Chapter 15
“Oh Megs, I’m not sure about
this…” Before Sean returned to Los Angeles, he did get his pictures. Even
Jeanie, as self-conscious and shy as she was, had to admit they were good.
The photos of Madi’s first steps
were personal and Jeanie would not grant permission for those pictures to be
used for publicity.
The shot Meg and Sean agreed to
release to the magazine was simple. The photo was in black and white. Jeanie
was leaning against the rough wood of the old barn out back wearing a white
shirt that was barely buttoned up, worn Levis, unzipped to reveal her small
tattoo, and a pair of scuffed cowboy boots. The article began: “Jeanie
Kirkpatrick…She stepped right off the edge Kevin Richardson’s heart and
miraculously landed on both feet. How do you survive loving and losing a
Backstreet Boy? This tiny Texan, with two more Grammy nominations in the bag as
well as an Oscar nomination for her collaborative efforts with songwriter Mike
Levine, is not only holding her own, but as they say in The Lonestar
State…she’s kickin’ ass.”
Jeanie agreed to do the article as
long as it was understood that she would not discuss Kevin. She’d answer
questions about her career and some about her life, but nothing about him.
Because “Broken Promises,” was recorded by the BSBs and on their upcoming
album, she did consent to talk a little about the song. The reporter was
agreeable to her conditions. Generally speaking, the article was fine. It was
the introduction…the hook that worried Jeanie. It never occurred her to worry
about the pictures.
Meg furnished the magazine with
four photographs. The one at the barn, one at a party with Linds, A.J. and
Nick, one with Jeanie and Mike, and the last photograph, Meg’s personal
favorite. Sean photographed Jeanie at home sitting on the floor. Nick was lying
on the floor on his back behind her with his knees up. Madi was sitting on his
chest and both Nick and Madi were laughing. They made the perfect backdrop for
Jeanie, who sat in front of Nick and leaned back against his legs. The photograph
literally screamed, “I’m okay…” Megan loved it.
Kevin had his suspicions about
Nick and Jeanie, but never really had any proof. Every chance Nick had, he’d
“disappear” to Texas. Kevin would casually inquire to his whereabouts and be
politely told by the guys that Nick was big boy.
It was when Kevin saw the magazine
that he no longer had any doubt. Nick was having an affair with his wife and
playing daddy to his daughter…Kevin was so angry, he was afraid he would kill
him.
************
They were in rehearsal for the new
tour. Kevin was late. That was unusual… everyone milled around, went over a few
vocals and tried to reach him by cell phone, but he didn’t answer.
When he hit the door, they knew
something was terribly wrong. There was no hesitation and no warning as he
strode up to Nick and forcefully shoved him backward and to the stage floor.
“What the fuck’s wrong with you?”
Everyone scrambled to grab him as he dove toward Nick. Kevin was a man
possessed. Nick rolled and scrambled away from him and tried to put some
distance between the two men. He had a feeling he knew what was wrong.
Kevin pulled the folded magazine
from his back pocket and flung it across the stage. “This…is what’s wrong with
me!”
Brian picked it up. Several
members of the band held Kevin back as he continued to try and break free and
get to Nick. They all looked at the article. Collectively, they looked at Kevin
in disbelief. “So?”
“Are you seeing my wife?” Kevin
could hardly speak he was shaking so hard.
Nick dusted his pants off and
pulled his cap farther down over his eyes. He stood eye to eye with Kevin and
answered defiantly, “I’m seeing Jeanie Kirkpatrick. She aint your wife,
remember?” His voice was sarcastic and his speech well prepared. He always knew
that one day Kevin would confront him. He took a defensive step back as Kevin
made another lunge. “You divorced her. You left her. You left your kid. Don’t
crawl my ass because you fucked up.” Nick turned his back and walked off.
Kevin could hardly hold back the angry
tears. Nick’s words were like acid being thrown on him. He clenched his teeth
and tried to get control.
Brian did his best to calm him
down, but it seemed to only anger him more. Finally, A.J. had seen enough.
“Kevin, what exactly is pissing you off, man? Are you mad at Nick or at
yourself? Or are you just pissed off because you can’t deal with the guilt? Or
maybe you’re embarrassed. Maybe it’s got nothing to do with Nick or Jeanie, but
that your holier-than-thou image is tarnished. Get over it, Kevin. You’ve
gotten everything you asked for, so knock this shit off.”
They were all stunned after A.J.’s
tirade. They were even more stunned that despite his anger, A.J. not only
conveyed all of their opinions but also made sense. Nick sat in a chair near the
door, his face red, trying to get control. He didn’t want to fight with Kevin,
but he wouldn’t back down either.
A.J. knew he was in Kevin’s
personal space and both men were clearly uncomfortable, but it was A.J. and
Kevin that started this whole nightmare, and by God, Kevin better listen to
him.
“Man, I don’t know what you want
to hear, but this is what I know. Jeanie has never, ever said a bad thing about
you or what you did. Her story has always been the same. She loves you. She’s
told every single one of us that…including Nick.”
A.J. jerked his thumb in Nick’s
direction, “And you know what? Nick loves her enough that he lets her keep on
loving you. Think about that! Would you do that? I couldn’t and I don’t think
you could. Nick does. You oughta be thanking him for being there when she had
nobody!”
Kevin took a deep breath. He could
barely speak, “I want her back…I just want her back…”
A.J. looked at Nick then back at
Kevin. “Then you better get to work and pray it’s not too late.”