Chapter 11
�Promise to call if you need anything. I don�t care what it is or what time it is.�
�I will as long as you promise to call when you get in so I know you�re alive.�
�Promise!� Tori hugged her best friend for like the tenth time in those same five minutes.
�I�ll send my half of the rent at the beginning of every month.�
�You don�t have to.�
�Calicia, it�s my apartment too and I�ll still be paying half the rent! Even if I�m not going to be there.�
�Fine! Stubborn ass.�
�But you love me.�
�I�m gonna miss you.�
�I�m gonna miss you too, Cal.�
�Flight 180 to Orlando, Florida now boarding. First class only please.�
�Well, I gotta go. I�ll see you in five months.�
�Bye.� They hugged once more before Tori went off down the corridor to board her plane that was the beginning of a new life.
~*~*~
Tori got off her plane and looked around for a few minutes for someone holding up a sign with her name on it. She wasn�t told who would be there for her. Only that someone from the agency would be picking her up to go to the hotel she and the other dancers would be staying at.
Tori figured that they might be waiting by the baggage claim so she headed in that direction, following the signs of course. She picked up all of her luggage and formed a pile by her side and looked around again. Still no sign of anyone who looked like they could be there for her. She stood there for at least ten minutes, hands on hips, just looking and waiting when there was a tap on her shoulder.
�Tori?� Tori turned her head and smiled.
�Hey. Ali, right?�
�Yep. How are you? How was your summer.�
�It was great. My friend and I went to Puerto Rico for a month.�
�That�s cool.�
�How about you?�
�Oh I visited my friend in Vegas. Not as exciting as PR but, it was a lot of fun. I hadn�t seen him in two years.�
�Yeah, it�s usually good seeing an old friend.�
�Usually?� She asked confused. Whenever she saw an old friend she was so excited.
�Let�s just say I had a little run-in with an old friend in PR.�
�Didn�t go well?�
�Oh believe me, you�ll be seeing what I went through when we begin to work with the guys.�
�The guys?� Ali questioned.
�Oh that�s right! We weren�t supposed to know who we�re dancing for.�
�You know? How do you know! Are they hot? Who are they? And one of them�s an old friend of yours?� Ali spouted off in point three seconds.
�Yes, I ran into them in PR, very, can�t say, and unfortunately.�
�Tori?� Tori turned again at hearing her name once again.
�Joey!� She shouted, running into his arms. �God I missed you!� She kissed him on his lips.
�Missed you more.�
�I didn�t know you were picking me up.�
�Yeah. I would�ve been here sooner but traffic was unbelievable. Who�s that girl you
were talking to?�
�Oh! Ali, come here.� Tori waved for the girl to come over to where they were standing.
�Ali, this is Joey my boyfriend. And one of the guys we�re dancing for.�
�Nice to meet you. So, we�re dancing for Nsync? Nice.�
�So you�re the other girl I was supposed to pick up?�
�That�s me.�
�Cool. Let�s get your bags so we can go.� The girls agreed and they took their bags, Joey carrying the most, and left.
�Has Rachel arrived yet?�
�No. She�ll be coming in a few hours.�
�Oh.�
�Well, I hate to do this to you baby, but I gotta go. I just wanted to see you and make sure you got in ok. No, don�t give me that face!� She pouted out her bottom lip and tilted her head to the side, sniffling.
�I don�t want you go! We only just got back together!�
�Believe me! I don�t want to go either!�
�But you have to.�
�Yeah. I�m sorry.�
�No. I understand. Trust me, I do. Besides, we�ll be together eventually.�
�Yeah. Bye.� He pecked her on the lips quickly then left the hotel.
Tori was in her own little world unpacking her things she didn�t even notice Ali leaning against the doorframe that connected the rooms smirking at her.
�Ahem.�
�Oh, hey Ali. I didn�t know you were there.�
�I noticed.� She walked over to where Tori was standing. �So, you�re dating Mr. Joseph Fatone huh?� Tori couldn�t suppress the smile that formed on her lips.
�Yes I am.�
The room was quiet for a minute before Ali decided she just had to ask. �Can I ask you something?�
�Yeah.�
�This old friend of yours that you weren�t too happy to see again in PR. Would that happen to be Jc? Are you the girl that he wasn�t prepared to date after because the breakup was so heartbreaking? Were you two a thing before Nsync put out No Strings Attached?�
Tori just sat down on the bed as a tear rolled down her face. �Tori?�
�Heartbreaking for who? He�s the one who broke my heart.� She cried silently.
�I�m sorry if I brought back some memories. I was just curious. I didn�t mean to...�
�It�s ok Ali. You didn�t know. I need to move on anyway. And that�s with Joey.� She put on her best smile.
�How does Jc feel about it?�
�Not to be rude, but I could care less about what Jc thinks of our relationship.� Tori stood up and walked to the bathroom. �I�m gonna take a quick shower.� Tori leaned over the sink and looked into her reflection, tears streaming down her face, eyes turning red and puffy. �What�s wrong with you, Tori?� She whispered to herself.
~*~*~
Tori was sitting on her bed with only a pair of Jeans and her black strapless bra on, bent over trying to put on her boots when there was a knock on her door. She stood up and went over, not even bothering to see who it was. Big mistake.
�Hey! Damn you look good girl!� Jc whistled. Tori just rolled her eyes and walked back over to her bed. Jc shut the door and followed her. �I take it you�re going out tonight?�
�No shit, Sherlock!�
�Hey! No need for name calling now.�
�What the hell are you doing here Jc?� Tori asked, turning around to face him.
�I wanted to see you. I didn�t have the chance earlier since we were busy and all.�
�Well, you�ve seen me, too much might I add, so you can go now.�
�Hey! I�ve seen way more than this before. Remember? The second week of the second month we were together?� Jc�s voice turned low and husky as he ran his hand up and down Tori�s arm. Tori backed away and turned around, grabbing her black tube-top and throwing it on.
�Come on Toy. I know you remember. I know for a fact it was just as good for you as it was for me.�
�Enough!� She all but screamed. �Yes I remember! How could I forget considering that was my first time, ever! I remember every fucking detail ok? I remember the way you touched me, the way you made me feel loved, the way you took your time. I remember how I felt. How you made sure I was ok the entire time. Ok Josh? I remember it all!� She yelled at him. Walking up close to his face she whispered, �And if you call me �Toy� one more time, I�ll beat the living shit out of you.�
Jc put his hands on both of Tori�s arms, lightly laughing. �Rar! Toy, calm down baby.�
�Don�t touch me! You lost that privilege when you lost me!� She growled. �I never want you to touch me again!� She cried as she slapped his face.
