...With You

Chapter 15


It was about an hour later and the party was in full swing. Madison had not seen JC since he left to go talk to his parents. Justin was off talking to someone that she didn’t recognize. She had struck up a conversation with two other guys who were friends with JC when he lived in Florida.

JC’s eyes scanned the crowd looking for Madison. He wanted so much to just sit down and talk with her, but this was neither the time, nor the place. His eyes stopped on Madison talking to Tom and Eric, and he made his way over to them
“Hey guys” he said.
“JC!” Tom exclaimed.
“Hey Man!” said Eric.
“I see you’ve met Madison, here.” JC smiled.
“Yes, we have. We’re just giving her the run down.” Eric said.
“Ah…that could be dangerous!” JC laughed and looked at Madison. “Don’t believe everything you hear.” He warned.
Madison laughed.
“Josh?” a voice called from behind.
JC turned around and saw his parents. They’d been asking to meet Madison all night, and now was the time.
“Hey.” He smiled. “Mom. Dad. I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Madison.” He said.
Madison smiled and extended her hand.
“It’s so nice to meet you” she said genuinely.
“Hello, Madison, we’ve heard so many great things about you.” Mrs. Chasez said.
JC felt his face get red. Was it a mother thing? How did they have the knack for embarrassing their young?
Madison shook Mr. Chasez’s hand as well and continued to charm the both of them. After awhile Madison excused herself and left JC with just his parents.
“So, tell us again. How did you let that one go?” Mrs. Chasez asked.
“I don’t know, mom. I really don’t know.” JC said
“Well, at least you two still talk.” Mr. Chasez put in.
“Yeah, I gotta be grateful for that” JC said smiling.
JC knew that his parents couldn’t begin to know the whole story, and at this point there was no point in telling them.

**~*~*~*~**

Madison was over getting a drink when Justin came up quietly behind her.
"I have been waiting all night to have a dance with you!" he said into her ear.
"All night?" she teased.
"All night." He affirmed.
"Well then, I think we better go dance." She smiled.
"Good." He smiled, extending his hand.
They headed out to the floor, hand in hand and began to dance. Since the beach there was no one she would rather dance with than Justin. Her and Liz had gone to clubs there and back in New York and anyone she danced with just didn't measure up. A slower song started and Justin pulled her closer towards him. Madison looked over Justin’s shoulder and saw Lance watching them.
"I think we're being watched." She told Justin.
"By who? Lance?" Justin guessed.
"Yeah. How'd you know?" Madison laughed.
"Because he's been watching us all night." Justin said.
"You noticed that too, huh?" Madison said.
"Kinda hard to not to" Justin started "notice, I mean."
"I knew what you meant" Madison smiled. "Justin…I…"
Madison never got to finish her sentence.
"May I cut in?" she heard JC ask.
Justin immediately loosened his grip on Madison and she turned around to face JC.
"You did tell me you were taking me dancing, so I should at least get a dance, right?" he asked.
Madison smiled. "Of course." She said.
"You don't mind, do you man?" JC asked Justin.
"Of course not" Justin smiled at his friend.
"I'll catch you later Madison" he said.
"Later Justin." She said, following him into the crowd.
She turned back around to face JC and smiled. She wrapped her arms around JC and felt a surge go through her. It was a feeling that felt so warm, so familiar. JC pulled her closer and she leaned her head into his chest.
"This is nice" JC said.
Madison looked up at JC and smiled. "Yeah, it is." She said. "But…"
"But what, Madd?" he asked. "This feels right. Us feels right. It never didn't!"
"JC, I…" she started.
He shook his head. "You know what, don't finish that. I know what you're going to say and I'd just kinda like to keep this moment." He said.
"JC, I just think that we're better off…" she said.
"And Madison, that is where I think we will always disagree. But if we can stay friends, I'll take that." He smiled.
“Good.” Madison said. “Because I think that’s where we should stay.” she said, pulling away from him.
JC looked into her eyes and knew that she was serious when she said that she only wanted to be friends. His heart was hurting because she was breaking it all over again. Only this time, she wasn’t walking out of his life, she was standing in the middle of it, and that made it even more painful. The song ended and the two of them split apart and looked at each other.
“Thanks for the dance” he said smiling.
“Anytime” she smiled.
“I’m going to hold you to that, Madd” he said.
Madison laughed nervously. It was true more than ever that JC was meant to be just a friend. She just wished she wouldn’t have hurt him on the way to finding that out.

