Chapter 12:
Eavesdropping
I started to regret my decision to join the
guys for dinner as soon as I got off the phone with Howie. Trish had just
informed me that tomorrow I would be leaving for about a week to do a series of
radio interviews across the country to promote my first single off of my album.
I was sure this would only add to the tension that would exist between me and
the guys. Wow, my album..what a crazy thought. It really hasn't felt real until
now. I was actually going through with this. Too late to back out now. A
feeling of excitement coursed through me as I thought about what a huge step I
was taking. It would actually feel great to get away from all the stress too.
This whole stalker thing was starting to get to me. Why would somebody want to
scare a person like this? I hope that's all the Mizpah lady was doing because I
had to admit, Those newspaper articles put a whole new frightening thought in
my head. That kid who had disappeared turned up dead a year from when he went
missing. Was it a complete coincidence that my little stalker choose both of
those articles from two different years to put in my bag? I think not. I
stopped thinking about it and called Joe to let him know I was ready to go. I
decided not to let Joe know about the things I found in my backpack. It was
probably dumb on my part but I didn't think it would do any good. I think maybe
she wants me to run to Joe, maybe if I don't she'll think I'm not taking her
seriously and she'll back off and find someone else to annoy. Joe knocked on
the door and we left for the restaurant.
"Hey Joe, the guys don't know about this and I don't want them too
okay?"Joe looked away from the window and acknowledged what I said by
nodding his head in agreement. I was afraid that if one of them asked,
especially Howie, Joe would let him know what was going on.
"Do you want me to sit at the table with
you or do you want me out of view?" fair question "Um how about you
just stay out of sight"
"Sure thing"
The car stopped and he jumped out and opened
my door and together we walked into the restaurant. The Maitre de showed me
into the private room the guys occupied leaving my bodyguard right outside at
his own table. Much to my chagrin, I noticed that Brain had joined the party as
well. Sarah, J's fiance was also there. They all seemed to be in a heated
debate about something and they didn't notice my entrance. I was able to catch
the end of the conversation.
"So, Howie what's the friggin big deal I
mean it's only a call right?" J nervously moved around in his chair as he
was
saying those words rubbing Sarah's back trying to calm her down.
"I know J but it's just getting a little
creepy, he's calling me regularly now." "He's playing a game"
Brian chimed in. "Who is playing a game?" I asked letting my presence
be known. The question was met with three jumpy pairs of eyes and immediate silence.
"Nick you scared us, why didn't you knock?"
"Well, Brian, last I checked this was a restaurant and I didn't think you
had to knock to eat" Brian rolled his eyes at me. Great I've been here for
two minutes and we're already fighting! fabulous. I sat down on the other side
of J next to Howie. "So, you didn't answer my question, who is playing
games with who?" I asked as I picked up the menu.
"Oh it's nothing, just some silly
prankster" Howie said. I decided to drop it but not before it peeked my
curiosity. They were hiding something. Interesting I looked over at Sarah who I
hadn't seen in a while and smiled. "your looking great sweetie, are you
excited about the big wedding?" you can't go wrong asking a woman about
their wedding and I knew that I bought myself at least an hour of listening to
her jabber on about her big day. At least it wasn't an awkward silence. God I
hate those things.
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I was right about Sarah. She went on and on about the wedding. Her dress, the
reception, the invitations, the honeymoon blah blah blah. She managed to talk
about the wedding from the time we ordered our food until it's arrival about 45
minutes later! Even though she was boring me to tears, I couldn't help but
smile when I saw how happy the two of them looked. Occasionally I looked at
Howie and he would flash me this look of "Why did you ask about the
wedding" Even Brian looked up and smiled at me once. When Sarah finally
stopped talking about the wedding, we were halfway through our dinner. I then
looked at Brian and said "So Bri, how's Leigh doing?" He looked up
from his plate of pasta and said "She's fine" then he took a sip of
wine and continued eating.
"So Nick, tell me how is your album
coming along?" My heart skipped a beat when Sarah asked me that question.
I looked up and was met with Sarah's eyes but everyone else just looked down at
their food.
"It's going good but I don't think
everybody wants to know about that" I then stuffed another fork full of
steak in my mouth.
"Of course we do Nick, tell us how's it
coming along?"
Well, since Sarah was so insistent on finding
out how things were I told her. "Okay, actually things couldn't be better.
I pretty much narrowed my songlist down to the ones I want and Jive will be
making their final decision by the end of the week. My first single debuts on
radio this week."
