Date: Sun, 8 Aug 1999 18:23:38 EDT
From: Kevsstory@aol.com
Subject: Kevin, behind the scenes

I suppose the standard disclaimers apply here. If you're under 18 or object
to homosexual content in any fashion, please do not continue to read.

The following story is not meant to imply anything about the sexual
orientation of any of the Back Street Boys or anyone else mentioned.

Please send any comments, suggestions, quips, and criticisms to
kevsstory@aol.com

Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoy.

"Be the 21st caller and you'll win front row tickets and back stage passes
to the Back Street Boys concert tonight at The Palace." the voice on the
radio said.

Of course, I picked up my cell phone and dialed the number.

After 10 rings, finally an answer.

"Sorry, you're caller number 17." *Click* and with that my hopes were
dashed.

A minute later I heard the winner screaming on the radio. Some silly
schoolgirl I am sure.

Once again, I missed out on seeing my Kevin. Well, he's not mine, but you
know. I like to think that he is. It's bad enough that I couldn't get into
the concert let alone miss out by only a few people to get to meet them in
person.

So, I continued on my way to work.

The rest of the day was uneventful, but tomorrow promised to be something
else!


The following day...

I was really bummed that I didn't get to see the concert last night and it
was turning out to be just another ordinary day at the car dealership, or
so I thought.

I'm Joshua by the way. You're run of the mill 20-something guy.  I'm no
model, but I'm not Quasimodo either.

I live in just outside Detroit, Michigan. Surprised that I work at a car
dealership being in the auto capital of the world? Imagine....

The phone rang, as I remember, I turned around answer it.

"Harrison Jaguar Service. May I help you?", I said into the phone.

"Yes Mister Jacobson. What seems to be the problem?" I continued.  Did I
mention that I hate my job?

I vaguely heard the bell to the door to let me know that someone had
entered the garage.

"I'll be right with you." I said, not turning around to greet the stranger.

"We can fit you in next week for an oil change Mister Jacobson." I say,
speaking into the phone.

"What day is good for you?"

"Thursday at Noon then. We'll see you then. Thank you and have a great
day." I finished.

I turned around to jot this into the schedule book when I saw the person
who walked in the door.

Well, I saw his eyes that is. I was looking into the most amazing green
eyes that I have ever seen.

I don't remember what he said at first, he had to snap his fingers once or
twice to get my attention.

"I...I'm sorry. May I help you?" I asked.

"Yes, I am looking for a part for an old Jag that I have. It's my baby and
I just can't bear to part with it. I was wondering if you have a carburetor
for a 1975 XJ?" he questioned.

"Um...Let me check in my computer for you." I said as I began to type into
my computer.

"We have one at our other facility in Southfield. I could have someone
deliver it for you if you'd like. But it would take a week to get up
here. We only have one shipment arrive in a week."  I replied.

"Well, I'm only here for a short time and I was hoping to get it before I
left." he said a little dejected.

"I would be more than happy to go down and retrieve it myself for you if
you'd like." I said a little too enthusiastically.

"That would be fantastic," he said eagerly.

"I have been looking for this part forever. It seems like this is the one
thing I have been missing for a very long time," he added.

"OK. Now where shall I deliver it?" I questioned.

"Let me right down my name and where we're staying while in town." he said
as he grabbed the pen and pad from me.

I reached for the pad when he had finished and looked at the name. My heart
skipped a beat when I read what was written there. It was him, really him.

"When you get to the hotel. Go to the front desk. Ask them to ring my room.
They'll refuse. Tell them that I sent you. They'll still refuse. Then give
them this password, Jaguar. A password I'll tell them especially for
you. And then they'll call me and have you sent up. And you must let me
take you out to dinner for taking time out of your night to do this for
me."  he continued.

"It's not a prob..." I started.

"No, I insist." he interrupted.

"Ok. If you insist, I suppose that I can't refuse." I say smiling.

"Wise man. I like getting my way." he smiled and laughed.

"I should be there about 7:30 or so. Is that an okay time for you?" I
questioned.

"Perfect.  Gives me some time for a nap and a shower. You can show me some
sights. If you wouldn't mind that is," he said in a shy questioning tone.

God, I'd keep you out all night if I could, I said to myself.

"It would be my pleasure." I replied.

"Oh, my name is Josh by the way." I added.

"Kevin Richardson, as you can read I am sure." he replied.

"Thank you Mister Richardson and I will see you later tonight around 7:30."
I said.

"Perfect, but please call me Kevin. You make me feel old when you call me
mister." he answered.

With that he turned and left. I fell back in my chair hoping that I wasn't
obvious in knowing who he was.

I immediately picked up the phone and called Mark. I've known Mark forever
it seems. We tell each other everything.

"Umm..Hello."  he answered in a sleepy voice.

"Get your ass out of bed. You slacker!" I yelled into the phone.

"I hate you Josh, you know that don't you?" he replied.

"Nah, you love me more than your luggage." I responded.

"You're so cheesy. That movie was like, ages ago. Bring yourself into the
90's dear.

So why the hell did you call me this time. It better be good." he snapped.

"You had better be nice to me. Or I won't tell you what just happened to
me." I answered.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, finally see that cute mechanic in the bathroom did you?"
he laughed

"Not yet.  But thanks for reminded me. You tramp. God it when you're like
that!

No, silly, you'll never guess who came in here just now. " I said.

"Ricky Martin," he said half-jokingly.

