The rest of the group laughed at the smug smile that Terri was wearing.
"Way to go Ter. I thought we were going to have to sit and watch their pitiful faces for the next 3 weeks," said Anna.
"Exactly my reasoning behind it. I figure, when they come out of there, they will either be together for good, or have mutually decided to be friends." Terri snuggled closer to her husband and entwined her fingers with his. Chris, in turn placed his other hand on her slightly swelling abdomen and rubbed it lightly.
Krysti was still laughing slightly, and reached behind her to put her hand on Lance's knee. He was sitting on the love seat next to Anna, and Emmi was across the room sitting on the arm of the sofa. Joey had plopped himself in the large mahogany armchair, and JC was leaning against the wall, his leg crossed casually over the other.
"So, now we are down to one confused couple who doesn't know what they want," Krysti blurted, tickling his knee playfully.
Lance smiled down at her briefly, and then let his gaze wander to Emmi. "I think that one of them knows exactly what they want, but they are giving the other person time to decide."
Emmi looked up from the focus she had on her non-existent fingernails. Her eyes had automatically found them when the subject of her relationship with Lance was nonchalantly breached. But, the insinuation in his voice made her head jerk up, alarmed. When she found herself squirming under Lance's undeviating stare, Emmi had to move, leave, do something.
She picked up her book, and tucking in under her arm, ran outside and into the barn. She was only a bit damp from the rain, since she had run rather fast. She just couldn’t take the looks, the innuendoes anymore. Emmi was so confused right now. She liked Lance, but what was she supposed to do about it? He was first off, their guest, and secondly, he’s a famous pop-star. Why would he care about her when they left? Emmi cringed at the thought. They only had three more weeks left of summer.
She opened her book as she prepared to try and forget about Lance, what had happened and her feelings. She immediatly shut it again. For years, she had used books to shut out the world, forget about her problems. No more. Emmi knew she and Lance had to talk, and was determined to do it. As soon as she finished the chapter.
“Emmi?” A soft, female voice called, cracking open the barn door.
“Up here.” Emmi replied, defeated. She knew it was useless to hide.
“I just wanted to apologize for what happened in their.” Krysti said, examining Emmi. “But why did you run out? Lance really likes you, you know.”
Emmi looked up towards the ceiling before speaking in a slow, measured voice. “Yes, I’ve been made well aware of that fact, many times in front of everyone. There is no doubt in my mind that Lance likes me. But I don’t know what to do next.”
“Well, I’ve been there before. Hell, I’m there now. It’s not easy dating a rock star. Tom and I are on the same tour, and we hardly ever get to see each other! When Lance was on the road, and I was on the road, it made it extra hard. Sometimes I would be in a town one night, and he would be there the next night, but there was still no time. But we still managed to work out a good relationship, and even stay friends. It’s all a matter of trust.” Krysti gave this speech to Symone a million times when she and Justin were together.
“No, no, it’s not that. I mean, I would trust Lance without a problem. It’s just that it’s me. He can have anyone. I know I’m pretty, and sweet and deserve someone like him, and he deserves someone like me, but I just don’t know if I want to do that. I like him a lot, but I’m not sure if I like him enough to stay committed while he’s gone. I’ve always had problems being faithful to a guy I’m with that I see everyday, how do I know if I can trust myself with Lance?” Emmi looked at Krysti, pleading for an answer.
Krysti was silent, somewhat taken aback. “You have to see if it’s he who is the other half of your soul. And speaking of souls, I think he’s coming. Krysti looked out into the rain, and saw Lance sliding through the mud to the barn. “Good luck.” Krysti squeezed Emmi’s hand before running back to the house.
“Emmi?” Lance called. Emmi sighed again before coming out of the shadows.
“Hey.” Emmi looked him in the eye. She had nothing to be afraid of now.
“I’m sorry for saying that in front of everyone back there. It’s just, I really like you, and I don’t know what you think, but I want to. And sometimes I get so impatient, I just say things like that without even thinking. I’m so open around everyone in there, I didn’t think it’s go over that badly.” He said, softly, almost as is he was afraid of Emmi’s reaction.
“I like you, too, Lance. I just don’t know if I can handle it. I know it would be really hard trying to have a relationship with someone who’s always gone, and I don’t know if that would work for me. It would be different if you weren’t, well, if you weren’t--”
“If I wasn’t Lance Bass of N Sync?”
“Yeah.” Emmi and Lance looked at each other, each trying to find the words to make the other feel better.
“I don’t know if you could trust me.” Emmi finally said.
“Why wouldn’t I be able to?”
“Well, I’ve never been able to really keep a commitment before. It’s like, I’ve never found the guy that I wanted to stay with no matter what. I’m so scared of hurting you.”
“If you’re that scared of hurting me, chances are you wouldn’t do anything that could hurt me. And I’d be willing to give you a chance, if you would give me one.” Emmi smiled at him, a slow, thankful, happy smile.
“I think I could manage that.” Emmi said. She felt like the weight of 50 elephants had been lifted from her shoulders. Lance help out his open arms, and Emmi gladly found herself in them.
“Let’s dance.” Lance whispered, nuzzling her neck.
“To what?”
“The rain.” And so, Lance and Emmi swayed to the rhythm of the rain on the barn roof.
