The whole world could change in a minute
Just one kiss could stop it spinning
We could think it through
But I don't want to, if you don't want to
We could keep things just the same
Leave here the way we came
with nothing to lose
But I don't want to, if you don't want to
         

"I so knew this would happen!" Lauren squeals excitedly into the phone, and I pinch the bridge of my nose, hoping to relieve some of the tension in my head.    

"Spare me the 'I told you so' bullshit, Laur. I really don't need it right now."      

Unfortunately, Lauren is one of those people who's been telling me for years, that I was wasting my time on the women I dated. She's always said Ally and I were made for each other, I just didn't want to listen, and I don't need her throwing it in my face now. This is hard enough.     

"Oh come on, Justin! Don't be such a drama queen. This is exciting! You should be happy."    

"I never said I wasn't....I just... I'm scared and I don't know what to do." I whine pathetically, and she laughs at me.        

She actually has the nerve to laugh at me. After all I've done for her, she thinks this is funny.     

I was the one she came to when she realized she had a thing for Trace. I was the one who encouraged her to tell him, because I knew he was fucking crazy about her. I supported her 110 percent, and she laughs at me, when I'm in almost the same boat she was four years ago?    What the hell, man?    

I always thought there was a bitch, under that sweet, bubbly exterior.    Why did I even call her?    

"You're just confused. This is all really new...you don't know how she feels, and you're worried it could change things between you." She says simply, and I find myself nodding, even though she can't see it. "Trust me...I know how you feel, Justin. I've been through it."    

"That was different." I mutter, and she laughs again. This woman is pure evil.    

"Maybe a little, but not really. Of course...nobody ever thought Trace and I would end up together."    

"Whatever." I scoff and roll my eyes for the millionth time during this conversation.    

"Honestly J...I'm kinda proud of you. It took me a really long time to figure out how I felt about Trace. You've been alone with her for a week, and you already know how you feel. I'm impressed."    

"It wasn't that hard to figure out. Especially after the date from hell."    She giggles at that and I shake my head.     

"Whatever happens...you have to promise me that Ally hears that story someday...I mean really...that's one for the record books...a woman refusing Justin Timberlake. It's classic."    

"Nah...don't think so." I chuckle and can hear several voices behind her.    

"Well Jus...I better get going. And don't worry...this stays between us. Promise."    

"Good. Thanks Laur."        

"It's nothing. If you need anything else, give me a call. Anyway, I'll see you in a week or so."    

"Yep." I snap the phone shut and settle back into the couch.    

I probably shouldn't have called Lauren and spilled my guts like that, she's got so much going on...she doesn't need to worry about me and my drama too. But, I had to tell someone.     

Telling my mother was out of the question. She'd just get all excited and start planning our wedding...then she'd have to tell the Lawson's, and God knows, one of Ally's big mouth brothers would call and tell her.    

Naturally...telling Ally wasn't even a thought.    

I guess I could have told Trace. I know he's pretty shitty with secrets sometimes...but when it comes to me...he keeps his mouth shut, but I just would have felt too weird talking to him about it. He never came to me about Lauren, so going to him about Ally would have been pretty awkward for me.    

That really only left Lauren, and I knew she'd understand. Like she said, she's been through it, and I had her back all the way.    

I just had to get it off my chest. I've been keeping it all bottled up for the past week, and it's really starting to fuck with me.    

I can't sleep at night, and during the day, I'm uptight and jumpy around Ally.    

I've never really been in a situation where I didn't know how to act. I've always been able to play it cool and think before I reacted. In my line of work, using your head, rather than your emotions, is kind of a requirement.    

Sure, there's been a few instances where I flew off the handle in public, but I like to think I've done a good job of keeping a level head when things got heated.    

I can usually react based off the vibes I get from the people around me, but I haven't even began to ponder if what I'm feeling, is all one sided.     

