Chapter 32: Whenever you call
"Justin man what are you doing?" Lance asked him while
I was still holding.
"I'm with Erica! Do you have a problem with that Lansten?" he asked smiling.
"Well I've got Ashley on the phone," he started.
"And?" Justin asked.
"Come on man you might as well talk to her, you both did things wrong you can't let it get you down!" Lance insisted.
"Yeah but that was my best friend! Girlfriends and best friends don't hook up!" Justin yelled.
"Yeah well boyfriends and enemies don't sleep with each other either," Lance said. "She told me that she really didn't mean it she was the one who pulled back, she loves you man, I can't see anything more genuine than that! Please just talk to her," Lance pleaded. I listened to the conversation in silence.
"Hello?" Justin asked.
"Hey," I said quietly.
"Look, Ashley I don't know what possessed you to do that! I am your boyfriend and I trusted you with my best friend! I mean I want you in my life, but if you can't love me and care for me then I just think we can or should end the relationship now!" Justin said firmly.
I started crying. "Justin, please, I love you with all my heart, I never ever meant to hurt you! You're the only one I want in my life and please I am so sorry! I pulled back because I didn't want to hurt you!" I said crying.
"Then, I understand" he said calmly.
"Oh good, I just want you to know that my entire class heard about my relationship my problems! I mean everyone did, even my teacher said we could end class early because he saw me crying!" I said into the phone.
"I guess he even realized how special you are," Justin said laughing. "Hey Lansten, thanks!" he yelled into the hall.
"Anything for you guys!" he said.
Me and Justin talked for about 4 hours. We talked about JC, Mandy, all of our problems, my first day, although I admit that he was a bit angry when he heard that Nick had picked me up and stayed with me! But I assured him it was over because I was so heartbroken over losing him.
"Let's never fight again," he said.
"Yeah let's not," I said happily.
"I love you Ashley!" he said.
"I love you too Justin," I said.
~*~
"Hey Nick, how are things going with Ashley?" BJ asked playing in the pool with Nick and Aaron.
"Well, she's still pretty hung up on this Timberlake guy, but I will love her and wait as long as it takes, no one compares to her" Nick said firmly.
"Oh yeah and Angel wants to know when Brian's coming over," she said slyly.
"Tell her I don't know, we play LA today, I think I'll go over and ask Ashley if she wants to go," Nick said getting up and drying off.
"Be back soon," he said got into his car. I just hope she'll go with me, I won't rush into things with her... he thought. His green truck was parked in my driveway.
~*~
I was taking a dip in the pool when I saw Nick drive up. I wonder what he wants??
"Hey Ash!" Nick said.
"Hey Nicky, what's up?" I asked.
"Well I've got 2 backstage passes to go behind the scenes with me and the guys, would you like to accompany me?" Nick asked hopefully. I looked into those eyes and how could I resist??
"Sure, I'll go" I agreed.
"Great! I'll pick you up at 8:00 okay?" Nick asked happily.
"Why don't I just meet you there after all I wouldn't want you to be late!" I said.
"Sure, thanks again Ashley" he said and climbed into the car..Ohmigod he had the greatest body and the sweetest smile.. unfortunately I have never been able to see my Justin bare.. although I did once when he was making me dinner but I was half-asleep! I called Justin to tell him.
"Justin sweetie?" I asked nicely.
"Yeah Ash?" Justin said happily.
"Um, Nick invited me to go his concert.. is it OK? Because if it isn't then I won't go!" I said to Justin wondering what his reaction was going to be.
"Sure, baby it's no problem, I trust you remember! Have fun! I will be thinking about you! Call back I've gotta surprise for you!" Justin said mischievously on the phone..
"What kinda surprise!??" I asked dying to know.
"Don't worry you'll find out later call me at 8:00 okay?!?!" Justin said happily.
"You know I love surprises! What is it???" I persisted.
"Never mind! Have fun at your concert!!" Justin said hanging up the phone. I immediately called Lance up.
"Lance, do you know what kinda surprise he has in store for me?" I asked.
"Well no, Ashley I have no idea.." he said.
