Part 224
Kevin shook his head as Sarah stormed off. Howie couldn’t help but laugh at the two. There were times when Sarah and Kevin were like two bulls going head to head. Howie knew the only reason Sarah had backed down was because she understood it was business.
"What are you laughing at? She’s YOUR wife and you’ve got to sleep with her," snapped Kevin clearly frustrated by Sarah.
"She’s not mad at me though. Besides, Kevin, she’s tired and you know how she gets when she’s tired."
Kevin shook his head. "Yeah, I know. She won’t do anything stupid like she did in Baton Rouge, will she?"
"No, she’ll get some sleep and she’ll be fine. Come on, we need to get this done."
Howie wasn’t completely convinced Sarah wouldn’t do something stupid but he had to convince Kevin that she wouldn’t do anything to avoid another confrontation between them.
***********
Walking into the main living quarters of the bus, Sarah asked, "D, how do I look?"
Howie looked up from what he was doing to look at his wife. She was wearing black boots, black leather pants, one of his white dress shirts that hung loose, and Richie’s hat adorned her head. She had chosen to leave her hair down and now the soft curls fell on her shoulders with a tuft of bangs hanging on her forehead. He felt the familiar stiffness in his crotch as he said, "What happened to wearing all white?"
"Decided that if I can’t do one of Richie’s songs, I could at least wear his hat."
Howie let out a sigh of relief. He’d been worrying all afternoon about what Sarah was going to do. She was headstrong and when she wanted something, she usually got whatever it was…one way or another.
Sarah looked at Howie. "What? You thought I’d change the play list, didn’t you?" she said accusingly.
Howie tucked his head in shame, "Sorta."
"I learned my lesson in Baton Rouge. What about Kevin? Does he think the same thing?"
"He’s worried."
Sarah smirked, "Good! Let him sweat it out. Did you leave passes for Richie?"
"Yes, Sarah," answered Howie rolling his eyes.
Sarah laughed and sat straddling Howie’s lap so that she was facing him. She wrapped her arms around his neck playing with the curls at the back of his head. "You’re jealous, aren’t you?"
"No…not really," answered Howie immediately. Then, after giving it some thought, "Okay. I am a little jealous. You NEVER get this excited over us."
"That’s NOT true, Howie. I get very excited about seeing YOU. I just can’t show it. Besides, when I met you, I’d never heard of the Backstreet Boys. It’s a different kind of excitement."
Howie considered Sarah’s answer and then pulled her closer. "Good answer, Angel. Now, can you show me how excited you get seeing me tonight on the way to Boston?"
"Uh oh….I forgot! I told Alex I’d ride with him."
Howie groaned and leaned his head against her chest. "Why?"
"He’s not ready to face the memories. You can ride too."
"AJ doesn’t mind?"
"No…he’s cool with it. I mean, he can’t really say ‘no’. Ya know, we could have a threesome tonight."
Howie laughed, "Nope…not up for sharing you. You’re MINE."
"Selfish!" teased Sarah.
"Yep! Come on…let’s go inside."
As the two headed into the arena, they stopped to sign a few autographs.
****************
Howie and Sarah were standing with the band talking to Mook as they waited for the show to start. Out of the corner of her eye, Sarah caught sight of Kevin coming out of the green room. She grabbed Mook’s arm and pulled him away from the others. "I need to talk to you."
Howie said, "Sarah?"
She waved him off and started talking to Mook in a whisper. "Don’t
make it obvious but is Kevin watching us?"
Mook casually looked over Sarah’s shoulder and spotted Kevin. "Yeah, and he looks like he could spit nails."
"Good! Pull out the play list." Mook did as she asked and she said, "Kevin thinks that I’m gonna change the play list and I’m gonna make him sweat!"
Mook laughed, "You’re evil, Sarah!"
"VERY, but he deserves it. He’s such a control freak. Just keep making it look like we’re talking about the list."
"He’s headed over here," said Mook sticking the play list back in his pocket.
Kevin walked up and growled, "Sarah, what’s going on?"
Smiling sweetly, "Nothing, Kevy Kev."
Sarah knew Kevin hated it when she called him that and the frown on his face deepened.
"What were you and Mook talking about?"
"I’m gonna rejoin the others," said Mook as he slipped away to avoid the argument brewing between Kevin and Sarah.
Howie looked over to see Kevin was furious and he asked, "Mook, what is
going on?"
Looking at the two, he said, "Sarah’s giving Kevin a hard time. She was trying to make him think she was changing the play list."
Howie rolled his eyes. "That woman! She’s gonna…"
Howie was cut off by Sarah’s voice, "YOU ARE SUCH A DAMN CONTROL FREAK! GET OFF MY BACK, RICHARDSON."
"NO! I won’t! You are NOT going to make OUR band look bad and screw up tonight. Either do the play list the way we agreed or…"
"Or WHAT, Kevin?"
Lowering his voice and getting in Sarah’s face, Kevin said, "We’ll cancel your contract."
"You wouldn’t dare!" shot Sarah.
"TRY ME!" dared Kevin.
"You can’t cancel my contract without the others and I know Alex and Howie won’t support you. You may be able to bully Nick and Brian but that’s NOT enough!"
Kevin knew Sarah was right. "Are you going to change the play list?"
"Maybe!"
Kevin shook his head in frustration and threw his hands in the air. "You are bound and determined to have it YOUR way, at ANY cost!"
"The pot calling the kettle black," said Sarah. "Get over yourself, Richardson. I’m NOT stupid. I was just talking to Mook, making it LOOK like we were discussing the play list to make you crazy! And it worked!"