Chapter 6: Introducing the Wild Angels
Crystal
We're all hanging out at AJ's. Eating lunch and watching movies. Then we moved to this big Rec. room with a surround sound stereo. I almost saw Tamera's eyes light up when she saw all the DJ equipment siting in one corner of the room.
"Ok who wants to be DJ?" AJ asks turning on the stereo system with a computer I just noticed.
"I will." Tamera volunteers with an evil smirk.
"Alright get up here." AJ says smiling evilly back at her.
Ok they're up to something, and I don't like it. It could just be that AJ knows that Tamera loves playing DJ. When we were kids and I threw my first big party, for my 16th birthday, she was the DJ and it was a blast. She always knows the right music to play… but back then it seemed like she always wanted to be DJ so that she wasn't noticed and really she wasn't. When ever I mentioned my best friend people looked at me like "Who?" when I'd say Tamera's name. I sigh as I glance around. It's only me, Niki, Nick, Howie, Tamera and AJ now, the other boys left to be with their wives.
Tamera
I walk up to AJ's DJ set up and sit down in the chair behind it. This is a good set up, expensive too. He hands me a headset microphone and I put it on. I smile at him and he smiles back. The last time I was here AJ showed me this stuff and he found out how good of a DJ I am.
"The Napster on the computer is connected to the sound system and all my CDs are behind you. Have fun." He says as she starts walking away.
"You know I will." I whisper to him evilly.
Ok let's get this party going. I scan Napster, adding songs to the mix. I start I Want You by Savage Garden and Crystal and Niki start dancing. I sit back and watch everyone dance and notice Howie's not dancing. Aww my poor Howie's lonely with out me to dance with. I put a few songs on the play-list and as soon as the song ends I put on One in a Million by Aaliyah.
"I know it's still early but hey we all gotta let that special someone know that they're one in a million." I say looking around.
I see AJ asking Crystal to dance and Nick and Niki dancing. I slip off the headset and walk over to Howie who's not paying attention. He looks so sad with his head in his hands staring at the floor. I guess he'll be happy that I'm coming over by him.
Howie
One in a Million just started and I watch AJ, Spike, Nick and Niki dance. Why does Tamera have to be DJ? I wanna dance with her. I sigh as I look down at the floor.
"You look rather lonely my Sweet D." A voice calls from my side.
I turn my head to see Tamera, one look at her takes my breath away. The black oriental style dress she's wearing shows her shape like it was molded to her form. A single red curl falls over her face out of the bun held up by two black chopsticks. Compared to her I feel completely under dressed. I stand as she reaches a hand out to me.
"Would you care to dance?" Tamera asks with a sweet smile on her face.
"I'd be a fool to refuse such an angel." I say taking her hand putting it around my neck.
She complies to me by stepping closer putting her bare arms around my neck. As is lip my arms around her waist she presses her body against mine. The air catches in my throat as I feel her full body against mine. She watches my face and sees my eyes widen as her body rubs against mine. She gives me an evil smirk as I start to turn red.
"What's wrong Howie? Not used to a girl being this close to you?" She teases rubbing up against me hard and at my most sensitive point.
I try to swallow a shutter but allow a whimper to escape my lips. A throaty seductive chuckle emanates from Tamera along with a seductive smirk. I've never seen her like this before. I don't know whether to like it or not.
"Your love is one and a million
It goes on and on and on
It gives me a real good feelin'
All day long." Tamera sings loud enough for me to hear her, again not missing a note or a beat.
We dance and I hold her close to me our bodies still close together. As the song ends Tamera doesn't move but rests her head on my shoulder. Beauty & the Beast by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson plays and she cuddles closer to me. I look down at the top of her head and smiles rubbing her back gently. Her lips brush against my bare neck and a small shutter escapes me.
AJ
I walk up to Crystal as One in a Million plays. She stops and looks at me. I'm wearing a black dress shirt open to reveal a white beater and black dress pants.
"May I have the honor of this dance mademoiselle?" I ask holding my hand out to her.
"I'd be a fool to refuse such an offer." Crystal says taking my hand.
