Chapter 12
A.J. did not talk to Jessie or Jason about Randy's offer for more than a week. Every time she went to mention it she got nervous so she shrugged it off and fought back the looming question. She knew she should not have left Randy waiting so long, especially after her open confession before she left Dallas. She finally plucked up the courage to ask Jason two weeks later as they were leaving McFadden's.
"Hey, Jay, can I ask you something?" she muttered timidly, stopping her best friend as he went to find his car.
"Sure, what's bugging you?" he smiled down at her, his hazel eyes slightly unfocused from exhaustion.
"It—it's about, Randy," A.J. stuttered and Jason's face fell.
"Lemme guess, he ditched you for one of the Divas?" he asked glumly, seeing a hint of sadness in A.J.'s eyes.
She shook her head vigorously, "No, no, it's nothing like that, we're still together," she insisted and Jason looked disappointed. "No, I just wanted to ask you what I should do. You see, he offered me this great job and I want to get your take on it."
Jason sighed and leaned against the light post in the empty parking lot. A.J. could see his eyes darken in thought, his tall, thin frame slumping slightly against the pole. He refused to look at her though and she stared up at him, sweeping her ebony bangs from her eyes.
"What does this job include?" he asked after a long pause and A.J. let out the breath she did not even realize she was holding.
"Well, Randy said I'd be his merchandise designer and Personal Assistant," she shrugged, her turquoise eyes hopeful.
Jason nodded, chewing on the inside of his cheek as he considered what to say next. A.J. felt the butterflies erupt in her stomach as she waited for his input, knowing it would not be happy.
"A.J. you know I support your decisions no matter what the circumstances, but this is just too much," Jason sighed and A.J.'s face fell, the hopeful light in her eyes quickly going out. "I'm sorry, but I don't trust him. You can't afford to be hurt like that again."
A.J. sighed and nodded, "I understand, but I want you to know, he's not what you think, Jay. He's so much different than you see on TV."
"Listen to me A.J.!" Jason cut her off. "You are like a little sister to me! I know how much you've been through in your life and I just want you protected. I don't know what it is about Randy, but I just don't trust him. I know you obviously have strong feelings for him, but you two have been moving pretty fast in such a short time. Just know that whatever you choose, I'm right behind you, even if it kills me."
A.J. closed her mouth and nodded, her eyes on the pavement, "Alright, Thanks Jay, I'll see you tomorrow."
Jason sighed and pulled her into a hug. She patted him half-heartedly and the two parted ways. Jason watched her leave, his heart at war with his emotions, one telling him to trust Randy, since A.J. did, the other congratulating him on his decision. He watched his best friend climb into her Durango, her long wavy hair swinging over her shoulder. He smirked at how pretty she was now, as opposed to High School and shook his head, climbing into his car himself.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
A.J. sat in her Durango, her mind reeling over Jason's opinion. She brushed her hair off of her shoulder and rested her forehead on the steering wheel. She knew Jason had a point but she loved Randy, there was no getting past that. She loved him and she wanted to be with him.
"I guess it's up to Jessie then," she sighed, sitting up and starting the car. "Yes, Jessie will support me more than Jay will, she knows Randy better."
A.J. nodded and pulled out of the parking lot, her mind set on her little sister.
Not known to A.J., Jessie was eagerly awaiting A.J.'s arrival back at the apartment. Randy had just called looking for her, saying he had one hell of a surprise. When he found out Jessie was the one on the phone he told her all about it and now she could not wait for her older sister to get home.
"Jessie, I'm back," A.J. yawned a few minutes later and Jessie jumped up from the couch where she was waiting.
"A.J.!" she squealed, hugging her sister.
A.J. looked stunned at this rare gesture and narrowed her eyes as her sister let her go. "Alright who are you and what have you done with Jessica?"
Jessie laughed and sat back down on the couch, "Nothing, A.J. But I have to tell you something!"
"So do I," A.J. sighed, sitting next to her sister.
Jessie opened her mouth to say something but was cut off at the shrill sound of her older sister's cell phone. She jumped at the sudden noise and reached in her pocket, pulling out the thin RAZR.
"Hello?" A.J. asked curiously, not bothering to check the ID.
"Hey babe, it's Randy," he said and A.J. beamed.
"I'm sorry I haven't called, please don't be angry at me, especially after what I said in Dallas I—" she started but Randy cut her off.
"Hey, it's okay, I know you needed some time to just think and talk stuff over with Jay and Jessie, it's okay. And what you said, blew me away, I have to admit," he chuckled.
A.J. smiled, biting her bottom lip nervously, "So, what's up?" she asked, her cheeks flushing pink at her lack of tactical conversation starting.
"The sky," Randy chuckled. "I have a surprise for you."
"Oh, Randy I hate surprises," A.J. groaned and he laughed.
