Chapter 11

Taylor's POV

The flight into San Diego has been filled with a few sparks of conversation and a whole heck of a lot of nervous fidgeting coming from the man beside me.  I swear his leg hasn't stopped bobbing up and down for more than five seconds and the nervous energy that is rolling off of him in waves is starting to make me uneasy.  For someone that claims to have everything under control and who convinced me to accompany him on this trip, he doesn't seem too sure of what we're walking into and that is the absolute last thing that either of us need right now.

As we sit in the backseat of a huge black escalade, windows tinted, making it absolutely impossible for anyone to see inside or possibly snap pictures of us, I let out a sigh of relief once the car pulls closer to his house.  His constant fidgeting and tense body language is really beginning to grind on my nerves and I need to get out of this enclosed space with him.

"Are we close?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper, scared that I might possibly startle him more than he already seems to be.

Turning to look at me, he smirks and with a huge intake of breath, pushes out a huge blast of anxiousness.  "Yeah, we are."

"Good," I answer, my eyes shifting back to the coastal views flying by.

Mike easily maneuvers this bulky SUV up the hills of the beautiful coastline and I can't help but watch in amazement at the stunning scenery.  I have become so accustomed to the pristine white powder, the glazed over trees, and the crystal icicles that cloud over my everyday life that I am in awe at the crashing blue waves, untouched sand and warming sun of Southern California.  Taking in as much of the beauty this place has to offer, I can't seem to tear my eyes away from the sights outside until suddenly, I feel the car come to a halt at the bottom of a hill.

Reaching out to punch in a code, Mike waits for the gate to open before continuing the trek up the side of this cliff. 

"Hey, Justin, a bit of a warning, there has been paps stationed throughout the compound. You might want to reel her in a bit," he says, motioning towards me in the rearview mirror.

Suddenly, I feel Justin's hands snake around my waist, pulling me away from the window and closer to the center seat.  My eyes immediately snap in his direction, confused by his gesture.

"In case someone gets close to the car, their flash could illuminate the inside enough to capture your picture if you're that close."

I gulp.  "Really?"

"Yeah," he says, a hint of sadness in his voice.

Quickly, I slide myself over, firmly planting myself next to his side and away from the windows.  Like clockwork, the closer we get to his house, the more nervous Justin becomes and I can't stop myself from reaching over, my hand wrapping around his bouncing knee.

"You have to stop that," I whisper, squeezing his knee.

He chuckles before a small smile tugs at the corners of his mouth and he lets out another gust of air.  "Sorry, Taylor."

Just as I am about to respond, immediately my eyes dart around Justin to the two men sitting on the hood of a car, their cameras around their necks and the way they practically sprint off towards our car.  I flinch, pushing back in my seat at their sudden movement despite the fact that they can't get to us in here, I am slightly taken aback at their brashness and they way they seem to be stalking his house.

"Is this for real?" I ask as their cameras go off in rapid succession.  "They're camped outside of your house, Justin."

"Unfortunately, Taylor," he begins as Mike pulls the car into his house, through the winding road of his driveway and the rows and rows of landscape that block the house from their view, "this is nothing compared to what it can be."

I snap my head in his direction at his answer.  Sure, I have dealt with the press, the prying questions that sometimes even I don't want to answer, but the sports press is nothing to what a celebrity apparently deals with.  "I don't even know what to say, Justin."

He shrugs off my words as Mike brings the car to a halt and he pops open his door.  "We're home..."

As I slide towards the open door that he is currently holding for me, I scan the lush property that he calls his own.  The beautiful landscape, the budding trees, the lush blooms, and the immaculate architecture that is his house, the sheer size of the property, it's awe-inspiring.  All of it is completely overwhelming and I can't help but stare up at it in amazement. 

With my jaw practically falling open on the floor, Justin comes up to my side, leaning in close to my ear.  "I take it you like it?"

"This is beautiful."

