Part 526

When Sarah and Becca were done with their song, Becca went to sit with Garrett, Billy, and Kryss to watch and explain to Kryss what they were doing. Unfortunately, as she sat there, her mood began to darken wondering what was going on with Pearlman and the boys. She kept looking towards the backstage entrance willing Nick to come through the door but it didn’t work.

Fiona, Lisa, and Nikki had wandered out during sound checks and were now on stage with Sarah discussing dances now that sound checks were done. Sarah spotted Becca getting ready to head backstage. "Crap," she mumbled and looked to ‘Mook’ for help.

"Becca, hold up," called ‘Mook’.

Irritably, she asked, "What? I thought we were done."

"We are but I thought we’d hang out here for a while," answered Sarah brightly.

"I’m not in the mood to just ‘hang out’, Sarah. I’m going to find Nick."

"Nick can wait. It’s not like you two can fool around."

"Oh, FINE! Rub it in," sneered Becca. "I’m going backstage," and she started to leave again.

Sarah ran to catch up and blocked Becca’s way down the steps. "Ah, come on, Bec. We can show Kryss more about the show."

"MOVE, Sarah!"

"NO! Get your butt BACK out there."

"I said I’m…"

"I know what you said but Kevin said for us to wait out here until they come out to get us."

"Why?" questioned Becca.

"He doesn’t want us backstage when the meeting is over. Now get your butt back out there," commanded Sarah.

"Geez, you’re as bad as Kevin," grumbled Becca heading back to her seat.

"I’ll take that as a compliment," shot Sarah following her best friend back out. What could she do to keep Becca entertained?

The band was playing ‘More Than That’ now as Fiona and Lisa practiced the dance for the song. Sarah stood staring at them trying to think of something, anything, to keep Becca entertained. An idea hit her as the part of the song where Howie did his little salsa number came up.

Grabbing her mic, she headed over to ‘Mook’. "Do me a favor…play ‘Quit Playing Games With My Heart’."

"What are you gonna do?"

"Keep Becca occupied. Just go with me, please. She’s NOT happy."

"That’s an understatement."

"And you’re no help! Wait ‘till I tell Kevin!"

"You wouldn’t dare!"

"Wanna bet? Play Maestro."

‘Mook’ laughed because he knew Sarah was playing and he told the band what was going on.

As the music started, Sarah made her way across the stage as she began to sing, "Even in my heart, I see…Y’all wanna sing…. You’re not being true to me / Deep within my soul I feel…Come on, I can’t hear you…. Nothing’s like it used to be / Sometimes I wish I could turn back time…You sing it…" and she held the mic out for Becca to sing.

Sarah’s imitation of Brian had everyone laughing, everyone except Becca. She was not going to make this easy for Sarah. All she wanted right now was to go find Nick and find out what was going on with Pearlman. Irritably, she pushed the mic away.

Finishing the song, Sarah decided to try another song. Grabbing her head mic, she said, "’Mook’, let’s do ‘All I Have To Give’."

By now, Fatima and several of the male dancers along with some of the crew who was still setting up were watching. Fatima grabbed a few hats, handed one to Sarah, and she along with Nikki, Lisa, and the male dancers joined Sarah for this doing the dance steps to the song from the Millenium tour. Sarah did a perfect imitation of Howie right down to his finger kisses.

A slight smile had made its way to Becca’s lips and Sarah knew she was caving in. Time to pull out the heavy artillery. Becca would NOT be able to resist Sarah’s impersonation of Nick.

Two years and a tour and half, Sarah had the boys’ moves, ad libs, everything, memorized down to the last minute detail, including AJ’s maniacal laugh. Now it rang throughout the arena drawing the last remaining crewmembers and Sarah had a small audience as she once more did her impersonation of the boys.

Reaching Nick’s part, Sarah had made her way back to where Becca was still sitting with Billy and Kryss. Feet spread, Sarah belted out ‘Let me see you swaaay’ rotating her hips just like Nick only it didn’t have the same impact. Not because Sarah couldn’t move like Nick…no, that wasn’t it at all. It was because Sarah was VERY pregnant.

The effect it DID have on Becca was exactly what Sarah was hoping for though. Becca broke out in hysterical laughter watching her very pregnant best friend imitating her husband.

"You are too much, Sarah."

"Come on…let’s do one together."

"NO WAY! Too many people watching."

"Ah, come on, Bec. It didn’t stop me imitating Nick. It’ll be fun. Besides, you do an awesome ‘I Need You Tonight’."

"What if the guys come out here and catch us?" protested Becca.

"So?’

"Go on, Becca," urged Kryss. "I’d love to see you do ‘I Need You Tonight."

Fire shot through Sarah. What was it about Kryss that irritated Sarah so much? She was a fan, so what? She knew Howie adored his fans and Kryss had done quite a bit for the DLF. Sarah had recognized her name when Kryss had mentioned it at the hotel. Was she really jealous? Wasn’t any need to be. She knew how Howie felt about her, but she was jealous. It had to be her hormones because she’d never been jealous before. That’s it. It was her hormones.

"Becca, why don’t we do ‘Get Another Boyfriend’? suggested Sarah.

"I thought you wanted me to…"

"I changed my mind. Pregnant women do that a lot," said Sarah grabbing Becca’s hand to pull her with her.

"Uh huh, and they have problems with hormones too," mumbled Billy to Raoul seeing Sarah’s irritation with Kryss.

Raoul just smiled.

Calling over her shoulder, Sarah said, "Make yourself useful, Billy, and keep an eye on Garrett."

Fi passed them and said, "I’ll go watch him."

Part 527        Index