Part 8

Confrontation


Justin slowly walked toward the large leather couch and sat abruptly down beside Lonnie. He bowed his head in the direction of his bodyguard and sighed, blinking away the newly formed tears that were threatening to fall. The young blond pulled his knees adjacent to his chest and rested his damp head on them, looking sideways at Lonnie.

“I can’t believe all the shit that’s going down?” Justin said, rubbing his cheek alongside his rough denim clad knee. “I don’t understand.” The blond began rocking on the couch, deep in thought. The two briefly sat in silence before Justin spoke again. “I just have so many damn questions. Like why Chris? Why does he think it’s JC’s fault? How come Lou isn’t in jail and why is Johnny allowing him to stay with us?” He sighed, turning his face and pressing his lips against his wet knees. “All these unanswered questions. It just doesn’t make sense to me.”

“That makes two of us, kid,” Lonnie answered as he placed a hand at the back of Justin’s head, running his fingers through the dampened curls and moving the young charge into his embrace. “One thing is for sure, I won’t let anything else happen to you guys, nothing. And once we figure out what the hell Chris and Johnny are up to, everything will be just fine,” the bodyguard pledged.

“I don’t know, Lonnie,” Justin whispered against the black man’s shoulder. “I don’t know if it will ever be just fine.” The blond squeezed his eyes tight and worried his bottom lip. He didn’t know how long he could hold out, how long he could be strong. Justin wanted nothing more than to be there for JC but the nightmares and stress weighed heavily on him, draining him of his energy. He tried blocking these thoughts from his mind, tried to keep them hidden and suffer by himself, but Lonnie kept digging, kept peeling away at his resolve.

“What do you mean?”

Justin peered up innocently, eyes large and watery, “How can everything be fine after what’s gone down. JC won’t be fine, not for a long time,” he trembled. “The group won’t be fine because for the first time we’re fighting each other.” His grip on the bodyguard’s arm grew tighter, “Lance won’t be fine.” Justin sniffed, “I won’t be fine, Lonnie.” He paused again clenching his eyes, “I keep seeing it,” he stuttered. “I keep seeing him, doing that. I can’t get rid of it.”

“Justin. Justin, stop it.” Lonnie pulled the weeping boy closer to his chest, encircling his other hand around the slender waist. “Now you listen here, you need to hold on just for a little while longer. You’ve gotta be strong for yourself and for JC.”

“That’s just it, I can’t.” The blond broke down and began sobbing in the black bodyguard’s embrace. “It’s too much. I can’t take it.” He pulled away slightly and looked up into Lonnie’s eyes. Justin’s fingers clawed into the darker man’s shirt. “I’m… I’m just a kid. It’s too much for me.”

“Yes. Yes you can, Justin. You can, and you have to. So, don’t sell yourself short.” Lonnie pulled him close again, “And so what if you’re just a kid, that’s not an excuse and you’re not the only one in the group. Lance is going through the same thing you are and might I add, he ain’t doing as well.” The older man paused. He ran his hand soothingly up and down the young boy’s back. “And think about Joey, he’s barely a man. He’s only a few years older than you, and he’s been trying to take care of Lance and you, let alone handle the situation developing between the group.” He started rocking, hesitating to speak about JC, but knew it needed to be said. “Then there’s JC.” Lonnie felt Justin shudder. “He’s not much older and look what his been through. We don’t know how long this has been going on or what else has been done to him, but he’s gonna make it. He’s strong. Now... Now it’s your turn. You need to be strong.”

“I... I can’t...”

Lonnie pushed the blond boy away from him and gently grabbed the sides on his head, forcing Justin’s attention; his own eyes filling with unshed tears. “Listen to me boy, you’ve gotta have faith. You can’t just give up, because if you do then you’ll not only be giving up on yourself, but the group as well, and even... even JC. Think of JC.”

“That’s all I've been doing. Not a minute or second goes by without me thinking about JC, about that night. I can’t even sleep, cuz, these horrifying images keep running through my head.” Justin emphasized his meaning by lightly pounding a fist into the side of his head. “Keep reminding me of what happened.” Justin wiped at his eyes, “I can’t keep doing this to myself. I can’t keep thinking about it. It’s gonna drive me insane.”

“Well, maybe,” Lonnie searched the other’s eyes, his heart breaking at the amount of pain ripping through his young charge, “maybe you shouldn’t spend so much time here with JC.” The black man shrugged his shoulders, “Maybe you should go back to the hotel.”

