"If I don't stop laughing I'm gonna get sick!" Breanna screamed from the floor after finishing her fourth beer since she had been back in her hotel room. Howie was on his fifth.
"No, Nick does NOT need any more alcohol." He said as AJ handed Nick another drink.
"What is that?" Breanna asked AJ.
"Cape Cod. Want one?"
"Sure, if you're playing bartender." She replied.
"I don't know about that, Breen." Howie said.
"C'mon man, she's a grown woman. Let her drink if she wants." An extremely drunk Kevin said. Howie couldn't stop from laughing.
"I haven't seen Kevin this drunk in over a year!" He said to AJ. Eve was curled up in Kevin's lap nursing a beer.
"Girl, get something stronger than that!" Breanna yelled to Eve.
"B, I'm drunk enough. You know I don't drink!" She shouted.
"Hehe, I do!" Breanna said as she downed her Cape Cod that AJ just handed her.
"Time for a Game!" AJ said as he jumped over the back of the couch landing just right.
"What do you want to play?" Breanna asked as she settled herself in Howie's lap.
"Something stupid and childish." Eve said.
"Spin the Bottle!" A no-longer passed out Brian said from behind the couch.
"Oh, he's awake!" AJ said in a childish happy high pitched voice.
"C'mon B-rok! We're gonna play a game." The girls looked at each other.
"Oh no, they're thinking." Howie noticed.
"Want to?" Breanna asked Eve.
"Of course!" Eve said ecstatically.
"Ok, what is it?" Nick asked as he came back from the bathroom.
"What was that? The 15th trip you've taken, Frack?" Kevin asked Nick.
"If a man's gotta piss, a man's gotta piss." Nick pointed out.
"Ok, what's the game, ladies?" AJ asked.
"Truth or Dare." Eve and Breanna said together.
"Oh this is going to be interesting." Howie mumbled.
"Ok, I'll start with the drunkest guy." Breanna said.
"Ok, Brian or Nick?" She asked.
"Brian!" Everyone said together.
"Ok, Brian, ready?" Breanna said.
"Yeah, let's go for it girl! Where's dat bottle?" Brian said looking around the floor.
"No, Brian, it's Truth or Dare." Breanna explained.
"Oh, then give me a dare!" He said to Breanna while licking his lips.
"Ok, I dare you to put on one of my dresses or skirts and try to do your makeup. Then you have to go outside and walk down the hall. You have to make sure someone see's you." Breanna explained to Brian.
"Think you can handle that, B-rok?" AJ asked. He couldn't wait to see what the outcome of this would be.
"Sure thang!" He said, his accent more protuse. Brian tried unsuccessfully to get up.
"Here, let me help you with that." Breanna said as she grabbed one of Brian's arms and helped him to his feet.
"Hey, you look familiar! Didn't I see you at McDonalds?" Brian asked swaying around.
"Yes, Bri, you did." Breanna humored him.
"And weren't you just suckin' face with my friend D ova' there?" Brian said pointing to a very hysterical Howie.
"I guess I was." Breanna said as she handed him off to Eve.
"Wow, girl, you getta round. Next time yo' bored, give me ah call, k?" He asked over his shoulders as Eve and Kevin escorted Brian upstairs.
"Maybe I will, Brian." Breanna said.
"C'mon, let's go grab my camcorder!" Howie said as he grabbed her by the hand and they stumbled to the door.
"Oh, wait, the room's spinning. Hold on a second, D." Breanna said to Howie.
"No, I can't wait!" Howie said as he swooped Breanna up into his arms and they left her room to Howie's room.
"Use a condom!" AJ shouted.
"Think they'll be back?" Nick asked.
"Yeah, ya know D. He's not that type of guy." AJ said as he took another swig of his beer.
"Want another drink?" He asked Nick.
"Just one more or I won't be able to perform tomorrow."
"Howie, you're too drunk. You might drop me. I can walk, honestly!" Breanna said as she laughed.
"No, I'm not putting you down. I like carrying you." He said as they reached his door. In the back of his drunken mind, Howie deeply regretted kissing Breanna. He wanted to get to know her better. He wanted their first kiss to be special.
"I've already done it once, might as well do it again." Howie told himself as he kissed Breanna again. They heard clapping. Howie turned around with Breanna still in his arms to see two security guards and one of the bodyguards cheering for Howie.
"Thanks!" Howie yelled down the hall as they went into his hotel room. Howie soon wished that he came to his room alone. There were BSB things everywhere. A few magazines, a scheduler left open with LAST CONCERT circled in red pen, and a gold record that they had brought with them to auction off to one lucky fan. Luckily for Howie, Breanna was too drunk to notice.
"Wait here," he told her as he put her down and ran upstairs. "Ok, let's go!" He said as he grabbed her by the hand and walked quickly back to Breanna's room.
