Chapter 25

EMAIL ME!!! pseud0nym@edsamail.com.ph

True to what Alex said, the remaining two weeks of the Backstreet tour was short. But in that short time, we all had loads of fun! And, the 'Alex-Martin' partnership is back in regards with practical jokes. And guess who is the usual victim? Nick. Well, he was the easiest target and Kevin came in a close second. 

Brian and I were getting along together greatly. The guys didn't say anything with our decision to just remain as good friends, except Justin and Josh who kept on pushing me to get back with Brian because, um, how did they say it? Yeah that's it... Brian and I are soul mates. And I agree with Mr. Mophead and Mr. Broomstick. Brian and I are really soul mates. 

The two weeks that we shared were the most fun throughout our whole relationship with all the months. Actually, we didn't have any arguments and quarrels in our time as friends. And it's a big change for the two of us. We are working out all the loopholes between the two of us. We talked almost about everything and it was like we have never-ending stories to share with each other.

Our FINAL concert for the tour just ended and we all tried to make it extra special because it was the last concert for the Boys at the time being while they make their album. They are almost finished with the whole album and are gonna released it around summer perhaps if everything is right on schedule for the guys. "Are we gonna party?" AJ asked as he exited the stage. I didn't play with the band today and decided that they could do their thing for this concert. I told them to play with it a little and the product was really amazing.

"Ask Kevin." I shrugged as I handed a towel to him. Soon, all the guys were off the stage but the screams are still there. "Are we gonna go out?" I asked Kevin.

"Whatever you all want. We don't have anything and we have an indefinite break before we tour again." Kevin announced. JIVE wasn't too pushy anymore with the forthcoming album and has let the guys do it in their pace after some chit chat with me, if you can call it a chit chat.

The guys have smiles in their faces. I know that all of us deserved a break from all the happenings in tour. Especially the Boys. "Who's going out?" AJ asked. 

"Count me out. I'm tired. Very tired." Kevin stated as we all entered the dressing room. I guess Kevin was the most drained among all of them. Maybe it's the fact that he has reached the 30s already and he does have a wife now. I've met her before and I must say that she's really a sweet girl. Kevin is so lucky with her.

"Me too." Brian added sounding a little tired.

"I'm coming!" Nick said from the corner. He took the spot already and was talking with Justin and JC on the phone. After saying his piece, he returned giggling and cooing on the phone. It was too much already and it's becoming sickening in its sweet way. I don't think Brian and I were that bad.

"I'm in." Howie said as he drank from the bottle of water. 

"Count me in." Alex declared who was sitting beside me on the couch. Alex then looked at me waiting for an answer.

"I guess I have to. I need to watch for you party freaks out there." I said. "Especially you." I pointed at Alex. Alex had this innocent look on his face but I know that my brother is in fact a party animal. So, that's Nick, Howie, AJ, Alex and me. "You two really don't wanna come?" I asked Brian and Kevin. Brian and Kevin just looked at each other waiting for someone to answer. "Please? Do you think I can handle keeping this clowns in control by myself." I said to them putting in the sad puppy look. I wish it works.

Brian and Kevin just sighed and grin formed in my face. "You need to enjoy yourself Kev." AJ told him. "We can only pass this time in our life once." I think AJ was right there.

"Okay fine." Kevin told him. "But I'm not too old." He added. All of us mumbled, 'yeah right' and brought the room in fits of laughter. Kevin wasn't really bothered anymore when we made a joke because he was the oldest; I guess the fact was settling in his mind already. And what more does he need? He has a very loving wife, and a good career with amazing friends. Let me change that, he has amazing brothers that love and support him always.

"You in too?" I asked Brian who just nodded in agreement. 

"Your limo is waiting." Irene's head popped in, and popped out. I still don't get her. We gathered all our things and walked to the limo that was gonna bring us to the hotel. When we were in the dressing room, the guys looked like they were so tired and sleepy but when they were in the limo, they were all hyper and bubbly. Maybe the fact that Nick wasn't attached to the phone anymore and was teaming up with Alex to joke around. 

