A.J. pulled up to the gym, a smile on his lips as he parked and cut the engine. Looking around the parking lot, he sighed in relief. He was grateful that there didn't seem to be to many people out this early. Putting down the kickstand on his bike, A.J. pulled off his shades. He hadn't been able to get out for a few days, and it felt good to finally be able to feel the wind whipping through his hair.

Hopping off the bike, A.J. grabbed his bag and headed to the gym entrance. He looked down at the sound of his phone pinging with a message. Pulling it out of his pocket, he grinned at the name that popped up. Looking up, he opened the door and headed towards the locker rooms. Waving at the guys behind the counter, he looked back down at his phone, unlocking it and pulling up Shane's messages.

Free for dinner tonight and brunch tomorrow? Want to take you somewhere special.

A.J. grinned skipping the first message and pulling up the next one.

And I was talking about food not what you were thinking about, Mr. Styles.

A.J laughed out loud, missing the couple that walked into the locker room. Shaking his head, he set down his bag. Preparing to send back a response, he was surprised to hear someone behind him, calling his name.

"Allen?"

Turning, A.J. frowned at being interrupted until his gaze collided with a pair of sky blue eyes. "Chris?"

"Hey, didn't know you'd be here this early. Don't mind if we workout as well, do you?"

"Uh, pretty sure the gym is open to everyone." A.J. shook his head, turning back to his phone he grinned as he sent off a reply to Shane. Sighing, he put his phone down and opened his bag. Glancing up, he was surprised to find Chris watching him. "What?"

"You're seeing someone."

A.J.'s gaze narrowed on the blond in front of him, a surge of defensiveness rising in him. He frowned at Chris. "And if I am? Who would have a problem with it?"

"No one, jesus Allen calm down, I was just making an observation. It's not a bad thing, ok?" Chris frowned as he watched A.J., curious about who had him smiling again. "It's just really good to see you smiling again."

A.J. frowned, then chuckled as he started to change. "Yeah, well, feels good too." Pulling his shirt off, he grabbed one of his cut offs and pulled it over his head. "You come with Rollins?"

"Yeah, he's out in the ring with the trainers. Wanted to get an early start for Extreme Rules."

A.J. nodded, pulling on his gloves and tightening the straps around his wrists. He glanced down as his phone sounded with another alert. Shaking his head, he opened it, grinning at the message. Shane was supposed to be at a board meeting and instead he was taking pics of himself.

God I wish you were here, wouldn't be so boring.

Flushing, A.J. sent back a reply, making sure to include a picture in return. He pulled out a pair of headphones and plugged them into his phone. Pulling up his music list, he pressed the play button and headed out to the main part of the gym. He forgot about Seth and Dean being in the ring, instead heading to the weights. He wanted to work out on his biceps, triceps, and deltoids.

Laying back on the bench he blinked in surprise to find Chris standing in the spotters position. "Uh, Chris, is there a reason you're spotting me?"

"What, can't help a friend with his workout?" Chris looked down at A.J. He wanted to know who the new person in his life was. "Seriously, I'm not trying to start anything, just wanted to catch up, if that's ok?"

Grinning, A.J. laid back on the bench, reaching up for the bar. "Sure, what do you feel like talking about? Your match with Kevin, the banquet next week, or..."

"Or this new person you're dating?"

A.J. blinked before looking up at Chris. "No, I don't think so. We may be cordial to each other but that doesn't give you an in to my life anymore. You lost that right a long time ago."

Chris sighed, watching the weights as A.J. began his lifts. "True, doesn't mean I don't care what happens to you though."

A.J. glanced up at Chris, a small frown curving his lips down. "Look, it's not that I don't want to talk about it. Right now, it's kind of new and I'd really like not to jinx things." He could feel his face heating as he looked away from Chris, aware that he knew his tells better than most.

"They must be really special if you feel like that."

"They are." A.J. gave the simple answer, a smile curving his lips. "They mean more than I was expecting them to." He was surprised by his admission but wouldn't take it back. When had Shane started to mean so much to him? How was he supposed to deal with it if Shane didn't feel the same? He blinked in surprise when Chris' face appeared above him, a frown of concern curving his lips down. "Uh, Chris?"

"They're not married are they. God Allen don't tell me you're seeing someone who's married, that can only lead to you getting hurt." Chris frowned down at the brunette looking up at him. Could read the truth in his eyes and stepped back. "You know, if things had happened differently..."

"You and I would have stayed together, I know I know but they didn't and we didn't. Let's not pretend that everything is peachy, ok? We know why we ended up where we are so you giving me relationship advice is a little self serving." A.J. set the weights back on their stand. Taking a deep breath, he sat up and turned to face Chris. "Look Chris, I'm not sure where all of this is coming from or why but you can stop with the big brother act. We aren't best friends or even friends so why..."

"Because I feel guilty, ok? I shouldn't have put you through all of that and I'm sorry! We were friends once a-and I'd like it if we could get back to that again." Chris let out a rough sigh, running his hands through his hair. "I know I should have told you about Seth sooner, ok? I know but I...h-how was I supposed to tell you? It wasn't as if I didn't care about you, ok, I just...Seth was just..." He broke off with a sound of frustration, looking up into angry ocean blue eyes. "I'm sorry, Allen, really, I never meant to hurt you or make you suffer for any reason."

