Chapter 6:

A scream woke Jess up and a door slammed. She felt someone’s arms around her as she stretched and her hand hit a face. She felt around it and she found the owner’s eyes, nose, lips and then his facial hair. “AJ?”

“mmmmmmmmh.” Was his response, still sleepy.

“Who screamed?”

“Idunnobutyouhitme.” It was mumbled because he was tired and didn’t open his mouth wide enough. Jess giggled and smiled in the dark. She tried to get up but AJ wouldn’t remove his arms from around her.  She heard knocking and then someone scream. That woke AJ up. “Ugh.” His arms moved away and Jess shot up off the bed, she threw on her sweatshirt and long pants because she was freezing. She ran out her door only to find Brian standing at the guestroom where CJ was. Nick wearily came out of his room.

“What’s going on, Brian?” Jess asked.

“I.. CJ.. I..”

“It's ok Brian, what happened?” Jess said, taking him in her arms.

“I.. I told her I couldn’t hold my feelings back anymore and I kissed her.. She slapped me and started screaming. When I tried to.. to.. talk.. She slammed the door. I.. knocked.. to.. to talk but she screamed..” Brian was definitely shaken up.

“YOU KISSED HER?” was Nick’s reaction.

“I’m sorry man. I couldn’t hold my feelings back. If she didn’t feel anything I will leave her alone.” Brian said. He looked at Nick and Nick eventually got over it.

“Ceej, sweetie. It's me Jess. Can I come in?” Jess tapped on the door.

“Yea.” Was the response. “Don’t let Brian in.”

“Sorry Bri.” She walked in, closing the door behind her. “CJ?” She asked, squinting in the dark.

“I’m on the bed.” CJ answered.

“You know, Nick isn’t mad.” Jess said, sitting on the bed.

“Really?” Her voice brightened up.

“Really. Brian is really sorry and he will leave you alone and just be friends if you didn’t feel anything.” Jess said.

“Ok.”

“Did you feel anything?”

“Nope. I definitely feel something in Nick’s kisses so.. I know Brian isn’t the one.”

“Ok. Maybe we can hook Bri up with someone?”

“I have the perfect person.” CJ said slyly and grinned.

“Alright, give me a hug and then we can go talk to the guys. Ok?” CJ nodded and hugged Jess. Together they walked to the door and opened it, sending light into the room. When their eyes adjusted, all 5 guys were standing around. “Alright, everyone back into their rooms except Nick and Brian.” Jess commanded.

“And me?” AJ questioned, looking at Jess.

“Fine..” She said, losing a battle as he wrapped himself around her. “Let’s go downstairs so we don’t keep them up.” Everyone agreed and they walked downstairs, quietly.

“Ok. I’ll start.” CJ said as they sat down on the couches. “Brian. I am really sorry but I don’t like you in that way. I really like Nick.”

“No, CJ. I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you because I knew Nick would have a fit. I did it and I had no control over it. I hope we can still be friends.” Brian said.

“Of course, Brian. I never said I didn’t want to be friends with you.” CJ got up and gave him a hug. He let go and she went over to Nick. Nick took her in his arms and held her forever.

“Night guys.” Brian said glumly.

“Night B.” AJ said. Everyone said goodnight and he went up the stairs.

“I’m really sorry guys. I over-reacted.” CJ said.

“It's alright, Ceej.” Jess said. Both couples sat there in each other’s arms. “Let’s all go back to sleep. OK?” Everyone agreed and went up the stairs.

Chapter 7:

Jess woke up to the bright sun shinning into her room. She felt AJ’s arms around her and she smiled. She cautiously got up, taking his arms away. She kissed his forehead and left the room after throwing a sweatshirt on. These old castles get very cold in the morning now matter what the temperature was. She closed the door quietly and walked down the stairs. It was still too early to make breakfast so she sat down at the TV.  She rewound the tape she had taped on while she was gone.  When it was done she hit play, Backstreet Boys’ Coming Home concert began to play. She fast forward through Howie’s solo to get to AJ’s. She hit play and heard the beginning of Lay Down Beside Me. She laid down on the couch and closed her eyes, singing along. After a minute she felt AJ’s lips on hers, kissing her sweetly. He broke away and she began to smile. She heard his sexy voice begin to sing along. She opened her eyes to see him doing a dance and staring at her. She began to blush and watched intently as her boyfriend did his little dance for the song. The song ended and the two kept staring at each other. “I’m afraid to lay down beside you, J.” She said.

“Why?”

“Because it's too early to have sex with you.”

AJ laughed, “I know it is, sweetie. And I will never force you.” He gently touched her face, his face moving closer to hers. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Alex.” She said, right before his lips touched hers.

A chorus of Awww’s came from the doorway. Jess groaned after jumping in the air three feet. AJ had laid on the floor embarrassed. “How long have you guys been there?” AJ asked from the floor.

“If you lay down.. lay down beside me..” Brian and Nick began to sing.

“I love you.” Nick said to Brian.

“I love you too.” Brian said, getting closer to Nick and the two burst out into laughter before they could do anything. Jess picked up a pillow and threw it behind her. “Ouch!” Brian screamed out.

“Who else is there?” Jess asked.

“Everyone.” CJ laughed.

“Shut up C.” Jess muttered. “What does everyone want for breakfast?” She asked.

“We were thinking of taking you out for breakfast.” Kevin said.

“Ok.” CJ said.

“Great. I don’t have to cook!” Jess teased. In the background she heard Brian’s solo come up. “Shhh! That’s What She Said.”  She began to sing along.. “Where is my guitar?” She said and she began to search the room. She shrugged her shoulders, “I guess in my room.”

“We’ll leave in a half an hour.” Howie said before everyone left the room.

“Are they gone?” AJ whispered.

Jess sat up and said, “Yea.”

“How embarrassing was that?” AJ joked. Jess wasn’t amused at all that the whole gang had seen it. “I’m sorry sweetie.”

“Me too. I’m so embarrassed.”

“Don’t be. Come let’s get ready.” AJ offered his hand to her and she accepted, smiling.