I looked up from my plate and my heart sank as
I noticed that the only person who seemed to care about what I was saying was
Sarah. I was angry when I continued, "Yup so I am leaving tomorrow for a
week to do radio interviews and such to promote my song. I'm incredibly excited
about it."
"You'll be gone for a week Nick?"
"Yup J that's what I just said"
"When are you coming back?"
"In a week Howie. I'm leaving tomorrow
and I'll be back five days later."
"What are we supposed to do until
then?"
"I don't know Brian, I guess you'll just
have to record or something, kind of like what we did without you today"
then there was my new found friend again.
The awkward silence.
"Well, we are excited for you
sweetheart"
"Thanks Sarah that's nice of you to
say" even though I think you speak for yourself Then I took a sip from my
iced tea and decided to change the subject with the good old uncomfortable
silence standby.
"So how about them METs?"
"What?" Howie said looking confused
and amused at the same time.
"The METs, you know, the baseball team
from New York. I like them"
"You do?" wow Brian actually spoke
to me without glaring amazing
"Sure why not they did win a world series
didn't they?" see are my detective skills great or what?
"Yeah, they actually won twice." Thanks
Bri but I'm looking for a year buddy give me a year
"When was that exactly?"
"Um, I think 1962" no ... too long
ago "and 1986" BINGO!!
"So let me get this straight kid, you
LOVE the METs but didn't know when they won the world series? You're a strange
one you know that?" A.J said while shaking his head.
"He doesn't like the METs" Brian
said as he motioned for the waiter to bring us more water.
"Okay you got me, just making
conversation but now I've gotta make something else so excuse me a minute"
"Well that was just disgusting Nick"
I heard Howie say as I went to find the bathroom.
When I got back from the bathroom, I heard the guys talking about whatever it
was they didn't want me to hear. I stayed just outside the doorway this time to
get some more dirt.
"well I don't care what anyone says
Sarah, I think you should go stay with Mom for a little while. I'd feel better
about it."
"I'm not leaving you Alex. There's safety in numbers"
"I think it's best Sarah, I sent Leigh away and I'm not even being
threatened," huh was J being threatened?
"Go Sarah, we are keeping an eye on him and so are security. We have at
least 5 right here in the restaurant out of site."
Howie's words seemed to convince her that J was going to be all
right."Fine, if that's what you want babe, I'll go until this blows
over" She then kissed A.J and got up to leave.
this must be serious to have so much security around. Nick thought as he
realized maybe his problems were smaller than he thought compared to whatever
hell J was dealing with.
I was suddenly face to face with Sarah and Bone as they were walking out the
door.
"Hey, are you guys leaving already?" I asked as I gave Sarah a kiss
on the cheek.
"Yeah, we've got wedding things to do. I guess I'll see you in a week.
Stay out of trouble" then they both left and just like Howie said, shortly
afterward five men who were obviously security walked out after them.
"Hi, is everything okay with Bone?" I asked as I sat back down.
"Why do you ask? did he say something to you?" Howie looked up at me
after Brian asked me that question.
"Well....no..but I noticed he has a lot of extra security out there."
"You noticed, shit that's not good,
they're supposed to be hidden" Howie now looked nervous and I felt bad for
bringing it up.
"Actually D I overheard you guys talking about extra security for him. Is
everything okay?" Both Brian and Howie let out a sigh of relief. Then
Brian went on "It's no big deal, J's just been getting some scary threats.
Nothing for you to worry about."
"I am worried, is there anything I can do to help?"
"Just look out for him and let us know if you see any strange guys
around."
"He's not around enough to notice any
weird guys and The maniac probably doesn't even know he exists so I'm sure he
won't get any calls!" I let that comment roll off my back even though it
made me mad. I think Brian's new goal in life is to make me mad.
Brian then handed the waiter his tip and got up to leave.
"It was nice having dinner with you again Brian, thanks for paying" I
went to hug him but he just smiled and said "Bye guys, I guess I'll see
you tomorrow D and you next week," he then walked out the door.
I just stood there watching him leave and once again I felt like crying. He
hates me, I figured that out today. He's not mad at me he flat out hates me.
Howie came over to give me a hug that he saw I desperately needed. "I
should go to Nicky, have fun this week.
Don't worry, we're looking out for J, don't tell him you know. Security doesn't
want many people to know about it" He then walked away leaving me
pondering about so many things. I can't believe how selfish I've been worrying
about my little stalker while there is obviously a maniac after Bone. Ah well,
I refuse to think about this anymore for the next week at least. I then
gathered my things, signaled to Joe and walked back to my car excited about my
upcoming week. Unaware that this would be the last time I would feel happy or
excited about anything for a long long time...
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