I pull her to me and she comes willingly. She slips her bare arms inside my dress shirt and wraps her arms around my chest. She presses her body in her red vinyl dress against me and I hold her to me. Her hands move up and down my back her hands pressed against my muscles. My hands rest on the small of her back, my thumbs at the edge of the vinyl.
Niki
I fluff my curly blond hair as I walk over to Nick. He has his back to me. He wears a blue dress shirt over black dress pants. I come up behind him and slip my bare arms around his waist. His back straightens as his hands find mine.
"Hi Niki." Nick says turning around leaving my hands around his waist.
"Hi." I say pulling him close to me.
I rest my head on his shoulder as he wraps his arms around my shoulders. I can't believe that I didn't believe Tamera knew the boys. She was always on the phone and always knew where they were on tour; she even knew when they'd be home and what time their flight got in. For a while I thought she was a bit obsessed but she kept insisting that she was going out with Howie. Now I'm a believer. I've got Nick my favorite member of my favorite band. I smile as the song shifts to Beauty & the Beast.
Howie
What is Tamera doing to me? Does she even realize how she's acting is messing with me? She's never acted remotely like this before. How can she make me feel this vulnerable without even trying? No girl's ever done this to me. I don't understand what I'm feeling… and Tamera seems to know exactly what she's doing. As the song ends Tamera looks up at me her pale blue eyes meeting mine then she kisses me.
Her hands go to my neck as she pulls me closer to deepen the kiss. Again I can feel her body against mine were I feel the most vulnerable. Her thumb brushes my ear barely touching it and I shutter. How can she make me feel like this?
Tamera
I know even before I kissed him that Howie had a hard-on, and I was the cause of it. I'm not totally sure why I'm doing this but… ever since I fell asleep next to him after he gave me the promise ring… I've been wishing to take our relationship to the next level. I realized when we were laying there together that he's the first person I've ever felt… safe and protected with. As I slowly pull my lips from his and look into his dark brown eyes. Have You Ever by Brandy plays as I take a deep breath.
"I love you Howard Dwayne Dourough." I say my eyes not leaving his.
His jaw slightly drops and his eyes widen. I feel his arms tighten around my waist as he holds me tighter to him. I never thought I'd be able to get those words out. I never told him how I truly felt until now. I can tell it means as much to him as it does to me.
"I love you too Tamera Leann McCarty." Howie says his voice caught in his throat.
I kiss him on the cheek before I put my head on his shoulder again. One of his hands slowly moves up my back. His fingertips trail up my spine. A small whimper escapes from me as his hand reaches the back of my neck. I hear a throaty chuckle emanate from his throat as he runs his fingertips on the back of my neck barely touching my skin. I slowly slide my hand off his neck and down his chest between us. I roughly grab him and lift my head as he gasps and shutters at the same time. His widened dark brown eyes meet mine, as I don't loosen my grip on him.
"Don't tease me D, unless you mean it." I say as I grab him again, gentler this time, he shutter slightly melting in my arms.
"Mmm, w-what makes you think I don't?" He says barely above a whisper.
"Then you'll have to wait till later." I say before I give him a quick kiss on the cheek before I walk back over to the DJ stuff.
I lightly laugh to myself as I sit down and the look of shock on his face. I've never seen Howie's face that red before. I put my headset back on still chuckling as the song ends.
"Will Niki and Crystal please report over to the DJ equipment?" I ask putting on Stop by Spice Girls.
AJ
As Crystal walks over to Tamera both Nick and I look at Howie. His face is as red as a beet and I hear him mumble something in Spanish. What ever Tam did it must have been good to get him to turn that red. I stifle a laugh as we walk over to him.
"What happen? Tam having a little too much fun with you?" I say as Nick snickers.
"Oh ha ha very funny. You'd be the same way if Spike was acting the way Tamera was." Howie complains scratching the back of his head.
"I wanna know what they're up to over there." Nick says looking back at the girls behind my DJ stuff.
I hear them all laugh and shake their heads in agreement. Ok they're planing something… Or Tamera is and is getting them in on it. Either way things are gonna get interesting.
"What ever it is… it's not good, for us." I say watching them from a distance.
