Justin and Jamie sat on the bed in the hotel room and looked up at a furious Lynn. This normally docile woman seemed to be breathing fire, and all thoughts of their previously romantic night were the farthest things from their minds.
“I want to know what’s going on right now!” Her voice was raised and the two sitting on the bed cringed. “I have heard that you, Justin, are sneaking around, calling JIVE and trying to find out something on someone you hardly know. And Jamie…I haven’t heard a word from you since your father died! Everyone tells me you’re walking around here attached to Justin. We all know you’re going through a tough time sweetie…but you need to rely on someone else…someone other than my son.”
She paced the floor and when no one said anything she threw her hands up in exasperation.
“I am going to get the truth from the two of you…tonight!” Lynn walked over to the mini fridge and pulled out three bottles of water, handing them out to Justin and Jamie.
“James, why don’t you go into the bathroom and change into something more comfortable. Justin, you can change out here. No one sleeps until I know what’s going on.”
The two occupants of the room made no argument as they set out to follow orders. Jamie hastily grabbed some clothes and dashed into the bathroom. She was scared….not of telling Lynn…but of what Lynn might think of her.
The woman was right, she hadn’t talked to anyone but Justin since her father’s death, and she was excluding the few people that were important to her. She had pulled herself away from everyone but Justin, expecting him to make it all right…when he had less of an idea about things than she did.
Justin, on the other hand, was worried because he knew that his mother wouldn’t leave until she was satisfied, and although he hadn’t done anything illegal or even remotely bad…he was snooping into someone else’s life, without much of a cause. He had also been very distant from his group mates, and it was causing some problems. He knew that his mother, being the concerned parent she was, wouldn’t let anything go easily…and he knew that tonight, things were going to be revealed…he just wasn’t quite sure if the timing was right.
Lynn cleared her throat when Jamie closed the bathroom door and she looked at her son.
“Are you going to tell me what’s going on, or am I going to have to drag it out of you?” Her tone and the look on her face clearly told Justin that he was going to give this information willingly…if he wanted to go unharmed.
“I don’t know where to start Mom. I honestly want to tell you what’s going on…but I don’t know what to say.”
She raised an eyebrow and gave him a skeptical look. Sitting down on the bed she took his hand.
“Why don’t you start at the beginning? Just tell me what’s been going on in your life lately? Talk to me Justin…”
“Well…” He let out a heavy sigh and glanced at the bathroom door. “It started right after Jamie’s dad died. The two of us went down to Orlando to meet up with the doctor and we found out that someone pretended to be James, and someone had stopped the letter the doctor sent from reaching us.” He stopped when the bathroom door opened and Jamie hesitated as she re-entered the room.
Lynn motioned for her and she shuffled over to the bed. “Keep going Justin.”
“After we found out that someone had pretended to be Jamie the Doctor told us that he had contacted the tour. He told us that he had talked to Dave Malloy, one of the tour managers, a few times.”
Lynn’s face palled a little, and she sat up taking Jamie’s hand too. “Why didn’t you say something? Justin, you should have told someone.”
“I know…but there wasn’t much to go on. I mean…anyone calling the tour would probably get Dave or his secretary. He is the manager of this tour, so he takes all the personal calls that don’t come to cell phones. I didn’t think anyone would believe me anyway, because he’s in Orlando most of the time.”
Lynn looked over at Jamie and gave her an encouraging smile. “How are you doing James? You haven’t called in a while, I was getting worried that you had forgotten my number.”
“No! No…not at all…I just…I’m so sorry Lynn. I’ve just been so scared lately, and I didn’t want to say anything because I wasn’t sure what was going on myself. I don’t know how to deal with my father’s death, other than taking things day by day…and I’ve just been so caught up in trying to find something out…I haven’t talked to anyone lately.”
“I know sweetie…but you need to talk to someone…and the two of you need to stop trying to find something out about this Dave character. Tell someone that can actually do someone. Hire a lawyer if you have to…but don’t do this on your own.”
Justin looked down at the floor and laughed weakly.
“Justin Randall…what have you done?”
