Boy Band (15 page)

“Please be careful,” Joni tells us.  “The American Music Awards are in three days.  I don’t want to see any of you limping through your performance.”  

Oh, right.  I totally forgot about the American Music Awards.  The guys are up for two awards, including Artist of the Year, and they’re performing one of their songs off of the new album. We’re all flying to Los Angeles the day after tomorrow, and then the day after the awards, it’s right back to New York for th
e
Meet Me on the Midwa
y
release celebration, which will be taking place the next day. 

It’s going to be a busy week.  Fun, but busy.  

“You know who else is going to be there?” Jesse asks with a wicked grin.  “Chloe Conley.”  

“I thought we agreed that we’d never mention that name again,” Josh says loudly. 

I’ve told you before that a group of guys can’t be as cute and famous as The Kind of September without having to endure the Media Gossip Machine.  Basically, if any of them are spotted with a girl, regardless of the circumstances, rumors are going to circulate that the two are dating.  Well, last year, the Internet took rumors of Josh and a girl named Chloe Conley to the next level.  Supposedly, not only were they secretly dating, but he’d been sneaking around with her while he was still dating his former girlfriend.  There were even rumors of her visiting his parents and potential elopement talks.  All of that stemmed from one photograph of the pair dancing at one of the after-parties. It wa
s
insan
e
.  It wasn’t until a few months later that Josh found out that her people had started the rumors in order to generate some publicity for her.  Josh still hasn’t gotten over it.    

“You know what the worst part is?” Cory says.  “Her music isn’t even that good.”

“Cory, I think that’s the first time I’ve ever heard you say something that isn’t nice about someone,” Sam remarks.

“But it’s true.  Her voice is so whiny,” Cory says.

“And Josh is the one who made her that way,” Jesse laughs.

“I hate you, you know that?  You’re actually the worst,” Josh says.  

“Look on the positive side.  You’ve only got one fake ex running around the awards show.  Sam’s got hundreds,” Oliver reminds him.

“Lucky me,” Sam sighs.  

“Hey, play your cards right, and you might have another one before the night is over!” Jesse tells him.  

 And that’s when Sam tackles him to the ground.  Josh follows, and, I guess just for the heck of it, Cory jumps in too.  The only man still standing is Oliver as the four of them wrestle around on the ground like kids on the playground.  

“Someone is going to lose an eye,” he remarks.

“Or at least a few teeth,” I add. 

“Seriously.  It’s like they don’t listen to me at all,” Joni huffs and crosses her arms across her chest.  

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.  There is never a dull moment. 

CHAPTER 13

“
I’m running out of words to say

And I don’t want to keep you waiting

Time is flying, baby, yes I know

But your eyes have got me hesitating

Can I tell you that I love you?

Tell you that I need you?

Tell you that I’m never, ever, ever 

Gonna let you go?

Can I tell you that I want you?

And I need to be beside you?

Can I tell you, because I want you to know

I’ll never let you go
.
”

Song: “Tell You”

Artist: The Kind of September 

From the Album
:
17 Times Over

It’s the night of the American Music Awards in Los Angeles, and I’ve just realized something:

Both of my final exams for my online classes are this week and I haven’t studied for them.  At all.  Seriously, why did I think that taking college classes and working a full-time job with a popular boy band would be a good idea? 

Oh yeah.  I wanted to make my parents proud.  How overrated is that? 

The good news is that since these exams are taken online, they’re both open-note and open-book.  However, they’re also timed, so it’s not like I can sit around and look every answer up and still expect to finish.  Maybe I can sneak a textbook into the awards tonight.  Right now, I’m reviewing notes on my laptop, but I’m not really absorbing anything. 

Sam doesn’t understand why I’m stressed out.  Actually, he doesn’t understand why I’m taking classes at all.

“You do know you’re pretty much set for life, right?” he asks me.  He’s already dressed for the red carpet and let me tell you, he looks amazing.  He’s in black slacks, a white shirt, and a black vest.  Seriously, what is it about guys in vests?  

“No.  You’r
e
set for life.  I still might need something to fall back on,” I remind him. 

“Hey, as long as we’re set for life, you’re set for life.  Unless you do something crazy, like rob a bank or kill a person.”

“Oh, darn.  You just ruined all my holiday plans,” I joke.  

