I stand with Nick outside the TRL studios. Brian left this morning without saying goodbye to any of us. I’m still in shock that he actually wanted to leave the group. I glance at Nick who is still as pale as he was yesterday. This whole thing has really hit him hard, especially Brian’s possible heart problem. I reach to hold his hand and he smiles gratefully.
“It will be ok you know,” I murmur.
“He’s with Jade now,” Nick says. “She’ll make him feel better.”
“Of course she will. And when the month is up, you’ll hardly recognise him.”
“I still don’t believe they got married,” he says.
“Me neither. It’s a shock.”
“Uh huh.”
“But kinda romantic I guess,” I add.
“I’m not there yet,” he admits. “I’m still at the I-can’t-believe-he-didn’t-tell-me part.”
“Oh that’ll pass,” I predict with a small giggle.
As I sit wrapped up in my husband’s arms, the four Backstreet Boys appear on MTV. I glance at Brian and turn the sound back on. The four Boys are sat opposite their fans and Carson Daly.
“Welcome to the MTV studios,” says Carson. “I hear you guys have some news for us.”
“Yes,” Kevin nods. “Brian has been feelin’ kinda off lately and we’ve decided to postpone the next month of our current tour in order to give him the time he needs to recover fully.”
The audience gasp and Carson blinks slightly.
“Is Brian ill?”
“No, he’s not ill. He has just started to feel a little tired and breathless after performing. And we’ve had a tough year of concerts and promotions. He just needs time out and that is what we’re giving him.”
“How long will the tour be postponed?” asks Carson.
“At the moment, a month,” says Kevin who is obviously the official group spokesman for the day. “But if Brian needs any more time we will extend it. But all tickets will be honoured on the eventual day.”
“Is Brian due to have any more heart surgery?”
“No he isn’t. His heart is fine. He just needs to rest and spend some time with his family.”
I glance across at Brian as the interview continues on TV. He’s watching the faces of his bandmates intently and I reach out to stroke his face softly. He looks at me and I smile.
“I’m glad you came here,” I tell him.
“Where else?” he smiles and kisses me. “This month off I have… Maybe we could find us somewhere to live. Y’know… OUR place.” I blush as I remember our argument on that subject and he kisses me again. “Don’t Jady. Just forget all those dumb fights.”
“I love you so much Brian,” I tell him seriously. “And I’m so sorry I let something so dumb come between us.”
“I’m sorry too. It takes two to argue.”
“It also takes two to make up,” I tell him suggestively and he chuckles. He brushes my hair back off my face and kisses me, softly at first but then more intensely.