chapter eleven

Alright, I admit it. I was a teensy bit jealous and felt the need to get into a pissing contest with Jenna. It was like I was protecting my property or something. By the time Justin and I got to the car, the need to mark my territory was so strong I ended up having sex with him in the back of the limo. Sure it was great sex, but what the hell came over me I don’t know.

The tour is in South Carolina for the New Year and I’m enjoying the weather. It’s a lot warmer down here and Layla loves it. She’s a joy to have when Justin’s not around or just in general. Layla is now a wonder dog since magazines have spotted her with us and proclaimed her a real celebrity. Go figure.

I finally drag my butt out of bed to find Justin on the couch with Layla. I put my hand on the side of his cheek and he kisses it.

“Morning sleepy head.”

“Mmm, morning.” I say, grabbing a banana and plopping on the couch next to him. “I was thinking we could go out today.” Justin says, playing tug of war with Layla over a squeaky toy.

Sure, where are we going?”

The sides of Justin’s mouth pull up, “It’s a surprise.”

I click my tongue for a few seconds before climbing on top of him, “Don’t you want to tell me where were going?” “You can pout all you want but I’m not telling you.”

“Fine.” I huff.

“You better go get dressed so we can go. I’ve got to go check something out with the choreographer, but I’ll be back in an hour.”

I take a shower and get dressed. I pull on some jeans and a sweater when Craig walks through the door of the bus, “Hi Summer.”

“Craig, I wasn’t expecting you. Anything you need?”

He looks at me, “No actually just the opposite. I wanted to make sure everything is good with you and our arrangement.”

“Yeah, everything’s great.” I smile at him, but I see he has something else to ask me.

“And how is Justin treating you?”

“Are you asking from a work related position or is this a check up from a friend?” I ask puzzled.

Craig goes to say something but fails, so he tries again, “You seem like a sweet girl. I just wanted to make sure you were alright.”

“Justin and I are getting along much better. We talk more and relate to each other.”

Craig gets up from his seat, “Good, I just wanted to check.”

He walks to the door when I call out to him, “Hey Craig?”

“Yes?” he says, turning around.

“Thanks for checking on me, I appreciate the thought.”

Craig smiles, “No problem.”

________________________________________________________________________

Justin comes in from dancing and changes before taking me to the surprise. He takes my hand and we go out to one of his cars. Tony and Rob are in the front of the car and we hop in. I watch out the window with a small smile on my lips. Justin reaches his hand out and rubs my neck, his thumb massaging my cheek. I look at him and lift my hand up to his, holding it.

“You excited?” he asks.

“Yeah, I would be more excited if I knew where we were going.”

Justin just shakes his head, “Hey Rob, do you think we should blindfold her so she can’t see where were going?”

Rob laughs, “Do you think she’d let you is the better question.”

“That’s true man. Summer might kill you.” Tony chuckles and I hold a smile back. I roll down the window and hang my hand out, letting it glide through the air. My hair blows away from my face and I close my eyes as the warm breeze comes through the open window.

________________________________________________________________________

We get to our exit and drive through the small town. Tony spots a parking spot, so we parked the car and are now waiting for something to appear.

“What exactly are we waiting for?”

“Relax, you’ll see.”

Trace and Stephanie come into view and Justin goes up to Trace as I try to figure out what exactly is going on.

“Hey guys.” Trace gives me a hug and then Stephanie.

“Hi, so are we ready to go to the… oh gosh I can’t remember the name of the place-”

“Don’t answer her,” Justin cuts in, “it’s a surprise and being sneaky isn’t going to get you anywhere.”

I cross my arms over my chest and Trace puts his arm around my shoulder, “It was a nice try though Sum.”

Stephanie holds Trace’s hands and Justin wraps his arm around me as we enter Six Flags. The crowds are kept away from us as we walk through.

“A amusement park? I haven’t been to one since I was five.”

“South Carolina has a Six Flags and I thought it would be fun.”

Trace pulls Stephanie to the rollercoaster and Justin holds my hand as we are strapped into the seat.

“Justin, I’ve never ridden a rollercoaster.” I say in a slight panicky voice.

“Don’t worry. Nothing is going to happen to you.”

I hang on to his hand as the ride starts and by the grace of God I don’t throw up. I get off the rollercoaster exhilarated as well as nauseous, finding a seat as Justin and Trace get something to eat. Stephanie runs up and breathes a sigh of relief as she sits on the bench with me, “Trace loves rollercoaster’s but I feel sick every time I get on one.”

“I know what you mean.” I say, holding my stomach.

“Those two are connected at the hip.” Stephanie says referring to the antics that their up to now. Apparently throwing water at each other is a riot.

“Oh, it gets much worse than this.” I assure her. “So, what’s it like dating Justin?” “I don’t know where to begin. It’s crazy and great at the same time.” I pull my legs up to my body and Stephanie pulls her hair up into a pony tail.

“I haven’t been around Justin all that much, but Trace says he’s a great guy despite what the press frequently reports. Or should I say used to.”

