Molly and AJ arrived late back at Caroline's house, where they found the rest of the bunch. Music played in the background quietly, while everyone was gathered around a table that showed the reminders of a huge dinner. The two were greeted happily by everyone.
"No cops, Molly?" Brian laughed.
She just grinned back and went to hug her girls Hello. When she arrived at Araysa she just raised her eyebrows in question, then squeezed Araysa's hands as she nodded in return. Molly leaned closer to her and whispered: "That means slumber party tonight. I wanna hear it all!" Both girls laughed.
The little gathering soon turned into a nice party, after Caroline had brought out some wine. Nobody drank too much, but they started dancing to the music that had been turned up louder. After Molly had danced with Kevin, she went to sit with AJ.
"Hey, babe", she smiled, as she snuggled close to him.
"Hey", came AJ's reply, his low and raspy voice sending a shiver through her.
After they shared a kiss, Molly asked: "Are you up for a conspiracy?"
"Uh-oh!" AJ grinned. "What's going on in that pretty head of yours?"
Either it was the wine that had made Molly's tongue loose, or she felt she could trust AJ enough, when she told him: "You know, I think Mandy and Brian haven't danced enough together."
"And why should Brian and Mandy dance more, babe?"
Molly grinned: "'Cause...you know, if I put on a nice ballad, and we get them to dance, then maybe it might lead to more?!" She smiled at him sheepishly.
"Molly, don't you think the two are old enough to handle that themselves."
Molly shot him one of her "Duh!"-looks, pointing to where Mandy and Brian were sitting with Nick and Caroline. "Obviously not!" she stated triumphantly. Then she told him her plan.
AJ chuckled amused, then nodded: "Alright, go and put that ballad on."
Molly jumped up happily and went over to the stereo. As soon as the song that was playing had finished, she took the CD she had chosen, put it in and pressed play. She smiled wickedly as the sound filled the room.
Turning around, she saw AJ already asking Mandy to dance to Brandy's "Have You Ever", so she quickly walked over to Brian and asked him as well. Luckily both of them agreed.
Not even halfway into the song, Molly and AJ maneuvered their dance partners to the middle of the "dance floor", where they quickly switched places. AJ and Molly just grinned and danced away together, leaving Mandy and Brian alone.
Mandy immediately felt heat rushing through her body, as she looked at Brian. She didn't know whether to kiss Molly and AJ or yell at them, because hearing that song right now made her especially emotional when it came to Brian. It seemed to fit so perfectly to her situation.
Brian smiled at her as he stepped closer. Mandy closed her eyes, as his arms encircled her waist and he pulled her to his body. He began swaying them to the music, and Mandy thought that Araysa might be right. Maybe he just needed time, maybe he'd realize what she was feeling for him and he'd find that his feelings were the same.
The more she let herself enjoy Brian's presence, the more Mandy played with the fantasy that some day they might be a couple as well. So it seemed that her heart was stabbed even deeper, when Brian said:
"Those two are one of a kind. They can't take their hands off each other for one simple song."
"What?" Mandy asked confused, lifting her head from Brian's shoulder.
"Molly and AJ", Brian said. "You'd think they could stay away from each other for five minutes, but nope...they just leave us standing here." He laughed: "Damn, I'm already curious what that woman will do to him in time. He's already not behaving very AJ-like."
Mandy didn't reply. Either he really didn't understand what had happened and why Molly and AJ had left them standing there, or he was simply acting like he didn't know.
Mandy stepped away from Brian, making up an excuse to get away from him. "Umm, sorry, Bri, I...I'm thirsty. Let's skip that dance."
Before Brian could even respond she was rushing away into the kitchen.
Molly had of course been watching the scene and followed Mandy. She found her staring out the kitchen window, into the starry night.
Molly placed a hand on her shoulder, asking: "Wanna go outside and talk?"
Mandy just nodded, although right now she felt as if there wasn't much to talk about. The situation seemed crystal clear. She loved him, he loved her not. Talking wouldn't change anything about that.
As they sat down outside, Molly started: "Sorry, Mander. AJ and I thought it would be funny, if we...well, actually it was my idea to have you two dancing together. I didn't-"
"It's ok", Mandy smiled. "I know what you were trying to do. Obviously Brian didn't."
"What do ya mean?"
"I'm not sure if he really didn't clue in on it, or if he pretended not to, but...he didn't realize that you were purposely putting us together. He thought it was just about the two of you and how you couldn't keep your hands off each other."
Molly noticed how sad Mandy sounded. "I can't believe he's really that slow, or that dumb, or..." Molly sighed. "Damn, I've got this feeling that just says that there's something between you two. I don't know, I thought I was right. I'm sorry if I ruined the night for you."
Mandy shook her head. "I was already thinking 'bout him all day, and...maybe it's better if I know where I stand. Will hurt a while, but now I know not to say or do anything around him that will tell him what's up. He didn't say anything to you today, when you were with him?" She looked up hopefully, already cursing herself for it again. Here she was, saying that she knew not to keep waiting for anything, but at the same time still praying she was wrong.
