Lila groans and pulls the blanket over her head to block out the harsh sunlight. Her head feels like a brass band was holding a concert inside it. She rolls over and her hand touches warm flesh. She smiles and cuddles up to the warmth. An arm snakes its way round her and she nestles up in the embrace. A few minutes pass and she screams. There’s a huge thump as AJ falls out of bed in shock. She peers over the bed at him as he sits up.
“Ow…my ass.”
“Sorry.”
He climbs back onto the bed. “Do you feel as bad as you look?”
She groans. “No, stop…I can’t take the constant flattery…”
He grins. “Oh, you look gorgeous…if a little pale and red-eyed and…”
She holds her hand up. “Enough already.” She lies back on the bed and he lies down next to her.
“I’m glad I met you Lila.”
“Cos I was a fine piece of ass?”
“No…well, yeah…but…”
She laughs. “Relax AJ. I had a great time last night but I don’t think there’s gonna be an encore.”
“Aww.” He kisses her shoulder.
“Nup…that won’t work.”
“Hmmm…” He starts working his way down her body.
She smiles. “But you’re sure finding the best way of convincing me otherwise.”
He stops and looks at her. “So, is an encore comin’ my way?”
She groans. “Shut up and carry on with what you were…err…doin’…mmm.”
Lila pushes AJ’s shades up on her nose and smiles at him.
“Thanks for the ride…and the shades…and…y’know…makin’ it all fun.”
He laughs. “Ditto.”
She kisses him quickly and climbs out of the car. “See you around.” She goes into her office.
AJ sits in the car for a while, smiling to himself. He had had a wonderful night with Lila, he was just sorry it was over. As he started the car, he had one thought…how long could he leave it before seeking her out so as not to appear a nympho? He chuckles to himself as he drives away.
Jo looks at her colleague and giggles. “God, you look TERRIBLE!”
“Gee thanks Jo. You sure know how to make me feel good.”
“And whose shades are THOSE?!” She giggles. “They look like they belong on a pimp.”
Lila grins. “Not far off. They’re AJ’s.”
Jo’s eyes widen. “I only know of one AJ…please tell me it’s not him.”
“Backstreet guy.” Lila starts looking through her black book.
“Lookin’ for his number?”
“Nup…I want Jay’s mobile. I have an editorial idea I wanna run by him.”
Jo pushes a piece of paper across the desk. “Lemme guess…AJ Backstreet and his bed habits.”
“Bad habits more like.” Lila dials the phone.
Jo pulls her chair closer. “C’mon…gimme the lowdown.”
“No way…privacy and all that.” Lila grins and starts talking to her editor on the phone.
AJ walks into the room and slumps in a chair. Howie looks up from his book and grins.
“Good night Bone?”
“Oh yeah…” He lowers his shades and grins at Howie. “Met a girl…kinda body that makes you go Mmmhmmm…” He licks his lips and laughs.
Howie shakes his head. “Aww Bone, ya crude. Gonna see her again?”
“Yeah…too great a lay not to.”
Howie groans. “Whatever happened to love…?”
“Love fucks you up. Without half the fun of sex.”
AJ scans the crowd on the dance-floor for Lila. A couple of weeks have gone by and he wants to see her again. He finally spots her leaning against the bar. He makes his way over to her.
“Hey honey…still got my shades?”
She turns round and grins at him. “AJ!” She hugs him quickly. “Nup, the shades went on the fire a long time ago.”
“Aww.” He pouts and she giggles. “How many you had?”
“Only 2.”
AJ looks hopeful. “Doubles?”
She shakes her head. “Nup. Singles.”
“Get drinkin’ then I can lure you back to my place.” He orders them a double each.
Lila looks up at the blue sky and sighs blissfully. A few months had gone by and she was now enjoying a couple of weeks’ holiday in Puerto Rico. The people were great, the weather perfect, the pool heavenly and she got the chance to practise her Spanish. She grabs her ice cream and finds a space on the side of the fountain to sit and relax. She pushes her shades back on her head and closes her eyes as she licks the cold ice cream. Somebody splashes her and she opens her eyes again languidly.