�I never lost you. I still have you. You just won�t see how much I loved you then and how much I still love you. And what the hell was that for?� He asked, touching his stinging cheek.
�How much you loved me? Yeah, you loved me so much you never called me once in those four years! You didn�t even recognize me Puerto Rico! And that was for you calling me Toy! Say it again if you want to know what I can really do to you.�
�I never called you because I lost your number! And I didn�t recognize you because you look completely different when you don�t know who you�re looking at!�
�You lost....you lost my number? And you expect me to believe that?� She laughed incredulously. �You are such a guy.�
�Yes I am! Thank you for noticing! And it�s the truth.�
�Whatever. I don�t care anymore.� Tori said in a low voice, not able to look Jc in the eye anymore.
�Yes you do. I can see it in your eyes. You still love me just as much as I love you. You just won�t admit to it.�
Man did he have a point. She admitted it to Calicia, but could she actually say it to him? Yes, she still loved him. She loved him so much it hurt. But she also loved Joey and that�s what made it so hard. She couldn�t leave Joey for two reasons. He loved her and she loved him and he won�t hurt her. Jc had hurt her beyond belief. How could she go back to that pain? That constant nag that has always been there but got a little smaller when she was around Joey?
�Leave.�
�What?�
�I said leave Jc. I can�t be around you right now.�
�You can�t be serious.�
�I am. I want you to leave and I don�t want to see your face until I absolutely have to.�
�Fine. Be that way and keep lying to yourself then. You want to play this game? So be it. Just remember, I may not always be around for when you decide to let yourself believe the truth.� His mouth was so close to hers she could feel his hot breath on her lips. And boy did she just want to give in right then and there. The things that man could do to you. But she had to stay strong. She had to prove to him that she didn�t want him anymore. That she had moved on. Or was it herself she was trying to prove it to?
Tori picked up a vase on the table nearby and threw it at Jc�s disappearing body and landing with a loud crash on the door.
�ASSHOLE!� She screamed through the door before leaning against the wall beside her.
Ali and Rachel both rushed to her side. �You ok Tori?�
�How much of that did you guys hear?�
�Almost all of it.� Ali said in a low voice, afraid to speak any louder.
�I think you should just stay in tonight. Why don�t you go take a hot bath and me and Ali will stay here with you?�
�No, you guys go and have fun. I don�t want to ruin your night.�
�Psh! We only decided to go out because, well yeah it�d be fun, but to get you away from everything.� Ali had filled Rachel in on all the details when she arrived earlier.
�Yeah, so go get into that hot bath and we�ll call room service for some junk food.�
�Ok.� These girls were really getting along. They had only spent two days together but were the best of friends so far.
Chapter 12
�Hello?�
�Hey Joe.�
�Oh hi Jace. What�s up?�
�Just wondering if you wanted to go out tonight. I kinda thought you would be out
already with V though.� The way Jc said her name kind of got to Joey.
�What do you have against Tori, Jc? What has she ever done to you to make you hate her?�
�I don�t hate her.� Jc sighed.
�Well, I�m sorry but she�s my girlfriend and a dancer for our tour. You are going to have to learn to get along! And I�m not out with her because she�s having a girls night. And no I don�t really feel like going out anyway, ok?�
�Yeah. Fine.�
�Is that all?
�Yeah. Bye.�
�Bye.� Jc hung up the phone and had the most confused look upon his face. He thinks I hate her? Oh this is too good! He thought evilly.
~*~*~
�I cannot believe he used the �lost your number� excuse.�
�I know. Why did I ever fall for him in the first place? He is such an ass.� I fell for him because he was the sweetest guy ever. That is not the man she had first met.
�You fell in love with him because he was the sweetest, hottest, most sincere guy ever.� Ok, so that was weird. Tori thought something and her friends easily read her mind.
�I know. And it makes me sick to think of how much he has changed from my Joshie to this, Jc guy who seems to have no feelings what-so-ever.� Tori laid out there, blowing her nose into a tissue for like the thirtieth time that hour.
�People change Tori, that�s true. But not so much where they�re complete assholes to the ones they loved and still love.�
�But you saw how he was earlier!� Tori defended.
�Yes, we all did. And what we saw was Jc confessing his still undying love for you.�
�He doesn�t love me. All he wants is one more quickie.�
�That is not true Tori!�
�Oh come on Ali! What else would he want?�
�You are too naive girl!� Rachel said, sitting back.
�And how is that Rachel?�
�Because! You won�t see the fact that someone besides Joey loves you! And don�t even bullshit me with this one, you love him too!�
�No...�
�Yes you do and I don�t want to hear another damn word about this unless it�s your confession of love for that gorgeous, rich, blue-eyed, sexy beast! Ok?�
�You won�t hear my confession of love for him because I don�t love him anymore!�
�Whatever! It�s late. I�m going to bed.� Rachel stated, getting up and walking to the door.
�I�ll see you tomorrow Tor.� Ali smiled comfortingly and walked out behind Rachel.
�Seriously! How did my life get so damn complicated?� Tori said to the atmosphere around her.
Chapter 13
Tori was going through her room trying to get all her stuff ready to go to their first rehearsal. She had been up all night long thinking everything over. Only because her full head wouldn�t let her get any sleep. She couldn�t help but think of him, her past love. Every time she would break her thoughts free of him,. he would invade her mind once again. Why did he have to show up again? Finally, she was able to let him go. She was moving on, slowly but she was. And then she just had to end up at the same destination as him? Not only that, but she was one of his dancers! What was a girl to do when she was in love with two men at the same time? One she started a fresh new beginning with and one with whom she had a past? Could she forget about that?
�You ready to go?� Tori turned from her duffle bag to find Rachel peering her head through the door.
�Yeah I�m ready. Let�s go.� She threw her bag over her shoulder and out they went to their very first rehearsal.
�Hi. I�m Wade Robson and I�m the one who is doing the choreography for this tour. Since there are three new dancers, I�ll introduce you. Chantal, Dianne, meet Ali, Rachel, and Tori.� They shook hands and said their hellos then got right to work.
~*~*~
�So how was your first day baby?�
�Ugh!� Tori groaned, leaning against him.
�That great huh?�
�No, I love the dancing, but you weren�t kidding when you said Wade works you hard.
Damn! My whole fricking body hurts!�
�You�ll get used to it.�
�I don�t think so.�
�I�m serious. Your body isn�t used to working so long so much. It has to get accustomed to it.�
�I should have prepared harder for this.�
�Come on, lay on your stomach.� Tori looked at him questioningly.
