Catching Feelings

5

"Well I bet you're all pissed off." Fredo says as I slide into the backseat next to him.
"Why would I pissed off?" I ask without looking at him as I shut the door.
"Because your little girlfriend wanted to ride over to the hotel in the other car." He slurs. "You know why she did that don't you?"
"First off, she's not my 'little girlfriend' we're just friends. I told you that. I don't think of her that way." Lie number one. "And second, I could care less if she rides in the other car." Lie number two.
We pull out into traffic, which is surprisingly heavy considering it's after one a.m. He shakes his head "Whatever Justin, don't think we all didn't notice your little show on the dance floor. And you didn't answer my question. You know why she rode with the others don't you?"
I ignore his comment about what happened between us on the dance floor, "Yeah, I know exactly why she rode with them, because you're annoying as hell when you're drunk. I'm over here wishing I had been smart enough to think of it."
"Nooooooo...." He drags the word out obnoxiously, "She went with them because you're pushing. I told you that'd drive her away. She'll end up quitting, mark my words."
"Shut up Alfredo." I order flatly as I stare out the window, knowing he's probably right.
The ten minute drive to our hotel takes twenty because of the traffic, but I'm grateful for it, because it's given me plenty of time to iron out the details of the plan I've been devising in my head since long before we left the club.
The minute the car slows to a stop I'm out and headed towards the front doors, looking over my shoulder to make sure they haven't arrived yet. They haven't to my relief. I make a quick, but casual dash to the front desk and flash my most charming smile at the lone woman who sits behind it.
She jumps to her feet and smiles back, extending her hand. "Welcome Mr. Bieber! We're so happy to have you!"
I shake her hand and lean against the desk, glancing at her name tag. "Hey Emily..." I begin as if we're old friends "No Mr. Bieber okay? Just Justin..."
She nods her head vigorously, eager to please me "Of course, Justin."
I lean in "So listen, I was hoping you could do me a little favor...just between us." I give her a little wink, and when she blushes I know without a doubt that she'll be a willing accomplice.
"Sure! And thing you need Mr. Bie...I mean, Justin."
"Great, if you take a look at your computer..." I tap the top of the monitor "You'll see that we've booked 7 rooms. Here's where the favor comes in. One of those rooms is registered under the name of Strawberry Shortcake..." I inform her, giving her the name Bobbi uses. We never use our own names when booking rooms for obvious reasons.
She clicks her mouse a few times and then nods, "Mmm hmm, I have her right here...room 220."
"Perfect!" I praise as though she's done something fantastic even though she's only checked her computer. "That room needs to disappear..."
She studies me with confusion so I clarify "Looks like you over booked tonight doesn't it?" I comment to lead her in the right direction. "It's too bad that particular room is already occupied, isn't it?"
She remains silent a little longer and then her eyes light up with understanding. "Yes...it really is too bad. We're normally very careful, and this almost never happens. We apologize." She agrees with a conspiring smile.
I tap my fist on the desk and then point at her, "You're the best Emily...I owe you one. Remember though, just between us."
Seconds later the doors slide open and Fredo walks in, followed by the rest of them. I remain nonchalant and pretend I've just been waiting for them.
"What was the big rush Justin?" Fredo complains.
I cover my tracks swiftly "Just in a hurry to get away from your drunk ass."
I stand around innocently while they go through the motions of securing their room keys one by one. When its Bobbi's turn I pay close attention but am careful not to let it show.
To her credit, Emily does a fantastic job of acting. Convincingly behaving as though her room has been double booked.
Bobbi is just as kind and understanding about it as I knew she would be, assuring Emily that it isn't a big deal and that mistakes happen, before turning to the rest of us. "Well, who's up for a roommate or am I going to have to sleep in the lobby?" She jokes.
Allison volunteers immediately but I nip that idea in the bud instantly. "That's dumb...just crash in my room. It's the biggest and it has two bedrooms," I remind them. "It'll just be sitting empty anyway."
Bobbi hesitates, and Scooter and Fredo exchange glances when they think no one is looking.
I play it cool and shrug "I mean whatever you want to do...just seems kind of silly to me."