"Ready down there?" Kevin yelled from upstairs.
"Yeah!" Howie, AJ, and Nick shouted together.
"Got the camcorder ready, D?" AJ asked.
"All set. Bring down Miss Briana Littrell." Howie shouted.
"Hey!" Breanna yelled at Howie.
"I didn't call him BREE ana. I called him BRI ana." Howie tried to clarify.
"Sorry, I'm so drunk I'm hearin' things." Breanna said to Howie.
"Hey B, don't sit...!"
"OW!"
"...there." AJ said. In Breanna's attempt to sit on the edge of the couch, she had missed by a foot and landed on her butt. Howie and AJ cracked up.
"You ok, Breen?" Howie asked.
"No..." she said as rubbed her butt.
"Oh, boysssssssss!" The heard a feminine voice call from upstairs. It was Brian trying to sound like a woman.
"Oh, he's wearing my slut shirt!" Breanna complained. Brian had on a black sleeveless shirt that only buttoned between the breasts.
"And my short skirt." Eve added as she helped bring Brian downstairs.
"Who the hell did his makeup?" AJ asked.
"I did it myself, thankyouverymuch!" Brian said in his female voice. He had dark blue eyeshadow that appeared to be everywhere but on his eyes, too much mascara that was smeared, bright pink blush, and smeared dark burgandy lipstick.
"Oh, where did he get those?????" Breanna asked in mock horror. Brian was wearing black fish net stocks that appeared to be left over from Halloween and her five inch clogs that were 6 sizes too small.
"I brought the stockings. I saved them since last halloween." Eve explained.
"That's what I assumed. Are those my clips?" Breanna asked.
"Yes! Aren't they lovely?" Brian said as he stumbled down the last two steps wearing Breanna's butterfly hair clips.
"You getting all this, D?" AJ asked Howie.
"Of course!" He said as he zoomed in on Brians makeup.
"Ok, Miss Briana. Time to go outside. Ready?" AJ asked as Howie followed them to the door.
"Let's go Mr. McLean!" Brian continued in his woman voice.
"Oh, what in the fuck is this?" Q asked as he stepped off the elevator.
"Did ju guys get'em drunk again?" The bodyguard asked the guys as they all fell to the floor laughing. Nick was quiet for Nick on a count that he felt sick to his stomach from the alcohol and laughing.
"Why, aren't *you* a cutie." Brian said as he stumbled towards Q in Breanna's clogs.
"Oh, and of course D is videotaping this bullshit," Q said laughing.
"And the ladies are witnessing this?" He asked as AJ, Nick, Howie, Kevin, the two security gaurds and the extra bodygaurd nodded their heads.
"Um, he's wearing my shirt, make-up, hair clips, and shoes." Breanna informed Q as she held Howie's non-recording hand.
"Oh, and what's this?" Q said pointing to the handholding.
"It's called romance!" AJ said as he put an arm around Q's shoulders. "Maybe you've heard of it?" AJ asked sarcastically.
"Smartass." Q replied. All of a sudden they heard a thump. Everyone quickly turned around. Brian had finally passed out for probably the last time that night.
"Eh, we'll see him in the morning." AJ commented.
"I'll be right back!" Kevin said as he went to help Q drag Brian to his room.
"I'm gonna go videotape it." Howie said as he dropped Breanna's hand to run down the hall.
"I think I'm gonna be sick." Nick said as he ran to his room.
"Well, it's just us three." AJ commented as they all walked back into the girls' hotel room.
"AJ, make me one more drink please?" Breanna asked.
"B, you think that's smart?" Eve asked cautiously.
"I'll be fine." Breanna replied.
"Beautiful, you can sure handle your alcohol better than most girls I've met." AJ said.
"Here, one last Cape Cod." He said as he and Breanna clicked glasses together.
"I'll race ya!" Breanna said to AJ before he could take a sip of his drink.
"Ok, you're on! But be careful. I think I put too much Vodka in this one." He warned.
"Ok, on the count of three. Eve, you count it off." Breanna told Eve.
"Okay, one, two, three!" Breanna gulped down her Vodka and beat AJ by one sip.
"Damn girl! I'm impressed!" AJ said laughing.
"Well, guys, I'm so tired. It's already 2am. I'm gonna head up to bed." Eve said.
"Goodnight!" AJ called. Eve walked over to him and gave him a tight hug and a sweet kiss on the lips.
"What was that for?" He asked kindly.
"For helping me with Kevin. I know you did it mainly for him, but thank you anyway." Eve replied as she walked upstairs.
"See you later in the morning!" Breanna yelled to Eve.
"I love you!" Eve said.
"Me too!" Breanna replied back.