�Why?�
�So I can give you a massage! Gees.�
�Ok.� With that, Tori fell over, straight on her stomach. Joey just giggled at how sore she was.
�Uhh! this feels so unbelievably good.� Tori groaned into her pillow. �where did you learn to this?�
�We have excellent masseuses while on the road, �cause god knows we need them.�
�Uh huh.� Was all he got out of her.
�Take of your shirt and bra. It�ll feel even better.�
�Excuse me?�
�I�m serious Tori. I don�t need to make up an excuse to get you to take of your clothes.� He smirked and she hit him playfully on the arm, doing as he asked. She laid back down and Joey got back to work. Man was he right! It felt incredible to Tori. Nothing could possibly ruin this moment. Except for a knock on the door of course.
�Dammit!� Tori hissed as she sat up.
�No, I�ll go see who it is.� Joey kissed the top of her head and left the warm bed to answer the annoying door. �Hey. What you doin� here?�
�We wanted to know if you wanted to go clubbing with us tonight. Oh hey. If I knew it was a slumber party I would have come prepared.� Jc smiled. As Joey turned his head to see what his friend was talking about, Jc flipped out his tongue at the girl with only a sheet covering her.
Tori was curious as to who was at the door disturbing their peace so she just wrapped her sheet around herself.
�Fuck you asshole!� Tori growled.
�You first.� Jc retorted.
�You want me to beat the living shit out of you boy?�
�Hey hey HEY! Knock it off, both of you! Damn. You�re like two vixens. I thought we made it perfectly clear that even though you two don�t like each other you had to at least pretend to get along.�
Tori just rolled her eyes as Jc kept smiling. That damn smile! The things it could do.
�Whatever. I�m going to go take a bath Joey.� Tori turned to go into the bathroom. She should have known Jc was going to say something.
�Want some company?� Tori whipped around to give the boy a piece of her mind when
Joey stepped in. �That�s enough! V, go take your bath. Jc, step outside please.� Jc shook his head as he waited for the inevitable. Joey shut the hotel room door and whispered fiercely.
�What the fuck is your problem Jc? Why are you acting like this with Tori? What has she ever done to you?�
�I don�t necessarily have a problem with her.�
�Then what is it? I would really like to know why you and Tori hate each other so much!�
�We don�t hate each other. We just can�t stand to be around each other. There�s a difference.� Jc stated, then turned to walk away. Joey just rolled his eyes and went back inside Tori�s room.
�Knock knock.� Joey said as he entered the bathroom. Tori turned her head and smiled at him before returning her attention to the water. Joey couldn�t help but to think of how gorgeous this woman was. The setting helped expose much of her glow too. She was seated on the Jacuzzi-tub side, watching the steaming water fill the tub. She was wearing only a white hotel towel and her hair was up in a clip with little pieces cascading down around her face. The room was dimly lit by the candles she had brought to make the place feel a little more homey-like. If he were a painter, he was sure this would be the type of portraits he would love to do.
�You mad at me?� Joey was brought out of his thoughts by the soft, sweet voice he knew and loved.
�No. I�m not mad. Confused as to why you and one of my best friends hate each other, yes, but not mad.�
�We don�t hate each other Joe-bear. We just can�t stand to be near each other. There�s a difference.�
�Jc said the same exact thing.�
�Dammit! Why do I always think and act the same as him?� Tori thought to herself but remained silent.
Joey walked up behind the girl and sat down on the edge of the large tub. Putting his hands on her bare shoulders he began to massage the knots out of them.
�I love you Joe-bear.� Tori whispered so lowly it was nearly inaudible.
�I love you too, V.� She smiled and turned to look at him. He stopped his hands and she put her hands on each side of his face. Pulling him down for a kiss, she smiled even more brilliantly and said, �Join me.� before joining their lips.
Chapter 14
~2 Weeks Later~
�Good morning girls!� The five girls looked up from their conversations at Wade entering the studio.
�Morning Wade.� They all cooed.
�Since I�ve been working your asses off and I feel that you�ve got the choreography down packed, I have a little surprise for you today. Guys!� Wade told them and as he yelled for the �guys�, Tori�s heart sank. This was what she had been dreading. Working closely with Jc. Tori gave a little laugh as she heard Ali silently squeal. Ali was the youngest of them and had never been near celebrities before. Not to mention she had been a fan when they first came out up until about two years ago.
Tori gave her new friend a smile and a quick squeeze on the arm before Wade began speaking again.
�I think you all are ready to begin dancing with the guys now, so let�s do this thing!� Wade clapped then went to the stereo to put in the music. Wade told them all to just take a spot on the floor so they were evenly distributed around. Tori rolled her eyes as she noticed Jc going right behind her through the mirror in front of herself. She always made sure she got a place up front. She and Chantal needed to be in the spotlight.
�Alright, we�re going to go through the mix-up in It�s Gonna Be Me. I just want to get a feel of who to pair up, you know. Who has the most similar styles. Ok, here we go.�
The beginning chords of the music began and right on beat they all began moving to the beat.
Wade stopped the track and walked around the group, hand on chin seemingly deep in thought. �Ok, well, I think I�m going to put Jc and Tori together.�
�What?� Tori said, a little louder than she had wanted to. She didn�t even mean to say that anyway. It just sort of slipped upon hearing she was being paired up with the one man she truly could not stand at the moment.
�You and Jc, Tori. You both have the same, well, crazy styles of dancing. You�re both wild and add your own stuff to it. I think you would work well together. Now, Justin, you know you and Chantal work best when paired up.�
�Oh yeah baby!� Justin said, pulling Chantal into a hug. He was very protective over her. They were like brother and sister, even though she was Wade�s little sister.
The rest of what Wade was saying didn�t even register in Tori�s mind. She was too upset thinking about how she had to �bump and grind�, Wade had put it, with Jc for the next, well, year between touring the U.S. and Europe and their other special appearances throughout that time.
Jc of course couldn�t be happier. Perhaps now he could work his stuff and win back the one woman he had loved with every fiber of his being. But would she ever know he loved her still? Man did he hope!
~2 Weeks Later~On the road~
�So what are you doing now?�
�Hiding in my room.�
�Tor! You can�t be this way. You said Joey knows nothing about your past with Jc. Only some Josh guy who broke your heart. He is definitely going to think something is up.�
�He just thinks Josh and I hate each other.�
�Which obviously is not true.�
�Why do you say that?� Tori asked naively.
