Manhattan, New York- 2 days later

Outside the window pigeons cooed rather loudly but April didn’t mind the noise.  She was in her own world, a world of fabric swatches, buttons, thread and fast changing fads.  She was completely submersed in the throws of the fashion world and she absolutely loved it.

She loved the bright colors and textures of the fabric.  More importantly she loved that she had the ability to create and express herself in such a way that could be shared.

True, other artists had that ability as well but there was just something about seeing her designs on others that made her heart leap.  To be honest, she hadn’t had that opportunity very often just yet.  She was still earning her place in the fashion world.

As of yet she only had a few boutiques in New York and L.A. agree to carry her collection but she had a good feeling that things were about to start turning around.  In the meantime, she would just have to be content with being allowed to create without interruption.  Or so she thought.  She was in the middle of sewing on a button to a piece of fabric when the door to her studio opened and another woman breezed through the door wielding her cell phone and purse in one hand and a tray with two coffee cups in the other.  She had blonde hair, brown eyes, a long, slender figure and a friendly smile.

She was April’s right hand; her agent, her publicist and web master.  There wasn’t anything she couldn’t do or at least that was how April saw it.

Without even looking up April took the offered cup of coffee and greeted her visitor.

“Good Morning Amy!”

Amy grinned.  “Yes, it is.  It’s a great morning!”

April giggled.  Amy’s ability to be so upbeat all the time was both a blessing and a curse.  Her upbeat personality kept April motivated and at the same time drove her bonkers.

“Why is it such a great morning?” April asked.

Amy set down her purse and coffee cup on the edge of April’s work table and pulled up a stool to sit next to her.  The smile was still as wide as ever on Amy’s face so April knew something was up.

“Well, I just got a call from a record label in L.A. and they want to use some of your designs for a music video as well as the album cover and promotional prints for one of their artists.” 

April’s eyes widened.  This was the break she’d been hoping and waiting for.

“Who is the artist?”

“Umm...Danielle something.”

April’s eyes widened a bit more and she swallowed hard.  Certainly, there was more than one Danielle releasing an album soon.

“Danielle M.?”

“Yeah, that’s it!” Amy yelped.

Then realization hit.  She had been so excited when she’d taken the call that she hadn’t even given the name a second thought.

“Oh wow! That’s your sister, isn’t it?” 

Amy knew very little about April’s twin.  All she knew was that they didn’t speak to each other and it had been that way for as long as she’d known April.

“Yup, that’s her.” April grumbled.

“So, what do you want to do? It’s your call.”

“I don’t know.”

Nothing more was said on the topic for the rest of the day but that didn’t mean it was forgotten.

In fact, it was all April could think about.  She could only imagine what her twin might be thinking at the moment.  Whatever it was, it probably wasn’t pleasant.  She hadn’t said more than just a few words to Alexis in almost eight years.

Alexis hated her, and if April was being honest, she had every reason to.  That being said it wasn’t like April hadn’t tried to apologize.  She’d tried on several occasions to apologize to Alexis for what had happened but every time she tried it just ended up going terribly wrong.  Every time April tried to talk to her sister she felt as if she was reliving the same horrible day over and over again.  Eventually April just gave up trying.  There was nothing she could say or do to make up for what she’d done.  In one day, she’d managed to ruin her relationship with her sister, destroy her family and break a man’s heart.

The next morning Amy found April right where she’d left her, sitting amidst a sea of fabric staring off into space.

In fact, she was still wearing the same clothes from the day before which meant she hadn’t gone home yet.

Amy sighed and shook her head.  She knew that the subject of her sister was a touchy one for April but she had no idea it was this bad.

“Come on, you look like you could use some fresh air.  Let’s go get some coffee and go for a walk.”

April didn’t argue or speak.  Instead, she stood and quietly grabbed her purse and followed Amy out the door.

After getting coffee the girls started walking towards Central Park, which was just a few blocks from April’s tiny studio.

April hadn’t said much but Amy knew that needed to change in a big way if anything was going to be accomplished today.

“My sister and I don’t speak.”