I was in the far corner of the limo surveying these six people that has affected me gravely. Thinking about the sad part of being the final concert, it was also the final moment we were gonna be together. Tomorrow, my contract officially expires and I'm jobless again, not that I'm complaining coz I have the money to spend for the rest of my life anyway. But the sad thing is that I'm not gonna be with them anymore 24/7. Sure, we would call each other and visit each other even but everything's gonna change. Everything in this world changes and the more you see it when you aren't with others.

Even with the guys, they changed a lot. Kevin was a little more social with the guys and sometimes forgets that he's arranging all the stuff for BSB. He's a little laid back now. Nick was more cheerful because of the two men in his life. AJ was starting to set his life straight and he has been enjoying everything even without the booze and sex. I've been learning a lot from Howie for the past weeks and I found out that he's nickname 'Sweet D' is a true reflection of his personality. He would always make sure that everything was okay and when someone's feeling down, he's there with you trying to cheer you up. And finally with Brian. He has changed a lot. I don't know where to start but all I know is that he's more laid relaxed but still has the spunk when the time rises. He locked himself in his room before but now; you can't see him in there other than to sleep or to take a bath. He's usually with the guys being carefree. 

"We're here!" Nick declared as he pulled himself from the floor from his little wrestling match with Alex. I must say that Nick and Alex really hit it off. Maybe it's the fact that their age was closer together, or Alex is just a ball of energy being so young. The limo stopped by the entrance and thank God, there were no fans. I have experienced the dread that these guys feel when you're being surrounded by screaming girls whose goal is to get something from you not caring if you're harmed or not. It still gives me goose bumps when I think about that.

We walked out of the limo and went straight to the elevator as quick as possible. Drawing a crowd is the last thing in our minds. Once safely inside the limo, we were more relaxed and started to chat with each other again. "Marty, what are you gonna do after this?" Kevin asked me the question that I feared.

"I really don't know. I'll prolly go home with Alex and find him a good college." I told them.

"I told you I'm not gonna go to college." Alex glared at me. All I did was glare back at him. The little talks stopped and all eyes were on us.

"You can be a musician if you want but a college degree won't do any harm. It would just give you another opportunity if it doesn't work out." I tried to reason with Alex.

"Martin is right, I'm still regretting why I didn't go to college and prolly when Backstreet mellows down, I'll enter a college to earn my degree." Nick told Alex. Alex looked a little pissed but he's an intelligent guy. He knows when he's defeated. He just possesses the family trait. We hate being defeated.

"Fine." Alex grumbled. The elevator doors opened and we walked to our respective rooms to change. Alex and I were still sharing a room but Backstreet is now paying for it after I discovered that Kevin diverted all my bills for the room to him. 

"You really don't wanna go to college?" I asked Alex when we entered our room.

"Yes." Alex answered. "I want to be an artist. You know that it's my dream then and it is still now."

"Alex, finishing up your education is important as well. I know that being a star is your dream and I want you to achieve that as well. But I want you to also have a degree to back you up. I don't want you to end up in a sleazy cafe as a busboy." I said to him. "Like I told you before, you can take a music degree if you want."

"I'll think about it." Alex said to me. I'll take that for now but he knows that I'll be pushing it to him and he'll eventually agree coz he knows that we're right. The two of us opened our closets and picked up some party clothes to wear. 

After a few minutes, all of us met in the corridor of the floor. It was rather safe because their management team reserved the whole floor solely for Backstreet so this would be private area for the Boys as well. Once everyone was there, we went ahead to the club.

I don't know where AJ learned about this club but with the amount of crowd waiting outside, I guess this must be a very popular one. I guess being world famous has its perks. Once the bouncer saw that the Backstreet Boys were there, he immediately walked to them and ushered them in without going through the hassle of falling in line. Alex and I were following behind them and I could see the other people in line glaring at them. Well, it really looked bad coz they were there since God knows what time and here comes big names and they're immediately in. "You fall in line." I was interrupted as the bouncer placed the line again barring us from entering.

