Pressures of the Outside World
"You are like every other low down snake in this world," Amber said, getting up and slamming the door behind her.
AJ sat on the couch for a while before he got up to follow her. He knew that she needed the time to put everything into perspective. He needed time to put things into perspective. He hadn't even planned on telling her this weekend, she was having the time of her life, but it was in the back of his mind since they had gotten serious.
He walked outside and saw her sitting on a log beside the lake. He sat down beside her and was about to speak when she interrupted.
"Get lost," she said staring at the stream.
"Why? So you can sit here in your own self pity?" AJ asked.
"Go away!" Amber yelled and gave him a small shove.
"Tell me why," he said giving her a little bit more room.
"Because I can't be angry with you when you're right here!" She yelled.
"Good reason," he said.
"Why'd you do it?" Amber asked. "Why'd you cheat on all of those women?"
"It wasn't like it was planned," AJ answered. "It just happened."
"That makes a girl feel secure," she said rolling her eyes.
AJ took a second before he spoke to her again.
"Ambs, I think that you have to know all the facts before you start going off," AJ said. "First of all, this is the longest relationship that I have ever been in. Second, I cheated on all of those girls within the first three weeks. Third and finally, I would never cheat on you because you're intelligent, you're beautiful, you're captivating, and you fascinate me. I look at you and…and…I don't care if I never see another person again. I never felt anything close about anyone else than what I feel when I'm around you. You think you get nervous around me? I can barely remember to breathe when we're together or even when I think about you. Amber, I told you that because I felt that you should know. I love you and you are the first person that I have ever or will ever say that to."
Amber looked shocked. He had never opened up like that to her.
"Why do you love being loved?" AJ asked her.
"I don't know," Amber answered.
"You love knowing that you have someone to fall back on," AJ said caressing her arm. "That's why you felt so hurt right away. But Amber, you have to realize that you don't always need someone holding you. You have a family that loves you."
"Being with you was so much more," she replied.
"Exactly," he said kissing her cheek. "You have to learn to trust and to have faith in the one that you're with."
She took a deep breath. "I'm sorry that I reacted the way that I did. It's just that I'm still not used to having someone that I can trust with everything."
"Don't worry about it," he said putting his arm around her. "I love you."
"I love you so much," Amber said hugging him tightly.
"I don't know if I can make it," AJ said hugging Amber. "I'll try but I'm not going to make any promises."
"It would mean a lot to me if you were there," Amber said.
"If I can get out early I'll try," he said kissing the top of her head. "Okay?"
"Yeah," she said resting her head on his chest. "Hopefully I'll get to see you tomorrow."
"You'll get to see me tomorrow. It just might not be during your game," he said kissing her and then he watched her walk inside.
He didn't know what to say to her. She had a tournament on Friday night and she wanted to know if he would come and watch her. Normally he wouldn't have a problem with it but he hadn't heard from Janessa in a long time. What was he going to do if they were playing each other? So he quickly made up an excuse that he had a promotion he had to make an appearance for. He was happy when Amber didn't ask too many questions.
"What are the chances that their two teams are playing each other?" Sonjay asked. "And what are the chances that your sister has a game in Orlando, on a night other than Saturday and doesn't tell you?"
"You have a point," AJ said. "But Janessa has forgotten to phone in the past."
"So phone you mom and ask her if she has a game in Orlando this weekend," Sonjay suggested.
"I knew there was a reason why I keep you around," AJ said thinking.
"So?" Sonjay asked the next day at practice.
"She's not home," AJ answered. "Her machine said that she decided to drive up to Georgia and she'd be back in a week."
"That's just one horrible coincidence," Sonjay said laughing.
"I guess I'm gonna go," AJ said. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"You made it!" Amber said wrapping her arms around him.
"Yeah, that thing was cancelled," he said kissing her cheek and looking around. "Who are you playing?"
"Don't know," she answered. "It's a mystery tournament. You learn who they are as they come out onto the court. That's how you can truly test a team's skill, when they have no time to prepare."
"So how do you know you're playing right away?" He asked.
"We're the home team so we play the first game," she said kissing him. "I have to go warm up, so I'll see you later."
"Bye," he said kissing her.
He looked around before the game started. He didn't recognize anyone that usually watched Janessa's games.
"Alright everybody!" The MC yelled. "Let's get a cheer going for your hometown Orlando Vipers!"