“Yeah...I got that.” 

“My sister and I have barely said more than two sentences to each other in almost eight years.” 

“Yeah, kinda picked up on that one too.  Do you want to tell me why?”

“Because I was a bitch. I was selfish and heartless and now my sister won’t speak to me.” 

“So fix it.”

“I’ve tried.”

“Maybe it’s time to try again.” Amy replied.

April could only nod.  She had a lot to think about.

**********

In Los Angeles the day of the music video shoot had come.  Alexis stood in front of the mirror in her trailer, staring at her reflection.  The dress fit perfectly and the way the stylist had curled her hair in soft curls made her feel pretty.

“We’re ready for you Miss M.” a voice said from outside the trailer.

They were ready, but was she?  She was about to find out.

Alexis stepped out of the trailer and walked towards the set.  The director and the male model the label had hired to play opposite her were waiting on set.  However, as soon as Alexis got close enough to look at him, she had to fight the urge to swallow her tongue.

The guy that would be male lead in the video, the guy that would be the fictional embodiment of JC onscreen looked EXACTLY like JC the day he’d walked out.

“Well FUCK!” Alexis muttered to herself.

Overall, the video shoot went well.  Alexis was happy with the end result.  It was a beautiful video but now that it was done, she had to wait, and worry about how it would be received.  Truthfully, she was most nervous about what JC was going to say.  There was NO WAY he wasn’t going to figure out who she was now.

*****

Three days after the video shoot Alexis was back in the studio with JC.  This would be the last day they would be working together.  The album was basically finished and her single with the video was going to drop the very next day.

“I think we’re done.” JC said as he leaned back in the production chair.

A smile tugged at Alexis’s lips.  He seemed so happy, so at ease like this.  It made him seem even sexier if it were possible.

“You think so?”

JC smiled and nodded.  “The album is finished.  I wouldn’t change a thing at this point.  It sounds amazing, you sound AMAZING.”

Alexis blushed.

“Thanks.”

“We should celebrate.” JC blurted out.

“Excuse me?!” Alexis giggled.

“We should go out, have a drink, celebrate your success.”

Alexis laughed out loud.  “My success?! Don’t you think you’re being a bit presumptuous?!”

JC grinned.  “No, not really.”

“Go out? What does that mean?” Alexis asked as she smiled and shook her head.

JC chuckled.  “It means I am taking you out.”

“On a date?” Alexis squeaked.

JC laughed.  “That was the idea.”

“You’re asking me out?”

“I am.  Are you accepting?” JC said as he smiled and bit his lip.

“Isn’t that like a conflict of interest or something?”

JC laughed.  “Maybe if we were still working together, but your album is finished.”

Alexis looked down at herself briefly.  She was dressed in a pair of black leggings and a long, scoop neck top that was tied in a knot at the waist.  Not really suitable date attire.

“Where are you taking me?” Alexis asked, her eyes wide.

“Where do you want to go?”

Alexis didn’t know how to respond.  Going out for a drink with him had been one thing, going on an actual date was entirely another.

“Do you eat Mexican food?” Alexis asked bravely.

Truthfully, if she remembered correctly, he did eat Mexican food.  It wasn’t his favorite but he tolerated it well enough as long as it wasn’t too spicy.  And, if she was in fact going to go out on a date with him then Margaritas needed to be involved.  LOTS of Margaritas.

“On occasion.”

“Ever been to El Sombrero?” Alexis asked.

JC shook his head and grinned.  “Can’t say that I have.  Where is that?”

“Rancho Park.”

JC smiled and bit his lip a bit as he looked back at her.  “Rancho Park?! Is that where you live?”

“Yes.  Is that a problem?”

He chuckled. “Nope. Not a problem.  Sounds great.  I’ll pick you up at your place, say around 7:30 p.m.?”

Alexis shook her head furiously.  “No! That’s ok, I will just meet you there.”

“Where is the fun in that?” He teased.

Alexis smiled and tried not to let her nerves give her away.  The LAST thing she needed was to have JC show up at her place and have Michelle answer the door.

