Chapter 4: Surprises and Getting to Know Each Other
Tamera
The rest of the show was kind of a blur, it all went by fast and before I knew it the boys were singing Everybody. I snag two backstage passes and slip mine on, just to be safe. I go out by Niki and Crystal after the ending pyro ends and the house lights come back on.
"You two ready to go?" I ask leaning against the barricade.
"Yeah but how are we gonna get back stage?" Niki asks and I hold up their backstage passes. " Oh."
" Come on. Hop over and let's go." I say impatiently since I know AJ's always first out of the showers then Nick.
I hand them their passes and they slip them around their necks before they climb over the barricade. We make our way backstage. Niki and Crystal follow me looking around. Once we reach their dressing room I crack open the door and peak in.
"The coast is clear, come on in." I say walking inside.
They follow slowly looking around trying to take it all in. I smile and sit down on the couch. Niki and Crystal look around in awe almost as if they're dreaming. I laugh lightly and they look at me.
"You guys are really here. Make yourselves at home. The boys are all taking showers. They'll be back soon." I say seeing them relax a bit.
I glance over at the wardrobe area. AJ walks out of the doorway to their showers with a towel around his waist. He walks over to the wardrobe area not noticing Niki and Crystal.
"Hey Tam-whoa you never told us we had two other ladies in the room." AJ says quickly moving out of sight.
"I know, it was meant as a surprise." I say standing up and moving closer to where he's changing with my back to him, "Crystal's a bit shy cause she's ya know awestruck you could say. So you'll just have to be the Romeo we all know you are to crack her shell." I say quietly as AJ stands behind me in black cargo pants and a white beater.
"Thanks Tamera but I got is from here… and heads up Howie and Nick are behind you." AJ says as he walks past me and they both walk out.
Howie puts his bare arms around my waist his skin touching mine with an ever-present jolt of energy as he draws me back to lean on his chest. I glance back at him to see he's wearing a tight black t-shirt with a white and black strip over form fitting black jeans.
"I wanna take you to my house where I can have you all for myself. I have another surprise for you." He whispers sweetly into my ear.
"Howie you have to stop showering me with so many wonderful things. You know it makes me guilty I can't do the same things for you being a student and working at the Union and all." I say back at his as I turn to face him.
"I know but I just want to show you just how much you mean to me, angel." Howie says holding me close.
"Just being with you I know how much you care." I say brushing the tip of my nose with his.
"Will you come with me then? You don't have to stay the night if you don't want to." Howie asks sounding serious.
"Alright, but let me check on my friends first." I say and he lets me go.
"Be my guest." He says and I walk over to see Kevin and Brian playing a new video game making moderate conversation with each other.
I look over and see them all siting on the couch where I left them. Crystal and AJ chatting and Niki talking with Nick. I smile as I walk over to them.
"Do you think you two would be alright here alone with the boys?" I ask looking at AJ and Nick.
"I think so, we won't bite… hard." Nick says as he playfully bites Niki's hand making her laugh.
"Ok I'll call you both tomorrow ok? Oh yeah just to let you boys know you're all invited to see us three graduate on Saturday." I say looking around at all of them.
"Thanks for the info." AJ says waving goodbye to Howie and me as Howie drags me out of the dressing room.
He takes me out to the parking lot. Three vehicles stand out to me. Dirango, a purple corvette and an Expedition. He leads me between the Dirango and the Expedition to the purple corvette.
"This is your car?" I ask surprised.
"Yup." Howie says as I walk closer to his car smirking.
"Leather interior, I'd say about '97-'98 make on it. Not too old but not exactly brand new." I mumble to myself as he stands next to me.
"I never knew you were into cars, Tamera." He says surprised and I look back at him meeting his dark brown eyes.
"There's a lot of things you don't know about me." I say trying to sound sly to hide the tremor in my voice.
"I've noticed, and I plan to find it all out someday… That is if you want me to." He adds trying not to sound threatening.
"Don't you worry my Sweet D, all will be revealed when the time is right." I say sweetly before I gently kiss his lips to reassure him.
