Joey led her through a multilevel garage in a series of twists and turns until they were finally at the lowest level. He was glad the guys were letting him use this as a special moment with Coretta. He was a little disappointed about having to miss the first few weeks of Diversity's first tour, even if they were just opening.
"Okay, here we are." Joey said dramatically as they entered a darkened room.
Coretta could tell by the echo that they were in a rather large room. That of course still gave her no indication as to where they were, or why. "Joe, this is our last night together for at least a month, and this is where you we end up? Excuse me for not seeing the significance here."
Joey laughed. "Let me turn on the lights, and it will all make sense." He fumbled around for a minute searching for the switch. "Where the hell.....oh here it is."
The lights went on to reveal a garage full of vans and cars. Not sure of what to say, Coretta just looked around the room. She hoped Joey would soon say something to give her an idea as to what this all was supposed to mean.
Joey looked around confused. "Where did it go? It was here this afternoon. Where could they have taken it already?"
"Joe, I know we haven't exactly had normal dates, but this is just strange. What on earth are you looking for?"
Joey continued to look around the room. "Do you trust me?" he asked
"Ask me this....Do I trust you now that you brought me into old smelly garage to spend some quality time together."
Spotting light from the moon coming in from the other end of the room, he grabbed her hand and dragged her toward it. "They must have taken it out to be washed again."
Once they finally reached the doorway, Coretta was speechless. Even in the darkness of night , she could see the huge bus with Diversity painted on the side in blue lettering, and outlined in gold. A tour bus, Diversity finally had their own bus. In Coretta's mind, this was the last thing they needed to truly exist as a group.
"Our bus!! We have our own bus!! I can't believe it. Look it even has our name on it!" she exclaimed
Joey stood back and watched in amusement as Coretta ran in circles looking over every inch of the outside of the bus. Finally she came back around to where Joey had been leaning against the side of the bus. She calmed herself long enough to walk over to him. Saying nothing, she pressed her body against his, and slowly kissed his lips. Each kiss gained a little more intensity.
"Damn" Joey said when they finally broke apart. "Now I really can't wait to show you the inside."
"You have the keys?" Coretta asked excitedly
"That I do, but even if I didn't, after what just happened, you can bet I would have found a way inside."
Once inside, Coretta moved all over the bus examining it much like she had the outside. She still couldn't believe this was for her and Becca. Sure there were going to be dancers, Donna, and security, but the main reason was Diversity. Tears came to her eyes as she thought of how al her dreams were still coming true.
"No crying, I wouldn't have brought you here if I thought it would make you cry."
"I won't. It's just that this is all still so amazing. I didn't realize until just this moment how lucky I am. I have an exciting new career starting, a cool bus and..." She looked at Joey. "An incredibly fine man to share it with. What more could I need?"
"I don't know about need," Joey said moving toward her. "I do know about what I want." he licked his lips.
"Do you two ever stop? You're like Siamese twins attached at the mouth."
Neither had heard the door open, but both turned to see Justin standing in the doorway. "Justin, how is it you manage to ruin almost every private moment we have?" Coretta asked wanting to slap the pop star off him.
"I'm just talented I guess." he shrugged. "This time I do not ruin alone, I had to bring some reinforcements. Just in case you two try and get freaky behind my back or something. It's okay guys, you can come in, they weren't doing anything anyway." Justin yelled toward the front of the bus.
"Just wait Timberlake, you're going to be looking for you're time too, and believe me, I plan on being the first to interrupt that little moment."
"I don't doubt you will woman, I don't doubt you will." Just laughed before turning to greet the others that were now walking to the back of the bus.
*****************
"A year ago, I never would have imagined any of this would be happening to me. Actually a year ago, I wasn't sure I could go on, or wanted to go on; let alone doing anything remotely close to this." Coretta told Joey as they looked up at the stars. The bus was equipped with a ladder on the inside leading to the top. It was the only chance they had to get away from the others. They loved their friends, but they were going to be spending a lot of time with them, and not so much time with each other, so they wanted to make the most of it.
"So what was it that changed your mind? Why did you decide this is what you wanted to do?" Joey had always been curious, but never wanted to ask. He hated to think he was bringing up sad memories.
