PART TWENTY-EIGHT

*Nick*

With the tip of my tongue sticking out of my mouth, I hesitantly placed the yellow pencil on my index finger. With the eraser side on my skin, of course. I balanced a little, then smirked when it stayed in its place.

"What do you think?" I asked Howie who was once again caught up in today's paper. He looked up for a moment, saw my infamous party trick and directed his attention back to the paper again.

"Incredible, Nick," he said dryly. "You obviously picked the wrong business to make your fortune in."

I chuckled softly and let the pencil fall down on the couch. "Yeah well, I'm just bored," I said as I stretched a little to prove my point. "When are those lovebirds gonna be here anyway? We have a deadline here."

"Like you ever cared about that before," Brian smirked from the chair opposite me. I gave him my answer by throwing a pillow his way. He let out a yelp of surprise and quickly ducked. To my satisfaction, it wasn't quick enough. The smirk I sent him didn't last too long before the pillow was returned right smack in my face.

"Do you think something happened?" Kevin asked, clearly ignoring our antics as usual. "I mean, they did leave the party together."

"Well, let's hope so," I mumbled and folded my hands behind my head. "I'm sick and tired of watching him look at her like some sort of lost puppy."

Howie's head shot up immediately and a chuckle escaped his throat. "Excuse me, Mr. Hypocrite," he grinned. "How's Lorna doing, by the way?"

I looked down as a blush formed on my cheeks to the obvious amusement of the others. "It's not the same thing," I remarked quickly. "Lorna and me are a totally different situation."

"You asked for that one," Brian chuckled with his hand clutched to his stomach. An evil glare was all I gave him in response. I was getting quite good at those.

The worst thing about it all was that Lorna had been forced to go on a week long promotion tour this morning. I'd gotten so used to seeing her all the time that a simple week seemed like a lifetime. I was gonna miss her like crazy, that was for sure.

With a small sigh, I leaned further back in my regular seat in the sofa group as I looked around the recording studio. Only one more week left in this place. Was I happy or sad about that? I had no idea. I was looking forward till we could release the album, but I was probably gonna miss the days that always seemed shorter in Melody's company. I smiled softly at the thought of her and AJ together. If anyone deserved each other more, it was those two. In no way meant as an insult, by the way.

My line of thought was quickly interrupted when the door opened and Melody and AJ stepped inside, walking hand in hand. A small smile played on my lips when I saw the looks in their eyes. It was easy to recognize the meaning of it from myself.

"Hey guys," Melody smiled. "Had a nice weekend?"

"Not as nice as yours apparently," Brian grinned as he turned around to look at them. "I guess congratulations are in order?"

AJ's arm went around her shoulder as he smiled lovingly at her. "Yeah, I guess so," he said softly and kissed her cheek affectionately. She looked up at him with the same smile on her face, like they had some sort of secret they were keeping from us. In some way, I guess they had.

"Well, thank goodness," Brian said and threw his hands in the air. "Finally a break from all the tension. Honestly, I was going out of my mind."

We all laughed in agreement and Melody's eyes seemed to sparkle even more than before as she smiled and nodded. "Congratulations, you two," Kevin smiled sincerely. "I'm happy for you."

"Thanks," AJ replied with a happy grin.

"Well, if you guys will excuse me," Melody said and moved towards the door. "I'm just gonna go get Nathan before we get started. We've got a lot of work to do this week."

"Since when is that news?" I chuckled and she shook her head at me grinning.

"I wouldn't be too cocky if I were you, Carter, your solos are what needs the most work."

"Figures," I said and ran a hand through my hair. AJ turned to Melody, whispered something in her ear and she smiled and shook her head. She gave him a kiss before she left the room and AJ turned around with a satisfied look on his face.

"Aww, look at that," I grinned and turned to Howie. But my smile quickly faded when I saw the look in his eyes. "What's wrong?" I asked concerned.

He'd been the only one to stay quiet when AJ and Melody entered. Now he'd placed the newspaper on the table and absentmindedly fiddled with the bottom of his shirt as he looked straight ahead with a blank expression.

"Nothing's wrong," he said quietly and looked down to his hands. "I think it's great."

"You don't look that way," I said softly and scooted closer. "Are you sure you're okay, man? You're completely pale."

"Just tired," he said and looked up as he smiled. "Really, Nick, nothing's wrong."

I frowned slightly when all of a sudden I realized the reason as to why he was upset. I'd completely forgotten he'd been on a date with Melody a few weeks ago. Were his feelings for her really that strong?

"D, is this about Melody or something?"

"No," he said firmly and shook his head. "Look, we're all tired, all right? I'm no different. It's nice of you to ask though."

"All right," I said hesitantly, still not convinced. "If you're sure."

"I'm sure."

I wonder if he knew what a horrible liar he was. I leaned back in my seat and sighed a little. No one seemed to want to tell me their problems these days. Was it my age or something? Didn't they think I was old enough to help?

A few minutes passed by in silence until AJ walked up to us. "Hey guys," he smiled. "Nick, could I talk to Howie alone for a second?"

"Oh," I said quietly and stood up. "Yeah sure. And hey, congratulations."

He grinned and placed a hand on my shoulder. "I guess I should say the same to you, bro," he smiled. "But thanks anyway."

I smiled and nodded. "Just be sure you treat her nicely or I'm gonna kick your bony ass."

"Same to you," he chuckled and nodded his head to the side. "Now beat it."

"All right, I'm going already," I said and held my hands in the air as I stepped away from the couch. Instead I walked over to Brian and sat at the arm of his chair.

"What do you think is going on?" I asked him and frowned.

"I have no idea," he said and chewed on the inside of his cheek. "But then again, I'm always out of the loop."