"You'll be ok?" AJ asked Breanna as he grabbed his hotel room key.
"I'll be fine. You go ahead and go to bed. We'll talk later today." Breanna said as she gave AJ a long hug.
"Thank you, too." Breanna told AJ.
"Eh, what are friends for?" AJ replied. "I know Howie's gonna want to come and check on you later..." AJ began.
"Here." Breanna said as she handed AJ her room key. "Give this to him." She said.
"He won't make any major move other than kiss you. I've known him for too long and..." AJ started to explain to Breanna.
"I don't move fast either, AJ. I know what type of guy he is. Just give him that. I know he probably won't use it but he'll feel better knowing he could check on me whenever he wanted." Breanna said.
"Ok, well, no more drinking and get a good nights rest. I'll see you tomorrow at the concert. I'll be busy during the day so I won't be around." AJ explained.
"Oh, ok. See you tomorrow." Breanna said as she walked AJ to the door.
"Think you can make it to your room alright?" She joked to AJ.
"I think I can manage. Oh, by the way, Happy Birthday." He said as he kissed her check.
"Thanks." She said as AJ turned on his heel to walk to his room next door.
"Hey Q, do us a favor. Those ladies we were with..." Kevin tried to explain.
"I know, they don't know who you are or what you do, right?" He asked Kevin and Howie.
"Well, yeah..." Howie said as they put Brian into bed and covered him up.
"Wanna take that crap off his face?" Q asked.
"NO!" Kevin and Howie whispered loudly.
"I want him to wake up not remembering anything until he goes to look in the mirror." Kevin said.
"Well, he's wearing woman's leggings and a skirt, I'm sure he'll figure somethin's wrong before he gets to the mirror." Q said as Howie videotaped a sleeping Brian.
"Well, anyway, they're going to find out about us tomorrow cause we invited them to the concert." Howie explained as he turned off the camcorder.
"Who? Oh, the ladies." Q said.
"Yeah, so could you not give away any hints to them?" Howie asked.
"Sure man, that's fine." Q said as he walked down the stairs. "Well, you better get some sleep. You have a long day tomorrow. You have rehearsal at 6 and the show starts at 8. No major interviews that I know of so just rest all day, k?" Q said as he walked out the door to his room.
Just then AJ appeared in the doorway. "Yo, D, this is fo' you. It's their room key. She was planning on stayin' up for a little while before going to bed and I told her you might want to check in on her or somethin'. Kev, Eve's already in bed." AJ informed.
"Thanks, man." Howie said as AJ walked away to his room.
"Well, I'm gonna go to my room and try to catch some Z's. Hopefully I won't have a hangover tomorrow. God knows Brian will." Kevin joked.
"Yeah, me too. I'm tired. But I think I just might check on Breanna to make sure she wasn't pretending to be happy again." Howie said as they walked out of Brian's hotel room.
"Goodnight" Kevin said to Howie as he went to his room.
"See ya later." Howie said as he walked to the girls' hotel room.
When Howie walked into the room he noticed that Breanna was curled up in a ball on the couch. Howie walked over to Breanna and tried to wake her lightly. "Breen? Bre? C'mon, wake up." He said as he lightly shook her shoulder.
"Oh, she's passed out." He said as he gathered her into his arms and carried her upstairs. He found her pajama's in her closet and pulled them out. He walked over to the bed and undressed what little clothing she was wearing and slipped her pajama's on her body. He then placed her into her bed and covered her up with the blankets. Before turning out her light he leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips. He didn't feel too comfortable leaving her alone like that so he sat in the bedroom recliner and watched her sleep as the moonlight came into the room.
At 5am Breanna woke up. "Christian, don't!" She screamed. Just then Eve jumped out of bed but Howie met her in the doorway.
"I'm here. I'll take care of her." He said as he ushered Eve back to her room.
"Howie?" Breanna asked as she sat up in her bed.
"I'm right here. It was only a dream." He said as he walked around the bed to where Breanna could see him.
"Sleep next to me?" She asked.
"Whatever you want." He said as he climbed into bed with her. Breanna turned around to face Howie. She laid her head near his shoulder and he stroked her hair until she fell back asleep. "Happy Birthday." He said to her as she feel asleep.
At noon Breanna awoke barely remembering anything. She remembered drinking too much, Howie kissing her, Brian's dare to be a woman, Brian passing out, the nightmare, and Howie taking care of her. Hopefully, that's all that happened that night. Breanna turned to face a sleeping Howie. She didn't want to wake him so she crawled out of bed and walked to Eve's room. Eve wasn't there so she went downstairs. There was a note.
Went out to lunch with Kevin.
We didn't want to wake you two.
Hope you had a good night and your
hangover isn't as bad as Brian's.
