Chapter Four: Catch You
If only I had the guts to feel this way
If only you’d look at me and want to stay
If only I’d take you in my arms and say
I won’t go cause I need you
“If Only”-Hanson
Jenna sat hunched over her laptop, pouring over her notes she had scribbled after her series of interviews with the crew, tour managers, and of course, the boys about the upcoming tour. She had a busy week ahead of her, and she had to get this statement released to the press by midnight tonight. Every time she tried to write, she lost focus.
It had been two weeks since she was hired. She had been spending every day with everyone on the tour, trying to get a feel of the family on the road. There were lighting specialist, pyro technicians, the band, the costume people, the truck drivers, the bus drivers, security…her mind just melted at the thought of that many people working together to make one show.
She leaned back in her chair, taking a glance at her apartment. Her empty apartment, that is. Most of the stuff was packed away in storage, as she was going to be gone for the next four months. She was all packed, ready to leave for the tour tomorrow morning at 6am. Their opening concert was merely a day away. The tour was kicking off right there in L.A., and she was looking forward to seeing the boys perform. Jenna looked at the framed photo on her desk and smiled.
Mr. Jonas had given her the photo as a kind of “Welcome to the family” gift. It was a photo taken in a moment of spontaneity while she was hanging out with the boys. They had just finished a round of interviews for the tour, and they were hanging out in the green room. Kevin was looking right at the camera, giving a cheesy smile. He had his arm slung around Nick, who was smiling at something off camera. Jenna was leaning against Nick, her face in the middle of a laugher burst. And she knew exactly who was making her laugh. She was looking right at Joe, who was smiling right back at her from his spot next to her on the couch.
Jenna covered up Nick and Kevin with her fingers, and focused on how she and Joe were looking at each other. She had finally gotten used to effect Joe had on her, but she had not gotten used to the way he smiled at her. While she had kept a professional distance between her and the boys, she always seemed to turn into a sixteen year old girl around him. Blushing, stuttering, and looking down at the ground. She had told herself weeks ago nothing was worth losing this job. But her intense attraction to Joe often fogged her memory.
It’s just a crush. Of course you’re attracted to him. But he’s a boy, and it’ll fade in time, she thought to herself for what seemed like the tenth time.
Jenna put the picture frame down and set back to work on her writing. She glanced at the clock. 11:11 p.m. She smiled.
And made a wish.
I wish for this to be the best summer ever.
“It’s a call I’ll never get…”
The song finished with a flurry of drums and guitar rifts. Nick took the earpiece out of his ear and looked on to his dad, who was watching the rehearsal from the seats.
“Sounds great, boys! I think we can call it a night.” Mr. Jonas started gathering his papers and made his way towards the stage to go over last minute notes with the band. Nick and Kevin sighed with relief and started taking off their guitars.
Joe slowly climbed down the stage stairs and collapsed in a seat. They were doing late minute rehearsals so they didn’t have to tomorrow. They had a press conference tomorrow, which would be the official kick off of their summer tour. Joe closed his eyes and leaned his head against the back of the seat. He let his hair fall over his eyes.
Four months of playing music, he thought with a smile.
Four months of very little sleep, he thought with disdain.
Four months of Jenna.
The last thought made his blood rush a little faster. Joe didn’t know what to think about his feelings for Jenna. After the trip to the amusement park, he only saw her when they did interviews or when they all had meetings with their Dad. But now that they were leaving for tour, she was going to be around a lot more.
Joe wishes he could get inside her head when she was looking at him. Did she see him as a kid? As a musician? As a man? Or just another part of the job? There were times, like when she brought back his favorite flavored water from a trip to the vending machine, or when she laughed so hard at something he said she doubled over, or especially when she would talk to him about nothing at all, eager to share her thoughts with him…those were the times when he thought there was something special between them.
But then there were other times, when she merely shook his hand goodbye. Or discussed only business when they were all together. Or the worst, when she saw her talking and laughing with older members of the crew, that he thought she would never see him as mature enough for her.
Joe stood up, shaking his head of those thoughts. It was tour time, and he needed all the focus he needed. He can’t be distracted by his feelings, or whatever he was experiencing when he looked at her.
“C’mon, Danger. Let’s get to bed. We got a big day tomorrow!” his Dad shouted from somewhere on stage.
Joe jogged backstage, throwing one last glance back at the stage. He looked up at the still moving stop lights. He closed his eyes.
I wish for this summer to be the best ever.
“Alright guys. Their going to be asking pretty routine questions: how do you feel about touring, what’s your favorite part about the tour, how is life on the road. Things like that. Of course they’ll ask personal questions, which I know you just love,” Jenna said.
The guys groaned. They were about to start their press conference, and Jenna was giving last minute details on how to answer questions and what to except. Not that they needed much of help, they were used to answering questions very intelligently. She looked down at her notes again.
“Ok, so if they ask relationship questions, just tell them you’re single and that right now you all are focusing on your career. And Joe, don’t tell them you’re dating Jessica Alba. People might take that seriously.” Jenna looked at him with eyebrows raised.
Joe laughed. “Alright, I promise to say I’m dating someone a little more low profile.” Kevin elbowed him.
“We got it, Jenna. Thanks.” Nick nodded at her appreciatively as they all stared throwing on their blazers and got ready to face the cameras and questions.
“One last thing. I’ll be out there, too. In case someone steps out of line with a question. Not that I think you guys will say something wrong, but these people are vultures. They want juicy gossip, and they’ll do anything to create drama. Just think of me as your safety net,” she said.
“So, if I fall, you’ll be there to catch me?” Joe asked her. He gave a little smirk as he pushed a lock of dark hair off his forehead.
