Early That Morning
Leslie awoke around seven, but much to her surprise she did so alone. She climbed out of bed and put on her robe. Leslie then went to look for JC throughout the rest of their home.
“JC.” She called softly, as not to wake Riley. “JC? You here?”
After searching the house she concluded that he indeed was not home.
Later That Night
JC strolled casually into his and Leslie’s penthouse around eleven. The TV was on, so he figured Leslie had forgotten to turn it off before going to bed.
“Hi.” Leslie whispered, sitting up on the couch.
“I thought you would be asleep by now.”
“I normally would be.”
JC was silent.
“What’s going on, Josh?” She asked calmly. “I’m worried about you.”
“Why?” He asked defensively. “I’m perfectly fine.” JC sat across the room from her.
“You were supposed to watch Riley today. I had to call Joey and have him watch her. I tried Nicole, but no one was at Justin’s place.”
“So? I forgot. What’s the big deal?”
“The big deal is that she’s your daughter, Josh. You’ve never forgotten about her before.”
He shrugged.
“What’s going on that you’re not telling me?”
“Nothing.”
“Is there someone else?”
JC looked at her and repeatedly blinked his eyes in shock of her question. “How could you even ask me that?!”
“Well, I can’t exactly come up with any reason that you’re acting like this.”
“NO! Of course there’s not!” He paused. “How could you even think…”
“I’m sorry. I’m just so confused. You’ve been so hot and cold these past few days.”
“I really don’t want to have this conversation with you right now.” JC stood up and began to walk toward their room.
“You know what Josh? I really don’t care what you want right now. I want to know what the hell is going on.”
“NOTHING! OKAY? NOTHING IS WRONG OR GOING ON!”
“You’re going to wake my child if you continue you’re yelling.”
“YOU’RE child? OUR child!”
“No, no Josh. You forgot about her! Not me!”
“This is crazy! I do not need this!” JC went into the bedroom and slammed the door.
Moments later crying could be heard coming from the nursery.
“Great, just great.” Leslie mumbled. “It took me an hour to get her to sleep!” She yelled in the direction of their room and then headed to Riley’s room. “Shhh… My lil’ angel. It’s okay. Go back to sleep for Momma. Please… Shhh…” She soothed gently while pacing slowly next to the crib. “You want to go take a drive?” Leslie whispered to her baby. “Yeah, ya do, don’t ya. Come on. Let’s get you in a blanket and go.”
Leslie walked in around four hours later that same morning.
“Where have you been?” Josh interrogated her once she had climbed into bed.
“I took a drive.”
“Why?”
“To calm down Riley.”
“Where’d you go for the four hours you were gone?”
“I went to my boyfriend’s house.” She told him sarcastically.
“Excuse me?”
“I’m just messing around! God! I just went around!”
“Around where?”
“Why the hell are you interrogating me?” Leslie yelled. “You’re acting as if you don’t trust me!”
“Leslie, you’re-“
“I’m not overreacting! I’ll be on the couch when you’re ready to apologize.” She informed JC, while plucking her pillow from the mattress.
“What?”
“You heard me.” She walked away only to return moments later.
“Come back to apologize?”
“Nope.” Leslie simply pulled the comforter off of the bed, leaving JC covered by nothing, except his boxers.
10 AM That Morning
The doorbell rang, interrupting Leslie’s telephone call. “Hold on one second Mom.”
“I have a package for Leslie Chasez.” A short, stalky, and overweight man said dully. He had a clipboard in one hand and a large envelope in the other.
“That’s me.”
The man told her where to sign and then handed her the envelope.
“Sorry, I’m back. You know what, can I call you back? You’re grandbaby just woke up. Okay, I love you, too. Bye.” Leslie hung up the telephone. “I’m coming, peanut.” She called.
That Evening
“What’s this?” JC asked picking up the envelope that had been delivered earlier in the day.
“Oh, I had forgotten. I don’t know. I haven’t opened it yet.” She took it from his hands. Leslie read to herself and her face lit with excitement. “Guess what?”
What?” JC asked lethargically.
“Oh c’mon, guess.”
“Just tell me already. I’m not in the mood for your games.”
“You’re not in the mood for anything anymore!” She said throwing down the papers and then going out to the terrace.
“What’s this?” He asked joining Leslie outside.
“A letter telling me that I’m on the cover for the new winter-“
“I know. What’s this?” JC asked holding out a 9x12 photo of Leslie. She was wearing a sheer red teddy with while fur around the bottom, accompanied by a traditional Santa hat. On either side of her were two buff men in nothing but red boxer briefs.
“It’s the picture that will be on the cover.”
“The hell it will!”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. No. No, it will not. What do you think you’re doing posing practically nude with two guys?”
“My job JC!”
“Last time I checked you weren’t modeling for playboy!”
“You’re acting like an ass! Any it’s not playboy!”
“What?”
“I don’t criticize your job and I’d appreciate it if you showed the same courtesy to me.”
“What’s wrong with my job?”
“It’s not your job I have a problem with… It’s your attitude!”
“My attitude!”
“Yes! You used to trust me and the man I married would be happy for me!”
JC went quiet, as did Leslie. Silence continued to surround them for a few minutes, which seemed like hours to them.
“I know about your parents.” Leslie confessed calmly. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault my mom cheated on my dad.”
“No,” She paused. “But you’re acting like it is.”
“I am not.”
“Yes you are.” She sighed lightly. “You’re treating me as if I cheated on you. I have news for you!” She said raising her voice. “I didn’t! I don’t see why you’re acting this way. I mean I love you… and you love me.”
JC was silent, while Leslie sat back impatiently waiting for a response.
“Right?” She could feel the tears beginning to burn in her eyes. “Josh?”
“Leslie, I think maybe…” JC stopped as if to think about what he was about to say. “Maybe we should… separate.”
“You mean… You want a divorce?”
“No, well yes. I mean… I don’t know.”
“What about Riley?” She questioned.
“What about her? She’s my daughter and our relationship has nothing to do with mine and hers.”
“Our daughter.” Leslie mumbled.
“What?”
“When do you want to come by and see her?”
“Everyday. I promise.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
“Who says I just did?”
“You’ll be back on tour when Lance gets back in three weeks.”
“Didn’t I tell you?”
You don’t tell me much anymore. She thought.
“We delayed the tour. It won’t start until next spring. The seventh or eighth of March I believe.”
“Oh.”
By nine that night JC’s suitcases were stacked by the door as the ex-couple said goodbye.
“I love you and I’ll miss you sweetie.” He spoke gently to his daughter.
“JC you don’t have to do this. We can work it all out.”
“Leslie, it’s for the best and you know it. Now Nicole can move in with you and I… well, I’ll be okay.”
“Where are you going to live?”
“A hotel I guess. But only until I find a more permanent place.”
She nodded, forcing back her tears.
“Bye sweetheart.” He kissed Riley’s cheek and then handed her back to her mother. “I’ll be by tomorrow morning to pick her up along with the rest of my things.” He smiled with his mouth, but his eyes lacked the glow they got when he really smiled.