- Eve
Breanna could only giggle at the thought of how bad Brian was feeling. Her hangover was pretty bad but at least she wasn't nauseous. She decided that she would stick to her plans and go to the gym to workout but she wanted to check on Brian first. She walked back upstairs to her bedroom and put on some cotton shorts and a small t-shirt and grabbed her sunglasses. The bright hallway neon lights were a little too much for her handle that afternoon.
Before she left her room she sat next to Howie on the bed hoping not to wake him. She had only known him for 24 hours but something was definitely there. "I mean, the guys sleeping in my bed with me!" She thought. She let out a quiet sigh while staring at him. "I must be crazy." She said aloud to herself before leaning over to lightly kiss his forehead. She put her sunglasses on and walked slowly down the stairs.
"I must be crazy, too." He said when he heard the door close. Howie had been half awake while Breanna was sitting on the edge of the bed.
When she opened the door she saw Mark. "Hey, Mark!" She shouted down the hall near the elevator.
"Hey Miss Breanna. I heard this floor was having a party last night. How ya doing?" He called back as she walked towards him on her way to Brian's room.
"I have a nasty hangover but I think I'm doing quite well compared to Mr. Littrell in here." Briana said as she lightly tapped on his door.
"Oh, you mean Miss Littrell?" Mark said laughing.
"Oh shit you heard?" Breanna said cracking up.
"Yeah, I heard. I also heard you had overnight company." He said with a wink.
"Oh, I did but he was keeping an eye on me. I passed out I think and he carried me to bed and fell asleep in the recliner." She said defending Howie's reputation. Mark nodded his head.
"That's a good man." He stated.
"I know." Breanna said smiling as the door opened. AJ answered and stepped outside into the hallway.
"He's still asleep." He said trying to think of a way to keep Breanna out of Brian's room just in case she saw anything BSB related. He took a while to answer the door because he knew it was Breanna or Eve, the other guys normally pounded on the door. AJ tried to hide anything he could.
"Hold on a second." He said as he ran back into the room. AJ ran around checking for anything that might look suspicious. He looked around and thought the room looked pretty decent for Brian. Brian was notorious for being messy. After another quick run-through he figured that there wasn't any BSB paraphernalia showing. He ran upstairs to check while Brian took a long cool shower. Nothing up there either, just clothes scattered everywhere. After a minute he went back downstairs to invite Breanna in. "Sorry, I wanted to make sure the room was presentable before I let in a lovely lady like yourself." AJ stated.
"That's ok, AJ. After last night, my room is trashed." Breanna stated nonchalantly. AJ raised an eyebrow to Breanna.
"That dog!" He said.
"Oh, no, AJ! Nothing like that." Breanna said quickly.
"You still here, AJ?" Brian called from upstairs.
"Yeah man, Breanna is with me." He shouted back.
"I'm just checking on you, Bri. How are you?" Breanna asked.
"I have a hangover! What did I drink?" He asked as he sat on the edge of his bed putting his shoes on.
"Everything." AJ answered as he and Breanna walked upstairs.
"Hey girl," Brian said with a small smile.
"I think you need these more than I do." Breanna said while holding out her sunglasses. "Oh, nevermind." She took them back when she saw Brian pointing to the glasses on his nightstand.
"Well, I see you're somewhat okay. I'm going to go workout in the gym. I'll see you later today." She said to Brian as she leaned over to give him a quick hug and kiss.
"You're going to workout? With a hangover?" Brian asked in disbelief.
"Yes, it gives me a chance to think about things." Breanna was looking at her shoes when she spoke. They both knew what she was talking about.
"Ok B, I'll walk you out." AJ said.
"All right." She replied. "Hope you feel better Bri. We still have a concert to see." She said over her shoulder as she left his room. Brian put his head in his hands.
"Oh, man!" He exclaimed. He totally forgot. Today was not going to be a good day. Just then the phone rang. "Oh who is it?" He said as he grabbed the receiver.
"Yeah?" He asked.
"Bri, it's me. Seen Bree?" He asked.
"Yeah, she was just here. Ya know that girl of yours has a hangover almost as bad as mine and she's going to go workout?" He stated.
"She is?" Howie asked.
"Yeah, hold on. Breanna!!" He screamed.
"No, Brian! I don't want Bree to know I'm checking on her." Howie said.
"What is it?" Breanna said as she ran up the stairs.
"Oh, nevermind! I just wanted to tell you to be ready to go at around 6:30." Brian informed her.
"Oh, ok. See ya!" She said as she ran down the stairs.
"Get on my back!" AJ said to Breanna as he gave her a piggy back ride to the gym down the hall.
"Well, she's ok, D. AJ's carrying her to the gym on his back." Brian joked to Howie.
"Ok, I'll probably go see her in the gym in a few minutes." Howie stated.