I've been too damn nervous around her to even try to look for signs. Unfortunately, me acting like a freak, has Ally on the alert and she's been bugging the shit out of me, trying to figure out what my problem is.            

In a way, I want to tell her. Just pour my heart out and get everything out in the open. But I wouldn't even know where to start.    

The slamming of the front door is my warning that Ally's home, and obviously pissed about something. She had a fitting this afternoon for her dress, and I'm assuming it didn't go very well.     

Of course, I kind of expected that, with three of the six bridesmaids in Memphis at the big Parker-Ayala family shindig.     

All of this wedding stuff is really taking it's toll on her. The funny, sweet, amazing girl I'm falling for, has been replaced by one, who is constantly on edge and insanely bitchy.    

I know it's because she just doesn't want to screw this up. She knows how important it is to Lauren, and she doesn't want to let her down, but she really needs to chill out.    She storms into the kitchen, jerks open the fridge, and grabs a beer. She reenters the living room, and throws herself down on the couch, before downing half the bottle in one gulp.    

The funny thing is, she absolutely hates beer. Normally, I'd laugh...but I'm in no mood for physical abuse.    

"How'd it go?" I ask, as if I hadn't just watched her storm through the house like a fuckin tornado.    

"Oh, just perfect." She mutters sarcastically.    

She turns to face me, and I know I'm in for an ear full. Her face is flushed and she's breathing heavy, a sure sign that she's about two seconds away from really losing her shit.    

This should be fairly entertaining.    

"So far, none of the dresses matched, or even fit, for that matter. Two of them have to be completely re-done, and we won't know about the other three until everybody's back from Memphis.  Mine was too tight, but apparently that's how it's supposed to fit....Oh, and when I bent over to get my phone, to call Lauren and tell her about this disaster, the entire shop got quite the show when my boobs popped out of the top of my dress.  And, that of course, is when crazy dress woman agrees, that indeed, my dress is way too tight, and suggests I lose about 15 pounds before the wedding.  I mean seriously...this woman looked like a God damned toad...and she's telling me I need to lose weight. I realize I have a big ass, but come on!"    

I really don't know how she got all of that out so quickly, and in one breath. I'm trying really hard to not laugh at her, but I'm sure if she could hear herself, she'd get a good chuckle out of it too.    

She's actually kind of cute when she's all flustered.    

And call me a pervert...but I'm kind of enjoying the mental image I'm getting of the incident with Ally's dress. Kinda makes me wish I'd have tagged along, like she asked me too.    

"You need to take a day off from all of this." I smile sympathetically and she just shakes her head.    

"I promised Lauren I'd do this. I'm not going to back out just because I'm a little stressed. Hell...if I bailed when things got tough all the time, I'd have quit working for your ass years ago."    

"Good point." I nod and return my attention to the TV.    

"Sorry I've been kinda nuts, though. I know you're like ready to strangle me."    

"Nah...it's cool." I shrug and pat her knee reassuringly. "You've always been insane...and I've always wanted to strangle you. No real change there."        

She slaps my arm playfully and finally...she smiles.     

Ally's one of those women who is absolutely breathtaking when she smiles. Those amazing green eyes get this incredible shine to them, and her entire face lights up. She's almost a completely different person when she genuinely smiles.     

"I can't believe that woman said I was fat."    

And she's off again, ranting about what the media has done to the perception of the female body.     

In a way, I agree with her. I've never been a fan of those overly skinny chicks, who barely eat a thing, then freak out. It's pretty gross actually.     

I like a woman with curves, who can appreciate a bacon cheeseburger, and Ally..is definitely that type.        

She's thin, but she's got this really feminine softness to her body, curves in all the right places, and an ass that is to die for.     

Why didn't I realize 10 years ago just how hot she really is?  I'm a damn fool.    

Even though she's in a tirade, she seems to be relaxing and getting back to her normal self. Maybe not completely, but this is the most I've seen of the old Ally, probably since Lauren and Trace's engagement party.    

