Michelle made her way through the lobby of MDC, waving to a few staff members who were at the registration desk. 

She still couldn't believe she accidently answered Wade's call. Never again would she let that happen. She knew she would at some point need to talk to him, but she definetly wasn't ready to do it today.

As she walked back towards the office to find out exactly which of the studios Wade had them using, Steph walked out of the lounge and saw her. 

"Michelle, wait up."

Michelle turned around and saw Steph heading towards her with a look she knew all too well. It was the same look she saw on Marty's face after he realized that Wade had been the one hitting her.

Sighing heavily, she stopped and waited for her to approach.

"Hey, you busy?"

"Uh....kinda. What's up?" Michelle asked, adjusting her purse as it hung on her shoulder.

"Ok, I'm not going to beat around the bush....because...well...I'm just not going to do it. I'm not sure if Marty told you or not, but I know what's been going on with you and Wade. We both actually figured it out that one night at the club."

"Steph, I really don't wanna talk about this." Michelle said, glancing towards the office. "I have alot of stuff I need to do."

"Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you tell anyone for that matter. Did you think we wouldn't believe you or help you?"

"No, that wasn't it. I'm just not the kind of person who lays their problems out there for everyone to get involved in. I've just always kept to myself."

"Do you think that was a good idea? I mean, I didn't get all the deatils from Marty, but what I did find out leads me to believe that you've been to hell and back."

"Look Steph, I'm not trying to be ignorant or anything, but this isn't really something I wanna discuss with you. The one thing I will tell you though, is that me and Wade are finished. You don't have to worry about it any more."

With that said, Michelle turned away and headed down the hall towards the office. 

Great, how many other people here knew what was going on in her life. This place truly was gossip central and if the whole staff didn't know by now, she'd be surprised. 

As she walked into the office, she saw Justin standing there with Marty going over paperwork for the studio rental and instantly felt a knot in her stomach.

"Hey girl. You here checking on things too?" Marty asked, as he handed a few papers to Justin for him to sign.

"Uh...yeah. I just wanted to stop by and see which studio we were using."

"It appears that Wade booked the dome. I was just going over the papers with J."

"Why are you doing it?" she asked Marty, still not making eye contact with Justin.

"Well, I saw Justin out in the parking lot and we were just bullshitting. He said he was here to do the paperwork on the studio so I told him I'd take care of it. Why, is there a problem?" he joked, as he walked around and playfully bumped into her. 

"No, I was just curious that's all. I mean paperwork isn't your thing here."

"Girl, I'm multi-talented. There isn't a thing I can't do in this place." he said flipping a pen up in the air and catching it.

"Dude, I'm impressed." Justin laughed, as he glanced toward Michelle and smiled.

Not wanting the situation to be any more awkward than it already was, Michelle simply smiled back at him.

"Well, I just wanted to stop down and find out what studio we had. I have a few other things I need to take care of, so I'll talk to you guys later."

"You just stopped down for that? Your not even gonna hang out for awhile?" Marty asked.

"I can't. I have too many things I need to take care of."

"Then why didn't you just call down here. We could have told you what studio was booked over the phone."

"I don't know." Michelle said, shrugging her shoulders.

Justin glanced up from the paperwork he was filling out and looked over at her. It was becoming obvious to him that she was alittle uneasy around him. Hell, he'd be lying if he didn't admit that it was weird seeing her again after what went down between them. After all, he still had so many unanswered questions that...well....he wanted answers to.

"You alright?" Marty asked, quietly leaning in towards her.

"Yeah, I'm fine." she said, shifting positions and glancing over at Justin.

Immeadiately, Marty turned back towards Justin and then looked back at her. Raising an eyebrow, he gave her a questioning look.

"I'm heading out. I'll catch you later." she said, almost scolding Marty for his all too keen perceptions concerning Justin.

"What? No goodbye for me?" Justin asked, as he grabbed the papers off the desk and handed them to Marty.

"Oh...sorry. Bye Justin." she said half-heartedly and then walked out the door.

The two stood there and watched her walk out, not saying a single word, but both thinking their fair share of questions they wanted to ask each other.

Knowing he obviously knew more than Justin, Marty decided that he was going to say something. He wasn't sure if he was reading things correctly, but he had a pretty good idea that something was up between the two.

"Hey man, can I ask you a question?" 

"Sure." Justin said, walking back over to the desk to grab his keys and cell phone. He knew what he was going to ask the second he looked back and forth between them. For him, it was just going to be a matter of playing it off. He didn't need any more snags in his plan.

"Is there something going on between you and Michelle? Like outside of work?"

"Man, you just cut right to it , don't you." Justin laughed.

"J, I'm serious. What's going on with you and Michelle? I've come to be able to read her like a book and I can tell there is something going on or something that went on between you two."

"Like what? What exactly are you asking?"

Instantly, the tone of Justin's voice lead him to believe that maybe he had been wrong. He certainly couldn't acuse Justin of going after Michelle. He had no concrete evidence that would lead him to believe that, other than their obvious discomfort around each other, which honestly coud be for a number of reasons.

"Nothing. Never mind."

"No man, what do you mean?" Justin asked, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"Seriously, it's nothing. I guess I have just been a little protective over her lately, that's all." 

"Protective of her? Why?" 

Without even thinking, Marty opened up a topic he shouldn't have and quickly tried to cover his ass.

"Well with Wade out of town, I just kinda took on the responsibility of looking after her."

"Oh. Well, I'm sure she'll be fine. She seems like she can take care of herself."

Marty knew that wasn't the case at all. Sure Michelle seemed to have this tough exterior but deep down, he knew that she was fragile. Wade knew it too, that's obviously why he exploited it, that fuckin prick.

God he hated Wade. He still couldn't believe he did that shit to Michelle. Plus, he was convinced there was alot more he didn't know of and that bothered him even more. 

He couldn't help but partialy blame himself for everything that she went through. He thought that if he had only tried harder, he could have found out who she was dating and put an end to this a long time ago. Unfortunelty though, he didn't and it killed him to think that his one time friend was the one who hurt her. To make things worse, it was basically done right under his nose.

"Yo, Marty, I said I'm taking off. I'm meeting up with Trace for lunch."

"Oh, ok. Sorry, just kinda wrapped up in thought here."

"Yeah so I noticed. I'll catch ya later man." Justin said, shaking Marty's hand.

"Alright, take it easy."

Justin nodded his head and proceeded to head out to the lobby. He could understand where Marty was coming from to a point concerning Michelle, but he still couldn't shake the feeling that there was more behind him asking the question than he was revealing. Possibly adding a little bit of confirmation to the idea that indeed the fights that happened between Wade and Marty were because of his physcial involvement with Michelle.

Shaking his head, Justin headed out to the parking lot and spotted Michelle sitting in her car a few spaces down from his. 

"Some rush." he said to himself, pulling his baseball cap down to block the sun from his eyes as he walked over to her car. He figured now was as good a time as any to try to get some answers to the questions that plagued his mind since their encounter.

As soon as he was a few feet away from her car, she noticed someone walking towards her and looked up. Surprised that it was Justin, she quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and put on her sunglasses.

When Justin approached her car, he tapped on the glass. Trying her best to pull herself together, she took a deep breath and lowered the window

"Hey, I thought you were in a big rush. Didn't you have things to do?" he asked, as he bent down next to her car.

"Yeah, I just had to make a make a few calls first, that's all" she said softly and immeadiately Justin picked up on the fact that she wasn't alright.

Turning his cap backwards, Justin leaned into her car window and pulled off her sunglasses.

Seeing the the redness and tears in her eyes, he backed up and pulled her car door open. He wasn't sure why he felt this sudden urge to try and console her, but he did. 

"Hey. What's wrong?" he said, as he moved in closer to crouch down in the space between the door and her seat.

"Nothing. I'm fine." 

"Girl, no your not and you must be a fool to think I'd buy that for even one second."

Leaning back against the headrest, she sighed heavily. Why did it seem like everything in her life was in complete turmoil. First her love life with Wade and now her career with Justin. Why did she have to let things happen between the two of them.

"Does this have anything to do with what happened between us?"

As Michelle turned to face him, she spotted a group of girls a few cars back pointing at him.

"Uh...you might wanna get out of here. You have a few fans that look about ready to pounce." 

Glancing over his shoulder, Justin spotted the a small group of girls only a few feet from his truck.

"Shit. I'll never make it. Move over."

"Excuse me?" she asked, looking at him like he had lost his mind.

"Move over. As in get in the passenger side and let me drive."

She couldn't help but laugh at him. He was being completely absurd. I mean, was he that worried about having to sign a few autographs for some fans.

"I'm glad you think it's funny. Now move over." he said, pushing her over to the passenger side.

"Oh my god! Are you kidding me?!" she laughed out loud.

"Do I look like I'm kidding." he said, sitting down in the drivers seat the second she moved over.

"I guess not."

Starting up her car, he backed out of the parking lot and pulled out onto the road.

"Ok, so where the hell are we going?" she asked, more amused now than annoyed. Again, he just seemed to bring out something in her that she didn't know existed and she hated to admit it, but it felt good.

"Well, seeing as how I am driving. Anywhere I want."

Shaking her head at him, she looked over and saw a smile spread across his face.

Winking at her, he turned up the stereo and continued to drive, not exactly sure where he was heading and at this point not really caring either.

CHAPTER 62

As Wade sat on the bed of his hotel room, he wondered if he would ever have Michelle back in his life. He couldn't believe he finally got her on the phone and didn't tell her everything that had been going on with him. That he realized what he was doing and that he was going to get help. He didn't get the chance to tell her.

Falling back onto the bed, Wade stared up at the ceiling and knew he couldn't go through this alone. If he was going to get his life back on track, he needed support. He needed the support of his sister. She was the one person who always stood beside him...no matter what. 

Sighing heavily, Wade flipped his cell phone open and dialed Chantal's cell phone. After a few rings, she picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Hey sis. You busy?"

"Not really. Why? What is it now?" Chantal asked, coldly. 

Shutting his eyes, Wade realized that smoothing things over with Chantal wasn't going to be as easy as he expected.

"Is this how it's gonna be between us now? If so, I'll make a note of it and not call back anymore."

"How do you want me to act Wade? I mean, I don't even know who the fuck you are anymore. Seriously! You know, after I got off the phone with you last time, I literally felt sick to my stomach. This shit is just too much for me."

Laying his arm across his forehead, Wade tried to keep himself together. The last thing he needed right now was a recap or lecture from Chantal on what he had done wrong concerning Michelle.

"Look, the reason I called you was because I knew you are the one person I could count on if I was in trouble. I don't think I could possibly get myself in any more trouble than this. I'm asking for your help."

"Help with what? Getting Michelle back? Psh, don't count on it. Her leaving you is the best thing she could have done, and I'm sorry to say that, but it's true."

"Honestly, I don't think that's a possibility. Not to say that I'm giving up though." he said, feeling his heart break at the mere idea of having to live his life without her.

"Well.....what then?"

"I want to get my life on track. All of it. I want to stop the drinking, I wanna get all this work shit back on track.....and yeah....I want her back."

"I already said I'm not helping you get her back." she said, matter of factly.

