PART ELEVEN

    A week had come and gone and Mercedes hadn’t seen JC even once. After their last argument she managed to stay as far away from him as she could. She finally got settled into her new house, and was absolutely loving it. There were still things that needed to be done, but it was starting to feel more and more like home. Work was going well, but it was a lot to deal with. Mercedes seemed like she was always doing some type of paperwork. It was okay with her though because she loved her job.
    Over the last week, she had managed to keep her and JC’s argument away from the other guys. Lance swore up and down that he wouldn’t tell, and it took a lot of his energy not to say anything to JC about it. JC obviously didn’t want to let the cat out of the bag, because he too never said anything to the guys.
    Mercedes and Jessica went out to the movies, just like they said they would, and they even hit a different mall that week. They hadn’t heard any news about JC and Bobbie. It seemed like he was keeping stuff from the guys as well. Mer didn’t know what was going on, but she really could care less.
    The vacuum made a loud noise as Mercedes pushed it from one end of the living room to the other. She had the radio blaring so she could hear it over the sound of the vacuum. There would be no way that she’d be able to hear anything. In fact, she didn’t. The phone rang five times before the song on the radio finally paused long enough for Mer to hear the ringing of the phone. She quickly shut off the vacuum and ran over to the phone.
    “Hello,” she said all out of breath.
    “Mer? You okay?”
    “Oh hey Justin. Yeah, I’m fine. I was just vacuuming and I had the radio on too.”
    Justin chuckled. “Got ya. So you don’t have to work today right?”
    “Nope. I am a free agent today.”
    “Cool. You want to do something?”
    Mer looked at the way she was dressed. She laughed and answered with, “I’m not really dressed to impress.”
    “Well, I find it hard to believe that you don’t look beautiful as always, but whatever,” he laughed.
    “You and those lines of yours,” she sighed.
    “That’s no line sweet thang!” he said in an extremely feminine voice.
    “You’re nuts,” she laughed.
    “I know. So do you wanna?” he asked again.
    “Uhm, how about you come over here and we just chill. Watch a movie or something.”
    “That works for me. I’d rather be lazy anyway.”
    “Sounds good to me. I’ll see you later then?”
    “Totally. See ya in a little while.”
    “Bye,” she said and then went back to her vacuuming before Justin got there.

    “Coming!” Mer yelled and ran for the door. “Hey!” she said when she opened the door. She threw her arms around Justin and then quickly pulled herself off of him. “Come on in,” she shouted and then raced back into the living room.
    “Someone is high on sugar,” he grinned.
    “Nope,” she giggle. “Just watching this here TV program.”
    Justin looked at the television. “Oh Lord. Turn that off,” he blushed.
    “But Justin,” she whined. “Y’all look so cute,” she said in a high pitched voice.
    Justin walked over in front of the TV and looked at Mer. He put his hands behind his neck and thrusted three times. His hips locked each time and Mercedes literally stopped breathing. “You’ve got the real thing right here. Turn that concert off.”
    Mer still stood with her jaw half way to the floor. “Uh,” she drooled.
    Justin walked casually over to her and grabbed her chin and slowly pushed it up to meet with her top jaw. “Breathe Mer,” he blushed.
    Mer snapped out of it and was quick to respond with, “I am breathing. What are you talking about?” She backed away from Justin and took a deep breath. ‘Why are you punishing me?’ she asked the Lord silently.
    Justin couldn’t help but laugh. “Wanna order in some pizza?”
    “Uhm, yeah. Go ahead,” she said. “You thirsty? It’s hot,” she sighed.
    Justin smiled. “Grab me a Mountain Dew.”
    “One Mountain Dew coming right up,” she said and dashed for the kitchen where she could have a little bit of time to recoop.

