It's All Coming Back To Me Now
By: Shellie - shelliemg at gmail.com
Chapter 7
"Sha?" Taylor called through the bedroom door. "Sha, honey are you okay? You’ve been in there for hours."
"I’m fine."
"Can I come in?"
"I don’t care."
Taylor quietly opened the door and entered the dark room. Shannon was lying under the covers in her bed. "Are you feeling ok, Sha? You haven’t come out all evening."
"I was just remembering. I’m really sad right now."
Taylor sat on the edge of her friend’s bed and reached for the lamp on the nightstand. The dim light showed Sha’s swollen, tear streaked face and Taylor’s heart tightened. "Shannon, what happened to you. You’ve been crying your damn eyes out. What the fuck happened?"
"He came to see me." The words were barely more than a whisper. Taylor looked at Sha, understanding. The last time she’d seen Sha like this was at the hotel when she’d left him.
"Did he hurt you?"
"No. He loved me. He told me he used to love me. And he said he was sorry for what happened."
That mother fucker. Taylor wanted to explode. Can’t he just leave well enough alone? "Do you want to come out here with me and Justin? We are just watching tv. And Joey’s been asking about you."
"No. I think I am just gonna stay here. Tell them…something. I have a headache. I just wanna sleep."
"That’s fine." Taylor agreed tucking the covers more snuggly around her best friend. "Are you sure you’re okay, Sha?" She asked running her fingers through the girls hair as it lay in a dark curtain across her pillow.
"I still love him, Taylor. But I just can’t do it now. I can’t. Why can’t he understand that?"
"I don’t know. We will make him understand."
"Thank you."
Taylor walked from the room, pulling the door shut softly behind her. Justin was waiting. "Well, what the hell is going on?"
"JC came to see her. She’s been bawling her eyes out in the goddamned bed for hours. Why can’t he just leave her the hell alone, Justin?"
"Fuck. I don’t know. I’m about to find out though." He said purposefully striding for the door.
"Justin, don’t tell him how she is. I don’t want him to know. She’s been so strong. I can’t believe this shit."
"It’s my fault. I never should have asked her to come here. I knew better but I wanted you with me so bad."
Taylor walked over to kiss him gently. "I’m glad you made us come. If he’d just stop his shit we’d be fine. She’s been having a good time. Go talk to JC. Be nice. Just tell him to lay off."
**
"Yeah?" JC called in response to the knock at his door.
"What’s up, Jace?"
JC grunted in response.
"That bad, eh?"
"What’s up with you?" JC flipped off the tv he’d been staring at but not watching and looked up at his friend. He could tell Justin had something on his mind.
"JC, you know you’re my best friend right?"
"Yes."
"Well, look. I’m sorry but ….damnit, J, you need to leave Sha alone."
"Justin…"
"No. Listen to me. You need to leave her alone. Whatever you had with her is in the past. Leave it there. She doesn’t want this and she doesn’t need it right now. I asked her to come on this tour so I could have Taylor with me. She didn’t want to come because she didn’t want to see you …to have this constant reminder of what happened between you. She doesn’t want you JC. I’m sorry but you need to let this go."
"I can’t."
"Why?"
"Because I miss her. Because I want to be with her." JC stood his voice raising with each declaration. "Because I think I still love her…and I can’t just let that go, Justin."
"But she doesn’t love you anymore, JC. You’re just hurting everyone else along the way. Can’t you see that?"
JC turned his back on Justin and simply stood.
"Don’t do this! Damnit!" JC didn’t respond. He jerked when he heard the door slam behind Justin.
**
Shannon listened to Taylor come in after the show that night and sat up groaning. She couldn’t believe she’d spent the entire day in the bed. Almost 24 hours. What a loser. Hell of a pity party, Shannon. Thought you were over all this? One conversation with him and your back where you were. She glanced at the clock. 11:48pm. She reached for the phone. She needed to get the hell out.
"Hello?" he answered on the third ring.
"Joey?"
"Hey, sleepy head. How you feeling?"
"Um…fine." Oh god he must think I am an idiot.
