| Chapter Fifteen Kat stood and reached above her to pull her carry-on luggage down from the hold as people began to disembark from the plane. Two weeks had passed since her surprise visit to Florida, and before she left, Howie and she had made plans for her to come spend a few days on tour with him. He wanted her to see what life for him was really like, and it provided them some time to be together. She walked through the terminal towards the baggage claim, her thoughts centered on Howie and the next few days. She knew that there was going to be a lot crammed into the days. There were the concerts, personal appearances and the traveling. Not to mention the rehearsals, sound checks and interviews with local radio stations. But she was determined to find some time alone with him...even if she had to kidnap him for an hour or two! After gathering her bags, she turned and headed for the pick-up area. Howie had told her someone would be there to meet her, although he wasn't sure he, himself, would be. She searched the long line of cars, both waiting for people and dropping them off, before she found a man holding a card with her name on it. "Hi! I'm Katherine Warner,” she said as she approached. The tall man smiled politely and reached for her bags. He quickly deposited them in the trunk, saw that she was seated comfortably in the back of the limo and then drove to their destination. Kat couldn't help compare this time with the last disastrous meeting in Orlando. She was filled with the same sense of anticipation and excitement. The difference this time was that Howie knew she was coming. Minutes later, the limo pulled up to the front of the hotel and the driver grabbed her bags from the trunk while the valet opened her door and helped her out. She arched her eyebrow and a smirk shaped her lips. Living the high life had its advantages! She looked around as she stepped from the car and found a crowd of fans with looks of anticipation on their faces. They stared intently at the limo, patiently waiting for someone else to step from inside its darkened depths, only to groan in disappointment when the valet shut the door behind her. She made her way to the desk and signed in, taking her key and making her way to the elevator bay. After a short wait the doors opened and she stepped on. Riding the elevator up to her floor, her excitement grew. The ding of the bell brought her head up and she stepped out, luggage in tow, and walked toward her room. Hoping that Howie was waiting for her, disappointment flooded her, when she found a note propped up on the end table. Scanning it quickly, she found that they had an interview and should be back by one-thirty. She glanced at her watch and saw it was a quarter till two. Figuring that they got held up, she scribbled a quick note, telling him that she went to take a walk and grab a drink. Closing her door she made her way back to the elevators and downstairs. She walked around the hotel, familiarizing herself. Seeing the sign proclaiming Lounge, she headed in that direction, her thirst uppermost in her mind. As she neared the corner of the hall, she could hear hushed voices. One voice held a familiar lilt and she wondered what he was doing down here and who he was talking to. Slowing her step, she quietly made her way to the corner and peeked around. The site that greeted her set her blood to boiling. Sasha stood close, too close in her opinion, to Howie, her hand reached for and rested on Howie's arm. Kat started to step from around the corner and confront the both of them, when Howie removed Sasha's hand. Something in the way he looked, or maybe it was the way he tightly held his control stopped Kat from moving. She knew she should go back the way she came, but nothing short of a natural disaster was going to move her from that spot. She held her breath so she could hear what Howie was saying. "I told you weeks ago, to leave me alone. I don't want anything to do with you." "You don't really mean that Howie. You know you still have feelings for me,” Sasha said, as she stepped in closer and rubbed her hand up his chest. Howie promptly flung her hand away from him; as if her touch burned. But then maybe it did. She was, after all, the devil incarnate. "This is the last time I'm going to tell you, Sasha, leave me alone. I love Kat; she's the one I have feelings for. I want nothing to do with you. Not now, not ever" he said, the last gritted out through clenched teeth. He turned on his heel and walked away, and Sasha stamped her foot and walked into the lounge. Kat stood motionless. Her breathing came in rapid puffs and her fists were clinched tightly at her sides. 'The nerve of that woman! Who does she think she is?' Kat inwardly fumed. And Howie! He said those three words again. She'd never get tired of hearing them. Deciding that things had gone on long enough, she followed Sasha into the lounge. The interior was dark and it took a few moments for her eyes to adjust. When they did, she found Sasha sitting at the bar, sipping on some fruity concoction. Kat took a deep breath and moved across the room, taking the bar stool next to Sasha's. "I'll have a Coke" Kat said as she caught the attention of the bar tender. "Coming right up" he said as she turned to fix the asked for drink. He set it in front of her and she paid him. Kat took a sip before looking over at Sasha. 'It's now or never, Kat' she thought. "I think we need to talk" Kat said as she turned on her stool to face Sasha. Sasha turned and her eyes widened as recognition dawned in her green eyes. "I don't have anything to say to you" she huffed, as she started to slide from her stool. "Too bad. I came to have my say, and you're going to listen" Kat said as she halted the redheads flight by grasping her upper arm. Sasha sank back down onto the stool and said, "I'm listening, but make it fast." Kat inhaled and wondered what she was doing. 'You're just stating the rules to this little game', came the little voice from deep inside. "I saw you two just a moment ago, and I heard everything that was said" she began. Sasha's eyes widened and she spluttered angrily, "You were spying?" Kat closed her eyes and counted to ten, praying the urge to smack the woman would subside. "No I wasn't spying. I was headed to the lounge for a drink when I saw and overheard you both" she explained, keeping a tight rein over her emotions. "So?" "So, I just want you to know, that you can continue to try and win him back. Go ahead; give it your best shot. But it won't work! He's free to come and go as he pleases, and he pleases to be with me. He's made his choice. Now live with it" Kat said as she slid off the barstool and calmly walked away, a small triumphant smile playing about her lips. If her knees shook or if she was beginning to have doubts about the wisdom of her actions, she didn't let it show. She walked away holding herself erect and proud, knowing that now, at least, Sasha knew just who and what she was dealing with. Reunion Index Next Chapter Main Page |