Part 48
As Howie put their bag into an overhead compartment, Sarah took her seat. Howie joined her and as they were talking, Nick plopped down beside Sarah.
Kevin had been about to sit there too and he growled, "Get out of my seat, Carter."
"Got here first, Kev!"
"Damn it, Nick! GET UP!"
"Jeeezzzz, Kevin! You’re as grouchy as a bear with a hangnail. I’m NOT moving."
Kevin grabbed Nick by the shirt but before he could do anything, Howie spoke calmly, "Kevin, STOP! Just sit in Nick’s seat. We don’t need to make a scene."
Sarah had noticed Kevin’s mood earlier so she said, "Nick, go on. I want to talk to Kevin anyway."
Nick grumbled under his breath about Kevin always getting his way but moved. Kevin took his seat but said nothing.
Sarah looked at Howie as if to ask, ‘What’s with him?’ but Howie only shrugged his shoulders. Neither one knew what was bothering Kevin now and Sarah decided to wait until they were in the air to find out.
Howie took Sarah’s hand in his, weaving his fingers with hers. Leaning to her, he whispered, "I love you."
Sarah giggled softly as Howie’s breath tickled her ear. "What’s that for?" she asked in a whisper as well.
"Just because," and the two started making out.
AJ cracked, "Hey! Cut that crap out! This isn’t a hotel, you know…unless you’re gonna include me."
Sarah and Howie broke apart laughing as Kevin growled, "Looks like you would have learned the FIRST time around."
"Oh, get over yourself, Kevy Kev!" shot AJ knowing Kevin HATED that name. "They know I was just joking."
"It’s not something to be joking about!"
"STOP IT, Kevin!" snapped Sarah. "I see you haven’t gotten over being a jackass yet."
"What’s THAT suppose to mean?"
"Exactly what I said. You’re STILL being a jackass."
"When did I start?"
"At the reception and you KNOW exactly what I’m talking about."
Kevin fell silent hanging his head remorsefully. He could tell by Sarah’s tone and the look in her eyes that she knew what he’d said to Becca. He had NEVER intended for her to find out but he should have known better. After all, Sarah and Becca were best friends and Sarah was extremely protective of her.
Nick remarked, "Nice to see someone can put Kevin in his place."
Sarah glowered at Nick, "DON’T START, Nickolas."
"Yes….mom!" sniped Nick.
As the plane made its ascent into the air, everyone began to occupy themselves. Howie and Sarah were talking softly together about the Benefit, Brian, Nick, and AJ were each listening to music with their walkmans, and Kevin was sulking.
Once in the air and leveled off, Sarah whispered to Howie that she was gonna talk to Kevin so he took out his walkman and began listening to some music. Sarah took Kevin’s hand in hers and he looked down at her.
"Boo, what’s wrong?"
"Guess I’m just mad at myself for being such a jerk. I didn’t mean to upset you."
"But you did mean to upset Becca?"
"I was just looking out for Nick. She’s already hurt him enough by taking off like she did without ANY explanation."
"Boo, he’s a big boy now. He doesn’t need you to play big brother all the time. Besides, what would possess you to EVEN think that in the first place?’
"I don’t know….the alcohol, wanting to protect Nick…and you."
"You don’t know why she left, do you?"
"No."
Sarah proceeded to explain everything to Kevin about Becca and Andrew leaving nothing out. "She was scared, Kevin. She loves Nick THAT much."
"But you didn’t run."
"Becca’s NOT me, Kevin. Everyone deals with problems in their own way. The important thing is that they are TOGETHER and facing their problems together."
"I’m sorry for ruining your reception."
"Don’t give yourself so much credit, Richardson," teased Sarah. "I wasn’t about to let you ruin my day."
Kevin smiled, his eyes twinkling and his nose crinkling. Sarah loved it when he did this and she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"What about your honeymoon? What are you doing back?"
Sarah went on to explain what had happened with Chrissy and how they’d resolved the whole problem that day. The two spent the rest of the flight talking about music, the wedding, and what they were going to do that night. Howie eventually joined the conversation too and together, he and Kevin talked to Sarah trying to convince her to record a CD on their label.
The landing was smooth, which was just fine with Nick; he'd never been fond of flying anyway. Today was just worse somehow. First, he had to cope with leaving Becca behind in Florida and that just plain sucked. Then he had to watch Howie and Sarah playing kissy face for most of the flight, and Kevin's attitude was the icing on the cake. What the fuck was up with him today, anyway? He'd been an ass at Sarah's wedding, too, and if it hadn't been for Becca's intervention, he'd been tempted haul his drunken ass outside and let him have it.
As usual, the plane had barely come to a stop when the mass of humanity on board was crowding the aisles and dragging their carry-ons out of the overhead bins. It was just Nick's rotten luck to get himself sandwiched in between Kevin and some lady with three kids in tow. Someone bumped into him, which sent him careening back into Kevin. Great, he thought, time for more attitude.
Kevin started to say something, but Nick was already on the defensive. "Sorry! Ok? I didn't mean to touch you or anything. It was an accident."
Kevin sighed. "Look, Nick-"
"Save it Kev, ok? You've made it abundantly clear that I've done something to piss you off. If you ever figure out what it is, let me know. We've got a show to do, so see if you can manage to suck it up and get over it in front of the cameras, all right?"
Kevin wiped a weary hand across his eyes. Great, he thought. Who else can I fuck up a relationship with today? Sighing again, he gathered up his things and followed Nick to the waiting limo.
"Nick, wait up," he called out, but Nick was in no mood and kept going. It wasn't until later that he managed to speak with Nick, and they agreed to talk on the way back to Florida. Kevin managed a partial apology, but knew it wasn't nearly enough.