“What do you want to watch?” AJ asked as Tanya sat down on the couch next to him. “Doesn’t matter… are there any movies on HBO?” Tanya asked. “Hmmm, Chocolat, Legally Blonde, The Shining or Saturday Night Live 25th Anniversary Special.” AJ said reading the programs from the on-screen guide. At the same time, both Tanya and AJ chimed… “SNL.” The two had a laugh about it until they heard someone try to open the front door of the house.
“Who would that be? It’s 2:30 in the morning.” Tanya said quietly. “Stay here. I’ll find out.” AJ slowly rose from his comfortable spot on the couch and walked towards the front door.
“Hello?” AJ called out. Silence. “Who’s there?” He asked as he approached the door. He could hear someone mumbling from outside.
“Open, you better fuckin’ open!” Justin muttered incoherently to himself. “Gotcha!” He quietly exclaimed turning the door knob. AJ was immediately on the other side of the door. “May I help you?” AJ said calmly. “Where the fuck is she?” Justin shouted trying to push AJ out of his way. Without moving, AJ replied, “Who?” “You fucking know who. I know that bitch is here somewhere.” Justin scanned the room trying to see where Tanya was. “Unless you are talking about my cocker spaniel, I don’t know who you are looking for. I live here alone.” AJ said covering for Justin’s frightened ex-girlfriend.
When Tanya heard Justin’s voice, she slowly snuck up the back staircase to Nick and Melissa’s bedroom. :knock::knock “Nick…. Mel….” She whispered through the door. “Yea…” Nick sat up groggy. “He’s here.” Tanya said as she entered the room. “Shit. Let me take care of it.” Nick got up and scrambled to find his pants. “NO! DON’T!” Tanya quietly yelled. “AJ is down there… and telling him that it is his house. If you go down, he’ll know I am here.” She continued. “Nicky, she’s right.” Melly put in her two cents. “Shh.” Nick quieted the girls hoping he’d be able to hear what they were saying downstairs.
“It says this is Nick Carter’s house.” Justin stated holding up the key. “Oh thanks. I lost my key the other day.” AJ grabbed it out of his hand and put it in his pocket. Justin glared at AJ knowing he was up to something. “This isn’t the end of this!” He threatened. “Oh, I think it is.” AJ smiled seeing the police officer standing behind Justin.
Moments ago, upstairs, Nick had called the cops to come to his house to take care of an intruder. Tanya was sitting on the bed with Melissa crying to herself. “He’s gonna know… He’s gonna know.” Tanya kept whispering to herself. Melissa tried to quiet her, but it was no use. Tanya just repeated, “He’s gonna know.” over and over.
“Is this the gentleman who is causing a disturbance?” The police officer asked. “Well, he certainly is not a gentleman, but yes. He’s the intrusion.” AJ said contently folding his arms across his chest.
“You’ll have to come with me down to the station.” The officer began to lead Justin away, but he jerked away and threw a punch aimed at AJ. Luckily, he missed. “We’ll give you a call tomorrow about the charges and such.” The officer said as he handcuffed Justin and led him away. “You have the right to remain silent……” He trailed off as AJ shut the door.
“You okay man? I saw that swing.” Nick said to his friend as he came down the stairs. “Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks for calling the cops. Where are the girls?” AJ said handing Nick the extra key that Justin had. “Upstairs, Tanya is in tears.” Nick pointed towards the staircase. “Think I should go up there?” AJ asked peering towards the stairs. “Yeah man, go.” Nick patted his buddy on the back and they both headed upstairs.
“Mel, Can I talk to you?” Nick said when they got to the master bedroom. “Sure, are you gonna be okay?” She asked Tanya before getting up; Tanya simply nodded and grabbed another Kleenex. AJ smiled at Nick and Melissa hey left the room, and he moved to sit at the edge of the bed.
AJ wasn’t sure what to say. He saw a helpless woman lying on the bed surrounded by used tissues and tears, he just wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss all her problems away, but would it be a wrong move? Would she think he was just using this vulnerable opportunity to get with her?
“What happened down there?” Melly asked her boyfriend after they were out of the room. “Justin was taken in. I’m sure we’ll have to take care of all of this later. For now, I just hope Tanya will be okay.” Nick said looking back towards the door. “She’s got all of us. She’ll be okay…. Eventually.” Melly whispered as she headed downstairs to the kitchen.
“Thank you.” Tanya finally managed to say through her sobs. “No need.” AJ said opening his arms, hoping Tanya would make the move to a hug. And she did. Another wave of tears over took the young girl and she fell into AJ’s arms. Her face laying against his chest, she could hear his heart beat, and he could feel her body shake as she sobbed. AJ moved a bit to readjust the way he was sitting, “AJ! Don’t leave!” Tanya hugged him tighter. “I’m not going anywhere.” He moved the strands of hair out of her face.
As he moved the brown curl away from her face, his hand caressed her cheek and Tanya let out a small smile. By pure luck, she was able to find a guy who didn’t care what happened in her past, but he was willing to fight for her, to stand up to the man that bruised her.
~END of Chapter 5~
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Chapter 6