"No man, give her a little time alone. She's only working out because she wants to think about things." Brian said.
"Well, I'll go later. I want to take a shower and get dressed before Kevin gets back." Howie said.
"Where'd he go?" Brian asked as he put his sunglasses on and grabbed his hat.
"He came into Breanna's room around 11 this morning to tell me that he was taking Eve out to lunch so they...." Howie tried to explain.
"Whoa! What? You were in Breanna's room all night?" Brain asked with a dirty smile on his face.
"Yeah, she passed out last night and I had to carry her to bed then she had a nightmare about her ex." Howie explained.
"Oh, all right man. Well, I'll see ya later. If you see Nick, talk really loud for me, k?" Brain asked.
"You know I will!!!!" Howie shouted into the phone before he hung up laughing.
"Asshole." Brian said to himself as he rubbed his temples.
"I see you're taking care of Miss Breanna." Mark said to AJ as they walked past him on the way to the gym.
"Yeah, I'm keeping an eye on her until Howie gets his lazy ass out of bed and keeps an eye on her himself. I called that boy three times this morning! He must really be passed out." AJ said to Mark.
"You called him this morning? I didn't hear the phone ring." Breanna commented as she clung to AJ's back.
"How would you hear....?" AJ tried asking.
"He stayed with me last night." Breanna said.
"What? I thought he just checked on you before going to bed."
"No, he ended up staying. Nothin' happened, AJ." Breanna said reassuring.
"We'll talk about this later, young lady." AJ joked to Breanna as they kept on walking to the gym.
"See ya, Mark!" AJ called out.
Howie got up and made the bed for Breanna. He looked around Breanna's room for a minute before noticing a beautiful purple summer dress hanging in her closet. Judging by her height he guessed that the dress would be an inch or two above her knees. Howie took the dress out of her closet and laid it nicely on her bed. He grabbed a piece of hotel stationary and wrote Breanna a quick note.
Bree, do me and favor and wear
this dress to the concert tonight.
It will look wonderful on you!
- Howie
He walked slowly down the stairs thinking about Breanna. "I must be crazy. I hardly know this girl." He said aloud to himself as he reached the kitchen. His room key was on the table. He grabbed it and left the room. "Hey Mark." Howie said as he walked down the hall to his room. Mark pointed down the hall to the gym with a knowing smile. "Yeah, I'll see her in a little bit." He said. "She doesn't know who we are or anything. She hasn't even asked me anything about what I do, or why this floor is so heavily secured with bodyguards who are obviously with us." Howie complained to Mark.
"She likes you. She's looking past all of this and just having a good time. I'm sure she has some questions for you." Mark assured Howie who nodded his head in agreement as he made it to his room.
"Thanks, Mark." Howie said as he entered the room.
He ran up the stairs and grabbed an outfit to wear to the arena later on that afternoon. He picked out some Tommy jeans, a clinging white shirt and a black Nautica jacket. He took a short shower and dressed quickly. He made a mental note to stop at a flower shop on the way to the arena to buy Breanna some violet roses. He put his shoes on and grabbed his wallet and cellphone. He was a little nervous about how Breanna would take the news when she found out he wasn't just a guy with a normal job. He liked the fact that she didn't know who he was. She actually liked him for him, not who or what he was. That was refreshing to Howie but at the same time he feared she would reject him once she found out that he was famous. "Hope for the best, expect the worst." He sang to himself as he ran down the stairs to leave.
Breanna was running on the treadmill thinking about everything. Her past, the present or Howie to be more exact, and her future. She was totally engulfed in "what if..." questions. She didn't see him walk in to the gym freshly showered and smiling. "Hey, you're going to pass out if he don't slow down." Howie said to Breanna as she looked up at him red-faced and sweating.
"Yeah, I really should stop. I need to get in the shower." She said as she turned the treadmill off.
"You okay?" He asked her not sure if she remembered the night before.
"I'm fine, why? Do I still look upset?" She said laughing.
"Here." He handed her a bottle of water that he had grabbed out of the fridge before leaving his room.
"Thanks." She said smiling to him. She downed most of the bottle in a minute.
"So, that's why you get so drunk. You drink too quickly." He said laughing.
"Oh, yeah, I do. It's a bad habit." She noted.
"Happy Birthday." He said to her shyly.
"Thank you." Breanna said as she finished her bottle. "I'd kiss you but I'm all sweaty." She said to him.
"I don't mind if you're sweating." He said with a nervous laugh.
"Oh really?" She said as she slowly walked closer to him.
"Nope, doesn't bother me. You're barely sweating anyway." He said as he pushed a strand of hair out of her face. She looked up at him expecting him to say something else but instead he pulled her to his body picking her up off the ground. Breanna was expecting a passionate kiss but instead he gave her a gentle one. She tried to harden the kiss but he was in complete control. After a few minutes they heard someone clear their throat. Howie looked up to see Kevin and Eve smiling fit to burst at the couple.
