Snowed In

By:  Lara

 

“Nothing.  There’s NOTHING you can do?” Joey asked, trying to stay calm.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Fatone.  There are no outgoing flights.  It’s snowing,” the ticket agent said, as if Joey couldn’t look out the window and see the blanket of white.

“Not to anywhere?  Not to Boston or Philly or Pittsburgh or DC?” Joey asked.  “Those flights would be an hour long, and then maybe…”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Fatone,” the agent said firmly.

“And I don’t suppose trying to change my first class ticket into a coach seat would help?” Joey asked, though he knew the answer.

“I’m…”

“I know. You’re sorry, Mr. Fatone.”  Joey sighed.

“We can reroute you as soon as the airport opens,” the woman said. “And if you’d like, you can show your ticket at the main desk, and they can get you a room in the hotel.”

“I thought you said the hotel was booked solid,” Joey said.  The woman blushed slightly.

“I also know who you are, Mr. Fatone.  We can make arrangements for you.”

Joey looked at the angry faces behind him.  “Thank you.” He picked up his duffel bag and walked away from the desk.  About fifty yards down the walkway was a bar, and that’s where he decided to go to think about what he wanted to do. 

“What can I get ya?” The bartender asked.

“Beer…oh…give me a Lager,” Joey said.  The bartender took the cap off and handed the bottle to Joey.

“Need a glass?”

“No, thanks,” Joey replied. He turned on the barstool to stare out the window.  “Fuck,” he muttered.

“I’m ready to pay,” the woman a few stools down said to the bartender.  She started digging in her backpack. “I know I have cash in here somewhere…” She pulled out a few crumpled bills.

“That’ll be four-fifty,” the bartender told her.

“Four-fifty?”  The woman gasped. “That’s highway robbery. I only have three in cash…will you take an ATM card or a credit card?”

“For four-fifty? Of course,” the bartender sighed.

“Just add it on mine, okay?” Joey said. “I’ll be paying cash.”

“You don’t have to do that.” A pair of blue eyes turned on him curiously.

“I want to,” Joey said with a small smile. Her eyes widened and he knew he had been recognized.

“Thank you,” she said softly.  He nodded and drank more of his beer.  “You’re going back to Florida?”

“Yeah. I was here visiting my daughter…and this storm freaking came out of nowhere.”

“I heard it was supposed to snow, but I didn’t think it would be anything like this,” she said.  She looked out the window and sighed.

“Where were you going?” Joey asked.

“Dallas.  I was up here trying to sell my play.”  She blushed slightly. “Sorry. You didn’t need to know my life story.”

“It’s okay,” he said with a smile.  “I don’t have many regular conversations with strangers.”

“I imagine not,” she said with a laugh. “But you’re not a stranger. I know your name.  Justin…right?”

Joey read the twinkle in her eye. “Hate to disappoint you…but I’m Lance.”

“Good. He’s my favorite anyway,” she said with a laugh, and Joey grinned.

“What’s your name?”

“Lara.” She held out her hand and he shook it.  “And I seriously am a big fan. It’s great to meet you, Joey.”

“Nice to meet you, too.”  He looked out the window. “I can’t believe this. I slip away for two days…just two simple days, and it turns into a circus.”

“I would think your life was always a circus,” she teased gently, and he smiled.

“You’d be right.”  Joey looked at her for a long moment.  “Would you like to grab dinner with me? I mean, I’m assuming you’re gonna stay here until the airport reopens, right?”

“Yes,” she said with a sigh.  “I can’t get a room in the hotel, so I was just gonna camp out on the floor by the gate.”

“What if I said I could get you a room?” Joey asked.  Lara eyed him skeptically. 

“I’m not that easy.”

“I never said you were,” he answered. “If I can get you a room…will you have dinner with me in the hotel?”

“I don’t have anything nice to wear.  My luggage was already checked,” Lara protested.

“I don’t care.  It’s not like I have anything either,” he replied, looking down at his jeans and sweater.

“Okay,” she said slowly.  He beamed his bright smile.

“Great.”  He threw down some money.  “Let’s go get that room.”

They picked up their bags and headed for the main desk of the airport. “I don’t see how you’re gonna do this,” she said.  He laughed.

“Not to sound egotistical, but you’re forgetting who I am.”  Joey approached the desk and smiled at the bored attendant. “Hey there. My name is Joey Fatone and I was told I could get a room at the hotel.”