    “He is SO the man,” Justin commented. He had a slice of pizza in one hand and a soda in the other.
    “He is such a jerk in the begging. Hell, in all but the very end!”
    “He’s a pimp,” Justin laughed.
    “You just wish you were like him.”
    Justin looked at her and straight out laughed in her face. “Did you forget who I am?”
    Mer covered her mouth and giggled. “Uh huh. I‘m such a dork!” She had indeed for a split second forgot that she was talking to Justin Timberlake. The Justin that can make any girl swoon.
    Justin liked how she had done that. It only poved to him that she saw him for who he really was inside, and not for his status in the musical world. “Yes Mer, I think I am going to have to agree with you on that one.”
    “Hey!” she exclaimed and hit him in the arm.
    Justin just laughed. “On any account, Ryan totally rocks in this movie.”
    “I agree,” she finally caved in. “And Sarah is a mile high bitch!”
    “She took great lessons,” he stated.
    “I’d hate to see who taught her,” she said bluntly.
    “I bet whoever she was, she rocked too.”
    “You’re weird,” she said and looked at him strangely.
    “Whatever do you mean by that?” he said in a rather weird manner.
    “Nevermind,” she said and stuck the pizza in her mouth.
    “Mer?”
    “Huh?”
    “You’re strange,” he said very seriously.
    “I try,” she tried to say in the same serious tone that he had used.
    Justin couldn’t help but crack a smile. “Okay, back to my movie.”
    “Oh yes. Sorry. Can’t keep distracting you from your idle Sebastian.”
    “Oh cool it! You just wish you were Annette so you could get in my pants.”
    “Justin Randal,” she blushed horribly.
    “I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” he laughed. “Hush. Let’s watch the movie.”

    “Hello,” Justin answered his cell phone during the middle of the movie.
    “Hey bro.”
    “Oh hey Chris.”
    “What are you doing?”
    “Watching a movie with Mer.”
    “Shuuu,” she held her finger to her mouth and stared at the TV.
    Justin looked over at her and then got up off the couch. “Yeah, so I am over here watching a movie.”
    “Cool. Watching anything good?”
    “Of course.”
    “Well, what is it?”
    “I needed a boost of faith. Got my movie idle in it.”
    “Ahh, I know now,” and he did know exactly what he was talking about.
    “Crazy how I can idolize him in the movie but hide from the ‘you look like him’ comments that I get in real life.” Justin stood in the kitchen and tried to lean over far enough to see the TV.
    “Ha, no kidding. Anywho I guess I will let you get back to your movie.”
    “Alright.”
    “Oh hey... you talked to JC lately?”
    “Nah why?”
    “Cause I just found out some juicy news. Wondering if you had heard it yet.”
    Justin had no clue what he was talking about. “Nah. Not a clue man. I’m sure he’ll get a hold of me later though if it is something he wants me to know about. Ya know, you could just tell me now,” he tried to sneak it out of him. Justin knew that Chris never told that kind of stuff.
    “No way. He’d probably kill me. I’ve got a feeling you’ll find out sooner or later.”
    “Well duh. Soon preferably.”
    “Ha. Well, hasta man. I’ll talk to you later.”
    “Peace,” Justin said back and then hung up. He looked at his phone and twisted his lip some. “Mer,” he yelled through the room.
    Mercedes turned toward him and watched as he mad his way into the room. “Yeah?”
    “You by chance talked to JC lately.”
    “Uhm, NO,” she didn’t hesistate to say.
    “Okay.”
    “Why?” she asked and all of a sudden became interested.
    “Chris said that he just heard some juicy info. Trying to guess what it is.”
    “Dunno,” she said and popped a mint in her mouth. “Come on J. This is almost over.”
    “Right,” he said and shook his head. “Gotta watch the legend die,” he laughed and sat back down next to Mer.