Crystal
As Tamer, Niki and I sit around in the boy's dressing room I feel like I've got goosebumps all over me. I just can't believe this is happening to me… to us. I mean ever since I started liking the Backstreet Boys, dissipate my gothic appearance, I loved them and always dreamed about meeting them. I guess I never really thought that it would actually happen. Then just to add on to it one of my best friends goes out with one! Then the one I've always liked for his wild side likes me. This is almost too good to be true.
"Hey Tam-whoa you never told us we had two other ladies in the room." AJ says as I look over at him before he hides.
He's even finer in person and wet. I smile evilly as a slight blush rises to my cheeks. My eyes linger over the clothes rack he hide behind.
"I know, it was meant as a surprise." Tamera says standing up.
She walks over to where he is and says something secretly to him. Then after a moment AJ walks out wearing black cargo pants and a white beater. Damn he looks fine when he's dressed casually. His hazel eyes meet mine as a smile crosses his lips.
"Thanks Tamera but I got is from here… and heads up Howie and Nick are behind you." AJ says walking over to sit next to me.
"Well it's a pleasure to see you again Spike, even if it was an unexpected one." AJ sys smoothly making me lightly laugh.
"Better unexpected then unwanted." I say shrugging.
"Now who'd call a beauty like you an unwanted surprise?" he asks still acting sweet and I scoff.
"I'm not beautiful." I say self consciously looking down at the floor, AJ sups his hand around my chin and lifts my head to meet his hazel eyes again.
"If you weren't beautiful would I kiss you like this?" AJ asks before he gives me a passionate and hungry kiss on the lips.
I kiss him back as his hand moves from my chin to behind my head. Slowly we pull apart. We look at each other breathless. Over his shoulder I see Tamera and Howie walking this way.
"Do you think you two would be alright here alone with the boys?" Tamera asks my gaze not leaving AJ's.
"I think so, we won't bite… hard." Nick says then Niki laughs at something he did that I didn't care to look to see what it was.
"Ok I'll call you both tomorrow ok? Oh yeah just to let you boys know you're all invited to see us three graduate on Saturday." She says.
"Thanks for the info." AJ says waving goodbye to them and looking at me with an evil smirk.
"What?" I ask a bit scared.
"You wanna go someplace private?" AJ asks and I nod.
"Yo Nickay, is it cool if I take her out to the cruiser? He asks winking.
"Yeah sure." Nick says distracted by Niki.
"Come on." AJ says taking my hand as we stand and he leads me out of the dressing room.
Niki
I watch awestruck as a damp Nick walks past Howie, Tamera and AJ and makes a bee-line for me. His wet blond hair combed in it's normal fashion a light blue t-shirt clinging to his chest like a wet rag and his black snap-up pants stuck to the front of his legs. He must've literally just got out of the shower. I didn't know if I should laugh or let my jaw drop at his appearance as he sat down on the arm of the couch next to me.
"Hello my mysterious blond bomb-shell." Nick says smiling.
"Um hi." I say nervously as I fidget a bit on the couch.
"Are you scared of me?" he asks sounding a bit serious.
"Not really… I'm just nervous." I say still fidgeting.
"Don't be, I'm just like everybody else. A normal guy hanging out with a hottie I like." He says smiling as I blush.
"Well you aren't exactly a normal guy. Normal guys aren't pop stars." I say feeling a bit more comfortable.
"So that doesn't mean I'm an different from any other guy." Nick says as Tamera and Howie walk over by us.
"Do you think you two would be alright here alone with the boys?" Tamera asks.
"I think so, we won't bite… hard." Nick says slyly as he picks up my hand and bits me.
I laugh at him and miss what Tamera says before she and Howie leave. Slowly he stops biting me and sits up straight. His blue eyes meeting mine as a smile creeps across both our faces.
"You see, you don't have to be nervous around me." Nick says as he holds my hands in his.
"I guess you're right." I say as my smile widens.
"Yo Nickay, is it cool if I take her out to the cruiser? AJ asks.
"Yeah sure." Nick says his eyes not leaving mine.
We sit there for a few minutes holding hands and looking into each other's eyes. Then Nick looks down at his watch. It's at that point that I notice that besides Brian and Kevin playing N64 we're alone in the room.