“Wha... that’s... that’s not even an option for me. I couldn’t leave JC here by himself. He’d think in his screwed up head of his that we didn’t want to be around him, just like before. He’d think that we’re ashamed of him.”

“You don’t know that...”

“The hell I don’t. I’ve spent years trying to get JC to open up to us, to be his self. I know how uncomfortable he was around us; the way he shied away. It’s because he didn’t want us to know what was going on, that Lou was doing things to him...he was ashamed.”

“Justin...” the older man sighed sadly.

“No, I’m right about this.” The young blonde’s hands balled up, drumming against his thighs, “You don’t think his feelings of shame would care over.” His voice quieted, “Now it’s worse cuz we know.” Justin’s red-rimmed eyes pleaded with Lonnie’s wanting to convey the severity of his words, his realization.

The large black man sighed heavily, “I only suggested going to the hotel to save your sanity. It really might do you some good to spend a little bit of time away from the hospital.”

“What then Lonnie, huh.” Justin pulled his face from the black man’s grasp, shaking his head. “I go back to the hotel and then what.” He turned his defiant blue orbs away from the bodyguard, “It won’t help. It won’t help me with anything. It would only make it worse for me and for JC.” He faced his friend once more, “No. No, I don’t think it will matter where I am the nightmares will always be there. This hideous nightmare that seems to get worse and worse, won’t leave me because of where I am. It won’t go away if I’m away from JC, they’ll only get worse.” The blonde’s gaze traveled to the empty hospital bed across the large room. “The only time I didn’t have them was when I was asleep next to JC.” He paused shaking his head again. “No, I’ll stay here, I sleep better when I’m with JC.” His voice barely a whisper, “He makes them go away.”

“You could still go to the hotel every now and then to get a break from it all, to relax. Give yourself the time you need to deal with what’s going on inside your head.”

“What?” Disbelieve in Justin’s stormy blue eyes that Lonnie would continue with the ridiculous idea of him leaving. “Can’t you get it through your thick skull that I can’t leave him alone, by himself.” The black man nodded his head. “That’s how this started in the first place, I’m not leaving him again.”

“Don’t let this consume you, Justin.”

Justin half laughed, “Consume me? Consume me? Someone’s got to be here for him, Lonnie. Someone who cares about him and won’t judge him and make him feel worse about himself. I’m gonna be that person. I’m gonna be the one who takes care of him, to be there for him. He needs me.”

“Justin, think about what you’re saying. Your not he only person here who can help JC, who will be here for him. What about his parents? Don’t you think they’ll have something to say about who takes care of their boy?”

Justin’s eyes spit fire, “His parents, Lonnie. His parents went back to Chicago.”

“What?”

“As soon as Johnny reassured them that JC would be okay, they went home. They were never told about what happened. Johnny did want to tell them. So how are they gonna help? Hmmmm. They ain’t,” the blond boy, screamed.

Lonnie stared hard at his young charge, digesting the information revealed to him. Determined for Justin to see things his way, he continued, “JC will need all of us, then, if he’s to get though this traumatic experience. The weight of this burden doesn’t have to rest solely on your young shoulders. It can be distributed amongst the four of you.” Lonnie stretched for the young blond, “You don’t have to carry this responsibility, this burden yourself,” he repeated. “The other guys can help and watch JC. It doesn’t always have to be you.”

Justin emphatically drew away from Lonnie’s outstretched hand, eyes growing wide as he clasped his fists, knuckles white. He looked away sharply from the black bodyguard. “That’s… that right there… that’s what I’m talking about.”

“What...”

“Careless words being spoken,” he said through clenched teeth. “Hurtful words being said.”

“What are you talking about Justin? I didn’t say anything bad.”

Justin chuckled, “You didn’t?” He faced his bodyguard, lashes wet with tears. He blinked leisurely, “You called him a burden Lonnie, a responsibility and you didn’t even realize it.”

“No. No I didn’t,” Lonnie nearly screamed shocked Justin would accuse him of such a thing.

“You just said that I wouldn’t need to bare the burden on my own. What’s the burden, Lonnie? Hmmm...?”

“I was talking about the situation, not JC. You’re twisting my words.”

“Twisting your words,” Justin mocked snidely. “Lonnie, you’re so fucking stupid sometimes. JC is the situation and whether you meant to or not, you just called him a burden. Not fucking once,” the blond held up two fingers in front of Lonnie’s face, “but twice.” Justin closed his eyes and chanted to himself, calm down, breath, just breath. In a short moment, he successfully pacified his rapid breathing, just like Dr. Thompson had taught him in order to stop anxiety attacks, before he spoke again. He glanced back at Lonnie with a disgusted look permeating over his face; tears escaped pain filled azure eyes. “He’s not a burden. At least he isn’t for me.”

