Inked Chaos (21 page)

Someone attracts AJ’s attention, and I can
tell he is reluctant to leave my side.

“We’ll get together later, okay?” he says
meaningfully.  I agree with a nod, and he excuses himself to Davy and Ben.

Turning to me just before he goes, he
grasps my hand.

“You look breath-taking
Birdie.  Stunning.” Before walking away.

I turn and find both Davy
and Ben staring at me.

“What?” I question.

“Oh Boo, he loves you.  It’s
written all over him.”

“Then he shouldn’t have betrayed me, should
he.” I snap. “And what was that all about?” I ask turning to Ben. “I’ve never
seen you be so belligerent ever.  That hardly helped the situation.”

“I’m sorry Boo.  I don’t know what came
over me.  My only excuse, is he hurt you.  I was powerless when James did it.  I
guess I wanted him aware that I know what he did, and that I didn’t like it.”

“Well, I think he got the message.” I
state. “Oh Ben, I do love you, but please don’t do that again, it’s not needed.
 Okay?”

 “It’s because he loves you Boo.” Says
Davy.

“I know and I love you both so much, but
this is still very raw.  It’s going to be hard enough to speak to him later,
without the addition of family tension.”

“Okay, okay, just remember we love you and
we’re here if you need us.” Davy says grabbing my hand, and squeezing it.

Just then everyone is called to take their
places in the dining marquee, and we all make our way in and take our seats.  As
we are all members of the wedding party, we are all seated at the top table.  I’m
relieved to discover AJ is seated at the other end of the table to myself, but
this is short lived when I see he is seated next to Davy.  Great! Now I’m going
to be apprehensive all through dinner about what they are discussing.

I lean forward, trying to catch Davys
attention to send a silent message, but I’m unsuccessful.  There is nothing I
can do about it, without being totally obvious and walking up there.  So I
decide to go with the flow, and try to forget about it and enjoy my meal.

As expected the meal is delicious, but I
find five courses too much.  Luckily, the meal is spread over a matter of time,
else I would never have managed to eat it all.

The speeches are wonderful; with Ben having
all three of us, Davy, Jen, and I in tears, when enlightening everyone how
close we are.  He has even made a slide show of photos of the three of us, as
we grew up; many revealing the antics and mishaps that we always seemed to
manage to get into, making everyone laugh.

Especially the shots of when we decided to
run in a local fun run for charity, and we all wore fancy dress.  The before
shots had everyone smiling, as we appeared so sweet and cute.  The after shots
had everyone hysterical, as we had all fallen foul of the mud and were totally
covered in it.  Happy memories, that now made Davy and I stand up and join Jen
for a group hug.

AJ as best man stands to deliver his
speech, telling some tales about Razor that were hysterical, and some so bad
that I think that maybe he should have left them out.  He also compliments the
bridesmaids, remarking on how stunning we both look, but shocks me with.

“As you can imagine, I’m totally biased
where my girl is concerned.”

His girl! His girl? I sit seething but with
a painful grin on my face.  Okay, we have to watch out for leaks to the press,
but he could have left that bit out.  As he asks people to raise their glasses
to Davy and I.  I have no choice but to look at him.  I force a smile, before
hiding my expression the best I can by drinking some champagne.  The expression
on his face, leaves me in no doubt, that he realises I’m displeased.  Well
tough, he should have thought that one through.

Razor as expected is full of emotion whilst
delivering his speech.  Telling all, how in a matter of moments, Jen had blown
him away with her personality, and made him fall fast and hard.  He says they
are the proof that love at first sight really does happen.  I sneak a peek at
Jen to see she is mesmerised by her husband, hanging onto his every word, with
a sweet smile but watery eyes.  Yep, I think Razor is right; true love at first
sight.

As all the speeches and formal arrangements
have finished, music starts up in another section of marquee, where a dance
floor has been laid.

I’m becoming more agitated by the minute,
knowing AJ at some point, will seek me out for “the talk”.