**~*~*~*~**

Madison looked at her watch as the crowd started to thin out. It was one in the morning already. Justin was on his way towards her.
“Hey” he said.
“Hi Justin” she said.
“You leaving?” he asked.
“Yeah, I should get going.” She answered.
“Can I walk you home” he asked.
“Yeah, I’d like that” she smiled.
“Good.” He smiled back at her.
Madison and Justin walked out the door talking and laughing, almost unnoticed. Lance saw them walk out together and realized the in-coming disaster.

**~*~*~*~**

“Thanks for walking me up to the door. It really wasn’t necessary.” Madison said.
“Of course it was. Those wackos…..” Justin smiled.
“Yeah. Ya see, you can’t use that excuse here cause Carson is right across the hall.” Madison smiled.
“Well, I’ll just have to think of a better excuse then.” Justin said.
“You don’t need one.” Madison smiled.
She turned around to unlock the door and opened it to head inside.
“Madd -- ” Justin said.
She turned around to face him. “Yeah?”
“What were you going to say before? When JC came to cut in?” he asked.
“Oh, um, it was nothing – really.” She smiled.
“You sure?” he questioned.
“Yeah. Positive.” She said, looking down at the floor.
“Well, I should probably get going” said Justin.
“Yeah. I guess you better. Thanks again for walking me home.” She said.
“No problem” he smiled.
“Well, goodnight” she said.
“Goodnight Madison” he said, kissing her on the cheek.
As his lips grazed her check, the memories of the beach returned. Her heart pounded so loud that he must have heard it.
“Goodnight Justin” she said softly, as she closed the door.
Madison leaned against the closed door and closed her eyes. She knew that the situation between her and Justin was getting more and more complicated. She didn’t know what to do about the feelings that she kept locked up in her heart.
::Knock, Knock::
Startled, Madison turned around to open the door and saw Justin standing there. “Hey” she said softly. “Hey, can I come in?” he asked. “Sure” Madison said, opening the door allowing him in. “What’s up?” she asked.
Justin sighed. “Madd, I may be totally off base here, but am I wrong when I think that this, I mean, us is getting a little complicated?”
Madison just stared at him and then looked down to the floor.
“No, Justin, you’re not wrong.” She said softly.
“I didn’t think so” he said.
“So, what do you think we should do?” she asked.
“I don’t know” he said, shoving his hand into his pockets. “Maybe we should just keep our distance for a little bit.” He suggested.
Madison nodded. “If that’s what you want.” She said softly.
“Of course that’s not what I want, Madd!” he said excitedly.
“Then what do you want, Justin?!” Madison asked, almost yelling.
Justin didn’t say anything. In one single motion, he stepped towards her, taking her face in his hands and kissed her passionately. Madison was surprised at first but closed her eyes and let his lips caress hers. After a minute, they parted. They stayed together in a close embrace.
“Does that answer your question?” Justin asked.
“Yeah, pretty much.” Madison smiled. Madison’s smile faded and she pulled away.
“Madd?” Justin said, worried.
“Justin, we can’t” Madison said simply.
“Can’t what, Madd?” Justin asked. “Be together?”
“No, Justin, we can’t” Madison said.
“Give me one good reason why not” Justin said, taking a step closer to her.
“Alright. JC.” Madison said firmly.
Justin lowered his head and Madison continued.
“Justin we can’t just pretend he’s not there. He’s one of your best friends and my ex-boyfriend for god’s sake!” Madison yelled.
“So what am I supposed to do Madison, ignore what every impulse in my body is telling me to do?" Justin yelled back.
"Justin, I don't know! But can't you see this isn't going to work?!" Madison yelled again.
Justin took a step closer to her, they were only inches apart now.
"If you tell me to leave, I will. If you tell me right now that you have no feelings for me what so ever, I will walk out that door and we can forget this night ever happened." Justin said softly, caressing her cheek with his fingertips.
Madison touched his hand and brought it down off her face.
"Can you tell you don't have feelings for me?" Justin repeated softly into her ear.
"Justin, you have to go." Madison said, looking away from him.
"I have to go, or you want me to go?" Justin asked.
"Justin, please don't make this harder for me." Madison whispered.
Justin pulled away. "Are you going to let him make your choices for you for the rest of your life?" he said angrily.
"What are you talking about?" Madison shot back.
"JC. How long are you going to use him as an excuse to hide your feelings? Justin asked, still angry.
"And how long are you going to ignore that he's there?!" she yelled. "Justin, you act like this is easy for me!"
"Madd, do you think this is easy for me? I'm falling for my best friend's ex-girlfriend! And not only that, he still loves her. But I can't ignore my feelings!" Justin exclaimed. "Are you going to choose your past over your future, Madison……Are you?!"
Madison looked over at his pained face. Why was it so hard for her to admit that she had feelings for Justin? All the feelings she felt for JC could never measure up to the passion she felt for Justin at this one moment. To let him walk out that door again could be the biggest mistake of her life. She thought back to conversations with Liz and between her friend warning her about what would happen if she started something with Justin, she said something that was too true for Madison to ignore. 'You can't choose who you love, good or bad. You just do. But don't deny it, especially to yourself.' Sometimes Liz was too wise for her own good.
"Madd?" Justin whispered. "Madison, what are you thinking?"
Madison took a step closer to Justin and grabbed his hand.
"Justin, are we crazy?" she asked.
Justin smiled. "Totally." He answered, pulling her close.
"Justin, we can't ignore JC" she whispered, getting too involved in his touch.
"I know" Justin said. "But we can deal with that when the time comes."
He looked into her emerald green eyes and once again pushed his lips to hers. This time, her mouth was much more excepting to his. As his mouth caressed hers she ran her hands up his chest and around his neck. They walked their way back to her bedroom never breaking their embrace. Justin pulled away from her for a moment.
"Madison, I -- " Justin started.
"Justin!" Madison smiled.
"What?" he asked seriously.
"Shut-up!" she laughed.
He smiled and kissed her lips again, pulling her into the bedroom and shutting the door behind them.

