AN: Okay, so I was going to write a new chapter yesterday but just as I was about to get me some drinks to keep me through the writing process but I had a little mishap. I twisted my ankle, spent the night in the emergency room and now I can’t move. So what else is there to do except writing? Um...I’m trying to make the last few chapters the best they can be. FYI, the story’s last chapter is going to be chapter 15. Here’s chapter 13 for your enjoyment, I hope:

~~

Destiny shut her eyes as the throbbing pain spread from her head down to her lower back. She pealed herself off the wall and slowly tried to stand up. Destiny was aching but her pride told her not to show it. She wet her dry, chapped lips and stared straight at AJ. In return, he turned his back to her and ignored her. Destiny ran her hand through her hair and walked into the bedroom, grasping the cell phone on the night stand. Before dialing the numbers, she looked around her. Praying and wishing that AJ would come back to his senses and run after her. She wanted him to apologize, like he would have before this change. He didn’t. She sighed in disappointment and called Carrie to pick her up. The conversation was short and painless. Destiny didn’t explain anything. She didn’t have any intention of telling anyone this happened. There was too much love still within her to let something like this leak to others. She left the room, grabbing a hold of the small overnight bag she already had packed. Destiny turned off the light to the room, waited a few minutes for him to move and do something to wow her, do something that would cause her to fall in love with him all over again. Nothing. She bit down on her lip, trying to hold her emotions deep inside. Slowly and unwillingly, she left the house. Never did she feel such a cold feeling, such misery.

~~

AJ sat in the corner of his large bathroom, curled up in a ball. He was rocking himself, trying to restrain the tears that were attacking him. It took a while for him to understand what he did and the severity of it. He hit her. The only person he loved was now scarred by his words and his actions. She didn’t deserve any of his crap but yet, he chose to dump it all on her. They say you tend to take things out on the people you’re close to but that quote is misunderstood in so many ways. The only person who deserves to hear all the scolding and angry words is the person who is to blame. It wasn’t Destiny. It was him. And being physically abused? No one deserved that. And he did it. Why?
“Why the hell can’t I settle my arguments with words? That’s the first thing they teach kids in preschool. Children! You’re worse than a fucking five year old, McLean. She was trying to help. And man, do you need the help. No sane person hits the only person they want to spend the rest of their lives with. And now I’m talking to myself. This is so much better. Get a hold of yourself, go downstairs and try to fix this. FIX IT? Who the fuck am I kidding? She is never going to talk to me again. I fucked it up yet again. My fault as it always is. CRAP!” He rasped out between sobs. He forcefully shoved his body against the wall. The only thing AJ could think of was ways to discipline himself. He had to feel pain to make up for all the pain he caused an innocent bystander.

~~

AJ stood up, trying to regain balance. He could still smell Destiny’s perfume in the air. He tried to take it all in. That’s the only thing he had left of her. New tears replaced the old ones. His body trembled with anxiety. Everything was misplaced. Everything was confusing. Nothing was right. How did this happen to him? He kept questioning the reason of his relapse. AJ didn’t really know himself. He leaned on the counter as a sickening feeling crept over his body. He wanted to. There was no reason. Sure, he could keep blaming his jealousy of Nick and Destiny but that wasn’t it. He still liked drinking. What good was rehab if they couldn’t even make his addiction go away. Why the hell did he even stop if he was just going to start up again? His life was in shambles all because of a stupid bottle. AJ splashed some cool water on his face. His vision cleared up a bit and he returned to his closet. There was still a bottle hidden under some warm winter clothes that no one ever found out about. Not even when he returned from rehab and the guys insisted on checking his house, making sure it was free of his past. His past? That’s a joke. It was still very much his present. AJ picked it up, stared at it, observing its every angle. Something tingled inside of him. Temptation. He thought of the sequence of events that occurred today and ran to the sink, emptying every last drop. Then, with all the power that was left inside of him, he threw the glass bottle at the wall. Sharp pieces of glass blasted across the room. He didn’t care if they cut his skin. He sat there without any movement, shortly falling into a deep slumber.

