"That's great Lisa! Yeah! Well go over and play b-ball with him! It won't hurt! Believe me! They're nice guys! Oh wait. Hold on, someone's at the door." I was on the phone, talking to Lisa, who had just gotten a call from Brian, who needed an extra player for basketball that day. I put her on hold and walked to the door. I let in Kevin. "Uh Lise. You should go. The boys are probably wondering where you are and Kev just got here. Just go to Nick's house and you'll have a good time. And NO, you don't need me there with you. They're not gunna do anything bad to you. Listen, I really gotta go. Kev's here and he looks like he really needs to talk so have a good time okay? Okay. You're welcome. It's no big deal! You're such a baby! Just do it! They don't care how you look! Go! BYE!" I hung up the phone.
"What was that all about?" Kevin wanted to know.
"Lisa's having a major crisis because Brock just called her and asked her to play basketball with him and Nick over at Nick's house. She doesn't know what to wear and she's freaking out because she's so nervous. I guess I'll never be able to see her view on things like this...I just have to laugh when I see her reacting that way when she's around my bestest friends and my--um, yeah. It just doesn't make sense to me!" I explained. I came sooo close to saying my boyfriend. I was sure I blew it because Kevin could catch onto those little things easily. He was no dummy. The best I could do now was keep the subject on him for as long as possible. I noticed his eyes widen a bit when I added that last little bit but didn't finish it. "So, what brings you here?"
"Oh Steph...I don't know what to do. I'm really afraid of where my relationship with Danielle is going. I really REALLY like her but we're going to be traveling soon and I will feel horrible if I have to leave our relationship hanging while we go on tour. And I can't try to keep us together while we're gone. It won't work. I told her that I couldn't hold on to the relationship while I was on tour, but it's obvious I still like her. What am I supposed to do? I'm soo confused!" Kevy told me. He put his elbows on the kitchen table and placed his head on his hands in frustration. I laid my hand on his shoulder.
"Kevin...geez...umm. I can't tell you what to do. You know that. It's up to you. Do you think your relationship would last if you keep it going while we're on tour?" I asked him. "You should at least tell Dani that we're leaving soon. If you don't, it'll only make it harder. Believe me. I've seen you guys like this before, and it's not healthy for any of us for one of you to be totally out of it because of a girl. If you keep in touch with her, I'm sure she'll be waiting for you when we get back. And there's no reason why you can't keep in touch with her while we're gone. Kevin, you'll be okay. I just think you need to give this some time." He lifted his head from the palms of his hands and gave me a big, fat, Kevy smile.
Then something clicked.
"What about Brian and Nick," Kevin glumly said. He had read my eyes perfectly. I nodded my head. "I don't know. They know, but they're also a lot tighter with their girlfriends. I tried to stay away from getting into such a tight relationship because I knew this was coming. I just don't want to get involved in their relationships because it's also none of my business ya know?" I understood. "Besides, I think they're letting Amy, Emily, and Amanda come on tour with us."
"Why don't you ask the managers about taking her along with you?" I suggested.
"I would do that, but I don't think we're close enough to commit such a long time to one person. Remember how I told you about the last time I got serious and I almost got married? I'm so scared of making a ridiculous decision like that again. I can't think of doing it again. It will only kill me inside," Kevin spilled out.
"That's your problem Kevin. You're too worried that you will make the wrong decision like you almost did and you're too scared to fall in love again," I realized. "But, if you really don't feel you're ready for such a commitment, then I say you should have a talk with Danielle, okay?" Big Brother nodded his head. "But you better do it soon."
"When do you get your cast off, Steph?" Kevin asked me, deciding to change the subject...somewhat.
"Uhhh....I think I get it off next month. What's this been....one month already?" I informed him. "It was only a hairline fracture, so it healed a lot faster."
"Yeah. Howie D had them postpone the tour until June because he wanted you to be on stage with us when we performed. I don't blame him. That smile of yours sure gives us confidence when we need it!" Kev teased. I gave him a hug. Even if you were his aunt, Kevin was always one to compliment a girl.
"Now Kevin, I'm not one to be giving advice like this because I never before had a boyfriend..."
"Until now," Kev mumbled, finishing my sentence. We looked up at each other and locked eyes. "Come on Steph. It's me. We've always told each other everything. What's going on? I know you've found yourself someone I know, but you're not telling anyone. I mean, Howie doesn't even know, does he?"
