“Christine, baby, I’m so sorry,” Howie said into the phone. Christine had just called him and informed him of the terrible news that her father had passed away. “I don’t even know what else to say. I wish I could be there for you.”
“It’s okay,” Christine sobbed. “I just can’t believe he’s gone, you know? I mean, my daddy…” she trailed off as Howie’s heart broke. He wanted to be there for her so bad but his tour schedule wasn’t allowing it. “When’s the funeral?” He asked.
“Friday,” she answered. Howie sighed. The tour would be in Seattle on Friday. There’s no way in hell that he could get away and fly to Connecticut. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it, baby,” He regretfully told her. “I wish there was something I could do.”
“It’s okay,” she told him. “I know how your schedule is. I mean, Paul will be here and everything.” Howie cringed. Everything he heard lately from her was “Paul this” and “Paul that.” It was beginning to drive him insane. Paul was going to stop at nothing until he got her back and Howie wasn’t too sure that wouldn’t happen anymore.
“He’s been hanging around a lot, huh?” Howie wondered.
“He’s been really supportive,” Christine stated. “I don’t know how I would’ve made it without him here.”
“Really,” Howie said. It was more of an accusation than a statement.
“Howie, please don’t do this right now,” Christine pleaded. “I can’t take this argument anymore. Paul is just a friend. You know that I wouldn’t do that to you.”
“I know,” Howie agreed, mostly so he wouldn’t have to fight with her. She didn’t need that right now. “I just wish I could be there for you.”
“I know you do, baby,” Christine said. “I know. I should go, though. Mom needs me right now. She’s trying to put up a good front but I know this is killing her.”
“Okay, honey,” he sighed. “I’ll talk to you later. I love you.”
“Me too.” With that, she hung up the phone. Howie sat there deep in thought. Did she just say ‘me too’? Instead of ‘I love you?’ What the hell was that? They had never gotten off the phone without saying their ‘I love yous.’
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
“Where are we partying tonight, Bri?” Ang asked as she flopped down on the bed next to him.
“I can’t,” Brian told her, emotionlessly.
Ang rolled over and faced him. “What do you mean, you can’t? What are you doing?”
“I’m meeting an old friend,” he stated. “I told you about it last night.”
“You did?” she questioned. “I don’t remember that.”
“I wonder why,” he commented. “Do you realize that you’re spending a little too much time getting wasted than anything else? I mean, seriously Ang. Don’t you think you should stop?”
“Do you think I have a problem?” she questioned, accusingly.
“Yes!” Brian cried. “I’ve been trying to tell you for weeks now. I mean, everyone has noticed it. Even your best friend thinks you do. She mentioned something to me weeks ago when we were in New York! Shouldn’t that tell you something?!”
“I do NOT have a problem, Brian!” Ang exclaimed. “So, I just like to have a little fun. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that if you aren’t completely wasted ninety percent of the time,” Brian commented. “But you are completely out of control. And frankly, I’m sick of it.”
“Well, I’m sick of you, Brian Littrell,” she yelled. “You are not my father.”
He glared at her. “I’m not trying to be, Ang. I just care about you. Don’t you understand that?”
“No, I don’t!” Ang cried. “I don’t want a father, Brian. I want a boyfriend. And until you can start acting like one, I don’t want to be around you.” She turned around and slammed the door to the room, leaving Brian shaking his head behind her.
Later that night
“So, it’s really good to see you again,” Leighanne stated as they walked into the Los Angeles club.
“You too,” Brian smiled. “You too.” He knew that what he was doing was wrong. Very wrong. But Ang had made him so mad earlier. All he was doing was looking out for her and she turned it around on him. He needed an escape and knowing that Leighanne was in the area, he called her up for dinner.
“Wanna dance?” Leighanne questioned. “Or get a drink first?”
“Let’s get a drink first,” Brian answered. They went and sat down at a table and ordered a few drinks, both relaxing and catching up on old times.
“Let’s party!” Ang announced as she, Nick, AJ, Kevin, Katelin, Becca, and Brooke all entered the club with a few of the bodyguards. “I am determined to have a good time tonight. And if any of you try and stop me, I’ll never speak to you guys again.”
“Ooh, I’m scared.” Katelin laughed.
“I’m serious Kate,” she threatened.
