Part 40
Chelsea was about to get her first official taste of AJ’s life as a celebrity and AJ was suddenly worried that he’d made a mistake. Pulling into the parking lot, he spotted a crowd of fans outside the restaurant. He also saw the paparazzi strategically set up to get a wide variety of pictures.
Parked, AJ reached into the back seat and handed Chelsea a baseball cap. “Here, wear this and pull it down over your eyes.”
“Why? I thought you wanted to show me off.”
“I do but I’m scared something’s gonna happen to you.”
“Like what?”
“Like the fans rushing you and you getting caught in it. I don’t have Marcus or one of the other bodyguards to help hold the crowd back.”
“Relax, Alex. I’ll be okay and I’m sure the fans will be careful when they see I’m on crutches.”
“Baby, remember Virginia and what happened to Annie?”
“That was different. Come on. I’ve got to face it one day…better now with a small group of fans than when there’s a huge crowd.”
AJ looked from Chelsea to the crowd of fans. He knew she was right but at least with a big crowd, there was security to protect them.
Chelsea saw the conflict in his eyes and reached out to take his hand. Giving it a gentle squeeze, she repeated, “I’ll be okay.”
Still not convinced, AJ said, “Just take it slow…and smile a lot.”
“What?”
“Smile a lot. There are about six cameras ready to get shots of us together. By the time we leave, all the tabloids will have a story ready to go with pictures.”
“How do you know?” asked Chelsea as she looked around.
Pointing the cameras out, AJ said, “They all have different areas they cover and they share with each other.”
“Well, when we get out, kiss me so they’ll get something really good,” smirked Chelsea.
AJ laughed, “I like that idea. Hang tight, I’ll help you out.”
With a quick kiss, AJ hopped out and rushed around to help Chelsea out. Together, the couple made their way towards the restaurant. When they reached the fans, AJ graciously signed autographs and took pictures with them as he talked to them. He proudly introduced Chelsea as his girlfriend and telling the fans where he’d met her.
Inside, the couple was shown to a table on a terrace decorated with shrubs and plants strategically placed in an attempt to shield the famous patrons. Making their way to the table, Chelsea was star struck seeing quite a few well-known actors.
Seated, she was still in awe and looking around to take it all in. AJ watched her, her eyes wide with excitement and her face glowing, and his heart felt like it was going to explode.
“See anyone you want to meet?” asked AJ taking her hand.
“Of course!”
“Who? I’ll go ask them to come over.”
“NO! DON’T! I wouldn’t want to interrupt their lunch.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive! Besides, I have the only ‘star’ I need beside me,” purred Chelsea as she gazed adoringly into AJ’s eyes.
“God! How can I love you this much this fast?” whispered AJ as he touched her cheek with his fingers. Leaning in, he kissed her, slowly, savoring her taste.
“Geez! I thought we were here for lunch,” groaned Nick pulling out a chair and plopping down.
The couple broke apart as Kevin put his hand on AJ’s shoulder, “Dawg! Get a room!” Leaning over, he placed a kiss on Chelsea’s cheek. “Hey, Chels!”
“Hey, ‘Boo’,” greeted Chelsea. As Howie leaned to kiss her cheek too, she greeted him too. “Hey, Howie.”
“Been waiting long?” asked Nick.
“Nah, just got here,” answered AJ as he played with Chelsea’s hair.
“So what did the doctor say?” asked Kevin sitting across from Chelsea.
“My surgery is tomorrow morning,” frowned Chelsea.
AJ went on to explain what the doctor had said as they looked over the menu.
After placing their order, the conversation changed. AJ told them that Chelsea would be joining them on tour and they started telling her about past tours. They also made plans for the remaining time before the release of the CD and other general talk. It was a relaxing lunch that helped Chelsea forget about her fear of the surgery. The whole time, AJ paid special attention to her too that the other three thought was wonderful.
Nick and Howie were the first to say their goodbyes and promised to visit the next day at the hospital. After they left, AJ excused himself leaving Chelsea and Kevin alone.
“So, did you enjoy your first night with AJ?” smirked Kevin knowing it would embarrass Chelsea.
“Yes, I did,” blushed Chelsea not letting Kevin back her down. “What about you? Did you and Dianne talk things out?”