"Oh, you're back." Breanna commented.
"Sleep well?" Kevin asked Howie with a wink.
"Yes, very well." He said looking down at Breanna.
"Well, it's already 2pm. I think we have to go meet up with Nick, AJ, and Brian." Kevin said.
"Who's room?" He asked.
"Um, Brian's I think." Kevin said.
"He wasn't looking too good today. I don't think he should go to the concert." Breanna noted.
"No, he has to go like it or not. He's the one who could have stopped drinking." Kevin said as they all walked down the hall together.
"Oh D, PC at 5." Kevin said as they reached Brian's room. Howie frowned at the thought of a press conferances on the day of a show.
"Ok. Well, we're going to need to explain the concert plans with the girls." Howie said as they walked into Brian's room.
"You look better." Breanna said to Brian as he and a very hungover Nick sat on the couch watching TV.
"That's actually a cool song for MTV to play." Eve said as she sat next to Nick. Nick was in a daze singing along to the song "It’s Gotta Be You" when he noticed Breanna and Eve in the room. Howie and Kevin's faces drained of all color as they gave Nick a horrified look. Nick quickly turned the channel.
"Yeah, it was a good song." Kevin said as everyone sat down in different parts of the living room.
"Ok, we only have a few minutes to explain how we're gonna do this tonight." Kevin said to the girls.
"Wait, where's AJ?" He asked.
"Denise's room." Nick said as he got up to get something to drink.
"Oh, ok." Kevin said.
"Who's Denise?" Breanna asked with a curious smile.
"AJ's creator." Brian joked.
"Um, okay." Eve said confused.
"We have plans today so we're not going to be around. We'll meet you at the concert. Try to be ready by 6:30. Our friend Q who you met last night if you can remember," Kevin said pointedly to Breanna who couldn't help but giggle. "will meet you in the lobby and escort you both to the concert. He has the tickets and backstage passes. We'll be a little late but we'll see you there, ok?" He finished.
"Ok, that's fine." Breanna said.
"Well, we'll leave you guys alone. We'll see you at the show." Eve said as she gave Breanna a glance.
"Yeah, see you later." Breanna said as she got up. Howie and Kevin walked them to the door.
"Happy Birthday!" Nick and Brian yelled.
"Thanks!" Breanna yelled back.
"Happy Birthday, B!" Kevin said as he wrapped his arms around Eve one last time.
"Thank you." She winked at Kevin.
"Ok, I'll see you in a few hours." Howie said to Breanna before leaning in to give her a kiss.
"Show some tongue!" Nick yelled out. Breanna decided that it was time to shut that boy up and give him exactly what he wanted. She wrapped her arms around Howie's neck and pulled him down closer. She took control of the kiss and left Nick speechless and Howie breathless as she pulled away and waved good-bye. Brian fell off the couch laughing.
"She's dope!" AJ yelled out as he entered the room. He had witnessed the entire scene. "Like I said man, a keeper." He said to a very confused Howie.
"I think she sucked the life out of me." Howie smiled to the rest of the laughing room.
"They're starting to get curious." Kevin noticed.
"Good thing, I can't lie to her anymore." Howie said.
Breanna and Eve walked back to their hotel room and plopped on the couch. "This isn't exactly how I pictured my birthday." Breanna said sadly.
"What's wrong, B? I thought you flipped for Howie the minute you saw him." Eve said.
"I did. I mean I like him way more than I should! It's barely been a little over a day and, I don't know, it's just so confusing." Breanna said.
"Well, don't start thinking too much. Just play it by ear and have fun. We're going to celebrate tonight!" Eve said.
"I can't wait! Brian isn't going to drink though. He looked so sick this morning. I felt so bad for him. Nick didn't look so hot either. From what I've heard about him he normally shoots his mouth off whenever he gets the chance. He hardly said anything today." Breanna said.
"I'll be back." Eve said as she ran upstairs.
"B! Did housekeeping come today? Your bed's made but mine isn't." Eve said.
"Really?" Breanna asked as she ran up stairs to see what Eve was talking about. Her bed was made and her violet dress was laid out on top of it with a note. Breanna was wondering what the note said and picked it up to read it.
"It's from Howie. He picked out this dress for tonight." She said happily.
"Ok, AJ kept saying you were a keeper. It looks like it's the other way around." Eve joked. "Anyway, I came up here to give you something." She told Breanna. Eve handed Breanna a small box. Inside was a beautiful silver ring with Breanna's birthstone, aquamarine. Breanna wanted to cry but the phone rang.
"Hey, I just wanted to say hi." Howie said.
