!-Collision-!

Traci looked at him, peacefully sleeping. What they had shared was basically sex, nothing more. Then why did she feel so sad looking at him, wondering what could have happened differently?

"Hey you," AJ said groggy from the medicine he was getting.

"Hey," Traci said, smiling at him, placing the flowers she had brought up on his dresser.

"Damn - some night we had," he said, winking at her and she tried not to smile. He was right, but now what? How do you move on from something so wrong that had seemed so right? How did you forget how that person had made you feel?

"Yah - landed you on your ass in the hospital!" she giggled at him.

"So, that big asshole of a boyfriend of yours? I’m not filing charges in case you are worried about it, "AJ said.

"That’s your decision J. And he isn’t an asshole. You have to understand what he walked in on," Traci explained to him.

"I know. Hey, have you talked to Carla?" AJ asked.

"Yah I have but I think you should talk to her," Traci said.

"I have tried to call her a million times. She won’t talk to me," he said, sadly.

"She’s leaving. She is going to live with her sister in Arizona. And she is staying with me for a week before she goes. So that will be your chance to talk her out of it," Traci told him.

"Shit! I don’t want her to go," AJ said and he didn’t know what he was going to do.

"Well, you should have thought about that. I mean, you betrayed our friendship too. You should have told me. I know I was drunk, but there is no way I would have hurt my best friend like that. And my relationship, it’s done and over with. There is nothing I can do," Traci said, not wanting to cry, not here.

"He’ll forgive you. You’re an amazing girl. Trust me on that," J said, taking her hand in his and then the tears came.

"No, I’m not. I fucked up the best thing that has ever happened to me. I can’t get it back. It would never be the same. Not only that, but Carla told me he slept with his ex so I am sure he is with her now," Traci said, not being able to control her tears.

"Well he is a guy, he needed some, " J said.

"Gee, that’s comforting. Is that all you guys think about?" Traci asked, trying to put the pieces back together.

"MMMM, yah pretty much, " J said, trying to make her laugh. He pulled her next to him to hold her. He just wanted to comfort her and let her know it would be okay.

"Hmmm, this was a great idea," Carla said, looking pissed.

"It was a friendly hug, that’s it Carla. I promise," Traci reassured her.

"Baby, I am so glad you’re here," J said, holding out his arms to her.

"Don’t be. You’re still a pig! I came to say goodbye," Carla said firmly. She still loved him so much she didn’t know what she could do. She didn’t know how to move on from all of this.

"Don’t do this. I fucked up, we both know we did. I love you girl, you know that," He told her and Traci smiled. They could get through this, there was a way for them, she knew it.

"Yah you fucked up alright but Traci had no clue you and I were together. You have no excuse! What? Did you momentarily forget that we were together?" Carla asked angrily.

"Can I talk to you?" Nick whispered to Traci and she went with him in the hallway.

"What’s up" she asked and he took her hand.

"Can we please have a party at your house? This way no press will find out about it. It’s kind of our kickoff for our next concert. What do you think? Nick asked, trying to look cute.

"I guess. When did you want to do it?" she asked, realizing that sounded bad.

"Hmmm, well anytime you want," Nick winked at her.

"Very funny! The party Nick?" Traci was amused by his humor. He was a doll! His blue eyes held her captive for a moment and then she shook it off. She had gotten herself in enough trouble lately!

"Two days," he said, "We’ll take care of all the details."

"Okay but you have to do the work. I am not up to it yet. The best I can do is find something cute to wear," she giggled.

"Um nothing would be good," he teased her and she smacked him in the arm.

"Yah, in your dreams," she teased back.

"You got that right," he whispered, leaving her with a few shivers. No, enough damage had been done. She wanted Vin back. How, she didn’t know, but she was determined to prove to him she loved him and how sorry she was.