"Jesus christ! Never mind. Forget that I even called." 

Feeling like he was losing everything and everyone around him, he flipped the phone shut and fired it across the room, breaking it against the wall.

"Fuck this shit." Wade said, as he got off the bed and headed over to the dresser to grab his room key. Shoving it into his pocket, he bent down and picked up the remains of his cell phone and slammed them in the trash.

Fustrated, Wade headed out of his room and down to the elevator at the end of the hall. Frantically he pressed the down button, hoping that the more he pushed it the faster it would come. He just needed to get out of there. 

Once the elevator doors opened, he pressed the button to the lobby and leaned against the side. He just felt like his life was trapped inside this box and slowly the walls were closing in around him.

After a few seconds, the elevator stopped and the doors opened. Stepping out, Wade started to walk towards the entrance of the hotel, but stopped a few feet short when something caught his eye. Turning to his left, he spotted the hotel's lounge and instantly knew where he was going to go. Taking a deep breath, he ran his hand through his hair and walked inside.

Deep in thought, Wade walked over and took a seat at the bar. Not once, did the fact run through his mind that he shouldn't be in there. He just waved the bartender down and ordered a drink without giving it a second thought.

Once the bartender sat the drink down, Wade stared at it for a few seconds before picking it up. Looking down at the caramel colored liquor as he swirled his glass, he knew that he literally held his own life in his hands. His next decision, whether right or wrong, would set the course of his future.

"Well well well. Here's a sight I shouldn't be seeing" came a familiar voice from behind him.

Quickly, he turned around and saw Chantal standing there with her bag draped over her shoulder.

"It's gonna be pretty damn hard for me to help you when you can't even help yourself."

"What are you doing here?" he asked, as he sat the drink back down on the bar.

"No, question is...what are YOU doing HERE?" she asked, sitting her bag down on the floor so that she could sit down in the empty seat next to him.

Wade was speechless. He didn't have any good reason to be at the bar. Sure, he knew what his intentions were when he sat down and ordered his drink, but he knew it wasn't truly the way he wanted to go. It just happened that way.

Seeing Chantal join Wade, the bartender walked down to their end of the bar.

"What can I get you?"

"I'm good, but you can take this and get rid of it for me." she said, grabbing Wade's glass from in front of him and handing it to the bartender.

Confused, the bartender glanced over at Wade.

Not saying a word, Wade nodded his head in agreement that the drink should go.

Shrugging his shoulders, the bartender took the glass and dumped it out.

"So, you call me and say you want me to help you get back on track, but the second I get out the cab and walk in here I find you at the bar. Please explain that to me, because in no way, shape or form is THIS going to help." she said, waving her hand around the lounge.

Again, Wade was speechless. He didn't have the answer to that. It was simply of matter of habit for him. When problems arised or if he felt overwhelmed with stress, he turned to alcohol. It never judged him, it just gave him what he was in search of. A release. A means of escape.

"Before I can even try to help you, you have to help yourself. I mean, I'm sure you don't want to hear this but if you can completely control another human being, you can control yourself. There shouldn't be any reason why you can't divert that effort into something positive."

"Yeah, your right. I don't wanna hear anything about Michelle right now. I'm completely aware of what went wrong between us and what I did to her. I can't go back and change the past. I just want to try and fix this so that maybe...just maybe...there could be a future for us." 

"Have you even talked to her?" Chantal asked, getting off of the barstool.

"Technically...yeah. Did we actually carry on any resemblance of a conversation...no. I got about two sentences out and she hung up on me."

"I guess I can understand where she is coming from though. I mean, if someone I loved did that to me, I don't know what I'd do. It's got to be hard on her."

"Thanks. I really needed to hear that." Wade said, bending over to grab Chantal's bag off the floor so that they could head back to his room..

"Oh shit. I'm sorry. You didn't need to hear that."

"Don't worry about it. I mean, I can't possibly stand here and try to convince myself that she's fine. Especially when I know she's not. That's what I'm having a hard time dealing with. I know she's hurting. It's funny how differently you see things when your system isn't flooded with alcohol."

"You really do love her, don't you?" Chantal asked, as she followed him over the the elevator.

"Yeah....I do. More than anything."

Standing there waiting for the elevator, Chantal knew she had her work cut out for her. At this point, there was very little, if anything, that was stable in her brother's life. The one thing that could keep him grounded, was the very same thing he pushed away. Michelle.

"Do you want me to call her?"

"No, I think what she needs right now is just time. I mean, I got the feeling that she wanted to talk to me, I just don't think emotionally she's ready."

"So, she still doesn't know everything that's been going on with you?"

"No. I don't want to add to her stress. It's bad enough that she got forced into starting the damn tour rehearsals by herself. I'm sure that right there has her on edge. I know how much shit is involved with getting it all started. I still can't believe I just threw that at her and left to come here."

"Yeah but you know Justin. I'm sure she's fine. He knows this is her first time doing something like this, right?"

"Yeah."

"Well then don't worry about it. When I get back to LA, I'll stop over and see how things are going. I need to appologize to her anyway."

Just then, the elevator doors opened and they stepped inside.

"What floor are you on?" 

"Same one as you. Just a few rooms down from yours. I have to make sure I keep my eye on you." she said, playfully nudging Wade in his side.

Shaking his head, Wade hit the button for the 18th floor and wrapped his arm around his sisters shoulder.

"Thanks for coming."

CHAPTER 63

As Justin drove down the road, he glanced over at Michelle. The expression that was on her face when he first got to her car was gone. Now in it's place was a look of contentment and he smiled.

Leaning forward, Michelle pressed a few buttons on the radio in an attempt to find something to her liking. After the fourth try, she stopped.

"Here we go. This is one of my favorites" she said, turning up the radio.

Instantly Justin cringed when he realized that the voice he was hearing was his own. 

"Girl, I'm not gonna sit here and listen to myself sing. Pick another one."

"Nope. My car....my choice." she said, turning to look and him so that he could see her best "I'm the boss" face.

"I don't think so." he said, quickly pressing another button to change stations.

"Oh no you didn't! You did not just change that!" she gasped, turning the station back and quickly covering the buttons with her hand so that he couldn't change it again. She really did want to hear the song, but at the same time the power struggle that was developing for control of the radio was becoming quite amusing.

"OK, so no radio it is then." Justin laughed, turning the radio off and in the process quickly moving out of the way of her hand as she attempted to smack him.

"Damn girl, your slow."

"And you don't play fair!" Michelle snapped back, giving him her best evil eye.

Just as Justin was about to continue their banter, his cell phone started to ring. Laughing, he leaned to his side and pulled his cell phone from his pocket. Glancing down at the caller ID he realized who was calling.

"Shit!"

"What?" Michelle asked, concerned by his sudden seriousness.

"You hungry?"

"Why?" Michelle laughed.

"Cause I was susposed to meet Trace for lunch."

"Oh. Guess you forgot huh? Understandable with the car jacking and all."

Rolling his eyes, Justin pressed the button on his phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey man. Where the hell are you at?" Trace asked, slightly annoyed on the other end.

"I'm driving."

"Driving where? You were susposed to be here like fifteen minutes ago. How long until you get here. I'm hungry dude."

"Your always hungry. Look, there's been a slight change of plans. You wanna grab some take out and meet me back at the house?"

"Meet you at the house? Why? Where the fuck are you at?"

"I'm atleast a good twenty minutes from you."

"Whatever. Care to tell me why the change of plans?"

"Yeah when I get there. Make sure you get enough though, I'm bringing company." Justin said, turning to smile at her.

"Company? Who?" 

"See ya in an hour." Justin said laughing.

"Dude. Who the hell you bringing?" 

Ending the call, Justin shoved the phone back into his pocket and turned towards Michelle.

"So.....Trace is going to bring food back to the house. You wanna join us?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"Yeah, you can come back to my place with me or we can drive back up to Millennium and I'll grab my truck."

Michelle glanced down at her watch and knew that she would still have plenty of time to finish up what she needed for the day if she went with Justin. Plus, he was fun to be around and she really didn't want to go wrap up work then sit and home and think of Wade. Which would be exactly what she would end up doing. Especially after his call earlier. 

Going back and forth in her mind, she finally decided to go back to Justin's house. The fact that Trace was gonna be there was the last piece of info the sealed the deal. Nothing was going to happen with him around. She was sure of it.

"Ok, count me in."

About 10 minutes later, Justin pulled into the driveway of his house. 

Heading up the two steps to the front door, he handed over her keys and proceeded to remove his own set from his pocket. 

"So, we got some time to kill. What do you wanna do?" 

Instantly Michelle froze. This was not what she had in mind when she agreed to come back to his house with him. Especially since the one thing on her mind at that very moment was the fact that they almost had sex.

"Girl, relax. That's not what I meant." he laughed, walking over to the entertainment center. It was like he had read her mind. Well, either that or he was thinking it too.

Opening one of the cabinet doors, he reached in and pulled out two playstation controllers and turned on the TV.

"You ever play before?" he asked, opening another door to reveal case after case of games.

"Not recently. I mean, video games aren't really my thing. Too confusing now. What ever happened to the simple jump and attack two button system?" she said, slightly dumbfounded.

Justin couldn't help but laugh at her comment. To be intimidated by a game controller's numerous buttons was too much for him.

"And what is so damn funny?" she asked, putting her hands on her hips.

"Here. Take it. This should be quite interesting." Justin said, handing over the controller so he could get the system set up. "It's not as hard as it seems. I'll walk you through it."

Plopping down on the sofa, Michelle studied the contraption. Rapidly pressing the buttons, Michelle tried to get a feel for it and the proper placement of her fingers.

Once Justin had the game set up, he walked back over and sat down on the sofa next to her.

"So, you ready for me to teach ya a thing or two?"

"Sure." Michelle laughed, leaning back against the sofa so she could get comfortable. After a quick run down on the various functions of the buttons for that particular game, Justin reset the game and the two were underway.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After about twenty minutes, Trace came waltzing through the door. Hearing the commotion down the hall, Trace sat the bags down on the kitchen island and headed into the media room. 

"Ok, so I guess I see who the compnay is." Trace yelled , trying to get his voice to carry over the two as they tanted each other loudly. 

After a minute with no response, Trace grabbed a pillow from another sofa and smacked Justin in the back of his head.

"What the....oh, hey man. When did you get here?" Justin asked, grabbing the pillow from Trace and tucking it behind his back.

"A few minutes ago. Didn't you hear me walk in?" 

"No. Sorry. Ms. thang here tried to pull a fast one on me. Telling me she didn't play video games. Dude, if we would have bet money on this game like she wanted to.....I'd be broke." Justin said, looking over at Michelle who simply batted her eyes at him in an attempt to act all innocent.

"Yeah, she seems like the shady type." Trace laughed.

"I am not! I'm just a fast learner, that's all. Either that or Justin completely sucks at this game." she teased.

Pulling the pillow out from behind his back, Justin smacked Michelle in the arm with it and reset the game.

"Aw damn. Now we'll never know who would have won."

Shaking her head, Michelle sat the controller on the table and grabbed a pillow of her own.