“Fine, okay you win. I’m sorry all right,” Lonnie said with his hands raised in submission. “I didn’t mean for it to sound the way it did... it just came out wrong.”

Justin flew into another rage. “Fucking came out wrong,” he screamed. “What the hell is that? You call my best friend who just was raped a burden and your excuse is that it came out wrong.” Justin stood up, anger replacing grief. “What if he was in the room just now? Huh, Lonnie. What if he heard everything you just said about him?” He paused once more gathering his thoughts, “You think I twisted your words. JC’s mind is so confused right now, there is no telling what he would’ve come up with.” Justin’s eyes narrowed, “Do you even consider the feelings of others around you when you speak? How do you think he would’ve felt?” The blond stormed over toward the unoccupied bed that had been left for him. “It’s words like that that will hurt him more than Lou fucking raping him. Fucking careless words.” He irately glared over his slumping angular shoulder, “He wouldn’t be able to take it, Lonnie.” He focused his attention in front of him and threw himself on the cushioned bed, feeling his anger deplete, defeated, “He wouldn’t be able to take it.” The blond flung his arm over his eyes and whispered, “Not from us.”

Lonnie moved from his sitting position on the couch and walked over toward the bed. The black man rested one knee on the mattress and sighed. “Alls I was sayin... Is the other guys could help take some of the pressure from you.” He shrugged his shoulders unconsciously, “They love him too you know.”

Justin removed his arm and sat up a bit gazing at Lonnie, brow furrowed. “Didn’t you just get fucking done telling me that Chris thinks this is JC’s fault?” he waved his hand in a wild gesture. “That some how JC is the reason JC was raped by Lou.” The slender blond rolled over onto his side, focusing his intense glare at his friend. “You expect me to allow Chris anywhere near JC,” Justin huffed. “He’s the last person in the world I’d want talking or caring for him. Give me a fucking break here. There ain’t no way in hell I’m allowing that to happen.”

“You may not have a choice in the matter.”

Justin threw himself back against the mattress and bounced his head on it. “I can’t believe Chris thinks this is JC’s fault.” Justin shook his head, running a slightly trembling hand through his curls. “I don’t understand why he would blame him. It’s not like JC asked for this. It’s not like he bent himself over the table and said okay boys whose first.”

“Justin... stop it.”

“No, I’m serious.”

“I realize that, but I don’t think you should be wasting these words, or your anger for that matter, on me that’s all. I think you should save the speech for when you run into Chris.” Lonnie turned and faced the empty hospital bed and sadly bowed his head. The black man deftly quipped, “You’re not the only one having a hard time dealing with what happened to JC. You boys are our responsibility and we failed. Now JC has to suffer the consequences of our failure. So please, don’t... Don’t bring up that night. I really don’t want to think about anymore. All right.”

“Yeah, whatever.” Justin responded as he rolled off the bed, stood up and sauntered toward the exit of the room.

“Hey, where’re you goin’.”

The blond pop star leered over his shoulder, “To find Chris,” he clenched his fist, “and give him a piece of my mind.”

Lonnie hurried over, “Not without me, you ain’t.”

“Let’s go then.” The two men left the room.

**

Joey nudged the sleeping blond and watched as the long elegant lashes of his friend fluttered open. The older brunette tenderly ran his fingers through the bleached blond boy’s hair and was greeted with shiny emerald eyes. Until now, Joey hadn’t had the heart to wake up his friend after the young man broke down in Joey’s embrace. He let the younger man rest, getting as much sleep as possible and not disturbing him until he felt the time was right.

“Hey,” Joey whispered.

“Hey,” the sleepy boy mumbled back. “Ummm... how... how long have...”

“How long have you been a member of the living dead?”

Lance smiled shyly, wiping a smidgen of drool from Joey’s shirt. “Yeah,” he answered softly.

The older man looked over at the alarm clock setting on the nightstand and calculated the amount of time in his head. “I’d say about two hours, give or take a few minutes.”

“Really? Two hours, eh?” The blond boy sighed, “Why didn’t you wake me sooner?”

“Cuz, you looked so damn cute drooling on me,” Joey teased.

“Shut up,” Lance shoved facetiously at Joey’s shoulder. He carefully braced his hands on the brunette’s chest and pushed himself up and away from the older man’s warm embrace. “Seriously, why didn’t you wake me up before now?”

