Just Around the River Bend 1
Aloha Peoples!! Well this is my second attempt at writing a story. My first one kinda bombed. I use to write Lonely Lance, however I ran into to many holes and too many problems. When I started writing Lonely Lance I was a totally different person than I am now. So now I am writing for the fun and enjoyment of it. Hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: Ok, pure fiction here. I do not know if any of the members of `N Sync are gay. If they are, good for them. If you aren't allowed to read this then don't. If you are still reading, which I am sure you are, enjoy.
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Just Around the River Bend
Chapter 1
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"No, Johnny no. I can't believe you!" Jeff said as Johnny Wright broke him the news of his promotion.
"Well it beats working in the mail room I'd say." Johnny said with a smirk on his face.
"Yeah, but come on, I hate their music. I hate their fans. I just hate the whole boy band scene." Jeff said with a whine in his voice.
"Well, just to let you know, the `whole boy band scene' pays your salary, which may I add will go from low five figures to low six figures."
"Are you shitting me?" Jeff said as his mouth dropped to the floor.
"Look Jeff, I'll be honest with you, you're the most qualified person I have working here to fill this position. You have been working here for the past four years while you went to college. You have a degree in public relations. I know this isn't exactly a big P.R. job, however, for someone just out of college, I think it is a damned good job. Now do you want this job?"
"Well, I'd rather work with Britney Spears or something, but I'll settle for this. Jeff Richards, personal assistant to `N Sync. Interesting." Jeff said without much enthusiasm
"Alright, I am glad that's settled." after a brief pause "You will join up with them on July twenty seventh." Johnny said looking at a paper.
"That's the day after tomorrow." Jeff asked a little confused.
"We are perceptive now aren't we?" Johnny said smiling.
"I guess so. Where do I get to fly to? You know I hate flying right?" Jeff asked nervously.
"You get to fly to New York. Not that far really, three and a half hours. I have taken the liberty of booking you a first class ticket, hope you don't mind."
"Well you know, I guess I can fly first class, I am use to flying in my personal jet of course so this will be a little different." there was a pause and then Jeff spoke again. "Of course I will fly first class, all my life I have flown economy class."
"Ok, good. Well here is how it's gonna go, I have this all written down and will give it to you later but right now I am just gonna tell you in case you have any questions, alright?" Johnny asked.
"Yeah that's fine." Jeff responded.
"Your flight leaves tomorrow night at six P.M. You should get to your hotel by eleven tomorrow night. The room you're in is on the same private floor as the guys and the tour manager. Karen Mills is the name of the Tour Manager. She is a very nice woman, however she shows her fangs when she has to, just try to get on her good side and you will be ok. Anyway, Karen will be at your room at noon on Saturday so be sure to be dressed and ready to go. They have their final U.S. concert Saturday night at Madison Square Gardens. It will also be on H.B.O. so expect a lot of stressed out people. Got it all?" Johnny asked as he noticed the overwhelmed face on Jeff.
"You are writing all this down for me, right?" Jeff asked.
"Got it all down right here for you." Johnny said placing his hand on a white binder.
"Ok, good, anything else?" Jeff asked.
"Basically that's it for now, the rest will be explained to you when you get there. I have done all the prep stuff I can. Thank you for taking the position on such short notice. You are a life saver." Johnny said happily.
"No problem, not the dream job I had in mind, but ya gotta start somewhere, right? Can I ask ya something?" Jeff asked nervously.
"Sure"
"Uhm, what happened to their personal assistant? Why do you need me so soon?" Jeff asked.
"I am really not at liberty to discuss this. However, I shall anyway because you are bound to hear about it. However, first I need you to sign some contracts ok?" Johnny asked
"Yeah, sure, what am I signing?" Jeff asked as Johnny handed him a few documents and a pen.
"Don't sign it yet, I need a witness besides me." Johnny said as he pushed the intercom button on his phone. "Samantha, please come in my office in five minutes to be a witness."
"Ok Mr. Wright." A muffled voice said through the intercom.
"Ok Jeff, the top document is a document stating that you are in no way involved with any other record label besides Jive. The second one states that you will in now way put any member of the group `N Sync in harms way. The third one is a privacy policy. Anything you hear or see while with the group is not to be mentioned to anyone not under the privacy policy. So that means that anyone besides the guys, me and Karen. This is very strict and you must follow this. Failure to do so will result in immediate termination and a lawsuit against you, understood?" Johnny asked in a very firm voice.
"Yes, completely." Jeff responded as Samantha walked into the room. Jeff signed all three documents then handed them to Johnny and Samantha. Johnny took the documents and then Samantha left the room after Johnny said "thank you".