I took a deep breath. Now or never. And I could trust Kevin of all people to keep a secret, so I decided that since he already knew something was up, there was almost no point in trying to keep anything from him.
"Well...." I started. "Howie knows very well..." I looked away, nervous as heck.
"Are you trying to tell me that you...and...he...are...." Kevin started to say. I looked out the window. Kev put his finger on my chin and moved my head so that I was looking directly at him. And his mischievious smile.
"Stephanie, we've all kind of expected this to happen. Ask any of the guys. We began to see it in the way you two were when you're together. It began to get rather obvious. And you know you don't need to be ashamed to admit it. You already know that we love both of you like family. And, listen to me, if you need me to keep this on the D.L. for awhile, you know I will," Kev assured me. I smiled. "And what would we do if we didn't have those dimples to prepare us before a concert, huh?" I giggled.
"Thanks Kev. I always wish my sister were more like you," I sighed. "How come it always happens that you BOYS are the only ones I ever confide in?"
"It's the charm. Just makes ya wanna tell us the world!" he joked.
"You better get home and figure out what you're gunna say to Danielle, boy!" I cried. "Cuz I wanna hop on over to Nick's and catch some of that b-ball action!"
"Tell Lisa I said hi," Kevin instructed as he got up and began to walk towards the door.
"Oh she'll be thrilled. But I will," I agreed. "Thanks a lot for coming over. You really helped a lot."
"ME?! I'M the one who helped? Okay. Whatever. I'll see ya later, Steph," Kevin called as he climbed into his 4-Runner. I watched him leave, then hopped into my Mustang with Chache in tow.
I got to Nick's house, parked my car, and walked through the side gate to the backyard, where his basketball hoop was. I yelled at the boys and Lisa and let Muchacho down, who soon found Tyk sitting under a tree. Lisa was in an old jersey, with her long blonde hair hanging out the hole in the back of her cap, all sweaty.
"What's the score?" I wanted to know, getting comfortable in a chair.
"Uhhh...Nicky and Lisa 21, me 30," Brian yelled, dribbling the ball up to make another basket. "Oh! Better make that 32!" He was such a teaser.
"Hey Lisa, Kevin says hi!" I called. Lisa stopped and looked at me hard, her mouth wide open. Then, she came back to her senses and got involved in the game again.
"Okay. Time out! I need a drink!" Nick cried, out of breath and drenched with sweat.
"Ya know Nicky, you've called 'time out' more that anyone else here. Are you just a tired little baby?" Brock teased. Nick glared at him, then threw Bri's water bottle at him really hard. Brian caught it, laughing his head off. Lisa walked over to me, out of breath.
"Ya know Steph, this is the best game I've ever played. It'll really help me on the team! Thanks so much!" she said to me between deep breathing to catch her breath.
"Don't thank me! Thank Brock over there! And ol' Kaos. They're the ones who decided to get your number and call you up!" I exclaimed. Just then, Bri came over.
"You're pretty good, Lisa! And not just for a girl!" he complimented.
I leaned over to her and whispered, "It's the Southern manners. He and Kevin were brought up to compliment everything about girls. You'll never get used to it. I still haven't!" Lisa giggled, just as I had minutes before.
"Ready to play again Lise?" Nick called from the 'court.' He had the basketball in his hands. Lisa looked at me excitedly. She still hadn't gotten over Nickolaus Gene Carter saying her name.
"Don't pinch me till I have to leave okay? I'm liking this dream," Lisa whispered to me. Then she yelled, "Yeah Nick. Let's get this game over with!" She jogged back over to Nick and Brian and they began their favorite game again.
Their favorite game lasted until 8:00 at night. I had to go and make sandwiches for them for dinner because they were still playing yet they were starving. Lisa got a ride from one of her cousins to Nick's house, so I had to give her a ride home. We hopped in my Mustang around 9:30pm (how can you go to Nintendo Nicky's house and not play Nintendo?), Lisa still in awe over the day.
"Okay you can pinch me now Steph. Just let me wake up and be in bed or somewhere near my cousins' house," Lisa sighed as I took off. I reached over and gave her a quick pinch, her eyes squeezed shut. She opened them. "WOW. This really DID happen! AJ! I'm falling apart! Wait! You're not AJ anymore! You're Gilligan. UG!" I laughed.
"Calm down. It's just the beginning Brighty. Pretty soon, you won't even begin to think about them as famous guys and you'll be hanging out with them everyday. Believe me," I reassured her. Lisa continued petting Muchie.
"When did you get this car, anyways?" she wanted to know.
