magic1

Joey had never felt so lonely in his life. He was surrounded by people,
laughing, talking, dancing, drinking, and having a great time, but it felt
like he was the only person there. The other guys were having fun, and
normally he'd be right out there with them, but something had happened,
something so unexpected that he couldn't shake the pain. It had started with
a phone call from Christie, his long-time girlfriend.

   "Joe, I need to tell you something, and I wish it could be face to face. I'm
leaving you. I can't handle the schedule anymore, how much we're apart. I
need someone who's gonna be around for me." she told him without preamble.
Joey's heart shattered into a million pieces, but he swallowed his tears.
"I’m sorry, Christie, I know it's been hard on you, and I understand
completely. I wish you all the best, and I hope you find the love you
deserve." he said in a remarkably steady voice. They talked about little
things for a few minutes, then hung up. Joey stared into space for a long
time, until Justin walked in and found him like that. "Hey man, what's
wrong?" he asked in concern, taking the phone from him and replacing it in
the cradle. Joey blinked, then burst into tears. "She broke up with me.
Christie broke up with me." he choked out. Justin was shocked, and hugged
Joey, trying awkwardly to comfort him. "God, bro, I’m so sorry! Is there
any chance you'll get back together?" he asked.

   Joey sighed, and managed to wipe the tears away. "No, not unless I leave the
group and find a steady job where I’m around all the time. I loved her,
Justin, if she had just asked me to I might have done it for her. But she
didn't ask, and now I’m alone again. God, why does it always end up like
this?" he whispered. Justin sighed. "I don't know, Joe. Even with girls
in the business it happens. Maybe we're just meant to be single until our
run is over." he said, then he remembered what he'd come in for in the first
place. "Listen, maybe this will help. I came to tell you that we’re all
going out to celebrate being home for a few weeks, and we’re heading to the
new club you wanted to try.   Come with us, maybe it'll cheer you up. You
can flirt with all the ladies and be SuperStud for a night, just like old
times." he teased, trying to make Joey smile.

   Joey knew what he was doing, and he tried to smile for his friends sake.
"Thanks, Curly, that sounds great. When are we going?" he asked. "In an
hour, so get your pimpin gear on, bro!" Justin laughed, then he ran out of
the room to get ready. Joey’s weak smile faded, and he sighed, tears
flooding his eyes again. For Christie, he’d packed away all his "pimpin
gear". As he got dressed, he vowed to have a good time, not to let anyone
see how much he was hurting. By the time he joined the others, he seemed
like the "old" Joey, ready to hit on every girl in the club.

   That had been three hours ago. Joey was the only one not with a girl
already, and he didn’t think he could handle even trying to pick one up.
Looking around, he saw that the other guys were completely occupied, and he
picked up his leather coat and left. He headed down to the beach, the only
place he knew he’d be completely comfortable. He walked along the beach,
listening to the surf for a long time before realizing that he was also
hearing something else. Lifting his head, he looked down the beach and saw a
sight that amazed him. There, surrounded by a ring of candles, was a
gorgeous girl in a thin white dress, her arms raised to the sky as she
chanted softly. Joey’s jaw dropped as he realized he could see right through
her dress, and there was nothing underneath it. Suddenly he was getting
hard, and his breathing came a little faster. Without conscious thought, he
moved toward her.