Seven 

“That was delicious,” Justin said with a sigh. “Thanks, Joe.”

“It wasn't just for you,” Nick said. “It was for all of us.”

“Happy birthday to everyone,” JC said, raising his wine glass.

“Yes,” Lance echoed, raising his own.

“When's your birthday?” Justin turned towards Lance.

“Uh, in May,” Lance answered, then laughed. “Sorry. Sometimes I feel that there are people who have all that memorized. It's nice to get to answer.”

“Yes, it must be SO hard to have people falling at your feet,” Joey said sarcastically. Justin pushed at his shoulder.

“Joey!”

“Sorry, that came out ruder than I meant it to,” Joey apologized.

“It is hard,” Lance said, putting down his glass. “Everything I do is scrutinized under a microscope. Everything anyone AROUND me does is scrutinized. My mother, my assistant, my boyfriend. Everyone must ALWAYS be on their best behavior. And me, well, forget a personal life. Everything about me is plastered on every cover page of every entertainment magazine. If I give too much to charity, I'm trying to buy popularity. If I don't give enough to charity, I'm a miser. If I show too much skin, I'm a whore. If I don't show enough skin, I obviously have something to hide. If I talk about my family, I'm a mama's boy. If I don't talk about them, they're something to be ashamed of.” Lance sighed. “I hate my life sometimes.”

“I'm sorry,” Justin said softly. “That's so sad.”

Lance grinned. “Just kidding, y'all.”

Nick hooted and Justin carefully felt for a roll and threw it at Lance. “You're a jerk,” he said, but he laughed along.

“All that's true, but there's a lot of good stuff that comes from my job,” Lance said. “Like being able to buy nice things for friends and family.”

“Speaking of which,” JC said finally. “Lance has gifts for the three of you.”

“Really?” Justin said, blushing slightly. “That wasn't necessary.”

“Nick first,” Lance said, handing him the binder. Nick unwrapped it and grinned. “It's for your portfolio. I figured you'd need a new one by now.”

“You're not joking,” Nick said. “The thing's falling apart. Thanks.”

“Now, Joey,” Lance said.

“Ooh…new recipes to try out on Justin,” Joey said eagerly.

“What kind of cookbook is it?” Justin asked, feeling the think book.

“Vegetarian,” Joey said immediately, and Justin wrinkled his nose. “Just kidding, babe,” Joey said, leaning over to kiss Justin's cheek.

“Now, Justin,” Lance said, watching Justin carefully as he handed the box to him.

“Baby blue wrapping paper,” Joey told Justin. Justin smiled.

“A little birdie named Josh must've told you I always loved that color when I was little,” Justin said. His nimble fingers unwrapped the paper and opened the box. The chimes tinkled and he smiled bigger.

“The bottoms are little silver music notes,” Joey told him.

“I see,” Justin said, carefully feeling the metal. “Thank you, Lance. It's great. I'll hang it outside our bedroom window.”

“I'm glad you like it,” Lance said bashfully. JC watched him watching Justin and wondered just who this Will had been.

“So…who wants dessert?' Joey said. He stood and began to clear dishes.

“Dessert?” Justin asked. “You ordered dessert.”

“No way, silly. I made you a cake.” Joey went into the kitchen to start the coffeepot and carry out the cake.

“It has basketballs on it!” Nick said happily. “Candy basketballs.”

“For Justin, piggo, NOT you,” JC said, slapping Nick's hands away. 

“I just want to tell you guys how great this night has been,” Lance said as he and JC put their coats on late. “I haven't had a good time like this in ages. Thank you SO much for letting me come.”

“We were happy to have you,” Joey said. “Really, man.” He shook Lance's hand.

“This was such an awesome night,” Nick said. “I still can't believe you were here.” JC gave him an annoyed look.

“Nice to meet you, too, Nick,” Lance said, laughing.

Justin walked over and suddenly hugged Lance. “Thank you, Lance, for sharing in my birthday,” he said softly. “And thank you for the gift.”