“All the rooms are taken,” the attendant told him, not looking up.

“Okay, let’s try this again.  My name is Joey Fatone, and the attendant at the US Air desk told me there’d be a room in my name if I wanted it. Why don’t you check?”  Joey looked over his shoulder at Lara, who was smirking and shaking her head.

“Okay,” the man behind the desk sighed, typing away at his keyboard.  He did a double take at the screen. “Oh!  Mr. Fatone! I’m so sorry. Yes…we have a room for you.  Go ahead into the hotel and give your name at the desk. They’ll be happy to help you.”

“That’s what I thought.”  Joey shouldered his bag. “Coming?” Lara could only nod and follow him.

 

 

“So, is the dining room open?” Joey asked the boy who led them up to their room, carrying their bags.

“Yes, sir.  It will probably be crowded, since the hotel is at capacity.”  The bellhop unlocked the door. “Here you are, sir.  Will there be anything else?”

“No, thank you.”  Joey slipped some money into the boy’s palm. 

“Enjoy your stay, sir.”  The bellhop closed the door behind them. Lara looked at Joey and finally smiled.

“I can’t believe you did it.” She took a few steps into the suite and her mouth fell open. “You know, I think this is bigger than my apartment.” She wandered around, peeking into the small kitchenette and the bathroom.  “I think the BATHROOM is bigger than my apartment!”

Joey laughed. “Lap of luxury. It had better be, if the stupid airport makes you stay over.”  He followed her into the bedroom.  “The sofa probably opens up into a bed. I’ll take that.”

Lara whirled around. “Joey Fatone, you’re crazy.  The only reason we HAVE this suite is because of you.  I’ll be fine on the sofa.”

“How about we fight over that when it’s time to sleep?” Joey suggested. “I’m hungry.  Clean yourself up and let’s go eat.”

“Okay,” Lara said as her stomach grumbled.  She grabbed her toiletry bag from her backpack and went into the bathroom.

 

“So…tell me about this play,” Joey said as they went down in the elevator.

“Well…I guess it’s not as good as everyone told me it was,” Lara said with a sigh.  “I pitched it to every agent I could find. I’ve been in New York for two months.  Not a bite.  I guess I wasn’t meant to write plays.”

“Why a play? Why not a book or a screenplay?” Joey asked. They stepped out of the elevator and walked to the restaurant.

“Let’s wait until we’re seated, okay?” Lara asked.  He nodded and approached the maitre’d. 

“Last name Fatone?”

“Ah, yes, Mr. Fatone. Follow me.”

Lara tugged at Joey’s shirt as they walked. “Oh…I called down,” he told her.  She rolled her eyes.

“I could get TOO used to this. I can’t even get IN to hotels and restaurants like this.”

Joey held out her chair and she sat down. He sat across from her, a twinkle in his brown eyes.  “Wine?”

“I don’t have a lot of money,” she began. He frowned at her and picked up the wine list. He waited for the wine steward to come over and he pointed out the one he wanted.

“You’ll like this, I think. Not too dry, not too sweet.” Joey smiled at her and handed her the menu that lay in front of her. “And don’t let me hear you say anything else about the cost, okay? My treat.”

“But you don’t even know me!”

“And I already like you. You know who I am, but you haven’t screamed in my ear or tried to maul me.  Not yet, anyway,” he said with a demonic grin. Lara could only grin back.  “Now read your menu.”

 

“So, this play of yours,” Joey said after they had ordered.  Lara rolled her eyes again.  “Why no novel or screenplay?”

“I think dialogue is what I’m best at, and a play, of course, is all dialogue.  A screenplay…I think that’s way out of my league.”  She shook her head.  “I can’t write for movies.”

“Why not?” Joey asked, and Lara just shrugged. “Do you have a copy of it with you?”

“On my laptop,” she replied.

“Can I read it after dinner?”

“If you want to,” she said, giving him a cautious look.

“I want to.”  Joey gave her an innocent smile as he drank his wine.

 

“She’s beautiful,” Lara said with a sigh as Joey showed her a picture of his daughter.

“Yeah,” he said proudly. “We were kinda worried about how our fans would take it, you know, but this is my life, right?  I wasn’t about to tell Kelly to have an abortion or something just because some fans might not like the fact that I was gonna be a dad.”

“Good for you.” Lara handed him the picture back.  “I love babies.  I love children no matter WHAT age.”

