AJ downs his fourth beer and scowls across the table at Brian and Jade. Their chairs are pulled close together and they are in deep conversation with Kevin. Brian has his arm around Jade’s chair and she touches his thigh every so often. And that secret look they exchange whenever they think nobody is looking is driving him crazy. He can’t stand this for much longer. Howie puts a hand on AJ’s arm as he reaches for another beer.
“I don’t think you should, bro.”
AJ shakes him off and takes a swallow of the beer. “Fuck you.”
Howie stares at him. “Hey, don’t take your shit out on me,” he turns to Ali and starts talking to her.
AJ carries on glaring across at Brian and Jade.
“Howie, would you excuse me for one second,” I stand up and walk around him.
“Of course,” he answers.
“AJ, we need to talk,” I pull his arm until he gets up to follow me.
“What?” he asks annoyed, taking another sip of the beer.
“Will you just forget about this?! You aren’t helping yourself at all by staring at them over there,” I say, pointing to Jade and Brian laughing happily.
“You have no idea how much this is killing me. Seeing him with her. She’s supposed to be mine,” he glares at me.
“Will you STOP talking about her like she’s some prize to be won. She’s not a possession, but more like your obsession. In fact, I’m glad she’s not with you.”
His eyes nearly bulge out of his head. “Why? You don’t think I deserve her?”
“No! No, I do NOT think you deserve her. You would’ve treated her like all your other one night stands!”
“That’s a lie. I’ve never been in love in my entire life. Until I met her. I thought it was just some sort of infatuation, like all the other girls. It’s not, Ali. It’s real, and I can feel it. And sometimes, when I’m alone with her, and we are just playin’ and jokin’ around…I think she can feel it, too. I know she can,” he looks up at her longingly, only to be met by a cold look from Brian. He wraps a protective arm around Jade, totally pissing AJ off. “That’s it, I’m going to have a talk to him,” AJ pushes his sleeves up and starts over to him, but I throw myself in his way.
Putting my hands on his chest I push him slowly backwards. “No, AJ. You and I both know that isn’t the way to solve this. Just give it time, a’ght?”
He nods, throwing Brian a killer look. Brian turns away.
“Are you sure you’re okay? Is it safe to leave you alone?” I ask, as we walk back over to the picnic table where we left Howie.
“I’ll watch him, don’t worry,” Howie answers, taking a bite from his hamburger.
“Thanks.” I decide to find someone else to bother, and spot Nick, Kristen, and Polly sitting on the side of the pool. I head over to sit by Nick, and we chat away.
A few minutes later.
“I’ll be right back, baby. I’m gonna go ask Brian about something, alright?” Nick asks me, taking his arm from around me.
“Yeah, okay,” I kiss his cheek and he walks away smiling.
“Awww,” purr Polly and Kris at the same time.
“Have you ever seen anything cuter?” Kristen asks.
“How about you and Kev? Or them?” Polly asks nodding towards Brian and Jade.
“We’re all even,” Kristen smiles at me and I blush.
“So, how are things with you and Nick?” Polly asks.
“Perfect. I’ve never been more into a guy before. He’s just…perfect. Except for when he’s an asshole,” I laugh and they giggle along with me.
“Get used to that!” Kristen replies. I nod, smiling.
“I just LOVE his fucked up sense of humour,” I roll my eyes, sarcastically.
Kristen groans. “I hate his stupid pranks! I guess you’ve witnessed the wrath of Nick. When he gets mad he gets even. I suggest you not try to fight back, it’s only gonna get him started.”
“I don’t care! He faked his own death to scare me to mine! I completely freaked, and I’m gonna get him back.”
“Well, if it’s good enough we’ll help, right Kris?” Polly asks, turning toward Kristen.
“No doubt! This is going to be good.”
We spend the next few minutes working on a plan.
“I’m back. Miss me?” Nick asks, coming up behind me and wrapping me in his arms.
“Don’t I always?”
He turns me toward him and kisses me softly. “If it’s okay with you I’m going to go to AJ’s afterwards, he says he has some new mixes he wants me to listen to.”
“If it’s okay with her? Can you say WHIPPED?” Kristen asks, making all three of us girls burst into a giggle fit.
Nick glares at her, then turns back to me with a smile.
I laugh. “That’s fine, there are some things I need to take care of at home anyway. I need to pick up a few things at the store, so if you want you can go home with him.”
“Okay, I guess so. I’ll miss you,” he nuzzles against my neck. Giggling lightly I kiss his forehead.
“You’ll live.” Suddenly I hear Jade’s cell phone ringing on the patio. Noticing that she’s in the pool with Brian, I walk over to answer it. “Hello?” I ask.
“Jade?” replies a male voice.
“No, it’s Ali. Who’s this?”
“Ali!! Hey sweetie! It’s Jay! It’s been forever, how are you?”
“Jay! Hun, I miss you. I’m good how are you?” a wide grin spreads across my face and Nick gives me a strange look. “Oh, hold on one second,” I put my hand over the mouthpiece.
“Who’s that?” Nick asks, gesturing to the phone.
“Jay, Jade’s older brother.” He nods, but quickly sits down to hear the rest of the conversation. “I’m back.”
“Who was that?” Jay asks.
“Oh, that was a friend. So what are you calling for, just miss my voice?” I laugh, but Nick looks taken aback. Stupid move Alicia.
“You know it! I’m also going to be down in Tampa for about a week.”
“Really? What for?”
“I’m on a mission. You see there are these two guys who are drug-dealers down there in Florida. I need to interview some girls to go in, pretend to be hookers, and get some info out of them. Maybe we can bust them right in the club if possible.”
“Wow, I’m sure that’d be a hard part for me to play. You might as well let me do it.” Jay is also one of the few people that knows about my secret. He kind of found out after I did it to him. Then I found out he was Jade’s brother. BIG problem there.
“Aww, come on girl. Don’t be like that. Besides, if it didn’t happen we wouldn’t have met.”
“Um yeah Jay, me and your sister were kinda best friends!” He laughs on the other end of the line. He has a VERY sexy laugh…
“Good point! Anyway, there is no way I’m letting you do that. I’m not going to put your life in danger, Ali, I care about you too much. Well, I guess I better go check out some hotels down there. I ne-”
“Don’t be crazy, Jay. Of course you are going to stay at our apartment!”
“But I don’t want to intrude. Besides there’s probably no room.”
“We’ll make room. It’s not like anyone’s going to be there besides Jade and I.” Again Nick looks stunned.
“Alright, I’ll see you soon cutie.”
I giggle. “Later, Jay. Oh, wait a sec. Didn’t you wanna talk to Jade?”
“Nah, I think you’ve satisfied me for today. I’ll talk to her later.”
“Ha ha, later babe,” I hang up and see Nick staring at me, his eyes glazed over.
“Y’all are pretty close, huh?” he asks.
“Oh no, not like you think. It’s nothing, we’ve just been friends for a long time.”
“Oh,” he nods and I climb into his lap.
“Wanna go swimming?”
“At my house?” his eyes light up, and there’s hope in his smile. I laugh and put my hands on his chest.
“No, sorry honey. Right over there,” I point to everyone in the pool. He shrugs.
“Why not?” he reaches to pull my shirt off.