Chapter 56
Howie had arrived at Katrina’s house to pick her up for their date. He was just as nervous as she was when he walked up to the door and rang the bell. When the door opened, he stunned by the beauty that was standing there. He had seen many beautiful girls on his travels, but nothing compared to her. Her simplicity was the most stunning thing about her. She needed little make-up or anything to make her so pretty. She was so natural, and that was exactly what Howie wanted.
“Oh Katrina, you are simply beautiful. This is for you.” He complimented as he handed her a single red rose. “A lovely rose for my lovely lady.”
Katrina blushed, and gently accepted the flower. “Thank you so much. And, Howie, can I tell you something?” she asked shyly.
“Sure.” He replied.
“You may call me Kat if you like. All my close friends and family call me that. It’s a bit more informal.” She said.
“Then Kat it is...it is a sweet name. Well, my lovely lady, we must be going, the show starts in half and hour.” He said as he escorted her to his metallic purple Corvette.
Kat was stunned by Howie’s car. She was not brought up around a wealthy family, so all the fancy stuff Howie had was a bit overwhelming. She tried to speak, but was a bit nervous.
“Are you okay sweetie?” Howie asked softly.
“Yes, I am just a bit overwhelmed by all this. You are so sweet...and you have all these things that I am not used to. This car is amazing. I have never been in a Corvette before. Please forgive me for sounding dumb. I don’t mean to sound like a teenie bopper...it’s just that this is all new to me.” She said, turning away in embarrassment.
“Kat, honey, you have no reason to feel dumb or be embarrassed. And, whatever I have, it is mine to share with you...if you like. I guess what I am trying to say is...what’s mine is yours.” Howie responded softly.
Kat was now blushing brighter than an apple, and she just stared out the window. She wasn’t sure exactly what Howie was up to, but she liked the way he complimented her. She never had compliments in her life. Her family was always kind of distant and unwilling to share their emotions. They had put her down most of her life, and therefore, compliments were few and far between.
When they arrived at the Hard Rock Cafe, they were escorted a table near the stage. Howie was here to see a new group out of the Orlando area...and well, he wasn’t sure what they would be like.
“These guys are called Kaos Effect. It says they are a group of five guys outta Orlando that got their start listening to Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, and 98 Degrees. Well, how about that?” Howie said, surprised.
“Then this ought to be good. Let’s see what they have in store for us.” Kat answered.
The announcer came up on the stage and said, “We know that this is out of the ordinary, but, we proudly welcome Kaos Effect to the stage. They will sing a few of their favorite songs from the latest pop sensations, and then a few of their own. Let’s here some major props for Kaos Effect!”
Five handsome guys quickly made their way to the stage and started off with their rendition of “Get Down.” Howie sat there and was pleasantly surprised to hear these five guys singing one of BSB’s songs. As the guys sang and danced, they noticed Howie sitting near the stage. A moment of fright came over them as they soon realized that one of the members of the mentor bands was watching them. When they finished, they walked over to Howie and asked him to come up on stage. Kat was giggling and smiling as Howie walked up and greeted the audience.
“Hi, I’m Howie D of the Backstreet Boys, and I have to give major props to Kaos Effect. I think I may have some competition here! Let’s hear a loud round of applause for these talented young men.”
Howie then took his seat again and watched rest of the show. Kat was singing right along with the guys and smiled at Howie when he glanced over at her. He was amazed at her beauty and innosense. She would gaze back at him and then turn away quickly as she blushed.
After the show, the two went dancing for a short time, and then Howie
drove her home. As he walked her up to the door, he took her by the
hand.
“Kat, I wanted to know, could I see you again? I have this feeling,
that we are right for each other. I mean, well, you know what I mean,
ummm, I was wondering if you would go out with me?” he said, feeling dumb.
He always had a way to get things out when he was singing, but this was
a different story.
“I thought you would never ask. I would love to out with you.” She smiled gently and then kissed him on the cheek.
His heart started to race as he pulled her in for a more passionate kiss. His lips met hers in a soft and gentle kiss and then he said goodnight. He then walked back to his car and watched as her silloutte moved across the curtains. As her light went out, he drove away towards his home.
*** *** ***
The next morning...
“Come on AJ, pick up the phone.” Dee said frantically into the phone.
There was no answer on the other end. Dee soon began to worry. She didn’t know what else to do except call Howie. She knew that Howie and AJ were best friends, and figured that he would know where AJ may have gone. She immediately dialed his number and waited. A very groggy Howie answered the phone.
“Hello?” he said.
“Howie, it’s Dee. I need your help.” She cried into the phone.