The older man looked away modestly. “I thought maybe you needed some rest after what happened in the hallway and all.” Joey turned his head back, “With your heart condition, I thought... I thought it was the best thing for you.” He nervously watched the young blonde’s smile fade into a tight line at the mention of Lou’s actions earlier in the day. “Plus,” Joey quickly added, “Not many of us have been sleeping all that well. So who am I to wake you when you finally catch a few zzz.”

Lance’s smile returned, “Just like you to watch over us.”

Joey snorted, “I didn’t do a very good job of it…”

“What time is it?” the tired blond asked, purposely cutting the brunette off.

“Well, sleeping beauty if you just took one moment of your time and looked over your shoulder, you’ll see a fabulous invention called a clock. Now, as I hear it, a clock will tell you, magically I might add, exactly what time it is. It’s a smashing invention and frankly, all the new rave.”

“Joey...” Lance chuckled and playfully hit the brunette. He peered over his shoulder and studied the small brownish black mechanism that read, 3:30 p.m. “Wow, that late huh.”

“Yeah, I just didn’t have the heart to wake you.”

“Thanks.” Lance placed his hand on his neck and rubbed it, turning his head back and forth. His pleading green eyes glanced up at his friend lying on the bed, “Anything change?”

“You mean with Johnny and Chris?”

“Yeah.” Lance shuddered at the possibility of what the two of them were up to.

“No. Chris and Johnny left about two and a half hours ago. They’re at the hospital now.” Joey looked away and fidgeted with the corner of the comforter.

“Why are they at the hospital, Joey?”

The brunette continued picking at the loose strings on the oversized blanket, keeping his eyes downcast, “They’re gonna tell Justin and Dr. Thompson about Johnny’s idea.”

“Dr. Thompson?” Lance questioned.

Joey shrugged one shoulder, “I guess Johnny wants the doctor to come with us and keep an eye on JC while he’s at Lynn’s.”

Lance’s body tensed when he heard Joey mention the ill thought out plan of Johnny’s. “Are they gonna at least tell JC? After all the whole fucking plan does revolve around him, does it not?”

Joey’s attention again was focused on the blue floral comforter. “Well,” the brunette started nervously, “I’m not sure what they’re gonna tell him. I know,” he looked up, “I think that Justin will hear the entire plan, but I think they’re only gonna tell JC bits at a time.”

While he considered Joey’s words, Lance’s hand dropped feebly into his lap as his other absentmindedly smoothed out the rumples in the blanket. “I can’t believe those two,” he sighed. “What makes them think their plan is the best one? Don’t they know how much strain this is gonna cause in the group and on JC?” Lance turned his head and faced the open window, “Do they care?”

Joey huffed, exhaling in a long drawn out breath. “Look, Lance. I know what they’re planning to do sounds totally off, but I don’t think they’re intentions are to hurt JC anymore than what’s already happened.” The brunette reached his hand out toward Lance, offering the younger man some comfort. The blond greedily accepted it and Joey pulled him into his awaiting arms. “I really think they’ve got what’s good for the group at heart.” He felt the blond tense, “And what’s good for JC.”

“So you think it’s all right to lie to JC and to give him false hope.”

“Don’t get me wrong, Poofu. I think the “plan” has a ton of flaws which should be fixed before we try and carry it out, but Johnny and Chris are so anxious to get JC out of there, they ain’t willing to look at the pros and cons of their plan.”

“They won’t listen to reason, Joey.” Lance moved back slightly, capturing Joey’s gaze. “They think what they’re doing is right but it isn’t. They can’t ignore what happened to JC, what happened to me. As a group, we need to work through this, take it head on. Not pussy foot around it and disguise it.”

“I agree one hundred percent with your thinking, but it isn’t me that you need to convince. You need to talk Chris and Johnny into thinking that part of their idea through and like you said, they ain’t listening to anybody but themselves.”

Lance let go of Joey and moved off the bed; standing in the middle of the room he placed his hands on his hips. “I know one thing is for sure.”

“Yeah, what’s that?”

“I am not gonna stand around and let Chris and Johnny tell Justin what’s going on. They’ll try and brainwash the poor kid, with words like, ‘It’s what’s best for JC’ or ‘if JC were awake he’d agree.’” Lance stared at Joey, eyes piercing shaking his head. “I’m gonna tell Justin before Chris has a chance to.”

“All right then. Let me call the front desk and have them bring a limo around. We can be at the hospital in fifteen minutes.”

“Perfect.”

Joey smiled, encouraged by Lance’s new attitude and silently thrilled by it.

**

“So what’s your decision doctor? Are we gonna have to take care of JC ourselves or are you gonna go with us?” Chris inquired.