“Nothing! Nothing…I swear. I just….I hired a private investigator to look into Dave’s background.”
“YOU DID WHAT?” Both women yelled at the same time and Justin jumped back on the bed.
“I…I hired a private investigator. I did it two weeks ago. I’m so sorry James…I should have told you but I didn’t want to say anything unless I had some actual information. So far…Dave’s as clean as a whistle…”
Lynn shook her head and stood up. “I can’t believe you Justin. You know better than to hire a private investigator on your TOUR MANAGER! What were you thinking? Please…tell me that this was a decision made while you were VERY intoxicated because I can deal with that better than knowing that you made a conscious decision about this!”
When he didn’t answer she threw her hands in the air and let out an exasperated sigh.
“I can’t believe you…I honestly can’t believe you. You are going to call that investigator first thing in the morning and you are going to tell him he’s no longer employed. THEN…then you’re going to call Dave Malloy and the four of us are going to sit down and have a civil, one on one conversation about this whole ordeal.”
Jamie and Justin stood and started talking at once, telling Lynn what a horrible idea that was and how it wasn’t going to work. She stopped them by throwing her hands up and giving them an icy glare.
“No…no buts or anything…this is my decision and you WILL do it. Now the two of you get some sleep. You’re going to have a busy day tomorrow.”
With that she stormed out of the room and Jamie and Justin were left in a cold silence.
It was a while before anyone spoke. The two just sat in shock at what had just happened, and neither knew what exactly so say.
“Are you OK James?” Justin asked, breaking the tense silence.
“Yeah…yeah I’m fine.” She stood from her position on the bed and started to pace. “I just can’t believe you hired a private investigator and you didn’t tell me. Justin…this is some serious stuff.” She watched as he nervously bit at his lip and thought of something to say.
“I’m sorry James, I know I should have told you…but I didn’t really know if I would find anything. All I had was what Dr. Mason told me, and it could have been anyone pretending to be Malloy…I just wanted to see who he was before I did anything drastic.”
“Anything drastic?” She looked at him incredulously. “Justin, don’t you think a PI is drastic? I mean come on…I always thought of you as an intelligent person.”
Just sat down heavily on the bed and gave Jamie a pleading look. “I was worried about you Jamie, I wanted to do whatever I could to protect you. Looking back now I know it was a stupid idea, but when I made the decision it seemed like a pretty good thing to do at the time.” She stopped her pacing and looked at him.
“I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to yell like that…I’m just….I’m scared Justin. I mean, before it wouldn’t have mattered, because Dave had nothing on us, but if he finds out about you hiring someone, he’s got reasons to do something now.”
She walked over to him and he pulled her in between his knees. He reached up and grabbed her chin so she was looking at him and he smiled softly.
“It’s going to be all right James, I promise you that. I will do whatever I can to protect you, understand?” She nodded her head and he pulled her into a tight embrace. “Good. I love you Jamie.”
Tears started to well in her eyes and she kissed him before responding. “I love you too Justin.”
“All right, let’s get some sleep. I have the distinct feeling that we’re going to have a long day tomorrow.”
Justin watched Jamie sleep for most of the night. He tried to get some rest himself, but his head was so full of thoughts it kept him awake. He had no idea what was going to happen at this meeting, and as much as he loved his mother he wished that she had stayed out of it.
He hadn’t done anything wrong, or so he kept telling himself. He was even planning on getting rid of the investigator before, but now he was being told to, and everyone knew you didn’t cross Lynn.
He sighed and shifted slightly, trying not to wake Jamie. She looked exhausted and worn down even as she slept. He was worried about her, and he was worried about the meeting they were supposed to attend later. He knew that he could handle Dave, but he had no idea what the man was going to attempt and he was scared for Jamie. She didn’t need more stress added to her life.
A thought popped into his head and a glance at Jamie confirmed his idea. Sliding gently out of bed he crossed the room and opened the door to find Andy standing there.
“Hey man, what are you doing out here?” Justin stepped out into the hallway and kept the door open with his foot.