~~

AJ woke up to a knock at the door. An actual smile appeared on his face. Was Destiny coming back? He could only hope. He ran down the stairs, fast as lightning and opened the door quickly. His smile disappeared as he saw it wasn’t Destiny. He didn’t frown. He wasn’t going to act like an asshole to yet another person. AJ nodded and allowed Jeff to enter his house. Jeff wasn’t his cheerful self. He had the same expression on his face that he had when him and AJ had the driving confrontation. Except it wasn’t as much angry as concern and sadness. Jeff pat AJ on his back as he entered the large house. AJ closed the door behind him.
“Sit down. Can I get you anything to drink or eat?” AJ still remembered the manners his mothers stressed as he was growing up.
“No, that’s fine. Would you take a seat next to me?” Jeff requested, crossing and unfolding his arms.
Jeff knew that crossing his arms would show he wasn’t open enough. And he wanted to be open. He wanted AJ to trust him. Jeff finally settled his arms on his sides and thought over the words he prepared. Jeff shot a glance at AJ, who was not sitting across of him. His slouchy posture showed he was at ease or maybe just uninterested. Either way, Jeff was going to get his opinion through AJ’s thick skull.

~~

“AJ, I think we need to talk.” Jeff started.
“We do? About what?” AJ wasn’t really interested in anything except finding Destiny. This conversation was wasting precious moments.
“Remember that phone call I had just as you were leaving my house? It was Ashley.” Jeff was using hand movements to emphasize his speech. AJ looked horrified when Jeff mentioned the name Ashley. Other than Destiny, she was the only one that knew.
“That’s right, AJ. I told her that we bonded over drinks and she told me about your past. Son, why are you drinking again? Are you having a rough time in your life?” He didn’t know what he was saying. He didn’t know if he was doing it right. All he knew was that he wanted to get help for the young man sitting in front of him. Behind his crazy appearance, he had so much unused potential.
“I don’t want anymore excuses, Jeff. It’s so simple now. I wasn’t cured. I’m supposed to be over this. I’m supposed to be starting a new and better life but instead I’m stuck where I’ve always been. Controlled by this stupid addictions. I know that it’s bad and I hate the person I am when I’m under the influence of it but I can’t pretend that I don’t want it in my life. Hell, I want it right now. I’m dying to just drink myself unconscious maybe then my guilt would just disappear. Why can’t I be normal like everyone else?” AJ’s breathing increased and he looked distressed. Jeff’s face filled with compassion. He got up from his seat and bent down to give AJ a hug. With the last energy AJ’s fatigue body contained, he lifts his arms and wrapped them around the other man.

~~

“Alex, you have to understand one thing. You might still have this problem and you think it’s unfair because you did seek help. And you did spend a month out of your life in a rehabilitation center to make this problem go away. Thirty day aren’t long enough. Many people enter those facilities only to leave and be led back into the old life the lived before. It’s not an easy thing to stop. Many people don’t succeed the first time or even the second time but if you have enough will and enough need to stop this then you will. You’ll get over the pride you feel and go back in there to get some more help. You don’t need to publicize it like you did last time if you don’t want to. But I can assure you that no one will think of you as a failure. You know it’s wrong and you’re strong enough to get over it. I for one will be more than happy to lend a helping hand.” Jeff knelt down next to AJ who looked like he was taking in everything the man was saying.
AJ was touched. He knew this man for a few days and already he felt close enough to him to accept his help. He wanted to be healthy. And he knew the only way to do this was to try again. If you fall off your horse, you must get back on it. Don’t let fear come in your ways. In a way, AJ felt Jeff was the father figure he never had. AJ nodded in agreement.
“I’ll do it. I’d rather not publicize it though. I just need the help and I need it as soon as possible.” AJ sounded calm. He was satisfied with his decision.
“Then we’ll do just that. Come on, get some rest while I clean up this place and I’ll make some phone calls. Set things up as soon as possible and you’ll be on your way to recovery.” Jeff leaned on AJ’s knee and stood up.
“Thanks, man. You have no idea how much this means to me.” AJ looked up as the man was about to run upstairs.
“Don’t worry about it. You’ll be fine, kid.” Jeff smiled and went to proceed with his actions.

