It was probably just a coincidence, at least that’s what Kiki liked to think, but Justin chose to believe fate had put them together in Orlando at the same time only a week after he left…….
*************************************************************************************************
So what if only three days had passed since he went out on the road, Justin couldn’t help missing Kiki already. He missed everything about her “ her smile and laugh, her calming effect on him, even her sassy attitude when she was checking him. At the very least he wanted to hear her voice so he called her up when that longing got too much to bear and actually ended up getting the great news.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m in Target getting some stuff for my trip.”
“Where are you going?”
“To Orlando next weekend.”
“No fuckin’ way.” He exclaimed before explaining their shared destination.
On the very same weekend, while he was in Orlando for one of his stops on the tour, Kiki would be there answering an invitation to be a quarterfinals judge in the National Dance Competition due to her history as a competitor in the event - the captain of her high school’s team for both of their first place victories.
“I cannot believe this. We so have to hook up down there.” As soon as the words came out of her mouth she wanted to take them back.
A sly grin spread on his face and just as expected, he followed through with, “shit yeah we do baby.”
“Shut up.” She snapped, but it only provoked his laughter. “I swear I can’t stand you sometimes.” Amusement tinting her voice, her comment came off as anything but serious and eventually they both were in a fit of giggles.
**********************************************
By the end of their conversation, Justin and Kiki had plans made for their mutual weekend in Orlando. When Kiki arrived at her hotel that Thursday night, there was an envelope waiting for her at the front desk and inside was a ticket and a backstage pass for Justin’s show the following night.
On the day of, after spending the morning and afternoon with judging and other competition business, Kiki went back to her room to relax before getting ready for the show.
Stepping out in a spaghetti strapped black and emerald empire dress and a pair of black knee high stiletto boots, she took a taxi to the concert hall. After being directed to the backstage entrance when the ticket attendant saw her VIP pass, she found Trace waiting for her. The show was about to start so he quickly led her in back and with Andrea, Justin’s temp PA, they settled on the stage off to the side, somewhat hidden from the crowd.
Being a club tour and all, Justin’s performance was much more intimate and involved a lot of interaction between him and the audience. He started off with his old material, getting the crowd pumped as they danced and sang along word for word. Loathed to admit it if asked, Kiki found herself doing the same and even worse, in her head, she was performing the old routines step by step. After all this time they were still seared into her brain and she was pretty sure she’d never really forget them.
Eventually the drinks she and Trace were being served by one of the hall’s waitresses, took charge and she was carefree, bopping away to the music in her stage stool. Funny, they weren’t the only stage drinkers. Justin was steady sipping on what Kiki guessed was his old faithful JD. And it was starting to become apparent that in addition to his natural exuberance on stage, the alcohol was getting to him too when he started performing his new material.
Like his music, his act was just as inviting and flirtatious with plenty of sexual innuendos. It had the women in the crowd going nuts, screaming and hollering. Even Kiki was affected by this new side of Justin Timberlake. Unfortunately, not only did she find herself all flustered and blushing like a hormonal teenybopper, but Justin caught her in the act.
After noticing her arrival in the middle of his first song, with a subtle nod he welcomed her and once and awhile he would pivot his stance so he could see her and Trace. They would cheer for him louder or send out some gesture of support. But once he spotted Kiki’s bright eyed, taken aback, yet captivated look in response to his performance, he started throwing that suave half smirk at her, emphasizing the more suggestive lyrics in her direction and last but not least his now infamous sex simulations. Only three shows into this tour and his fans were already going crazy about it on Youtube and all the blogs.
At first Kiki tried to ignore him and her reaction to him, but with the help of liquid courage she started playing along, meeting him head on “ throwing him sensual looks as she bite her bottom lip or curled her tongue and dancing. She even sang along with the lyrics he aimed at her, impressing him with how well she knew his music and her spunk as she stood up to his challenge. Of course that was secondary to the fact that it turned Justin on watching her teasing him.
Their game was put on hold for a couple of sets when Justin and his band mellowed down to play some ballads. Take It From Here started up, and as veteran audience to this performance, Andrea slipped away to take care of some business while Trace and Kiki took the opportunity to catch up a bit.
“So how are you and Bianca doing?”
He snorted. “Like you don’t know already.”
“Just doing my follow up work. I got her half of the story. Now I want yours.”
“What’d she say about me?” He asked anxiously.
“Sorry, but I don’t gossip.” She replied with a haughty tone and her nose turned up.
“Bullshit!” He exclaimed and she giggled.
“Come on now, you know you want to tell me.” She goaded him in a whine and he caved.
He told her how things were going slow, just as he and Bianca wanted so that they could really get to know each other, but it was going very well. Kiki clapped and squealed in excitement, proud of her good matchmaking skills, but happier that Trace and Bianca were happy.