"Don't worry you won't have to wait to see what it is," he baited, knowing A.J. was curious.
"Tell me!" she said eagerly and Randy chuckled again.
"Look out your window," he instructed and A.J. got to her feet and moved into her bedroom.
She moved slowly toward her bedroom window, the curtains drawn for the night. Jessie followed close behind her and watched eagerly as A.J. reached out for the curtain. A.J. hesitated, her hand hovering over the fabric but curiosity set in and she pulled it back and looked down on the parking lot. Her eyes scanned the dark expanse when she noticed someone leaning on the side of her Durango and waving.
"Oh my God!" she smiled and waved back. "Randy!"
"I'll be up in a second, okay?" he smiled and A.J. sunk to the floor next to her bed.
"You work in marvelous ways, Randy, I'm telling you," A.J. muttered and he laughed.
"I'm on my way inside right now, okay? I'll see you in a sec," he said again.
"Alright, bye," A.J. nodded and leaned her head back on the wall, pushing her bangs from her face.
Jessie was grinning broadly and the doorbell sounded in the main room. Since A.J. made no inclination of moving Jessie rushed to the door, her grin plastered in place. Randy pulled the younger girl into a hug and the two wandered into A.J.'s room to find her still sitting on the floor.
"Hi," he smiled and she looked up at him.
"Hi."
Randy smiled and pulled her off the floor and into his arms, "I couldn't wait any more, I had to see you," he muttered into her silky hair.
"Randy I still don't have an answer," she mumbled back and he looked down at her.
"It doesn't matter, take your time," he smiled.
"But you said--," she started and Randy hushed her with a longing kiss.
A.J. pushed Randy away and looked at the floor, not knowing why she did. He sat her down on her bed and took her hands in his.
"Listen, I understand what a huge decision this is, A.J. I'm willing to give you as much time as you need," he assured her, cupping his hand beneath her chin so she'd look at him.
"Why are you being so thoughtful now?" she asked quietly and Randy shrugged.
"Because," he leaned close to her ear, his breath warm on the side of her face, "I love you too."
A.J. turned a brilliant shade of red and turned away from him to hide it. He smiled and pulled her into his arms. She clung to him happily, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face in his chest. She was trying with difficulty to ward off tears, knowing her sister was still listening closely to their conversation.
"Randy, I- I'm speechless," she laughed with embarrassment.
He shrugged and kissed her again, wanting nothing more than to taste her lips again. A.J. smiled when he kissed her and pulled him closer, sneaking her tongue in to try and scare away her sister, who was watching with wide eyes.
Jessie cleared her throat as the two slowly got more graphic, Randy snaking his hand under A.J.'s shirt. She crossed her arms over her chest, tapping her foot impatiently as they drew apart.
"Sorry," Randy muttered, wiping his mouth and A.J. laughed.
"I think Jessie feels left out," she smiled and Jessie scoffed.
"Sorry if I don't openly grope people in front of my sister!" she snapped and the two laughed.
"Who knows what you wish you could do with John," A.J. joked and Jessie went scarlet.
"Shut up," she grumbled and left the room.
A.J. smiled devilishly and Randy chuckled. He watched as she leaned back into the pillows of her bed and he ran his hand gently over her stomach.
"I haven't told Jessie yet," A.J. muttered as Randy continued to run his finders over her stomach, slowly inching her shirt up.
"That's alright, we can tell her together and see what she thinks," he replied, his hand brushing over A.J. skin, making her shiver.
"How long are you here?" she asked, her voice thick.
"The rest of the week, we already tapes Raw and Vince gave me some time off," his hand slowly inched further up her shirt and A.J. grabbed his arm as it inched sloser to her breasts.
Randy smiled and she sat up, her turquoise gaze locking with his. Randy moved his hand to the small of her back and pulled her to him, gently pressing his lips to hers. AJ. Sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck, but she did not deepen his kiss and pulled away.
"What's wrong?" he asked huskily.
"Randy, we can't…Jessie." A.J. muttered.
"Oh yeah, what about Lizzie? Can't she sleep over her place tonight?" he asked.
As if on cue Jessie bounded into the room, the cordless phone in her hand, "A.J. can I sleep over Lizzie's?"
"I guess, get your stuff. It's kind of late though," A.J. nodded, looking bewildered.
"Thanks," Jessie smiled, raising the phone to her ear and leaving the room again.
Randy looked down at A.J., brushing a strand of hair from her face. He ran his thumb over her soft lips and she smiled. He brushed his lips over hers as they listened to Jessie bang around in her room.
"I'm leaving!" she called a few minutes later and they heard the door shut.
Randy smiled and kissed A.J. with everything he had and she took him with equal longing. When they broke apart Randy was beaming.
"Now, where were we?"