"Mary Williams, the former P.A. leaked some information to people at E! entertainment. We had to pay them off to not broadcast the information they received. It would have been very damaging to the group and to the record label. I cannot tell you exactly what was said but Mary no longer works here and has a pending lawsuit against her." Johnny said in a somewhat annoyed voice.
"Ok, thank you for telling me." Jeff said not knowing what to say.
"Well Jeff, you have a long day ahead of you tomorrow. I suggest you go home and pack. Call your parents and tell them your good news and then go to bed. Be here tomorrow at two in the afternoon to pick up your tickets, schedule, company credit card, and credentials." Johnny said noticing the shocked look on Jeff's face. "What's the matter?"
"What's the credit card for?" Jeff asked
"Anything, you will get cash too. Basically any expenses that you may come across. Dinner, entertainment, whatever. It's yours, I don't ask. The company picks up the bill completely. Sometimes you have to go into truck stops in the middle of the night and get the guys munchies, it comes in handy. Trust me."
"Alright, thank you!" Jeff said getting up and reaching out to shake Johnny's hand.
"No problem, this is my pleasure. Enjoy yourself. See you tomorrow." Johnny said shaking Jeff's hand and leading Jeff to the door.
"See you tomorrow." Jeff said as he walked towards the elevator bank. He entered the elevator, pressed the floor to the lobby and left. As he drove home in his green Escort he decided to go tell his best friend Jill the good news. He pulled up to her house and before he had the chance to get out of the car Jill was running towards his car.
"JEFFY!!!" Jill yelled approaching his car.
"JILLY!!" Jeff yelled as he got out of his car and shut the door. Jill ran up to him and pulled him into a hug.
"God, I haven't seen you in almost three weeks. What the hell happened to you, I thought you died!" Jill said placing a kiss on Jeff's cheek.
"Hey now, I called you, you just never answered the phone!" Jeff said.
"You called twice, once when I was at work and the other when I was out with Ally!" Jill said trying to defend herself.
"Oh, so I see how it is. Puttin' a piece of ass before our friendship." Jeff said starting to laugh.
"Oh don't even give me that! That's just gross, I am not the gay one here, I believe that's your job hun." Jill said with a grossed out look on her face.
"Oh yeah it's my job. Gay Pride!" They both started laughing at his comment. "Come on Jill, let's go inside, I have so much to tell you. It's hotter than hell out here." Jeff said as Jill started walking towards the front door. Jill opened the door and a immediately the cool air from the house greeted them both. "God, It feels so good in here."
"Yeah, it's gonna cost ya. Twenty bucks an hour. Beverages extra." Jill said as she closed the door. Jeff took off his shoes and the walked into the kitchen.
"So I guess that means I won't be taking you out to dinner." Jeff said.
"Asshole." Jill said over her shoulder to Jeff.
"Cunt." Jeff said with a smirk on his face.
"Cock sucker." Jill said as she brought two glasses of Iced Tea to the kitchen table.
"You know it!" Jeff said.
"Ok, enough, I don't want to hear it. So how has your single ass been lately? That is if you are STILL single."
"Yes, I am STILL single. I have had a couple relationships that have all turned to hell. Then there was Kyle, the one I thought I would spend the rest of my life with who turned out to be the biggest whore on this planet. So, as you know, I shall remain single for the rest of my life, I don't want to deal with that crap anymore. My single ass has been just peachy. How has your engaged ass been lately?" Jeff asked trying to change the subject, without much luck.
"My engaged ass has been wonderful. I would really like it if you stopped with the pessimism. You are a great guy. You are cute. You have a nice ass, and besides all that you have me as one of your best friends, so I really think the odds of you finding a really great guy, the one that you are supposed to spend the rest of your life with, are pretty damned good." Jill said the sweet caring voice that she almost always spoke in.
"Thank you dear, that means a lot to me." Jeff said giving Jill's hand a squeeze and then taking a sip of his Iced tea.
"Ya know, it wouldn't hurt to be a little more proactive and go out and find a guy. I mean you're out so I don't see how it would be a problem."
"Yeah, you're right, as always. Speaking of being out. Ya know how my parents came down here last week?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"I finally told them. that their twenty two year old son is gay." Jeff said monotonously.
"Really? How did it go?" Jill asked
"It went..." Jeff spoke and was interrupted by the loud ringing of the phone.
