Part 219
At the first party, the foursome was met by a host of reporters who started shooting questions the minute they stepped out of the limo. Most of them were about AJ’s rehab and what had happened at the VMA’s with Jamie Foxx but there was one reporter in particular who was with a trashy tabloid and was looking to cause trouble.
Half way to the door, this reporter blocked the way shoving a microphone in Sarah’s face and had his photographer shooting pictures the whole time as he said, "There were rumors last year about this time that these three were ‘sharing’ you. Is this still going on now that you're married to Howie?"
Kevin tried to push the mic out of Sarah’s face as Howie slipped his arm around her waist pulling her closer. Kevin said calmly, "No comment."
The reporter persisted and Howie looked around for Raoul. "Get him out of the way."
"So does it mean it’s true?" asked the reporter again as Raoul tried to move him back.
AJ said, "No…it means ‘No Comment’."
The foursome tried to continue on but the reporter followed with Raoul trying to stay between him and Sarah. "You guys pride yourselves on being honest with the public. How HONEST are you being about these rumors?"
All four were making every effort to ignore the reporter and their security…Tommy, Marcus, Carlos, and Raoul had effectively blocked the reporter and his cameraman from them but it didn’t stop the questions. He kept pressing, asking questions about ‘sharing’ and Howie and Sarah being swingers in the Orlando nightclub scene. With each question, Howie pulled Sarah tighter and Kevin and AJ’s anger built.
Howie looked at Sarah and saw the tears. He whispered, "Don’t cave in, Angel. We’re almost there and he’s looking for a reaction."
At the door, Kevin opened it allowing Sarah and Howie to go in followed by AJ.
The reporter saw they weren’t going to answer any questions and he yelled, "She must be one hell of a good fuck to have all three of you defending her."
That was the match that ignited AJ. He’d been simmering all night with the jokes about his rehab and this just topped it off. In a flash, before any of the four bodyguards or Kevin could stop him, AJ had the reporter by the collar and was slamming him against the wall. Getting in his face, AJ growled through clenched teeth. "It’s assholes like you who are spreading this trash about us sharing her NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE TELL YOU IT DIDN’T HAPPEN. Sarah’s a lady and deserves to be treated as such! I’m sure in your line of work you don’t know what a TRUE LADY is!"
The reporter was shouting at his cameraman, "Get pictures! For god sake’s…get
pictures."
Out of nowhere, Sarah grabbed AJ by the waist, pulling him back and getting in between him and the reporter. Looking up at him with her hands on his chest, "Come on, Alex. He’s NOT worth it."
AJ looked down at Sarah. He saw the hurt in her eyes but he also saw the strength and courage that it took for her to come back to get him.
Howie and Kevin were behind AJ now and he felt Howie’s hand on his shoulder. Howie said softly, "Come on, ‘J’…let’s go party."
AJ backed off and Sarah turned to Raoul. "Get the film. I don’t want this in the papers in the morning."
The reporter shouted, "YOU CAN NOT DO THAT!"
Sarah spun around and coolly said, "DO NOT TELL ME WHAT I CAN AND CAN NOT DO!"
"I have the freedom to print whatever I want. And I promise you….the story of how you and Howie are swingers WILL be front page."
"You know something, my personal life is NONE of your DAMN business but for the record. Last year, Howie and I broke up and, yes, I dated Kevin and AJ!! They were and STILL are my best friends. We went out together…all four of us because we ARE FRIENDS. Now, if you print this…I’m gonna make sure that YOU are hit with the biggest lawsuit this side of the Mississippi. You’ll NEVER write again."
"Is that a threat?"
"NO…it’s a promise."
With that, Sarah turned, Howie put his arm around her waist, and they went in to the party followed by Kevin and AJ leaving behind a very defeated reporter.
Inside, Howie pulled Sarah to him in a tight hug as her tears fell on his shoulder. "Angel, what are you crying for? You were TERRIFIC! It took a lot of courage to go back out there."
"It was stupid though," sobbed Sarah as she wiped her tears. "It was exactly what he wanted."
