“What’s this?” he asked himself as he picked up a blue envelope, “This is from Andy, and I haven’t talked to him since before Chloe broke up with me.”
Brian quickly tore open the envelope and pulled out the letter.
Hey Hoss,
Long time no see. I took the liberty of checking your schedule and saw that you got some time off when I come to Orlando. So if you’re not going to visit your mama, come to my concert. I’ve enclosed a front row ticket and a backstage pass, so you have no reason not to come see me afterwards.
See you later Hoss.
Andy Griggs
Brian smiled as he read the letter. He and Andy had become friends right after he and Chloe started dating. They often double dated with Andy and his wife Stephanie. Andy even attended a few of Brian’s solo concerts.
“I guess it’s about time I return the favor,” Brian said before picking up the phone to let him know he’d be there.
“Andy?” Stephanie called from the kitchen.
“I’ll be there in a second baby,” he answered, “Hey Brian, I need to go. Stephanie’s been on the rampage over the kitchen lately. It’s not something you wanna witness.”
Brian laughed, “Okay, I’ll catch ya later Andy.”
“Later Hoss,” Andy said, then hung up the phone and smiled, “He’s coming.”
Chloe smiled, “Perfect.”
“OMIGOD!” a girl sitting next to him screamed, “Andy’s gonna be on that stage in a few minutes and I’m sitting right here in the front row!”
“Totally!” the girl said next to her, “He’s like, so fine.”
“Did you know he’s married?” Brian asked, glancing at the girls.
The first girl nodded, “But he’s still hot.”
The second girl didn’t seem too happy about it, “I’d heard rumors, but I didn’t believe them.”
“Yeah, her name’s Stephanie,” the first girl said, “She’s really pretty.”
Brian ignored the girls and watched the final sound check on stage.
After what seemed like hours, it was finally time for the show to begin. Band members filed onstage and took their places.
“I don’t recognize any of them,” Brian muttered.
“They’re for the opening act. I don’t remember who it is though,” the girl next to him replied.
A tall dark-haired man walked onstage, “Welcome to the show folks. I’m Robbie Mann of Power 207 and I get the pleasure of introducing the opening act. She’s originally from Texas, and a true cowgirl at heart. Give it up for Chloe James!”
As the crowd erupted in applause, Brian sat there in shock.
“Chloe?” he said, more to himself than anyone.
Chloe walked onstage and smiled at the crowd. She signaled the drummer to start the music and launched into her latest single. Two songs later, she sat down on a stool and grabbed a bottle of water.
“How’s everyone doing tonight?” she asked as she took a sip from the bottle, “I want you to hear a new song and tell me what you think of it. It’s going to be on the next album, and it’s written for someone very special that’s in the audience tonight. It’s called ‘I need you.’”
Chloe had spotted Brian immediately after she walked on stage and glued her eyes to him as the song began.
We said our goodbyes
And foolishly I believe that
I could move on.
But seeing other people
only reaffirmed what I knew.
I need you in my life
Standing right here by my side
Loving me unconditionally.
I need you in my life
Telling me it’ll be all right
When my world’s falling apart.
Everywhere I go
I see your face in the crowd.
At night I wake up
Calling your name out loud.
I need your sweet kiss
But most of all…
I need you in my life
Standing right here by my side
Loving me unconditionally.
I need you in my life
Telling me it’ll be all right
When my world’s falling apart.
People all around me change
But I still stay the same.
Yearning for your love
I need you so much.
I need you in my life
Standing right here by my side
Loving me unconditionally.
I need you in my life
Telling me it’ll be all right
When my world’s falling apart.
Yeah I need you so much…
She sang another song and left the stage to let Andy get his show started.
As Andy walked onstage, Brian caught his eye. Andy just smiled mischievously and went on with the show. Brian met him as he came backstage.
“You set this up, didn’t you?”
“Set what up?” Andy asked innocently.
“You know damn well what I’m talking about, Chloe!”
“Hang on hoss, just chill out here. Chloe is my opening act on this tour. I invited you, my friend, to come see me, not her. That’s just an added bonus.”
“Brian,” Chloe said behind him, “Relax. I didn’t ask him to ask you, but I was there when you called him to let him know that you’d be coming.”
“I’m gonna go grab a shower real quick,” Andy said, “I’m pretty nasty. Please stay here Brian.”
“Sure, what else have I got to lose?”
Andy smiled as he breezed past Brian and Chloe.
“Would you like to sit down?” she asked, gesturing towards the couch.
He sat at one end, she at the other.
“Brian?”
“What?”
“Nevermind.”
“Sorry. I’m a little grouchy. What is it Chloe?”
“That song I sang, ‘I need you,’ is written for you.”
Brian looked down at his shoes, “I kinda figured that.”
“I want to rethink things with us. I miss you. I still love you.”
“You broke up with me, remember?”
“Yeah, I do, and that’s the most regrettable thing I’ve ever done in my life. I’m sorry that I did. I thought at the time that it was the best thing for us.”
“How do you figure that?”
“Our careers were our first priority, not each other. You know that as well as I do. I thought that if we took a break from each other that we’d realize what was more important to us.”
“Well I figured it out Chloe. You were. Keyword there is were though. I’ve had a lot of time to think Chloe. I hear the messages in your songs. I’ve missed you like hell, but this is hard for me.”
“Your pride is wounded, I know that. But I had to get past mine to even approach you tonight. Do you realize that?”
He nodded.
“Brian, I never stopped loving you, you have to believe me. In your heart, I know you haven’t stopped loving me. All the bitterness in the world won’t stop love.”
Brian looked into Chloe’s eyes and felt his heart melt a little. Tears trickled down his face as he spoke, “I do still love you Chloe, but how can I trust you not to break my heart again?”
“Again?” she repeated, “Does that mean that you’ll give me another chance?”
“Not at being my girlfriend. At least not right away. We’ll try to be friends first, that’s the most important thing in a relationship, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“I think we lost sight of our friendship in our relationship. We need to rebuild it before we can be anything but friends.”
Chloe smiled as she went to hug him. At first, he didn’t hug back, but gave in and held her tightly.
“I never stopped loving you Chloe.”
© 2000 by Kristine Scott. Do not copy unless given express permission by the owner. I do not have any affiliation with the Backstreet Boys or their management or even anyone that knows them. I’m just a crazed fan who loves writing. The song is written by ME and can only be used with my permission, as it is copyrighted.
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