Laughter echoed through the backyard as the Backstreet Boys indulged in a barbeque to celebrate the end of the tour. They had gathered together at Brian and AJ’s house, which was a typical meeting place for them. His back yard was secluded enough that they were almost guaranteed privacy, and it boasted a really nice barbeque pit.
Out in the yard, Kevin, Nick, and a friend of them all named Travis, were playing a little basketball. AJ watched and smiled to himself. When he had first moved in, all he had been able to think was ‘only Brian would have a basketball court in his backyard.’
“What’s that smile for?” Brian asked, leaning down to whisper in AJ’s ear. They had spread out on the grass, and AJ had his head pillowed in his lovers lap. Next to them, Howie was lying on his back and staring up at the sky.
“Just thinking pleasant thoughts.”
Brian opened his mouth to respond, but he looked up when he heard his name called. “Bri! Get over here and play with us so we’re even!” shouted Nick. When Brian looked down, AJ smiled and lifted his head. “Have fun.” He said. After a quick kiss, Brian was off like a rocket to the court.
That left both AJ and Howie lying there, staring up at the clouds. It was a beautiful day. The kind of day that you just really don’t mind curling up in the grass and maybe going to sleep. He probably would have, too, but Howie’s voice cut into his day dreaming.
“How are things going between you and Rok lately?”
AJ’s eyes narrowed. “Fine, thanks.” he answered shortly. Either Howie didn’t hear the tone, or didn’t care. AJ voted on the second one.
“That’s good. I know you guys had some shit you needed to work out.”
Oh, he was a slick one. Always careful with the way he worded things. AJ admitted that he could use words to his advantage, but compared to Howie, he still had a lot to learn. “We started to talk about it this morning, but then the BBQ came up.” That had been a surprise for them both, when Kevin had called and suggested they get together. Unashamed of it, AJ knew that he had jumped all over the opportunity to be able to put off this conversation. “Guess it’ll have to wait till it’s done. Don’t know when that’ll be, seeing as it’s beautiful out here.”
Almost the instant the words came out of his mouth, AJ saw clouds build up in the sky. The wind started to pick up, and within minutes, the first raindrop fell. Then the yard was a scramble as everyone ran off the court and tried to gather things up before the downpour hit.
AJ stood up slowly, his eyes never leaving Howie’s face. He paid no attention to the storm, or the other people in the yard. He stepped forward until he was almost nose to nose with Howie. “You need to butt out.” He warned him in a language that was dead and gone.
“You need to take care of business, Alyck.” Howie replied in the same language.
“I will do it when I am ready, and not before! You do not dictate everything in my life, you know. I’m not as stupid as you think I am.”
Howie took a step forward so that their noses were a hair apart from one another. “You were nothing but boy with an attitude when I found you. You had no idea what was waiting for you outside your little hovel. Never forget that I’m the one who brought you to this.”
“Because you couldn’t stand being alone.” AJ sneered, poking at Howie’s chest. “You thought I’d become your little catamite. But it didn’t work out that way, did it, Howi? You got more than you ever bargained for. Now, this is my life, my home, and my partner. How I choose to do this is just that, my choice. Leave it alone.”
The storm picked up speed, whipping around them. Rain began to fall in sheets, soaking them to the skin in under a minute. But neither of them paid it any attention. Their attention was focused on one another, and controlling what was inside of them.
“You think because you’re stronger than I am that you get to make all the decisions? You could jeopardize everything!” This time it was Howie who was sneering and poking. His poke pushed AJ back a full step. “You could ruin everything for us. What are you going to do when we have to leave, and you haven’t told him? He’ll send out search parties for you from one end of the world to the other! Eluding the press will be one thing. I don’t need to run from a jilted lover too!”
Everything inside of AJ boiled up, aching to be free. Thunder echoed through the sky in perfect harmony with his mood. He had to take a moment to restrain everything. If it burst from him, the results could be horrendous. The last thing they needed was another natural disaster for the world.
A voice cut through the rain, warning them with just enough time to step back. Then Brian was there, holding umbrellas. “What the hell are you two doing?” he asked with a laugh. One of the umbrellas he handed to Howie and the other he moved to cover him and AJ both. “Let’s get in there, fast! This is a hell of a storm.”
When they reached the covered part of the back porch, AJ stepped out from under the umbrella. He looked down at himself and smiled ruefully. “Well, hell if I’m tracking this in the house.” He mumbled.
Brian gave him a wide smile. “Give me a minute and I’ll bring you both towels and some dry stuff to put on.”
Once he was inside, AJ turned back to look at Howie. “I’ll take care of it the way that I want to, Howie. You mind your own business. This is something personal. I don’t want or need your help, and if you pull something like that again, we will have problems.” He warned, using English.
“You just remember what you have at stake, Alyck.”
“What’re you two arguing about?”
Neither one of them had heard Brian return, which was amazing, so they both jumped when he spoke. To distract himself, AJ grabbed the towel and started to dry his hair. “Aint no thing, Bri. Don’t worry about it.” He said, flashing out a grin.
In no time they were both changed into dry clothes and Brian and AJ were walking Howie to the front door. He gave AJ a meaningful look as he left. AJ knew what it meant, and sighed. He couldn’t deny that Howie was right in what he had to say. He wouldn’t tell him that, of course. Howie already had a big enough ego, the prick.