The next morning was harder to get up. Sharon didn't think that was possible, but it was. She dragged herself out of bed and through getting ready.
Plugging the new music in her car, during the drive, Sharon warmed up her voice. She got to rehearsal at seven thirty. Not many members of the band were there yet. In fact only two others were there with her.
She gave Elliot and Leon a smile and wave then found a place in the room to drop her things. Sharon put on her headphones and listened to music as she tried waking up a little more. She couldn't stop yawning.
Justin hummed along to the music blaring through his car as he drove. It was just before seven thirty that morning and he couldn't wait to get to rehearsal. He lived for this, and was excited. Seven years away from music. And now he was wondering why it had taken him this long. This feeling was home to him. He warmed up his voice as he drove through the early morning LA traffic. He thought about the band he had, and he smiled. The band was amazing and today he would sing his new songs with them for the first time. That excited him even more.But as he got closer to the rehearsal building, Justin's thoughts turned to Sharon. He looked at the can of diet coke sitting in the cup holder next to his coffee and smiled. He was keeping his promise. And he would be lying to himself if he said he wasn't drawn to her for reasons he didn't know.
He got to the rehearsal building just after seven thirty. He liked being early and wasn't surprised to see others were there too. But he was surprised to see Sharon sitting on the floor in her own world listening to music. His heart skipped a beat seeing her.
After putting his things down, Justin got the coffee pot going then went over and briefly spoke to Adam and Elliot Ives who were messing around on their guitars.
Sharon didn't notice when others started coming in the room. She listened to Pusher Love Girl and hummed her part to it. She wanted to make sure she knew it as well as she could before rehearsal. But as she sat there, she couldn't help the yawns that kept escaping.
"I'm surprised you're here so early."
Sharon's eyes shot up hearing his voice and was met with blue eyes staring at her. Her heart sped up. Justin sat down on the floor next to her. He was wearing a black beanie and he looked really good.And smelled really good, Sharon noted.
Find your voice, Sharon, she thought to herself. Her heart needed to go back to its place in her chest instead of her throat. She took her ear buds out and smiled.
"I needed some down time before we get going." She yawned again, quickly covering her mouth and sending him an apologetic look. "Otherwise I'll be yawning through rehearsal."
"I can't have you doing that. I would have to scold you," he said with a grin.
"I don't want that."
"I can be a mean bastard, you know."
Sharon gave him a look. "I highly doubt that."
"You never know." He winked and stood up, then offered his hand to her. "Come on. I have something for you."
Sharon took his hand and stood up. They walked over to his bag and Justin brought out the diet coke and handed it to her.
"I'm a man of my word."
"Oh bless you," Sharon sighed. She quickly opened it and took a drink.
Justin laughed. "Is it a two can kind of day? I brought another," he said smiling. "It is a very early morning in my world but I'm not sure yet. I'll have to let you know after this one."He looked around the room. "Looks like everyone is here. Lets get the party started."Giving her another smile, he walked to the middle of the room. Sharon took one more long drink of her caffeinated gold then joined the band, the whole time trying not to freak out over the fact that he had remembered her and brought a diet coke for her.
But when they started rehearsing and she saw him singing in front of her, the teenage girl was desperately trying to come out. She even caught herself with her mouth wide open, almost forgetting to sing at times. Shaking her head, she put her teenage self at bay and focused. As best as she could.
After a long day of rehearsing, Justin called it a day at five. He stayed talking with a few of the musicians while everyone else went to collect their things to leave. Sharon walked over to where her things were and placed her music binder inside. She was taking a drink from her water bottle when Justin walked up to her. "Did the diet coke save the day?"
Sharon turned around and laughed. "More ways than you could know. Thank you."
"My pleasure. I'll have a couple for you everyday."
Her heart beat faster. "You don't have to do that."
"I'm providing coffee for everyone else, it's the least I can do. Don't worry about it," he insisted. "Aright. Thanks," she said with a smile. "So tonight is the night for the Suit and Tie release."
Justin grinned. "It is."
"Excited?"
"Very. I hope everyone gives it a chance. It takes a few listens. What was your first reaction?"
"My first reaction? Wow," she stated easily.
"Really?"
"Really," Sharon confirmed. "Wow, really good. Wow, really different. Wow, addicting. I love the soul in it. I think its a great sound and song. But I agree that it needs a few listens."
Justin nodded his head in agreement. "Thanks. I like feedback...but only if it's good feedback," he added jokingly.
