I straighten my tie one more time and smooth my clothes against my body again. I’ve been locked in my bedroom preparing for the JIVE party ever since inviting Alyssa along. Honestly, I have no idea why I’m freaking out inside or even why I invited her. I was planning on spending most of the night schmoozing the sponsors and thinking about the tour but now that Alyssa’s coming with I can’t even get my head right.
I pull at my jacket and reposition my pants over my shoes before giving myself another once over in the mirror. Slowly, I open the door and head down stairs to wait for Alyssa. My mom starts whistling the minute she sees me coming down that stairs and my eyes start to roll at her antics.
“Justin…you look very handsome.” She says in that motherly tone.
“Thanks mom for coming over on short notice.” I said giving her a kiss on the cheek before I walk into the kitchen.
“No problem honey. What do you have planned for Alyssa?”
“I don’t have anything planned…I don’t even really know why I asked her to come along. It’s just going to be a lot of talk about the tour...she’ll probably be bored.” I said while shrugging my shoulders.
“I doubt I’ll be bored.” Alyssa chimes in as she rounds the corner into the kitchen.
If my eyes could pop out of my skull they would. She’s wearing a black strapless dress that comes to an end mid-thigh and black heels adorning her feet. Her hair is curled all around her face highlighting the slight bit of make-up she has on. She looks absolutely beautiful and I’m finding it harder and harder to breathe.
“You ready to go?” Alyssa asks.
I can’t even understand what she’s saying because my eyes are taking her all in. From her toes all the way up her legs, to her flat stomach, her breasts that are secured into her dress and peaking over the top, up to her long neck…”
“Justin!” She yells breaking into my thoughts and snapping her fingers in front of my face.
I shake my head and feel the blush taking over my face. She just caught me checking her out.
“I said…are you ready to go?”
“Umm…yeah…yeah, let’s go.” I said walking past her towards the door.
“Mrs. Harless thank you again for coming to watch Cadence.” Alyssa says as she stops to say goodbye to my mom.
“No problem dear. You two have fun…”
“There are extra bottles in the fridge…just warm them up. Her favorite blanket, pacifier and stuffed animal are on her dresser in the nursery. I have my cell phone on if you need me.” Alyssa starts to rattle off.
I come up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist pulling her towards the door. “She’s a mother you know…Cadence will be fine.”
Alyssa blushes slightly before turning to wave goodbye to my mom. “Thank you again…”
“Have fun.” My mom yells before I shut the door with Alyssa in tow.
________________________________________________________________________
The ride over to Johnny’s place was filled with small talk. Alyssa was constantly fidgeting in the passenger seat and I know being away from Cadence was making her nervous. She trusted me with Cadence but she hasn’t ever left her with anyone else. I guess it’s a mother thing or so she says.
“Who’s all going to be here Justin?” Alyssa says smoothing her dress down as we walk towards Johnny’s door.
I turned to smile at her. “Basically every important person for this tour and my career.” Alyssa’s face practically drains of all color and she looks like she might run away any minute. “Kidding…well sort of…Johnny will be here, Trace, all the sponsors for the tour, and some of the record executives. Just stick near me and you’ll be fine or you can always hang out with Trace.”
She nods slightly and I give her hand a tug. “Don’t worry…you look beautiful and they’re all going to wonder how I got so lucky to have you on my arm.”
Alyssa smiles softly and wraps her hand securely in mine before we open the door and head into the jungle of power people. I’m trying to suppress my nerves because I know these people can make or break my career and I’m trying to stay in control for Alyssa. But this night is really important for a successful tour. These people need to be on my side otherwise they can make my life a living hell.
“Justin…I see you brought Alyssa. You look great. Come on in.” Johnny says while shaking my hand and giving Alyssa a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you for having me Johnny.” Alyssa says politely.
“My pleasure…there’s drinks and food over there. Please help yourself. Justin…Rob from Verizon wants to meet with you.”
I nod my head before turning to Alyssa. “I’ll be right back…I just need to go say hello and all that fun stuff.”
Alyssa wiggles her eyebrows up and down. “Have fun…” She says before giving me a quick kiss on the cheek and heading off in the direction of the bar.
I am completely shocked and feel like I’m in a daze when she brought her lips to my cheek. I can still feel the slight pressure and her smell…god, how I missed that smell. What the hell is happening to me…snap out of it Timberlake. I take a deep breath and compose myself before going over to the big wigs and kissing some ass. It’s going to be one of those nights.
