Jessica layed down on the black leather couch in her small, but welcoming apartment and flipped on the TV. She groaned when her phone rang,"Hello?"
"Jess?"
"That'd be me...AJ?"
"Yeah babe. Wanna come over to Nick's?"
"Oh I don't know. I just got back from work, I'm tired. Besides, seeing Nick with his new girlfriend would be kinda weird. Leighanne told me she was a bit of a bitch anyway,"Jessica said, opening a bottle of water and taking a sip.
"Well yeah,"AJ said with a smile. "Come on baby. Everyone wants to see you again."
"By 'everyone' that's excluding Nick right?"
"He knows I'm calling you."
"Right, but you just completely avoided the question."
"Sorry, look, just come over. I want to see you, how's that?"
Jessica was silent for a minute,"AJ? What's going on with us?"
"What do you want to be going on with us?"
"I don't know."
"Well you think about it on your way over."
"AJ come on, it's an hour drive from here. I'm tired and stressed,"Jessica whined.
"I'm not taking no for an answer,"AJ persisted. "I'm gonna hang up now."
"AJ please-"
"Bye baby."
"AJ!"Jessica said, aggrevated, but all she got was a dial tone.
She shut her TV off and got off of her couch, mumbling to herself,"Pain in my ass. He's knows I'm tired but he's gotta be annoying doesn't he? I was going to have a nice date with Ben and Jerry's and my bed tonight but nooo." She walked to her small, but quaint bedroom and took off the sweats that she wore over her dance outfit and pulled out her bathing suit, a pair of jean shorts, and a pale yellow spaghetti strap shirt . She quickly threw them on and took her hair out of its tight bun, shaking it loose. Jessica grabbed her car keys of of the counter in her kitchen and left.
"NICKY!"Mandy shrieked as Nick picked her up in the large, shimmering pool.
Leighanne looked at the rest of them disgusted after carefully watching Nick and Mandy splash around,"I don't know how much more I can take of this girl. Why did Nick have to be such a dumbass?"
"The question everyone wants answered,"Kevin muttered, taking a long drink of his Coors Light.
"No, I mean cheating on Jess. If he didn't they would still be together and we wouldn't have to deal with Malibu Barbie over there,"Leighanne said, jerking her thumb over to Mandy. The guys snickered as Nick and Mandy splashed around in the water.
"I don't know. He seems happy,"Howie observed, turning the hot dogs over in the grill.
"I don't think he really is. I just think he wants to try and convince us and himself he is. That's why he told AJ to call Jessica. He's trying to prove something,"Kevin said.
"Jess is gonna get a good laugh outta this chick,"AJ smirked.
"Oh my god, guys she wants me to go SHOPPING with her!"Leighanne groaned. "That means I have to spend a whole day with her!"
"My heart goes out to you babe,"AJ laughed.
"No one told you you had to say yes Leigh,"Brian said with a smile,taking a hold of her hand.
"Well I couldn't say no. That'd be mean,"Leighanne shrugged.
"Oh but it's perfectly nice that we're all sitting her talking about her,"Kristin teased.
"She had it coming to her though,"Kevin laughed.
Suddenly, the backdoor opened and there stood a very tall, very beautful, and very nervous looking Jessica. She looked at them all,"Hey guys." Everyone stood quietly and saw Nick look over then do a quick double take when he saw who it was.
"Hi,"he said softly. He thought she looked so beautiful. Her hair was dyed back to its natural color and it was softly fallen at her shoulders.
Leighanne jumped up from the chair she was sitting at and ran over to give Jessica a huge hug and shrieked,"I missed ya babe!"
"I missed you too,"Jessica laughed and went over and gave each of the guys a hug.
By the time she was finished, Mandy and Nick had gotten out of the pool and were standing there in towels.
"Um Jessica this is Mandy...my uh, um..."
"his girlfriend,"Mandy snapped, staring at Jessica.
"Hi,"Jessica said, putting her hand out. Mandy just looked at her hand and didn't shake it.
Jessica raised her eyebrows and put her hand down,"Well ok then." She glanced at Leighanne who had a 'see. I told you so' expression on her face.
Jessica got uncomfortable so she took a seat in between Leighanne and AJ at the table on the deck. AJ kissed her cheek and she smiled.
He leaned over and whispered in her ear,"Don't take it personally. She's like that to everyone."
Jessica smiled at him and leaned her head on his shoulder. She saw Nick glaring at the two of them.
"AJ do you want to go in the pool?"Jessica asked him.
AJ grinned,"Nah,I totally want to miss seeing you in a bathing suit."
