Part 298
The morning for Sarah was spent onstage with the dancers working to teach Fiona the routines. As she helped Fatima, the guys sat in the wings watching and waiting for the signal to join the rehearsal.
"Howie, Jive has agreed to let us use the equipment to record Sarah’s CD," said Kevin as they watched Sarah.
"That’s good. I was beginning to wonder if we were gonna get it out in
time for release before the Japan tour. When do you want to start working on
it?"
"We could start after this rehearsal. When are you headed to LA?"
"We’ve got a midnight flight out of Minneapolis after the show. Why?"
"Well, I kinda figured we could have the rough cut done and I’ll go with you two. We could spend a day in the studios cleaning it up and have it done in a day’s time."
"What about the ‘jacket’?" asked AJ.
Kevin hedged, "Well…um…I kinda have that taken care of."
Looking away from Sarah, Howie saw that Kevin was holding back. "What are you trying NOT to say, Kevin?"
"I have a photographer from Port Charles coming to do a photo shoot this afternoon. He’s young but good from what I hear, plus inexpensive. We can take his shots and turn them over to the art department."
"We’ll see," said Howie looking back at his wife. "I want her to rest after this."
"I don’t want her to overdo it either but this photographer is suppose to be really good."
Irritated that Kevin was once again trying to be in charge of Sarah’s career, Howie snapped, "I SAID I’ll see."
"God, Howie, you act like you haven’t gotten a piece in months," cracked Nick as Fatima motioned she was ready.
"My sex life is NONE of your damn business," barked Howie as he moved to join Sarah on stage.
Brian shook his head, "What’s up Howie’s butt?"
AJ watched as Nick followed Howie onstage and said, "Not what, more like who. He wants time with Sarah and Jesse and can’t get it with Nick constantly with them at every turn."
"Maybe we should offer to let Nick ride with one of us," suggested Brian.
"I don’t know," said Kevin. "It’s like Nick has latched on to Sarah…like she’s a substitute for Becca."
Brian looked at Kevin and AJ and said, "You don’t think they’re…uh…you know…"
"HELL NO!" said Kevin quickly. "Howie tolerates a lot from Nick…more than I ever would, but I can’t see him letting Nick join them. Besides, Nick’s NOT Sarah’s type."
The three watched as Howie held Sarah as they stood talking to Lisa.
AJ said, "I get the impression that that kind of thing is over anyway. This whole thing seems to have just brought them closer, strengthened their bond…if that’s possible."
"Oh, it’s possible. Howie’s become even more protective of her than ever," said Kevin as they made their way to their spot.
***********
With rehearsal over, Sarah started to head off but was stopped by Kevin.
"Whaz up, Kevin?" asked Sarah as she took Howie’s hand and he pulled her to him.
"How would you like to get started on your CD?"
Thinking that Kevin meant going to LA, she quickly answered, "Not now, Kevin. I don’t want to be away from Howie or Jesse just yet…or you guys."
"You won’t have to be, Angel. Jive has agreed to let us use their equipment."
"We can do it here, take it to the studios to clean it up, and you’re done," said AJ. "You never have to be away from Howie or us."
"What about background vocals?"
"It can be done one of two ways…either they can add them in at the studio or we can do it for you," said Brian. "If we do it though, our names stay OUT of the jacket so that this is YOUR CD, not ours."
Sarah looked at all five of them as they stood there grinning. It began to sink in for her. She was really going to do her own CD. Her dream of a singing career was going one step further.
They all saw the excitement building and Kevin popped the cork as he asked, "Are you ready to get started, baby?"
With a rush of excitement, Sarah bounced into Kevin’s arms. "YES! YES! YES! OH MY GOD! YES!"
Kevin spun her around laughing as he said, "I’m glad you aren’t so upset about all this."
"HEY! That’s my wife you’re hugging on," joked Howie.
"Ahh…whaz da matta, D? Feeling neglected?" cracked AJ as he embraced Howie and kissed him on the cheek.
"Get off me, you freak," laughed Howie pushing AJ away.
Sarah turned in Kevin’s arms, "Don’t worry, D! I’ll show YOU how excited I am later."
Howie took Sarah’s hand and pulled her to him wrapping his arms around her. "Oh, I’m sure you will."
"We’ve got a few hours before sound checks. Let’s make the most of it. We’ve got five days before you two go to LA and we can get the rough cut done by then," said Kevin.
