Six Months Later
Shay unlocked the door to her apartment and threw her purse and keys on the table before shutting it behind her. Walking to the kitchen, she looked through her mail. Nothing but bills and flyers. She threw them in the basket on the kitchen table and let out a sigh. Tired. She was so tired. Working and going to college was taking everything out of her, but at least it left her little or no time to think of other things. Shay could still picture Joey, sitting there with tears on his cheeks. She had expected him to call or come to her. After the first couple of months though, she had given up. He wasn't coming. He didn't want her. It still hurt like hell, but she had to move on with her life.
Shaking herself out of her depressing thoughts, Shay grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. Looking at it, she set it back down and grabbed a bottle of wine she had been saving. Hell with it, Shay thought. She pulled a glass from the cupboard and filled it. She took a sip, grabbed the bottle and headed for the bathroom. She was going to pamper herself tonight. Tomorrow was Sunday and she didn't have to work. She was going to relax for once. Entering the bathroom, she set the bottle and glass down and started running the water for a bath. She took another sip of the wine and walked to her bedroom to get her panties and an old t-shirt she loved to bum around in.
Returning to the bathroom, Shay shut off the water and set her clothes and towel down on the stand beside the sink. She stripped off her clothes and slid into the steaming water with a long sigh. It felt heavenly. Shay reached over, grabbed her glass again and lay her head back. She stretched out in the tub and sighed again. She really needed to get out. Just do something. She needed to start accepting some of the offers from the guys she worked or went to school with. Was she ready though? She was still trying to answer that question as she drifted off to sleep.
In Los Angeles
"Dammit Joey," Justin and Chris yelled at the same time. Joey had messed up on the choreography again, meaning they were going to have to stay longer to rehearse. Joey blushed and his shoulders slumped guiltily. He knew he was screwing up a lot lately and everyone's tempers were short because of it. He didn't know what the hell was wrong. All he knew was that ever since Shay had left, he couldn't concentrate on anything at all. He'd tried resuming his life the way it had been before she'd shown up, but he just couldn't. Nothing interested him. Women, music, the group, the upcoming tour; nothing. Grumbling, they all took their places again and waited for the music to start.
"I swear to God Joey," Justin shook a finger at him threateningly, "If you don't get it right this time, I'm gonna kick your ass." The other guys murmered in agreement and Joey hung his head. This time when the music started, Joey put every thought of Shay out of his mind and concentrated on the moves. This time he got them right and breathed a sigh of relief. Finally done for the day, Joey grabbed a towel and wiped the sweat off his face and neck. He was really going to have to get it together, and soon. Patience was wearing thin all around. The guys all knew that Shay had gone home early, but not why. They also did not know about the night before she left. Joey preferred to keep that to himself. He didn't feel right talking about it to them, as if she was just another conquest. Picking up his bag, Joey turned to find all four of the guys standing there, waiting.
"Joey," Chris began, "We need to talk to you."
"Yeah Joe, " Lance agreed, "We know somethin's up and you aren't telling us. We've gotta get all this straightened up before we start the tour. We can't have you losing concentration out there like you have been." Joey had been dreading this, but also expecting it. They wouldn't let him go on like this without wanting to know why. He just didn't know if he could tell them that he was such a dumbass that he let the one woman who meant anything to him just walk away.
"I'll be alright," Joey said, "I've just been kinda off lately. I'll get it together."
"That's not good enough," Justin piped up, sounding more and more irritated, "You know damn well we can't start a tour with you actin like this." Chris, Lance and Justin went to sit on the couch by the wall as JC hooked his arm around Joey's neck.
"You know we always have to work things out before we start. Now, we're going to all sit here until we find out what's up with you and how to fix it."
Reluctantly, Joey let himself be led over to the couch, pausing before slumping down on the end. Aw hell, they were going to get it out of him eventually. Joey looked at their expectant faces and sighed. No getting out of this one. Speaking softly, he started at the beginning. By the time he was done, he was near tears again and couldn't look a one of them in the eye. Chris broke the silence first.
"Damn."
"You can say that again," JC murmered, "so, what are you gonna do?"
"There's nothing I can do," Joey replied, "she hates me. She's made that perfectly clear."
"Well, you've got to think of something," Justin growled, "I'm gettin kinda tired of your ass mopin around here. Go talk to her or something." Joey snorted and shook his head.
"I wouldn't even know what to say to her now," he said, "It's been too long." With that, he grabbed his stuff and stalked out the door. The other guys sat there mulling over what he'd just told them. It was a long while before any of them spoke.
"Well, he's certainly fucked up good this time," Justin scowled.
"Yeah, true," JC said, "Now we just have to help him find a way to solve the problem."
"I dunno," Lance said, "From what Joey said, she might not be receptive to anything he has to say."
"See, that's where we come in," JC replied in earnest, "We have to figure out a way to make her listen to him and vice versa."
"Oh goodie," Chris rubbed his hands together gleefully, "Something sneaky and manipulative, I'm all about that."
"Now, here's something I have in mind," JC began to tell them of his idea. It would take some work to pull it off and they would all have to play their parts. Bending their heads together, they formed a plan for getting Shay and Joey back together.
