Monday morning rolled around all too quickly and while all the guys made it clear when they got in the night before, Justin and I did a great job of avoiding them and enjoying our last few hours of peace together I walked out of the bathroom to Justin animatedly talking on the phone, discussing what sound like to be studio time and I knew that the whirlwind had started back up full force and this time there was no stopping it. I quickly got dressed before quietly telling Justin we needed to make our way downstairs. He just nodded and held the door open for me not missing a beat in his conversation as we made our way down the hall towards the elevators. Everyone besides J.C. was in the lobby waiting for us and I made my way over to greet them as Justin hung back still in the middle of his conversation.
“Madi!” Chris yelled making his way over to me and picking me up off the floor and spinning me around causing me to giggle.
“Miss me?” I asked when he finally set me back down.
“Yes! I almost starved while you were gone.” Chris exclaimed glaring at me as Joey interrupted us, “That’s not true, Kelly cooked him three out of four meals.” I just laughed at their antics, having missed all of them, and knowing Chris was more than capable of cooking for himself.
“Darren are you ready for this?” I asked as I made my way over towards him and the rest of the dancers.
“I don’t know, Lance was showing me the blueprints for the stage and I have no idea how you’re going to pull this off.” He said with raised eyebrows.
“Very carefully.” I sighed as J.C. finally made his way across the lobby towards us, his phone glued to his ear just like Justin.
Justin glanced up and caught J.C.’s eye and they both immediately hung up their phones continuing their conversation. “Were you two really talking to each other this whole time?” I asked amusement dancing across my face as I made my way over to them.
“Yeah, hey Madi.” J.C. smiled leaning in to hug me.
“I love you both dearly, but you two are insane.” I shook my head pulling away from the hug as they both just grinned at me before going back to their conversation. I smirked to myself before making my way back towards Chris and Joey, leaving them to discuss their business.
The next couple of weeks were a blur with everybody working on overdrive to make sure everything was perfect. The guys and I were practically living at the Superdome and any outsiders would have been amazed as to some of the places we randomly found to nap at odd times. The dancers were the only ones who found themselves with any down time, seeing as how they were only performing four songs in the show. Kristin hung around most of the time however, and I found myself sending her on random errands and asking her opinion on the rest of the show the more she hung around. I don’t think she really minded though, I would catch her ever so often staring at J.C. out of the corner of her watching him intently. I was apprehensive about it at first, but the more I watched her the more harmless it seemed, so I kept her around because she was making my life a lot easier helping me out with little things I didn’t have time to do.
I was glad the guys filmed all the promos and skits before we got here, because between trying to put everything together on the stage and Justin and J.C. running off to the studio constantly trying to lay down last minute tracks for the album there was no time for anything else. I had gotten volunteered to do the skit before Celebrity and between dance rehearsals, I was always trying to find a free minute to go over it with the recording getting the timing down. Lance was still having trouble with the step change during Up Against the Wall and for some reason Chris was always a half step behind during Just the Two of us, so to say I was stressed out was an understatement.
Tomorrow was the twentieth and we were all flying back to Orlando to have a couple days home before the opening show in Jacksonville on the twenty-third. I was happy to get to sleep in my own bed, even if it was only for a couple days and knowing that even though we were all suppose to be relaxing for a few days that it wouldn’t happen; We were all too much of perfectionists to just sit around days before quite possibly the biggest pop tour ever.
The next day when we landed in Orlando, I saw the look of relief and happiness cross over everyone’s faces and I really hated that I was about to ruin it, but I knew it had to be done. “So I need you all at the compound.” I aid quickly as I surveyed everyone’s peaceful faces change to ones of stress, anger, and confusion.
“Why?” Chris asked narrowing his eyes at me.
“Look I promise we’ll be quick, I just want to do one more run thru, and I know you guys have studio time scheduled for tomorrow and I wanted to give you all Tuesday off.” I said trying to reason with all of them.
They all started to protest lightly when J.C. finally spoke up, “Guys she’s right, we’re not going to want to do it Tuesday, so we might as well just get it over with now.” Everyone reluctantly agreed and started to follow security out of the airport.
“Thanks C.” I sighed as I wrapped my arm around his waist and leaned into him.
“No problem, I get it.” J.C. smiled as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders, and I glanced up just in time to see Kristin turn away with a scowl on her face.
I could tell how eager everyone was to get home because everyone immediately got down to business, and was flowing thru the show almost perfectly. I did notice Kristin trying extra hard to get and keep J.C.’s attention, and while normally I would have considered replacing her; J.C. seemed to be in to her much too obvious advances. The rest of the dancers were sitting against the wall as the guys continued with their routine and I walked around watching making sure they were all on point. All the girls turned their focus to the door perplexed looks on their face, and I couldn’t help but smile knowing my surprise was here.
