Chapter 10

The evening of the album release party had arrived.  Alexis was excited but also incredibly nervous.  There was a lot riding on the album, most importantly, her music career.  If this album didn’t do well she was done before she’d even had the chance to start. 

However, response to the first single; “Jar of Hearts” had been overwhelmingly positive.  The song had entered the top 100 at a surprising 55, and had already climbed to the top 40 in just a few short weeks.  Everyone at the label was pleased and optimistic.  It was a good feeling but Alexis couldn’t help but feel a little deflated.

She hadn’t spoken to Josh in over a week.  Not since their date.  Alexis knew he would be at the party.  In fact, she was certain of it, but beyond that, she was unsure.  There were so many things swirling around in her brain that she was starting to feel dizzy.  Would he bring a date? Would they speak to one another? What would she say? What would he say? 

The party was scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.  A limo was slated to arrive at the condo at 7:30.  Alexis and her date; Michelle would be riding with Kenny.  Now that the single had been released and her album was about to drop Kenny was officially on duty.  Truth be told, Alexis was grateful.  Now that the video was out she was starting to get recognized and if Michelle’s predictions were correct it was only going to get worse. 

At 7:25 the doorbell rang.  Alexis sucked in a breath.  This was it.  The moment she’d been dreaming of since she was a little girl.

“I got it.” Michelle called out from the front room

Moments later Michelle’s voice rang out again from the front of the house.

“Umm…Lexi…you might want to come here.”

Alexis took one more look at herself in the mirror, smoothed her dress a bit and started down the hall.

“Here goes nothing.” Alexis whispered to herself.

However, the sight that greeted her in the living room was like nothing she’d ever seen.  Michelle was standing at the door, trying to balance as she shut the door with her foot while at the same time juggling a HUGE bouquet of flowers.  Blue and Purple roses mixed with purple and white orchids.  They were GORGEOUS!

“Who are those for?” Alexis asked as she watched her sister struggle with the bouquet.

From behind the bouquet, Michelle gave her sister a dirty look. 

“I’m gonna take a wild guess and say you.” Michelle smirked.

“Did you look at the card?”

Michelle made another face.  “Does it look like I’ve had a chance to look at the card?”

Alexis giggled a bit and approached her sister.  “Let me help you.”

Alexis moved a stack of mail out of the way and helped Michelle place the large vase on the counter.  Then, with the bouquet safely in position, Alexis reached for the card and slowly pulled it from the envelope.

I remembered that Orchids were your favorite, and that you love the color purple. 

Don’t sweat it Pretty lady, the world is going to LOVE you

Josh

Alexis found herself blushing a bit, meanwhile Michelle had already snatched the card from her hand.  A smile tugged at Michelle’s lips as she read the words on the card.  Judging by the handwriting Michelle suspected that he’d filled out the card himself.  It was a move in the right direction, or at least Michelle thought it was.

However, neither girl had the opportunity to dwell on the topic for very long.  No sooner had Michelle placed the card back in the flowers than the doorbell rang again.

The two girls looked at each other, then, Alexis looked to the clock.  It was 7:30 on the dot. 

Michelle opened the door and there was Kenny standing on the other side.  He was dressed dapper, in a dark grey suit and a tie with a dark grey Fedora placed atop his head.

He grinned as he looked to the two women.  They were dressed to impress.

“DAMN!” Kenny whistled through his teeth.

Both girls blushed.  Then Kenny noticed the flowers.

“Someone has a Secret Admirer.” Kenny teased.

“Oh, he’s not a secret.” Michelle smirked.

Kenny’s eyebrow went up.  “Really? Care to explain.”

Michelle looked to Alexis.  Alexis hadn’t said a word since reading the card.  One thing was for certain, it was going to be a VERY INTERESTING night.

Michelle shook her head a bit then nodded to the car.  “C’mon. I’ll give you the Cliffnotes version once we are moving.”