�Tori! Don�t be so naive! You just called him Josh. And I know for a fact you still love him!�
�God! Did I really just call him Josh?�
�Yes.� Calicia answered simply.
�You have my word to slap me senseless next time you see me!� Tori laughed lightly into the phone.
�So, is it really that unbearable there?�
�No. I love it here. It�s just, how can you be totally in love with someone and hate them all at the same time?�
�I don�t know but with you it�s obviously possible!�
�No shit Cal! What help are you?�
�Sorry Tor. I just say it how it is.�
�I know.� Tori sighed. Just then there was a knock on the door, interrupting their conversation. Tori got off her bed making her way to the door, listening to her friend talk about her brother.
�No. I wouldn�t. He got himself into this mess, he can get himself...� Tori trailed off upon opening the door. �What are you doing here?�
�Tori? Oh god! Is it him? Man that boy doesn�t give up.�
�I have to go Cal. I�ll call you later.�
�Ok. Play nice.�
�Very funny. I�m hanging up now. Bye.�
�Ok, bye girl.� Tori laughed at her best friend as she hung up the phone. That laugh ended as soon as looked back up into those deep blue seas they all called eyes. �So I ask again.
What do you want?�
�You didn�t ask me that the first time. You asked me what I was doing here.�
�Same fucking difference. Now, what do you want?�
�I just came to talk! Chill.� He put his arms up in defeat.
�Don�t you think we�ve talked enough? And that discussion didn�t end too well incase you don�t remember.� Tori crossed her arms stubbornly.
�I know. And that�s why I�m here. We obviously need to get through the next year civilly.�
�I know. Doesn�t mean it�ll happen since I�m your personal dancer and I can�t even stand this little discussion. How will I stand bumping and grinding with you every single night?�
�Am I that revolting to you?� He asked, a tinge of hurt in there. That of course couldn�t go unnoticed by Tori. She was after all his �Toy�. She knew almost everything about him. While he may have changed, she could still read him just as easily.
�Josh,� She put her hand to her forehead. �Jc! You are not revolting to me. You of all people should know that. I just can�t be with you in any way, shape, or form anymore. I have Joey and after this tour is over, I really don�t want to see your face anymore than I have to.� Tori caught the hurt in his eyes and expression and she felt truly bad about doing this to him. She did after all still love him. That�s why she had to do it. She didn�t trust herself around him. He seemed just as good as when they first met. But she couldn�t have him now. She was with Joey. She was in love with him, wasn�t she? �I�m sorry Jc.�
�I know I hurt you Toy. But I do still love you. Even more than I loved you then. And I know you still love me. I see it in your eyes every time you look into mine. You know I can read you just as well as you can read me and your eyes cannot lie to me like you can. So don�t even try denying it anymore!�
�Jc....� She couldn�t even finish her sentence. Jc�s lips were on hers, moving in perfect rhythm as they always did. He couldn�t stand always being near her and never able to kiss her like they used to.
Jc slowly guided them into the hotel room and shut the door.
At first Tori tried to fight him off but to no avail. He was all over her and his lips were just as soft and luscious as she remembered. He tasted so good she couldn�t help but to kiss him back, even more passionately.
It was mere seconds until Tori found herself up against the wall, kissing Jc like there was no tomorrow. All the need and want for her Josh was coming out in these few minutes. Jc�s lips traveled away from her sweet lips along her jaw line and down her neck to the sweet spot below her earlobe. Jc grinned in accomplishment upon hearing her sharp intake of breath. He still knew how to drive her crazy.
Tori was lost in her own little world. Just at one little touch she lost all her morals. She had wanted to feel his touch for the past three years. How did she ever live without it? Just then, as she felt his hand travel to the bottom of her gray tank-top and up underneath to her bare stomach, Tori pulled away. Jc looked at her with questioning eyes.
�I�m sorry Josh...Jc. I can�t.� She escaped the hold he had on her and walked away, trying to hold back her tears that were threatening to fall.
�What? Why?�
�I�m with Joey now. I can�t cheat on him with you.�
�Come on Toy, he won�t even know about it.�
�But I will. And I wouldn�t be able to live with myself. I�m sorry. If I were single it would be another story. But I�m not. I love him Jc. You have to go.�
�I can�t take much more of your games Toy.�
�What games?�
�Oh come on Tori! You�re hot one second, cold the next! I thought you really wanted me and you were going to finally let me back into your life. But all of a sudden you go all cold again. When you decide what it is you want, come and find me.� Jc said coldly before walking out of her room.
�I�m sorry Josh.� Tori whispered before breaking down into tears.
~*~*~
�Hey, where have you been?�
�Walking around the city.� She answered simply.
�I don�t like people being late.�
�I�m sorry Wade. It won�t happen again.�
�It better not. Now get on the stage.� Tori dropped her duffle bag and took off her hoodie before going up the platforms by the stage and taking her position next to the one person she did not want to see right now. After last night, Tori spent half the night watching TV eating Ben & Jerry�s ice cream. The other half she spent wandering the streets of Orlando. No matter what she did, she just could not get him out of her head. It was like he was intoxicating. A drug that just endlessly dripped through your veins, not allowing you one day of not feeling him, feeling your love for him inside you. He was always there. Invading her thoughts, overwhelming her with feelings she had only felt for him. Something she would never be able to feel again.
�Hey, you ok Tori?� Ali whispered to her.
�I�m fine.� Tori answered flatly, with no feeling what-so-ever.
�Alright! Let�s try this again. Joey, move forward half a step. Justin, good, Lance, good, Chris, good, Jc! Towards Tori about two steps. Why the hell you so far away?� Wade asked rhetorically. Tori and Jc just looked at each other as he stepped closer.
They were rehearsing for only a half hour when Wade stopped them.
�Alright, Tori, what is going on? You�ve never danced this way before. You seem so pissed off at the world. We don�t want scowls on your faces, we want smiles, the fans want smiles. Now Jc, you are way too...smiling evilly, or whatever. Not to mention you were....�
�Lagging horribly? Perhaps in the memory department.� Tori said simply, adding emphasis to the memory part, smiling triumphantly at him.
�Maybe I wouldn�t be lagging in the �memory� department if someone would decide what they wanted.� His eyes bore into her head.
�Maybe that someone does know what they want. It�s you who won�t get it through your thick skull that they don�t want you in one position, but another.�
�Well maybe if they would realize what I wanted we wouldn�t keep having this problem.�
�You wouldn�t be having this problem if you realized you can�t always get what you want.� The group outside of Tori and Jc was watching them interact, voices raising with each accusation.