"Hi." Breanna said close to tears.
"I have to go!" Howie said quickly.
"Who was that?" Eve asked.
"Howie. I barely said hi and he had to go." Breanna tried to explain while she stared at her new ring that was still in the box.
"I'll be right back!" Eve said as she ran down stairs to see who was at the door.
"Hey Howie." Eve said as she answered the door.
"Hi, she was crying. I wanted to make sure she was okay." He said as they both started walking upstairs.
"Oh, I gave her a ring for her birthday and she just got a little emotional about it." Eve said.
"I still wanted to see her before we left." Howie said as they got into the doorway of Breanna's room. Breanna didn't notice them watching her. She sat on her floor leaning against the back of her bed staring at her right hand which already contained a ring. It was the ring Christian had given her. She got up off the floor and went to her window. She carefully opened it and stared at the ring before sliding it off her finger and throwing it out the window.
"I'll leave you two alone." Eve whispered into Howie's ear. He turned around to face Breanna who was trying to close the window.
"Here, let me get that for you." Howie said laughing. Breanna's face lit up when she saw him.
"Howie!" She said as she ran towards him to give him a hug.
"What are you doing here?" She asked.
"Making sure you're okay." He said closing the window for her. Breanna rolled her eyes.
"yeah, yeah, I know. You're fine. Anyway, we forgot to mention something to you and Eve. This concert's going to be kinda weird. There'll be a lot of young kids there but it'll be fun. And, you're going in a limo. We reserved one for 6:30 but we couldn't cancel so you both are going to use it." Howie explained.
"Are you serious? I haven't been in a limo since prom!" Breanna said excitedly.
"Well, I gotta go. I promised the guys I wouldn't be long. I'll see you soon." Howie said glancing at his watch.
"Oh, ok." Breanna said quietly as he started walking towards the door.
"I forgot something..." Howie said as he stopped in the doorway and turned around. He walked back to Breanna and gave her a slow, passionate kiss before he realized that he was extremely late. "I gotta run!" He said as he ran down the stairs.
"Yo man, havin' sex in there?" Nick asked Howie as he came flying out the door towards the elevator.
"The press conference is supposed to be at 5 and it's already 4:45. You took ten minutes too long." Kevin said as they got to the lobby.
"Sorry guys." Howie apologized.
"So, you've known Breanna for less than two days. Now you two are glued and the hip and lip. What's up? You've never moved this fast before." Kevin asked worriedly as they exited the elevator.
"I don't know. We just clicked." Howie said in his defense.
"Leave the man alone!" AJ teased. The limo was waiting in the back of the hotel as the guys piled in one by one.
"So, how ya doin' over there Brian?" Howie asked.
"I'm ok. My head doesn't really hurt anymore." Brian stated.
"So, you'll be up for more partying tonight?" AJ asked.
"I think I can handle it. It's not everyday someone turns 21. And we don't have a show tomorrow." Brian said.
"So, how about you, Nick?" Brian asked.
"Well, that depends on how the show goes. I mean with Eve and Breanna. If they can accept D and Kev after knowing what we do, then sure." Nick said as he looked out the limo window.
"Oh, there's something I kinda wanted to talk to you guys about before the show. I wanna make a little change in the lineup." Howie said as he explained his new game plan to the guys.
Breanna and Eve quickly took showers and got dressed. It was already 5:30. Breanna dried off and looked herself over in the mirror. She knew she was plain. She wasn't model material or even close to it. Breanna wondered why Howie had such interest in her. She couldn't figure it out but she wasn't going to sit and think about it. She put her violet dress on and stared at herself in the mirror trying to figure out what she wanted to do with her hair. There wasn't much to do with it because it was too short. She grabbed her violet butterfly clips and stared at them laughing. She remembered that less than 24 hours ago Brian had them in his hair as he pranced around in her shirt and Eve's skirt down the hallway. She leaned towards the mirror trying to figure out the best place to put them. She adjusted the hair clips and looked herself over before applying her makeup. She was happy with what Howie had picked out for her to wear. After she finished her makeup she slipped on her black sandals.
"It's 6:15! Are you ready yet?" Eve yelled.
"Yeah, I'll be down in a minute." She said as she grabbed her purse and cellphone.
"Let's go!" Breanna said as she ran down the stairs.
"Geez, girl! You're gonna give Howie a heart attack in that thing."
"Well, he picked it out." Breanna stated as they left the hotel room.
"Ready ladies?" Q asked.
"Yup!" Both girls said walking into the elevator. As they walked through the lobby they noticed a lot of press walking around and young girls.
"Q, what's been going on here. There have been people everywhere ever since yesterday." Eve asked.
"This is a hotel." Q stated.
"I *know* that. I mean these people don't look like they're staying here."
