Los Angeles, CA
November 22, 2006
Day Before Thanksgiving

A beautiful sunny day buzzed with LA traffic as Shelby, Nancy, and the girls were on their way to Justin's house to celebrate Thanksgiving. When Lynn had found out that they were going to be stuck in town for recording, she had insisted on inviting them them all over.

Shelby had tried to assure her that it was okay and that she and the band were going to celebrate in their hotel, but Lynn wouldn't hear of it.

She had insisted on them staying over the night before then they wouldn't have to rush around the next morning. Lynn had also invited the band to stay overnight, but they declined due to reasons that included not knowing Lynn very well and they wanted to go out that night. She added a little reluctantly that they could show up anytime on Thanksgiving Day.

Shelby was worried about seeing Justin again as it had been a few days since she'd seen him and it seemed like before the tour ended for the holiday that he had constantly avoided her.

Lynn had previously informed Shelby that she intended to take over Justin's house for Thanksgiving because it was a lot bigger. Lynn had seen the hesitation on the young woman's face and quickly assured her that Justin wouldn't be around until Thanksgiving Day.

Shelby and her brood were in a taxi headed to Justin's house to celebrate a holiday where families were a number one priority. She felt butterflies in her stomach as nervousness took control of her body. Shelby knew Lynn wouldn't lie to her about her son--who was the very subject of, and reason for her apprehension--being absent until tomorrow, but she couldn't help but be apprehensive.

The taxi pulled up in front of a huge black gate where there was a camera and a voice box just like the ones you see in the movies. Shelby heard Lynn's voice over the speaker and leaned her head out the window and told her it was them. Lynn buzzed them in and the cabbie pulled up in front of a huge white house.

Shelby got out of the car and helped her girls out and smiled when Lynn came out of the house with open arms and smiles for everyone. She paid the driver before Shelby even had a chance to take out her wallet.

"Thank you Lynn," Shelby said knowing better than to say anything about her paying for the cab.

"How are my best girls?" Lynn asked hugging Danielle and Grace.

"Good," Danielle beamed at her.

Gracie smiled shyly at her and answered a quiet good.

Shelby followed everyone inside before she noticed a familiar car sitting in the driveway. Lynn pulled her aside before she entered the front room to speak with her.

"I know I told you Justin wouldn't be here 'til tomorrow, but he showed up about ten minutes ago." She explained watching the young woman go pale. She hated what she was telling her next. "Cameron is going to be coming tomorrow."

"Oh, this is going to be so much fun," Shelby muttered feeling a sense of dread in the pit of her stomach.

"I'm sorry, Shelby, I had no idea." Lynn told her sincerely.

"I know, Lynn, I just wasn't expecting this. Last time I saw her they had a huge fight," Shelby answered with a sigh.

"Call me mama, we are practically family after all," Lynn said hugging her. "Stick with me, and I'll take care of my son."

"Thank you mama." Shelby said gratefully, feeling tears build up in her eyes.

"No tears now love, we don't want you ruining your make up. Come on, I'll show you to your room and you can unpack." Lynn said grabbing her hand.

Shelby let herself be led by Lynn through a front room down a few stairs into what appeared to be a living room. There was a large tv surrounded by some plush couches and a big chair in which Justin currently sat.

Shelby felt a pair of blue eyes on her as she moved through the room and up a winding staircase to the second floor. She was more than grateful to be out of his line of sight as they made their way up the stairs. At the top of the stairs was a long hallway with doors on either side. She followed Lynn who was explaining everything to her.

"The first door on the left is my room and across the hall from mine is where I put the girls. I bought two twin beds and set them up in here because I knew you were coming," she explained opening the door.

Shelby's jaw dropped when she saw the room. It was every little girl's dream. The walls were painted a lilac purple while the ceiling and carpet were both white. There were two twin bends under the windows across the room from the door. Each bed had a white headboard with each girls' name written with a color that matched the walls.

