Chapter Forty Six; Part Two
The Cat's Out Of The Bag
**Earlier That Day (The Same Day As Part 1)**
"Coffee.Black"
"Will that be all sir?"
Too vexed to even look up, Kevin nodded and went on playing with his utensils.
He and Naila had yet another argument that morning. A horrible one! Infact, it had gotten so intense that he could hardly recall what had sparked it. All that he could remember was that it resulted in her yelling obscenities and storming out of the room.
As he continued twirling his fork around his fingers, he lost control and it clumsily flew out of his grasp; springing back and forth a few times before it finally landed inert on the ground.
He tilted his head and watched it for a while; silently praying his telekinesis powers would eventually kick in. 'Oh geez' he moaned, concluding that he ultimately had no choice but to pick it up himself.
As he bent over, a hand reached out and snatched it away from him.
"Here you go" said Howie, tossing it to him before taking a seat at the table.
Having spent a sleepless night worrying about Dawn, Howie decided he needed to grab a quick bite to rejuvenate himself before having to leave.
"What's wrong? You look troubled" Howie queried, noticing the anguished look on his friends face.
"Did anybody say troubled?" came a saucy voice from behind.
Kevin chuckled "You having woman problems too bro?"
Huffing, A.J pulled out a chair and plopped down in it "You can say that again"
He was about to say something else when the waitress reappeared with Kevin's coffee.
"Anything I can get you gentleman?" she asked, placing the cup along with two new menus on the table.
"We'll have what he's having" Howie said, handing her back the menus.
Sensing a bit unwanted, the lady backed-off and went to retrieve their orders.
"I tell you man" Kevin said, shaking his head "Women are a paradox! They're always pushing the whole honesty button, but are they honest? No! They freaking keep everything to themselves, and when that time of the month comes around, they open up a major can of whoop ass on ya, and when its all over, you don't know what hit you!!"
Rubbing his baggy, tired eyes, Howie agreed. "You're telling me."
As his two friends went on sharing their tales of misfortune, A.J slowly began to drift off into his own world of woe.
Noticing the inane expression on his pals face, Howie snapped his fingers. It hardly seemed to have any effect, so he tried engaging a conversation. "So what's up with you Bone? I thought everything was going well between you and Lyssa? She hasn't been having any outburst recently, like our girlfriends, has she?"
A.J's attention returned to reality, and his gaze shifted over to Howie. He took a long, deep, heavy breath.
"You Ok?" Kevin questioned, somewhat concerned with his friends distraught behavior.
A.J's eyes locked in his "I just have one piece of advice" he began, just as soon looking
away "Communication. If you don't find out what's troubling your girlfriend, and God forbid one day something happens, and you-" he paused shortly to push down the lump building in his throat "And you know that you could have been there to help- to do something- anything, well, you'll just never forgive yourself. Ever"
Just as he finished speaking, the waitress returned, and they were forced to keep mum on the subject. Howie exchanged one quick worried glance with Kevin, before taking a sip from his scorching drink. From the looks of it, all three men were on the same page when it came to their romantic affiliations, and neither of them could wait for the current chapter to end!
**That Evening**
Kristy tucked her hair behind her ears before nervously applying the finishing touches to her lipstick. Considering what had occurred that morning, she and Brian finally decided to take their "relationship" to the next level, and finally go out on a date! After all, it did seem like the next logical step...
Two knocks were heard, and Kristy's heart just about leaped into her stomach.
Taking one final peek at herself in the mirror, she reached for the handle and swallowed hard. She threw the door open and smiled.
"Hey!" she greeted.
Brian simply grinned back; extending in his right hand a single, perfectly blossomed, peach rose.
Kristy rapidly placed the flower in a tall glass of water, and they were just as soon off for dinner.
The limo pulled up to a fancy four star restaurant, and the couple tried to keep their entrance as low-key as possible as they made their way inside.
Once they got in, the host led them to their secluded table strategically hidden behind red silk curtains. The menus were brought in, and they were soon left with nothing but the soft sound of Tchaikovsky floating through the air to keep them company.