"But we are with them." Alex reasoned with the bouncer.

"Yeah, and I'm Britney Spears' boyfriend." The bouncer said sarcastically.

"Why are you still there?" Nick asked as he walked to us. Maybe he noticed that I wasn't behind him anymore.

"They're really with you?" The bouncer asked Nick dubiously.

"Duh!" Nick told the bouncer and he took my hand as he pulled me to his side.

"Goodbye Britney's boyfriend." Alex told him with a grin on his face leaving the bouncer with a scowl on his face.

"Good one." I told Alex who just smiled at me. The club was jam-packed with people who were all dancing with the loud music blaring. I really have to sit this out. I spotted Brian and Kevin in a booth and decided to stay with them. "I'm going to the booth! You two have fun but be responsible!" I shouted through the blaring sound. The two nodded and I walked to the booth.

"Where have you been?" Brian asked me as he moved to give me space to sit on.

"Britney's boyfriend gave us a little problem." I told them in a straight face, no pun intended. Kevin and Brian looked at me like I was nuts and that's where I lost it. I told them the whole story and they laughed a little with Alex's antics. "You two want anything?" I asked.

"I'll just have a beer." Kevin said. This is the first time I was going to see Kevin drink something alcoholic. Maybe AJ's word really struck him.

"Rum and coke." Brian chimed. Kevin looked at him with an eyebrow raised. "Okay, I'll just have an ice tea." Brian sighed. I guess Kevin is a little protective with Brian's condition.

I left the two in the booth and walked to the bar to buy our drinks. "One beer, rum and coke and a Long Island Ice Tea." I told the bartender. Well, I think Brian is ready for a little alcohol. After a few minutes, the bartender gave me the drinks and I paid for it. 

I returned to the booth and handed the drinks to Brian and Kevin. When Brian drank from it, he looked at me weirdly and I just winked at him and a sense of realization washed over his face. "Thank you." Brian told me. I know that it was a double meaning. 


As the night deepened, the guys returned to the table sweating like pigs. "You ready to go?" Kevin asked them. I think they were ready to go coz they looked so tired already and a little bit sleepy. They nodded and Kevin phoned one of the bodyguards that we were leaving. We walked out of the club and the limo was already waiting for us by the front door.

"Bye Britney's boyfriend!" Alex told the bouncer that made Brian, Nick, Kevin and I bellow in laughter but the others have this look of confusion in their faces. Maybe it's the alcohol.

"What was that all about?" Howie asked as we entered the limo. I told them the story with our little mishap in going in the club.

AJ was sleeping at the farthest corner with his head pressed at the window. Howie has his head hung as he tried to stay awake but I think he was fighting a losing battle. Nick and Alex were sprawled at the floor of the limo with Alex over him. What if Justin and Josh see this? I smiled a little and then I felt a weight over my shoulder and when I look, it was Brian. "This okay?" Kevin whispered who was beside me.

"No problem." I said with a smile. Because it was already around 2:00am, we didn't encounter any traffic on the streets and there were still no fans outside the hotel that gave us a free entrance to the hotel. "Bri, we're here." I nudged Brian. Brian slowly opened his eyes and looked at the window.

"Sorry I slept on you." Brian told me as he scratched his head.

"Come on. Let's wake the others." I said to Brian and we woke the other four. Once everyone was walking, we got out of the limo and walked to the elevator that would bring us to our floor.

"We'll meet in my room around 9:00am where I'll give you the other details about our affairs and for the arrangement for our departure." Kevin told the guys but I think they weren't listening because they were all leaning at the sides of elevator for support. "Martin, I can't book the two of you a later flight so you're in a 8:00am flight to DC." Kevin informed me.

