Chapter 30
The guys rushed out of the building, and followed Nick over towards Howie's bus. They found AJ sitting on the steps of the doorway, head in his hands.
"Bone?" Nick whispered softly as he drew near. AJ raised his head, his eyes red rimmed with tears.
"He's locked himself in the bedroom and he won't come out. He won't even listen to me." He told them.
Brian was heartbroken for AJ. "I'm so sorry Bone. It's all my fault…"
"Brian it's not." AJ told him. "I don't blame you, you were only trying to look out for him. It's no-ones fault but my own. I lost him. I've hurt him so much, and it's taken me so long to figure out what I want and I lost him, not you." He dissolved into sobs and dropped his head into his hands again. Nick wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close.
"Shhhh, AJ you haven't lost him yet. You need to explain to him. Tell him what you feel."
"But he won't listen."
"Then make him listen." Brian told him, hugging him as well.
"But…" AJ started to protest. Nick pulled away and put his hand over AJ's mouth to silence him.
"No buts. Get on there and talk to him. Be persuasive. I'm sure you'll figure it out. Besides…" He turned and picked up AJ's bag and handed it to him. "…You've got 12 hours to figure something out." He grinned before making shooing motions with his hands to get him on the bus.
AJ looked at them. Brian and Nick were grinning madly at him, and Kevin was stood there with a smile on his face. He saw AJ looking at him and nodded slightly as if to tell him it was alright. AJ wiped away his tears and smiled slightly at them.
"Thanks guys. You're the best."
"We know." Both Brian and Nick replied, before dissolving into fits of giggles. Kevin just rolled his eyes at the pair before looking back at AJ.
"Good luck." He told him, before pulling him into a hug.
"Thanks." AJ replied as he pulled away. He took one last look at them before turning around and heading onto the bus. The doors closed behind him and the bus rolled off into the night.