Kenny nodded then offered each girl an arm and escorted them both to the waiting limousine.  Only once inside did anyone speak again.

“Ok, I realize I’m new to the Moretti Circle of Trust but I get the feeling this is something I might need to know…for professional reasons.” Kenny said seriously.

The look in Alexis’s eyes was sending warning bells off in his head and the fact that she hadn’t said a word yet wasn’t giving him a good feeling either.

“The flowers are from Josh.” Michelle explained.

“Josh?”

Michelle shook her head and rolled her eyes a bit.  “You might know him as JC Chasez.”

Kenny’s eyes widened a bit.  Then the conversation he’d witnessed between Alexis and Andrew registered in his brain.

“What is your beef with him?”

“I just don’t like him.”

“Why?”

“Mr. Chasez and I have history, ok?”

The details were finally falling into place. 

“Something happened there, didn’t it?” Kenny asked cautiously.

Michelle snorted and Alexis made a face.

“That’s putting it nicely.” Alexis smirked.

Michelle sighed.  He had a right to know, especially if he was going to be in charge of Alexis’s safety.

“Josh…JC…whatever you want to call him dated our sister…a long time ago.  They broke up because she cheated on him…” Michelle started to explain.

Kenny looked to Michelle then over at Alexis.  It didn’t take a degree in Rocket Science…or Criminal Justice to figure out the rest of this story.  It was all over Alexis’s face.

“I think I get the idea.” Kenny said forcing a smile.

Then, a second thought occurred to him and it was all he could to not laugh a little and shake his head. 

“The fact that professionally, you go by Danielle and not Alexis is because of him, isn’t it?” Kenny asked trying not to smile.

“No.” Alexis protested.

“Yes.” Michelle smirked at the same time.

Kenny chuckled. “Figured as much.”

“Could we not talk about this right now? I’m getting a headache.” Alexis grumbled.

Kenny nodded then shot Michelle a wink.  “I’ll leave it alone…for now.”

“Thank you.” Alexis huffed.

By the time they reached the party most of the guests had already arrived.  In truth, the party was more of a promotional event than an actual party.  The majority of the guests were label executives, investors and members of the press along with members of the album production crew, other artists from the label and a few friends and family sprinkled in. 

In fact, Michelle was the only one from the friends and family category at the party.  Alexis and Michelle’s parents had been invited but were unable to attend.  Both still had full time jobs and still lived in Orlando, and therefore had been unable to get away.  However, Alexis had chatted with them that afternoon and they were both happy and excited for her. It made her feel good that they supported her, even from far away.

The car pulled to a stop in front of the hotel where the party was being held.  It was a swanky, high class Hollywood hotel that Alexis couldn’t remember the name of.  All she could remember was that a night at this hotel was WAY beyond her pay grade.

As soon as the car stopped Kenny jumped out and jogged around to the other side to help the girls out.  Michelle stepped out first then Alexis.  Once both girls were out of the car Kenny offered each girl an arm and they started towards the door.

The party was in one of the ballrooms on the first floor and as they approached the ballroom door Alexis felt her breath catch in her throat.  There, just adjacent the door was a GIANT cardboard poster of the album cover.  It was her, dressed in the studded jeans and white top that her sister had created with a newsboy hat atop her perfectly curled hair.  Next to her photo was her name, in her swirly handwriting.

“DAMN! If I didn’t know any better I’d say that those clothes were made for you.” Michelle hissed.

Alexis nodded.

“I know, right?!”

Alexis stepped into the ballroom and it was as if time stood still.  Everyone stopped.  All eyes were on her but there was one pair of eyes that stood out amongst the crowd.  There, on the opposite side of the room, standing next to the bar was Josh.  Next to him, much to her surprise was not some pretty blonde, but a very bald, but still oddly attractive Justin Timberlake.

“Good GOD! That much sex appeal should be illegal!” Michelle squeaked, grabbing her sister by the arm.