While they were talking about the budding relationship, Justin started playing his new ballads and Kiki couldn’t help note the irony of his timing.
Hey Girl
Is he everything you wanted in a man?
You know I gave you the world
You had me in the palm of your hand
So why your love went away
I just can't seem to understand
Thought it was me and you babe
Me and you until the end
But I guess I was wrong
She knew the whole story behind the song and she looked at Trace out the corner of her eye wondering if he would show any outward signs of his feelings about it. As the song played on, he didn’t breakdown into tears or anything extreme like that, but she did notice the growing tension in his body and she could only stay silent for so long.
“I’m sorry Tracey.” She rested her head on his shoulder in a comforting manner. “I wish I was there when it all happened.”
“Why?”
“Cause I would have kicked her ass for you.”
He laughed. “Thanks.”
“And to think, I was actually nice to her. I even let her come to my birthday party. The little bitch.” She sneered.
Trace continued to laugh wholeheartedly. “You’re a trip, you know that.” Admittedly he was still a little bruised by the past, but having her and her brand of humor here right now definitely brightened his mood.
“I try.” She grinned and took a sip of her beer.
“I’m glad we’re still cool.” He smiled cautiously at her.
“Why wouldn’t we be?”
He shrugged and shook his head. “I should have made J get his ass in gear a long time ago.” He always felt like he could have done more to convince Justin to be a part of Cheyenne’s life from the start.
Kiki quickly excused his guilt. “Justin is a grown man Trace. It wasn’t your responsibility to make him accept fatherhood in the beginning. Regardless of the past, me and you are very cool, we always have been.” She smiled reassuringly.
They shared a hug, but it was soon interrupted when the first notes of the next song started. Kiki froze and Trace knew why.
She pulled away, eyes wide and scared as she frantically searched the area for an exit. “Um, I um, I gotta go use the ladies room.”
“Kiki-“
“No.” She looked at his pleading eyes as the song continued to play and she knew that not only did he know, but that he truly believe the words Justin had begun to croon. That only compounded her fears. “I can’t, I….I have to go.” She grabbed her clutch and practically ran off the stage.
Trace looked at Justin hoping he didn’t see her running away. His best friend was lost in his music, in his message, laying his heart out in the open for Kiki. There was no way she could really run from this. As his best friend and one of his closest confidantes, there was never a question for Trace that Justin still loved and wanted Kiki. And knowing Justin he knew this was just the beginning of him doing whatever necessary to eventually get what he wanted.
Thankfully there wasn’t a line at the bathrooms and Kiki quickly scrambled into a stale, locking it behind her, trying to lock out those words and emotions. But she could still here it all, echoing off the bathroom walls hitting her deep in her soul with each passing note.
She had built a wall around her heart where Justin was concerned and ever since he came back into her life, she had to be honest, it had been slowly but surely chipping away. This song only took its breakdown even further, like a sledgehammer to that wall and she didn’t know how to handle it. She didn’t know if her heart could take it, letting him in again especially when it was still very much broken because of him. She was afraid to finally face her three year old broken heart and then take the risk of opening up that newly heal heart to the same possible devastation.
Leaning against the stale door, she cried her eyes out for all her fears, pain, and even love until the song finally came to an end.
When she came back she had a smile on her face, all traces of tears washed away. At least most of them, Trace could see her eyes were a little red and puffy. He wanted to comfort her, but he knew she wouldn’t accept it so he didn’t say a word about what just happened and played the game of pretend with her. Kiki stayed silent for the rest of the set until the tempo of the music picked up again. Then it was as if nothing happened. She was back to drinking, singing along and dancing in her seat.
The show was capped off with Justin singing what was slated to be his first single off the new album. Ignoring the opinion of his label, Justin approved its leak on the internet to see how fans would respond and it was already a huge hit. Hearing it live, especially with the crowd going wild, Kiki would definitely have to agree. The song was hot and the energy come from it in combination with the crowd was crazy.
The inevitable end came and Trace and Kiki left the stage to wait in Justin’s dressing room as he made his farewell. It wasn’t long before they saw Lonnie and Eric flanking each side of the doorway and directing Justin into the room, followed by Andrea.
When he saw Kiki sitting there at the minibar, a big smile sprouted on his sweating face.
“So?”
Kiki hopped off the stool and - a little inhibited by the buzz she had going on - she bounced over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “You were fantablous!” She giggled and welcomed his embrace when he wrapped his arms around her. “It was a great show babe.” She pulled back to compliment him. Briefly she glanced over his shoulder and saw Denosh leaning against the doorway waiting to get her attention. Justin had let her go to get his props from Trace and Kiki ambled over to the door to see there were a few old faces in the hallway. She had totally forgotten that Justin said he was touring with pretty much the same band from Justified.
