Chapter 16
Time seemed to go by so
quickly for everyone and before they knew it, Christmas was fast
approaching. As minds drifted to loved ones and gifts they were planning
to give, no one gave a thought as to what the future held in store for
them. No one bothered to wonder…
No one knew that happiness
would soon be nothing more than a memory of what once was…
***
“So do you think Kristin
will be home on time for Christmas dinner in
Kevin put the receiver
between his chin and shoulder and stirred the chicken soup that was simmering
on the stove. “She should be. I think today’s the last day of
auditions for that tour.”
“That’s good.
Otherwise Mom would probably have a fit,” Brian chuckled.
Kevin smiled.
“That’s Aunt Jackie for ya huh? Always wantin’
the whole family together for the holidays.”
“Tell me about it!
But I can’t wait. It’s so strange to feel this kind of normalcy again.”
“Yeah, we can actually
make plans to see the family without being limited by a damn schedule.”
Kevin sighed. “I miss it though.”
“So do I.”
Things went silent for a
moment as they both reminisced about life on the road. It was tiresome
and at times, unbearable, but at the same time, none of them would trade their
success for anything in the world.
“I spoke to Jane earlier
today,” Brian spoke up suddenly.
“Really?” Kevin raised an
eyebrow in curiosity. “How are they?”
“All right
considering. But things aren't exactly festive since it’s another
Christmas without Nick.”
“Yeah. I
understand.”
Brian sighed. “She
told me Aaron’s taken his passing the worst out of everyone. He’s even
thinking on quitting the business.”
“Shit.” Kevin shook his
head. “Maybe we should talk to him.”
“I told her we would
probably come by to see him after the holidays.”
“Good. So…I talked
to Howie earlier today.”
“Yeah, I phoned him up
yesterday too. He wanted me to help kill A.J,” Brian laughed, “apparently
he’s a real whack job now that the wedding’s getting closer.”
Kevin cracked up.
“Somehow that doesn’t surprise me!”
“I know! Oh, did he
mention Billie at all to ya?”
“Yeah, he told me that
he’s been thinking about visiting her in
***
“Coming!!”
Billie typed the last few
words into her laptop before getting up from her desk in her room to answer the
door. As she approached, she looked at her watch. Can’t be Kris…he
said he’d be back tomorrow. Curious, she opened the door and she was
greeted with a bouquet of white roses in her face.
“Merry Christmas!”
Her befuddled expression
soon turned to one of delight when she recognized the voice. “Howie!”
He lowered the bouquet and
flashed her a warm grin. “Hi.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I was in town and I
thought I’d stop by and see how you were. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Are you kidding me?”
Billie exclaimed and moved out of the doorway to let him in, “come on in!”
He laughed and took a few
tentative steps inside.
She closed the door and
watched as his eyes swept over her simple apartment. It was probably
nothing compared to the place he lived in, but she loved her home anyway and
was relieved to see a look of approval on his face.
“Simple, yet
stylish. Just like you,” he smiled.
“Aww, cut it out,” Billie
giggled and took the flowers from his hand, “are these for me?”
“Yeah…my Christmas present
to you.”
Billie gasped.
“Oh! But I didn’t get you anything!”
Howie shrugged.
“That’s okay. I wasn’t expecting anything from you in return.”
“But still…”
“Billie, don’t worry about
it.” Howie took her free hand and squeezed it gently. “I just wanted to
give you something nice. Call it…a gesture of friendship.”
Friendship. Her
stomach sank oddly enough, but not wanting to question why, she flashed him a
grin and motioned to her sofa before retreating to the kitchen to put her
flowers in the water. “Thank you for being so sweet!” she called out
while fetching a vase, “I really appreciate the gesture.”
“Your welcome!
Something smells good, by the way.”
She smiled. “I’m
cooking.” And before she could stop herself she cleared her throat and
asked, “Would you like to join me for dinner?”
“Well, I don’t want to
intrude on you and your fiancé.”
My wha…
oh! She frowned. How could you forget that Billie?! Maybe you
need to get a little shuteye early tonight. She strolled back into the
living room and took a seat beside him. “Actually, Kris is out of town on
business. He’ll be back tomorrow.”