“Agreed!” Alexis managed to reply.

Michelle looked at her sister then followed her gaze across the room.  Alexis was gaping at JC.  Michelle couldn’t help but grin.  He did look good!  He was dressed sharply in a dark blue suit with a lighter blue tie and his hair fell in perfect curly tendrils around his face.  He was also sporting a bit of a five o’clock shadow but it worked on him.

Across the room JC had just taken his glass from the bar when Alexis entered the room.  His eyes went wide as they met hers and immediately he brought the glass to his lips.

“SHIT!” He whispered before taking a long drink.

Alexis looked AMAZING.  Her long, dark hair was pulled up in messy curls on top of her head, with curly wisps framing her face and falling down the back of her neck.  She was wearing a deep green, silk dress with thin straps and a plunging neckline.  The dress wrapped around her waist, hugging her curves then stopped mid-thigh in soft ruffles that seemed to accentuate her femininity.  On her feet, a pair of jeweled, green Louboutin heels that seemed to make her legs look longer and more shapely. 

JC downed his drink quickly then set his glass down on the bar, raised his hands and started clapping.

Soon, everyone in the room was clapping.  Alexis blushed then nodded to the crowd and flashed her best smile. 

“I think I need to start making the rounds.” Alexis managed to get out, her eyes still locked with his.

“I think I know where you should start.” Michelle teased.

Across the room, a waiter had just approached Justin and JC with a tray filled with glasses of champagne.  Justin snatched two glasses from the tray then looked to his friend.

“Just follow my lead.” Justin said grinning as he started walking towards the two women.

“What are you doing?” JC hissed as he quick stepped to catch up.

“Trust me on this, ok?” Justin smirked under his breath.

“You’re going to get me in trouble.” JC snapped quietly.

Justin chuckled then slowed his pace a bit.  “No.  You already did that all on your own.”

Justin and JC were just a few feet away when a very LARGE, very stern looking man stepped between them, blocking the two women from view.

Kenny looked down at the two men and had to fight a grin.  He knew who they were.  For one, he had two younger sisters who were both fans.  Secondly, he and Justin’s guard; Lonnie went way back.  He and Lonnie had been friends for years, but *NSYNC’s success had made it difficult for them to spend much time together in recent years.

For a moment, no one said a word.  Kenny was studying them carefully, trying to gauge their intentions and that was when he saw IT.  The Leo pendant peeking out from the top of JC’s collared shirt and tie.  Kenny’s eyes went wide.  Alexis was his responsibility so of course he’d seen the video.  It was part of his job.  He needed to know her inside and out. 

Realization hit Kenny like a Freight train.  He was the guy from the video.  He was whom the song was about.  He was the reason for ALL of this. 

Kenny’s protective side immediately took over.

“May I help you gentlemen?” Kenny asked.

“Umm…” JC stammered.

Kenny didn’t move but kept staring down at them with a gleam in his eye.

“I’m….” JC started again.

Kenny chuckled.  “Oh…I’m quite aware of who you are Mr. A.D.I.D.A.S boy ...you and Mr. Sexy Back over here.”

Behind Kenny, JC and Justin heard Michelle start to giggle.  Meanwhile, Alexis gave Michelle a questioning look.

“A.D.I.D.A.S boy?” Alexis mouthed quietly.

“I’ll explain later.” Michelle whispered back.

Normally, Justin might have been offended but he knew that this man was just trying to do his job and well, his comeback had been slightly amusing. 

Justin smiled a bit then looked up at the wall of muscle in front of him.

“Look…umm…Sir…we aren’t trying to cause a scene…we just wanted to bring the ladies a drink.  We understand it’s your job to protect her.” Justin said calmly.

Kenny laughed.  “Oh no! Not tonight! Tonight my job is to protect you from her.”

Justin chuckled and nodded, meanwhile JC had gone a bit pale.

“Understood.”