“In all seriousness, though.  Do you actually enjoy taking these classes?  Or are you just doing it because you think it’s what you’re supposed to be doing?”

“A little of both,” I admit.  “You know, when I first started taking them, we really didn’t know where all this was going.  I thought I needed a backup plan.”  

It’s true.  None of us had any idea how big The Kind of September would get, not even its members.  Even when they were writing music and holding auditions and performing locally in the Bay Area, none of them imagined one day being invited to perform for the American Music Awards, let alone being nominated for Artist of the Year.  I think the most they ever hoped for was an indie record and enough support to travel around the country.  No one dared to dream they’d be here in only a few short years.  

“I get that,” Sam tells me.  “Still, you shouldn’t stress out over it.  It’s not like a B in a few online classes is going to completely derail your life.”

“I know.  But I don’t want all the work I’ve done this semester to have been for nothing.”  

“You’re a real nerd, you know that?” Sam asks, flopping back onto my bed.

“And you’re going to get in trouble with Tiffany if you mess up your hair.  And when that happens, I am going to laugh.”

“Touché.”  But Sam doesn’t move.  “You are happy, aren’t you?” 

Tha
t
surprises me.  I turn away from my computer screen to look at him.  

“Of course I am.  Why wouldn’t you think so?”

“I don’t know.  With all the rumors and drama and now the additional school stuff... I just want to make sure you’re still happy.”  

“I am,” I assure him.  “I actually can’t imagine life getting any better.”

“You kind of say that like it’s a bad thing.”

Do I?  I don’t hear it.  But Sam is usually pretty good at knowing what’s going on inside my head, apart from the whole being in love with him thing.

“It’s not a bad thing.  It’s kind of a scary thing, but not necessarily bad.”

“Why is it scary?” 

It really doesn’t make sense when you hear it out loud, but I’m not sure I know how to explain it.

“I guess I feel like when life is so good, there’s a lot more to lose.  And that worries me,” I tell him. 

At that, Sam sits back up and looks at me.

“You think you’re going to lose us?  Why would you think that?”

“I don’t.  I just... Ugh, I don’t know!  Now you’ve got me thinking and worrying that you don’t think I’m happy and I promise you, I am!”  

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry,” Sam laughs. “The last thing I want is to make yo
u
thin
k
.”

“Thank you!”  Now I’m laughing, too.  Unfortunately, though, I’m still thinking.  

I’d never admit it to Sam, but I do worry about the future, because as much as I’d like it to, I don’t think this will last forever.  One day, The Kind of September won’t be together anymore.  They might do reunion tours, but eventually, they’ll all go their separate ways.  Most bands do.  But even if they don’t break up, we’ll all get older and the guys will meet new people and eventually, Sam will fall in love with someone for real.  That’s the day I’m really dreading, because I can see that happening sooner than the band breaking up.  And as much as I hate the idea of letting my feelings for a guy interfere with my life and career, I truly don’t know if I’ll be able to handle it when that day comes.   

This is why you should never fall in love with your best friend.  Or your coworkers.  It can get really complicated and really depressing.  And I don’t want it to be depressing!  Tonight, we’re going to the American Music Awards!  True, I won’t be able to sit with them or anything, since they’ll be up front and performing, but it’s still an incredibly cool and exciting thing!  Maybe, with any luck, I’ll run into that hot Irish guy again and he won’t remember me.  He doesn’t know it, but if Sam ends up falling in love with someone else, he’s my real backup plan.  

Hey, a girl can dream.  

⋯

Growing up, I was taught that the difference between being an extrovert and being an introvert was that extroverts are loud and outgoing and like to talk and introverts are quiet and shy and prefer to listen.  I never knew exactly what I was, since when I’m around my friends, I can be as loud and outgoing as they are and yet, in big crowds or surrounded by strangers, I often find myself mute.  

It wasn’t until I took an online personality test (that may or may not have been entirely credible) that I learned that extroversion and introversion have absolutely nothing to do with how much a person talks.  It has to do with energy.  Extroverts gain energy from being around people.  They thrive on crowds.  Introverts are the exact opposite.  Being around too many people drains them of energy, and they have to spend time alone in order to recharge.  That’s where the Introverts-are-Loners stereotype comes in.  

