An Illicit Gentleman II

                                      Chapter Twenty-Seven

            AJ and Eve sat in AJ’s car slowly driving to his house.  People shouted at him through his car as the flash of bulbs went off lighting the car up.  He slowly drove down the street to his house trying not to hit anyone but the way these people were acting he wanted nothing more than to just step on the gas.  They were pounding on his car trying to get a good shot of the couple.  It wasn’t this bad when everyone had left Maui, some pap’s at the airport but there were more waiting for them when they got to LAX.  They followed them home to where there were more paparazzo’s waiting for them on his street and at his house. 

            When he pulled into his driveway only a few pap’s followed him, he looked over to Eve and she sat there still, staring at her hands.  “I’ll come around and grab you then we’ll head right in ok?” He said as he took her hand but all she did was nod.  He turned the car off and opened the door.

“AJ, did you and Eve get married?” Someone shouted.

“AJ, how was the honeymoon?” Someone else shouted as he walked over to the passenger door.

“Back up!” AJ snapped on a couple of pap’s who didn’t listen to him.  Shoving them back since they blocked Eve’s door he quickly opened it and took her hand as she got out.

“Eve, have anything to say to the millions of girls who’s hearts are broken right now?” Someone shouted at her as AJ wrapped his arm around her and they headed for the door.

“Eve any word on what Mats says about the wedding?” Another person shouted and that sent AJ’s blood pressure through the roof and he spun around ready to deck the closest Photographer he saw but Eve grabbed his arm and stopped him.  Trying to let the anger pass AJ quickly unlocked the door ushered Eve inside and then slammed it closed as people yelled for answers and took pictures.  Locking the door and setting the alarm AJ sighed.  It had been a while since he got attention like that.  But even back then people had boundaries; it seems it’s not like that anymore.

Walking into the living room AJ picked up the phone and began to make some calls to help clear up the mess outside the house.  He looked at the answering machine and saw the large number flashing, it made him feel exhausted.  Putting his head in his hands he softly moaned as he rubbed his eyes.  What were the odds that when he pulled something as spontaneous as the wedding that Britney would be on the same damn island, same damn weekend, and his whole world would be flipped upside down.

With another deep sigh he stood up and walked into the kitchen where Eve was sitting at the table.  “Are you ok?” He asked as he sat down.

“I think so.” She lightly nodded.  “Still shaking a little but it’s going away.”

“I’m so sorry Eve; I didn’t know this would happen.” He said almost in a pleading tone.

“Alex, it’s ok.” She replied with a light smile as her shaky hand cupped the side of his face.  Taking her hand he brought it his lips and kissed the back of her fingers.

The couple jumped when there was a pounding sound that came from the door, when they heard someone quickly knocking AJ got up.  “Go a head break my door so I can sue the hell out of you douche bags.” He mumbled as he walked down the hall but it wasn’t who he thought it was.  Quickly he opened the door, grabbed Nick’s jacket and pulled him into the house, slamming the door as the reporters yelled and snapped pictures.

“Holy hell dude.” Nick gasped as AJ locked the door.

“Tell me about it?” AJ sighed.

“Has she gone out in that?” Nick asked.

“We came home to that.” AJ replied.

“Is she ok?” Nick wondered.

“Yeah, she’s in the kitchen.” Then AJ was greeted with a punch to the arm.  “What the hell was that for?” He yelled as he grabbed his arm in pain.

“For not inviting me asshat.” Nick whined as he headed down the hall.  AJ rolled his eyes as he followed his friend.  “Have you talked to Brian yet?”

“Nope.” AJ replied as they both sat down at the table with Eve.

“Hi Evie.” Nick smiled.

“Hi Nick.” Eve replied back with a light laugh.

“He’s spazzing.” Nick said looking at AJ.

AJ sighed.  “Oh well.”

“Don’t be surprised if he’s on his way here.” Nick said as Eve stood up and put her glass in the sink.

“I’m going to go unpack and have a shower.” She said to AJ as she walked over to him and kissed him.  When he knew she was upstairs AJ smacked Nick on the shoulder.

“Ow?” Nick replied looking at him with a little pain and confusion.

“She’s got enough going on here, she don’t need to hear about him.” AJ snapped a little pissed at Nick.

