Thirteen
“That
rat bastard!” Chris yelled, spitting Cheerios all over the living room sofa.
“What
did Larry King do now?” JC said, laughing as he came out of the kitchen. For
some reason, Chris really couldn't stand the CNN talk show host, and always
yelled at the television.
“Not
him…though he WAS unnecessarily rude to Harrison Ford last night,” Chris said.
“Just because he recently broke up with someone was NOT an excuse to give him
the old Twenty Questions routine.” Chris got angry for a moment, then remembered
what had caused the food volcano. “Look!” He pointed his spoon at the
television and JC froze.
“A
tan and buff-looking Lance Bass returned to Los Angeles this weekend after a
few weeks incognito. Rumors state that he was off in France, vacationing with a
new friend, but he arrived stateside without said friend,” the entertainment
reporter said. Lance's smiling face flashed across the screen as he strode
quickly through LAX to a waiting car. He did indeed look tan. JC thought he
looked gorgeous, then kicked himself for thinking it. “Sources tell us he was
also seen in Paris with his old flam, model AJ McLean. These same sources say
Lance left Paris and headed for a private island in the Caribbean, owned by a
friend in the oil business. Did AJ hit the beach with Lance?”
“Turn
it off,” JC said in a choked tone. For once, Chris obeyed.
“He's
a dick, Jayce,” Chris said. “Really. I mean, he probably went there to commit
suicide or something and couldn't even get THAT right.”
“Not
funny, Chris,” JC said. He went back into the kitchen to wash dishes. Chris
followed and hopped up to sit on the counter.
“I
had something I needed to talk to you about, but with all this wedding
business, I haven't had the chance,” Chris began. JC smiled weakly.
“I
know. It's so great for Justin and Joey. I can't believe they're getting
married on Sunday!”
“Yeah.
They deserve the best,” Chris said, uncharacteristically nervous. JC rinsed off
a dish and turned to look at him.
“What's
wrong?”
“Nothing.
It's just. Never mind. It can wait.”
“Christopher.”
“I
want…Nick…well…we'd like to move in together.”
“Really?”
JC's face lit up. “Aw, man, that's great. I can't believe he'd put up with you
twenty-four seven, but damn, man. Great.”
“You're
okay with it?” Chris asked. “I wasn't sure if it'd be okay.”
“Chris,
you're a grown adult. You make your own decisions. Hell, I'll love having the
space.”
“I
know money is tight…”
“I
can manage. I managed before you moved in,” JC pointed out. “It's great.
Really.”
“I
just didn't want you alone,” Chris said. He jumped down. “But if you're okay…”
“It's
fine.”
Chris
hugged JC. “I gotta call Nick.”
He left JC to his dishes. JC looked down at
the suds, suddenly feeling VERY alone.
“And
then they want you to report to Alabama to go to Space Camp,” Kevin said.
“What?”
Lance's head shot up. Kevin grinned.
“About
time you pay attention to me. You haven't heard a thing I've said.”
“Sure
I did. You said that I have to…uh…that I have responsibilities. And I have to
be places.” Lance looked at him with polite interest.
“That
narrows it down.” Kevin closed his planner and tossed it onto Lance's coffee
table. “Want to tell me what's wrong with you?”
“It's
JC,” Lance said with a sigh. “I know he still believes AJ and I are together.
And the damn media isn't helping.”
“Have
you told him this?”
“It's
kinda difficult when he won't answer the phone. And today I tried his number
and there was a recording that told me it was disconnected.”
“Don't
you know his friend? The one that you helped out?” Kevin asked. Lance sighed.
“Justin.
Yeah, I know Justin. But if JC doesn't want me to talk to him, I'm not going to
use his friends.”
“Can
you TRY to focus for me, Lance?” Kevin asked.
“I'll try,” Lance said, though it was hard
to concentrate when all he could hear was his heart breaking.
“You
know this is insane, right?” Joey asked Justin as Justin trailed his fingers up
and down Joey's bare back. “Stop! That tickles!” Joey shivered.
“Yes…but
maybe it's what they need. I know it's what WE need,” Justin said. “A dream
come true.”
“JC
will kill you for interfering.”
“Yes…but
I can't believe that Lance is this evil. And JC refuses to hear him out.”
“It's
none of our business,” Joey pointed out.
“JC's
happiness is my business,” Justin retorted. He was silenced by a kiss from
Joey, and soon forgot all about JC and Lance.