"Damn it. I'm supposed to meet my mom after the show… You wanna come with me?" Nick asks hope in his blue eyes.
"Um, ok." I say as Nick and I stand up.
"See ya later guys, gotta go meet my mom." he says heading for the door hand in hand with me.
"Ok, be good." Brian says as we walk out of their dressing room.
AJ
I take Crystal to the docks in my Expedition. I occasionally steal a glance at her and catch her watching me. I smile to myself as I take on hand off the wheel and holding her hand. Once we reach the docks I lead her to the houseboat that we all pitched in to buy. Crystal gasps a little when she sees how luxurious it is. I smile and help her aboard.
"She's beautiful." She says breathlessly as she looks around.
"You're beautiful." She stops and looks up at me blushing. "Come on, we can sit on the bow and look up at the stars." I say taking her hand and leading her to the bow.
I look up and so doe she. Thousands of stars greet our eyes. I sit down and she follows. I look over at her and see the stars reflecting in her eyes. I don't understand this, I barely know her and yet I feel such a strong attraction to her.
"This is really amazing." Crystal says looking from the sky to me.
"I know. I love coming out here but I've never had anyone to share it with." I say as I let go of her hand and lay down my arms folded behind my head.
Crystal looks down at me for a second then she lays down next to me. Her head barely touching my arm. I slip my left arm from under my head to around her shoulders to reassure her. Then she cuddles up to my side resting her head just below my shoulder.
"So Tamera told me a lot about you." I say looking down at her.
"Good or bad things?" Crystal asks looking back up at me.
"Mostly how you tend to remind her of me or me of you. I mean it got my interest but I'm not the type to like blind dates. But when I saw you from on stage tonight, I just knew that I had to know who you were. Then Tamera introduced me to you and it was like a dream come true." I say spacing out a bit.
"I'm glad I had that kind of effect on you." She says turning over to lay on her stomach propped up on her elbows.
"Can I ask you something?" I ask sitting up a little.
"Sure." She says a bit unsure.
"Why do you prefer to be called Spike instead of crystal? Crystal's a beautiful name." I ask curious and a bit confused.
"Because of these." She points to her collar and I chuckle. " No, actually Tamera called me that when she was mad at me and it stuck." Crystal says shrugging her shoulders.
"Can I ask you another question?" I ask taking her orange hair put of its ponytail.
"Sure." She responds breathless.
"Can I call you Crystal?" I ask putting my hand on her cheek.
"Mm-hum." She mutters as we slowly move towards each other.
Out lips meet softly. I lay back down and she follows our lips never parting. Her arms slide around my neck and mine go around her back and shoulders. Then we finally pull apart and look into each other's eyes. Her gold eyes glisten in the low moonlight.
"Do you want something to drink?" I ask breathless.
She simply nods before she rolls off my chest. I stand up my eyes fixated on her's.
"I'll be right back." I say my eyes not leaving her's.
I turn around and head below deck. What am I doing? I hardly know her and I'm all over her. She probably thinks I'm just trying to sleep with her. Wait a minute. If she thought that she wouldn't have kissed me like that. She really likes me. I grab a bottle of champagne and two wineglasses. Holding the glasses in one hand and the bottle in the other I head back above deck.
"Hello AJ." A familiar female voice says seductively.
I look up and drop the champagne bottle.
Nick
I take Niki over to my mom's house. They hit it off really well. Everything goes very well until… Aaron shows up.
"Hey Nick, who's your girlfriend?" He asks as Niki turns bright red.
"Her name is Niki and what business is it of yours little bro if she is my girlfriend?" I say putting my arm protectively around Niki's shoulders.
She's been through a lot of stuff tonight, nerves wise anyway. All she needs is my brother bugging her. I look over at her and meet her lavender eyes. I can almost see her relax instantly. This may not have been such a bad idea after all.
Howie
As I drive to my house I notice Tamera's looking around and fidgeting a bit, which isn't like her. I take one hand off the wheel and put it over her clasped hand on her lap. Her fingers stop moving at my touch and she looks over at me.
"What's wrong angel?" I ask glancing from the road to her.