"Taylor said you had a migraine. Is it past?"
"Yes. I am sick of being in the bed. I was wondering if you were doin’ anything fun."
"I might be." He teased. "You wanna come play with me?"
She grinned. "Depends on what you’re playin’"
"I am going out. Clubbin’, drinkin’ getting my groove on baby! You wanna join?"
"Mmmmhmmmm. When are you leaving?"
"As soon as you get ready, baby."
"I’m running just as fast as I can."
"Yeah! Call me when your lookin’ fine and I’ll come get ya."
"Bye." She smiled. No more pity party for Shannon James. It’s time to get over this and get on honey.
She groaned the entire way to the shower, trying to shave as fast as she could without chopping up her legs. She emerged a few minutes later with a towel on her head and a robe wrapped around her body.
"Hey!" she yelled at Taylor who looked up surprised. "I need to barrow some of your hoochie mamma clothes…your red leather pants. Did you bring them?"
"Yes…where the hell are you going?
"Out. Clubbin’ with Joey. I think I need about 13 beers."
"Oh lord. I better warn Joey."
"NO! Don’t warn him about anything. I need a shirt. What can I wear with this?"
40 minutes later she and Taylor stood side by side staring at their handy work in the mirror. With some strategic hair placement and an unbelievable make up job on Taylor’s part, it was almost impossible to tell that Shannon was sporting a black eye. Besides, in the get up she had pulled together, no one was gonna be looking at her eye anyway.
"Well?" she turned to the side to inspect her rear in the mirror. "I can’t sit, that is for sure. My whole ass will be falling out."
"It pisses me off how good you look in my clothes. Joey is gonna shit bricks. I hope you’re up for what he’s gonna wanna give you."
"Joey and I are just friends."
"Until he sees you. I can see your boob. Here…" Taylor adjusted the tie back black sequined triangle until it sat more securely on Sha’s body and then nodded. "You’re gonna jiggle out of that but after a few drinks you wont care...and neither will he."
"Taylor! Shut up. I gotta go. He’s waiting."
They walked out of the bathroom to find Justin talking on the phone. His mouth dropped open, "God damn! Shannon! Joey, you’re gonna…oh my god. She’s ready." He hung up the phone. "Shannon! You look amazing. Turn around…..wow."
Shannon winked and grinned. "You like?"
"Oh my go-"
"Enough Timberlake." Taylor crossed her arms over her chest and glared at her boyfriend who winked at Sha before moving to wrap his arms around Taylor’s pouting frame. "Honey. I’m just trying to boost her confidence so she will leave sooner and we can be alone….and make love…..allll night." He thrust his body against hers until she smiled.
"You are so full of shit. But I liked that one. Really I did. But now I am gonna hold you to it."
"No, I’m gonna hold it to you."
Shannon rolled her eyes and headed for the door. "Joey! Rescue me!"
He yelled back through the door. "I’m here, just let me in!"
She laughed and pulled open the door. He stared open mouthed at her for several seconds before releasing a shrill whistle and pulling her against him roughly. "You are so hot! I am gonna have the sexiest woman in the place. Damnit. This means I am gonna have to fight."
"You better not fight! Let’s go. I wanna drink and dance….and…do something."
She walked out into the hall dragging Joey by the hand as he teased her, "Hey sexy thang, why you in such a rush?"
Shannon looked back at Joey over her shoulder as she rounded the corner and once again ran straight into JC. This time he caught her shoulders with his hands. She looked up surprised.
"Yeah, where you two going in such a rush?" His opinion of the situation was obvious. It was plainly written all over his frowning face. Sha stepped back out of his reach and ended up flush against Joey’s body.
"We are going out. We’d invite you…but….we don’t really want you to go! See ya, Jace!" And with that, Joey stepped around him pulling her with him as he went.
Shannon held her giggle until the elevator doors slid closed. "Joey! You are so mean!"
"What? Did you want him to go?"
"Hell no."
"Well…I had to say something. Fuck him, we are have a good time tonight. He wiggled his eyebrows. Aren’t we?"
**
"She’s a sweet one."