“Man, I’m sorry…I was tryin’ to cool down but I guess I cooled you more than I did me.”
“S’ok…thanks.” She smiles and dips her hand in the fountain. She flicks the water at him. “Let me do the same for you.”
He laughs and sits next to her. “Thanks.” They sit in silence for a while. Lila closes her eyes but all see can see is the imprint of the guy’s face on her eyelids. He was gorgeous. She had always been a sucker for big brown eyes and this guy certainly had those. Along with wavy black hair and a sweet crooked smile. She smiles and opens her eyes again. The guy is looking intently at her. He blushes. “I was staring…sorry.”
She smiles. “Ah that’s OK. I was imagining you.”
He looks at her and then laughs. “Thanks…I think.”
She smiles and shrugs. “It was all good.” They sit in silence for a few more minutes then she stands up.
“Do you have to be somewhere?”
“There’s a place in the water with my name on it.”
“Oh…y’know, I have mine on a section of water too.” He stands up and walks with her.
“Really? Which bit?”
“Ahh…B2.”
She laughs. “Another Battleships player.”
“Oh yup…a childhood thing.”
“Yeah…” She smiles. “Y’know…mine is B3.”
He smiles at her. “What a coincidence.”
“Yup. Small world.” She looks at him and holds out her hand. “My name’s Lila.”
He takes her hand. “I’m Howie.”
Howie gazes at the woman opposite him and smiles. Over the past week or so he had spent a lot of time with Lila and had gotten to know her very well. He liked her. He liked her a lot. More than he had liked any woman for a long time. She was flying back to Florida the next day and he had to find the courage to ask her out…formally. This was not a woman he wanted to be just friends with…he wanted the whole deal. She starts fidgeting with her napkin and he smiles gently.
“Wanna blow this place for the great outdoors?”
She looks at him gratefully. Fancy restaurants always made her too nervous to eat. “Please.”
He grins and stands up. They go outside and sit by the fountain where they first met. The breeze gently blows the water onto their skin, so softly it’s almost a caress. The moon glows softly in the night sky and the gas lamps round the square swing in the breeze.
Lila sighs. “This place is so beautiful. I don’t want to leave it. You’re so lucky to have family here.”
He smiles. “I know.” He touches her hand. “You can always come back. With me.”
“I’d like that.” She tilts her head up at the moon and closes her eyes. Howie looks at her for a few seconds.
“Lila…I really like you.”
She opens her eyes and smiles at him. “I like you too Howie.”
“D’you think we could…back home…?” She looks at him for a few seconds and then leans closer to kiss him softly.
“I think we could.”
He smiles at her and wraps his arms round her for a deeper, longer kiss. “This is gonna last…Lila.”
Howie stretches out on the beach and smiles to himself. Lila throws herself down next to him and flicks water at him.
“Hey!” He brushes his arm down and turns to look at her. “You got sand all over you. Have my towel to dry off.”
She shrugs. “Who needs towels? I air dry.” She grins at him and suddenly climbs on top of him, getting him wet and sandy at the same time. He groans and then wraps his arms round her to pull her down for a kiss. She sits back and starts brushing the sand slowly off his chest.
“Lila, I want you to meet the guys tonight.”
“Tonight? Oh, I can’t.”
“I thought we were goin’ to do somethin’?”
“Yeah…but…”
He runs his hands through her hair. “There’s no need to be scared ‘bout the guys. They’re like my family…and they’ll love you.”
“I don’t…”
Howie silences her with a kiss. “It’s important to me that you meet them.”
She looks at him and sighs. “OK, tonight.”
