"Hey," She answered back, leaning into him.
"Did you get through to her?" He asked, looking at Taylor, who had resumed shooting baskets.
"Yeah, I think she'll think it through before she lets him go." Mikayla said, sighing, "they're both really miserable."
"He did say some mean things," JC said thoughtfully, giving Mikayla a kiss on the cheek.
"Mm-hmm." She smiled when she felt his lips on her cheek. "I wish you guys wouldn't have to leave tonight."
"I know," he murmured, "I'll miss you so much." The phone rang and Mikayla leaped out of his arms to answer it.
"Hello?"
"Hey," Brian's voice said gaily into Mikayla's ear.
"Hey, B!" JC watched her expression, the way her eyes lit up, "what's up?"
"Nothing much, just did another press conference," He said in mock disgust. "How about you?"
"Same," She replied, heading into the kitchen to get a soda. JC didn't follow her in.
"Oh, JC and the rest of 'em still there?"
"Yeah, they leave soon," he laughed at her wistful tone. "What!" She demanded as she reached into the refrigerator to pull out a soda.
"God, you're so sprung." He said, chuckling.
"Oh, shut up." She said good-naturedly. "Of course I am. He's smart, funny, cute, and he has this incredible voice-"
"Yuck," Brian commented, "He's the one who's lucky. I mean, if a guy like him can get a girl like you, what's the world coming to?"
"Hey, don't disrespect," She warned, "he is my boyfriend," She reminded him.
"I know, I know," Brian answered, "I'm just joking." There were noises and voices in the background, "Dammit, I got to go. I have some photo shoot to go to."
"Alright, well I'll talk to you later alright?"
"yeah, don't forget to call my cell when you need to talk," Brian said, "see ya later."
"bye." She hung up. When she returned to the other room, JC's disturbed expression surprised and bothered her.
"Hey," Justin said softly, watching Taylor make another shot at the basket.
"Hey." She answered, not looking at him. It was the friendliest gesture she'd made to him since they'd fought. He tried not to smile when he realized her walls of defense were crumbling.
"I'm sorry." He said simply. She paused for a moment, then shot the ball. It missed. "I shouldn't have said that," He said to her, searching his mind for anything that could keep him talking to her, "I was wrong. I was angry, and I had no right to be either. You were right, Tay, I should have told you about Tracy. You didn't hide Nick from me, and yet there I was accusing you and saying that you would do things that I know you'd never do. Please," He grabbed her arm, looking straight into her eyes, "I'm sorry."
"You know that it hurt," She reminded him, her eyes tearing.
"I know. I'm an asshole."
She tried not to smile at his self-criticism. "You know you'll have to make it up to me… if I forgive you."
"I'll do whatever you want."
"Just kiss me." She said, crying as he brought his lips to hers.
"Was that Littrell?" JC asked.
"Yeah, he just called to say hi."
"Seems like he does that a lot," JC murmured, not meaning for his thoughts to be spoken.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Oh come on, Mika," JC said, "the guy calls you ever other day!"
"We're just friends, Josh!" She insisted, her voice rising. "Don't be jealous of him just because you never call that much when you're gone!"
"I try!"
"Try my ass!" Mikayla answered, "I wish you'd stop acting so jealous!"
"Well maybe if he didn't make it so obvious that he's trying to make a play for you, I wouldn't be!" JC retorted, the two of them looking into each other's eyes, equally angry.
"So what if he was!" She shot back, "it's not like I'd accept!"
"I didn't say that-"
"You don't even know the relationship between Brian and I. You won't accept the fact that we're just friends!" She said loudly, "and I don’t know why you can't accept that."
"Because I love you so much that the slightest thought of losing you scares the shit out of me!" He answered.
"If you loved me, you'd trust me Josh." She said simply, turning quickly on her heel and leaving him in the living room.