    “Thanks for letting me come over,” Justin said as he leaned over the couch behind Mercedes and ran his fingers through her hair.
    “You know you’re welcome to come over whenever you want to Justin. I like having you around.”
    Justin smiled. He liked being there too. He was so glad that they were able to take everything as friends. Sure, he was attracted to her, but he knew that she didn’t want to be with him. He could sense an attraction, but he knew where her heart was heading. “Ya know, I never told you how much I like what you’re doing to this place.”
    “Thanks,” she smiled back up at him. I really like it here. I’m so glad that Jessica hooked me up with the number I needed to get a hold of someone good.”
    “You don’t talk too much about work. How are things going?”
    “Well, the case that I was on got dropped. They dropped all charges.”
    “What was it for?”
    “Breaking and entering. My clients said that their house was totally trashed and that things were stolen. There was an eye witness. She saw the three guys that broke into the house. The cops got there in the middle of it. I still don’t know why my clients dropped the case though.”
    “That’s weird.”
    “I know.”
    “So are you gonna get put on a new case or what?”
    “Yeah, of course. I just don’t know what yet. I should start getting more paperwork when I go in tomorrow.”
    Justin nodded.
    “So what do you guys have planned? Anything?”
    “Just some studio work right now.”
    “Do you miss touring?”
    “Well, I always miss being on the road at some point in time. We’ve been back home for almost two months now. I’m almost ready to go back out,” he laughed. “We’ll have to hit the road again soon though. I’m not even sure of what our plans are.”
    “Well, I am sure it will keep you busy whatever it is.”
    “Yeah,” he sighed.
    “Ever get tired of it?”
    “Never,” he said matter-of-factly.
    “Really?”
    “I miss spending time with my family and getting to see my little brothers grow up, but I wouldn’t ever ask for less. I love my music and my fans.”
    Mercedes smiled. “I’m glad you all are so happy. I used to make fun of Chris when he was little. I told him that he’d join some loser band.”
    “Ha!” Justin laughed. “Thanks,” he turned red.
    “Not you guys!”
    “Yeah yeah.”
    “It’s just so weird sometimes. I mean... my Chris is part of the largest group around.”
    “But he’s still Chris.”
    She looked down. “I know,” she said and then looked up. “And I am thankful for that.”
    “Me too,” he smiled again. “Look, I should get going.”
    “Yeah, I should think about hitting the hay pretty soon. Maybe take a nice long bubble bath first,” she day dreamed of soaking in a nice warm bath.
    “Sounds nice. You,” he kissed her forehead, “have a good night. I’ll talk to you soon I am sure.”
    “Definitely.”
    Justin stood straight up and Mercedes got off of the couch that she was curled up on. “Night Mer,” Justin said and then reached for the door.
    “Night,” she said and ran her hand down his back.
    Justin opened the door and was surprised to be met with a face. “Jace, hey,” Justin said confused as to why JC was coming to Mer’s house.
    “Hi,” he said in a very shy manner.
    “I’m gonna go,” Justin said and kind of bounced between JC and then door.
    “Later man,” JC said, still quiet.
    “JC,” Mer started to say.
    “We need to talk,” he said and then closed the door behind him.

    “What do you want JC?” Mercedes asked and slowly walked backward into her living room.
    “We need to talk.”
    “I don’t think we do.”
    “I’m sorry that I blew up at you last week.”
    “Whatever,” she turned around and started to walk away.
    “Please don’t walk away from me Mercedes.”
    “Why shouldn’t I JC?” she turned quickly toward him.
    “Because I’m sorry.”
    “You shouldn’t say words that you don’t know the real meaning of,” she scolded him.
    “This is impossible,” he said and his face wrinkled up with anger.
    “You’re telling me.”
    “Why do you have to be so difficult Mer?”
    “Why do you have to be such a prick?”
    “Why are you answering a question with another one?”
    Mercedes was silent.
    “I am sick of you treating me like I did something wrong.”
    “You...”
    He interrupted her. “I did nothing wrong.”
    “You just think that you’re so hot and that you can say whatever you want because girls fall at your feet. I’m not one of those girls. I deserve more respect than that.”
    “I don’t know what I did!”
    “You just act like you know everything.”
    “I don’t know everything. I’d be the first to admit that. For starters, I haven’t got a fucking clue why you are so pissed at me.” JC stood on the other side of the couch and waited for Mercedes to answer him. Or at least say something.
    “I don’t need to explain anything to you.”
    “I think you do,” he said. He wasn’t going to let down on this one.
    “I don’t owe you anything Chasez. Why don’t you just go home to your girlfriend?”
    “I don’t have one.”
    Mercedes stood there and looked at him. She licked her lips and tried to think of a smart-allec remark to say back to that statement.
    “I called her after you left.”
    “So,” she said and put her hand on her hip.
    “I asked her where she was.”
    Mer stuck her tongue in front of her bottom teeth causing her lip to stick out. She then pierced her lips up to give him the ‘and I am waiting’ type of looking.
    “She said she was in Jersey. I said alright, called her friend there and she said that she had left on an early flight to come see me.”
    “Why are you telling me this JC?”
    “She lied to me.”
    “Why would I care?”
    “Why are you being such a bitch?” JC asked seriously.
    Mercedes could see the pain in his eyes. It only hurt her more and made her more upset. Why was she doing this to herself? “Why did you come over here?”
    “You know what. I don’t even know anymore.”