**~*~*~*~**

Madison fluttered her eyes open into the daylight. Her head still lay on Justin's warm, bare chest. Her mind raced to memories of last night. Being with Justin was more magical than she could've ever imagined. The feeling of him caressing her body with his own felt heavenly, and always something she would never forget. Her eyes glanced at the clock on the night stand near her bed her she shot up. It was six in the morning.
"Justin" she whispered, nudging him.
"Hey baby" he smiled.
"Hey" she smiled, kissing him lightly on the lips. "Justin, you gotta get outta here, it's six!" she said.
"Oh shit!" Justin exclaimed sitting up. "I do have to go!"
"Justin, I'm sorry. We should've…" Madison said.
"Madd, don't apologize" Justin said smiling taking her into his arms.
They stood at the foot of the unmade bed held in each other's embrace. He kissed her lightly on the lips, never wanting to let her go.
"I know I have to leave, but I really don't want to." He smiled.
"I don't want you to either" Madison smiled back at him.
He ran his hands up the sides of her body and stopped them behind her neck pulling her into a deep, passionate kiss. She smiled as they parted.
"You better go" she kept smiling.
"Yeah" he said, still holding her.
He released his hold on her and she walked him to the door.
"I'll call you later" he smiled. "I'm going home today, to see my family, but I'll call you." he said.
"Ok," Madison smiled.
"Bye Madd" he said, kissing her softly.
"Bye Justin" she said, watching him make his way down the stairs.
She started to turn around when she heard something behind her and saw Justin running back up the stairs.
"You forget something?" she asked smiling.
"Yeah" Justin smiled.
"Yeah? What's that?" she asked.
"This" he smiled, pulling her in once more, kissing her passionately. "Ok, I think I can go know" he smiled.
"Alright. If you're sure." She smiled.
"I'll never be sure about leaving you, but right now I got to get back." He smiled.
"I know…. Now go!" she smiled.
"Bye babe" he said, turning around and running down the stairs and this time not looking back to see what he was leaving.