Sharon laughed along with him. They started walking out of the room towards the parking lot. Most everyone else had left already. He was easy to talk to and someone she could easily hang out with. That thought alone made her smile. And she couldn't help but notice that the last two days, she was the only one leaving rehearsals with him.
That night Sharon tried going to bed earlier than the past two night in hopes to fall asleep early and maybe be ready to wake up with her alarm. But all that ended up happening was her tossing and turning, her mind full of thoughts.
Sharon couldn't help but think of Justin and how much she was starting to really like him. She had always loved him as an artist, but now that she knew him, she was getting hit hard.
"Stop thinking!" Sharon scolded herself. "And stop thinking about him!"
Rolling over again, she threw her blankets over her head and tried her hardest to sleep. Finally it happened, but not until her clock read two a.m.
Her alarm went off too quickly after that. She cursed at it and quickly turned it off. After dragging herself out of bed, into the shower, and getting ready, she went out the door, driving to the rehearsal building.Everyone was making their way into the building when she got there. They all waved hello to each other and talked a little before rehearsal. Justin was already there with coffee and donuts. Putting her things down Sharon rubbed the sleep once more out of her eyes. This schedule was really going to take a lot to get use to. Turning around to go take her place she literally ran right into Justin's solid body.
"Sorry!" She quickly apologized. "Good morning," he said smiling at her.
"Morning," she said trying to smile, her heart beating fast."Uh oh. You didn't say 'good' before morning. I brought you something again." Looking in his hand, she spotted the beautiful silver can. Oh there is a god she thought. When she looked back up and at a smiling Justin, her heart melted in a pool on the floor.
"Thank you so much," she said taking it from.
"You look like you need to it today."
"Very much so," Sharon said taking a drink. "And that also means you think I look as tired as I am.""No, no, no, that's not what I meant," he quickly said, making Sharon laugh. "I'm just giving you a hard time. Trust me, I'm tired and I know I look it.""You really don't. You look great as always. I hope you weren't up all night."
Sharon felt a blush coming on at his compliment. "Yes and no. I sometimes suck at falling asleep. But once I am asleep, I hate waking up."
"Me too. That's why I love coffee," Justin said smiling. "Ready to rehearse?"
"Now I am," Sharon replied smiling.
"Let's get it done."
Sharon laughed and followed him, taking her place. Before they got started, Adam and the rest of the group congratulated Justin on how well Suit and Tie was being received. It was number one on iTunes and the radio DJs were going crazy. Justin was officially out of his seven year hiatus from music. It was an exciting day.
The morning went fast. They rehearsed Justin's new songs, tweaking it until Justin and Adam were happy with the changes and until everyone in the band was comfortable with it too.
When lunch came, Sharon and Haley sat at a table eating.
"You know, it's been three days since we started, but I still can't wrap my head around all of this," Haley said with a laugh.
"I'm glad I'm not the only one," Sharon agreed. "We finally get to spill the beans today too."
"Thank God. My boyfriend has be driving me crazy trying to get it out of me. Every time I practice I have to kick him out of the apartment. He doesn't like that."
Sharon laughed. "My manager, who is also my best friend has been doing the same to me. Speaking of, I should probably call her. I can only imagine she's going nuts waiting to hear from me."
Sharon took her phone out and noticed the few text messages from Katie.
"Ummm...hello?! Did you forget what today is?" Read one message.
"Call me. Now!" Read another.
"I'm gonna kick your ass if you don't tell me soon!" Read the last one.
Shaking her head and chuckling, Sharon was about to call her back when they heard Adam call everyone back to start the afternoon rehearsal.
"Looks like she's going to have to wait a little longer," Haley said.
"She won't be happy. And that makes me smile," Sharon said with a grin.
"You're evil," she said laughing.
"Payback for her bugging me."
Sending her a quick message, Sharon and Haley walked back to the stage.
"I'll call u @4." Sharon hit send and could only imagine Katie's reaction to her message.
The afternoon was spent mixing up Justin's old songs. They all found it funny when Sharon, Haley, Jack and Aaron had to reteach Justin some of his own lyrics.
"You try remembering all these songs that I haven't sang in years!" Justin exclaimed in defense. "Come on mister perfectionist," Adam teased, causing Justin to flip him the bird and everyone to laugh. Just before four, Justin called it a day when they found a good spot to stop practicing. He said bye to everyone, then walked over to where Adam was playing around on the keyboard."I have some ideas for Señorita," he said when Justin walked up to him.
"Besides me trying to remember the words?" Justin joked.
"Yes, although that would be a good start."
Justin nudged him and smiled. "Alright, what's your idea?"