On Danielle's bed there was a pastel sunshine bedspread with a brown teddy pattern on which sat a brown teddy bear that matched the spread and a white lacy pillow. On Grace's bed there was a light pink spread with ballet slippers in several different colors and on her bed she had a white bear that matched the one Danielle had.

"This is gorgeous Lynn, how did you do all this in two days?" Shelby asked turning to look at her host.

"I have ways," Lynn answered smiling.

"Justin didn't mind did he? I mean it is his house," Shelby asked cautiously.

"Trust me, once he finds out about everything, he'll be grateful. We need to talk before you leave by the way."

"Okay," Shelby nodded taking one last look at the room.

The next room they stopped at was the room Nancy was in. She was in there with the girls unpacking her stuff while the girls jumped on her bed.

"You girls break that box spring and you'll be sleeping on the floor for the rest of your life." Shelby warned putting on her best authoritative voice.

"Oh, they're okay. All these beds are relatively new, they could use some breaking in. Okay, come on, let me show you you're room," Lynn said leading her on.

"I saved my favorite guest room for you. It has a beautiful alcove window that looks out into the backyard and the pool. The view is just gorgeous," Lynn told her stopping in front of a closed door. "It also shares a bathroom and a balcony with the master bedroom, I think it was based on a style used by the English nobility way back in the day, you know dukes and earls and such. The bride and groom always had separate bed chambers. Why they'd want separate rooms when they were married is beyond me. But anyway, I'm rambling so without further adieu here is your room."

Shelby stepped into the large spacious room and felt her jaw drop. The room was painted a light cream color and looked very elegant. In the middle of the room was a large queen size canopy bed all cream and beige in color matching the walls. She walked over to the window and pushed back the sheer curtains and looked out at the swimming pool and large yard beyond that. She opened the window that would lead her onto the balcony and stepped outside for a moment.

In her mind she could see Danielle and Gracie running around the yard with Justin, their father, chasing them around laughing as he tried to catch them. She was in a chair on the back porch watching them too pregnant to run around with them.

"Beautiful isn't it," Lynn said walking up behind her, interrupting her wayward thoughts.

"Yeah, it's great." Shelby replied softly, moving back into the room closing the door to the balcony and to her thoughts behind her.

"This over here is the bathroom," Lynn said opening a door to the right of the bed.

Shelby saw that it was a huge bathroom with both a shower and a large whirlpool bath. She'd always wanted a tub like that and looked at it longingly.

"You can set up your stuff in here if you'd like. Feel free to use the tub if you get a chance, it's heaven. Just make sure you lock the doors because the other one goes to Justin's room."

Shelby snuck a quick peek at the door leading to Justin's room then shut the light off and closed the door behind her.

"I'll just leave you to unpack and do whatever you need to," Lynn said before leaving Shelby alone.

Shelby inhaled deeply and grabbed her bag. She put it on the chest at the foot of the bed and opened it up. She started taking things out and putting them in their appropriate places.

She pulled out the semi-dressy outfit she'd chosen to wear tomorrow. It was a black and gray skirt that flowed around her legs. It wasn't the same length all around, but rather several lengths as it was jagged. The black pieces were all longer than the gray pieces. The black fell just above mid calf while the gray fell at the knee.

The shirt she had to go with it was a black corset with a zipper in the back and the lace up in the front. It scooped modestly above her breasts and over her shoulders where the long sleeves went down to her wrists.

It was dressy compared to what she normally was and Shelby had wanted it that way, but now she was starting to regret it. She put the clothes in the large closet then went out in the hallway to Nancy's room.

"Did you get settled?" Shelby asked opening the door.

"Yeah, this is a really nice place." Nancy answered. "I even have the bathroom across the hall which is totally convenient because lord knows I pee at least three times a night if not more."

"It's only going to get worse," Shelby smiled.

"Please don't tell me that," Nancy grumbled.

"Girls, did you see your room yet?" Shelby asked getting them off Nancy's bed.