Was she nervous? He couldn’t tell, but something about the look in her eyes right then told JC not to push the issue.

“I’ll meet you there at 7:30.” JC agreed.

“Thank you.”

As soon as Alexis made it through her front door the nerves started to kick in.  She was going on a date with Josh.  Actually, Danielle was going on a date with JC but that was the least of her worries. 

“Michelle?!” Alexis called out.

“I’m right here.  You don’t need to shout.” Michelle replied from her seat at the dining room/kitchen table.

“I need your help.” Alexis huffed as she dropped her bag on the table.

Michelle eyed the bag with disdain then looked up at her sister.

“With?”

“I’m going on a date and I don’t know what to wear.” Alexis replied.

Michelle raised an eyebrow.  Yes, Alexis went on dates, they both did, but it had been at least a little while since Alexis had been on a date.  Not to mention the fact that she never once mentioned she was seeing anyone.

“A date?! With whom?!”

Alexis gave her sister a pointed look and Michelle had to fight the urge to burst out laughing.

“With JC?” Michelle giggled.

Alexis made a face.

“No, Justin Timberake…yes, with JC!”

“Ok, wait, you’re going on a date or Danielle is?”

Alexis rolled her eyes at her sister.  “It’s the same person.  They are both me.”

Michelle smirked.  “I know that, but he doesn’t.”

“Are you going to help me or not?” Alexis shot back.

Michelle smiled back at her sister with a devilish grin.  “I’ll help you, but you do realize that if this is going to continue, you’re going to have to tell him the truth.”

“I’ll tell him.” Alexis sighed.

“When?”

“I don’t know, when the time is right.”

“Soon! You need to tell him soon!” Michelle shot back.

“Ok, fine, I will tell him soon, but not tonight.”

“He’s gonna figure it out.”

“Ugh! Michelle, will you please quit lecturing me and help?”

Michelle smirked.  “Yes, I’ll help.  Where are you guys going?”

“El Sombrero.” Alexis answered.

Michelle snorted.  “You’re really asking for it, aren’t you?”

Alexis made a face.  “Please! Just help me pick something to wear.”

Thirty minutes later Alexis was dressed in a pair of low rise, hip hugger jeans and a deep green, flowy peasant top that came off one shoulder exposing her neck.  Her hair she’d curled in soft curls then pulled back into a low, loose pony-tail so that the curls fell softly down her back.

“How do I look?” Alexis asked, looking to her sister.

“Like you’re about to get into trouble.” Michelle smirked.

“You’re not helping.” Alexis huffed.

“You only asked for my help getting ready.  You can get into trouble all on your own.”

Alexis didn’t respond.  Instead, she turned from the room and started down the hallway towards the kitchen.

At precisely 7:30 p.m. Alexis was walking into the restaurant. 

“Good evening Alexis, your regular table?” Freddy, the maitre’d asked.

Alexis smiled.  “No, not tonight.”

“Ooh! A hot date?” Freddy teased just as he normally did.

Alexis blushed.  “Actually, yes.”

Freddy grinned.  “Who is the lucky guy?”

Alexis blushed more.  “Umm…well…I’m not sure if he’s here yet…he’s typically late…but…”

Freddy’s eyes widened and he grinned more if it were possible.  “Alexis Moretti…are you here on date with that Fine Ass Daddy of a man from *NSYNC?”

Alexis laughed.  “Fine Ass Daddy?!”

Freddy grinned.  “Oh honey, that man is FINE!”

Alexis could only giggle more and shake her head.  “Well, I will give you that, and yes, I am.”

“C’mon, I’ll show you to the table.”

JC was on time, she was impressed.  He stood as she approached giving her the opportunity to look him over.  He was wearing tennis shoes on his feet, Nike’s she suspected, a pair of dark wash jeans and a white button down that had the top two buttons undone exposing his neck and just a hint of his chest.  Around his neck was a Leo pendant on a black chord.  She’d seen it at least a thousand times.  His brown hair was curlier than normal, meaning he’d probably just washed it and his blue eyes were smoldering back at her.