She thinks for a few seconds, shifting her weight from one foot to the other nervously, and then finally nods "Okay, yeah...that'll work. No sense in Allison being cramped."
"Yep." I agree, still acting like I couldn't care less.
When we step into my suite I stroll around casually and poke my head into the bedrooms, pointing to the largest "Here's the master...you can take that one."
"No way!" She argues "It's bad enough you're stuck with me in your room, I'm not going to take your bed too Justin."
I stop her, "B..." This is the first time I've ever called her this, it just slipped out naturally and I decide I like the way it sounds. "The beds are both Kings...I don't care which room I'm in...take the master."
"You sure?" She asks, still worrying that she's being the burden she could never, ever be.
"Positive. But only if you promise to hang out with me for a little while before you go to bed, I'm wide awake." And that's the truth, the prospect of spending the rest of our night alone with the rest of the world shut out by the heavy, secure hotel room door has me wired.
She smiles "Alright...but just so you know...you have way too much energy. You should share some of it."
I sink into the plush cushions of the couch in the sitting area and pat the space beside me.
***
I pause and think for a moment. A few lines have been crossed already but at this point I'm too tipsy to care. I know how to handle myself so I plop down on the couch beside him.
He looks me over with a little devious half smile " So B, you havin' fun tonight?"
"Of course I am...it's been a blast but again I'm really sorry about the situation with the room."
He quickly interrupts "I told you it's not a big deal...stop worrying about it girl."
My eyes meet his...fuck the way they almost glow. I can't explain it and for the first time I find myself drifting off into thoughts that I shouldn't be having. I quickly jump up to shake them away "Does this place come with a stocked bar? My ass isn't ready to stop drinking yet."
He laughs a little "I'm sure it is...let's check it out."
We make our way to the kitchenette and sure enough there are 2 large bottles of champagne. "Jackpot!" I yell while I set about popping the top.
"Watch it there woman...I don't wanna lose an eye."
"Psht please..." I glare at him with a smile "You won't lose an eye silly...do you want some?"
"Mhmmm..." He smirks
I stand behind the bar and he slides into the bar stool across from me as I pour us both a glass. Suddenly I become aware that we are both still in our costumes and decide 'fuck it' I lean across the bar and we get so easily lost in conversation like we always do.
"Wait 'til you meet my best friends Chaz and Ryan..I really think you'll like them. I'm flying them out next week."
"That's rad Justin...I can't wait to meet them...I'm sure that really helps battle your loneliness on the road."
He eyes me for a second and leans forward "Can I tell you a little secret?"
I grin and nod while leaning forward bringing us face to face "What's your secret?" I say in almost a whisper.
Our eyes lock once again "I really haven't been that lonely lately." he rasps.
Just as I'm about to ask him why though.. his phone rings in his pocket. It's probably best considering this conversation wasn't going anywhere good...I'm sure of it.
"I'm sorry B, it's Sel..I'll just be a minute." He turns around on his stool to answer the call and I find myself oddly annoyed...maybe even a little jealous.
***
I watch her out of the corner of my eye as I wrap up the conversation with Selena far too quickly. She'll be annoyed that I want to end our call so quickly, but I don't care in the least.
Bobbi looks irritated which fills me with satisfaction...there's only one explanation for her annoyance. So just to gauge her reaction I drop my voice, careful to keep it at a volume she can hear and assure Selena that I miss her and can't wait to see her.
Bobbi sighs and averts her eyes, doing a terrible job of concealing the fact that for whatever reason, this is upsetting her.
When I hang up, she immediately stands and stretches, "Well I think I need something lighter or I'm gonna crash hard. This champagne has way too much alcohol in it Mind if I raid your mini bar again?"
I shake my head sliding my glass away. "Go for it...I could stand a beer too."
"Hmm, I don't know Justin," She teases "The law says 21. And I've already broken it once with the champagne, I don't want to become a career criminal."
I wave her off "Laws don't apply to Justin Bieber."
Her laughter fills the room, and I'm reminded once again of how much I love to make her laugh "Justin, you're ridiculous, you know that?"
I give her a bored look "Yeah. And?"
