Part 84
Three buses pulled up in front of the hotel in Pittsburgh just before dawn. The occupants exited sleepily and made their way into the hotel to a handful of waiting fans. They all knew that the events that happened in Nashville had to be kept away from the fans so the charade began.
As Howie checked everyone in, Sarah stood with Kevin talking to the fans. AJ came up behind her and put his arms around her waist. Inside, Sarah was ready to scream but she kept up appearances. To the fans, she had the ‘dream’ life…she was married to Howie and best friends with the other Backstreet Boys. What more could any girl want?
AJ whispered, "I want more, baby."
Laughing, Sarah said, "Bone, get over yourself!"
Kevin could see the fear in Sarah’s eyes and said, "AJ, it’s too early in the morning to start horsing around."
Howie joined them and AJ immediately let go of Sarah. She moved to Howie quickly as he put his arm around her glaring at AJ. He handed out the keys, signed a few autographs, then led Sarah to the elevator to go up to their room.
Kevin, Sarah, Howie, Raoul, and Carlos boarded the elevator and as the door was about to close, AJ shot through. Sarah cringed and shrunk closer to Howie as he wrapped his arms around her protectively. The tension was thick as the doors closed.
It was obvious to everyone that AJ was messed up. They could smell the alcohol and see the glassy look in his eyes. Nothing was said though in an attempt to ignore him but he was oblivious to their feelings.
"Hey, D! Up for sharing your wife tonight?"
Howie’s hold on Sarah tightened and Kevin said calmly, "That’s enough, Alex."
"No way, Kev! You know you’ve got it bad for Sarah too! She’s so fucking hot…I keep a hard on when she’s around. I think we need another night with her…this time, tie her…."
AJ never finished his sentence because Howie belted him in the jaw. He had been trying to ignore AJ’s comments but he couldn’t take it any more. A fight ensued and Howie was on top of AJ in a flash. It was all Raoul and Carlos could do to pull Howie off AJ but when they had them apart, Sarah stood in front of Howie with her back to AJ. She placed her hands on his sides to help hold him back. Kevin helped AJ up from the floor and stayed between the two men.
"Whaz wrong, Sweet D? Afraid Sarah’s gonna decide she wants a REAL man…not some fuckin’ fairy? You couldn’t even protect her from her ex or stop her from having fantasies about other men."
AJ was good at pushing Howie’s buttons and knew that the fairy comment would infuriate him. It always upset him when there was something in the press about him possibly being gay.
"You bastard!" growled Howie as he struggled to get to AJ.
Sarah held on to him with Raoul’s help and she put her hands on the sides of his face making him look at her. She said softly, "Howard, he’s your best friend and he knows how to get to you. Don’t let him push your buttons. He’s drunk and when he sobers up, he’ll regret it."
"I can’t let him talk to you or about you like that, Sarah!"
Howie’s frustration spilled out in the form of tears and Sarah wiped them away. "They’re just words, D. They can’t hurt me."
Sarah’s words, her touch, and the love in her eyes were enough to calm Howie completely. As the elevator doors opened, Sarah took Howie’s hand and led him out, away from AJ.
Kevin looked at AJ, "You don’t deserve her understanding after what you did to her in Nashville."
"To hell with you!" snarled AJ as he stormed off the elevator.