The snow let up that evening and by Boxing Day night we were all on a plane back home for a week-long break.
Aside from a short visit with his family, Nick and I had spent the entire week, including New Year's, alone together at home, enjoying each others' company. We didn't really talk much about what had happened.
Soon we were already on a plane and headed back on tour.
The first show in the first city went well, and everyone seemed well-rested and in good spirits. Although I had hoped things might be better after the break, Nick was still avoiding AJ completely and I knew he wanted me to do the same.
We were now on the bus, arriving in the next city. The guys had a bunch of interviews that afternoon in this city and a show the next night in a city about three hours away.
"AJ," Kevin says, gently shaking AJ in his bunk, trying to wake him.
AJ groans.
"How are you feeling?" Kevin asks. AJ had been feeling sick since after their show the night before. "We're here, man. We've got an interview in like ten minutes."
"You guys are going to have to do this one without me, man," AJ says, sounding weak. "I'm like dying here."
Kevin nods, seeing that AJ is in no shape to be doing much of anything. "Just rest up. Hopefully you'll feel better before our show tomorrow," Kevin says.
AJ nods weakly and then dozes back off to sleep.
The bus comes to a stop in the back parking lot of a TV station.
"Let's go guys. We're running behind schedule," Howie says, jumping off the bus as soon as the door opens.
"He's so punctual," Alissa says playfully, pretending to be proud.
"See you in a few hours," Nick says, kissing me quickly before he too hops off the bus.
"And then there were three..." Alissa says once the four guys had gone.
"Well AJ's practically in a coma so I'm not sure he counts," I laugh.
"OK. And then there were two... and a half??" Alissa laughs.
Because we wouldn't be spending the night in this city and would be driving to the next destination once the guys were done with their interviews, we hadn't rented hotel rooms.
"So, we've got a few hours to kill," I say. "Wanna go for a walk, see what there is to see?" I suggest, knowing the bus driver is on a break and the bus is therefore stuck in the parking lot for the next few hours.
Alissa looks reluctant. "I don't think we should leave AJ here alone," she says thoughtfully. "He's pretty sick."
I sigh. "Yeah, you're right," I agree. "I guess we're stuck on the bus 'til the guys get back."
For three long hours we watch TV in the entertainment room while AJ sleeps peacefully in his bunk.
Suddenly Alissa stands up from the sofa. "I'm starving," she says, walking to the front of the bus to the kitchen area. She opens the mini fridge and looks unimpressed. She walks back to the entertainment room. "All we've got on here so far is Pepsi," she says. "That's just not going to fill us up," she laughs. "You hungry?"
"Starving," I reply.
"I saw a Subway a few blocks away when we drove up. I'll walk over and pick us up some sandwiches," she says. "You stay here and babysit," she says jokingly, motioning to AJ's motionless bunk. "Be back in a bit."
"Bye."
After Liss leaves I flick the TV channels a few times but nothing good is on. "Ugh," I groan in frustration. "This is so boring," I say quietly to myself.
Just then, through the open door, I see the curtain to AJ's bunk move slightly.
"Crap," I think to myself.
He pulls the curtain open, steps out of his bunk groggily and stretches before walking over to the entertainment room.
"Hey," he says, plopping down at the opposite end of the sofa.
"Hey," I say, feeling nervous, knowing that Nick wouldn't be happy that AJ and I are alone on the bus together.
"You feeling any better?" I ask politely. This is the most I'd said to him since Christmas Eve.
"Yeah a bit, thanks," he replies.
I smile awkwardly and look back at the television even though I'm not remotely interested in the show that's on. He does the same.
"Where's Alissa?" he asks a minute later.
"She went to go get us Subs. There's no food in the fridge yet," I answer without looking at him.
He nods. "So," he pauses. "You still not supposed to speak to me?"
I sigh deeply. "Nope," I reply.
He nods again and looks back at the TV.
We sit in silence for a few minutes watching TV but all I can think about is how bored I am and how badly I want to talk to AJ.
"So," I begin, deciding to go against Nick's wishes. "Have you spoken to Carolyn at all?"
AJ looks surprised that I'm talking to him but says nothing about it. "Yeah, actually. I called her a few times over the break. We're trying to work things out," he replies.
"That's great," I say, surprised by the news. "So you guys are getting back together?"
"The ball is in her court. We're just going to keep talking and we'll see what happens I guess."
I smile. "I'm really happy for you... No matter what happens. I'm just glad you two are speaking again."
"Thanks. Have you spoken to her lately?" he asks.
"No," I reply. "I called her a couple times but she didn't answer."
"Just give her time," he says sweetly. "She'll come around."
I nod.
"I really miss Carolyn. It's going to be weird not having her around this tour," I say sadly.
"Yeah, I miss her too."
"And I miss not being able to talk to you," I say shyly.
He smiles.
"Well, not being able to talk to you without feeling like I'm committing a crime, I mean," I joke.
AJ laughs. "I miss talking to you too." His face grows sad. "And with Nick mad at me and Carolyn back home..." he pauses. "It's just a bit lonely for me."
I feel the strong urge to comfort him with a hug but I resist. "Maybe things will get back to normal soon," I say optimistically. "Nick and I really got close again over the break. Maybe you and Nick can get back to being friends again too."
AJ looks doubtful. "Maybe," he says, sounding a bit sad.
Just then the bus door opens and Nick, Howie, Kevin and Brian walk in. Nick walks to the entertainment room and finds AJ and I sitting on the couch talking.
He looks pissed. "Ally, can I talk to you alone for a minute?" he demands and then walks toward the front of the bus.
I inhale deeply. "Shit," I say, knowing Nick is really upset. I stand up slowly and glance at AJ.
He looks just as worried as I do. "Good luck," he whispers.
I walk to the front of the bus and step outside to where Nick is waiting for me in the parking lot. The bus door closes behind me.
"What the fuck was that?" Nick asks, clearly furious.
"Nick, we were just talking -"
"Ally, I don't want you to be friends with him, I don't want you hanging out with him and I don't want you talking to him! What part of that didn't you understand?!" he yells.
My eyes begin to water. "I know..." I say quietly, looking at the ground. I look up at him. "I'm sorry, OK? It's just I was stuck on a bus for like four hours and then Alissa left and there was nothing to do -"
"How long were you two alone?"
"Nick, come on, we were just talking!"
He looks really frustrated. "Ally, that's not the point! I asked you to stay away from him and you said you would. How can I trust you if you keep breaking your word?!"
"OK. I'm sorry," I say, feeling exhausted. "I'll stay away from AJ."
We stand there silently for a minute.
Alissa finally returns with the subs. "Hey guys," she says cautiously, noticing the expressions on our faces. "Everything OK?"
"Yeah," Nick says unconvincingly before getting onto the bus.
Alissa and I stay outside for a minute.
"I was beginning to think you fell into a manhole," I say to lighten the mood. Alissa laughs.
"Something going on?" she asks quietly, referring to the conversation Nick and I were having.
"I was talking to AJ," I say sadly.
She looks at me sympathetically. "I'm guessing Nick walked in and wasn't too thrilled about it?" she asks.
I just nod.
Alissa puts her arm around my shoulders comfortingly and we get on the bus and head to the next city.