Chapter 27
After their little fun at the park, it was back to reality for the guys as they headed over to the arena.
Thankfully, Howie's mood had improved slightly, as Nick's distraction technique began to work. They didn't leave Howie alone for any length of time, and surrounded him with as much activity as they possibly could. Howie simply didn't have time to think about AJ or what had been happening. Howie knew what they were doing, and he was grateful. That morning he had been ready to just curl up in a ball and die, and they all knew it. But the others were not going to let that happen, and he loved them for it. He had the best friends.
Sound check came and went, and show time was rapidly approaching, but AJ still hadn't arrived. Howie watched from his spot on the sofa as the others were getting progressively more angry. He knew that they weren't angry that he was cutting it close to get here, but they were angry that he had taken Leona back so quickly. They didn't know it, but Howie had overheard Brian telling Nick that he had seen them kissing. He watched as Kevin stalked past him for the thousandth time, muttering under his breath. Brian was stood near the food table, watching his cousin and keeping one eye on the door. The door opened and Kevin swung round, cursing as Nick walked into the room. He avoided Kevin, who had started pacing again, before heading over to Brian.
There was a knock on the door, and an assistant shouted their 10 minute warning. Kevin cursed and stomped over to the phone, picking it up and dialling AJ's room at the hotel. The phone rang and rang, but nobody picked up. It had been the same the last twenty times he had phoned. And AJ wasn't answering his cell either, which made Kevin even more pissed off.
"Dammit. Where the fuck is he?" He snarled as he slammed the phone back down.
"Right here." AJ announced as he walked into the room, dressed and ready for the show.
Howie looked up at AJ. He looked different somehow. AJ locked eyes with him and Howie realised what it was. AJ was happy. Howie's felt his heart freeze, as he decided that he had been right. AJ had seen Leona and taken her back, leaving him out in the cold once again.
AJ bounced up and down on the spot, rearing to go. He knew he had been cutting things fine, but he had a lot to sort out. Somehow he had managed it though, and he was happy. There was only one thing left to do now, and that was talk to Howie. He needed to talk to him in order for everything to be right. But that would have to wait until after. Right now they had a show to do.