A.J. frowned as he dropped his head, chin touching his chest. "Look Chris, we're good, ok? Really, I understand what happened with us. Our careers meant more and it was the wrong time. You're happy with Rollins and I'm fine with that, just don't expect me to be all open and friendly about my life right now." He turned at the sound of his phone ringing. Reaching over, he picked it up and grinned as he answered. "I thought you had meetings you need to pay attention to."

"What, don't feel like talking to me? Thought I'd break the boredom of the board room and call someone who could hold my interest."

Standing up, A.J. gave Chris a small salute and walked over to the treadmills. "How in the hell is it boring and you're going over budgets and rosters?" He chuckled at the groan from the other end.

"I'd much rather be going over my dinner plans with you than sitting here talking about budgets and fund raisers."

"Awww well not all of us get to sit in an air conditioned office." A.J. didn't hide the smile in his voice. Adjusting the speed on the treadmill, he listened to the laughter from the man on the other line. "You're laughing now but some of us have to work out at a hot ass gym, getting all sweaty and shit."

"God I'd rather be working out with you than sitting through these meetings."

"You're the one who wants to run a company." A.J. adjusted the earphones in his ears, grateful to be able to cancel out the surrounding noise. "So, uh, this dinner you're planning..."

"Have other plans? I mean we can reschedule if..."

"No, damnit that's not why I'm asking, I just want to make sure I'm dressed right." Panting as he jogged in place, A.J. brushed his hair back, pulling it up into a ponytail. "If it's going to be a fancy place then I'd like to be dressed in the right suit."

"No, not a suit and tie type of place but it's nice. I just want to take you to a place that doesn't have screaming children."

A.J. laughed, adjusting the speedometer in front of him. "Well, you can't blame me for wanting pizza."

"I actually can because we could have found another place or ordered in."

"Hell no, we were in bed most of that day and all day the day before. There was no way I was going to sit inside and eat pizza. We needed to get out and breath some fresh air." Glancing down at the panel in front of him, he adjusted some of the settings, picking up the pace. "Besides, you didn't seem to mind when we picked up dessert."

"Of course I didn't, why would I have any issue with licking chocolate and strawberry ice cream off of your body?"

Stumbling, A.J. cursed his loss of focus as he lowered the settings to regain his footing. "Asshole, you know I'm at the gym." He glanced around to see who was watching him, relieved when everyone seemed to be preoccupied.

"Well, you should have waited until I was up to leave this morning. I woke up looking for you."

A.J. shivered, closing his eyes to keep his mind from going down the wrong path. "Don't do this, I'll make it up to you once I'm done here, I swear but please..."

"There's no way for me to enjoy your reaction if I'm not there with you. But I'll be holding you to that."

A.J. grinned, shaking his head as he did a few more laps. "How long are your meetings today?"

"Well, since Smackdown is on in three days I'll be here for about another two or three hours."

A.J. sighed, glancing down at his watch. "So that's about eight or nine?"

"God no, sooner than that if I can help it. Look, I've got to go back in but I wanted to talk to you. I'll have Alistair pick you up?"

"Yeah, just, uh, just let me know what time and what I need to wear." A.J. grinned as Shane gave his agreement and disconnected the call. He was getting ready to bring up his play list when a message popped up.

I can't wait to see you, meant to tell you but didn't get the chance.

Face heating, A.J. sent back a matching response, stomach fluttering at how easy it was to do this with Shane. He was so engrossed in his thoughts, he didn't hear the tall man who walked up behind him.

"Whatcha' over here doin' Styles?"

Jerking in surprise, A.J. glanced behind him to see Dean standing behind him. "If you must know Dean, I'm minding my own fucking business. What do you want, sneaking up on people?"

"I wasn't sneaking, I called your name twice before you looked at me. Who ever you were on the phone with had your full attention obviously."

"Well, that's usually how things go when it's a private conversation." A.J. didn't slow his pace, choosing to ignore Dean versus arguing with him.

"Ya' know, A.J., it's not as if some of us don't know who you're talking to."

Head snapping up in surprise, A.J. stopped the treadmill. "What in the actual hell are you talkin' about Dean? You're not makin' any damn sense as usual." Stomach twisting, A.J. glanced around to see who was watching them. As he scanned the room, he was surprised to find Chris, Seth, and Bray watching their interaction. "Look, your lil boy group is missing a member, why don't you go back over there and make things right?"

Dean stepped in front of A.J., expression serious as he looked down at the brunette. "Listen to me, A.J. I'm only saying this because I like you and I think you're pretty cool despite the bullshit." Dean grinned but it was there and gone again. "Be careful who you choose to spend your time with. Their secrets may come back to haunt or hurt you."

A.J frowned up at Dean, expression filled with anger until his phone rang. Glancing over at the ID, his frown deepened, shaking his head he turned back to Dean only to find he'd walked away. Reaching for his cell, A.J. pressed the button to answer and was cut off by a curt voice.

"What gym are you at?"

