The party after the show was being held at the hotel's adjoining club. The guys had hired the club out for the night to ensure the press would be kept out leaving them free to relax with friends.
Every member of the crew had been invited; a couple of artists they were friends with and also people from the record company that worked hard back in the office for the guys. Joey had some family and friends he'd grown up with there as well.
Alanna was hiding out in the back of the club, alone at a table in a dark corner. For once Alex was not hovering over her. Security was more relaxed tonight seeing as the club was closed to the general public and because it was attached to the hotel they were able to come and go as they pleased without the interruption of fans. Most of the security team was situated at the entrance to the hotel making sure no fans entered.
Alanna mindlessly stirred her drink with a straw as she watched people dancing out on the packed floor. Ashlyn, Rebekah, Ben and Daniel were out there somewhere, Alanna taking the opportunity to sit down and relax for a while. After tonight's run-in she really didn't feel like partying but she also didn't want to sit alone in her room thinking about it.
JC had surprised her earlier. He had seemed genuinely concerned. She'd even seen a hint of anger on his face. Ludicrous seeing as he himself had caused her such anguish lately. She couldn't believe she had been so wrong about him, how he had seemed to have turned into a different person overnight. One minute he was this caring, fun guy and the next he was causing her heartache. It scared her to know that her judgement of someone could be so off base. She'd been warned by Lance that she should be cautious over who she let into her life now she was in this business. He'd told her how people would try to worm their way into her life for the money she may make and the celebrity status. She would always have to question people's intentions. She hadn't thought she'd have to doubt fellow performers though.
"Well hello again," someone slurred.
Looking up Alanna's eyes widened when she saw who it was. "What are you doing here Nathan?"
"Come to see you Al. You didn't give me a chance to talk to you earlier on."
She could tell he'd been drinking by the way his voice slurred and as he stepped closer she could smell the alcohol on his breath.
"How did you get in here? This is a private party and I sure as hell know YOU weren't invited."
Nathan tutted. "Such a temper for a beautiful lady."
"Cut the CRAP Nathan, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"
"I told you I came to talk to you. As for how I got in here, let's just say it pays to have friends in places," he laughed.
Alanna just looked disapprovingly at him.
"Okay my friend works on the door, happy now?"
"Get out before I get security to kick your ass out," she warned.
"I don't see anyone around Al. Who's going to come rescue you?"
Alanna cast a glance around but she didn't see Alex, only a few familiar faces from the tour but nobody who really knew her. She stood up and Nathan grabbed her arm. "And where do you think you're going?"
"To get away from you," she said pulling her arm out of his grasp. She rubbed the spot where his tight grip had left a red mark on her skin.
Heading towards the exit she dodged bodies trying to get away from him as fast as she could. As she weaved a path through the room she looked back and couldn't see him. She breathed a sigh of relief. She was just going to go back to her room and get some needed sleep.
Out in the hall Alanna took a deep breath and leant up against the wall. It was a relief to be out of the hot club and the hallway as well as being cool also lacked the pounding music, which she was grateful for.
Looking around the hallway she noticed it was empty. She should really try and find Alex or Ashlyn and let them know that she was heading to her room. Trouble was she had no idea where Ashlyn was; she hadn't seen her in hours. Alex was probably out in the lobby with the other guards. Taking out her cell phone she searched for his number before pressing send. She couldn't be bothered searching the building for him and this would be just as effective.
"Hello?" she heard the deep voice of Alex over her phone.
"Hey it's just me. I just wanted to let you know I'm on my way to my room now so you're free to do what you want."
"Thank God!" he cried. "I'm out the front with the other guards and I swear if I hear one more person ask for Justin's number I'm gonna scream."
Alanna laughed. "Night Alex."
"Yeah night sweetie, see ya tomorrow."
Turning her phone off she started making her way down the long hallway towards the doors that would take her back into the hotel. She suddenly felt a hand grab her shoulder from behind. She was pulled back and slammed into the wall, a pain immediately coursing through her right shoulder blade. Wincing she sucked in a breath until the pain subsided. Opening her eyes she saw he was once again in front of her.
"You thought you could get away from me that easily Al?"
Alanna turned her head trying to avoid the stench of alcohol on his breath. She pushed him away from her and once again tried to head towards the door. Yet again he grabbed her and pressed her against the wall. He closed the little distance between them and crushed her body with his own. She tried to wriggle out from between his body but it was no use, he had her trapped. She now felt scared. He had a determined look in his eyes and she had no idea what he wanted.
