Jade walks into the lounge as Brian puts his cell phone away.
“We gonna go house hunting?” she smiles and he sighs.
“Could we go tomorrow instead?”
“Oh sure,” she walks over to sit on the couch arm by him and wraps her arms around him, kissing his head. “You tired baby?”
“A little,” he leans back into her. “I just got off the phone with The Firm. Apparently the rumour mill is goin’ way into overdrive over why we postponed our tour for a month.”
“Yeah,” Jade sighs and he looks up at her.
“You knew?”
“Ali called me. She read a few messages on Backstreet.Net, a fan site.”
“Sayin’ I’m dead?”
“That or you left the group or we got married and we’re away on honeymoon.”
“That’s what Bob said. He wants me to go on MTV Spring Break tomorrow and put the rumours straight.”
“Are you?”
“I think I’d better,” he rubs his eyes and Jade groans.
“That’s SO sucky!” she exclaims. “You NEED this break and they’re puttin’ all this crap on ya.”
“Honey, it’s ok. It’s just half an hour and then we will go find our house,” he reassures her.
“I guess,” she mutters. “I just wish they’d leave you alone.”
“It’s my job honey,” he tells her softly and reaches up to kiss her. “But I love that you care.”
“Of course I CARE. You’re my life.”
“Jade, I’m gonna tell them on MTV about us bein’ married,” Brian decides over lunch and I stare at him.
“Gee, thanks for consulting me,” I say dryly.
“It’s best. I’m tired of having to hide what you are to me. If you REALLY don’t want me to tell them then I won’t, but think about it.”
“Ok,” I eat my sandwich in silence and then sigh. “Ok, tell them. But first we have to call our parents. If they hear via MTV, they will FREAK.”
“They’ll freak anyway,” Brian groans.
“I know,” I stand up and walk over to the wall-mounted phone, deciding to get it over quickly. “I’ll go first,” I dial my parents’ number and my mom answers pretty quickly. “Hi mom.”
“Hi Jade!” she exclaims. “It’s good to hear your voice. How are you? How is Brian? I heard all about the tour being postponed.”
“We’re both fine,” I tell her. “He just needs a little rest and luckily the group have given him a month off.”
“That’s so good.”
“Uh mom, I kinda have something to tell you. Could you get papa on the other line?”
“Oh sure. Give me a minute,” I hear her put the phone down and look at Brian.
“She’s gone to get papa,” I explain and he nods.
“Good luck,” he walks over to wrap his arms around me from behind.
“Ok, we’re both here,” says my mom.
“Hi Jade!” says my papa.
“Hi papa, how are you?”
“I’m good honey. Now, what do you want to tell us huh?” he asks.
“Ok,” I take a deep breath. “Now don’t be mad at me and don’t take it personally in ANY way.”
“Just tell us Jade,” says my papa firmly.
“Ok, I got married about four months ago in Vegas.”
There’s a long silence.
“To Brian?” mom asks.
“Yes, to Brian,” I resist the urge to be sarcastic.
“Married?” my papa stutters slightly.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. It was just a spontaneous thing and we didn’t want to hurt you. We are going to have a church blessing when Brian finishes this tour.”
“Why tell us now then?” asks mom.
“Well, Brian has to go on TV tomorrow to clear up a few rumours. Some people think he’s dead, or left the group, or…got married.”
“And he’s going to tell them,” my papa states.
“Yes.”
“Ok,” he says slowly.
“Is Brian there?” mom asks.
“Yes, do you want to speak to him?"
“I want to speak to BOTH of you,” she says so I angle the phone so that Brian can hear as well.
“Ok, he’s listening.”
“Ok. Uh, I really wish you had told us about this sooner. It is very hurtful that our daughter could not allow us to share in her wedding day,” my mom starts.
“Oh mom,” I say sadly.
“Jade, let me finish. But I can see why you did it and I am very happy that the two of you have made this commitment to each other. Brian, welcome to our family.”
“Thank you,” he says.
“I second that,” says my papa. “Just one thing – if you EVER hurt my daughter, I will be down there.”
“I won’t. You have my word.”
“Good.”
“Jade, if you don’t have a church blessing within three months after the end of the tour I will disown you,” says mom. “I mean it. I want to wear my hat at my daughter’s wedding.”
“You will. I promise,” I smile.
“Ok then. Do the Littrells know?”
“Uh no, Brian is calling them now,” I tell her.
“Well good luck,” she says.
Brian rang his parents straight after I hung up with mine. They had pretty much the same reaction as mine did. Also threatening us with a fate worst than death if our promised church blessing doesn’t materialise in the very near future. I guess we both have pretty cool parents. It would’ve been so easy to just go mad, hang up and refuse to speak to us ever again.
“Aw thanks Mrs McNamara, you sure treat me good,” Nick flashes his wide grin at my mom who visibly melts. I roll my eyes behind her back and my dad coughs with suppressed laughter.
“Call me Cathy,” she giggles. “I keep telling you Nick. I’m too old to be Mrs McNamara!”
“Since when?!” I mutter and she looks at me.
“Sorry Alicia?” My mom is the only person who insists on calling me by my full name and it’s annoying.
“Uh, I was just agreeing with ya. WAY too young to be a Mrs.”
“Hm, sure,” she says in a tone that lets me know she doesn’t believe me but she’s letting it go.
“Well CATHY,” Nick enunciates exaggeratedly, making her blush. “You do make the BEST brownies.”
“Well thank you Nick,” she smiles and we all watch him take a large bite out of his brownie. He chews slowly and then swallows.
“What?” he asks and I shrug. “What?”
“Just wondering how many of those you ate already today,” I say casually.
“Just one. Hardly any! Ok, maybe I had a couple… Ok, so I had four but…” he ends up confessing and I laugh. “But it’s all good cos I’m gonna go play b-ball when we get back in Tampa. Got a court booked with Brent and some other dudes.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I roll my eyes and stick my finger in his stomach. He starts to pout and I wrap my arms around him. I forget how touchy he is about his weight. “Naw, you’re just perfect as you are,” I tell him quietly.
“Ya think?”
“Uh huh. I really do. You’re gorgeous.”