"No, we just followed Nancy," Gracie answered quietly.

"You have to come see, you're going to love it," Shelby said grabbing each of them by the hand.

She led them down the short length of the hallway and opened the door and let them see it for the first time. She watched their eyes grow round with delight and smiled tenderly.

At home they lived in an apartment so they'd never been able to have any kind of real frills like this room had. She hoped that one day they could call this place home.

"Go in girls, see everything we got for you," Lynn said coming over to them. She got them settled and showed them all the toys she had gotten them.

"Come to the kitchen ladies, I'll get you some coffee," Lynn said ushering Shelby and Nancy toward the kitchen.

"Where is Paul?" Shelby asked of Lynn's husband.

"He's at work right now, he'll be here later," she answered getting two large black coffee mugs out of the cupboard.

"I was just wondering why you don't have this at your own house." Nancy asked curiously.

"Justin has all of this space that he rarely uses and our place is a little cramped," Lynn answered. "All I have is regular coffee is that okay?"

"Do you have anything else? I don't want to be a hassle but yesterday I tried some coffee and it gave me really bad heartburn," Nancy answered.

"I have apple cider if you'd like. Did you want coffee Shelby?" Lynn asked.

"You know it," Shelby nodded.

"Apple cider should be fine," Nancy added.

Lynn poured them their drinks then they sat down at the table sans Nancy who went to go lay down after getting dizzy. She took her drink with her sipping it carefully.

"Do you want to help me cook?" Lynn asked Shelby who'd relaxed at the round table, sitting at an angle where they could see each other but were still sitting side by side.

"Sure, I'd love to. What are you going to make?" Shelby asked sipping her coffee.

"Well today I wanted to get all the baking done. I plan on making two apple pies, two pumpkin pies, and two pecan pies. It's also a tradition to have turkey shaped sugar cookies and I was thinking maybe the girls could help with those. Then tomorrow morning we'll make the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams and all the rest. Oh, we also need to make the dinner rolls tonight too. At least make the dough and have it ready for tomorrow.

"That sounds like a lot." Shelby answered.

"There will be a lot of people over for dinner tomorrow night. There are you four and another four if Carrie and the boys come, Justin, me, Paul, supposedly Cameron--"

"She'll be here," Justin said interrupting her.

"That's twelve right there plus a co-worker of Paul's can't make it home and a few others," Lynn finished.

"That is a lot." Shelby nodded.

"We always have to have two turkeys," Lynn smiled.

"Must because Justin is such a big eater," Shelby teased; her eyes going to the subject of her comment.

Justin didn't really say anything but just nodded his head and had a strange look on his face.

Shelby felt uncomfortable under his watchful gaze. It was beginning to look like a bad idea to have accepted Lynn's invitation. She was in love with him and had recently enjoyed passion in his arms and then he'd cast her aside and now apparently he was back with Cameron.

"Shelby?" Lynn asked forcing her back to reality.

"Yes, I'm sorry, did you say something?" she asked looking guilty to have missed what she'd said.

"I was just asking if there was any food of tradition I didn't mention that you wanted to add to the menu," Lynn answered.

"No, we never celebrated any holidays at the foster home and I never really had a chance to celebrate on my own, I always went somewhere else," Shelby answered.

Justin got another glimpse of how lonely her life really was and it made him feel guilty. It was his fault that she had been alone for the past four years and still he couldn't be with her.

"Well, let's start a tradition. No matter where you are you come spend Thanksgiving with us. We would love to have you," Lynn told her with a smile.

"Thank you, mama," Shelby returned her smile.

"What do you say we get baking," Lynn said standing up.

"Sure," Shelby nodded happy to change the subject.

"Here, I have an apron for you. We can't be having you get white flour all over that black shirt, it would be a shame," Lynn said digging out an apron out of a drawer.