"No way, ‘Tigger’. I’m the one who gave him what he wanted," said AJ rubbing her back. "You handled him like a pro."
"Sarah, you did the right thing. Don’t be upset or ashamed," said Kevin. "And Raoul got the film so there won’t be any pictures."
"Really?" she questioned looking at all three of them.
"Yeah, baby! Come on, let’s go party. That’s what we’re here for…isn’t it?"
Sarah smiled through the tears and looking at AJ, they chorused, "MOST DEFINITELY!"
The party wasn’t what Howie and Sarah were looking for. There was no dancing and the music wasn’t what they normally listened to. They did hang around for about an hour, talking to the various artists and record executives before deciding to ditch the party. AJ was with them and Kevin had found Krystal and Mook.
"Bone…we’re headed out," said Howie.
"Wait, I’ll go with you. This just isn’t cutting it for me."
"We need to let Kevin know."
AJ spotted Kevin on the steps so he went to let him know and then the three made their way out of the party.
Outside, Sarah asked, "Now what?"
"We got invited to P Diddy’s party," said Howie. "Let’s head there."
AJ said, "Guys, I’m gonna call it a night."
"Are you sure, ‘Bone’?" asked Howie.
"Yeah…this party scene just ain’t happening tonight."
Sarah gave AJ a hug. "Alex, I’m proud of you and thanks for sticking up for me."
AJ held her tight as he said, "Baby, you didn’t need me."
"Maybe not, but I appreciated it just the same."
"Yeah, J…me too," said Howie. "Take care and we’ll see you at lunch."
"Thanks, guys. D…have fun with ‘Tigger’ and take care of her," smirked AJ.
Howie wrapped his arms around her waist, "We plan on it."
* * * * * * * *
In the car, Howie pulled Sarah to him leaning in to her. His soft lips brushed her and she parted hers allowing him to taste her. At the same time, he ran his hand up the inside of her thigh caressing the soft skin as his thumb danced lightly over her clit.
A whimper escaped from the back of Sarah’s throat and she pulled back. In a breathy whisper, Sarah asked, "Are you sure you want to go to this party, D?"
"Yeah, Angel," smiled Howie sexily. "We haven’t been out in a while…like you said…and I really want to show off my gorgeous wife."
"You mean while I’m still thin and shapely?"
Howie teased, "Yeah. After you start getting fat, I’m gonna lock you away out of sight and find some sexy thing to accompany me to public events."
"Ohhh…that’s MEAN!" pouted Sarah.
Howie laughed, "I’m just playing, Sarah. I can’t wait to see you in a few months. You’re gonna be even more beautiful than you are now."
Sarah snuggled next to him, "I love you so much."
Howie kissed her lightly on the top of her head as she played with his wedding band. "You never cease to amaze me."
"Really? What have I done now?"
"Tonight…at the other party. I’d have sworn you were really upset but you went back to get AJ and faced off with that jerk."
"Alex didn’t need the publicity and neither did you or Kevin. I knew I was the only one who could get through to him and not cause a bigger ruckus than was already started."
"See…THIS is what I was telling you in Baton Rouge, Angel. You handle yourself just as well as we do when it comes time to get down and dirty. That’s why you don’t need us to protect you."
"But you three DID step in…and Raoul."
"Raoul was just doing his job, Angel."
"I know. Speaking of handling myself. Someone ELSE has learned how to handle herself. You should have seen Becca put Willa in her place tonight."
"When did this happen?" asked Howie somewhat concerned. "And where were you and Billy?"
"As we were leaving the awards show, Willa approached us and told Bec that Nick only married her to keep the baby from being a bastard. I was with Bec but Billy was getting the others to the car."
"And YOU kept quiet?" asked Howie incredulously
Sarah laughed, "Not really. I started in on her but Becca stopped me. ‘D’…she was fantastic."
"She’s had a good role model."
"Yeah, you! She stayed so calm, never once raising her voice. Me, I’d have blown a gasket if one of your ex’s had said that to me. It made me furious to hear Willa say it to Becca!"
"You know when to control your temper. Look at how you handled that reporter," said Howie. "We’re here, Angel."
"D…"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."