Chapter 74
“And the Grammy goes to...” Nick heard as he and the rest of the group sat there impatiently. “...Carlos Santana!”
“Well, damn, there goes that one. Well, don’t worry, there are a few more left.” Nick mumbled out loud to the guys.
“Well, we will show them, we are up to perform here in a few minutes.” Brian said.
The usher came to get them and escort them backstage to get ready. The show was supposed to be something that would shock the fans and the entire audience. The Boys were about to do a tribute to past Grammy winning groups, and they were more than honored and excited.
“Are you guys ready for this?” Kevin asked.
“Yup...let’s go!” AJ hollered as the readied themselves.
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“Sad news ladies...Brian and Kevin are engaged, not to each other...” Rosie O’Donnell teased about Brian and Kevin. “But, next week look for Fox’s special...Who wants to marry a Backstreet Boy?!” she continued.
“With a tribute to Grammy winning male groups of the past...the incredible Backstreet Boys!” she finished. And with that, their angelic voices could be heard.
“Ooh...Ahh...How deep is your love, how deep, how deep is your love...I really need to learn, cuz we’re living in a world of fools...breaking us down...when they all should let us be, we belong to you and me...Oh oh...” the sang a tribute from the Bee Gees.
Then trumpets and a guitar... “Papa was a rolling stone...wherever he laid his hat was his home...and when he died, all he left us was alone” they sang, and then finished the tribute part with ... “I’ll make love to you...like you want me to, and I’ll hold you tight, baby all through the night, I’ll make love you to, when you want me to, and I will not let go till you tell me to...I’ll make love to you....” they finished.
To end their first performance, they sang a beautiful arrangement of their hit single, “Show Me The Meaning of Being Lonely”. I was so touched as I watched from my hotel room. Nick didn’t was me there, for fear that the fans and the press and everything would be too stressful. So, he kept in touch with me via cell phone during their breaks when they were backstage.
I was happy that Santana was winning, in fact, very pleased. His album was fantabulous, as AJ would have put it, and it deserved many awards. However, I sat their impatiently waiting to see if the Boys could bring a Grammy home. But, despite all the fans and all the compliments from the music industry, they lost out on bringing an award home for their mantles.
Nick was disappointed after the awards were handed out, considering they didn’t win anything. He called me up to see if I was up to going to the party they had planned. “Heather, baby, I am sorry. We didn’t get anything, but word has it, we were the best performance the whole night.” He said with a laugh.
“Yes, you were hon. You all looked great up there! And...the music just blew everyone away!” I tried to comfort him.
“Thanks Heather...that means the world to me. I love you. Now, are you feeling up to going to the party?” he asked me thoughtfully.
“Yeah...I just hope I can last. Today has not been a good day. I’ve been in pain babe.” I said, not meaning to alarm him.
“Oh Heather...why didn’t you say something. I would have stayed with you.” He said sounding upset.
“Nickolas, now you listen to me. You cannot, do you understand me, cannot jeopardize your career because of me. Okay? I am fine and I will be ready when you get here.” I stated and then blew him a kiss through the phone, then hung up.
The guys all stood there curious to know if I was going with Nick. When he nodded his head, they hurried up to come and pick me up, then we all head to the infamous Hollywood mansion they had rented. There were more people there than I ever imagined, many of whom I was totally unfamiliar with. I was shocked when Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit walked up to me and asked how I was doing.
“Mr. Durst, I am doing well. Thank you for asking.” I said curiously.
“Well, ma’am, I heard you were sick, and well, if there is anything I can do for you or Nick, just let me know.” He said with a smile and then started to laugh lightly, “You know, it is funny, because our music is worlds apart, the press makes it out like we all hate each other, but you know, I respect the Boys, they are all hard workers and good at what they do.” He finished with a smile.
“Thank you, that is probably one of the nicest compliments Nick could ever get. He admires you and so many others.” I finished with a big smile and then excused myself. I went off to locate Nick, who along with AJ, Brian, Kevin and Howie, had been swamped by the whole crowd.
“Honey, I am going to be sitting over there. Do you mind?” I asked.
“No, not at all. When you are ready to go, we will. Just let me know okay?” he said and then kissed me softly. There were plenty of cat calls and whistles from the crowd, but in the end, it was nothing but smiles.
I went to sit and watch. As the crowd partied, I saw Kevin and Dee dancing their lives away...looking like they were lost in their own world. AJ was out on the dance floor bumping and grinding to the music, and definitely attracting the women. Howie was dancing with Kat, who looked a like she out of place. She was quite shy around all these people, and felt a bit uncomfortable. Leighanne and Brian were socializing with the many actors and singers that came.
As I watched Nick dance and socialize, I saw a young lady walk over to him. After a brief conversation and a little flirting on her part, I saw Nick get a bit upset and then storm off. Dee and Kevin saw the whole thing and tried to talk to him. The next thing I knew Nick was quickly walking over to me.
“Heather, it’s time to go.” Nick said forcefully as he took me by the hand.
“What is going on? Nick, what did that girl say to you?!” I said, getting upset.
“Nothing...it is nothing you need to be concerned with. It’s just time to go.” He said shortly.
“Nick, what happened over there dude?” Kevin asked.
“Nothing...” Nick responded and then grabbed me by the hand and we left.
“Damn, whatever she said, it must have been rude or something to make Nick that angry.” Dee said. “I think I am going to go over there and ask that chic what the hell her problem is.” Dee said as she stormed off.
*** *** ***
“Can I borrow that stick, miss?” Dee asked the girl.
“And what stick would that be, bitch?” the girl questioned.
“The one that is shoved up your ass...” Dee said as she got in the girl’s face. “I don’t know who you think you are, but this party was on invite only, and I don’t believe I saw your name on the invite list.” She yelled. “Security, escort this bitch outta here before I kick her ass.” Dee finished as security escorted her away.
AJ wandered over after hearing the commotion. “Dee, what he hell is going on here?” he said as he looked at her suspiciously. The two of them had not been talking too much since the engagement news had been released.
“Look, she said something to Nick that made him upset, and I wanted to know what the problem was.” She answered.
“Well, you didn’t have to be rude to the guests. And, you didn’t have to make a scene.” AJ said roughly.
“Fine then. I will get outta your face.” Dee said as she walked away.
AJ and the rest of the crowd went right back to partying. No one even remembered the little scene one bit, due to the fact that most there were totally plastered. In fact, most wouldn’t remember much of the whole party the next morning.
*** *** ***
“Nickolas, now what did she say?” I demanded. “She obviously said something pretty nasty to make you like this.” I said as we sat on the bed in the hotel room.
“Look, you don’t want to know what she said. All it will do is upset you...and right now you don’t need that. One of these days, when you are all better...then I will tell you.” He said sadly, and then got up to walk to the shower.
“And you don’t think I can handle it?!” I screamed as I tried to follow him.
“It’s not you Heather, it’s me. I don’t even want to think about
it anymore...it makes me sick to stomach.” He said and then closed the
door. With that, I laid down on the bed and cried myself to sleep.