Taliah ran into the kitchen from her bedroom, running late as usual. “JC, what are you doing?” she asked smiling. “Making breakfast,” he said, sounding proud of himself. She looked at the open cereal boxes scattered across her table. “You have unimaginable talent JC,” she said dryly as she kissed his forehead. He grabbed her hands, “I think we can do better than that” he smiled. At the table, he pulled her closer to him until she was straddling his lap. Their mouths met as she rested herself on top of him. “We’re gonna be late” she whispered. JC smiled, “And since when were you on time.”
= ----- = + = ----- =
An hour later, JC pulled his jeep into the studio parking lot. He hopped out and walked over to open Taliah’s door. As he grabbed her hand, he smiled. And at that, he led her into the studio.
Jake’s head turned, and his eyes widened, when Taliah and JC walked into the studio. “Good morning” she said, kissing his forehead. “Morning Tals” Jake laughed. “Aren’t we in a good mood?” he continued. JC nodded towards Jake and without a word, kissed Taliah’s cheek before heading into the studio. She followed him with her eyes, and as she did she caught Justin’s in the process. She smiled slightly until he looked away, trying to hide the hurt on his face.
“So. Are gonna tell me what that was all about, or what?” Jake asked. Taliah sighed. “JC came over after you left.” Taliah smiled. “Yeah… And…” Jake coaxed. “…And, we made love pretty much all night… and this morning.” She smiled, in spite of herself.
“JC? What about Justin?” he asked. “What about Justin?” she said. “Well, you told me last night that you could still love him. Explain to me what does sleeping with his best friend proves?” Jake reasoned. Taliah thought about it before she responded. “Jake, I’ll always love Justin. He was my first love. Hell, he was my first a lot of things. But JC, damn, I don’t know. I always wanted him ya know, when he didn’t want me. Now, I have him if I want him, and I’m not sure I do anymore.” She paused. “I’m pretty sure that Justin never told anyone about ‘us’, and that’s fine, but then he really has no claim over me.”
Jake listened intently. “How did you and Justin end things?” he asked. Taliah let her mind wonder…
= ----- = + = ----- =
Taliah lay on her side, facing Justin. What was this beautiful human being doing with her? How did she fall in love with him in such a short time? “Tally… why do you love me?” he asked, tracing her lips with his pinky. Her faced beamed. “You’re the most honest person I know, J. You make me the happiest I’ve ever been.” She smiled at him. He kissed her lips slowly, then increasingly more passionate. They parted slowly, and Justin stole one last kiss. “I’ll always love you, Tally” he smiled.
= ----- = + = ----- =
“We dated for almost a year before he had to leave back for the states. I vowed then and there that I would never let my career come in between my happiness again. If we both weren’t who we were at the time, maybe we could’ve had, I don’t know…… something.” She finished, looking down. Jake listened thoughtfully. “And you’re sure he didn’t tell the rest of the guys?” he asked. “I’m not positive, but no, I don’t think he did. JC wouldn’t have come over last night if he knew about Justin and I. Those five are too close to do that to one another. It doesn’t stop me from feeling like a slut though.” She finished. “Oh Tals, stop it. It was seven years ago. It doesn’t make you a bad person. You’re human, girl.” He smiled, and Taliah felt a tiny bit better. Good ‘ol Jake.
= ----- = + = ----- =
Justin’s eyes moved from Taliah to JC who still stood there looking at her. What the hell was going on? Why did it seem like now, after all these years, JC started to take notice to her? It wasn’t right. It wasn’t fair. Of course nothing about the Taliah and Justin saga was fair. Fair would have been them telling people about their relationship. Fair would have been Taliah moving with him back then, instead of breaking up. Fair would have been…… a lot of things.
= ----- = + = ----- =
As JC filled the rest of the guys in on a very vague story of the night before, he watched Justin’s eyes look at Taliah, then him, then to the floor. He didn’t have the slightest idea what could have been the reason for his silence, until it hit him. Justin had always had a little thing for Taliah. JC smiled at the thought of the changing times. It wasn’t too often that Justin didn’t get the girl he wanted. It also wasn’t often that Justin didn’t have something to say. Just as the thought entered his mind, Justin’s silence was broken.
“Did you sleep with her?” he asked, point blank switching his gaze directly at JC. JC and the other three looked at him, shocked. JC shifted his weight from right to left. “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.” JC said. “Oh, God dammit, JC! Answer the question! Did you fuck her?!” Justin yelled. JC's light-hearted mood dropped and looking Justin straight in the eye, “Yeah, I did. Is there a problem with that?” he said. Justin advanced towards him, “You son-of-a bitch. How could you?” Chris, Joey and Lance stationed themselves in-between the two. “Get over yourself, Justin. You had a crush on her nine fuckin’ years ago. It doesn’t give you claim over her.” JC yelled back. “Fuck you! You ignored her nine years ago… so what the hell does that prove?” Justin continued to yell.