Tamera
I slip off the headset and put the three portable headsets next to the computer. Niki and Crystal step behind the wall of DJ equipment. I smile to myself as I see the curious looks on both of my best friend's faces.
"What is it Tam?" Crystal asks her hand on her hip.
"Ok we all know how the boys sound… so why don't we introduce them to the Wild Angels?" I say tapping my finger on one of the headsets a smirk on my face.
"Now you're talkin'." Niki says grabbing a headset
"Let's show 'em they're not the only ones with talent around here." Crystal says grabbing her headset.
She attaches the battery pack to her low dropping back. I tie an elastic band around Niki's and my waist and put my battery pack on it. We put our headsets on look at each other and laugh. We look like Spice Girls, well three of them anyway.
"The usual?" Crystal asks.
"Not exactly. We'll open with Too Much then you'll sing Affirmation, Niki'll sing Crazy and I'll sing Wild Angels." I explain.
"You're singing a song about us?" Crystal asks with a smirk.
"No Spike, it's by Martina McBride. I brought my CD, no let's do this." I say setting up the Napster to play Too Much.
The three of us step in front of the DJ stuff and look at the boys. We all turn on our headsets. We stand me in the center Niki on my left and Crystal on my right. I glance over at both of them a smirk on my face.
"Alright boys, now we've seen and heard all of you sing… it's our turn. Hit it Tam." Niki says as I turn and start the song.
Nick
We turn and watch the girls as the sounds of Too Much start. So this is what they were planing. This is gonna be interesting.
"Love is blind, as far as the eyes can see,
Deep and meaningless, words to me," Spike sings her voice deep but distinctly feminine.
"Easy lover, I need a friend
Road to nowhere, twist and turns but will this never end," Niki sings her voice melodic and sweet.
"Well my dear you'll know that he please me
But sometime illusions ain't no revolutions,
That ain't no release for me." Tamera sings her voice enchanting and sassy.
Damn! They're good! I would have never thought they could sing like that. I turn to AJ and Howie. I see a surprised look on AJ's face and a satisfied smirk on Howie's.
"I never knew they could sing like that." I say still half-mesmerized.
"They must have been practicing this for a long time." AJ says his eyes bot leaving Spike.
"I knew she'd sing." Howie says still smiling.
"What'd you mean man?" AJ asks glancing at Howie.
"I've heard her sing before. She said she didn't like showing off but… I've been talking with her this week and I guess it changed her mind." Howie explains looking at AJ.
"We've never heard her sing before." I say turning back to face them.
"I've only heard her sing twice so don't think I'm not as surprised as you two." Howie sys as we all put our attention back on the girls.
"Too much of nothing so why don't we give it a try,
Too much of something we're gonna believing a lie." All three of them harmonize together creating a beautiful harmony.
The three of us start clapping as Niki, Spike and Tamera bow. Tamera and Niki step around the DJ stuff and Spike stands alone.
AJ
I would never have believed it if I hadn't seen and heard it myself. They sound great together, or apart for that matter. The intro to Savage Garden's Affirmation begins playing as I watch Crystal tap her foot to the beat.
"I believe the sun should never set upon and argument.
I believe we place out happiness in other people's hands.
I believe that Junk food tastes so good because it's bad for you.
I believe your parents did the best job they knew how to do.
I believe that beauty magazines promote low self-esteem.
I believe I'm loved when I'm completely by myself alone.
"I believe in karma what you give is what you get returned.
I believe you can't appreciate real love until you've been burned.
I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side.
I believe you don't know what you've got until you say good-bye." Crystal sings her tone matching that of the singer but still sounding feminine and very sexy.
I smile as I watch her sing. Then I turn to Nick and Howie. We should get out producer to hear them.
"We should get them to sing when we start recording our new album." I say to them mirroring what I'm thinking.
"That's a good idea, but don't tell the girls." Nick says and Howie nods in agreement.
I look back at Crystal. She has a beautiful voice. If I'm famous she should be too. I don't see why not I mean her, Niki and Tamera all have talent so we should all flaunt it. The song ends and we all clap as Crystal bows then walks back behind the DJ stuff.
