| Chapter Eighteen |
| "Knock, Knock." Crystal reluctantly reverted her gaze from her computer screen and over to the doorway where AJ stood. A small, playful smile rested on his lips. She didn’t like it. "Oh...hey Age...whats goin on?" she half smiled and continued typing. "Oh nothing. Just wanted to say whats up, hows it going, hows your boyfriend..." AJ smirked mischeviously. Crystal stopped typing and narrowed her eyes at him. "Nick is not my boyfriend." "Oh I'm not talking about Nick." AJ shook his head. "Ok...then who are you talking about?" Crystal said nervously. "Do you really think that I don't know who you are by now?" AJ laughed. "Of course you do, I'm the events coordinator." she laughed. "No, you're Justin Timberlake's girlfriend." AJ said in a more serious tone. A wave of nasuea swept over her. How could he possibly know that? She hadnt told anybody here, and the only people that knew were the rest of NSYNC and a couple of her close friends. They had been so careful in that area. Was Alex some sort of stalker freak? "And how may I ask, do you know that?" Crystal glared at him. "Oh, so it is true." he smirked. "I just happened to be passing by the office at the show the other night and overheard you talking on your cellphone, and of course being the little smartass that I am, I listened for a couple of seconds." He paused, and let a seductive smile spread across his face. "I never thought you to be the type to talk dirty on the phone Crystal. It kinda turned me on." "Your disgusting and it was so wrong of you to evesdrop on my conversation." Crystal rolled her eyes. "So great. You found out who I'm dating. Whats the big deal anyway?" "Because you got Nick real excited over your little date tomorrow night, he really seems to like you and I don't need him getting hurt. He's like one of my brothers. So you better get your thoughts together real quick and think about what your going to say to him because if you dont tell him, I will." AJ said sternly. "You're being a real asshole Alex, you know that? What I do in my personal life is none of your business and you don't even know the first thing about my relationship with Justin." Crystal yelled. "Nick and I are just friends...and its going to stay that way. If you knew anything about my past or anything about me at all you would know that I couldnt and wouldnt ever cheat on Justin. Yes I agreed to go to dinner with him, but thats all it is, dinner. We'll talk, get to know each other a little more, and then come back. I would never lead him on like that." AJ raised his hands up in an "I surrender" motion. "Ok whatever you say. You just better tell him the truth is all I'm saying. Dont worry we're cool. Sorry to be an asshole and all, I'm just looking out for a friend, a very gullible friend." He said softly. For a split second, a faraway look entered his eyes. What he had just said had triggered a memory, and his mind began to slip back to the past. Realizing what he was doing, he shook his head quickly, and focused his mind on the current conversation. "Don’t work too hard, see you at the show." He turned around, and quickly left, closing the door behind him. "God!" Crystal yelled in annoyance. What the hell had gotten into AJ? She thought she knew him better than that. She definently didnt think he was the type to spy on people while they talked on the phone. And why was he being so defensive over Nick? Couldn't he speak for himself? She was beginning to think that this whole dinner with Nick was a really bad idea. When he had asked her, he had looked so hopeful that she would have felt awful saying no to him. He was so nice, and seemed lonely at times. He never went out to party with the other guys, partially because he was underage, but that didn’t stop AJ so that wasn’t really an excuse. He usually stayed in the hotel and played video games or went into the lobby to sign autographs for fans. She felt bad for him. It really seemed like he had no one else to talk to besides the other guys. He could use a new friend. Even if that friend felt weird around him, which she definitely did. No, she would go with him to dinner. AJ wasn't going to stop her. If the subject came up about having a boyfriend she would just have to admit it, Justin was going to be coming to see her in a few days as it was. So Nick would meet him then anyway. She hoped Nick wouldn't be let down by the fact that she was taken. But she figured once she had the strength and courage to talk about her past with him, he would understand why she and Justin were together and hopefully respect their relationship. And who was AJ to say that she was going to lead Nick on? She couldn’t even look at another guy right now without thinking about Justin. She loved Justin, and nothing was going to change that. But at the same time she knew she was wrong for going out with Nick. She hadn't even told Justin. She would have to, and if he loved her as much as she knew he did, he would trust her. ******************* "Hey, wanna dance?" the beautiful blond that was probably twice his age asked, flashing her beautiful smile at him. "Nah, I can't. Gotta rest up for tomorrow." Justin shook his head and smiled. The woman gave him a confused look, shrugged and walked over to Lance who already had three other women surrounding him. "Man, what the hell is with you?" JC asked his friend. "I have a girlfriend Jace." Justin said softly. "Yeah, and how do you know that Crystal isn't at some club like this right now, dancing with some other guy." JC rolled his eyes. "Because she wouldn't do that." Justin said knowingly. "I'm glad you have such a positive outlook on things J. I wish I could be like that." he shook his head. "Look man, just because your last couple of relationships haven't worked doesnt mean I need to worry about mine. You're not dating Crystal. Hell, you hardly even know her. So dont assume shes out fucking some other guy behind my back." Justin glared at his friend. "I'm just trying to be your friend J." JC shook his head sadly. "And I'm glad you care so much. But stop worrying about me man. I'm ok. I'm all grown up now. I can handle myself. Now why don't you go up and dance with that woman and have fun. This time next week I'll be able to do the same thing, with my girlfriend." Justin smiled, reassuring him. "Alright man, whatever you say. I'll see you later." JC half smiled and walked over to the dance floor. "Man he needs to get layed so bad." Justin laughed shaking his head. |