“Justin is… a great guy, he just needs to get beyond the whole celebrity thing. When you get down to who he really is, that’s when I feel closest to him. He can put a facade that really pisses me off, but he really doesn’t do it that often anymore. I think fame at an early age can make you cocky sometimes and what Justin could really use is a dose a reality. He’s come a long way though and has really been impressing me lately.”

Stephanie smiles, “Is he romantic?”

I nod, “He can definitely be a romantic. I think he is one deep down and it’s nice when he really gets into it. It’s the press that blows what he does way out of proportion, like trips home to Tennessee.”

“I bet, he’s a sex god to most people. His face sells magazines but at least he took you home with him, that’s got to mean something.”

“I suppose. It does get a little tiring of seeing your own face on a magazine with candid pictures from the visit.”

Stephanie leans back against the bench, “I always liked the spotlight as a kid. I can’t imagine though what it’s like to be in your shoes.”

“It’s certainly nothing I ever wanted or even liked.” I answer.

“Trace said Justin used to be a real playboy, dating everything that walked by him in a skirt, but since you’ve been around he’s calmer. You guys must serious. He seems to be really into you.”

I bite my lip for a minute, “I don’t really know about the girls before me, all I know is that we’re pretty close.”

Stephanie smiles, “I’m trying to get to know Trace better. We’ve only been out a few times but I think we have hit it off.”

“Trace is so sweet. I warmed up faster to him than Justin actually.”

Stephanie laughs, “He’s funny like that. Very warm and inviting.”

Justin comes over and grabs my hand, “Come on. Your real surprise is this way.”

We walk about five minutes with Tony holding off the masses when I see a large ride, “You said you liked to feel like your flying, so I thought this would be a good idea.”

I can feel my insides melting. He remembered….

I look deliriously happy and sad at the same time. Justin lean over with a puzzled look “Are you okay? I thought this would make you happy.”

I lean over and whisper in his ear “I’m thrilled. I just can’t believe you remembered what I said. The last time I rode a Ferris wheel I was twelve.”

“Well here’s your chance to do it again.”

We get on the ride and it starts to move and I put my head on his shoulder, “I snuck out of school last time I did this.”

“You snuck out of school?” he says, bewildered.

“I was having a really bad day because child services had been called on my mom, so I went to the playground but the swings weren’t cutting it that morning. So I went to the local carnival instead of school and rode the Ferris wheel with the money I had saved.”

The radio around the park starts to play a familiar song and I feel like I can see across the whole world as we stop at the top of the wheel.

Every breath you take and every move you make
Every bond you break, every step you take
I'll be watchin' you

I feel like I’m falling and my breath catches in my throat.

“Thank you for everything.”

He smiles, “I’m just glad you like it.”

I lean over and kiss his lips slowly. Not because it’s a job, but because I can’t help myself.

Every single day and every word you say
Every game you play, every night you stay
I'll be watchin' you

Oh, can't you see
You belong to me
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take

I get lost in him and the whole world around us fades away. He smells like Old Spice and I can feel my toes curl. I’m not sure I’ll ever be the same after this. That’s what scares me the most. When it’s not about sex, just pure emotion, I feel like I’m in uncharted territory.

Every move you make and every vow you break
Every smile you fake, every claim you stake
I'll be watchin' you

Since you've gone I been lost without a trace
I dream at night, I can only see your face
I look around but it's you I can't replace
I feel so cold and I long for your embrace
I keep cryin', baby, baby, please

“How does it feel to be on top of the world?” he whispers in my ear.

“Like a dream. You can see everything from up here. Feel alive again.” I answer as the sunset as it dips down until it becomes dusk.

Oh, can't you see
You belong to me
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take

Every move you make and every vow you break
Every smile you fake, every claim you stake
I'll be watchin' you
Every move you make, every step you take
I'll be watchin' you

I'll be watchin' you
Every breath you take, every move you make,
Every bond you break, every step you take
I'll be watchin' you
Everysingle day, every word you say,
Every game you play, every night you stay
I'll be watchin' you
Everymove you make, every vow you break
Every smile you fake, every claim you stake
I'll be watchin' you
Everysingle day, every word you say
Every game you play, every night you stay
I'll be watchin' you

We eventually have to vacate our seats because it’s our turn to get off the ride, but I know as long as I live, I’ll never forget that memory of being on the Ferris wheel. Never ever.

I grab Justin’s hand and I spot Rob in the crowd as some whistle at us. I walk over so we can go find Trace and Stephanie. Justin and I make our way through the park and found them at the ring toss.

“Trace, that stuffed dog is so cute.” Stephanie says, holding on to his arm.

“Justin, you want to play with me?”

Justin walks over and pats Trace on the back, “When I win the bigger prize for Summer, I’ll do it again so Stephanie can have her bear.”

“Okay Hot Shot, you’re on.”

The boys start chucking rings at the bottles and to my surprise, they both get a fair amount of rings on. Justin is a little more athletic than Trace, so he does get more on then him. The game ends and Trace gives Stephanie the bear.

“Sum, come here.”

