Chapter Thirteen
AJ had little chance to recover from the previous night’s drinking binge, as his presence was needed and fully expected to help Kara move. Kevin used the time they spent carrying boxes to lecture him at length about the consequences of overindulgence, which was followed by a sermon from Brian on the evils of alcohol.
By the time they were done talking his ear off, he swore never to drink more than one drink in their presence. What he did out of their sight, however, was an entirely different matter.
“See what I got whenever I made a mistake as a kid, ‘Jay?” Kara asked.
He grunted in response, then turned toward Kristin as she spoke.
“You know, you really ought to let people see those beautiful brown eyes of yours more often.” She said sweetly, snatching the shades off his face and placing them on her own. “Don’t you think so, Kara?”
“Definitely.” She grinned brightly, while AJ groaned, shielding his eyes from the light.
“Ooh, the pain! Give my shades back, woman!”
Kristin’s eyes narrowed. She didn’t appreciate his whiny tone, and it wasn’t her fault he had the headache from hell. He’d inflicted this pain upon himself, and she was going to give him a piece of her mind.“Alex, if you’d been more responsible last night you wouldn’t be in this position, now would you? You know, I’ve half a mind to call your mother and tell her what your out-of-control butt was up to, but I wouldn’t want to give her a heart attack.”
“Not you, too! Is a course on longwindedness a prerequisite for becoming part of your family or something?” He asked, glaring at her.
“No. I’ve just learned from years of observation.” She smiled brightly, holding the sunglasses just out of his reach as he grabbed for them, hopping around her in frustrated circles. “I really hope that’s not part of what Fatima’s choreographed for you this tour, because that just screams ‘potty dance’ to me. And that look of utter frustration on your face…”
He scowled in attempt to hide his smile, then decided to try another approach.“No, it’s not a new dance. Look, I’m sorry that Kev and Kara had to baby-sit me, okay?” He folded his hands, stuck out his lower lip, and batted his eyelashes at her. “Now, will you PLEASE let me have my sunglasses?”
Kristin raised an eyebrow in appreciation, then clapped lightly.“Impressive apology, Alex. However, not good enough to get these shades back.”
He frowned, then began grabbing for them again.
“Uh-uh. Kara, CATCH!”
The younger woman dropped the box she was carrying with a thud, then spun around, catching the glasses just before they hit the ground. “I think he’s learned his lesson, Kris.” She grinned, handing the longed-for item to the grateful young man. “Haven’t you, Aje.”
“And then some. You got any Tylenol?”
“There’s Aspirin on the counter back at Kevin’s, but I don’t have anything here. We’re almost finished, anyway.”
“Yeah- you don’t have that much stuff.” Brian agreed, straining under the weight of the box he was carrying up the stairs.“This is the last one.”
“In that case, pizza’s on me, guys!” They all cheered as Kara picked up the phone.
AJ held his head, groaning at the sudden noise.“Can I get an order of painkillers with that?”
“I don’t think so, ‘Jay.” Kevin said sternly. “You’ll live.”
“I’m not so sure about that, bro.”
Kevin rolled his eyes at Kara. “What toppings are we having?” Brian’s eyes lit up, and he gave her an impish grin.
“Anchovies!”
AJ gagged and made a beeline for the bathroom, Kara calling after him.“If you yak in my new apartment, we are no longer friends! You hear me, boy!” She turned her attention back to her cousin, shaking her head. “That was just WRONG, Brian!” He gave her an innocent grin, and her eyes narrowed. “Think you’re funny, huh? Well, YOU are going to be the clean-up crew if he does vomit. Bri.”
The smile turned into a frown with rapid speed, and he stuck out his lower lip in a pout as she followed AJ’s path to the bathroom. “You okay in there?” More gagging. “Aje?” He opened the door, pale-faced.
“Yeah. Dry heave.”
Kara grimaced. “TMI, ‘Jay. Go lay down on the couch. I’ll bring you some water.”
The thought of anything entering his mouth caused his face to twist in disgust, not to mention the acrobatics his stomach was doing. “Ugh. No thanks.” She ignored him, returning with a full glass.
“Drink it, Bone.” Kevin ordered. “You’re dehydrated, and she is NOT spending another night baby-sitting you.”
“Come on, bro- drink up.”
“Weren’t you just sermonizing me, at length, I might add, about drinking?”
“Yeah- ALCOHOLIC drinks.” Brian took the glass from Kara and handed it to his bandmate. “Drink up.” He walked over to Kevin, speaking in a hushed tone. “He’s not staying here tonight, is he?”
Kevin raised an eyebrow at his younger cousin. “Why? You wanna take him home with you?”
“No! It’s just, well… “ He gestured awkwardly between AJ and Kara.
AJ caught the frantic look, and gave a dry laugh.“For the love of GOD, Brian! I’m not going to maul your cousin, okay? If you’re that worried about it, I’ll just go home.”
Kara shook her head vehemently. "You’re still in no shape to drive, man. You’re staying here.” She shot Brian a disgusted look. “You can stay to chaperone if you want to, but you’ll be sleeping on the floor.”
Brian’s chin jutted out defiantly.“Maybe I will. I don’t appreciate your tone, Kara.”
“And she was lecturing ME about going overboard?”
“Shut UP, Kevin!” Three voices commanded.
AJ moaned, holding his head in his hands. “Whatever you do, can you stop yelling? I’m already in enough pain, here.”
“And whose fault is that?” Brian retorted angrily. The God comment had not helped his mood where AJ was concerned, and he wasn’t afraid to show it.
Kristin held up a hand to stop further conversation.“ENOUGH!” She grabbed Kevin’s arm. “We’re leaving now, honey.”
“But-“ Her fingernails dug into his arm “Yes, ma’am. See you later, Ker-bear.”
Once he’d stepped out, Kristin turned her attention to the other cousin. “Brian, shape up or ship out.” She advised. “When I’m through telling Leighanne about this…”
Brian gulped audibly.“Yes, Kristin.”
She shoved Kevin back out into the hall before turning to face Kara.“You call me if he gives you any more shit.” She said seriously, glaring at Brian. “What a circus!”
“Thanks, Kris.”
The older woman winked at her. “Anytime. Just remember you owe me, girl.”
“Big time.” She reached out and gave her a hug. “Have a safe trip back out to LA, ‘kay?”
“Will do.” She gave Kara’s hand a squeeze. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Bye, guys!”
“Bye, Kris!”
The door shut, and Kara turned back to the two men, smiling brightly.“Now, who wants pizza?”