Watching many of the guests heading through
to the other marquee where the music is coming from, I decide to grab Davy and
join them.  At least if I’m in a crowd, I will have a better chance of hiding.  Cowardly
I know, but at this moment in time I regret agreeing to meet with him.

The only problem is, Davy is talking to AJ.
 As I don’t wish to draw his attention to myself, I’m now in a quandary.  Ben
is talking to Jen so I can’t grab him.

For crying out loud! I tell myself, you’re
a grown woman, what on earth is wrong with you?

So gathering up my skirt, I leave the table,
and start to move towards the other room.

“Hey, you heading my
way?” a voice enquires.

I turn and find Sam Moress at my side.  Smiling,
I nod my head in confirmation.

“Then how about we hit the dance floor and
show everyone how it should be done.” He smiles.

“You’re on”.  I laughingly agree.  It’s
just what I need.  Although I don’t have the heart to pre-warn him, that I’m
likely to do my own thing.

He offers me his arm and we hit the dance
floor.  It has to be said he’s a really good mover, and it’s not long, before
I’m feeling the music and having a really good time.  As usual, the outside
world disappears and I’m in a world of my own, when the music changes to a
Latin American based rhythm, and I turn to Sam questioningly.

“I’m game if you are.” He states taking me
into his arms and we start to move.  I’m following his lead in what seems to be
a kind of samba.  I’ve never danced like this before, and it’s a credit to his
lead that I can follow him perfectly.

“I don’t mean to pry, but is everything
okay with you and AJ?” he stuns me by asking.

“Umm, yes of course.” I stammer my reply, feeling
myself blush.

“Then why is he standing glowering at us.  I
swear I can feel the dagger in my back.” He says.

Turning around, I understand what he means.
 AJ is standing with Travis, who seems to be heatedly speaking to him.  AJ in
return, appears to basically be ignoring him.  I watch as Travis places a hand
on AJ’s arm, only for AJ to shrug it off, mutter something to him and storm
off.

Oh boy, someone isn’t happy.  Well, it’s
not like we are together; however much of a pretence he puts on.  Besides, it’s
only dancing.

The song comes to an end and thanking Sam, I
tell him I’m in need of a drink, and leave the dance floor.  I’m not lying, my
throat is parched; I fear mainly due to apprehension rather than thirst.  Heading
back towards my seat where I have left my glass, I have to pass Travis, so I stop
next to him.

“Where did he go?” I ask.  I might as well
get this talk over with sooner rather than later, so I plan to have a quick
drink and then find AJ.

“Leave him Jorgi.  It
might be best to let him calm down a little.”

“No Travis, he has no right to be pissed at
me.  Besides, I told him we would talk.  So just tell me where he is, so I can
get it over with.”

“Jorgi leave him.  It’s no good you going
to speak him when he’s angry…”

“Travis.” I lean towards him so only he can
hear me. “So help me, if you don’t tell me where he’s gone….”

Poor Travis, I don’t think he knows how to
deal with me, and he crumbles under the strain, telling me AJ has gone to his
room.  I lift an eyebrow questioningly and he provides me with directions.

“Thank you.” I give him a quick kiss on his
cheek and move away, hearing him say good luck as I go.  I head back to my
seat, take a quick drink of some water that is on the table, and head upstairs.
 There is no sign of Ben and Davy, but I’m sure they will realise where I am
when they notice I’m gone.

Moving down the corridors, it doesn’t take
me long to locate his room.  Listening for a second at the door, I hear nothing,
so knock and wait.

Well, this brings back memories of New York,
I think to myself.

After no response, I knock again and hear a
muffled shout, which I’m sure is AJ, telling whoever is at the door, to go away
none too politely.

I see, it’s like that, is it.  Well, it is
a private estate and not a hotel.  So taking the chance that the door isn’t
locked I try the handle, and finding it give way, I push open the door, to find
AJ standing staring out of the window, with what looks like a very large glass
of whiskey in his hand.

On hearing the door open,
AJ turns and looks at me, whilst taking a sip of his drink.  I close the door
behind me, and lean against it, watching him.  For several seconds we stare at
each other, before my eyes travel his body, eating up the look of him.  God I
have missed him so much, and now I can hardly breathe with the want of him.

