Ashlyn fought the urge to scream as she tripped over one of Justin’s shoes. Three days ago he’d moved himself into her apartment, claiming to be sick of hotel rooms. He was officially driving her crazy. She was sure he was trying to push her to breaking point so she would give in and move back home.
Why she couldn’t just tell him no was beyond her. He had that cute little pout though and he knew just when to use it.
The first night he’d slept on the sofa. The next day she’d arrived home to find two men leaving her apartment with her bed.
“What are you doing, that’s my bed!”
“I guess it’s your lucky day then, your boyfriend just bought you a brand new one.”
“Boyfriend? I think you’ve made a mistake,” she told the men.
“No mistake, ma’am. It was bought this morning for immediate delivery. It’s been paid and signed for, the guy even paid extra to get the single bed taken away.”
She walked into the apartment and through her bedroom to find Justin jumping on a kingsize bed.
“What the hell is going on?” she demanded.
Justin held a hand to his chest. “Damn, Ash, you scared the shit out of me.”
“I’ll be BEATING the shit out of you if you don’t explain.”
“That sofa felt like a bed of nails. If I’m gonna be sleeping in this hellhole I’ve gotta have a little comfort.”
“You forget one thing, Justin – you weren’t invited.”
“And you’re forgetting another thing – I told you I’m not leaving you alone in LA.”
“Well I better let the teenies know that they won’t be seeing you perform for a while because you’re being a DUMB PRICK!”
Justin rolled his eyes. “Whatever, I know you love me, and you’ll thank me for this one day.”
“And what the hell do you mean you want a little comfort while you stay here?” she asked, suddenly realising there was only one bedroom…and one bed.
“Well I thought sharing the single would’ve been a little too close for comfort.”
“And this one won’t?”
“It’s a big bed, Ash.”
“That doesn’t mean I want to share it with you!”
“Well that’s gratitude for you. Buy the girl a bed and she can’t even share it.”
She clipped him over the back of the head. “You’re a dumb fuck, Timberlake.” She threw her bag at him and stalked out of the room.
“I love you too, Ash!” he shouted, grinning to himself.
So yeah, she’d ended up sharing the bed with him, and it hadn’t been all that bad…in fact it was quite nice. That had been the reason she was opposed to the idea though, she was scared she was going to enjoy it a little too much. All week she had been noticing things about him, things that would normally bug her, that she was now finding cute.
Then the night before, she had woken up to find Justin’s leg thrown over her own. She hadn’t been able to sleep for two hours afterwards, frozen to the mattress, afraid that he’d wake up. She was scared she was going to curl up to him in her sleep and he’d freak out at her closeness.
Justin didn’t seem affected at all. He’d had the good sense, she thanked God, to throw on a T-shirt with his boxers every night. She didn’t think she could handle a topless Justin in bed with her. She’d proceeded to dress like it was winter before she even lifted the comforter. She knew she was being stupid, it was only Justin after all… the same Justin who also walked around in just a towel after his shower.
Ashlyn groaned and bashed her head on the kitchen door as if trying to bang the thoughts out of her head. “Stop it, Ashlyn.”
“Talking to yourself now?”
She jumped as she heard his voice. “When are you going home?”
“That’s the good news, Ash. We’ve got to record a bit more of the album out here. You know what that means,” he grinned.
“Ugh,” she groaned. “Go away!”
“No can do.”
Justin was rooting through her fridge and Ashlyn was reading a magazine when there was a knock on the door. Both of their heads turned.
“You expecting anyone?” Justin asked.
She shook her head. “Nope, Christy is working so it can’t be her. I have no idea who else would be stopping by that didn’t have to buzz up first.”
Ashlyn went to the door while Justin hovered at the door to the kitchen. She pulled the door open and her eyes flew wide. “Alanna…JC.”
The two girls stared at each other before Alanna suddenly held her arms open. “Come here you.”
Ashlyn stepped forward to hug her friend. She caught sight of JC over Alanna’s shoulder and noted that he was frowning slightly. She might have guessed he wouldn’t be happy with her.
“What are you guys doing here?”
“I had an interview here this morning so JC decided to come out here a couple of days early. He’s gotta be in the studio in a couple of days.”
Ashlyn looked over her shoulder at Justin. “So I’ve just been told.”
Justin pushed away from the door and walked over to join them. “Hey guys.” He gave Alanna a kiss on the cheek. “Looking gorgeous as usual, Alanna.”
“Hey, keep your hands off my woman, Timberlake.”
Justin rolled his eyes. “You’re getting possessive in your old age, C.”
“Um, come on in,” Ashlyn said awkwardly. “I know it’s not much…” The apartment was small but the place actually looked liveable, and maybe a little cosy since her and Justin had changed things around and painted the walls. A throw was now covering the sofa making everything look as if it at least matched now. “Someone seems to have made themselves at home though!” She looked accusingly at Justin.
“Whatever.” He walked over to the sofa and plopped down, propping his feet up on the coffee table.
JC and Alanna stood awkwardly just inside the apartment. Not having seen each other since their fight, Alanna and Ashlyn were a little unsure of what to say. JC stood with his hands in his pockets, not altogether happy with Ashlyn. He also looked curiously at Justin, who in sweats, an on old shirt, and sock clad, looked entirely too at home lounging on Ashlyn’s sofa, munching on Doritos.
