Chapter 22

Aaron was their opening act. Christin laughed over how much Aaron looked like Nick. He could be Nick’s mini-me. All the girls around her were up dancing and singing.

When Aaron finished everyone started to chant Backstreet Boys.

Five minutes later the ‘Larger Than Life’ music started and the guys came flying over the audience. The guys made sure to make eye contact with Christin.

When the song finished they started talking to the crowd. Brian went first.

“Hello Orlando.”

The crowd roared with screams.

“I can’t hear you.”

The crowd screamed louder, if that was even possible.

“That’s better. I hope y’all enjoy the show tonight. It’s our last show for the Millennium Tour and we get to share it with all of you.”

“Of course they’ll enjoy our most special concert. Because we’re back home. Won’t you guy enjoy the concert.”

The crowd screamed again.

A.J. see an opportunity to talk to Christin without being obvious, looked over at her and said, “Please,” as though he was asking the audience to enjoy the show.

Christin knew what he was talking about and shook her head.

The rest of the concert went fantastic. At the end they let A.J. sing ‘The Perfect Fan’ to his mother.

After that the guys told the fans thank-you, they loved them, and they would see them next tour.

Christin had a hard time actually getting back backstage. There were all kinds of security blocking the entrance and a lot of girls trying to take Christin’s pass. She held tight to it and flashed it to the security guards and they let her in. Backstage she couldn’t find anyone so she found a seat and figured one of the guys would find her. Just as she was starting to reconsider her decision, a woman walked up to and asked, “Are you Christin Casey?”

“Yeah. That’s me. I’m sorry. Do I know you?”

“No. We’ve talked on the telephone but you don’t know me. I’m Denise, A.J.’s mom.” She held her hand out.

“Oh Denise. I remember you.” Christin shook her hand.

“Let’s go somewhere a little less noisy.”

“Okay.” Christin got up and followed Denise into a room labeled “make-up.”

“No one’s in here. They finished here about fifteen minutes ago. No one will interrupt us.”

Christin and Denise sat in front of the mirrors in the chairs.

“I know you’re probably curious as to why I want to talk to you.” Denise said.

“I’m a little curious.” Christin admitted.

“Well you might become the boys new manager. Correct?”

“How’d you know?”

“Well A.J. mentioned something about it maybe finding my replacement and when he said ‘Please’ tonight on stage I knew it was you.”

“But how? He made it seem as though he was talking to the audience.”

“He looked at you. I am his mother. I know about those looks.” Denise said smiling.

“Oh.”

“Well, the reason I wanted to talk to you I wanted to tell you a few pros and cons of the job. You know.”

“Oh I know all about them. I was a manager for almost a year and a half for one group and a year for another person. I know a lot about the business.”

“Well there is a difference between managing a group that is famous and one that isn’t.”

“Yeah. I agree. And there is a difference between managing a group when they are nobodies and watching them grow into somebody’s and managing a group when they are already famous. I don’t know how much A.J. told you but I used to be Blink-182’s manager and Eminem’s manager. I’m a woman in this business related to no one. It is harder on me then it is on you.”

“Oh I didn’t know you had handled such well known people. But I can tell you that it will be a lot different with the boys. I doubt they party as much.” Denise said regretting her earlier remark.

“I doubt it too. I’ll tell this, I loved working with Blink and Marshall with or without the parties.”

“You remind me a lot of A.J. Even talking to you in this short amount of time. I can tell you’ll be great friends.”

“I hope I’m friends with all the guys, no matter what my decision is.” Christin expressed.

“Yeah, well it won’t be hard to make friends with them especially Howie. With Nick, if you're female, you’re his friend. A.J., you party, you shop, you’re female, and you are his friend."

“What about Brian and Kevin?” Christin asked.

“They’re just naturally friendly.” Denise laughed.

“Oh okay.”

“You know there is one pro about taking this job.”

“What might that be?” Christin asked.

“You’ll have five friends for life.”

“Even if I don’t take this job?”

“You’ll probably still have five friends for life.”

“You know A.J.’s probably going crazy waiting for my answer and not being able to find me.”

“You haven't told him your answer?”

“No.”

“Well then. Go. I don’t want to get in trouble by my own son for detaining you.”

“Ok.” Christin got up and said bye and walked out of the room to find A.J.

Chapter Page
Chapter 21
Chapter 23

Email: emptypt@aol.com