Part 297
As the bus came to a stop, one tiny life popped up to find all the adults still asleep. Looking around, she saw that her parents’ door was closed and decided to go find Raoul. To her surprise, she found her Uncle Nick sound asleep on the couch, his headphones over his ears. Being Sarah’s daughter, she went over to him quietly, found the volume on the CD player, and turned it up full blast. Finally, she pushed ‘play’ and scurried over to a corner to watch.
There was a few seconds delay before the music blasted in Nick’s ears. Scrambling to sit up and find the volume, Nick screamed, "WHAT THE FUCK?"
In the corner across the room, Jesse howled with laughter watching Nick’s reaction. When Nick spotted her, he realized what was going on and started after her. "JESSE!" he growled as he made a grab for her.
Jesse was too quick and hearing her parents’ door open, she dashed to it to hide behind Howie who stood in the doorway wearing only his boxers and scowling.
"Nick, WHAT is your problem?" he growled.
"That little MONSTER hiding behind you!"
"What did she do to warrant you yelling obscenities at her?"
"She turned the volume up full blast and then turned on my CD player," accused Nick.
"And you had to yell what you did?"
"But I was ASLEEP, Howie!"
"SO? Learn some control, Nick. She’s only four and if I wanted her to hear that kind of crap, I’d let her hang around the roadies and drivers."
Howie didn’t give Nick a chance to reply as he turned, herding Jesse into the room and closing the door behind them.
Nick shook his head as the door closed. ‘Damn, he’s irritable. I guess he didn’t get any after all last night.’
In their room, Sarah asked sleepily, "What’s wrong, D?"
"Nick…yelling obscenities at Jesse," snapped Howie as he rejoined Sarah on the bed. "He rides his OWN bus from now on!"
Jesse had climbed up on the bed too and was giggling uncontrollably now.
Sarah looked at her knowing that giggle all too well. "What did you do, young lady?"
"Doesn’t matter what she did!" defended Howie. "Nick should know better."
"True, but what did she do to provoke him?"
Jesse giggled, "I turned up the sound on his music and cut it on."
Sarah had to try hard not to laugh knowing she had to scold Jesse but it was hard. "Jesse, Uncle Nicky was asleep. That wasn’t very nice and I expect you to apologize to him later."
Hanging her head in a pout, Jesse mumbled, "Yes ma’am."
"Go on now so your daddy and I can get ready."
Giving his daughter a kiss, Howie said, "Uncle Nick owes you an apology too. Let me know if he doesn't."
"Yes sir."
Jesse scuffled back out closing the door behind her. When she was safely out of the room, Sarah broke out into a fit of hysterical laughter.
"I’d have given anything to see Nick’s reaction."
"He shouldn’t have yelled like he did," grumbled Howie pulling Sarah close.
Sarah knew that Howie was irritated by Nick’s actions and the only thing she could do was try and calm him. She ran her hands across his arms as she said, "D, you’ve been grouchy as an old bear. What’s wrong?"
"I’m sick of having Nick up my butt every time I turn around."
"Howie, you’re the one who told Becca we’d keep him company."
"I know but I didn’t realize it meant he was gonna ride with us the ENTIRE damn week."
"Relax, D…it’s not much longer."
Howie buried his face in Sarah’s hair. "I just want time alone with you and Jesse."
"I know, baby, and we’ll have it soon. Just remember last night."
"Do you think Becca would mind if I kill him?"
"Yeah, I do," laughed Sarah. "Not to mention what the fans would say, but you know, I could have you kill him in ‘Dark Riders’. I haven’t written the ending yet."
"Nah, I’ll be okay. As long as I have you to get me through," he answered as he kissed her.
Sarah laughed, "How did you survive before you each had a bus or on the hundred hour tour for that matter?"
"It was VERY HARD at times, trust me. Between Nick and Brian’s practical jokes and Kevin trying to be in control all the time, I’m not exactly sure how AJ and I managed to hang in."
There was a knock at their door and Sarah answered, "It’s open."
Billy stuck his head in. "Breakfast is in thirty minutes with a radio interview to follow."
"Thanks, Billy," replied Howie. "We’ll be ready."
As Billy closed the door, Sarah started to get up but Howie pulled her back. "What are you doing, D?" laughed Sarah.
"Holding on to love," teased Howie. "Come on, Angel…you feel like a woman. Stay with me a few more minutes."
"Howie, I gotta get Jess ready and you need to get a shower. You’re all sticky. We don’t have time for this."
Howie pouted, "But, Angel!" and looked at her with puppy dog eyes.
Sarah hated it when he looked at her like that. Rolling her eyes, she gave in, "We’re gonna be late!"
Howie ran his hand across her breasts as he kissed her. "Just take a shower with me and I’ll help get Jesse ready."
He got up, took Sarah’s hand, and led her to the bathroom. Pulling her close, he kissed her as his hands slipped the straps off her shoulders letting the gown fall to the floor.
Stepping back, he gazed adoringly at her. "So beautiful," he whispered.
Before they could go any further, there was a banging on the door followed by Nick’s ranting. "Come on, Howie! Stop hogging the bathroom!"
"I swear…death is looking like a good out," groaned Howie. Then, raising his voice, "THEN GO TO YOUR BUS!"
Sarah laughed, "It’s no use, D! I love you. Get your shower and I’ll go get Jesse ready."
The couple kissed and after pulling on her robe, Sarah went to get ready leaving Howie to get his shower.
The whole group was still late for breakfast thanks to Nick. He had trashed the living area of Howie’s bus and couldn’t find his shoes.