"Thanks," Shelby said slipping it over her head. She looked down to find the strings, but a pair of masculine hands grabbed them and tied it around her waist giving her butterflies in the pit of her stomach when he brushed the bare skin of her arm.

She turned around and looked at him feeling breathless as she whispered her thanks.

Justin nodded his head and almost forgot that he'd promised himself he was going to stay away from her. He knew if he was going to stay away he was going to have to get nasty. It would be easier when Cameron got here because she would keep him occupied and hopefully it would be enough to keep his mind off of Shelby.

"If you're not going to help us then you need to go. We can't have too many cooks in the kitchen," Lynn told her son who was still standing rooted in place staring blankly at Shelby.

"Where are the rug rats?" Justin asked snapping out of his trance.

"Playing in their room," Lynn answered.

"I'll go see what they're up to." Justin said before turning on his heel to head toward the staircase that would lead up to the bedrooms.

Justin inhaled deeply as he walked up the stairs and down the hallway toward the laughter of little girls he could hear. He stopped when he saw them playing on the floor in what looked like a newly painted room. He opened the door wider and stepped inside. His jaw dropped when his eyes took in the redecorated room.

His mom must have done this while she was here alone. It was a total transformation from what used to be a boring guest room with little decor and now it was a beautiful little girls' room.

"Hi, Justin," Danielle said looking up from the dolls she was playing with.

"Hey sprout, how are you?" Justin asked squatting down to her level.

"Good. Like my doll? Grandma Lynn got them for us," she said holding up her precious toys.

"They're just great sweetie, you're very lucky." Justin smiled instantly warmed by her bubbling personality.

His eyes slid over to Gracie who was quietly playing with her own doll and his heart went out to her. She was always so quiet and reserved; nothing like a little five year old girl should be.

"How are you Gracie?" he asked softly.

"Good," she answered looking at him with her big brown solemn eyes.

"You want to help me with something, Gracie?" Justin asked.

"What?" Danielle asked in her chipper high pitched child voice.

"I asked Gracie, honey, not you," Justin reprimanded gently.

"Sorry," Danielle said pouting.

"What did you need?" Gracie asked looking at him shyly.

"Let's go out to the living room if that's okay with you," Justin said getting to his feet.

"Okay," she said standing up

"You can come too, Dani-girl." Justin told the younger girl not wanting to leave her out.

She sprung to her feet and looked up at him watching to see what she should do next.

Justin held out his hand to the little girl one for each of them and led them down the stairs and into the living room. He sat on the large plush couch and they took a spot on either side of him.

"I want to tell me about your last Thanksgiving, Gracie. I want you to tell me anything you want to about your mom. Tell me your happy memories," Justin said putting an arm around her seemingly frail shoulders drawing her close to his side. He put his other arm around Danielle and pulled her close also.

He couldn't help but feel how nice it was to have these little girls in his arms. He'd never really pictured himself as a father before, but suddenly he imagined himself with a handful of blonde kids running around his backyard with a small woman chasing them laughing with delight. He realized who he'd pictured his children with and mentally shook his head clearing any thoughts of Shelby from the forefront of his mind.

Gracie proceeded to tell Justin all about her memories of Thanksgiving with her mom. They all sat there talking for nearly two hours just the two of them.

Justin learned that Grace never knew her father so it was always just her and her mom for the holidays, but that's the way she liked it--when it was just the two of them. It was obvious that the little girl missed her mother very much, but she was slowly starting to open up and become the animated girl she'd been before.

The rest of the day was spent casually. Shelby and Lynn finished all the baking and they all had a nice dinner then watched movies late into the night.

***

Thanksgiving dawned with a promise of a beautiful day as Shelby woke before anyone else. She made her way into the kitchen where she found the coffee fixings and made a pot of coffee. When it was finished brewing she took a cup back to her room then stepped out onto the balcony and sat on one of the chairs. It was a serene moment before a really busy stressful day.

It was hard to believe they were still in LA when she looked out into the large open back yard. It was all so beautiful. She closed her eyes and listened to the sounds all around her. The birds were chirping and she could hear the leaves on the trees rustling in the light breeze.

