| Chapter Sixteen Kat let herself into her room and sighed heavily. Doubts plagued her from the moment she had walked away. She knew that Howie wasn't going to be happy about things and she also knew that if she didn't tell him what had transpired, Sasha would at the first opportunity. The problem was, how to tell Howie! A soft knock on the door brought her out of her thoughts and she retraced her steps and pulled the door open. "Hi beautiful" Howie said as he stepped into the room, closing the door with his foot as he pulled her to him for a kiss. Although Kat returned the kiss, Howie could tell something was wrong. He broke the kiss and stepped back. "What is it Kat? What's wrong?" he asked as he looked down into her eyes. He grew more alarmed when she averted her eyes and chewed on her bottom lip. "Kat?" "I have to tell you something, and I don't think you're going to like it" she said as she crossed the room and sat down on the couch. Howie followed and sat next to her, taking her hands in his. "Whatever it is can't be that bad. Talk to me" he pleaded. Kat took a deep breath and focused on their joined hands. Quickly she told him of going down to get something to drink and seeing him and Sasha, of hearing what was said and of following Sasha into the lounge. She told him of what was said and ended it with, "I know I shouldn't have done it, but I'm not sorry I had my say. I almost lost you once because of her, I won't stand idly by and let it happen." Howie tucked his chin to his chest and thought about what he'd just been told. Part of him was angry, angry at the situation, angry with Sasha. But the other part of him was jumping with joy. Kat could have gotten mad and taken everything the wrong way. That she didn't said she trusted him. He lifted his head and looked her in the eyes. "I'm not mad, if that's what's got you all worked up. I can't blame you for doing what I would've done in your shoes. And I want you to know that I meant everything I said to her. It's you that I love and I want absolutely nothing to do with her." Kat smiled brightly and she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him hard. "I was so afraid afterward. I thought for sure you'd be mad at me for butting in" she said when she pulled back. "Butt in? That's not what you did. You just simply let it be known that you weren't going to bow out without a fight. I think now, that she knows, exactly how we feel, she'll back off. She doesn't really love me, she never did. She loves my money and all that it can buy her,” he said, with a slight note of self-depreciation. "Stop that" Kat gently scolded. "You couldn't know that's what she was after when you started dating her,” she reminded him. He slowly nodded his agreement, her words ringing true. He hadn't known what Sasha was really all about until it was too late, and now he wasn't about to give her another chance. Especially with Kat in his life. The two women were total opposites; and he was immensely glad he'd found Kat when he did. She was a ray of light in a sometimes dark and confusing world. Just the sound of her voice often made his day seem a thousand times better. He smiled at her and pulled her to him, his lips landing gently on hers, thanking her for bringing him such happiness. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Later that same day, Howie led Kat down the hall to the room the guys had designated as the "meeting room". He wanted to introduce her to his friends before they all headed for the venue. He tapped the door once and turned the handle and pushed the door open. "Hey guys" he greeted as he entered, leading a nervous Kat into the room. That's what she felt like, a nervous cat! Hundreds of thoughts ran through her head. "What if they don't like me? What if I don't like them? What if..." But there was nothing for it now. Howie was making the introductions and his four band mates were smiling at her and saying hello. She forced a shaky smile to her lips and said hello, all the while her eyes roamed from each man. Her eyes landed on the one who was now speaking. "D, she's as beautiful as you said she was. Even more so than her school picture!" AJ said as he pushed his ever-present sunglasses to the top of his head. Kat blushed prettily and then in horror asked, "Howie, you didn't show him my school picture did you?" No one ever liked their school pictures, and Kat was no exception. Her hair had been styled in the late 80's early 90's poof! "God how embarrassing," she thought as Howie shot her a sheepish grin. "He wanted to know what you looked like when I was getting ready for the Reunion. It was the only picture I had,” he explained. Kat smiled softly, letting him know she wasn't mad, just a little embarrassed. They spent a few minutes talking and asking questions before one of their bodyguards let them know it was time to leave for the venue. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Kat lay in bed later that night thinking back over the day’s events. Meeting the guys had been nerve-wracking, but they had quickly put her at ease; and already she was developing a friendship with AJ. It would be hard not to! He was open and friendly and genuinely interested in her as a person. They had joked around backstage, picking at each other like they had been friends for years. When it was time for the show to start, Kat had followed Carlos, Kevin's bodyguard, out to the roped-off section of seats for guests and had thoroughly enjoyed the show. From the pyrotechnics in the beginning to the video that was played during 'The Answer to Our Life', from the dance moves to the singing, every aspect of the show had held her captivated. She'd been to their concerts before, and this wasn't the first Black and Blue show she'd seen, but knowing the guys, made seeing it different. Howie had taken special care to make sure he sought her out and sang to her some of the most romantic lyrics, while AJ did just the opposite and sang straight to her when they did 'Get Another Boyfriend". She had laughed hysterically and Howie had rolled his eyes and had playfully pushed AJ to the other side of the stage. Some of the more observant fans had noticed the interaction and had stared curiously at her. She didn't mind. Reunion Index Next Chapter Main Page |