Lance closed his eyes briefly as he allowed Justin to embrace him. “I hope the rest of the year is as happy as this night, and that you get everything you wish for,” Lance said.

“I'll call you guys tomorrow,” JC said as they went out the door.

“That was great. Thank you, Josh,” Lance said, looking back up at the apartment building. “They're so happy, so…content. I miss feeling that way.”

“I thought you and…”

“AJ? Yeah, we're together, but we don't see each other much, and it's more for convenience, I think,” Lance said. “I loved him once, but he's not the same person. Neither am I, for that matter.”

“Do you, uh, want me to walk you back, or do you just want to catch a cab or something?” JC asked nervously. He really wanted to spend more time with Lance.

“I have an early call tomorrow…but to hell with it. Let's walk,” Lance said, heading towards the hotel. “I don't want this night to end yet.”

They chatted briefly on their short walk. “Justin really reminded you of someone, huh?” JC asked in what he hoped was a casual manner.

“Will was my first love. He looked just like Justin…even laughed like him. He died in a car accident about five years ago,” Lance said. “I haven't loved that way since.”

“I'm sorry,” JC whispered.

“Don't be. It's in the past,” Lance said, but it was obviously still fresh in his heart. They stopped in front of Lance's hotel. “Would you like to come up for a bit?”

“Don't you have to be up early?” JC asked, desperately wanting to go upstairs for a few more minutes with Lance.

“Yes,” Lance said simply, then turned and went into the building. JC followed him. Lance stopped at the desk for his messages, and JC lingered in the lobby. “I really need a new alias,” Lance said. “Three fans left messages.”

“What kind of names do you normally use?”

“Western actors,” Lance said. “I know, weird, but normally it works. But apparently the fans heard about it and guessed “Tex Ritter” was staying here.”

“Athletes,” JC suggested. Lance smiled.

“Maybe I could call Nick and get some suggestions.”

“That would only make his week,” JC said, and Lance laughed.

They stepped into the elevator and the doors closed. JC fidgeted. “I had a really good time,” Lance said softly, his hand reaching up to fix the collar of JC's coat.

“You said that before,” JC said just as softly. Lance's hand remained on JC's shoulder.

“Oh, yeah,” Lance said. He stepped closer and his face was suddenly inches from JC's. “Would you like to come in?” He had asked the same question earlier, but now it had all kinds of different meanings.

JC allowed Lance to slowly and softly kiss him before answering. “I'd like that,” he replied, sighing a little.

“I don't do this in every town, Josh,” Lance said, picking up JC's hand and kissing the palm. “Please believe me.”

“I do,” JC said, nodding.

Lance held JC's hand as they went to his door. He kissed JC again as he put the card in the lock, and JC's knees actually buckled. “I don't remember leaving the lights on,” Lance said as the door opened.

“Hey!” A gravelly voice yelled happily from the living room. “Babe! Where ya been?”

“Oh my God,” Lance murmured.

A face that JC had seen plastered on hundreds of magazines and billboards came into view. “Heya, baby.” AJ McLean came over and placed a wet kiss on Lance's cheek. “I missed you and thought I'd surprise you.”

“You sure did that,” Lance said weakly.

“Who's this?” AJ asked. He stood behind Lance and put an arm around his waist, leaning his head on Lance's shoulder.

“I run an art gallery nearby, and Mr. Bass ordered some things,” JC said almost sadly.

“You deliver this late?” AJ asked, laughing. “Dude, you're dedicated.”

“Actually, I was in the hotel for something else, and came here to clear up Mr. Bass' order. Will that be all, Mr. Bass?” JC asked.

“Uh, well, no,” Lance stammered.

“I'm afraid there's nothing more I can do for you,” JC said politely. “Enjoy your stay in Lehigh Hill.”

“Josh…I mean, Mr. Chasez,” Lance said quickly, but JC was already out the door.

“Missed you like CRAZY, baby,” AJ said, closing the door and pressing Lance up against it.

Eight