"I’ll go round up the band and sound crew," offered Nick.
While Nick was gone, Kevin went on to explain about the photographer coming. Sarah was excited beyond belief but when she saw the look on Howie’s face, her enthusiasm was deflated.
"Howie, what’s wrong?"
"It’s too much, Sarah," he said glaring at Kevin.
"D," she whimpered placing her hands on his chest. "I’m not the least bit tired."
"Now you aren’t, but you still have the recording."
"I promise, I’ll tell you if I’m tired. Besides, I’ve watched you guys at photo shoots. It’s not THAT hard. Y’all are always clowning around."
"That doesn’t mean it’s easy, Angel. You’ve also seen us afterwards. Most of the time we’re exhausted."
"I promise to rest, D," pleaded Sarah as she looked at him pitifully, running her hands down to his waist and leaning in to kiss him.
The other three looked on in amusement as they watched Howie start to cave in. They knew it was just a matter of time.
Howie ran his hands down her arms as he said, "Angel, you’re suppose to be resting and you’ve spent the morning helping Fatima rehearse. Now you’re going to work on your material, and then try to do a photo shoot. That’s NOT taking it easy."
Sarah pouted and Kevin said, "This is exactly what I was talking about, Howie. She bats those beautiful blue eyes and you’re putty in her hands."
Howie glared at Kevin then looked down at Sarah. He knew he wasn’t going to win. Kevin had end run him by telling Sarah before they’d had a chance to discuss it and it made him furious. Conceding, he said softly, "Okay, but I want you to rest when you can and tell me when you’re tired."
Sarah wrapped her arms around Howie’s neck and kissed him. "Thank you, D! I promise, I’ll tell you."
Howie held her close and she felt his tears on her skin. He whispered, "This is one promise you’d better not break."
Sarah realized what had happened…the exact thing she’d tried so hard NOT to do in Ottawa. Pulling back she looked into his eyes, her own tears welling up and threatening to spill out. She whispered, "Come with me to check on Jesse before we get started."
"You go on, Sarah. I need to talk to Kevin." Seeing Sarah’s reluctance, he brushed her cheek and kissed her lightly. "It’s okay, Angel. I’m not mad at you," he whispered.
"Are you sure?"
Howie smiled, "Yeah, go on now. Make sure Jesse hasn’t tied Raoul and Billy together."
Sarah laughed at the image of Jesse tying Billy and Raoul together. The child definitely had all the men in the entourage under her thumb, especially her daddy.
Howie watched Sarah leave the stage and turned on Kevin. A quiet anger simmering as he growled, "That was completely uncalled for!"
Kevin gave Howie an evil smirk, "But I proved my point. You can’t say ‘no’ to her and stick to it. The only reason you managed it the other night was because she didn’t tell you what she was doing and last night, she backed down."
"You didn’t exactly play fair either. You told her about it knowing damn well she’d want to do it and she thought I’d already agreed to it! You have NO problem with her going full tilt as long as it suits your purposes…what’s the difference between her performing and what she’s done today?"
"Hold on…this suits YOUR purposes too! You’ve got just as much money tied up in this as AJ and I do."
"I don’t give a damn about the money, Kevin. None of it means a damn thing if something happens to Sarah or the twins."
"Then you’d better get your wife under control."
"You jackass! I don’t need to control my wife."
"You know, your inability to say ‘no’ to Sarah has gotten you into trouble more than once," stated Kevin. "It would serve you right if it got you into trouble again."
Howie started to go after Kevin but AJ stepped between them to stop the fight. "You two need to stop! The last thing Sarah needs is for you two to be at each other’s throats. And for the record, Kevin…NO ONE controls Sarah BUT Sarah and you don’t have the best track record for telling her ‘no’ either. You’re using this to get in good with her and cause problems with them. You can’t stand it that they’re relationship keeps getting stronger. I can see it in your eyes. It’s killing you to see Sarah so damn happy with someone OTHER than you. You’d better get over it before you cause problems with ALL of us!"
Brian spoke up, "Guys, the tension is up with everything that’s happened over the last week. You two need to back off and remember you BOTH have strong feelings for Sarah."
Howie grumbled, "Yeah, and she’s MY wife."
"Believe me," snapped Kevin. "I’m well aware of that fact."
AJ looked at Howie, "Come on, D. Let’s go see what’s keeping Nick and Sarah."