He announced everyone on the Vipers team and then started to announce the other team.
"This team is the second of four that also hails right here from Orlando, Florida. They're the Orlando Rattlers!"
AJ froze. Janessa was looking right at him. But she smiled, waved and started to warm up. Amber didn't seem to notice him looking more at the other team.
As it worked out both girls were starting. The rally went fine and Janessa's team won that's also where all the good luck ran out. During the play for the first point Janessa jumped up to spike the ball and she got Amber right in the face. Amber fell to the ground holding her face.
Everybody jumped to their feet including AJ. He looked at Janessa who was looking straight at him. She raised her eyebrows, looked at Amber, back at him and shrugged. He didn't know what to do. How could she possibly know? Did she know? Was it pure coincidence? He didn't care anymore.
He shoved past three rows of people and jumped into the gym.
"Sit up," AJ said kneeling beside her.
He helped her sit up and he leaned her against his inner thigh.
"Put your head forward," he said taking a towel from one of her teammates. "Keep your mouth open. Blow."
"I can't," she said beginning to panic.
"Don't talk," he said trying to get her to stay calm. "You're gonna have to blow hard. The bleeding will get worse but it'll help you."
She did as she was told and the bleeding did get worse.
"That's my girl," he said caressing her back. "Now pinch it and I'll take you somewhere else."
She pinched her nose and he helped her up.
"What the fuck Jay?" Janessa yelled.
"I'll deal with you later Janessa," AJ said to her.
Once in the dressing room AJ got her an icepack and put it on her nose.
"Keep the pressure on there for ten minutes," he said rubbing her back.
"Can I ask you a question?" Amber asked.
"You shouldn't be talking but I guess you can," he said kissing the side of her head.
"Who was that girl?" She asked.
AJ took a deep breath.
"I'll tell you in a little while, okay?" He asked. "Just concentrate on your nose at the moment."
"Kay," Amber said breathing deeply.
"Nice to see you're awake," AJ said walking into the bedroom. "Feeling better?"
"Yeah," she said still trying to fully wake up. "But I think I need a hug."
"Anything for you," he said gently wrapping his arms around her. "Are you hungry or anything?"
"No," she said yawning. "How pale am I?"
"I'm not gonna lie to you, you're pretty pale," he said stroking her cheek. "But you're still gorgeous."
"You're amazing," Amber said smiling at him. He laid down beside her and ran his fingers through her hair. "Can you answer my question from before?"
"What question?" He asked holding her hand.
"Who was that girl?" Amber asked.
"Oh, right," he said thinking. "I'm going to be completely honest with you. Her name is Janessa Barrowman and she is my sister."
"What?" Amber asked confused.
"She's my sister."
"Yeah, I got that," Amber said. "Why didn't you tell me that earlier?"
"It wasn't that I didn't want to tell you," AJ said. "I couldn't tell her."
"Why not?"
"No offence or anything but she doesn't really have the best opinion of you," AJ said. "She actually quite detests you."
"Why?" Amber asked absolutely mystified.
"No idea," he answered truthfully.
"So she just hates me?"
"That's about it," he said. "I'm actually planning on going over there tonight to talk to her."
"Do you think I could come with you?" Amber asked.
"I don't see why not," AJ said. "I've actually never seen her that violent."
"Well why don't we go over there now?" Amber asked.
"Guess we could," he said rolling off of the bed.
He offered her his hand and then they left the house.
"Don't take anything personally," AJ said as they walked up to her apartment door.
"I'll try not to," she said as AJ knocked at the door.
Janessa opened the door and looked at her brother, then at Amber and back at AJ. Then she slammed the door.
He banged his fist against the door.
"What?" She asked as she whipped the door open.
"What is going on with you?" He asked.
"With me?" Janessa asked laughing. "There's nothing going on with me. You, on the other hand, have been keeping a disgusting secret."
"Last time I checked you don't really get a say Janessa," AJ said.
Janessa rolled her eyes.
"What do you even have against Amber?" AJ asked.
Janessa looked at Amber and a look of hatred appeared on her face and instead of answering her brother's question she slammed the door in his face again.
"Janessa McKenzie Barrowman open the goddamn door!" AJ yelled.
After a few minutes of pounding on the door Amber grabbed his arm.
"I don't think she wants to talk to you," Amber said.
"You're probably right," he said hugging her.
"Let's go back to your place," she said lacing her fingers through his.