Please note: This is copyrighted (©) October, 2001 by me, Tammtamm. Please do not copy it or save it without my permission. Thank you. This is for TWISH, you cwazy dwagon you... wuv ya!
"Well, now that the errands are all done and the car is packed with everything you could ever need for a joint bachleor/ bachleorette party, how about we find a place to grab a soda and relax for a few minutes?" Justin asked Trish as he closed the back of the Durango.
"Could we go to a park? I'm not ready to go back to Tara and Joey's just yet." Trish admitted. She was missing Adrianna and feeling very somber about what was happening in her personal life.
"Sure, c'mon, I know the perfect place." Justin said in a chipper tone. He couldn't tell at first that Trish was upset about something. They drove in silence for a few minutes. "Missing your daughter?" Justin asked as they pulled into a park. Trish didn't reply, as she was afraid she'd let out a sob and burst into tears in front of a guy she barely knew and trusted. Justin whipped out his cell phone and handed it to Trish. "Call her, I'll give you some privacy. I'll be over at that snack shop getting us something to drink. I'll be right back." Justin explained and left her alone in the Durango. Justin left her alone for ten minutes. When he got back to the car, he found Trish sobbing and rocking back and forth in her seat. He opened the passenger door.
"Trish, what's wrong? Is your daughter all right?" Justin asked immediately. He put the drinks down on the floor of the Durango and got some tissues from the glove compartment. He offered them to her.
"Yeah, she's fine, well, her cold is worse, but mom's taking good care of her, but she's all right." Trish explained. Justin knew there was something else.
"Then why are you crying? You're on vacation, you're suppose to be having a great time!" Justin stated.
"Please, Justin. I can't talk about it with you." Trish said as she looked into his baby blue eyes. She couldn't tell him what she had told Chris and Danielle just yet. She trusted them because she knew them. She didn't know Justin as well and she didn't trust him: the cute, curly blonde guy standing in front of her.
Meanwhile, Justin knew she didn't trust him so he was thinking of a way to get her to trust him. He came up with an idea.
"I know you don't trust me, but I have a way that might help you start." Justin said. This intrigued Trish. She was calming down just looking at his baby blues and curly blonde hair. She preferred taller and better-built men even though she fell in love with a man her height and thin.
"Okay, I'm listening."
"I have here some water, some juice, and some Pepsi. I want you to trust me by closing your eyes and letting me choose what you want to drink." Justin said. He knew her favorite beverage was Pepsi. Tara had told him a long time ago about her addiction to Pepsi and how she lovingly teased Trish and called Trish the "Pepsi Goddess". Trish thought about Justin's proposal for a few seconds.
"Okay, and if I trust you?" she asked.
"If I choose the correct drink for you, you'll tell me what's bothering you and you won't hold back." Justin said.
"And if you don't choose the correct drink?"
"Then I'll be the one to tell you about my problems." Justin was being brave about that one. The only one he was talking to about Britney out of the group was Tara. If he opened up to someone else, that would be a big step for him.
"You're on, mister." Trish said.
"Okay, close your eyes." Justin explained. He took the Pepsi and the juice and opened them outside of the Durango because he knew they'd make a noise when he opened them. He reached for a straw out of his back pocket and placed it in the soda. "Okay, open your mouth just a little so I can place the straw on your lips." Justin instructed. It took every ounce of control Justin had to not kiss Trish on the lips. He had noticed how luscious they were. Trish did as she was told… sort of. She opened one eye slightly to see which drink he put the straw in. After a few moments she heard Justin say, “Okay, go ahead and drink.” Justin was so proud of himself.
“I don’t want to play this game.” Trish said after she took the straw out of her mouth. Trying not to smile.
“Oh no, missy… we made a bet.” Justin placed the straw back on her lips and again had the urge to kiss them, but he didn’t. “Now drink.” He commanded. Trish obeyed and took a sip.
“Well?” Justin asked after a few moments. Trish opened her eyes to look at him and sighed.
“You won.” She said and pushed his hand out of the way. She grabbed her purse and exited the Durango, leaving Justin stunned. He quickly locked and closed the Durango, taking the Pepsi and water with him and going after Trish.
