"Thats why I decided he's an asshole!" Jade sobbed into Howie's shoulder. "Shhh, its ok, Jade. It cant be that bad. Are you sure thats what he was going to do?" Howie asked sweetly. "Why else would he act that way?" Jade asked as she peered hopefully into Howie's eyes. Howie looked at her, then turned away. "I dont know, Jade. There had to be a reason though. There has to be!"
Jade backed away from Howie. "What Howie? What could he possible have meant by acting like that? I doubt it was a 'hey-come-and-get-it' type vibe he was sending out. He hugged me the way he would a 15 year old fan that thought he was in love with her. He barely touched me and believe me, thats a first!" "Jade, honey, there has to be a good reason..." Howie started before the doorbell rang. "I'll get it. Dont move."
Opening the door, there stood a pitiful looking AJ. "Howie, she broke it off! What the hell am I suppsed to do now?" he muttered. "How about get over it?" Jade chimed in as she shoved past him out the door. "Jade! Jade where are you going?!" Howie called after her. "Jade!" "Away from him, Howie. I'll call you later. Bye." and with that, she left.
Howie motioned for AJ to come in. Feet dragging, AJ shuffled into the living room and collapsed on the couch. He just layed there, not moving for 15 minutes, until Howie became concerned and inquired. "AJ- you ok?" "What do you think, Howie? Hmm? If Jodie up and left you all of the sudden, how would you feel??" AJ asked, his eyes clearly wet from the tears and pillow on the couch had a dark spot where AJ had allowed his tears to flow. "I'm crying about it for God's sake, Howie! How often does that happen?" Howie smiled sadly. "Not very often, AJ. But I've always known you had it in ya."
AJ looked at Howie with so much pain in his eyes, Howie felt his heart go out to his friend. It pained him to see AJ like this. They had been friends for so many years...So had he and Jade. Now his two best friends were fighting. Howie almost felt guilty for having such an easy, wonderful life with no problems, a wonderful wife and beautiful baby girl. "Howie- I'm still hurtin' here, man. Could you help me out, please?" AJ pleaded, his eyes watering up again. "Have you told Jade how much she means to you?" Howie asked. "Man, I tell her I love her all the time!" AJ said amazed that Howie had even asked him that. "Something I've learned being with Jodie is that 'I love you' is just a combination of 3 little words. You have to do more than just SAY you love someone... you have to show them too." Howie said watching AJ as he spoke. "How's this for showing?" AJ asked bitterly as he pulled a black velvet box out of his pocket and opened it. A beautiful diamond ring caught the light and shone brighter than anything Howie had ever seen. "Oh, AJ... did she have any idea?" "Um, probably not! Let's think about this! She broke up with me! I doubt she knew!" AJ shouted.
AJ gazed up at her, waiting for a 'yes' or 'no'. Then it happened. Jade slowly handed the box back to AJ and shook her head. "I cant do it, AJ. Its not enough... nothing can ever be enough..." She stood to leave, and AJ broke down. Grabbing her around the waist while he still knelt, he burried his face in the folds of her shirt, resting against her stomach, and sobbed. His whole body shook as he held her, crying out to her, feeling his heart fall to pieces inside him. Jade could feel his tears soaking through the fabric of her shirt against her stomach. Hot tears ran down her own face as she struggled to keep calm. AJ clutched at her, holding her tightly, mumbling against her stomach. She could feel his lips moving against her body and she flashed back to one of the nights they had spent on the tour bus...
...All was quiet on the bus. The manager, crew, etc had all gone to bed. AJ and Jade sat alone in the back of the bus watching TV and talking. Out of nowhere, AJ had turned off the TV and scooted closer to Jade. "We never just exist in a room together, Jade. There are always other people and distractions. Lets just be us for awhile." They had sat facing each other for what seemed like hours, just memorizing everything. Slowly, AJ had leaned forward, inch by inch...The kiss was a soft one. Gentle and loving. It had taken her breath away but what had stopped her heart was the look in his eyes when they pulled apart. So much love...
"AJ..." Jade whispered as she knelt infront of him on the floor. "AJ you have to listen to me. Its not you. I love you. But I am too selfish for my own good. I cant bear the thought of ever losing you... you understand?" AJ looked into her eyes, seeing the pain that she struggled so hard to keep from him. He shook his head and replied, "No, Jade. I do not understand. Forever may not be long enough for you, but its all I have. I have nothing left to offer you. Whats left of my heart is bleeding in your hands. My mind, body and soul? You've had them since the day we met. I cant give you everything you want. Hell, I may not even be able to make you happy all the time, but I love you and need you so much that I'm willing to spend my whole life trying. What else do you want?"
With fresh tears running down her face, Jade fell into his arms. "You, AJ. You're all I want. I may want more than an eternity, but I'm blessed to be given atleast one more day. Can you promise you'll never leave me?" AJ smiled, brushing her silky hair away from her eyes. "I will never ever leave you Jade. You are my life... now let me try again."
He stood her up, then knelt down again, taking her tiny hand in his. Slipping the ring onto her finger, he kissed her hand. "Anastasia Jade...Will you stay with me for the rest of my life?...Please?" Jade laughed at his small insistance. "Yes." She whispered. "Yes I'll marry you Alexander James McLean. But only because I cant breath without you."
Standing up, AJ wrapped his arms around her, pulling her as tight as he could against his body and kissing every inch he could reach. Their lips met and the kissing turned soft and gentle...savoring the taste. Backing slightly, AJ looked down at Jade. "I love you, Coyote." he said. Jade smiled. "I love you, too."
