As soon as JC opened the door for Amanda, he wrapped his hand around hers and a bodyguard appeared. He dropped a VIP badge around her neck. They were clearly in some sort of loading dock and being escorted in through a back hallway. She grasped JC’s hand tighter as he led her into a hallway. She tried to push down the impending nerves. Seeing JC get a little stressed before exiting the car had rattled her a bit. She knew that being out with him would eventually garner some attention, albeit this was sooner than she expected. A set of doors were opened and people were bustling everywhere. She had been backstage at shows before, but never like this. Everyone around them seemed to be on a mission, energy was swirling around them, and JC kept pulling her forward.
As he slowed his pace a bit, he grinned over at her. “Doing okay?”
Amanda nodded and grinned. She was still a bit in shock that he was letting her into his life in a big way. They were led to a room that had a tattered “Private” sign on it. The door pushed open to reveal a room with a few other people, a banquet table with various liquor bottles and mixers, and a few tables and chairs. JC grasped Amanda’s hand tighter and led her to the banquet table. He dropped her hand and grabbed the bottle of Grey Goose, grabbed a red Solo cup, and filled it with ice.
“Trust me enough to make me a drink?” He asked with a smirk.
“Just remember that I have to work tomorrow, but yes,” Amanda answered as she nervously adjusted her jean jacket.
JC scooped ice into the cup, added the vodka, and grabbed the club soda. She looked around and wondered if he knew any of the people in the room. To her surprise, barely anyone had lifted their head when they had entered the room. She felt JC’s stare on her and looked back at him as he was handing her a completed drink.
“That was sweet, thank you,” Amanda said as she took the icy glass from him.
“Ladies first always, right?” He said with a wink and grabbed another red cup.
Amanda felt her insides start to stir as he said it. She watched as JC poured some tequila over ice and guided them to a table.
“You’re quiet, are you still good?” JC asked as he tipped his cup to his lips.
“I’m good, I just have a lot of questions,” Amanda took a sip of her drink. JC really had a heavy pour and she smirked to herself. “But before I ask – thank you for this. This was a perfect surprise. How did you know I’d want to see Justin?”
“You own every one of his records on vinyl, I noticed,” JC chuckled. “You’re welcome. Are you wondering what we’re doing?”
Amanda nodded as JC placed his hand on her thigh.
“I forgot that you’re a planner. We’ll chill for a minute here, go say hi to Justin, and I might try to catch up with a few people. I’m excited to see everyone; lots of people that toured with us back in the day are still with Justin. This is sort of like a reunion.”
“That’s very cool. Do you miss it?” Amanda placed her hand on top of his.
“Performing? I mean, yeah. There isn’t anything like having a crowd like this. The energy is electric. I’m really grateful for those memories, but I love coming to watch Justin. He was born to do this.”
Amanda shook her head. “JC, you were born to do this, too. I know enough about you to know that this isn’t what you wanted on your own, but you command a stage.”
JC gently squeezed her thigh and took another sip from his cup. “You’re too good to me, thanks. I was a lot younger then, had a lot more energy.”
Amanda snorted. “I’ll never forget seeing you guys live and you were unbelievable to watch. No one could keep up with you. I was exhausted watching you.”
JC chuckled in response, glanced down at his watch, and reached over to sweep his lips over Amanda’s cheek.
“Let’s take our drinks and go say hi. I don’t want to interrupt his routine. Ready?”
Amanda stood up and straightened her dress and grabbed her drink. “Ready.”
******
Amanda watched as JC and Justin did the standard bro hug and make a joke that she didn’t understand. She smiled watching them; it was clear that they thought of each other as brothers. For a moment she forgot that she was standing in the same room with JC Chasez and Justin Timberlake.
“Okay man, this is my girl, Amanda,” JC introduced her.
Amanda’s mind immediately started working overtime. His girl? Not exactly a label, not that she was looking for one. Also, standing in front of Justin Timberlake – did she shake his hand? Hug? What was protocol with Justin Timberlake? Before she had time to react, she was being pulled into a hug. Justin released her and wrapped his hands around her shoulders.
“I’m really glad to meet you,” he said with a sincere smile. “I’m glad you were able to drag him out of a studio and get him here.”
Amanda nervously laughed. “Actually, he surprised me on my work trip and brought me here.”