Trish had walked over to a bench and sat down. She had to tell Justin about the break up now. She didn’t go back on a bet. She was a little afraid to tell Justin, she didn’t know him as well as she knew Chris and Joey and JC.
Justin casually sat down next to Trish as if nothing was wrong and handed her the Pepsi.
“Britney and I are over. Truly over this time.” Justin began. He figured that if he was going to get her to open up to him that he should open up to her. So he did. He told her everything about how he had felt towards Britney and how although they were young, he believed he had loved her. Trish was stunned. Justin Timberlake was pouring his heart out to her and she was the one who lost the bet. When Trish looked at Justin, he was looking away from them towards a flock of flamingos in the little makeshift pond. Trish was won over by the tears she saw streaming down his cheek. She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, shocking them both.
“I’m sorry she hurt you so badly.” Trish explained when she saw the shocked expression on Justin’s face. She just wanted him to know that she understood how he felt.
“It’s hard to get over a broken heart.” Justin replied.
“I know. Travis and I decided to get a divorce. It was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make.” Trish admitted.
“No way? You and Trav?” Justin asked, “Tara never told any of us.”
“Tara doesn’t know. Travis and I have been having problems since the shooting and when he re-signed back up for another four years with the Navy I told him I couldn’t stay with him anymore. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. And it’s harder not being able to talk to Tara about it.” Trish admitted. She started to cry. Justin put his arm around her.
“Why haven’t you told her? She’d understand.” Justin inquired.
“For the first time since I’ve met her, she’s been truly happy. I didn’t want to put this on her shoulders right now.” Trish said as she took out one of the tissues that Justin had handed her in the Durango.
“So talk to me then. I know how hard it is when a relationship ends.” Justin said. Trish looked at him.
“Do you? Do you really know what it’s like to never see the other person and waiting… and wait… yeah, you would. All of you would.” It dawned on Trish that there were some similarities between what she was going thru and what had happened to Justin and Britney.
“Yes, we all know. And we all will survive. Even you. Ya know what? I think you and I could both use a night out on the town. What do you say? My treat.” Justin said as they both wiped tears away from their faces. Maybe she would open up more then.
“I say, let’s do it, but I would have to go back to Tara’s and change first.” Trish replied.
“Pshaw… I don’t think so… let’s go find you something fabulous to wear.” Justin said, “I’m buying.” He smiled.
“Justin, you don’t have to. I can afford to buy my own clothing.”
“Trish, I want to. It would make me happy. Please?” Justin gave her his puppy dog eyes. How could she resist those eyes? And that smile?
“Alright, alright… let’s go.” Tara agreed. On the way to a little boutique that Justin knew of, he called Joey and left a message on his cell phone that he had decided to kidnap Trish and take her out to dinner and stuff and that they’d be back late.
At the boutique, Trish decided on a simple black dress that ended just above the knee. Not too tight, but not too loose with long sleeves. Justin approved whole-heartedly on the dress. He also insisted that she also pick out a light jacket. While she was trying on the dress with the sweater, Justin picked out a simple necklace with a matching bracelet and earrings that would go great with her eyes and the dress, and then he proceeded to pick out an outfit for himself.
Once they had purchased the clothing, they went back to Justin’s house where Justin showed Trish where she could shower and such while he checked his phone messages and email.
Justin’s family was not expected back until the day before the wedding, as they were on a little vacation of their own.
“Trish, I’m going down to the kitchen for a soda, do you want anything?” Justin shouted. Trish didn’t hear him at first, she was in the shower crying. She was feeling really guilty about what happened with Travis and she was missing her daughter. Justin moved closer to the bathroom and could hear her sobs. He decided to leave her be but when he was halfway down the stairs, he turned and went back to the bathroom.
“Trish?” he asked, raising his voice so that she could hear him. She tried to calm down but sobbed harder. Justin got a towel and opened the shower door. He closed his eyes and handed her the towel. “C’mon… I’m making you some tea. Let’s go.” Justin said.
“Could… could you just hold me for a while?” Trish asked. She really missed having someone’s arms wrapped around her.