“FUCK! I’m in trouble!” Alexis muttered to herself.

Meanwhile, JC was also taking the opportunity to examine her from a distance.  She was gorgeous!  He couldn’t explain why, but he found himself completely mesmerized by her but at the same time haunted.  It was making him crazy.  She was making him crazy. 

“SHIT! I’m in trouble!” He whispered to himself.

Once at the table, Freddy, the maitre’d turned to Alexis and smiled.  “Should I put in a Mucho Margarita for you?”

Alexis giggled.  “You know me too well, yes please.”

“Frozen or On the Rocks?”

“On the Rocks.”

Freddy turned to JC next.  “What about you?”

“A Mucho Margarita On the Rocks sounds great.”

Freddy grinned then winked at Alexis.  “Got it.”

It wasn’t until they were both seated that either of them took the opportunity to speak.

“I take it you come here often?” JC asked smiling.

Alexis giggled slightly.  “My sister and I have been known to come here on occasion.”

He chuckled and Alexis felt chills race down her spine.  This was going to get interesting quickly.

“Well then, it must be good.”

Alexis nodded and tried to calm her nerves.  When they were younger, back when he was dating April, she’d never been nervous around him.  This was different.  Everything about this time felt different.  It had from day one.  However, she had to wonder if that feeling would change once he knew the truth.

“It is…I mean if you like Mexican food.”

“Who said I didn’t like Mexican food?”

That smile! Why did he have to be so damn cute with that smile? Why couldn’t she hate him and just be done with it? 

Alexis giggled nervously.  “No one…I just know you prefer Chinese food.”

JC grinned playfully.  “You just know? How?”

“My sister…she’s a big *NSYNC fan.”

At least it wasn’t a complete lie.

“Which sister?” JC asked curiously.

Alexis smirked a bit.  “Which one do you think?”

He’d struck a nerve.  It was time to take a different approach.

JC smiled softly and nodded.  “Gotcha.  Well, yes, I do prefer Chinese food but there is nothing wrong with mixing it up a bit.  Especially, for a gorgeous woman.”

Alexis laughed.  “You really are a flirt!”

“And that’s a bad thing?” JC teased.

Just then the drinks arrived.  Alexis reached for her drink quickly and took a LONG sip. 

Once the waiter took their food order and walked away the conversation continued.

“Where were we?” Alexis asked.

“You were telling me what a horrible flirt I am.” JC said grinning.

“Horrible?! Did I say you were “horrible?!” I don’t remember saying that.”

JC bit his bottom lip and grinned before taking a sip of his own drink.

“So, you don’t think I am horrible?”

Alexis giggled and shook her head.  “No. I don’t.  What gave you that impression?”

JC got a bit more serious.  “Just a vibe I got from you…when we first met…you seemed kind of…”

Alexis raised an eyebrow.  Truthfully, she could only imagine what JC’s impression of her was when they’d first started working together.  It probably wasn’t a good one.

“Bitchy?!” Alexis finished.

JC laughed. It was a deep laugh, from his diaphragm and one she hadn’t heard from him in a really long time.

“No! Not Bitchy.  I would never say that about you! More stand-offish, guarded, I guess.”

Alexis nodded and cracked a smile.  “I can accept that.”

“Care to explain why?”

Alexis grabbed her drink again.  This conversation was headed in a direction she wasn’t at all ready for.

“Why what?”

JC smiled at her.  It was a reassuring smile.  One she hadn’t expected.

“Why you seem so guarded?”

“It’s complicated.”

JC grinned.  “So uncomplicate it.  I’m not going anywhere.”

Alexis took yet another sip from her drink.  The liquid in her glass was disappearing quickly and JC couldn’t help but notice.  She was nervous.  But, why?

“Is it because of that guy?” JC continued.

“What guy?”

“The guy your song is about.  The one that was dating your sister.”

Thank GOD for the waiter.  He appeared just then to deliver the food. 

“Would you like another margarita?” the waiter asked looking to Alexis.

“Yes please!”