“Your mother told me to stand guard, she was afraid you attempt a jail break.” He coughed to cover up a laugh and Justin thought he heard him mumble something along the lines of “momma’s boy.”
“Whatever dude. Can you do me a favor today?” Justin gave Andy a pleading look and the bigger man groaned.
“That puppy dog may make the ladies go weak, but I don’t fall for it. What do you want man?”
“I have a meeting with Dave Malloy today-“
“That creepy slime ball? He tried to tell me I was doing my job wrong, so I told him I’d gladly help him remove his head from his ass so he could see clearly.” He chuckled to himself but stopped when he noticed the younger man’s somber look.
“Andy…I don’t want Jamie at that meeting. She doesn’t really need to be there, because this is about me, and I think she needs to get out and have fun. Can you do me a favor and take her shopping or something?”
On any other occasion Andy would have ragged on Justin about this, but the look on his face made Andy realize just how serious this was.
“I can do that…I think Melissa, Lance’s friend was here for the week, I’ll see if she wants to come too.” He patted Justin on the back and noticed the singer visibly relax.
“Thanks Andy, I owe you one.” The bodyguard smiled.
“No you don’t…this one’s on me.”
Stepping back in the room he smiled at Jamie’s sleeping figure. Although she looked absolutely worn out, she was still the most beautiful thing he had ever laid eyes on. Thinking about the night before--before his mother showed up--, his smile widened until he was grinning like an idiot.
She loved him, and he loved her and that was enough.
Shaking himself from his thoughts he glanced at the clock and realized that he needed to get going. The meeting was supposed to be in about two hours, and he figured he would need that much time to get prepared.
This was going to be an interesting meeting…and that thought worried Justin more than anything.
Jamie rolled over and noticed that the other side of the bed was cold and empty. She sat up and glanced around the room with blurry vision to find Justin. There was a light on under the bathroom door and she could hear the faint sounds of the shower.
Sinking back into the warm sheets she let out a sigh. Today they were supposed to have that meeting, and truth be told…she didn’t want to go. She understood what Lynn was doing, trying to make this right, and if Dave were a normal person Jamie would agree wholeheartedly, but Dave was no where near normal.
She rolled over and breathed in the scent that Justin left on the pillow. It was so completely masculine and so completely Justin that she couldn’t help but sigh and want to melt right into it. A smile slid across her face as she thought about the dinner they shared last night, and the tingles that ran through her from hearing those sacred three words fall from his lips.
Jamie had known for a while that she and Justin loved each other, but knowing was NOTHING compared to actually hearing it, and watching his face light up as she responded. Everything around her seemed to have this new glow, or maybe it was just Jamie. She felt alive, and she felt loved…and for the first time, it didn’t matter what was going on around her….she was content being loved by Justin.
Letting out another sigh she sat up as she heard the bathroom door open and Justin shuffle out into the bedroom.
“What are you sighing about?” He asked, pulling his t-shirt over his head and down onto his torso. Jamie smiled.
“Nothing…just….the fact that you love me.” A smile grew on his face and he padded over to her.
“Oh really?” He sat down on the bed next to her and watched as she bit her lip lightly and nodded. “Well then…we’ll just have to see about that, now won’t we?” He leaned over and kissed her lips. Not forcefully, but it was filled with passion and he pulled away only when she giggled.
“Yup, felt the love on that one.” Jamie’s eyes danced with laughter and Justin couldn’t help but share in her joy.
“You’re too much.” He kissed her lightly again before getting up and going over to his bags.
Jamie stretched and pulled herself up from the bed, making her way over to Justin and the bathroom.
“What time it?” She asked, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind as he clasped his watch.
“Almost 9.” He stated, turning himself in her arms and smiling down at her. “I talked to Andy today…he’s going to take you and Melissa out while I go to the meeting.” He noticed her sudden rush to protest and he placed a finger over her lips. “Shhh. Now, before you get all defensive, I did this for a reason. I don’t want that man anywhere near you, and this meeting is about me. He can do what he wants to me, because I can protect myself, but I really don’t trust him and I don’t want anything to happen to you. If you’re not there he won’t focus so much on US, and he will on ME.”