"That's your fantasy not mine dear. You know mine!"

"Oh whatever, like Kevin from BSB walked into YOUR body shop."  he mocked.

"Tell me another one." he added.

"Bitch.  As it so happens, it was him." I said.

"Nuh uh.  Don't lie to me," he replied.

"I'm not lying. It was really him. He was looking for a part for his car."
I said

"I hate you now. You know that don't you?" Mark replied.

"I know...but I've got to get going and go get the part and take it to his
hotel." I threw in.

"Take it to his WHAT?" he shouted.

"You heard me; to his hotel. He asked me to drop it off and take him on a
little sight seeing tour of our fair city. I thought that I would take him
to Royal Oak for dinner. That fondue place is great. Nice and cozy too." I
chuckled.

"I'm off. Bye dear." I said hanging up the phone.

Meanwhile...back at Kevin's hotel room.

"Oh my god Brian. I can't believe that I asked him to come here.  What was
I thinking?" Kevin questioned his cousin.

"That it's about time that you were dating. You've been taking care of
everyone else for so long that you need to do something for yourself once
in a while." Brian said.

"I know that I need to do this but I am so used to just doing things for
others that I kinda forget how to do things for me. I feel kinda selfish
doing it." Kevin replied.

"Hey, who says that this is going to be the love of your life? Just go out,
have fun and most importantly, be yourself. Be the Kevin that we all love."
Brian added.

"Who loves Kevin?" Nick questioned after walking in the room.

"You been keeping someone on the side like A.J tried to do?" Nick asked.

"No, I've just got a date tonight." Kevin answered.

Nick just about dropped the bottle of water that he was drinking.

"A date?  I haven't seen you on a date in years. This must be someone very
interesting then." Nick chimed in.

"About damn time that you started going out again. I'm getting tired of
seeing you're face on the bus all the time. You need to socialize
more. Besides, beating you at video games is getting boring." Nick said
chuckling to himself.

"Ha Ha.  Very funny. I know I need to get out more. I am going to dinner
then to sight see some of Detroit. We have a couple of days off so I plan
on enjoying myself." Kevin said, more to himself than anyone, trying to
convince himself that he can still have fun with someone else besides the
guys.

Kevin jumped up after looking at the clock, "Damn, I have to shower.  He'll
be here in like 45 minutes."

Kevin shot a look at Nick just as he realized what he had said.

"HE?"  Nick questioned with a shocked look on his face.

While Brian knew that Kevin was gay, Nick and the rest of the guys were in
the dark about it.

"Yes he.  I suppose that it's safe to tell him now Kev." Brian spoke up.

"Kevin's gay. I've known forever. But kept quiet about it because it's
just...you know how private he is about things." Brian said flatly,
speaking to Nick.

"It's okay with me. I was just caught a little off guard. So when do we get
to meet the lucky man?" Nick inquired.

"Maybe never if I don't get moving. Ok...out you two. I've got to get
ready. I'm already nervous as it is. I don't need you two here making me
more nervous." Kevin said, pushing them both toward the door.

"We're going. We're going. Settle down." Brian said as he entered the
hallway.

"Have fun!!" he said to the door closing behind him.

Kevin ran to the bathroom. Got undressed and looked at his naked form in
the mirror. He looked different somehow. Then he saw what it was, he was
smiling, really, really smiling.

After his shower, he stepped out to hear someone in the other room.

"Hello?  Brian? Nick? Anyone?" he said.

"Um...it's Josh. I'm sorry. I'm a bit early. When you didn't answer the
phone they rang Brian and he brought me here. I have your part with me.

Take your time. I'll just have a seat out here." Josh answered speaking
toward the bathroom.

Damn, I knew I should have waited longer downstairs, Josh thought to
himself.

Shit, I knew I shouldn't have taken such a long shower, Kevin thought.

"I won't be but 10 minutes or so." Kevin said toward the other room.

About 15 minutes later, Kevin emerged from the bedroom fully dressed and
ready to hit the town.

"Are you ready to..." Kevin started.

He saw a very different man than he saw at the garage earlier.

He was dressed in a tight Khaki colored shirt and tan colored shorts. He
hadn't seen his short, cropped, brown hair since he was wearing a hat
earlier.

"To go?" He tried to recover himself a little at being startled by Josh's
new look.

"Sorry, I was just sitting here day dreaming. Looking out the window."
Josh replied.

"What were you thinking about?" Kevin inquired.

"Just about how odd it is that I was so upset that I couldn't come and see
you're concert. It was sold out. And the next day I am here in your room."
Josh answered.

"So, you did recognize me." Kevin said a little dejected. He was hoping
that Josh had come because he was Kevin not the Backstreet Boy.

"I wasn't sure until you showed me your name on that pad of paper. But,
bear in mind, that I agreed to do this before I knew that." Josh added in.

"True."  Kevin said, his face perking up.

"Let's go." Kevin said, grabbing Josh's hand and heading for the door.

Josh was a little stunned and stopped. Kevin looked back and said, "Sorry,
that was a bit forward. Forgive me, " releasing Josh's hand.

"No, I was just thinking that I wanted you to do that is all. I was just a
little taken aback when you actually did it. I was hoping, but, convinced
myself I was being silly to think that you wanted to do anything more than
to thank me for bringing your part up here." Josh explained.

End of Part One.

Forgive the length. I got on a role and couldn't stop. Any comments are
appreciated. kevsstory@aol.com