“What about you sir?”

JC nodded.  “Sure.”

The conversation paused briefly while they ate but JC wasn’t about to let it go.  He was beginning to get the impression that there was something she wasn’t telling him and he wanted to know what it was. 

“What exactly did this guy do to you?” JC asked curiously.

The plates had been cleared away.  It was just the two of them, and the drinks.

Alexis looked up at JC in surprise.  There was concern in his eyes. 

“He left.” She whispered.

JC’s eyes widened a bit.  The pain in her expression was undeniable.  Then, realization set in.

“Oh?!  You were in love with him, weren’t you?” JC whispered back.

Alexis could only nod her reply.  It was the first time she’d admitted it to anyone, including herself.

“Are you ready to get out of here?” JC blurted out.

He wasn’t ready for the night to end but he also didn’t think either of them needed any more Margaritas, particularly her. 

Alexis nodded again but didn’t speak.

Within moments the check was taken care of and they were standing outside the restaurant together.

“Can I give you a ride home?  I feel like maybe you shouldn’t drive.” JC said sincerely.

“Neither should you.  Those margaritas are stronger than you think.”

JC chuckled a bit and nodded.  “Fair enough.  Want to share an Uber?”

“Sure.” Alexis replied.

Truth be told, she was feeling a bit dizzy and it wasn’t just because of the alcohol.  Driving in her current emotional, mental and physical state probably wasn’t the best idea.

The Uber that arrived was fairly small so they had to sit close in the back but JC wasn’t complaining.  The more he got to know her, the more he wanted to know.  There was something about her that was drawing him in but she was holding back and he couldn’t figure out why.

The drive to Alexis’s condo was quick.  Quicker than JC had expected and now he found himself trying to grasp at the few moments he had left with her.

“Let me walk you to the door?!” He whispered in her ear.

Shivers raced down her spine and her heartbeat started to quicken. This was not going to end well, she could feel it.

Alexis shook her head.  “That’s sweet, but not necessary.”

“Please?!” He whispered again.

Alexis nodded.  She knew how persistent he could be and she really didn’t want to drag this out any more than necessary.  Not to mention there were certain things about him that she was still beyond curious about.

As soon as she responded JC hopped out of the car and jogged around to the other side to open the door.  He helped her out of the car, taking her by the hand then leaned back in briefly to speak to the driver.

“If I’m not back in five minutes you’re free to go.  Don’t worry about the fare.  Keep it.”

He took her hand in his and for a moment she froze.  Alexis had never actually held his hand before.  Even when they were friends.  She was amazed at how strong, but yet soft his hands felt.  It felt good.  Really good!

He walked her to the door then turned to face her.  Under the soft glow of the porch light her eyes were sparkling.  He licked his lips and fought the urge to kiss her as she fumbled with her keys in the door.

“May I see you again?” JC asked quietly.

Alexis swallowed hard.

“I’m sure we will see each other around.” Alexis managed to reply.

JC chuckled a bit and shook his head.

“Let me try that a different way, Danielle, may I take you out again?”

Alexis shook her head and forced herself to speak.  She wanted to say “yes” more than she was willing to admit but her heart was holding her back.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

The door was open now.  She stepped just inside and he followed. 

“Danielle…” He started his lips hovering over hers.

Alexis wanted to kiss him.  She wanted it so badly.  She wanted to know what his lips felt like but in the end her brain won out.

“Alexis.” She replied.

JC pulled back a bit, looking at her confused.

“Huh?”

Alexis sighed and took a step back.  “My name is Alexis…Alexis Danielle Moretti.”

He still wasn’t getting it.  She could see the confusion in his eyes.

“You used to call me Lexi.” She whispered.

JC’s eyes widened.  He pulled away and took a step back as his memories started to overwhelm him.

It all made sense now.  The way she acted around him. The way it always seemed as if she was holding back.

A mixture of anger and pain flickered across his face.  “You’ve been lying to me…this whole time?!”

“I never lied to you Josh…”

His eyes darkened.  “Oh really?!”

“Will you let me explain?”

