After a couple of hours with Brianna and away from everything remotely related to his sheltered world Aaron seemed in a much better mood. He was even looking forward to seeing his brother perform. It wasn’t really anything special that Brianna had done, just that she had let him blow off his steam and not do anything to remind him that he was in fact still merely a young teenager.

She gave him some privacy to shower and get ready, they were all three sharing the room for the night. And he in turn gave her the same courtesy when she was ready to change for the show. She decided that since tonight was somewhat special she would try the new makeup and look that Mitchell had liked so much. Besides, it would give her practice putting it on. After she had Aaron call Ron to let him know they were ready to leave, she grabbed her camera and waited by the door for him to knock. He had barely finished knocking when she opened the door and stated she was ready.

“Well, what do you know, a girl who is ready to leave on time and doesn’t keep you waiting. Where ever did Nick find you?”

Aaron took the opportunity to tease. “She was a damsel in distress and he came and rescued her from the side of the road in a thunder storm.”

She gave him a good shove out the door. “Some rescue. Poor thing didn’t even know how to change a tire.”

Aaron and Ron laughed. “Yeah, and he still doesn’t.” Aaron added as they walked to the elevator.

“Aaron you stay RIGHT in front of me, the lobby is packed. Brianna, I’m sure you know the routine, but keep your camera bag close to you and tight in your arms. Find the easiest path around and out to the car. Hotel security is down there if you need them.”

“I know. Just get Airboy here to the car in one piece, okay?” Just then the elevator opened and the air was filled with screams and flashes. Brianna made it around the crowd and out the door relatively un-noticed. Several minutes, autographs, and pictures later Aaron and Ron were climbing into the car with her.

At the venue Aaron decided it would be less distracting and confusing for Nick if he stayed out front. He told Brianna to go ahead backstage, but to let Nick know that he was here and would see him after the show.

“You know he’s gonna want you to come backstage.” She tried to convince him. “If you’re that worried about the confusion, I’ll stay up here and you go back.”

“Nah. Besides, I’m sure out of the two of us he’d much rather have you there. I wanna check out the crowd anyway. Make Ron work for his pay.”

“Oh joy.” Ron seemed so overjoyed. (note the sarcasm)

“Well don’t go too far. I’m sure once he’s on stage he’ll be looking for you. You are gonna come sit with all of us, right?”

“Probably. I’ll see ya later. Wish him lu… tell him break a leg for me.”

She pretended to pinch his cheek before turning and heading backstage. It was a bit crazy. The place was practically overflowing with people. There were AJ signs everywhere. Even though she had an all access pass the venue security wouldn’t let her back to where the Boys were. They kept telling her that they were told only security and family were allowed access back there right now, it didn’t matter what it said on her pass. Eventually she gave up arguing with them. She thought about getting Ron and Aaron, but decided against it since she had no idea where they would be. By the time she found them it would probably be pointless to go backstage. Normally she would have just called Billy, but since he wasn’t with Nick any more and she didn’t know the new bodyguards name, much less his number, she dialed Nick’s cell phone and prayed he answered instead of the voicemail.

“Hello?” Thank God it was Nick. He must have had his phone close. He normally didn’t answer before a show, instead giving his phone to his bodyguard or Mike.

“Nick, it’s Brianna.”

“What? I can’t hear you.”

Great. She said a bit louder, trying to be heard by Nick, but not by the rest of the fans around her. “I said, this is Bree.”

“Hold on. Can you guys keep it down? I think it’s Brianna and I can barely hear her.” Due to the noise around her she couldn’t tell if things got quieter on his end. “Go on. Where are you guys?”

“I’m backstage. But the venue security won’t let me all the way to you guys. Something about family only. Want me to just wait in my seat?”

“Hell no! Eddie!” That must be his name. There was silence on his end of the phone for a minute and then he spoke to Brianna again. “Sorry, listen you stay right there. You do have your pass with you right?”

“Of course.”

“Well stay right there. I will be there as quick as I can.” Before she could answer he hung up. Looking up at the local security she just smiled. Did Nick say HE was coming up here? Doesn’t he know how many fans are standing around? Why doesn’t he just send one of the bodyguards or Mike? She didn’t have to wonder too long. There was an increase in the noise around her, and when she looked up there was Nick barreling down the hall with his new bodyguard right behind him, trying in vain to get in front.

When the security heard the fans calling Nick’s name they turned around and then braced themselves for a rush from the fans. Nick waved Brianna forward before he even got to them. When she tried to walk forward one of the guards grabbed her by the arm forcefully stopping her.

“Hey! What the hell do you think you are doing? Yeah, you.” The guy looked confused. Just about then Nick reached Brianna and the guard who had her by the arm. He completely ignored the screams from the fans. “Let her go.” He stated, emphasizing by pointing at Brianna’s arm. When the guard released her arm Nick grabbed it and pulled her to him. “Let me see your pass.” He was pulling it from around her neck even as he spoke.

Oh man is he in a mood tonight.

Giving the pass a quick once over to check that everything was indeed in order he shoved the pass in the guy’s face. “Can you tell me what this says?”

She could tell the security guard was irritated and annoyed at being shot down in front of everyone. Brianna tried to tell Nick it was, no big deal, just a misunderstanding, but he wasn’t having it. “I asked you, what does this say?”

“All Access.”

“Right. And see this sticker here?” He pointed to a halographic BSB sticker by Brianna’s name. “See that?” The guy nodded his head. “You’ve seen that before haven’t you?” Again he nodded his head. “Well doesn’t that mean that who ever has that sticker is allowed anywhere?”

“Yes, but we were told family only after a certain point.”

“I don’t care what you were told. You know who has those stickers? Huh? FAMILY. We only give those to people who we don’t care where they go or when they go there. How do you know she’s not family? Maybe a cousin? You don’t know do you? You just assumed since she didn’t share a last name she was just some lucky fan who got a special pass. Well, your job is NOT to assume, it is to look at the pass and do what it says. Got it?” Nick didn’t wait for an answer, he pulled Brianna back down the hall with Eddie hot on their heals.

“Nick, you should have let me handle that. You know that little exchange is gonna be all of the net by morning, or sooner.” Eddie was saying.

“Who cares.” Finally he stopped and let go of her arm realizing he had her pretty tight and might be hurting her. “You okay?” Brianna simply said yes. “Where’s AC? Did he come?”

They were walking slower now. “Yes, he’s out front still. He said he wanted to check out the crowd, but that he was looking forward to the show and spending time with you after.”

“Really?” He seemed unsure, like maybe Aaron really wasn’t at the show.

“Yes really, Nick. He’s here, and he’s not mad, okay.” She gave his hand a squeeze to reassure him. It worked. He smiled and seemed to relax.

<~ Chapter 64 or Chapter 66 ~>

In the End

Karina 2003