CHAPTER ONE
November 5, 2002 (Orlando, Florida)
"Honey, I'm home...oh yeah, that's right, I don't live with anybody."
After throwing his jacket onto the coat rack beside the door, JC made his way across the living room foyer to his CD player; making fast work of removing the newly purchased CD in his hands from the CD's jacket before putting it into the device in front of him.
Track number fifteen...He commented to himself, while searching for the song that he had written for Justin's CD--which had just came out in stores today, and which he had just purchased at the local Wal-Mart down the street from his house.
I hope it's worth the wait. He thought to himself; having not heard the track since he gave it to Justin to record months ago. Knowing J, it probably will be though.
Finding the song he was looking for, JC quickly hit play on the CD player and then made his way towards the center of the room; taking a seat on his couch just as the beginning words to Never Again came floating through his living room speakers.
Would have given up my life for you
guess it's true what they about love..it's blind
Girl, you lied straight to my face, looking in my eyes
And I believed you 'cause I loved you more than life
And all you had to do was apologize...
While nodding his head to the beat, JC couldn't help but think back to when he had first written this song.
He had never meant for it to be released, especially not on his group-mate's solo album, but he had written it after him and his last girlfriend Anna had broken up, after Justin's now fiancee had found out that Anna was the one who had told the press about Justin's one year old daughter, Kayla. JC had written the song to let out all the hurt and anger he had felt from the breakup and all the other breakups that he had went through before the younger woman.
There's just way too many to count.
With that thought in mind, JC absentmindedly shook his head--trying to shake off any negative thoughts from taking over his head--and instead tried to concentrate on the song that was playing on his CD player.
Unfortuantly that task was interrupted by the shrill sound of his cell-phone ringing.
Rebecca...? What does she want? JC asked himself, while staring down at the caller-id on his phone; before flipping the device open and answering the call on it's third ring. "Hello?"
"Hey Jace, you busy?"
Even though he figured the younger woman knew that he indeed was not busy--as he hadn't been since the group parted ways a couple of months ago--JC couldn't help but reply: "Somewhat, but I can take a break from it for a second..why? What's up?"
After a small second's pause was heard through the phone--one in which JC was about to ask if Rebecca was still there, in--Rebecca excitedly replied: "I have some good news for you, but it's more of a face-to-face conversation than an over the phone conversation. Do you think you could meet me at Lance's house in a half-n-hour?"
Not remembering a time when Rebecca sounded this excited caused JC to want to ask who did she kill and if she was calling for him to help her hide the body, but not believing that his friend was that crazy caused him to instead reply: "I just got in the house not too long ago, can't it wait until tomorrow?"
A question which Rebecca, he guessed, already knew he was going to ask 'cause she already had a response for him in a matter of seconds.
"It can...but I think you're going to want to hear this one now so I'll see you at Lance's house in thirty minutes, okay? Great, goodbye."
And just like that, she hung up the phone; leaving JC to stare at it incredulously.
I can't believe she just did that....
~*~
After weighing the pro's and con's of calling Rebecca back and telling her that she would just have to wait until tomorrow to tell him the news, JC figured he wasn't really doing anything anyways and didn't want to pay for not showing up later when it was time for Rebecca to do his hair for an awards show or any other gig Nsync had in the future. So a half-n-hour after getting off the phone with Becca, JC found himself at Lance's house listening in as Rebecca excitedly told him why she had dragged him out of his house and clear across town.
This better be good...
"Okay, so, there I am on the highway, coming back from dropping Leslie off at the airport when I look over and guess who I see in the car beside me?"
"Who?" JC opened his mouth to respond, but before he could do so, Rebecca excitedly replied: "Dallas Austin..you know, the music producer."
Knowing exactly who Dallas Austin was 'caused JC to outwardly reply: "Okay, and what does that have to do with me..?"
A question which caused Rebecca to roll her eyes in response, before saying: "Hold on, I'm getting to that...anway, after I saw him I was thinking back to that last conversation we had when you said you were itching to get back into the studio again, and I figured Dallas Austin would be a great person for you to work with, so I cut across three lanes and rear-ended him on accident."