“How have you been?” he asks, bringing my
eyes back up to his face.

What can I say?  I can lie and say I’ve
been fine, or tell him the truth.  I decide on the latter.

“Rough.  You?”

“Well!” he says with a sigh. “You see, the
woman I love left me and wouldn’t speak to me, so yeah, you could say rough,
but I reckon in hell would cover it better.”

I close my eyes with the agony on hearing
his words.  I know if the roles were reversed I would have felt the same.

“I couldn’t.  It hurt too
much.”

“It hurt too much.” He repeats almost
sarcastically. “Oh for crying out loud, come away from the door and sit down
Jorgi.  Do you want a drink?”

I don’t know what hurts the most, the tone
of his voice or the fact that he called me by my name and not Birdie.

“I’m not sure I want to, and no thank you.”
I admit, staying against the door.

“Please yourself.” He replies and picks up
a bottle of what I was correct in thinking was whiskey, and fills his already
half full glass up almost to the brim, before moving over to a chair and
sitting down.

“Did you enjoy your
dance?” he asks coldly.

This is a side of AJ I have never seen.  Cold,
almost calculating every word before he speaks.  I’m not sure if it’s the
alcohol or not making him act this way, but I don’t like it.

“It was just a dance AJ,
and yes, I was.”

“Was?”

“Yes, until it was brought to my attention
that you were giving me the evil eye.”

“Not you.  Him.” He
clarifies.

“Why? We were just
dancing.”

“I didn’t like it.  It’s been weeks since
I’ve seen you.  Then I have to wait hours, observing you from a distance
because of wedding formalities, and the moment I’m free to speak to you as
agreed, I find you dancing with Sam bloody Moress.” He says angrily, “So I
didn’t like it.”

“Well, now you know how it feels.” I snap.

Damn, not a good time to have a mouth
malfunction.

“What?” he shouts rising
to his feet.

“Melody bloody Forrester.
 That’s what.” I yell back.

“You danced with that… that... In a warped
attempt to get back at me.  For something that I keep asking you to let me
explain.  Beg you in fact.  Hell Birdie!  Are you trying to drive me insane,
because it’s working?” He retorts whilst running his free hand through his hair.

“No, it wasn’t to get back at you.  I’m not
five years old playing tit for tat for God’s sake.  He asked me to dance, and I
needed to dance.  For a few minutes I wanted to forget how crap my life is at
the moment, and dance it away.”

“God, what are we doing to each other
Birdie?” he asks, as he sits back down, places his glass on the table, and runs
his hands through his hair in desperation. “Please, I love you, and I can’t
bear the thought of losing you.  Please let me explain.  Just give me a chance
to explain.”

I didn’t think my heart could break
anymore.  I was wrong.  Seeing AJ seeming so broken and desperate, almost kills
me.  I finally walk away from the door and sit in the chair opposite him.

“Okay AJ.  I’m willing to
listen.  Fire away.”

AJ looks at me stunned, almost as if he
can’t believe I have capitulated.  Picking up his glass he takes another slug
of whiskey, and motions to me, as if to ask if I want one.  I shake my head in
reply.  I need a clear head for this.

“Now you’re here, I don’t
know where to start.”

“At the
beginning seems a good place.” And on seeing his frowning expression “I’m
sorry, I didn’t mean that to sound bitchy or facetious, I was just stating a
fact.”

“Okay.”
He states taking a deep breath. “Melody’s been trying to get a hold of me for
weeks now.  Since around a week after I saw her in London.  Texting, ringing,
bugging me and Steve, trying to speak to us.”

I
straighten my back at this news.  She’s been trying to get hold of him and he
never said.  Not once.  

“I
ignored her babe.  Every text, call, everything.  I swear I wanted nothing to
do with her.” At seeing that I was waiting for him to carry on and wasn’t going
to comment he continues. “She found out about Razors stag weekend.  Obviously I
was going to be there, and she deduced that we would use the same hotel we
always do.”

