This wasn’t going to go over well. I glanced over at the window in order to avoid eye contact with AJ. “He decided to get an apartment near Charleston to stay close to me.” I paused. “He moves in the first week of August.”
“Is this guy out of his mind? Does he want me to kill him?” AJ asked as he stood to his feet and started pacing. He lifted his hands to his head and sighed in frustration before reaching for his keys. “Where does he live?”
“AJ please just give me my phone so I can call him and tell him that this isn’t a good time. I don’t want you to go over there, that’ll just give me something else to worry about.”
He laughed cockily. “Be worried about him. I can handle myself.” He scoffed as he turned to stare out the window.
“AJ please just give me the phone,” I replied.
He started smiling. “No, I want him to come.” He continued to stare out the window and ignored my request. There was nothing for me to do, but sit back and wait.
My heart skipped a beat when I heard the knock at the door twenty minutes later. AJ didn’t turn around from where he stood.
“Come in,” I called out.
Antonio walked in carrying flowers and a huge bear. He glanced over at AJ momentarily before setting the gifts down on the table. When he looked at my face he tried not to let his eyes wander over the cuts, but it was nearly impossible for him. “I know it looks bad.” I felt embarrassment wash through me again.
“No, it’s not that bad. You still look good to me.” I saw AJ clench his fists, but he didn’t turn around to face us. Antonio’s comment made me uncomfortable too, so I tried to change the subject.
“Thanks for the flowers and the bear. That was nice of you.”
“I just didn’t feel right coming empty handed.” He looked around the room quickly. “It looks like I’m the only one who thought of that.” He said it loudly, obviously trying to cut into AJ who laughed quietly from his post over by the window.
I shot Antonio a warning glare.
“So, how are you feeling?” He asked.
“It’s been a hard morning, but I’m starting to feel better.”
“What happened exactly? You asked me all those questions about that chick and then you hung up on me. The next thing I know, Terrence called this morning saying that you’d been in a bad accident.”
“It’s a long story, but basically that same girl we were talking about is the one who hit my car,” I replied.
He looked at me questioningly. “So, why’s she been following you like that?” I lowered my head, not wanting to talk about it any further.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Well, I’m just glad you’re okay. Do you need anything?” He asked.
Just as I opened my mouth to speak, I was cut off. “If she needs anything, I’ll take care of it,” AJ said sternly.
Antonio shook AJ’s warning off and ignored him. “How long do you have to stay in here?” He asked calmly.
“The doctor said that it would be at least a week.”
“Dang! So you can’t go to graduation? That’s messed up.”
“Don’t remind me.”
He thought for a minute. “Well, I’ll come by and visit until they let you leave. You know, to keep you company.” That was the last straw for AJ
“Are you stupid or something? She’s not your girl anymore! You’re starting to make me think that you need a reminder.” AJ paced toward Antonio swiftly until the only thing separating them was the narrow table. Both of them were heaving angrily.
“You nervous that she might change her mind or something?” Antonio said as he laughed to himself. “I think that’s cause you know on some level she’ll always love me.”