Part 416

They had all learned early that no matter how hard they tried to stick to their plans, something was going to happen to alter them. Now was no different. The plan had been for Howie, Sarah, Kevin, and Lynne to travel on Howie’s bus to Seattle, leaving after the boys’ show. That was now going to change.

Jeff informed them not long after Jesse had left that for Kevin’s birthday, a local radio station had planned a softball game between BSB and the local DJ’s to raise money for Kevin’s ‘Just Within Reach’ foundation. The Boys would sign autographs before the game and afterwards, there would be a cookout for the spectators and players with a birthday cake for Kevin.

After Jeff left, Kevin looked at Howie and said, "You two go on to Seattle without us."

Still reeling from Jesse’s departure, Sarah couldn’t stand the thought of Kevin not going with them. "NO! You promised to be there too!"

"Angel, Kevin needs to be here for his birthday."

"You’ll be fine without me, Sarah," reassured Kevin.

"I don’t care! I want you there, too," demanded Sarah.

The others were there too and Nick now smirked, "The Diva strikes again."

"NICKOLAS!" hissed Becca reproachfully.

AJ offered, "Ali and I could go instead."

"You know, you really don’t have to change your plans THAT much," said Brian looking at a map. "Seattle’s not but two hours away. You could ALL stay here for this thing and leave in time to get there for Sarah’s sound check."

"She needs to practice with their band," pointed out Kevin.

‘Mook’ just happened to be hanging around waiting to talk to Sarah about her set when Kevin said this. "I don’t know why we can’t play for her. We know her set better than anyone else and all we’d have to do is sound check."

Howie and Kevin looked at each other knowing that he had a valid point.

"You know it’s an eight hour trip to our next show?" asked Kevin.

"So? What’s more important, Sarah sounding and doing her best with a band she knows and trusts or us getting to the next show earlier than you?"

"At least SOMEBODY is looking out for me," mumbled Sarah.

Howie hugged her, "I’m looking out for you, Angel."

"I know. It’s just…"

"Angel, its Kevin’s birthday." Without coming out and saying it, Howie reminded Sarah about Kevin’s last birthday and the disaster it had been.

Remorsefully, Sarah said, "I’m sorry, Kevin. I’m being selfish. After last year’s fiasco, you deserve this."

Kevin’s eyes met Sarah’s and in that moment, so much was said between the two. Memories of what had happened after the party were vivid in both their minds and neither wanted to ever forget it. It had been beautiful, a night they both cherished.

Dropping his voice to that sexual tone that drove Sarah, not to mention thousands of other women, crazy, Kevin said, "It wasn’t a complete fiasco, baby."

Lynne saw the exchange and was extremely confused. Had something happened between Kevin and Sarah? Were they in love with each other? It couldn’t be possible. Sarah and Howie seemed so in love, like nothing could ever come between them. She knew they had been together since before the ‘Millenium’ tour because she had read accounts of them being at concerts together.

To confirm her belief in Howie and Sarah’s devotion to each other, Howie now put his hand under Sarah’s chin and lifted her face to look into her eyes. "Angel, what do you want to do? It’s your choice."

"I want ‘Mook’ and the band to go with us and we can wait for Kevin…and AJ."

AJ laughed, "That WASN’T a part of the original plan."

Sarah laughed as she put her hands on Howie’s, lacing her fingers with his. "You shouldn’t have offered."

Kevin looked at Lynne as Jeff called for everyone to get into place. "Baby, go with the girls to the VIP seats and enjoy the show."

That one simple, four-letter word- baby- used as a term of endearment, what Kevin had always called HER especially when they had made love. How could he call someone else ‘baby’? He’d promised HER that she’d always be his ‘baby’. Sarah felt like Kevin had just ripped her heart out.

Howie felt Sarah cringe and understood. Kevin had just hurt Sarah deeply but now wasn’t the time to get into it. Whispering, he said, "Come on."

As the two started for the ‘underworld’, Kevin stopped them with his hand on Sarah’s arm. She jerked away from him and he saw the betrayal in her eyes.

"Sarah?"

"Not here, Kevin," said Howie motioning to Lynne watching them.

Kevin understood and said, "I’m introducing her tonight."

"Fine."

Before they got away, Becca asked, "Sarah, are you gonna join us for the guys’ show?"

Sarah looked at Howie first and then said, "I guess."

Kevin watched them go to the underworld then turned back to Lynne. "You’ll love the show. Sarah’s really come a long way since you saw her in Toronto."

Lynne looked at Becca. "Are you going to watch?"

"I’ll be out in a few minutes. I need to get Garrett settled. Go on. Kevin’s right. The show is awesome."

Not really wanting to be with complete strangers, Lynne reluctantly said, "Okay."

In the ‘underworld’, Howie held Sarah close as she asked, "Why does it hurt so bad, ‘D’? It’s nothing but a word and we’re not even together. I want him to be happy, I really do."

"But it was what he called you when you two were together. Let it go, ‘Angel’. Focus on the show," he soothed as he brushed her hair back behind her ear. "Focus on me."

Sarah smiled, "I can do that. ‘D’, where are we gonna stay tonight? We were suppose to be going to Seattle."

"There’s always an extra room or two. We can always crash on the bus or someone’s couch if necessary. Don’t worry about it."

"I’m not worried. As long as I can be in your arms, I can sleep anywhere."

Howie kissed her, "Right where you belong."

Part 417        Index