"I don't know ladies. I'll find out later." Q said as he escorted them to the front of the hotel where a limo was waiting.
"This is going to be so much fun!" Breanna and Eve mussed.
As they pulled into the back of the arena at 7 o'clock Breanna and Eve started looking for the guys. "Ladies, they won't be here until after the opening act." Q stated. Breanna and Eve were disappointed but understood as Q escorted them to their seats. The guys were right, the seats were front and center. Other girls sat right next to them with posters and banners and little gifts. Eve guessed that the age range of the girls was probably between 10 and 17.
"This is weird" Eve commented as she looked around.
"The stage setting is amazing!" Breanna quipped. Both girls were pointing to different props and lighting effects on the stage. They never realized the banners or posters. Most of the girls placed them under their seats until the concert started. "Eve, where are the guys going to sit?" Breanna asked as she pointed to the girls sitting on either sides of them.
"I don't know. I'm not going to worry about it. We still have to see an opening act so they're probably here for that. They'll hopefully leave afterwards." Eve stated. After 20 minutes the music started to play and a cute boy around the age of 10 jumped up on the stage.
"Eve, he looks just like Nick!" Breanna commented as the little boy sang his heart out on stage. The girls dancing next to them only looked at each other and rolled their eyes.
"Those girls aren't fans!" One of them complained but Breanna and Eve never heard them. After the young boy left the stage the arena went nuts cheering.
"What are they saying?" Breanna asked.
"I dunno. Sounds like something-something Boys." Eve said.
"Where's Howie?! He said he'd be here. So did Kevin!" Breanna complained.
"They'll get here." Eve shouted over the crowd. Finally the lights went down and smoke filled the arena. Music started playing quietly and started to gain volume with each beat. Breanna and Eve started dancing with the music along with everyone else. Just then, 5 guys flew above their heads on what looked like surf or skateboards to the stage as the crowd went nuts.
"How cool!" Eve commented as one of the guys started singing while the rest of the guys danced. When they made their way from the back of the stage to the front, Eve and Breanna's eyes bulged. "Holy shit! They never told us what they did on purpose! I'm going to kill Howie when we get back to the hotel!!" Breanna screamed. Howie glanced down while he sang his part to see a very pissed off Breanna.
"Oh god, she's pissed." He mouthed to Kevin.
"Breanna, he messed up his dance steps." Eve laughed as she pointed at Howie.
"Oh, geez, he was nervous all day but I couldn't figure out why!" She yelled back to Eve. Both girls looked at the stage smiling and dancing and after a while they figured out the lyrics and sang along. Howie and Kevin were beaming.
As the fourth song came to an end, Howie came out alone dressed in nice slack pants and a suit jacket but he was shirtless under it. He carried violet roses in his arm. "Hello, Las Vegas!" He shouted. The crowd went nuts.
"Well, we're gonna need your help for this next song. You all know it. You've been singing it all your life." He said to the audience. Just then Brian, Nick, AJ, and Kevin came out dressed up with flowers in their arms.
"What's going on?" Breanna asked Eve.
"Girl, I'm just as clueless as you." Eve said.
"There's a certain birthday girl in the audience." Howie went on with his little speech.
"Oh no he doesn't!" Breanna screamed.
"Bree, he's talking about you!!" Eve shouted jumping up and down. The young girls next to them became curious.
"You know them?" The 15-year-old asked.
"Yeah, we do. It's her birthday." Eve explained pointing to Breanna who was staring at Howie.
"So, would you all help us sing happy birthday to her. Breanna? Where are you?" Howie said scanning the audience.
"He knows we're front and center." Breanna said.
"Hello, beautiful!" Howie said winking at Breanna while walking down the steps to stand in front of her. "Ok, everyone ready?" Brian asked the audience. They replied in screams. The entire audience started singing with the rest of the guys to Breanna who was almost in tears. Howie handed her the dozen violet roses as he kissed her cheek. "This is why I asked you to wear that dress." He said. The young girls around them heard what he was saying and got excited for Breanna. Then one by one the guys walked down to the pit of the stage where Breanna stood with Howie and handed her blue roses that were professionally dyed.
"In remembrance of that cute dress you wore the first time we met you." AJ said to Breanna as he kissed her cheek. Breanna was already in tears. Eve was crying for her friend.
"This is exactly what she needed to cheer her up." Eve said to Kevin as they quickly embraced. The guys serenaded Breanna with an a capella version of "I'll Never Break Your Heart." Howie gave Breanna one more hug before going back on stage.
"You have a lot of explaining to do, D." Breanna said before he leaned down and kissed her softly. The crowd went nuts.
"I will, I promise, but later." Howie said as he ran back onto
the
stage. This would be one night to remember forever, Breanna told
herself.
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