“Hey girl! Hi guys! Long time no see.” She exclaimed, taking the time to give each of them a hug and greet the newbies she was introduced to. “Great show you all put on.” She praised. “I gotta say though “ ya’ll are crazy to be working with that jackass again.” She pointed her thumb back at Justin and called out loud enough for him to hear. He was with Andrea going over his after party appearance at a local club, so he could only respond by flipping her off.
The band laughed at their antics and Skip noted. “You two are still a mess. I feel sorry for your kid.”
Denosh gasped. “Ooh that’s right, your baby girl “ Is she here? Did you bring her? We’ve heard so much about her and seen a ton of pictures. She’s so cute.”
“Thanks, but no she’s not here. I’m sure Justin has plans to bring her on the road with him at some point though.” As Justin Timberlake’s child Cheyenne was destine to become a little roadie sooner or later. “Actually I have some new pictures for him. You want to see?”
Pulling her Blackberry out her clutch she opened her photo gallery and the group passed her phone around to get a look at the pictures of Cheyenne.
“You know honestly, I was shocked when I found out she was the product of all that bitchin’ and moanin’ we had to put up with from you two.” Kevin joked.
“Yeah, who would have thought something so cute could come from something so ugly…..And when I say ugly I’m talkin’ about J.” Darrell tacked on, putting everyone into a fit of laughter.
The guys soon had their fill of cute baby pictures and made their exit to start getting packed up to leave while the girls hung back for a little bit to chat some more.
Meanwhile, the whole time Justin had been talking with Andrea and Trace, half of his attention was on Kiki. When he heard her and the band boisterously greeting and joking around with each other, he glanced over at them and smiled. It was just like old times, he thought. Well almost “ one important thing had changed.
Kiki might be with him as a friend, a parent, but she wasn’t with him and with each passing day he wanted her back as his again.
That desire for her only compounded while watching her with her old friends and crewmates. He could see her infectious, bubbly nature that he loved, oozing out, affecting everyone around her and he wanted it for himself, to call it his own.
More so, seeing others bask in her attention and praise, he started feeling jealous and decided to cut in.
Stalking up behind her, he surprised her when his arms hooked around her waist and he pulled her into his chest. “Excuse me, but I was under the impression that you were here to see me.” He drawled into her ear and she giggled as his warm breath tickled her.
Turning in his arms, she draped hers over his shoulder and pouted. “Aw is the big conceited baby, who just had a spotlight on him for two hours, feeling neglected?” He playfully scowled and she poked out her bottom lip. “Oh don’t be jealous that I’m more popular than you.”
She was wrong about the source, but he was definitely seeing green and he planned to change that by getting rid of the competition.
Tugging her close, he pivoted their bodies so she was no longer in the thick with the girls. It clearly hinted that their time with his Kiki was up, which they got and quietly walked away.
“So how’d I do?” It was his second time asking but, he needed to bring her focus back in him.
“I already told you “ you were great. You still got it and then some.” She accidental blurted out the latter, but once that self assured grin of his came out, she knew he wouldn’t let it go until he had a full confession. “You were just as charming and sexy as you always are. And you’re little teenie fans are probably gonna be passing out all over the place when they get a load of your new freak streak.”
“Oh I’m a freak now huh? A freak nasty?” Kiki broke out into giggles again until he pulled her tighter into his arms, making her rise up on her tip toes. The growl that was emitting from his chest seemed playful, but mixed with the dark swarthy look in his eyes, she knew otherwise and thought it was best to put some space between them.
Trying to be serious, but unable to really pull it off when she couldn’t stop giggling, Kiki squirmed out of his clutches and pointed at him. “Don’t Justin. You be a good boy tonight.”
“What if I don’t know how to be a good boy around you?” He grinned devilishly and grabbed for her, but she side swiped him.
“Well you better learn how.” She ordered, which was pretty lax considering she still had a note of laughter in her voice. “Now don’t you have an after party to get ready for? Go change, take a shower “ you stink.” She groused as their hands played tag.
“You’re lucky you're right.” He agreed and thinking that was his concession, she put her guard down. It was the opening Justin was looking for and he took it, yanking her back into his arms and to her surprise, leaving a raspberry on the crook of her neck.
Scrunching her shoulders up in a failed attempt to stop him, Kiki squealed and pushed him away. “Ugh. Get away! Go!”
He laughed, still tempted by her cute little grin, but he backed off. “Alright, alright. Give me about twenty minutes.” He said to his mini entourage lounging around the room. They all muttered out some phrase of agreement and he disappeared into the bathroom.