He smiles broadly before walking in front of me, his bag around his shoulder and Mike hoisting my own over his shoulder.  Running up behind them, I fall in to step as the three of us enter Justin's house and if I was surprised by the beauty that was the outside, I am floored to speechlessness at the view from inside.  From the pristine hardwood floors to cherry woodwork, sterling silver accents, plush leather furniture, gigantic entertainment systems, and the stone fireplace, all of it looks like something out of a magazine and I can't believe he calls this place home.

"Holy shit, you're really slumming it back at the cabins in Colorado."

Justin drops his bag near the stairs leading to the upper-half of the house before turning towards me.  "I definitely don't think of it like that.  I love that cabin."

"Yeah, but just look at this..." I begin, motioning throughout the open room, "I don't even have words to explain your house, Justin."

He tries to downplay the beauty and immaculate condition of his house, easing my own discomfort at being brought into such a lifestyle outside of my own while at the same time trying to maintain that connection back to Colorado.  "Thank you, but there is certainly more to see and we should get you settled in."

Just then, Mike comes back down the stairs, slapping Justin on the back as he goes by.  "Taylor, your bag has been placed in the guest bedroom down the hall."

"Mike, you really didn't have to do that."

He waves me off.  "It was my pleasure," he says, turning towards Justin.  "J, let me know if you need me.  I will be here in twenty minutes tops.  Otherwise, I will let you both get settled."

"Thanks, Mike," we both say in unison before laughing.  Mike just shakes his head at the two of us before walking back toward the front and closing the door behind him.  Standing there in this massive structure, Justin just a few feet in front of me, I can't help but feel a little out of place. 

"Well, let me show you your room," he says, turning around and heading up the stairs.

Quickly I follow behind, often peaking inside the rooms as we go by and he explains the layout of the house.  After being shown the bathroom, he brings me to a stop at the last door on the left.  "This is your room for the time being."

Opening the door, immediately my eyes are drawn to the center of the room, the cherry oak sleigh bed with a plush, feather white comforter and pillows.  It's absolutely breathtaking.

Knowing that my mouth is hanging wide open, I step inside cautiously, my feet padding over the cream colored carpeting.  The room is clad in a contrasting mix of bright whites and deep cherry oak, everything placed neatly and specifically in order to pull together the whole room.  The huge window is draped in a sheer white curtain, the wardrobe closet has a few knick-knacks on the top, and the door leading to the closet where my bag is currently resting beside, is closed before Justin reaches to prop it open. 

"You're welcome to use whatever you need and if there's anything missing, just let me know..."

I am stunned into speechlessness.  Without thinking, I walk towards him and wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him in close for a hug.  "I take back everything I said this morning...because this place is amazing."

With his arms wrapped around my waist, he gives me a squeeze before releasing me from his grasp.  "I'm glad you like it."

My head spins around the room one last time, taking everything in.  "I love it."

"Good, well, I am just going to unpack quick.  My room is just across the hall.  Once you're settled in, we'll get some lunch?"

"Yeah, that sounds good." 

With a smile, Justin turns to leave me alone in the room and I reach for my bag, hoisting it up and pulling the contents out.  Unpacking doesn't take me that long, knowing that we were only going to be here for a couple of days, I didn't bother to put too much thought into what to bring other than a few pairs of jeans, shorts, and some shirts.  After all, we're mostly going to be camped out here; at least I will be, while Justin calms the storm that is the press.  As I hang the last shirt, I close the closet and slide my bag off to the side at the bottom.  Quickly changing out of the clothes that we flew in here with, I slip on a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, a hoodie and a pair of flip flops.  Brushing through my hair, I twist it back into another loose ponytail at the back of my neck.

Deciding to find Justin, I walk out of the room and toward the door across the hall which is slightly ajar.  Immediately, I am halted by his voice.

"Johnny, this absolutely cannot happen.  I don't care what we have to do but you cannot let her get away with this..."

Confusion sweeps over me in that instant and I am frozen to the spot just outside the door, leaning closer to his voice. 

"What is she after?  My fame?  She can have it...if I could physically give it to her I would."

A loud clank of something flying across the room and connecting against the wall makes my heart thunder loudly in my chest.  What the hell is going on?  As my heart continues to beat furiously in my chest, a chill runs up my spine at the next words that come out and the venom behind his voice. 

