Part 294

No amount of banging on the door, hollering, or calling on the cell phones could get Howie and Sarah out of the dressing room. The guys had even gone so far as to get Jesse to knock on the door.

It had been no secret what Howie’s intentions were when he had slammed and locked the door behind them. Now, as they lay together after having made love, he caressed Sarah’s stomach watching as she lay with her eyes closed.

"Are you asleep?" he whispered against her ear, his breath and mustache tickling her.

"No…just enjoying being in your arms and thinking."

"About?"

"Us! You knew this afternoon yet you didn’t stop me."

"Kinda hoped someone would talk some sense into you. What about you? You knew I’d understand so why didn’t you just tell me?"

"Would you have given in?"

"You know the answer to that."

"That’s why! Kevin didn’t make any bones about his feelings at the hospital. He thinks you’re whipped, that you can’t say ‘no’ to me and stick to it. Going behind your back was the only way for you to ‘save face’. I knew you’d forgive me."

"You…yes! AJ and Nick…I’m not too sure about."

"Baby, AJ never would have let me go out there if he’d thought I wasn’t up to it."

"But Nick wouldn’t have stopped you. God…" groaned Howie rolling onto his back. In exasperation, he asked, "How much longer before Becca rejoins us?"

"If her blood pressure is normal and the doctor gives the all clear, Chicago…three more shows after tonight. D, Nick hasn’t been THAT bad."

"No, not really…if you don’t mind having someone up your butt all the time." Seeing the mischievous gleam in her eyes, he laughed, "NOT LIKE THAT! Don’t get me wrong…I love Nicky like he was my own brother but he’s constantly whining about how much he misses Becca and G.T. like we don’t miss her ourselves or that we don’t know how he’s feeling. It’s like he’s the ONLY one in the world who’s had to be separated from the one he loves. Plus…I’ve been down this road once before with him…when Bec disappeared. He’s driving me insane!"

"I know but Howie, Nick can’t help it! Becca loves HIM…he doesn’t have to put on pretenses or worry that she’s gonna steal his money. He can be Nick…goofy, fun loving, carefree…NICK!"

Howie looked at her. "I think those blonde highlights have affected your brain! I could have sworn you just defended Nick…AGAIN!"

"Nick’s changed, Howie. He’s grown up and you, AJ, and Kevin refuse to see it…especially Kevin. Now…change the subject. Did Fatima’s replacement show up?"

"Not until Buffalo."

"No, she found someone here in Canada, from Toronto actually. Her name’s Fiona."

"I didn’t know that. Last I heard, a replacement was meeting us in New York."

"I guess it doesn’t really matter."

"Are you gonna watch the show?"


"I doubt it, D," answered Sarah as she propped her head on her hand. "I kinda figured I’d hang out on the bus…work on the computer, get Jesse in bed at a decent hour…you know, be a mother for a change. Do you mind?"

Howie laughed, "No, not at all."

"How far to the next town?"

"Seven hours. Don’t wait up for me if you’re tired, Angel. I’ll wake you when I get on the bus."

Sarah snuggled closer, letting her hair fall across his shoulder. "I’ll wait up for you," she purred running her hand across his stomach, playing with the swirl of downy hair just below his belly button. "I wanna make it up to you for going behind your back."

Howie kissed her forehead tenderly. "You’ve already made up for it, Angel. You were the best I’ve ever seen!"

There was a knock at the door and then they heard Lisa. "Sarah…Sisqo’s set is half-way over."

Sarah called out, "Thanks, Lisa. D, you need to get ready."

"How do we know for sure that it’s not the other’s trying to play a trick on us?" questioned Howie.

"Cuz Lisa and I had it worked out. Go on before Kevin has a major melt-down. He’s already irritated with me."

Howie rolled Sarah onto her back, framing her face with his hands. He dipped down to kiss her; their tongues meeting in a heated rush; a soft whimper escaping from Sarah. Her hands roamed his back feeling the tight muscles and with one finger, traced his spine from his neck to his butt.

"I love you, Angel," said Howie lustfully.

Sarah looked at his eyes to see they were black with desire. ‘Oh god…I could drown in those eyes,’ she thought. "How about some strawberries and chocolate syrup tonight…after the show?"

"Sounds good!"

************

Dressed and ready to join the others, Sarah ran her fingers through Howie’s hair. "D, you should have combed your hair. You’ve got that ‘JBF’ look."

Taking Sarah by the waist, he pulled her to him as he teased, "Cuz I just was and I DO NOT care who knows!"

Sarah pretended to be shocked, "HOWARD DWAINE! I’m SHOCKED! And me an innocent young girl!"

Howie laughed, "Oh, DO NOT even try it, woman! You are the one who dreams of having all five of us at once!"

"Dream, yes!! But you’re more than enough man for me. Come on! Let’s go face the music!"

The two started out the door but Howie pulled her back to him, pinning her against the wall. His mouth crushed her urgently, devouring her as she ran her hands under his coat pulling him closer.

"You’d better let me go our first, Angel. They wouldn’t dare hit me with anything knowing we’re getting ready to go on."

