Ch.1
I would like to dedicate this to all of the ladies out there who suffer from this disorder which I am about to explain. Yes, my story does deal with love, but after you read my friend's tale-you'll see love was one of the last thing this novel deals with. To Howie, my buddy and brother, God Bless you and your special someone. This is for you. -AJ McLean
Howie had always jumped from relationship to relationship. He could never seem to find the right girl. After a couple of years he began to develop a pattern: model, dancer, model, dancer. All physically perfect in everyway. But something always lacked in their relationship. What I don't know, but something.
I had to pity him. Everyone in the band had their special someone- then there was Howie. As fate would have it his luck would soon change. While touring in Ireland he would meet Sally where his story begins....
"AJ, this the third time we've gone to McDonalds today," Kevin complained. "Oh, come on, old timer. McDonalds is a great reminder of home."
"And your McDonalds obsession," he grumbled under his breath.
I watched Nick and Brian playing at the lego table. I rolled my eyes. "D, would you look at that?"
"Yeah, she must be popular."
"She?"
"That redhead over there."
"Howie, it's Ireland, there's more than one."
He laughed. "The one in the corner with brown eyes."
"Oh." I had to admit she was different than any other girl Howie ever checked out. True, she was beautiful, but she wasn't a skinny thing. Not big but not small.
"Why don't you go say hello?" Kevin suggested.
"Why would I do that?"
"She looks sweet, Howie, it was only a suggestion."
He shrugged. "Well, what harm could it do to say hi? Come on, AJ. We'll talk to her while Kev places the order."
"Why do I have to come?"
"Simple. You'll say one of your ricidulous pickup lines and I'll look suave."
Hey, what are friends for?
"Excuse me," Howie whispered.
She turned around. "Can I help you, sir?"
"I'm Howie Dorough and this is AJ."
"I know who you are," she said with a sweet chuckle.
I put on my charming presence. "Well, you know who we are, so, why don't you tell us who you are?"
She extended her hand in Howie's direction. "Sally O'Donnell pleasure to meet you." She then turned in my direction. I was immediately taken back. I felt ashamed for even bringing up her weight. She was absolutely gorgeous. Long red hair to her waist, brown eyes, ivory skin and curves in all the right places. With the exception of her deep Spanish eyes she could've been a dead ringer for Kate Winslet.
"Why were so many people swarming around you?"
"Oh, well, I just had my novel published. And it did incredibly well over here. So, my agent sent me to do promotion. Not that I mind I have Irish heritage, so, I visit relatives in my spare time."
It was then that I noticed she didn't have an Irish accent. "So, you're from America?"
"Yes, Indiana to be exact."
"Where about?"
"A small town in southern Indiana. Around fifteen minutes from Kentucky."
"Howie, we better take her over to Kev and Rok they found a hometown girl."
"AJ, she not from their state how could she be a hometown girl?"
This would have been the suave moment he intended for. "Well, they're from the same tri-state, at least."
Howie shook his head. "AJ, why don't you go eat your Quarter Pounder and study some geography."
I took this as Howie's polite way of saying. "Get lost, this is my territory." I was happy to go. Besides, I was quite aware that Amanda was the love of my life.
"Who's the chick?" Nick asked as I sat down.
"Sally O'Donnell."
Brian looked up. "She doesn't seem Howie's type."
Kevin cleared his throat. "Because she's not perfect?"
Brian fidgeted. "Well....."
"I think she's cute," Nick stated as he dunked a fry in his ketchup. "She's not big at all. Maybe like a size twelve."
"You know womens' dress sizes?" Kevin chuckled.
Nick rolled his eyes. "My mom use to make me go shopping with her when I was a kid."
Howie then joined us wearing a big grin across his face. I lifted my burger into my hands. "Waz up, D?"
"I have a date tonight."