Chapter   Eleven

“Wwwwhhhaaattt?” they all yelled in unison.

“What do you mean you don’t know if you can go on with us?” Brian asked not believing what he was hearing, “The tour starts next week!”

“Guys, I need to be here with Brittany.” AJ answered sincerely.

“AJ, I understand what you’re saying. But, I don’t in the same sense.” Howie added as he sat down in the chair.

“Guys, Brittany needs someone here for her 24/7. I need to be here.” AJ said again.

“Bone, you can’t leave. We need you, too.” Nick said still in shock.

“Nick, Brittany is my responsibility, too. She’s my number one priority.”

“We know. But, if you’re not with us is there any sense for us to go on?” Nick questioned.

“You can still be the Backstreet Boys. I just need some time right now.” AJ added.

“AJ, when you and Roxanne went out on tour. Brittany stayed with your mom, can’t she stay with her now?” Kevin asked.

“She could, but I want to be here.” AJ answered. “You guys do understand. Don’t you?”

“AJ, we’ll keep Brittany with us.” Leigh Anne said, “I know I would.”

“I would. I’d love to have her with me.” Claudia added.

“You know I would, but I’m going with you guys.” Kristin added.

“I’d love to keep her,” Mandy added.

“Thanks for all your offers, but I really just need to be with Britt,” AJ answered.

“You guys it’s getting late, and we have a signing to do in the morning.” Kevin said.

“Will you sleep on this?” Howie asked.

“I don’t think there’s anything to sleep on.” AJ said sadly.

“Bone, just think it over.” Nick added.

“Please.” Brian said.

*************************

The week had gone by fast. Each of the boys and the girls were trying everything they could think of to get AJ to continue on with the boys, but nothing they seemed to do worked. It was the night before they were to leave for the tour and AJ was lying down on his bed, and was thinking about what he had said earlier.

“I’m so confused. I want to go on with the boys, but Brittany needs me here.” He kept saying over and over.

He lied there for a while, and the radio was on and the volume was low. The song ‘Where You Are’ came on. AJ sighed not knowing what to do.

He heard a voice and recognized it instantly.

“AJ,” she said softly.

It startled AJ to hear her again. “Roxanne.” He said in shock as he sat up in the bed.

“Hi Baby,” she said as she could feel his pain.

“What are you doing here?” AJ asked.

“You need to go.” Roxanne answered.

“Go where?” he asked confused.

“With the boys. You can’t stop now.” She answered.

“What about Brittany? She needs me here.” AJ answered.

“She does only when she really does. She knows you go away for a while, and that she can see you soon. But, you need your career, and the guys to help you get through this.”

“I know believe me I know. I’ve been torn between my career and doing what I live to do. And staying back with my daughter. I just don’t know what to do.” He answered.

“You need to go. She will be O.K. I’m here, remember.” Roxanne added.

“I know, but I don’t know if I can handle dancing with someone that took your place.” He said. “I’ve danced with you for the past ten years.”

“AJ, you will do fine. Just do me a favor, and go with them.” Roxanne said.

“I really want to, but,” AJ started.

“AJ, go.” Roxanne said. “I have to go, but promise me you’ll go with them. And have the time of your life.”

“You were the time of my life.” He said sadly, “The time of my life was taken from me.” He finished almost in tears.

“AJ, I love you. Just go, please. I have to go.”

“I love you.” He said as she vanished from the room.

AJ sat there in shock. He was thinking about what Roxanne said, and how he really wanted to go. After a while, he made his decision.

Chapter Twelve
Back to 'Where You Are'
Back to 'Fan Fiction'
Back to Main Page