From behind him, Kenny felt a hand on his shoulder.

“It’s ok Kenny, I got this. You can stand down.  I assure you, he’s safe…for now.” Alexis said, trying not to giggle.

Michelle laughed a little then chimed in as well.  “Go get yourself a drink, I promise you, I’ve got the referee position on lock with these two.”

Kenny turned to Michelle and winked at her before speaking.  “You’re sure?  I’m more than happy to run pass interference on the play if needed.”

Michelle laughed. “I got this!  I know the signal if I need you.”

Kenny nodded then turned to walk away but not before getting off one more comment.

“Behave, please.”

“We will.” JC said swallowing hard.

Kenny chuckled.  “I wasn’t talking to you two.”

As soon as Kenny was out of hearing range, Justin and JC took a couple steps closer.  Justin handed off the two glasses of champagne then took a step back and smiled.

“You both look…WOW!” Justin said, his eyes falling on Michelle.

“Thanks.” Both girls managed to reply.

Finally, JC found his voice.

“He’s…umm…something…” JC said nodding to where Kenny was standing at the bar.

Alexis cracked a smile and nodded.  “This is his first “official” night on the job …he’s trying to set a precedent.”

“Mission accomplished.” JC chuckled awkwardly.

There was an awkward pause between them.  Neither knew what to say but Justin seized the opportunity quickly.

“Michelle…would you do me the honor of accompanying me to the bar? I seem to have left my drink there.” Justin said grinning.

Michelle smiled back at him.  Apparently, she and Justin were thinking similarly.  His timing was perfect.

“I’d love to.” Michelle answered.

Alexis grabbed her sister’s arm with her free hand and squeezed it lightly.

“Don’t leave me here!” Alexis hissed in Michelle’s ear.

“You’ll be fine.” Michelle whispered back.

In the next moment, Justin and Michelle were gone, leaving Alexis standing there staring back at Josh.

“Thank you for the flowers…they were beautiful!” Alexis managed to get out.

Silently, she was praying that he didn’t see the way her heart had started to pound in her chest.  There was something about him, standing there, dressed in a suit, looking down at her with those deep blue eyes that was making her warm and tingly.

Alexis couldn’t deny that she was attracted to him.  She always had been, even if he didn’t know it.

“So are you!” He replied, his lips curving into a gentle smile.

“Don’t do that.” Alexis whispered.

“Lexi…”

“Josh…please…”

“Lexi…we SHOULD talk…”

“About?”

JC sighed.  This was not going well. 

“You. Me. What happened.”

“You walked away, that’s what happened.  You said you couldn’t stand the sight of me, that I reminded you of her.  That’s what happened.” Alexis hissed.

“I shouldn’t have said that to you.  I was wrong.”

Alexis opened her mouth to speak but Andrew had appeared at her side.  He looked from JC to Alexis and back again.  He could feel the tension in the space between them.  Sexual tension? He couldn’t be sure.  Regardless, he had a job to do and so did Alexis.  Whatever was happening here would have to wait.

“Danielle…there you are…the band is all set…we’re ready for you.” Andrew said, placing a hand on her arm.

Alexis looked to Andrew and smiled, then looked back to JC and forced herself to speak.

“Excuse me Mr. Chasez…it was nice seeing you again.  Enjoy the party.” Alexis managed to reply.

In the next moment, she was gone leaving him standing alone in the middle of the ballroom.

Justin and Michelle returned moments later.

“How did it go?” Justin asked grinning.

“It didn’t.” JC sighed.

Michelle looked to her sister as she took the stage and shook her head.

“Josh…I know it’s been a while but you should know…we Moretti girls, we are a STUBBORN breed of women, and Alexis…well…the firstborn is always the worst.”

“Lexi is the oldest?” Justin asked in surprise.

Michelle nodded. “By 8 minutes and 21 seconds.”