"Ya know, two can play this game." Michelle said, smacking Justin in his ribs with her pillow.

"Girl....game on!" Justin said, getting off of the couch and grabbing as many pillows as he could.

Laughing, Michelle immeadiately ran over to the other sofa and attempted to grab her own fair share.

"Well, I think I've waited long enough. I'm heading in the kitchen to grab something to eat. You can either follow me or you can run around and play. I just feel that it is my duty to inform you that if you do decide to wait...there might not be anything left." Trace said, watching Justin launch pillows across the room at Michelle.

"We'll be out in a second." Justin yelled, ducking out of the way of a pillow.

"Whatever."

Walking towards the kitchen, Trace knew that Justin's plan for revenge with Michelle was the last thing on his mind as he threw pillows at her across the room. He knew Justin and that look in his eyes as he looked at her was unmistakeable. He was falling for her.

Grabbing a few plates from the cabinet, Trace knew that once Michelle had left, he needed to have a serious talk with Justin. It was becoming obvious that things had changed in the short time they had spent together. Knowing this, he prayed that Justin wasn't getting in over his head. If he was really falling for her, undoubtedly there was going to be trouble. Trouble that he sensed was going to be more than anyone could handle.

CHAPTER 64

After about five minutes of tossing pillows back and forth in the livingroom, Justin made a mad dash for the kitchen.

"Do you have to do this in here?  Can't you see I'm trying to eat?"  Trace asked, looking over his shoulder at Justin who had taken cover behind him. 

Within seconds Michelle ran into the kitchen to join them, freshly stocked with all the pillows she could get tucked under her arms.

"You didn't think this was over did you?  Cause by my count...I owe you atleast three good hits."  she said, laughing.

"Then come get me."  Justin teased, dodging back and forth behind Trace.

Laughing, Michelle lowered her pillow.  She knew that there wasn't any way to hit Justin where he was standing.  Trace was the only thing she would hit if she threw it. 

Shaking his head, Trace continued to eat, ignoring the two's antics at they shot evil glances at each other across the room

"Ok, well then I guess that means I win.  If your going to hide behind Trace, it's an automatic disqualification."

"Oh, then in that case....let's go."  Justin said, quickly stepping from behind his best friend to launch a pillow directly at her.  Caught off guard, the pillow smacked her right in the face.

"Oh, your dead!"  Michelle yelled, and instinctively threw one of her pillows back at him.  Unfortunetly, by the time she realized what she was doing...it was too late.  Her pillow knocked right into Trace's water bottle causing it to spill all over the counter and onto his shorts.

"Oh my god!  Trace, I'm so sorry."  she said, walking toward the bottle to stand it back up.

As Trace stood up to grab a towel, Justin started to laugh hysterically.  "Dude, it looks like you pissed your pants!"

"Yeah, I'm glad your amused.  You know I have somewhere I needed to go after this.  Now I'm going to have to change."

Mortified, Michelle stood there and watched as Trace attempted to temporarily dry himself off.  She couldn't believe she had just done that. Completely embarrassed, Michelle excused herself so that she could gather the rest of the pillows and take them back into the livingroom.

Still laughing, Justin watched Michelle as she walked away, watching every little move she made with sheer delight.

"J...what the hell are you doing?  And don't feed me no bullshit plan about you wanting to get back at Wade either.  That's not going to fly.  That may have been your intentions at one point....but clearly it isn't anymore.  What the hell are you thinking."

Noticing the look of seriousness on Trace's face, Justin leaned forward to see what Michelle was doing.  Seeing that she was sitting on the sofa on the opposite end of the room , Justin walked over to Trace.

"Man, what's with the interragation?  You know damn well what my intentions are.  They haven't changed.  I just have to approach things with her differently.  I mean, I thought for sure I was going to have her the other night, but it didn't happen.  Maybe I'm losing my touch." 

"Maybe she has some self respect.  Maybe....she refuses to cheat on her boyfriend.  I mean...if ya want I could go on and on."

"I think I'll pass"  Justin said, leaning against the counter.

"All I know is that your pursuit of her isn't what you think.  I think your starting to fall for her.  Which would be suicide to do, considering she is Wade's girlfriend."

"Why is it that you are so damn obsessed about Wade?  Huh?  That fuckin prick slept with Britney behind my back. You remember her.  Blond, overly friendly .  Vaguely recall any of this?"  Justin asked, crossing his arms over his chest.  Of all people he would have assumed Trace would understand the need to get back at Wade, but he didn't.  Everytime they got into conversation about Wade or Michelle, things between them became less than cordial. 

Pushing himself away from the counter, Justin walked over to the window.  "I mean, he even had the nerve to act like he was doing me a favor by telling me what happened.  Saying he felt guilty.  That fucker was gloating.  I knew it the second he opened his damn mouth."

"Then why in the hell are you having him do the tour if you still have that many ill feelings toward him?  I mean c'mon Justin.  It's not like you don't have any other options."  Trace said, shifting positions so he could make sure Michelle was still seated on the sofa.

"If you think about it, I'm sure you know the answer to that.  It's been how long and people still dwell on the "speculation" that Wade was the reason me and Brit broke up.  It's getting old and I just want to put it to rest.  I figured working together would help to dismiss any hard feelings they allege are between us.  Although, we both know they are dead on about what happened."

"Is it really worth it though?  To work with him when you basically still hate the guy?"

"I don't hate him.  I mean at one point I did, but I've grown from the experience..both personally and professionally.  I just think they way things went down...he has it coming.  It's not like I had this planned when I discussed the job offer with him.  I mean, Michelle wasn't even in the picture.  So why should I feel guilty?"

"Because the one who is going to end up getting hurt the most in this..... is her."  Trace said, pointing towards the livingroom.

Justin sighed.  He hadn't really given the thought much merit after specualting about the reason for Wade's problems with Marty.  He knew that there was something going on between the three of them and logic would say that it involved her being unfaithful.  However, getting to know her more he was starting to doubt if he was correct.

"Look, it's not like she is falling for me or anything so I really don't think doing this will crush her heart."

"Man your cold.  I would have expected better from you."  Trace said, before shaking his head at Justin and walking into the livingroom.

Justin stared out the window for a second and gave Trace's comments some time to sink in.  He wasn't falling for her.  He barely knew her.  Granted he was attracted to her and had been thoroughly enjoying her company, but feeling something for her.  No.

After a few minutes, Michelle walked back towards the kitchen but stopped when she saw the serious look on Justin's face as he gazed out the window.  She could tell whatever it was he was thinking about had his full attention and she didn't want to break his train of thought. 

Just as she was about to head back into the livingroom, Justin stepped away from the window and turned around.

"Hey, I didn't hear you walk in."  Justin said, tucking his hands in his pockets and walking towards her.

"Yeah, you looked deep in thought and I didn't want to disturb you."

"Well, it's wasn't important."  Justin said.  "Is Trace still pouting?" 

"No, he actually just left.  He said he had somewhere to go."

"Yeah, I forgot.  So what do you want to do?"  Justin asked, walking into the livingroom.

"Umm...I actually have a few things I need to take care of so maybe I should be heading out."

"Already?  Girl, the day is young.  You'll have plenty of time to do whatever it is you need to do later.  Let's go have some fun."

"Fun being......hanging out with you?"  she asked, sarcastically.

"You know it!"  Justin said, playfully bumping her with his hip.

"You just don't know when to stop do you." 

"Oh I know when to stop, but I think we both know that this battle has not concluded."

"You do not wanna get me started again"

"Oh really?  Why is that?"

"Because this time I won't play fair.  Something that is obviously right up your alley."  she laughed, shoving him into the side of the sofa.

"Are you saying I don't play fair?!"  Justin asked, trying his best to act shocked.

"Yeah!  That's exactly what I'm saying.  I was kickin your ass and you took off into the kitchen to hide behind Trace.  That's not fair."

Justin couldn't help but laugh at her.  She was trying her best to come off as serious but it was clear to him that she was fully ready to resume their antics.  This was simply her way for issuing him a challenge.  A challenge he was whole-heartedly ready to accept

"Yeah, and neither is this."  Justin said, quickly pushing her down onto the sofa and sprinting down the hall.

"Your finished!"  Michelle yelled, laughing as she jumping back off the sofa and ran after him.  She hadn't felt this alive in a long time and she was savoring every minute of it.  This is who she was.  Playful and full of life.  Not the withdrawn and timid person she had become with Wade.

Running down the hall, Michelle could hear Justin laughing and it was driving her crazy.  There were so many rooms that adjoined downstairs that it was hard to keep track of where he was or where he was headed next.  Something that amused her but at the same time drove her insane.  She hated the fact that Justin was "winning" this so called game.

Finally after becoming familiar with the layout of his house, Michelle knew she had him beat.  Hearing him head back towards the foyer, Michelle cut through the diningroom and attempted to head him off.  Unfortunetly, he changed directions and she ran right into him knocking them both to the floor.

Crashing down onto the hardwood floors, Justin looked up at her as she laid on top of him and laughed.

"Guess I was wrong on which way you were headed."  she said, placing her hands on the floor so that she could push herself up.

Instead of a response from him like she expected, he wrapped  his hands around her waist and held her in place.  Instantly the giggling stopped and the only thing she could hear was the sound of her heart pounding in her chest. 

 After what seemed like an eternity, although it was only a matter of seconds, Justin brought his hand up from her waist and slid it behind her neck.  Gazing into her eyes, he searched for any sign that he had her permission to do the one thing he had been thinking about all day. 

Feeling her relax against him, Justin knew he had her permission.  Sliding his hand along the side of her neck, he brushed his thumb along her jaw and felt the need to have her growing inside him. Without waiting another second, Justin pulled her towards him and passionately kissed her.

Feeding off of the desire to have her, Justin slid his hands up her back and began to unfasten her bra.  He wasn't sure if she would object or not, but at this point he had to try.  She was causing every part of his body to become consumed with her and he needed a release.

As Justin kissed her, Michelle realized that she had been fighting something that deep down she truly wanted.  Justin.  Finally letting go of all the fear and anxiety she developed because of Wade, Michelle allowed herself to feel the desires that she had all but forgotten existed.

Pulling away from the kiss, Justin carefully rolled her onto her back so that he was now on top of her.  Once again Justin devoured her lips, this time his hands joining in on the mission as they worked their way over every inch of her body.

"Justin...make love to me."  Michelle whispered, gazing deep into his eyes as she slid her hands up his back. 

Hearing those words, Justin leaned back and gazed down at her.  This is what he wanted from the beginning.  And if this time she wanted it as well, why was he feeling the sudden need to stop. 

"Justin...please"  she said, practically begging him.  "I want you to make love to me."

Just then, the problem hit him. 

"I can't do this."  Justin said, pushing himself away from her and sitting on the floor beside her.  He wouldn't be making love  to her.  He would merely be satisifying a need and although he was pretty sure she understood that fact, something told him to stop.  Something deep inside him that wasn't a result of Trace's comments or the fact that she was involved with Wade.  This was something deeper.

"I don't understand.  I thought you wanted this too?"  Michelle asked, fixing her shirt as Justin stood up.

"I did...I mean I do.  It's just...I just can't.  I'm sorry."  Justin said,  extending his hand to her so that he could help her up.

