| Chapter Twenty |
| Crystal sat out on the main floor as she watched the band do their soundcheck. Every day after the boys finished their soundcheck, she would stick around to watch the band. It relaxed her and gave her a little extra "paper work time" as she liked to call it. "Hey Crystal. Come'ere a sec!" Tim the band director called from the stage. "What's the matter?" Crystal said as she walked up to the stage with a confused look on her face. "There's a rumor going around about you." Tim smiled. "Oh really? Who did I sleep with this week? Is it Nick or AJ?" she laughed. "No, wrong guess. The rumor I've been hearing lately is that you are quite the singer," he grinned. Crystal shook her head. "I dont know who told you that, but it's not true. Not anymore at least." "Aww come on Crystal, you can't lie to me. If you could sing before, you can sing now. It's your payment to us for letting you watch our soundcheck everynight." Tim looked at her with puppy eyes. "I...I can't....I just can't." Crystal shook her head more roughly this time. "Come on! Just one song. I just wanna hear you, that's all." Tim smiled as he held his hand out to her, pulling her up on the stage. Crystal sighed. Tim wasn't going to take no for an answer. She couldn't blame him, he didn't know the reason why she didn't sing anymore. And she certainly wasn't going to pour out her personal life to the members of the Backstreet Band. What choice did she have? "Fine. One song Tim. That's it." The whole band cheered. This rumor must have been in circulation for awhile now. "Can you play "Vision of Love"?" She asked Gary, the keyboardist. "Sure!" he smiled happily. Within moments he had jumped over to his piano and began to play the familiar notes. Tim quickly handed her a microphone. Crystal took a deep breath in, closed her eyes, and like magic the melody began to pour from her vocal chords. She was amazed at herself. Even though she hadn't sung in two years, she was still at the same level she had been when she had been singing everyday: Hooo Yeah Treated me kind Sweet destiny Carried me through desperation To the one that was waiting for me It took so long Still I believed Somehow the one that I needed Would find me eventually I had a vision of love And it was all that you've given to me Prayed through the nights Felt so alone Suffered from alienation Carried the weight on my own Had to be strong Soo I believed And now I know I've succeeded In finding the place I conceived I had a vision of love And it was all that you've given to me I had a vision of love And it was all that you've given me I've realized a dream And I visualized The love that came to be Feel so alive I'm so thankful that I've received The answer that heaven has Sent down to me You treated me kind Sweet destiny And I'll be eternally grateful Holding you so close to me Prayed through the nights So faithfully Knowing the one that I needed Would find me eventually I had a vision of love And it was all that you've given to me I had a vision of love And it was all That you turned out to Be (Credit: Mariah Carey, Vision of Love) When she opened her eyes again she was greeted by a group of very stunned and very shocked looking men. They were speechless. She had sung the song so perfectly, it was almost like Mariah herself had been there singing the song to them. After a few moments of silence the five men errupted into enormous applause. "Damn! I knew you could probably sing alright, but damn girl! You can saaang!" Tim exclaimed. "Aww. Thanks...but really, I'm not that good." Crystal blushed. "Shut up! You have one of the best voices I have ever heard! Why don't you do something with it?" Tim questioned, exhasperated. "It's not something I like to discuss Tim, but thanks for letting me have some fun." Crystal smiled quickly. "I'll see everyone later on. I gotta go finish this paper work up before the show. Bye guys." Tim shook his head as he watched her walk away. She had a great voice, a voice too great to be ignored and kept underground forever. Someone else had to hear this girl sing. He would have to find a way to get her to do what she did today again, but with someone more important watching. If only he knew what it could cost her if she was discovered...if only he knew that it could cost her her life. ********************** Justin roamed around the backstage area looking for Crystal. It had been three weeks since they had last seen each other and he missed her like crazy. The group had actually had the night off tonight and fortunately Crystal had just been in the next town over so he had gone out to see her, now he just had to find her. He walked up to a short muscular man that bared a pair of sunglasses and had tatoos covering his arms. He had two girls standing with him, obviously wanting to get a