“Let me get you some sweats and a t-shirt to wear for an hour or so… and yes, I wouldn’t mind holding you in my arms for a while.” Justin gave her a smile as she wrapped the towel around herself. Justin disappeared back out into his room and grabbed his favorite pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt. He knew they would be big on Trish, but he also knew that if he let her just wear that towel; she wouldn’t be wearing it for very much longer.
“I’ll let you change, Just make a left out of the bedroom and the hallway will lead you to the back stairs to the kitchen. I’m going to put the hot water on for tea. Okay?” Justin asked. Trish nodded, grateful that he got her a change of clothes.
“Good grief, Patricia… what is it about this situation? You wanted this, you asked for this. Buck it up!” Trish said. She ran some cool water in the sink and placed a washcloth underneath so she could place it on her face. After a few minutes, she got dressed and went downstairs to meet up with Justin in the kitchen. Justin had the drink cupboard in disarray.
“Justin, what are you doing?”
“Looking for the chamomile… you women love that stuff.” Justin said, forcing a smile out of Trish.
“Regular tea would be just fine, Justin. Thank you.” Trish sat down at the island table.
“Regular it is.” Justin said and set aside two tea bags and put the rest of the teas away back in the cupboard.
“Thanks, Justin… your home is beautiful by the way.” Trish said as she noticed the stenciling on the walls in the kitchen and the paintings that were on the open walls opposite the stove and the sink.
“Thanks… this is my mom’s dream kitchen. It was the first thing I wanted to do for her once I had the money.” Justin replied as he prepared their tea. “How do you take your tea?” Justin stopped and looked at Trish. `Timberlake… you should have given her a different shirt. She looks gorgeous in that.’ Justin thought to himself.
“Lemon and a spoonful of sugar.” Trish asked.
“You got it… I like it that way myself.”
“I never figured you for a Tea man.” Trish replied.
“It is great for the throat before you go on stage.” Justin explained.
While he prepared the tea, she moved over to the window seat that looked out at the backyard.
"Everything is so beautiful down here. So green, maybe I should listen to Tara and agree to relocate the company down here." Trish wondered out loud.
“That’s a good idea. She’d be more involved again and you’d have a little less stress.” Justin brought over the tea on a tray and let her take her cup. He placed the tray down on the table and went back over to her.
“Here, let me sit behind you so you can lean into me.” Justin suggested. Trish sat up and let him position himself behind her, wrapping his right leg around her and planting his left foot on the floor. “You alright?” Justin asked as he noticed her tense up a little. She nodded as she sipped her tea.
“Yeah, I’m alright.” She insisted.
“You wanna talk?” Justin asked.
“Could we just sit here for a little while and enjoy the scenery?” Trish asked. She didn’t want to talk because she knew she’d end up crying again. She just wanted a few minutes to collect her thoughts and put them in the back of her mind so that she and Justin could go out and have a great time.
They sat there for about a half hour when Justin’s stomach growled. They both laughed.
“I take it that’s my cue to go finish my shower?” Trish said.
“Yeah… remember how to get up there?” Justin replied.
“Yup.” She replied and steadied herself with the hand that Justin extended for her when she stood up.
Justin watched as Trish placed her teacup in the sink and then went over to the stairwell.
“Justin?” Trish turned and asked.
“Yes?”
“Thank you for the peace and quiet and the tea and no questions.”
“Anytime Trish.” Justin replied. He proceeded to get up as she disappeared up the stairs and quickly rinsed out his teacup and placed both his and Trish’s in the dishwasher before going up and taking a shower in his parent’s room.
Justin took Trish out to a Chinese restaurant and shared some Beef and Broccoli over rice with her. They talked about everything from the weather to Adrianna to music to her working for Tara. Justin felt that he got to know Trish much better in the three hours at dinner then if he and Trish had just hung out at Tara and Joey’s for the afternoon. He knew that he did and he was grateful.
“What are you thinking?” Trish asked.
“That we probably wouldn’t have gotten to know each other as well as we have today if we were just hanging out at Tara and Joey’s.” Justin admitted to her. Trish laughed.
“Funny, I was thinking the same thing.” She remarked.
