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Chapter Thirty Two

"So Brooke tell us about your new album."

"Brooke, what's your favorite song off the new album?"

"When does your tour start?"

"How is your dad handling your fame?"

"We've heard rumors about the Backstreet Boys getting back together. What can you tell us?"

My head was literally spinning. In the course of seventy two hours, I had done no fewer than ten shows to promote the new album. I had performed Chaotic seven of those ten times.

And all of that was just in New York. I was currently on a plane to L.A. sandwiched between my PR guy and my dad.

"You're doing much better in interviews Brooke," Sam said.

Sam was an old friend of my mom's. They went way back. Like high school back. I couldn't even picture my mom in high school.

"She's a natural. Just like her dad," dad said. Sam gave him a look.

"You still need some work."

I laughed. Dad was always fun to watch when he got interviewed. If he wasn't goofing off, he was making up words. Between dad's poor attempt at sounding grown up and Uncle Brian's tendency to start telling a completely unrelated story, it was always a circus.

"And so far everyone's kept on topic," Sam said. I smiled.

"Thank you for that."

Even before booking my appearances, Sam had made it clear that I wasn't to be asked about the whole Garrett incident. I knew that didn't mean much where the media was concerned, but so far, so good.

Once we got to L.A., we checked into the Hilton. While dad went to go pick up some food, I called Kay.

"You rocked The Today Show," Kay said the moment she picked up.

I laughed. "Thanks."

"How many people were there?"

I smiled. "A lot."

Kay laughed. "No shit. So where are you now?"

I kicked off my shoes and fell back on the bed. "L.A."

"Nice. Have you heard from Trevor?"

I sighed. "Not since the video shoot. I've left him a couple messages."

Kay clicked her tongue. "Well, don't get hung up on it."

I frowned. "I'm not hung up on it."

"Well, just don't pull a Noah."

I rolled my eyes. "Noah's different. He's known you forever."

"He just needs to get a girlfriend, get laid, and get over me."

I made a face. I didn't want to think about my little brother getting 'laid.'

"He does date, Kay," I said.

"Good. Hey, I met this guy last night..."

I listened to her give me an overly detailed description of the seventeen year old guy she had met the night before.

"He's in the 75th percentile on my scale too," she said proudly. My eyes widened.

"You didn't see...it last night," I said. "You just met!"

"So?"

"Kay..."

At that moment the hotel room door open and dad came in juggling McDonald's bags.

"Dad's back with food. I've got to go. Behave yourself okay?"

Kay laughed. "Always!"

Never was more like it. We said goodbye and hung up.

"Who was that?"

"Kay," I said.

Dad laughed. "She's always well-behaved BooBoo."

I bit the inside of my cheek. She sure put on a good act.

I helped dad spread out the food and we sat down at the table to eat.

"I called Bri and he said it would be fine for you to stay there while mom and I go on our trip."

Mom and dad were finishing off their year-long 15th anniversary celebration with a trip to Australia. The hardest part was finding places for all of us to stay. I had offered to babysit, but I also hadn't wanted to miss Kay's birthday.

"Awesome. I can't wait," I said.

Dad smiled. "What do you want me to bring you back from down undah?"

I took the pickles off my burger.

"Anything but a giraffe," I said. Dad laughed.

Dad said my hatred of giraffes started on my first birthday. Dad had rented out the zoo and somehow he and Uncle Bri had gotten attacked by a giraffe while Kay and I watched.

I have no recollection of that. All I know was that I hated the creatures. They scared the crap out of me. I didn't think it was normal for any creature to be able to walk with a neck that long. And they had black tongues. Ugh.

"I'll remember that," dad said.

We started talking about random things - movies, music, crazy things Landon did...y'know, just normal father/daughter things. I was almost done with my milkshake when my phone rang. I usually ignored the phone when I was eating, but the display showed that it was Trevor.

I grabbed at the phone, hopped up, and hit Talk.

"Hello?"

"Hey Brooke."

I smiled. "Hey Trevor. You got my messages."

"Yeah, all of them."

I blushed. I slid the glass door to the balcony open and walked out into the fresh air. I closed the door behind me.

"Sorry about that. It's just we kind of left on a bad note..."

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that. Dad was in a bad mood and I just thought it was better if..."

He trailed off. From what I already knew about his dad, I surmised that he was always in a bad mood. I sank down onto a chaise lounge.

"Well I was hoping you weren't saying good-bye forever," I said lightly. I played with a loose string at the bottom of my jeans.

"No way! Hey, I saw you on The Tonight Show last night. You did a good job."

I grinned. "Thanks."

We talked for a few minutes. Grenadine was getting ready to do their own press junket. When the conversation hit a lull, I decided to ask something that I had been debating on for a few days.

"Hey Trevor?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you going to be free on July 24?"

"Hold on. Lemme check."

He was gone for a few seconds.

"We start our tour on the 26th. That's actually our last free weekend. Why?"

I took a deep breath.

"My best friend's brother is getting married that day and I was wondering if...if you might want to be my date?"

The last few words came out in a jumble.

There was a long pause. My eyes widened in horror. I was almost ready to just hang up.

"Where's the wedding?" he finally asked.

"Atlanta. You could fly in with us. Dad could get another hotel room," I said.

There was another pause, but it wasn't as long.

"I'd like that," he said softly.

I smiled. "Really?"

"Sure. Count me in."

My pulse spiked.

"Awesome."

"Brooke?"

I turned and pulled the phone away from my ear. Dad was standing at the door.

"Yeah?"

"You have a radio interview in twenty minutes."

I smiled. "Okay. Thanks, dad."

He disappeared. I pressed the phone back to my ear.

"I've got to go."

"Alright. I'll talk to you soon."

I really hoped so. I smiled.

"Sounds good."

We said goodbye and I stood up to go back into the hotel room. Before I did, I couldn't help but do one little jump in place.

I had a date to a wedding!

Now all I had to do was tell dad about my surprise guest. I figured I'd wait until he got back from the trip. He'd be happy and relaxed; there was no way he'd say no.

I so couldn't wait to call Kay back.

There are just some things you have to share with a best friend right away.

This was one of them.