I think everything with those two kind of freaked her out. We're all getting older, looking to settle down, and I think she just wasn't ready for it yet.    

Lauren and Trace's marriage is going to turn all of our lives upside down, and it's going to suck...alot.     

We've all gotten so used to constantly being together, and I think Ally doesn't want that to change. I really don't either, but I know it has to.    

"You want to order pizza or something? I'm starving."    

"Yeah, that's cool." I shrug and continue to flip channels.    

I swear to God, cable is useless. There's never anything on, and when there is...there's ten million commercials. I finally settle on a re-run of Law and Order, then toss the remote on the table.    

You can never fail with Law and Order man. It's on like 24 hours a day.    

"I talked to Johnny today." Ally says suddenly, diverting my attention from Ice-T beating the hell out of a murder suspect.    

"Oh yeah?"    

"Yep. He's booking more studio time for as soon as Trace gets back. Apparently the label wants to lay down the demo you sent them a couple weeks ago?"   She arches an eyebrow at me and I realize that was more of a question than a statement.     

"Yeah...looks like they're getting what they wanted." I sigh and roll my eyes.    

I don't like admitting it...but the label really does have me by the balls. Granted, if I really wanted to, I could put up my own money and do whatever I wanted, but that's just too much stress on me, and I'm not sure I could handle it.    

So, I finally broke down and wrote yet another song about the bitch who did me wrong.    

Surprisingly...it might be the best thing I've done in my career, thus far. I don't know how, but it all just came together and I was really pleased with the rough demo I recorded in the small studio I have set up in the basement.     

With all of the wedding hoopla, then Lauren and Trace leaving, I guess I just forgot to mention it.    

"Can I hear it?"    

"Yeah..after we eat, I'll play it for you."    

Ally orders our pizza and we sit talking, until it shows up. We eat quietly, one of us making a comment about some random shit every so often.     

I could actually really get used to this. Just sitting around with Ally, no awkwardness or stress. It's nice and it just feels...right.     

But...if there's too many more nights like this, I'm not sure I'll be able to keep my emotions, or my hands in check.      

Once we finished off most of the pizza and cleaned up the mess, Ally and I headed down to the basement. I sat down at the piano and patted the spot next to me on the bench, and she plops down beside me.    

Ally is one of the very few people I've ever let come down here. When her, Lauren and Trace moved in, my only rule was that my basement studio was strictly off limits.     I know it sounds stupid, but this studio is the one thing in my life that I can truly have to myself. It's kind of like my sanctuary.     

I can come down here to work, be alone, and just get some time to think without being interrupted.    When you're constantly surrounded by a million people and have virtually no privacy, something like this ends up being pretty precious.    

Come to think of it, Ally and Momma are the only two people who have ever set foot in this studio, and the only time Mom was in it was when I first had the house built.  Ally's been down here a million times though. I guess I just like having her around when I work.    

I know she'll always give me her honest opinion. If something I do really sucks, she has no problem telling me.    

"Alright...let's hear it, piano man." She giggles as I brush my fingers over the keys lightly.     

"You gotta promise to tell me the truth."    

"Promise." She says seriously.    

I nod and take a deep breath, then place my fingers back on the keys. The haunting melody that I've memorized over the last couple weeks, rings out through the house and I get ready to put everything I have into this little performance.

Hey girl, is he everything you wanted in a man?
You know I gave you the world
You had me in the palm of your hand
So why your love went away
I just can't seem to understand
Thought it was me and you babe
Me and you until the end
But I guess I was wrong

Don't want to think about it
Don't want to talk about it
I'm just so sick about it
Can't believe it's ending this way
Just so confused about it
Feeling the blues about it
I just can't do without ya
Tell me is this fair?
    

I know it's just me and Ally here, but for some reason...I feel like this is one of those songs that requires everything I have. It's almost like I have to do it justice or something.