“How about some Dairy Queen for dessert?” Justin smiled. They had finished their dinner over an hour ago.
“Sounds great.”
“And a walk on the beach?” Justin continued.
“Ohhhhhhhhhh, I’m loving it even more.” She smiled. Justin was hooked. The sparkle in her eye when he said `walk on the beach’ did it.
Justin paid for dinner and helped her into the car. Once in the car, Justin headed for the Dairy Queen closest to the beach. They went through the drive-thru and then went and parked at JC’s house. Justin had called ahead and asked if he could leave his car in the driveway for a little while. JC had said that it wasn’t a problem.
“So JC finally got his own place, eh?” Trish laughed.
“Yeah, he figured that once Tara and Joey were officially married, he’d be cramping their style. We just moved his stuff in last week, but he’s still staying at the house with Tara and Joey until Friday. Tara had insisted that he stay through then.” Justin explained as he reached for her hand to help her down to the beach after they took off their shoes. In between bites of ice cream, they walked and talked some more. Trish opened up to him about why her marriage wasn’t working and why she decided to pursue the divorce and Justin just lent her an ear and a shoulder. It’s what Trish needed and for Justin, it felt good that someone treated him with the respect of a grown up instead of thinking that he was still a teenager who wouldn’t understand. Maybe Justin didn’t understand the pain Trish was going through, but he knew he could be a good friend by listening to her.
“Ooohhh… lookie… a seashell.” Trish noticed and bent over to pick up the shell.
“Is it still whole?” Justin asked as he bent down alongside of her. They both examined the shell.
“It looks like it is.” Trish finally said. She rinsed it in the seawater to get rid of the excess sand.
“Cool… you think Adrianna would like this?” Justin said as he looked at Trish. Her hair was blowing back because of the light breeze off the ocean. The moonlight just made her look even more beautiful than he already thought she had looked. Trish looked at Justin. He couldn’t hold back any longer. He wanted to kiss her, to taste her lips. He moved in to kiss her. She didn’t back away and allowed the kiss to happen.
“I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have done that, it’s just… you’re so beautiful.” Justin said as Trish stopped him.
“Justin, don’t apologize. I wanted you to kiss me.” She boldly replied as his kiss took her breath away.
“Do I have to take you back to Tara and Joey’s tonight?” Justin asked as he moved in to kiss her again.
“Not if I don’t want to go.” Trish replied as they connected again. “Take me back to your house.” Trish whispered in his ear. She didn’t have to tell him twice. They walked back to the car and headed back to his house. Sleep was not on either of their minds. That night was amazing.
They spent as much time as they could with each other the rest of the week when Trish and JC weren’t finishing up last minute details for the joint bachelor/ bachelorette party. They were always using the excuse that Trish needed to run this or that errand and Justin would offer to take her. Tara and Joey never suspected what was really going on and that made it more exciting.
***After the Party***
“You sure… we can drop you off.” Shawn told Trish as everyone but Joey and Tara and Chris and Danielle were helping clean up the hall.
“Thanks, but Justin already offered to take me back to Tara and Joey’s. Thanks for all your help tonight Shawn and JC… you throw a hell of a party!” Trish said as she hugged them both. Justin was talking with Lance and saying goodbye to him.
“You and Trish got something going on?” Lance questioned.
“Of course not… we’re just becoming good friends. She needed a friend and I needed a friend to talk to and we just seemed to bond this week. She’s great. We’ll see you tomorrow. Drive safe.” Justin said as they walked over to where Shawn, JC, and Trish were.
After they all bid each other one last good night, everyone went their separate ways. Justin and Trish went out to a late dinner and a movie and then headed back to the Pool House.
“Hello?” Justin answered his cell phone the next morning.
“Hey… c’mon, today’s the guys’ big day… just wanted to make sure you were up this early if I had to be up this early.” JC laughed into the phone.
“What time is it?” Justin mumbled.
“Nearly seven… On my way over to kidnap Joey from his house now. Meet us at Chris’s ASAP, dude.” JC replied and hung up the phone.
“Who was that?” Trish asked as she kissed Justin’s shoulder blade, causing Justin to smile as he remembered what they had spent most of the night doing.