“Dee, what is it? Are you okay? I’ll be right there.” He said as he hung up the phone and raced to her house. Within fifteen minutes, Howie arrived at Dee’s house.
“Oh honey, what is wrong? Did you and Kevin have a fight?” he asked, trying to console her.
“No, no,...it’s not that. It’s AJ...” she said in between sobs.
“What’s wrong with AJ?” he asked, worried.
“I...I...I messed up.” She answered.
“Come now, what happened?”
“He and Kevin, they had this silly little argument the day we were doing the alterations for the wedding. And, well, they each wanted me to decide who was the sexier of the two. And, well, I couldn’t decide. AJ and Kevin vowed that they would prove who was better...and well, AJ showed up.” She rambled.
Howie was confused, he didn’t understand what all this met. “Why would AJ ask you that?” he asked.
“Because, he and I...we umm,...we were former...ummm, lovers.” She answered.
“OH. I see. And well, now AJ came here looking to prove something. Damn that AJ. He needs to learn to control himself.” Howie stated. “Now what happened??? Did he hurt you?” he asked, now very concerned.
“No, he didn’t hurt me...but I may have hurt him and Kevin. I ummmm, I...I slept with AJ last night...and I lied to Kevin.” She responded, again beginning to sob.
Howie was shocked. He knew that AJ had a way of doing things like this, but, he never thought that Dee would go along with it. “Now honey, don’t worry, I am sure that things will be okay.” Howie replied, trying to sound optimistic.
“No, it won’t. AJ is upset because he put me and Kevin’s relationship at risk, and he hates me.” She sobbed.
“Trust me, he doesn’t hate you. I think he is just scared, scared that he hurt you and hurt his friend. Not to mention the fact that betrayed everyone. It must be tearing him up inside.” Howie said. “I will try and call him...”
“I tried...and he isn’t answering.” Dee stated.
“Well, I will try and find him, and talk to him. Don’t worry. Just call Kevin and act like nothing is wrong until we get this all straightened out.” Howie instructed.
Dee did as Howie said and called Kevin. They spoke for about an hour on the phone, until she got a beep on the other line. “Kevin, can you hold on for a moment, I have another call coming in?”
“Hello?”
“Dee, it’s Howie. I found him, but I think you better come over here right away. I am at his house.” Howie said.
Dee clicked back over to Kevin and said, “Kevin, I need to go, Howie needs me to come over and help him with something. I will talk to you tonight sweetheart. I love you.”
“I love you too baby. Talk to you later. Bye.” Kevin responded, never once thinking anything out of the ordinary.
Dee immediately grabbed her keys and sped off towards AJ’s house. When she arrived, she met Howie at the door. He looked a bit pale as he took Dee inside. When she walked in, she found bottles of liquor stroon all over the house. The whole place smelled of it, and she immediately knew what AJ had done. She walked in to find AJ passed out on the couch, holding a bottle in his hand. She gently pried it out of his hand and then kneeled down beside him.
“Oh AJ, how could you do this to yourself?” she said as she cried.
Suddenly, she noticed that he was looking a little blue, and immediately watched for his chest to move. They noticed that AJ wasn’t breathing, and called 911.
“AJ, damnit, wake up!” She tried to do CPR, but it wasn’t working. She screamed as her and Howie continued to pump his chest and breath for him.
The paramedics arrived immediately, and rushed AJ off to the emergency room. Howie drove Dee to the hospital as she tried to call Brian.
Dee reached Brian on his cell phone. “Brian, hurry, you must get to the emergency room. It’s AJ.”
He and Leighanne quickly got in the car and drove to the hospital as quickly as they could. “Brian, shouldn’t we call Nick and Heather?”
“They are too far away, and we shouldn’t panic them if it isn’t that bad. I mean, they didn’t tell us what was wrong. If we get there and something is bad, I will try and contact them.” He said, trying not to be worried.
When they arrived, they found Howie trying to console Dee. Dee was in hysterics, and Howie was in shock.
*** *** ***
“Well, my lovely wife and mommy to be, today is a beautiful day. I was hoping you would want to take a walk along the beach with me.” Nick said softly.
“I would love to.” I replied and then kissed him.
Nick and I got ready to go for our walk. Within minutes, we were ready to climb into the small boat that would carry us to the shore. Nick remembered that he had forgotten something, and ran back to the room.
“I forgot my cell phone.” He said.
“Why do you have to bring it with us, can’t we just leave it behind?” I asked him.
“It’s just in case of an emergency...that’s all. I promise, there will be no interruptions.” He replied and then leaned down and kissed my neck.
With that, we were on our way to the shore, for a lovely day on the
beach.