Yeah, Nick could seduce Justin Timberlake if he wanted to, AJ had to agree. Although why he'd want to was a complete mystery and AJ added this part so things would seem normal, so no one would notice his sudden desire to tear Nick's throat out. It worked. Upon hearing his comment, Kevin and Nick both laughed and went back to arranging stakes of their bet. Howie also laughed, but his voice was strained. The look in his eyes said he was hoping no one noticed, so AJ pretended he hadn't. Brian gave them all a look to show that this was something he disapproved of completely, although there had been a day where he would have been right ahead of Nick. That was before, though. Most people would attribute this change to Leighanne. AJ knew better though. Nick had nursed a not-well-hidden crush on Brian since the group had started. It was only logical, and it seemed that no one thought anything of it. That is, until it became apparent to Brian that this was no phase and eventually, Nick would do something about it. Frick and Frack dissolved pretty quickly after that, taking a good part of both parties down as well. AJ wasn't sure what he thought of the new, improved Brian, but figured it didn't really matter anyway. Nick was with Howie now. It was a fact, unannounced, but generally recognized. He guessed they liked it that way. Recognition meant no hiding, even if it also meant Brian ignoring Nick and treating Howie like shit, which he didn't deserve at all. Howie had never done anything to Brian, AJ doubted if he had so much as lied to any of them, except maybe to cover Nick's ass. Howie'd had to do that a lot lately. Nick should see that if other people were assholes to Howie, he should be nicer. But Nick didn't, and Howie chose to see nothing wrong with that. Apparently, Howie didn't see anything in his relationship with Nick that was a problem. He was fine with where he stood. He didn't mind being there only so Nick could have somebody whenever he wanted, minus the effort of actual seduction. Groupies had to be romanced a bit, and his wagers had to be sometimes be wined and dined, as well as planned out, but Howie was there for him with no hesitation. His own personal whore. Beautiful, classy, loving, and AJ surmised, good in bed. He wouldn't be there with Nick otherwise. But it wasn't really that way. Justin would be there with Nick tonight in Howie's place, there was no doubt about it. And Howie would lock himself in his hotel room to pretend he didn't mind. And AJ, lying on his bed, would listen to the cries through one wall, (because they weren't really making love as much as war) and the crying through the other. And eventually he'd go over there and hug Howie close and listen to him cry and fucking wipe the tears off his face and let him blame them on the loss of his sister and play the fuck along, telling Howie it would be okay. It wouldn't, though. Not until Howie realized that there were people out there that actually could love him. Probably not even then. So maybe he had a little moment of illumination, because there was one time he had asked AJ. Asked, assuming AJ didn't know about him and Nick, if he could ever be happy with someone. Obviously AJ had said yes, though he doubted it. Howie was his best friend in the entire world. They had known each other for almost 10 years now. No one meant more to him, with the possible exception of his mother. And he knew that if murder, rather than disease, had taken Caroline from him, he wouldn't have had anything bad to say about her killer. He'd probably fucking pray for him at night. But who couldn't love someone whose most prevalent desire in life was for everyone to be happy, even if it was at his expense? So AJ had told Howie that he was one of the most wonderful guys he had ever met, that he was his best friend and no one in the world meant more to him, except his mother, because he really did mean it all, and when Howie asked could AJ hook him up with someone, he had agreed. Yeah, certainly. I'll be able to find someone who's perfect for you. It might take a while, but nothing but the best for you, right bro? And he'd ruffled Howie's hair and grinned and left the room and then leaned against the wall outside to run through his list of potential dates for Howie. Figured none of them were really right. But there would be someone to love him, he just couldn't figure out whom. Or maybe he could. He'd sighed. Yeah, there was no question about it, he definitely could. But AJ didn't really want to think about that right now. He'd slid slowly down the wall, breathing strained, until his head had rested on his knees. It was easier that way.