"It's funny really, well not funny haha, but funny strange. The two main reasons I wanted to do this are gone, my son and Mike. Both of them were and still are very inspirational to me. I've always loved music and singing, but in tragedy and hard times, I found that to be the most incredible release for my emotions. I'm sure you understand that though."
"That is the greatest feeling. I really think that's what kept us going through the entire law suit deal. We became our most creative selves. Even if it wasn't good, we were still being artistic. It was like we already had everything on the line, so there was nothing to lose."
They laid in silence, each of them in their own thoughts. Coretta thought about the events of the past weeks, the performances, the video shoot, and the interviews. The performances of course were great, the video shoot was exciting. She didn't realize how much went into putting a video together. The interviews were something else completely.
She enjoyed doing them, but she worried about the way they would come out. By no choice of their own, she and Becca almost always ended up talking about NSYNC. Not that they didn't appreciate what was being done for them, but she didn't want people to think they made it simply because of that. She and Becca had worked hard, and they wanted people to recognize that fact.
Joey was thinking about relationships, this one in particular. He wasn't sure exactly where it was headed, but for some reason he felt he had to pursue it. Not really knowing why they were so drawn to each other, only made things more interesting. She had always wanted the one thing he avoided at all costs. Commitment. He on the other hand was epitome of the things that normally caused to her avoid certain men. Yet strangely they couldn't get enough of each other. Normally he kept things casual so he wouldn't be tied down as he traveled the world. Things were okay while they were both in Orlando, but what would happen after tomorrow?
"Joe?" Coretta said quietly
"Yeah?"
"What happens to us after tomorrow? We've kinda been making things up as we go along the past few months, but what about now that we'll both be on the road? Do we just go on like this never happened?"
Joey searched for the words to explain what he was feeling. Did he want to let her go? No. Was he ready to totally shut off the dating scene? That was something he wasn't sure of. This situation was so different than all the others were. He knew he could never just act like nothing happened, but whether he was ready to completely surrender was another story.
Justin picked that moment to pop his head up through the portal in between the two. Am I interrupting?" he asked hopefully
Coretta threw her jacket at him. "Yes, you are, but not what you think you interrupted."
"Oh damn. Well anyway, we're all heading out. I didn't know if you wanted to come down now. Becca didn't know if y'all would be ready to take on the fans at the airport tomorrow. She said it's up to you."
"Tell her to go ahead, we'll brave the fans. We still have some stuff to take care of here."
"Yeah, I can only imagine. On top of the bus Joe? Now that's a new one." Justin shook his head and climbed back down to leave with the others.
Once again the silence hung in the air. Joey was still trying to find the answer to the question that had plagued him all evening, not just when Coretta had asked him. It had been so easy before. He would leave, find distractions to keep him from calling or writing. Before long he found himself out with different girls, or just partying the nights away without a second thought of the girl or girls he left behind. Somehow she had worked her way into his life and his heart. There was no way he could just forget about her, no matter how hard he tried. Not to mention the fact that Diversity obviously wasn't going anywhere any time soon.
"I didn't forget what you asked. I'm just trying to find the right words to explain what I'm thinking and feeling right now. This is a first for me. In the past things have just ended because I always have to leave."
Coretta slowly sat up to face Joey. "So because we're both leaving, you want to end things? I thought we were beyond that. Are you sure that's the only reason? Maybe there's something else bothering you about us. We haven't talked about it, but you know what I'm getting at."
"We haven't talked about it because you don't want to. You've talked to everyone else in the months we've been together, but not me. Why is that? It seems to me like I should have been the first one you discussed this issue with. Go ahead and ask me so we can get this all out in the open and be done with it. I'm tired of it hanging over our heads."
"You don't get it do you?? It will always be hanging over our heads."
"It won't be if we deal with it. I shouldn't have to tell you, but apparently you need to hear it, so ask me."
"Fine" Coretta sighed loudly. "I don't know how this solves anything, but here it goes. Does it bother you that I'm black and we seem to be headed toward a serious relationship?"
"No, should it?" Joey answered simply
"That's all you have to say is 'no should it'?? I've been struggling with this for Lord knows how long, and you have it all figured out in three little words?"
"I think that's all that needs to be said. I know what I want, you know what you want. Beyond that, what else matters?"
Coretta took Joey's hands in hers. "I do know what I want, but it's just not that easy. It never is. There is so much more to this than I really thought about. I guess that's why I never asked you. I knew it would bring up all these questions. I just....I don't know, I have to go." She got up and was down the ladder before Joey could say anything.
