An Illicit Gentleman II

                                          Chapter-Forty One

            AJ sat at the round glass table in the middle of the meeting room, well more like slept.  Something kicked his leg and he jumped from his sleep.  He looked around and saw Brian, Nick, Howie, and his Managers looking back at him.  Taking a deep breath he sat back and stretched a little.

“Sorry” He yawned as he tried to wake himself up.

“Everything ok with Eve last night?” Nick asked.

“Just the normal mood swings but then she had a nightmare about the accident and we spent the rest of the night talking.” AJ told them.

“Anything serious?” Howie asked.

“She told me she wanted me to hold off on the album and tour and take care of her.” AJ said and was interrupted by Brian.

“Are you kidding me?!” Brian shouted as he stood up.

“Sit down and let me finish asshole!” AJ shouted back.  “But she knows I can’t do that, she then told me why she feels that way.  Because right now she feels alone, very alone and I gotta say I can’t blame her, none of us know what she’s going through, including you.” He said looking at Brian.  “Now I was going to talk about this with you guys to get your opinion because I’m at a serious cross road but if you’re just going to sit and bitch and say how this is her fault then I’ll make the decision on my own.”

“So you seriously want us to talk about delaying everything?” Howie asked.

“She needs me Howie, this isn’t something she can get past on her own.” AJ said with almost a plea to his voice.

“What about your solo?” Nick asked.

“That, that can wait, that’s mine and I’ll make that decision in a heart beat but the group is the four of us.” AJ told him.

“I don’t believe this.” Brian scoffed as he crossed his arms in front of him.

“Dude, she was in a serious accident, it’s a legit thing for her to ask of him and it’s a legit thing for him to ask of us.” Nick said looking at Brian.

“There’s no way she can come on tour?” Matt asked.

“No dude, the Doctor said the lack of sleep and traveling is too much for her right now.” AJ told him.

“If we don’t do this now AJ…” Brian started to say.

“People aren’t even listening to us now, they’re not even listening to our type of music right now…” AJ replied.

“But there’s a comeback starting, Britney and now there are rumors about New Kids.” Brian said back.

“Pfft like that will happen.” Nick laughed. 

“Actually it’s looking like it will.” Matt said.

“What?!” The four guys replied.

“Yeah and they’re already talking smack about you guys.” Matt replied.

“Bet it’s because of Kevin.” Howie sighed.

“Kevin!” Nick said sitting up and everyone looked at him confused.  “Let’s ask Kevin to fill in for AJ.”

“He won’t do that he left to have a kid and now the kid is here.” Brian said shaking his head.

AJ looked at Nick who was already looking at him.  AJ didn’t have to say a word; Nick knew exactly what he was thinking.  They both stood and grabbed their jackets.  When they got to the door Brian yelled at them.

“Where are you going?”

“To talk to Kevin and Kristin.” AJ replied as he walked out of the room.

“You think he’d do it?” Nick asked.

“I know he would.” AJ replied as they walked down the stairs.  “But Kristin is another story.”

The pair made their way down the stairs and out to the parking lot, they agreed to take AJ’s car cause it was closer.  As they opened the car doors to get in they heard someone yelling at them.  They both looked up and saw Howie coming towards them. 

“Wait for me.” He huffed as he reached them.  “For a smoker you sure do run fast.”

“Where’s Brian?” Nick asked.

“Bitching to Matt about what’s going on, we’ll fill him in later.” Howie replied and AJ couldn’t help but smile.  The three of them loaded into AJ’s car and left the record office building.

“I can’t get over what an ass Brian’s being.” Howie sighed.  “I mean if we can think of an alternative, what’s the big deal is?”

“I dunno” Nick shrugged.  “I’d hate to think he’d act like that if it was Leigh-Anne in this position.”

“No he wouldn’t.” AJ said sternly.  “It’s because it Eve, it’s always about Eve with him.  There is more to it than just how we got together, I’m convinced of that now.”

“What?” Howie asked.

“Hell if I know but when I get Eve past this shit, I’ll find out what and I don’t care if I gotta beat it outta the lil shit.” AJ replied with a tone of anger.