Adam started talking and then he played his idea on the keyboard, but a sound distracted Justin. He looked over and noticed Sharon laughing about something with Haley. He smiled, not knowing what they were laughing about, but he liked the sound of her laugh and the look on her face. Watching as she grabbed her bag, the girls walked past him on their way out. Justin smiled and waved at them and watched until Sharon was out the door."Man, you've got it bad," Adam exclaimed.
Justin snapped out of it and looked back at him. "What?"
"You heard me. You've got the hots for Sharon."
"I do not," he denied quickly. "She's nice."
"Mmm hmm," Adam grinned.
Waving him off, Justin avoided him.
"Play me your idea."
"I already did, but you were too busy drooling over Sharon."
"Asshole," Justin said laughing right along with Adam who was clearly having a great time picking on him.
Adam played him the idea again, Justin loved it, and just like that they had changed one more part of the song for the better.
"See you tomorrow, girl," Sharon said waving at Haley.
Getting to her car, Sharon put her water on the hood of her car as she dug in her bag for her keys. She kept digging but she wasn't finding them. She ended up emptying her bag and still came up with no keys.
"Damnit. Where are they?" She looked in her car in case she had left them in there from the morning, but they weren't there.
Putting her things back in her bag, Sharon looked back at the building. They had to be in there. Walking back inside, she kept her head down looking to see of they fell along the way. Still nothing.
She opened the door to the stage and ran right into a solid body.
"Shit. Sorry," Sharon cursed before looking up to see Justin smiling at her. She really needed to stop running into him. It made her look clumsy. Her heart leapt up in her throat seeing his gorgeous smile.
"Looking for these?" He asked holding up her keys.
"Wha...how...where were they?"
"They were on the floor where we were sitting earlier."
"Thanks," Sharon said reaching for them, but Justin pulled them away from her reach. "Are you trying to keep me here?" She asked.
"No."
"Then why aren't you giving me my keys back?"
"Because you're going to play a little game to get them back."
"What?!" Sharon exclaimed. Justin just smiled. She knew there was no way out of this. "So if I play your game, I get my keys back."
"Yes. It's easy."
"Fine," she grumbled.
"Who's your favor artist?"
Sharon gawked at him. "That's not a fair question."
"You could make me feel really good and say me."
"Will it get me my keys back faster?"
"You'll have to see."
"Fine. You."
Justin put her keys in his back pocket. "I'll let that one slide. Favorite concert?"
"Easy. Nsync, No Strings Attached."
"Brownie points," he said smiling. "Dogs or cats?"
"Dogs."
He nodded his head. "Good answer. Favorite vacation spot?"
"Camping at Yellowstone. I want to go back in a bad way."She watched as a big grin form across his face. He liked that answer, she noted. And it made her wonder why.
"What's your favorite thing to do on a night in?"
"It depends on my mood. Sometimes I'll sit at my piano and just play. Otherwise I'm relaxing. Drinking wine, watching tv or reading a book.""Favorite Disney character?""Oh that's hard. So many good ones. But...Minnie mouse. Yours?"
"Mickey mouse. Match made in heaven," Justin grinned. "Last one. Favorite Nsync member?"
Sharon blushed a dark red. "You," she mumble quietly.
By the look on her face, Justin knew her answer was true and it made him smile. He reached in his pocket and pulled out her keys, handing them to her.
"Thank you."
"Painless, wasn't it?"
"Mostly," Sharon said.
They started walking towards the door to leave. Sharon's phone went off and she reached in her bag. After looking at who it was, she silenced it and put it back in her bag.
"Boyfriend?" Justin asked. The question had flown out of his mouth, but he couldn't help it. He had to know. "No. Don't have one. That was my manager.""Not nice to ignore the manager," he said with a wink.
"She wasn't calling as my manager, but as my best friend actually."
"Ah, a best friend doubled as a manager. Those can be nice."
"Yes, until its annoying like when she feels like she has to know everything when she can't," Sharon said giving him a look.
Justin nodded in understanding. "Ah, the disclosure agreement."
"Yes. She's been driving me insane."
"You know what to do with that?"
"I'm afraid to ask, but go on."
"Make her pay for annoying you. Say that you'll tell her but after she buys you dinner."
Sharon laughed. "I like that. I just may have to do that. She won't like it one bit."
"That's the beauty of it," he said with a smile. "Alright see you tomorrow bright and early."
"Yes I will be here. Although, for the sanity of your band, don't you think we could change that start time to say, ten?" Sharon asked full of hope.