“Explain what?  How you lied to me? How you let me believe you were someone else?” He snapped.

As soon as the words left his lips the floodgates that had been holding back her emotions collapsed.

“We’ve been working together for weeks!  Are you really that thick?  You really had no clue?” Alexis shot back.

“Are you calling me stupid?” He growled.

Alexis laughed, but it wasn’t a nice laugh. 

“No Josh!  I would NEVER call you stupid! You’re anything but.  What you are is…a COWARD!  You were the one that left.  You were the one who walked away!”

In the next moment Michelle appeared.  JC looked from Alexis to the younger woman now standing between them.  Realization hit him like a Mack truck.

"Chelle?” He asked, his eyes wide.

Michelle smirked a bit and waved meekly.  “Hi Josh.”

Gone was the little 14 year old girl he remembered. In her place was this beautiful younger version of the equally beautiful woman now standing in front of him.

“FUCK!” He mumbled as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“Sit down!” Michelle snapped.

“I should go…” JC started.

Michelle shook her head.  Her eyes were on fire and she was looking directly at him.

“SIT DOWN Josh!”

He sat down on one end of the couch while Alexis sat down at the other.

Michelle looked to her sister first.

“I told you! I told you this would end badly! I told you that you should be honest but I’m the little sister, what do I know?”

Then she looked at JC.  The look in her eyes as she looked at him scared him a bit. 

“I know that the past eight years of my life has been agony!  I know that for the past eight years I’ve been living in a war zone, torn between my two sisters who can’t even stand to be in the same room together much less speak to one another.”

JC opened his mouth to speak but Michelle cut him off.

“You have no idea Josh.  You have no clue what it’s been like.  That day…the day you left.  The day you walked out and never came back I sat in the stairwell and listened as my two sisters SCREAMED at each other for the next three hours!  When the screaming stopped so did the talking.  They only speak to each other when absolutely necessary.”

JC looked to Alexis briefly.  He could tell she was trying not to cry in front of him.

“*NSYNC may be five letters but in the Moretti house it’s a four-letter word!  Anything to do with you was banned in our house because the SECOND someone said your name it started all over again!”

“Chelle…I…”

Michelle shook her head.  “Nope! I’m not sure you get to call me that anymore…you have to earn that one back.  You didn’t just leave April that day…you left all three of us.  You were like a big brother to me and you just left…you just walked away…”

Then Michelle turned on Alexis again.

“And you…yeah you lied to him.  You lied about who you were.  You lied about knowing him but he’s not the only one you’ve been lying to and you know it!  You’ve been lying to yourself and everyone else about how you feel for the past eight years.  Maybe even longer than that.”

Alexis didn’t speak.  She just sat there staring at the floor.

A few quiet awkward moments passed.  Everyone was deep in their thoughts.  Finally, Michelle spoke again.

“Did you drive the two of you here?” Michelle asked looking to JC.

JC shook his head.  “We took an Uber.  My car is back at the restaurant.”

Michelle nodded. “You can sleep on the couch.  I’m not letting you drive yourself home right now.  I will NOT be responsible for the demise of 1/5 of *NSYNC.  Not now that we FINALLY have you all back together.”

“Fine.” JC mumbled.

He didn’t have the energy to argue.  Not after this.

Michelle then looked at her sister. 

“You can go to bed now, and that’s not a suggestion.  Go to bed!”

Alexis nodded, pulled herself up from the couch and started down the hall.

It was going to be a LONG night!

JC awoke the next morning to the sound movement in the kitchen.  He opened his eyes and groaned quietly.  The moment he opened his eyes the events of the previous evening came flooding back.  Danielle, the girl he’d been working with and trying to get to know personally for weeks was actually his former best friend; Lexi.  Her younger sister, the *NSYNC fan was actually Michelle, the girl he’d loved like a little sister.  And then there was their sister; April, the girl that had shattered his heart into a thousand pieces.  The girl that had broken his ability to care for any other girl on that level.  Where was she?