~~

Months has passed since that fateful day. Before AJ had left for New York he informed the guys why he wouldn’t be able to record over the next month. They understood and kept things private among themselves. It wouldn’t hurt delaying the release of the album, if anything it just gave them a chance to go over the songs and make them even better. As soon as AJ returned from his absence he looked better and happier. Even more confident than the first time. This time he promised to himself that he wouldn’t tempt himself. No more hiding bottles in hidden places. And he wouldn’t force himself to be around alcohol until he was ready. It was going to be different this time. They recorded the album and the release party was nearing. One thing AJ had forgotten to mention was that him and Destiny were no longer together. Everyone expected him to show up with her. AJ wasn’t about to disappoint them. He was going to get his ex-girlfriend to accompany him the question was how.

~~

Destiny was shopping with Carrie and Coral except she was the only one really getting anything. They were looking in a very expensive boutique, trying to find the perfect dress for her movie premiere. The movie was already getting a lot of press and good reviews. She couldn’t believe that something that started from boredom in a foreign city was going to end up in possible fame. Destiny didn’t know if she even wanted fame. She was pretty accustomed to seeing the Backstreet Boys get bombarded and mobbed by fans but she would just laugh it off since it wasn’t her. Did she really want strangers approaching her when she was just trying to live a normal life? Destiny shook her head of these thoughts, she would never make it that big anyway.
“What about this?” Carrie held up a glittery excuse for clothing.
“Carrie, honey, I know your brain might be fuzzy since you have been getting no sleep whatsoever with Tash crying at the top of her lungs all night long but that is lingerie. Very trashy lingerie at that, which desperate and easy girls would wear.” Destiny crunched her nose up.
“Again I ask, what about this? It’s perfect for you.” Carrie stuck her tongue out and put the clothing back on the rack.
“That’s not very nice Carrie, you know she isn’t easy. She expects a man to take her out for dinner twice before she gives it up.” Coral grinned as she returned with a few new apparels the clerk suggested would look good on Destiny.
“You guys are pure evil.” Destiny shook her head and grinned.
“Uh oh.” Carrie looked nervous as she ran to try and cover the TV in the front of the store.
“What?” Destiny looked at her strangely.
“Oh nothing. Sesame street was on and I uh, have a thing against big birds.” Carrie grinned widely, moving left to right, trying to cover all angles of the TV.

~~

“Last time I checked, sesame street wasn’t on MTV.” Coral smirked.
“Coral, you’re not helping.” Carrie snapped. Coral backed down and returned to the clothes.
“What are you trying to hide, Carrie?” Destiny approached her friend.
“Nothing. I like the waves the TV reflects.” Carrie brain stormed for more excuses.
“You like radioactive waves? Right. You always were a crappy liar. Bye Carrie.” Destiny playfully shoved her friend out of the way only to be faced with a BSB appearance on TV.
Destiny turned her back to the TV and walked the other way, returning to her business. “Are they everywhere? Here a Backstreet Boy, there a Backstreet Boy, everywhere a Backstreet Boy.” Destiny said in a sing-song voice and shoved the clothes back in the clerk’s hands. She shook her head. This wasn’t working out the way she had planned.
“And holy hell, there’s another one.” Coral said. So far, she was the only one that had noticed AJ had just entered the store. His eyes were locked on Destiny.
“Funny Coral, don’t scare me like that.” Destiny chuckled. She caught a glimpse of a dress she could actually wear in the corner of the store but just as she was about to approach it, a strong hand rested on her shoulder. Destiny jumped at the familiar touch. The touch that had been so gentle and tender at times and so painful at others.
“I liked your little song.” He twisted her around to face him. Knowing that she hated it when he wore sunglasses, he took them off and folded them on his shirt.

