"D, get off your damn cell phone," AJ complained poking him with his cue stick.
Kyndall laughed. "I thought it was just a joke," she said.
"What's that?" Howie asked shutting his phone and walking back over to the table.
"You and that phone," she teased.
"Hmm," he blushed. Making his shot, he circled the table looking for another. "I don't talk on it that much," he said shooting and missing.
"Yeah right," AJ grinned. "Just all the time," he said walking to the table. "Dude, you left me nothing," he whined. "I'll get you back," he threatened wagging his finger at Howie. Shooting the ball, he made what he thought was an impossible shot. "Yeeeaheheheh," he cackled. He swore quietly as he missed the second shot.
"You'll get the next one," Kyndall smiled at him as he walked over to sit next to her.
"Thanks," he chuckled, sitting down and taking a swig of his beer.
"AJ baby," Miranda said walking into the room. Her eyes narrowed as she seen him sitting next to Kyndall. "I wanna go home."
"So go. I'm playing pool," he said tilting his bottle towards the table.
"I don't have a vehicle," she pointed out. "You drove, remember?"
"Here," he said tossing her the keys. "I'm playing."
"And what am I suppose to do?" she whined looking at him. "Go home and be by myself?"
"It's either that or stay," he said standing up and walking over to the table. Eyeing the set up of the balls, he looked at Howie. "You hate me don't you?"
Howie chuckled. "No. I just want to win." He shook his head as AJ made his shot. "Okay, maybe I do hate you," he grinned walking over by Kyndall.
"Hey Randa," he said smiling at her.
"Don't talk to me," Miranda snarled at him. "If you want to be that way AJ, then fine," she said storming out of the room.
"Wait. Rayray," AJ called after her. He tossed his stick on the table and ran out of the room.
Howie watched her leave and then looked at Kyndall. "I uh…I don't think she likes you very much."
Kyndall shrugged. "That's okay. I don't like her either."
"I see that you and AJ are getting along," Howie smiled as he stood up, putting the sticks and the balls away.
"Yeah. Sometimes. Until she comes around."
Howie nodded. "Sounds like him and the rest of the world."
"Why does he stay with her?" she asked softly.
Howie shrugged walking back over to the bar. "I don't know. He's afraid of being lonely. He's afraid of being hurt. With her, he knows what to expect. He knows what he can do, what he can't do. He knows that no matter what, she's not going anywhere, and he doesn't have to worry about looking for a replacement."
"Is he happy with that?" Kyndall asked disbelieving that someone could live that way.
"No. I don't think he is. But he's not sure how to go about changing it."
"I can think of a way he could," she said softly.
Howie looked at her and opened his mouth to say something, but Leighanne walked in interrupting him. "Come on guys. Movie's starting."
"Nonono," Brian shook his head. "No horror movies. I do not want to have nightmares tonite," he said.
"Oh you big baby," Nick grumbled opening the movie cabinet again. Glancing over at Catlyn he smiled. "What would you like to watch?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. I was kind of in a horror movie mood myself," she said.
"Of course you would side with him," Brian cried throwing his hands in the air dramatically. "Fine. Torture me. Go ahead. I see how ya'll are," he pretended to sob as he flung himself into Leighanne's arms.
"Oh give it up," Nick laughed.
Brian grinned. "I'm gonna go make some popcorn and stuff," he said heading off to the kitchen.
"How's Nightmare on Elm Street Part 3?" Nick asked pulling it off the shelf.
"Awesome movie," Catlyn grinned.
"Definitely," Nick agreed.
"It's okay," Crystal shrugged. "Not really a horror movie though. I prefer the Exorcist."
"ACK!" Catlyn exclaimed. "Kyndall would kill you," she said looking at Nick.
"Why's that?" he asked putting the movie in the VCR.
"I'll go get Howie and Kyndall," Leighanne offered.
"Because she HATES that movie," Catlyn smiled setting on the floor by the side of the couch, leaning her back against it. Nick walked over and sat on the couch by Crystal, which in turn put him next to Catlyn.
"Where's Kevin and Shawna?" Howie asked walking into the front room.
"They had to go. She has some audition tomorrow morning or something," Crystal replied. "And AJ and Miranda left. They were arguing over something," she said looking at Kyndall accusingly.
Noticing Crystal's look, Howie changed the subject. "So what're we watching?"
"Dream Warriors," Nick grinned.
"They're trying to give me nightmares," Brian answered walking into the room carrying a huge bowl of popcorn and a twelve pack of Coke. "I didn't know what ya'll wanted to drink so I just brought this in here," he said setting it on the coffee table.
"Everyone here?" Nick asked. Looking around, he made sure they were all settled before he hit the play button.