“Does Eve know you’re doing this?” Nick asked.

“No, she told me she knew she couldn’t really ask that off me and that’s why she’s been sort of fighting with herself.” AJ told them.  “But that just got me thinking of everything else she told me about what’s been going on in her head and I can’t just ignore the fact she needs me right now.”

When they pulled into Kevin’s drive way he was glad to see the couple was home and not on some spontaneous trip to Kentucky.  They got out of the car and walked up to the front door, Nick rang the doorbell.  Kristin answered the door and greeted the men with a smile.

“He’s out back.” Kristin said as she let them in.

“Cool” Nick replied.

“Where’s Brian?” She asked.

“He’s not here.” AJ said.

“Oh well like I said Kevin’s out back.” She replied with a smile.  “How’s Eve doing?”

“Ok, it’s kind of why I’m here.” AJ said.

“Hey Kris who was at the…” Kevin stopped when he saw the guys as he walked into the hallway.  “Hello” He said a little shocked to see them.  “Everything ok?”

“Yeah, we just need to talk to you.” AJ said.  “The both of you.”

“Me too?” Kristin said a little surprised.

“Yep.” Nick nodded.

“Ok well come into the living room.” Kevin told them as he walked in that direction.  Everyone followed him and took a seat somewhere.  “So what’s up?” He asked as he looked right at AJ.

“I need to ask the both of you for a huge favor.” AJ said as he looked at Kevin.  He then looked at Kristin.  “I need your husband to replace me on tour.”

“What?” Kevin replied stunned.

“I need to stay with Eve, I need to help her get through this and help her learn how to deal with her hearing loss, and I can’t do that if I’m on tour.” AJ told them.  “I really don’t wanna have the others cancel because of this, so I brought it up at our meeting this morning and Nick had the idea of asking you.”

“Thanks Nick.” Kristin said looking at him. Nick gave his trademark goofy smile but then saw the look on Kristin’s face and it quickly retreated.

“What does Brian think?” Kevin asked.

“Brian’s pissed that I’m even thinking about it and he’s pissed Eve would even ask me but like I told him, when she told me this she said she knew I couldn’t just drop everything.”  AJ explained.  “But if I can work it so I can be there for her than I have to try. I’m not asking for an answer right away…”

“But we’ll need one soon cause final rehearsals start in a week and a half.” Nick spoke up.

“Dude” AJ sighed.

“Ok, sorry.” Nick replied backing off.

“If you don’t want too I’m not going think anything bad or hold it against you, I get why you left and as much as it still sucks for me I respect that.” AJ told Kevin.  “But I’m asking both of you, from the bottom of my heart if you could do this for the both of us, I would be so fucking grateful.”

Kevin looked at his wife.  “What do you think?”

“What if I have an audition or something?” She asked.

“I can babysit, I’ll be home.” AJ told her.

“Umm.” Kristin said looking at him.

“Don’t look at me like that I’m good with kids.  You have a leash right?” He asked and Kristin rolled her eyes.

“Yeah that’s going to convince her.” Kevin sighed.

“I’m saying yes.” Kristin replied out of no where.

“Really?’ Kevin said looking at her shocked.

“Yes, for Evie, cause I know if that had happened to me I would want you with me too.” Kristin said.  “So yes, if you want too and think you can than, I’m ok, JUST this tour though or until you can tour again right?”

“Yeah, yeah, if she’s good in a couple of months or can join us on tour in a couple of months than yeah he’s relieved of his duty.” AJ told them.

“Than it’s ok with me.” Kristin said looking at Kevin.

“So you gonna do this old man? There’s more dancing this time around.” Nick said with a slick smile.

“Someone’s gotta keep your ass in line.” Kevin smirked at him.

“Oh joy.” Howie sighed.  “I’m going call Matt and let him know.”

“I’ll call Brian; I wanna see what he says.” Nick said with a shit disturbing smile.

AJ walked up to Kristin. “Thank you.”

“No need to thank me, just take care of my friend.” She replied with a light smile.