Part 71
Howie had noticed after returning from the small stage that Sarah had disappeared but he never had the chance to ask where she was. When he came off-stage after the encore, he expected to have her waiting for him but when he never saw her, he got concerned. He spotted Becca standing with Denise and went over to her.
"Bec, where’s Sarah?"
Becca shrugged her shoulders, "I’m not sure. She left after you guys went to the small stage."
"Was she okay?"
"I have NO idea," said Becca seemingly unconcerned. "Not my day to keep her."
Howie looked at Becca trying to figure out what she was feeling but couldn’t. Shaking his head, he headed to the dressing rooms to get changed. He ran into Raoul on his way and asked, "Where’s Sarah?"
"She went to your bus…crying."
Howie showered quickly, dressed, and started to leave, the whole time ignoring the constant chatter of the others and their horsing around. He was worried about Sarah and what the confrontation had done to her. It was exactly something that would cause her to get a migraine.
On his way out, AJ cracked, "Sarah must have promised something good for you to be in such a rush, D."
Howie just shot him a dirty look on his way out the door.
Raoul met Howie at the door and together, they made their way out to the bus. Howie waved to the fans as he went but never stopped. He could see the light in his bus and wondered what he would face when he got there.
Climbing on the bus, Howie was expecting to find Sarah crying but what he found was her pacing the length of the bus. When she turned to face him, he could tell she had been crying but was now extremely mad.
"Sarah, what happened to you? Why did you leave the show?"
"Well, gee, Howie…my best friend blessed me out in front of my husband, my best friends, and the ENTIRE FUCKING crew while my husband just stood back and let it happen. Where the hell is she now?"
"Backstage," said Howie as Sarah started for the door of the bus. He caught her by the waist. "Where do you think you’re going?"
"To finish what she started!" steamed Sarah trying to get away from Howie.
"Not like this you aren’t! You’re gonna calm down before you say ANYTHING to Becca and you’re gonna think about what you say before you say it."
"What the hell do you think I’ve been doing, Howie? I didn’t leave the show just to be leaving. No….damnit…Becca embarrassed the shit out of me and I don’t appreciate it."
"Sarah, you…"
"Oh, I don’t deny what she said wasn’t true. I did fuck up telling Nick but she didn’t have to go about it the way she did. I NEVER said anything in front of anyone other than you or Nick. Now let go of me."
Sarah broke free of Howie’s grip and headed back into the arena. Howie shook his head and followed to make sure Sarah didn’t do anything to make the situation worse.
Finding Becca still talking to Denise, Sarah took her hand and pulled her towards one of the rooms where fans had been allowed to meet the guys.
All the guys had been standing around with Denise and Becca when Sarah arrived and AJ cracked, "I have the feeling we’re about to see a cat fight."
Sarah heard it and shot, "STAY THE HELL OUT OF IT, ALEX!"
Nick looked at Howie as the two women headed into the empty room and asked, "Should we go in there with them?"
Kevin said, "One of you should and you know, I’m glad I’m not one of you."
Howie shook his head, "Sarah’s mad but she’s in control. They’ll
be okay."
"So…." Questioned Nick.
"Just stay here."
Inside the room, Sarah turned to face Becca. From the bus to here, Sarah had been counting to a hundred to keep her anger in control and now, facing Becca, she felt like she was going to lose it. She started, "You’re gonna shut up and listen to me. It’s my turn to have my say in this whole fiasco. First and foremost, I was wrong and I don’t deny that. I should never have told Nick about the fan fic but I want to make it abundantly clear…I DID NOT WANT TO TELL HIM. It was Nick who kept pushing me and yes, the alcohol played a factor in me telling him. And I never hurt him because after you RAN, Nick came back to tell me that he was GRATEFUL, yes, grateful for me saying something. Seems he knew you wouldn’t open up unless PUSHED. SECOND, I have NEVER embarrassed you in front of GOD AND EVERYBODY! Your little scene earlier was uncalled for! Howie and I have to face these people everyday and you playing the poor little church lady who would never hurt anyone was low!"