"That's fine. Thanks." I said to Kevin. "I guess I won't be saying goodbye to y'all tomorrow morning so I'll be giving my farewell speech now." I said jokingly. "It was a nice tour. It was loads of fun! The first time after lots of years. I can never thank y'all enough with everything you did." Even if I knew that Nick, Howie and AJ weren't paying attention, I just have to say it now.

"Don't worry we still have another tour coming up." Kevin told me. It never entered my mind. They might hire me again but will I accept it? I just smiled at Kevin not giving any reply with what he said. Brian was quiet in the corner just looking at me subtly. The elevator doors opened and we held the four sleeping guys out of the elevator. I carried Alex to my room and Brian and Kevin tried to bring the 3 to their respective rooms.

"Bye y'all!" I told them with a wave. Kevin waved back and Brian just smiled at me. I entered my room and placed Alex on his bed. I stripped him to his boxers and covered him with the blanket. When I looked at Alex, I never thought how much he has grown for the past years that we didn't see each other. He still looked the immature blond guy who doesn't give any shit about the world. But there was something different; he's more at ease. More peaceful. I felt a little bit sad coz I wasn't there when he had his teen years. 

I wasn't there when he graduated from high school. I didn't even see him go to the prom. There were lots that I have missed and I could never get them back because of two people who are so close-minded. "I'll take care of you now Alex." I said giving him a kiss on his forehead.

I stripped down as well and laid on my bed thinking of my future without the exciting life of touring. Sleep was already creeping when someone knocked at my door. Who on earth is gonna knock at this time? I walked at the door and peeped in the little hole seeing Brian standing. I opened the door and smiled at him. "What's up Bri?" I asked trying to hide the sleepiness away.

"Were you sleeping already?" Brian asked me.

"Nah. I can't sleep." Well, partly it was true because I was staging different scenarios of my life after this. Probably, I'll return in the cafe.

"Can we talk?" Brian asked. I looked at Alex's sleeping form. "Let's talk in my room."

"I'll just get a robe or something." I told him and picked a robe that was hanging from the chair. I returned to where Brian was standing and we both exited my room to his. What is this all about? My overactive imagination is playing tricks with me again. I have different pictures flashing on my mind and they involve me and Brian together. You know what I mean when I say 'together'. I tried my best to shrug it off my mind. Really I did.

"I really don't know what to say." Brian told me as he sat on his bed facing me. I can see the hesitation and doubt in Brian's face like he really wasn't sure what he was doing. It was fueling my mind to add more scenes flashing in my mind. "We're gonna be away from each other after this and I don't know what to do." Brian told me.

So that's it. "Bri, I know you can do it. We talked about this already." I said to him. "The last two weeks were the most amazing time in my life. I had loads of fun in that short span of time and that's because of you guys and especially you. You made it extra special for me. You didn't treat me differently knowing that we had a past together and I like that about you." I told Brian.

"Marty, I was just acting like myself. How I acted when we were together; that's the same way I acted when we are just friends." Brian said to me. "Marty, I guess I just want you to know that I am still very much in love with you and that would never be erased." Brian said softly.

"And that's the same way I feel about you, Bri. But I want this to really work. I don't want to be separated from you permanently along the road." I said to him. 

"But that's what relationships are all about. It's about working together and making it work!" Brian held my hand.

"Remember, you're the one who wanted a break." I hated to say it but I just have to. Brian looked at me. It was more like stared at my soul.

"I know." Brian said with a dejection in his voice. Did he regret it?

"Bri, I am happy with what we have now." I started. I know that this would crush him. "You were right when you broke it off with me. It was getting too much already and we really need it. I'm not yet ready to be in a relationship with you. Someday, Bri." I kissed him on the cheeks and left him there. That's what I really felt. 

I returned to my room finding Alex still sound asleep on his bed with a light snore escaping from his mouth. I laid down on my bed thinking of my future. Is it bright or dark?

EMAIL ME!!! pseud0nym@edsamail.com.ph