"I hate her."

Realizing that I am invading his privacy and knowing that the last thing I should be involved in his is personal affairs, I quickly spin on my heels, trying to get away from my spot next to his door.  However, as I turn, I am completely knocked off balance trying to get away as stealthily as possible and instead go crashing into the opposite wall with a thunk.  Completely mortified, I stumble up, bracing myself against the wall and trying to get the hell out of that hallway as fast as possible but before I can even right myself, Justin is standing at the door, his eyes wide and chest pounding. 

He scans over the position I quickly find myself in and I know he knows exactly what I just heard.  "Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," I answer, feeling the heat slide up my cheeks in total embarrassment and shame.  "Listen, I didn't mean to..."

He quickly cuts me off.  "It's fine.  Are you ready for some lunch?"

"Ye...yeah."

He smiles, stepping into the hallway and closing the door behind him.  Gently, he reaches down, grasping my hand and pulling me into a standing position next to him.  As the two of us walk the rest of the way through the hallway, we head back down the stairs to the main level and Justin reaches for his car keys on the counter. 

I halt, mid-stride.  "We're leaving...without Mike...with them outside."

Justin continues to walk toward the garage door, not even stopping to ponder my question.  "Yeah, that's kind of the point of the trip, Taylor.  I need to be seen here."

"I know it is, but you're going to be with me..." I explain and when he looks at me innocently, I just blurt the rest of it out.  "You're going to be seen with me and I can't be in the magazines, Justin."

He opens the door to the garage and flicks the unlock button on his car.  "You won't, Taylor.  Trust me."

Giving him the once over and deciding to put my faith in him, I walk outside and into the awaiting vehicle.  Hopping inside, Justin comes around to the other side and we buckle in as he flicks open the garage door.  Pulling away from the comfort and security of the house, we make our way back through his property, this time departing from a side gate and away from the prying eyes of the paparazzi out front.

"A little heads up would've been nice to this secret passageway."

"A little more faith in my ability to keep you safe would be nice too."

I blush, he does have a point.  The car quickly makes its way through the hills and down through the streets below.  Despite the heavy tinting, Justin's car is easily recognized by several fans and a few screams can be heard from outside as we drive by.  Thankfully, he's moving too quickly through the traffic for anyone to really get a shot of him or me in the car.  Justin doesn't even seem to be fazed by the hysteria that he creates just by driving by someone and for the first time, I am beginning to see what his life is really like.

And I'm not so sure that I like it.

"I hope you're hungry," his voice breaks through the silence of the car as he pulls into the back alleyway of a local restaurant. 

Together, we step outside of the car after he pulls it to a stop and head inside.  I would be lying if I didn't say I am a little nervous being in downtown LA, without any bodyguards, and Justin next to me, but for the first time since we landed, he seems to be in control of the situation, so I force myself to just relax and have a good time.

We find a booth near the back, semi-shrouded in darkness and protected from the main half of the building and other patrons that currently crowd the dinning area.  Sliding in opposite of Justin, I cross my legs under the table and place my hands on my lap.

"So, what do you want to do while we're here?" he asks.

I shrug my shoulders.  "It really doesn't matter, Justin.  I am fine staying at your house if you have things you need to take care of.  I totally understand."  I know I probably shouldn't even breach this subject, but I can't get the tone of his voice and the absolute coldness of those words.

"Ahh...yes, you're probably wondering about the phone call," he states matter-of-factly. "I'm sorry you had to hear that."  Leaning back, the waitress comes to the table, placing a couple of menus and glasses of water before asking if we need some time, and we both nod our heads in agreement.

"Listen, I know I am in no place to judge, and to be honest, you don't have to explain anything to me.  I just think whatever it is that you need to deal with here would be better dealt with without me."

"Taylor, I wouldn't have brought you to California if I didn't intend to spend time with you."

At the sincerity of his voice and the way his blue eyes connect with mine, I can feel the truth behind his words and a warmth starts to spread throughout my chest.  "Thanks, Justin."