*****************
"Why is it everything that we do dealing with those guys involves early mornings?" Coretta asked as they cruised through the quiet Orlando streets at 5 am.
"I don't know, but it's a pattern I hope we break soon. I'm so tired, and really not in the mood for screaming girls. Especially those with their "Marry me Justin" and "Drop your pants Lance" posters. I hope there won't be very many, if any al all." Becca replied sleepily
"Can you imagine what they would do if Lance really did just drop his pants and stood there dangling for delight?" Coretta laughed out loud at the thought.
The airport seemed quiet and empty for early morning. They both breathed a sigh of relief, that was until they got closer to the security terminal. They found girls lining both sides of the hallway waiting to get a glimpse of their favorite NSYNC member. Becca stopped to ask a girl if she had seen NSYNC yet. After first recognizing Becca as part of Diversity, she informed her that NSYNC was there, but they were in the VIP lounge with their families. They headed toward the lounge, but were stopped by airport security that then refused to allow them entrance, despite their insistence that they knew NSYNC as well as their families. While they were arguing with security, Justin's mom was leaving and noticed the two.
"What are you two doing out here? The boys have been asking about you. They were getting a bit worried." she said in her soft Southern drawl.
"Hi Miss Lynn. We've been trying to convince this guy it's okay for us to be in there." Coretta rolled her eyes at the guard.
"Sir it's okay, these are friends of my son and his group mates. They've been expecting them." Lynn politely said to the guard.
He shook his head furiously, "Sorry lady, I've got strict orders not to let anyone in unless they've been cleared by security. I don't care whose mother says it's okay."
"Y'all stay right here, I'll get this straightened out." Lynn went back inside and the girls could see her talk to JC, who turned to look out the window and smiled. He said something to Lonnie and headed over to the door. Lonnie leaned out and spoke harshly to the guard who looked down in embarrassment. It seems he had been told to be looking out for their arrival. After a quick apology from the guard, JC opened the door a little wider for them to step through. Just before the door closed, he stuck his head out and waved to the crowd much to the delight of the many girls lining the hallway.
Joey was saying goodbye to his family and hadn't noticed the girls come in with JC. Steven saw them and immediately came over to say hello. He had been so busy helping Johnny get things ready for the tour, he had not seen them in weeks.
"How are my girls?" he asked giving each of them a big hug.
"Great, but tired as hell." Becca said returning the hug
"What about you?" he asked Coretta bumping her hip with his own
"Tired like Becca said." she answered while looking at Joey who still had yet to notice her.
"I'd say tired and maybe a little distracted by my brother. Go talk to him, he's been talking about how he needs to see you before he leaves."
"I don't know" Coretta said nervously, "Things ended kinda strange last night."
"Oh for Christ's sake, let's go." Steven took her hand and pulled her over to where Joey was saying the goodbye to the last of his family.
"No Steven, not now. I'll talk to him later." Coretta protested the whole way. She stopped suddenly when she found herself face to face with Joey. She turned to Steven only to find he was off walking his parents out.
"Hey" She said turning back to Joey
"Hey yourself." He said mildly amused at her sudden nervousness.
"So..." She looked around the room trying to focus on anything but him. "I guess this is it."
"Yeah, I guess it is." He took her face in his hands so she had no other choice but to look at him. "You left before I could finish explaining everything to you. The fact of the matter is I don't know what I'm doing. This kind of thing has always been easy, but you're not making it easy by any means. For whatever reason, I feel connected to you. I'm not used to that, but I don't want it to end until I feel like I've explored every aspect. So I guess the only thing we can do is make this work."
"Well, if that's the only choice we have, I guess we'll do what we gotta do."
"Definitely." Joey said bringing his lips to hers while the others looked on knowing it was time to go, but not wanting to separate them.
"Break it up you two, we need to head down to the gate now." Lance said as he walked toward the door and prepared himself for the mob of fans on the other side.
"Why don't we go first so Justin can stop worrying about the cameras getting pictures of us, causing more rumors to start up." Becca suggested.
"Didn't you hear J? I've already made my tabloid appearance for the week. Now I'm trying for that coveted spot on the "Girls I hate" section of someone's NSYNC web site. I'm just a few more pictures away. Our video should put me over the top I think."