�All I want is to be a part of her life!�
�And maybe you could be a part of her life if you weren�t such an asshole!� The force and loudness Tori put on that last word made everyone cringe, even Jc himself.
�Hey! That�s enough you two! Damn you two are like fuckin� vixens! If you can�t be together, we�ll cut the dancers out or grow up an act your ages! Take the rest of the day off. And I suggest you two learn to deal with being partners for the next year.� Wade said
harshly before walking away from the stage.
Tori just gave Jc a dirty glare before running behind the stage, Joey in tow.
�Tori?� Joey ran out to find her up against the wall, one arm across her stomach to her side and her other rubbing her tense forehead, head tipped down. �Hey, what was that all about?� Joey asked sincerely and softly.
�I really don�t want to talk about that Joey. All I want to do is get out of here.�
Chapter 15
That night, they all decided to go out to a club since they didn�t have to rehearse the next day for once. They decided on a club and everyone left around 9:30. Everyone except JC that is. He wasn�t up for going and it bothered Tori to think she was the reason he didn�t want to go out with his friends that. She�d talk to him when they got back, or the next morning, either way she�d talk to him.
The group made their way back into the large expensive hotel, all drunk except for Joey and Tori. They had had a few drinks but weren�t anywhere near the place the rest were at. They were walking past the bar/restaurant when Tori heard the familiar chords of �their� song.
�Where you going?�
�Just go up. I�ll be up in a few baby, ok?�
�Ok. I�ll see you up there.� She gave Joey a quick peck on the lips and made sure he was behind the elevator doors before walking towards the bar entrance. Tori smiled to herself as she watched Jc played the keys of the piano. He never could get beats out of his head.
Tori slowly made her way towards Jc, back to her.
At the right place, Tori began to sing, walking around the piano, running her hand along it�s side.
�How do I live without you, I want to know. How do I breathe without you, If you ever go
How do I ever, ever survive.� Jc smiled at her as he joined in the old favorite.
�How do I, how do I, oh how do I live.�
�I knew you remembered.� Jc whispered, looking down at the keys he was no longer playing.
�I could never forget. That was after all the first song we danced to. It was ours.� They shared a smile at the memories.
�Why are you here?�
�I wanted to talk to you.�
�What about?�
�Earlier. I hate how I acted towards you. You didn�t deserve it. Like you don�t deserve me.�
�Why do you say I don�t deserve you?�
�Jc, I�m not good enough for you. I don�t know how you can love me. I don�t know how Joey can love me.�
�Toy, you don�t give yourself enough credit. You are amazing, in every single way. Even your temper.� He laughed lightly. �But what I love most of all is you�re still my old Toy.� He smiled. �Except you dress a little more provocatively.� His eyes roamed her body, clothed in a short black skirt with slits on both sides, and a black tube top to match. Her hair was down with curls at the ends and she had black eye liner around her eyes. Black strappy heels to finish the look off. Not to mention the glossed lips Jc wanted nothing more than to kiss the hell out of.
�I was but a naive teenager when we were together, Josh.�
�I love how you say my name. Only my family calls me Josh, but it�s not the same.�
�I have a confession to make.�
�What?�
�I love how you still call me Toy.� Jc smiled whole-heartedly, filling Tori�s heart with warmth. He began rubbing his temples and Tori got up and took his hand.
�Where are we going?�
�To your room.�
�And why may I ask?�
�You have a headache.�
�How do you know?�
�Josh, I can read you like an open book. When you rub your temples that way means you have a bad headache. So I�m going to lay you down and give you my scalp massage that you love so much.�
�agh...I love you!� She eyed him and he was quick to add, �You know that. But I love you for doing this. It works so well.�
�I know.� She smiled cutely and he couldn�t help to let his lips lift. She was contagious.
~*~*~
�God this feels so good Toy.�
�You like?� Her answer was a grunt, making her smile get even bigger. �Good.�
�I missed this.�
�Me too.�
�I missed you Toy.� She was silent for a second before responding.
�I missed you more than anyone could ever know. I missed everything about you.� Jc turned around and got up on his knees so he was face to face with her. He had been sitting on the floor, Tori on the couch, massaging his scalp.
�But I�m here now.� Jc whispered before meeting her full lips in a slow, passionate kiss.
Jc slowly made his way up and on to the couch beside Tori, never breaking the kiss. He began leaning her back, fully expecting her to resist. Surprised at her laying down for him, he began to move his hand up her bare stomach under her black tube top. Jc broke their fiery kiss and began sucking on her neck making Tori�s back arch. He always did know exactly what to do, where to touch, every button to push to drive her crazy, for him.
The pouty lips on her neck added with the touch of his hands on her body made Tori moan in ecstasy. How had she gone so long without his touch? How had she resisted for so long?
These thoughts, along with many others, ran through Tori�s full mind as she removed Jc�s shirt and ran her fingers up and down his bare chest, lighting a new fire inside him at every single touch. But every good thing must come to an end, right? They were interrupted by the shrill cry of Jc�s cell phone.
�No I�m not getting it.� Jc said stubbornly, trying to kiss Tori�s beautifully structured mouth.
�Josh, you have to get it. It might be important.�
�Better be.� He grumbled as he got up and grabbed his cell phone off the end table. Tori giggling the entire time, fully enjoying the view of his chiseled body. No one would dare think he was so chiseled. But once you got your hands on that body or saw it walking around naked, man was he muscular!
�What? No...I don�t know...you were with her man...no...yeah...fine...oh you gotta be shittin me man! Fine...what am I gonna say? Fine...yeah...see ya in a few then.� Jc said regretfully, putting the phone back on the table.
�Have to go away?�
�No. Wade wants to come here to look over something.�
�Josh, It�s 3:30 in the morning. It can�t wait?�
�Not in this business.�
�Well, I guess this is it then.�
�It doesn�t have to be.�
�Josh, it�s a sign. Maybe we should only be friends.�
�Toy! I don�t....�
�I know! But it would be easier. I mean, I am with your best friend. This would just complicate things even more. Please?� Her eyes pleaded with him and he had no choice but to give in.
�Alright. Friends.�
�Really?�
�I�d rather have you in my life as only a friend than not have you in my life at all.�
�Thank you.� She whispered before pecking him on the lips quickly then grabbing her shoes and purse and heading out. �Bye.�
�Bye Toy.� She opened the hotel room door and headed down the hall to the elavator, only to run smack dab into Wade only two seconds out of the room.