Joey looked over at Pink and smiled before looking back to where Sisqo was dancing with Shannon. "Yes. She is."
"You should keep her Joe. I think you and her would fit together rather nicely."
He swirled his beer around in the bottle and looked over at his friend. "Yeah. I’m pretty sure we would too. Too bad JC already fucked that up. I don’t think I can go there."
"Damn shame, Joe."
"You’re telling me."
"Well, she’s looking for you now. At least have a good time with it."
Joey looked up and smiled at Shannon who was dancing her way across the floor in his direction. She was a fabulous dancer. Surprised the hell out of him. She liked fruity drinks too. He smiled, she liked them a lot. She’d had 4 hurricanes. She was most definitely drunk but she was having a good time and he was glad.
"Hey suga." She faked a southern drawl as she ran a red nail down his forearm seductively before ruining the affect by bursting into a fit of giggles.
"Hey hot stuff. How ya feeling?"
"Joe! I am having so much fun. I looooove to dance." The music changed and Da Brat’s "Whatchu Like?" began to pound through the clubs unbelievable system. Her eyes lit up like diamonds. "Oh!! Joey I love this song. Come on!" She reached for his hand dragging her behind him onto the floor. She led him to the center of the floor and spun her hips wiggling seductively close to his as she mouthed the words. Her eyes slid closed occasionally when she wasn’t giving him fuck me eyes that he was sure were more from the alcohol than actual intentions. His body was reacting regardless of where they were coming from. And damn…her body. He forced himself to watch her lips as she sang…they weren’t much better…
What do you like?
A whole lot of foreplay
Right before you get it started
What do you like?
Me on top
You on the bottom, tight body
What do you like?
Somebody that can make you say
Wow, know how to all night long
All night long, tell me
She smiled and moved closer pressing her body against his. He groaned as he wrapped his arms around her body, his hands touching her bare back, sliding down the smooth skin and over the leather to cup her ass. "You better watch what you’re asking for baby."
She slid her arms around her neck and pulled his ear down to meet her lips. "All I’m asking for right now…is another drink."
He laughed and took her hand leading her back to where she’d found him before. He ordered her another hurricane and made a valiant effort not to touch her sides and back where her skin was smooth and bare. She excused herself to the ladies room and Joey was amazed at the difference in her in the just the 5 minutes she was away.
"Shannon, honey, you look green. Do we need to leave?"
Her nod was all the answer he needed. Placing his hand on the small of her back he led her from the club. She groaned as he handed her into the waiting car. "You okay, baby? Too many hurricanes?"
"I think there is a hurricane in my tummy. Her eyes rolled slightly back and he pulled her against his side and prayed she waited ‘til they reached the hotel to vomit. He knew it was coming.
She made it to the lobby. He waited outside the ladies room for nearly a half-hour before he finally just went in. She was pitiful. He helped her up from the floor and all but dragged her to his room. She spent another 45 minutes in his bathroom and he sat with her, holding her hair and rubbing her back the entire time. Her head was resting on her arm across the seat when he finally decided she was finished. "You okay, honey?" She nodded slightly and he reached beneath her arms to lift her from the floor. "Do you wanna take a shower?" She nodded and he found her a tower and a robe. "Call me if you need me, okay?"
She emerged looking small and pale about 10 minutes later and he chuckled tiredly. He gave her a tee shirt and hauled her into his bed. She was down for the count.
Joey sighed as he pulled the covers up over them and reached for the lamp. Wasn’t exactly the way he enjoyed chicks in his bed…but hey…sometimes you just had to do what you had to do.
**
"Is there a reason why JC decided to come hang out at 9am?"
Justin pulled his shirt on and leaned to kiss Taylor before heading back out into the sitting area. "He’s my friend. Just like Shannon needs you, there are times when he needs me. He wouldn’t be here if he didn’t. Besides, we have to leave in like an hour." She groaned and pulled the covers over her head and he chuckled.
He stepped out to where JC waited and grumbled. "You’re pushing your luck, J."
JC tossed a box of Captain Crunch at his friend and smiled. "I come in peace."