"You look beautiful" Brian complemented sweetly, admiring how gorgeous Kristy looked in her black Gucci dress.
Her face flushed "You don't look too bad yourself" she teased.
Now that the vale of discomfort had lifted itself from the room, the two became much more at ease with the situation. Hoping to stay on the right track, Brian was quick to continue with the conversation.
"So, I hear that you girls have set the date for your album release. The big debut! You excited?"
Kristy nodded enthusiastically "I can hardly wait! We're scheduled to perform live on TRL the day of the release." her eyes twinkled as she went on blabbering "Everything is still so surreal! Lord, just a few months ago I was daydreaming about being on tour, talking my poor boyfriends ear off about how wond-" she stopped in mid sentence when she realized what she was doing.
Blushing, she shamefully looked down at her lap "I'm sorry"
"Oh, that's ok." Brian laughed "We all have ex's. Go on"
Kristy shook her head "No, it's ok. I had nothing left to say anyway"
She smiled. He looked so adorable in that suit of his "So, what movie should we check out tonight? I hear 'Chocolat' is good"
Brian made a nauseated face at the thought of having to endure yet another chic-flic.
"It's not one of those subtitle movies is it?" he complained "Because I'm not really up to that sort of stuff. I remember once, Eli made me watch 'Life Is Beautiful' with her at midnight and-"
Brian froze. Embarrassed, he chuckled awkwardly.
"I'm so sorry"
Kristy smiled warmly and placed a sympathetic hand over his "We all have ex's, remember?"
Grinning meekly, he lifted his hand and cupped it affectionately over Kristy's.
At that same moment, the waiter presented himself and they instantaneously split apart.
As the gentleman courtly took down Kristy's order, Brian took advantage of the opportunity to reflect one his evening. In spite of their quick tongued apologies for having mentioned their former significant others, he couldn't help but dread the outcome of their romantic soiree...
In a mater of five minutes, they had both somehow managed to land their foot plump in their mouth!
Brian sighed. He certainly wasn't looking forward to discovering what other misfortunes Venus had in store...
**Back At The MMVA's**
"I can't believe this is actually going to happen!"
"Well you better believe it baby" I giggled, rubbing Rick's back gently as we anxiously waited for one of the VJ's to finish our introduction.
Requiring very little convincing, the show's producers enthusiastically agreed to let Rick and I perform his song. There was no denying it: the deal was far too grand for any sane person to turn down!
"So without further ado, please give a warm welcome to Angel and Rick McLaughling performing the world premiere of 'It All Came From You' "
The second he set foot on stage, Rick's ears were filled with mind blowing shrieks.
His eyes roamed the audience and his face lit up in pure ecstasy! This was it. This was his dream. This is what he'd been striving for his entire life, and finally, his time to shine had arrive.
And shine he would...
The lights hit them- and the first musical note came soaring from his lips.
(Rick) Oh baby
(Eli) Yeah yeah
(Rick) Do you know what its like
To love you so much, baby;
To be lost inside your eyes
And never set free?
(Eli) Do you know
How it feels
When your beside me, baby
I can't control the burnin' desire
You've given me
(Rick) You should know how much I love ya; oh yeah baby
(Eli) You should know that I am scared
(Rick) But if we believe, anything is in our reach
(Eli) I believe my heart is there
CHORUS (Both Rick and Eli)
You're givein' all your heart
You're givein' all your love
You're givein' everything and anything
I could ever dream of
If there was doubt, there is no room
All the love I could ever want
It all came from you
(Eli) It's a joy
To keep the dream
Of lying here beside you
It's all I ever asked for
You're all I could need
(Rick) It's a wish
To hold your heart
Feel it beating beside me
It's all I ever dreamed of
But love's just the start
(Rick) You should know how much I love ya; oh yeah baby
(Eli) You should know that I am scared
(Rick) But if we believe, anything is in our reach
(Eli) I believe my heart is there
CHORUS (Both Rick and Eli)
You're givein' all your heart
You're givein' all your love
You're givein' everything and anything
I could ever dream of
If there was doubt, there is no room
All the love I could ever want
It all came from you
The crowd erupted in to mad applause as the two stars stood awestruck waiting for everything to sink in.
