Now he was on his way to AJ’s. That damn fucking bastard. He gritted his teeth. He’d show him a thing or two. Everything made complete sense now. How AJ had made everyone leave his party. How AJ had been alone at Celete’s house for a few hours that one day, the perfect opportunity to jimmy the lock so he could get in and out easily. The way Celeste had recognized his voice, and AJ also knew the code to Nick’s house. Which would explain how he had just waltzed into the joint and been able to surprise Celeste.
He gripped the steering wheel tighter. What a fucking prick. He was just gonna have to show the bastard a thing or two. What kind of an asshole was he? You don’t force yourself on someone that way. Nick took a deep breath. He just had to make sure he was careful enough and not kill him, though at that moment that sounded like a great idea. But AJ was his brother. And though he was pissed beyond anything imaginable, he wouldn’t be able to kill him. But he wouldn’t hesitate to call the police and inform them of his findings.
Nick pulled his Durango into AJ’s driveway. Yup, there it sat. The silver BMW. He shut off the engine and pulled out his keys, pocketing them. Then he swung the door open and exited the vehicle.
Nick stalked up onto the porch and without even knocking, threw the door open. He moved into the house, his eyes scanning the entryway and living room just beyond it. They were both empty. He slammed the door and stalked through the house, trying to locate his buddy.
He spotted him in the study, through the half open door. AJ was setting in his chair, leaning over his desk. He was furiously writing away. With a growl, Nick pushed the door open and flew into the room. He moved around the desk and grabbed a shocked AJ by the collar. Then he hauled him out of the chair and slammed him hard against the wall.
“You fucker!” He roared, pulling him forward and slamming him back into the wall again. AJ’s head jerked back and he smacked his head. He stared shocked at Nick.
“Ni…” he began to object.
Nick roared again, slamming him once more into the wall. Then he leaned into AJ. “You are a fucking liar!” Releasing him he stepped back, allowing AJ to lean down and place his hands on his knees, catching his breath.
“What….what…” he panted out.
But Nick didn’t give him a chance to finish his sentence, because his fist came barreling forward and slammed into AJ’s face. “How do you like it? Huh?”
AJ’s head was once again jerked back and he slammed once more into the wall. Blood immediately began pouring out of his nose.
Nick didn’t wait; he lifted his fist and rammed it into AJ’s face again. This time splitting his lip. “Asshole!” He screamed at him, rearing back and slamming his hard fist into AJ’s stomach.
AJ let out a grunt, his eyes confused. He slipped down the wall, trying his best to hold himself up. His arms wrapped around his waist.
Nick reached out and grabbed his shirt. He hauled him away from the wall and tossed him across the room. AJ flew partially through the air, landing on the floor. Nick sauntered up to him and lifted his foot, bring it forward and into AJ’s stomach.
AJ let out a yell; he twisted his body away from the blond and tried to sit up.
Then Nick was over him. He knelt above him and began pounding on him, his stomach, his chest, his shoulders, his face. He just hit him. Over and over and over….until hands were dragging him off.
“NICK!” A loud voice exclaimed. “What the hell are you doing?”
Nick’s chest heaved as he wiped his face. He struggled against the hands that held him back. “Let me go! He’s a bastard! Let me go!”
But he was held tight. “Stop!” Kevin’s voice demanded. He gripped Nick and refused to let him loose.
AJ groaned and rolled to his side.
“God Nick, what the fuck were you doing?” Kevin pushed him away and knelt down by AJ. He glared at the blond, then turned his attention to the injured Backstreet Boy. “You okay, Aje?”
AJ struggled to sit up, wincing at the pain. Blood was smeared over his face, his shirt ripped, and his hair mussed. He groaned and held his head.
Kevin turned to Nick, who stood glaring at the small man. “I don’t trust you here alone with him, so go get some warm, wet washcloths.” His voice came out stern, in an ‘you don’t want to mess with me.’ tone. Nick knew he’d better comply; though he didn’t want to.
He sauntered off, and soon returned with the requested cloths, which Kevin immediately snatched from his hands. “Sit!” He ordered Nick.
Nick obliged; still shooting evil glares at AJ as Kevin wiped at his face.
AJ didn’t even acknowledge Nick’s presence.
Finally Kevin pulled back. “There.” He set the washcloth on the coffee table that AJ had narrowly missed hitting when Nick had tossed him. Then he stood up. “Alright Carter, explain!” He crossed his arms.
Nick took a breath. “AJ raped Celeste.”
Kevin’s brow furrowed. “What?” He tilted his head.
On the ground, AJ lifted his head and stared at Nick. His face was quickly bruising, and Nick knew he’d have them also littered over his chest and stomach. Served the asshole right.
He nodded. “Yeah, he raped my friend Celeste. Remember that party, and how she got raped?”
Slowly Kevin nodded. He didn’t seem like he quite knew what to say.
Nick nodded. “Well, it was AJ all along. Wasn’t it Aje?!” He spat that last sentence out at the injured Boy.