“Do you have any?” Joey asked.

She shook her head. “No.  Never married…and, no offense, but I’d like that to happen first, you know?”

“I understand. It’s not like I planned it this way,” he said, waving the picture in the air. “But I wouldn’t trade her in for anything.”

“I bet,” she said wistfully.

 

They returned to their suite after an excellent dinner.  Joey made a few phone calls to the hotel desk, explaining their situation, and soon there was a knock at the door.  “Here you are, Mr. Fatone,” the boy said, handing him a bag.

“Thank you.” Joey tipped him once more and closed the door. “I bought us something.  I thought we’d need something to sleep in and…well, shit!”

“What?” Lara asked.

“I asked for TWO pair of pajamas…and they only sent one.”  Joey held up the flannel men’s pajamas.

“That’s fine.  Really. Give me the top…it looks big enough…and you wear the bottoms,” Lara suggested.  He handed her the top and she went into the bathroom to change.  She came out and Joey went in.

When Joey came out of the bathroom, she had her laptop set up on the coffee table.  “Your play?” He asked, and she nodded.  “Cool.”  Joey flopped down onto the sofa and pulled the laptop closer.

“Be nice,” she warned.

“I’m always nice,” he said sweetly.  “Go ahead and turn on the TV or something,” he said, and she did so, just because she was nervous. 

Joey seemed to like what he was reading. He laughed out loud a few times, and gasped a few times, which was what she had hoped for.  He finally shut the laptop down and looked at her. “Wow.”

“Really?” Lara asked timidly.  He grabbed her hands.

“Girl, you don’t know me, but trust me. That is awesome. I grew up in New York, for God’s sake. I know good theater.  I STILL think it would be better as a movie, though.”

Lara blushed.  “I don’t think so,” she whispered.

“Can I have a copy…just to say I knew you when?” Joey asked, and she smiled. 

“Of course.  I have some blank disks in my bag…I’ll copy it in the morning.”

“Right.”  Joey looked at her. “So…I guess we go to bed now.”

“Right,” she echoed, not looking away from his dark eyes.  He still held her hands, and she felt his thumbs caress the tops of her hands.  “But I’m not tired.”

“Me either,” he whispered.  One of his large hands came up to cup her chin, and he gently kissed her.

 

 

 

“Should I apologize?” Joey whispered as he pulled away.

“No,” Lara whispered back. “Should I?”

“No,” Joey said, grinning.  He kissed her again, then kissed her throat by her ear.  She sighed and wrapped her arms around him.  They slowly lay down on the sofa, his long body covering hers like a blanket.  His tongue gently searched her mouth as his hand started to slide up her side.  “I don’t want to do anything you don’t want to do,” Joey murmured near her ear.  He felt her body arch up to his and moaned slightly.  “You don’t even know me.”

“I want to know you…tonight…” she whispered, and he pulled away.  She looked at him in shock.

“Well, it’s not happening here on the sofa.” Joey stood and reached for her hand.  Lara took his hand and he led her to the bedroom.  She stood and watched him as he closed the door behind them.

“Expecting someone?” Lara asked, and Joey laughed.

“No…I just wanted it closed.”  He walked back over to her, cupping her face in his hands once more.  “Are you sure you want this?  I didn’t ask you up here expecting this to happen.”

“I know,” Lara said with a sigh.  “I’m not the type that guys usually ask up to their hotel suite.  But I DO want this, Joey. I want it with you.”

“Good,” Joey whispered, kissing her gently. His fingers began to unbutton the pajama top she wore, and it soon puddle at her feet, leaving her standing in only her underwear.  “Beautiful,” he said softly, gently pushing her back to the bed.  She lay down and he lay over her once more, his bare chest pressed against hers.

“Joey,” she sighed, wrapping her arms around him.  He kissed her mouth for a long while, then slowly moved down each side of her throat.  When his lips reached her breasts, she hissed and arched up towards him.  He put his hands under her back, lifting her up to his mouth.  Lara ran her hands through his short hair, tugging slightly.  He came back up to kiss her mouth once more, and she rolled them over.  “My turn,” she whispered.

“Jesus,” he moaned as she kissed his chest, her hand wandering lower.  She slid her hand into his pants and gently stroked him.  “God…” Joey thrust up unconsciously.  “That feels good.”

