel and order some chicken sandwiches from room service. They headed for their room and began to pack in silence, the only noise coming from the TV. Suddenly Stephanie sat down on the bed and abandoned her packing to stare at Theresa.
"What?" Theresa asked noting the stares coming from her roommate.
"Why did you give Kevin my thong?" Stephanie suddenly inquired, her face distrustful towards the blond.
"What are you talking about?" Theresa’s nose wrinkled up in confusion as she stared at the brunette.
"Tonya decided to make it her privilege to be a bitch to me and said you were the one that gave Kevin my underwear. I am seriously thinking about leaving this tour, at least I had some real friends back home." Stephanie massaged her temples in frustration, as Theresa continued to gaze at her with bewilderment.
"Tonya, as in the dancer Tonya…" Theresa waited until Stephanie nodded her head before busting out laughing. "And you’d believe that little tramp? She’s the one that claimed to be pregnant with Howie’s baby. And let me tell you, Howie ain’t into the female sex, if you catch my drift."
Stephanie nodded again, ashamed of her accusations. "Sorry, but it’s difficult to believe anyone around here. Everyone lies and is so mean."
"It’s okay, I understand. I was in the same spot, except I didn’t have anyone to befriend me. I was on my own." She patted her shoulder and stretched slightly. The casual knock caused both girls to look towards the door. Theresa got up and opened the door slowly, noticing on of the tour assistant.
"Hey Carrie, what’s up?"
"Theresa, you and the hair stylist chick are on the boys bus. Orders from the guys themselves." Carrie’s hazel eyes look sympathetic in a small note, as she chewed her lower lip lightly.
"Okay, Carrie, thanks." Theresa shut the door and turned back towards Stephanie, sighing loudly. "It’s poker night."
"Poker night?" Stephanie gazed up at her as she continued to neatly fold every article of clothing and organizing it in the large black suitcase.
"Yeah the weekly game of strip poker on the boys bus. You’ve been cordially invited." She informed, tossing the shampoo and complementary lotions from the bathroom into her suitcase along with her face wash and anything else she could find.
"Great… I haven’t played that in a while…"
"Well, I hope you have at least a little clue as to what you’re doing or you’re gonna be butt naked by the fifth hand." Theresa hinted. They continued to pack and headed out for the buses, avoiding the scattered paparazzi waiting outside for the boys.
Theresa lead them to the guys bus and nodded towards the driver, James, climbing aboard as Stephanie trailed behind her.
Next Chapter
Just Between Me & You