"Look, I better go.  I have a ton of things to do anyway.  Umm....I guess I'll talk to you later."  Michelle said, the look of hurt clearly evident on her face.

"Wait."  Justin said, grabbing her hand as she started to walk away.  "This isn't because of you.  This is because of me.  I don't want you to think that I don't want this...because I do.  I REALLY do."  he snickered.  "But this just isn't right...for many reasons.  You understand that don't you?"  he asked, looking into her eyes.

Simply nodding her head in agreement, Michelle walked back into the livingroom, grabbed her purse off the sofa and headed towards the front door.

"Do you need me to take you back to get your truck?"  she asked, playing with her keys as they dangled from her fingers.

"Shit!  I forgot.  Umm....fuck.  Yeah I do.  If it's a problem though don't worry about it.  I'll call someone."

"No, it's fine.  It's on my way anyway."  she said, still keeping her focus on the keys.

"Ok.  Thanks.  Just let me grab my wallet and keys and I'm ready."

"I'll meet you in the car."  Michelle yelled towards the kitchen and opened the front door.  Walking to her car, she prayed that the conversation didn't continue about the what "didn't" happen and why.  All she wanted to do was forget it ever happened.

CHAPTER 65

As the two drove back to Millennium, they were able to make some casual conversation, but they avoided the one thing that was on both their minds.  Even though Michelle wanted to know why Justin had been so willing to be with her one moment and then completely opposite the next, embarrassment from the rejection kept her from asking.

Justin's reason for avoiding the subject however were different.  Looking down at her as she told him to make love to her, triggered something inside him.  Something deep inside that revealed feelings he was aware that existed until that point.  It was if somewhere in his subconscious he started to feel something for her but blocked it out so that he could carry on with his mission.  Now however, the thought of making love to her simply for revenge against Wade bothered him.

He hated the fact that Trace may have been right about him...for more reason than one. Not only did he hate being wrong, but the idea that he could be falling for someone who was already taken would certainly mean disaster or heartbreak.  Neither of which he wanted to deal with.

As Justin tried to make sense of the feelings flooding his mind, Michelle's cell phone started to ring.  Instinctively Justin glanced down at it sitting betweeen them in the console.  Recogonizing the number as Wade's cell phone, Justin took it as a sign to forget whatever possibilities there could have been between them.  One thing remained the same.  She belonged to Wade.

Picking up the phone, Michelle glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was Wade.  Letting out a sigh, Michelle placed the phone back down and tried her best to keep it together.  The last thing she expected him to do was call her back.  Especially after she had hung up on him only a few hours ago.

Thinking he may have misread the number, Justin again glanced back down at the phone.

"Isn't that Wade's cell?"

Nervously tapping her fingers on the steering wheel, Michelle ignored Justin's question and quickly reached down to turn the phone off.

After a few minutes of awkward silence, Justin heard a muffled ring coming from his pocket.  Leaning to his side, he looked over at her and then reached down to pulled out his phone.  After looking at the caller ID, he flipped his phone open.

"Hello?"

"Hey J, It's Wade.

"Hey man.  What's up?  How are things going in NY?"

"It's NY, what more can I say.  Anyway,  I just wanted to check in and see if everything was set for the start of practices.  Make sure you didn't run into any problems."

"Everything is set. We actually did the last of the paperwork at Millennium earlier this afternoon."

"We?  You mean you and Michelle?"  Wade asked, as an unsettling feeling came over him.

"Yeah, well when I was there wrapping things up with Marty, she stopped in."

Hearing Marty's name snapped Michelle out of her train of thought and she glanced over at Justin.  She had heard his part of the conversation but it hadn't fully registered who he was speaking to until now.  It was Wade.

Instantly, Michelle began to panic. Would Wade assume that she stopped by Millennium to see Marty?  What if Wade asked about her.  Would Justin tell Wade that he was with her right now?  Not that she owed him an explanation, but she didn't want him thinking that he was right about her all along if she was hanging around Marty with him out of town.

Almost as soon as the thoughts crossed her mind, Justin looked over at her.  He was about to ask her a question, but the distressed look on her face was all he needed to see to know the answer.

"Did she stay there with Marty and hang out?"

Placing his hand over hers as it clutched the steering wheel, he whispered for her to relax and slowly pulled her hand away.  Now more than ever Justin was convinced that something was going on between her and Marty.  Something that Wade obviously was aware of and was not happy with.  Getting some enjoyment out of the fact that atleast someone was giving Wade a dose of his own medicine, Justin didn't reveal any information concerning Michelle's whereabouts.

"No.  She just stopped by to see which studio was booked.  She was there maybe 10 minutes and then she left."

"Oh, ok.  I just tried to call her a few minutes ago, but she didn't answer her phone.  I thought maybe if she stopped there, she was still at Millennium.  I know the reception in that place isn't the best."

"No, she left.  I'm sure everything is fine though. She was just probably rushing around and left her cell in her car or something.  I know she said she had a lot of stuff to do today.  If I see her, I'll tell her you were trying to get in touch with her."

"No, don't worry about bro.  I'll just try her later."

"Are you sure?  I mean...is everything alright?  You sound kinda on edge."

"Yeah, everything is fine.  It's just with both of us handling business shit, I haven't got the chance to speak to her much since I left LA." 

"Oh.  Sorry man.  I know the traveling shit can really take it's toll.  Why didn't you just postpone the practices and take her with you to NY?"  Justin asked, trying to drag any info from Wade that would help him put all the pieces of the puzzle together.

"That wouldn't have worked, plus you should know that when it comes to business...I get just wanna get shit done and not piss around."

"Yeah, I can see where your coming from. Having her around would definetly be a distraction." he chuckled.

Wade knew what Justin's comment meant and although he was pretty sure it was made as a general comment about her, something wasn't sitting right with him.  He wasn't exactly sure what was causing him to get an uneasy feeling, but something was.

"So, have you had any contact with her other than today?"  Wade asked.

Thinking there wasn't any harm in telling him that he had, Justin told him the one piece of information that would immeadiately get under his skin.

"Yeah actually, Trace and I went to a club __________ with a few of the dancers for the tour and I invited her to join us.  She really knows what she's doing on the dance floor.  You definetly chose wisely with this one."

Although solely meant as a comment on her talent, Wade immeadiately picked up on what was causing the unsettling feeling.  Justin was appreciating more than her talent while he was away.  Of course he couldn't say for sure that anything had happened yet between them, but it was obvious that the thought had atleast crossed Justin's mind.

Finally pulling into the parking lot of MC, Michelle put the car in park and got out to get some fresh air.  Unknowingly, Justin was feeding Wade information that he did not need to know.  Information that could potentially be harmful to her when he returned to LA.

Looking up, she saw Marty walk out of MC and wave to her.

"Please tell me this is a nightmare and I'm going to wake up....please!"  Michelle said, practically on the verge of tears as she leaned against the car for support.

Completely confused by what was going on, Justin reached over and turned off the car.  Opening the door, he got out and walked around to the other side where she was standing.

"Are you alright?"  Justin softly asked her, covering the phone with his hand so that Wade couldn't hear him.

Instantly the color started to drain from her face when she realized Marty was on his way over.  All Wade needed to do was hear Marty's voice and it was over.  Everything that Wade had thought about her, in his mind, would be confirmed.  Now completely in a panic, Michelle began to have trouble breathing.

Noticing the rapid deteriation of her condition, Justin quickly tried to end the call with Wade.  Just as he was about to say goodbye, Michelle's legs buckled out from underneath her and in the process of reaching out to grab her, he dropped his phone. 

"Jesus christ, what the hell happened!"  Marty yelled, running up towards them.

"I don't know.  Just grab my phone real quick."  Justin said, shifting positions so that he could pick Michelle up.

"Your phone?  What about Michelle?"  Marty asked, confused.

"I have her, just get the fuckin phone and flip it shut!"  Justin growled.

Giving Justin an odd look, Marty grabbed the phone of the ground and flipped it shut.  Unfortunetly though, Wade had already heard Marty say her name and he knew that Justin hadn't been truthful. 

He though about calling Justin back, but realized more than likely he wouldn't answer the phone.  Now more than ever he was certain something was going on and he wanted to know what.

"Care to tell me what the big fucking deal was with grabbing your phone was if you were just going to shut it anyway?"  Marty asked. 

"Wade was on the other end and he didn't know Michelle was with me." 

Just hearing Wade's name was all he needed.  Although he wasn't sure what Justin knew about their situation, he had to have a good reason for doing what he did.  Now he just had to find out what.

CHAPTER 66

Sitting his phone down on the dresser, Wade began to pace the room.  He knew something was off when he was talking to Justin, he just didn't know what. Unfortunetly, this was the last thing he would have thought.

When he left LA, the only one he was worried about was Marty, which he made sure he took care of before he left.  One phone call was all it took to have someone keep an eye on him.

The idea that leaving her alone with Justin could possibly lead to problems never crossed his mind.  Looking back though, he realized that it was a mistake and now he was faced with a situation he was totally unprepared for. 

Sitting down on the bed, Wade furiously clentched his fists.  He knew it was lucky for Justin that he wasn't back in LA right now, because if he was, his hands would certainly be wrapped around his throat. He couldn't believe the nerve Justin had telling him that she had probably left her phone in the car.  It was now obvious that she had been with him the whole time they were on the phone.

"That mother fucker.  Wait until I get back to LA."  Wade mumbled, as he grabbed his wallet and walked into the livingroom.  He was susposed to meet Chantal in ten minutes, but right now he was seriously contemplating packing up his things and heading back home. Video shoot or not, he wasn't about to let Justin think he was getting one over on him.  That wasn't his style.  If you crossed him, you were going to know it.

Walking down to Chantal's room, he tried to keep his cool. He didn't want to think that Justin had gotten somewhere with Michelle, but knowing all too well about Justin's reputation for being a player, it was definetly a possibility. 

Shaking out his hands, Wade attempted to relax the clentched fist that he had walked down the hall with.  He knew among other things that he needed to get a handle on his temper.  It was the one thing that even without the presence of alcohol remained out of control. It was also the one thing he knew would be the most difficult to keep in check.

Taking a deep breath, he slowly let it out and knocked on Chantal's door.  After a few seconds she opened the door.

"Hey, come on in.  I just have have to put my shoes on and grab my purse."

Shutting the door behind him, Wade made his way over to the sofa and sat down.

"So, did you get in touch with Michelle?"  Chantal asked, as she slipped on her shoes and gave her hair a quick shake.  When Wade didn't answer, she looked over her shoulder and saw him leaning back against the sofa staring at the ceiling.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"I want you to go back to LA.  Tonight."  Wade said, completely emotionless.

"What?  Go back to LA?  Why?"

Wade stood up and walked over to where his sister was standing.  At that very moment, he felt like he just wanted to explode.  However, he knew that if Chantal saw that he was starting to slip she would never leave him alone in NY.

"Well, I didn't get to talk to Michelle becuase she didn't answer her phone.  I did however talk to Justin and that's why you need to go back to LA."