"Hold that thought." Jill said as she answered the phone. "Hello...This is she." She said in the sweet Jill voice. That quickly changed. "No I do not want to sell my house. You lousy bitch what are you thinking calling like this at 6:30 at night. Have you no morals or respect. If I wanted to sell my house I would have called your pathetic ass. Now I am in the middle of a very important conversation that you rudely interrupted. Have a nice life bitch." Jill said in her bitchiest voice into the phone. She hung up and sat back down and in her normal sweet voice spoke again. "Ok dear, continue."
"You never cease to amaze me." Jeff said laughing.
"How's that?" Jill asked as if she was confused.
"One minute you are the sweetest girl on earth and the next you are the most vindictive bitch in the Orlando area." Jeff said still laughing..
"I try babe, I try, so go on, what happened with your parents?" Jill asked in earnest.
"Well, I told them after I took the out to dinner back at my place. I just came right out and said it, no beating around the bush. They were a little surprised and then went on asking me if I was sure. I told them I was. They wanted to know how long I knew and were surprised when I told them I came out to dawn when I was 15. They were a little disappointed that I told one of my best friends before them. I told them that I didn't tell them because I didn't know how they would handle it. I think that's about the point that everything went downhill. Mom started crying and Dad said that he didn't raise his oldest son to be a `fucking gay faggot'. Then he told me that as of now he only has two sons, not three. They both got up and left." As Jeff finished he began to cry. Jill walked over to him and gave him a hug.
"I am so sorry Jeff. Are you ok?" Jill asked as she let go of Jeff.
"Yeah, I'll be fine." Jeff said as he wiped the tears from his face. He wasn't ok. Deep down inside he hurt so much. He had never been one to show emotion or to let people in. He had trouble trusting people. After Kyle he had really lost faith.
"Ok, good. If ya need anything you know I only live fifteen minutes from you and I am just a phone call away." Jill said smiling.
"That's something I need to talk to you about." Jeff said, still upset.
"What is?" Jill asked curiously.
"Well, I got a promotion." Jeff said
"Oh MY GOD!! It's about time, I am so happy for you! It's about time!" Jill yelled as she hugged Jeff in excitement.
"Thanks." Jeff said returning the hug.
"Well come on now, details details!" Jill said after she had calmed down and was sitting back in her chair across the table from Jeff.
"Well, It's a raise to six figures. My current salary times ten plus benefits." Jeff began.
"That is so awesome. What else, what's your title?" Jill said getting excited again.
"God, you're gonna freak. Starting Saturday I am gonna be the personal assistant to `N Sync and their tour manager. I will also be doing some P.R. work in there." Jeff said, sounding excited only when he mentioned the public relations work.
"ARE YOU SHITTING ME????? THAT IS SOOOOOOOO COOL!" Jill screamed as she got up and started jumping up and down. Jill had taken a liking to `N Sync. If ya couldn't tell.
"Girl, calm down." Jeff said calmly.
"Sorry." Jill said as she collected herself and sat back down. "You know you could be a little excited."
"My dream job is the presidents press secretary, not a babysitter for five pop stars." Jeff said to Jill with disappointment in his voice. "This also means that I have to fly a lot. I hate to fly."
"Oh don't give me that bullshit. It beats the hell out of being an administrative assistant making close to minimum wage. Look at the bright side, you could fall in love with one of them." Jill said with a bright smile on her face.
"Ha, That'll be the day." Jeff said as he laughed.
"Just you watch, you will get shit faced and have a night of fucking with one of them, just you watch." Jill said.
"Just no ok. Has anyone ever told you that you have a dirty mouth?" Jeff asked laughing at his friends choice of words.
"I've been told that I talk like a sailor. Is that what you are referring to?" Jill said giving Jeff the finger.
"Yup, Just making sure. Well what do you say sister, want to go get something to eat?" Jeff said getting up out of his chair.
"How about gumbo chicken?" Jill said laughing at an inside joke.
"Not even funny. You get McDonalds now." Jeff said as they walked towards the door.
"Do I get a toy with my happy meal?"
"I don't think McDonalds gives vibrators with their happy meals, we can ask though." Jeff said as he began to run from the purse that had been swung at him. He wasn't fast enough.
"Prick." Jill yelled as she hit him right in the back of head with her purse.
"Just get in the car." Jeff said as he rubbed the back of his head with one hand and dug his keys out of his pocket with the other. They both got in the car and as he started the car his CD player turned on playing Just Around the River Bend from the Pocahontas soundtrack.
"Oh you are so pathetic." Jill said laughing at Jeff's choice in music.
"Hey this is my theme song. Don't mess with it." Jeff said as he turned up the volume. They made their way to McDonalds and ate their food there. They made small talk and after that they made their way back to Jill's house.
