Chapter 2
Snapping out of his reverie, Howie downed the rest of his drink and went in search of the bar, needing to get away from AJ before he walked over there, spun him around and kissed him. He knew better than that. Had more self-control, something he had developed after years of living with temptation. He'd told himself a million times that he was stupid to have these feelings for AJ, and that he should find somebody else. He had tried, he really had, but every relationship had been doomed from the start, because none of them were AJ.

Suddenly he was clapped on the back, and he jumped.

"Jumpy much?"  Brian asked as he slipped onto the stool next to his friend.

"Sorry" Howie replied, looking over at his friend. Brian frowned at the look in Howie's eye recognising it instantly. Howie gave him a half smile and picked up the shot glass in front of him, downing it, grimacing as the liquid burnt its way down his throat.

"You okay?" Brian asked. Howie looked at him, but his attention was drawn to AJ, who was visible over Brian's shoulder. Brian realised Howie wasn't looking at him, and turned to see what had caught his attention. Seeing AJ, Brian sighed, and turned back to Howie.

"Don't torture yourself." Howie looked back at his friend and smiled ruefully.

"Can't help it." Brian shook his head sadly, he knew he couldn't fix Howie's problem, and that he would have to continue to stand by and watch as he tortured himself with an unrequited love, only able to offer support, and a shoulder to cry on when it all became too much to bear.

Brian turned and focused on the dance floor, easily spotting AJ's now blond hair in the crowd. Howie had become more and more withdrawn recently and spent too much time lost in his own thoughts. Brian, Kevin and Nick had all noticed and discussed it privately, aware of Howie's feelings, but unable to find a resolution. He turned back to Howie, who was still staring at AJ.

"You wanna blow this party and go back to the hotel?" Howie looked at him and shrugged, he knew Brian was trying to help him, but he also knew he was a hopeless case.

"Na, I'm gonna stick around for a bit." He glanced over to the exit, spotting two familiar figures there.

"It looks like Nick and Kevin are ready to leave as well, why don't you go back with them." Brian eyed him warily.

"Look Rok, I'll be okay, I swear, I've managed to handle it for all these years, I can handle it for one more night okay." Brian stood up reluctantly and moved away from the bar.

"Okay D, but if you need me you know where I am."

"Thanks B." Brian just nodded and smiled before disappearing into the crowd to catch up with Nick and Kevin.

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Brian reached his best friend and his cousin, as they got into the limo, and they turned to look at him with a question in their eyes. Brian shrugged and shook his head. "He wanted to stay." Nick shook his head in disbelief.

"I wish we could do something, D's getting lower every day."

Kevin spoke up as well, "I know Nick, I mean at first I thought it was because of AJ's problems, but AJ's sorted now and Howie shows no sign of snapping out of it, and I'm starting to get worried."

"Starting." Brian said. "I've been worried 'bout this for years, ever since it became obvious that Howie was truly in love and not just in lust."

Nick nodded in agreement "I know Rok, but what can we do, we've tried everything, including setting him up with people and yet he keeps coming back to AJ. I guess we've done all we can do to help, maybe we've just got to keep supporting him and let things work out for themselves."

The three men looked at each other, knowing deep down that really, it was all they could do, and the spent the remainder of the trip in silence, all trying to find another solution to their friends problem.

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Back at the club, Howie turned back to the bar and ordered a bottle of water, he didn't feel like getting drunk tonight. He lifted the bottle to his lips and took a swig. He continued to stare at the people on the dance floor, looking but not really seeing, as he became lost in his own thoughts once again. He didn't see AJ approach him, nor did he react, until he felt the bottle he had been holding being removed from his hand. He suddenly realised that AJ was standing in front of him, and watched as he lifted Howie's drink to his lips and downed the remainder in one swift gulp before licking his lips.

"Thanks man, I needed that." AJ smirked. "Howie swallowed hard, trying desperately not to react to AJ's closeness, and the action of his tongue. However, the tightening in his pants announced to him that he was failing miserably.

A concerned look flickered across AJ's face, as he picked up on Howie's internal struggle, unsure of the cause.

"C'mon man, this party sucks, let's get outta here."

"I thought you were gonna be getting some action tonight." Howie smiled at his friend. AJ looked at Howie and grinned.

"What those chicks, nah, they just wanna be able to say they fucked a Backstreet Boy, and you know I don't wanna deal with that crap anymore. I wanna go before they come looking for me." Howie laughed at AJ's reasoning and nodded.

"Cool." AJ said, before reaching behind Howie to place the empty bottle on the bar. As AJ leaned into him, Howie took a sharp breath, hoping AJ didn't feel his erection, and yet, at the same time, wishing for him to stay close, as his senses were assaulted with AJ's smell and touch. AJ backed off and grabbed Howie's hand, pulling him towards the exit, apparently having not noticed at all.