With You by Alex Knight
Meeting Snook Rabbit by Alex Knight
Author's Notes:
Hi, I'm new -waves-. The name's Alex. Usually I write more about Nick, but I decided to try writing something about AJ. I really enjoy feedback letting me know whether you like it or don't like it! Thanks :).
Alexander James McLean took the rolled up lit paper from his lips and blew out the smoke that seemed to calm his every nerve. He never imagined she’d show up. Not with him, at least. How could she? After everything they had been through, why would she show up?

“Aje, you okay?” He heard from behind him. He closed his eyes, hoping the tears wouldn’t pool out. He put his cigarette back to his lips and inhaled deeply.

“Yeah, man, I’m fine,” he mumbled as he removed let out more stress through smoke. “I’ll be inside in a sec, okay?” He called back. Nick wouldn’t take that for an answer. AJ felt a hand on his back that gripped his shoulder tightly.

“Look, I know what it feels like. I mean, as much as you guys would like to argue…I really have had true feelings for some of the girls I’ve dated. Remember Mandy? That turned into a bunch of shit. And Paris, too. That ended badly…” he tried to pretend like he knew what AJ was going through. In fact, he thought he might have a slight idea.

“Thanks for trying to help, man. But right now I really just need to be left alone…” AJ shrugged him off. “I think I’m gonna just catch a cab and head back to the hotel.” Nick nodded and swallowed everything else he felt he needed to say. Instead, he turned around and headed back inside the noisy club.

The music blasted making everything shake around him. AJ wished everything would just end then and there. He was proud of himself for not wanting a drink, but it was places and moments like this where he would almost throw in the towel and just down a Jack Daniel’s…or better yet straight up vodka. Something – anything to make him stop thinking about her. About everything that was between them. He finished off his cigarette and decided to skip the club in general – who needed a constant reminder of everything he once had and then lost? He stood on the corner of the rather empty street in the middle of LA, waiting for any sign of a cab. As he waited, he noticed a girl a few feet away. She was the only other soul on the street at this point – it was too early for clubs to close, but too late for newcomers to come and join the parties.

“Listen, Keri, I’ll leave a key at the front desk for you,” she sighed and rubbed her temple. “I know you want to stay out with him, and that’s fine…I just can’t be there!” She yelled and then paused as the other girl said something. “I KNOW YOU CAN’T HEAR ME. If you’d just come outside for two seconds I could explain all this and…hello?” She looked at her phone and groaned. “Great.” She mumbled to herself.

Just as she was finishing her conversation, a yellow cab went by. Both she and AJ jumped at the chance to stop it. “Oh…you take it,” AJ shrugged. “I’ll wait for another one.”

The girl bit her bottom lip and looked at the cab and then back at AJ. “Look lady, are you getting in or not?” The driver asked.

“We can share it,” she shrugged. “This is the first cab I’ve seen in almost a half hour.” She mumbled. “I really don’t mind. My stop’s about fifteen minutes away over on the west side of Burbank.” She explained.

“Eh, it’s kinda where I’m going…” AJ glanced back at the club and then at the cab. “Sure, what the hell…” he grumbled and slid in after her.

“Where to?” the driver asked.

“I’m over at the Hampton by the airport,” she explained, then glanced at AJ for him to give his directions.

AJ chuckled and looked at the driver. “This’ll be easy. That’s where I’m at.” He laughed. The girl laughed, surprised they were headed to the same destination. “Thanks for letting me join you.” He said politely. “I just had to get out of there.”

“I know what you mean,” she sighed. “I’m Anna, by the way.” She grinned, placing her hand out in front of her politely.

“It’s nice to meet you Anna. I’m Alex,” he introduced. She smiled and glanced out the window next to her. There was something about her. Something absolutely beautiful, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. She wasn’t a model, that’s for sure. Her looks were much too simple for her to be a model. Her light brown hair fell just on her shoulders, her side swept bangs falling loosely into her brown eyes. The way she played with the hem of her somewhat formal black halter top made him think she was nervous, or apprehensive. Her dark jeans had a way of hugging every curve perfectly, though not in any way that would suggest she wanted something more from any guy she ended up meeting that night. “Where ya from?” He thought he’d make conversation, considering they had at least fifteen minutes till they reached the hotel.

“Tampa, Florida,” she sighed with a smile. “How about you?”

“Originally, the Orlando area,” he nodded. Her eyes widened and he realized that was another something they had in common. He didn’t think much of it. He traveled everywhere. If she said she was from Lexington, Kentucky he would have some kind of connection with that.

