Part 369

"Oh, Nick…" Becca sighed, wiping away a tear of her own. "Dear God, what have we done to you …"

"He's going to be okay, Bec."

Becca stiffened as Kevin came up behind her.

"I'm sorry Becca. I shouldn't have taken an attitude with Nick. I know it's not his fault."

"I'm not the one who needs to hear that, Kevin," Becca whispered, finally allowing her emotions to spill over. "He loves her, Kevin. He really loves her and he's up there blaming himself-"

Kevin wrapped his arms around her, holding her in silence as they both watched Nick pour his heart out. This whole damn day had gone straight to hell in a handbasket and for once he just wanted to escape it all, not have to be the big brother for a change. Wasn't it someone else's turn? He sighed against Becca's hair.

"He used to talk about Sarah all the time when we were dating. He told me stories about the times he'd go to drop off Aaron at the youth center and Sarah would be there. He used to tease her unmercifully about all kinds of silly things." Becca laughed, wiping her eyes. "He had a huge crush on her, Kevin."

"Nick did?!"

"Yeah, I don't think she knows. Or if she does, she's been nice enough not to rag him about it."

"Sarah? Miss a chance to rag on Nick?" Kevin laughed. "Not likely, Bec."

Nick's voice faded away and there wasn't a sound in the arena as he handed his mike to a stagehand and walked away.

"I have to go," Becca said, pulling away from Kevin.

"Bec," Kevin called after her, "there's a group meeting with management right after dinner. Nick needs to be there."

"I honestly don't know if I can manage that, Kevin," Becca said sadly. "I have a feeling it's going to take all I can do to get him to perform tonight."

"He has to be there Bec, you too. It's important."

"I'll do my best, Kevin." And then she was gone.

Kevin caught up with Sarah as she was leaving her seat to follow Nick. "Sarah, let him go."

"Kevin, I need to talk to him. Let me by."

"Becca's on her way, Sarah, let her handle this. Besides, I need you and Howie to do your sound check."

"Can't Howie go first?"

"No, babe, we're running way late. Go up and do something together. The sound crews can set your levels from that." He watched as Sarah sagged tiredly. "Are you sure you want to do this tonight?"

"Yeah, Kevin, I am. I need to do this."

Kevin studied her face for a minute more before he was convinced. "All right then. Go ahead, but make it short. We'll be having dinner soon and then there's the meeting…"

"I know. We'll see you in a bit."

"You sure you're all right Angel?" Howie asked, his face full of concern.

"Yea, I guess. It's just …"

"Just what?"

"I feel so bad for Nick, Howie. You heard what he sang, you saw how he looked."

"It'll be okay, Sarah, I promise. Come on, I've got just the thing to cheer you up."

Sarah resisted a little, but in the end consented to being led up on the stage by her husband. Howie conferred with the band, and whatever he said got a chuckle from the percussionist.

"D, what are you up to?" Sarah asked suspiciously.

"Oh, about five foot six," he said with a wink.

"D ….." she whined, sounding suspiciously like Nick on a bad day.

"Here. I have the perfect song to cheer you up." He turned to the band. "You guys ready?" When they grinned and gave him a 'thumbs up', he held his hand up over his eyes to block out the glare and looked out toward the soundboard. "What about you? Make sure you get it for both of us, we only have time for one piece." Cueing the band, he took Sarah's hand and began.

Who the man allowed to make you moist and wet
Who the man allowed to make you moan and sweat
Who the man allowed to make you scream out yes
Mr. lover Mr. lover

Sarah was laughing out loud as soon as he finished the first line. She immediately recognized the song as one of Shaggy's, one she and Howie had been fooling around with just a couple of weeks ago.

"D, you're so bad," she giggled as she watched him swivel his hips to the music. Howie smiled and ignored the catcalls coming from AJ, who was now seated front row center, cackling with glee.

"You GO, Howie!" he yelled.

Sweet succulent and fine
A twinkle in you eye you a mi darling divine
I love the way you move and all the way you design
You running laps round my mind forget that corny line

Now let me hit you off with this question sign
You seem to be the type for me to wine and dine
A little candlelight dinner toasted over some wine
Well I will hit you off now with this lyrical rhyme

"Yeah, baby!" Sarah giggled, grabbing Howie's hand to salsa with him across the stage.

Now Mr. lover keep you rocking
Mr. lover keep you rocking
Mr. lover keep you rocking and swing
Now Mr. Lover keep you rocking
Mr. Lover keep you rocking
Mr. Lover keep you rocking and swing

By this time they'd drawn a crowd, and to see the couple this happy and carefree was definitely messing with their minds. Kevin plopped down next to AJ and shook his head. What the hell was going on? Sarah began to sing to Howie and a big smile crept across his face.

Ooh Boy I love you so never ever gonna let you go
Once I get my hands on you
Ooh Boy I love you so never ever gonna let you go
I hope you feel the same way too

Step in mi caravan of love
So I can love you down and give you hot oil rub
Deliver wet kisses with embracing hugs
And have you sweet silky body on my Persian rug
While we be sipping cocoa from the same old mug
And reading fortune cookies from the Chinese grub
And listen some Gregory Isaac for some cool rub a dub
And later on we’ll reminisce in the hot tub

Brian was watching from the wings and simply grinned and rolled his eyes. When Howie got to the next part, he giggled and wandered away to look for Nick and Becca. It was plain he wasn't needed here.

Well girly girly you buck upon a real love machine
Girly girly I’m here to make your heart skip a beat
Girly girly I hit you between the sheets
Girly girly I make you moan and scream
Girly girly you buck a real love machine
Girly girly I hit you between the sheets
Girly girly I make you moan and scream
Girly girly you know what I’m saying

Howie now had Sarah spooned against his front as he rotated his hips against her backside, and she shot him a saucy grin as she looked back over her shoulder.

Girl you unique
Now make me take a whiff off that sweet physique
You’re the only girl alive to make my heart stop beat
Leave me ha ha breathless can can hardly sp-speak
To make a lady of your caliber is a honor indeed
Leave a lasting impression for weeks and weeks
I would a throw rose petals to your humble feet
Lay you gently on my sheets
And sexercise you to sleep

As he sang, Howie ran his hands down her thighs, making sure her hips were pressed tightly against him, and as always, his body reacted to her nearness.

Feeling his quite obvious arousal, Sarah gasped and pulled away, grinning at the look of disappointment on Howie's face. She danced away from him, moving backwards and beckoning him with her finger to follow.

Da face de da walk de hot like a fire
If you come bout Naomi Campbell retire
Anytime you model gal a instant buyer
Some want you par with Tommy Hilfiger
A nuff nuff designer want know you name
Nuff a dem have up you picture in a picture frame
Pan a fi you body man can’t put no claim
So model ya mi gal and gone enjoy your fame
Love me love me love me sex machine
I’m guaranteed to make you moan and scream
Love me love me love me sex machine
I’m guaranteed to make you moan and scream
Love me love me love me sex machine
I’m guaranteed to make you moan and scream
Love me love me love me sex machine

The music came to a close and Howie bent Sarah over backwards, kissing her senseless as the musicians and tech crew hooted their approval.

"All right you two," Kevin yelled. "Knock it off and let's head in to dinner."

"Aye, aye, sir," Sarah said, saluting him from her bent over position.

"I love you," Howie whispered, looking into her eyes.

"I love you too, D. Let's go find Jesse and get something to eat."

Part 370        Index(4)