    Once JC had said that, the phone rang. Mercedes sighed. “Wait a minute.” She walked over to the phone and picked it up. “Hello.”
    “Hey sweetie. It’s daddy.”
    “Hi daddy.”
    “What’s wrong?” he could sense that something was wrong without her even saying it.
    “Nothing’s wrong,” she lied. She looked over at JC standing against the couch and she wanted to cry.
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yes daddy.”
    “Mer. Are you having problems with that boy again?”
    “Yeah I am.” She was always amazed at how well her father could read her. She guessed that was just what he had to learn to do since she spent so much of the last few years of her life away from him. He had to learn to pick up on the hints of the tone in her voice.
    “You just hang in there sweetie.”
    “I will.”
    “So how’s work?”
    “Work is fine. Keeping me busy,” she tried to put on a smile, but her attempts were useless.
    “That’s good. Baby are you busy right now?”
    “Well I do have company over.”
    “Oh, well let me let you go then.”
    “I’m sorry. I can call you in a little bit.”
    “No that’s alright. I will just call you tomorrow night okay?”
    “Okay. Thanks daddy.” She really didn’t want to hang up, but she couldn’t exactly leave JC standing in the living room all evening.
    “Take care baby. I love you.”
    “I love you too daddy. Bye,” she said and then hung up.

    Mercedes walked back into the living room and looked at JC. “I think I’m just gonna go,” he said.
    “Gonna just walk away from all of this?” she played out the guilt trip.
    “What else am I supposed to do?” JC was really starting to lose his temper.
    “I don’t know. I want to know what you came here for.”
    “I came over here because I wanted to tell you that I was sorry.”
    “Sorry doesn’t cut it JC. You’ve already insulted me numerous times and I am in no mood to deal with you.”
    “I should go then,” he tried again.
    “You come over here acting like everything is going to just be okay,” she started up again. She was just trying to piss him off now.
    “And obviously that’s not what you want,” he said softly.
    “What?” she said very loud.
    JC said nothing. He just looked at the floor.
    “I asked you a question,” she yelled at him.
    JC looked up and stepped closer to her. “Don’t raise your voice to me like that,” he said in a very stern voice.
    Mer shook with surprise. She couldn’t believe that he just confronted her like that. “Don’t you think that just because you....” she started to yell again but was interrupted.
    JC interrupted her with his lips. He couldn’t stand to hear her yell anymore. JC dove his hand up and into his hair. He relaxed it on the nape of her neck and pulled her closer as his tongue fought with hers. The anger that they were both feeling was released within one another’s mouths.
    Mercedes moaned into his mouth as she pressed her lips closer to his. The tremor of her soft moan sent JC’s knees weak. He took one more kiss and then pulled himself off of her. Both of them were speechless. Neither of them knew what had just happened, or why for that matter. The stood there, out of breath, softly panting, and didn’t say a word. Their eyes were dead locked and for the first time since she had met him, Mercedes didn’t want to look away.

Read the sequel Game Over!