**~*~*~*~**

He walked out of the elevator and to the door of the hotel room. He paused outside the door, wondering what to tell them if questioned on where he was. 'Suck it up, big guy. You knew this was going to have to happen.' he thought to himself. He turned around and walked into the silent room. It seemed as if everyone was still asleep. He breathed a sign of relief and went into the bathroom joined to his room to take a shower.

**~*~*~*~**

Meanwhile…

Madison walked through her apartment, singing to the radio. It was only six in the morning and she still couldn't find it in her to lay down and go back to sleep. They was a knock at the door and Madison turned around startled. She walked over and opened it.
"Hey there?" Carson greeted.
"Carson? What are you doing here?" Madison asked, surprised.
"I came over to see how it went last night?" Carson asked.
"Last night?" Madison questioned, turning around to head back into the apartment.
"Yeah. Last night. JC's birthday party….how'd it go?" he asked. "Why are you acting so weird?"
"Oh, that. Yeah, it was good" she smiled. "I had a good time."
"See, I told you you would!" Carson said.
"I know, I know." She smiled. "So brings you by here so early?" she asked.
"I just woke up. Some of us still do work, Madd." He smiled.
"Right. I forgot" she smiled. "You want coffee?"
"Ah. Yeah, please." He answered.
Carson followed Madison into the kitchen.
"So what time did you get in last night?" he asked.
"Um, after one." She answered.
"Late night, huh?" he smiled.
"Yeah." Madison smiled nervously, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.
"You're up kinda early then?" Carson wondered.
"I couldn't sleep." She answered simply. "Can we talk about something else?" she asked.
"Yeah, sure" Carson said.
He walked up beside her and put his hands on her shoulders.
"You ok, Madd?" he asked, worried.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Madison said.
"Did JC say something to you?" Carson guessed.
"Yeah. But it's all ok, really." Madison smiled.
"Positive?" Carson asked.
"Yes Carson. I'm fine, honestly." Madison smiled again.
"Alright… You'd tell me if you weren't, right?" Carson asked.
"Of course. You're my best friend, silly. I tell you everything." Madison said.
Immediately she felt guilty about not telling him about Justin. But that was just one thing that would have to stay quiet, at least for the time being.

**~*~*~*~**

Justin walked out of his bathroom and put a clean set of clothes on. He walked out into the sitting area to make a pot of coffee and saw Lance already sitting there drinking his own cup of coffee.
"Hey man" Lance greeted.
"Hey Lance" Justin smiled, walking over to the coffee pot.
"Madison get home alright?" Lance asked.
Justin hesitated. Lance must have seen them leave the party together. How much could he possibly know?
"Yeah. I walked her back." Justin said flatly.
"I know, I saw" Lance said.
Justin poured his coffee and sat down across from this friend.
"Be careful, Justin. That's all I'm saying." Lance said, not looking up from his paper.
"I hear ya, Lance." He said, avoiding eye contact "Drop it, ok?"
"Alright then. What time is your flight today?" Lance asked.
"Noon." Justin answered.
JC stepped out of his room.
"What are you two doing up already?" he said lazily.
"My flight's at 9" Lance answered.
"I couldn't sleep" Justin answered.
"Whatever." JC said, walking back into his room.
Suddenly, he turned around.
"J, you leave today right?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'm going to the airport around eleven." He answered.
"Alright." JC answered. "See ya later."
Justin sighed. That was too weird. His flight back home couldn't come soon enough.

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