JC sat up and stretched a bit as he allowed his eyes to focus.  He looked over the back of the couch and there in the kitchen was Michelle.  Her back was turned but he could tell it was her.  Her hair was just a bit darker than Lexi’s. 

Sighing to himself, JC got up and walked towards the counter.  Michelle could sense his presence immediately.

“Sit down.  Do you want some coffee?” Michelle asked with her back still turned.

He cracked a tiny smile.  “Coffee would be great.  Just don’t spit in it, please?”

Michelle spun around and smirked at him a bit.  “I think you have me mistaken for the wrong Moretti.”

“Do I? That’s not the way it sounded last night.”

Michelle busied herself with his cup of coffee as she spoke.  “None of us hate you, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“Could have fooled me.”

Michelle sighed.  “It was never like that.  That’s why it was so hard.  That’s why it hurt so much.  I was mad at you for leaving, but I never hated you.  If anything, it was the other way around.”

JC’s jaw dropped.  “Chelle…”

Michelle gave him a stern look.

JC cleared his throat then tried again.  “Michelle, I NEVER hated you.  You were just a kid.”

“That’s not how it felt.”

“And her?” He asked nodding to the hallway.

Michelle had to fight not to laugh.  “She doesn’t hate you either.  Again, that was the problem, none of us hated you, but you decided to leave all three of us…because of one.”

JC swallowed hard and forced the words past his lips.  “Where is April?”

“New York.  She’s a clothing designer.”

“Huh!  Not what I expected.” JC chuckled.

“What exactly did you expect?” Michelle smirked.

JC shook his head.  “I don’t know.  Not that.”

He paused for a moment then met Michelle’s gaze.

“Then again, I didn’t expect I would end up producing Lexi’s album.”

Michelle snorted.  “Neither did she.  She was actually against it at first.”

JC chuckled a bit.  “Oh, I’ll bet.”

There was a pause as JC struggled to collect his thoughts.

“Are you really an *NSYNC fan?” JC asked.

Michelle blushed.  “Since the day you left.”

“Were we really banned by your parents?” JC asked curiously.

“Yup!  See…there was this Special…on the Disney channel.  I was watching it…then April and Alexis walked in…it wasn’t pretty!”

JC sighed.  “I’m sorry…”

Michelle shook her head fervently.  “I’m not the one you need to apologize to…”

JC shook his head back at her and smiled.  “It sounds like I do.”

“One Moretti at a time.” Michelle replied quietly.

“Isn’t that what’s happening here?” JC teased.

Michelle grinned.  “Hmm.  We’ll see about that.”

It was then that JC noticed the time on the microwave behind her.

“Is that really the time?”

Michelle nodded.

“SHIT! I gotta go!  I’m gonna be late.”

“For?” Michelle asked her eyes smiling.

JC laughed.  “I’ll tell you later.”

“Later?” Michelle asked raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah.  When we have lunch together.”

“Me? Have lunch with you? Again, I think you have the wrong Moretti.”

JC winked. “One Moretti at a time, right?”

Then he got more serious.  He nodded to the hallway and cracked a sad smile.

“Besides…I don’t think she’s ready for that quite yet.”

Michelle smirked.  “I think you underestimate her just a bit.”

“Obviously!” JC chuckled nervously.

Michelle scribbled her number onto a blank shopping list and pushed the paper towards JC.

“Don’t make me regret this.” Michelle warned.

“I won’t.  Not this time Chelle.” He said standing to leave.

“You haven’t earned that back yet!” She called after him.

“Yet?!” JC laughed.

****

An hour later the other four members of *NSYNC sat in Justin’s LA home waiting for JC to arrive.  They were supposed to be recording but JC was late as usual.  Truthfully, JC was later than usual but LA traffic was crazy at this time of day.

They were chatting a bit, passing the time until JC arrived.  The TV was on in the background but none of them were paying it any attention.  That was until JC walked in.

“What’s that?” JC asked nodding to the screen.

“Hello to you too.” Justin smirked.

“Turn that up.” JC replied, his eyes wide.