Lara only smiled at him, sliding down his body and taking the pajama pants with her.  She kissed her way up his legs, spending most of her time on his inner thighs.  She would only brush his erection with her lips, and he was soon moaning loudly.  “Problem?”  Lara asked, smiling up at him.

“You’re damn right there’s a problem.”  Joey pulled her up to face him, kissing her ferociously.  “You still have clothing on.  THAT’S the problem.”  He yanked down her underwear, tossing them onto the floor.

“Joey…yes…” Lara gasped, arching her body to his exploring hands.  After a few moments, Joey suddenly pulled away.  “What…”

“Just getting something,” he said, digging through his bag.  “I…uh…you never know,” he said bashfully, picking up the box of condoms.  Lara giggled.

“You slut, Joey,” she teased.  He opened a condom and slid it onto himself.  He then slowly crawled up her body.

“I don’t hear you complaining,” he said as he slowly entered her.

Lara gasped and her eyes fluttered closed. “No…complaints…here…”

 

Joey lay awake and watched Lara sleep. Her long dark hair was streaming across the pillow, and he combed it with his fingers.  She wasn’t gorgeous, most people wouldn’t call her sexy, but she was attractive and smart and funny. He liked her a lot, and he thanked whoever was responsible for the snowstorm.  He sighed and pulled her into his arms, finally closing his eyes.

When Joey woke up six hours later, he was in bed alone.  “Lara?” He called out.  He didn’t get an answer. He picked up his pajama pants and put them on, padding out into the living room in bare feet. “Lara?”  Joey stopped walking when he noticed that her bag was gone, along with her laptop.  On the coffee table was a disk with a note.

“Joey…thank you for last night. I needed to leave…needed to see if I could get a flight out this morning. Here’s your copy of my play.  Thank you again…Lara.”

 

Three months later

 

 

“Hello?” Lara answered the phone as she tried to get her kitten off the kitchen counter. “Molly, no!” She hissed.

“Is this Lara…um…Logan?”  A deep male voice asked.

“I don’t buy things over the phone,” she said, ready to hang up.

“I’m not looking to sell you something. I’m looking to buy something from you.”

“Okay,” Lara said warily, sitting down.

“I have in my hand a play…it’s called Forget Me Not.  Does that ring a bell?”

“My play?  How did you get my play?”

“Let me start over. Hi, Lara. My name is Lance Bass.”

Lara’s mouth dropped open. “Lance Bass?”

“Yes. I’m assuming you know who I am?”

“I…uh…”

“Good.  A friend showed me your play. I like it. I like it a lot. However, I think that with some work, this could make a first-rate movie script.”

“M-movie?”  Lara whispered. “How the HELL did you get my play?”

“Joey gave it to me.”

“Joey,” Lara repeated, thinking back to that winter night.  “How did you find me?”

“Joey got your name off the disk…it’s at the beginning of your play, remember?  And then he had someone start searching around Dallas…and we found you.  And here we are.”

“I…I don’t know what to say.”

“I’d like to meet with you…I’d like my partner to meet with you. Can you come to Florida?  I’ll pay.”

“I…uh…sure…” Lara said, thinking fast.

“Good.  I’ll call later tonight with the flight information.”

“Okay.” Lara hung up, stunned.

 

Lance had said that someone would be standing in the airport, holding a sign with her name on it.  Lara hadn’t expected that someone to be Joey Fatone.  “What are you doing here?”

“I’m driving you to meet Lance.  Do you have luggage?”

“No…I expected to just be here overnight.” Lara jogged to keep up with Joey’s long legs.  “You had no right to show him my play!”

“And you had no right running out on me in the middle of the night.”  Joey didn’t look back.

“I had every right!  And it was morning,” she said defensively. “I knew I was just another one night stand for you…and I couldn’t handle the goodbye.”

“How do you know that?”  Joey turned around.  “You knew nothing about me. Maybe I wanted to get your number. Maybe I wanted us to get to know each other better.”

“You…you wanted to get to know me better?” Lara whispered.

“Yes. So I used your play. But that was easy, because Lance loved it. I knew he would.  He will act cold about it, but trust me, Lara, he loves it.  He can’t WAIT for production to start.”

“Wow.”  Lara stared at Joey. “I’m…I don’t know…”

“Just come on. We’ll be late and Lance will kill me.  We can talk about this later over dinner.”  Joey reached down and took her hand.

“Okay,” Lara said, smiling as she followed him through the airport.

The End

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