"Because you talked to Justin?  Does Michelle need some help with the tour rehearsals or something?"  she asked, confused.  She just couldn't figure out why would Wade want her to go back to LA.  Especially after he was so glad to see her.  Noticing that he wasn't standing completely still, she lowered her gaze and noticed that he was tapping his fist off of the side of his leg.

"What the hell is going on?  Why do you want me to go back and I want the truth."

Wade again took a deep breath in hopes that he could contain the anger that was desperately searching for an escape.

"YOU need to go back and find out what the hell is going on between Justin and Michelle.  She didn't answer her phone because she was with him. Now I know your probably wondering why it's a big deal, but see the thing is that, he said he hadnt seen her since she left Millennium."

"Yeah and?"

"And he was fuckin lying!  She was right there with him!"

"OK, well maybe she just didn't feel like talking to you.  Excuse me for saying this, but it's not like thats a stretch.  Justin was probably doing what she asked him too.  Saying he hadn't seen her.  Is that the problem?  Him lying to you?"

"No, you know damn well what the problem is.  I swear to god, if you don't go back, I will. If I find out he fucked her, hell... if he even touched her....I'm going to literally kill the son of a bitch!"  Wade yelled.

"Whoa!  Hold up.  Why in the hell would she hook up with Justin?  Why would you even think she would? God Wade I can't believe you said that!"

Annoyed at the whole situation, Wade just shook his head and headed over to the refridgerator to grab a bottle of water.  He tried to keep his cool, he really did.  Why did she have to question his reasons for wanting her to return.  Why couldn't she just do as he asked.

"Just fuckin go back to LA! You came here because you wanted to help me, right?!  Well if you really wanna help...GO BACK!"  Wade yelled.

"DO NOT talk to me that way!  Who the hell do you think you are?"  Chantal yelled back.

"Whatever."  Wade growled.  Although he had hoped that she would be the one to go back, she wasn't his only option.  Grabbing his room key off of the table, Wade walked out of her room, slamming the door behind him.

After a few moments of standing there in complete shock, Chantal finally understood the extent of how bad Wade had become.  Granted she knew he had a temper growing up, but this went way beyond what she recalled. 

Taking a deep breath, she realized she now had a decision to make.  Logic told her that there was only one choice to make, but leaving Wade alone in NY in his current state of mind certainly had it's risks.  However, allowing him to return to LA carried far more.  Not only would she be allowing him to risk his career by leaving the video shoot, but she could potentially be putting Justin and Michelle in danger.  Something that she did not want to be responsible for.

With her decision made, Chantal grabbed her purse and headed down to Wade's room.  Just as she was about to knock, she heard the sound of shattering glass coming from inside.  Frantically she began banging on the door.

"Wade, open up!"

When he didn't answer she began to panic.

"Wade please open the door.  I'm going to go to LA.  Just open the door!"

After a few seconds, she heard him walking towards the door.  Once Wade unlocked it, Chantal quickly pushed the door open and walked inside to see what the hell he was doing. 

At first she didn't see anything, but when Wade passed by her on his way to the bedroom she noticed that his hand was wrapped in a towel.  A towel that was quickly becoming saturated with blood.

"What the hell did you do?!"  she asked horrified.

Not answering her, Wade continued into the bedroom and over to the closet.  Pulling out his suitcase, Wade tossed it on the bed and began to grab his clothes out of the dresser.  He didn't need her to go back to LA.  He was perfectly capable of handling the situation himself....and he would.

"What are you doing?  Didn't you hear me say I was going to go back to LA?"

Again Wade ignored his sister.  He didn't want to talk about it anymore.  As far as he was concerned, HE was going to be the one to go back to LA.  That way he would be certain of what was or wasn't going on.  Then if it turned out that Justin had been hooking up with her, he'd be there to handle it.

"Wade!"

"Jesus christ!  What?!"  Wade yelled, turning around to face her.

At that point Chantal wasn't sure what to say.  The fire she saw in his eyes completely freaked her out. She had never seen him like that before and now she understood all too well the fear Michelle must have felt when she was with him.  Then she realized what she had came to his room for.

"I....I...said I would go back to LA.  I'll go back and check on Michelle."

"Just go back to your fuckin room.  I don't need you to go back to LA anymore.  I'll take care of this myself....believe me."  he said, walking into the bathroom to grab another towel.

Shaking her head, Chantal followed after him and saw that the bathroom mirror had been shattered.  Obviously that was what she heard when she was in the hall....and clearly the reason for Wade's bloody hand.

Unwrapping his hand, Wade dropped the now soaked towel on the floor and grabbed another one.

"Wade, just talk to me.  Please.  I'm really worried about you.  This isn't like you ."

"There's nothing left to say.  I'm going back home.  End of story."  Wade said, brushing past her and heading back into the bedroom.

"You can't just leave the video shoot.  People are counting on you to be there, not to mention the money riding on this project."  she said.  She knew Wade had excellent work ethics and it was the one thing if any, that would keep him in NY.

"Well what the hell I am I susposed to do?!  Sit back and let that fuckin prick move it on Michelle while I'm hear in NY?  It's not going to happen.....it's not!"

"I still don't understand why you think something is going on between them.  Just because they were together and he didn't tell you, does not mean there is something underhanded going on.  Why don't you just call him back?"

Wade out right laughed.  He knew there wasn't any way in hell that Justin would answer the phone, so calling him back wasn't even an option. 

"Do you want me to call him?  He might answer the phone for me.  I mean he doesn't know I'm........"  she said, but was interupted by the phone.  Sighing heavily, she sat down on the bed and watched as he walked out of the room.  She really hoped that she could convince him to let her go back instead of him.  The last thing anyone needed was a fired up Wade heading back to LA. 

Just as she was about to lean back on the bed, she heard Wade yelling in the kitchen.  Confused, she quickly jumped off the bed and headed out the door.

"What the hell do you mean Justin carried her into Millennium?!"  Wade asked, frantically.

"What's going on?"  Chantal asked, as she tapped Wade on his shoulder.

Waving her away, Wade walked into the livingroom and sat down on the sofa.

"What the hell happened.  I mean is she alright?................Well dude go find out!  Jesus!..............What do you mean she's unconscious?!..................Jesus christ Brian, go find out!  Don't fuckin call me and say that shit and not know exactly what's going on!  What the fuck is your problem!"

Hearing what Wade was saying, Chantal walked over to him and again tapped his shoulder.  "What's going on?  Is Michelle alright?"

"Brian, can you hold on a second?..........Yeah, do that then call me right back........alright man, thanks."

"What's going on?"  Chantal asked, as Wade began to pace the room. 

"That was Brian.  Justin just brought Michelle into Millennium unconscious."

"Oh my god!  What happened?"  Chantal asked, as she walked over to Wade and tried to calm him.

"I don't fuckin know.  All Brian said was that Justin carried her in.  Apparently she was unconscious and she looked really pale.  He said they were taking her into the lounge or something.  See, he's a fuckin ass!  Why the hell would he do that?!  Why not take her to the damn hospital!"

"Calm down.  I'm sure if Justin thought it was anything serious he would take her.  Don't jump to any conclusions, just wait until Brian calls back with more information."

Plopping down on the sofa, Wade rested his head on his hands.

"If anything happens to her........."  Wade started, but Chantal stopped him.

"Don't.  Don't do this.  Your going to make it worse, just relax.  I'm sure she's fine"  she said, rubbing his back.

"I'm going to go crazy waiting.  I should just call down there."  Wade said, reaching for the phone.

"No, leave that line open.  I'll call down there on my cell."  Chantal said, getting up to grab her purse.

As she was about to walk back into the livingroom, the hotel phone began to ring.  Frantically Wade leaned over and snatched the phone.

"Hello?...........Hey, what's going on?  Is she ok?.................Thank god.  Well, what happened?.................Where is she now?.................Who's all in there with you guys?"  Immeadiately Wade started shaking his head.  Why didn't it surprise him that Marty was involved in all this.

"Do me a favor, if you get the chance to talk to her alone, see if you can get her to call me.  She won't answer my calls, but I need to know for myself that she's ok..........thanks man.........Alright, call me later."

Hanging up the phone, Wade looked over at Chantal.  "She's ok.  Brian she said she passed out in the parking lot of MC.  After they got her inside, it only took a few minutes to bring her to.  He said, it might have been the heat or something."

"Well that's good.  See, I told you not to jump the gun."

"Yeah.  Look, I'm sorry for snapping on you earlier.  I know your only trying to help, but I have this feeling that something is up with Justin."

"I already said I'll go back, but if I do, you have to promise me that you won't touch a drop of liquor or do anything stupid.  The whole reason I came out here was to help you get it together."

"I know, but honestly, I need to know what's going on back in LA more than I need a chaperone."

"Fine, I'll go back tonight, but you need to understand that if she IS getting involved with Justin, there's nothing you can do about it.  Threatening or attacking Justin won't get you anywhere but in trouble."

"I can't just sit by and let it happen.  I love her, I told you that."

"I'm just saying that if your right and she is getting involved with him.....it's because it's what she wants. And if you love her as much as you say you do....then you need to let her go on with her life and be happy.  Doesn't she deserve that Wade?"

"Look, I really don't want to talk about this anymore alright.  I think I've had all I can take for one day."

"OK, well do you want to grab something to eat?"

"No, I think I'm just going to go lay down.  I really don't feel like going out anymore."  Wade said, getting up and walking into the kitchen.

"Do you want me to bring you something back then?" 

"No, I'll be fine.  Not much of an appetite right now." 

"Ok, well I'll stop by when I get back to see if you've heard anything from Michelle.  Take it easy ok?"  Chantal said, grabbing her purse and heading towards the door.

"I will." 

"It's going to get better.  It just takes time."  she said, walking out the door.

After she left, Wade cleaned up his hand and headed into the bedroom. Grabbing his suitcase, he moved it over to the chair and laid down.  Everything was such a mess and knowing that none of this would have happened it he hadn't made the decisions he had, he vowed to give his all to turning himself around.  Clearly, he was the only one who could fix thing between them and if he messed up, someone would surely take his place in her life.

Chapter 67

(meanwhile back at Millennium)

"Look guys, I said I was fine.  I just wanna go home, what's the big deal?"  Michelle said as several Millennium staff members stood around her sitting on the sofa.

"We just want to make sure your alright before we let you drive home.  You know you gave us one hell of a scare, and I mean ALL of us."  Brian said, taking a seat down on the other side of her opposite Justin.

"I know and I appreciate you guys for being concerned but seriously....I'm fine."

Noticing the look of concern that plagued Justin's face as he looked over at her, Marty knew that he needed to have a talk with Justin.  He wasn't sure exactly what caused Michelle to collapse and since Justin had been with her, he would be the best place to start.  Not to mention that he had a few questions as to why he didn't want Wade knowing they were together.

Walking over to where Justin was sitting, Marty bent down.  "Hey man, can I talk to you for a few minutes out in the hall?"

"Can it wait?"

"This will only take a few minutes."

Noticing Justin's reluctance to leave Michelle, Brian said that he would stay with her until they returned.  That would also give him the perfect opportunity to see if she would talk to Wade.

Once Justin and Marty walked out of the lounge, Brian turned to face Michelle.

