“This can’t be happening. We just released our first CD and now everything’s in jeopardy,” Jacob said to Jay when the guys found out Ikaika was leaving.
“I know you’re worried, but I’ve talked to Lou and we think we’ve got another guy,” Jay explained, “Dan Miller.”
“Really? He was great at the tryouts,” Ashley said.
“But how could Ikaika do this? This is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Jacob asked.
“He wasn’t happy. I guess we all knew that all along,” Trevor said. Jacob put his head in his hands and said, “Alright,” and left the room. Lyndsey got up and followed him.
“Everything will be fine,” She said, reaching over and giving him a big hug and sighed,
“You guys will be great, with or without Ikaika, or Dan for that matter.” Jacob smiled, “You always look on the positive side. That’s probably why I love you so much.” They then leaned in and shared a long kiss until Trevor walked in.
“I always walk in at the wrong time,” He joked, and Lyndsey punched him playfully.
“I’m gonna go lay down,” Jacob sighed, and he went to his room.
“He’s really ticked at Ikaika isn’t he?” Trevor asked.
“Yeah, but he’s just worrying about the group’s future,” Lyndsey said, “He always is. I’ll go convince him not to worry.”
Lyndsey walked into Jacob’s room, and climbed up on Jacob’s bunk and sat next to him, facing him. “You ok?” She asked, looking into his eyes.
“I am now,” Smiled Jacob as he kissed her forehead, “You know how I am. I’ll be fine.”
“You already are FINE,” Teased Lyndsey.
Jacob blushed and he moved closer and kissed her as he held her. The next morning they woke up in the same position, with Lyndsey’s head resting against Jacob’s chest.
Ashley knocked on the door and opened it, “Jacob you have 10 minutes to shower and get dressed.”
Jacob jumped out of bed, “Damn!” He replied, “Thanks Ash!”
Jacob ran for a quick shower as Lyndsey got changed, since some of her things were left in Jacob’s room. In ten minutes they were ready and everyone was in the car headed to Lou’s house for a meeting.
Lyndsey was doing her makeup in the car. “You women have to look perfect don’t you?” Trevor laughed.
“She is perfect,” Jacob clutched her hand.
“Aweee!” Trevor, Erik and Ashley teased in a girl’s voice.
When they arrived at Lou’s, a young man stood by him. “Hey man!” Erik shook his hand, since he remembered him from tryouts.
“Well guys, I think I’ve found a new guy but I’d like to hear you sing together,” Lou explained.
All the guys sang ‘All For Love’ a cappella. They sounded better than ever. Jacob had a grin spread across his face. He turned and saw Lyndsey smiling too. Later, back at the guy’s house Jacob told Ashley that he was really happy that Dan was in the group.
“His whole presence is better than Ikaika,” Jacob said, “He’s happy, not bossy and doesn’t have an attitude.”
“And he’s in our group,” Grinned Ashley as Lyndsey came in the room.
“I knew things would be ok,” She replied softly, sitting across Jacob’s lap. She put her arms around his neck, resting against him and was quiet.
“You know everything don’t you?” Jacob asked, as he lifted her up and over his shoulders and twirled her around and ran up and down the halls, as a joke.
“Jacob!” She screamed. He and all the guys were laughing.
“Jacob!” She screeched even loud. He heard fear in her voice so he put her down and she held her head. He rubbed her shoulders, “I’m sorry hun,” He said.
Lyndsey froze and then dropped to the floor. “Lyndsey!” He screamed. He dropped to his knees and patted her face. Trevor walked in the room and exclaimed, “What happened?” and ran to her side.
“She collapsed, “Jacob said, worried as she started to wake up. She slowly sat up.
The guys were crowded around her. They were all concerned. Jacob carefully lifted her and carried her to his bed. “I’m so sorry Lyndsey,” Jacob said, upset.
“It’s not your fault,” She said.
“Huh?” He asked.
“It can’t be, because everything I see is still spinning. I’m dizzy and I think I’m gonna be sick,” She replied.
“You’re burning up,” Jacob stated as he felt her forehead, “I’m calling the doctor.” He ran to use the phone. When he came back he helped her into a pair of his cotton pajamas.
He tucked her under the covers. “No, I’m too hot,” She said, kicking them off.
“You need to stay warm,” He said, climbing into bed and holding her close to him.
The doctor came and said that she had a bad case of the flu.
