Part 48:
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By the time Alec and Kevin came back from their walk on the beach, the
house was entirely lit up. "What's going on?" Kevin asked as they found
almost everyone except for Howie and J sitting in the living room.

"Oh tons." Brian stated, downing the last of his beer. He'd found that it
helped him get through the night.

Kevin raised an eyebrow, "Like what?"

Nick and Brian exchanged looks, but Jenn spoke up. "I found something in
AJ's old duffel bag. I think he's on drugs."

"How is that possible?" Alec asked, sitting down.

"He did some experimenting years ago which is what Lou's blackmailing him
was based on. I thought he quit that once everything settled down with
us."

"Apparently he picked it up again."


J pulled car keys out of his pocket. "D I'm leaving."

"J your not thinking...be rational. Once Jenn thinks about this she'll
realize you couldn't possibly be back on drugs."

"Jenn doesn't believe anything. And I don't think she will any time soon.
Look D I just need my space, I'll check in with you and see how this shit
with Lou is gonna go down but right now, being here isn't healthy for me
okay?"

D stood up and followed his friend back to the driveway. "Okay if your
gonna go, at least tell me where your going to go. Back to the house?"

J unlocked his car door, "Nope, too many happy memories. I think I'm just
gonna find me a hotel room somewhere and..."

"Drink yourself numb?"

AJ sighed, "D stop playing big brother. I'm gonna find a place to stay and
try and figure out why my wife doesn't want to believe me. And if I drink a
little I'll drink a little. Stop worrying."

D leaned on the car door as AJ got inside. "I worry about you because your
my brother Alex."

AJ smiled, revving the engine. "Yeah yeah, well listen big bro not a damn
thing to worry about okay? Now go in there and tell Ty I said g'night."

"Call me tomorrow okay?"

"Will do." and with that he pulled the door shut and backed out of the
driveway, giving his best friend a final wave before driving off.

D stood there watching the taillights disappear and reluctantly headed
back in, wondering if somehow he couldn't have kept AJ there.


The room quieted as Howie walked in the front door, rubbing his neck. He
stopped and stared at everyone. "J left. He won't be back any time soon."

Jenn sighed, "Little hard to have his dealer come here?"

"Jenn!!"

"What?? I've been through hell with him Brian, don't you start with me.
I've been there through his drinking, through his depressions, through
everything. You guys may all think your his brothers but not one of you
knows how his mind works...how he takes things. If AJ can't deal with
something he finds something that helps him through things."

Everyone just looked at her as she stood up, finally Howie spoke. "Jenn
I've been right there with you through everything J's gone through and I
talked to him right now...he's a broken man..."

"I know he is Howie, but if he's back on any of that crap I'm not gonna be
there with him this time. I can't D, I've given him everything I have,
there's not that much left for me anymore."


AJ walked into his hotel room and looked around the room, his eyes
stopping on the mini fridge in the corner. Walking over to the bed he sat
down and stared at it blankly, "Why won't you believe me Jenn...why??"


Shan crawled into bed next to Brian, he was passed out dead to the world.
If it had been under any other circumstances she might have laughed,
instead she just laid beside him and watched as he slept. 


Nick tossed and turned in his sleep, mumbling incoherently half the night
unaware that he'd woken Lis up and she now sat in room's lone chair
watching him. Something was upsetting him, she just wish she knew what.
Maybe he'd be better once one of the Nsync guys broke the truth and they
finally got rid of the threat of Lou once and for all.


Jenn walked around their room, unable to sleep. She'd tried, laying there
for a couple hours waiting for sleep to come but it didn't. She kept
waiting for AJ to appear, to feel his body next to hers, to hear his
breathing as he fell asleep. She sat down on the bed, holding one of his
shirts to her. "I'd know if you were telling the truth wouldn't I?" she
wondered outloud.