"Hmm, let me think about that for a minute," Justin said stretching his head. "I thought about it and boss says no," he said grinning.
"Aww...a girl has to try," Sharon replied laughing.
Justin liked her laughing. "See you in the morning."
"I'll be here," she said unlocking her door.
"Now I get to go home and try to remember my lyrics."
"Think of it this way, at least it's not Nsync lyrics."
"Oh good god that would be interesting. I don't even know if I could bullshit my way through that. That doesn't mean that it wouldn't be fun." Justin grinned evilly and stood in front of her car door, arms crossed against his chest.
"Are you preventing me from leaving again?"
"Favorite Nsync song?"
"Oh lordy."
"Well..." Justin said grinning large.
"I'm thinking there's a lot of good ones," Sharon said thinking and tapping her foot. "No Strings Attached."
"Good song."
"It is should have been a single."
"Hmm...it would have made a good one," he agreed. "Least favorite Nsync song?"
"Is there such a thing?"
Justin laughed. "You're full of good answers today." "I'm racking up those brown points, aren't I?""I'll have to tally them up tonight," he agreed. "What's your favorite Nsync song?" Sharon asked."This I Promise You. Working with Richard Marx was an amazing experience and that song has always been my favorite." "Least favorite?"
"That's tough. I agree there isn't one," he said moving away from the door. "Although...Here We Go got a little annoying."Sharon busted out laughed. "Nsync has got the flow," she sang, adding the wavy arm move with it.Justin snorted a laugh at the memories that had brought back. "Yea, that. That got annoying.""Still a good song," she said shaking her head. "True fan.""Always and forever.""Alright, I suppose I'll let you get going now.""See you in the morning." With a smile, Justin walked away backwards, giving her a wave. "Yes, see you in the morning. Bright and early because I'm a mean boss.""There aren't many people I'll wake up early for," Sharon said, immediately blushing at what she had just said. She cursed in her head. But watched as Justin bit his bottom lip and winked at her.
Feeling short on breath, Sharon quickly opened her car door and slipped in. Justin waved again and turned around, heading over to his car. Sharon's heart rate was through the roof. She flirted with Justin Timberlake. Pinching herself she winced. Yes, she was awake. She flirted with Justin fucking Timberlake. And she blurted out things she wished she hadn't. Her insides screamed. Hopefully she didn't act like a retard. Shaking her thoughts away she pulled out her cell phone. There were more messages from Katie.
"It's after four...where the hell are you? Unless your hurt. I'm waiting to hear from you."
Next one. "Ok, I'm growing concerned. I put aside my annoying tendencies. Please call me."
Pressing the speed dial she waited for Katie to pick up.
"Please God tell me you're not sitting somewhere on the side of the road hurt."
"No I'm not sitting on the side of the road. I'm still at the rehearsal building."
"Oh really! So can you tell me now?"
"Your concern for me has disappeared, I see."
"Well you just told me you are fine, so spill."
"I did not tell you I was fine. I said I was at the rehearsal building."
"So you're stuck there."
"No."
Katie let out an annoying breath of air. Sharon was loving every minute of it, but she figured she should let her know that she was ok.
"I'm fine Katie."
"Ok good. Now that we've taken care of that. Who are you working for?"
"I'll tell you over dinner, I'm starved."
"What!"
"Meet me at my apartment with dinner and I'll tell you."
"Are you bribing me?"
"Yes."
"That's mean."
Sharon laughed. "It's payback."
"What!"
"Do you even now how annoying you have been?"
"Ok yes I've been slightly annoying, but it's been killing me, eating me from my insides out."
This made Sharon roll her eyes. "Then meet me at my apartment with dinner."
"Oy women fine," Katie exclaimed.
"Good, see you in a half an hour."
"What do you want?"
"Surprise me," Sharon said with a smile knowing this would probably send Katie over the edge.
"Girl this better be worth it."
"Oh it will be."
"Fine, see you in a half an hour."
"Bye," Sharon said with a smirk.
Hanging up Sharon started her way home. When she reached her apartment she opened the door and kicked her shoes off. It felt good to be home. Not soon after she walked in, the door opened again and Katie came walking in with her hands full.
"What the hell did you get?" Sharon said as Katie unloaded the bags in the kitchen.
"I went to your favorite Japanese place."
"You sure are trying to suck up."
"I got wine and a chocolate cake for dessert."
"Oh I do love you," Sharon said getting the plates.
She set them on the counter as Katie opened the bags. Katie struggled with saying something about when Sharon was going to tell her. She got in enough trouble with her mouth already, resulting in her having to buy dinner.