Dr. Thompson sat at his desk contemplating the words Johnny and Chris had just spoken. He knew that moving JC next Monday would not bode well for the injured patient and in fact could cause more injury. The old physician tapped his fingers lightly against the soft pine desk as he considered what he should do next, a silent war battling in his head. He did have other patients to care for and worry about, not just the young pop singer. However, somewhere down the line he made one simple mistake; he allowed Justin and his adoration for JC affect him. He should’ve known better but Justin blind-sided him catching him off guard with his raw emotion. There was something about the two young men that captivated the doctor, willing him to forget about his other responsibilities and just focusing on JC. The doctor’s fingers wrapped against the desktop in cadence with the ticking of the clock hanging on the wall. He looked up at the two men standing in front of him and slowly tapped his nimble fingers two more times before coming to a decision.

“Well, doctor? Time is running out.” Chris glanced at the annoying clock and then back at Dr. Thompson, “Are you in or out?”

“I’m in.”

“Thank goodness,” Chris sighed, exhaling the air from his lungs. “Thank you doctor...”

“But there will be stipulations to my accompanying you.”

Johnny placed his heads on the desk and leaned over it, “Stipulations? What kind of stipulations, doctor?” the black manager seethed.

“Ones that will ensure the safety and health of my patient.”

“Such as...”

“Well, I’d like to make the list of instruments and equipment that will be needed to be delivered to... Um what was her name?”

Chris spoke, “Lynn. Lynn Harliss. She’s Justin’s mom. Well, she’s like a mom to all of us. She won’t mind housing JC for a little while. In fact, we were gonna live there with them anyway.”

“Oh, she’s Justin’s mom.” Dr. Thompson smiled.

“What else?” Johnny asked, all business.

“I’d like for Nurse Jennings to be allowed to travel with us, as well as, a psychiatrist whom is a friend of mine. Her name is Dr. Wilma Tyson.”

“Nurse Jennings?”

“Yes, she’s been JC’s nurse since he arrived and I’d like to keep some things consistent for him.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem, doctor. I’ll call and get that taken care of as soon as we’re done here.” Johnny stood up and turned to leave the office, but the doctor’s voice stopped him.

“Don’t forget about Dr. Tyson, she is one of the best in the business.”

“I don’t think she’ll be needed.”

“You don’t. Well I do. Every one of these boys will need to talk to someone about what they saw happen. If not, it could cause problems in the future. She’ll need to go with us or forget it.”

“You strike a hard bargain, but I’ll allow her to join us for the time being. Anything else before I go.”

“Yes, just one more thing, Mr. Wright. If for any reason I deem it unsafe for JC or if he turns for the worst, I request the ability to move him to better accommodations, specifically a hospital.”

Johnny smiled knowing the doctor had him. “Yes, doctor. If something goes wrong then you’ll be able to take him to a hospital for better care.”

“Thank you Mr. Wright.”

“Call me Johnny.” He again turned to leave, “Oh, um... Be sure he’s ready to leave first thing Monday morning. Our flight leaves at 7:15, so he needs to be out of here by 5.” The group’s manager laughed, “Thanks again doctor.”

The two men left the office leaving a stunned doctor in their wake. The gray-haired man rested his elbows on the desk and covered his face with his hands. “Shit,” he huffed, “there’s no way he’ll be ready. I can’t believe this.” Dr. Thompson looked down at his desktop and counted the days he had left. The young pop star only just arrived a week and a half ago, that’s not enough time to heal properly from his injuries. He scratched his head. Four days. That’s all he had to work with, just four days. The doctor slid his chair back and reached for a large volume book and turned to the index. He needed to find an ethical way in speeding up the young man’s healing process.

**

Justin and Lonnie frantically scoured the lower floors looking for Johnny and Chris. The more they searched the more infuriated the young singer became. The two ended their headhunt beside a drinking fountain on the first floor near the back entrance. They figured that the others would eventually have to come back to the barely used entrance in order to leave. The two would wait for them.

Justin threw his back against the wall and steadily bumped the back of his head into it. His fist balled up as he continued his silent mantra. Suddenly the blond, becoming extremely impatient and upset about not finding Chris and their manager, turned around and slammed his hand into the unmoving wall. “Where are they?” he screamed.

“Shit,” Lonnie mumbled and shifted from his position from across the hall to the young blonde’s side. He carefully placed a hand on the singer’s hip and the other rested on his shoulder. He waited.