"Can you do me a favor?"

"Me?"  Michelle asked, somewhat confused.

"Yeah.  Look, I don't know what's going on between you and Wade and something tells me that it's for the best, but....." he started to say, but immeadiately Michelle became uncomfortable and attempted to get up.  She didn't like where this was heading at all.

"No wait....look, Im just asking that you call the guy.  He knows what happened and he is really worried.  I told him you were fine but I think he needs to hear it from you.  Don't you think he atleasts deserves that?"

"What?!  How does he know Brian?  What did you do, call him?"  Michelle asked horrified, and yet again she tried to get up but was stopped. "You don't even know what your getting into or what's going on, so why don't you do me a favor and keep out of this!"

After finally standing up, she tried to walk towards the door of the lounge, but Brian quickly caught her by her arm and pulled her back towards him.  "Look, don't act like that!  You wanna run around and hook up with Marty behind his back, then that's your problem.  However, I think it's only common courtesy that you tell the fuckin guy your alright!"

"Get the fuck off me!"  she yelled, trying to pull her arm out of his grip.  "You have no idea what the hell your talking about, but obviously this isn't the first time you have talked to Wade about me.  How nice to know!"  she said, rather annoyed. "Bet you think you just know it all, right?" 

As she was waiting for him to dish out a smart ass comment, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.  Flipping it open, he dialed a number and glanced out the small window of the lounge door.  He wanted to make sure that Marty and Justin didn't see him holding her by her arm. 

After a few rings, he finally got an answer.

"Hello?"

"Hey man, it's Brian.  What are you doing?"

"Laying here.  I'm trying to clear my mind, but it's not working."  Wade sighed.

"Well I think I have something that will put your mind at ease right here."  Brian said, holding the phone out to her.

"I'm not talking to him Brian, let me go!" 

Tightening his grip he shoved the phone at her.  "Get on this fuckin phone right now.  It isn't going to kill you to tell him your alright"  he mouthed through gritted teeth.

Against her better judgement, she took the phone from Brian and in return, he released his grip on her arm.  Standing there with his arms folder over his chest, she knew that the best thing for her to do at this point was to just take Brian's phone and tell Wade she was fine.

"Hello?"

"Hey, what happened?  Are you alright?  Brian said you passed out in the parking lot of Millennium."

"Yeah.  I'm fine though.  I just wanted to let you know that I'm ok, so here's Brian."  she said and was about to hand the phone back to him when she heard Wade.

"Michelle, please don't.  Can't you just talk to me for minute?"  he asked softly. 

"Wade, I already told you that I'm not ready to do this.  Why don't  you understand that?"  she said, as tears began to form in her eyes.

"Well I wasn't ready for you to just completely walk out of my life in the middle of the night either, but you did that.  Why don't you understand that things shouldn't have ended like that and I want to talk to you?"

Instantly Michelle shut her eyes and tried desperately to supress the guilt that was now flooding her mind for leaving the way she did.  Especially since she had told him that she would wait until he got back from NY to discuss any possble future between them or lack thereof.

"Look, all I'm asking is that you give me a few minutes."

"Fine.....I'll talk to you, but I just can't do it right now.  Please, can you just give me a day or two.  I don't think my body is physcially or emotionally capable of taking any more."

"Are you sure your alright?"

"No, not really.  Look, I have to go.  I'll talk to you soon."  she said, handing Brian back his phone and running out of the lounge crying.

Standing out in the hall talking, Marty and Justin quickly turned around when they heard the sound of the lounge door being flung open and Michelle crying.  Without even looking there way, Michelle ran past them and out the door to her car.

"Michelle, what's wrong?"  Marty yelled after her, as Justin turned around to see Brian standing in the doorway on his phone.

"You go after her, I'll  find out what the hell happened."  Justin said to Marty.

Running out the door, Marty stopped in the parking lot when he saw her pull out on the road.  She was gone.

Cussing, he walked back inside.  He knew he was going to have to go find her but first he needed to find out why she took of like that.  When he got back to the lounge, Marty walked inside and saw Brian flip his phone shut.

"What the hell happened man?  Why did she take off like that?"  Justin asked.

"I don't know.  She just gave me the phone back and took off."

"Gave you what phone back?"  Marty asked completely confused.

"My phone.  She was talking to Wade."

"She was what?!  Why?!  Wait, why was she on your phone?"

"Because I called him.  He knew that she collapsed and he wanted to know for himself that she was alright.  What's the problem?"  Brian asked, praying that Marty would give him the opportunity to call him out.

"Yeah, he wanted to know if she was alright my ass.  Why don't you just stay out of this Brian.  If she wants to talk to him she will."

"Maybe you should stay out of it!"  Brian yelled back.  "She's fuckin dating Wade, yet you always seem to be hovering over her.  Why is that?  Are you getting a little from her on the side?"

Furious, Marty got up in Brian's face.  "First off, where the hell do you get off accusing me of anything, let alone that!.  Second, not that it is any of your business but the relationship she had with Wade is over."

Hearing Marty's comment, Justin stook there in complete shock.  Could Wade have already found out about the two of them?  Was that the reason she was crying?  Did he confront her?

"Well even if they did break up. that doesn't mean they have to stay that way.  Maybe if you would quit trying to get in her pants they could work things out between them."

Although Marty wanted to just step up and punch Brian right in the face for making such accusations, he knew he wasn't going to sink to that level.

"You know what...you can think what you want.  I really don't give a shit, but don't think for a second that I'm going to let you help him get back together with her.

Laughing, Brian brushed past Marty and headed out of the lounge.

"Man what the hell is going on?  Justin asked, still standing there in shock as he tried to process everything he just witnessed.  "Wade and Michelle broke up?  When?"

"Yeah they broke up, but I can't get into that right now.  Michelle took off before I got a chance to talk to her and right now I really need to find her."

"I'm coming with you."  Justin said, walking after Marty who had already started to head towards the front door.  Even though he obviously didn't know as much as Marty about what was going on, he was still worried about her and he wanted some answers.

"I think it would be in her best intrest if I just went alone.  I mean, I know your concerned J but you need to just trust me on this one.  I'll call you as soon as I find her though." 

With that said, Marty headed out the door into the parking lot.  He knew that Michelle was in an unstable state to begin with and judging by her reaction from talking to Wade, she certainly wasn't feeling any better about the break up. 

After watching Marty pull out of the parking lot, Justin walked over to his truck and got inside. Everything that had happened within the last hour alone had him more confused that ever. If Michelle and Wade were no longer a couple, should he try to make his move or would the conflict of intrest between business and pleasure be too great a risk.  That was something he was going to have to decide.

Chapter 68

In tears, Michelle sped away from Millennium.  Everything was becoming overwhelming and the harsh reality that her life would never be the same was slowly sinking in.  Never again would she be without the feeling of heartbreak and loss.  Always present in her mind would be the memories of falling asleep crying and knowing that the reason for her suffering was that a man she loved, didn't love her.  A man who took her virginity as well as her soul and left her with nothing to show but a few scars.

She needed time to think, time to figure out what the future held for her and whether or not hat future included a residencey in Los Angeles.  For now, she just needed to escape.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once Justin got back to his house, he went inside and plopped down on the sofa. 

His mind was flooded with feelings he wasn't ready to deal with.  Feelings he hadn't felt in awhile and it scared him.  It seemed like just yesterday that him and Britney were a couple.  They were so happy, so in love, but then unexpectedly things came to an end and he thought he would never be able to feel that way about someone else ever again.

Although he knew there wasn't any future between them, he wasn't quite ready to move on either.  He was simply content to surround himself with family and friends and submerge himself in the work of venturing out as a solo artist. 

Up until now, that was all he thought he needed.   He was comfortable with his life.  He managed to forgive Britney and maintain somewhat of  friendship between them and even decided to be the bigger man and put Wade's betrayal of their friendship in the past.  Eventually leading to him offering Wade the choreography gig for his upcoming tour, which he surprisingly accepted. 

Everything, once again, was back on track in Justin's life and although he started dating again, he wasn't in search of that special someone to share his life with.  Yet somehow fate had a mind of it's own and in fact brought someone into his life.  Someone who he connected with.  Someone who seemed to touch the very place in his heart that he had locked away and for the first time Justin realized that he needed that in his life. 

As Justin sat on the sofa deep in thought as to why things were happening the way they were, his cell phone started to ring.  Hoping it was Marty, he quickly pulled it out of his pocket and flipped it open.

"Hello?"

"Hey dude, where you at?"  Trace asked.

"Back home.  Why, what's up?"

"We need to talk."

"About?"  Justin asked, as he got off of the sofa and headed into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water.

"Look, I know you don't want to hear anything I have to say concerning Michelle, but I just can't sit by and watch this disaster in the making.  I've seen too many changes in you to know that this isn't a game anymore." 

"Tell me about it."  Justin said, slightly laughing.  He knew Trace was right.  He had changed, his feelings about the whole situation had changed.  Now with the information getting out that she was single....there was a very stong possibility that everything could change.

"What's that suspossed to mean?  Never mind.  I'm not sure I wanna know yet.  You can just tell me when I get there."

"When you get here?"  Justin asked, sitting back down on the sofa.

"Yeah, I'm on my way over there right now.  I should be there in fifteen minutes."

"Alright man, well then I guess I'll see you when you get here."

Trace grew silent for a second.  Normally when he mentioned Michelle, Justin would be less than receptive to anything he had to say.  It even got to the point where he didn't want him mentioning her.  Now this?

"What?  No protesting, no.......'I know what I'm doing' or 'Trace stay out of it'?" 

"No, I'm actually glad your coming over.  I wanted to talk anyway."

"Oh man, It's worse than I thought isn't it?"

"I'll see you when you get here man."  Justin said, ending the call and tossing the phone down on the sofa next to him. 

Letting out a heavy sigh, Justin leaned back against the sofa.  He knew Trace always had his best interests at heart and if truth be told, he was glad that he was on his way over. 

Other than his mother, Trace was the one person that Justin could talk openly with and trust whole heartedly.  Knowing that he couldn't tell Lynn everything that was going on or had gone on between him and Michelle, Justin knew that Trace was going to be the only one, if any, that could help him figure things out.

Pushing himself up off the sofa, Justin grabbed his cell and headed upstairs.  He knew there was going to be a lot of feelings that he would need to sort through before he could even give any serious thought to pursing a relationship with her.  Knowing that, he knew exactly where to start.

Reaching his bedroom, Justin walked inside and sat down on the edge of his bed.  Letting out a heavy sigh, Justin pulled open the drawer to his nightstand and took out the last picture taken of him and Britney when they were a couple. Was he really ready to move on without her.  Could he completely open up his heart and soul to Michelle knowing that the risk for heartache would be there.  He wasn't exactly sure of either answer at this point, but he knew it wouldn't be hard to figure out the first one.  All he would need to do was call Britney later and ask her to meet him somewhere to talk.  If there was anything still there beyond friendship, he would surely feel it.

The second question was a bit more difficult to answer.  He really didn't expect to feel anything for Michelle when he decided to go ahead with his plan.  It was simply susposed to be a quick hook up so that Wade would get a taste of his own medicine.  How things got so off course, he'll never know.  However, the fact remained the same.  Things had changed and he was now left with a dilema on his hands. 