"For my birthday last month. They bought it for me," I told my friend.
"Who?"
"The boys did."
"The BACKSTREET BOYS bought this Mustang for you?" she screeched.
"Yes! Lisa. They're just ordinary guys who happen to have a lot of money and watch out for me. Cool it!" I replied. Just then I noticed on the radio that some dumb song had come on. Without taking my eyes off the road, I turned the dial to a different station. I kept turning until I found "All I Have to Give."
"Turn it up turn it up!! It's the BSB!" Lisa's instinct just crept out. I looked over at her. Then I laughed to myself, turning the volume up a little.
"I hear this song everyday Lise," I almost said, but then realized that I reacted the same way when I heard "As Long As You Love Me." So I began to sing at the top of my lungs with my good friend. When the song was over, we burst out into giggles. At that time, I had just pulled up to her house and she got out.
"Thanks again Steph! You're making my dream come true and you don't know how much this means to me!!!" Lise cried before she shut the door and ran up to the house. Her cousins were acquaintances of the Backstreet Boys, but they were nowhere near as close to them as I was. So, despite how much she begged, her cousins could not get the BSB to meet Lisa. I was her only hope.
Lisa disappeared behind the closed door and I pulled away to head home. The house she lived in with her cousins was a few blocks from mine, so it took me a few minutes to get to my place. As I pulled into the garage, I noticed D's Corvette parked on the driveway. I smiled to myself and grabbed Chachi before walking into the house. I opened the door to the kitchen and sniffed the aroma of a chocolate pie. I closed my eyes to smell and soon felt lips kissing mine. I opened my eyes and saw D. We laughed.
"Hey boy! Still into cooking for me, I see. Is it a Dorough recipe tonight?" I asked. I put Muchacho down and opened the oven and sniffed. "I can't wait to eat it!"
"Wait no longer, Curly G! Dessert is almost served!" Howie announced.
"Good!" I cried with delight. "I didn't eat much dinner and I am STARVING!" Howie pulled out the pie and put it on a hot plate on the glass table. Then, he grabbed some plates from a cupboard and a knife and forks from a drawer. Then, D cut two pieces out of the pie and served me one.
"Here ya go, ma'am," he said, handing me a plate.
"Sweet D! If we don't quit this, both of us are gunna get fat! All we do is make desserts! Then we eat them!" I told him, devouring the piece. He chuckled.
"Hey. It's the least I can do for you on such a random day," he sighed.
"Yeah. You spoil me. Why?" I wanted to know. He leaned over and kissed my forehead.
"Cuz I love ya!" D winked at me. We sat in silence for a few minutes.
"We leave for the tour in a month right?" I asked.
"Yeah. You get to sleep on the same bus as us too, this time," he told me excitedly.
"Ahhh! I gotta start getting my muscles stretched and ready to dance!" I cried. "Oh great. I hope I still remember all those dances! Geez. And I get it off right before the tour starts. The doctor might not let me dance for awhile, until I can rebuild the muscle, you know."
"Yeah. Fatima actually said she'd fill in your spot for a few weeks, until you're ready, but you're gunna be at every concert because we need you there," Howie explained. I couldn't believe Fatima was actually going to dance for me on stage! She usually stayed in the shadows but I guess she wasn't going to, this time.
"Uh, D?" I suddenly realized that I should tell him that Kev knew. Howie looked up at me with his big brown eyes. "I was talking to Kevin this afternoon and I told him about the two of us. And we only have a month to tell everyone else."
"Yeah I know. That probably would be the best thing. That's fine that you told Kev. I mean, I don't mind at all. He's the most trusting person I know," Howie said. I smiled at him.
"Wanna do something? We can rearrange all the hats in my hat room. I've been dying to do that for awhile now, actually," I suggested. D laughed lightly.
"No. Actually, I should go. You need your rest cuz tomorrow, we are getting you back on the track to fitness. I promise. No more junk food!" D informed me.
"Oh joy. My own personal trainer," I bluntly stated, jokingly. Howie took our empty plates and stuck them in the dishwasher. I was increasingly getting tired and yawned unexpectedly. Howie grabbed his keys and headed towards the door. I followed him slowly.
"Bye sweetie," D said softly, when he turned around before walking out the door. I waved to him silently, then he grabbed my wrist and pulled me to him and gave me a goodbye kiss. I still wasn't used to kissing my best friend on the lips! Well, I guess that's what it's like when you're married. Wait. Why the heck was I thinking about marriage? I was just about ready to shoot myself in the head. I walked Howie out to his car and gave him one last kiss through the window before he drove away.