“Um, you guys can sit down,” Ashlyn spoke up awkwardly.
“Actually,” Alanna spoke up, “ I wanted to talk to you…alone if that’s okay?”
“Er yeah, sure. You guys think you can entertain yourselves for a while?”
“No probs,” Justin said as he crunched away on the chips.
JC waited until the girls had disappeared into the kitchen before he walked over and planted himself next to Justin.
“So…” He looked around the room before turning his attention back to the man next to him. “What are you doing here, Justin?” JC asked.
He thumbed over his shoulder towards the kitchen area. “Someone has gotta keep an eye on her.”
“And you took it upon yourself to do that?”
Justin shrugged. “Why not, no one else was. Besides, she’s my friend, I’m just making sure she’s okay.”
“That’s a…pretty friendly thing to do,” JC commented.
“What are you getting at, C?”
“Nothing…I just didn’t expect you to give up your vacation to go running after some girl.”
Justin shifted on the sofa and immediately shot into defensive mode. “She’s not just “some girl”, she’s Ashlyn.”
“Which means…”
“JC, I wish you’d stop pissing around and get to the fucking point,” Justin scowled.
“What’s going on between you two?”
“What the hell do you mean? What do you think is going on?”
“Well, it just seems you’re going to a lot of trouble for someone who is just a friend… And you seem to have made yourself mighty at home here. Planning on making it permanent?”
Justin stood and crossed his arms over his chest. “Fuck you, JC. You don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. I’m sorry if you’re pissed at Ashlyn for what happened, but really it’s none of your business, it’s Alanna’s and Lance’s problem if anyone’s.”
“Alanna is my business.”
“Oh don’t come over the protective boyfriend all of a sudden, you’ve hurt her more than Ashlyn ever could.”
They both froze at Justin’s words. “JC, I’m sorry.”
He shook his head. “No, you’re right. Doesn’t mean what Ashlyn did is right though…but I’ll keep out of it.”
“You and JC look like you’re doing good.”
Alanna grinned. “Yeah, we are.”
“I’m happy for you, Al.”
“Thanks. I wish you could be happy too.”
“That’s what I’m trying to do to, but it ain’t gonna involve no guy.”
“Just ‘cause you’ve gone all independent on us all of a sudden doesn’t mean you can’t have a guy in your life.”
“Nuh uh, you’ve got it all wrong. It has nothing to do with any new-found independence.”
“Then why?”
“That thing sitting in my living room.”
“JC?” Alanna asked in confusion.
Ashlyn rolled her eyes. “No, Alanna. Justin! He’s driving me nuts! He’s put me off guys for life. I think I’ll become a lesbian.”
Alanna burst out laughing. “Oh God…only you, Ash.”
“What? I’m serious! If this is what living with a guy is like, hell I can do without that. Lifelong spinster here I come.”
Alanna grabbed a grape from the fruit bowl on the kitchen table. “You guys would be kind of cute together,” she commented, popping the fruit in her mouth.
“Oh please,” she cried loudly, ducking her head, hoping to God her cheeks didn’t flush and give her away. She was hitting too close to home on things Ashlyn didn’t want to feel.
“What?” Alanna laughed, continuing to joke on the subject, not realising the territory she was stepping on. “He’s a pretty cute eligible bachelor.”
“Yeah, you see how cute you think he is when he’s kicking you in your sleep.” Her hand flew to her mouth.
“What?” Alanna giggled. “You’re not!”
“No I’m not…well technically I am…but…” She was digging herself in deeper. It was like an art-form for her.
“Explain!” Alanna demanded.
Ashlyn groaned. Her and her big mouth. “Justin bought me a new bed.”
“And?”
“I got a freebie with it. Get the bed, get Justin free.”
“And what do you mean by ‘getting Justin’?”
“He takes up the other side of the bed, nothing else.”
“And you’re not tempted to jump him?” Alanna joked.
Ashlyn quickly turned away, pouring herself a glass of water, her cheeks now flaming.
“Oh my God!” Alanna shrieked before bursting into a fit of giggles. “You like Justin!”
Ashlyn rolled her eyes. “How third grade.”
“No seriously,” she said, wide-eyed. “You like him?”
“No.”
“Don’t lie.”
“Then don’t ask!”
Alanna grinned mischievously. “Does he know?”
“NO!” Ashlyn cried, a horrified look on her face.
Alanna held her hands up. “Chill!” she laughed. “I’m not gonna tell him.”
“Or JC?”
“Ashlyn,” she groaned.
“ALANNA!”
“Fine,” she sighed. “We’re on this new honesty kick and you’re gonna blow it to all hell…” she babbled.
“ALANNA!”
“Okay, okay. I can keep my mouth shut.”
“Not that there’s anything to tell,” Ashlyn pointed out.
“Yeah, I believe you.” Alanna rolled her eyes.
Ashlyn planted herself in the chair next to Alanna. Things were changing at lightening speed for her lately. Now not only couldn’t she fool herself about Justin, she couldn’t even keep it from others. How long would it be before Justin found out? Hopefully never. That would just be catastrophic. She looked over her shoulder, looking through to where Justin sat. You annoying little weed…why have you gotta be so darn irresistable!”
Chapter 11
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