Breathe

Another story featuring the Backstreet Boys. Chapters may be short at times. Positive feedback is appreciated.

Hayley was working at the grocery store that she has been working at for the past seven years. She was heading to the back and she turned the corner and bumped into someone. She looked up and saw a guy in a baseball cap, looking down at her.

“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry, I was too busy thinking of something and didn’t realize where I was going,” Hayley said.

“It’s okay, do you work here?” he asked.

“Yeah, do you need help?” Hayley asked.

“Yeah, I’m not from around here and I’m lost, where is the cookies?” he asked.

“Let me show you,” Hayley said. She led him down the aisle and showed him the cookies.

“Thanks, miss,” he said.

“Hayley, my name is Hayley,” Hayley said.

“Hayley, my name is Kevin,” he said.

“You are welcome, Kevin,” Hayley said winking at him before heading to the back. She went to the freezer and went back out with the item she went back to get and saw Kevin standing there.

“Hey there,” Hayley said.

“When do you get off work?” Kevin asked. Hayley looked at her watch.

“In an hour,” Hayley said.

“Are you seeing anybody?” Kevin asked.

“No, I’m single,” Hayley said.

“Well, I’m married but I have a friend who isn’t, he’s in town with me, you might be his type, how old are you?” Kevin asked. Hayley looked at him.

“I’m 25,” Hayley said. Kevin smiled.

“You are the same age as him,” Kevin said.

“Let me guess, it’s Nick, right,” Hayley said. Kevin’s eyes widened.

“You know who I am, don’t you,” Kevin said.

“When you said your name, I realized it was you,” Hayley said. Kevin blushed.

“You aren’t going to announce that I’m in the store, are you,” Kevin said. Hayley shook her head.

“Nope, I respect you guys’ private lives,” Hayley said.

“So can I pick you up in an hour?” Kevin asked.

“Sure, and bring Nick with you,” Hayley said.

“Okay,” Kevin said. He went to checkout. Hayley went back to work. When it was time for her to get off work, she saw Kevin come in with Nick behind him. Kevin saw her and nudged Nick and he pointed at Hayley. Hayley smiled and waved. She clocked out and got her stuff and came over to him.

“Hi guys,” Hayley said looking at Nick.

“Hi there,” Nick said shaking her hand.

“Hi Hayley,” Kevin said.

“Let’s hit the road,” Hayley said. They went outside.

“Hayley, where’s your car?” Kevin asked.

“Around the corner on the east side of the building,” Hayley said.

“Let’s meet at McDonald’s,” Kevin said. Hayley headed up to her car. Nick came up behind her.

“I’ll come with you,” Nick said.

“I have to warn you, my car is a mess, I have a niece and two nephews who don’t clean up after themselves when they are in the car,” Hayley said.

“It don’t matter to me, I’m a little messy at times,” Nick said. They got into her car. They went to McDonald’s and sat down with Kevin. Kevin got their orders and went up to order.

“So you are the same age as me,” Nick said.

“You are a week older than me,” Hayley said.

“Wow, have you lived here all your life?” Nick asked.

“Actually I still live with my parents, in a small town north of here, I just work down here,” Hayley said.

“How long have you worked there?” Nick asked.

“Seven years, it’s getting old but it’s a job,” Hayley said.

“Do you sing?” Nick asked.

“No, I don’t have a good voice, plus I hate being in front of large crowds, I didn’t like giving reports and speeches in front of a class,” Hayley said.

“Did you graduate high school?” Nick asked.

“Yes, I did, I did go to college but I didn’t do very well, my grades weren’t good enough to hold onto financial aid, and it was too expensive, most of my money I earn at work goes to that thing out there,” Hayley said pointing to her car. Kevin sat down with their food. Hayley got hers and started eating. Nick whispered something to Kevin.

“Hayley, Nick just came up with an idea, how would you like to come with us,” Kevin said.

“Huh,” Hayley said.

“We have a tour coming up, Nick could use some company, he gets bored easily,” Kevin said.

“You’re joking, right,” Hayley said.

“No,” Kevin said.

“I’ll have to talk to my parents, I mean, I help take care of my niece and nephews, I would hate to leave my parents like that, my brother is a truck driver, he’s on the road a lot, and he’s divorced and has custody of his kids, I would hate to leave my parents like that,” Hayley said.

“After we get done here, we will go with you to talk to your parents,” Kevin said.

“Okay,” Hayley said.

“Why did you think it was a joke,” Nick said.

“I get teased a lot, everyone just likes to do that because they think it is easy to piss me off,” Hayley said.

“Well, we are serious about this,” Kevin said. Hayley nodded and continued eating.