Jessica rang the doorbell to AJ's mansion. She stood there impatiently. She went straight to Orlando after she finished work. She did a lot of thinking on the way there. It took her five minutes to actually get out of the car and a few more get up the courage to press the button for the doorbell. There was no answer.
"Come on Bone answer the door,"Jessica begged softly.
As if on que, AJ opened the door looking tired and worn out with a beer in his hand. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw her standing there.
"What are you doing here?"he snapped.
Jessica took a breath and looked up to meet his eyes,"We need to talk."
"I really have nothing to say at all,"AJ shrugged, starting to close the door. Jessica reached out her hand and caught the door.
"Well I do. Don't be like this AJ please,"Jessica told him.
"Fine. Come in,"AJ said reluctantly, holding the door open.
Jessica stepped into his house. The place was a mess. But she was used to being in a pigsty, so it didn't really faze her.
"Want something to drink?"AJ mumbled.
"No thanks. I just want to talk,"Jessica said as they walked to the living room and she sat down on the black leather couch.
AJ sat a safe distance away from her, looking down at the floor.
"First I just want to say how truly sorry I am,"Jessica said sincerely, moving closer to him.
"Right,"AJ said blandly.
"I am AJ. I am SO sorry for hurting you and I'm sorry for the way things ended. I want to be your friend again AJ and I want to know that things will be ok,"Jessica said, bolding putting a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Do you know that you were the only thing that kept me sane Jessica?"AJ said, softly, still not looking at her.
"I'm so sorry,"Jessica whispered.
"I guess you can't help who you love. If we could I sure wouldn't choose to love you since you love someone else. I just wish you could've told me that before things went too far, but you were too much of a coward. You know, I can honestly say that you're the first person I met that is so strong but at the same time can be such a chicken shit,"AJ said, his free hand moved up and rubbed his eye.
"I deserved that,"Jessica said looking away, removing her hand from him.
"I know,"AJ replied, harshly.
"I guess since your not ready to accept my apology I'll just go. Being your friend is all I can offer you right now AJ. If you don't want my friendship then there's nothing I can do,"Jessica said as a single tear trickled down her face. She stood up from the couch and turned to leave. She felt AJ grab her waist gently and she turned around.
"I don't want to lose you Jess,"AJ choked out.
It broke Jessica's heart to see him as upset as he was. She sat back down and pulled him close with his head against her chest.
"I don't want to lose you either AJ. You were one of the greatest friends I've ever had. Honestly AJ, were you really happy in our relationship?"Jessica asked.
"No,"he answered simply. "Because deep down I knew you that you didn't love me the way I loved you."
"We were both unhappy and that's not the way a relationship is supposed to be,"Jessica told him, with him still in her embrace.
"I know,"AJ said.
"Listen AJ. You have so much going for you and you will move on and fall in love with someone who completely adores you for the man that you are. You're a great person with an undeniable talent. You have so much passion and there's so many girls who'd just fall in love with you. Any girl would be lucky to have you,"Jessica said, kissing his cheek.
"I don't feel that great most of the time,"AJ said.
"You are,"Jessica told him honestly.
AJ pulled away and looked at her,"Why'd you come back Jess?"
"What do you mean?"Jessica asked him confused.
"Are you trying to ask for my blessing for you and Nick to get back together or something?"AJ asked bluntly.
Jessica was taken back and it showed on her face,"No. That's not why I came and you know it AJ."
"Do I?"AJ asked smartly.
"Come on, don't give me that, I did not,"Jessica said defensively, her eyes narrowing.
AJ just shrugged and leaned back on the couch, taking a drink of his beer.
"I came back because I want to be your friend,"Jessica said.
"Things aren't going to be the same,"AJ told her.
"We can work on it,"Jessica persisted.
"So are you and Nick going to get back together?"AJ asked.
"I think so. I love him AJ,"Jessica said softly.
"I know,"AJ replied.
"Will things be ok with us if Nick and I get back together? Because I don't want to hurt you again,"Jessica said.
"If I said no would you really not get back together with him, because I don't really believe you wouldn't,"AJ said.
Jessica was silent and she moved her gaze to the floor and AJ continued,"So what does it really matter what I want?"
"Because we can still be friends AJ!"Jessica yelled, exasperated. "Are you trying to make this harder than it is?? Why do you always try to make things so damn difficult?! If you don't want my friendship then just say so dammit!"
"Sorry,"AJ mumbled. "I guess we can try to be friends."
"Good. I'd really really like that,"Jessica said, her voice back to it's normal tone. "Can I have a hug AJ?"
Without hesitation, he pulled her thin body to his and hugged her tight, kissing the top of her head lightly. They stayed like that for a minute before he pulled away.
"I'm sorry I got so mad at you, but I really was that mad,"AJ said.
"I know and you had every right to be,"Jessica said.
"So I'm assuming Nick and Mandy broke it off,"AJ said.
"Yeah, it wasn't exactly on good terms either,"Jessica said.
"I can imagine,"AJ nodded.
"So I heard that she talked to you,"Jessica said.
"Yeah, she came to me,"AJ said, not getting into detail.
"Oh,"Jessica replied.
"She thought that something was going on with you and Nick,"AJ said looking at her hard, raising an eyebrow. "Was there?"
"Maybe, I don't know. He kissed me but that's all,"Jessica said softly.
"Oh that's nice,"AJ said sarcastically. "Can't that boy have a relationship with going around kissing other people?"
"Well he better be able to because he's not getting another chance if he does again,"Jessica said to him. "And if he does I'll be done with him forever. I promise."
"Well you know if Nick screws up I'll be there for you Jess,"AJ said honestly.
"I know AJ, I know,"Jessica said, giving him a warm smile and touched the side of his face affectionately and gently. "So you're ok with everything?"
"Uh...yeah, I guess I understand. I was just upset that you didn't want to be with me. You can't help that you're in love with him...so yeah I'm ok."
"I'm glad that you're alright,"Jessica said honestly.
AJ smiled and took her hand in his.
"So I hear you're living with Mr.Clean himself,"he said sarcastically.
Jessica laughed,"Oh yeah, I almost killed myself yesterday. I tripped over his sneaker in the bathroom and I just hit the floor."
AJ grinned,"Nice visual right there."
"Perv."
"Yeah well you know you love it."
"AJ..."
"Alright alright I'll stop."
"OK, I'm glad we got everything settled. I should go now. I'm gonna go see my family."
"Can I have a kiss before you go?"
"Come on AJ...are we starting this again?"
"Just one?"
"AJ!"
"What?? Not even a little peck on the lips? Just a little one."
"UGH!"
