| Having someone else verbalize what she had felt for months only made the ache that much worse. The one thing that troubled her was that if AJ could notice her feelings for Brian did he or anyone else? This revelation only made her decision easier. She would have to quit her job and put some distance between herself and Brian. �Shhh,� Shelby scolded him avoiding AJ�s glare. She noticed Brian glance their way, a scowl replacing his smile when he saw AJ sitting so close to her. �What�s going on with you two?� Brian called over to them, jealousy again flaring inside him as he watched AJ talking quietly to Shelby. What was his deal anyway? He�s suppose to have found the love of his life, but Brian could swear that AJ was hitting on Shelby. She seemed very uncomfortable sitting there. He continued to watch them as AJ leaned closer to talk softly to Shelby. �Nothing, just making sure she�s okay.� AJ replied. He leaned into Shelby and whispered in her ear. �You can�t go on like this you know.� She nodded as she traced the design of her notebook with her index finger. �I know, especially after what he just told me.� �Oh? Do tell.� AJ grinned, just loving to hear secrets. �He�s going to ask Laurie to marry him.� She said quietly. She could see the astonished look on his face. �Don�t you say a word Age, promise me.� �Marry Laurie? Why? She�s nothing but a cheating, lying�� Shelby looked up at him. �You know,� she said surprised by his comments. �Yeah. She�s not very subtle, but somehow, Rok has no idea. She must be something else between the sheets.� He saw Shelby blush. �Sorry, Shel.� �No it�s okay. I have no rights. I can�t be jealous.� �And why is that?� AJ looked over the top of his glasses. �Shel, you need to admit your feelings, girl. Tell him.� Shelby ignored his comments. �So how did you find out about Laurie?� AJ said as he slipped lower on the sofa his legs stretched out in front of him. �When we were in LA a few weeks ago I went to drop off a copy of an itinerary for Brian when some strange man opened the door to their room. His only piece of clothing was a towel. I thought I had the wrong room, but then Laurie appeared dressed the same way. It was quite obvious what had transpired between the two of them.� Shelby sniffed back the tears threatening to fall. �Later she met me in the coffee shop trying to justify her actions. It�s going to break his heart if he finds out that she cheated on him.� She wiped her eyes. �How did you know there was someone with her?� She looked at AJ her brows furrowed. �I didn�t. This isn�t the first time Shel. It�s been going on since the beginning.� Shelby�s eyes grew large. �What!� Brian looked up again and Shelby gave him a weak smile. His brows were furrowed together and he looked angry. �That�s right,� AJ sat up and looked at Brian and nodded. �She doesn�t know that I�ve seen her. I�m biding my time. I figure one of these days; I�ll use the information against her. Don�t worry honey,� he patted her leg and the gesture didn�t go unnoticed by Brian, �he won�t marry her. I�ll see to it.� �Age, please don�t say anything about,� she faulted. Just then the rest of management arrived for the meeting and Shelby took a breath and wiped her eyes. �Your secret is safe with me. I promise. But don�t think others can�t see what Rok is blind to.� AJ stood and took her hand as Shelby stood up too. What do you mean?� She looked him straight in the eye. �I think Kevin might have an idea that you are pining for his cousin.� A look of shock slipped across her face and AJ nodded. �I�ve seen him watch you and then leave shaking his head. You just might have another to help you along.� ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The fact that AJ now knew about her feelings for Brian only complicated matters. Never one to be able to keep a secret, even though he tried his best, Shelby knew that pretty soon Kevin would have his premonitions confirmed and then Howie and eventually Nick would find out as well. Shelby had a hard time keeping her concentration during the meeting and by the time they were finished she had decided her only course of action was to leave. There was no other way. As soon as the meeting broke up Shelby slipped out the back door of the conference room unnoticed. She gathered up her coat and some files and left quietly. She never saw that both AJ and Brian watched her leave. However each had totally different thoughts running through their head. But Brian was the one who decided to act on his. He hung back at the door to the conference room and watched as AJ tried to get to Shelby before she left. But she got on the elevator before AJ had a chance to call to her. Was AJ blind? Couldn�t he see that she was obviously not interested in him? And besides he had a girlfriend. How many women did he need at once to satisfy his male ego? Brian walked towards the front entrance and called to his bandmate. �AJ?� The younger man turned and could see the irritated look on Brian�s face. �Can I talk to you for a minute?� �Sure.� He followed Brian back into the conference room. Something was going on with Brian lately and AJ just couldn�t quite figure out what. He was giving him the strangest looks and passing comments that didn�t fit his personality. AJ wondered if he had found out about Laurie and wanted his advice. Well, he would tell him in no uncertain terms. She was bad news and Brian needed to break it off. And then there was Shelby. She had confided in AJ with how she felt about Brian, but Brian needed to know because AJ had a sneaky suspicion that Rok had feelings for her too. He had to. The signs were evident just by his behavior. Whether he would mention Shelby or not was another story. Brian followed him into the room and closed the door. AJ stood near the windows and waited. Brian seemed on edge and cleared his throat and closed the door. AJ turned at the sound of the door shutting to see Brian throw him a searing look. �How much is enough for you?� Brian walked slowly towards him. �What?� Confused by the question AJ backed off a bit. �Don�t give me that you no good son of a �� AJ cut him short. �Whoa. Hold on a minute. What did I do?� He put up his hands as Brian went to push him. �You know darn well. So don�t play innocent with me.� Brian ran his hand through his hair and shaking his head. �You are something else, you know that.� �Rok, listen, you are talking in riddles here. Just spit it out. What is going on?� �Shelby!� He raised his voice. �I�ve seen the two of you. You keep pushing she keeps walking away. Seems to me that she�s not interested, but you don�t seem to understand that.� He stared at AJ. �Shelby?� AJ laughed out loud. �I don�t know what you�ve seen, but I�m not coming on to her.� �You could have fooled me. You are always sitting with her. The flight back from LA you two were all cuddled up nice and cozy and then today, whispering to her and all. I�m not stupid and I�m not blind Bone. Leave her alone!� The words came out through gritted teeth and AJ surmised right then and there, Brian was jealous. �Why Brian? What is it to you?� AJ goaded him wanting to see his reaction. He hoped this would give him a clearer picture of just what Brian felt for Shelby. And if it did, then what was all this business about proposing to Laurie? �I don�t want to see her get hurt, that�s all.� He said quietly. �I know you AJ. You go through women like other people change their clothes. You keep telling everyone you�ve met the love of your life, but then behind Rachel�s back, you are coming on to Shelby.� He shook his head in dismay. He didn�t rise to the bait the way AJ had hoped and thereby it was hard to tell what Brian really felt for Shelby. It had to be more than just friendship otherwise he would never have cornered him like this. �I told you, there is nothing between Shelby and me. We�re friends that�s all. So whatever you thought you saw between us, you couldn�t be more wrong.� Brian said nothing. AJ didn�t fight him back on this, maybe he was wrong, but he knew what he saw and they seemed awfully tight. �I suggest you worry about yourself Brian and your own house and leave Shelby alone.� �What?� �You heard me. Take care of your own relationship and leave Shelby alone.� AJ rounded the table and went to the door. �Things might not be what they seem for you either.� He opened the door and walked out leaving Brian more confused than ever. |