"Nathan please, you're hurting me."
"I'm sorry baby but I can't risk you running away again."
"What do you want?"
"You of course," he said simply.
"Well you should have thought about that before you slept with my SISTER."
He sighed and rolled his eyes. "So you're still stuck on that?"
Alanna looked at him like he'd gone crazy. "Do you know what that did to me to see the person I thought I'd spend the rest of my life with in bed with my sister?"
"Oh don't get all worked up about it Alanna. It's not like she meant anything to me. She was just there. You were on the other side of the country. Did you really expect me to go all that time without getting any? Katie needed some too. Remember she'd broken up with Sam? You should be thanking me, I helped her get over him," he laughed drunkenly.
"You bastard. Not only did you do that to me but you took advantage of Katie as well? You're sick."
Nathan laughed. "Nah just in love with you. I grew kind of attached to you over the last couple of years you know."
"You don't treat people you love in that way," she ground out.
"Aww I'm sorry honey," he mocked.
Alanna tried to push away from him again but he wasn't budging. "You better stop rubbing up against me that way Alanna. Are you trying to get me excited? Why don't we head up to your room?" He smirked at her, running a finger down her cheek and ran his hand over her body.
She shuddered in disgust at the touch of his hand. Alanna was now starting to panic. She was alone with him and she had no idea what he was capable of right now. She had obviously misjudged him back then; she didn't feel as though she knew him at all now. She began pushing against him again and he just laughed and readjusted himself to get a better hold of her. She spotted her chance and took it as she brought her knee swiftly to his crotch, running when he doubled up in pain. He grabbed her foot though and she fell on the floor. With his hand still on her ankle he crawled up to meet her and pushed her down, forcefully grabbing the material of her top. "You…little… bitch." He slammed her against the floor with every word.
Alanna began crying, the seriousness of the situation finally was becoming apparent to her. "Please don't," she whispered.
Angrily Nathan grabbed her throat. "You're asking for everything you get. You're parading around here like a slut. Nobody, get that straight NOBODY, is going to see that body of yours but me."
Nathan's hands were ripped from her throat and he was pulled up from her.
"JC," she whispered.
JC swung at Nathan, his fist striking his face forcefully. Nathan stumbled backwards but managed to regain his balance remarkably well in his drunken state. He dived for JC and the two of them fell to the floor. Alanna watched as the two of them tussled on the ground beside her. JC had appeared from nowhere and she was now witnessing her only ever lovers trying to beat the hell out of each other.
Nathan hit out at JC and he appeared to have succeeded in connecting his fist with JC's face. Alanna couldn't tell if he was hurt badly though. JC recovered quickly and punched Nathan in the stomach, winding him. "Don't you EVER touch her again," JC warned, his voice full of hatred.
"I've touched her EVERYWHERE," Nathan laughed touching his fingers to the split lip he had received.
JC dived for him again. Alanna's eyes widened fearfully as the brawl restarted. JC had become even more violent. He repeatedly slammed Nathan's head against the wall as Nathan hit out at JC's body.
"JC stop please," Alanna begged with no success. "Somebody help please," she called, as she grew increasingly worried about the safety of the men in front of her, one in particular.
A uniformed man entering at the far end of the hall had her screaming for his assistance. "Quickly help."
The man took in the scene before sprinting towards them. He stepped between them trying to force them apart, while trying to avoid being hit himself, but they still tried to reach each other over him. "Nathan what the hell are you doing? Miss you're gonna have to help me here."
Alanna cautiously stepped up to them and placed her hands on JC's shoulder. "JC please, just let it go." JC, who was breathing heavily, looked at her. "Please," she pleaded with her voice and eyes. JC's distraction had enabled the man to separate the guys.
"Nathan you said you weren't here to cause trouble," the man shouted.
Alanna turned to him. "Wait a minute, you KNOW him?"
The man looked down. "Yeah I was the one that let him in. We go to college together and he told me he wanted to surprise an old friend. Please don't tell anyone about this. I really can't afford to lose this job."
"Get him out of here and keep him away and I might think about keeping quiet," she said.
"Thank you," the man replied. He led an angry Nathan away. She watched until he had disappeared before turning her gaze back to JC.
"You're bleeding," she gasped noticing for the first time the cut to his cheekbone.