Her laughter stops abruptly "Shit!"
I spring to my feet, surprising myself even by my level of concern. "What's wrong?"
She drops to her knees, feeling around on the carpet "I lost my damn contact!"
I rush to help her "Be careful!" She snaps, but not in a rude way "You might step on it."
I join her in crawling around on the floor to locate it for a good ten minutes, but we both come up with nothing.
"It's no use..." she concedes "I swear, those things sprout legs and run away the second they hit the floor and no one will ever convince me they don't."
"Well what are you gonna do?" I ask, still searching.
"My glasses are in my bag..." she sighs.
I jump up "Here, I'll get them." I stride quickly over to her bag and dig through it until I find them nestled in their hot pink case. "Here..." I hand them to her.
"Thanks." She smiles sliding them on.
When I help her to her feet, the sight of her makes me light headed though I wouldn't have thought it possible. Her black geek frames take her school girl costume to an insane new level of hotness.
"Hey four eyes..." I joke.
She rolls her eyes and laughs "Wow J....so original."
"Oh come on now B...they look great. You should wear them all the time." I tell her honestly.
She continues on her interrupted journey back to the mini bar "Yeah right..."
I plop back down onto the couch "I'm dead serious."
"Oh my god Justin!" she exclaims upon examining the mini bar "This shit is way too expensive. Who the hell would pay 7 bucks for a beer?" She slams the door closed in disgust and shakes her head.
Rather than arguing with her, I rise to my feet, make my way over and pull two beers out. "Me." I say matter of factly as I hand her one.
She twists the top off and shakes her head again "What's it like never having to worry about money?"
I think for a second "It's nice, but I would have been happy just to live comfortably all my life. I could give the money up...it's the performing, the fans, the music...that's why I do it."
She nods "That makes sense..."
"Of course there are perks to the money that's for sure..." I tug her earlobe and the diamond that rests in it.
She looks down at her feet and then takes a sip of her beer "Thanks again Justin...I love them."
"Don't thank me...I don't like it."
She squints in confusion "Why?"
"Because I gave them to you because I wanted to...it was selfish really. I wanted to see them on you, and I wanted to make you happy. Selfish." I admit.
"Oh..." she twists the right earring absentmindedly "Ok then weirdo, consider my thanks withdrawn."
I move in and give her cheek a tiny, friendly peck "Much better."
Her hand starts to go to the place my lips have been, but she stops herself quickly. "Okay then, what do you want to do? The night is young, but considering you can't leave the hotel with your famous recognizable face, our options are limited."
I give her a sly, closed mouthed smile but say nothing.
She throws her hands in the air "Oh my god...you're impossible Justin Drew!"
"Justin Drew huh?" I laugh "Wow, I must really be in trouble now!"
She slides past me but I refuse to step back, forcing her body to brush against mine "Whatever...You're not in trouble Justin..."
"Oh I'm not?" I pout with feigned disappointment "Guess I'll have to try harder." I come up behind her and wrap my arms around her, burying my face in her neck.
She stiffens "Behave Justin..."
I release her, because the last thing I could ever do is upset her by making her uncomfortable, but I don't give in completely "But behaving is no fun...I never behave myself, why start now?"
"Because you need to." She replies firmly, leaving no room for argument.
I poke her stomach playfully "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas B..."
She backs up a bit "Well we're not in Vegas, so what's your point?"
I shrug "Who cares? We could pretend."
"No..." she shakes her head "No we can't. And I'm drunk...too drunk for this. I'm going to bed, are you sure you don't want the master bedroom?"
"Oh come on...don't go to bed. I'm sorry...don't be mad. I'll be good." I fix her with my most innocent face...but it isn't working.
"No, it's not that..." she lies "I'm tired is all. Do you need anything before I turn in?" She adds, falling out of her role as my friend and into the role of my assistant seamlessly.
"No..." I answer in defeat. "I'm good."
She gives me a quick nod and turns in the direction of her bedroom.
"Hey B..." I call after her "I had a really good time with you tonight."
She pauses and looks over her shoulder, offering me a smile that says she did too before disappearing into her room.