piece of whatever it was that he had to offer. "Hey man, umm, you wouldn't happen to know where Crystal McKay might be would you?" He asked nervously. The girls smiled at him, obviously knowing who he was. But they didn’t make any sort of commotion about it. He wasn’t surprised though, they probably hung out with high profile people all the time. Well...they probably did more than just hang out with them. AJ chuckled softly knowing exactly who he was. And being bored with the girls, he decided to mess with his head a little bit. "Yea, I think she's with Nick." "Nick?" Justins small smile quickly turned into a frown. "Yea, they're really close. If you know what I mean." AJ pushed his glasses down to the brim of his nose and winked at Justin. Justin glared at him. "And who the hell are you?" "AJ McLean at your service." AJ grinned and shook Justins hand vigorously. His smile only grew wider when he heard the girls giggling in the background. "Well AJ, if you could just tell me where she or they are at I'll just be on my way," he replied coldly. "The last I saw she was hanging out with Nick in the dressing room. That's all I know." AJ said, trying to hide his grin. "Thanks." Justin rolled his eyes and walked away. What a fucking asshole that guy was, he thought to himself. Was everyone against their relationship? What did they care anyway? First it was JC and now it was this guy who he didnt even know. God knows how he found out about their relationship in the first place. He hoped Crystal wasnt telling alot of people, but he knew she wouldn't do that. It was hard for her to even tell her friends, let alone people she didn't even know. He made his way down the hall looking in every open doorway for a sign of Crystal. Finally, he thought he heard her voice coming from one of the rooms at the end of the hall. "You're crazy Carter." he heard Crystal giggle. "Hey, it's not my fault I'm sexy. You're just jealous because everybody looooves me." Justin heard a male voice respond to her laughter. He stood right outside their doorway, listening to their converstation. Making his presence unknown. "Riiiight." Crystal replied. "Where the hell is Justin? He was supposed to be here by now." Justin breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. That was his girl. And that dude he talked to before would be sorry he ever made a comment about Crystal like he had. "Sorry I'm late." Justin said as he appeared in the doorway. "Hi!" Crystal exclaimed as she jumped into his arms. She planted a quick kiss on his lips, and smiled at him lovingly. "Did you miss me?" Justin laughed. "That's a ridiculous question J." Crystal rolled her eyes. "I missed you like crazy." He kissed her passionately. "I missed you too." Nick stood in the background trying to busy himself with picking out what to wear to the meet and greet, trying to ignore the fact that the girl he sort of had a crush on was kissing another guy right in front of him. Especially since that guy was Justin Timberlake. He looked at himself in the mirror and then slightly glanced over at Justin. Justin was so muscular and strong. He was just a skinny little nothing. Crystal could never go for a guy like himself. She deserved the best. And the best was what she had. "Nick...this is Justin." Crystal said tugging at her friends arm. Nick turned around. "Hi Justin," he said, forcing a smile. He stuck out his hand for Justin to shake. "Hey, nice to meet you." Justin said as he shook Nick's hand. "Yeah, same here. You have a great girlfriend." Nick smiled, glancing at Crystal. "Thanks. I know." Justin half smiled. He didn't know if he could trust this guy or not. "Nick and I are really good friends. He really helped me to fit in around here. Hey I know, we should all hang out tomorrow night, like go to a club or something." Crystal smiled, trying to break the tension between her boyfriend and Nick that she knew was forming. "That sounds great baby." Justin smiled kissing her cheek. "I don't know Crys'" Nick shook his head. "Oh come on! It'll be fun, is it not having a date your worried about? Im sure you can find a date Nick. Hell, I'll get you a date." Crystal laughed. "Nah, it's ok. You guys only have a few days together as it is. You go and have fun. I can find other things to do." Nick smiled. "Babe, he does have a point." Justin said smiling at her. Nick seemed nice enough. And he was getting major ass kissing points by not tagging along with them. The last thing he wanted was to have company along while he was getting some much needed and deserved alone time with his girlfriend. Crystal groaned in dissaproval. "Alright. But if you change your mind Nick, you're welcome to join us." Crystal smiled as she slipped her hand inside Justin's. "We're gonna go grab a bite, but I'll be back in time for the meet and