“Yeah, we did.” Kevin took a sip of water. It was more an attempt to gather his courage because he knew he had to tell Chelsea and that she would be angry. Setting the glass down, Kevin sat up and reached across to take her hand. Without any expression and his eyes avoiding hers, Kevin said, “Chelsea, I told Dee everything.”
“I know. You said you were going to…”
“No, Chels…I told her EVERYTHING!”
What Kevin was saying hit her like a freight train and her expression quickly changed. Pulling her hand out of his and tears erupting, she said, “You PROMISED me you wouldn’t say anything, Kevin! How could you break that promise?”
AJ returned in time to hear Kevin say, “I had to, Chelsea. Dianne has every right to know the full truth. If it had been you, I’d have told you…you know that.”
“LIAR! The whole reason I’m IN this mess in the FIRST place was because you didn’t have the guts to tell me the truth….that you had gone back to Dianna. You let ME find out by seeing it on the damned Entertainment news! I swear, Kevin, if she EVER tells anyone or throws it in my face, YOU will NEVER see Annie again!”
“WHOA! What the hell is going on?” asked AJ as he sat down.
“KEVIN told Dianne that I was a stripper after he PROMISED not to,” seethed Chelsea, angry tears stinging her cheeks.
“Settle down, Chelsea,” tried Kevin. He knew she had every right to be mad but her threat sent fire through him. “Annie is NOT going to be a weapon whenever you get mad at me.”
“Then STOP being an ASS!” hissed Chelsea wiping her tears. “Alex, take me to your place so I can get my stuff.”
“No, hold on, Chelsea. We’re not leaving here with you two mad at each other. It’s not good for Annie.” Looking at Kevin, AJ asked, “Did you promise not to tell Dianne?”
Chagrined, Kevin nodded, “Yeah, I did.”
“It’s not like you to break a promise, Kev.”
“I know, but….”
AJ shook his head to stop Kevin from explaining and turned back to Chelsea. “Baby, I know you’re hurt but you know Kevin wouldn’t break a promise like that without a good reason. Think about it, ‘Beautiful’.” He reached out to caress her cheek. “He hurt you by not being honest. He’s trying not to repeat that mistake with Dianne. If it were you, you’d want him to tell you the truth too.”
Chelsea softened and leaned into his hand placing her hand on his. “But what if she uses it against me to get Annie away from me?”
“Kevin’s not going to let that happen and if she does, I’ll be there to stop it too…I promise.”
Looking into his eyes, Chelsea knew he was sincere. “I love you,” she whispered.
“I love you too, Chelsea,” replied AJ in a tender voice. “Now, don’t you think you owe Kevin an apology?”
Looking up at Kevin, “I was angry, Kevin….I’m sorry and you’re right, Annie isn’t a weapon.”
“I knew you’d be upset but I also thought you’d understand. I couldn’t keep it from Dee. She needed to know everything to understand what was going on.”
“I’m just scared, Kevin.”
“There’s nothing to be scared about….I’m not going to let Dianne use it against you. Chels, you’ve got a new life now here in LA with Annie. It’s a fresh start and you don’t have to do it on your own anymore. There’s nothing to be scared of. Enjoy the life you and AJ have started here together and know that you can always lean on me and Nick and Howie.”
“Thanks, Kevin.”
“I’m gonna get going and leave you two alone. I have a couple errands before I pick up Annie at school.”
“Kevin, you are going to bring Annie by this afternoon for me to see her and explain, aren’t you?”
“Of course! I’ll see you two later.”
“Later, Kev,” replied AJ as Kevin left them alone. “Ready to go, ‘Beautiful’?”
“What if I said ‘no’?”
“Then we’d stay until you’re ready.”
“What I REALLY want to do is curl up in your arms. I’m sorry about the argument with Kevin.”
“No need to apologize, Chelsea. Come on. Let’s go get your stuff for the hospital. Once you’re settled in your room, we’ll talk more and I’ll hold you all night long.”
“Ya know…that would sound so much better if it was at your place and NOT the hospital,” pouted Chelsea.
AJ laughed and touched his finger to her lips. “Yeah, I guess it would and we need to work on you calling it ‘my’ place. It’s OUR place now.”
“It won’t be ‘our’ place until I can add my touch to it.”
“Just having you there is enough for me but you can do whatever you want to make you feel like it’s our place.”
The couple made their way out to the car wrapped in their new love.