I walk from Stephanie to Justin.

“What do you want?” he asks.

I look on the shelf of stuffed animals, “The little duck there is fine.”

Justin smiles, “I got enough rings on for one of those.”

He points to the huge stuffed animals that take two people to even carry, “Oh, the brown bear.”

The guy running the booth grabs a hook and lifts the heavy animal off the shelf and sets it down next to us.

“Hey Rob, do you think you could carry this?” Justin asks.

“No problem.”

Rob hoists the large stuffed bear onto his back like it weighed three ounces. The bear is so adorable and I bet Layla is going to think she got a new playmate.

“What are you going to name it?” Stephanie says, looking at the bear.

“I’m going to name him Lucky.”

“Trace, next time can Justin play for me?” Stephanie kids.

Trace flicks the bear’s nose as he walks behind Rob, “The game was fixed. Mister Celebrity over here is guaranteed to win every game. I could have won that bear if I wanted”

I go over and wrap my arm around Trace’s side, “Of course you could’ve. You have talent beyond a stupid ring toss game.”

Trace nods his head in agreement and puffs his chest out a little. Stephanie goes over to him and I drop back to walk with Justin as everybody laughs and jokes. We get in the line for the log flume when a girl behind me taps me on the shoulder, “You are Justin Timberlake’s girlfriend?”

I nod my head and turn back around when I feel her tap on my shoulder again. I turn around and she’s glaring at me, “You don’t deserve him.”

“Great, thanks.” I say.

The girl’s face grows red and she spits at my feet, “Whore.”

She goes to push me, but by then Rob has me blocked of from harm and Tony has Justin. The local authorities come and drag the girl out of line as everything falls apart. People begin to notice us more now that someone has gotten away with a confrontation and our names are being screamed. Rob and Tony pull us from the line and are on their cell phones as they try to get us out of the park.

The screams become deafening and I hang on to Justin and Rob as we exit the park. A car drives up and Tony opens the door and we pile in. We’re all silent for a moment before I feel my eyes well up with tears. I put my face into Lucky so no one can see, but I feel Justin’s hand on my back, rubbing it. Trace and Stephanie are brought to their car and we say quiet goodbyes as they leave.

“I’m so sorry.” I whisper once their gone.

Justin pulls me to him and I put my face into his shirt, “It’s not you, it’s them. People can become infatuated to the point where they think they know you. It has absolutely nothing to do with you.”

Fresh tears roll down my cheeks and his thumb wipes them away quickly. My body aches to be cuddled and my brain longs for comfort. I want to go home, but I don’t have one. All I have is him.

We reach the bus and Justin and I get on it as Tony and Rob put our things on. I lay on the couch with Lucky as Justin talks to Craig. The look on Justin’s face tells me it’s not a good conversation. I turn on the TV and the local news comes on.

“Justin Timberlake and girlfriend Summer McKenzie were harassed today while at the local Six Flags. Onlookers say that while the two were standing in line for a ride when a woman began to verbally assault McKenzie before spitting on her. The police were called and the couple was escorted from the premises to safety.”

Great, I’m headline news.

Justin gets off the phone and rubs my head, “Craig says he’ll take care of everything. We come off as the victims and public opinion is on our side.”

“I don’t care about fucking public opinion. I’m just surprised the way people react, I would never have guessed.”

Justin sighs, “It comes with the territory. You just have to learn to deal with and bring some strong bodyguards with you.”

“I’m going to bed.” I tell him as I walk into the bedroom and turn off the lights.

________________________________________________________________________

I woke up at three am and couldn’t get back to sleep. I pull on some clothes and walk off the bus with a flashlight. We stopped at a hotel parking lot and will probably get checked into tomorrow after everyone wakes up. The beach is directly across from the hotel so I slip out. It’s warm out and feels like rain as I run over to the beach. The sand sinks into an impression of my foot with every footstep I make.

I walk to the water’s edge and dip my feet in as the water laps up on the beach. I sit down contemplating everything that happened today. I feel like I’m constantly holding my breath around people. As soon as this job is over, I need to find an apartment somewhere and call it home. I need somewhere to turn when I don’t know what to do. I want a home.

I bury my head in my arms and cry a few tears of despair. Someone shines a flashlight on me and I jump up, quickly wiping the salt water from my face.

“What are you doing here? I woke up and you weren’t there.”

I sniff and plaster a smile on my face, “I couldn’t sleep so I went for a walk along the beach.”

Justin comes closer and puts his hand on my cheek, feeling the dampness from my tears, “Are you crying?”

“No, of course not.” I lie.

He pulls me closer and hugs me against him, “What’s the matter?”

“I’m just tired, it’s been a long day. Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.” He says.

“I have a friend back in LA, can I see her?”

“Of coarse. I’ll fly her up to see you in Georgia.”

It starts to rain, but neither of us move. I push my face into his chest and he tips it up, kissing me. And I let him.

The lines between us are blurring and I don’t know where I stand, but for once I don’t care. All I want is him.

The Police- Every Breathe You Take

12