"Speaking of our video, you do have it don't you Chris?" Becca inquired.
"Video? Oh the video, I had it, but I gave it to Justin for safe keeping."
"Yeah, but I didn't trust myself with it, so I gave it to our businessman over there." Justin said pointing in Lance's direction.
"I, uh, I didn't want to get it confused with my FreeLance stuff, so I gave it to JC."
The three guys shared amused glances as the members of Diversity went in search of JC and their music video. "They're gonna kill you three, you know that don't you?" Joey shook his head at the thought of what would happen.
JC was finishing an early morning call in radio interview as the girls approached him. He was all smiles for them as usual. "What can I do for you lovely ladies?"
Coretta started right in. "Chris had our video, gave it to Justin, who gave it to Lance, who in turn said he gave it to you. Please say you have it, that's all I want to hear."
JC couldn't see the looks or signals his friends were giving him, but he didn't need to in order for him to know what to do next. "Sorry" He said in all seriousness. "Joey took it from my place, he wanted to show his family or something, check with him." He turned so they couldn't see the huge smile spreading across his face. Luckily just then his mother called and he was free to smile.
"Joey has it?? That's unbelievable. Why the hell didn't he say that ten minutes ago?"
"I'm not sure on this one, but ten minutes ago you two were going at it as usual. I guess he didn't say anything because the boy has manners."
"You totally lost me on that one. What does having good manners have to do with any of this?"
"Obviously his mother taught him not to talk with his mouth full." Becca cracked
"I can't believe you just said that!!! So nasty." Coretta said through giggles
"JOEY!!!!" The women shouted in unison
"Looks like it won't be just the three of us they're gonna kill, Joe, and it sounds like you'll be the first to go." Lance said backing away.
Joey readied himself and turned on the charm. "Two beautiful ladies screaming my name, my fantasy come true. Although my fantasy includes Jell-O and whipped cream, you know the kind you spray out the can, but I can tell this is not what you came over here for, what's up?"
"You are so right, but I thank you for giving me my disgusting mental picture for the day. And look it's not even seven yet. Glad I got that out the way early." Becca made a face.
"Why did you let us run all over looking for that stupid video when you had it all along?"
"Who told you I had it?" Joey asked looking over at JC who grinned innocently. Joey knew he had no choice but to tell them the truth. "I gave it back to Chris." Or at least an altered version if the truth.
Chris smacked his forehead. "Oh I guess I do have it. Sorry." he said trying not to laugh at the evil glares the women were giving him.
"Ugh, you just wait Chris, we'll get you back." Coretta said before turning to the other four. "Don't think we're letting you off either. Especially you." she pointed at Joey
*****************
Diversity had made their way to the gate without much trouble. They took a few pictures and answered some questions. Most of them revolved around NSYNC as usual: whom they were dating, if they were dating, home addresses, email addresses. The two then sat at the gate waiting for the guys to make it through the crowd.
"So are you gonna be okay with him gone?" Becca asked as she sat next to her friend
"Yep. Why wouldn't I be? We'll be so busy, it's not like I'll have time to notice. Well, I'll notice of course, but you know what I mean."
"Are you sure about that?"
Coretta plastered a smile on her face. "That's my story and I'm sticking to it."
There was no need to attempt any further conversation. At that point the screams rose to such a level it was comparative to the roar of the airplane engines outside. Coretta stood on her chair to see the guys being ushered down the long hallway. They stopped for pictures and autographs when they could before security pushed them off on their way.
Watching the commotion, Coretta laughed at the fact that a little over a year before, she had been in the same position as the girls lining the hallway. She had staked out many hotels, and venues to catch sight of the men she now considered part of her family. She caught Joey's eye while he talked to the last few fans in line. He lost his train of thought and had to ask the girls to repeat themselves. Once he was done, he made a beeline for her. Even if anyone said anything to him, he missed it. His mind was set on getting to one person. He pulled her off the chair and away from their friends and bodyguards.
Once they reached an empty corner, Joey pulled Coretta into a hug. They stood breathing in the scent of each other. She loved the smell of the mixture of his soap and cologne. She breathed deeply as if committing his smell to memory. He bent down to whisper in her ear, and he could feel her trembling. He knew how he felt and hated to think she was feeling the same thing.