JC laughed. “You just can’t stand that I got the girl and you didn’t, can you?” he said. Now it was Justin’s turn to laugh. JC stood in confusion. “What the hell is so funny?” he snapped. Justin’s face turned to stone. “Oh, JC. What little you actually know…”
= ----- = + = ----- =
Taliah finished talking to Jake, giving the details of her past with Justin. It was complicated, and sounded even more so talking about it all over again. It was then when hell broke loose.
JC came tearing out of the studio, throwing the door behind him, not waiting for the others to catch up. Taliah looked up, startled. “Taliah, please tell me you didn’t…” JC pleaded. “Tell you I didn’t what?” Taliah looked at him, confused. At that moment, Justin stepped out from behind JC and Taliah had a small idea of where this conversation was headed.
“Justin is trying to tell me that you and him fucked some years back” he said. “Now, I told him that was ridiculous because you would’ve never let last night happen if any part of that were true.” She looked at Justin who couldn’t force himself to meet Taliah’s eyes. “I’m waiting, Taliah.” JC said.
Taliah’s heart couldn’t bear this conversation. They were all friends, and she hated to hurt either of them, although sometimes, the truth hurts. “JC, I’m sorry” was all she could say. JC looked crushed. He looked from Justin to her and stared. “I don’t believe you didn’t tell me” he said. “JC, I am sorry. It was seven years ago. A lot’s happened since then.” She explained. “I really didn’t expect last night to go as far as it did.” She continued.
“I don’t wanna hear any more, Taliah.” He said softly, brushing past her towards the door. Taliah’s eyes followed him out the door and started to follow him. Justin grabbed her arm, “Let him cool off, Tally” he said without emotion. She nodded and faced them, not making eye contact with Justin, “I guess the day’s over guys. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Jake put his arm around her shoulders. “Come on sweetie, I’ll take you home.”
They left the studio leaving the four guys standing there in silence. No one wanted to be the first to speak. Finally Justin spoke up, “I guess I really fucked up, huh?” he asked. Chris, Joey and Lance directed their eyes at him. “Ya think?” Chris remarked sarcastically.
The shit has hit the fan. Justin found out about JC. JC found out about Justin. I think I may have screwed myself by screwing JC. I wasn’t completely forthcoming about the Justin situation. I think I may still love him. I at least know that I still have feelings for him… in some way. Isn’t love supposed to be easy? It’s not supposed to be this hard, is it? I don’t know how I’ll ever face JC again. He looked so hurt this morning. I hope he doesn’t hate me. Well, too much anyway. I don’t know what I feel worse over - hurting Justin by being with JC last night or hurting JC by not telling him about Justin seven years ago. Of course, I’d be mad at me too. Maybe I don’t deserve either of them. What do you think?
Hours passed and Taliah could do nothing but sit. She tried to write, but nothing came. It was odd, usually it was the depressing stuff in her life that was inspiring. Maybe this just wasn’t depressing, it hurt. Jake had come by at dinnertime with Chinese food, but it still sat in the fridge. She had no appetite. At ten, she gave up and decided to call it an early night.
Halfway to her room, she heard a light knock on the door. She walked slowly and cautiously looked through the peephole. She smiled in spite of herself and opened the door. There he was…
“I know I shouldn’t be here, but I had to see you” he said, pausing slightly. Taliah didn’t know what to say except, “Come in” she said softly. As he passed her, his hand brushed her arm. “Tally, I don’t know why I didn’t come last night. Maybe if I would’ve, things wouldn’t be so complicated now. I’m sorry.” Taliah stood across from him, just listening to what he had to say. Why was he sorry? He had nothing to…… he interrupted her thoughts. “Anyway, I figure you’re probably busy or tired or whatever, but I just wanted to apologize to you before I grovel to JC.” He turned and opened the door, passing through it without Taliah opening her mouth to say a word.
Only seconds later she sprung to life and ran out the door, seeing him waiting for the elevator. “I love you” she said, just loud enough for him to hear her. His head turned to her, with a hope that until then, had vanished seven years ago. He ignored the opening elevator doors and walked back towards her.
He stood in front of her, looking into her eyes. “Say it again” he said. “I love you” she said, letting a tear roll down her cheek. He let a smile creep from his lips and he wiped the tear from her cheek. He let his finger gently run across her lips, then tilting her chin towards his lips, he leaned down and let his lips touch hers. They parted and both smiled. “Now that’s what I came here for.”