Chapter 34
Pink and purple hues decorated the early evening sky giving it a romantic ambiance as AJ pulled into Howie’s driveway. He stood silently for a moment watching the color change from each direction he turned, wishing that he had someone special in his life to share it with. On the other side of the house, Howie and Kristina were slow dancing to a Latin CD that he had purchased while in Los Angeles, relishing the fact that not only were they together once again but that they were surrounded by friends. Kevin, on the other hand, was manning the grill as Fiona stood next to him making small talk.
As AJ approached the front door and rang the doorbell, Nick jumped up from playing video games and answered it.
"Hey Bone!" he said, giving AJ a hug. "It’s about time you got here!"
AJ laughed. "Miss me Kaos?"
"Nah! Just feel like a fifth wheel."
"Fifth wheel? Why? Who else is here?" AJ asked as he put a bottle of wine in the fridge and the ice cream in the freezer.
Nick looked down at his feet, not making eye contact with AJ. "Kevin and Fiona."
AJ didn’t miss the sadness in Nick’s face as he spoke. "And who is Fiona?"
Rolling his eyes, Nick said, "Kev’s new girlfriend!"
"Uh oh, I smell trouble. You like her don’t you?"
Nick smirked, an unmistakable twinkle in his eye. "I would say the feeling is mutual but I don’t know when she’s gonna tell Kev."
AJ patted his friend on the shoulder as he headed toward the pool area. "You never learn, do you little brother?"
"Nah."
Ignoring Nick’s response and anxious to meet the girl that had spurred Howie back into the dating scene, AJ asked, "So, where is this girl that’s got Howie all excited? I want to thank her for ‘waking’ him up! He’s been moping for too long!"
Nick laughed. "She’s out there along with everyone else. Come on, I can’t wait to see your face when you meet her."
AJ looked at Nick, puzzled by his remarks. He could see Howie with a blonde, slow dancing and obviously enjoying every minute, as they stepped outside.
"Hey ‘J’! " Kevin shouted. "Hungry?"
Howie felt Kristina tense as she heard Kevin speak. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at him, a terrified look on her face. "Is that Alex?" she asked softly, her back still to the door.
"It’s okay angel. He will be excited to see you."
Knowing that Howie was only trying to ease her fears, she shook her head slowly in response to what he was saying. "I’m not so sure about that, ‘D’. I saw the various comments he made about me in the magazines. He hates me."
Howie kissed her tenderly, his arms holding her tight. "He doesn’t hate you. He just didn’t understand and he was hurt. You two were pretty tight."
"I don’t know if I can do this" she whispered as she buried her head in the soft area where his shoulder met his neck. He felt a hot tear splash against his skin as he realized that AJ and Nick were watching him. "Baby, it’s going to be fine. C’mon..." he said as she picked her head up and looked him in the eyes. "AJ and Nick are watching us so brush the tears away and let’s do this."
Kristina wiped the tears from her eyes and cleared her throat just as Howie announced that AJ and Nick were making their way towards them.
"Hey Bone. Glad you could come" Howie said as he hugged AJ and shot Nick a dirty look.
"Thanks for the invite. Now, who is this beautiful blonde you’ve been hiding from me?"
Howie looked at Kristina and smiled as he slipped a hand around her waist, turning her as he did so. "You remember Kristina, don’t you, Bone?"
The shock on AJ’s face was immense as Kristina smiled demurely at him.
"Hello Alex. You look wonderful!" she said, her eyes begging for mercy.
AJ looked at her cautiously, his eyes unbelieving of what he was witnessing, then turning to Howie as if to ask if it were true. "Kris?" he asked.
She moved towards him to hug him as she said, "Yeah, it’s me."
He stepped backwards, almost knocking Nick down in his haste to get away from her.
Meanwhile, Kevin, realizing that AJ wasn’t happy to see Kristina, went to stand beside her and Howie.
"What the FUCK are YOU doing here?" he asked, the anger in his eyes burning intensely. Before she could answer, he turned to Howie and unleashed on him. "Are you stupid? She hurt you, and now you take her back? It’s been how long? "
Howie’s grip tightened on Kristina as she began to shake. "You don’t know what happened, AJ. Just hear her out before you pass judgment."
"I don’t need to hear a damn word she says! You wanna get hurt again, go ahead, but I’m outta here! I don’t need the hassle!"
Nick stepped in front of AJ and Kevin behind him. "Get the FUCK out of MY way!" AJ shouted, his fists clenched.
"Alex, you need to listen to her. Calm down and listen to what she has to say" Kevin said softly, trying to squelch the anger burning inside of AJ’s heart. "Please, just listen!"
From behind, a soft hand touched his shoulder, a whisper in his ear reminding him of all of the wonderful times they had shared. "Please Alex. If ‘D’ can forgive me, can’t you give me just a minute of your time to explain?" she said, her voice quivering.
He turned, his dark brown eyes staring straight into hers, which were wet with tears, and longing for forgiveness. From behind her, Howie rested his head against hers and stared quietly at AJ.
"Okay. I’ll listen, but I’m not making any promises" he said apprehensively.
Kristina turned to Howie and kissed him quickly as she mouthed. "It’s okay."
She took AJ’s hand and led him over to two of the lounge chairs and sat down. The rest of them stood silent, watching as Kristina began the daunting task of trying to make AJ understand what she had been through.