“Proper Miss Marple isn’t she.” I mutter sarcastically.

“Birdie please.” He begs sighing.

“Okay,
okay carry on.” I reply, waving my hand and telling myself to hold my tongue.

“She
bribed one of the staff to let her into my suite while we were out, and sat and
waited until I returned.” Taking a deep breath he continues. “There’s been a
threat against us.  A serious threat.  That’s why she was so desperate to
contact me.  So she could tell me.”

I sit
there astounded.  Melody Forrester, the woman he said lied, and fabricated
stories and was totally untrustworthy, told him this story and he believed her.
 Yeah right, and I’m just as stupid if I believe him and her too.

“That’s the best you’ve got?”

“Pardon?”

“The
woman you told me was such a deceiver, a liar, comes to you with this cock and
bull story and you believe her.  Why didn’t she mention it in London or tell
the police? Good try AJ, but I’m not buying it.” I announce and stand readying
myself to leave.

Grabbing
my wrist, he halts my progress. “It’s the truth Birdie.  I didn’t believe her
either to start with, but she showed me the letters she’s been receiving.  Steve
got the police involved and it’s all true.  It didn’t start until after I saw
her in London.  She didn’t call the police because the letters threatened her
harm if she did.  I can prove it, I’ll arrange for Detective Mason who is in
charge of the case to speak to you.  He wants to anyway.  He hasn’t been happy
with you not knowing what’s been going on, and about the security.”

“The security?”

“We’ve
all had to up the level of the security.  The guys, Steve, even mum, Casey and
Mitch.  The police are taking this as a serious threat Birdie.  It’s no lie.  I
wish it were.”

I stand
there looking down at him.  Can I believe him? Okay, so if the story is true,
that doesn’t explain why she was in his room, and I say as much.

“Why was she in your room?”

“Detective
Mason.  The hotel was full.  He didn’t want to split the security detail if she
went to another hotel.  So she stayed in my
suite
Birdie.  Not in my
room.  In another room in my
suite
.  Nothing happened Birdie.  I swear,
I would do nothing to jeopardise our relationship.”

“She was
wearing your T-shirt.  She acted like she’d just climbed out of your bed.  Do you
think I’m stupid?”

“I know
how bad it appeared, and I know if the roles were reversed I wouldn’t believe
it either.  She feels bad about it too.  She wanted to contact you and tell you,
but I wouldn’t let her.  I thought it best to let things calm down and I would
explain, but you wouldn’t talk to me.  That hurt Birdie, so much, that you
wouldn’t even talk to me.”

I ignore
his comment.  I need to stay focused so I fixate on his comments about
security.

“If
that’s the case, why didn’t Jen tell me? All she said, was that there was a
good reason.”

“Because
of the situation between us, we thought it best if I explained, but as I said
you wouldn’t even talk to me.  So we had no choice but to take on board
Detective Masons recommendations, and act accordingly.”

“Act accordingly? What does that mean?”

AJ looks
at me, and I see the apprehension on his face.  I feel myself brace as I know
there is something that he hasn’t told me.

“AJ?”

“We had
to cover all bases.  That includes you.  You’ve had security with you, every
move you made.  The only time you didn’t
was when you were in your hotel room and that had cameras.” I sit back
down on the seat with a bump.

“You’re
telling me I’ve had someone following me? Everywhere I went?” On seeing the nod
of his head in confirmation, I think back over the last two weeks.  I never saw
anything out of the ordinary, I never noticed anyone following me.

“I never
saw anyone.  I take it that it wasn’t Tiny or Wade, because I would have seen
them.” Suddenly a thought crosses my mind. “The hotel room?” I shout. “I walked
about almost naked in the hotel room.  Oh my God.”

“They’re professional Birdie.  You have no worries on that score,

besides it was only on the door, not inside.”

“You
knew where I’ve been staying the whole time didn’t you?” On seeing his nod my
heart drops to the floor.

“So you
knew where I was, but you didn’t come and see me.  Yet you sit there seemingly
distressed, because I wouldn’t talk to you.  This is all shit AJ, total shit.”