Felicity embraced Rick, and they both took a lavished bow before vanishing off stage.
(Authors Note: Once again, a big, BIG shout out to the very talented Rick M. he wrote this song specialy for the story, and I think he couldn't have done a better job. Thanks babe!)
**That Night**
With just a tad too much hostility for comfort, Howie and dawn made their hand-in-hand entrance through the club. Due to all that had happened between them, and also thanks to A.J's advice, Howie thought it would be wise to take her out for a night out on the town. If all worked according to plan, she'd perhaps loosen up enough for Howie to discover what on earth was causing her to act so aloof.
"Haven't been to one of these places for a while" nick commented as he and Sheridan followed quick on their tail.
The two had been invited by the couple to tag along in order to create a friendlier atmosphere. Well, perhaps it wasn't the most apt of ideas, but seeing as how everyone else was busy that night, they hasn't much of a choice.
They soon spotted an empty table.
"Ok, you guys go sit, and Sher and I will be back in a sec" said Dawn, before disappeared amidst the crowd.
The two men chuckled as they sat down in the booth. "Women! Always having to powder their noses" Howie joked.
Nick smiled "Let's just hope that's all they do"
It felt so out of place for him to be enjoying the night life again. He'd been couked up in hotels and tour buses for so long- it just felt weird to be anywhere else.
Taking a long examination of his entourage, Nick rapidly located the bar.
His mouth started to salivate, and he was overthrown by an unquenchable thirst.
"I think I'm going to mingle" he fibbed, unable to contain himself.
Before even being given the chance the object, Nick slithered off the bench and faded into the smoky room.
His brow hooked, and he felt a tap on his shoulder. It was Dawn.
"They there stranger. Care for a dance?"
Howie smiled. Appeared as though his plan would work after all...
"Hey! What about me?" Sheridan whined watching asher two friends abandoned her.
Turning back, Howie gave her a look; pleading not to make a fuss.
"Oh alright" she mouthed, letting herself drop in the booth.
Alone again, she already started to regret agreeing to come. It seemed as though no matter what she did these days, she was always left behind. Joining this tour was probably the biggest mistake she'd ever made, and yet she found herself unable to leave! It boggled her as to why she felt obligated to stay... After all, no one wanted her there- least of all Nick. She sighed and looked down at her watch.
11: 56 PM.
This was going to be one long night...
**At The Hotel In Toronto**
The awards were over, and Rick and I returned to our hotel- still floating on air.
I truly could not have wished for a better performance! I still had goosebumps from the audiences phenomenal reaction.
"We are the best!" hollered Rick, slapping me a highfive.
After the show, Rick was still on cloud nine, and refused to bring himself down. He chugged down at least 3 beers prior to leaving, and he was already headed for the mini-bar.
He twisted open a bottle, and took me into a headlock "Eli, I can never thank you enough for being so smart! You're the best!" he declared, planting a juicy kiss on my forehead "I love you!"
I laughed as he went on prancing around our room. He sure was happy.
I was about head to the washroom to freshman up, when I heard him call me back.
"Wait, Eli. I have a question" he declared, bending over to grab a sac of vinegar Lays . "How come when we were interviewed, you said that you were still dating Brian? I mean, I know I'm a little drunk, but I still don't get it-"
I eyed him and tried not to laugh at the fact that he just opened the bag of chips from the wrong end. "Because" I began, snickering that he still hadn't noticed the salty mess at his feet "Nick and I wanted to protect our relationship, and after that article, we figured that the only way we could convince people that it was a scam was by pretending that Brian and I were still together."
Rick's jaw dropped "Whoa, you and Nick are together? Since when?"
"For quite some time..."
"But wait" Rick exclaimed, still puzzled by her claim "I still don't get it though. Why didn't you just tell the truth?! I mean, you and Nick didn't have sex when that picture was taken."