What the hell...?
Not believing for a second that Rebecca was crazy enough to do that caused JC to turn towards Lance, who up until this point had been in the kitchen on his cell-phone, but was now making his way back into the living room where the other two were seated. And after asking the younger man if what Rebecca said was true, he was blown away when Lance dramatically rolled his eyes in response before replying: "It's going to cost me almost two thousand dollars in damages...I just wish I wouldn't have said yes when she asked me to borrow my car to take Leslie to the airport, then it could've been her car and not mine that's in the shop right now."
"Like I said before, your car is a lot bigger than my car, but that's besides the point--"
After shaking his head slightly as Lance threw out that is the point, JC raised his voice over the two friend's bickering and asked Rebecca again what exactly did that have to do with him.
"Okay, okay, okay..I'm getting to that, geesh, keep your pants on, man..." Rebecca began, before continuing with: "Anyway, after we pulled over onto the side of the street and exchanged information, I told him who I was and that I had a friend who was looking to get back into the studio after having taken some time off to relax for a little bit. And after he asked me who I was talking about, I told him it was you and it turns out that he's a big fan of yours and that he's been wanting to do something with you since he heard you on that Bring it all to me remix you did with Blaque earlier this year. He told me to give you his number and he said for you to meet him in his office Friday afternoon to discuss you working with him on this upcoming project he's about to do. What do you think?"
I think you're crazy... JC wanted to say, but knowing that Rebecca had only done what she did to help him caused JC to instead reply: "Thanks for the help, but I'm going to have to pass, Becca...he probably just told you to tell me that so you wouldn't ruin his car any further. I don't want a pity project."
While standing up to leave after this comment, JC had to stop himself as Rebecca replied: "JC, this isn't a pity project. He really did say that he wanted to work with you. I even brought his business card with me so you can call him, if you don't believe me."
Even though he still had his doubts about it, JC found himself taking the card as Lance replied: "I say go for it, man. Pity project or not, it's work and you did say that you were itching to get back into the studio."
Knowing that he indeed was, as they said, itching to get back into the studio caused JC to reply that he would think about it--only if Rebecca promised not to hit anyone else's car again in hopes that it would help him further his career.
"I can't make any promises." Rebecca jokingrly replied; causing Lance to mutter: "At least, do it in your own car next time."
Once again starting another argument between the two best friends.
Here we go again....
~*~
November 8, 2002 (DARP Recording Office)
"Mr. Chasez? Mr. Austin will see you now...his office is right through those double doors over there, to your left."
After standing up from the suede couch he was sitting on, JC nodded his head, as if to say thank you, to the receptionist behind the desk, and then quickly made his way towards the direction in which she had pointed him towards; through the double doors on his left.
"JC!" Dallas exclaimed, as soon as the younger man stepped foot inside his large cubicle of an office, "How you doing? Glad you could make it."
"I'm glad I could make it too, traffic out there was crazy--"
"Your friend wasn't on the road, was she?" Dallas joked, causing JC to chuckle slightly, while also loosening up just a little bit, "Have a seat, make yourself comfortable."
Doing as he was told, JC took a seat in the chair that was situated across from Dallas' seat and then before the other man could say anything, JC replied: "I'm sorry about the other day. Rebecca can be quite a handful when she wants to be."
After slightly chuckling at this comment and then replying that he had figured that out first hand, Dallas continued with: "Don't worry about it, your group-mate Lance has promised to pay for any damages that occurred with my car, and until I get it fixed, I'll just drive my other truck until then."
"But anyways, enough about that, I'm not sure as to how much your friend told you, but I wanted you to come in today 'cause I've been listening to some of the songs that you've helped co-write and produce, and I'm really feeling your style. I want you to help me with my next big project."
I guess Rebecca wasn't lying when she said Dallas was serious about working with me.
With that thought in mind, JC replied: "What project is that?"