Countless roadblocks were already in place and he knew that more than likely, others had yet to be discovered.  The obvious one, first and foremost, was her relationship with Wade. 

Even though Justin had just found out that their relationship had ended, he wasn't sure that the break-up was permanent.  Certainly the facts surrounding the break-up had yet to be revealed...atleast to him anyway...and he had never known Wade to just walk away from something he wanted.  Britney was a perfect example of just how persistant he could be.  So if Wade still wanted her, it was going to be an uphill battle to say the least.

Then there was the fact that he still wasn't clear on Michelle's relationship with Marty.  Of course he had his suspiscions. Obviously Brian also had a few of his own if he went so far as to tell Marty to stop trying to get in Michelle's pants earlier at MC, but something told him now that he was wrong.  Whatever was going on between Marty and Michelle wasn't sexually based.  He just wish he knew exactly what it was. 

Of course there was also the fact that Justin tried to avoid mixing business and pleasure, but if everything else fell into place, that wouldn't be so much of a concern.  They would figure it out together.  Together.....it sounded nice. 

Then before Justin had a chance to imagine what that would be like, he realized that Marty never called him back.  He said he would call him the second he found Michelle, but almost two hours had passed and still no word. 

Worried, Justin grabbed his phone and dialed Marty's number.  After a few rings with no answer, it kicked into voice mail. 

"Must be doing someting important, leave me a message and i'll get back to you."

"Hey man it's Justin.  Haven't heard from you yet and I was starting to worry.  Call me when you get this so I know Michelle's alright."

Hanging up the phone, Justin headed back downstairs to wait for Trace.    Tossing the phone down on the counter, Justin grabbed another bottle of water and twisted off the cap.  Just as he was about to take a sip, his phone started to ring.  Quickly he sat it down beside the sink and rushed over to the counter.  Picking it up, he pressed the button and placed it to his ear.

"Hello?"

"Hey J, I got your message.  I just wanted to let you know that I didnt' forget about you.......I just haven't found her yet."

"Are you serious?"  Justin asked, half worried, half in shock.

  Where did you look?"

"Well I drove over to her apartment to check there first.  She wasn't there so I decided to drive around for a little bit.  I really didn't think she would head over to Wade's place, but I checked there anyway.  Still nothing."

"Did you swing back by MC?"

"No, but I called over there.  No one has seen or heard from her since she left there earlier.  I tried to call her cell a few times but she didn't answer."

"Do you have any idea where else she would go?  I mean does she know anyone else in LA?"

"No, none that I know of or recall off hand."  Marty said, the panic becoming apparent in his voice.

"Look, I know your worried, I am too man, but maybe she just wants to be alone for awhile.  I'm sure she's alright.  She'll show up.  Just give her some time, you'll see."

Knowing that Justin couldn't fully understand why he was so worried, Marty agreed with Justin that the best thing to do now was just wait it out.  Even though he knew deep down, he couldn't do that.  The second he got off the phone with him, he was going back to look for her and wasn't going to stop until he found her.

"Well I just wanted to touch base with you.  If you happen to hear from her or see her, let me know."

"No problem.  You do the same man.  I'm sure she's fine."

"I hope so.  Catch you later."

"Alright Marty, take it easy man."  Justin said flipping his phone shut and walking over to the window to see who had pulled in the driveway.  As he figured, it was Trace.

Sitting his phone down on the table, he walked over to the front door and pulled it open.

"Ok, now I know it's worse than I thought."  Trace said, brushing past Justin and heading into the livingroom.

"And why is that?"  Justin asked, half laughing.

"You mean besides the look on your face?"

Now full on laughing, Justin shut the door and headed over to the mirror that hung on the wall.

"What look?  I don't see any look."

"Yeah well it's there J, trust me."

"If you say so." Justin replied, joining Trace who had already grabbed a seat in the livingroom.

"So, do you wanna start or should I?"  Trace chuckled, kicking up his feet to rest them on the coffee table.

"By all means, enlighten me oh great one."  Justin said, jokingly bowing before collapsing onto the sofa opposite him.

"See, I knew it.  Your trying to make a joke of this.  You have been doing this since we were kids dude.  Don't you think I know you by now?"

"What do you want me to say."

"How about..."Dude, I'm falling for Michelle and I'm in a world of shit.'...that would be a good start."

Making a face, Justin stood backup and walked into the kitchen.

"I'm sorry man, I knew something was up with you and although I knew you were starting to feel something for her, I didn't realize it was this serious."

"Well trust me, this wasn't on my agenda either."

"I know, but hey, that wasn't a good agenda anyway.  See just think.  If you would have hit it the first day, you'd be kicking yourself in the ass right now."

"Yeah, I don't have to worry about that.  I just have a much bigger problem." 

"It's gonna be a long night isn't it?"  Trace asked, leaning against the counter.

Leaning his head back against the refridgerator, Justin let out a sigh.

"I take that as a yes.  Well, you know I got your back with whatever decision you make."

"Thanks man."  Justin said. 

"I know."  Trace said, jumping back so that he was sitting on the counter. "What would you do without me dude."

Slightly laughing, Justin kicked his foot as it hung over the edge of the counter.  Whether or not he conversation would have the outcome he was hoping for, he was certain that after his talk with Trace, he would know what to do. 

Chapter 69

After Chantal grabbed something to eat, she headed back to her room to pack her stuff back up.  She had only been in NY for a few hours and now Wade was making her head back to LA.  If they weren't so close, she would have told him he was damn crazy.  Eight hours up and now eight hours back.  It was a complete nightmare.  She still didn't understand why he thought something was going on between Michelle and Justin, but at this point she didn't dare bring it up or question it. 

Once her bags were packed, Chantal pulled them over to rest against the dresser by the hotel door.  She still had two hours until she had to leave for the airport and hoped that in that small amount of time she would get some indication that Wade would be alright alone in NY.  That after all was her main concern and the reason she flew out to NY in the first place.

Grabbing her room key, Chantal shoved it into her front pocket and headed down to Wade's room.  She hoped that he took the time alone to get his mind together.  She had never seen him that way and she would be lying if she didn't admit that he even scared her.  It just wasn't like him to be that angry. 

Once she got to his room, she stopped and let out a heavy sigh.  She was just about to knock on the door when Wade pulled it open.  Noticing that Wade appeared to be heading somewhere, she gave him a confused look.

"You going somewhere?"

"Uh...yeah actually I was.  I...I didn't think you would be back until later."  Wade said.

Crossing her arms in front of her, she stared him down and tried to figure out exactly what he was hiding.  She knew that Wade didn't have anything work related to do because he ended up going to NY ahead of schedule.  She did however know that whatever it was he planned on doing, she obviously interrupted.  The look on his face clearly said it all.

"So, where are you headed?" she said, interrogating him.

"I was just going to go take a walk."  Wade said, quickly pulling the door closed behind him and shoving his room key into his pocket. 

"Oh, mind if I join ya?" 

"Uh...don't you have to get ready to head back to LA.  I mean you still have to pack your bags back up, right?"  Wade nervously asked, looking down the hall towards the elevator.

"Are you trying to get rid of me? Where the hell are you really headed Wade?"

"Jesus!  So what, now I can't even take a walk without you thinking the worst?!  Do I have to call you and get clearance to leave my room when your back in LA too?"  he said, brushing past her and heading down the hall.

Shaking her head, she stood there and watched as he headed to the elevator and pressed the button.  She knew there wasn't a chance in hell that Wade was planning a stroll through NY and if he thought even for a second that she would buy it, he was sorely mistaken.  Unfortuently, now it was to the point where she just didn't care anymore.  She could try and reason with him....try to convince him that he needed help, but unless he was ready to admit it, it wasn't going to do anyone any good.  There wasn't much more she could do. He was simply going to have to handle this on his own.

Feeling defeated, Chantal headed back to her room.  At this point, all she wanted to do was get back to LA and forget that she even made the trip to NY. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once inside, Wade pressed the button and then leaned against the wall of the elevator, hoping that the ride down to the lobby would be a quick one.  Although he didn't really have plans on talking a walk like he told Chantal, he couldn't wait to do just that.

Feeling the elevator hit bottom, Wade straightened back up and waited for the doors to open.  Once they did, he walked out and headed directly for the door, ignoring the blond female that was calling his name from a chair in the lobby.

"Wade, Wade where you going?" 

Only quickly glancing behind him, he continued his path towards the front door.  He only had one thing on his mind.  Getting out of the hotel and away from Chantal.

"What the hell is your problem?!"  the female yelled out, as she got up from the chair and walked after him.

Stopping quickly in his tracks, Wade turned around to face her.

"What's the big rush?  Where are you headed and why didn't you answer me?" she asked, pushing the strap of her purse back up onto her shoulder.

"Look, I'll meet up with you later Cam.  I just need to get out of here for awhile."

"What do you mean get out of here for awhile.  You call me up after I havent talked to you in months and tell me your in town and that you want me to stop by the hotel.  Now your ignoring me and telling me you'll meet up with me later?  What the hell do I look like?  I'm not gonna sit around and wait for you!"

"Then don't.  I really don't give a shit right now."  Wade said, starting to turn around to head back towards the door. 

"Look, you wanna get out of here?  Fine.  Let's go back to my place then." she said, grabbing his arm and pulling him into her.  "It'll be like old times." 

After standing there watching her seductively lick her bottom lip, Wade knew exactly what it was she was offering him if he went back with her to her apartment.  He also knew that it was one of the last things he should be doing right now.  However, after promising himself that he would try his hardest to stay away from liquor only one thing remained that would get his mind of the situation back home in LA. 

"Whatever. Then let's go.  I just need to get the fuck out of here for a few hours." he said, taking her hand and heading through the lobby and out the front door. 

Once he saw an opening in traffic, they ran across the street to her apartment a few buildings down. 

"Geez, this seems familiar."  she laughed as Wade stopped in front of her apartment building and waited for her to punch in the security code to open the lobby door.  Once the door buzzed, Wade pulled it open and she walked inside.

"The place has changed some since I was here last."  Wade said, looking around the lobby as she pressed the button on the elevator to head upstairs.

"Yeah.  It's been awhile since you've been here."  I think the last time you were actually in my apartment was when you and the guys were out doing the pop odyssey tour.  Man, that is a long time ago."  she chuckled.  So, how are the guys doing?"  she asked, as he walked towards to her.

"They're good.  Everyone is just doing their own thing right now.  I'm actually doing Justin's choreography for his upcoming tour." 

"That's great. You guys worked so well together."  she stated, adjusting the neckline of her shirt so that it would convienently catch Wade's eye. "You know, if memory serves me right, we worked very well together too."  she said, walking behind him and letting her hand run over the tight muscles in his lower back. 

"Haven't changed much have ya Cam.  Still the same horny little thing.  Is that all you think about is sex?"  he asked, grabbing a hold of her hand and pulling her in front of him so that he could look at her.

"You say that like it's a bad thing." she said, moving her hands to Wade's belt and playfully giving it a tug as the elevator doors opened.