Howie ran his fingers
through his curls and looked at her in uncertainty. “Well, only if you’re
sure he won’t mind.”
“Nah. I told you
already that he’s not the jealous type. Besides, like you said, we’re
friends now right?”
An odd looked flickered
over his face before he responded. “Yeah.”
He held her gentle gaze
and Billie found herself wondering what it would be like to lose herself in his
eyes…and then she realized with alarm that she already was. But there’s
nothing wrong with a little harmless flirting right? It’s not like he’s
interested in me or anything…
He suddenly blinked and
rose from the couch. “So, what are you making?” he asked hurriedly.
Swallowing the
disappointment that wasn’t supposed to be there, she stood and plastered a
smile. “Fettucini Alfredo and Fried
Chicken. Sound good?”
Howie returned her
smile. “Sounds great!”
***
“Which tree do you
want?” Nick watched with a smile on his face as Katarina
looked around their surroundings in great concentration. An adorable
little crease formed in between her shaped eyebrows and it took a lot of
willpower not to put down the ax he was holding in his hand and take her in his
arms to kiss her the way he’d been wanting to all day long. Ever since
the day he’d put his heart on the line and revealed the atrocity that lay
beneath his leather mask, they’d spent almost every waking moment
together. Talking, laughing…and stealing fervent kisses when Caroline
wasn’t watching.
November had been the most
blissful month of his life with his two favorite ladies at his side and he
realized that thoughts of death and depression hadn’t even come to mind in
weeks. Maybe this is what happiness really is like, he thought to himself
while recalling the song A.J had penned last year during his bout with
alcoholism. He looked up at the unusually clear night and his eyes
fastened on one of the many stars that sprinkled across the black velvet
sky. His only wish was that his friends and family could’ve witnessed the
happiness that warmed the very core of his heart.
Sadly, he knew that could
never be.
The feeling of Katarina’s cool hand against his stirred him from his
somewhat shaded thoughts. She peered up at him with knowing eyes.
Without speaking, he
pulled her into a close embrace and kissed her forehead before leaning his
smooth cheek against the top of her head.
He could only hope that
everyone he loved was being cared for in the same way Katarina
and Caroline took care of him.
***
Perfect.
Rachel stared at his broad
back through the crowd of strangers that moved in time to the music pulsing
through the speakers. Kristin was nowhere in sight and his buddies had
all gone to the dance floor. Now was the moment to strike. She
sashayed her way to his table where he sat alone with a drink in hand, his eyes
staring blankly at nothing. He was obviously in his own world. She
laughed inwardly. This’ll be easier than snagging Nick!
She grinned and slickly
slipped into the booth, making sure to place her hand on his thigh. “I
didn’t expect to see you here Kev.”
He blinked a few times
before settling his gaze on her. And then his green eyes narrowed.
“Rachel, I thought I told you to leave me alone.”
He removed her hand from
his thigh. “I’m NOT interested.”
“I think I could change
your mind,” she purred and leaned into him, pressing her chest against his arm.
“Dammit,”
he slammed down his drink and stood, “when I get back I want you gone
Rachel. GET LOST!” He stepped out of the booth and stalked toward
the dance floor.
I knew that would work!
She opened her purse and pulled out a tablet. Good ol' roofies...work like a charm. Smiling wickedly, she
took a quick glance around the club before slipping her secret weapon into his
drink. With a straw, she stirred it until the tablets were dissolved
completely. Then she stood and strolled to the bar and made herself
comfortable on one of the stools, making sure she had a perfect view of his
table.
Now all she had to do was
wait.
***
“Ugh! I’m stuffed!”
Howie leaned back against his chair and let out a contented sigh. “Dinner
was great. You’re a wonderful cook.”
Billie smiled in
appreciation and stood to collect the dishes. “I’m glad you liked it.”
If only he could admit to
her that it wasn’t only her food that he enjoyed. He ached to tell her
that he relished being with her, that her smile took his breath away…
That he was head over
heels in love with her.
His smile dimmed.