"I don't know if you've heard about it yet, but 20th Century Fox is coming out with a new movie called "DrumLine" starring Nick Cannon from Nickelodeon's "All That" and I was asked to produce the soundtrack which I want you to help me with. Are you interested?"
Is he for real...?
Seeing that Dallas was being completely serious right now caused JC to quickly reply: "Of course I'm interested. When can I start?"
A question which caused Dallas to chuckle in response to, before outwardly replying: "I like your enthusiasim...you can start tomorrow."
~*~
An hour later
After straightening out all the details and telling Dallas that he would see him first thing tomorrow morning, JC waited until he was safely in his car, with the door securely shut beside him before excitedly shouting YES! to no one in particular and then afterwards dialing a familar number on his phone.
"Hello?"
"You know, I could kiss you right now."
After jokingly replying that she bet he wouldn't, Rebecca replied that JC's meeting must've went well; a comment which caused JC to say: "No, it went better than well...it went great. I start working with him in the studio tomorrow morning, and I owe it all to you."
Even though they both knew that JC somewhat did owe her one because Rebecca was the one who ran into Dallas' car, JC wasn't that surprised when the humble as ever Rebecca played down her part in the story. "You don't owe me any thing. You got the gig on your own accord, I just pushed you a little bit..or better yet, I pushed Dallas' car a little bit--but that's besides the point. Congratulations."
Knowing that Rebecca wasn't going to get away that easily from him thanking her caused JC, as he was pulling out of the parking lot, to ask the younger woman what she was doing later that night and if he could take her to dinner to properly say thank you.
"Aw, that's sweet, but I'm sorry, Jace, I have other plans. Lance is taking me out for my birthday tonight."
Having almost forgotten that it was Rebecca's birthday that day caused JC to mutter shit to himself, before loudly replying: "That's right, today is your birthday. How old are you again? Twenty-one?"
Knowing that he was only teasing her caused Rebecca to sarcastically reply: "Ha, ha, ha, guess again, old-man. I am officially twenty-three today. Remember when you were my age, sonny?"
Without even bothering to hold back his chuckle, JC joked: "I don't know, that was so long ago...what year is it now?"
A question which caused Rebecca to laugh as well.
"Whatever, JC. But I really need to get going if I want to finish getting ready before Lance comes to pick me up in an hour. Can I take a raincheck on our dinner?"
"Absolutely." JC replied back, before telling Rebecca Happy birthday once again, and then afterwards disconnecting the phone call.
~*~
Twenty minutes later, after leaving Dallas' office, JC found himself pulling up into his driveway; interestingly enough, right behind Lance's car.
What's he doing here?"
After shutting off the engine and stepping out of his car, JC locked the door to his Mercedez Benz and quickly made his way into the front door of his house; amused when he stepped inside and saw Lance standing in front of the living room mirror, looking to be going back and fourth between one of JC's green ties or one of his blue ties.
"What do you think? The blue one or the green one?"
While rolling his eyes at his friend's hello, JC replied: "The green one, I guess..it matches your eyes."
"Why JC, I didn't know you could be so sensitive." Lance jokingly replied, before putting on the tie that his friend had chose for him, and then afterwards turning around to get the older man's approval. "What do you think?"
"Wow, you did good, buddy...this must be some place you're taking Rebecca tonight for her birthday."
Noticing the oh shit expression on Lance's face caused JC to raise an eyebrow in disbelief while replying: "Wait a minute...don't tell me you forgot her birthday. She told me you were on your way to get her in an hour."
"Shit!" Lance commented, while taking his phone out of his back pocket and quickly dialing a familiar number. "I completely forgot what today was. I promised Amber I'd take her out tonight to help her celebrate the promotion she just got at work today...I don't know how I'm going to explain this one to Rebecca."
And I don't know how you're going to explain your black eye to Amber once Rebecca finds out. JC commented to himself, before making a move to head futher into his living room--thinking since everyone seemed to already have plans for the night--he could simply order a pizza and watch a couple of movies on TV.
But unfortuantly before he could do such a thing, Lance's next words stopped him: "Wait, you're not doing anything tonight, are you JC?"
