The Call

    AJ stared at the piece of paper.  He had done it.  He had written it all down and now he was wondering if he would ever turn it into a real song. Part of him wanted the world to know the truth, but another part of him was ashamed.
    Kevin knocked lightly on the door of the room.  "AJ, what are you doing?  You have been in there for a long time.  Some of us want to use the facility as well."
    He looked up from the paper and then at his watch.  He had been in there for an hour.  "Sorry." He muttered, gathering up the pen and paper.  "I'll be right out."
    The door opened and Kevin observed the younger man.  "You alright?"
    "Why wouldn't I be?" AJ asked, his tone slightly sarcastic.
    "Well, we all know that you have been through a lot in the last couple of years." Kevin said.  "If you ever need to talk…"
    Same old thing…
    "I know, I know."  AJ began.  "You'll be there to listen. Or Howie will be…or even Nick.  I really don't need to talk right now.  I need to go for a walk."  He placed the papers on the desk, as he opened the hotel room door and walked down the hall.
    Brian came out of the kitchenette after AJ had left.  "What's wrong with him?"
    "Probably thinking about Megs…I mean Maggie." Kevin quickly corrected himself. 
    "Again?" Brian asked.  He then thought about it again.  "Oh, today's supposed to be the third anniversary of their first date.  That's gotta be eating him up inside."
    Kevin sat down at the desk.  "He put himself in this position. But I know…loving someone only to lose them over a mistake is hard." He laid his hand on the papers AJ had so carelessly laid there.  He was debating whether to read them or not.  He knew that everyone was trying to write songs for their fourth album, but something told him that this was a little more personal than that.  On the other hand, AJ was his friend, and if he could find out what was bugging him…he would do just about anything.  He picked up the first page and skimmed through it.  "Not only is he thinking about Maggie he is thinking about that night…"
    "What do you mean?" Brian asked.
    "Listen to this…" Kevin said.  He began to read.

        Let me tell you the story about the call that changed my destiny.
        Me and my boys went out just to end up in misery….

Two years earlier

    Maggie Davis kissed the tip of her boyfriend's nose.  "Okay, you have your boys night out, AJ.  But just remember you will have some serious making up to do."
    "Yes ma'am." AJ said.  He turned to face the rest of the group.  "It's officially party time."
    Nick grinned.  "Where to?"
    "I heard about this club in downtown Orlando." Howie suggested, as he opened the door of AJ's apartment.  "We can try it out."
    AJ glanced back at Maggie.  She was watching him with her deep blue eyes, her beautiful face showing him just how much she loved him...  He couldn't resist.  Crossing the room he ran his hands through her long blonde hair, and kissed her lips. "There, now I am ready to go."
    "Have a good time." Maggie insisted, swatting his butt playfully as he walked back to the guys.  "Before I change my mind." She watched them go.  It wasn't long before she was calling up her best friend, Alexis.  "Hey Lexie.  Yeah, AJ went with them.  So, now that we are officially guyless for a night, how about coming over and watching a chick flick or two."

    ****


    Alexis Dorough wasn't long heading over to her friend's house. She knew that Maggie sometimes worried about AJ.  They had been through a rocky few months, lately.  His fame was definitely stressing out her.  Alexis couldn't blame her.  It had taken her years to get used to the press hounding her and Howie.  They had even tried to crash their wedding. 
    Knocking on the door of AJ's apartment, Alexis fiddled with her black hair.  She trusted Howie completely, but she was never sure how much Maggie trusted AJ.
    "Hey Megs." Alexis said, using everyone's favorite nickname for her.  "Let's forget that our men exist.  I got a film called Gattaca.  I have no idea what it is about, but it has Jude Law in it and you can light a match off his ass!"
    Maggie laughed and pulled her friend inside.  She could always count on her for a laugh.  "I agree.  No more thoughts of AJ."