Lila checks her reflection in the mirror for the hundredth time. She was so nervous about meeting Howie’s friends. If only there was some way to disguise herself so AJ wouldn’t recognise her. She had tried to tell Howie about her prior relationship with AJ but could never find the right words. And now she was in too deep to tell him. It wasn’t like she’d ever had a RELATIONSHIP with AJ anyway…it had just been sex, good sex but nothing more. Since she had met Howie she hadn’t seen AJ. She glances in the mirror again and, gritting her teeth, pushes open the door out of the bathroom into the club. She sees Howie sat with 2 guys who she recognises as Brian and Nick Backstreet. She walks over to them.
“Hello. Sorry I was so long…damn queue.”
Howie smiles at her. “Lila, these are Nick and Brian.”
“Hey Lila.” Nick giggles. “An O and you’d be inflatable!”
She stares at him. “Uh, yeah.”
Brian clips Nick across the head. “Sorry ‘bout him. We tried all the surgeons but no-one can find that cord connecting his brain to his mouth.”
Lila laughs and Nick rubs his head. He pouts at Brian. “Hey man…my head dumbass.”
Brian spreads his hands. “Dumbass?!”
Howie pulls Lila down onto his lap and wraps his arms round her. “AJ and Kev’ll be here soon then we’ll go get somethin’ to eat.”
“OK.” She rests her head against his shoulder and smiles as Brian and Nick carry on bickering.
“Dumbass is your only insult Nicky.”
“Is not…” He thinks for a while. “Idiot!”
Brian giggles and pretends to recoil in fright. “Gee, I’m real scared.” He looks at Lila and Howie. “You guys scared?” Before they can reply AJ and Kev wander over.
“Hey guys…sorry we’re late. Bone freaked cos he couldn’t find his shades.”
“Hey, I gotta co-ordinate.” AJ shrugs and lowers his shades to look at Lila. She stands up quickly.
“Guys, this is Lila.” Kev grins at her and AJ stares.
“THIS is your girl?”
Howie looks surprised. “Yeah.”
“Oh.”
Lila looks at AJ. “Hello.”
Kevin smiles at her. “It’s good to meet you. Howie doesn’t shut up about you.”
She manages a small laugh. “Oh dear.” AJ keeps staring at her and she looks down at the floor.
Howie stands up. “Let’s go.”
“I’ll just go to the bathroom. I’ll meet you outside.” Lila goes into the toilets and stares at her face in the mirror. AJ had recognised her. He was probably telling Howie all about her right now. She shakes her head and splashes cold water on her face. She pushes open the door and an arm grabs her and pulls her into a dark corner. It’s AJ.
“Working your way through the band?”
“It’s not like that AJ.”
He stares at her. “I guess he doesn’t know about us?”
“No. I tried to tell him but…I just couldn’t find the words.”
“He needs to know Lila.”
She looks up at him. “Why?”
“You slept with one of his fuckin’ best friends. I think he might just wanna know that.”
“It didn’t mean anything.”
“You can bet that it’ll mean somethin’ to him.” He takes her arm roughly and forces her to look into his eyes. “Either you tell him or I do.”
Her eyes fill with tears. “I can’t tell him AJ.” He lets go of her and walks away. She blinks back the tears in her eyes and follows him outside.
AJ spots Howie sitting alone on a couch flicking through some photos. He walks over to join him. Ever since that night 2 weeks ago he had been trying to find the perfect moment to get Howie alone and tell him just who his girlfriend really was. Howie looks up as he sits down.
“Hey Bone.”
“Hey.” AJ takes a deep breath. “Seein’ Lila tonight?”
“Nup. She’s visitin’ her family over the weekend.” Howie grins at AJ. “She’s great though. You liked her huh?”
“Ah…kinda…I guess…”
“What’s wrong with her?”
“I don’t think she’s your type y’know. She’s kinda…wild.”
“Wild?!” Howie laughs. “I think I know her a little better than you do Bone.” He sighs. “She’s wonderful. She makes me smile.”
