Chapter Eleven     Three weeks had passed since Kat had returned home, and the time was quickly coming for Howie to leave on tour. Knowing it would be months before she would see him again, she rearranged her schedule and flew to Orlando to spend the weekend with him before he left. She didn't call and tell him in advance, instead wanting to surprise him. She knew from their many conversations that this last weekend was free time, time to spend with family and friends relaxing before the months long tour.    After landing in Orlando, she rented a car and dropped her bags off at Kelly's, then heading over to Howie's. Anticipation had her palms sweating and her heart thumping. She couldn't wait to feel his arms around her and taste his kiss on her lips once more. To spend some quality one-on-one time with him.   Her heart tripped a beat as she pulled up in front of Howie's house.  She noticed the strange car parked in front of hers as she walked up the drive, but thought nothing of it. All she could think about was being with him again.      Her feet led her onto the porch and she lifted her hand to knock. Standing just inside the door was Howie. Feminine arms were wrapped around his neck and she could hear a husky whisper coming from the woman. A startled gasp escaped from her parted lips and her hand raised to her trembling mouth. It couldn't be, it just couldn't be, her mind repeated over and over, but there was no denying the visual proof. Howie was with another woman.    Howie's head shot up at the gasp, and he turned to find Kat standing there, a look of horror and betrayal on her face. "Kat" he whispered as he pushed the woman away. Kat's eyes rose to the woman and her betrayal deepened. Sasha. The name reverbated through her brain. Slowly she backed away slowly, her heart shattering with each and every step.    "Kat, its not what you think" Howie said as he took a step toward the door. Kat held her hand up in front of her, warding him off. "Don't. Just don't" she said, as she turned on her heel and ran to her rental car.     Howie flew from the house, running across the yard trying to catch her, but it was too late.  Kat was backing out of his driveway, ignoring his desperate pleas for understanding. She drove away, without looking back. But try as she might she couldn't stop the tears that flowed down her face and blurred her vision.    Howie stood starring after her for several seconds and then he turned around and saw Sasha standing on his front porch. The self-satisfied smirk that played at the corners of her mouth set his back teeth grinding and his anger hitched up a notch.      "I'm so sorry Howie. I'd have never come here if I thought it would cause you any trouble" she cooed. Howie snorted in disgust and watched as her expression went from one of calculated innocense to outright rage.  "I'll give you the fact that you didn't know she'd be here. But you're whole charade of needing my shoulder to cry on was concocted to cause trouble" he stated in a calm, controlled voice. His anger showed only in the way his eyes flashed. "I'd appreciate it if you'd leave...and don't come back" he said as he brushed past her, entering his house and shutting the door behind him, leaving her standing alone on the other side of the door. She glared at the door and said aloud, "This isn't over yet Howie dear. Not by a long shot." She strode purposefully off of the porch, to her car and roared out of his driveway.    Howie stood just inside the door, his head pressed wearily against the door frame, Sasha's parting words echoing in his head. He didn't know how he was going to get Kat to listen to reason, but he was going to, no matter what or how long  it took. Reunion Index                          Next Chapter                               Main page