    ****


    AJ pulled the van up to a parking place.  The club Howie had mentioned was called 'Groove Station'.  He could already hear the music pumping from inside and he couldn't wait to get inside.  This was his element.  He loved to party.  He would forever be a party animal. 
    Once a month the guys would all try to take a night and get together for fun.  That usually meant going clubbing or seeing a sports game.  AJ always looked forward to these nights.  As much as he loved the idea of being with Maggie, there were times that he needed to be alone.  She was in no way a cling-on but she certainly took their relationship a lot more seriously then he did. 
    Brian pulled open the door and peered inside.  "This is cool!"
    "Can the rest of us see?" Howie asked.
    Brian went inside and allowed the rest to come in.  He was right; the place was certainly hip.  There was a dance floor, complete with lasers, a place to sit, a few pool tables, and a bar.  The sound system was playing the latest hits.  The place was nearly packed as well. 
    "Thank goodness, it's practically pitch black in here." Kevin said.  "I want this night to be fan free has well."
    The group continued inside a little further. 
    "HEY!" Howie suddenly cried.
    Everyone else turned to look at him.
    "What?" AJ asked.
    "That girl just grabbed my butt." Howie said, blushing a little.
    "Well, go grab hers." AJ said.
    "I'm married, remember." Howie asked, flashing the band at him. "And I am quite happy.  The only butt I will grab will be Alexis'."
    "I wouldn't mind grabbing her tush either." AJ commented.
    Howie glared at him. 
    "Just kidding."
    "You better be.  I am sure that Maggie would love to hear you say that." Howie said.
    "Come on! This is supposed to be night minus girlfriends and wives." AJ said.  He turned towards the bar.  "Anyone else want something?"
    Kevin passed.  He had this feeling in this stomach that something awful was about to happen tonight.

        ****


    "Girl, get me a bucket of ice, because I am feeling like a wildfire right now." Alexis cried when she shut the tape off.  "Told you he was fine."
    "Okay, Jude Law is fine but he is no AJ." Maggie said, as she got up to refill their glasses.  "You want some more popcorn?"
    "Nah.  I am in the mood for chocolate." She opened her purse and pulled out a Mister Big.  "I got one for you."
    "I want to call him." Maggie said, after a moment of silence. "Just to see if he is having a good time…not to check up on him."
    "I am not sure that is such a good idea." Alexis said.
    "I trust him, Alexis.  I just want to make sure that his is having fun…and I want to hear his voice." She picked up the phone and dialed his cell phone number.

    *****


    "Baby, we need to make a Dirty Dancing sequel." AJ said as he pulled the girl closer.  He was rewarded with the sound of a cell phone ringing.
    "Is that you or me?" She asked.
    "I think it's me." AJ said, reaching into his pocket. 
"Hello."
    "It's me." Maggie said.
    AJ was caught off guard.  "Hey…"
    "Having fun?" She asked.
    "Yeah." AJ answered, his arm falling off the waist of the woman he had been dancing with.  Why did she have to call?
    "I just wanted to make sure." Maggie said.  "See you later."
    "Yep." AJ said, hanging up before the conversation could kept going. 
    "Who was that?" The woman asked.
    "My girl." He answered.  "Sorry." He walked off the dance floor and towards the bar.  He had a drink already but one more wouldn't hurt.  He was far from drunk.  He had told the truth to Maggie.  He was having a blast tonight.  He had danced with just about every girl in the club.   He thought about the phone call.  Yeah, like she was really checking to see if I was having fun.  She was probably checking to see if he was being a good boy.  "Well, she should know that she got a bad boy." He muttered to himself.
    Howie worked his way through the crowd.  He and the rest of the guys hadn't really caught sight of AJ since they had entered.  They had seen glimpses of him.  "Hey bud."
    AJ snapped out his thoughts.  "Hi."
    "Listen, we are ready to go." Howie said.  "It's getting late and we have to worry about touring the day after tomorrow.  Let's go."
    "I want to stay." AJ said.  "I am having a blast."  He reached into his pocket and pulled out the van keys.  "Here! Take the vehicle. I'll get a cab."
    "Are you sure?" Howie asked.
    "Yep." AJ said, as he began to swill his beer.  "I won't stay out much longer."
    Howie sighed, seeing that there was no way to talk him out of this.  He went back to the rest of the guys. AJ watched them leave.  Good…more time for me to party…
    For the next hour, AJ partied with everyone else. He was getting tired.  Then he saw her…she had just entered the club.  She had long red hair that reached the middle of her back.  She was wearing a purple dress that showed all the right curves.  He found himself drawn to her.
    He was soon standing in front of her.  "Hi."
    She gave him a flirtatious smile.  "Hey you."
    "Wanna dance?" AJ asked.  She nodded and he pulled her close, loving the way she smelled. 
    When the song was over, AJ's mind was practically screaming for a kiss.
    Apparently she felt the same way because she mumbled. "I have a place nearby.  Wanna go?"
    AJ wasted no time saying yes.
    She pulled him by the hand.  When they were outside in the night air, AJ actually began to contemplate what he was about to do.  Maggie…
    "I can't." AJ said, pulling away.
    "Why not?" She asked, her red lips pouting.
    "I just can't." AJ said.
    She leaned over and gave a slow passionate kiss. "Just call her."
    Under her spell again, AJ pulled out his cell phone. 
    "Hello?"
    "Hi, it's me." AJ began, his eyes never leaving the bright red hair in front of him.  He reached over and slipped his hand through the silky locks.  "What's up baby?" Before she could answer, AJ continued.  "I'm sorry. Listen, I am going to be late tonight. So don't stay up and wait for me, okay?"
    Maggie frowned. She didn't hear the music she had heard before.  "Where are you?"
    "Say that again?" AJ said, his voice quieter.
    "Hello?"
    "You're dropping out.  I think my battery must be low." AJ said.  "Listen, if you can here me, we're going to a place nearby, alright? Gotta go…" He pressed the end button and followed the woman, straight into trouble.