“That’s really weird,” she chuckled nervously and tried to tuck away her bangs. “I went to school at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.”

“Yeah, well, I only lived there until I was thirteen. Then it just turned into traveling…a lot,” he tried thinking of some way to explain it but came up blank. Enough with the bullshit, AJ, he thought to himself. “I was in a band.” He elaborated.

“Really?” She questioned, then seemed to study his face a little more. Her eyes widened again. “Oh my God! You’re AJ.” She chuckled. He nodded with a small smile. Of course she’d recognize him. She was from that generation. “Wow, sorry it took me so long to realize that. I didn’t listen to much music when I was younger…” she blushed.

“Hey, no excuses,” he joked with a wink. “Nah, I’m just kidding. Sometimes it’s better when people don’t recognize us.” He explained. “It gives us a better opportunity to get to know people.” He shrugged. The taxi stopped at a red light and the two waited to continue.

“I guess that makes sense,” Anna nodded. “So no one has any preconceived notions?” She grinned. AJ frowned.

“Why? Do you have any preconceived notions?” He chuckled. She shrugged and laughed, as well.

“Hm. Well, maybe…I’ve heard that you enjoy bleu cheese on everything…including fruit. Which, if that’s the case, that’s absolutely disgusting and I’m not sure I can associate with you anymore,” she laughed jokingly.

“Ew,” he made a disgusted face and laughed. “No, that one is definitely not true.” He chuckled and shook his head. “I swear, the things people come up with.”

“You’d be surprised,” she sighed and shook her head. “Don’t worry, though. I don’t know much. You seem like a nice enough guy, though. I guess you can’t be all that bad.” She winked. AJ smiled. Something about this girl really intrigued him. She wasn’t like all the others. She didn’t care that she was sharing a cab with a guy that had sold millions of albums and had over a million dollars. She didn’t care. And that was something he wasn’t used to.

After a few minutes of silence, the cab pulled up to the hotel. Anna slid out first, then AJ right after. Before Anna could get her wallet out, AJ handed the cab driver the money with tip and waved him off. “Alex…” Anna touched his arm gently. “You didn’t have to do that. Let me split it with you.” She dug through her wallet as AJ caught sight of maybe one ten and a few ones.

“Nah, it’s no problem,” he shrugged her off and headed into the lobby. “My treat. It was a pleasure sharing a cab with you,” he tipped his hat jokingly, yet politely at the same time.

Anna blushed and smiled as they both walked up to the front desk. “Well, thank you. I appreciate it.” She approached the woman at the front desk. “Hi, my name’s Anna Brooks. I’m here to check in. Also, I need to leave a key for Keriann Preston.” She dug through her pocketbook to pull out her ID and credit card.

“Here you are, Miss Brooks. Room 1205,” the woman grinned just as AJ walked up to the lady next to her.

“Hi, I’m here to check in,” he smiled and pulled out his wallet once more. “It’s under Snook Rabbit.”

Anna nearly choked on nothing but air as she listened to his “code name”. “Snook?” She turned around and placed her hand on her hip. AJ rolled his eyes and took his key.

“Thank you, you’re in our penthouse suite, Mr. McLean. 15th floor,” the woman grinned.

“How attractive…Snook,” Anna shook her head as the pair walked over towards the elevator.

“Trust me, we have to come up with crazy shit so we don’t get stalked,” AJ whispered, making sure to keep his sunglasses on along with his baseball hat he had dug out of his back pocket. “Girls are crazy. They only get crazier with age.”

“Bummer,” Anna rolled her eyes and pressed the ‘up’ button on the elevator. “I’m shocked you aren’t bringing one of those girls home tonight.” She seemed serious, and in a way, AJ was offended. Though that was something he and Nick were usually known for – their knack of getting girls in bed.

“You don’t even know me,” he shot back as they entered the elevator and pushed floors 12 and 15.

“You’re right, I don’t,” she shrugged. “So how am I supposed to know you aren’t the typical rockstar?” She asked. She had a point. But still, AJ didn’t realize this chick would be so vocal.

The flight up to floor 12 was silent – awkwardly silent. As the doors pulled open, Anna sighed. “Well Mr. Rabbit, this is where I bid you goodbye. It was fun while it lasted. Thanks again for the taxi ride.” She winked and stepped out of the elevator. AJ watched her disappear down the hallway. As the gold colored doors closed in front of him, he was left in awe. Who was she and why did she completely blow his mind? He wasn’t sure, but he was sure that he wanted to see her again.


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