“JC… making sure I was on my way to Chris’s… and shouldn’t you be at Tara and Joey’s right now?” he turned to face her.
“Yeah, but kinda got distracted and led astray.” She giggled.
“C’mon… we’ve got to get going or they’ll all kill us.” Justin said as he helped her out of bed. They quickly dressed, got into Justin’s Prowler, and headed for Chris’s.
The day focused on the foursome of Chris and Danielle and Joey and Tara. Trish and Justin stole looks here and there of one another and even squeezed in a dance or two. Closer to the end of the reception, Justin whispered in her ear that they needed to talk and that he would like to take her back to Joey and Tara's.
When they arrived back at Joey and Tara’s, Justin immediately stayed on the other side of the room.
“I’ve been doing some thinking throughout the day, Trish.” Justin said as Trish took off her shoes and placed them next to the couch.
“Come sit down and talk with me Justy.” Trish patted the couch next to her.
“No… I need to say some things… get them off my chest… find out where we stand.” Justin replied. He knew he was too young to seriously think about marriage, let alone a commitment from her. He knew he wasn’t ready for anything huge… not after how Britney had trashed his heart.
“Are you okay?” Trish cocked her head to one side and asked.
“Not really… I need to talk about how things have progressed this week between you and me.” Justin said. He sat down in the chair across from her.
‘You’re right… we do need to talk about what’s happened between us… but could that wait a few days? This is my week for fun… no worries… no work… just some fun.” Trish replied.
“Is that all I am… just a thing for fun?” Justin asked… astonished at the way Trish had just sounded.
“What I meant was that I don’t want to dwell on worries and such. I want to have fun and I want to have fun with you.” Trish replied, “I think of you as a friend above all else, Justin. I don’t use and abuse my friends.”
“I guess I just needed some clarification on that.” Justin replied as he closed his eyes for a moment.
“Tired?” Trish asked as she got up and went over to him.
“Exhausted. Someone kept me up until four this morning and then we’ve been on the go since before seven.” He replied.
“Oh really?” she laughed, “like you didn’t enjoy the pool, the shower, the bare skin rug, or the bed roll?”
“I didn’t say I didn’t enjoy it… I did enjoy it… now I’m just spent.” Justin replied.
"C'mon... it's late... we're both tired... let's go to bed." She said and offered him her hand. Justin looked at her. "To sleep Justin," Trish replied as if she read his mind.
Justin decided not to go back to the cabin until after the week with Trish was up. He had promised her he’d help her scope out buildings to possibly move the company into if she decided to move down to Orlando after all. They didn’t talk about what was going on between them or the affect it was or was not having on them at all. By the end of the week, Justin figured that this was just a fling. Something to help them both get over their exes.
As he was making travel arrangements that Friday afternoon, Trish had walked in in the middle of the conversation.
“You’re leaving?” Trish asked him. Justin held up his hand to signal for her to wait and he finished his phone call.
“Trish, yes… I’m going back to the cabin. Everything’s arranged. Besides, you’re going back to Pennsylvania in the morning.” He pointed out.
“I was sort of hoping that you’d come back with me for a few days.” Trish admitted.
“I can’t… we both know that sooner or later this would have to happen.” Justin replied.
“Can’t we prolong whatever this is for a few more days?” Trish couldn’t believe she was getting upset over being separated from him.
“No… but I’ve already made arrangements for Kevin to go with you back to Pennsylvania… You two seem to be getting along pretty well.”
“He grunts when I move… that’s about the extent of our relationship.” Trish said. “Are we still going out?” she asked.
“Yeah… we’re meeting up with Shawn and JC at the club.”
“When?” she asked.
“Not for a few hours. I was hoping we could have a nice quiet dinner here first. Aida’s making us up something wonderful.” Justin replied. He wanted their last night to be fun and nothing to cry over.
“That’s fine. I’m going to go take a nap. I’ll see you in a little while.” Trish replied and excused herself from the room.
Justin waited a few minutes and followed her up to her room.