“Howie…”
Howie keeps talking. “Everyone says how I make them smile and stuff, well she’s the one who makes me smile. I mean…REALLY smile y’know.”
“Hey, I gotta tell you somethin’ Howie…”
“I tell ya Bone, I’m fallin’ in love with her…Sorry, what did you want to tell me?” He looks at AJ expectantly.
AJ sighs heavily. “Love fucks ya up.”
Howie sighs. “AJ…”
“I’m sorry buddy, she’s not the girl you think she is.” Howie stares at him. “Me and her…we err…we slept together a few months ago…several times.” He watches Howie’s face darken. “It didn’t mean anything…to either of us…she wanted sex…and y’know me…” Howie drops his head in his hands. “I thought you should know.”
Lila opens the door to Howie and smiles.
“Hey honey…” She tries to kiss him but he moves away. “Come in.”
“I’d rather not.” He looks at her and she notices the tears in his eyes. “Is it true?”
“What?”
“You and AJ…?”
She sighs and leans against the door. “He told you. Yes, it’s true.”
“I guess there’s nothin’ more to say.” He turns away and she touches his arm.
“Yes there is Howie. It was before I met you…why does it matter so much?”
He looks at her. “Because he’s my best friend…because you slept with him when you barely even knew him…Maybe I’m old-fashioned but I don’t want to be with someone who doesn’t take love seriously.”
She reaches for his hand and holds it in hers. She gently strokes it as she speaks. “I DO take it seriously Howie. I was drunk when I met AJ…I know that’s no excuse but I wasn’t myself…I was celebrating and he was there…I liked him and well…” She shrugs slightly. “You’re no angel either Howie…I wouldn’t want you to be. As long as you’re faithful to me, that’s all that matters. Why can’t you feel the same way?”
He moves his hand out of hers and walks away before turning round. “Because it’s not all that matters Lila.”
Brian stares at AJ.
“You SLEPT with Howie’s girlfriend?!”
“Hey…she hadn’t even met him then.”
“And you TOLD him?!” Nick shakes his head. “Man, you ARE dumb.”
AJ glares at him. “He needed to know what she was like.”
“I liked her.”
“So did I…but not as a girlfriend.” AJ sits down.
Nick chuckles. “Bet Howie’s mad at ya.”
Before AJ can respond Howie walks into the room. He glares at AJ and sits at the other side of the room. AJ walks over to him.
“Hey buddy, how’re you feelin’?”
Howie looks at him. “Oh just great…my best friend fucks my girl…I’m doin’ just fine.”
“Hey…that was before she met you.”
“Yeah…that makes me feel real better.” He stands up. “Why’d you have to pick her? Outta all those girls…”
“I’m sorry man. But she wasn’t your girl…”
“And now she’ll never be.” Howie walks towards the door. “You need to learn to keep that fuckin’ thing in your pants.” He walks out.
Nick slowly exhales. “He’s mad.”
Lila stares at the security guy standing in her way.
“Look…I need to go yell AJ out so just get the fuck outta my way.”
“Hey lady…” He holds his hands up. “I can’t let you by.”
“Don’t hey lady me.” She pushes past him and walks into the rehearsal room.
He follows her. “Hey lady!” She ignores him and marches straight up to AJ. She goes to slap him but he grabs her hand before she can make contact. “I’m sorry. She just pushed past.” The guard goes to grab her but AJ pulls her away from him.
“Alright. I know her so just go do your job.” The guard disappears. AJ looks over at Brian and Kevin. “Hey, disappear.” They start to move. Lila pulls away from AJ’s grip.
“Don’t move. I won’t be long.”
They stop and look at AJ. “I said go.”
“Don’t fuckin’ MOVE!” They look at Lila and then shrug at AJ and sit down in a corner.
AJ grabs her arm. “C’mon…we’re not doin’ this here.”
She glares at him. “We’re not fuckin’ doin’ ANYTHING. Why did you have to tell Howie?”
He shrugs. “He deserved to know.”
