Never Is A Long Time - BSB Fanfiction

Chapter 14

The next day work had resumed and everything got back to normal. Every one of the Backstreet Boys was glad to be getting back to work as it meant they were closer to being finished and getting home to their families. Even though the shoot was scheduled to take at least three more weeks, Howie found himself praying for rain to drag it out a little longer in hopes that he could spend more time with Kerynn. He hadn't spoken to her since he made the quick late-night visit to her house the night before. He hadn't talked to her then either, although he did manage to communicate his feelings. Howie grinned to himself as they went over the plans for the shooting of the next scene.

~*~

"Hello?" Kerynn propped herself up on the bed with her elbow and shook her head to wake herself up.

"Kerynn?" The voice on the other end of the line queried.

Kerynn flopped back on her bed and closed her eyes. "Who else would it be?"

"I don't know. You didn't sound like yourself."

"That's because I was asleep. Daddy, why do you call me so early in the morning?"

Connor chuckled. "Because I know there is nothing keeping you in bed."

Kerynn wrinkled her nose as her eyes popped open. "Daddy, could we please not have this discussion?"

Connor chuckled again. "Don't be so grumpy, Little K. I need you to do me a favour."

Kerynn smiled. Connor was always needing her for something. At times she wondered how he managed to live alone. "What can I do for you today, Daddy?"

"Can you cater lunch at the shoot?"

Kerynn glanced at the clock on her bedside table. It was 9 o'clock. She sat straight up and gave a bit of a shriek. "Daddy, that only gives me only three hours!"

"I knew you'd say yes. Thanks so much K. I'll see you at noon!" With that, Connor hung up.

Kerynn grumbled to herself for a split second before flinging the covers off her bed and hurrying to the shower. She had a lot to do in three hours.

~*~

Kerynn pulled into the yard just as Connor called for a break. She yelled to Connor for some help and then let down the tailgate of the truck and began to unload things. She heard heavy footsteps behind her as she picked up a tray from the truck bed.

"I'm sorry I'm late, Daddy." She apologized without turning to look at him. "You didn't give me very much warning when you called me this morning and last night was, well, kind of crazy and I couldn't sleep."

Howie watched Kerynn and let her go on believing that it was Connor standing behind her. The truth was he had also had a sleepless night thinking about her and the kiss they shared. His lips curved into a smile as Kerynn kept on talking.

"Anyway, I did manage to throw together a decent meal for you and your crew. I hope no one has any major food allergies because I brought some of everything."

Kerynn turned to hand a tray to Howie. "Can you put this on the-Oh!" Kerynn's eyes widened in shock. "Howie!"

Howie managed to grab the tray from Kerynn's hands just as she was about to drop it. He grinned at her state of surprise and greeted her warmly. "Hello Kerynn."

Kerynn recovered from her shock quickly and smiled back at him. "Hello Howie. How are you today?"

"Oh I'm okay, but a little tired. I had trouble getting to sleep last night too." The colour rose in Kerynn's cheeks. "I'll go put this on the table and come back to help you with the rest."

Kerynn nodded and turned back to the truck so Howie wouldn't see the depth of her blush. He carried the food to the table and returned to the truck as promised. He leaned over the tailgate to pick up another tray when Kerynn stopped him by putting her hand on his arm. "No, don't take that just yet." She said, fisting the front of his shirt and pulling him closer to her.

"Kerynn, what -?" She closed the space between them and brought her lips to his. She was shy at first, only venturing as far as kissing his lips. Howie responded with a low groan from the back of his throat and brought his hand up to her cheek. He sucked on her bottom lip and then took it gently between his teeth. Kerynn parted her lips and let Howie taste her mouth. Their tongues danced together, burning one another with each touch. Kerynn put her hand flat against his chest and gently pushed him away. She lowered her eyes to her hand that was splayed across his shirt, over his heart, which was beating wildly. She found her voice and spoke in a hushed tone. "Now that neither one of us will be able to sleep tonight either, why don't we stay awake together?"

"Little K?" Connor's voice made Howie jump and he put a little more space between Kerynn and himself. Kerynn grinned and turned to the truck again. "Yes Daddy, I'm right here." She picked up another tray and held it out for Howie to take. "Eight O'clock." She whispered and kissed him on the mouth one more time before Connor came around the corner of the tent that she had parked beside.

"Little K, there you are." Howie mumbled something and brushed past Connor with the tray in his hands.

"Hi Daddy. I'm sorry I'm a little late. You didn't give me much warning this morning."

"I know, I'm sorry. Do you need any help?"

Kerynn and Connor managed to unpack the rest of the things from her truck and before long everyone was eating happily. Kevin silently took a seat beside Howie and watched him closely.

"What? Do I have mustard on my face?" Howie finally asked.

"No." Kevin replied.

"Then why are you looking at me like that?"

"I was just thinking." Kevin stated, not volunteering anymore information.

"About what?"

Kevin wiped his hands on a paper napkin and threw it on his plate. "Have you ever noticed how after you kiss a girl, her lips get all pink and swollen?"

Howie narrowed his eyes. "No."

Kevin leaned his elbows on the table and looked across the tent to Kerynn. "Take our young Ms. Kerynn for example."

"What about her?" Howie asked.

"Well," replied Kevin, "If I didn't know any better, I'd say that she's just been kissed. Wouldn't you?"

Howie glared at Kevin. "Do you know when to shut up?"

Kevin shrugged. "Not bloody likely."