On the stage, Alexis had stepped up to the microphone to address the crowd.  Her eyes landed on JC and she swallowed hard.  His blue eyes locked with hers and she instantly felt her knees wobble a bit.  There was no turning back now.

“Good evening…” Alexis started.

Everyone in the room quieted, then, turned their attention to the stage.  All eyes were on her but the only person she could see was JC.  It was un-nerving.

“Thank you all for coming.  This is something I’ve dreamed about since I was a little girl so thank you, all you, for your support.  Thank you to my manager, Adam, for always believing in me and fighting for me from day one.  Thank you to my sister, Michelle, for always being my rock but at the same time, my biggest fan.  I love you Nerd!”

Michelle giggled and nodded as the tears started to well in her eyes. She couldn’t have been more happy or proud of her sister than she was right then.

Alexis paused, then took a breath and looked again at JC. 

“And thank you to my producer, Mr. JC Chasez for bringing out the best in me…even if I was a bit “uptight” at first.”

JC cracked a tiny smile at this.  At least she didn’t hate him completely.

Once again, Alexis paused and took a breath.  She’d been rehearsing this moment for days but now that it was here, and he was standing there in front of her she wasn’t sure she could go through with it.  She needed to just do it before she lost her nerve, before she let her emotions get the better of her again.

“Now, I know everyone is expecting me to sing “Jar of Hearts” tonight, but I have a feeling you’re going to be hearing that one for a while, so instead, I thought I do a song that’s NOT on the album…but maybe on the next one…if I get that chance…”

JC immediately looked to Michelle.  Michelle could only shrug.  She had no idea what Alexis was doing, but she had a feeling it was going to be a game changer.

“I wrote this one a LONG time ago…for someone I used to know…you know who you are.” Alexis said, her eyes locked on JC again. 

Suddenly, the room had gotten very warm for JC.

This time, it was Kenny that looked to Michelle.  Michelle shook her head.  She really had no idea what was happening.

The band started to play and then the drums kicked in but when Alexis started to sing every jaw in the room dropped.

All the ways that you think you know me

All the limits that you figured out

Limits that you figured out

Had to learn to keep it all below me

Just to keep from being thrown around

Just to keep from being thrown around

Yeah

Every single time the wind blows

Every single time the wind blow

I see it in your face

In a cold night, there will be no fair fights

There will be no good night to turn and walk away

So burn with me fire, drown me with rain

I’m gonna wake up screaming your name

Yes, I am sinner, Yes, I’m a saint

Whatever happens here, whatever happens here

we remain

Meanwhile, next to JC, whose jaw was on the floor at the moment; Justin was scrambling to retrieve his phone from his suit pants pocket.  As discreetly as possible, Justin found the video button on his phone and hit record. 

Michelle noticed immediately.

“What are you doing Mr. Timberlake?” Michelle hissed under her breath.

“It’s Justin, Miss Moretti…and trust me.” He replied grinning.

JC stood frozen throughout the whole song.  He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her no matter how badly he wanted to.  She looked so beautiful up there, pouring her heart out, and in that moment, he realized he couldn’t walk away, not this time.  Not ever again.

When the song finished the room erupted in applause.  Alexis had blown everyone out of the water with her performance.  The cameras were flashing all around, but Alexis was still fixated on JC.

“You ok man?” Justin asked grinning.

The sound of Justin’s voice snapped JC back into reality but his eyes were still on Alexis.

“Umm…no…” JC stammered.

Michelle looked to the stage, caught her sister’s gaze momentarily then looked back to JC.  JC was definitely a goner.  That was evident.

“Umm…yeah…Josh…April may not be in love with you anymore…but I can tell you…without a doubt…Alexis still is.” Michelle giggled.

“Picked up on that, did you?” JC growled.

Michelle looked up at JC and fought with everything inside of her not to laugh.  His eyes were on fire, but he didn’t phase her one bit.

