Jessica sat in her hotel room in New York City. The 100 Hour Tour was almost officially over. Jessica leaned against the cold glass of the window in her hotel room. She peered out at the city from the 24th floor. Lights lit up the "city that never sleeps" beautifully, making it look alive and exciting. Cars were backed up in the streets as usual. Jessica felt lost. Her mind kept thinking back to the night with Nick. He had actually kissed her. On the lips. Mouth open. Sweet. Passionate. Totally not innocent. And she'd kissed him back. Jessica couldn't help it. When she had felt his lips on hers it was like old times. The scene replayed over and over in her mind like a broken record...
...and suddenly his lips were pressing on to hers. Jessica struggled to end it but in a few seconds she was giving in to Nick. Nick's hand traveled to her back and he began rub soft, slow circles. His other arm was wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. Jessica hand found his and she linked her fingers in his. It was an innocent gesture that meant so much to Nick. Nick took a chance and slid his tongue into her mouth. Jessica's tongue mingled with his for a minute before she pulled away. Their eyes locked. Deep blue staring into light blue for what seemed like an eternity. "We shouldn't have done that,"Jessica had said softly. "It was so wrong. Good night Nick." And with that she walked out of the room, leaving Nick standing there alone...
Maybe it lingered a little longer than it should have. Maybe she liked it a little too much. Maybe it just felt too right...
Jessica shook the images that had been haunting her since it happened from her mind and thought about AJ. Jessica had been distant with AJ and he knew something was up. That's why he'd gotten her her own hotel room. Even since they'd slept together Jessica had been withdrawn. He knew she needed her space, but what he didn't know was why. And the reason's name was Nick.
Jessica was angry too. She was mad at Nick for kissing her and telling her how he felt when things were already so complicated. She was mad at AJ for feeling the way he did about her. And most of all, she was mad at herself. Jessica felt like things had gone too far and it was her fault for letting them. A light knock on her hotel room door broke her out of her thoughts. Jessica hoped that it was neither Nick nor AJ. She didn't want to see either of them now. AJ would try to get her to tell him what's bothering her and Nick would want to talk about the other night. Two subjects that Jessica definitely didn't want to bring up. Jessica padded over to the door in her fuzzy leopard print slippers and readjusted her baby pink spaghetti strap top. She opened the door slowly to see her best friend standing there. Leighanne was clad in her PJs with an oversized Kentucky Wildcat's t-shirt that belonged to Brian and loose fitting blue drawstring pants that dragged on the floor when she walked. Her hair was pulled back and Jessica could see that her pretty features were contorted with worry.
"What the hell's a matter with you??"Leighanne demanded before marching into the large room and plopping herself onto a plush armchair.
"What do you mean?"Jessica muttered following her across the room.
"You know exactly what I mean. What happened with Nick, Jess?? I know something happened so don't even try to tell me otherwise. Brian knows something happened too. Nick's been really out of it lately, even more out of it then usual...and come to think of it, so have you. You've got AJ all worked up and worried thinking you've gone into depression or something. The poor thing doesn't know what to think and-"Leighanne babbled.
"Leigh! Did you come here to harrass me??"Jessica asked, irritated, placing her hands on her hips.
"No I came here to find out what the hell is going on with you. You're my best friend Jess. I'm worried,"Leighanne said, her features and voice softening.
"Did Nick tell Brian anything do you know?"Jessica asked quietly, her eyes fixed on the carpet.
"What would Nick have to tell Brian, Jess? What happened? You didn't sleep with him did you? Oh Jess please tell me you didn't,"Leighanne said gently.
"No. The other night I couldn't sleep and I went to listen to music. Nick came in and we danced and talked. He told me he still loved me then kissed me. And I kissed him back,"Jessica whispered. She couldn't meet Leighanne's eyes. There was an awkward silence in the room.
"You have to tell AJ Jess,"Leighanne said finally. Jessica looked up at her like she had just suggested she swim across the Pacific and shook her head. "Jessica, he deserves that much."
"I know he does Leighanne. He deserves so much more. More than I can give him. But telling him would just create problems. I don't want to hurt him,"Jessica said, looking up at Leighanne.
"You still love Nick,"Leighanne said with a sigh.
"He loves me Leigh,"Jessica said, laying down on her bed on her stomach and rested her head on her hands.
"I know. But were talking about the same guy who cheated when things got rough between you two. It's not that I don't love Nick. I mean he's a great guy, a little immature, but an overall good guy. But that still doesn't change what he did. And think of AJ. AJ would give you the world if you wanted Jess. He wouldn't hurt you,"Leighanne said logically.
"I know and that's what kills me. I care about him so much and I love him but not in the way that he wants me to. Not in the way that I think he loves me,"Jessica said with a sad sigh.
"AJ's loved you for a lot longer than I think you realize Jessica,"Leighanne said softly.
"Really?"Jessica said lifting her head up. Leighanne nodded. "God I never want to hurt him. He's was always there for me when I needed him."