After making contact with the solid wall, Justin just as quickly pulled his hand toward his chest shaking it slightly and hissed. It was numb. Tears began welling up in bloodshot angry azure eyes. Once Lonnie felt Justin’s shoulder’s quake, he stepped in front of the pop star. The bodyguard quickly grabbed the injured hand and inspected it, flipping it over and over in his larger ones. In his inspection he observed that the middle knuckle appeared swollen and the skin over the fist bloodied as a result of peeling flesh. The middle of the young man’s hand seemed awkward slightly lifting the center finger at an odd angle.

“We need ice.”

“No shit,” Justin responded through tight lips. “It hurts.”

“Yeah I bet it does.”

Justin pulled his hand from his bodyguard’s grasp and huddled it close against him. He wrapped his other arm around his waist and rested his elbow on it. “Why don’t you get ice? I’ll wait here until you get back.”

“You may need x-rays.” Lonnie tried to reason, “Why don’t you come with me?”

“No,” Justin snapped. He then lowered his voice, “Just get the ice, please.”

“Okay. Don’t go anywhere.”

“I won’t.”

Lonnie turned around and walked away from his charge. He glanced over his shoulder once before turning a corner and watched as the younger man slowly slid down the wall. The black man shook his head while making the final turn and headed toward the nurse’s station.

Justin sat on the cold tile floor again banging his head against the wall, gripping his elbow tightly. He sat for only a couple of minutes before the door to the outside opened, two voices loudly speaking.

“...And when we find Justin will tell him what’s going on.”

“What’s going on?”

Justin’s soft-spoken voice rang loudly through the vacant hallway, startling the two new occupants. Joey and Lance stopped in their tracks upon seeing their youngest member sitting on the floor cradling his arm. They rushed over toward their fallen friend each taking a side. The two older singers helped Justin to his feet, grabbing onto his shirtsleeve for support.

“What the hell happened to you?”

“The wall,” Justin answered his brunette friend. He looked down at the injured hand and then back at the wall. “I got mad and hit the wall. Lonnie thinks I might’ve broken something.”

Lance rubbed his hand up and down Justin’s arm in a comforting manner and whispered in his ear. “We need you healthy. Sos, don’t go hurting yourself anymore. Deal?”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“What made you hit the wall anyway?”

“Lonnie and I were looking for Chris and Johnny.”

“Why?” Lance asked.

“Lonnie said something about a plan and that he thought Chris blamed JC for what happened,” Justin shrugged. “I wanted an explanation and we couldn’t find them, so I got... I got impatient and mad.”

“So you hit the wall.”

“Yeah,” Justin shyly said. “I hit the wall.”

“Where’s Lonnie now?”

“I don’t know, Lance. The last time I talked to him he was getting me ice, which was like ten minutes ago. I don’t know where the nurse took him.”

“He’s right here,” a high-pitched recognizable voice chimed. “We found him wondering around in the hallway, like a lost puppy,” the eldest member joked.

“Shut it Chris.” The large man stepped around the small figure and carried the ice in the direction of the other three members of the group. He handed the large bulky package of ice to the young star and ruffled his hair. “Here. I took it upon myself to schedule you an x-ray.”

“How’d you manage that?” Justin asked completely ignoring the presence of the other two men.

“It wasn’t very hard when I told them that the X-rays were for one Justin Timberlake.”

“You didn’t,” the black manager scolded, yelling at the larger man. “Now were gonna have to move faster than first anticipated.” Johnny peered over his shoulder at Chris. “We need to tell the doctor that the time table has changed.”

Chris nodded his head and looked at Lonnie, “You are so stupid sometimes.” He walked up to Lonnie, “I can’t believe that you went ahead and made that type of announcement without first asking Johnny about it.”

“Look, Chris,” the black man sneered, “I didn’t really tell them it was for Justin. I told Becky, the nurse who’s been working with us what happened. She went ahead and scheduled the X-ray and called the doctor.” He took a step toward Chris, Joey quickly stepped in-between them. “Sos maybe I ain’t so stupid.” Lonnie glanced over his shoulder at Justin, “I’ll be down the hall, aight.”

“Yeah, I’ll see you in a bit.” Justin turned toward Chris, “How fucking dare you talk to him like that. He was just doing his job.”

Johnny spoke, “I will talk to Lonnie the way I see fit. You got that.”

Justin tilted his head slightly and peered over Chris’s shoulder and huffed. “When I’m talking to you, I’ll address you.”

“Why you little…”

“Give it a rest Johnny,” Justin sneered. He centered his attention and his gaze back at Chris. “What were you two talking about, about speeding things up?”

