For the rest of their break the two of them simply relished being back together. It was almost like a little honeymoon for them. They got the chance to simply spend their time together and not have to worry about being seen or caught doing something that they shouldn’t. Most of the time was spent in the bedroom, but that was exactly what they wanted. There were fights, but both of them had come to expect that. They each had a strong personality and strong opinions on things. It was natural to butt heads over things. But they always made up.
.
When they finally headed back out to start the tour back up, the two men were well pleased with themselves. As they walked into the hotel, Brian couldn’t keep the grin off of his face. Once they were in the elevator, AJ bumped their shoulders together. “Wipe that smirk off, Littrell. People are going to wonder about you.” He taunted him.
.
It didn’t bother Brian to hear AJ call him ‘Littrell’ anymore. Too much had been built between them for there to be a sting in it. Now he just smiled at AJ, knowing that it was just a way for AJ to taunt him, not irritate him. “Your grin’s just as bright, kid.”
“Kid?”
“You heard me.” Brian said with a goofy grin.
The doors opened, letting them out onto their floor. AJ was scowling by now, his grin completely gone. “I’m not a damn kid.”
Unable to resist, Brian let his smile grow even bigger. “I’m older than you are. That means that you’re the kid here.” He reminded him cheekily. Hefting his bags over his shoulder he set off down the hallway. AJ was hot on his tail, trying to catch up as he said “You’re not that much older! Just a few years. How the hell does that make me a kid?”
“Well look at us, J. I’m definitely the more mature one of the relationship.”
“What?” AJ screeched at him as they stopped in front of their door. “Like hell you are!”
Brian winked at him as he unlocked the door and opened it. “It’s ok, J. I don’t mind. You don’t have to be jealous.”
“You don’t have to be jealous.” AJ repeated in a mocking voice.
Just as Brian was about to throw off a smart ass reply of his own, a slight coughing sound drew his attention. He stepped into the hotel room, which was already lit, and froze when he saw a woman sitting at one of the chairs. She was a stunning woman. Blond hair piled up in a professional twist on the back of her head, framing a strong face with high cheekbones and serious green eyes. Her firm mouth was unpainted and set into serious lines.
First thought he had was that a fan had managed to get into their room. But reality intruded, clearing that away. No fan would be dressed in those sharp looking heels, pantyhose, and a no nonsense emerald business suit. No fan would have a briefcase at her side or a file folder in her lap over her neatly crossed legs.
As usual it was AJ who found his voice first and it was nowhere near as polite as Brian would have been. “Who the hell are you and what are you doing in my hotel room?” he demanded. He dropped his bags on the ground at the foot of one of the beds and moved to stand in front of her, arms crossed over his chest.
The woman didn’t seem the least bit perturbed by AJ’s demanding attitude. Something about her set off warning bells in Brian’s head. Whatever was happening here, it wasn’t going to be good. No, not at all. Discreetly he shut the door behind him, knowing that whatever was going to be said, he didn’t want it to be heard by everyone.
“My name is Carla Taylor and I work in the legal department at The Firm.” The ice princess told them calmly. Her words stunned the two of them and made the warning bells in Brian’s head grow louder. “I was sent here to discuss a few things that have come to our attention. We would like to resolve this matter quietly, before it becomes out of hand.”
“What exactly is that has come to your attention?” AJ asked her. His voice was low and calm. To anyone who knew him, it was a threatening sound. Usually that signaled the calm before the storm. But Brian couldn’t focus on that. He couldn’t take his eyes off Miss Carla Taylor. There was a sick feeling in his stomach that told him he knew exactly what this was about.
Straightening the folder in her lap, Carla gave them a smile as threatening as a shark. “Here, where we’re alone, let us be candid. We’ve had information from an impeccable source that tells us that our plan to throw the two of you together worked out a little too well. The Firm is now aware of the relationship between the two of you. I’m here to discuss what we’re going to do about this.”