"It's only a month or so, we'll be together again before you know it." he said
"I know but it doesn't make this any easier. I'm nervous, I'm scared, I'm so many things I can't even begin to tell you. I just wish you were gonna be here. I know you've got your own business to take care of."
"You'll be so busy you won't even realize how fast the days go by."
"Yeah I guess you're right. Just promise me when you have the chance, you'll come out and see us."
"That goes without saying. The first break, I'm on a plane to wherever you are."
Coretta noticed four teenage girls making their way to the gate. They each stopped to give Johnny a hug and then talked to Lance and Chris. She knew she recognized the girls, but couldn't quite place them. Then it hit her, they were a young group called PYT. She and Becca had met them at a party Johnny had thrown. She turned to Joey who was ready with an answer before she could even ask.
"They're here because they'll be opening for us while we're on tour. Now go ahead and ask the next question. I've been waiting for you to ask, but you never have. Now would be as good a time as any."
"You know me a little too well. That's not a good thing. I'm gonna have to go back to being a little more unpredictable. Fine, so let me ask, why did you want Diversity to open for you?"
Joey ran his hand across her cheek. "It's not that we didn't want you to....."
Coretta cut him off. "Oh, I get it. Johnny wanted to use a group he managed. I've noticed he does that a lot."
"That's not it exactly. We wanted Diversity, but after we talked about it, we felt like you two really weren't ready yet. Our audiences are a little different, PYT has done this with us before , so we just went with them."
"I can understand that. I think you're right though, I don't think I'm ready to perform in front of thousands of girls screaming for you."
"Don't worry, you are the only one I want screaming for me." Joey teased
"Hmm, too bad we aren't going with you, You could have had me screaming for you every night." Coretta said waiting to see his reaction.
Joey's eyes got wide. "Girl, don't even say anything like that. We'll be on the way out of here before they know it. I could always catch a later flight.....much later." he added for emphasis.
"Okay five minutes y'all so shut up, I don't want to miss a thing." Coretta yelled from her spot.
"Fool, you're the one making all the noise, and like you said there's still five minutes left." Becca said hitting Coretta in the head with a grape.
"That was so wrong. Did you have to bust me in the head with fruit? Can I help it if I'm excited to see one of my favorite shows?"
"Girl please." Tasha said "We all know it's really about a certain member of a certain group that will be appearing today. Can't say I blame you, he is yummy. Let me know if you ever get tired of him."
"No you didn't just say that. It's on now, Becca hand me a grape."
*****************
"That was the number three video "Come on Over" from Christina Aguilera. Now it's time for the world premier video by a fairly new group called Diversity. I had a chance to spend some time with these ladies not too long ago in Orlando. They have a connection to a group that seems to spend almost more time on TRL than I do. They are so close, these guys personally brought the video here to MTV. Come on out guys."
The studio erupted into wild screams as Chris, Lance, Joey, JC and Justin made their way through the audience, slapping hands as they went through. Once they reached the stage, they each greeted Carson with a handshake or a high five.
"My Lord would you look at him. why did I let him just get on that plane? Why God why?" Becca whined as she looked at Justin on TV. "Oh crap, we're supposed to call in. Where's the phone? Do you have the number Donna gave us?" she asked Coretta.
"Yeah, it's on the table. I'd grab it for you, but well you know...."
"I know, and pretty soon the guys the guys will too." Becca responded while dialing the number.
"Do you have to tell them? I know as soon as they get done, they'll be calling and having a fit because I didn't tell them. I'm really not in the mood for more lectures."
"That's what you get. You shouldn't have been acting stupid during rehearsal. Plus, you could have told Joe when you talked to him last night."
"What makes you think I talked to him? I don't have to talk to him everyday, you know." Coretta said defensively.
Becca rolled her eyes. "Where you on the phone last night?"
"Yeah"
"And was Joe on the other end?"
Coretta did say anything, only smiled as she thought about how happy she had been to hear his voice the night before. She was climbing into bed after a long day of rehearsal. She was in the studio working on her vocals most of the day. She had decided since she hadn't heard from him all day he wasn't going to call. Just as she was falling asleep, her phone rang and it had been him.
"Hmm, nothing to say huh? Point proven, case closed. Dang, they like to keep a girl on hold forever. Oh they're back from commercial." They quieted down and watched as NSYNC and Carson talked about Diversity and the new video.
