Landing In London {Dreams & Bleachers Sequel}

The Odd Couple

Ryder's POV

After the dinner, the guys suggested we all catch up without our women (or man) around. Of course, we all threw on jeans and t-shirts first, then gathered around on the floor of NJ and I's hotel room.

Nicky was with the girls. Okay, I'll admit, he is the woman in this relationship. I think he's very aware of this, and embraces it. Doesn't matter, I love him regardless.

"Ever thought you'd see the day Ryder was in the executive suite of a hotel?" Aleks laughed, nudging Eddie.

"No thanks to you." I replied, giving a flash of my joker smile. "Maybe if you stayed our bassist you would be in an executive suite too."

"Burrrrnnn!" Eddie taunted.

Aleks sighed. "At least I still have a sex life."

I almost choked on my beer, thinking of how touchy of a subject that was. He didn't know that. In fact, Jade was the only one that knew about NJ's HIV, and of course, he was the one that saved my ass.

"Man, the only thing your mouth has been on lately is that bottle." Jade remarked, pointing to Aleks' beer.

He didn't have a response, because he was so embarrassed. The others laughed, thinking it was a joke, but I knew by the look in Jade's eyes, it was more.

"Well, how 'bout you? Probably hard to nail Harley with kids around?" Aleks asked, diverting the attention off of himself.

He grinned cunningly. "Trust me, when you have a woman that looks like her, you make time."

"Boy, do I know the feeling." Eddie laughed. "We all know Kevin probably still hasn't gotten close to sleeping with Arianna!"

"Excuse me, asshole, but we have been together almost fourteen years!" Kevin responded.

"Your point?" Seamus asked.

He huffed. "She isn't THAT innocent. Besides, you're the one dating miss 'I hate commitment'."

"Birds of a feather flock together." Jade muttered.

Seamus sighed, giving him an unhappy look. "Ash and I are focused on our careers, that's all. Let's move on to a better topic, like the fact that Jade threw a ring on Harley's finger!"

"Yeah, you're making us all look bad!" Kevin complained.

I snit. "I've been saying that for a while."

They all turned their heads to me, like I just made a joke about Hitler or something! Apparently it's a little crazy for me to insinuate I want to eventually propose to my boyfriend! Maybe it's just the boyfriend part that freaks them out.

"So, you're actually going to propose to NJ?" Seamus asked.

"Uh, yeah." I shakily replied. "I, um, I have the ring already. I'm just looking for the right moment. I was thinking, while we're in town, I'd take him to our favorite place to be together, growing up."

I nervously looked at all of them. They seemed a little taken back, but I guess I can see why. Leave it to Eddie to be the one who didn't give a shit about my gender.

"That's awesome, dude!" He smiled. "You better invite me to the wedding!"

I chuckled. "Plan on it!"

NJ's POV

"I honestly don't get how you don't want a wedding!" Arianna griped.

Truly, I only decided to stay with the girls, because I don't like being around a group full of guys when they drink. Plus, I'd feel out of place, because I'd be hanging on Ryder's arm while the others were woman-less.

I had to get work done anyways, so I sat with my laptop on the bed, listening to the others chirp like birds.

"I know," Taylor started. "It's weird! Every girl dreams of her big day! The beautiful church, and putting on the dress! Walking down the isle and seeing him standing there! Throwing a wedding shower beforehand, and a bachelorette party! Plus, your honeymoon! Don't you want all that?"

Harley shrugged. "I guess, but, I don't need a fancy event to tell me I love my husband. Jade and I are okay just keeping it simple. We thought that, in a few years, we'll renew our vows, and maybe make a little something out of that, but that's it."

"At least do that!" Taylor responded. "Someday, you're going to regret that you never had a wedding."

"Yeah, and at least, you and Genesis found your Prince Charmings." Arianna grumpily muttered.

"You guys did too." Genesis softly said, almost confused to Arianna's comment.

"Prince Charming didn't drink his problems away." Taylor griped.

"And he didn't didn't have commitment issues." Arianna added.

I sighed, listening to them complain about problems they can fix. They don't realize what I would give for my biggest issue to be commitment, or addiction.

"What? You wanna say something?" Arianna asked, looking at me. After so long, she still has a 'tude with me.

I glanced down at my laptop, seeing my desktop background; a picture of Ryder and I from our trip to Paris. It was raining, and a photographer caught a photo of him and I kissing under an umbrella.

Then I looked back at her, closing my laptop, and letting her have it. "At least, you can fix your problems. You can send Aleks to rehab, if it's such an issue. You can send Kevin to a therapist to work out your issues, but I, I can't fix my issue. There is no cure for being HIV Positive, and there is no way to love the person you devote your life to without hurting them. Every time I even get a little cut, I'm afraid to get near Ryder, but I can't do anything about it. Yet, I don't wallow in self pity, because I don't have an excuse to. Neither do you two."

They were all staring at me with wide eyes, especially Harley. She never knew. I... I never told anyone besides Jade and Ryder. It, actually felt kind of, relieving.

"Jade, I'm sorry you have to go through that." Genesis comforted, with her warm smile. "How 'bout we get on a happier note? Like, how nasty Tiffany looked tonight!"

Harley groaned. "I thought I was going to puke when I ran into her. She could make a good horror movie villain."

The others laughed, then Taylor muttered, "Yeah, she picked up on Aleks. For a second, I thought he'd actually go for her."

"If Ryder ever did anything like that, I'd slap him into next year!" I joked.

"I think we'd all hurt our man." Harley added.

"I don't know." Arianna responded. "I'd be more worried that, I wasn't enough for him."

She sighed. "I'd have the same worry, but it's just as much his fault. Relationships are a two way street."

Words of wisdom! That's probably why Ryder and I have stuck it out so long together.

Suddenly, my stomach made a God awful sound. It was not hunger either, but everyone is staring at me.

"Hungry, there?" Taylor asked.

I shook my head. "No, my stomach just started hurting like Hell. I should probably go back to my room and lay down."

"But, all the guys are in there." Arianna pointed out.

"Oh, yeah..." I sighed.

"Lay down in here, okay?" Harley said. "We'll leave. Text me if you need anything."

"Thanks, can you tell Ryder for me?"

"Of course." She smiled.