Is this the way it's really going down?
Is this how we say goodbye?
Should've known better when you came around
That you were gonna make me cry
It's breaking my heart to watch you run around
'Cause I know that you're living a lie
That's okay baby 'cause in time you will find...
    

Ally is completely silent beside me, and I'm almost afraid to look at her. I put a lot of work into this, and I'm damn proud of how it turned out. I don't think I could handle her hating it.

What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
    

I finally muster up the courage to glance over at her. She's staring right back at me, and doesn't even try to hide the tears in her eyes.     

Our eyes finally meet and for some reason, I can't look away. I don't know what I'm seeing in her steady gaze, but I've never seen it before. Her face is blank, but there's definitely something in those eyes.

Now girl, I remember everything that you claimed
You said that you were moving on now
And maybe I should do the same
Funny thing about that is
I was ready to give you my name
Thought it was me and you, babe
And now, it's all just a shame
And I guess I was wrong        

I don't think I've ever felt anything this intense with her, or anyone else, for that matter. I probably should have just played her the demo, but this just seemed more appropriate. I just wish I could figure out what she's thinking.

You spend your nights alone
And he never comes home
And every time you call him
All you get's a busy tone
I heard you found out
That he's doing to you
What you did to me
Ain't that the way it goes
        

I can almost see the wheels turning in that twisted head of hers, but for the first time in over two decades, I can't read my best friend.

When you cheated girl
My heart bleeded girl
So it goes without saying that you left me feeling hurt
Just a classic case
A scenario
Tale as old as time
Girl you got what you deserved

And now you want somebody
To cure the lonely nights
You wish you had somebody
That could come and make it right

But girl I ain't somebody With a lot of sympathy
You'll see
You should've listened to me, baby

Because
What goes around comes back around    

I finally hit the last several notes, and the room is dead silent. Ally swallows hard and finally looks away from me.     

She stares at her feet and tugs awkwardly at her hair. I'm dying for her to say something...even if it's just to say she hated it.    We sit in silence for what feels like hours before she finally speaks up.     

"Justin...that was....wow." She shakes her head and wipes the tears from her eyes, then looks up at me again. "I mean...I knew she messed you up.. I guess I just didn't know it was that awful."    

"I loved her." I shrug lamely and Ally shoots me a small, sympathetic smile.    

"I know. I just wish she would have loved you back. It broke my heart when Trace called me that night and told me what happened...you deserve so much better than that, and she must have been out of her fucking mind. Still is, obviously. And one day...she's going to see exactly what she gave up."    

"Thanks Al." I smile and throw an arm around her shoulders, pulling her against my side.     

Ally's not the type to get sappy, so you know when she says anything remotely involving emotions, she really means it.    

I always knew she had a major issue with Britney cheating on me, I guess I just never realized exactly how protective she is, of me.    

I actually kind of like knowing that it got to her that much. I mean, I don't want her to be upset about it or anything, but it's nice to know when somebody really cares about you, and wants you to be happy.       

"Justin...I mean it. That girl...I just...I can't believe anybody could be that stupid." She looks up at me, and bites her lip.    

When I look back at her, the urge to kiss her is almost unbearable. I want to...more than anything, but I just can't bring myself to actually do it.    

Normally, she'd have moved away from me by now, but she's still pressed against me and doesn't show any signs of moving.  Of course, I'm not complaining in the least.    

"Justin..."    I hum out a response and look over at her again. Before I even realize it, her lips are planted firmly on mine and she coaxes my mouth open with her tongue before slipping it inside.        

Never in my life has a woman taken the control and kissed me like this, and the fact that it's Ally, makes it that much better.    

Without breaking our contact, she straddles my lap and slides her arms around my neck. Somewhere in the back of my mind, a voice is telling me that I'm dreaming, because nobody gets this lucky.    

My hands seem to move of their own accord when they slip under her shirt to skim along her spine.  I can't help but smile against her mouth at the small moans coming from her when I hit just the right spot on her back.    