"So what's up guys, what are you doing in New York? Did you have stuff to do, or did you show up just for the video?"
"We're in town to record a song for a new movie, and since Diversity is busy rehearsing for the tour, we thought we'd help them out." Justin explained.
"Oh right, they'll be opening for Jessica Simpson's tour. Are you guys planning on checking out any of these shows?"
Chris answered for the group. "Well, we want to, but with our own promo tour going on for the next few weeks, it's not likely we'll be able to. You never know though, we might be at one or two."
"Okay so back to the video, who thought of the concept?"
"The idea was one the girls had been thinking of since the beginning. We just expanded on what they already had." JC answered
"Interesting, do you want to tell everyone about it, or should we just show the video?"
"There are some surprises, but basically like the song says it's about a guy that doesn't notice a girl until it's too late. He spends his time telling one girl all about his other girlfriends, and when he finally realizes she's the one he wants to be with, it's too late she's with someone else. She tells him he had his chance and he blew it." Joey explained
"Sounds cool, let's check it out."
The room was silent as Diversity watched all of the hard work pay off in video form. It was the first time they had seen the completed video since Chris had been insistent on keeping the final product a surprise. Watching it all come together was incredible. They remembered filming the scenes, but never imagined how it would turn out as a whole.
"Well there you have it, the premier from Diversity. You guys didn't mention you were in the video." Carson said as the audience quieted down.
"We wanted everyone to be surprised." Lance said
"We have a surprise of our own. I understand we have Diversity, or at least one half of the group in the phone right now. Becca, what's goin on?"
"Hey Carson, hey everybody."
"So what are you doing now, taking a break?"
"Yeah, we've actually been doing a moderated rehearsal since Coretta twisted her ankle the other day, so it's pretty much just me and the dancers."
"Whoa, is there any air left in the room? You should've heard these guys gasp in unison. Hopefully, she's okay, right?"
"Nothing serious, she just had to stay off it for a few days, but we'll be ready for the tour in a couple days."
"I hear this was the first time you both were seeing the video as well. What did you think?"
"It's a relief to finally have it done. We've been worrying about how it would turn out, but we really like the outcome."
"We all of course noticed the NSYNC guys in the video, was that something you planned, or did it just end up that way?"
"That was actually Donna, one of our manager's idea."
"So you've worked in the studio and on a video with them, which do you prefer?"
"Studio definitely." Becca said laughing. "We had to add an extra day of shooting because Chris decided he needed to play director at the last minute."
Carson was now the one laughing. "Care to comment on that Chris?"
Chris shook his head. "No not really. The video looks good now, right?" he asked the audience, all of whom responded with screams.
"We'll let you get back to practice. Good luck on the tour."
"Thanks Carson, bye guys."
"How about a couple of questions from the audience before we get into our number one. How about you, what's your name?"
"Hi guys!!" The girl squealed. "My name is Julie, I just want to say how much you guys mean to me. I wanted to know when you plan on touring, and Lance I love you!!"
"Well thank you." Lance said in his deep voice. "Actually, we plan on going out in a few months and probably going for four or five months."
"Aren't you guys headed out somewhere soon?" Carson asked the guys.
"Yeah, we're on our way overseas in a few days. We'll do a few weeks over there, come back, jump into rehearsal again, and be back out like Lance was saying." JC answered
"Cool, I'm sure MTV will be there at some point. One more question and I'll let you guys do you your thing."
A girl stood up, and immediately began freaking out when she realized NSYNC was looking at her. She took a deep breath before rushing through her question. "Um, oh my goodness!! I can't believe I'm talking to NSYNC! This is kinda personal, but I just have to know, do you guys have girlfriends, like anyone you see seriously?"
"Please tell me she did not just ask that question." Coretta said to anyone that chose to answer.
"Love to tell you that, but I can't. Quiet though, I want to hear their answers. Now we'll know if they really do lie when people ask this." Becca said.
The guys inwardly groaned at the question. No matter where they were it seemed this was the number one question asked of them time and time again. Chris' answer came easiest, so he chose to answer first.
"I think everyone already knows my answer, so I'll just leave it at that."
"I just got out of something recently, so I'm doing things on the single tip right now." JC said. Lance went next.
