I turn on my computer and connect to the Internet. I check my email and then log on to Backstreet.Net. Ever since surfing the site with Jade back in Vegas I had gotten into the habit of checking it every so often. I go straight to the message boards and read through the latest entries.
Could you believe MTV last week? I swear I started crying. You guys think Brian is ok?
I cried too. Did you see how sad Nick looked? I swear my heart broke over his face on that show. And Kevin looked kinda scared too.
I heard that Brian’s either left the group and theyre trying to get him back or hes in hospital with his heart problem. I really hope its not true.
I heard that bout his heart too. I think its true cos I saw him in Phoenix and he looked real thin and pale, and after they did The Call he couldn’t talk.
Oh my god, I heard that too. I bet its true cos he wuldnt leave the group ever. I hope he doesn’t like die! Anyone know if hes still with that Jade chick?
I don’t know bout that chick but hes been lookin real ill so maybe she cheated on him or somethin. I always figured her for a bitch ever since I found out she lives with Nick’s girlf. If I ever see her I’ll hit her big time for doin this to Brian.
I heard that he took the time off to go marry his girlf and theyre in Italy on honeymoon right now. So he isnt ill at all just bein selfish.
BriGal@aol.com
FayH@yahoo.com
JuIcE@aol.com
Sar@hotmail.com
Gurl@aol.com
Rache@yahoo.com
Jess@hotmail.com
“Hello Jade.”
“Hey Ali! How’re things?”
“Pretty good. Mom’s taken Nick out for breakfast. He’s totally her latest fad.” Jade laughs and I roll my eyes with a grin. “How are you? And Brian? Did he see the doctor yet?”
“No, it’s today. Brian’s real nervous about it. So am I but I’m pretending I’m not,” she sighs. “I’m just praying that all he needs is rest.”
“I’m sure it will be. But I’ll be thinkin’ about you.”
“Thanks Ali. ‘Course the Enquirer headlines today didn’t help.”
“What did they say?”
“They ran this article sayin’ that Brian could be dead cos of all these dumb clues. Kinda like that Beatles thing when they thought Paul McCartney was dead. Apparently all the guys wore black socks on MTV.”
“So do most of America!” I exclaim.
“I know,” she sighs. “But it got Brian a little upset though.”
“Guess I’d better not tell you what the fans are sayin’ then.”
“Tell me.”
“Well, they don’t think he’s dead but they think he’s in hospital having surgery.”
“Oh jeez. Why can’t people just believe what they’ve been told anymore?” she groans. “Brian’ll probably end up having to go on TV just to say “Hey, I’m alive and I’m ok” and this is supposed to be his break.”
“Relax girl, it’ll be fine. Besides you can always take a picture of him holding today’s paper for proof,” I suggest with a giggle.
“Hm, good idea!” she laughs.
“Anyway, I got news for ya girl,” I grin. “Remember a certain group of actors I took pictures of?”
“A certain group of HOT actors?” she asks hopefully and I laugh.
“Uh huh, them. Well, I got a call yesterday from Heath Ledger’s publicist. He’s requested you and me for a Teen Girl article.”
“He did?”
“I believe the exact quote was “only way I’m doin’ that magazine is if they get me some cute girls. Ali and Jade will do”,” I tell her and she laughs.
“We’ll DO?!”
“We can kick his butt later.”
“We sure can,” she agrees.
“AND Josh Hartnett, Mark Wahlberg and Matt Damon are gonna be there too!” I finish off squealing.
“Calm down girl!”
“Sorry. I just LOVE Matt Damon.”
“I guessed already. How come they’re gonna be there?”
“Kill four birds with a stone I guess. It’s gonna be part of a special movie issue.”
“Cool.”
“You in?”
“Oh I am SO in,” she laughs. “As long as things are ok with Brian.”
“You really worried huh?”
“Yeah, I am,” she admits quietly.
“Do you want me to come in with you?” I ask Brian and he nods nervously. We’re sitting in the waiting room at his doctor’s surgery. Brian has been examined thoroughly and had an ECG done on his heart. In a few minutes we will hear the results and we’re both feeling incredibly scared. I hold onto Brian’s hand tightly as there’s a buzzer and the receptionist smiles at us.
“You can go through now Mr Littrell.”
We stand up and walk into the doctor’s room. He’s a real safe-looking guy. The type of guy who looks like he only ever tells the truth and that you can trust him with your life. He’s known Brian for around five years now and smiles when we sit opposite him.
“Good to see you again Brian.”
“I wish I could say the same,” Brian jokes weakly. “This is my wife Jade.”
“Hello Jade,” he smiles at me. “I’m Michael Flint.”
“Hello,” I smile back at him.
“Well Brian, let’s get straight to the point. The ECG was absolutely clear – your heart is fine.” Both Brian and I let out a huge sigh of relief. I hadn’t even been aware I was holding my breath. The doctor smiles. “I think the breathlessness you’ve been experiencing was just a warning to slow down a little. I understand you’ve been on tour virtually non-stop for almost a year now?”
“Yes.”
“And no doubt not getting enough sleep or good food in the process.” Brian looks guilty and the doctor chuckles. “You need to get out of that lifestyle for a few months Brian.”
“I have the next month off,” Brian says.
“Only a month?”
“Yeah but there’s only a month of the tour left to do.”
“Then will you have a few months off?”
“Definitely,” Brian says.
“Good. You need to start listening to your body. Follow a decent diet, get plenty of rest and exercise moderately. And the breathlessness will disappear. Plus you’ll put some weight on which you need to do my boy!” he admonishes Brian fondly. He looks at me. “I’m sure your wife will be only too glad to make sure you stick to my recommendations.”
“Oh yeah,” I grin at him and Brian groans slightly.
“The power’ll go to her head.”
“Better mine than yours,” I shoot back and he laughs.
“Thank you Michael,” Brian says as we all stand up and shake hands.
“I’ll see you in six months for a check-up.”
“Sure. Bye.” Brian wraps his arm around my waist as we walk out of the building. When we get outside, he stops and breathes in deeply. “I feel like I just got my life back.”
“Me too,” I smile at him.
“Let’s go house-hunting this afternoon,” he says. “I wanna put some roots down with you baby.”