"I know, but I guess you can't help the way you feel,"Leighanne said, coming over to the bed and sat down next to her best friend. She stroked Jessica's hair lightly. "You know I'm here for ya sweetie, right?"
"Yeah I know Leigh. Thank you,"Jessica said sincerely, sitting up and gave her a hug. "I just don't want to deal with this bullshit now. Can we go out tonight. Ya know like another girls night out."
Leighanne was reluctant,"I don't know Jess. It's late and we have an early flight tomorrow morning. Where would we go?"
"A club or something. Manhattan has some hot clubs,"Jessica said then pleaded with her when Leighanne gave her a "hell no" look. "Pleasssse Leigh. I really need to get out."
"Jess I'm tired and I'm married. I can't be off galavanting in clubs. Brian wouldn't go for it,"Leighanne shook her head.
"You may be married but he doesn't own you Leighanne. Besides, you know he trusts you. Come on, please, for me?"Jessica begged.
Leighanne groaned,"Fine fine, but not for too long. We have to get up early tomorrow."
"Yes Mom,"Jessica giggled and hopped up from the bed. "Go get ready."
"What? I can't go like this,"Leighanne joked flashing Jessica a smile.
"No way sweetie,"Jessica said grinning back then gave her friend a light shove towards the door.
"Alright alright, don't get violent. I'll be back in a few,"Leighanne said and opened the door, heading out then closing it.
A half hour later, Leighanne showed up at Jessica's hotel room door with Kristin right next to her claiming something about safety in numbers. Jessica didn't mind. She was glad to have Kristin along.
"Brian was less than thrilled about this whole thing,"Leighanne said, pulling out a compact and applying a light pink lipstick.
"I'm not telling AJ,"Jessica said simply and smoothed down her short hiphugging olive green skirt and pulled up the small black tubetop that was underneath a sheer, tight short sleeved black shirt. She ran her fingers throught the loose waves in her hair.
"And why not?"Leighanne demanded, snapping the compact closed and facing Jessica.
"It's not his business,"Jessica replied with a shrug.
"You're his girlfriend don't you think you should at least let him know,"Kristin said firmly.
Jessica almost cringed. Girlfriend. Yes, she was AJ's girlfriend and she cheated on him with Nick. The same Nick who cheated on her and broke her heart. "Let's just go ok guys? I don't want to talk about it right now." Kristin and Leighanne exchanged worried glances and followed Jessica out of the hotel room.
AJ sat on the king sized bed in his gorgeous suite alone with a Jack Daniels. The reason he got the king sized bed was because he thought he'd be sharing it. But no, he was sitting on it all by his freakin self. He shouldn't have been alone. His girlfriend should have been with him. She was his girlfriend dammit and she wasn't acting like one right now. To hell with her. To hell with everything. Right now he was a little bit drunk and a lot pissed off. He gulped down the rest of the beer and opened another one. She was a bitch and Nick...well Nick was a prick. There had to be something going on with the two of them. They were probably fucking around or something. Why else would she ask for her own fucking room. At this point, nothing would surprise him. AJ hated himself for falling in love with her. Damn her. AJ didn't know for sure that Jessica was fucking around with Nick but he wasn't stupid. He saw the looks Nick gave her when he thought that he wasn't looking. He also saw the way Jessica looked back. He wasn't a fucking idiot and they were playing him like one.
AJ's thoughts were disrupted but shuffling and talking outside of his room. He stood up and stumbled to the door. He looked into the peephole and saw Jessica, Leighanne, and Kristin walking down the corredor all dressed up.
"Where the fuck are they going??"AJ muttered to himself as he watched his girlfriend and her friends until they were out of sight. AJ stumbled back over to the phone and picked it up. He punched in Brian and Leighanne's room number and waited until Brian picked up.
"Hello?"Brian said cautiously into the phone.
"What the fuck is going on??"AJ demanded.
"AJ? Are you ok?"Brian asked in surprise.
"I just saw my fucking girlfriend and your wife and Kevin's wife all fucking dressed up going down the hallway,"AJ ranted, throwing his hand up in the air, spilling his beer in the process.
"Are you drunk?"Brian questioned.
"Maybe but what the hell does it matter dammit,"AJ yelled. "Now what's going on?!"
"They're just going out to a club or something. It's not a big deal,"Brian said slowly, hoping to calm him down.
AJ grunted,"Not a big deal huh?? Oh and where the hell is the prick??"
"Who??"Brian asked, raising an eyebrow curiously.
"Mr. Nick-Girlfriend-Fucking-Carter!"AJ screamed.
"AJ you're drunk. You don't know what you're talking about,"Brian said. "Nick and Jessica aren't sleeping together."
"Well they're doing something DAMMIT!"AJ yelled, on the verge of hysterical.
"AJ just calm down ok? Jessica's just been a little upset lately but that doesn't mean she's sleeping with Nick or anything,"Brian said, hoping what he was saying was true.
"Yeah right. Everything is just fucking peachy keen,"AJ said sarcastically.
"Do you want me to come over there AJ?"Brian asked.
"Don't do me no favors Brian. I've got to go,"AJ said then hung up.
