Chapter 18
(Nick's point-of-view)
"Damnit, I want to go home!" AJ hissed.
Kevin rolled his eyes. "AJ, you heard the doctor."
"Yeah, I heard the quack. I can't stay in this place for a week!"
"Obviously, you'll have to. The doctors have to decide if surgery is needed for your leg and find out what's up with your stomach," Howie replied.
"What are we gonna' do while AJ's here?" I asked quietly.
Kevin faced me in disbelief. "We'll go home, Nick."
"Home?"
My oldest band member lifted an eyebrow. "Yeah? You know that place where your family lives."
Brian gave me a small smile. "You can come to Atlanta with me, Frack."
"With LeighAnne? No thanks, Frick."
"You don't like her?"
"It's not that, Bri, I'd just be uncomfortable." I shifted about nervously.
"How about you, Howie?"
"I'm staying with AJ."
"I know! I'll stay with AJ and Howie could go home."
Kevin scratched his forehead. "Lil' man, why don't you wanna' go home?"
"His mom's been hassling him," AJ explained.
Howie frowned. "I'm sorry."
I shrugged. "It's okay." Actually, it was anything but okay.
"Maybe you should go home," Brian suggested. "Aaron misses you a lot."
I sighed. "Yeah, but my mom doesn't want me.'
"Of course she's does," Kevin debated.
"Yeah, me not Mandy."
He rolled his eyes. "Then, break up with her."
"It's not that simple!"
AJ raised his hand. "Guys calm down!" He massaged his stomach. "Nick, fly to Florida stay with your best friend Brent, then you can see Aaron and the rest without staying in the house, okay?"
I immediately felt guilty. I had came here to cheer AJ up not make him worse.
"Sorry, AJ."
"Don't be."
Howie sat down handing a AJ a bottled water. "You going to Kentucky, Kevin?"
"Yeah, I really need to be with my family right now."
I began to open my mouth to question his statement but Brian promptly stopped me. Must be something within the family the rest of us don't know about.....
As everyone became quiet I finally got a good look at AJ. There was a lot more going that just an illness or injury. In fact, he almost resembled my expressions. But his mother was so wonderful...Why would he have a problem like that? His mother always wanted him in her life no matter what. He never had to be afraid of going home. I was not so lucky.
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