| “Justin told me the girl didn’t make it,” JC said as they sped down the highway in Justin’s Benz. “Sorry about that.” Lance refrained from rolling his eyes. He refrained from a lot these days it seemed. There was no need for explanation. He was certain both JC and Justin would soon forget all about her. But he couldn’t. He’d lost this magical chance. “It’s like every fucking cheesy song I’ve ever heard,” he muttered. “Say again?” Justin asked, cocking his head to the side. “Watch the damn road!” Lance cried as the car in front of them slowed down dramatically. Justin’s eyes pulled back to the road and he slammed his brakes, sending JC lurching for the front seat. “Jesus,” JC laughed. “Kill me why don’t ya?” “Sorry,” Justin chuckled sheepishly. Lance braced his hands on the dash board and wondered when he’d drifted so far away from his friends idea of fun. In Mississippi his friends were all married with kids. At twenty two and twenty three. And, Lance often thought, weren’t they his ‘true’ friends -- the ones who knew him before he was famous. But that wasn’t quite fair, he’d decide time and time again. Not fair because he abandoned that way of life for fame. And this was his life now. And these were his brothers now. It was that bad. The Benz pulled off an exit and down a rounded road. Lance peered into the darkness at the twinkling lights and sparkle that was California. It held something -- some power to draw three of five N Syncers out there. The trees swayed as a light wind kicked up and Lance felt the pit in his heart grow. Theresa would have loved this. He could envision her hair blowing in the breeze, and taking her to the beach where they could splash in the waves -- where he could hear her contagious laugh -- and touch her baby soft skin. “I said,” Justin yelled, “Are you okay?” Lance blinked. “Huh?” JC sighed. “He’s been asking if you’re okay for five mintues. Damn, man, where are you tonight?” Justin turned down into a driveway where several security guards blocked the gate. He rolled down his window as he drove up. “Timberlake,” he said smoothly. The burly men glanced over the list before nodding. The gates swung open and Justin slid the car easily down the paved drive. “Party,” he grinned at Lance, already forgetting his friend’s bitter mood. “Big party,” JC added as he raked his long fingers through his brown strands. Lance wanted to cry -- to run someplace and hide. Party was not what he wanted to do -- not at all where he wanted to be. But he knew Justin better. He figured as much. “Indy party?” he asked hopefully. At least he could work an indy party. “Hell no,” Justin gasped as he pulled up to the valet. “Fuck if I’m going to one of those while we’re off. This is full-force-our-age-holly-wood-party-bay-bee” His grin was wide, and childlike, and Lance couldn’t help but smile back. Justin would just never grow up. It was his best quality, Lance reasoned. That and he secretly liked to line dance. JC climbed out and yanked his jeans up. “And no mention of girlfriends, okay? I don’t want to think about her.” Lance frowned. JC’s girlfriend was friendly -- a bit domineering but he guessed it was simply because she loved JC so much. Life should be so daunting, he thought. He realized JC was merely taking for granted what he had. It put Lance in a dark corner where he wanted to sulk, and where he held a pity party for one. Justin was pulling his shirt though, and he had no time for second thoughts as they flew through the front door. Justin owned the room, dancing his way through the sea of people but keeping a firm grip on Lance -- and a solid path for his feet. Thumping music blared and Lance felt himself being yanked through the huge beige foyer to the back. Several familiar faces smiled and waved, and Lance smiled back. He was unable to stop as JC pushed him along. He really just wanted to find the bar and numb himself a bit. Otherwise he feared he would frighten guests and spend the night alone in a lounge chair nursing his sour attitude. JC cackled behind him. It was a perplexing sound and Lance turned to stare at him. “What the fuck was that?” JC hopped up and down as he let go of Lance’s shoulders. “Nothing. It was a laugh. Why?” Something cagey in JC’s eyes threw Lance for a loop. “C, what?” He glared with folded arms and wrenched out of Justin’s grasp. “Why you being like this? It’s creepy.” “Creepy?” JC laughed. “Fuck, you’re such a baby. Relax will ya?” He shoved Lance lightly toward Justin. Justin’s blue eyes sparkled. “Come *on*,” he drawled. “Move that ass.” Lance sighed heavily and stared at his sandles and continued onward. He figured he could have a drink or two, then beg out and head back to Justin’s -- maybe dip in the hot tub and catch up on some reading. That would be far more productive than *this*. “Okay, Lance,” Justin said as he stopped abruptly and spun around. “You remember this when we go back out on tour and I drink the last of the sweet tea okay?” Lance’s eyes narrowed as he remembered Justin’s penchant for his sweet tea -- and his neverending inconsideration not to get more. “Justin, what the hell are you talking about?” Justin smirked and stood aside with his hand outstretched. “Here ya go. Happy birthday, merry christmas and all that shit.” Confusion smacked Lance in the gut as he pulled his face up. And froze. Theresa stood just feet from him in a white sundress and strappy heels -- his Theresa with her long hair twisted up and ringlets dropping down to cascade down her neck -- Theresa with the infectious laugh and amazing personality. He was stunned as a blush crept over his face. He brought his hand to his jaw and rubbed at the stubble. “I don’t understand,” he whispered as Theresa caught his eye. She waved slightly as if unsure of his reaction. He waved slightly as if a freight train just collided with reality. “I don’t understand,” he said again. JC threw his hands up and jumped in front of him, placing his hands on Lance’s shoulders. “What’s to understand, dumb ass? You happen to have two of the most ingenious best friends ever created and we fucking found her. She’s here, man. For you. Go.” “Yeah, for real because she is damn fine and I may have to get me some.” Justin rolled his shoulders and started to move toward her. “Hey,” Lance laughed, pulling him back. “I’m just stunned. I didn’t think. I mean. I figured you two weren’t even listening to me.” His jade eyes filled with thanks, and wonder. “Later you tell me how you freaking did this.” He grabbed Justin’s hand and pulled him in for a short hug. “Thanks.” “Yeah, well, we were bored,” Justin shrugged under the attention. “So, go have fun. I’m getting a drink and getting me a fine dance partner. Don’t either of you bug me, okay?” He grinned and disappeared into the crowd. JC clapped his hands together. “Same for me. Have fun.” When Lance was alone, only then did he dare believe this was for real -- that *his* friends could have come through in such a time of uncertainty and desolation to make this happen for him. Only then did he force his feet to move and go to her. Only then did he open his heart and feel the hope flood in. “Hey you,” she said excitedly. “Nice party huh?” Lance embraced her immediately. “You have no idea,” he murmured into her ear. |
| LITTLE WING 5 by destiny |