She prayed for patience to deal with the stressful day she knew was coming. She hadn't actually had to deal with Cameron in a long time and it would take a lot of concentration not to go off on her, especially if the older girl started something.

Shelby got up and went back into her bedroom and knocked on the bathroom door. She cautiously opened the door and relaxed when she saw that it was empty. She turned the light on and stared at her reflection in the mirror. She had slight bags under her eyes and she was really pale, but over all she was satisfied with what she saw.

She locked the connecting door to Justin's room and turned on the water to the bath tub and poured some chocolate mint scented bath salts into the running water. When the water filled up she turned on the jets and stepped into the hot water. She lowered her body into the tub and let the water wash away any muscle aches and stress.

She heard a knock on the door to Justin's room and froze. The door was locked, but she wasn't sure if he had a key or not.

"I'm in here," Shelby called out hoping he would leave her alone.

"Damn, I have to pee." the raspy morning voice rumbled from the other side of the door. "Do you mind if I come in? I'd use the other bathroom, but someone is in there dropping a dozer or something.

Shelby deliberated for a few seconds and realized he wouldn't really be able to se her from the toilet anyway. Plus the bubbles hid any of her nudity. "I guess that's okay. My door is unlocked."

"Thanks," Justin said. He appeared about two minutes later and opened the door on her side.

"Geez fog up the room much," Justin commented wiping steam off of the mirror.

"It's hot, what can I say?" Shelby shrugged disappearing further into the water so only her head was showing above the water.

"I can see that, your skin is all pink. It's driving me crazy," Justin said gruffly.

"Justin, don't," Shelby warned refusing to play his game.

"Don't mind me, I just woke up from a nice dream," Justin answered flushing the toilet.

Shelby was at a loss for words so she refrained from saying anything resulting in a few tense moments of awkward silence.

"I'm just going to go through my door. I'll relock it behind me," Justin said almost angrily closing the door hard behind him causing her to jump.

Shelby got up and drained the water then moved over to the shower and quickly washed her hair then went back to her room. She closed the door behind her and locked it.

She dried herself off and put Love Spell by Victoria Secret lotion on all over her body then proceeded to get dressed. She debated wearing socks or not as she stared at her reflection in the full length mirror. It felt very freeing to just wear the skirt around her calves without socks or shoes.

She decided to just get out her black nail polish and paint her toenails black and go barefoot. It was rare for her not to wear her signature knee-hi socks.

She finished getting ready then fixed her hair and did her makeup then went to check on the girls. They were still sleeping so she let them be then headed toward the kitchen where she found Lynn.

"Good morning Shelby, were you the early riser who made coffee?" Lynn greeted when she saw the young girl enter.

"Yeah, I'm used to getting up early. I'd love to sleep in, but once I'm awake I can't go back to sleep. If I'm like really groggy and half asleep then no problem, but that rarely happens," Shelby explained.

"I understand. I'm pretty much the same way. That's a really nice outfit, I don't know many people who could pull that off. You have such a unique sense of style," Lynn complimented.

"Thanks." Shelby answered feeling the rush of blood creeping up her cheeks in a becoming blush.

"You're such a sweet girl, Shelby. I have to admit I wish it was you dating my son and not Cameron. You don't take anything for granted."

"I can't. Not after everything that has happened to me. I live every day the best that I can."

"I have to ask, do you feel anything for Justin still?" Lynn asked really already knowing the answer.

Shelby looked around discreetly to make sure Justin wasn't around and poured her heart out to Lynn.

"I can't help but to love him," Shelby shrugged. "He's so nice to me and the girls. I can't help to look up at him and see my one true love, my prince, my hero. I wish I could stop though, because I know he doesn't love me. He's made that perfectly clear. It just seems like a lost cause sometimes. I wish I could find someone who will love me as much as I love him."