Jacob came into the room and he looked angry. “What?” She whispered softly.
“Mark told me and the other guys to stay as far away from you as possible until you’re better,” He said, “He doesn’t want us sick or to miss a show.”
Lyndsey began, “Maybe it’s best.”
Jacob cut in, “No way. I’m not leaving your side. I love you.” He then kissed her cheek and sat beside her holding her hand.
“Jacob, can you help me to the bathroom?” She asked.
He nodded, and she put her hand on his shoulder and helped her walk to the bathroom. As he helped her, she collapsed again, but Jacob caught her. He moved her back into bed. Lyndsey didn’t wake up until the next morning. Jacob came in the room with a doctor’s mask over his mouth.
“See, I can stay by your side and not get sick,” He laughed, “Forget Mark, I’m sitting her with you until you’re better.”
“You can’t miss the show tonight,” She said.
“Yeah I can,” He stated.
“No, I’ll be fine,” She insisted.
“Ok, I know you’ll be fine,” He replied. Lyndsey jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom to be sick. She wandered back out slowly.
“Awe, poor baby,” He said, walking towards her, into her opened arms, for a hug. He stroked her hair as he held her.
Lyndsey stayed in bed for a week sick and then finally got better. Luckily, none of the guys got sick. “Feel better?” Jacob asked.
“Much,” She smiled, as he kissed her forehead.
Jacob whipped off his mask on his mouth and passionately kissed her. Smiling he replied, “Wow! I’ve been waiting a week for that.” They then continued kissing until Erik yelled that they had to go to the studios.
Lyndsey started to follow. “Hey!” Trevor yelled, and hugged her.
“Hey Trev,” She replied.
“I haven’t seen you in a week. I hope you’re feeling better,” He said. She nodded, “I do.”
“That’s good,” Dan replied.
Lyndsey started to follow as the guys left for the studios but Jacob stopped her. “Stay here and rest,” He said, “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“Ok, I love you,” She said, hugging him tight.
“Love you too,” He said, then he gave her a peck on the cheek and left, while Lyndsey lay down on the couch watching TV.
When Jacob came back Lyndsey was gone. “Where’d she go?” Ashley asked.
“She’s probably in my room,” Jacob replied, and he then walked down the hallway but she wasn’t there.
“She there?” Erik asked, looking up from a magazine he was reading.
“No,” He said, “I’ll call her place.”
“Lyndsey? Why did you go home?” He asked, when she answered the phone.
“I had to,” She began, “Mark told me to.”
“What? Why?” He asked.
“He said that now that I’m doing better, I should go home so just in case I’m still sick you guys won’t catch anything,” Explained Lyndsey.
“That’s not like him,” Jacob said, “That was rude.”
“Oh no he wasn’t being rude. He was just thinking about you guys,” She replied.
“You see the good things in everyone. I love you, come over tomorrow, ok?” He said.
“You bet. Love ya bye.”
“Bye.”
Jacob hung up the phone, as Trevor walked in. “Hey buddy, whassup?” He joked.
“Nothin’,” Replied Jacob, “You had any problems with Mark?” Trevor was about to speak when Jacob cut in, “That are recent and we don’t know about.”
“Nope,” Trevor smiled.
The next day Lyndsey was arriving at the dance studios as the guys were warming up. Jacob ran out and hugged and kissed her. “Big show tonight,” He said, excited, “20,000 people are gonna see us. It’s sold out.”
“Wow,” Smiled Lyndsey.
“Jacob! Back over here!” Mark yelled out and Jacob listened. During a break Jacob began to walk over to Lyndsey, when Jay grabbed his arm.
“Work on vocals with the guys,” He said.
Jacob was angry but he listened and went back to the other guys. After practice Jacob hugged Lyndsey goodbye and in the car he was informed that there was a meeting. “Lou wants to see us?” Erik asked.
“No, just us,” Jay said.
When they got back to the house they all went into the living room. “Now, we need to discuss something,” Jay began.
“This isn’t a problem with most of you,” Mark said, and turned to Jacob, “Girlfriends.”
“Huh?” Dan said, unsure.
“We’d like you to put girlfriends on the sideburner. You need to focus on your careers and you future as a group,” Jay said.
“No way,” Jacob answered.
“Jacob, it doesn’t mean you have to stop seeing Lyndsey,” Mark started, “But you can’t see her everyday. She’s always going with you, and then you don’t focus on your work as well.”