* * *
"Hey Steph! What's up? Haven't seen you in awhile!" Amanda greeted me at her door. I said hi and walked in. She led me into the living room, where we made ourselves comfortable.
"Where's Tweedle Dum?" I wanted to know.
"He's in the bathroom. He didn't want you to see him with lipstick all over his face," 'Manda joked. I laughed. "BRIAN! WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU DOING IN THERE? EXPERIMENTING WITH MY MAKE-UP????" Brian quickly walked out of the bathroom and said hi to me. He found a spot next to Amanda on the couch (I was on the ground, where I prefer to sit) and gave her forehead a kiss.
"How's life between you two?" I asked.
"You wanna see all the stuff this brat has forced me to buy for her?" Brock remarked sarcastically. Amanda lightly slapped his knee.
"FORCED you? I'd say you forced yourself!" she shot back.
"But it was for a good cause...so that you look like you're worthy enough to have me," Brian stated. "You don't want all my fans complaining about how I have an ugly girlfriend do you??" Amanda slapped his knee again, only harder.
"Shut up ya big idiot!" she cried. Then, Amanda turned towards me and got closer to Brock. "So, Steph, I was talking to Em, Amy, and Dani and I'm really sorry about what I said that one night in the bathroom. I didn't mean for it to off your relationship with Howie. I mean, you guys have known each other for awhile. And there's no reason we should be right." I couldn't believe how perfect my opportunity had come. Amanda AND Brock. Right there. That girl was soooooo good.
"Actually, you couldn't have been more right," I told her.
"WHAT?!?!" The Tweedles replied, perfectly in synch.
"We talked about it that night, and I really think the whole fracturing of my ankle helped matters a lot," I continued to explain.
"Are you trying to say that you and Howie are a couple now?" Brian asked, his eyes wide with shock. I nodded my head 'yes.' "Wow. That's weird. Sorry Gilligan, but I just can't imagine two of my best friends being a couple. That's so weird...in a totally phat way."
"All I say is please don't tell anyone else yet. Kevin is the only other one who knows. We want to get the chance to tell everyone ourselves. You know, that way it will be safer so tabloids won't come out with headlines that scream 'Backstreet Boy Dates Back-Up Dancer' all over the place. That's just too much of a Spice Girl rip-off," I tried to explain. Amanda and Brian swore themselves to secrey. I thanked them graciously.
It had been two weeks since I told Kevin. He had talked to Danielle a few nights later, leaving her rather upset and confused, but they finally started talking again and she was back to hanging out with us. It took awhile for her to understand what was going on because she had never been involved with a famous person. I guess Emily had talked to her and helped her get over it and forgive Kevin for having to break up. They had begun to be closer as friends in the past few days.
Howie and I, on the other hand, had remained close. We had become a lot closer since that day I had gone over to his house and we had our talk about where we were going and he asked me if we wanted to be more than just friends and I said yes. Amanda and Brian were the second people to know about anything. It was truly amazing how we did it, but we managed to keep everything on the down low with incredible ease.
Amanda and Amy had been told last week that they were going to be on the tour with us, which thrilled us more than anything. Amanda and Brian kept getting closer as the days went by. I never saw Nick and Amy together, so I figured they did a lot of 'stuff' on their own. (If you don't believe me when I say there's a little demon behind those blue eyes, you must not know him very well!)
Amanda's birthday was coming up, so we were busy planning it and keeping it a secret from her. She and Brock and D and I went out on double dates and always had unbelievably good times together. We began to do everything together. The greatest thing was that no one suspected anything.
A week after I told Amanda and Bri, I told Dani and AJ and Em. J's reaction was non-stop laughter. He couldn't believe how right he was. Emily smacked him and told him to shut up. His reaction?
"Yes Miss Em!" followed by a kiss.
I thought the last to know should be Nick. That boy usually had a strange reaction to stuff like that. The other boys were more mature with this type of situation.
On May 3rd, the day before Amanda's birthday, I told Nick during a break when he, Bri, and Lisa were playing basketball. Nick was shocked. Beyond belief. He sat down on the cement for a few seconds his water bottle in hand and his arms hung loosely around his knees.
Then, he looked up at me and said, "cool." Lisa was the one who nearly passed out. Her good friend was dating a Backstreet Boy. Brian walked over and patted her head, laughing.
Did I mention that I love my boys?