He smiles up at me and the two of us settle into a comfortable conversation at the table, just enjoying one another's company and the nice lunch.  For the most part, Justin is able to have lunch without interruption and it's not until we're walking back toward the car that he gets stopped by a young girl who looks no older than eleven or twelve.  Graciously, he bends down and signs a piece of paper for her and as I watch him interact with this young fan, I can't help but feel my heart begin to soften a little more for the man that has just suddenly shown up in my life.

Confused and a little worried by the new found feelings that seem to be developing, I turn away from the scene in front of me and walk through the doors back to Justin's car.  I need to get my head screwed on straight because the last thing that I need is to be falling for someone so unattainable right now.  I just don't have the time or even the desire to complicate my life with something so volatile as love, and certainly not from Justin Timberlake either.  Running my hand through the hair hanging over my shoulder, I take a deep breath, trying to clear my head and just as I open my eyes again, Justin walks out of the building, a hint of a smile on his face.

"I want to show you something..." he says, unlocking the car and getting inside.

Slightly confused, I merely follow his lead.  Together, we drive down the boulevard, weaving in and out of the traffic as the sun begins to drop off in the horizon.  The setting sun casts the road in a bath of golden light and I can't help but take it all in.  The warmth that surrounds this place is contagious and I find myself enjoying the California sun a little more than I ever thought possible.

"Where are we going?" I ask, turning in my seat and taking in the view of Justin leaning back in the leather seat.  His face is shrouded by the black sunglasses, a baseball cap on his head, hiding his infamous curls, and his hand is lying casually across the top of the steering wheel. 

He tilts his head toward me.  "You'll see," he says, pulling into a parking lot and shutting the engine off.  "Come on."

Quickly he gets out, waiting for me at the back of his car before reaching for my hand and pulling me into the side entrance of an unmarked building.  As we walk through the halls, I tighten my grip on his hand, a little nervous as to what we're doing in this quiet building, completely alone.

"What is going on?" I ask just as he pushes through two-double doors and inside I am hit with the sight of a large recording studio.  The control boards wrap from one corner to the next, at least a million buttons placed throughout and behind that board is the glass that separates the booth from the control room.  Looking around, immediately I spot the awards hanging on the wall, the gold and the platinum discs, the trophies signaling Justin's ascent into superstardom.

"What do you think?" he asks as he steps into the room, pulling out a chair for me and sitting down in the one next to it.

"Is this where you record your stuff?"

He starts fidgeting with the buttons on the board, bringing the machine to life in front of me.  "Yeah, for the most part.  It's where I recorded my last album and where I have been working on my new stuff too."

I reach for the seat, sitting down and leaning in toward the board.  "You have new stuff coming out?"

He smirks.  "Yeah, I have some stuff recorded and I will continue to work on it when I get back from Colorado.  But I want to have a new album ready to go by the end of this year."

"That's awesome!"

"You want to hear some of it?" he asks, and I can tell just by the look in his eye and the nervous twitching of his leg that that question is loaded in more ways than he wants to admit.

"Sure, whatever you want to share, I am willing to listen."

Hitting some buttons, the speakers start to come to life and I sit back in my chair, pulling my legs up towards my chest and Justin continues to pound away on the board.  Suddenly, the sweet sing-song voice of the man beside me starts to filter through the speakers in a slow melody.  The guitar riffs blend in beautifully with his voice and there is a desperate, painful tone to the song.  The lyrics suddenly hit me and the more I listen, the further I realize that there is more to this man than I ever imagined.  The song depicts a woman who has trashed him, abused him emotionally, and that has worked him over in front of the world and suddenly, the phone call from earlier pops into my head. 

Sitting up, my eyes travel over to look at Justin, his eyes downcast and focused on the machine in front of him.  His shoulders seem to slump inward and the way his head is hanging, I know that there is so much that I don't understand and probably never will.  But I know, in that moment, there is a whole lot of him that I want to know.  Without thinking, I pull my chair closer to his, reaching my hand out and letting it rest on his forearm.  

"Whatever it is that has made you run to Colorado, I'm sorry that they were too foolish to realize exactly what they had when they had you.  But I can't possibly apologize and mean it fully because otherwise, I never would have been given the opportunity to meet you."