“I do it as well as the others,” Jacob said, angrily standing up, as Trevor put his hand on Jacob’s shoulder, holding him back.
“I’m not going to stop seeing her,” He exclaimed leaving the room.
Trevor followed him. “You gonna tell Lyndsey about what just happened?” He asked.
“No, it’d hurt her feelings. I don’t want to upset her,” Jacob said, “As far as I’m concerned, that conversation never happened.”
Trevor smiled and clapped Jacob’s hand, “Ok man,” He replied.
Jacob continued to let Lyndsey come to practices, concerts and everywhere the group went. Mark didn’t like it.
“You think they’re really mad?” Ashley asked him one day at rehearsal.
“I don’t care,” Jacob replied honestly, “I love Lyndsey and I’m going to be with her. I don’t see how my dating her affects how I am in the group.”
“It doesn’t. You do a great job,” Ashley said.
“Thanks man so do you,” Smiled Jacob.
“Just ignore them and it’ll stop,” Ashley stated.
“You’re right,’ Jacob said, “ I hope.”
Jacob grabbed his things but put them down when he heard some commotion. He went around the corner to see Mark telling Lyndsey to leave. “Please just go. Jacob needs to rehearse. You’re a distraction,” He said.
Jacob walked up, “She is not a distraction.”
“Maybe I should go,” Lyndsey started to leave but Jacob grabbed her hand.
“No, you’re staying,” He replied.
“Jacob we had a meeting about this and I asked you to-,” Started Mark.
“I know what you said and I told you no,” Jacob said, firmly.
Puzzled Lyndsey asked, “What did he tell you?”
“Nothing,” Jacob lied.
“To stop seeing you so much,” Mark interrupted.
She felt like she had been hit with a ton of bricks. “You know what? I am leaving. I’ll NEVER come back! That’s what you all want, isn’t it? You hate me and want me to leave, well FINE!” She screamed, storming off.
“Look what you’ve done!” Exclaimed Jacob, running after her. He found her outside on the ground leaning against a rock with her head down.
“Lyndsey,” He began, “I’m so-,” He got cut off.
“Why do they hate me?” She sobbed.
Jacob held her in his arms for a long while and said, “They don’t. They’re stubborn. I’m sorry for not telling you before but I knew it would upset you. That’s the last thing I want to do. I want to see you smile,” He said, calmly. He lifted her chin and kissed her softly, and she smiled at him.
“Come back inside,” He said. She wriggled away, “No, never,” She said.
“Ok, ok, calm down, wait, no nevermind. I’ll drive us home,” He said, as they got in his car and left.
Later that night when the five guys were alone they talked. “This is absurd,” Jacob began.
“Lyndsey’s had a positive effect on the group. Why don’t they lay off?” Ashley stated.
“Lou won’t do anything. He’s on our side in some ways but won’t do anything,” Jacob said.
“There is something we can do,” Trevor began.
“What’s that?” Asked Erik.
“Well, we’re aware of how Lou has screwed over other groups. He might do it to us. He probably already is and he won’t do anything about the Mark and Jay situation,” Explained Trevor, “We’d have to keep this silent but we could start looking into another company where we can get respect.”
The other guys liked the idea and luckily after a month a deal had been worked out with Arista Records. They were good people who respected the boys’ rights and the fact they wanted girlfriends.
One night Jacob called up Lyndsey, “Hey,” He said, “Can you come over to the house?” “Jacob, you know I don’t want to,” She said.
“Well I think this time you might,” He said, being sly.
Lyndsey agreed and drove over. The guys were in another room with Lou, Jay and Mark. Jacob brought Lyndsey in. She and the guys were standing up.
“Lou, this isn’t personal but on behalf of the group we say goodbye. We have decided that we are leaving. We want respect. Mark and Jay don’t give us that and you won’t do anything. We’re all packed and we’ll be leaving now,” Jacob stated.
“If you leave, you’ll become nobody’s,” Mark stated as Jay sat down and Lou left in disappointment.
“Well it’s funny you should say that, Mark,” Trevor smiled, walking closer to him holding up a piece of paper, “You see this?” He then tore it up, “My contract, gone,” He pulled another paper out of his pocket, “You see this? It’s my contract, signed, from Arista Records,” He grinned.
The other guys ripped up their old contracts and held up their new ones. “Bu-bye!” They all said, leaving with their cars headed with their luggage and left.