"Calm yourself,"Jessica rolled her eyes and got up. AJ followed her over to the pool. The two stripped down to their bathing suits and jumped in. AJ grabbed Jessica around her waist and pulled her to him.
"Did you think about it on your way here?"AJ whispered to her.
"Actually yeah,"Jessica replied, running her hands through his wet hair.
"And?" AJ was looking at her expectantly.
"AJ we're such good friends. You and Leighanne are my best friends. Don't you think it would be a shame to ruin that,"Jessica said, touching his cheek softly.
"Are you trying to let me down easy baby?"AJ smiled.
"No AJ, I'm just trying to make you see why it would be stupid to get involved,"Jessica said to him.
"Was is stupid for you and Nick to get involved,"AJ asked, bitterly.
Jessica pulled away from him,"You had to go and mention him didn't you?"
"That's why you won't get with me. You're still in love with him,"AJ practically accused.
"So what?? I did go out with him for 2 years AJ!"Jessica hissed.
"It's time to move on. He did,"he pointed out, taking a hold of her arm softly.
"Can we not talk about this right now?"
"Do you want to go take a walk?"
"Where the hell do you want to go take a walk to AJ? Along the fence?! If you leave you'll get attacked."
"Just come with me..."
"Fine,"Jessica rolled her eyes and the two of them got out of the pool. AJ wrapped a towel around Jessica's body.Then he wrapped one around his own.
"Yo, we're gonna go for a walk or something,"AJ told the group.
They all nodded and AJ took Jessica's and and led her off.
"So is that her?"Mandy asked, a slightly amused expression on her smug face.
"Who?"Nick asked, confused.
"Jessica. Is she the ex,"Mandy laughed.
"Yeah,"Nick replied, slowly.
"Well then I don't have anything to worry about do I,"Mandy smirked.
Leighanne hopped up,"Listen Barbie-!"
Brian took and hold of her arm and put his other hand lovingly over her mouth then sat her down.
"Mandy, me and Jessica have a history. I loved her. Please don't say things about her,"Nick told her, struggling to keep his temper in check.
Mandy shrugged,"Let's go make out."
Nick sighed deeply and followed Mandy into his house,"We'll be back."
"Oh my god, I take it anymore,"Leighanne said, shaking her head.
"Jealousy. She can't handle that Nick was in love with someone so pretty,"Kristin said.
"I really thought you could've taken her,"Howie grinned. "Brian ruined it all."
"Ok, I don't think Nick wouldn't appreciated a rumble in his backyard,"Brian said with a shrug.
"Well as long as she doesn't say anything about anymore of the people that I love, she's safe,"Leighanne smiled.
"Maybe you, Jess, Kristin, and her could have a girls night out or something. Just to get to know her. Maybe she's not bad,"Kevin shrugged.
"I don't think that's happening anytime soon Kev,"Leighanne said.
"Just a thought,"Kevin replied.
AJ sank to the soft, freshly cut grass to the side of Nick's mansion and pulled Jessica next to him.
"Jess, let me kiss you,"AJ pleaded, taking her small, soft hands in his larger ones.
A doubtful look crossed Jessica's face,"AJ-" but before she could get out what she wanted to say, AJ's lips were already on hers. It was a kiss neither of them had shared with eachother before. Their lips caressed eachother's passionately. The kiss was deep and intimate and perfect. AJ lowered Jessica to the grass and kissed between the valley of her breasts.
"Oh god AJ,"Jessica groaned as the burning between her legs intensified. Truth was that she wanted him.
AJ rubbed the insides of her thighs and said raspily,"You feel so soft." His tongue tickled her stomach and worked its way down.
"There you-...OH MY GOD,"Howie shrieked. The two quickly sat up.
"D, what do you want,"AJ asked, slightly embarrassed.
"The hot dogs are ready,"Howie said quietly, not quite meeting neither Jessica's nor AJ's eyes.
"Howie it's ok,"AJ told his extremely embarrassed friend. "We'll be right there."
Howie nodded and walked back around the house.
AJ turned and faced Jessica,"You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. And you're sweet, nice, and tight with everybody because you're so lovable. I've wanted you from the moment I set eyes on you. Give me a chance Jess. I can make you happy. I won't hurt you ever."
Jessica stared into his deep brown eyes,"I like you AJ, but I don't know if it's fair because of the whole Nick thing."
AJ linked his fingers with hers,"Just give us a try."
Slowly she found herself giving in to his soft brown eyes and his smile,"Ok..."
AJ grinned and kissed her lips,"This can work baby. I promise."
Jessica wasn't as sure...
