Howie sighed and walked to his door. He felt like crap. His fist was swollen, and he was tired. Opening it slowly, he looked up to find Nick staring down at him, looking like he was ready to beat the crap out of someone. "What is wrong with you?" Howie asked moving aside as Nick entered the room.
"That fucker. Do you know who was here?" Nick asked spinning around facing Howie.
"Umm…no. I really don't have any clue who or what you're talking about," he replied walking over to his bed and sitting down.
"Miranda. She was here. With AJ," Nick exclaimed throwing his hands up in the air.
"Miranda?" Howie asked his interest peaked.
"Yes, Miranda. I ran into her as she was leaving AJ's room," he said shaking his head in disgust.
"Hmm. Did you talk to AJ?"
"Hell yes I talked to him. He tried to deny that anything happened," Nick rolled his eyes. "As if I'm stupid. He's never been able to tell her no. What makes him think anyone's going to believe that he has suddenly developed a resistance to her."
"What did he say?" Howie asked slowly.
"That nothing happened. That he couldn't. He loved Kyndall and knew that it wasn't the way to get her back," Nick murmured. "But why the hell would he have gone and picked her up from the airport, brought her back to his room, and not told anyone, if he wasn't going to do anything?"
"He picked her up from the airport?" Howie asked, surprised.
Nick nodded. "And when I went into his room, he was all…well, you know," he said waving his hand at Howie.
"He was what? Naked?"
"No. But you could tell that he had just…got some," Nick mumbled. "And her, she looked all…rumpled as well. Her make-up and hair a mess. I've seen her look like that. Right after her and AJ goes at it and they get interrupted."
"Hmm," Howie murmured.
Nick sighed. "I don't know what to do," he shook his head. "This is gonna kill Kyndall if she finds out."
Howie looked at Nick sharply. "Since when do you care what happens with Kyndall?"
Nick looked over at Howie. "What do you mean? I've always cared. I just didn't know her well enough to do anything about it. Not that I do now, but Catlyn says that she's still hurting. And it's worrying her."
"Hmm," Howie eyed Nick. He wondered what was going on inside Nick's head, what he was thinking and feeling about Catlyn, but he decided against asking him. "Just…don't say anything to anyone right now, okay?"
"Why. She's going to find out, and then they're both going to hate me," he whined.
"Maybe AJ's telling the truth. Maybe nothing really did happen between them," Howie pointed out.
"Yeah right," Nick mumbled standing up. "I'm going to bed," he said walking out the door.
Contemplating whether or not he should try talking to AJ, Howie stared at the door. Sighing heavily, he stood up and walked out and over to AJ's. His hand hovered over the door, hesitating. Shaking his head, he knocked softly. AJ's head peeked out. "Go away Howie. I don't want to get into this right now," he said as he started to close the door.
Howie stuck his foot out, blocking him. "Wait. I just…we need to talk," he said. AJ sighed and moved away from the door. Howie walked in and sat down on the chair facing the bed. "What happened? Why was she here?"
AJ raised his eyes to meet Howie's. Howie was taken back by the pain and sorrow he saw in AJ's dark eyes. His face was slightly puffy, like he'd been crying. Howie could see the dark outline of the bruise he'd left on his jaw. Cringing, Howie looked away. "I don't know why you bothered asking me that. You aren't going to believe me either," he whispered.
"I asked you because I want you tell me the truth," Howie stated simply. "And I don't think that you're going to lie to me," he shrugged. "I could be wrong, but I don't think so."
AJ looked at Howie, a sad smile forming on his lips. "Well, that you are correct about. There isn't much I CAN lie about," he said softly. Sighing deeply, he told Howie about everything that had transpired.
Howie looked at AJ, elbows resting on the arms of the chair, fingers steepled and resting on his chin. AJ was slightly uncomfortable under the dark scrutiny of his friend's gaze. "Well," AJ asked nervously.
"Well, I can see how Nick would have gotten the idea that something had happened between you and Randa," Howie said softly.
"But?" AJ asked.
"But I believe you. I don't think anything happened. And I'm glad that it didn't." Howie smiled slightly. "You do realize that it's going to be one long road in getting her back," he said slowly.
AJ nodded. "Yeah. I know. I fucked things up royally," he mumbled looking down at his hands.
Howie chuckled quietly. "Yes you did. And I must admit, I'm a little nervous about helping you out."
AJ's head snapped up as he looked at Howie. "What?"
Howie sighed. "Look. I love her. I'm not going to deny that. She is everything I have ever wanted, needed or dreamed of in a woman. But I'll never be able to have her. Not today, not tomorrow, never. She only wants you. Despite everything that you have put her through, despite every heartache she has endured, and despite the many times she has tried to hate you…you are all she wants. She loves you. More than you deserve to be loved." Howie leaned forward in his chair. "But I know that you love her. And that you're now willing to do anything in your power to get her back, am I correct?"
AJ nodded. "Yeah."
Howie nodded in agreement. "And knowing how it feels to be without the one you love, I'm going to help you. Again," he said looking pointedly at AJ. "And I'm not even going to threaten you with anything. I don't really think it's necessary."
AJ laughed half-heartedly. The humor died all too quickly, leaving him grim and depressed again. "How am I ever going to accomplish this?" he asked, his eyes pleading for Howie to give him an answer.
