Brian's voice rang true and clear in the packed auditorium. 'Hey girl, I don't want you to cry no more inside. All the money in the world could never add up to all the love I have inside... I love you.' Then the rest of the group joined in, their voices carrying right to the back of the packed auditorium. The concert was going great and Jennifer couldn't have been any happier. Through the past three weeks, things were finally working out for her and Brian. Glad to have the past behind them and a road of happiness ahead of them, Jennifer watched The Backstreet Boys perform from the sides of the stage. She watched Brian, her eyes following every step he made. When he came to the side where she stood, his eyes would lock with hers as he sang the words to their songs. Every time they came off-stage for a costume change, he would either embrace her or catch a quick kiss. Nick was constantly smiling and she knew that he was finally okay with it and nothing could ruin what she had... at least nothing Jennifer was aware of.
"Hi. I'm looking for Jennifer Matthews. Where would I find her?" One of the bouncers, Gary, looked up into the face of a young man whom he had never seen before.
"What do you want with Jennifer?" he asked, suddenly suspicious.
"I'm an old acquaintance of hers from Texas," he said, flashing his backstage pass at the man standing guard at the backstage entrance.
"The backstage party has been over with now for almost two hours," he replied, giving the young man a once over with his eyes. He didn't remember Jennifer telling him to look out for an old friend. "Is she expecting you?"
"No," he replied quickly, smiling at the big guy standing in front of him. Something told him that this big guy was particularly fond of Jennifer. "I wanted to surprise her. Trust me... she'll want to see me."
"Well..." he began, not sure whether or not to let him by.
"Look, we go back a long way and she'll be real disappointed if I don't get a chance to talk to her. It's important."
"Okay," he said, not wanting to disappoint Jennifer. She was so sweet and anything he could do to help her out was just an added bonus.
"Thanks," he said, walking past Gary on his way backstage.
Suddenly Gary took hold of his arms just before he could pass through the door. "What did you say your name was?" he asked again, not remembering if he had asked before.
"I didn't," he said, and then smiled at him. "It's Ty... Ty Crump."
"Oh, okay," Gary replied, releasing his arm as the young man disappeared behind the door. Once inside, the loud mix of pop and R&B met his ears. He could also hear the screaming crowd beyond the tons of equipment and props that were standing before him. He squeezed through the crowd of technicians and ground crew that were running around keeping the special effects and sound in working order.
Ty made his way towards the music, wondering if he would be able to find Jennifer there. It had taken quite a feat to finally track her down and he had been shocked when he learned she was the publicity director for one of the hottest bands to hit the U.S. in a while. One day he hadn't heard of The Backstreet Boys and now, suddenly, they were everywhere! And the fact that Jennifer was working and traveling with them was a surprise and a thrill. Ty and Jennifer had shared a love of good music and as he worked his way through the crowd, he enjoyed the music. The closer he got to finding Jennifer, the more excited he became. He knew she would be shocked to see him, but he also hoped that enough time had passed to heal some of the hurt. He had finally realized he couldn't live without her!
"They look great!" Fatima said into Jennifer's ear.
She turned her head, smiling at her friend. "They sure do!" she replied, turning back to watch them. She practically had to yell to be heard over the crowd and the guys. "I love the choreography!"
"Thanks!" Fatima yelled back. "This is my favorite routine!" Both women watched the guys take the audience from hysteria to frenzied hysteria. Jennifer was amazed at how they could take hold of the fans and transport each one of them into a world of their own. She knew how it was... each screaming young lady out there was imagining that these guys were singing to just her. But each time Brian got close to her side of the stage, his eyes meshed with hers sending a message only to her and she knew, just knew that he was singing just to her. She wrapped her arms around herself, deliriously happy with her life for once. Things were finally working out for her!
"Jennifer!" She turned at the sound of her name to find Gary suddenly beside her. "Hey, did that guy ever find you?"
"What guy?" she asked, confusion clouding over her beautiful features.
"Uh... shit! What was his name...?" he muttered to himself.
Suddenly Jennifer saw him from beyond Gary's shoulder and her face went ashen as she whispered, "Oh my god... Ty."
"What?" Gary asked, cupping a hand to his ear.
"It's Ty!" she repeated, not really responding to Gary but muttering his name in disbelief.
"Yeah! that's it!" Gary said suddenly. "Ty!"
Jennifer's gaze turned towards Gary, surprise registered there. "You let him in here?" she asked.
"Yeah," he answered, concern suddenly coming over his face. "Why? Is there a problem?"
"Shit!" she replied, suddenly looking for a place to hide, a place to run to. She didn't want to see him. She couldn't see him! Panic suddenly rose up in her as she watched him approach where she stood with Fatima and Gary. She hadn't seen Ty since the evening before their wedding day and now, suddenly he was here! Here in her world... her world with Brian!! "Oh shit!" she repeated. BSB was starting a new song and the beat matched Jennifer's heartbeat at that same fast rate.
"Are you okay?" Fatima asked, holding onto her friend's arm. "What's wrong?"
Jennifer turned towards her, panic clearly etched on her face. "Help me," she pleaded.
"What?! Tell me...!" Fatima yelled, looking around for the source of Jennifer's sudden panic.
"It's Ty!" she yelled back, looking back over her shoulder. Suddenly Ty spotted her and he smiled, picking up the pace as he moved deliberately towards where she stood. She turned back towards Fatima, tears springing into her eyes. "What the hell am I going to do?" Fatima shrugged her shoulders, shaking her head at the predicament that was suddenly here. After all she and Brian and had been through, it just wasn't fair for this Ty guy to show up now... here.