The guys took their final bow and ran off the stage. But everyone was waiting in the green room for the guys and the band. They walked in and were soon soaked in Champaign being sprayed from various bottles. Everyone was screaming and cheering as the guys high fived and hugged various people. Jada stubbornly stayed far away from all the people she didn't know and watched. Ashleigh had told her she had to do some errands around stage and left Jada there.
Nick was looking around for Ashleigh when he spotted a beautiful girl sitting by herself. She had a long thick mane of brown hair that hung past her shoulder blades. She had a clear completion and chocolate brown eyes that sparkled. She sat with her arms and legs crossed and looked very bored. Nick couldn't help but stare at her. He looked around for Ashleigh and couldn't find her. He decided to go up to this girl and talk to her.
"Hi," Nick said. Jada looked up at him.
"Yes?" she asked. Nick was taken back by her attitude but that made him more attracted to her.
"Are you waiting for someone?" Nick asked.
"Actually, I was hoping you and your friends could sign something for my cousin. I got in a big argument with some security guards about taking pictures and they tried to take my camera. Then some chick brought me back here and said you all would sign something," Jada told him.
"What's your name?" Nick asked.
"Jada."
"I'm Nick."
"I'm aware," she said. Jada was the exact opposite of Ashleigh and he couldn't find himself not attracted to her. She was very blunt and he had always found that attractive.
"Well Jada, lemme see what I can do. Follow me," he said. Jada stood up and followed him. Nick found a Backstreet Boy shirt in a box of merchandise being sold and a black marker.
"Jessica," Jada said.
"Excuse me?"
"My cousin's name is Jessica. She's a huge fan and came down with mono," Jada said. Nick caught himself starring at her.
"Oh yeah, okay," Nick said. He took the marker and wrote "Jessica, I hope you feel better" and scribbled his name. "Wait here and I'll be back," Nick said to Jada. She nodded and waited while he went back into the party room. He didn't want Ashleigh to see Jada with him. He quickly found the other guys and had them sign their names. He ran back out to where he left Jada.
"Here you go," Nick said.
"Thanks," Jada said, spinning around and walking away.
"Wait a minute," Nick said, laughing. "Do you live around here?"
"Yeah, about 15 minutes," Jada said.
"Wanna stay and party a little?" he asked.
"No offence, but no," Jada said.
"Why not?"
"Because you are the Backstreet Boys and I'm sure I can find something better to do," she said. Nick actually laughed. He really liked this girl.
''You don't even know me," he challenged.
"I don't need to know you," Jada shot back. Nick looked her up and down. She was wearing tight flared jeans and a spaghetti strap tank that showed a little part of her stomach between the jeans and shirt. She had a nice body. He quickly erased the thought from his mind. He never thought of Ashleigh like that but at the moment, Ashleigh wasn't in his thoughts.
"Wanna stop starring before you go blind?" Jada asked bluntly. Nick turned a deep shade of red.
"Sorry," he admitted. She turned around to leave.
"Wait!" he said.
"Agh, what?!" she asked.
"Wanna go get a couple drinks?" he asked. She looked at him. He had the bluest eyes she's ever seen. He looked so pure and innocent that it was almost attractive. She really did need a drink after putting up with tonight and why not do it with 1/5 of her cousin's favorite band. She could get some juice to tell Jessica, she'd love that. And she knew she'd never see him again.
"Fine," Jada agreed. Nick looked shocked.
"Okay, give me 10 minutes to change and get ready and I'll meet you back here, okay?" he asked.
"Whatever," Jada said. Nick ran back into the green room and pushed his way through all the people who were now dancing. He was walking down the hall to his dressing room when Ashleigh ran up to him.
"Hey baby!" she said, throwing her arms around him. He could feel the guilt build up on his shoulders.
''Hey honey...look, Brent and the guys wanna go out and have some drinks," he lied.
"Oh Brent came?" Ashleigh asked, about his best friend.
"Yeah, and he wants me and the guys to have a guy night," he lied through his teeth.
"Oh okay," Ashleigh said, sounding a little disappointed. "But what about the final crew party? You've been waiting for this all tour."
"I know but this just came up," he felt terrible for lying to her but his hormones were taking over.
"Okay, so I'll meet you back at home?" she asked.
"Yeah, but don't wait up. I'll be late," he said, kissing her. He licked his lips and tasted her lip gloss that he loved. Another pound of guilt added to his shoulders.
"Okay," Ashleigh said, walking back to the party. Nick walked into his dressing room and quickly changed and freshened up. He dipped his head in the sink and rinsed his hair. He towel dried his head and put on cologne. He heard a knock at his door.
"Who is it?" he yelled.
"Nick, it's Kristin." Nick opened the door and saw Kristin waiting. She came in and he shut the door.
"Nick, what are you doing?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" he asked. He was never really close with Kristin. She was very shy and never really talk to anyone except for Kevin and Leighanne. Sometimes Gwen and Brian. But she was much older than Nick and they never really made a strong connection.
"I saw that girl you were talking too...you aren't getting ready to go out with her are you?" she asked.
"No," he denied.
"Nick, don't lie. I won't tell Ashleigh. But think about what you're doing," Kristin said to him.
"I am thinking. I'm not married to Ashleigh, we're just getting some drinks," Nick said. He didn't feel like he should have to explain himself to Kristin. He was worried Kristin would tell Ashleigh but he looked into her eyes and saw a trust bond between them.
"Okay Nick, I trust you. You'll do the right thing," Kristin said. Another pound of guilt. Kristin left and Nick snuck back out to Jada without anyone seeing him. Jada turned around and faced him and he could almost feel that guilt melt away. She was worth it.
"Ready?" Nick asked.
"I guess," she replied. They walked out the back of the arena and Nick hailed a cab.
"Where to?" the driver asked.
"Club 89," Nick told him. The driver nodded and dropped them off at an expensive club where the line led out to another street. Nick smiled at the bouncer and he ushered Nick and Jada right in. They walked up to the bar.
"Drink?" Nick asked.
"Please. Coke and rum," Jada said. Nick ordered her drink and a beer for himself. With all the stress with Ashleigh lately, it felt nice to just drink and have fun. And that is exactly what he had planned on doing.