Justin’s hands slid down her arms and he chased down JC who was across the room fiddling with a tequila bottle.
“C, I thought I was special,” Justin sarcastically remarked.
“Nah, man, the girl is special. I’m trying to score points by bringing her here,” JC chuckled.
Amanda giggled.
Justin feigned hurt. “You mean, I’m being used?!”
“Exactly,” JC used a thumb to point towards the door. “Do you mind taking care of her for a few? I want to catch up with a few people.”
“Go for it, but I’m not responsible for what I might say to her,” Justin grinned.
JC rolled his eyes and slipped out of the room before Amanda had time to protest and before she realized that she was alone in a room with Justin Timberlake. Amanda nervously played with the hem of her dress as she watched Justin stroll over to a catering table with several bottles of liquor. He pulled out two cups and grasped a bottle of tequila.
“Okay, Amanda honey, we have to do a toast to the fact that you got C out and about,” Justin said with a chuckle and started pouring.
Amanda took a step forward to meet him at the table. “I didn’t force him or anything, he found me on my trip. Honest.”
Justin set down the bottle and offered Amanda a cup. “You inspired him to fly across the country and that’s something… he likes you.”
Amanda grinned and peered down into the cup of straight tequila. “How do you know?”
Justin returned her grin. “Well, for one thing, I can’t remember the last time he introduced me to a woman. I’ve also known him a very long time and he doesn’t put his private life out there. He’s doing that for you.”
Amanda felt her heart sink a little. “I didn’t ask him to and…”
Justin started shaking his head back and forth. “No, not what I mean. I’m trying to say that I can tell he’s really happy and he wants to do things to be with you.”
Amanda tried to let that soak in. Did JC really want to be in a relationship? Instead of voicing concern, Amanda nodded.
“I haven’t known him long, you know, but he’s really good to me. Good for me. I’m just trying to figure out what we’re doing.”
Justin tipped his cup to eye up the contents. “He’s one of the best guys. Can I give you some advice?”
Amanda grinned. Advice from Justin Timberlake. About her… dating life with JC? What was her life right now? She added a nod.
“C isn’t the guy to play with anyone’s heart. If he’s spending this much time with you, it means he wants to be serious. Don’t question it.”
Again, Amanda was left to try and process the words. Serious with a man who had been part of her life for as long as she could remember? Easy. The not easy part was trying to find a meaningful way into his life on a deeper level.
“Okay then,” Justin said with a nod of his head. “Cheers to you being here with one of my best friends.”
Amanda toasted and tilted her cup to her lips, swallowed in a gulp and placed the cup on the table.
“So you’re a girl who can handle some liquor, huh?”
Amanda chuckled. “I’m from Wisconsin. I think they throw you out if you can’t stomach it.”
******
Amanda followed JC into a suite that contained only the two of them. She noted the full bar, a few snacks, and the modest seating arrangement that were part of the small room. JC grabbed her hand and pulled her to his chest.
“I hope this is okay, I know this isn’t as fun as being on the floor, but I know this show is probably better when you can see from up here.”
Amanda smiled and shook her head. “This is more than okay. Are you kidding?”
JC grabbed both of her hands in his and brushed his lips against hers. “Can I get you a water or something?”
“Hey. Stop. Thank you for doing this for me. This is really special.” Amanda moved her arms around to his back and drew him closer.
“You’re welcome. But you know, it was free,” JC added with a chuckle.
Amanda giggled in response. “Come on, JC. I know, but this was thoughtful and I still can’t believe you’re here.”
She felt JC’s hands grip her hips tightly and gaze seriously at her. “I’m grateful to be here with you. I don’t ever want you to feel like you should be lucky to be with me or something.”
Amanda took a deep breath as she tried to grasp the quick change in tone. “JC, I – “
“Honey, no. Listen.” He pulled her towards the loveseat near the middle of the room where he gestured for them to sit. He sat forward with his elbows on his knees. “The key to this working with us… I need you to treat me just like a normal guy. You can’t have different expectations for me or hold me to a different standard.”
Amanda reached out to place her hand on his back. “You’re right. I need to adjust. I can’t help but think of the work you probably sacrificed to be here.”
JC glanced over his shoulder to see her face. “That’s the thing though. I am working while I’m here. It’s not a 9 to 5 thing. I work when I have opportunities, you know?”