“Sorry.” Nick mumbled a little embarrassed.  AJ reached into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out his cell phone.  “Who are you calling?”

“Bri, if he’s headed here he can turn right back around, go yell at his cousin and leave me and her alone.” He mumbled as he searched for Brian’s name.  The phone buzzed busy and he grunted in frustration as he ended the call.  “This is such bullshit.”

“I know” Nick sighed.

“I knew I’d have to deal with Brian but what the fuck is up with the photogs?” AJ said angrily.  “Since when did people start giving a shit about us again?”

“They don’t it’s the story, you and Eve all those years ago, they couldn’t get the story then and now with everything that happened in Nashville they snap the two of you getting married on a beach, it’s romance, it’s action and everything they feed off of.” Nick told him.  “If there’s one thing I know, it’s them.” He said nodding towards the front of the house.  AJ couldn’t argue there.

“Why do I have this feeling ignoring that won’t be so easy?” He sighed as he flipped his phone in his hands.

“Cause it won’t, it’s not five years ago man, the press has changed especially with what we do.” Nick replied as he put sat back a little in the chair.  “You know it could be a good thing…”

“Don’t.” AJ replied quickly interrupting him.  “Don’t even go there; I’m not having her re-live everything just to help push our album.”

“But you can tell them your side, before they dig for it and start yelling out questions to her on the street.” Nick told him.

He tossed his phone down on the table and stood up with a grunt of frustration.  Opening the patio doors AJ walked outside and took a deep breath trying to calm himself.  A noise over by his pool shed took his attention and he looked closer at the area.  He then saw the tree branches moving and began to jog over to get a better view, when he did what he saw threw him into a rage.  There in his yard was a photographer trying to get back over his fence, AJ ran at the man and grabbed his leg pulling him back into his yard.

“What the fuck are you doing?” AJ yelled as he picked the man up by his collar.

“Hands off me man.” The photographer yelled.

“You’re on my fucking property; tell me why I shouldn’t beat the shit out of you right now!” AJ screamed at him.

“I’ll sue!” The man shouted as AJ dragged him towards the gate that led to the side of the house.

“Then let me make it worth it.” AJ screamed as he stopped and slammed the man against his shed.  He then spun him around and punched him in the face, he went to send another fist at the man but Nick grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

“I’m calling the cops!” The photographer said as he was dragged away by Howie and Kevin. 

“Good I’ll fucking charge you with trespassing!” AJ yelled back.  “Get the fuck off my property now!”

“Calm down Alex.” Nick said as AJ fought to get at the guy.  When the gate shut and Howie and Kevin turned around AJ pulled himself away from Nick.

“This is such BULLSHIT!!” AJ screamed as his frustration exploded. He blew past everyone and was so angered by what had just happened he didn’t see Eve as he blew past her and inside the house.  Not bothering to close the doors he stormed through the kitchen, down the hall, up the stairs and into his room, slamming that door behind him.

His breathing was heavy as he tried to fight the anger that wanted to unleash from him, the rage that made him want to punch something.  When he heard his bedroom door open he spun around ready to tell who ever it was to fuck off but when he saw Eve staring back at him the anger left, somewhat.

She walked up to him and slid her arms behind him and laid her head on his chest.  Taking a deep breath he closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around her, resting his head gently on top of hers.  The smell of her hair, still damp from her shower, was soothing as it always was to him and he felt himself calming the longer he was in her embrace.

“I’m sorry.” He whispered and she pulled away.

“Don’t be.” She told him lightly shaking her head.  “There’s nothing you could have done.”

“I could have just been normal and waited.” He sighed.

“And then it wouldn’t have been as incredible as it was.” She replied as her hand slid up the side of his arm.  “How were you supposed to know she would be staying on the same beach as us? How could you have known about the photographers being there?”  AJ didn’t say anything.  “What’s going on out there is not your fault Alex.”

“Then why do I feel like I brought this all on us?” He asked.

“I don’t know hun but you shouldn’t.” She told him.  “Because I don’t and isn’t that what matters?”  AJ lightly smiled at her and brought her back into his arms with a sigh. 

“Guess we’re eating in tonight.” He said hoping a joke would lighten his mood.

“Are you volunteering to cook?” She asked with a light laugh as she pulled away.

“Ha-ha you’re funny.” AJ joked as he followed her out of the bedroom.