| Chapter Twenty-six I flew out myself the next day, anxious to see Joey. I called to let Justin know I was coming but I made him promise not to tell Joey, I wanted to surprise him. I arrived in Cleveland around 8:30 and went straight to the hotel. Justin had left a room key for me at the front desk and I went straight up. I opened Joey's door quietly it was dark inside and I figured he was either sleeping our out with the guys. I walked into the bedroom and flipped on the light only to get the biggest shock of my life. Joey in bed with some other woman! "Tiff, what are you doing here?" Joey asked jumping up quickly and pulling his pants on as he tried to chase me out into the hall. "Well, I came to surprise you, but I guess it worked out that you surprised me instead!" I was yelling loudly but I didn't care who heard. "How could you do this to me?" "Oh it's a lot different than you and AJ right?" He yelled back. "He answers your phone at 1:30 in the morning and I'm supposed to think nothing is happening?" "What are you talking about? AJ answered my phone because I was sleeping on the COUCH and he didn't want it to wake me." I was up in his face at this point and the other guys had come out into the hall. "So you THOUGHT that I was screwing around on you, but instead of confronting me and talking to ME about it you decide to go sleep with the first tramp that comes your way?" The woman that had been in Joey's room came out at this point and went to the elevator quickly. I looked over at the others and their eyes were wide with shock, then with anger. "Joey what the hell are you doing man?" Lance yelled. Shocking everyone, he was usually fairly quiet and non confrontational. "Lance stay out of this, it's between me and Tiffany." Joey said turning to me. "Look, I call you and another man answers, a man that you had only the previous night told me kissed you, and I'm supposed to think nothing is wrong?" "Joey, he was staying at my house, why wouldn't he answer the phone if I couldn't?" My eyes were brimming with tears and I turned to get back on the elevator. "You know what...forget this." I stepped into the elevator pushing the buttons furiously. Justin, JC and Lance got on with me as Chris disappeared into Joey's room. "Guys, I don't really feel like talking about this." Before I could get the words out Lance had his arms around me and I was sobbing. "Shhh, it'll be ok sweetheart. Why don't the four of us get a cup of coffee then you can come back up and stay in one of our rooms tonight?" He asked softly. "No." I said shaking my head. "I can't stay here." "Where are you going to go?" Justin asked softly. "I don't know, maybe travel around a little bit just get away from everything." I sighed. "I feel like I'm constantly running from something, or someone, or some memory." We stepped off the elevator and walked to the hotel lounge. I ordered a rum and coke and sat back against the booth looking around the table at the three men with me. "You guys are so great, I'm gonna miss you." I started to cry again and JC scooted closer to me and put his arm around my shoulders. "Why, does this mean we can't see you again?" "No, of course but it won't be the same. Oh well, it's not like we'd get to see each other much anyway once I start working right?" "No, I think that things are going to work out." Justin said and I looked up at him shocked. "I know that what Joey did was terrible and there's no excuse. I also know that the two of you love each other an awful lot and you can get through this eventually." "Justin you have got to be kidding me." I laughed. "This is over, I can't forgive him for what he did to me." "Never underestimate the power of love Tiff." Justin replied winking. "Timberlake, I do believe you have finally lost your mind." I shook my head and stood to leave. |