"Nothing." She says and I know she's lying.
"Tamera, I may not have been around a lot in the year we've been together but I know you well enough that you don't fidget like that unless something's wrong now what is it?" I ask as I stop my car at the beginning of my driveway.
I shut off the car and turn to look at her. My hand still covering her's. She looks at me and searches my face. She's been acting strange all night, now this. What's wrong?
"Howie it's nothing really. I was thinking." Tamera says pulling one hand from under mine and I catch her it with mine.
"Tamera what's wrong? You haven't been acting like yourself lately. You know you can tell me anything." I say as I hold her hand in mine.
"Can I just tell you later?" She asks as I meet her light blue eyes.
She's panicking. From the look in her eyes she wants to tell me but she's scared. I release her hand and put my hand on her cheek. She closes her eyes as ragged breath escapes her lips. She leans her head to my touch.
"Take all the time you need." I say comfortingly as I gently caress her cheek.
She keeps her eyes closed and I hear her softly whimper. What happened to her? Damn if so help me if anyone hurt her I'll kill them. I slid my hand off her cheek and she slowly opens her eyes. I smile wryly at her and restart my car.
Niki
Nick's mom was really sweet. We just left his mom's and he's taking me to his place for dinner. I was so nervous before but now… I'm acting like I would around Tamera or Spike. I don't know why I was so nervous, like Nick said he's just like any other guy. Once we get to Nick's place, it's a penthouse, I see he has playstation. So we end up playing playstation for a few hours. Then we cuddle up on the couch together under a big blanket and fall asleep watching The Matrix.
AJ
Natalia stands on deck where Crystal was laying.
"What the hell are you doing here and where's Crystal?!" I demand stepping up on deck in front of her.
"Oh you mean that slut? Oh she went for a little swim in the ocean." Natalia says smiling evilly.
I drop the two wineglasses and punch her in the face.
"I normally don't hit women but for you I'll make an exception." I say before I run to the rail.
I frantically scan the water for Crystal. I spot her clinging desperately to one of the pilings of the dock. I dive overboard and quickly swim to her.
"Are you ok?" I ask as soon as I reach her.
"Yeah." She says before a wave crashes into us.
I grab onto her and she holds onto me. Once the wave passes we quickly swim back to the boat. As soon as we climb on deck I grab a blanket making sure Natalia is still knocked out. Then we get off the boat and sit in my car, Crystal wrapped in a blanket.
"I'm gonna take you home." I say as my heart cries for me not to.
"No. I want to stay with you." She says a bit unsure.
"No problem." I say smiling and she smiles back.
Tamera
Howie drives the rest of the way up the driveway a Spanish hacienda comes into view. He stops in front of it. I get out of the car spellbound.
"It looks like a hacienda from the days of the Dons and Santa Anna." I say spellbound as Howie chuckles.
"It is. It's one of the few left intact in the state." Howie says as he walks around his car to stand next to me.
"It's beautiful, a true Spanish rose." I say looking over at him.
"Just like you my dear. Come on there's something I want to show you." He says as he takes my hand.
He leads me around the hour and to an outdoor fire pit. There are four five-foot long wooden benches. There's already a fire built in the pit it just needs to be started. Behind the benches is a semi-circle of trees from the forest. I sit down on one of the closet bench as Howie starts the fire. I watch him try to start a match then light the paper and burn his fingers. He swears in Spanish and I laugh. He looks back at me with a raised eyebrow.
"You think you can do better? Be my guest." Howie says as he takes a step back from the fire pit.
"Ok." I say smirking as I pull out my lighter from my purses.
"You smoke?" Howie asks a bit revolted and I snort.
"Hell no. I just carry it cause you never know when you'll need it." I say as I light one corner of the paper.
I move over to the other corners and lit them. The fire begins blazing in no time. I sit back down on the bench a few feet from Howie.
"Quiet the pyro aren't you?" Howie teases.
"Well somebody's gotta know what they're doing." I say shrugging and we both break out laughing.
After a few minutes of laughing I stop and stare at the fire. Should I just tell him now or wait a little longer? The longer I wait the harder it'll get. I sigh and swallow hard. Here goes nothing.