“That’s crap AJ. I love him. D’you know what love is?! I guess you don’t so you just go about fuckin’ it up for other people.”
“Oh love…yeah…love fucks you up…you SLEPT with me Lila.”
“Did I sleep with you AFTER I met Howie? No I don’t think so.” She stares at him. “If you think Howie deserved to get hurt then you’re not a real friend to him…at all.” She walks out.
AJ stares after her. “She’s wrong.”
Kevin stands up and walks over to AJ. “Actually, she’s right.”
Brian sighs. “I agree. AJ, you gotta do somethin’.”
AJ stares at them both. “Like what?”
Kev heads towards the door. “Howie’s real upset. He’s not talkin’ to you…and Lila looked pretty upset too. I’m goin’ to talk to him…I think you should follow me AJ.”
Brian shrugs. “You can’t take it back or anythin’ but you need to talk to him.”
AJ sits down and opens a magazine. “I’m not sayin’ shit.”
Kevin opens the door and sticks his head in. Howie is sat on a couch by the TV. Nick is playing on his Playstation. Kevin walks in and sits next to Howie.
“Err, Nick…Brian wants you.” A grunt is the only reply. “Like NOW!”
Nick looks at Kevin. “Jeez, the guy’s got legs…he can come see me.”
Kevin sighs. “Nick…go find Brian…PLEASE.”
“I’m doin’ somethin’ here.” He turns back to the Playstation.
Kevin clears his throat and leans forward to whisper in Nick’s ear. “I need to talk to Howie about the whole Lila thing.”
Nick shrugs. “I ain’t stopping you.”
“If you don’t move in the next 5 seconds, I’m gonna take that ‘station and ram it so far up your ass you’ll be shitting Super Mario for weeks.”
Nick giggles. “Super Mario?! Man, that’s SO gone.” Kevin glares at him and he gulps. He jumps up and leaves the room quickly.
Kevin sighs and leans back against the couch. He looks at Howie who’s trying to pretend he’s reading. He finally gets unnerved and looks up at Kevin.
“OK, what?”
“Lila was here.”
“Wow.”
“She had a go at AJ.”
“And what makes you think I care?”
“Because she said that she loves you.” Howie doesn’t say anything. “I know you love her, Howie. Can’t you just forgive her?”
“Because she slept with my friend…several times…and they barely knew each other. I believe in the sanctity of love and she obviously doesn’t. How can I be with someone like that?”
Kevin sighs. “She wasn’t in love then, now she is…of course she believes in it all now.”
“It’s too late.” Howie picks up his book again.
“So you wanna sacrifice love for one mistake?” He sighs and stands up. “AJ’s right…love DOES fuck you up.” He walks over to the door. “You’ve got a great woman who’s madly in love with you. She would do anything for you. And you’re the only one who can’t see that. You’re also the only one who matters to her. Wake up Howie…don’t end up regretting this.” He leaves. Howie throws his book down and bows his head. He covers his eyes up with his hands as the tears start to fall.
Lila throws back the blanket. It was after 3am and she couldn’t sleep. She was too hot and agitated to calm down enough to sleep. She pulls on her clothes and leaves the house. She heads for the beach. She sits down on the sand and listens to the waves crashing into the shore. This had always been her favourite place to think and to relax. She breathes slowly and closes her eyes. It’s over a week since she had yelled at AJ. There’s a soft sound next to her and she opens her eyes. A dark figure sits down next to her. It’s Howie.
“I followed you. I was sitting outside your place in my car when you left.”
“Why didn’t you come in?”
He starts sieving sand through his fingers nervously. “I was trying to think of a good opening line…”
“Hello would’ve done me.”
He chuckles. “NOW I think of it…”
She touches his hand gently. “It’s so good to see you Howie.”
He curls his fingers round hers. “You too.” They stare out into the horizon for a while, both too scared to say anything. Finally she finds the right words to say.
“I love you Howie.”