    ****


    Maggie hung up the phone.  She looked at Alexis.  "That was AJ.  Apparently the guys are gonna stay out a lot later.  He told me not to wait up."
    "There goes my massage before I fall asleep." Alexis whined.  "Damn!" She looked at the clock.  "It's late as it is.  I think I am gonna call it a night." She gathered her things. 
    "Thanks for coming over." Maggie said, hugging her friend.  "I'll see you tomorrow."
    Alexis nodded.  "For sure." She said, as she left.  She quickly drove back to her house.  Without turning any lights on she put on her favorite PJs.  She then threw herself into the middle of the bed.
    "OWW!"
    Alexis screamed.  She reached over and flicked in the light.  "HOWIE?! What are you doing here?"
    Howie looked confused.  "I am your husband.  I am pretty sure that I am supposed to be here."
    Alexis laughed a little and wrapped her arms around him.  "I just meant that I thought you were with AJ."
    "Everyone came home about an hour ago.  Except for AJ.  He wanted to stay out longer.  What would make you think that?" Howie asked.
    "Well, Maggie got a call before I left.  AJ explained that you guys were staying out later and told her not to wait up for him." Alexis explained.
    "Weird." Howie commented.  "AJ must have met up with a different crew."
    "Must have." Alexis said. She knew something was wrong but she didn't know how serious it was for another week.  "Howie?"
    "Yeah?"
    "Give me a massage, will ya?"

    Present Time

    Kevin put down the paper.  "Writing a song about that took some guts."
    "Maybe he'll find some closure." Brian suggested.  "I wonder where he is."

    ****


    AJ stood on the beach in front of the hotel. He was thinking of that night.   The night he had spent in the arms of a woman he didn't know. The night he had thrown away his happiness.  When he left the apartment and the red head, he thought Maggie would never find out.
    He was not so lucky.
    Alexis had been in a coffee shop a few weeks later when she heard a certain red head describing the entire night to her friend.  She had listened to every detail, and even the red head's disbelief at having slept with a Backstreet Boy.
    She had promptly told Maggie. 
    AJ began to feel the tears well upside of him.  He was now remembering the terrible fight that happened.  She wouldn't listen to him at all, not that he could blame her.  What excuse did he have for what he did? He had thrown away the only girl that he ever loved.
    He had realized that when that they had broken up.  He had thrown away their love for a cheap thrill.  He never knew that he loved Maggie until the night she told him to get out.  It was funny how things worked.
    That was two years ago.  AJ hadn't dated since.  He had millions of girls throwing themselves at him but he didn't want anything to do with them.  He had worked hard to earn the friendship of Alexis again.  She was extremely mad at him for his actions.  Maggie was still her friend, and from time to time, Alexis would let her know how Maggie was doing.  She was in the same condition he was. She had not dated since.
    AJ pulled out his cell phone.  He felt the urge to make another call.  This one, he hoped, would be a lot less destructive.  He dialed the numbers he knew by heart.
    After several rings, he heard the answering machine.
    "You've reached the apartment of Maggie Davis.  I am not in right now.  You know what to do…"
    Then came the sound of the beep.
    "Maggie…it's me…" AJ took a deep breath.  "I was hoping to catch you.  I know you said not to call you…but I miss you.  I miss you so much that sometimes I can't breathe.  I can't think.  I need you.  I am an ass. I screwed things up and I don't deserve to even hear your beautiful voice again.  But if you could find it in your heart to call me…"
    "AJ." The sweet voice cut through, as Maggie picked up the phone.  "I'm here."
    He practically burst out crying.  "Maggie!  I miss you so damn much."
    "I miss you too." She admitted. "Happy Anniversary."
    "You remembered."
    "How could I forget?" Maggie asked.
    "You want to talk."
    "I would like that."
    "How about I meet you at McDonalds near our old place in about an hour. I am not in Orlando right now, but I will be soon." AJ suggested.
    "I'll see you there."
    AJ hung up.  He had a feeling that this problem would probably be worked out and given time he was sure that they could give it another go.  He began to job towards his car.  He was glad that he made the second call.

The End

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