One month later....
"So, you two will definitely be there?" Faith asked.
"Oh yeah. We will be there. Nick is too close to Brian to miss it. I just hope he doesn't zone out again," Destiny answered.
"How's he been lately?"
"Actually, he's been great. There hasn't been a 'sighting' in a while."
"Well, that's promising."
"Yeah. It is. And since he and Kevin cleared the air about what happened that day at your house, he's been a lot more pleasant to be around."
"What was that all about anyway?"
"It was just a big misunderstanding. Kev was already upset because of Maddie. And then he heard bits and pieces of different conversations and drew the wrong conclusions. Somehow he thought Nick was cheating on me with Caitlyn and that AJ was cheating on Serena with me. It was a mess until he told us what he'd heard," she answered.
"He has been pretty tense lately. Do you know if he's coming to the party tonight?" Faith asked.
"I'm not sure. He said he might. Have you talked to Madison?"
"I have. She is afraid to come. She's scared he will make a scene, and she doesn't want to ruin Brian and Graycie's anniversary."
"Well, hopefully they can both be adult enough to put their differences aside long enough to wish their family well," Destiny said with a spark of hope.
"We will see," Faith returned. "But, I'd better go and get ready. Howie is such a stickler on time. I cannot be late."
"Ok," Destiny laughed. "I'll see you there."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thoughts of the night ahead of him ran through AJ's mind as he stood in front of the bathroom mirror carefully manicuring his goatee. This night was important to Brian, one of his best friends, and he hoped nothing went wrong, though he knew there were many different scenarios that could cause problems.
It had been over a month since he'd fully realized his feelings for Destiny. But, she'd chosen to stand by Nick, to work things out with him. AJ couldn't wish them bad luck, for he truly wanted her to be happy, as she deserved. But, he'd found it nearly unbearable to be around them together. To see Nick kissing the lips he so badly wanted to kiss. To see her respond to his touch, when it was his own touch he dreamed she wanted. It was almost torture.
To occupy his thoughts and fill his time, AJ had focused all of his energy on making things work with Serena. Things still weren't great, but they were a little better. As long as she got what she wanted, anyway. And, recently, she had almost seemed to have mind reading abilities. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but something about her had changed since his epiphany concerning his feelings. And, every single time Destiny had crossed his mind, Serena seemed to know it. She would always pick that precise moment to start an argument. It was like, deep down, she knew she was ruining his happy thoughts.
Still, AJ continued to pour all of himself into the relationship, trying to find happiness somehow in what he felt he was forced to settle for. As he lifted the razor once again to his neck, her voice startled him.
Right on time, he thought.
"How much longer until you'll be ready?"
"I just have to finish shaving and get my shirt on," he answered in his sweetest voice.
"Well, hurry up," she snapped. "I don't want to be late."
He just shook his head and bit his tongue as she walked off.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As she and Nick entered the club, Destiny spotted Faith and Howie right away. The only couple on the dance floor. How perfect they are together, Destiny thought, dreaming of that kind of relationship for herself. They complemented each other so well, in everything they did. Everything about them, their personalities, their humor, their style, seemed to melt together to form one perfect union. Just from watching them on the dance floor, moving together so gracefully, the harmony between them was so obvious. Destiny couldn't help but smile when Faith looked up and noticed them watching.
"Hey, you two," she said, after making her way to meet them across the dance floor. "How long you been here?"
"Oh, just long enough to admire your grace," Destiny responded.
"Yeah, right," Faith laughed. "But, speaking of 'grace', the couple of honor is in the private room."
"You two go ahead," Nick smiled. "Howie and I will get some drinks and meet you in there."
"Ok, sweetie," Destiny smiled back, standing on her tiptoes to leave a light kiss on his lips, his arm wrapping around her waist pulling her closer.
As she pulled away and turned to walk off, she came face to face with AJ and Serena. The sickening feeling he felt inside from seeing that kiss was clear by his expression. Serena, however, had a huge smile on her face. Not a happy smile. It was more like she gained pleasure from his uneasiness.
"Hey, guys," Destiny spoke, trying to break the tension.
"Hey," AJ said softly, his brown eyes locking with hers, the fire in them stunning.
"Um.... we were just about to join the others.... I mean, if you wanna come," she said to Serena, still shaky from the look AJ had given her.
"Sure," she said, and turned to AJ. "You know what to get me."
With that, she grabbed his face and laid a very hot kiss on him, as if to show off, to mark her territory. As soon as she let go, his eyes were once again on Destiny. Was that a look of jealousy he saw?
After the girls had walked off, Nick nudged AJ with his elbow.
"Hey, J. Looks like things with Serena are on the mend."
"Looks can be deceiving," he replied, no emotion whatsoever in his voice. "You and Des seem to have found the flame again, as well."
"Yeah. I think we have," Nick smiled. "She's wonderful."
