| Chapter Twenty-two "Hey Lance, how are ya?" "I'm doing good, but if you don't get here pretty quick we're gonna kill Joey." He laughed. "The boy misses you so much he doesn't know what to do with himself." "Well, I know how he feels, but I'll be out in a week or so." "Oh ok, that sounds good. Hey tell the guys there that I say hello ok?" "Ok I can do that, talk to ya soon." The phone switched hands yet again and JC came on. "Hey you, I hear you are coming to see us?" "Yes I am, why?" "Well, I was wondering if you'd go to that place in Solvang and get me some danish? And Chris and Justin want chocolate, and Joey,,,well he just wants you." "Well he better. I think I can manage that, anything else?" "Nope, just be careful ok? And tell the guys hello for me." "Ok I will, see ya soon." Joey finally got back on the phone and we finished talking. I hung up the phone and the guys were all looking at me. "Lance and JC say hello." I said to them grinning. "Lance and JC? Is that who you were talking to?" AJ asked. "I was wondering who in the world could make someone smile so much." He was being a smart ass and I knew it but I played along. "They are good friends of mine, what's the big deal?" "Oh nothing, nothing at all. Tell them hi for us next time you "talk" to them ok? You know it's all starting to make sense to me now." He mumbled as he walked out into the back yard. "Don't pay any attention to him Tiffany, he's just a little moody lately." Nick said smiling apologetically. "Well, he doesn't even know me so he needs to get that shit in check." I said taking the enchiladas out of the oven and putting them on the table. "You guys go ahead and eat, I need to straighten whatever this is out." I said waving my hand towards the back yard and then heading out there. "What the hell is your problem with me?" I asked AJ as I walked up to him sitting at the patio table. "Oh I don't have a problem with you. No problem at all." He stated sarcastically. "It's all just so clear to me now. You are so young and yet so highly recommended in the business. Sounds to me like you've got the boys of NSync right where you want them." "Excuse me? What the hell is that supposed to mean?" I asked sitting across from him. "It means, because you don't seem to understand, that you have slept your way to the top of the industry, what are we next? Another notch in your belt?" He stood up and started to walk away. I grabbed his arm before he could go far. He looked down at my hand on his arm and then up at me, eyes blazing. "You think I've slept my way to the top? Where the hell do you get off? Who in the hell do you think you are? I have been busting my ass in this business since I was about 15. I have WORKED my way to the top. I don't need to sleep with anyone to get where I'm going, and you know where that is? Straight to the top. So I would appreciate it if you would get to know me before you judge me." I released his arm quickly and ran into the house in tears. I went straight up the stairs and fell onto the bed. A few moments later there was a knock at my door. "Go away please." I sobbed. "Tiffany are you ok?" Howie asked from the door gently. "I'll be fine, I just need to cool off a while." I said sitting up and brushing away the tears that were falling. "If you need anything I'm right downstairs ok?" |