It took a second for that to register in everyone's mind. Then it clicked: Mark.
"What? How?"
"Mark is my brother. She sent him to jail."
"Because he beat her!"
"She couldn't prove it."
AJ was starting to get frustrated, "She had bruises covering her! Is your whole family in denial!?"
"AJ, she took away part of our family."
"He killed part of Taylor."
"I just don't want her around!"
"Does she know who you are?," Brian asked.
"No..I never met her. Mark always talked about her though.."
"What'd he say?"
"How..she..wouldn't listen to him or anything..I dunno..I don't really remember.," Mike said turning towards the sound board again.
"Did he ever tell you he beat her?"
"No."
"Then you wouldn't know what happened!," AJ exclaimed.
"All I know is she sent my brother to jail for nineteen years! He'll never see his loved ones again!"
"All I know is he beat her till she was black and blue and went to jail for it! Go visit him in jail, I don't care! Just don't hold her responsible for it!"
"She is."
"No she's not Mike.," Kevin said fimly, "As soon as this song is done, you're out of here too."
"Fine. Let's hurry and finish this then.."
Nick turned to AJ, "I'll go find Taylor for you.."
"Thanks.."
Nick walked out of the studio and saw Taylor sitting on a bench drinking a coke and eating a couple of cookies. "Hey Taylor.," Nick said sitting next to her.
"Hey Little Man."
He smiled, "I'm not little!"
She laughed, "I know..where's AJ?"
"They're gonna finish up the song.."
"Without you?"
He nodded, "Yep..my voice is already laid down on the track.."
"Ohhh..whats wrong?"
"You don't know who Mike is, do you?"
She thought for a second, "Umm..no..should I?"
He shook his head, "No..he's Mark's brother.."
"Really??"
"Yeah..he tries to blame you..for sending Mark to jail.."
"Oh..I figured that.."
"You did?"
She nodded, "Mark's whole family blames me..they didn't even bother to think what I went through.."
"Oh..you okay?"
"Yeah..that part of my life is over..now I'm starting over..want a cookie?"
"Sure.," He said taking one.
"So, I was thinking while I was at the bookstore, that me and AJ should have an outdoor wedding..what do you think?"
"You want my opinion on your all's wedding?"
"Sure..I need someone else besides Mr. McDonald's obsessed guy in there.."
"I think outdoor would be cool..is it gonna be a big wedding?"
"I don't want it to be..and neither does he. So, I was thinking..you guys, Alicia, Jane, and Marie..Jane, my mom and brothers..and his mom, dad, stepmom and stepsister.."
"Okay..have you made a list?"
"Yep..thats what we started last night.."
"Ohh..okay.."
She nodded, "I have to look through catologues later this week too.."
"Doesn't sound too hard.."
"It shouldn't be..but we have to start now or else it'll be September before we get this thing planned."
Nick smiled, "Well, me, Brian, Howie and Kev will help you all..you know that.."
"Yeah I do.."
They looked up as the four guys walked out. Brian walked over and held out his hand, "Cookie?"
Taylor laughed, "I don't have anymore! Nick just ate two!"
"No more? Ugh..you couldn't save any for me?!," He asked pretending to be astonished.
"Nope..sorry..I got them right over there though.," She said pointing to a small store.
Brian looked where she was pointing, then took off running to the store. They all laughed as they watched him run down the street. Nick got up off the bench, "I guess I'd better get going.."
"Me too.," Kevin and Howie echoed.
Brian appeared a minute later with a bag of three cookies. "These are the best things ever!," He exclaimed.
Taylor laughed, "I know..they are!"
He nodded, "You guys want some?"
"I'll take one.," Nick said.
Kevin and Howie declined however. They left soon after, ad did Nick and Brian.
AJ was sitting on the bench, staring out into space. Taylor sighed and sat down next to him. "Whats wrong AJ?"
"Nothin.."
"Bull crap..I know you AJ. Nick told me about Mike."
"He did?"
"Yeah..I'm okay with it. Its over and done with.."
"It just upsets me that he can hold such a grudge against you and he doesn't know you or know what you went through!"
"AJ..calm down. Mark's whole family holds a grudge against me..I don't care..okay?"
"I do..I don't want anything to hurt you.."
She put her arm around him, "And nothing will with you around! Let's go home now..please?"
"K."
He got up, pulling her by the hand and they walked to his car. Then they drove towards home.
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