"Course you are. You're not quick enough to keep up with the rest of us."

"Don't get smart with me, squirt."

"I could kick you any day of the week and you know it."

"You've always gotta play that card, don't you?"

"Yup," I chuckled and crossed my arms over my chest. "I knew the height thing would come to my advantage one day."

*AJ*

With a nervous pit forming in my stomach, I sat down next to Howie who looked at me expectantly. "What's up, AJ?" he asked.

"Well," I said hesitantly as I started fiddling with my hands. "Melody told me why you went out with her last week, and ... well, I just wanted to say thanks, I guess."

"For what?" he asked, genuinely surprised.

"For helping me open my eyes," I said softly and looked up. "You have no idea how jealous I was when I found out about it."

"Of course I knew," he grinned. "But I hope you know that's not the only reason why I asked her out."

"I know."

"Not that I would ever try to come between you," he added quickly. "I just don't want you to think I used her or anything. I really care about her."

"I know. I care about her, too," I said as I smiled softly. "I love her, Howie, I really do."

"I know," he nodded and smiled. "Just ... don't hurt her, okay? She's been through enough."

I nodded silently. "I'll never hurt her. You have my word on that."

"Good," he said and smiled vaguely. "Well then, I hope you and Monica will be very happy together."

I chuckled and shook my head. "You knew about that?"

"Come on, J, what do you take me for?" he smiled.

"Did you know about Melody too?"

He nodded slowly.

"For how long?"

"Not too long," he said and leaned back in his seat. "A few days before I asked her out. I figured you out a lot quicker though."

"Why am I not surprised?"

"Gee, I don't know," he remarked sarcastically. "Probably 'cause I've never seen anyone more obvious about their feelings than you."

"I know," I chuckled. "I'm not too good at hiding that stuff."

"But then again, why would you want to, right?" he asked as he ran a hand through his hair. "Things worked out for the best that way."

I couldn't do anything but smile and look away. It wasn't easy to see him struggle like that to keep his spirits up. Howie was always been the one I could count on for support and now he was unable to give it to me. Why? 'Cause he had feelings for my girlfriend. Splendid situation, wouldn't you say?

"You know what, I'm gonna go grab a cup of coffee," I said as I stood up and brushed my jeans ever so slightly. He just looked up at me and smiled along with a small nod. By the look on his face, I could see he knew that I had no intentions of going anywhere near the cafeteria.

"Sure," he said. "Don't be long, okay? We gotta get started."

"I know."

"Oh, and AJ," Howie said as I had begun to walk away. I turned around and looked questioningly at him. "You're welcome." I smiled and nodded simply before I turned around again and headed out the door.

As soon as I got out on the hallway, I noticed Melody coming towards me with a stack of papers in her hand and Nathan by her side. With a crooked grin, I reached them and gently grabbed Melody's wrist.

"Nathan, just head over to the studio," I said as I pulled a confused Melody away. "We'll be there in a sec."

"AJ, what are you-?"

"Just hang on a minute," I said as I skimmed the hallway for any empty rooms. I finally found a vacant storage room and entered with Melody still right behind me. After locking the door, I turned around and pinned her up against the wall by placing my hands on each side of her on the tiles. "Finally alone," I smirked and leaned down to kiss her.

She chuckled and with her lips still on mine, she asked, "Is that what all that fuss was about? We've only been here for 20 minutes."

"Don't remind me," I sighed as I gently stroke her curly hair. "It's gonna be a long day. The only thing I want is to take you in my arms and find the nearest-"

"Don't even finish that sentence," she grinned. "You're getting me all worked up for nothing."

"Oh, I wouldn't say ‘nothing'," I grinned mischievously and leaned closer till our lips were a mere inches apart, and her breath instantly grew quicker.

"Quit toying with me, McLean," she said and laced her arms around my neck as she pulled herself closer. "C'mere," she grinned.

"Now that's more like it," I smiled and allowed her lips to cover my own. My fingers tangled into her hair, loving the way I could twirl the strands around my fingers. I had to remember to thank her later for not putting her hair up today.

I had never enjoyed making out as much as I did when I was with Melody. Everything was so new to her, it was all an experience she had never tried before. From running her fingers through my hair to kissing her way down my neck. I for one didn't mind teaching all the things you could do when you really loved each other. Really wanted to please each other in every way possible.

When we pulled apart again, her eyes were smiling at me and every sound around me seemed to fade away. I ran my fingers through her amber-brown locks again and smiled softly.

"Melody?"

"Yes?"

"Will you sing to me?"

She frowned slightly and questioned, "Why?"

"I miss it," I said softly. "Just anything off the top of your head, I don't care what. I just wanna hear your voice right now."

"Well ... okay," she said hesitantly and nodded. "Just let me think for a second."

She rested her head on my shoulder and I pulled her closer as I wrapped my arms around her waist. A moment passed by when all that filled the room was silence until a small and hesitant voice filled my senses and made me smile like never before.

"Love doesn't ask why
It speaks from the heart
And never explains
Don't you know that love
Doesn't think twice
It can come all at once
Or whisper from a distance."

She looked up at me again and smiled gently as she brushed my cheek, leaving a burning trail where her fingertips had been.

"Now I can feel what you're afraid to say
If you give your soul to me
Will you give too much away
But we can't let this moment pass us by
Can't question this chance
Or except any answers
We can try, but love doesn't ask why."

As the room once again grew silent, I sent her a soft smile. "That was beautiful," I said quietly.

"Very fitting too."

"I noticed that."

"Just know that I love you," she said softly and kissed my forehead affectionately. "Even though it took me a while to figure out."

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Chapter 27 » Chapter 29