A Trust That Was Never There
*Something Like You* - A fan fiction story by Tammy "Tammtamm" Frederick © starting July 24, 2001, please email feedback to thetamm@yahoo.com or stories@iwuvjoey.com or come and write about it at Feedback Forum. Sequel to THIS I PROMISE YOU. (inspired by the song Something Like You, written by Justin Timberlake/Robin Wiley; off NSYNC's new album, Celebrity, in stores now!)
Tara spent a few days with Joey during rehearsals. She handled last minute costume problems and even handled some other problems that popped up with positioning and such. She was a fresh pair of eyes for the guys and for Wade Robson (affectionately known as the sixth member of NSYNC) and she didn’t hold back if she had a question or comment.
Tara had to return home to Orlando on Sunday because she promised Trish she’d be there for the opening of Marshalls’ Designs new Home Office in Orlando, Florida that Monday. Joey was already moping Sunday morning.
“I wish you could stay here.” Joey said as he held her.
“Joe, we’ve been over this. I promised Trish I’d go back there for the first day. Besides, I’ve still got some arrangements to make while we are out on tour as well as a check-up.” She stated.
“Another appointment? Are you okay?” Joey became concerned.
“Yes and I just want to keep it that way. I want to check my levels. With all the stress, I just want to be sure that my levels are normal..” Tara patted his hand as she got out of bed. Truth was, she knew her levels were low because of the stress, but she didn’t want to panic or worry Joey.
“Should we join everyone for breakfast?” Joey asked.
“Yeah, I’d like to see everyone before I go.” She replied from the bathroom. She was already starting to feel sad. The guys had another week of rehearsals and then the tour started the following Saturday.
They quickly showered and dressed before heading down to the restaurant to join the others.
Breakfast with the gang was as festive as ever. Chris was his usual, clowny self; JC was still half asleep; Justin was sad; and Lance was in business mode. Everyone was a little glum about Tara heading home. Even Wade, who was always brightening everyone’s day, was quiet.
“Look guys, I’ll meet up with you for the first date and be with you for pretty much of it, but I’ve got things to clear up before then.” Tara tried to explain to the gang.
“We understand. We’re just going to miss you.” Johnny Wright said as he joined the table. He gave Tara a hug.
“I’ll miss you too, but me being gone will get the guys concentrating harder because if they screw up that first night on tour, I will let them know. The show is amazing guys. Truly amazing… the fans are going to love it. Now, you’ve all got some work to do and I’ve got to pack. I’ll see you all Friday night.” Tara stood up to leave. Each of the guys got a hug from her. Joey walked her back up to their room.
“Call me when you get home? And stop giving Randy and Kevin a hard time about security. Tiny’s ready to come home and take you over his knee.” Joey warned.
“Oohhhh, promises, promises..” Tara laughed as she opened the door to the hotel room.
“Hi Joey!” a red-head ran to the door to greet Joey.
“Excuse me? How did you get in here?” a shocked Joey asked.
“Randy! Tiny!” Tara raised her voice.
“Joey, I just wanted to meet you. I had to meet you!” the girl continued. Tiny entered the room as Joey and Tara tried to get away from the girl.
“Come with me, miss. You shouldn’t be in here.” Tiny told the girl.
“I have every right to be here. Right Joey?” the girl shot Joey a look.
“What is she talking about Joe?” Tara asked.
“I don’t know what she’s talking about. Tiny, get her out of here.” Joey ordered as hotel security came to the room.
The woman knew she was outnumbered. As she grabbed her purse, her wallet dropped out and the contents spilled out. Tara bent down to pick up the contents and saw some pictures and the woman’s driver’s license.
“Wait!” Tara stopped security.
“Honey, let them…” Joey began. Tara shot him a look for him to shut his mouth.
“Would either of you care to tell me why there are pictures of you together and why her driver’s license has a last name of Fatone?” Tara looked at Joey and then at the woman.
“I’m his wife.” The woman said as Tara looked at Joey. The words stung her deeply as Joey did nothing to dispute it at first.
Tara felt the room begin to spin as Joey said the woman was his ex-wife. The last thing Tara saw before she fainted was the smug look on the woman’s face.
“Tara?” Joey asked as she came to minutes later.
“Get away from me.” She told him as she focused on him.
“Please, let me explain.” He begged.
“Get away from me. I mean it Joe.” Tara warned. Justin was on her other side.
“Let me help you up.” Justin suggested and offered her his hand as she focused on him. “I was passing by and saw the commotion.” He replied.
“Tara?” Joey again tried to explain.
“You lied to me Joey. One of the worst ones ever. Go away. I can’t even look at you right now.” She began to cry. She knew that she should give him a chance to explain but she wanted to get her emotions in check. Joey did as she told him, he left… defeated.
“Justin, did you know? Tara asked once Joey was gone.
“No… I didn’t know.” Justin replied as he helped her into a chair.
“How did you find out where I was? How dare you bribe someone to get into my room?” Joey stopped the woman and security as she was answering their questions.
“She your flavor of the week, Joe? She doesn’t look the type.” The woman replied.
“You’re in violation of the protection order. Go back to Florida and stay out of my life.” Joey spat.
