Part 8


Justin looked in the mirror for the thirty-second time in as many minutes. He smoothed his shirt down and took another deep breath, closing his eyes and trying to calm himself down.

Ella came skipping into the room, Bella in tow. “Daddy, Bella wants to know if you’re ready yet. It’s almost time!”

Justin chuckled, scratching behind the kitten’s ears. “Time for what?”

Ella looked up into Justin’s eyes and blinked innocently. “Time for you to go get your man.”

Justin’s eyes widened in horror, his cheeks burning.

“What?”

Ella giggled, running from the room. Justin could hear her laughing all the way downstairs, and he had to grin. One last look in the mirror, and he went downstairs to talk with his mother, whom he was sure was the culprit behind the “go get your man” comment.

“Mama?” he called, poking his head into the living room to find Ella curled up in Lynn’s lap, peeking at Justin through her hands and giggling madly. “Mama, did you tell Ella something?”

Lynn looked up at Justin, feigning innocence. “Me? What would I say?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Justin said, rolling his eyes. “Maybe something about going to get my man?”

At that, Ella burst into another fit of giggles, and Lynn shushed her, hiding a grin herself.

Justin glared at his mother, and she blinked at him. “What?” she said.

He shook his head, smirking at this daughter. “And you, young lady,” he said, pointing a finger at her, “know nothing about me and my men.”

“You look very nice, Justin,” Lynn commented. He smiled, nodding in thanks.

“I’m nervous,” he admitted quietly, shifting from one foot to the other.

Lynn shot him a sympathetic smile. “If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be, Justin. You have to at least try.”

“Yeah. Yeah, I know,” Justin replied, looking at his watch. “I gotta go. He’s on in half an hour.”

Lynn looked at her son for a moment, tears brimming in her eyes. “Mama? What’s wrong?”

She shook her head, wiping the tears away. “Nothing, sweetheart. I just want you to be happy is all. And this Josh…he makes you happy. He’ll make you happy. I can see it in your eyes.”

“Thanks, Mama,” he whispered, kissing the top of her head. “Love you, sugar,” he said to Ella, who wrapped her arms around his neck in a tight hug.

“Good luck, Daddy! I love you!”

Justin kissed her nose and smiled, heading out the door to face what he hoped was his destiny.

“ID please,” the bouncer muttered, and Justin smiled to himself, remembering the first night at the club. The bouncer waved him in, and Justin took his place against the wall, waiting, his heart ready to burst through his chest.

Josh’s friend appeared on the stage, mic in hand. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Moody!” he shouted. “Tonight, we’ve got a special treat for you. Please welcome, Mr. John Mayer!”

The audience erupted in applause, and Justin frowned, suddenly concerned.

It was Tuesday night.

Where was Josh?

He made his way through the crowd, trying to see through the darkness and smoke. He finally found the man he was looking for, and he tapped Joey on the shoulder.

Joey turned around, smiling when he saw Justin. “Hey man, what’s up?” he shouted over the music. “Justin, right?” He put his hand out, and Justin took it. “I’m Joey. Joey Fatone.”

Justin nodded. “Nice to meet you.”

“What can I do for ya?”

“Um…” Justin started, eyes darting to the ground. “Is…Josh here?”

Joey frowned. “Josh?”

Justin nodded, foot tapping nervously.

“Oh! You mean JC!” Joey said, and Justin didn’t miss the way Joey’s face fell just a little at the mention of the name.

“Yeah.”

Joey shook his head. “Sorry, man. He’s gone.”

Justin frowned, pulse quickening. “Gone?”

Joey nodded, shrugging his shoulders.

“Where?” Justin shouted. “Where did he go? Why?”

“I don’t know, man. He’s got a place in Maine, that’s all I know.”

“MAINE?”

Joey smiled sadly. “Sorry, man.”

“Do you have his number? Any way to reach him?”

Joey shrugged. “Sorry.”

Justin sighed, blinking back the hot tears pushing on his eyes, and turned to go.

But something inside him wouldn’t let him leave. He needed to know why Josh had left. He needed to know how he could get him back.

His heart knew what it wanted, and Justin refused to give up on this one.

He deserved to be happy, and be happy he would.

Justin turned around and tapped Joey on the shoulder again.

“Yeah?”

“We need to talk.”

Joey smirked, folding his arms. “Oh do we?”

Justin nodded, jaw set, staring at Joey.

Joey finally gestured his head towards the back, and Justin followed him into the dark hallway, memories flashing in his brain.

He closed his eyes, remembering his hands on Josh’s stomach, the way Josh had whispered in his ear, “You’re beautiful.”

He was startled back into reality when Joey grabbed his arm and led him into a bright room, complete with couch, refrigerator, and television set.

“This is my office,” Joey said, and Justin smirked. Figured. “Have a seat.”

Justin sat on the couch, wincing as a loose spring poked into his back.

Joey chuckled. “Yeah, sorry about that, man. Been meaning to get that fixed,” he said, reaching into the fridge and coming out with a beer. “Want one?”

Justin shook his head, and Joey shrugged, leaning against the refrigerator door as he uncapped his bottle. “So what’s up?”

“I want to know why he left.”

Joey sighed, shaking his head. “I told you, man. I don’t know.”

“You’re lying. I know you’re lying. He wouldn’t just up and leave.”

Joey laughed bitterly. “And you would know? Because you knew him so well, right? Fucked with his head a little, led him on…you’d know he wouldn’t just up and leave. Right?”

“Excuse me?” Justin blinked, completely confused.

“Don’t give me that bullshit, Justin. You made him think there was something between the two of you, and then you just broke it off. Out of nowhere.”

“That’s not how it happened,” Justin said quietly. “He…I…”

“What, Justin? He what? You what?”

“Nevermind,” Justin blurted, pushing himself up from the couch. “This was a bad idea. I’m sorry I bothered you.”

“Justin, wait!” Joey shouted, grabbing Justin by the arm. “Why don’t you want to be with him? Just tell me that, ok? Why?”

Justin looked into Joey’s eyes, searching for a reason to trust him.

“He deserves better than me,” Justin whispered, turning away. “So much better.”

Joey frowned, confused. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“What, he didn’t tell you?” Justin spat. “I’m just a poorboy. I had about ten dollars to my name until Josh showed up at the coffee shop and left me that lottery ticket. He’s a millionaire. He can have anyone he wants, and—“

“He wants you,” Joey said, poking him in the chest.

“I don’t want his charity. I don’t want him to think he can buy me, because he can’t.”

“He doesn’t want to. That’s the last thing he wants. Why do you think he kept it a secret?”

Justin shrugged.

“He hates it, you know.”

“Hates what?”

“The money. Ever since I’ve known him, he’s done his best to keep it quiet. He’s been through some rough things because of it, and he doesn’t like to flaunt it.”

“Rough things?”

Joey nodded. “Two abusive relationships, and one ruined engagement. All because of the money. They were all in it for the money. He…he thought you were different.”

Justin gasped, because he was different. “I am,” he voiced quietly, and Joey nodded.

“I know.”



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