"Then that would be the lie. We did sleep together."
His face scrunched and he viciously shook his head "No, nuh-uh! You two were just wasted. You guys just passed out! Laurel told me that for a fact! Didn't Nick tell you?"
I felt my heart come to a halt and my vision blurred. My eyes fixed in his
"What?" I choked.
"Yeah, you didn't know?" he said in disbelief.
My body fell numb "No. I-I drank too much to remember anything"
"Well of course you don't remember anything!" he yelled "There's nothing to remember!"
I stood motionless. Everything suddenly fell into place. The night that had once been such a blur, came flying back at me in painfully clear flashes!
Everything- all the suffering... It all could have been avoided?!... And... Nick knew?
My thoughts were interrupted by the Rick's body hitting the bed.
"Can't believe you didn't know" he mumbled right as the sandman knocked him out.
"Same here" I murmured "Same here".
**Back At The Club**
After finally getting some liquor in his system, Nick felt much better. Scanning the club for his friends, his eyes came across Sheridan. She was sitting by herself; looking quite lonesome.
Giving it very little deliberation, he decided to go pay her a visit.
**~~**
Sheridan checked her watch for the second time. '12:48' Nearly an hour had passed, and still none of her companions had returned.
"Well fuck this" she grumbled, getting up from her seat. With any luck, she might just be able to catch Justin...
"Where do you think you're going?" a chirpy voice questioned.
Spinning around, she found a toothy looking Nick.
"My ass got tired of waiting" she answered arrogantly.
"Well then we just have to wake it up a bit" he smiled, grabbing her by the wrist and leading her to the dance floor.
They reached the center right in the middle of ballad.
Sheridan stiffly placed her hands on his shoulders.
"I'm afraid we'll have to get a bit closer than that" Nick said, reaching around her waist and pulling her into his chest. He looked down at her and winked "Now isn't this better?"
Sheridan gulped. Their bodies started to gently sway to the music, and she couldn't help but wonder what had gotten in to him. Just a few hours ago, he wouldn't so much as look at her, and now... His hands slid to the low of her back, where her skin was exposed from her silver tube-top. Her pondering stopped, and all she could do is stifle a moan as she nuzzled in to the crick of his neck.
His scent was intoxicating...
Unfortunatly for her, the song came to an end. As most good things do...
She was about to move away when a new song came blaring through the speakers.
"Shit, do you remember?" Nick laughed.
Sheridan grinned as her ears pricked at the familiar tune.
"Ya" she giggled.
With a mischievous smirk, Nick grabbed her by the hips and latched on from behind.
His lips traveled to her ear "...you're horny, let's do it, my saddle’s, waiting, come and, jump on it..." he sang in a whisper.
She tried not to crack up too much as her mind flooded with memories. The guys had used Genuwine a few years ago on tour, and since Nick wasn't always the most agile of dancers, she'd kindly offered to aid him with his moves.
And so here they were, once more together, getting freaky with the same song all over again...
Sheridan started grinding against him, and things were getting pretty hot and heavy until she felt something wet drizzle down her neck.
Disgusted, the turned around and gasped "Nick! What the hell do you think you're doing?'
"Oh, sorry" he apologized, using his sleeve to wipe up the few drops of margarita that had accidentally spilt from glass.
Apawled, Sheridan shoved him in the stomach, causing him to lose his balance and drop his drink.
"Yo, what the fuck?" he shouted as it went crashing to the ground.
Grunting, she pushed by him and ran towards the exit.
That explained everything! The only reason he had been acting so civil was because he was piss drunk...
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Nick bellowed as he caught up with her.
Brushing away the tears welding in her eyes, she faced him.
"You've got some fucking nerve, Carter. Asking what's wrong with me... God, how can you be so fucking dense? What the hell do you think is wrong? You're God damn drinking again!"
"Ok, you know what? I've had it with your mother fucking shit" he scram at the top of his lungs, while throwing his arms angrily in the air "I'm trying to be nice, and all you do is bitch about me having a fucking drink. Jesus, would you just get over it?... God, you'd think that after Justin finished screwing your brains out, you'd at least loosen up enough to have that stick pulled out of your ass!"
