"I'm just really happy that we have Alex back in our family, if not permanent, yet," Brian said, squeezing Alex's hand, then letting go. She smiled up at him and continued a conversation she was having with Elisbeph.
"Can I kill him?" I whispered to Chris. He snickered and Alex raised an eyebrow at us. I smiled at her and she smiled back, squeezing my hand, which was on her thigh.
"I'll help," Justin whispered. "Gladly."
"What are you guys whispering about?" The four of us looked up to see the five girls and Brian staring at us. Lance was looking at the wall
"Umm . . ." I stuttered.
"Nothing," Joey said. "Just having a friendly chat in really low voices." The girls rolled their eyes.
"So, Brian," Justin said. "How's life in the fast lane?"
"Shouldn't you know?" Brian asked, seriously. "I mean, we are in the same business."
"But your group is so much bigger than ours is at the moment," Justin continued.
Good thinking, Just, I thought. Make him look like a snob and Alex will never want to leave us.
"Not really," Brian said. "We'll definitely be at least even when you guys get your new CD out. Actually, you'll probably be much farther ahead than we will at that point."
"Oh, well, maybe," Chris chimed in. "But don't think your popularity came from just your singing. Being 'teen heart-throbs' had to have a lot to do with it."
"I honestly don't think it did," Brian said, politely. "People wouldn't listen to our music and buy our albums if they didn't like our voices. If we were blessed with good looks, it's not like it hurts anything." "Maybe not, but I still think it was mainly your looks that got you a record deal," Joey said.
"Joey!" Mel hissed. I snickered. When I looked at Alex, I caught her glare.
"What promotion shows are you doing this summer?" I asked, innocently.
"Oh, not too many," Brian answered. "A little thing with Rosie O'Donnell and maybe a few others. We don't really know our schedule yet."
"Oh well, we're doing a Summer Jam concert, plus finishing up with our tour, and . . ."
That's it! I can't take it anymore!!
"Okay, well . . . what do you guys want to do tomorrow?" Elis asked, trying to change the subject before someone got killed.
"I dunno," JC said, sarcastically. "It depends on what Brian's planning on doing." He turned to Brian. "You stealing my fiancée again?" That was the last straw.
"Oh my god, will you guys shut up already?" I said loudly, trying to refrain myself from yelling. Everyone looked at me in surprise. "I can't stand this anymore. Either you act like civilized human beings or I'm leaving."
"What'd we do?" Justin asked, snickering, yet trying to act innocent.
"That's it, I'm leaving."
"Alex-" JC began.
"No, don't even try to say anything. I'll sleep on the streets tonight before I even get in the same room with any of you. I would have expected more than this from the four of you." I looked at Justin, JC, Joey, and Chris. "This attitude of yours, wherever it came from, had better shape up because if it doesn't, I will personally make your lives hell." I turned to the girls, Brian, and Lance. "Sorry," I muttered. I got up and walked out of the restaurant, prepared to take the long route back to the hotel.
Not good.
"I have to go after her." I started to push my seat back, but a hand stopped me.
"Don't bother," Elis said, angrily. "Brian already went."
"Well, that's even more of a reason for me to go after her because if he-"
"You guys have already done enough damage," Star said. She glared at me and Chris. "You two, of all people, should know better."
"C'mon, we might as well go back to the hotel," Roxie said, yawning. "I'm gonna crash as it is." She got up, followed by the other girls and Lance.
"Lance, man, where you goin'?" Joey asked. He looked at us.
"I told you it was a bad idea from the start and I'm still sticking with it. Alex deserves the right to be happy and if her biological family is what makes her happy, then I'm behind her 100%, no matter if you're my best friends or not." With that, the five of them walked out of the restaurant, leaving the four of us behind.