Justin's ears burned when he heard Shelby talking to his mother. He wondered what exactly they were talking about as he had only heard the last line.

'I wish I could find someone who will love me as much as I love him'. Those words stuck with him as he went back up to his room. He didn't know why those words affected him so, but they did.

"I'm sorry honey. I wish I had some great advice, but I don't. I'd say go get him if it wasn't for Cameron, but he's very adamant about her. I'd suggest telling him about Danielle, but I don't want her to be the sole reason he wants you," Lynn answered wishing she had some better advice for the young woman.

"I'm just not that girl. I couldn't just go after someone like that. I don't think I could even if Cameron wasn't in the picture. Maybe that's old fashion of me, but I think the guy should make the first move. I don't know, this whole situation just sucks." Shelby sighed feeling frustrated.

"Well just keep your head up darlin, you'll figure something out. Let's get this food started so we can eat by 4 o'clock when everyone will be here."

The two of them got their aprons out again and started working on the big meal they were planning. They got the turkeys in the oven right away because they would take the longest to cook. It was a real joy for Shelby to cook with Lynn because she'd never really had that mother bonding experience with her own mother who had died young.

Several hours later they were putting the finishing touches on the meal when Shelby heard a familiar voice. She looked up to find Cameron and Justin standing in the door laughing; looking like they were having a good time. Shelby felt her stomach drop to her knees as an overwhelming sense of jealousy over took her body. She longed to be in that position with Justin instead of being on the outside looking in.

"Don't let them get to you sweetie," Lynn whispered discreetly seeing the look on her face.

Shelby just nodded and smiled warily. She watched Lynn go over and greet Cameron with a sense of reluctance and smiled secretly. It was clear that Lynn didn't like Cameron and wasn't afraid to show it.

Shelby finished setting the table then looked up and saw Cameron staring at her.

"What is she doing here?" Cameron asked loudly.

"Lynn invited us," Shelby answered refusing to rise to her bait.

"Whatever, just stay out of my way." Cameron answered rudely.

Shelby just ignored her and walked past her to greet Carrie and the boys who had just walked in.

"Thank God you guys are here. You need to keep me away from you know who," Shelby told them, Ryan more specifically as he knew well the situation and was most familiar with her hatred toward Cameron.

"Don't worry, honey, we'll protect you. Although, I really don't think you need protection. I know you can handle her on your own," Ryan said lifting her off the ground in a bear hug.

"Thank you Ryan, so how was your night out last night? Do anything stupid?" Shelby asked the group.

"Well me and Carrie decided to just be friends," Ryan answered.

"Really? Well if it's for the best. I'm glad you ended it civil though, because she's a great nanny." Shelby smiled hugging Carrie.

"Thanks." Carrie smiled.

"Come on everybody, it's time to eat," Lynn said ushering them into the dining room.

As they all ate dinner, Shelby remained quiet, keeping to herself as everyone spoke and laughed aloud. She could feel Cameron’s assessing eyes on her across the table and was trying so hard not to acknowledge it. That last thing she wanted, or needed, was to make a scene in somebody else’s home. 'But I swear to God if she doesn’t stop glaring at me' Shelby thought as she clenched her hand around the knife she held in her hand.

“So, Shelby how has the tour been going?” Shelby’s hands stilled as she was cutting a piece of turkey. Had Cameron actually spoken to her civilly? She couldn’t believe there wasn’t an ulterior motive lingering in that big blond head of hers.

“Um, good.” came her ingenious reply. She was still in shock. The only time the woman ever even acknowledged her presence was when she had some snide remark to make about her.

“Really?” She sounded so unbelievably interested. This couldn’t be good. “Because Justin’s been telling me just how incredibly boring its been when he hasn’t been on stage. I guess he just couldn’t find a single thing worth while to do.”

“Cameron.” Shelby’s eyes quickly moved to Justin as he spoke her name sharply. Is that what he’d really told her? That there’d been nothing worth while to do?