I don't know where she plans on taking this, but if she stays on my lap like this, making all of those little noises, it could get a little awkward.  I can already feel that familiar strain building up, and I'm getting a tad nervous.    

I really don't know how she'd react to something like that, so I do the most logical thing I can think of, and pull away from her.    

Her lips are a little swollen, and her face is flushed, but she's the most absolutely gorgeous thing I've ever seen.     

"You wanna go upstairs?" She asks in almost a whisper.    

Needless to say, I'm more than just a little shocked. I never expected her to be this bold, but I'm so, so, so glad she is. She's doing all of the things I've been agonizing over doing for the past week, and in a way...I feel kind of stupid that she's the one making the move here.    

But, on the other hand...it's pretty sexy.  I can't explain it, but a woman with confidence is a major turn on, and right now, Ally is more confident than I've ever seen her, about anything.    

I finally get my wits about me enough to nod, and follow her like a damn puppy when she slides off my lap, takes my hand in hers, and leads me to my own bedroom.    

For the first time in God knows how long, it's actually relatively clean and there isn't a bunch of random shit laying around.    

She pulls me down onto the bed with her, and this time, she's placing kisses all along my neck and jaw line.      

I'm still in shock when she crawls on top of me, straddling my waist once again. This time, my hands get a little more adventurous and slide up the front of her shirt to cup her breasts.        

She lets out another low moan upon the contact and I find myself doing the same.     She finally stops her attack on my neck, and stares down at me.    

Dear God, please don't let her be changing her mind. We may still be fully clothed, but for me...there's no turning back now.    

Without a word, she pulls her black tank top over her head and tosses it on the floor. Her mouth crashes against mine again and my hands travel down her stomach to the waistband of her jeans.     

In an instant, I've got them unbuttoned and unzipped and I'm sliding them down her perfectly smooth legs.  She kicks them off quickly, before pulling away from my mouth and leaning back, giving me enough room to sit up.     

She removes my shirt and tosses it in the same direction as hers, then pushes me onto my back once more.    

Her hands fly to the button on my jeans and she has mine off, almost as quickly as I did hers.    

If I didn't know any better, I'd swear she planned this. She has on this black and pink, lacy bra and panties.    

Ally's never really struck me as the sexy underwear type, and this is definitely the kind of thing a woman would put on, when she plans on letting someone see it.     

But then again, in the past half an hour, Ally has proved that I don't know her as well as I thought I did.        

I've finally had enough of taking things at her pace, and roll us over so that I'm not on top of her.            

She giggles and slaps my arm playfully. "Who said you could do that?"    

"Me." I grin at her and slide my arms under her back. I am determined to get that bra off without making her sit up.    

I mean yeah...it's nice to look at and everything, but I'm much more interested in what's underneath it. It only takes a minute before I've successfully undone the clasp and it loosens on her.     

She pulls the straps down her arms, being extra careful to keep herself covered.    She's teasing me, and the smirk on her face just proves that she's doing it on purpose. She has to know this little game isn't going to last long. I need to be inside of her, and I don't think I can hold out too much longer.    

"Jus.."She says softly and I smile down at her, as she slowly removes her bra and throws it on the floor.     

I can't exactly wrap my head around this just yet...I mean really, it's pretty hard to believe. Especially since this has all been going so quickly.     

Just two weeks ago...she was my best friend, nothing more...and now...now she's laying under me, naked, and I'm about to sleep with her.        

Either I'm the luckiest bastard alive, or someone is playing an incredibly cruel joke on me.     

Part of me knows, I should slow down and really think this through...but Ally doesn't seem to have any doubts, so why should I?    

When I finally slide inside of her, that's it for me. There's no way I can stay just friends with this woman, because I am completely and hopelessly in love with her.    

And suddenly.... I'm not scared anymore.

"Want To"-Sugarland

"What Goes Around, Comes Around"-Justin Timberlake