“I’m in town for a job interview. I didn’t know you were here.” The woman replied.
“I don’t care Arlene. The protection order is good anywhere. Stop screwing up my life.” Joey went to walk away, but Arlene grabbed him and kissed him. As he forcibly pulled away from her, he heard a door slam. Justin was standing outside the door to Joey’s room.
“Smooth move, Fatone.” Justin said as Joey looked passed him to the door.
“Get her out of here.” Joey told Tiny and hotel security before sitting in the next chair and putting his face in his hands. He hadn’t seen or heard from Arlene since a month before the guys had gone to Germany back when they first formed the group. He let out a loud sigh. “How’s Tara?” Joey asked.
“Angry. You’ve screwed up big time, buddy. Just who was that woman?” Justin asked.
“My ex-wife.” Joey stated. “Get the guys together so I can explain this to all of you at the same time. Please?” Joey asked.
“What about Tara?” Justin asked.
“I’ve screwed up. She’s never going to forgive me for this. I want to explain it to her, but this is a definite road block.” Joey shrugged.
“Don’t lose her Joey or I’ll never forgive you.” Justin replied before going to get on the elevator.
“Joey sat in the chair for a few more minutes before going back to the room. He knocked on the door. When Tara answered the door, it was obvious she had been crying.
“Please hear me out.” Joey begged as he put his foot in the door.
“No explanations needed Joey. You were married before… told no one… not me, nor the guyes and then you were naïve to thing it wouldn’t come back to bite you in the ass.” Tara went back to finish packing. “I don’t know you Joey. I don’t. What does it say about our relationship when you can’t trust me enough to tell me that you were married before? Especially after the mess with Kim? How could you do this to me Joey? To us? How?” Tara cried. Joey went to her.
“No… don’t touch me. Don’t ever touch me again.” She stated. She needed to get away from Joey and straighten out her thoughts and her feelings. She realized what she had just said to him and regretted it, but she needed space and time.
“I screwed up. I’m sorry.” Joey replied. They were both crying. There was a knock on the door. Tara answered it. It was Randy with the bell hop.
“I need space Joey. This hurts me to the core. I’m bowing out of the tour. I’ll be there for the opening show and for Hershey, but that’s it. Please don’t try to contact me for awhile. When I’m ready to talk, I’ll contact you.” Tara told him. She grabbed her backpack and went to leave. Joey got in her way.
“Before you go out that door, I have something to say.” Joey began, “I was stupid, I should have told you about Arlene. I can’t undo the past. You need some space. Okay, you’ve got it. But know this… I love you. My life is nothing without you. I won’t give up on us and don’t you give up on us either.” Joey told her before planning one last kiss on her lips.
“Good-bye Joe. “Tara pulled away, leaving him standing in the middle of the room, heartbroken.
When Tara returned back to Orlando, she told Aida to take the next few days off. She then called a hotel and reserved a few nights until she could find something more permanent.
Once Joey told the guys about Arlene, they all stood behind him and decided as a group to be there for both him and Tara. They then went back to rehearsing. Joey, though, couldn’t really focus and while testing out a trap door, injured his leg. <HR> “Tara, it’s Justin.” Justin called Tara’s cell phone. She always left it on. He knew that was the one quick way to get a hold of her.
“Juju, everything okay?” she asked. She could sense just by his voice that something was wrong.
“No. Joey got hurt.” Justin replied, “We’re on our way to the hospital. He crushed his leg.”
“What happened?” she asked. She looked at her watch, it was nearly eleven pm. As much as she was angry and hurting from what happened that morning, she didn’t want him to get hurt and didn’t like to hear that he was hurt.
Justin explained what happened during rehearsal to her.
“Juju, keep an eye on him for me. Make sure he doesn’t do any more stupid things. I’m not coming out there. I can’t.” Tara held back the tears.
“What exactly happened between you two? Is there more than just this woman that he was married to before we all knew him? Can’t you two work through this?” Justin asked.
“I told him I needed some space and some time Justin. He didn’t trust me enough to tell me about her Justin. That hurts deeper than I ever thought something could. It’s not that he was married before, but it’s that he didn’t trust me enough… and then to see her close enough to kiss him, I just need some time…” Tara told him, “I’m moving out of the house for now.”
“Please don’t do that. It’ll kill him. We’re going to be on tour for the next three and a half months… we’ll hardly be home. He’d want you to stay there. It’s your home too.” Justin tried to stand up for Joey.
“Justin, I need to do this… I need to find a way to forgive Joey or we’re through.” Tara explained, shocking both Justin and herself.
“I understand, Tara. I do… but please, don’t move out. Take the time that we’re out on tour to work through this. I’m saying this for him because he can’t right now and I guess I’m saying this for the rest of the guys. So… please… don’t go.” Justin begged.
“Okay, okay… I’ll stay at the house, but you need to do me a favor.” Tara replied.
“All right… what is that.” Justin said.
“Be there for Joey. Be his shadow, if you will.” Tara asked.
“I promise. I’ll call you when I know more about him and his leg. Tara, he loves you. Don’t think that he doesn’t.” Justin replied.
“I know… I love him as well.” Tara replied and hung up the phone.
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