“Come on, Nicky,” Becca whined, pulling on Nick’s hand. “I wanna dance.” Katelin watched, jealousy taking over her, as Becca pulled Nick out to the dance floor and pressed her body up against him. Nick threw an apologetic glance in her direction, watching as hurt washed over her face. Yes, Becca and Nick were still together. But not because of any feelings that Nick had for her. The only feeling he had at this point was pure disgust. But Becca, in the past few weeks, had been picking up on the longing that he had for Katelin. The way he would stare at her from across a room. The way they would dance just a little closer than usual during the performances. The way that Nick would pull away from her whenever Katelin walked in a room. Noticing all of this, Becca took matters into her own hands. Well, hers and those of Mike Taylor. She told Mike of everything she had noticed and he, in turn, promised that charges would be pressed immediately if Nick didn’t stop. So, Becca went back to Nick and threatened him. Saying that if he broke up with her, she would tell Mr. Taylor everything and that his career would be ruined. Nick was stuck with her and there was nothing he could do about it.
“Don’t watch them, Kate,” Ang told her, noticing the look upon her best friend’s face. “She’s doing it on purpose. She knows it gets to you and she’s throwing it in your face. Just ignore them. Sit back, relax, and have a few drinks with me.”
“The first two, I can do,” Katelin laughed. “But I’m not in the mood to get belligerently drunk. I don’t think you should either.”
“Kate,” Ang warned. “What did I tell you?”
“Whatever.” Katelin shrugged. “It’s your life. I’m not going to try and stop you anymore. You don’t listen anyway.”
“Good girl,” Ang said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I’m off to get drunk.” She began walking towards the bar but stopped short when she saw the sight in front of her. She watched as Brian and Leighanne, completely engrossed in each other, danced seductively together on the dance floor. It made her sick to her stomach. Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks but she was determined not to let them fall. No way in hell was he going to ruin her night.
“Hey Ang,” AJ began as he stepped towards her. “What’s the ma….” He trailed off as he followed her line of vision and his mouth dropped open at the sight of Brian and Leighanne. He made a move towards them but was pulled back by Ang. “Don’t AJ,” she stated.
“But Ang,” he began.
“No,” Ang cut him off. “I’m not giving him the satisfaction of seeing me make a fool of myself. No way.” Ang pulled on his arm and led him over to the bar. “I’m getting drunk. And you’re helping me.” AJ watched helplessly as she ordered shot after shot after shot, not being able to stop her.
Two Hours Later:
“What’s the matter with your girlfriend?” Katelin asked Nick as she watched Q lead a stumbling Becca towards the doorway of the club.
“She’s wasted,” Nick answered. “I’m getting Q to take her home now.”
“You’re not going with them?” Katelin questioned.
Nick slid closer to her and slid his arms around her waist, nuzzling his face in her neck. “No,” Nick mumbled. “I’m staying here with you.”
“Nick…” Katelin began, all attempts to fight him quickly diminishing by the feeling of his soft lips on her neck.
“Hmm…” he responded, laying kisses on her neck and bare shoulder.
“You need to stop,” she whispered, breathlessly.
“Why?” he asked, his lips still hovering close to her shoulder. “Do you really want me to?” He swept her hair over her other shoulder and began laying feather-light kisses all over the back of her neck and shoulder.
“Ahem,” AJ cleared his throat. Katelin and Nick quickly broke apart and glanced up at him. “Has anyone seen Ang in the last hour?” AJ asked.
Both Nick and Katelin shook their heads. “Not since she was dancing with that guy earlier,” Kate answered. “After Brian left with Leighanne, she pretty much went nuts with the alcohol.”
“I know.” AJ nodded. “Maybe I should call Eric or Q and see if they’ve seen her back at the hotel.”
“Okay,” Katelin told him. “I sure hope she didn’t leave with that guy. He seemed kind of sketchy to me.”
AJ walked towards the restrooms and took out his cell phone, calling the hotel to check on Ang. Nick turned to Katelin. “Where are Brooke and Kevin?”
“I don’t know.” Katelin grinned. “I think they might have left together.”
“Oh,” Nick smiled. “Could that be a good thing?”
Katelin stood up and pulled him up with her. “Could be a very good thing. Now come dance with me.”
“Gladly,” Nick replied and followed her out on to the dance floor.
“Guys,” AJ started as he approached them. “We have a problem.”
“What is it?” Katelin asked, worriedly, noticing the look on AJ’s face.
“We can’t find Ang,” he told her. “I just talked to Eric and they saw her leave the club earlier with some guy. She hasn’t made it back to the hotel.”
“Are you kidding?!” Katelin exclaimed. “Why didn’t they stop her?”
Nick set a hand on her shoulder. “Calm down, Kate. I’m sure she’s fine.”
“Fine?!” Katelin cried. “She’s bombed!”
“Guys,” AJ interrupted. “Let’s just go back to the hotel and wait. I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
“Alright,” Katelin huffed. She reluctantly followed AJ and Nick out of the club and into the waiting limousine.