They were almost to their exit in the middle of nowhere North Carolina. The schedule said Fayetteville, and John decided he wanted to take a shortcut. He said he knew where he was going. When he finally realized he had no clue where he was, he started laughing.

"What?"

"We're officially lost."

"That's just great John! Are we going to be there before our signing, or are we going to get fired for no showing?"

"Hey calm down all right. There's a map somewhere in my car."

"Yeah, how are we supposed to find it?"

"Look, if you don't like the way my car is, why don't you find your own way back home, or where ever the hell you're going. Don't let me stop you."

"Why are you being such an ass John? What the hell did I do to you?"

"Nothing, I'm sorry. Just frustrated."

"Look, there's a road sign that says something about Fayetteville. Maybe you should take that exit."

"All right, I'll try it."

He turned down the exit, and saw a sign for Fayetteville. As he took the road, he heard a sigh of relief from the passenger seat. Her cell phone began to ring and he tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

"Hello?"

He assumed it had been Randy since she lowered her voice and laughed a lot.

"Awe, I miss you too Baby." She paused for a minute. "No, we're almost there...Yeah I know Baby...Sweetie, don't worry about it, you're going to do fine this weekend, I promise...All right, talk to you later...Love you too." And she hung up the phone.

"So, how long have you guys been together?"

"Oh a little while now. He's a great guy."

"Seems like it."

"Are you seeing anyone?"

"Eh, not. The person I'm interested in doesn't seem interested back. She's a great person though."

"Awe, well I'm sure you'll find someone. You're a very good looking guy, hell any girl would be stupid not to give you a chance."

"Thanks." He took his eyes off the road, only for a minute to smile at her. ----
After a long grueling day of signing autographs, Stacy and John walked out of the mall, and down the stairs towards the parking garage. John could see the tiredness in Stacy's eyes, and noticed she was half asleep. While walking down the stairs, Stacy tripped on one of her heels, and before she could fall, John caught her in his arms. He cupped her face in his hands and stared into her brown eyes.

"Are you all right?"

She pulled back from him straightening her shirt. She fixed her hair, and pushed some locks behind her ear.

"Fine."

"All right, good." He released his loving hands on her face, and grabbed her arm. "Just to make sure you don't fall again."

"Thanks, but I'm sure I'll be fine."

"But your heels are really high. We don't wanna take any chances of you falling and breaking your neck now do we?"

"I guess not." She wrapped her arm around John's big muscles and continued her way down the stairs.

Once on the bottom floor of the parking garage, he let go of her tiny arms. She hoisted her purse further over her shoulder, and found his car.

"Do ya want me to drive, you look exhausted?"

"You don't look any better yourself. How about we go to a hotel." Her eyes widened at his comment. "And you get your own room, and I get mine."

"All right. Sounds fine to me."

She got in the passengers side of the car, and sat down. The air conditioner began blowing her blonde locks around and John turned down the pressure. She sat back in her seat and tightened her seat belt. It wasn't as if she was uncomfortable with his driving, but was uncomfortable with their current situation. Sure, he was a great looking guy, but it wasn't as if she had...

No she couldn't have feelings for him. She was in love with Randy. Randy was her boyfriend, the man it took so long to truly see the real side of. He was genuine, and he was real. And most of all he loved her back. The first and only person that had ever truly loved her back. Even with Andrew it was never right.

But lately, everything with John felt right, in an odd sort of way. Her and Randy though, everything just was perfect and she didn't want anything to happen to them. Sitting in the passenger seat of his car and thinking about the feelings she was having, the time had passed rather quickly. She noticed the car had been stopped, yet didn't know for how long.

"What are you going to sleep in here?"

"No, sorry, zoned."

"It's okay. Look, I'll take your bags inside, you just take your time."

"Okay."

As she watched him in the mirror go into the hotel, she ran her fingers through her lengthy hair. She opened up the car door and stepped onto the concrete. She heard her heels click beneath her and she grabbed her purse. As she looked up she noticed a strong hand was waving in front of her. The look on her face explained the shock running through her mind.

"What, are you surprised to see me?"

"Randy, how did you know I was here?"

"Baby, I know where you are when even you don't. Come here Sweetie." He pulled her close to him and pressed his lips softly upon her glossed ones. "Mm, you taste good."

"You don't taste half bad yourself."

She heard a person clearing their throat from behind them, and licked her lips and looked to see that it was John.

"Don't mind me, just coming to get your bags. Here's your room key. You're right down the hall from me."

Apparently he hadn't noticed Randy until he took the key from him.

"Oh, you're here."

"That I am. I called up Vince and asked him if I could get a day off to spend with my girlfriend, and of course he accepted."

Stacy saw the hurt look in John's eyes and became confused. She couldn't help but feel a little hurt herself. Being alone with John would give her a chance to sort through her feelings, she thought she had had for him. But the minute she saw Randy those feelings seemed to fade away. Once she saw how John looked, they came right back again.

Randy took her tiny hand in his big muscular one, and grabbed Stacy's bag. He hoisted it over his shoulder, and grabbed Stacy's bag. He hoisted it over his shoulder, and they walked inside the hotel. Without hesitation, Stacy looked back to see John staggering behind them, his own bag on his shoulder.

She knew it couldn't get any harder than watching him...Be hurt.

[Here's the second installment. Hope you like it so far. –D.S]