After All (A Jordan Knight/Joe McIntyre Fanfiction)

1

Amber Carson can't believe her luck. Never in a million years did she think she'd get an opportunity like this.

But here she is, sitting in a room talking over contracts and tour dates with a lawyer and tour manager. On a whim she and her best friend had sent a clip of her singing to Jordan Knight, Joe McIntyre and Donnie Wahlberg on Facebook. They were looking for a new, unknown music act to open up for them on their next tour. So they asked musicians who were looking for their big break to send them videos or shows they would be performing at.

Amber had sent both, a video and let them know where she played every weekend. She honestly never expected any of them to show up to see her, but Joe McIntyre had come to the tiny club the next weekend.

After her set, Joe asks her to join him for a drink. She of course accepts his offer. He wants to know a little about her. He can see she's an absolutely gorgeous woman. She's also a very talented singer. She has a beautiful voice, he's pretty intrigued by her. He asks her why she would want to tour with the New Kids. She's definitely not old enough to have known them before their reunion last year.

"No, I'm not old enough to have listened to you guys during your first go around. When I was ten though, you and Jordan had new albums. I became a fan of yours back then. Stay the Same was one of my favorite songs. I also grew up in Boston most my life, you guys are practically in our history books. Anyone in Dorchester that shows any musical talent is always reminded that you guys got out of Dorchester because of music. So I grew up knowing who you all were." Joe can only smile at this young women's explanation.

"Well you've got my vote Amber. I think you'd be a wonderful addition to our tour. I'm going to talk to Donnie and who knows maybe he'll come back with me next weekend."

"And Jordan? Will he be coming too?"

Joe shrugs, "I'm not sure. I'll tell him and Donnie both. But getting Jordan to leave his house after we get off tour isn't easy to do. He just wants to stay home with his boys. Its hard for him being on the road again after all these years. He didn't have any kids last go around."

Amber nods her head, "Sounds like he's a good father. It must be hard to be away from your family when you're on tour."

"Yes. Its is. Will that be a problem for you?" Joe asks her. She just shakes her head.

Joe stays and talks with Amber until it's almost closing time. She has to tell him that she needs to get home before her roommate begins to worry. Joe offers to give her a ride but she says she can take a cab. Joe practically insists on driving her home because it's so late. Before she gets out of his car he gets her phone number just in case the guys or their tour manager has any questions. Really, he got her number for himself. He wants to talk to her again. She's something special.

Joe sits next to her at the big table. He helps explain things a little more to her understanding. Amber can't be anything other than thankful for all he's done for her. After the first weekend he'd come to see her he had made it a point to come back every weekend. He'd brought Donnie and Danny with him one weekend. They had shared in Joe's opinion of her being a good addition to the tour. Joe had asked Jordan to come with him too, but Jordan had declined, he just wanted to spend time with his kids, and his wife.

Joe was able to talk Jon into going with him. Jon really enjoyed her performance. He said he'd speak for Jordan too and agree that she would be their opening act for the new tour. Amber seemed to hit it off with Jon. They seemed to have a lot in common.  She was very interested in talking to him. They talked a lot about Boston and their families. Joe discovered that Amber was adopted. That she'd been born in North Carolina. And that she'd recently met her birth mother. He learned more about her in an hour of her talking to Jon than he had on the other three times he'd been to see her. He wasn't at all surprised though, Jon was the easiest person in the world to talk to.

"Congratulations!!"

Amber jumps at the sound of a group behind her yelling this as she finishes signing her contract. She spins around to find Donnie, Danny, Jon and Jordan. Donnie grabs her out of her chair and spins her around in a tight hug. "Welcome to the Full Service Tour little lady. You think you can handle thousands of screaming fans every night?"

Joe speaks up, "She can handle it. She's a natural."

Donnie sits her back onto her feet and Danny hugs her, followed by Jon. She suddenly seems shy when Jordan approaches her. "We haven't had the pleasure to meet yet. I'm Jordan. And I hear you are quite an amazing singer. I look forward to working with you." She stares at him. She can't believe she's finally meeting Jordan Knight. She's always thought he was such a talented man.

"Nice to finally meet you Jordan. I'm Amber. I'm a big fan of yours."

"Are you even old enough to be a fan of ours? You can't be more than what? Eighteen? You're just a baby." He smiles his brilliant smile at her.

"I'm actually twenty. But you're right I'm not old enough to have been a fan of the group before. But I'm old enough to remember your solo album."