“Oh Josh…I know you’re always a little late to the party so allow me to catch you up to speed, you know, in case it hasn’t occurred to you yet…you’re in love with her too.”

JC’s eyes narrowed as he looked back at her.  “I’m not.”

Michelle laughed and patted his arm.  “Oh yes, yes you are, you’re just not ready to admit it to yourself yet.”

Michelle then quickly excused herself and went to find her sister leaving JC standing there with Justin. 

“That was…a surprise.” Michelle smirked as Alexis stepped down from the stage.

“It wasn’t for you.” Alexis said making a face.

“Yeah…I got that much.”

“Did he say anything?” Alexis asked.

As much as she didn’t want to admit it, he was getting to her, he had been since that first day in the studio.   Also, watching him react just then, to her singing was having an effect on her that Alexis wasn’t quite ready for. 

Michelle laughed.  “Umm…no…you pretty much rendered him incapable of speech with THAT!  Did you plan that?”

Alexis grinned evilly.  “Yes and No.”

Michelle threw her head back and laughed even more.  “Ok, NO! *NSYNC is FINALLY back together, you are NOT allowed to give him a heart attack.  I’m not down with *NSYN…it doesn’t work without him.”

For the next hour or so Alexis was busy with the other guests, giving face time to the investors and expressing her gratitude to label executives for supporting her and the album.  It was all part of the process and Alexis took it very seriously.  However, as much as she was trying to put on a good show, her head was not completely in the game. 

Her thoughts were on JC, and that’s where they’d been since she stepped into the party.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity the schmoozing was over.  Alexis looked to the bar to see Michelle standing there with Justin and Kenny but Josh was nowhere to be seen.  She scanned the room quickly but didn’t see him.  Breathing a sigh of relief she slipped out of the ballroom unnoticed and made her way down the hall to the ladies’ room.

Alexis took the few moments of solitude to collect herself.  It had already been an emotionally charged evening and it wasn’t over yet.  She needed to get her wits about her or it was going to be a LONG night.

After a few minutes, Alexis felt ready to return to the party.  She opened the door and started down the long, somewhat darkened hallway towards the ballroom only to walk right into Josh.  His hands were strong as he gripped her arms to steady her and she felt a shock of electricity shoot through her as she looked up at him.  His blue eyes were on fire again.

“Lexi…”

“Josh…don’t…”

“No! Lexi please, just hear me out.  Then I promise; I’ll leave you alone…if that’s what you want.”

Alexis sighed then relaxed her shoulders a bit.  “I’m listening.”

“I’m an idiot!”

Alexis smirked.  “Go on.”

“I shouldn’t have said those things to you.  I should have never compared you to her.  You’re nothing like her. I realize that now.”

Alexis made a face but JC continued.  He needed to get this out while he had her attention.  He may not get another chance if he let her go now.

“I know…I should have seen it then but I couldn’t.  I was blinded by hurt, and I took it out on you, and that was wrong.”

Sighing sadly, he loosened his grip and took a step back.  When she didn’t run he kept going.

“I’m sorry Lex…I’m so sorry and I know “sorry” doesn’t fix what I did, but if you’ll let me, I’d like to at least TRY to make it up to you.  For all of it! For what I said, for walking away, for the last eight years.” JC said looking to the floor.

“I don’t know Josh…” Alexis whispered.

Taking a step closer JC reached out, placed a hand under her chin and lifted her gaze to meet his.  Her green eyes were brimming with tears and it nearly undid him.

“Look, I know…I have absolutely no right to ask you to forgive me.  I lost that right the day I walked out but I am asking, no, I’m begging you to PLEASE give me another chance.  Let me try to make this right…please.” JC said, but his lips were now hovering over hers.

“I’ll think about it.” Alexis replied, her voice wavering.

JC nodded then leaned in just a bit more so that his lips were now lightly touching hers. 

“Take all the time you need Pretty lady.  I’m not going anywhere…not this time.” He whispered against her.