"Lance, I know you, you are a terrible liar now what's up?" I said.
"Sorry sweetie I can't say!" Lance admitted.
"Please?" I asked him.
"Sorry! You'll find out soon enough," he said and hung up the phone. I dialed JC number.
"Hey JC" I said when he answered the phone.
"Hey Ash," he answered.
"Look, about the plane ride,-" I started.
"No, I completely understand, I was just--" he interrupted.
"It was all my fault! I shouldn't have kissed you in the car! " I admitted.
"How about we call it a truce and wipe the slate clean!" he said.
"No problem!" I said. Look, my best friend Erica totally loves you and wants to go out with you!!! I mean you guys only went out twice! When I get back to Florida, I want me and Justin and you and Erica to double date" I said.
"Sure, anything for you!" he said.
"That's the spirit!!!!! So do you know anything about Justin surprise?" I asked him.
"Yeah, but I'm sworn to secrecy!! Sorry Ash," he said and hung up the phone.
"What exactly is this secret and how big is it going to be?" I wondered out loud. The doorbell rang.
"Hi, Ashley," Nick said greeting at the door.
"Hey Nick," I said grabbing my coat.
~*~
"Come on JC," Justin urged.
"We don't have much time left," he said.
"All right, I'm coming! Keep your shorts on!" he said hurriedly. JC and the other guys climbed into Justin's car and went speeding off.
~*~
I arrived at the concert when the guys were still setting up.
"Nick what time does the concert start?" I asked looking around at the numerous staff crew hurriedly moving things about.
"In about 5 to 10 minutes," he said smiling.
"Okay," I said. "Why does your concert start so early?" I asked. Well it did. I mean it started at 8:00!!!
"I have no idea! Come on I'll let you see the guys!" he said pulling my arm.
"Nick slow down, you know I can't exactly run in 4 inch heels!" I said trying to keep up.
"Hey y'all, guess who I brought?" Nick said happily. His face was full of delight, and his eyes were bluer than ever.
"Lets see well, Mandy is out, and that only leaves one person...." Kevin said.
"Surprise!" I said stepping into the room.
"Ashley! What are you doing here?" AJ asked.
"Well I moved! I live in LA now! Didn't Nick tell you?" I asked. All eyes were focused on him.
"It slipped my mind???" Nick told us sheepishly.
"I bet, you just wanted her all to yourself!" Kevin said.
"So how have you been?" Brian asked.
"It's been great here! But I kinda do still miss Florida," I admitted.
"Me too, after all it's rarely I get to even stay at home! With the release of Millennium, due out soon, we don't have much time to ourselves," he said intently making full eye contact.
"Is that Tyke?" I asked eyeing an absolute adorable dog. He was so small.
"Yeah," Brian said happily.
"Oh he is so cute!! Where did you get him?" I asked picking up the cute bundle of joy.
"At a local pet store!" he said petting him on the head.
"Well I could always dog-sit for you! He is so adorable." I asked. He's cute tail was wagging and he gave a lick on the cheek.
"Maybe he likes you," Brian offered.
"Leighanne and you are the only people, besides me, that he'll get close to," Brian said. "Then I can see with a pretty girl like you no wonder he likes you!" Brian said. I was too busy talking to Tyke I didn't hear Brian's comment.
"What?" I asked still playing with that adorable dog.
"Nothing, forget it." he said.
I could tell the guys had heard what he said because they were looking at Nick and he was so red.
"Nicky is there something wrong?" I asked.
"No, no problem! I'll be right back, I'm going to play basketball." he said taking a basketball and heading out of the stadium to play in the parking lot.
"What's wrong with him?" I asked the guys.
"I have no idea," AJ said.
"I'll talk to him" he said and ran out of the building. Howie and Kevin were gone already to make sure everything was going well with the staff.
"So how's everything with Leighanne?" I asked, finally putting Tyke down.
"It's not going to well. She's doing some filming for her movie "Olive Juice", she'll be gone for awhile," Brian said sadly.
"Where is she taping at?" I asked him.
"All over the place! I haven't been able to keep in contact with her.." he said sadly.
"Oh I'm sorry to hear that!" I said sadly.