I’ve finally learned that I am an introvert.  So are Oliver and Joni.  The rest of the guys?  They’re extroverts through and through.  They love this atmosphere.  They love the people.  They’re all totally high on the energy of everyone around them here at the American Music Awards.  And they should be.  This is their night.  

Right now, they’re being interviewed.  Lots of fans are screaming at them from the sidelines.  The woman conducting the interview even seems flustered by their presence.  It’s probably not helping that Josh and Sam are both acting particularly flirty, winking, running their hands through their hair, you know.  

“You guys have come so far in your short career.  Tell me, how does it feel to be here at the AMAs?” she asks.

“Incredible,” Josh answers.  “This is just the most incredible feeling.  We’re so proud and we’re just really excited to perform and have a good time tonight.” 

“This is just the beginning of a really exciting week for you. Your third album
,
Meet Me on the Midwa
y,
is due out in just a few short days.  What can you tell us about it?” 

“We can tell you that it’s amazing,” Cory grins.  

The woman interviewing them laughs.  “I’m glad to hear that.  I hope you think it’s amazing.”  

“Well like you said, this is our third album.  The first two have been so well-received with the fans and we’re so grateful to all of them for their love and support, and we just really hope that they love this album as much as they love the first two,” Sam says.

“These songs are our love letter to them,” Oliver adds. 

“Speaking of love letters, your love lives have been crazy lately.  Care to share any dirty details?” 

“Don’t believe everything you read online,” Sam advises.  

“Especially about me,” Josh pipes up.  

“Or me,” Oliver adds. 

“Everything they say about me is true,” Jesse jokes.  

“Same,” Cory admits.  

The interviewer laughs.  “Well, boys, I hope you enjoy your evening.  You truly deserve it.”

“Thank you.”

“Thanks a lot.”

And with that, the guys are back to the lights, stars, and celebrity of the red carpet.    

⋯

Every time I watch the Oscars or the Emmys or any sort of awards ceremony, I always think about how strange it is to see so many actors together and out of context.  Seeing the guy who plays Han Solo casually chatting with Sherlock Holmes and Catwoman can really throw you for a loop.  I’m feeling the same way now, seeing so many different singers and musicians all together.  Most of the time, they all seem to exist in their own separate universes.  

Not here.  Here, they’re all packed together under one roof, and it’s a little overwhelming. There’s so muc
h
talen
t
in this one room.  It’s strange to think about.  How is this building still standing with all the star power inside?  

Joni doesn’t seem at all fazed by the famous faces all around her.  Then again, Joni is kind of hard to impress.  Me?  I’m trying to remind myself to stay calm and pretend I’m cool.  It’s difficult.  Seriously, how can I be expected to act cool and casual when the greatest names in music are in this room, some of them within mere feet of me?  I know that by now, I should be kind of used to it, and with the guys, I totally am.  But if you don’t geek out even a little bit when Paul McCartney says hello to you, you might not be human.  

By now, the show is about half over and the guys are the next group to perform.  I don’t know why, but I always get anxious whenever I watch them from the audience.  Watching from backstage, I’m totally fine, but sitting out here?  I’m a nervous wreck.  

Of course, there’s no reason for me to feel this way.  The guys love performing live, and they’re always amazing.  Even when they mess up or fall down or accidentally botch the lyrics (often on purpose), they smile, laugh it off, and it goes down in fandom history, or at least on Buzzfeed, as yet another adorable and epic The Kind of September moment.  Basically, the guys can do no wrong.  

Okay, that’s not entirely accurate.  There are plenty of false rumors and bad information floating around about their personal lives.  But as far as their career goes, they’re gold.  That becomes even clearer when they take the stage to the most enthusiastic ovation of the night.       

Sam:

She’s in love with autumn leaves

And the song the zephyrs sing

I don’t know but I believe

That love will find her

Cory:

She tells me that she likes to play

When the skies are cold and grey

But I hope she’ll find a way

To open up her heart

Please, baby, open up your heart

All:

And meet me, meet me

Where the lights are always shining

Meet me, meet me

On the Midway

Tell me, tell me

That our love will be forever

And we will be together, come what may

On the Midway

Josh:

I don’t know what she thinks about

Her pretty head is filled with doubt

But I hope she’ll figure out

How much I need her

Oliver:

She laughs away the dark of night

And her eyes are full of light

Oh, that she’d be mine tonight