"Howie, you know how I said all will be revealed when the time is right?" He nods, "Well it's time I tell you my past." I say turning to face him.
"But you already did, what else is there to know?" He asks confused.
I close my eyes and take a breath. I lick my lips and open my eyes. Just to meet Howie's dark brown eyes head on.
"My father was a very religious man, a strict Catholic. When I was about 11-12 I started researching other religions so that I could choose my own religion. The one religion that appealed to me was Wicca, so I secretly initiated myself and became a Wiccan.
"I'd perform spells and rituals either when he wasn't home or when he was a sleep. My mom quickly found out and was perfectly fine with the fact I was Wiccan and she even helped me hide it and buy supplies.
"When I was fifteen my mom died. She was hit by a drunk driver while she was walking home from the corner store by our house. That night I did a ritual to help her spirit make it to the other side and he caught me
"My dad was livid. He destroyed my altar and most of my room. Then he kicked me out and disowned me when I was eighteen. Those three years from when he found out were hell. He always made me work for everything, literally. Anything I wanted, I bought with money I made working. I've paid my way through college on scholarships I won in high school and got money for me to live on by working at the Union all four years." I say trying not to cry.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Howie asks concerned and confused.
"I didn't want your pity. But there's something else I need to tell you…, " I take a deep breath, "About a month ago I went to a party with Niki, Spike and a bunch of our other friends. Needless to say I had a little too much to drink but I was still in my right mind. I was just a bit tipsy. One of my guy friends offered to drive me home and I accepted not wanting to drive in my present state.
"For the most part he was a gentleman, but once we got to my apartment he-he tried to rape me. He didn't get far but… if Crystal and Niki hadn't of shown up to check on me who know what would have happened." I say as I break down into tears.
Howie
I watch still in shock as Tamera puts her head in her hands and cries. Should I let her cry or comfort her? To hell with it. I move closer to her on the bench and gently put my arm around her shoulders holding her close to my side. She looks up at me her pale blue eyes red from crying. She puts her arms around me and cries into my chest. I wrap my arms around her shaking shoulders and rub her back as her sobs lessen.
"It's alright Tamera. I'm here, no matter what I'm not going anywhere." I say soothingly and she lifts her head.
"You mean that don't you?" She asks surprised and unsure.
"With all my heart mi querida." I say stroking the side of her head with my hand.
She looks into my eyes a moment then wraps her arms tightly around my chest and rests her cheek on my shoulder. I rest one hand on the back of her head and hold her close with the other. I can feel her ragged uneven breath on my neck and she presses her hands to my back They move frantically pressing her palms on the muscles of my back.
"Do you want me to take you home?" I ask and she tightens her grip.
"No, I wanna stay with you… where I feel safe." Tamera whispers choking back a sob.
"Ok. That's no problem, none at all." I say caressing her back trying to soothe her.
Crystal
Once we reach AJ's mansion he changes into another beater, this time it's black, and a pair of shorts. He lets me borrow a t-shirt and a pair of snap-up pants. He gives me one of the guestrooms to sleep in. I walk around the room unable to sleep. AJ saved my life. If it hadn't of been for him… I'd be shark bait. Should I go talk to him? Suddenly the door eases open and I stop dead in my track. Who is it? Is it that crazy broad again? When I see it's just AJ I relax. He walks in and closes the door behind him.
"You couldn't sleep either?" AJ asks standing in front of the door.
"No." I admit a bit red in the face.
"Come on. You wanna watch a movie in my room with me?" He asks holding his hand out to me.
"Ok." I say taking his hand.
He opens the door and leads me down the hall to his room. He has a big king size four post bed and a 25" TV on the opposite wall with a VCR. On the far right wall the door to a walk in closet is open. She sees clothes scattered on the floor of the closet and clothes on hangers.
"Wanna watch Wild Things?" AJ asks and my eyes light up.
"I love that movie." I say sitting down on the edge of his bed.
"Good." He says putting in the tape.
He turns the TV on then lays down on the bed his back propped up by pillows. I scoot back on the bed and lay down next to him. I cuddle up to his side and rest my head on his shoulder. He wraps his arm around my shoulders and I wrap mine around his chest. We watch the movie and fall asleep like that.
