Part 135
In the lobby, the fans were waiting and Howie gave them what they wanted. He kept Sarah close to his side though as he signed autographs and she helped, as usual. She’d get ones from the back for him and take pictures when necessary.
Howie looked at his watch and said to the crowd, "I’m sorry I can’t do more but Sarah’s been nagging me to take her out."
Sarah laughed, "Don’t let him fool you. He’s MAKING me do this cuz I lost a race."
Howie wrapped his arms around her waist kissing her neck. "She’s lying," he teased.
The fans ate it up. Here was one of their FAVORITE guys playing around with his wife for them. They snapped pictures and one fan asked, "Where are you two going?"
Proudly, Howie said, "Sarah’s gonna sing at one of the local clubs. You guys need to be watching in the coming months. Sarah’s gonna be recording on our label, KBNHA Records."
The fans were excited by this news and promised to watch for it.
With that, the couple made their way out to the waiting limo where Raoul and Billy were waiting.
Inside, Howie said, "I’m glad you’re out of your ‘mood’, Angel."
"You were right…it’s just my hormones doing this to me. Sorry I blew up at you."
"It’s okay. Just a preview of what I’ll see in the delivery room."
As the limo pulled up to the King Kamehameha Club, Howie and Sarah saw the throngs of people. There was a mixture of press and fans waiting to catch a glimpse of a Backstreet Boy.
Billy looked at the crowd too and just shook his head mumbling, "I’m getting too damn old for this shit."
Sarah laughed, "What’s wrong, Billy?"
"It always amazes me how the press and fans know where the guys are
gonna be."
Howie laughed, "Our fans are better than the secret service."
"I’m waiting to find a fan on the bus," said Sarah. "Kevin’s told me about the time he found two stowaways."
"You two ready?" asked Billy as the limo came to a stop. Both shook their heads ‘yes’ and Billy stepped out of the limo pushing the crowd back and hollering, "Give them room to move people."
Howie took Sarah’s hand in his and kissed it. "Stay close. I don’t want anything to happen to you."
Together, the couple exited the limo following Billy with Raoul behind them. Fans screamed when they saw Howie and started reaching for him. Holding Sarah firmly by the hand, Howie shook hands with the other as Raoul moved them up the sidewalk. Howie understood the excitement though. The Boys had never made an appearance in Hawaii and the fans were starved for any chance they got so Howie wanted to make sure he showed his appreciation for their support.
As they moved toward the door, cameras were flashing as well and reporters were shoving microphones in their faces as they fired questions at the couple. Howie and Sarah did their best to answer the questions without being short.
"Howie, are the Backstreet Boys breaking up?"
"Not now…maybe in about twenty years or so when our kids can take over for us," joked Howie.
"Or when Howie has to have hip replacement," teased Sarah.
Everyone laughed and another question rang out, "How did Nick REALLY break his hand? We heard he punched AJ."
"WOW! I hadn’t heard that one," laughed Howie. "He was playing basketball and fell."
"Sources close to you guys say otherwise. In fact, they say that prior to your arrival in Boston, things had been strained; that you and AJ fought in Pittsburgh because AJ had raped your wife and that he hit on Nick’s wife too. Care to deny these sources?"
"I don’t know who your sources are but that’s not what happened. Sure, things were strained because of AJ’s drinking but that’s to be expected and that’s why he’s getting the help he needs." Howie squeezed Sarah’s hand to reassure her as she looked at him.
As Howie continued to field questions about the rumors about the group, Sarah played the crowd, waving and talking to the fans, answering their questions, and even taking some from reporters. Most of their questions were about what it was like being married to Howie and being on tour with him.
One question to Sarah caught Howie’s attention though. "Sarah, rumors have it that you’re getting ready to launch your own music career. How true are these rumors?"
Sarah laughed, "Career…I don’t think you can call me singing at my husband’s club or for his foundation events a career."
Howie put his arm around Sarah waist as he said, "My beautiful wife is WAY too modest sometimes, especially when it comes to her singing. She’s extremely talented and yes, Kevin, Alex, and I have been working with her to get material together for her to record her own CD on our label."
"Will she be touring?"
"We haven’t gotten that far but she IS going to be doing some shows at OUR club in Orlando; she’s going in now to perform, and hopefully, she’ll open for us some when we get back out on the road."
"So…she’s gonna be riding your coattails," shot one reporter. "Sounds like another famous couple in the spotlight lately."
Howie laughed, "If you mean Justin and Brittany, you’re WAY off base with Sarah." He stopped himself from going further and saying that Sarah was far more talented than Brittany ever hoped to be knowing that was just what the reporter was looking for.
"Sarah, how do you feel about having your husband as your boss?"
"It definitely has its perks but I’m use to it. I have run his business for him ever since we’ve been together."
Howie said, "Thanks for all your support but we need to get inside."
Howie and Sarah headed inside where they were greeted by the owner and ushered to the VIP section. The owner was extremely pleased to have Howie as a guest and asked him to judge the talent contest. Howie gracefully declined stating that Sarah was going to be taking part in it. The owner practically begged Howie to perform and he said he’d think about it.
The contest began with only five acts and Sarah was scheduled to perform last. As they watched the acts, Sarah leaned to him, "What’s it gonna take to convince you to sing too?"
"I don’t know. What ‘cha willin’ to do?"
Sarah laughed, "Sing with me and find out."
"I’m gonna hold you to that."
Kissing him sweetly, Sarah said, "You can hold me to anything you want, especially your body. I promise to make it worth your while."
Howie smiled, "It always is. Now go get ready."
"D, what song are WE gonna do?"
"Don’t worry about it, Angel….just go," he said as he swatted her on the butt.
Sarah laughed and blew him a kiss over her shoulder as she went over to where she was to go onstage.
To say that Sarah was a hit would be putting it mildly. The crowd roared their approval taking close to ten minutes to settle down enough for the owner to announce that Sarah had won the contest as if they really needed to be told. When it was calm again, Sarah was asked to do another song, which she agreed to do. She turned to the house band telling them what she was gonna do and they started with ‘More Than That’.
Howie watched as Sarah took everything the guys had told her and worked the crowd to perfection. He found her making her way to him and he smiled as she looked at him as she sang…"I will love you more than that.’
As Sarah finished the song, she took Howie’s hand and they went back onstage together. Howie spoke to the band again and then whispered to Sarah that they were gonna do ‘How Did I Fall In Love With You’.
The music started and Sarah began to sing, "Remember when, we never
needed each other / The best of friends like / Sister and Brother / We
understood, we'd never be,
alone…"
Howie picked up with his part and the two were staring into each other’s eyes. They reached instinctively for their hands, lacing their fingers together. The crowd watched in rapt fascination as the two made love to each other with their words, their voices, their eyes, and their touch. There was no doubting the feelings the couple shared and as they finished the song, Howie leaned to Sarah to kiss her.
She whispered, "I love you."