"He said he liked you and that he's glad he met you and Race, too. We mainly talked about Cologne again today, ya know - straightening things out for good. He didn't say anything about falling for you, but he did look happy talking about you."
Mandy sighed, then she looked up alarmed: "Did you tell AJ anything?"
Molly shook her head. "I think he thinks I'm a little drunk. He believes it was a joke that I wanted you to dance with Brian."
"I always think it must be so obvious what I feel for Brian. Sometimes I think that everyone knows but him. Why doesn't he get it?"
"Because he's a man", Molly smiled. "Do you want me to find something out? I'd be careful, I promise."
"Nah, I'd rather not complicate things even more. I'd just feel strange around him if he knew. This way I can at least be myself." Mandy stood up again. "Let's get back inside, before they get suspicious."
Molly nodded, pulling Mandy in for a warm hug. Mandy laughed under her breath as she said: "We've lived in our fan fiction stories for too long. Maybe that's the problem."
"Yeah, maybe..." Molly smiled sadly, before they joined the party again.
"I don't know, she's so...Jen, you should've seen her. She doesn't look like his type, or...maybe she does. But she doesn't look right there beside him. What does he see in her? I bet she's only with him for the money! Maybe she..." Amanda would have rambled on, but her friend Jenny stopped her.
"Manda! Girl, don't talk bullshit!" Amanda glared at her, but Jenny continued: "You don't know her, so don't talk like that. Don't you remember how YOU felt when people said you were only with him for the money and the fame? That you only needed him to get your name in the press?" She sighed: "Out of all people, who should understand her other than you, Manda?! You know how easy it is to fall in love with AJ, you know what a cool guy he is. Don't blame her for being good enough that he loves her back..."
Amanda plopped down on her couch, the first tear slipping from her eye. "Jen, we've been on our way again. I was so sure we would make it this time and then he comes home with her." She tried holding back a sob, but didn't quite succeed. "How come it's so easy for him to leave me behind, when all I can think about is him?"
Jenny sat down next to Amanda, cradling her in her arms. "I don't really know what to tell you. Sometimes I think it would be for the best if you'd let him go and move on, but for some reason I can't bring myself to suggest that to you. Whatever you do - whether you decide to fight or not - don't take it out on her, alright? She isn't the one to blame here."
Amanda nodded, as she wiped away some tears. "I know, I didn't mean it. I just wasn't prepared for this."
Long after midnight, Brian, Kevin and Howie had decided to go home. Nick and AJ decided that it would be the easiest to spend the night at Caroline's, which Kevin could have done as well, but he couldn't bring himself to spend a night under Caroline's husband's roof.
When Molly came back into her room from the bathroom, she found AJ already in bed, only in shorts, showing off his well-toned body. Instead of feeling simply excited about spending her first entire night with AJ there, Molly also felt a little nervous, because she didn't know if he was expecting anything from her. "How nice of you to warm the covers", she smiled, not letting him sense her nervousness. "I guess I should warn you: I have ice-cold feet. I tried yoga and socks and what not, but nothing seems to work."
"I'll survive", AJ smiled, pulling the covers off, so she could slip under. "You look cute in your bed-time outfit", he grinned. "Gotta love the color", he added, meaning her black and purple flannel pants and a matching top.
She grabbed his chin with two fingers and grinned: "Gotta love the color of your eyes. I was afraid you'd wear your shades in bed as well." He just laughed that laugh she loved, and she laid down in his arms.
She got the goosebumps, as AJ leaned over and began kissing her passionately. This time though, she wasn't sure if the goosebumps were only caused by pleasure. While she was contemplating talking about it with him, he pulled away, smiled and said "Good night!".
"Good night", Molly replied, slightly surprised, before AJ switched the light off.
The further they started drifting into sleep, the more restless both got and started moving around in bed. Molly woke up completely again, when AJ suddenly exclaimed: "This doesn't work!"
She looked at him puzzled, not knowing what he was talking about. "Huh?!" The feeling in the pit of her stomach wasn't a pleasant one. But her worries were unnecessary.
"Come here", AJ said, pulling her to him in a quick move. He snuggled up with her, sighing contentedly. "This is how it works!" He smiled.
"Ya know, you better not get used to it too much, or you won't be able to sleep when I'm away", Molly joked, feeling relieved.
"I know already that I don't wanna sleep without you here - or elsewhere. But I'll have to live somehow. Until then though, I'll enjoy this the best way I know how!"
Molly's eye-brows shot up. "This is the best way you know how?" she teased.
AJ's grin disappeared and he rolled over, propping himself up over her. "You better not tease me about this", he said in a hoarse voice. He leaned down and kissed her softly, then with more passion.
His voice, his kiss, her hands on his skin aroused Molly, but she regretted giving him ideas. When he stopped kissing her, she looked at him and quietly said: "Alex...we'll get there...but not tonight!"
AJ nodded and smiled down at her, leaning in for another kiss. After that he lay back down again and wrapped his arms around her. Laying so close, keeping each other warm and content, they finally fell asleep.
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