“I was
instructed not to.  I have hardly moved out of the house in the last two weeks,
under orders.  None of us have.  Detective Mason was adamant, that as no one
seemed to know you were at the hotel, it was best to keep it that way.  If I
had visited you there, it could have been a paparazzi frenzy, and that would
have left you open to threats.  I had to take his advice Birdie, can you not
comprehend that?”

Observing
AJ, I can see the strain on his face.  The stress and worry have taken its toll
on him.  If what he says is true, he has been a virtual prisoner in his own
home for the last two weeks.

“What’s the threat?”

“Pardon?”

“You said there has been a threat against us.  Who’s us? You?

The band? And what is the actual threat?”

AJ leans back in his chair, takes a deep breath and looks at me.

“The
threat is against you and me.” I straighten in my seat, the shock taking my
breath away.

“Melody
has received fan mail from a certain individual for some time.  The letters
have always been supportive of her, especially where I am concerned.  When we
broke up, the letters apparently started to change, graduating towards blaming
me and implying I was the villain of the piece.  When you and I got together,
they
escalated.  Over the last few
weeks they have become threatening, saying they are going to harm you for
taking me away from Melody and harm me for letting you.  We all receive kooky
fan mail Birdie.  Melody just brushed it off as a nutter, until they got nasty.
 As soon as that happened, she tried to get hold of me.  When all else failed,
she headed to New York, bringing the letters with her as proof.”

Oh God!
All this time, I’ve been heart broken and suffering and it’s all my own fault.  I
should have listened to him, let him explain.  

“You
should have told me.  God, there’s a mad man or woman out there, do we know
which it is?” He shakes his head and I carry on. “Two weeks wasted; we could
have been together, I’m so stupid, but you should have told me, you should have
made me listen to you.”

“Birdie
you wouldn’t talk to me.” He states exasperated. “I dealt with it the best way
I could.”

I pace
across the room, my arms wrapped around my middle.  Oh my God, there’s someone
who wants to hurt us.  I stop and look at him, then resume my pacing of the
floor.  All these thoughts crowding my mind.  Who is it? Have they been close
to us already? God! Could they have been close enough to hurt us already?

I can
feel myself building up into a panic, no one has ever expressed the desire to
hurt me before.  I take a deep breath and try to calm myself.  I need to get a
grip and compose myself.

“What happens now?” I turn and ask AJ.

“Now?
Now I want you to come home, where I know you will be safe.  Where we can get
back to you and me, as we were.” He says as he stands and walks over to me, placing
his hands on either side of my neck. “Will you come home, Birdie?”

I nod my
head.  I love him, there is no fighting that.  I wrap my arms around his body,
and on tiptoe offer my mouth as he dips his own, for a kiss.  A kiss so tender
and sweet, and full of longing, but also full of hope for the future, and relief
that we are reunited.

“I love
you.” He says as he lifts his head. “Please never doubt that.”

Leading
me over to the sofa, we sit huddled together, and go over the last two weeks.  It
seems I was right, and AJ hasn’t been out much.  However when he did, he was
surrounded by bodyguards.  It also appears, that on the rare occasion I
ventured out of the hotel, I was followed by a crew of security, and I never
knew.  

Realising
we’ve been talking for nearly two hours, we decide we had better re-join the
party downstairs; before the bride and groom disappear on their honeymoon.

As we
arrive by the dance floor, the band start to play “Heaven Bells” by Freedonia,
and before I have a chance to find Jen and Razor, AJ pulls me onto the dance floor
and we slowly start to move.  With AJ holding me close and tight, quietly
singing the lyrics to me, my eyes fill with tears and I nuzzle my face into his
neck.  All can do is hold on for the ride, as my emotions take hold and
overcome me.  As the song starts to come to an end, and we stop moving, AJ lifts
my chin with his finger and lowers his mouth to kiss away my tears, and finally
my lips, and I am lost.  Lost to the last final few strains of the music as it
fades away; lost in the kiss and totally lost in AJ.  When we eventually pull
apart, I notice we are the centre of attention and everyone is standing staring
at us.