greet." "Ok, see you later." Nick said, forcing yet another smile to cross his face. "Nice to meet you man." Justin replied with an equally fake smile and the couple walked out the door, hand in hand. Nick didn't like Justin Timberlake. Not at all. ******************************** "So..." Justin smiled looking into her eyes. "So....its been a few weeks." Crystal smiled nervously as she looked over her menu. She had yet to tell him about her dinner with Nick. "I missed you Crys'. I missed you more than ever." Justin said taking her hand in his. "And I missed you." she smiled. "Hey, you wanna know something funny?" Justin snickered. "What?" "When I was looking for you backstage today, I asked this guy AJ where I could find you..." Crystal leaned foward, her eyes widening with concern. "Oh God, what did he tell you?" She gasped, cutting him off. "He said that you and Nick were "really close if you know what I mean"." Justin smiled. "Remind me to kill him tonight." Crystal shook her head. "Baby, that isn't true." "I know that! You would never do that!" Justin smiled trying to console her. "But why would he say that?" Crystal sighed. "Alright J, this is the story. Last week Nick asked me out to dinner..." she paused. "Yeah..." Justin said confused. "And I said yes..." Crystal grimaced. "You what?" Justin spoke softly letting go of her hand. "It was just dinner, and I told him I had a boyfriend." Crystal explained, trying to make the situation better. "Did you tell him about us before you said yes or after?" Justin asked. Crystal looked at the floor. This was bad. She knew this whole thing was a bad idea from the start. "Answer the question Crystal." Justin said with hurt in his voice. "A-after." Crystal whispered. "But nothing happened Justin. I swear on my life. We only talked and we hugged once." "Why didn't you tell me? I thought we trusted each other. Why couldn't you tell me or ask me if it was ok?" he said as he shook his head. "I-I was afraid you would get mad." Crystal sighed wiping the tears out of her eyes. "Well I'm mad now, so it doesnt matter does it?" Justin said rising from the table. "I guess coming out to see you was a mistake. Sorry I interrupted whatever it was you were doing with Nick. Call me when you feel like spending some time with your fucking boyfriend." He gave her a look of disgust and started to turn away from her. "Justin, don't walk away." Crystal cried. "I don't think I could take it." Justin sighed. As much as he knew he should of walked away from her then, he just couldn't. He couldn't stand to see her upset. Even if it was her own fault. Justin held out his hand to her and let out a long, depressing sigh. "Come on, we need to go talk." ******************************** "So what do we do?" Justin asked as they lied on the bed in his hotel room with their arms embracing each other. "I don't know J, I mean I only have feelings for you, I know I do. And I really like my job, I dont want to leave right in the middle of everything." Crystal shook her head. "Yeah, but Crys' it's obvious this guy is trying to come on to you...and I'm sure he realizes how gullible you are right now." Justin shook his head. "Gullible?" Crystal questioned. "Yeah, you said you told him all about what happened to you right?" Justin asked. "Well...yeah but I dont understand how that makes me gullible," she laughed. "Ok so he knows all that and plus he knows you are away from me. So it gives him the perfect opportunity to try and make his move and if we are apart from each other long enough you could fall for him." Crystal rolled her eyes. "J, Nick isn't like that. He knows I'm with you, and he respects that. He would never try something. He just isn't that type of guy, and even if he was I could never imagine putting him in your place...Trace maybe...but not Nick." Crystal laughed. Justin started to crack up. "Thanks." "Oh shut up. You know I love you." Crystal smiled as she leaned in to kiss him but was pushed away before she could reach his mouth. "Justin?" she asked him, confused. "Listen, I dont want you to quit your job, I love you and I want you to be happy. Just promise me that we wont keep anymore secrets from each other. It's not good baby." Justin said lovingly. "I promise J. I love you." Crystal said and finished the kiss she had started. "I think your gonna be late." Justin said after a long hard kiss. "Late?" Crystal laughed. "And what may I ask would prolong my appearance at the venue?" "The fact that we havent seen each other in three weeks." Justin smirked devilishly. "Oh really Mr. Timberlake. And what makes you so sure I'm as horny as you are?" She grinned. "Shut up." Justin laughed and pulled himself on top of her beginning to kiss her all over. She would be lucky if she made it to the show, let alone the meet and greet. |