"Yeah!" Brian said looking really hurt.
"You know, I can read palms," I said grabbing Brian's hand.
"Really," he asked laughing.
"Yeah, okay I see a nice long happy life with the girl of your dreams! And you'll be with your best friend and living in a house with picket fence." I said.
"It's getting foggy.. I'm sorry Madame Ashley can't see anything else!" I said laughing.
"You bite your nails??" I asked incredulously.
"Yeah, it's a habit I really don't like," Brian confessed.
"You know, I can do a great manicure..." I offered.
"Okay I'll try it! But if I don't like it I want my money back!" Brian said getting up.
"You know you're one of my best friends and I would ask you for anything!" I told him walking towards the door.
"Yeah I know!" he said grabbing my hand and we went running outside to find Nick... (is it me or do all of Nick's friends love to pull my arms??? Hmm! Oh well!)
We found Nick playing basketball with AJ.
"Hey Nick!" I greeted him.
"Hey," Nick said. Brian had his arm around me, and on holding his basketball.
"Hey Nick!" Brian said smiling. Nick didn't respond.
"Bro, what's up?" Brian said.
"You tell me?" Nick said turning around to face Brian.
"AJ I think we should go," I said turning around to find AJ.
"Yeah, I think you're right..." he said we walked to the door and left the basketball court.
"Look Brian, you know I have liked Ashley for awhile now! Now I find out that you guys were close together.. ignoring the fact that I liked her first" Nick said yelling.
"Nick, calm down, I was only talking! Those things do happen!! Besides she has a boyfriend..." Brian said.
"Yeah I know, but I still
love her, and it just didn't feel right having her look at
you instead of me! I guess I felt a little jealous.
I'm sorry man!" Nick said giving Brian a hug.
"It's okay!!! I know you were just looking out for her!" Brian said. They finished playing basketball.
"So, how's Amanda?" I asked him.
"We're taking a little break right now...we're dating other people," he said.
"How are you and Justin?" he asked.
"Well, he said he was supposed to surprise me but I haven't heard from him," I said sadly.
"Don't worry you will!" He said.
"AJ, where are the guys??? We have to go out in 5 minutes!!! The opening acts are finished!" Johnny Wright their manager said.
"Okay!! Nick, Bri fellas, lets go! Show time!" Kevin yelled.
I could hear all of the screaming..."Backstreet Boys, Backstreet Boys!!!" it was getting so loud. The guys came on singing all of their songs and making the girls go wild. I danced to some. I also talked to the band members who were really nice.
Halfway toward the concert.. about 8:40 or so..( it ended at 9:00) I began to wonder if Justin was going to call me. I was beginning to wonder where he was. When the guys were in the middle of "I'll never break you heart" I heard in the loud speaker.
"ASHLEY... PLEASE TAKE THE STAGE......" and I was wondering in bewilderment what this had to with BSB's concert.
I walked out on stage and
this big bright light hit my face. I looked over at Nick who
was just as confused as I was. Then I heard something I will
never forget..... "TO THE ONE I WILL ALWAYS LOVE...
YOUR LOVE IS LIKE A RIVER
PEACEFUL AND DEEP YOUR SOUL IS LIKE A SECRET I COULD
NEVER KEEP..." by then I knew who the voice belonged
to..
"I love you Ashley!" Justin said and stepped on the stage. The girls went wild and could see that Nick and the guys weren't exactly happy with this little Public Display of Affection Justin was showering me with. After all they had a show to do.
"Justin, what are you doing here??? I missed you so much.." I said.
"I just had to see you!" Justin said giving me long kiss on the cheeks.
"Sorry everyone,"
Justin apologized. "These guys had something I
wanted... now that I've got her then I will get off the stage
and let them do their concert. If you didn't know I'm Justin
Timberlake, these are my amigos: Chris, Lance, Joey and JC!
Sorry again BSB no disrespect!" the guys all walked off
with Justin carrying me in his arms.
"Can you believe that?" Nick said "No I
can't," Brian said looking back at the door where I
exited.
"Come on guys lets finish the show!" Kevin said and they continued singing.