“Trace?” Justin questioned a grin breaking out on his face as he stopped mid-dance and jogged across the room to greet his friend.
“Hey fucker.” Trace smiled as Justin hugged him a bewildered look on his face.
“What? How? I thought you couldn’t make it out for the first show?” Justin rapidly questioned obviously still stunned.
“Yeah, well Madi called and told me to get my ass on a plane or she was coming to get me.” Trace laughed as Justin whipped around and caught my eye.
“You did this?” He incredulously asked. I bit my lip and nodded as I slowly made my way over to him. Justin pulled me into and whispered, “Thank you,” before crashing his lips down onto mine showing his appreciation.
“Listen, I came to see my friend, not watch him rape his girlfriend.” Trace teased, as Justin and I pulled apart laughing at him.
“Hey Trace.” I smiled as I walked into his open arms and hugged him.
“Hey Madi, thanks for dragging my ass out here.” Trace smiled.
“No problem short stuff, someone has to keep all you guys in line.” I said as they both scowled at me playfully.
I watched Justin and Trace excitedly talk and start to catch up, seeing as how they hadn’t seen each other in a few months, and I decided to cut rehearsal short knowing he needed time to catch up with his friend. “Alright guys, I think you have it down, I’m going to let you go.” I said much to the surprise of everyone. The guys all started to give me their thanks, and I could have swore I saw Kristin roll her eyes my way, but I brushed it off, it not making any sense.
“Come on Madi, let’s get out of here.” Justin smiled as he and Trace made their way over to me.
“Oh, I was going to go home. I figured you’d want to spend some time with Trace.” I said wrapping my arm around his waist and leaning into him.
“Of course I do, but you’re coming too.” Justin pouted giving me puppy dog eyes.
“I was going to go do laundry.” I said looking up at him.
“Oh puh-lease,” Justin started rolling his eyes, “you have time to do that, I want to spend some time with my two favorite people.”
“Hey J.C., Justin wants you to come hang out.” Trace yelled across the room, laughter dancing across his face as I hit him in the stomach.
J.C. slowly made his way towards us, much to the dismay of Kristin, and I couldn’t help but to start to get annoyed with her attitude. “What’s going on?” J.C. asked.
“Nothing, Trace is being an ass,” I said rolling my eyes, “but we’re all headed to Justin’s if you want to come hang out.” I smiled up at him.
J.C.’s eyes softened as he glanced down at me, “Thanks, but I think I’m gonna grab something to eat and go to sleep.”
“Well if you change your mind you know where we’ll be.” Justin grinned as J.C. just nodded his thanks.
Justin, Trace, and I all made our way into Justin’s house, and the boys immediately made a beeline for the liquor and started to make themselves drinks. I sat at the counter and watched them with a small smile on my face happy to have at least gotten them a couple days together. Justin sat what I assumed was a Jack and coke in front of me before bending down and kissing me softly, causing me to completely melt. “What do you guys want for dinner?” I asked as Justin stood back up.
“I don’t know, I’ll see what Lucinda has to make.” Justin shrugged as he turned around in search of her.
“Jus.” I started causing him to turn and glare at me, willing me to shut my mouth. He hated arguing over Lucinda, and I knew he wasn’t going to tolerate an argument about it in front of Trace. I smiled slightly up at him, trying to convince him I wasn’t going to start a fight or embarrass him in front of Trace, “I was just thinking you and Trace could grill up some steaks and I’d throw together a salad and make some baked potatoes real quick.”
Justin’s eyes narrowed, trying to figure out if he wanted to comply or turn this into an argument after all. I was hoping he’d let it go, I hated fighting with him, and it always seemed to happen over the most minute issues. My smile started to falter slightly when Justin still hadn’t said anything but finally Trace spoke up, “That actually sounds amazing, come on J.” He said slapping Justin on the back and nodding towards the patio.
Justin glanced up at Trace and nodded before finishing the drink in his hand. “Here, I’ll get you another drink and bring the steaks out in a minute, why don’t you go start the grill.” I said softly grabbing the empty glass from his hand.
Justin’s face softened slightly as he nodded and headed towards the door. “You need another drink?” I asked softly turning towards Trace.
“I got it, thanks though.” Trace smiled, taking Justin’s glass out of my hand and pouring the two of them refills before he followed Justin out to the patio.