�Oh, did you and Jc finally make nice?�
�Yes we did Wade. You can expect much better work from us from now on.�
�Good. But why are you in his room at 3:30 in the morning.�
�I could be asking you why you�re headed to his room at 3:30 in the morning too.�
�Music.� He shrugged.
�Talking. Bye Wade.�
�Bye.� He smirked then turned and knocked on Jc�s room.
�Hey man.� Jc smiled and opened the door wider for the man to enter.
�Hey. Was that Tori I just saw coming from your room?�
�Uh, yeah it was.�
�I asked that you two get along, not to hook up!�
�Wade! We made up. We were talking for like an hour and besides, she�s with my best friend.�
�Can I ask why you don�t have a shirt on and your lips are all puffy then?� Wade inquired, crossing his arms over his chest.
Jc put his hand to his lips then looked Wade square in the eye. �Can we just drop this?�
�Fine. Let�s get to work.�
�Thank you.�
Chapter 16
~3 Weeks Later~
�Where�s Toy?�
�Still in bed.�
�Well go wake her up!�
�Why don�t you go wake her up if it means that much to you J?�
�She�s not my girlfriend. It should mean more to you to have her come with us to
breakfast, well lunch if we wait any longer.�
�Justin, why don�t you just go up and get her? See if she wants something to eat.�
�Fine! I�ll go.� He rolled his eyes as he walked away towards the elevator.
�Hey Joe, why didn�t you wan to go get her?�
�Lance, have you seen the girl in the morning?� Jc asked incredulously.
�No.�
�You wanna?�
�I don�t know. Do I?�
�Come on. You can see Justin get his head bitten off or get tortured. It�ll be fun.�
Jc put his arm around Lance�s shoulders and led him up to her room. They got up there just in time to see Tori giving Justin the death glare. Justin got a glance of the guys and squeaked, �Help!�
�Oh, they can�t help you now. You gone and woke me up. Now why you wanna get hurt baby J?� Tori asked, grabbing Justin by the arm.
�Ow! OW! Tori! Stop! I didn�t mean it!�
�Too late to beg for mercy now. Jc, you wanna help me here?�
�Uh, you do it much better when no one�s in your way. I�ll let you take it.� Tori smiled evilly as she pushed Justin back down onto the bed. She climbed on top of him and bent forward like she was about to kiss him. But instead she reached over and pulled out two scarves.
�W..what are you doing.�
�Justin, baby, just lay there and look pretty, and endure what is coming to you.� With
that, she began tying Justin�s wrists to the bed posts. She got up and walked to the doors.
�We�ll see you guys in a bit.� Tori smirked before shutting the door. The guys could
faintly hear Justin yelling for them to save him.
�They all laughed but Joey just looked at Jc funny.
�What?�
�How do you know what Vic is gonna do to him?�
�Oh, I�ve woken her up one too many times! Come on, let�s wait for her to finish in your room.� Joey just looked at Jc�s retreating form. When and why the hell was Jc waking Tori up?
~*~*~
They were sitting in Joey�s suite for about ten minutes when Justin came strolling in,
mumbling under his breath.
�Whoa whoa whoa! What�s the rush baby? Don�t you want the guys to see what happens when you wake up Victoria Adams?� Tori said so sweetly Justin had to roll his eyes. He thought she was an angel, man was he wrong! Justin turned so the guys could get a good look at him and they burst out laughing.
�Aw! Justin, you make such a pretty girl!�
�Shut up Chris!�
�Aw! But you look so adorable!� Joey said through his fits of laughter. Justin just let out
something that could only be described as a growl and stormed out of the room. Tori
dressed him in a black mini skirt, that barely zipped, and a red tube top. She also put
loads of make-up on his face. Not to mention the very girly perfume she sprayed all over him. He looked and smelled like a French whore!
�That was great babe.� Joey got up, trying to catch his breath from all the laughing, he kissed her lightly on the lips.
�Thanks. I got pictures too. Blackmail.� She smiled evilly.
�My little devil. You wanna go to breakfast with us?�
�Yeah. Just let me get ready. I�ll meet you all down in the lobby, ok?�
�Yeah.� Joey let her go and she headed down the hall back to her room.
~*~*~
Tori was just getting out of the shower when she heard the cry of her cell phone. She wrapped a towel around her body and ran to retrieve it off the end table by her bed.
�Hello?�
�Hey girly!�
�Hi Cal. What�s up?�
�Just wondering what you�re up to. How Jc�s behaving. You know, the usual.�
�I�m getting ready to go out to breakfast with the guys, Jc�s being good since we�ve
agreed to be friends. And basically, everything�s going well.�
�That�s good.�
�So, how�s everything there?�
�Good. A little lonely without you here with me, but ya know.�
�I�m sorry. I still have like what? Nine months?�
�Yeah.�
�But hey! I�ll be home for visits. So I�ll see you in at least two months.�
�I can�t wait. I really miss my partner in crime.�
�I miss you too Cal. I wish I could talk longer but I have to go.�
�Ok. I�ll talk to you later.�
�Yep. Bye.�
�Bye.� Tori sighed as she closed her cell phone. This just was not cutting it. She missed her best friend beyond belief! Talking to her every few days was not helping matters any.
~3 Months Later~
The tour is now over and Tori spent the last month at home with Cal until she had to get ready to go over to Europe with the guys. Just talking to Joey over the phone whenever he had a spare moment. She is now on her way to visit him and the guys, mostly him though. According to Jc, Joey had been moping around without her there. So Jc was the only one who knew she was actually coming in for a surprise visit. He was supposedly meeting her at the airport to pick her up and take her over to Joey�s place.
�Josh?� Jc turned around at the mention of his name and an immediate smile crept to his lips.
�Hey Toy.� He wrapped his arms around her in a big hug and she smiled.
�How are you?�
�I�m good. You?�
�Good. Happy to be seeing Joey again.�
�I�m sure he�ll be happy to see you too.�
�I hope so.�
�Well come on. Let�s get out of here before someone recognizes me.� He grabbed her
arm and tugged her along the corridors that eventually led outside and to his car.
The car ride to Joey�s was silent so Jc had to say something. �So, how long are you planning on staying?�
�A week or so. Depends on how much time you guys are off for really.�
�Oh.� Jc wanted to ask her something but he didn�t want to bring it up, actually, he didn�t
know how to bring it up. The best way he guessed, bluntly. �Do you ever think about that night while we were at that hotel in Philly?�
�Josh...� she groaned. They had promised not to bring that up.