Johnny shot Chris a look, “Well, I guess now is as good a time as any.”

“Again with the interruptions. I’m talking to Chris here and last I knew he had his own voice and his own mind, sos stop trying to speak for him.”

Chris nodded his head at Johnny and focused his eyes on the young man in front of him. The two men spoke before about which of them would break the news to Justin and he had drawn the short straw. He nervously fingered the hem of his shirt and took a deep breath. “Well, Chris. He’s waiting.”

“Hang on, give me a minute, Johnny.”

“Your minutes up,” Justin said. “Now tell me what the fuck is going on here.”

Lance quickly placed a comforting arm around Justin’s shoulders and Joey returned to his side. The youngest looked back and forth between the two and deciphered whatever Chris had to say couldn’t be good. He watched the oldest brunette closely waiting for him to speak.

“Okay.” Chris inhaled another deep breath, staying his nerves. “Johnny and the rest of management have decided that JC shouldn’t press charges against Lou. They think, and I happen to agree, that we should try and nail Lou from a different angle.”

“Wha…what?” Justin barely whispered, disbelieve dripping from his voice.

Chris again took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his tousled hair. He gazed directly into Justin’s eyes, making sure the blond understood without a shadow of a doubt what his next statement meant. “They ain’t gonna let JC file charges, Justin. They think that it would be bad for the group if the media and the fans found out that he been…that he” Chris looked down at his feet “… that this happened to him. Instead management wants to go after Lou a different way.” The older brunette glanced up at Justin and observed the tears that steadily ran down his cheeks and the rapid movement in his chest. The young man’s eyes were narrowed and anger seeped from them.

“Wha…. I don’t… don’t believe this…” his knees buckled and Justin slowly collapsed unto the tiled floor. “Don’t… do this.”

“We’ve got no other choice.”

“The fuck… the fuck we don’t,” Justin’s breathing irregular.

Chris knew this wasn’t going to go well and he hadn’t been far off. He closed his auburn eyes and continued feeding his best friend the plan, “Lou’s been stealing money from us. Well, actually he hasn’t been giving us our fair share. Johnny here has hired some damn good lawyers and they’ve got a solid case against Lou. It’ll only be a matter of time before we are rid of him for good.”

“No. No. No. No. No.” Justin cried as he slid from his friend’s grasps settling his entire body onto the floor. “No, Chris.” He shook his head in confusion and grief, “You can’t do that to him.” He placed his a hand on his chest, “He’ll think…he’ll think…”

“Justin,” Chris said sadly, “It’s already been decided.” He knelt down in front of the youngest blond, “There isn’t anything you can do to change it or to stop it. The plan is all ready in motion.”

“Wha…” Justin couldn’t think straight, couldn’t see straight. The visions of JC’s attack penetrating his mind, clogging his rational thought, the hallway a spiral of bleeding colors. He placed a trembling hand against his forehead, rigid shaking fingers rubbing adamantly at his temples. “I… I…”

“Justin,” Lance gasped, tears filling his eyes at the raw pain emanating from the youngest member. The bleach blond knelt down and wrapped one arm around shaking shoulders pulling Justin close and the other arm encircled the younger star’s head, forcing it against his chest. “Justin, shh… relax a little.” Justin unconsciously reciprocated Lance’s embrace and snaked his shaky arms around the other blonde’s waist.

“Why don’t you go ahead, Chris? Why don’t you tell Justin the rest of your stupid fucking plan,” Lance screamed. Why don’t you completely destroy him?”

“Shut up Lance. You’re not making this any easier,” Johnny scolded.

“I’m not trying to.” His emerald eyes penetrated Chris’s auburn one’s. “Well, Chris. Fucking finish.”

“Lance…” Chris pleaded, eyeing his friend sadly.

“Chris, you need to tell him the rest of it now.” Joey’s voice rang softly in Chris’s ear. “Don’t wait until later. He needs to know all of it.” The younger brunette rubbed his hand up and down Chris’s back, giving him strength and comfort. “All at once… Chris… tell him everything.”

The eldest member of the group nodded his head and continued revealing their idea to the sobbing Justin. “Management feels that we need to give a televised statement or a press conference dealing with this new development.” He turned his face away from Justin, “they believe that JC should be the one to give the statement. They think he’s the most believable and convincing as a victim of Lou’s embezzlement.”

Justin’s good hand knotted in the back of Lance’s shirt. He tired calming his emotions down like he had before, but the technique just didn’t seem to work. The blonde’s breaths continued to be shallow and irregular as his body convulsed against Lance.