Nick
Niki walks out from behind the DJ stuff a few minutes after Spike walks behind it. She stands in front of it and takes a deep breath. I smile as she looks over her shoulder and nods. My smile widens when the intro to Crazy by Britney Spears plays.
"Baby I'm so into you.
You've got that somethin',
What can I do?
Baby you spin me around,
The earth is movin'
But I can't feel the ground.
Every time you look at me,
My heart is jumpin' it's easy to see.
Loving you means so much more
More than anything I ever felt before.
"You drive me crazy,
I just can't sleep.
I'm so excited I'm in too deep.
Crazy but if feels alright,
Baby thinkin' of you keeps me up all night." Niki sings her voice mirroring Britney's a bit but her voice has more sass and edge.
I'm truly amazed. I never knew the girls had this kind of talent. They sound amazing, Niki sounds amazing! I think AJ's right, if our producer hears them, I know he'll love them. These girls have real potential to make it big and Tam tells me she writes songs for them too. Talk about multi-talented. I'm proud of Niki. It takes major guts to get up in front of a group and sing, I should know.
Niki
The last few beats of Crazy end as the boys clap and I bow. I hear Tamera and Spike whispering as I step behind the DJ booth and Tamera steps out in front. Spike hits play on the CD player and Independence Day plays instead of Wild Angels. I look at Spike confused.
"I thought she was singin' Wild Angels?" I ask her as Tamera starts singing.
"She was but she thought she had a different CD or whatever. So she changed her song." Spike says as I take off my microphone.
Howie
Tamera walks out in front of the DJ equipment her face lowered a bit her cheeks pink. One red curl falls down her face over her left eye. The intro to Independence Day by Martina McBride starts. She taps her hand on her hip. Suddenly she lifts her head the pink gone from her cheeks.
"Well she seemed alright by dawns early light
Though she looked a little worried and weak.
She tried to pretend he wasn't drinkin' again,
But daddy left the proof on her cheek.
I was only eight years old that summer
And I always seemed to be in the way.
So I took myself down to the fair in town
On Independence Day.
"Now word gets around in a small small town.
They said he was a dangerous man,
But mamma was proud and she stood her ground.
She knew she was on the losin' end.
Some folks whispered, some folks talked
But everybody looked the other way
When time ran out there was no one about
On Independence Day.
"Let freedom ring, let the white dove sing.
Let the whole world know that today
Is a day of reckoning.
Let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong.
Roll that stone away, let the guilty pay.
It's Independence Day." Tamera sings her voice passionate and beautiful with a country twang to her voice that I've never noticed before.
I smile to myself as I watch Tamera sing as she has twice before. She has such a beautiful voice and her and the girls harmonize extremely well. They must have been practicing this act together for years. It reminds me of me, AJ and Nick. We all kept running into each other and started a trio. And look at us now, one of the top pop bands in the world. To think of what fame the girls could reach if they got into this business. They'd be unstoppable… and they could tour with us. Before I can think another thought the song ends and the guys are clapping for her as she stands up straight.
She looks at us and smiles as Niki and Spike walk out from behind the DJ equipment and stand on either side of Tamera. She looks at each of them and all three of them join hands and bow. We continue clapping then we all whistle at them. As the girls stand up they all start laughing as Tamera looks out at us adjusting her mic on her head.
"All three of you know us as Tamera, Niki and Spike but we've acquired the name of Wild Angels." Tamera explains as Niki takes her mic off her head.
"We are the Wild Angels and that's how we're gonna stay." Niki says before Tamera snatches it back and smacks Niki up side her head.
Tamera shakes her head as she walks behind the DJ equipment again. Then Niki and Spike walk over to Nick and AJ. I watch as Tamera takes off her headset and messes with the computer.
Crystal
I walk over to AJ with smile on my face. My eyes drop to the floor as I stand in front of him. He puts his hand under my chin and lifts my head to look into his hazel eyes.
"You sound beautiful Crystal." AJ says proudly.
"Thank you. We've been singing since we were in high school." I say shyly as I smile at him.
"It's obvious you girls practice a lot, you three sound great. Next week we're going into the studio to start recording our new album, do you wanna come with us?" AJ asks putting his hand on my cheek.
"Sure, sounds like fun." I say stepping closer to him.