"Let's go," Sharon said grabbing their plates and setting them at the table.
The girls sat down and Sharon just about lost it when she saw how hard Katie was trying.
"You haven't said much since you got here," Sharon commented.
"Yep," Katie replied quickly, then shutting her mouth again.
Putting her fork down, Sharon laughed. "You're trying so hard, aren't you?"
"I don't know what your talking about," she said piling a fork full of rice in her mouth. It only made Sharon laugh harder.
"Swallow then I'll tell you. I don't feel like performing the heimlich maneuver on you today."
Katie quickly swallowed and took a drink of wine. She was ready.
"Ready?"
"What do you think?" Katie exclaimed.
"I'm working for Justin Timberlake."
Katie's eyes grew big and her mouth hung open. "What?!" She screamed.
"I'm working for Justin Timberlake," she repeated, loving every second of Katie's reaction.
"Excuse me." Katie stood up and went over to the couch. She grabbed a pillow and screamed into it. Sharon watched in humor. This was better than she was hoping.
When Katie was done, she put the pillow down and sat back down at the table.
"Better?" Sharon asked.
"Much," she said. Taking another drink of her wine, Katie pushed her food forward and placed her arms on the table. "Food can wait. Tell me everything. Don't leave a detail out."
"There are a lot of details."
"I've got all night. Talk."
Sharon started from the beginning and just like Katie asked, she didn't leave any detail out.
"Oh my god that is so fucking awesome." Katie exclaimed jumping in her set. She took another drink of wine. "I think this will be the best job to date."
"It has been already. The people I'm working with are great. The band is amazing. We get along great and Justin has been at each rehearsal."
"Really! Usually they don't show up until they are needed."
"Yea he sits and listens to us practicing then he practices with us."
"Hands on." Katie said sitting back in her chair. "Hmm....What all is he planning by the way?"
Sharon shrugged her shoulders. "Not completely sure. All we know is new music."
Katie nodded. "I heard Suit and Tie on the radio today and may or may not have flipped out. I was going to make sure you had heard it, but I can see now that you have," she laughed. "Yes, days ago," Sharon said rubbing it in with a wink. "So now I get to be in the loop, right?"
"Yes, don't worry. As much as you didn't think, it was killing me not to tell you and be able to talk to someone about this. I'm going to need you with me on this one."
Katie eyed her. "Yea right, you were enjoying yourself by not being able to tell me."
Laughing a little Sharon took a few sips of wine. "Ok yes maybe it was a little fun, but not being able to tell someone was driving me nuts in the inside."
"I knew you had fun with it."The girls spent the rest of the evening talking and laughing until Sharon kicked Katie out so she could get to bed.
"I like him just for the fact that he's making you get up when the rest of the world has to," Katie said before leaving.
"Of course you do. I, on the other hand, do not. I even begged him to change the time."
"You did not," she said in surprise.
Sharon giggled. "I did. He said no."
"Good man. Alright, get you beauty sleep. Call me tomorrow."
"Will do. See ya girl."
Katie left and Sharon went right to bed. It was getting easier to go to bed early because she loved sleep, but waking up was still a big issue.
Justin put his papers in a neat pile on the table then sat back on the couch, running his hand through his hair. He yawned. It had been a long day, but he wasn't quite ready for bed yet. He looked next to him at his best friend, his dog Brennan. She was passed out sleeping, snoring softly. Obviously she was ready for bed.
Making his way over to his piano, Justin sat and started playing, nothing in particular, just whatever his fingers wanted. He thought back to the last few days and how well everything was coming together. The band gelled well. Everyone got along and had fun together. Meanwhile, his management team was working on the next steps. He knew they were going to have him busy with appearances starting in the next couple of weeks. And he couldn't wait.
Soon, his thoughts turned to what happened that day. How Adam had seen right through him and called him out on it. Justin wasn't ready to admit that he felt something for Sharon. He barely knew her, but as much as he didn't want to, he knew he was falling for her.
He smiled thinking of her. One of the things he liked most about her was how much she laughed. She was always smiling and enjoying herself. It was infectious.
But the thing that really caught his attention from the beginning was her voice. Every day in rehearsal, she was next to him and he got lost in listening to her sing. It would be partly true that was why he kept forgetting lyrics.He had spent a lot of time that night practicing the lyrics so hopefully they would become second nature to him again. Letting his hands drop from the keys to his lap, Justin decided to call it a night. Standing up, Brennan heard him and jumped up and trotted over to the stairs to go up to bed.
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