AJ looked at him confused. “What?” He croaked out between his dry, split lips.
Nick nodded. “Don’t even try denying it. I saw you leaving the house after you THREATENED HER!” He yelled the end of the sentence out and lunged at him again.
Kevin intercepted him. “Nick!” He warned, pushing him back to the small sofa. “Sit!” He forced him down onto it.
AJ shook his head, wincing. “I didn’t do anything, Nick.” His voice came out strained.
“Liar!” Nick spat at him. “It was you all along. You raped her, denied it, broke into her house and tried again, and now you got into my house and threatened her! Not to mention, cut her with a knife.” He glared at him. “Hell, you’re probably the one who killed her dog.” He waved a hand.
AJ shook his head. “No, Nick, it’s not me.” He had a nauseating look upon his face. “You know I wouldn’t do something like that.” He sent Kevin a pleading look. “I didn’t do it, Kev.”
“Then who else?” Nick taunted him. “Who else drives a silver BMW, who else knows the code to my gates and my house? Who else could it have been?”
AJ shrugged. “It wasn’t me.” He looked so helpless.
“Bullshit it wasn’t you.” Nick crossed his arms. “I’m gonna let the police decide that.”
“NICK!” Kevin roared, he glared at him shocked.
Nick huffed. “Rape is against the law, Kev.”
Kevin took a breath. “Look Nick, AJ says he didn’t do it….”
Nick nodded. “I know what he says, I also know what I saw.”
“What did you see?”
Nick pointed a finger at AJ. “His car leaving my driveway, right before I found Celeste.”
“I haven’t gone anywhere all day.” AJ stated.
“That’s a lie in itself.” Nick shot at him.
AJ ignored him. “I haven’t.” He said to Kevin. Then he turned to Nick. “In fact, about an hour ago I was on the phone with Kevin.” He sent him a smug look.
Nick rolled his eyes. “Probably on your cell phone, as you were driving back from MY house.” He stressed the word my.
AJ fell silent.
Kevin sighed. “Nick, you know AJ, I know AJ…he doesn’t do things like that to women.”
“Well, he did.” Nick muttered.
“I did not!” AJ suddenly snapped at him.
“Ooh, so somebody else was driving your car then?” Nick taunted him.
“Maybe!” AJ argued back.
Nick let out a snort. “Right.”
“Cool it you two!” Kevin held out his hands. He looked between them. “I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation for what you saw Nick.”
Nick snorted again. “There is, it’s called AJ raping Celeste, then fleeing my house after he cut and threatened her!” He was yelling again, and flying off the sofa right for AJ.
Kevin grabbed his arms, holding him back. “Nick…”
Nick seethed at him. “Kev, this doesn’t concern you. Move!” He ordered, his chest heaving.
Kevin shook his head. “I’m not going to let you beat AJ anymore.” He pushed him back a bit.
Nick immediately lunged forward. “Out of my way!” He spat at Kevin when he was again pushed back. “I don’t want to have to hurt you Kev.”
Kevin shook his head. “Nick, stop.”
Nick shook his head. “You’d be doing the same thing if it was Kristin rather than Celeste.” His fists were balled.
“No, I would be smart enough to know AJ wouldn’t do that.” Kevin argued. He forcefully pushed Nick back down onto the sofa. “Now sit!”
Nick scowled. “I’m calling the cops.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone.
Kevin swiped it out of his hand. “No you’re not. AJ hasn’t done anything.” He tossed the phone across the room; it landed harmlessly between some potted plants in a corner.
“Helloooo anyone home?” A male voice called out from down the hallway.
Nick scowled. “Who’s that?”
“Rod.” AJ stated as he struggled to finally stand up off the floor. He watched Nick carefully, preparing himself to run if Nick made it past Kevin. Thank God Kevin had come over. AJ had a feeling he’d wouldn’t be alive if he hadn’t.
“Hey!” Rod cheerfully greeted them. “What’s going on……” his eyes fell on AJ and he blinked, his eyes widening. “Dude….what happened to you?”
AJ shook his head. “Just some messin around.” He examined his ripped shirt.
Rob whistled. “Shit, if that’s playing around I’d hate to see what fighting is.” He shook his head then spotted Nick and Kevin. “Hey, what’s up?” He smiled at them brightly.
Kevin nodded. “Not much, you?”
Rod shrugged. “Fred just dropped me off.” He moved farther into the room. “Ya’ll want to play pool?”
“No!” Nick spat as he rose to his feet, moving back from Kevin, who watched him carefully. He glared at AJ. “I’m out of here.” He brushed past the older Backstreet Boy and retrieved his phone, then pocketing it he turned to AJ, who’d been watching him like a hawk. “I know it was you!” He pointed his finger at him. “And I’ll prove it too. Then I’m gonna call the cops and you’ll be sitting in jail rotting on your ass for a long time.” With those words he turned on his heel and was out of the room.
Rod stared at his retreating figure, then looked back in the room, perplexed. “What the hell is his problem?”