"I'm fine, he just caught me with his ring."
She grabbed his hand. "Come on we need to get that cleaned up."
~*~
Alanna sat JC down on the bed in her hotel room. She headed to the bathroom grabbing a damp wash cloth and a mini first aid kit she found in the bathroom cabinet.
She walked over to him and looked at his face, guilt consuming her. "You didn't have to do that JC," she whispered.
He looked up at her. "Yes I did."
Alanna shook her head sadly and began to gently wipe the blood away with the wash cloth. "I'm sorry JC," she said as he winced. "This is all my fault."
He grabbed her hand in his. "Don't you dare say that. None of that was your fault. I'm just sorry I couldn't have got there sooner. Did he hurt you?"
She shook her head. "No I'm fine."
She continued to gently wipe his face. She applied some antiseptic. JC didn't speak again until she had put everything away.
"I'm sorry."
"JC it wasn't your fault. It's enough that you were there when it mattered."
"Not that Alanna," he said gently. "That night...I'm sorry I walked out on you."
Alanna looked at him shocked before turning away. "Forget about it."
"No I can't," JC said as he stood from the bed and approached her.
She shook her head slightly. "Don't do this JC. Don't bring it all back up," she whispered.
"I have to," he said as he turned her.
JC's heart broke when he saw the tears in her eyes. "I think you should go JC."
"Not until I explain."
"There's nothing to explain JC. You left, that's is."
"I shouldn't have left Alanna. I didn't want to, I just panicked."
"You panicked?" she said in disbelief.
"I woke up and having you in my arms felt too right. I lay there for a good hour before I left. I knew it wouldn't work out and I couldn't risk getting hurt again. I had to get away. Seeing you there and knowing I couldn't have you was too painful."
"You DID have me JC," she shouted.
JC shook his head. "Something would have happened to ruin it. I'm not going to let myself fall into that trap again Alanna."
"You call love a trap?" she questioned angrily.
"You got too close Alanna," JC whispered.
"What did she DO to you JC?"
"Who?"
"Taylor!"
"She made me realise that I was a fool for letting myself fall so deeply. Never again will I let that happen."
"You think I could have done that to you?" she asked, hurt that he would think that of her.
He was silent for a moment just looking at her. "I can't take the chance Alanna," he finally answered.
A tear made its way down her cheek and she angrily wiped it away. "You know what I've been through JC. Do you honestly think that I could do that to you? Do you think that little of me? Damn you JC. Do you know what it felt like when you ran out on me? You left me there ALONE after what we shared. Do you think I just sleep around with anyone? You were only the second person I gave myself to. I thought you were special JC. You left me."
"Alanna..."
"Get out," she shouted.
"I'm not leaving you like this," he said as he walked towards her.
"Why it's what you do best!"
"I deserved that."
"Yeah and you deserve a lot more than that now get out."
"No."
"Get out," she cried beating his chest with her clenched fists.
"No I'm not leaving you this time," he said as he drew her into his arms.
Alanna cried in his embrace. He began stroking her hair and she pushed away, reminded of how he had done the same thing when he had been holding her in his arms in bed.
"Don't touch me."
"Alanna..."
"No don't touch me. You can't do this to me," she said backing away from him.
"I said I'm sorry."
"No you have no idea, no idea." She grabbed a book off the side and threw it at him. He held his arms up protecting himself from the flying object before looking up to see her leaving the room.
She pulled the door open running across the hall to Ashlyn's room praying that she was back. She kept pounding on the door until it was answered. When Ashlyn saw Alanna's tears she immediately brought her into her arms. "Alanna what's wrong?"
Justin appeared behind Ashlyn. Noticing JC his eyes widened when he saw his face. "What's going on guys?" he questioned.
JC just stood there as Justin waited for an answer along with Ashlyn who held Alanna in her arms still.
"Make him go Ash," Alanna managed to say between sobs.
"Justin I think you should go talk to JC," Ashlyn said, still confused as to what was going on.
"You two gonna be okay?" he asked.
"Yeah we just need some girl talk time."
Justin put a comforting hand to Alanna's shoulder before leaving the room, shutting the door behind him.
Once the door was closed similar words were exchanged on either side of the door.
"I think we need to have that talk now don't you?" Ashlyn said to Alanna.
Justin looked at JC. "Wanna tell me what the hell is going on?"
Chapter 21
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