Amanda nodded in response. She suddenly got the feeling that JC had just revealed a piece of his emotional baggage. He struggled to get those around him to treat him like they would anyone else. “I get it. But, you have to cut me some slack. I’m not used to grand gestures or anyone doing thoughtful stuff for me.”
JC grinned and leaned back against the couch while draping his arm around her shoulders. “Isn’t this just normal dating shit? Things that you women like? Being surprised?”
She giggled. “Yeah, sure. I’ll try to imagine that sitting here with you at a JT show is normal.”
JC laughed in return. “Okay, fine. It isn’t normal to you, I’ll give you that. Promise me though that you won’t cut me slack because of who I am.”
Amanda leaned into him and brushed her lips against his cheek. “I’ll remind you of this someday.”
As the show began, they made their way to the small seating area in the front of the room that faced the arena. The lights darkened and she felt JC’s energy. As she glanced over to him, she could tell he felt the electricity coursing through him. It reminded her that she did truly miss his energy on stage. She relaxed against him while she tried to watch the show through his eyes. It was clear that he was so proud of Justin. She had seen Justin perform before and it was undeniable that he was made to be an entertainer. Amanda tried her best to not scream sing to every song and tried to gently hum along to the songs she knew so well.
Throughout the performance, JC and Amanda danced a bit as they both enjoyed Justin’s high energy. As they approached the end of the show, Amanda couldn’t help but be drawn in to one of her favorite songs. Suddenly, the lyrics seemed to cut deep and she felt JC press her back into his chest.
Said all I want from you
Is to see you tomorrow
And every tomorrow
Maybe you'll let me borrow, your heart
And is it too much to ask for every Sunday?
An while we're at it throw in every other day to start
I know people make promises all the time
Then they turn right around and break them
When someone cuts your heart open with a knife and you're bleeding
But I could be that guy to heal it over time
And I won't stop until you believe it
'Cause baby you're worth it
So don't act like it's a bad thing to fall in love with me
Cause you might look around and find your dreams come true with me
Spend all your time and your money just to find out that my love was free
So don't act like it's a bad thing to fall in love with me, me
It's not a bad thing to fall in love with me, me
Now how about I be the last voice you hear tonight?
And every other night for the rest of the nights that there are
And every morning I just wanna see you staring back at me
'Cause I know that's a good place to start
I know people make promises all the time
Then they turn right around and break them
Then someone cuts your heart open with a knife
Now you're bleeding
Don't you know that I could be that guy to heal it over time
And I won't stop until you believe it
Cause baby you're worth it
So don't act like it's a bad thing to fall in love with me
Cause you might look around and find your dreams come true with me
Spend all your time and your money just find out my love was free
So don't act like it's a bad thing to fall in love with me, me
It's not a bad thing to fall in love with me, me
Not such a bad thing to fall in love with me
No I won't fill your mind with broken promises
And wasted time
And if you fall
You'll always land right in these arms
These arms of mine
Don't act like it's a bad thing to fall in love with me
Cause you might look around and find your dreams come true with me
Spend all your time and your money just to find out that my love was free
So don't act like it's a bad thing to fall in love with me, me
It's not a bad thing to fall in love with me, me
Not such a bad thing to fall in love with me
As the song ended, she realized that she had been singing the entire time. She couldn’t help but feel panic surge through her as JC spun her in his arms. Before she could even say anything, she felt his lips crash into hers and she could barely focus on anything else. JC pulled back slightly after a moment and rest his forehead gently on her eyes. His eyes darkened and focused on hers.
“I knew I could get you to sing for me.”
Amanda tilted her head back and felt her cheeks redden. “Shit,” she whispered under her breath.
JC grasped the back her neck lightly to force her eyes to him and pressed her closer. “You’re fucking talented, why are you hiding?”
She felt like she couldn’t breathe. Did JC just really say that to her? “Wow. Um, thank you? I didn’t even realize I was singing along,” she explained as she let her head hit his shoulder.
JC chuckled and kissed her temple. “Will you sing the rest of this show for me? Cat’s out of the bag, woman and I’m desperate to hear more.”
Amanda grinned and poked his side as she turned back to the stage. “You sneaky bastard. Here I thought you brought me here to be a good date. You had ulterior motives.”
He pressed up against her back and moved her hair as she felt his breath on her ear. “I can be persuasive too, you know.”