Jamie back up from his and brought her hands up to her mouth to chew on the skin at her fingers.
“You really don’t want me there?” She asked and Justin felt horrible for a moment, but that moment passed because he knew he was doing the right thing.
“James…it’s not that I don’t want you there, it’s just…..” He sighed and sat down in the chair at the desk, pulling her between his knees. “I’m scared Jamie. That man is capable of so much, and he’s got most of the power now. He can’t really do anything to me, because I’m an asset to JIVE, but I don’t want him getting near you. He’s already pulled things in the past, and I just don’t want to give him an open opportunity to hurt you. Plus….if he does pull anything I don’t think I’ll be able to handle myself.”
He waited for her to answer, holding onto the back of her thighs. “James?”
“Yeah? Sorry…I spaced, I guess.”
“Are you mad at me?” She saw the puppy dog look on his face and all her defiance crumbled.
“Ugh! I hate that face…you know I’ll do anything when you look at me like that.” He made the pout more pronounced and she giggled. “OK…OK…I’ll go out with Andy and Melissa. I could use some quality time with your credit card anyway.” She laughed at the shocked expression on his face and she kissed his cheek lightly.
Watching her remover her legs from his grasp and heading into the bathroom, that same grin crossed his face.
“I love you, James.” He called to her. She stopped in the door way and looked back at him softly.
“I love you too, Justin.”
After taking a nice hot shower Jamie walked into the main part of the hotel room in search of her bags. She heard a low whistle from the bed and giggled as Justin wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
“Whoever says that towel isn’t a good look….hasn’t seen what you do for that towel.” She laughed harder and made her way over to him.
“And wouldn’t you like to know what’s hidden UNDER this towel?” She purred in his ear and his eyes widened.
“I…ah…wow!” He stuttered and her seductive façade fell.
“Oh take a cold shower sweetie…this towel is staying firmly in place.” She heard him mutter a muffled ‘damn’ and before she could respond there was a knock at the door.
Jamie grabbed her clothes and headed back into the bathroom as Justin went to answer the door. He was greeted by a quick peck on the cheek from his mother as she strolled into the room.
“Good to see you’re all ready. Where’s Jamie?” She glanced around the room and back at Justin.
“She’s getting dressed, but she’s not going to come with us. I don’t want her near that man, and this meeting is about me anyway. Andy is going to take her out while we meet Dave.” He spit the man’s name out like it left a bad taste in his mouth, and this left Lynn very curious as to what this man Dave was really like.
“Well, I left a message with Dave’s assistant and she said that he would be in the conference room downstairs at 9:30.” Glancing at her watch she turned toward the door. “I think we should get going.”
“I’ll be right there mom, I just want to say good bye to James.” She nodded and stepped out into the hallway.
Justin made his way to the bathroom door and raised his hand to knock, but before he could make contact with the door it opened.
“Hey there Stud Muffin.” Justin laughed as he stepped into the bathroom and watched as Jamie combed her long, blond hair.
“I just wanted to come say good bye, and to tell you to buy anything you want.” He kissed her cheek and she smiled evilly.
“Oh…so that house down the street is OK?”
“Uhm…maybe I shouldn’t have say ANYTHING. How about…a new outfit, or some jewelry or something? Anything along those lines.” He laughed as she made a face and he headed towards the bathroom door again.
“You be careful in that meeting, OK? I don’t want to come back here and have to nurse any wounds, emotional or physical, you got me?” He nodded solemnly and leaned toward her to capture her lips in a kiss.
“I’ll see you when you get back James. Have a good time…and don’t forget that I love you.” She smiled softly before answering.
“I love you too Justin…now go, before your mom throws a hissy fit.”
He laughed and headed toward the door. His laugh soon died down though, as he opened the door and looked at his mother.
“Relax Justin…it’s not a meeting with the Devil. All you have to do is go in there, explain what happened, and apologize. Nothing to it.” He grimaced at her words and started down the hall.
“Easier said than done Mom; easier said than done.”