Tamera
Howie gives me the guestroom at the opposite end of the hall from his room. I lay down on the queen size bed my mesh shirt and sandals on a chair and my hair down. I keep moving tossing and turning on the bed to find a comfortable position, but can't. This bed is too damn big! Is it up and slam my hands down on the bed in frustration. A few stray curls fly in my face and I blow them out of my way.
Maybe I should go see if How's still awake? I will, it'll give me something to do. I get up and walk out of the room. The hallway is dark, on the right are more rooms and on the left is an iron rod railing that over looks the living room. My bare feet step gently on the wood floor quietly creep to the end of the hall and ease Howie's door open. His room is dark. I can see him king size bed and someone lying down under the sheet. He's asleep. I slowly start to close the door and turn back to the hallway.
"You couldn't' sleep either?" Howie asks making me jump.
"Yeah, I hope I didn't wake you." I say turning around and opening the door fully.
"Not in the least. On the contrary I was just going to do the same thing." He says as he lights a candle on the nightstand next to his bed.
To my surprise his room is rather empty but it's similar to the room he had in the I'll Never Break Your Heart video. I look at Howie who's sitting on his bed his back propped up by pillows. The sheet at his waist revealing his bare chest and the top of his sweatpants.
"Come here, you don't have to stand in the doorway." He says patting the bed next to him.
I smile and walk over to the bed, the door gently closing behind me. I sit down next to him and start feeling a bit self-conscious about sleeping in a tube top. Lucky for me my hair's in front of my shoulders covering me a bit. I push some of my curls behind my ear and cross my arms across my exposed stomach. Howie chuckles a bit and runs his fingers along my hair line to my ear,
"Self-conscious? You have no need to be. You know you can trust me as I trust you." He says sweetly as he gently caresses my cheek and tangles his fingertips in my fiery red curls.
"I know. I just… can't help it." I say as I let a ragged sigh escape my lips.
"I would never force you to do anything you didn't wan. You mean too much tom to lose you now." He says a little fear in his voice.
I meet his eyes and see the unspoken worry and concern in his dark brown eyes. He thinks that he'll lose me. I move closer to him and I wrap my bare arms around his bare chest. I press my cheek to his shoulder and hold him tightly.
Howie
Tamera's touch was searing on my chilled skin as she wraps her arms around me. My arms slide around her and my hand sits between her shoulder blades under her curls. She cuddles up close to my side and runs her hands up and down my back.
"You'll never lose me Howie not now, not ever." She whispers fiercely as if she was reading my mind.
I tighten my grip on her protectively and kiss her temple. She means too much to me to lose. Damn I forgot to give her her other surprise. Good thing it's up here.
"Before I forget again, I still have something for you." I say as I slide my hand off her back and open the drawer on my nightstand.
Tamera turns so her back is against me. I pull a small box from the drawer and close it. I put my arm around her shoulders and hold the box in front of her.
"Oh Howie, you didn't have to." She says as she takes it from my hand.
She opens the box and her eyes widen. Two silver rings sitting on a velvet pillow greet her eyes. She looks at me in surprise and I lock eyes with her.
"They're promise rings. I wanted to promise my heart to you." I say as I take the slimmer ring from the box.
I hold it so Tamera can see "Howard Dwayne Dourough" engraved inside the band.
"Oh Howie, this is so sweet I-I don't know what to say." She says spellbound, I smile and hold her hand out with my free hand.
"I, Howard Dwayne Dourough, promise my heart to you for the rest of my life. I promise to love and care for you for the rest of our lives. Blessed be." I say as I slip the ring on her middle finger.
She looks at me with surprise and a kind of acceptance in her pale blue eyes. She takes the other ring out. It has "Tamera Leann McCarty" engraved on the inside. She holds my hand in one hand and the ring in the other.
"I, Tamera Leann McCarty, promise my heart to you for the rest of my life. I promise to love and care for you for the rest of our lives. Blessed be." She says as she slips the ring on my middle finger.
"Now you know how much you mean to me, angel." I say before I kiss her.