| Chapter 8 Part 1 |
| It was 1:30 when Mackenzie and Jenna finally left to go to the barbeque and once again they were lost. Mackenzie, Jenna, and Jeremy had all packed into a small SUV and were driving on an unknown road somewhere in Orlando. "Kenz, here. Call the house and ask for better directions.� she said handing Mackenzie her cell phone. "Mackenzie? Earth to Mackenzie? Hello?" "What? Why do I have to call?" Mackenzie whined. Jenna just smiled at her friend. Ever since they left the airport Mackenzie had been on cloud 9. In her opinion, no one deserved those fans like Kenzie did "Because you're the reason we were invited. Just call." Mackenzie picked up the phone and quickly dialed Ms. Harless' number. "Hello?" Lance said "Hey Lance, it's Kenz." "Where are you guys? JC said you were coming." "Yeah, we're coming, but we are lost." "Well, isn't this quite familiar. You two seem to get lost a lot." Lance said laughing "Shut up! I'm just glad you answered the phone, I was worried Justin would." she said jokingly "He's right here if you want to talk to him?" "No! No, that's quiet all right. Anyway... we need directions." With in 15 minutes Kenzie, Jenna, and Jeremy had all made it to Lynn's house and were standing at the door waiting for someone to answer. Justin opened the door suddenly and the smile that was on his face disappeared. "Hey, Jenna, Jeremy, Come on in!" he said hugging them both. "How have you been Jer? I haven't seen you in like forever." "I've been doing well. Kenzie is a pleasure to work with." he said while everyone walked inside. "Ok, how much did she pay you to say that?" Justin asked "Hey, Justin. It's nice to see you too." Kenzie said looking around the foyer of the giant house. "Oh, I didn't even notice that you were here, Miss Hope." Justin said bitterly. Mackenzie was about to say something back when JC came to the rescue. "Hey, guys. Kenz, you look beautiful. Come on, I'll introduce you to everyone." he said walking into the living room. "This house is like segregated. Over here, we have the mom's, grand moms, and sisters." "Hello, darlin'. I'm Lynn, this is Mrs. Bass, you've already met Heather and JC's mom..." "Yes, but briefly. Sorry for leaving so shortly, it's just that that was the first time anyone had ever waited to see me!" "You don't need to apologize to me sweetie. We know, and I would have been upset if you didn't go over there and say hello to all those fans." Mrs. Chasez said "This is Chris' mom", Lynn continued, "this is Lisa, Justin's step mom, and this is Mrs. Fatone." "It's nice to meet you all." She said shaking their hands. "I'm really looking forward to recording with the guys." "Have the guys all been behaving?" Chris' mom asked. Mackenzie looked over at JC and then her eyes caught Justin standing over by his father, holding his little brother. She never saw Justin as happy as he was at that moment and she couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. "The guys have been perfect gentlemen." "Good answer!" JC said, "Now come on so I can introduce you to everyone else!" They walked outside on the patio and Mackenzie's jaw flew open when she saw how beautiful the backyard was. "Hey, everyone, be good. There is a lady in our presence." Mr. Fatone said while cooking something on the grill. "Let me guess, you're Joey's dad?" Mackenzie said laughing. "Yes, that's me. How'd you know?" Mr. Fatone asked "Just a hunch." "Mackenzie, this is Mr. Timberlake, Mr. Bass, my dad, and Mr. Fatone." Jc said introducing her to everyone. "Call me Joe." Mr. Fatone said shaking her hand. "You two are so alike." She said to Joey. "Hey, Mackenzie. I'm Wade and this is my friend Jeff." "Hi, guys. It's nice to meet you. You are the choreographer, right? I've heard so much about you! I really like your work." Mackenzie said to Wade. "Thanks. I would love to work with you one day. Jeff's a choreographer too." He said when his friend nudged him. "Cool. Who's this little guy and why are you so sad?" She asked looking at the little boy with an upset face Justin was holding. He squirmed a little in Justin's arms and Kenzie was close enough where he could reach her so he turned and reached his arms around Mackenzie neck. Before Mackenzie knew what was happening the little boy was now in her arms looking up at her. "I'm Jonathan and I'm mad at Justin." He said sniffling "Oh and why are you mad at him?" Kenzie asked leaning her forehead against his. "He won't play basketball with me like he promised." Jonathan said while crossing his arms over his chest. Justin ran his hand through his hair and sighed. "Jon, I'll play later, I promise." he reached out to touch him but Jon turned away. "No" he said simply. "Hey, I'll tell you what," Kenzie began, "I'll play basketball with you." "Right now?" he asked "Right now. But on one condition." "What's a comdition?" he asked wiping his nose. "You have to promise me something in order for me to play basketball with you." Mackenzie said shifting him to the other side of her shoulder. "Ok. And I won't break it like Justin broke his promise to me." "Well, that's just it. I'll play basketball with you if you promise me that you won't be mad at Justin anymore." "Why not?" "Because he is your big brother and he loves you! That's why. OK?" Mackenzie said smiling "Ok." he said, "Now can we play?" "We sure can!" she put him down and he grabbed her hand and started pulling her in the direction of the basketball court. "Sorry for leaving so soon. I'll talk to you all later!" she laughed when Jonathan tugged on her hand even harder. "I've never seen Jonathan be so open with anyone before." Mr. Timberlake said baffled. "What are you talking about, Dad? He's always like that." Justin said jealously. |