| Chapter Twenty-Four Hours later, Kat stretched her arm across the bed in search of Howie, but her hands only found cold empty sheets. She sat up abruptly and frantically searched the room with her eyes. It took a few seconds before she realized that the shower was running and she sighed with relief. He was still here, in the room with her. She pushed the covers to the side and as she stood up she heard the shower shut off. She wondered what would be her best course of action, asking him how he was or acting like everything was fine and let him bring it up. Neither option appealed to her, but she didn’t have much choice. She couldn’t very well tip-toe around the situation, but at the same time bringing it up was likely to bring about another bout of crying, at least on her part. The decision was taken from her as the bathroom door swung open and Howie stepped into the room. She smiled at him, and though he tried to return it, it looked more like a grimace. Kat swallowed the lump of emotion in her throat and crossed the room to her bags to dig out her clothes for the day. “I’m just going to take a shower. I won’t be long,” she informed him, not really expecting a response. It was just as well she didn’t get one. While Kat washed, she fought hard to keep from crying again. She could only imagine what Howie was feeling. Imagine, but not know, without him talking to her. And honestly it didn’t look like he was willing to do that. She stepped from the shower, toweled off and dressed quickly. After blowing her hair dry and adding a touch of make-up to hide the black circles under her eyes she opened the door and found Howie sitting on the edge of the bed starring off into space. She quickly put her clothes into her bag and then sat down next to him. “How do you think I’m doing,” he bit out. Kat sucked in a wounded breath and exhaled slowly. “I don’t know Howie, you haven’t said anything to me since I got up,” she said slowly, trying to hide the hurt she felt at his snappish tone. “Look, I don’t want to talk about it okay,” he said as he stood and moved away from the bed. “Howie,” ”Just leave it alone Kat. Okay? Just leave it alone,” he said as he threw open the door and left the room. Kat hung her head and felt the tears that had been so close to the surface well up and spill over. “Don’t shut me out Howie,” she whispered in a tortured voice to an empty room. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Moments later, after splashing water on her face and fixing her make-up Kat left the room and headed for the dinning room for a mid-morning brunch. She hadn’t eaten since six the night before and it was now approaching eleven a.m. Quietly she stepped off the elevator and ran smack dab into AJ. “Sorry, I didn’t see you,” she murmured without looking up and moved to step around the man. “It’s okay. Where’s Howie?” he asked as he gently held her arm within his grasp. Kat’s head jerked up, met his gaze and just as quickly looked away. “Kat?” ”I don’t know where he is. He left,” she mumbled. “Left? What do you mean he left? What happened,” he asked as he moved them down a side hallway that for the moment was empty. “He didn’t want to talk about last night, he was upset with me for asking and he left the room. I haven’t seen him in the last ten minutes,” she answered, still avoiding AJ’s gaze. “Ah Kat, I’m so sorry about all of this,” he said as he pulled her in for a hug. “What do you have to be sorry for? You didn’t do anything,” she asked incredulously as she pulled away from him. “That’s just it, I didn’t do anything. I didn’t pay attention, even when I knew he wasn’t acting right and I didn’t insist on walking back to the room with him. If I had none of this would have happened.” “You can’t play what ifs with yourself. You’ll only drive yourself crazy,” Kat said as she gently squeezed his hand. He nodded his head, but Kat could tell he really didn’t believe it. “I’m starving, how about keeping me company while I eat,” she asked. “Sure, I’m kind of hungry myself,” he said as he followed her toward the dinning room. Kat felt somewhat better now that she had something or rather someone else to concentrate on. She knew AJ was just as worried about Howie as she was, and knowing she wasn’t alone helped some. “The guys are here,” AJ said as they walked through the doors of the restaurant. Kat looked up and smiled outwardly and smiled inwardly. Howie was with them. They walked over to the table and took the two remaining seats, greeting the others as they sat. Kat flashed Howie a smile as she picked up her menu and felt her heart kick against her ribcage as he returned one of those smiles that always managed to melt her on the spot. Maybe things weren’t so bad she thought as the waiter approached the table and took their orders. When their beverages arrived, Howie slipped his hand under the table and found her hand and gave it a small squeeze as he leaned towards her and whispered, “I’m sorry.” Kat returned the gentle squeeze and felt her heart lift another notch. As they finished their meal, Raul stopped by the table. “I’ve been sent to let you all know that there’s a meeting upstairs in ten.” Without waiting for an answer, Raul turned around and left. “Anybody got any idea what this is all about?” Howie asked. “Haven’t got a clue,” Brian answered as he pushed away from the table and stood. “Might as well go find out,” he added as he began to make his way through the restaurant. One by one everyone else stood and followed Brian, cramming onto an elevator and riding it up to their floor. Once there, they were met by Raul and shown to a room where they were met by Scott, a member of management. He waited until everyone was seated and then asked, “Where’s Kat?” Howie looked stunned but answered, “She went back to our room. Why ?” Instead of answering him, Scott asked Raul to go get her. They waited until Kat was escorted inside and then Scott began. “I called this meeting to discuss what happened earlier this morning.” Beside her, Kat felt Howie tense up. She reached for his hand to give him comfort but he shook it off as he stood. “There’s nothing to talk about. It’s done and over with,” Howie stated before walking towards the door. “Sit down Howie. We have quite a bit to talk about,” Scott demanded, using a tone that brooked no argument. Howie glared, but reluctantly returned to his seat. “I’ve been filled in on what happened and I’ve spoken to Sasha. She’s threatening to press assault charges against Kat.” “Press charges? Against me! For what? She was fixing to… to” Kat yelled only to have her words trail off as the horror and disgust rolled through her. “Don’t worry, she’s been advised that taking that course of action is not wise. I don’t think she’ll take that road.” A sigh of relief escaped more than one mouth before Scott continued, “However, we do need to decide what course of action is going to be taken against her.” “There’s not going to be any action taken,” Howie stated. “What? D, she drugged you and if it hadn’t been for Kat arriving when she did, Sasha would’ve carried out her plan,” AJ shouted in disbelief. “It’s done and it’s over. Just leave it alone. Tell her if she ever comes near me again that she’ll be charged. That should be enough to keep her away,” Howie said. “I’m not sure that’s going to be enough,” Scott countered. “Look, I’m not pressing charges and allowing the media to get a hold of something like this. Can you imagine what a field day they’ll have with the story? Poor sweet D, drugged and almost raped. No thank you, no way,” he stated vehemently. Everyone in the room exchanged uncomfortable glances, not knowing what to say. Finally Scott broke the silence, “If that’s what you really want us to do, that’s what we’ll do.” “It is,” Howie answered quietly. “Okay. That’s all. You’re all free for the day,” Scott said as he moved away from the group as they made their way out. “Howie, are you sure that’s what you want?” Kat couldn’t help asking when they were all in the hall. “How many times do I have to say it? It’s what I want. Now leave it and me alone,” he shouted before he stomped across the hall and let himself into their room and slammed the door behind him. Kat stood in embarrassed silence as the sound of the slamming door echoed in the hall. “Kat, I’m sure he’s just tired and worked up by the whole situation. He didn’t mean it,” Kevin consoled. Kat shook her head sadly and moved away from the comforting hand he was reaching towards her. “No, he meant it,” she whispered as she turned and walked away from a group of very confused and sad faces. Reunion Index Chapter 25 Main Page |