Fury consuming her being, Sheridan lost control off all her senses, and kneed him hard
in the groin.
"You son of a bitch! I've fucking had it with your shit When things fuck up, don't even dare coming crawling back" Her eyes filled with pure hatred as she watched him crouch on the floor.
"Burn in hell!" she spat before stomping off in a rage.
**~~**
Howie and Dawn were enjoying themselves marvelously for the past few hours. Things were running smoothly, and Howie thanked his lucky stars for Dawn's aberrantly good whim.
Dawn breathed in serenely; her head resting comfortably on her boyfriends shoulder.
At that moment, nothing else on the planet seemed to matter, and all her problems washed away...
She brought herself closer and sighed happily. It amazed her how any person could have such a wondrous power over her. He was her world, and just the prospect of one day losing him made her sick to her stomach.
"Umm, excuse me. Howie?"
Her bubble burst, and they were forced to brake apart.
A beautiful Asian girl with a long lushes black mane, chocolate eyes and stunningly long trimmed legs stood infront them wearing but a short fitted purple dress.
"May I help you?" Howie asked courteously. He suspect it was most likely a fan, so all the more reason to be respectful.
The girl smiled; exposing her perfectly straight and pearly teeth.
"You don't remember me, do you? I'm Dayna. Dayna Huynh. We worked together a while back on the set of one of your videos."
Howie slapped himself on the forehead "Oh of course! I'll Never Break Your Heart shoot" he laughed, now vividly recalling the dazzling young woman "How are you?" he queried, embracing her.
Dawn's blood started to boil as she bitterly stared down the petite model. How dare she so brazenly flirt with her boyfriend? Even more dismaying to her was that Howie didn't seen to have any objections... It was shameless!
With a huff, she turned her heals and dashed out of the club.
She hailed a taxi, and sped to the hotel.
Once she got back to her room, she grabbed her suitcase and threw it open on the bed. She flung the closet open, grabbed all her belongings and hurled them in to her baggage.
"What's going on?" Howie demanded, appearing in the doorway.
Dawn ignored him and went on packing her clothes.
"Dawn please" Howie beseeched, on the verge of tears. He'd bolted after her when she left, and had only now caught up. At first he feared that he might no find her, but now that he had, he almost wished he hadn't... "Baby, please. What ever I did, I'm sorry! I'm sorry baby! Just tell me. Please just tell me what's wrong"
Her luggage latched closed and she reached for her handbag "Just leave me alone Howard" she mumbled, fiddling around with her papers.
Upset, Howie reached out and grabbed it from her possession and angrily send it flying across the room.
The bag hit the wall, and its insides came rolling out. Among its contents- a medicine bottle!
Before she could even react, Howie walked over and picked it up.
"What's this?" he asked with a very somber expression.
Dawn went mute. Horrified, she glared at the bottle and blinked hard.
"Dawn, why are their anti-depressants in your bag?" Howie asked; a lump building in his throat.
She turned back, and lifted her suitcase.
A first tear rolled down Howie's cheek "Sweetheart, what's going on?"
Her arm abruptly swung up and knocked the item out of his grip.
"Leave me alone!! You don't get it, do you?"
"No, I don't get it. But make me! Make me understand..." he begged.
"You couldn't possibly understand what I'm going through!" Dawn yelled, tears streaming down her face "You have no idea what I've been through. I can't take it anymore! I can't live like this any longer, Howie. It's killing me"
Howie's eyes were pleading. "Then let me help you"
"You can't" she said sternly, making her way towards the door.
Still stunned and unable to grasp all that was happening, Howie was at a loss for words.
His eyes followed her "Dawn..."
Her foot reached the frame, and she turned back "Howie, I told you that you can't do anything, now leave me the hell alone. I don't want you in my life" and with that, left; slamming the door behind herself.
Howie fell to his knees as his world came crashing down.
She was gone.