But he’d never be able to tell her any of those things. She was taken and
the last thing he wanted to do was scare her off. He peered at her back
while she started running the water in the sink. If she couldn’t be his,
then at least he could cherish her friendship. He stood. “Let me
help you.”
“No, you don’t have to.”
He smiled and took a
dishrag. “I insist.”
Billie rolled her eyes and
smiled. “Fine.”
While she rinsed and he
dried, Howie struggled to think of something to say besides his real
feelings. But it was so hard when she was so close. He closed his
eyes. She’s engaged D. Engaged!
“Are you okay?”
He opened his eyes to find
Billie gazing at him in concern. “Sure. I just have a lot on my
mind.”
“Oh. Well, good
things I hope,” she looked away, “like maybe a special lady?”
Howie cleared his throat
in nervousness. How did she know? Was he that obvious? “You
could say that.”
She raised an
eyebrow. “So you do have a girlfriend?”
“…No. I’m single.”
“How come? I’m sure
there are plenty of girls for you to choose from.”
“Yeah,” Howie replied
dryly, “that’s the problem.”
“What do you mean?”
He sighed. “I may
have plenty to choose from, but that doesn’t mean I’m stupid enough to believe
that over half of them are interested in ‘normal’ Howie D and not ‘Backstreet
Boy’ Howie D.”
Billie nodded in
understanding. “That must be rough.”
“It is,” he looked at her
wistfully, “but I know the right girl is out there somewhere. Maybe she’s
even right here.” She met his gaze, surprise evident in her face and he
looked elsewhere. “I mean…here in
“Maybe the right girl for
you is right here, Howie.”
His heart hammered like
crazy in his chest. Was he misinterpreting the heated look in her
eyes? Or the parting of her glistening lips? Did it matter?
He took a step forward and took her hand. “Billie, I--”
“Honey! I’m home!”
Howie and Billie jumped
away from each other in shock and he turned to see a tall, blond haired guy who
looked about Howie’s age and wearing a business suit standing in the kitchen
doorway, a smirk on his face.
“I didn’t know you had
company baby.”
Billie raked her fingers
through her hair and wrapped her arms around herself. “Uh, honey, this is
Howie Dorough. Howie, meet my fiancé, Kris Reid.”
***
“Give me your keys Kevy. I’ll open the door for you.”
Kevin shook his head,
trying to wipe the cobwebs that seemed to be forming in his mind.
“What…keys?” he slurred.
“The keys to your house
silly!” Rachel giggled and suddenly dug her hand into the deep pocket of his
snug blue jeans. “Better yet, I’ll get them myself.”
“Get…a…way…Rach…” He frowned. “Where…are we?” And then he
felt her hands graze what was below the belt and with faint disdain he felt
himself reacting to it.
“That’s it Kevy…good boy…” She grabbed the keys and slipped it into
the lock and opened the door. “Now where’s the bedroom baby?”
“Uh…” Where am I again?
“That way,” he replied sluggishly while pointing to his left, “or maybeeee…that way…” he pointed to his right, “dunno…”
“That’s okay. We’ll
find another spot to have some fun.” And without another word, she
wrapped her arms around him and pressed her ruby red lips against his.
Kristin! She’s here! His heart glowed with happiness.
“Kris…” he murmured between kisses, “you’re…home early…honey…”
“…Yeah. I came just
to be with you.”
“Good,” he deepened the
kiss and found himself being led into the living room. And then she
pulled away. “Mmm…come back…here…” he stumbled backward a bit and smacked
his back against a creamy white wall. Ugh...why do I feel so weird...?
“Come here Kevy,” she purred.
He looked up and could
just barely make out her naked form. He squinted. “Kris…did you
dye…your hair…?”
“Um, yeah…do you like it
honey?”
A sloppy smile curved his
lips. “Sure do…”
“I’m glad,” she sauntered
over to him and pressed her body against his, “now, where were we?” She
ran her hands over his broad chest and suddenly ripped open his shirt.
“Dunno...why don't...you
show...me,” Kevin whispered hoarsely. He thought he heard her
laugh. Kris, sure is...acting strange... And then he felt himself
being pushed onto the sofa that was conveniently next to him and she positioned
herself on top of him.
He remembered nothing
after that.
***