Turning back around and seeing the hopeful look on Lance's face caused JC to quickly catch on to what the younger man was asking him to do; something he refused to do. "Oh no, you are not getting me involved in that blood bath."
"Come on, C! It's her twenty-third birthday, she shouldn't have to spend it alone...you don't even have to think of it as doing me a favor, you can instead think of it as a way of thanking Rebecca for your meeting today--which I forgot to ask how it went earlier."
Dammit...! Remembering that he had wanted to thank Rebecca for helping him land a meeting with Dallas caused JC, after absentmindedly telling Lance his meeting went okay, that he'd do it. "I'll take her out for her birthday."
Before JC knew what was happening, he was being swept up off the ground by Lance and spun around the room. "Thanks so much, JC. You're the best"
"You are too, Lance...now let me go." JC replied, between clenched teeth, before having to regain his balence as Lance roughly set him down and then told the older man that he'd see him later. "I have to get going and so do you, too, if you don't want Rebecca yelling at you for being late."
Knowing that that would be just his luck, JC yelled dammit and then quickly followed Lance out the house; preparing to murder his group-mate in his sleep if he got chewed out later for this.
~*~
Twenty Minutes Later
After nearly having to run two stop signs and four red-lights, JC found himself finally in front of Rebecca's house at six pm sharp; the exact time when Lance was supposed to be picking her up at.
A fact which Rebecca noted, as soon as she opened her front door and instead of seeing her best friend behind it, she instead saw JC.
"What are you doing here, JC? Where's Lance?"
Not really good at lying caused JC to pause for a second, before telling Rebecca the truth. "He said he was sorry..something just came up."
"Or better yet, someone." Rebecca replied, sarcastically, her voice void of any emotion that she was feeling at the moment. "Thanks for letting me know though. Sorry you had to drive all the way over here since he couldn't tell me he had made other plans, himself--at least over the phone would've been better than this."
Not really sure what he was supposed to say to that caused JC to ignore that last comment and instead reply: "Well, actually I didn't have to drive all the way over here, but I figured since your plans just got canceled for the night, you wouldn't mind taking me up on my offer to treat you to dinner, as a way to say happy birthday and thank you for all that you've done for me as well. What do you say?"
Even though she really didn't want to spend her birthday at home by herself, the sudden realization that her best friend had just chose his girlfriend over her caused Rebecca to reply: "I'm not really that hungry anymore, but thanks anyway, JC."
Deciding that he wasn't going to take no for an answer right now 'caused JC to quickly reply: "Well then, we don't have to go out and eat..we can do something else instead."
A comment which caused a curious Rebecca to ask:
"What did you have in mind?"
~*~
Thirty minutes later
"You've got to be kidding me...are you serious?"
After chuckling slightly at the questioning tone in Rebecca's voice, JC shrugged his shoulders slightly while making his way towards the front counter of the building. "Hey, you told me you weren't in the mood to bowl or play minature golf, so I figured this would be the next best thing....two please."
Waiting until after JC had finished paying for both his and her tickets, Rebecca began her questioning again: "Okay, but GoKart racing? Really? This is all you could think to do."
Knowing that Rebecca wasn't really mad at him but still annoyed at Lance for ruining her evening caused JC to ignore the tone in the younger woman's voice while replying: "Well, what else is there to do? If you know of anything, please let me know." And after a second or two of silence was heard from the other woman, JC replied: "Exactly..now which kart do you want?"
"Whatever." Rebecca replied, in defeat, before studying the karts in front of her: choosing the red one with the number 23 painted on it
"Okay, then I'll take the blue one." JC commented, before helping Rebecca into the GoKart of her choice and then situating himself into his GoKart as well. "You ready to go?"
"Yeah, but I forgot to tell you one thing.." Rebecca replied, causing JC--after buckling his seat belt--to turn around and face the now smirking female.
"What's that?"
"I'm going to kick your ass."
And with that being said, Rebecca was gone; leaving JC to look on amusingly as she sped off with him quickly trying to catch up behind her.
This should be an interesting night..
*****
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