Justin tugged at the lid of the box and smiled. "Okay, you’re forgiven. What’s up?"
"I…well, I wanted to apologize for yelling at you the other night. I’m not necessarily saying I agree with what you said but I was rude and I just didn’t want you being shitty with me."
Justin watched JC glance in the direction of Shannon’s door three times during the two sentences and smiled. He knew exactly why JC was there. It was then that the door that lead to the hallway rattled and slid open quietly. Both young men turned to see who was there.
Shannon James wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole. The fact that she had an excuse was irrelevant. All that mattered at that moment was the fact that she was standing in the doorway in a thigh length superman tee-shirt with her leather pants, top and shoes dangling from her fingertips. She looked like hell and…well, like she’d just spent the night in the bed with Joey Fatone. How ironic was the fact that it was true.
She didn’t even bother with an explanation. She pushed the door shut behind her and walked silently to her room. She dropped the clothing on the floor and crawled into her bed trying with every ounce of energy she had left to flush away the memory of the look of horror she’s just seen on JC’s face. It didn’t work…and she didn’t sleep. Her stomach rolled…she was going to puke again.
**
"How’s Shannon?" Joey asked quietly as he sat down at the table across the table from Justin and Lance.
"You should know that more than anyone I suppose."
Joey looked up from his lunch, eyes wide and stared. "Pardon?"
"It was quite a scene this morning when she came to the room in your tee-shirt with her clothes in her hand looking like she’d been in bed for hours. Particularly with JC standing there looking at her."
Joey cursed and ran his hand over his face. "No. Did she explain? It wasn’t like that at all. Oh my god. That’s so horrible."
"What? She just went really white and then went to bed. I thought JC was gonna have a cardiac arrest. He had to sit down. Literally. He didn’t speak for like 8 or 9 minutes then he just walked out. I haven’t seen him since."
"Dude, it was so not like that! We went out and she got drunk! She spent the night puking in my bathroom then passed out. It’s wasn’t like that at all. He would be there then. Holy shit. I have to talk to him."
"I don’t know how receptive he’d be to that right now, Joe."
"Damn it."
Taylor approached and plopped down next to Joey and slapped him hard on the back. "What the hell did you do to my roommate last night, Joey?"
"Why? How is she?"
"Ill."
"Again? She was so sick last night. I wouldn’t think she’s have anything left."
"No, she’s just heaving her poor little guts out. What did you give her?"
"She asked for a hurricane."
"Please tell me you didn’t give her more than 2."
"More like five."
Taylor dropped her head back and groaned. "Oh my god. How did you get her home?’
"I drug her."
"Lord help us all. I am going back. I am going to kill you for this Joseph Anthony. You better believe it."
Taylor was passing JC’s door when he stepped out into the hall. She smiled. "Hey, J."
He seemed surprised that she spoke. "Um…hi."
"The rest of the guys are having lunch. You aren’t joining?’
"I’m not really hungry. What about you?"
She rolled her eyes. "No. Dumbass let Shannon drink like 5 mixed drinks last night so she spent the night barfing and now she’s at it again. Kinda ruins the appetite."
"Five! Shannon gets drunk off a glass of wine!"
"Yes, I know this. And now, so does Joey. He had the night duty so I guess it’s my turn. I better go."
**
JC’s body literally sagged with relief. As soon as Taylor was around the corner he let himself back into his room and leaned back against the door. He’d spent the past 4 hours in mental and physical torment. His heart hurt, his chest hurt and visions of his Shannon in bed with Joey Fatone had plagued him every second. Josh, she doesn’t want you. Can’t you see that? Can’t you get it through your thick skull that she’s moved on?
My skull isn’t the problem, he argued with himself as he slid to the floor in front of the door. You have to let it go. It’s tearing you apart. Just accept it. But damn, did she have to fall for Joey? Even Lance would have been better than Joey. Good guy that he was…he was just so different. It was like rubbing salt into the wound, a reinforcement that he wasn’t the type of man she needed….or wanted She’s not the one, JC. You know this. He’ll be better for her. Figure it out.
He sighed. Everyday was going to be a new battle.