Chapter 22
It had been a week since Alex had come out and told his
truth. It had been hard but once it was out he felt relieved. His management
made an arrangement with him he wouldn’t start his touring till March of next
year. That gave him enough time to get to know his daughter and deepen his
relationship with Pamela. Actually he didn’t need too much time to do what he
wanted; he was going to propose to her as soon as he got everything worked out.
Pamela was it for him; she was everything he needed…..
Pamela had been released from Baylor a couple of days ago
and to her surprise Amber and Alex had chosen an apartment for her and Amber to
stay at. She was hesitant about moving in, she didn’t want to make any
insinuations that she wanted Alex’s money.
It was a mighty expensive apartment she knew she couldn’t afford on her
own. But, Alex convinced her using the daughter card; he wanted his daughter to
live in a nice place. So after a lot of begging from Alex and Amber she
accepted. Besides she really didn’t want to stay in her mother’s house, it had
to many memories.
Amber was getting ready for New Year’s she would be able to
go to prom after all. Rick had already asked her and of course she had
accepted. She was in a good mode lately; her father and grandmother were so
cool. Especially now that her mom and dad was an item, she couldn’t picture her
mother with anyone else but her dad. Even though all of a sudden she had become
the center of attention, she tried to stay humble. All these people coming up
to her and asking her questions and demanding too. But, even all that couldn’t
put out the fire of happiness she felt in her heart, she was to happy getting
the attention she needed from her parents.
*******
He swallowed another glass of tequila as he sat in his
office. Seventeen years since he had been left by her and he somehow had come
to terms with it. But, when he saw him, the bastard who had taken her away from
him tell the whole world about it made him boil. He remembered the knock on his
door from Alex apologizing for it and trying to explain how he had fallen in
love with her. He had to through him out, in fear of hurting him. He remembered
the exact words he told him that night. “Get out you bastard, my so called
friend I have nothing to forgive you for. She’s the one that betrayed me, I thought she loved me! I
trusted her and that was my mistake I should’ve known better than to trust
women! They are all the same! Life sucking B*****s now get out and never again
contact me. We are no longer friends!”
He tried to turn all that into a lesson and eventually he met his now
wife. He tried to forget it all and the fact that it had seemed as Pamela had
vanished made it easier. But, truth was he hadn’t forgotten the pain and
embarrassment it had cost him. Now here was the opportunity to give them a taste
of their own medicine. The video flashed through his head again, she holding
his hand and their daughter walking into a restaurant. The evil monster called
revenge had crawled into his heart and now he had to find a way to hurt her as
she hurt him. He couldn’t let this opportunity go by, he smiled as he pictured
his vengeance plan in his head. He quickly put his master mind to work.
*******
Christmas was to be spent with all her family but, that was
when her father had gotten the call from his friend Howie. He was finally
getting married his long time fiancé in a small ceremony in California. So now
she, her mom and dad were on there way to celebrate this wonderful moment with
Alex’s friend. She had invited Rick but to her dismay he wasn’t able to join her.
Instead her aunt Gracie and her grandma Vicky joined them. She was in awe as she saw the beautiful beach
house her father had rented for her and her family to stay. He had taken her to
see his house which was fit for a prince or should she say king. “So is this
where you and Christine lived when you guys were married?”
“Yeah that’s why I have put this baby on the market. I want
something simpler for me and your mom.”
“Hey what about me?” asked Amber as she playfully nudged
her father.
“Well you’ll be in college by then, but of course you could
come with us on your breaks!” he grabbed his daughters hand and pulled her into
his studio room. That’s’ when he pulled out a red velvet box and handed it to
her.
She stared at uncertainly she knew exactly what it was, she
smiled and said, “Wow dad, and is it what I think it is?”
“Yeah, open it and tell me what you think?” he felt weak in
the knees when he heard Amber call him dad, he controlled himself and just
smiled at her. He finally felt complete his daughter had called him Dad.
“It’s gorgeous when are you going to propose?”
“Well I was thinking that after I give my speech at Howie’s
wedding I could do it. Of course I will get Howie’s permission.”
******
Everything was set, Howie was happy yet nervous he was
finally going to be married to his love Nelly. He was interrupted by a knock on
his door, which he quickly went to open. He smiled as he was greeted with his
green eyes and still dark hair. “Hey, thanks for coming bro, I need tomorrow to
be perfect.”
“Hey, Howie nice to see you too.” He walked in and sighed
as he saw an eraser board turned around in the living room. He then knew Howie
was up to something. “Ok what’s going on Howie this reminds me of one of you
super ideas.”
“Well it is Kev, but wait till everyone gets here.” Just
then the doorbell rung again and without a word Howie walked out the living
room to answer the door. When he opened the door he was greeted with a huge,
almost cutting your circulation hug. “h...e…y, Nic…k nice to see you too.” When
Nick finally released him he asked him to come in. He was about to close the
door when he saw a short man with bright blue eyes coming up to the door. He
greeted him with a smile and then a hug. “Come in B-rok, all of you are here.”
“B, he what’s up man how are you? Long time no see!” Nick
walked up to his friend and gave him a warm welcome.
“Hey Rok, nice to see you cus.” Kevin also hugged his
cousin; he then looked at Howie with a questionable look.
“Ok fine, as you all know tomorrow I tie the knot. So I was
hit with this great idea, what if we serenade my bride at the reception. AJ
thinks its great idea right AJ?”
“Yeah,” said Alex as he walked out of another room with a
big smile.
After all the guys greeted Alex, Howie cleared his throat
getting everyone’s attention. “So will you guys help me out?”
“I will,” said Nick as he put an arm around Howie.
“Well I don’t mind I will gladly do it,” answered Brian as
he looked at Kevin. Knowing he would be the hardest one to convince.
“I don’t know, I haven’t sung in a while, since I left the
group. I don’t even count, I shouldn’t be here,” was the response he gave as he
saw everyone staring at him.
“Yes you do you belong here with us your friends. I would
be honored to have you sing with me on my special day, besides a great singer
never looses its touch.”
After a long pause
he answered, “Fine I will do it because it’s Howie we are talking about and
well because I have missed singing with you all.”
“Great its settled let’s practice,” with that Alex walked
into the room he walked out of and to everyone’s surprise it was all set for a
practice. It was a studio room, equipped with everything they needed to
practice.
It was going to be a great present for everyone in the
guest list, but especially for the bride. Howie was so happy that his friends
agreed to it. So the rehearsal began….in a day they had to get this song ready.
***