Don't I know it, AJ thought. Don't I damn know it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
About an hour or so into the party, Destiny sat at the table, surrounded by her friends, thinking how well things were going. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, and unbelievably, everyone had been getting along. Even Kevin had shown up to offer congratulations, and he seemed to be in good spirits. She had noticed, however, that he was drinking a lot more than usual. He was very close to being totally soused. Well, at least he is behaving, she thought. She was still lost in her thoughts when she was startled by Nick's hand on her shoulder.
"Hey, gorgeous. Wanna dance?" he asked with a smile.
"Why, Nickolas. I thought you'd never ask," she laughed, taking his outstretched hand.
As they made their way to the dance floor, Faith and Howie, and Brian and Graycie followed suit. AJ remained at the table with Serena, but watched the couples very carefully, one couple more than the others.
He watched as Destiny turned to face Nick and wrapped her arms around his neck. He watched Nick's arms wrap around her small waist, his hand coming to rest on the small of her back which was exposed by the revealing dress she wore. He felt that same sickening feeling as he watched their bodies become closer and begin to sway together slowly. He could see the look of happiness on both their faces as they looked into each others' eyes, their rhythm just right with the music.
"You aren't gonna ask me to dance?" Serena asked, bringing him back from his thoughts.
"I really don't feel like dancing," he answered.
"I didn't ask if you felt like dancing," she spouted back.
With a heavy sigh, he stood and took her hand. "Come on, then."
"Are you having fun?" Nick asked Des as his thumb gently massaged the bare skin of her back.
"Yes, I am," she smiled. "And you?"
"How could I not be? I'm surrounded by good friends, and am in the arms of a very beautiful woman. Who wouldn't have fun?"
"Flattery will get you everywhere," she smiled up at him.
"That's exactly what I'd counted on," he answered, a hint of mischief in his sparkling blue eyes.
Though there had been some hard times, Destiny felt things were now going very well for them, and she was very happy about that. They seemed to be closer than ever and more into each other than they had been before. Seeing him lower his lips towards hers, she closed her eyes anticipating the feel of his soft full lips on hers. As he brushed them lightly over hers, she allowed her body to melt into his strong frame, letting his arms support her. The scent of his cologne mixed with the feel of his touch was almost intoxicating to her. She allowed him to gently lift her off the ground, feeling as though she were floating. Being close to him like this made all the bad times disappear, and let the good times shine through.
As he twirled her around and began to let her back down, she noticed the look in AJ's eyes over Nick's shoulder. He was watching them, a pained look on his face, with Serena clinging tightly to him. What is that all about? she wondered.
After the song had ended, the couples slowly made their way back to the table, Nick and Des the last ones on the floor. Nick walked behind Destiny slowly, his arms still around her waist, her hands in his, leading her to the table. AJ watched in disgust yet again. Looking away, he knew he had to find a way to deal with this. But, how? When the mere sight of them together was hurting his heart. His mind drifted off, dreaming of being in Nick's place, having her in his arms the way Nick had. He could almost feel her touch, just as he had in the dream he'd had. It was so real, so right.
"AJ! AJ!! Are you listening to me?" Serena exclaimed.
"Uh, yeah. What?"
"Get me a drink!"
"Ok," he sighed, excusing himself from the table of friends.
"Anyone know where Kev went?" Destiny asked, noticing he was missing from the group.
"Yeah," Brian said, pointing across the room. "There he is."
Des, and the rest of the group, turned to look. Kevin was at the bar, clearly hitting on some stranger. He had continued to drink, even after he'd passed the point of drunken stupor. He has to reek of alcohol, Destiny thought. But, this stranger, this woman he was all over, was responding to him. She was clearly interested in him, smiling, laughing.
"Uh oh!" Graycie exclaimed, looking towards the door. "It's about to hit the fan!"
Everyone turned at once to see what she meant. There at the entrance stood Maddie.... and the 'other man' she'd been seen with.
An eerie silence fell over the group as they watched Kevin's reaction when he noticed her there. He calmly set his drink on the bar, walked away from the lady he was talking to, and staggered over to his wife. Though they couldn't hear what was being said, the actions that came next told them all they needed to know. With one hand, Kevin gently pushed Maddie out of the way and pulled his fist back, landing a left hook directly on the other man's jaw, knocking him backwards. Before he could get to him to do even more damage, Nick had crossed the room and was holding him back.
"Man, just calm down. He isn't worth going to jail over," he tried to reason.
"You're ....er .... right," Kevin slurred.
Then he turned, walked back to the lady at the bar, took her hand and walked out, walking her right in front of Maddie, who was now so scared she couldn't move.
"It's ok," Destiny said as she approached her. "Come on over here with us."
"No. I think we'll just go. Please tell Brian and Graycie I said congratulations," she said.
"Are you sure? You're welcome to join us."
"I'm sure. I shouldn't have come here."
When Destiny got back to the table, Nick was no where to be found.
"Where'd Nick go?"
She looked around, waiting for someone, ANYONE, to answer. But heard nothing. No one spoke. She looked to all of them, and only saw what appeared to be pity in their eyes.
"Uh.... Well...," Brian started. "Um, he said he saw someone he knew.... and...er... he went to catch them before they left."
"Oh," she replied. "Um, I think I'll go see if I can find him."