________________________________________________________________________
Didn’t I say it would be one of those nights?? Basically every single sponsor wanted me at their beckon call and that in turn made me a horrible date for Alyssa. I’ve gotten to spend maybe twenty minutes alone with her all night but that didn’t stop me from glancing in her direction every chance I could. I wanted to bring her along to spend some time just having fun, the two of us…but apparently this party was not the way to go about that.
Alyssa has been glued to Trace’s side the entire night and I’m thankful he was with to keep her company. The two of them seem to be getting along extremely well…she’s always laughing at his jokes and there’s a permanent smile on her face. I’m glad she’s having a good time…but at the same time I can feel a twinge of jealousy. I wanted to be the one making her laugh and smile tonight… not Trace. Before I can analyze these feelings anymore, I notice the party is finally coming to a close and I take that as my cue to go get Alyssa.
“Hey…are you ready to go?” I ask putting my hands on Alyssa’s shoulders.
She turns to look up at me from the couch and let’s a huge smile cross her face. “Are you sure you’re done kissing everyone’s ass?” She whispers.
I roll my eyes. “Cute…”
Alyssa stands up from the couch and straightens her dress out before walking over to my side. “Just checking…” She laughs and wraps her arm around my waist.
“Thanks Trace for keeping her company.” I said while looking in his direction.
“No problem man. Alyssa it was nice to get to know you better. Have fun with this one…I’ll catch you both later.” He says before getting up and walking in the opposite direction.
I wrap my arm around Alyssa’s waist and we walk arm in arm out of the party. Having the cool California air hit my face is refreshing. After being trapped in that room and listening to people go on and on about to tour…it’s exhausting. I’m just excited to have Alyssa by my side now and it’s finally just the two of us.
“I’m really sorry about tonight…I wanted to spend more time together…but the sponsors…”
Immediately, Alyssadraws her hand up to stop me. “Don’t apologize Justin…I understand…it’s a part of your job. Besides, I had fun talking to Trace and I really needed to get out of house.”
“Well…I don’t know about you…but I’m not really all that tired. Do you want to watch a movie when we get home?”
Alyssa stifles a yawn and smiles over at me. “I can’t promise you I’ll stay awake…but I’d like that.”
The rest of the ride back to the house seemed to fly by. We talked a lot about the tour but steered clear of any discussion about Cadence visiting. I wasn’t ready to give up my daughter for months but what choice did I really have? I couldn’t really ask Alyssa, whose about to get married to a guy I can’t stand, to drop everything and come on tour with me. Nah…definitely not a possibility.
“My mom’s probably in one of the guest bedrooms sleeping…do you want to watch the movie downstairs or…?” I ask while opening the door to my house for her.
“Let’s watch it in your room…I want to be near Cadence and lying down in a bed definitely sounds better.”
“All right…I’ll go grab the movie, if you want to check on Cadence…” I said before Alyssa headed up stairs towards the nursery.
After selecting a movie, I climbed up the stairs to find Alyssa already in a pair of pajamas looking down at our sleeping baby. Alyssa turns to look at me when I open the door and she immediately draws her finger to her lips, shushing me before walking out of the room and closing the door behind.
“What are we watching?” She asks as she follows me into my room.
“I just grabbed the Bourne Identity…is that ok?”
Alyssa yawns and quickly covers her mouth with her hand. “Sorry…yeah that’ll be good…”
Alyssa gets underneath the covers and snuggles into the pillow. After changing into a pair of pajama pants and a t-shirt, I slide the DVD in and crawl into bed next to her. In my head, I know we probably shouldn’t be sharing the same bed…considering she’s engaged, but fuck my conscious tonight. We’re both tired and all we’re going to do is watch a movie anyways. Besides, I wanted to have some alone time and damnit I was going to get it.
“Justin…” Alyssa calls out while snuggling up next to me.
“Yeah?”
“What are we going to do about your tour…and Cadence?”
I let out a sigh and wrap my arm around her side, pulling her closer. “I don’t know Alyssa…I really don’t.”
And with that, the topic was dropped and it was only a matter of minutes before both of us are sleeping soundly, while the action scenes of the Bourne Identity illuminate my bedroom. I guess I finally got my alone time…
Author's Chapter Notes:
Hey Everyone! First, another apology for the lack of updates...I'm really sorry. But I hope you like the new chapter. I love to read your reviews...they've all been awesome so please keep them coming! I hope all is well with everyone and enjoy! I should have another update soon! :)
Story Tags: daddyj