"Well I pride myself on being able to pick up on the bad girl vibe.  After all I sure had you pegged right didn't I?"

Before she could reply or let go of his belt to turn around, Wade put his hands on her waist and quickly walked her backwards into the elevator.

"So, you still a tease Camy?"  Wade asked, as he removed one hand from her waist so that he could press the button to her floor. 

"I've never been a tease Wade.  You of all people should know that." she whispered, tracing her fingers over the grooves in his stomach. 

"We'll see."  he snickered, sliding his hands down to her ass, griping tightly as he pressed against her. 

A few seconds later, the elevator doors opened and she stood there waiting for him to move, yet knowing he wouldn't do so until he was ready. 

"I see your still the same Wade.  Don't you ever get tired of having things your way all the time?" she asked, looking up at the fire that was radiating in his eyes.

"No."  he said matter of factly, backing up only slightly to allow her to slip from the small space he had confined her to only moments ago.

Keeping his gaze upon her, he watched as she slowly exited the elevator and proceeded down the hall to her apartment. Once they arrived at her door, she reached into her purse and pulled out her keys.  She knew what was bound to happen and the sooner they got inside the sooner the fun would begin.

Placing the key into the lock, she gave it a quick turn and heard the door unlock.  The second the door opened up, Wade quickly pressed himself into her from behind to scoot her inside. 

"You always were a bit impatient, weren't you?"  she laughed, quickly pulling her shirt over her head and tossing it on the floor.

"Yeah, and you always were a bit too talkative."  he said, pulling her forcefully into him as he kicked the door shut behind them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Finally ready to leave for the airport, Chantal made a call to Michelle's apartment, but unfortunetly she wasn't there.  She knew that Wade was a lost cause right now,  but that didn't mean that she would ignore the obligation she felt to keep Michelle and Justin out of harms way.  Wade eventually would be back in LA and she wanted to make sure that, if nothing else, they would be aware of Wade's current state of mind.

Grabbing a piece of paper from the hotel desk, Chantal wrote a quick note to Wade.  She had a feeling he wasn't coming back before she left for the airport and, if truth be told, she thought that it was better that way.  It killed her to see Wade act this way.  It wasn't the baby brother she knew and loved.  This was someone totaly different.  He had become someone she didn't even want to know and that broke her heart.

After checking the room to make sure she wasn't leaving anything behind, Chantal grabbed her two bags and headed down to Wade's room.  Pulling the note from the side pocket of her suitcase, Chantal slipped it under the door and then headed down to the lobby. She knew that more than likely Wade was out getting himself into something he shouldn't be, but she couldn't babysit him anymore.  She gave him all the advice she could possibly give.  It was simply now all in his hands as to what he did with it.  Granted the whole situation was uncomfortable, but there wasn't anything she could do.  After making arrangements with the front desk, she walked out side to get some fresh air and hoped that wherever Wade was, that he was making the right choices.

Chapter 70

After watching Cameran wrap a sheet around her to head into the bathroom, Wade stood up and walked over to the chair where he had tossed his jeans earlier.  He knew that having sex with Cameran wasn't exactly the smartest thing he could have done, but it was too late to go back and change things now.  What was done...was done.

Letting out a heavy sigh, Wade slipped them on and headed over to the window that overlooked the busy NYC street outside the hotel.  Glancing momentarily at his watch, he knew that Chantal would be leaving soon to head back to LA......and Michelle.

"Hey, didn't you hear me calling you?" Cameran asked, as she walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Startled, Wade glanced behind him.

"No, I didn't.  What's up?"  he asked, pulling away from her and heading over to the chair to grab the rest of his things. 

"I asked if you wanted to go grab something to eat.  I don't know about you but I'm starved."

Ignoring her question, Wade slid his shirt on and started to button it up.  He knew that calling her was a mistake from the beginning but he went through with it anyway.  That was mistake one.  Mistake two was going back to her apartment knowing damn well what would happen if he did.  Mistake three would be continuing to spend time with her and he wasn't about to make that one.  He had to get out of there and back to the hotel to talk to Chantal before she left.

"What the hell is your problem?"  she asked walking over to the edge of the bed where Wade was sitting.

"Look, I'm sorry.  I never should have called you. This isn't fair to you and it isn't fair to Michelle."  he said grabbing his wallet off the nightstand.

"Michelle?!  Who the fuck is Michelle?!" Cameran asked, placing her hands on her hips.

"She's everything to me and right now, this is the last place I should be."

Standing up, Wade started to head towards to door to leave, but Cameran quickly blocked his way.

"Wait...you have a girlfriend and yet you call me up just so you can get laid?!  That's fuckin bullshit Wade!"

Knowing that she was right, he attempted to appologize.

"Look, I said I'm sorry Cam.  I just have a lot of things going on right now and I just can't keep doing this kind of shit to her.  I can't keep hurting her.  She deserves better."

Laughing, Cameran brushed past him and opened the door.

"Get out!  I can't believe you did this shit....again!" she yelled. "You make me sick!"

Sliding his wallet into his back pocket, Wade headed over to the door.  He never meant to hurt Cameran, but right now all he was concerned about was Michelle and her feelings.  Something he should have been doing from the beginning.

"Don't ever call me again!"  she said, slamming the door shut behind him.

Without looking back, Wade headed over to the elevator and pressed the down button.  He knew if he hurried he still might be able to catch Chantal before she left for the airport.  He had a lot of things he wanted to say to her, but none more important than 'I'm sorry'.

Once Wade got off the elevator, he walked outside and ran across the street to the hotel, hoping he wasn't too late.  He just couldn't bear the thought of Chantal going back to LA leaving things the way they did between them.  She was all he had left at this point and the one person who would stick beside him no matter what.

Seeing Wade coming, the doorman opened the door and Wade walked inside heading straight for the front desk.

"Excuse me, can you tell me if Chantal Robson has checked out of room 1125 yet?"  Wade asked, leaning slightly on the counter.

Typing the information into the computer, the front desk clerk waited for the screen to pop up.  Once it had, she glanced back at the clock behind her.

"Yes sir.  She checked out a few minutes ago."

Dropping his head forward to the counter, he began mumbling under his breath.

"Is there a problem sir?"  she asked.

Pushing himself away from the counter, he shook his head 'no' and headed upstairs to his room to shower away any reminder of Cameran and hope that in the process he would wash away some of the guilt he felt for doing what he did.

After Wade had showered, he headed back into the bedroom and saw that the message light was flashing on the hotel phone.  Sitting down on the bed, he dialed the number to the front desk, confused by who would be calling him on the hotel phone.  Everyone who needed to get in touch with him would use his cell. 

"Yes, this is Wade Robson in room 1137.  My message light was flashing."  Wade said, continuing to towel dry his hair.

"One second sir. I'll check." the gentleman said before placing him on hold.  After a few seconds, he came back on the line.

"Actually there is a package here for you." 

"A package?"  Wade asked confused.

"Yes, if you would like, I can have someone bring it upstairs to you."

"That would be great.  Thanks."  Wade said, hanging up the phone.  He wasn't sure what could possibly be in the package but the thought that it was most likely Chantal who had left something for him, made him feel slightly better about their situation and the way he left things with her. 

After a few minutes had passed, there was a knock at the door.  Unlocking it, Wade opened the door to find the bellboy standing outside holding a small box.

"Here is your package sir."  he said, handing the box over to Wade.

Opening his wallet, Wade pulled out a bill and handed it to the gentleman. Graciously accepting it, the bellboy walked back down the hall and Wade shut the door.

Giving the box a slight shake, Wade walked over  to window.  Once he unfastened the tape that held the box securely closed,  he opened it up.  There inside was a phone very similiar to the one he had purchased earlier with a small envelope. Confused he looked at the contents, grabbed the envelope and then sat the box containing the phone down on the bed.  Tapping the envelope in his palm of his hand,  he waked over to the chair at the other end of the room.  Once he sat down, he ripped open the envelope and pulled out a small folded piece of paper.  The second he opened it up his heart sank.
 

Michelle sounds very sweet.
Im sure you'll have a happy life together.
Then again maybe not.
No one likes to have a cheating asshole for a boyfriend!

Cam

Jumping out of the chair, Wade ran over to the bed and grabbed the phone out of the box.  Turing it on, he realized that in fact it WAS his phone.  With everything running though his mind after being with Cameran, he completely forgot that he left his phone sitting on her coffee table. 

Knowing most likely what he was about to find, he hesitated slightly before searching for the one thing he was almost certain he would find.  Once he pulled his menu screen up, he hit the button for call log and felt a knot growing in his stomach. Then there it was, only 15 minutes earlier a call to Michelle's apartment.  Shaking, Wade stood there torn between the feelings of rage he felt towards Cameran and the fear that her call may have cost him his last chance at getting back together with Michelle.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"I just don't know what I'm gonna do man.  So much shit is just up in the air."  Justin said, as he walked Trace to the front door.

"Well, just don't rush into things.  This is one of those things that is better left to play itself out."

"I know.  So what time you wanna meet up later?"

"You call it man. I don't know what you have going on.  I'm pretty much open the rest of the evening."  Trace said, grabbing his keys out of his pocket.

"Around 10?"  Justin said, glancing down at his watch.

"Sounds good man.  I'll see you there." Trace replied, then headed out the door.

Shutting the door behind him, Justin walked into the kitchen and grabbed the phone off the table.  After hopping up on the counter, Justin dialed the number to Marty's cell phone.  He still hadn't heard from him about Michelle and the longer it went, the more he started to worry. 

Finally, Marty answered.

"Hello?"

"Hey it's Justin.  Any luck finding Michelle?"

"No man.  None and I'm running out of places to look."

"Well, I don't know if you want to hear this or not, but it might be a good idea to give Wade a call.  I'm sure he would know some places she might go."

"Absolutley not!  There isn't a chance in hell I would call him!"  Marty said, practically yelling.

"It was just a suggestion dude, damn!  What the hell is the deal with you two.  Does it have something to do with why him and Michelle broke up?"

"They broke up because Wade's an ass!  He didn't deserve her and he better NEVER go near her again!"  he snapped back.

Knowing there was more to this story than he had knowledge of, he backed off.  He really didn't want to waste time interrogating Marty when he could be out looking for her.

"Are you sure you don't want me to help you look?"  Justin asked, jumping down from the counter.

"I'm sure.  I think I'm the only one she trusts right now anyway."

"You know I really wish you would fill me in.  I keep hearing these bits and pieces of shit and the more I hear, the more confused I get."

"Well I could say the same thing.  I mean what's the deal with you two?  I mean the more I started to think about it the more questions I had.  Like the night at your party.  One minute she was fine and the next she comes running in telling me she wants to go home."

"Fine.  Point taken.  Look, all we're doing is wasting time.  You have questions...I have questions. The important thing right now is that we find her.  Right?"

"Of course."

"Well then call me the second you find her."  Justin said.

"I will.  Don't worry man." 

Hanging up the phone, Justin headed upstairs to jump in the shower.  After all the chaos that unfolder earlier, he was looking forward to getting out of the house and just letting loose.  After all, going to a club with Trace was almost a guaranteed good time and for that he was thankful.