Justin grabbed the remote then looked to the screen.  On the screen in front of him was a very beautiful girl in a white dress and combat boots.  He looked to the screen then to JC.  JC looked like he was going to be sick. 

Immediately Justin turned up the volume so they could all listen.

Her voice was chilling, haunting even.

They were all dumbfounded.

You’re gonna catch a cold

From the ice inside your soul

So don’t come back for me

Who do you think you are?

It was then that the JC look alike appeared on the screen.  He looked EXACTLY like JC circa 1998 all the way down to the haircut and jacket and the Leo pendant around his neck.

JC sucked in a breath.  It all made sense now.  The guy, the one her song was about.  The one that had left her.  The one that had broken her heart.  It was him!  That first day in the studio, the day he felt she was singing the song to him.  It was because she had been! 

JC sank down onto the couch and began to rub his neck.

“HOLY FUCK!” JC breathed out.

“Isn’t that the girl you were producing for?” Justin asked.

JC simply nodded.

“Ok, so then why does the guy in the video look like you?” Joey chimed in.

JC looked up at his friends and sighed heavily.  “Because it IS me.”

“Ok, wait?! What?! I’m confused.” Lance added.

JC sighed again and shook his head.  He still couldn’t believe any of this was happening.

“That is Alexis Danielle Moretti…but some call her Lexi…”

Justin’s eyes went wide as saucers.  He was the first to catch on but the others quickly followed.

“Wait?! That’s Lexi? Your Lexi?” Justin managed to reply.

JC nodded sadly.  Then continued to explain.

“Do you guys remember that girl named April I was dating?  The girl I broke up with right before we filmed the Disney special.”

“The one you were in love with.  The one that cheated on you…several times, while we were in Europe.” Chris answered.

“Yup. That’s the one.” JC groaned.

“What does she have to do with this?” Lance asked.

JC laughed and shook his head. “Lexi is her sister.  Twin sister to be specific.”

“Identical?” Joey asked snorting.

“GOD NO!” JC shot back.

Justin’s eyes narrowed.  Of the four other men in the room, he’d known JC longest so this came as a bit of a shock.

“Ok, wait.  You never told anyone they were sisters.  What, you conveniently forgot that part?” Justin snapped.

JC didn’t know how to respond.

“I didn’t think it was relevant at the time.”

“Really?! Your best friend outside of the group and the girl that broke your heart are sisters, NO…TWINS…and you didn’t think that was relevant?!  I love you man…but GOD …you are an ASS!” Justin smirked.

Lance looked at the screen.  It was frozen on the girl’s face.  Justin had apparently hit pause.  The look in her eyes said it all.

“Lexi was in love with you, wasn’t she?” Lance asked, smiling and shaking his head.

“Apparently.” JC mumbled.

“And you had no idea?” Joey chuckled.

“Nope. Not until just now.” JC sighed.

“You’re an idiot.” Chris muttered.

“Yup! Got that! Thanks.”

“So, when did you figure out that “Danielle,” the artist you were producing, and Lexi were the same person?” Justin smirked.

“Last night, when I took her out.”

“You took her out, on a date?” Joey busted up laughing.

“It gets worse.” JC moaned.

Joey laughed more.  “How? Please tell me how this possibly gets any worse?”

“Her sister was there.”

“April?!” Justin exclaimed, his jaw dropping.

“No! Michelle.”

“There’s another one?! Jesus JC!” Chris snickered.

“Triplets?!” Joey teased.

JC shook his head.  “No! No, Michelle is younger.  She was like a little sister to me and apparently, she is a big *NSYNC fan but any mention of me or “US” was forbidden in the house after I left.  April and Alexis have barely said more than a few words to each other in the eight years since.”

“Wow! So, you really are an ASSHOLE.” Chris teased.

“I certainly feel like one.” JC sighed.

“What are you going to do now?” Justin asked seriously.

They all gave him shit, but JC was their “brother” so if he was hurting, they wanted to help. 

“I don’t know.  I asked Michelle to have lunch with me.  Apparently, my leaving hurt her too.  One Moretti at a time, that’s what I told her.”