Something about the way she spoke had Brian’s back going up. Temper started to kick in a little, chasing away his nerves. He found himself setting his bags down and stepping up to stand by AJ’s side. “I’m not really sure what any relationship any of us might be a part of would have to do with you, Miss Taylor.” He said in his coldest, most respectful voice.
“Don’t you? I see that you will wish this to be open here. I understand.” Settling back in her chair, Carla looked both of them square in the face. “If news of your relationship as well as your sexual status happened to leak to the media, the press you two would receive would not be good for this music group. In fact, it could ruin it. Therefore, we want to nip this problem in the bud before it has the chance to do any sort of damage.”
“Nip it in the bud?” AJ seethed. His body was practically radiating tension. It took everything Brian had not to reach for him to try and soothe. But at the moment, he wasn’t feeling so calm himself.
“Yes.” Carla continued on in that annoyingly relaxed voice. “From this point forward so long as you two are a part of this music group you are no longer to be a couple. If you so choose, once the contracts are up, to pursue a relationship, that would be your business.”
Shock rolled through Brian and he could see AJ’s mouth drop open. “What?” they exclaimed together. Brian took a small step forward. “Pardon me, Miss Taylor, but you are out of line. There is nothing in our contract that says that we cannot date, or dictates who we date. You have no legal rights here. Now, I suggest you leave.”
Carla sighed. “Don’t press our hand on this, Mr. Littrell. If you two won’t take care of matters, than we will be forced to step in and take care of it. Trust me, that is the last thing you want.”
That had Brian’s temper turning dark. “Are you threatening us?” he demanded coldly. How dare they think they could come in their room and just order them to no longer be together! Just the thought of someone threatening to hurt AJ was enough to get Brian's blood boiling. This fancy woman in her rich suit wasn't going to put him off of his boyfriend with her little veiled threats and slick attitude.
“Threaten is such a strong word.” Carla told him smoothly. Her eyes seemed to chill by a couple degrees. “I was just informing you of the possible outcomes from this.”
Placing his hand on Brian's shoulder, AJ angled himself so that the two of them stood as a unit. “Maybe we don't like your information.” He told her. The hand that he had on Brian's shoulder was trembling slightly. “Our relationship is our own and has nothing to do with you or with management. We will not let you scare us away from being with one another when we know that what we have is right. We can promise to be discreet because we're not ready for the public to know yet. But beyond that, we aren't ashamed of who we are or what we have. Now I believe you've overstayed your welcome.”
With a delicate sigh, Carla rose to her feet, scooping up her briefcase. “I'm afraid you two are forcing our hand in this.” She told them with a shake of her head. “But we were afraid you two might react this way. First and foremost, rooming and bus arrangements have been rearranged. Mr. Littrell, you will now ride and room with Mr. Carter. Mr. Mclean, you will now room and ride with Mr. Richardson.” She delivered this information as if it was something totally normal, not caring how she was throwing their lives for a loop. “If you two choose to progress beyond this, know that we are prepared. There are certain things that, though the group might weather through the bad press, would look very bad to individual members.”
“Excuse me?” Brian asked before he could stop himself.
Carla's eyes traveled to AJ. “We have information that, if leaked to the media, would only pump up your sales on our end, but might be devastating for the member it is about. Information about drugs, and gangs, and the area that a member grew up in and the lifestyle that he lived there. Keep this in mind.” This time there was no doubt to the threat in her words. There was also no doubt as to who she was talking about. It seemed to have frozen AJ.
Brian had no such problems. Fury, white hot, raged under his skin. “Get the hell out.” He swore at her. The hell if he was going to stand there and let her make those kind of threats to the man he loved.
“I'd report to Mr. Richardson for your new keys if I were you.” Carla said simply. “The new arrangements start tonight.”
“I said get the hell out of here.”
Carla moved toward the door. She stopped there to turn and look at them both. “Don't do something stupid. Just accept this and move on. Trust me, this is one issue you do not want to press with us.”
“I suggest you leave before I forget everything my father ever taught me concerning a lady.” Brian warned her.
With one final look, Carla turned and left the room.