Chapter Eight
JC eyed Joey and went back to pretending to pay attention to the coordinator for the tour. They had two weeks left to get their plan in action. Joey was still moping and he had lost so much weight they'd had to alter his clothing for the tour. They had everything set up, they just had to get moving. They had talked Joey into a little mini-vacation before the tour. All five of them were going to fly to Florida for a week. Things were settling into place and hopefully, by the end of the week, everything would be back the way it should be. The coordinator wrapped up the meeting and they all walked out relieved. They all needed this break, even if it was going to be spent on a mission. They all walked to JC's Expedition together and talked excitedly about the upcoming trip. Even Joey started to get a little animated. JC smiled to himself and caught a knowing look from Lance. Yes, things were going to work out just fine.
A few hours later, the private jet they used frequently was landing in Florida. Grabbing their stuff, they all moved from the plane to the waiting rental car with practiced speed and efficiency. They were quite used to this. JC drove as usual and before long, he was sailing along the interstate, heading toward their favorite place. The Beach House. A little place in a hidden cove off the beach. It was private and perfect. Lance had called ahead and made all the arrangements. It was stocked with food, plenty of drinks, and everything they would need. JC watched Joey sitting and staring out the window and knew that this just had to work. He could tell Joey felt differently about Shay. It was written all over his face and in his actions.
An hour later, JC pulled into the drive leading back toward the little townhouse. He missed coming here. It was so quiet and peaceful, not like LA. He put the car in park and shut off the engine. The other guys were already arguing and yelling about who was going to sleep where and such. JC just shook his head. Peaceful. Well, not this time. After they got their stuff out of the car and into the house, they all sat around just enjoying being away from everything for the time being. Joking around and cracking on each other, this was how things should be. Joey seemed to get involved, wrestling with Chris and trading lewd comments with Justin. Lance looked up and nodded to JC. He was so serious about this whole thing, it took everything JC had not to bust out laughing.
"Hey guys," Lance stood up and headed for the door, "I got a few things I've gotta get done. I'm going to head into the city." The other guys made a few token protests, but in the end, Lance left. The main part of the plan wouldn't be put into effect until tomorrow night. Lance was just making sure that things would go smoothly.
"Well, I'm goin for a swim," Justin announced, smacking Joey on the back of the head with his towel and taking off out the door.
"You little shit," Joey bellowed as he jumped up off the couch and ran after him. JC and Chris laughed and followed them out.
Chapter Nine
BAM...BAM...BAM
"Alright, alright, I'm coming," Shay yelled. Who the hell could be here now? She wasn't expecting anyone, she thought as she opened the door, and if it was that creepy guy across the hall again she was gonna.....
"Hey there," Shay stood there face to face with Lance. She couldn't believe it, why was he here? She didn't realize how long she'd been standing there with her mouth open until he fidgeted and a slow blush crept it's way up his neck.
"Uh......hi....Lance," she stammered, "I don't mean to be rude, but what are you doing here?"
"Well, I was in town and thought I'd look you up," he replied, coming in and shutting the door behind him, "Is it bad that I wanted to see someone I considered a friend?" He looked so uncertain that Shay's suspicions immediately disappeared and she smiled.
"No, it's not bad......just......unexpected."
Shay gestured for him to come in and sit down. She joined him on the sofa, facing him. She was still shocked, she had no clue what to say to him.
"I just don't get it," Shay said, "I don't see or hear from any of you for over six months and suddenly you're at my door. Is anything wrong? Are the guys okay?" Lance put up his hands, chuckling softly.
"Yes, everyone's fine," he said, "No problems. We're taking a break before the tour and I decided to come visit some friends here in Florida. I knew you lived here too, so I thought I'd look you up."
"Really," Shay eyed him suspiciously.
"Swear to God," Lance replied, making a cross motion over his chest and smiling. Shay started to relax and they talked for awhile, catching up a little. It seemed there was an unspoken agreement that neither of them would mention Joey. Shay enjoyed the conversation and was disappointed when he looked at his watch and said it was time for him to go.
"I've really enjoyed this Lance," she told him as they walked to the door, "We've never talked that much. We'll have to do it again."
"Seriously," Lance asked, grinning.
"Yeah," Shay smiled back at him and nodded, "I really needed the company. It's been kinda rough lately."
"Well," Lance brightened, "In that case, would you like to go to Chances tomorrow night with me?" Shay's eyes widened at the suggestion and he spoke again before she could say a word.
"Just as friends, of course," he blurted, "I just don't want to go down alone and we had so much fun dancing last time, I figured...." He shrugged and looked so earnest and shy that Shay had to laugh and tell him she'd go. She had the night off and didn't have any other plans. He told her he'd pick her up at 8 and left. Shay shut the door behind him still reeling from the surprise visit. She still felt weird about it, but Lance had seemed so sincere and happy to see her that she put any doubts out of her mind. She was going to go out dancing tomorrow night and have fun if it killed her.
Lance entered the beach house to find JC and Joey sitting on the couch, watching a movie. Chris and Justin had found a couple of girls to hang out with at the beach and stayed there. JC looked up as he came through the door and Lance gave him a thumbs up and grinned. Phase One, complete.