“Well, with two small children my hands are always full. I hardly have a moment alone to think let alone do anything else. It’s never boring for me.” She spoke to Cameron but she’d looked back down to her plate, continuing to cut her turkey before taking a bite. If Cameron really wanted to get a rise out of her she needed to step it up a bit.

“You’d think with two small children you’d want to stay home. Give them an education. Friends their own age.” She said this nonchalantly but everyone knew she meant it as anything but. “Children don’t belong on tour with big bands. Wouldn‘t you agree, Justin?”

“Cameron, that is quite enough!” Lynn’s sharp tone made Cameron’s face flush in anger. Shelby knew she didn’t like being spoken to like that. She wasn’t used to it.

Shelby knew she should just let the comment go but something in Cam’s eyes when she’d said it made her think there was a different meaning in the words. She hadn’t been talking about the girls at all.

“Cameron if there’s something you’d like to say to me I wish you’d just say it.” She was getting sick of the woman speaking to her like she didn’t matter. Like she was so much lower than Cameron herself was. She was sick and tired of it all. When Justin finally spoke up it was the last straw.

“Shelby, can you not do this right now?” She stared at him in disbelief. Cameron could speak to her however she pleased but once Shelby stuck up for herself then she was the one at fault? She could feel Cameron’s smirk as she looked at her, but Shelby couldn’t tear her eyes away from Justin. He wasn’t looking at her but rather playing with his knife. Shelby didn’t have a mean bone in her body but at the moment she found herself entertaining the thought of taking that knife and jabbing it into his leg. She just wanted to hit him, to yell at him. Ask him why he was being such a jerk. But instead she placed the napkin that had been sitting on her lap beside her plate and nodded slightly.

“You’re right Justin. This isn’t the time or the place for this.” She stood up, said a quick ‘excuse me’ to everyone and left the dining room. She quickly went upstairs and into the girls’ room. She grabbed their bags and began packing up their clothes. She knew it had been a mistake to come here. It was bad enough having to endure being in the same room as Justin when he was being so hostile, but another thing entirely when she had to face Cameron’s attitude as well.

She heard someone’s heavy footsteps coming down the hallway and immediately knew it was Justin. She began throwing clothes into the bag faster.

“Shelby, what the hell is your problem?”

Whipping around, Shelby felt her wide eyes stare at him, dumbstruck.

“My problem?” She asked incredulously, hating the high note her voice hit.

“Yes! You just ruined my mother’s holiday dinner.”

“Maybe you need to get your ears checked, or maybe you didn’t hear any of the crap Cameron just said to me, but I am not the one at fault here. She had no right to say any of those things to me.” Shaking her head, Shelby let out a humorless laugh before looking at him once again. “Can you please tell me one thing Justin? What did I do to deserve this attitude from you? When she’s not here you’re great. Almost like how you used to be. But then she comes back into the picture and you’re like this again.”

“I'm sorry you feel that I'm different when I'm around her. It sounds to me like you've let yourself imagine something more between us than there really is. Maybe you need to stop."

Shelby couldn’t help it, any movement she’d had completely stopped as she looked into his cold blue eyes. His attitude had did a one eighty in little less than a week. How could he go from holding her and making love to her with such care and passion then turn around and treat her like this? He must really think low of her.

Letting out the breath she’d been holding, Shelby swallowed down the tears that threatened to pool in her eyes. “Well I’m sorry for wasting so much of your time. I’ll finish getting our things together then we’ll be out of your way. I’ll make sure you see as little of us as possible for the remainder of the tour.”

Taking her words as a dismissal Justin turned and left the room without another word. Shaking his head, he fought the strong compulsion to go back into that room and beg her for her forgiveness. To tell her she was anything but a bother. She could get in his way any day she liked and he’d never mind. But he couldn’t do that. It wasn’t fair to her if he couldn’t return her feelings fully. He needed to let her go. He just wished he didn’t feel like such an ass doing it.