As Sarah took a breath, Becca started to say something but Sarah jumped back, "DO NOT START because I’ve only just begun! Throwing in my face everything you’ve done for me was low too! I can’t count the number of times I’ve held your sorry butt!! Not to mention what I did for Nick for five months! Did you ever once consider what I went through when Andrew treated you the way he did and I came to Orlando to be with you? Russell was pissed and the only damn reason he didn’t hit me was because I was pregnant with Jesse! As for the partying….to hell with you and your self-righteous ways. Nick is just as bad and I was VERY much in control. I DO NOT have a problem with it and the reason I wanted to go back to the hotel was so that if I got out of control, HOWIE was there to take care of me because we ALL know you wouldn’t know what to do!"
Becca was crying silent tears as Sarah ranted. Everything Sarah was saying was true but Becca had been so mad at Sarah for telling Nick about the fan fic, she hadn’t stopped to think. That was something Sarah was guilty of and she was always fussing at her about.
"Let me tell you something. I put my reputation on the line for you last night by LYING to the press. How do you think THAT is gonna look for the Foundation…Howie’s foundation for his sister? Did you ever consider that?"
Sheepishly, Becca shook her head, "No."
"I didn’t think so!" Becca’s tears were having an effect on Sarah and she was beginning to calm down. Seeing how tired Becca suddenly was, Sarah said gently, "Sit down, Becca, before you collapse. I don’t need Nick yelling at me."
The two women sat together on the couch but before Sarah could continue, Howie and Nick knocked on the door and came in.
"It got quiet in here," said Howie. "Is everything okay?"
Irritably, Sarah said, "What? Is everyone out there listening?"
"No…just us," said Nick.
Sarah breathed a sigh of relief. She was grateful that the guys had kept everyone away but now she needed Howie. Her strength had gone with her ranting so she reached out for him. He went to her, taking a seat beside her and putting his arms around her. She leaned on him, tired and drained from the night. He held her close whispering into her ear that he loved her.
Nick knelt down in front of Becca cupping her chin in his hands. With his thumbs, he wiped the tears away. "Bec, are you okay?"
"I will be," she whispered.
With Howie’s arms around her, Sarah continued but in a more gentle tone. "Becca, I introduced you to Nick because I thought you’d be good for him and since then, I’ve seen a wonderful change in both of you."
Howie spoke up, "Bec, you and Sarah have been friends for a long time…sisters, like you BOTH have said. Well, you know, sometimes, the ones closest to you are the ones who don’t see the changes or are afraid to accept the changes. You two know in your hearts that the changes are there but you can’t accept them because it will change your relationship forever. You’re comfortable with the way things are. Sarah has always been there for you whenever you had a problem but now you have Nick. She feels like you don’t need her anymore."
Becca looked at Sarah, "Really?"
"Yeah, really."
Howie went on, "Sarah’s changed too. Russell held her back, kept her from becoming the fantastic lady she is and you don’t have to worry about her partying. We BOTH work hard and play hard and I’m NOT about to let anything happen to her."
Softly, Sarah said, "Becca, we BOTH screwed up. Let this be the end of it."
"Only if you’ll accept my apology."
"No."
That stunned all three of them and Howie said sternly, "Sarah!"
"There’s no need for apologies. Becca, you were right about my betraying your trust."
"But I embarrassed you."
"I’ll get over it. Let’s move on and learn from this."
Both men let go of the girls and they embraced, tears streaming. Howie and Nick looked at each other and just grinned knowing that THIS was the end of it.
Pulling away from each other, Becca said, "I’m hungry! Carter, you got any corn flakes on the bus?"
Everyone laughed and Nick said, "Sure do, fan girl! Are you riding with me to Tampa?"
"Nope. WE’RE riding with Howie and Sarah. I’m not taking ANY chances of temptation."
Sarah laughed, "CUT OFF!! Awwwww…..poor Nicky!"
"Damn, Nick! I’d offer to share but I’m not sure you could handle Sarah," teased Howie.
Sarah playfully slapped Howie, "You’re terrible! Look, it’s only a couple hours to Tampa. Why don’t we get all the guys on one bus and play cards or something?"
Howie nuzzled Sarah’s neck and said, "I’m up for some strip poker."
Nick and Becca made gagging noises as the newlyweds smooched and gazed longingly into each other’s eyes.
"Oh…give it two days and you’ll be doing the same thing, especially after Nick’s been cut off for three days, "laughed Sarah.
The two couples went out to gather the others and head to Tampa. On the way out, the guys stopped to sign autographs while Sarah and Becca went to get stuff off Nick’s bus and then headed to Howie’s bus.