Lance tried comforting his young friend by running his hand up and down his back and whispering calming words. The bleach blond gazed up at Chris and Johnny, “are you fucking happy now?”

Johnny, standing clear of the scene, spoke, “Justin it’s not our intentions to hurt you or anyone else for that matter. Management thinks that by attacking Lou this way, we will protect the integrity and popularity of the group.”

“Fuck… that…” Justin screeched.

The black manager ignored the loud outburst and continued, “They feel it necessary to save the group and by saving the group ultimately saving JC the embarrassment of having to tell the world what happened to him.”

Justin glared at Johnny. “Embarrassment Johnny?” Justin spat through clenched teeth. “The… embarrassment of accepting what’s happened to him,” the blonde’s breathing intensified. “He isn’t just fucking embarrassed you stupid cock sucker…”

“Justin watch your language,” Johnny remarked. Johnny closed his eyes preparing for his best fatherly impression; he slowly reopened them, lashes fluttering. “It’s what’s best for JC.”

“Fuck… you. Don’t you… don’t you dare utter those words.” He locked eyes with his manager, “JC’s not… not only embarrassed,” he paused trying desperately to catch his breath, “but he’s ashamed and humiliated. And now… now you’re gonna… make him think that we’re ashamed of him as well.” The young man stood up, aided by Lance. “You’re… gonna make him think that I’m ashamed of him,” the blonde’s grip strengthened on Lance’s forearm. “I don’t fucking think so.” Justin’s sobs had left him only with anger and resentment. “You and those son of a bitches in management can suck my balls, if you think I’m gonna stand here and let you do that. I’m not gonna make JC think I’m ignoring what happened to him. I’m gonna confront him on it, every last chance I get.”

“That’s enough, Justin,” Johnny boomed. “You’ll watch that tongue of yours; you got me. I don’t need the media quoting the shit that’s coming from your mouth.”

“I hate you Johnny.” Justin turned his back on his manager and placed his head on Lance’s shoulder. He whispered, “Will you take me to the nurse for my x-rays?”

“Yeah, come on Baby J. I’ll take you.” Lance guided his emotionally drained friend down the hallway, leaving Joey to deal with Johnny and Chris. As Lance turned the corner they ran into Lonnie. “Did you hear all that?”

Lonnie fell into step with the two blonds escorting them down the long hallway. “Yeah, I heard it.”

**

Joey stared bewildered at the two men in front of him. He slowly closed his eyes and shook his head back and forth. “What the hell was that?”

“What was what, Joey?”

Joey lifted his hand out toward the two, palm side up and then placed it on his the back of his neck. “What the hell was that all about?”

“Well, Joey it was exactly what it looked like.” Johnny moved beside the younger brunette and whispered, “and it would do you good to make sure to play along with our decision. I want us to be united on this. I don’t want misguided opinions to get in the way.”

“Johnny,” Joey pleaded in an exasperated voice, “Lance and Justin will never get on board.”

“That doesn’t matter. As long as there is a majority, they’ll have to agree. I’m not worried about them and besides you could convince them one way or the other. No, I’m more worried as to where you stand.”

Joey glanced at Chris, begging with his eyes for some sort of support from his brother. However, Chris just stood back and let Johnny speak. The older brunette had other things on his mind, like telling JC about their idea.

“I… I…” Joey stumbled over his words. “I think that we should protect JC first and then worry about other things later. If you think avoiding prosecuting Lou for raping JC will protect him, then I’m for it. However, I don’t think that it would be wise to ignore what happened. To just pretend it didn’t happen. I believe that would do far greater harm than good.”

“You think that we should talk about what happened?” Chris interrupted. “You think we should remind our friend what Lou did to him?”

“Yes, Chris I do. You of all people should agree that hiding from what took place would only make it worse. He’ll never come to terms with it.”

“I know, but think of how it’ll effect him if we keep reminding him of it.”

The three men stopped talking when an orderly came down the hallway. Johnny peered at the two other men and said in a hushed tone, “I really don’t think this is the place to be having this conversation.”

”You’re right Johnny. We can finish this discussion later on tonight at the group meeting.”

“Group meeting?”

“Yes, Joey. I’m calling a group meeting for seven. We’re having it in JC’s hospital suite so that he can be apart of it.”

“Really?” Joey felt uncomfortable about the announcement of the group meeting and it’s location. The whole idea didn’t seem right to him. He wondered what his two friends had planned and wondered how much of it dealt with JC. Joey turned his eyes toward Chris making contact only briefly.

The older brunette avoided Joey’s stare. “Let’s get going.”



next

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