"I'm single, and looking. Any takers?" Lance said flirtily, causing the small room to shake from all the screaming.
Justin laughed at the crowd reaction. "Aw man, you stole my answer. Nah, I'm single, but you never know." Justin looked into the camera and winked.
Joey knew the question was going to come up, and he would have to answer. He still wasn't sure how he wanted to answer the question. He didn't want to lie to the fans, but some parts of his life he wanted to keep to himself. On the other hand, they would eventually figure it out anyway. Both he and Coretta had a hard time disguising their feelings when they were near each other. Finally he noticed it was his turn, and he decided to just say the first thing that came to mind.
"Actually yeah, I am seeing someone." He couldn't believe the words were coming out his mouth, but it was good to say them. From the looks on their faces, his friends couldn't believe it either.
"Want to expand on that Joe?" Carson asked. "Even though I think I already know who it is."
"You do?" Joey asked a little surprised
"Yeah, but we'll talk about that after the show. Now it's time for the number one. With twenty-one percent of your phone calls and twenty-three percent of you email, here's NSYNC with "This I Promise You."
*****************
"He just admitted on national television he's seeing someone. I don't even believe this." Coretta sank down in the couch and buried her face in her hands.
"I know I'm a little slow sometimes." Kara said "But, since that someone is you, where's the problem."
"The problem is that now everyone will be watching his every move even more than they already do. I'm not trying to hide what's going on by any means, but I thought we would at least discuss it before making it public knowledge."
"What are you afraid of?" Tasha asked
"Nevermind, you wouldn't understand."
"Oh I get it. It's that black and white thing again. When are you gonna stop hiding behind all that? No one cares. One of the finest men on the planet pretty much just said he's taken, and that's because of you. If you can't see what a great thing you have, then maybe you don't deserve him after all. I'm going to practice." Tasha turned on her heel and left the room.
*****************
After the audience filed out of the studio, Carson went to talk to the guys before they left. He approached Joey first.
"So, Coretta, huh?"
"How did you know?" Joey asked smiling
"I didn't for sure until now, but I had my suspicions. After seeing you two in Orlando, it was pretty obvious though dude."
""What are you talking about? We were hardly together the whole night."
"True, but when you were together no one else existed, and when you weren't together, you both constantly trying to get back to each other."
"I don't know where things will end up, but it's all good for now."
"I'll see you later. Later guys." Carson waved to the other members of NSYNC before heading out to finish the rest of his day. Joey wandered over to where his friends were now arguing.
"I should call, I'm one of their managers." Chris stated
"No, I should call, I'm the one she expects to give her crap about stuff like this." Justin countered.
JC shook his head. "She doesn't need someone to make fun of her, and she doesn't need someone bugging out on her either. So, I should call."
"Sorry to break up this little discussion, but my woman, my call."
"Dude, I am so telling her you called her woman." Justin said laughing. They continued to argue as Lance slowly backed away, phone in hand."
*****************
"We're gonna go practice with Tasha, think your ready?" Becca asked her friend
"I'll be there in a little while, I'm gonna just and wait for the phone to ring."
"What makes you so sure they're gonna call?" Kara asked
"Trust me, they will call. The question is who will call first."
Coretta sat back on the couch and waited. "five...four...three...two...one." Just as she reached the last number, the phone rang. "So predictable." she laughed and answered her phone. "Hi, I'm fine, we didn't tell you because we didn't want you to worry. Now go tell the other four so I don't have to go over this again."
There was a long pause before a voice was heard. "I'm not sure whether to laugh or be frightened. You pretty much covered my every reason for calling."
"Be afraid Lance, be very afraid. Although I have to admit I'm a little surprised that you are the one calling."
"Actually the others are busy arguing over who should call. I'm sure soon enough they'll notice I'm gone."
At that same time they must have realized what Lance was up to. The next thing she heard was a small scuffle, the phone being dropped a few times and finally a voice of triumph.
"Ah, got it! What's up girl?" JC's voice rang through as he tried to catch his breath.
Coretta laughed since she could still hear Joey, Justin and Chris arguing about the phone. "I already told Lance I'm fine, so you can tell the 3 stooges back there to chill out. I was being stupid, dancing around with the girls and I landed wrong doing a turn. I'll be back into rehearsal later today."
"As long as you're okay. I'm gonna let Joe talk now, I'm really feeling the need for some sleep. Lucky for me we're going to be at the hotel for a while."
