Howie
had been on a plane home when his last conversation with AJ replayed in his
head. He clearly remembered AJ saying that he was going to turn the tables and
take advantage of Shannon just as she did with him. Howie didn’t really know
what his friend meant but he didn’t really take it on anyway because he
didn’t think that AJ was capable of doing anything harmful, especially to a
woman. But now as he thought about it, he remembered the look on his face when
he thought that Shannon was just using him. He had actually looked a bit
dangerous then.
Maybe, to be on the safe side, he should just warn Shannon about anything
relating to AJ. He had to admit that he thought AJ was wrong about Shannon’s
reasons for getting involved with him, which made it all the more important for
him to get into contact with her.
Howie didn’t have her number but he knew Nick did. He pulled out his
phone and called him up.
“Hello?”
Nick’s sleep-filled voice could be heard on the phone.
“Nick,
it’s Howie. I need-“
“Howie,
man. Do you know how long I’ve been waiting to sleep on this bed?” Nick
asked him, “Couldn’t this phone call have waited until the morning?”
“Look
man, I’m really sorry but this is really important.” Howie said, “Can you
give me Shannon’s number?”
“Shannon?
Why do you want Shannon’s number?” Nick asked, now fully awake.
“Long
story and I know you want to go back to sleep.” Howie told him.
“Oh
okay, But I gotta tell you now. You won’t be able to reach her because she’s
with AJ at the condo.” Nick stated.
“What?!”
Howie’s voice rose.
“Jesus,
you don’t have to shout!” Nick told him.
“Sorry…but,
what do you mean she’s with AJ?” Howie asked, “I thought she didn’t want
to talk to him?”
“She
didn’t, but AJ found a way to get her to talk to him.” Nick said, “Can I
go back to sleep now?”
He
sounded tired but Howie knew that this was important.
“In
a minute,” he said, “Tell me Nick, what is it that AJ did?”
Nick
sighed loudly.
“Alright.
You remember that Shannon and Shadae work and are part owners of Calitri Designs
right?” Nick asked.
“Yeah.”
“Well,
Caltiri Designs are famous for their interior decorating of celebrity homes so
AJ thought they could do his new condo, you know, the one on the beach? But he
needed to make sure that Shannon was the one that came out to do the analysis so
he called Shadae up and got her to help him out so Shadae got her mother to
persuade Shannon to go and she agreed.” Nick finished.
“But
she doesn’t know it’s AJ does she?” Howie asked.
“Nope.
She only knows she’s going to see an Alex McLean.” Nick said, “Apparently
she doesn’t know that name.” He added with a shrug.
“Umm…
Nick, why exactly did Aj tell you he wanted to see Shannon?” Howie asked
knowing that it couldn’t have been the truth otherwise Nick would never have
made Shadae go through great lengths to get her sister there.
“Well,
he said that he thought he was falling for her but he wanted to know how she
felt so he needed to get together with her. Shadae thought it was a great idea
that’s why she agreed.” Nick explained.
“Nick,
I think there’s something I should tell you.” Howie began. “That’s not
really AJ’s reason’s for wanting to see Shannon.”
“Then
what is it?”
“The
last time I spoke to AJ, he was really upset, he told me that he thought that
Shannon had just used him for fun and that Shadae was in on it too. He knew it
wasn’t the money because, as we both know, they’ve got plenty of that. He
thought that because Shadae wanted you but you’ve already got a girlfriend,
that she somehow persuaded Shannon to go out with him so basically one of them
would be getting some action.”
“I
think that’s about the most ridiculous think I’ve ever heard.” Nick said.
“I
do too.”Howie agreed.
“But
didn’t you say that before you thought she really was just using him?” Nick
asked.
“Yes
but not for those reasons.” Howie said, “I think it’s something else. AJ
doesn’t think that Shannon really liked him but I saw those two together, I
know that she does. It was quite obvious that she does. He just doesn’t see
it.”
“Or
doesn’t want to see it.” Nick added. “So what are you trying to say?” he
asked Howie.
“Well,
AJ, said that he feels that he’s been taken advantage of and that now, he was
going to do the same to Shannon.” Howie told him.
“You’re
joking. AJ wouldn’t do something like that.” Nick said.
”I remember the look on his face Nick. I think he would.” Howie said.
“Shit!
And he actually tricked us into helping him get Shannon there!” Nick said
upset.
“Yes
he did.”
“Why
didn’t you say something before?” Nick asked him then.
“Because
I didn’t think he was serious.”
“Anyway,
I’m gonna call Shadae and tell her what’s happened. She’s not gonna like
this at all.” Nick said.
“Especially
since it’s her twin that’s involved.” Howie added.
“And
I’ve gotten to know Shadae pretty well and I know for a fact that if AJ does
anything to hurt her sister, she’ll kill him.”
Feedback
to shals_16@hotmail.com
©
2002 Shala Mungroo
