Too Late
Story by Daisy

~~*Chapter Four*~~

          “Okay, how about we take a ten minute break guys and then meet back here?” AJ walked away slowly from the pick-up basketball game that had been going on for what seemed like forever. All he could think about was how Autumn and Nick had…

          “AJ, what’s up with you man?” Kevin threw a brotherly arm around his shoulders. “Girl problems?” Kevin laughed lightly.

          “I guess you could say that.” AJ smiled in spite of himself. He shook his head and began to laugh, realizing that he was near the brink of serious mental and physical fatigue.

          “Come on,” Kevin dropped his arm from AJ’s shoulders and led him to a secluded corner of the gym and pulled two chairs together. “Tell brother Kev.”

          “Well,” AJ took a deep breath and told Kevin what was really on his mind. “I mean, I’ve known her for over seven years and I never actually realized what a great person she was. I never understood just how deep my feelings were for her until she became off-limits to me. And now it’s killing me.”

          “Take a look at the bright side. You’ll at least win the bet.” Kevin chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “There’s only two more weeks.”

          “True.” AJ began to feel better already. “That million dollars is as good as mine.” AJ and Kevin stood up, hugged, and met the other guys in the center of the gym. That million dollars is as good as mine! AJ repeated to himself, smiling victoriously as he blocked Nick’s shot.

~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~

          “AJ?” AJ roused from his sleep at the distant calling of his name. He listened more closely in the darkness. “AJ?” The call finally came again. He sat up, grabbing a pair of boxers from the floor. He walked slowly to the closed door of his bedroom, but when he was about two feet from it, it suddenly swung open.

          “AJ?” The silhouette asked anxiously. The shadow stepped closer to him and he saw that it was Autumn.

          “What are you doing here?” He flipped on the light to the room, blinking his eyes as they adjusted. When everything cleared, he was surprised to see tears streaming down Autumn’s beautiful face. “What’s wrong?” he asked, holding her by the forearms.

          “I…I…I’ve been robbed.” She sobbed out. “AJ, someone broke in my house and…!” She fell into his arms, burying her face in his chest, crying noisily. AJ pulled her closer to him and ran his hand through her silky-smooth hair, assuring her that everything would be all right. Her tears ran down her cheeks and dripped onto his bare chest, running down the length of his torso.

          Autumn picked her head up and looked at him, her mascara smeared and her face tear-streaked. “AJ, there’s nothing left. Nothing. They flooded the house. I’ve got nothing.” The words that had come from her mouth shocked her out of tears. She stood staring up at AJ, noticing how his eyebrows curved down with worry.

          AJ watched her staring at him. He reached up and wiped the mascara from under her eyes. He looked at her again. Her mouth was slightly parted and he could feel her breath on his neck. Oh how much he wanted to kiss her…

          “The bank?” He stuttered out. She shook her head.

          “You know I don’t keep money in the bank. Family rule.” She shook her head, backing slowly out of his arms. She reached up and wiped her face with her hands. They stood staring at each other for a few minutes, neither of them saying anything.

          “AJ, I hate to ask, but…”

          “Yeah, you can stay with me.” He answered before she could ask.

          “Oh thank you!” She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him again.

          “You can sleep in here tonight. The sheets were cleaned yesterday, so you should be alright.” AJ walked to his dresser drawer and pulled out an oversized t-shirt. “You can wear this for tonight.” He handed Autumn the shirt, holding onto her hand when she reached for it. “I’m so sorry that all of this happened to you.” She smiled sadly at him and he left the room.

          Autumn sighed and stared silently at the large room. She turned around to shut the door, but jumped when she saw AJ watching her from just outside the doorway.

          “I just have one question.” AJ said, his eyes burning in the darkness that covered him like a blanket. “Why didn’t you go to Nick?”

          Autumn was surprised at the slight sense of bitterness in his voice. “Because I just felt more comfortable coming to you.” She watched the dark figure nod its head, then retreat to the living room. She watched it until it no longer became distinguishable in the darkness, then slowly shut the door.

Chapter Five
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