Going out the door, they both heard AJ, "DAYUM! He’s in front!"

Sarah peaked around Howie and stuck her tongue out at AJ.

"I got something you can do with that tongue, ‘Tigger’."

"Ewww…gross, ALEX!! I’m NOT that type of girl."

"Since WHEN?"

Sarah and Howie joined the others as they got ready to go on for their show. Kevin was still steamed about Sarah performing so when it was mentioned, he shut down completely.

Out of nowhere, Fatima sailed in. "Oh, THANK GOD, SARAH! You have GOT to dance tonight!"

"I thought your replacement was here?" questioned Kevin coolly.

"She is but she didn’t get here in time to learn the dances. Please, Sarah…I NEED you."

Sarah looked over her shoulder at Howie and whispered, "It’s up to you."

"How do you feel?"

"OH, I DO NOT believe you," snapped Kevin. "She collapsed two nights ago and YOU told her not to perform. You even yelled at Fatima to get a replacement. NOW you’re considering letting her."

Howie had had enough of Kevin trying to interfere in his marriage. His patience was already strained to say the least so this was just one more thing. "Look, Kevin," started Howie fiercely. "Sarah is MY wife and I do NOT need your advice. One more time and I swear, I’m gonna put you on your ass!"

Sarah put her hand on Howie’s chest, "Both of you, STOP IT! Kevin, this isn’t your decision…it’s between Howie and me."

Brian started to take Kevin by the arm but before he could, a tiny voice broke through. "Uncle Kevin, why are you mad at Mommy and Daddy?"

They all looked down to see Jesse in the middle of them all holding Kevin’s hand. Kevin knelt down so that he was eye-level with her. Taking her hand in his, he said, "Jesse, I’m not mad at your mommy and daddy. I’m just worried about your mom…that’s all. I love them a great deal and I don’t want anything bad to happen to them."

"But nothing’s gonna happen to Mommy….Daddy promised me and he NEVER breaks a promise!"

That melted Howie’s heart and he had to wipe a tear away.

Sarah looked over her shoulder at him running her hand along his arm as she whispered, "I’m not gonna dance, D."

"Sarah, if you feel up to it, then do it. Don’t let Kevin stop you."

"It’s not worth the fight."

Howie brushed her hair back. "Angel, it’s up to you."

"I’m not gonna dance, but it needs to come from you…please."

Howie kissed her on the forehead and looked at Fatima. "Sorry, ‘Tima. Sarah’s not gonna do it."

"Oh, but she can do her own set? FINE! First you have me fire one of my dancers…."

"Whoa! That was YOUR decision!"

"Yeah, like I REALLY had a choice! You’d have taken it to management and I’d have had to do it ANYWAY! Now you take my replacement. Somebody will just have to do without a partner tonight then."

Relieved to hear Sarah wasn’t going to dance, Kevin said, "Tammy was my partner so I’ll go without. Put Lisa back where she belongs."

AJ spoke up, "No, it’s easier for me to do without. Just move ‘Bubblelicious’ down to Kevin."

"I’ll figure something out," conceded Fatima. "Sarah, can I at least get your help teaching Fiona the steps?"

"Sure."

"Where is this new dancer anyway?" asked Nick looking around to see the other dancers coming out to join them.

Fatima spotted Fiona and called her over. As introductions were made, Sarah noticed that Fiona seemed a tad too interested in Nick. In fact, the entire time, she had her eyes on Nick’s crotch and Sarah thought to herself, ‘Oh good god…she’s trying to decide if the rumors are true’.

Jeff came over. "Okay, you clowns…time to take your places."

Sarah gave Howie a kiss. "I’ll be on the bus, D, when you’re done."

Jesse grabbed Howie’s hand and pulled him down to kiss him. "I love you, Daddy."

"I love you too, Princess. Behave for your mother, okay?"

"Yes sir!"

The other four gave Sarah and Jesse kisses on the cheek as they headed out to take their spots.

Sarah was left with Fiona as Jesse skipped happily off to where Raoul was waiting for her to take her back to the bus.

Softly, Fiona said, "Now to find out if ‘Thor’ is as good as everyone claims it is."

Sarah shook her head and tried to ignore her. "One of the best ways to get a handle on the dances is to watch. Security can take you out to the VIP seating and I suggest that you watch Kevin. You’ll most likely be his partner. He’s a perfectionist so you had BETTER know the steps well enough to do them in your sleep."

"Are you going to watch?"

"No…I need to get our daughter to bed. Don’t worry though. There are people, mostly fans, watching. You won’t be alone. Billy here will take you out."

"Thanks…Sarah."

With everyone ready for the show to start, Sarah made her way out to the bus to get Jesse into bed. She planned to spend the time on the bus in peace and quiet.

The first thing Sarah did after getting Jesse down was change into her favorite satin gown, one of Howie’s favorites too. Then she brushed her hair out before going out to work on the computer. Logging onto the internet, she went to check her email first. Oh, cool…a message from Becca. And Sarah spent the rest of the evening working on ‘Dark Riders’, checking her email, and working on Howie’s business stuff.

Part 295        The Dance Index(3)