�No. I need to know if you still think about it.� Tori looked away from Jc and closed her
eyes, remembering that night, and the next morning.
~Flashback~
�I have been waiting for this moment ever since we parted in Hawaii.� Jc breathed.
�Well, now you don�t have to wait any longer.� Tori responded, kissing him passionately.
~*~*~
�Where are you going?�
�I shouldn�t be here!� She whispered hoarsely.
�Don�t go! Please.�
�I have to. Last night should never have happened.�
�You take it back?� He asked in disbelief, not acknowledging the fact that she was trying to free herself from his grip.
�If Joey were to find out, he�d be so upset. You�re his best friend. I can�t do this to him.�
�Toy...�
�No! Josh, we can never speak of this again. I�m sorry. It�s what�s best for us all.�
�You don�t want to be with me?�
�We can�t be together anymore. Those days are over. I�m sorry. Goodbye Josh.� She
kissed him one last time on the forehead and left his empty hotel room, taking a piece of
his heart with her.
~End Flashback~
�We can�t be together anymore Josh. I told you that.�
�I know. But I wanna know why? We used to be great together.�
�Joey�s why! I�m with him.�
�It seems like you�re only hiding behind Joey. It�s like you�re scared to be with me again.� She was silent as he continued. �Toy, you brought out the best and worst in me. I could never replace our summer together, or those nights. I don�t want to. You�ll always have a place, right here.� He patted his chest above his heart. �I can�t face the world alone. You said it�s what�s best for us, that as the days go by, it�ll get better. My feelings for you will die. But they haven�t. I can�t stop thinking of you. You�re always with me. Why can�t you see that I love you?�
�I do see that!� Tori cried. She couldn�t take this.
�Then answer my question. Do you ever think of that night?�
Tori looked away and tears fell from her closed eyes. �Well, I guess that�s my answer then.� He pulled up in front of Joey�s house and stopped the car. �Goodbye Tori.� She looked at him with pleading eyes, mixed with shock. He never called her Tori. It was always Toy with him. Did this mean she was rid of him? He would no longer be trying to get with her anymore?
�Please understand.� She pleaded with him.
�I do. You better get in there. I�d hate to keep you from your boyfriend any longer.�
Her body shook from crying as she got out of the car and took her suitcase with her. She watched Jc�s jeep speed off down the street and felt a little part of her die. Why did this hurt so bad? This is what she had wanted since he figured out who she was-or was it?
Chapter 17
~3 Days Later~
�Hey. What�s wrong baby?� Joey asked, wrapping his arm around Tori�s waist as she entered the living room. Joey had been sitting on the couch watching a movie so he was only up to her waist.
�Uh, nothing. Do you know where Jc is? He�s not answering his phone.�
�Um, he�s probably at the studio. He�s usually there when we can�t find him anywhere else.�
�Thanks.� She stood up and Joey was right behind her.
�Where are you goin Vic?�
�I need to talk to him.�
�It�s midnight! You�re going now?�
�I�m sorry but this really can�t wait.� She walked over to Joey and kissed him lightly on
the cheek. �I�ll be back later.� And with that she was gone into the night.
~*~*~
Tori walked through the hallways of Wright Entertainment Groups trying to figure out which studio Jc would be in. All the while giving herself a pep talk. The same one she had been giving herself all week.
�You can do this. Just walk in there and say it. What�s the worst that could happen?� Tori stopped as she heard the piano playing softly from one of the studios. She had found him at last. She stopped in the doorway out of his view, just listening to him play. It always had a calming effect on her. But this song made her cry.
She loves daffodils and
She keeps them on her window sill
When the wind blows,
Her smell fills the room
She dreams in color
But does she know that I love her?
I�m swimming in my abyss of insecure blue, yeah
I�m losing my head
And I can�t get no sleep
But if I reached out,
Would you reach out for me? yeah
A tear escaped Tori�s eye as she listened intently.
Knocked unconscious
Walking on water
�Cause I�m thinking of you
And don�t you know that love�s intoxicating
And I need the abuse
Because I�m endlessly falling
You�re my destiny calling
What you�re making me do
It�s all because I lose myself in you
All because I lose myself in you
I don�t want to be invisible
I just want to be compatible
Longing for something that can only be filled by you yeah
�Cause I�m fighting with my confidence
Build up my courage give myself a chance
Because the only thing I think about is you yeah
Do you know that I�m here?
Do I even exist?
I dance on velvet skies with just the thought of one kiss yeah
Knocked unconscious
Walking on water
�Cause I�m thinking of you
And don�t you know that love�s intoxicating
And I need the abuse
Because I�m endlessly falling
You�re my destiny calling
What you�re making me do
All because I lose myself in you
All because I lose myself in you
Tori closed her eyes and she could picture Jc banging on the keys of the piano, that little vein popping out of his neck as it always did when he got so into a song. She could tell he was extra passionate about this one.
I see the beauty in your strength baby
And you fight to keep it in you yeah
But I break down your walls
With my army of love
Take a train through my heart
It�s a test of fate
As we hold each other close our spirits gravitate
Let�s drift into forever as our boundaries melt away yeah
Thinking of you
Whoa whoa whoa whoa
I find myself intoxicated by this drug
Drip through my veins �cause I�m addicted to your love
All because I lose myself in you
All because I lose myself in you
All because I lose, I lose myself in you
All because I lose myself in you
If you share with me
Then I�ll find you
And I�ll meet you there
Down in nowhere
If you share with me
Then I�ll find you
And I�ll meet you there
Down in nowhere
Baby my life is yours
Just open up the door
I can�t believe I found you yeah yeah
�Cause if you share with me
And I find you
And I�ll meet you there
Down in nowhere
Yeah oh
Lose myself
Yeah, oh
The song ended and Tori slowly entered the studio room. �That was beautiful Josh.�
�What are you doing here?� His voice nothing more than a whisper.
�I needed to talk to you.�
�What about?� She couldn�t help but feel as though he were being short with her.
�I�ve been thinking, about us...�
�There is no us, remember?� He said coldly, getting up from the piano bench.
�I�d like there to be.�
Jc stopped dead in his tracks. �What did you just say?� He slowly turned around to face her, thinking he had clearly heard her wrong.
�I have thought about that one night in Philly practically every single night since. Telling you to never think of, to never bring it up again was a mistake. I still love you Josh. I always have. And you were right. I was just hiding behind Joey because I was scared of getting hurt again. And being with him gave me that protection I thought I needed. But I know now, that�s not what I need. What I need is in this room, looking right at me. I just pray it�s not too late. I will never be able to get past us. I thought I could. That the world didn�t end with Joshua Chasez. But the truth is, my world ends without him.�
Here she was, the girl of Jc�s dreams. The one he let slip away. Declaring her still undying love for him. Was it too late for them?