Walking away from the table, she could feel the stares at her back. She knew where he'd went, and exactly who it was he'd 'seen'. But, would she be able to catch him in time?
As she exited the building and scanned the parking lot, she saw his car speeding out.
"Damn it, Nick!" she exclaimed, about to break down and cry, when she felt a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"You ok?" AJ asked.
"No. I'm not. My boyfriend has lost his damn mind. He is chasing some girl who I'm not even sure exists. And, he just up and leaves me here alone with no way home. I am definitely NOT ok!"
"I'm sorry," he said, pulling her to him in a warm embrace. "I know it hurts."
She allowed herself to be comforted by him, feeling safe in his arms.
"Do you want me to take you home?" he asked.
"No, AJ. You don't have to do that. I'll just call a cab. Besides, Serena probably wouldn't like that very much."
"Do I look like I care?" he smiled, his brown eyes twinkling. "And, you don't need to be alone."
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"Yes. I'm sure. Let me go tell her and I'll grab your things and we'll get you home," he said.
AJ could feel the butterflies in his stomach at the thought of being alone with her. He knew Serena was going to be pissed, but at that particular moment, he just didn't care. He just hoped she didn't make a huge scene. This night had already seen enough excitement.
"Hey," he whispered, squatting beside Serena's chair. "Nick went off again and left Destiny. I'm gonna give her a ride home and I'll be back."
"What?!?" she exclaimed, loudly enough for all at the table to hear. "If Nick left her, it's her problem, NOT yours."
"Shhh," he said. "Look. It isn't a big deal. I'm just gonna run her home, and I will be right back. 30 minutes tops."
"Fuck you! Tell you what. You go on and take her home. Just don't expect me to be here when you get back!"
"Fine then," he said calmly. "So, I don't need to come back and get you?"
She didn't even respond to that, simply turned her head.
AJ stood and walked away, a smile on his face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On the ride to her house, Destiny didn't say a word. AJ tried to think of things to say to ease the tension and awkwardness.
"It's not really any of my business," he started. "But, if you want to talk about it, I'm here to listen."
"I don't know what to say, AJ. He was doing so well, and things between us were going great. He had been focused on us lately, hadn't 'seen' her in a while. I don't know exactly what it is that sets him off all of a sudden like that."
"Maybe he IS seeing someone," he offered.
"Maybe," she answered. "But, I'd almost rather him be losing his mind. That way I wouldn't have to worry about competing with another woman."
"You shouldn't have to worry about that any way. I'm gonna tell you like you've told me before. You're a wonderful person. Warm, loving, caring, funny, honest. Any man should consider himself damn lucky to have you. Now, I know Nick is one of my best friends. But, if he can't see that, then he doesn't deserve you."
"Thank you. You always know what to say to make me feel better."
"I meant it," he said softly, turning to look at her, catching her blue eyes looking into his darker ones.
At that precise moment, it was as though a window had opened up. The window to her soul. In that second, he could see inside her. He could see all the pain and hurt and worry she had hidden inside. He could see the confusion Nick was leaving in her heart. But, most of all, he could see a desire he'd never seen in her before. Desire? he thought. For me?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once at her house, AJ walked Destiny to the door, making sure she got in safely. They stood there in an awkward silence, both searching for something to say.
"Um... well, I guess....um I guess I'll go," he said. "You gonna be ok here by yourself?"
"I guess so," she answered.
"Well, if you need me, you call. Ok?"
"I will. Thanks again, AJ."
"Anytime," he smiled, his voice soft and sensuous.
Instead of turning to leave, he leaned to kiss her cheek. But, instead of her cheek, his lips somehow made their way to hers. Before he realized what he was doing, his lips were on hers, and his hands had her soft face in them. It was a few seconds before he realized she was kissing him back. Pure emotion took over from there. He couldn't have stopped no matter how badly he'd wanted to..... IF he had wanted to. Feeling her body close to his like that, tasting her sweet lips, feeling her respond to HIS touch, feeling her hands in the back of his hair.... it was all too much.
But, just as quickly as it had started, Destiny pulled away, ending it. If there had been awkwardness before, it was doubled now. They both stood there, totally lost for words. After a few seconds to catch their breath, they both spoke at the same time.
"I need to go," he had started to say, but only got out the first couple of words.
"Do you wanna come in?" she asked, stopping him from completing his sentence.
Feeling his heart begin to pound as if it were going to explode, AJ swallowed hard and tried to answer as calmly as he could.
"Uh, yeah. Sure," he finally managed to say.
"Great," she smiled nervously, and began to fumble for her keys.
As they made their way into the house, they both looked around outside for any signs of eyewitnesses, but saw none. The darkness hid the stalker hidden in the bushes. But, she saw them.... as plain as day. She saw the awkwardness between them, the tension, the sparks. She saw the kiss, and the way it seemed to leave them both reeling. And she watched AJ follow Destiny into the house and the blinds close. Inside, they had no idea she was there. Not yet, she thought, an evil plot forming in her mind. But soon. Very soon.