*Coming Attractions* Chapter Six

“Where the hell is AJ?” Kevin muttered. They had just walked into the Beverly Hoffman Center(totally fictional for all I know) where the gala was being held.
“ You told him eight, right?” Nick asked, scanning the crowd.
“ Yeah, you’re here...Besides, it’s almost nine thirty,”
“ Excuse me, I’m Bonnie Ritter-,” An interviewer introduced herself to them and started on her set of questions. At ten-fifteen, AJ got out of the limo and smiled at the camera people and press as he made his way inside the building. Finally, he walked inside in search of Kevin.
“ Yo, Kev!” He called when he saw him all the way over by the refreshment table. Kevin looked up and his expression turned peeved when he caught sight of a sheepish AJ.
“ Where have you been, AJ?” Brian joined them, looking at AJ curiously.
“ Ok. See, the thing is that I...Kinda had plans with someone,” AJ made an excuse, thinking Kevin wouldn’t venture any further but was wrong.
“ With who? This thing has been planned for the past two months. Who was so important that you had to make plans and show up late?”
“...Someone...” AJ shot him an annoyed look before reaching forward to grab a coke.
“ Chill out, Kev,” With those parting words, he walked in the other direction, looking for someone to strike up a conversation with. The truth was, he had decided to call Marielle back and they got together for dinner and AJ lost track of time. He had had a genuinely good time but he couldn’t quite tell if it was the few drinks he’d had to mellow out.
“ AJ, hey. You made it,” Nick said to him when he joined his little “group.”
“ Yeah. Got tied up,” He explained, offering a greeting to everyone else.
“ So, we were talking about that thing...” One of the guys started and AJ found his mind wandering. This group was so not his type. He sighed, looking for anyone even remotely interesting. Fifteen minutes into the conversation, someone bumped into AJ and he turned around.
“ Natalie, Hi,” He greeted, surprised to see her there and grateful for a distraction.
“ AJ, What are you doing here?” She smiled at him and looked at the guy standing with her.
“ I’ll see you later, Scott,” She said to him and he shot a conceited glare at AJ.
“ So,” She said, her eyes running over everyone else, standing awkwardly now that their dialogue was interrupted again.
“ Care to join me for a drink, Ms. Trevante?” AJ asked grandly, fed up with these guys. She accepted his arm and they walked doff to the bar.
“ I hate these damn things,” She complained as they took seats at the stools.
“ Yeah. So do I,”
“ Can I help you?”
“ One Sex on the Beach,”
“ And a margarita,” AJ added for himself. The waiter started on their drinks and AJ turned back to Natalie.
“ So, how come ya never mentioned you were coming here tonight?”
“ Because you never asked,” She stated simply.
“ Always a good answer,” He gave her a cheeky grin before asking;
“ How many drinks have you had this whole night?”
“ Honestly? Not too many. This my second,”
“ Only second? So what are the chances of getting to know you a little better tonight?”
“ A little better by means of sexual explorance or-?...”
“ I meant personality wise but either way is fine,” He flirted and once again, she was caught by his charm.
“ Thanks,” She looked up from his gaze when the bartender placed their drinks in front of them.
“ Shall we take a look around or hang here all night?”
“ Let’s be sociable and listen to these arrogant bastards for once,” AJ answered, standing up. They began their stroll to the opposite, flashing fake smiles every so often...

Nick watched AJ and Natalie dancing, feeling a pang of jealousy towards AJ. Of the two of them, Natalie biasly chose AJ. Of all people. He sighed and turned his attention back to what Sarah was saying. It was only midnight and already the night was feeling too long.
“ Do you want to dance?” He asked the blonde in front of him, just not wanting to feel the pressure of starting a new conversation.
“ Yeah, sure.” They made their way to the dance floor and when they brushed past AJ and Natalie, AJ flashed him a grin. Nick returned it, a bit forced. They began dancing and Nick stole another glance at them. They were awfully close for ‘just friends.’ He wished it was him instead of AJ holding Natalie. He watched as he said something to her and she looked up and laughed. The song ended and Nick excused himself, sick of watching them and just being here in general.
“ Kev, I’m going home, ok?”
“ So soon?”
“ Yeah, I’ve got a headache. You have the address, right?” (remember? The rest of the BSB are staying with AJ and Nick for their stay)
“ Yeah. Get home safely, bro,” Nick nodded and walked off to the jacket check. He needed a quick end for the night. He got inside the limo management had provided for all the Boy’s and drove off...

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