Once he was done, they cleared out the dressing room and met up with the band at the back of the hall where they all piled into a caravan of Expeditions.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
At the party, everyone spread out around the reserved lounge in VIP and immediately took advantage of the club’s amenities.
Since leaving the venue, Justin and Kiki were inseparable and that only progressed at the party, especially when they both kept drinking, continuously lowering their inhibition. They were being very clingy, and flirtatious beyond the limits of two old friends. The night only got sketchier when unexpectedly, instead of Justin being the usual suspect; Kiki was hit with a case of the green eyed monster.
She was returning from the bathroom when she saw that someone had taken her seat next to Justin and looked to be getting really chummy with him. Eyes squinted in contempt, she stood back to see how far this girl, who was clearly a groupie, was going to go. When she saw her put her hand on Justin’s thigh and start rubbing it, Kiki had enough.
Swiftly moving over to the lounge and passing between the two center tables, Kiki planted herself right on Justin’s lap, forcing the girl to move her hand.
The bold move caught Justin off guard, but he wasn’t about to complain and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her more snug into his lap.
The groupie on the other hand was not pleased by the block from who she initially assumed was one of her competitors also roaming the club, but when she went to protest she halted upon recognition of Kiki. She might not be his girlfriend, but she was his baby’s mama and that was just as dangerous a territory to tread, maybe more dangerous, and one she didn’t want to get caught on.
Kiki had her body tilted slightly in the opposite direction from the groupie where she was talking with Kevin and Denosh, but out the corner of her eye, she saw that look of recognition come over her face. Triumph bubbled inside her when the girl turned her attention off of Justin, but she made the mistake of putting it on Trace instead of just leaving. Oh no, that was one of her girl’s man, that shit was not going to fly either.
The devious side coming out of her, Kiki got an idea and went with it. Reaching to pick her Blue Lagoon up from the center table, she “accidentally” dropped it in the girl’s lap, staining her white dress. She jerked in her seat and gasped out loud in horror. Kiki turned to face her and without even trying to look sorrowful, she said.
“Oh my gawh. I am so sorry. It just slipped right out of my hand.”
“Sure it did.” The girl muttered to herself and grabbed some cocktail napkins to soak up the liquid. “It’s okay.” She lied.
“You might want to go home and soak that so it doesn’t stain.” Kiki advised while condescendingly tapping her arm repeatedly until she got the hint.
“You’re probably right.” She said defeated.
“Mmhmm.” Kiki nodded with the phoniest smile on her face. Despite her embarrassment, the girl politely said goodbye and Kiki gave her a snotty finger wave. “Take care now.” Once she disappeared into the crowd, Kiki dropped her smile into a sneer and possessively wrapped her arm around Justin’s shoulders while placing her crossed feet over his lap into the empty spot the girl left.
“That was mean Baby Doll.” Justin chuckled as he snuggled his face into her neck.
“What? It was an accident.” She replied innocently.
“Yeah fuckin’ right.” Trace laughed drunkenly and took another shot of tequila. Remembering his part in all this Kiki reach over and popped him in the back of the head. Flinching from the sting, he sputtered. “What the hell was that for?!”
“You have a girlfriend, my friend - no more groupies!” She chastised with a stern finger wagging at him. “I hooked you up with her, so if you hurt her I’m first in line to kick your ass you got it?”
“We were just talkin’ Kik. Chill.” Justin cut in to defend them both.
“Oh that’s all ya’ll were doin'?” She said in a fake southern accent, mocking his twang that had slipped out. She giggled at his glare, but only momentarily before she got back to what really mattered. “I don’t care if you were just talking and why would you want to talk to a ho like that anyway.”
“How do you know she was a ho?” Trace slurred.
“Oh drink your tequila and shut up.”
Head bobbing, it was some good ass tequila, Trace proceeded to follow her instruction, putting himself in the position to pass out any minute, and leaving Justin and Kiki to their own devices.
Circling her body with both arms, Justin hugged Kiki close and teased. “I think you’re jealous.”
“Oh please.”
“Oh please.” He mocked. And before she knew, he scooped her up and stood from his seat. “Come on let’s dance.”
Thankfully the dance floor was dark and busy because Justin and Kiki were all over each other. The picture they made would have created a great scandalous cover story for every entertainment magazine on the news stands. But everyone around them was way too into their own thing to notice “ Justin and Kiki were way too into each other to even care if anyone saw them. The chemistry between them was just too exciting and undeniable, especially when their inhibitions were practically non-existent.
All the things unresolved between Justin and Kiki had finally caught up with them. Their reluctance to deal with it all was coming to an end and they wouldn’t be able to pretend any longer that they didn’t still want each other.