~~

“Des, could I talk to you?” AJ stopped with the playfulness.
“You’re already doing that.” Destiny pointed out.
“Privately?” He pointed at the two girls who were inches away from them.
“What do you want?” Destiny asked, ignoring his request for privacy.
“Go out with me?” AJ blurted out, sweat starting to appear on his forehead.
“What?” Carrie jumped in, surprised by AJ’s words. “Thanks Carrie. What?” Destiny repeated
“Please? To the release party? It’s tomorrow and people are already expecting you there.” AJ looked nervous. Both Carrie and Coral noticed. Destiny was too absorbed in the mixed emotions she was feeling.
“Me? Why are they expecting me there?” She thought over her words carefully before answering.
“They kinda don’t know we broke up.” AJ said honestly. He didn’t know how she would react to this news but honesty seemed like the best way right now. He kept too many things from her.
“AJ, I don’t know.” Destiny sighed. She didn’t understand why he couldn’t tell anyone they weren’t together. Maybe he still wanted them together. Her heart jumped at the thought.
“Please? If you just do this one thing for me, it can be the last thing you’ll ever have to do. You’ll never have to see me again.” The words that escaped his lips, pained him. But it was the only way to get this girl who was obviously over him to go with him.
“Fine.” Destiny nodded. He didn’t want to see her again. Why was she kidding herself? “I’ll pick you up at 8. Thanks a lot, Des.” AJ forced himself to smile. She did want to rid of him.

~~

“If it isn’t the cutest couple here.” Another producer approached the posers and shook their hands, giving Destiny a peck on the cheek.
“I know I’m cute but you don’t have to humor him, Rob.” Destiny snarled. They were both shooting insults at eachother all night long. Others took it as teasing between loved ones but they knew it was more than that. They were trying to hurt eachother. Both thought the other was rejecting them and doing them a favor just by being there.
“Stop being silly. Lets go eat something. Great job you guys.” The well-dressed producer departed to his table and AJ and Destiny were left standing as everyone was slowly getting seated.
“You could be a little nicer, Des.” AJ whispered in her ear.
“I don’t see you acting any nicer. You called me jaws to some man I never met before.” Destiny stepped on his foot. She didn’t do it to hard, afraid he would yelp and cause another scene.
“It was a joke, sweetie.” He stressed the word sweetie, saying it loud enough for everyone to hear.
“I didn’t think it was funny, honey.” Destiny mimicked his tone.
“Come on, lets just go eat and get this night over with.” He held her hand and led her toward their reserved table.
“Finally we agree on something.” Destiny cringed as she realized they were back at the beginning. They started out as enemies and now they’re going to end as ones too. Wonderful.
“I’m glad you could make it. AJ wasn’t so sure you would be able to.” Kevin stood up and gave her a hug.
“Yeah but AJ’s forgetful. Never really sure of where he is half the time.” Destiny sat down and covered her lap with a napkin.
“You’re right Des, everything goes blank from the day I met you. Maybe it’s just not worth remembering.” AJ was getting slightly annoyed by her behavior.
“Are you two okay?” Brian sensed it was going beyond teasing. They were fighting.
“We’re fine. Aren’t we dear?” AJ placed his hand on top of hers.
“Yeah, we’re peachy.” Destiny moved her hand under the table, hoping he would get the hint.

~~

The rest of the dinner was silent. At least between AJ and Destiny. They tried their best to act civil through dinner, counting the seconds until their departure would be made possible. When it was, AJ and Destiny quickly stepped into the limo and sat as far apart as possible.
“Des, I really do appreciate you doing this for me.” AJ was the first one to talk.
“You’re welcome. At least the food was good.” She smiled slightly.
“I’m sorry for what I said. I was a jerk.” No more guilt.
“I’m sorry too.” She confessed as the limo stopped in front of her house. Secretly, she enjoyed his presence. Being around him was enough to stir all those good feelings she had about him.
“Night Alex.” She bent over to kiss him. When she realized what she was doing, she stopped and looked him in the eyes.
“I didn’t mean to...do that.” She apologized.
“Don’t worry about it.” He gave her a hug instead and watched her as she walked up into her house and closed the door.

~~