�You�re crazy Tori.� The tears began to fall harder at his statement. It was too late. Or so she thought. �It could never be too late for me to take back the woman I love with every fiber of my being.�
He leaned in and Tori gratefully accepted his kiss. As they both got lost in the feel of being in each other�s embrace once again, Tori suddenly pulled back.
�But what about Joey?�
�You don�t need to worry about him anymore.� Tori and Jc�s heads turned towards the door at the harsh tone in the man�s voice. They clearly had hurt him. Only question was, how long had he been there?
�Shit! Joey!� Jc yelled, running from the room.
Chapter 18
�Don�t even! I don�t care! You�re supposed to be my best friend Jc! How the hell could go around fucking my girlfriend behind my back?�
�I wasn�t fucking her behind your back!� Their voices grew with each word said.
�So you didn�t sleep with her?� Jc was silent. �That�s what I thought!� He turned to walk away but Jc couldn�t let him.
�Joey wait!�
�I don�t know what hurts me the most. The fact that you were sneaking around behind my back. Or that you, my best friend, my brother, lied about it to my face!�
�Joe...� Joey wouldn�t even let the man speak. He raised his fist and instantly it connected with Jc�s jaw, knocking him to the floor. Joey shook the pain out of his hand as he looked down upon Jc. �I hope you two have a nice life together.� With that he left, leaving Tori to tend to the broken man.
�You ok Josh?� She whispered to the rising man.
�Yeah. I�ll be fine.� Tori took a box of tissues from the studio they had recently occupied and told Jc to tilt his head back as she wiped off the blood running from his torn lip. �Ah shit!�
�Oh, sorry.� She flinched as he yelled from her putting a little too much pressure on the
hurt lip. �I didn�t think he had it in him to do that.�
�I did. You don�t fuck with Joey Fatone. I crossed that line.�
�He�ll get over it. Come on, I�ll take you home, put some ice on your jaw so at least it won�t look like a complete balloon.�
�Thanks Toy.�
�It�s the least I can do. I am the cause of this.�
�No you�re not. We both are. Don�t you dare take all the blame for this!�
~*~*~
Joey sat in his living room squeezing his pillow trying not to take his anger and pain out on his house anymore. Suddenly there was a loud banging on his front door. It seemed as though the person was not going to leave until they talked to Joey, so he stomped to the door and flew it open.
�What the fuck do you want?�
�We need to talk Joey.�
�I have nothing to say to you.� He went to close the door in the girl�s face but she put her hand on the door and stepped up.
�But I do.� He just stared at her, not believing how brave this girl was. Did she even know what he could do to her? Screw him never hitting a girl, right now, all his mind was processing was the fact that this girl had cheated on him with his best friend. Whatever.
�You have balls for coming here Tori. I�ll give you that.� He spoke coldly, walking away from the door and back into the living room.
Tori just rolled her eyes, closing the door behind her. �I think it�s time you knew the whole story about me and Josh.�
�Josh?� He laughed. �Only his family and friends he grew up with call him that.�
�Well, when I met him, that�s who he was. He wasn�t Jc Chasez, international pop star. He was just Josh.�
�What? You guys just met this summer.� He was confused now.
�No we didn�t.�
�Ok Tori, you better tell me what the fuck is going on because you�re confusing the shit out of me right now!� He yelled, expressing his words with his hands.
�Well if you�d shut the hell up for two fucking minutes I could tell you! Damn!�
�Sorry.� He mumbled then fell to the couch.
�It�s ok.� She replied softly then sat down on the table in front of him. �Ok. I guess I just have to say this one thing and it�ll al be clear to you. You know Josh? The Josh that I met in Hawaii three years ago that hurt me?�
�Yeah.� He said, looking up at her not getting what she meant. Tori just shook her head and brought her hand up to rub her forehead. �Oh god! How could I have been so fucking blind! Jc is Josh? The Josh you had that incredible summer with in Hawaii? That�s why you two could never get along.� He was pacing the room now, piecing everything together.
�I�m sorry Joey. I should have told you when I found out you guys were friends.�
�Yeah, well you can say that again.� He said, rubbing his temples. �God! Are you still in love with him? Wait, don�t answer that. It�s quite obvious with the way you two were making out.�
�Joey calm down.�
�Calm down?� He laughed incredulously. �How the fuck am I supposed to calm down? I just found out the girl I�m in love with has a fucking history with one of my best friends and was having an affair behind my back!�
�Dammit Joey! We were not having an affair! We slept together once and that was in Philly! And we were drunk ok? You of all people should know you do some stupid shit when you�re drunk!�
�How can I believe you? Everything you�ve told me has been a lie.� Tori just wanted to cry out for doing this to him. He didn�t deserve this. She couldn�t handle his soft weak voice and the tears running down his cheeks. She couldn�t handle the fact that she had put them there.
�I�m sorry Joey. I really am. But not everything has been a lie. I just didn�t tell you about Jc.� Joey finally sat down, his face in his hands.
�I�m gonna take a wild guess here and say you want to be with him?�
Tori sighed and sat next to him on the couch. Whispering she said, �I will hate myself forever if I never found out if it would work with us. To your question, yes. I�m still madly in love with him. He�s been trying to get with me ever since day one. And I just came to terms with him. I do love you Joey, but I have to see. I have to see if we can be together again. You know how bad I�ve missed him those four years.�
�Yeah. I know.� Joey took a deep breath, turning his head to look at her. �I really love you V. Just know that.�
Tori smiled as she knew things were going to be ok. �I know Joe-bear. I love you too.�
�If he hurts you,�
�You�ll be the first one I come to.� Joey smiled as he wiped away her tears.
�Don�t cry baby.� She laughed with him as he wrapped his arms around her protectively. She hugged him back, unable to let go just yet. �Come on. I�ll walk you out. I bet you wanna stay with Jc now huh?�
�It would kind of be weird, me staying here. Ya know?�
�Yeah. I know. You want me to help you pack?�
�I would really like that. Thank you Joey.�
�Anytime V.� He watched as she made her way to the stairs. �Hey V?�
She turned and looked at him. �Yeah, Joe-bear?�
�Can we still be friends?� She laughed at him and walked down to get to him. �I really hope so.� And she wrapped her arms around him once again, holding on tight.