"I'm, uh, I'm at Neil's on Vancouver and 24th, why?" A.J. frowned at the tone. Shane was never this short with him about anything and especially not since they'd started sleeping together.

"I'm going to have Alistair come get you. I need you to have your stuff ready in twenty minutes."

"What? Wait, you can't just go around making plans for me and think I'm going to just..."

"You will either be ready when he gets there or I will come get you myself."

Looking down at his phone, A.J .wondered if this had anything to do with Chris' sudden interest in helping him and Dean's not to subtle warning. "What the hell is going on first? Why am I having to cut my fucking workout short just because you're demanding it?"

"I need you to just please, for once don't argue with me, ok? You're there with Seth which means you're there with Chris, too."

"You're not worried about him are you? Seriously, Shane you can't possibly think that I would..." He was cut off by a harsh sound from the other line.

"I told you, you belong to me, I do not share well with others. He is a threat to my having you and I won't..."

A.J. laughed, a light sound that surprised even him. "First off, calm ya' ass down, ok? Look, I came here to workout nothing else. There isn't another place that can give what Neil's does. If you're so worried about what's going on, have one of the dynamic duo come down and watch. But I'm not fucking leaving until I've finished my workout." Shaking his head, A.J. headed over to the mats, nodding to a few of the people already in the area. "Look, I know what we agreed on but this is work. We can't change things to accommodate the other when it comes to work. There has to be a part of our lives..."

"That has to be separate, I know but christ, it doesn't make it easy knowing he's there with you. He can't have you back, Allen, I will not..."

"Calm down tiger, he's not trying to get me back either. Where in the hell would you get an idea like that?" Pulling off his shirt, A.J. stretched as he watched the few stars on the mat. "If anything, he's all about his boyfriend, which is great because then I don't have to worry about being on his radar."

"Well you won't be on his if I have anything to say about."

A.J. grinned, forcing himself not to laugh out loud. "Look, you being jealous is a complete turn on and really, I'm feeling it but seriously, you need to calm down, ok? I understand why you're worried but Chris is all about Seth now."

"Ok, fine but I'm sending Alexander and Alistair, I don't want you there alone any longer than needed."

A.J. chuckled as he got ready for his turn on the mat. "Fine, send the dynamic duo just make sure they stay out of sight until I'm ready to go and I'm riding my bike."

"No, I'll have someone come get the bike."

"Fuck that, I'm riding my bike, that's non negotiable. That way I don't have to pick it up later or have someone else's ass on my shit." Watching as Xavier stepped into the large circle on the floor, A.J. grinned. "Listen, send them or not, I've gotta finish my workout. I'll see you tonight?"

"Yeah, just stay away from them, please?"

"Trust me, I have no reason to spend anymore time with them than needed. Gotta go handsome, have someone's ass to kick." Hanging up, A.J. pulled the ear buds from his ears, grinning at the man across from him. "You ready Woods?"

Xavier grinned as he nodded at A.J. "Try not to break your body this time and I'll try not to break mine."

A.J. laughed as he walked into the circle. "Well then, now that's been said let's get down to business!"

A.J. finished his workout, not to sure when Alexander or Alistair had shown up. All he knew was that by the time he left the showers and headed towards his bike, there were two sets of identical green eyes watching him. Turning to the pair, he gave them a small wave, laughing as it was returned with enthusiasm from Alistair and a slightly reserved one from Alexander. Walking over to the pair, he studied the sleek, silver Audi. "This is his or yours, cause I like."

"It would belong to Alistair, Mr. Styles. Our apologies but he asked that we make sure you were alright. If you have other plans and we are interrupting..."

"You're still supposed to go with me, I know, he made sure I knew." Shaking his head, A.J. glanced over at his bike then the two men in front of him. Looking up, he didn't miss the concerned blue eyes watching him or the dark gaze focused on the pair in front of him. "Guys, maybe we should go? I uh, I can drop the bike off and just finish the day riding around with you two, right?" Something about Seth and Chris' gazes made him uncomfortable. It was as if they knew something about the pair in front of him but couldn't or wouldn't say.

"If that would be more of a benefit for you, Mr. Styles..."

"Hey, stop calling me Mr. Styles, that's what people call my dad. My name's A.J., ok? If we're going to be around each other feel free to use that." He gave Alex a squeeze on his shoulder before turning to Alistair. "Mind following me to my hotel?"

"Nope, you lead the way, Mr. Styles. We were told to keep an eye on you and that's what we will do."

Shaking his head at Alistair's refusal to use his name, he turned to Alexander. "Same rules for you?"

"I am afraid so, Sir."

Sighing, A.J. gave them both crooked grins. "He's a possessive bastard isn't he?"

"More concerned than possessive and he is not a fan of having to share or waiting to long."

Chuckling, A.J. headed towards his bike, thoughts going over how Shane knew who was at the gym and why he was so adamant about him not being around Chris. Frowning, he set his bag on the back of his bike and put on his shades. He would worry about Shane and his weird behavior later. Right now, all he wanted to do was grab lunch and since he had two shadows, he realized that for the first time, in a long time...he wouldn't be eating alone.