“Um, of course. I’d catch any of you guys,” she said, blushing. “Now get out there. Be the sweet, funny guys you are and there will be no problems,” Jenna rushed them through the door, watching as they made their way to the table where the microphones were set up. They waved as the flashbulbs went off, smiling to the crowd of reporters. Jenna waited for them to get seated and introduce themselves before she came out and took her seat off to the side.
“Thanks for being here guys. I’m Jenna, I’m the Media representative for the Jonas Brothers. We’ll take your questions now.” The reporters put their hands up, waving pens and tape recorders in the air. She pointed out one older looking woman in the front row.
“Hello boys. Could you tell us what kind of things we’ll expect on this tour?” she asked standing up. Jenna gave a last reassuring smile to the boys.
“Well, this tour is going to be bigger and better. I think the fans are in for a huge surprise…” Kevin explained. As he continued, the reporters jotted down notes and laughed at the jokes the boys made.
Most of the questions were pretty standard, with some personal ones thrown in here and there. The boys handled all of them gracefully, with each boy taking the lead on different questions. Joe peppered the answers with some humor, while Kevin and Nick worked off his jokes.
“Ok, we have time for one more questions. These boys gotta eat before they hit the stage!” Jenna teased. She pointed on a man from the back. He stood up, a frown on his face. Jenna’s stomach turned. She recognized him from the media circuit. He worked for a popular gossip website that focused on celebrity scandal. She leaned forward, ready to intervene if she needed to.
“Yeah, I just have a couple questions about the purity rings and this “vow” to stay pure until marriage,” he stated sarcastically.
“Um, we actually prefer to not discuss that in public, but we’ll be more than happy to answer any other questions about the tour,” Nick said. Jenna watched Joe’s face tighten.
“Why don’t you want to talk about it? You guys are supposed to be role models? I just find it a little hard to believe that you have millions of girls screaming for you and you guys still claim to want to wait?” The man snarled as he spat out the last sentence. Jenna’s face burned with anger. She was very fond of these boys, and she wasn’t about to let them be subjected to this.
“It’s just our personal choice, and it’s really none of your business. Believe what you want, sir.” Joe said. He said “sir” like it was an insult. Jenna leaned forward to put an end to the conference. The man stood standing.
“Quit lying to your fans! You can’t expect the public to believe all these things! C’mon, show some dignity and tell the truth.” The man folded his arms across his chest, a pleased smile on his face.
Oh, heck no, Jenna thought.
“I’m sorry, sir. What was your name?” Jenna asked, her voice booming across the room through the microphone.
The man turned his attention to Jenna and glared at her. “Steve, from HotGossip.com,” he said, matter-of-factly.
“Well, Steve. I’m not sure if you’re aware of this. But these boys came here to discuss what they loved to do. Now I understand what you love to do is try and create drama to get hits on your websites, but that is your own pathetic issue to deal with. These guys have more dignity and more class at this age than you’ll ever find in your lifetime. If they do no want to talk about their own personal values or beliefs, then you should respect them. Next time you want to attend a press conference, make sure you check to see if they allow snakes in the room. I guess we thought you were a legitimate member of the media, but I guess all we’ve discovered today is that these boys are mature, and you SIR are just a snake.” Jenna finished her rant and took a deep breath. The man glared at her for a couple more seconds, than slowly sat down. She smiled at the rest of the group, who was chuckling quietly.
“Many thanks to the rest of you who showed respect to this great group of guys. We appreciate it. We’ll see you out on the road!” Jenna got up and motioned for the boys to stand up too. They gave one last smile for the cameras, and slowly walked out the side door. As Joe passed her, he stared right at her.
Thank you, he mouthed to her. She smiled back at him and followed him out the door.
“Wow, Jenna. You sure told him! Now I know not to mess with you.” Kevin joked.
“Thanks for doing that, Jenna. I hate when they get like that.” Nick added. He threw his arm around her, giving her a quick hug.
“Hey, I told you. Safety net. I’ll never let you guys fall. Now, go get some food,” Jenna mock ordered. Nick and Kevin happily bounded out of the room, discussing the events of the conference as they left. Jenna started gathering her papers and stuffing them in her bag.
“You are amazing.” Joe said. She turned, startled.
“Joe! You scared me. I thought you left.” She felt her face flush up again. “Well, I don’t know if that was amazing what I did. But I’m just looking out for you.
Joe grinned, and stepped closer to her. Jenna wanted to step back, to put more space between them. But her legs weren’t moving.
“Well, yeah. That was amazing. But what I mean was, you. You are amazing.” Joe’s face turned serious, his eyes studied hers. As if he was looking for a reaction from her. She swallowed hard. Her mind grew fuzzy under his gaze.
“Joe, I would never let anyone hurt you. I will always catch you.” Jenna challenged his gaze right back, studying his handsome face intently. She realized she shouldn’t be saying those things or standing that close to him, but she was unable to think logically while those brown eyes of his were on her.
Joe gave one last lingering look, and then took a step back. All intensity in his face was replaced with good humor and a smile.
“Well, you know. One of these days I’m gonna have to look after you. You know, just to pay you back for that.” He slapped her shoulder playfully, and turned on his heels to walk out the door after his brothers.
Jenna watched him go. She realized she was holding her breath. She let it out, sighing loudly as she did.
Joe walked slowly down the hall, in no hurry to catch up with his brothers. Jenna’s words echoed in his ears.
“I will always catch you.”
He smiled to himself.
“I hope one day I can just let myself fall.” He said out loud. He spotted his brothers up ahead and jogged to catch up, his mind racing the entire way.