Lyndsey kissed Jacob, “I’m happy for you, I love you,” She whispered happily.
“What do you think Lou will do?” Erik asked.
“He knows we’re right, he’ll probably come down hard on Mark and Jay,” Ashley answered.
“Gee that’s too bad,” Kidded Dan.
The guys went back to a house that had been arranged for them by their new manager, Alan.
“Welcome gentlemen,” Alan greeted them, “Nice to meet you Lyndsey. We’re glad to have you here supporting these guys,” He continued, as he shook her hand.
After a month of being with Arista Records the guys loved working for them. They had gain respect and more money. They found out that they had not been getting the amount they deserved.
“God, I thought I was living my dream before, but now it’s like wow! It’s ever better,” Said Trevor, who was full of happiness.
The group started their US/Canadian tour a week later. Lyndsey traveled to every show. “I can’t believe it’s our 25th tour date,” Erik said to Jacob.
“Yeah, it’s half over,” He laughed, “I love performing.”
Lyndsey walked backstage looking tired. “What’s wrong?” Asked Jacob.
“Jet lag,” She mumbled, as she plopped herself down next to Jacob on the ouch in their dressing room. She leaned against him.
“Are you sure?” Erik asked, “ Maybe all this traveling has thrown your sleep track off.”
“Yeah, maybe you should take a couple of days off,” Suggested Jacob.
“No, no I’m fine. Just 20 something more cities to go to right?” She replied.
Jacob and Erik went off to change for the show. Jacob came back to see Lyndsey asleep, sitting up leaning on the arm of the couch. He carefully shifted her onto her back, on a pillow, and covered her with a blanket. He kissed her forehead softly and went to join the others. After two solid hours of performing to a sold out crowd, the guys exited the stage.
“Look who’s still asleep,” Whispered Trevor as he carried Lyndsey out of the dressing room. He carefully gave her over to Jacob. Jacob carried her to their tour bus and put her on one of the five mini beds they had on the bus. He lay next to her and fell asleep. Jacob woke up first the next morning. As soon as he moved Lyndsey began to stir.
“Gotta go perform,” She mumbled out.
“Uh Lynds? It’s morning,” Jacob replied.
“Huh?” She mumbled.
“You fell asleep, and I think it’s a good thing. You were wiped,” Answered Jacob. Jacob got up and took her hands to lift her up into his arms to kiss her.
“If you want to go home for a few days, you can,” Jacob said.
“No, I want to stay with you,” She replied quickly. After another month the tour was finally over. The guys and their managers all went out to dinner at Planet Hollywood to celebrate.
”Look at all the paparazzi,” Stated Dan.
Lyndsey posed with Jacob for some shorts. Trevor brought along his Polaroid camera and got a picture of Jacob kissing Lyndsey’s cheek and give it to Lyndsey. Everyone partied until 3am, when Trevor, Jacob and Lyndsey headed to the airport to head home for a week.
They arrived home at 7am. After two coffees they arrived home. Jacob and Trevor came over to Lyndsey’s house later so they could hang out like they used to.
Lyndsey sat in Jacob’s lap as Trevor played basketball.
Lyndsey turned to Jacob, “Thanks for letting me experience everything with you.” “You think I could live away from you?” Laughed Jacob, “I love you,” He then started kissing her passionately.
“Ahem!” Trevor said, “My lunch wants to stay down,” He joked.
“Ha ha,” Lyndsey replied, as she got up and stole the ball away and sunk the ball in the net.
Jacob got up and started tickling her until she couldn’t breathe. “Mambo!” Yelled Trevor as he took her hand and started twirling her around. He twirled her over into Jacob’s arms where Jacob caught her and kissed her. He had a gold necklace with a music note charm with their initials on it dangling from his fingers. He just smiled at her.
“Oh Jacob, it’s beautiful!” Lyndsey exclaimed.
“It’s yours,” He answered.
She turned around and put it around her neck. She looked at it for a long time before throwing her arms around Jacob’s neck thanking him.
“Well, it symbolizes everything we’ve been through together,” He told her. They then shared another soft kiss. Trevor shot the ball towards Jacob and they started shooting hoops.
Lyndsey stood there watching Jacob with a huge grin on her face. He turned to her with a smile and winked at her and she went over and joined their game.
TO BE CONTINUED…..