“Trish?” he knocked on the door. When she didn’t respond, he tried the doorknob. It was unlocked. He let himself in, locking the door behind him. Trish had put her earphones on and had her back to the door as she lay on the bed. She didn’t hear Justin come into the room. She was thinking about the entire events of the past two weeks since she had arrived in Orlando. “Trish?” Justin asked again as he sat down on the bed next to her.
“Something wrong?” Trish asked as she came out of her funk.
“No… I guess I just wanted to be with you until I couldn’t anymore.” Justin answered her. It was true. He loved being around her. Seeing her laugh at some thought she kept to herself and her eyes dance, as he would tease her incessantly over the way her hair would flip back when she cocked her head to the side. How she would do something as simplistic as fold laundry a way that would drive him nuts so he’d mess it up and show her his way. Yes, he would miss hanging with Trish and the closeness that he felt with her, but he knew that they both had different aspirations for their lives.
“Can I ask you something?” Trish asked as Justin propped a pillow up against the headboard. She turned onto her other side to look at him.
“Trish, you can ask me anything.”
“Do you think that if we each didn’t have so much baggage, if we weren’t on the rebound, that we might work? We could build a decent relationship, a lasting relationship?” Tara asked.
“I see you’ve been putting a lot of thought into this issue as well.” Justin answered her as he played with the string on his pants.
“Wow… yeah, I guess we both have been wondering, haven’t we? Look, Justin… these two weeks (more or less) have been great. I never intended for us to get as close as we did, but well, we did, but there’s that baggage that we both have and I can’t… I can’t just ignore that….” Trish rambled. Justin interrupted her.
“I know… I know…” Justin put his finger up to her mouth to quiet her. “Tomorrow we go back to our worlds all the better for knowing the other one and becoming friends… agreed?” Justin suggested. He wasn’t about to let her just walk right back out of his life. She had an energy that he needed in his life, even if it was just a friendship.
“Agreed… now… can we get a cat nap in before we go out for one last night of fun?” Trish asked, seemingly content that she knew that in Justin’s own way, he was telling her that they’d always be friends.
“Halfway there.” Just said as he pulled her to him and sunk down to cuddle with her, happy to hold her in his arms for a little while.
That evening they enjoyed a nice, quiet dinner and then met up with JC and Shawn at their favorite nightclub. They danced until midnight and after Trish said a tearful goodbye to JC and Shawn, they headed home.
“Do you want anything before we go to bed?” Justin asked once they arrived home.
“Just you.” Trish answered without thinking. It didn’t take long for them to end up in bed again, wrapped up in each other and the moment.
When Trish had drifted off to sleep after they had showered and cleaned up the bedroom it was nearly four am, again. Justin couldn’t sleep. He was content just watching her sleep. He realized he had feelings for her, but he knew that it could never be more than friendship. He surmised that it was out of respect for Tara and Trish, but because he was still hurting over Britney. But he also knew he was getting over Britney. It was getting easier for him to get through the days without talking to Britney and he was starting to enjoy the newfound freedom he had of not seeing anyone.
“Trish! Let’s go!” Kevin said as he entered the house a little after nine that morning.
“Is it that time already?” Trish said as Justin helped her zip up her last bag of luggage.
“Yeah… are you sure you don’t want me to come with you to the airport?” Justin asked.
“This is better. Neither one of us needs to be bawling at the airport.” Trish explained.
“TRISH!” they heard Kevin yell once again.
“On my way! Keep your pants on!” Trish answered as Justin took both of her hands into his.
“You’ve got my email and my phone number. Use them. Above all else, you’re one of my best friends.” Justin kissed her.
“Ditto.” Trish replied. She promised herself she wouldn’t get emotional with saying goodbye to Justin.
“Have a safe trip and I’ll talk with you soon.” Justin said as they both grabbed her bags and took them to the car.
Justin and Trish kissed one last time before Trish got into the car with Tiny and Kevin and headed to the airport. Justin watched the car as it disappeared out of sight before saying to himself, ‘Life goes on… time to pursue it, Justin.’ And that’s what he had planned on doing. Starting with going back to Big Bear to get his Durango and to enjoy a few days of just him and the mountain air and whatever else comes his way.
Home