"Talk to you later JC. I guess I'll get myself ready for the lecture I know I'm about to hear. I want to get this over as soon as possible."
She listened to the muffled whispers. Suddenly she heard screams and she knew the guys had to be outside the studio and headed back to the hotel. Luckily she was able to get out of hearing anything from Chris or Justin since they were busy laughing and joking about some of the girls they had seen. Joey on the other hand wasn't going to let her off that easy.
"I can't believe you didn't tell me. I've talked to you almost every night for the last week, and not a word."
"There was no reason to tell you, it was no big deal. Let's just drop it."
"Okay fine. Have you met the other opening act yet?"
"No, why do you ask?"
"No reason, just curious."
"They're supposed to be here tomorrow morning sometime after we get to Tampa. We get to rehearse the actual stage tomorrow, then it's show time. I wish you could be here."
"Believe me baby, I would if I could, but the schedule just won't allow it. We're at the hotel now, so I gotta go. I'll call you later."
Joey turned off the phone and handed it back to Lance. The five prepared themselves for the crowd and then followed security out the van. It was the usual screaming, crying, and camera flashing. They smiled and waved as they always did. Once they reached the hotel lobby the screaming became almost nonexistent. There weren't a lot of fans in the lobby, so the guys stayed and chatted a little. Soon each made their way to their rooms to rest before they had to head back to the studio.
After a couple hours Joey was signing what he decided would be his last autograph before he returned to his room.
"Here you go sweetheart." He said as he handed the paper back to the girl who looked to be about seventeen.
"Thanks Joey! I ran all they way back from Time Square hoping to catch you guys. Can I ask you a question? Is it true about you and that Diversity girl?"
"Is what true?" He asked uncomfortably
"Is it true that you're dating her? I heard from a girl on the Internet, that her friend or someone saw you two together."
Joey answered smoothly, just as he had been taught. "No, she and I just hang out a lot. She's a close friend." It wasn't entirely a lie, she didn't specify which girl in Diversity.
The girl seemed satisfied with his response. He managed to make it back to the floor they were staying on without any problems. He was getting off the elevator when his phone rang. While he was talking he passed Justin's room where everyone except JC was hanging out until it was time for them to go back to the studio. Justin waved him in.
"Yeah, sorry I can't be there...Yes I know it's your first show....I thought you understood this.....Okay well I'll try and call you tomorrow before you go on......Alright talk to you later." Joey ended the call and turned to talk to the others. They talked and joked for a couple of hours before Joey excused himself.
"I better go call Coretta before we leave. It'll be too late by the time we get back. They'll be on their way to Tampa."
Everyone in the room exchanged confused glances.
"You just got off the phone with her. Why are you calling her again?" Justin asked
"What are you talking about? I haven't talked to her since we left MTV this afternoon."
"Who were you talking to when you came in here? I thought it was her." Chris said as he flipped through the channels, and waited for Dani and Lonnie to return with their food.
"That was Angela." Joey answered and waited for the reaction. He knew his friends still did not like her, even though she made an effort to be nice to them whenever she was around. Which in many ways he was glad was not often. Coretta and Angela still did not get along, but Coretta respected his decision to maintain a friendship with Angela, as long as they didn't get too friendly.
"But you were talking about her first show, and calling her before she went on tomorrow. What's that about?" Lance questioned "Not that I was totally listening or anything." He quickly added.
"No, that's okay. I should probably tell you guys this now anyway...."
"Tell us what? If it's going to get us in trouble, don't say anything. For once I'd like to say I knew nothing about it, and be telling the truth." Justin said
"It won't get us in trouble. At least I hope it won't. It's just that Synchronicity, Angela's group, got a spot on a tour." Joey explained
"Oh is that all? I thought it was something serious. Although, I have to admit, I am a little curious whom Lou suckered into allowing them to be the opening act. I almost wouldn't mind seeing them perform. Kinda like how you have to look at an accident when you drive by. You don't want to look, but curiosity gets the best of you and you look anyway."
"Now that you mention it Chris, you just might get that chance."
"What the hell are you talking about? I said I was curious, I didn't say I was going out of my way to see them perform."
"Actually it won't be too far out of your way. As it turns out, Synchronicity will be the other opening act for Jessica Simpson.
