The next night, 15 minutes before show time, Cait and Howie were at the Centannial Theatre in North Vancouver. They bought tickets and made their way to their seats. Cait was nervous and unable to sit still.
"Cait! Calm down." Howie tried to soothe her.
"I'm trying to, sweetie, but I haven't seen the guys for a while and I'm kinda apprehensive."
"Why?" Howie looked slightly confused.
"I'm not really sure. Probably partly that I haven't seen them for a while, and I guess, too, it's 'cause I have you with me. They're often inclined to say smart-ass stuff. You never know what may fly out of their mouths."
"Oh, really? Hmmmm... Sounds kinda like AJ." Howie said smiling.
"Yeah, you could say that." Cait grinned and relaxed slightly.
At that moment the lights began to dim, signalling that the show was about to start. Cait nervously gripped Howie's hand as Streetnix burst onto the stage, singing their opening song, "Everybody Knows".
Halfway through the show 'Nix took a break for a 20 minute intermission. Taking Howie's hand, Cait made her way up to the back row of the theatre, where Cuyler, the 'Nix sound technician, had his equipment set up. Motioning Howie to be quiet, Cait sneaked up behind Cuy and tapped him on the shoulder. He jumped slightly and turned toward her.
"Cait! What the heck are you doing here?!" Cuyler exclaimed, getting up from his chair and hugging her.
"Um, well..." She grabbed Howie by the hand and pulled him forward. "Cuy, this is my boyfriend, Howie Dorough."
Cuyler's eyes widened in recognition.
"Hey, man, nice to meet you. I'm Cuyler Biller." He held out his hand, which Howie took, smiling.
"Nice to meet you, too." He grinned. "Cait's told me a lot about all of you guys."
"Oh really?" Cuy looked down at her.
"All good, Cuy. No worries!" Cait giggled.
"So, you and the rest of your group are here for a show, too?" Cuyler turned back to Howie.
"Yep, we had a show at GM Place last night. Vancouver's always a great crowd."
"Yeah, it's always great here." Cuyler agreed. "I like it here. It's not home, but it's nice. Well, I'm sorry to run out on you guys, but I have to get backstage. See ya after the show?"
"Count on it, Cuy!" Cait hugged him again. "Don't tell the guys I'm here, 'kay?"
"No prob. Later, you two." Cuyler waved and ran down the stairs and backstage.
"So?" Cait looked up at Howie.
"He's really nice, Cait." He smiled down at her.
"What do you think of the music?"
"They're really good. A capella is difficult. And you're right, you would think there must be a drum and bass track running." Howie voiced his admiration.
"I'm glad you think that. I think they'd appreciate the compliment coming from you."
"Well, I think the intermission is just about over. We better go sit down again."
"Yep." Cait nodded and took his hand as they made their way back to their seats just in time to see Cuy run back up the back of the theatre and his equipment. The lights dimmed once again and Streetnix emerged wearing dark jackets and sun glasses. Knowing what was going to follow, Cait began to giggle quietly.
"What are you laughing at?" Howie turned to her, a questioning look on his face.
"It's just the little act they're gonna pull. It's too funny. It's always cracked me up." Cait managed to get out between giggles.
"Ah, I see." Howie nodded.
As if on cue, Aaron began talking to the audience, telling them how long it had taken him to convince the rest of the group to do a heavy metal song in concert. At that he announced that they would be performing a Metallica song. On BJ's count they launched into, not the expected heavy metal, but a folk classic, 'Danny Boy'. Cait grinned at Howie as they watched the guys' antics on stage. From Thom's imaginary tears, to Tony unzipping his leather jacket and pulling out his well-loved teddy bear, the audience laughed through the whole production.
"I told you, sweetie." Cait whispered in Howie's ear as he laughed along with the rest of the people in the theatre.
"I should have believed you. I admit it." Howie grinned.
"Maybe next time you'll listen to me." Cait teased.
"After this I will." Howie clasped her hand as the guys once again took to the stage, singing their beautiful ballad, 'All of me'. He placed his arm around her shoulders and she leaned against him.
"I love you, Howie." Cait whispered, as his head bent to place his lips gently on hers.
"I love you, too." He whispered back.