I took a big gulp of my drink before pulling the steaks out of the fridge and began seasoning them. I was just about to turn and take the steaks out to the guys when Justin made his way back into the kitchen. He slowly made his way around the counter, eyeing the plate of steaks in my hand. “I’m sorry J, I didn’t mean to piss you off.” I whispered as I handed the plate over to him.
Justin sighed slightly as he set the plate on the counter and pulled me into his chest. I exhaled deeply wrapping my arms around his waist, drawing comfort from his forgiveness. “Madi, you just got to stop busting my balls about stupid shit.” Justin sighed running his fingers thru my hair.
“I know, it’s just something we’re going to have to agree to disagree on.” I mumbled causing Justin to chuckle slightly and me to raise my head to look at him. Justin just shook his head at me an amused smile on his face before he bent down and kissed me softly at first, but quickly deepening it.
I finally pulled away smiling up at him, “You better not keep Trace waiting.”
“I love you.” Justin said pecking me on the lips once more before grabbing the steaks and making his way out the door.
A little while later I made my way outside and set the freshly prepared salad on the table and made my way over to a laughing Justin and Trace. “Here baby.” I smiled as I handed Justin a plate of marinated zucchini to grill.
“Here Trace.” Justin said shoving the plate into Trace’s hands before grabbing me by the waist and pulling me to him. I squealed as he caught me off guard, but composed myself by wrapping my arms around his neck just in time to meet him half way for a kiss.
I giggled as I pulled away before saying, “I have to finish setting the table,” laughter dancing across my face.
“Come on, I need another drink anyway.” Justin said his eyes glimmering mischievously at me as he picked up his and Traces glasses and followed me back into the kitchen.
I went to work pulling plates out of the cabinet, only to have Justin come up behind me, pinning me against the counter as his lips connected to my neck. “Justin.” I giggled leaning back into him.
“Hmm?” Justin murmured smiling against my neck.
“As much as I love this….” I groaned out, losing my train of thought when he lightly bit down on my neck.
“What were you saying?” Justin smirked grabbing my hips and turning me around to face him.
I narrowed my eyes at him doing my best to glare at him, but failing miserably. Justin just smirked at me waiting on my response, and I finally had to push him away from me to regain my train of thought. Justin just laughed as he turned around to make new drinks and I busied myself with getting silverware out of the drawer. “You’re supposed to be spending time with Trace.” I finally said, once my head cleared a little.
“Speaking of,” Justin said his voice low as he wrapped his arms around my waist, pressing himself into my back, “Did you invite him out here to fulfill your little fantasy?” Justin breathed against my ear, causing a shiver to run down my spine.
“No.” I whispered, licking my lips, my voice shaking as I spoke.
“No?” Justin lightly questioned with raised eyebrows.
“I mean I love Trace, but I just don’t really see him like that….Why do you want it to be Trace?” I asked fiddling with the silverware in front of me, refusing to look back at him.
Justin stepped back from me taking a drink out of his glass before replying, “Not really, but if that’s what you wanted I was okay with it.”
“I mean if he makes you more comfortable, we can ask him.” I whispered glancing up at him.
“No,” Justin threw his head back in laughter, “that’s not what you want, besides I think I have a better candidate.” He breathed out staring me down.
I picked up my glass and quickly down the remainder of it, causing Justin to chuckle slightly at my nervousness as he took the glass from me and turned to put me another drink. “Who?” I finally got the courage to meekly ask once his back was turned.
Justin slowly turned around and handed me back my glass, studying me before speaking, “Who do you have in mind?”
“I don’t know,” I said quickly taking a few big gulps of my drink, nervousness setting in, not wanting to anger him with my suggestion.
“Relax Madi.” Justin soothed, reaching up and caressing my face softly. I closed my eyes and took a steadying breath leaning into his hand, before slowly opening them and looking up into his gorgeous baby blues. “I know you have an idea, or you never would have brought it up in the first place, but I’m pretty sure we’re on the same page with J.C.” Justin said slowly as I instantly relaxed in front of him.
“That’s what I thought.” Justin chuckled pulling me into him and kissing me lightly.
“You’re okay with that?” I asked skeptically, studying his face for any sign of doubt.
“Of course, it makes the most sense, you two are just as close as him and I are.” Justin smiled down at me, as I let a wide grin spread across my face, finally happy to know that we were on the same page about the situation.
Justin just smirked knowingly at me before speaking, “We’ll talk about this later, come on before Trace comes looking for us,” and with that he led me back out onto the patio, dropping the conversation for the time being.
Chapter End Notes:
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Story Tags: druggiej roughsex jealous triangles threeway justinandtrace jc justin