"Are you gonna come in?" Jill asked as they pulled into her driveway.
"Nah. I have to get home and call Dawn and the siblings that are stall talking to me. I want to ask Dawn if she will meet me at the airport cause she lives in New York. Then I am gonna hit the sac cause I have a long weekend ahead of me. So I will see ya, well I don't know when I will see you again." Jeff said with a down look on his face.
"Oh no you don't. You get the biggest vindictive bitch in all of Florida at the airport with you tomorrow." She said as she leaned over and pulled Jeff into a hug. "I know you are upset, cheer up, everything is gonna be alright. I am only a phone call away. Bring your laptop so I can email ya everyday alright?"
"Thank you so much. I will try to check it everyday. I just have no idea what to expect and I am just nervous and just everything else." He stopped, took a deep breath and went on. " I love ya. I'll cya tomorrow. Can you be to my house at 1:30?"
"Sure thing. Love ya." Jill said as she got out of the car.
"Love ya too." Jeff said as Jill closed the door. Jeff waited for Jill to get in the house and then he backed out of the driveway and went home. He made it home at 9:30. The apartment he lives in is a one bedroom, one bathroom, a kitchen, a living room, and a small dining room. It was a nice apartment for his former salary. He smiled at the thought of getting something better. He went into the dining room which he had converted into an office with his computer and desk and a chair. His parents gave him a laptop when he finished college and he bought his desktop when he started college. He picked up the phone and dialed the number of his best friend since elementary school. Dawn was a cool girl that didn't take crap from anyone. He dialed the number to her apartment in New York. After a few rings an answering machine picked up.
"Hello, you've reached Dawn. I am out prostituting right now. If you are a client, you know which corner to find me at. If you are a friend, leave a message and I'll get back to you. If you're anyone else It's 5.95 a minute. Ya know the drill. BEEEP" The message said. That was Dawn's sense of humor.
"Hey Ho, It's Jeff, I thought you were a Lady of the Evening. Anyway, I am gonna be in New York this weekend. Be at La Guardia tomorrow. My flight lands at eleven pm. Northwest flight 1845 from Orlando. Love ya!" Jeff said and then he hung up the phone. He decided to call his sister Karen because she seemed to be one of the more kind ones in his family. He was the oldest male in his family. He had two older twin sisters Karen and Eva. They were both 24. His two younger brothers are Kevin and Scott. Kevin the youngest is 16 and Scott is 18. He picked up the phone and dialed Karen's number in Maine. After a couple rings she picked up.
"Hello." Karen said.
"Hi Karen, this is Jeff." Jeff said.
"Jeff? Jesus it's about time I heard from you. How come you didn't tell me? I am not mad or anything but I think the rest of the family is." Karen said with concern in her voice.
"I am sorry Kar(care), I really am. It's just a hard thing to do. I wanted to tell you in person and not have mom and dad tell you. Thanks for not being mad." Jeff said trying to explain himself.
"Look, I'd love to talk to you, but, mom and dad are here and you know how that goes. So I am gonna let ya go. I love ya." Karen said.
"Wait, I need to tell you something really quick." Jeff said quickly.
"Ok, make it quick."
"I got a promotion and I am gonna be doing a lot of traveling. My company is giving me a cell phone and I will call you from there. Ok?"
"Ok, I am happy for you. E-mail me with the details and don't forget your laptop. Love ya. Talk to you later." Karen said.
"Love ya too, talk to you later. Bye Bye."
"Buh Bye." Karen said and then hung up the phone. Jeff decided not to call the rest of his family because they were mad at him. He took a hot shower and went to bed. He had a long day ahead of him and sleep was the best thing for him right now. Before he took off his glasses and drifted off to sleep he noticed the clock said 10:30. He didn't set his alarm clock because he thought he would wake up in time to pack and get ready.
He was awoken abruptly by pounding on his front door. He didn't put on his glasses so he couldn't read the alarm clock. He ran to the door in his boxers and heard Jill yelling "open the door".
"I have been trying to call you all morning, did you just wake up?" Jill said fast and a little out of breath.
"Yeah, the pounding woke me up, what time is it?" Jeff asked scratching his head.
"It's quarter after twelve, we have to be to your work in forty five minutes." Jill said starting to laugh at the worried look appearing on Jeff's face.
"Oh Shit." Jeff blurted out.
TBC...
Ok. There is chapter one. Many more chapters to come. Hope you enjoy. Questions, comments, complaints, suggestions, or anything else, e-mail me at Spifty214@aol.com. HAVE A GREAT DAY!!