He pulls my head closer to him and we kiss. His arms go around my waist and mine go around his neck. My All by Mariah Carey plays as we kiss.
Niki
I walk over to Nick as My All plays and I smile. I drape my arms around Nick's shoulders and he slides his arms around my waist. He pulls me to him so our bodies barely touch. He smiles at me leaning his forehead to mine.
"You have a wonderful voice." Nick says his blue eyes meet my lavender eyes.
"Thank you… but it's not as good as yours." T say resting my head on his shoulder.
He moves his hand to rest on my head. He strokes my head, entangling his fingers in my curls. I smile again my arms sliding to his waist.
"Your voice is beautiful, I hope you know that Niki. It's as beautiful as you are." Nick says and I lift my head to look at him.
I meet his eyes and fall into them. We slowly melt together in a long and sweet kiss. He holds me close and I hold him back. I've never felt like this towards a guy before. I feel so vulnerable and yet so protected and safe. Nick would never hurt me. I feel so close to him even though I've only really known him a few says, even thought I've been following his career for years. I don't know what's happening but I never want it to end! I don't think I could ever live like I had before I met Nick again. I-I think I love him.
Howie
After a few seconds My All starts then Tamera walks back out from behind the DJ equipment. She smiles and slowly walks up to me. I smile back at her as she stands before me.
"What brought that on?" I ask as she wraps her arms around my neck.
"What? Us singing? Just thinkin' about what you said. Besides I thought it was about time that you and other boys heard us sing." She says softly holding me tightly against her.
"Baby can't you feel me,
Imaging I'm looking in your eyes?
I can see you clearly
Vividly amazing in my mind
Except you're so far
Like a distant star
I'm wishing on tonight." Tamera sings quietly but with so much emotion that I think she's crying.
I hold her tightly to me and rub her back. I lean my head on her's and I hear her breathing heavily. She grabs a fist full of the back of my shirt and I feel a tear fall on my neck. I put my hand on her bare neck and she feels incredibly cold to my touch. I press my hand to her neck and stroke her neck.
I hear a shutter escape her lips as the song ends and End of the Road by Boys II Men plays. I look down at her head and I pull out her chopsticks with my hand. Her fiery spiral curls tumble down her head. I kiss the top of her head then I lift her head to look into her pale blue eyes.
"What's wrong?" I ask rubbing her cheek.
"N-nothing… It's just that that song reminded me of you while you were gone." Tamera says tears still glittering in her eyes.
"I'm here now, I'm never going to leave you again." I say stroking the side of her face.
"Don't say that! Don't lie to me! You know you have to leave me again your life demands it!" She yells over the music as she takes a step back away from me and pushes my arms off her.
AJ, Spike, Nick and Niki all stop and watch as the song keeps plying in the background. I look at Tamera, she watches me too except… she's hyperventilating. Why'd she all of a sudden go nuts on me? I never thought that another girl could have mood swings like Sharen. I thought I was rid of that shit when I got together with Tamera.
"Tam what's wrong?" Spike asks as Tamera looks at her panicked.
"What happened?" Niki asks as she looks at her still panicked.
"Are you ok?" AJ asks as Tamera looks t him then closes her eyes and puts her hands over her ears.
"Leave me alone!" Tamera says before she drops to her knees and hunches over.
"Tamera is ok." I say putting my hand on her shoulder.
"Don't touch me!" Tamera shrieks before he jumps to her feet and runs out of the room.
I stand there staring after her in total dumbfounded shock. My eyes turn to AJ, Spike, Nick and Niki. From Spike and Niki I meet comforting and understanding glances. But from Nick and AJ I get total confusion and a need for answers. I start to go after her then Spike and Niki stop me.
"Let us go." Spike says putting a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"No offense Howie but we know her better then you do and we probably know what's wrong with her." Niki says before she and Spike start to walk after her.
"Well what's wrong?" Nick asks stopping them in their tracks.
"Howie must've said something that reminded her of when-when her dad used to hit her." Spike says quickly.
"Sometimes something can trigger a memory in her mind and she gets these total flash backs. She forgets where she is and she totally freaks." Niki explains before she and Spike turn again and they leave.