| Lance glared at the unformal semi-circle that had formed in JC's suite. He nursed another beer, and sat back, a sour expression firmly planted on his face. If he had to watch the childish behavoir for much longer, he feared he would jump from his skin and crumble to the ugly, hotel rug, with it's faded paisley pattern and it's underlying stench of God know's what. "Okay, so let's keep going. Pay the piper or suffer the truth," Justin chanted, his cheeks already a rose shade of pink from the effects of the alcohol. The childish game had been one he made up, and with the snowstorm swirling outside, boredom had lead them all to this. Lance sighed and gulped down the rest of his beer. If he had to watch her for one second longer, flirting and carrying on with JC, he knew he would loose it. She was already half drunk, swaying to the sounds of Dark Side of The Moon, by Pink Floyd, which she had insisted upon putting on, amazed that Joey and Lance had never heard it before. The seductive strrains of the music were transforming her, to Lance's dismay, right into JC's direction. And JC was eating it up. "JC, you're up, man," Justin sang, rising to get another bottle of Goldschlager for the shots. "Go on, I'll be right back." He stepped over Lance as he made his way to the small refrigerator in the front of the suite. "You sure you don't wanna play?" he asked, again. Lance shook his head, his eyes never leaving her. "No, I don't want to play your dumb game." Justin shrugged. "More for us," he said simply, disappearing. "Yeah, cuz yall need more." Lance seethed inside. Technically, they were all supposed to be in the bus, headed for the next city. The damn snowstorm had them stuck inside, and watching this rip off of "truth or dare" was insane. He fussed with the empty bottle in his hand, picking the label off and shoving the remains inside. He watched as she sat closer to JC, grabbing his palm in hers and pointing out the lines, explaining what each one meant. And JC continued to eat it up, his eyes droopy from the alcohol, a flirtatious grin spreading across his face. Visions of the two of them dancing in bed flipped through Lance's mind, and he grimaced, tossing his bottle down and standing up to get another. Justin returned, a fresh bottle in his hand. "Did you go yet?" he asked JC, cocking an eyebrow when his friend ignored him, busy with Lance's pretty friend from home. "Good God, man," he laughed. "Fine, let Chris go." Chris smiled, tettering on the brink of drunkeness himself. "I'm ready. Shoot." Justin crossed his legs and sat down. "How many girls have you gone down on?" he asked slyly. The game had taken a decidedly sexual twist early on, and playing co-ed had proved interesting thus far. Chris' girlfriend eyed him. "Christopher, you better pay the piper. I doubt you'd like the results if you tell them." Chris lowered his gaze in playful shame. "Okay, pay the piper." He reached his shot glass out as Joey filled it to the top. "Drink, drink, drink," they all chanted. Chris downed the cinnamon liquor quickly, brightening his grin and pausing to plant a chaste kiss on his girlfrind's cheek. Lance inhaled sharpley as he watched her lay down on her stomach, her head propped up in her hands. She laughed at something JC whispered in her ear. He popped the top off his beer and tossed it, hitting JC right in the head. "Sorry," he said flatly when JC looked up at him. JC said nothing, just returned his attentions to the young woman next to him. He played with her long red hair, twisting his fingers through it and staring at the little diamonds that graced her ears. "Chris, go," Joey commanded, slipping a shot while he waited. Chris held up one finger, a loud burp erupting from his mouth. "Okay, let's see, JC, what do you plan on doing with Lance's friend later tonight?" He chuckled as her face grew warm with embarassment. "Shut the fuck up," Lance cried when he heard the question, heat and anger bubbling up inside him. He glared at Chris, who rolled his eyes back. "Lance, you can't interupt. You wanna play, that's cool. If not, you gotta stay quiet." She said nothing, just attempted to roll over and sit up, curious as to what JC's answer might be. "Oww," she squealed, stopping half way. JC looked down at her. "What's wrong?" "My naval ring, it's stuck to the rug! Damn! It hurts." Justin hopped over. "I told you not to wear a ring. Why don't you get a bar instead, like Brit has. You know how many fucking times she got stuck with her ring?" He laid down next to her, gently guiding his hand between her stomach and the rug, feeling for the snag. Lance shook his head. His emotions cascaded down to his toes, and he couldn't breathe anymore. He'd given her the naval ring, and now, yet another one of his friends had his hands on her. Jumping down to the floor, he shoved JC to the side. "You okay? Does it hurt?" Concern lines creased his forehead, and he studied her face, so beautiful, so warm, even with the small frown that tugged at her mouth. "Hell yes, it hurts. Justin, hurry up, please." She tried to lift herself up a bit more, to give him a better chance at grabbing it. His hands grasped the ring, and fumbled with the rug that wound itself around it. "Got it," he grunted, pressing his head to the rug to get a better look. "Someone get some tissues in case it bleeds." Lance turned and motioned to JC. "Well? Go!" JC pursed his lips, but got up, curious at his friend's behavior. They all knew how close Lance was to her, but he was acting like her father, hovering and monopolizing her time. He never imagined the crazy behavior to be simply because he liked her. Quietly, JC went to the bathroom, retrieving the tissues and handing them to Lance. Justin bit his lip, not wanting to hurt her. "One more second. Got it," he grinned triumphantly, getting to his knees and assisting her up. Lance brushed his hands away, checking her over himself. "God, you're bleeding," he gasped, pressing the white kleenex to her belly button. "You okay?" She closed her eyes. "I can't look. Is it ripped badly?" Lance lifted her shirt a bit, to get a better look. He pulled the now red tissue away and assesed the damage. "Its not. It's just sore, I guess." "Thanks to Justin. Thanks." She stood up and hugged him, careful not to get any blood on his off white tee shirt. "It was nothing. I've done some unsnagging of these things before." He shrugged the hug away, shying away. His glance strayed to the odd look on Lance's face. He'd seen that puppy dog look before, and suddenly understood the mood his friend was in. "Lance, mind if I have a word?" Lance dabbed at the bloodied wound once more. She smiled at him, turning his insides out with just one look. "Go on," she grinned. "It's fine." He shook his head, uncertain. "Okay, but we need to get some peroxide or something. I'll be right back." Justin tugged on his arm, yanking him into the front of the suite. "Dude, how long we been friends?" "Justin, what? What the hell are you talking about?" He stared over his shoulder, wishing he had a veiw of JC. He wanted to keep an eye on him, untrusting the playfulness between them. "Do you have a thing for her? I mean, first the mood, then shoving JC aside." Justin ran his fingers through his hair, tugging at a knot. "It just seems..." "What! What does it seem to you?" Lance's green eyes lit up, and while he didn't quite understand his sudden hostility, he knew he had to return to that other room. He was sure JC and her were getting closer. "Fuck, man. Listen to me. Do you or do you not like her? Just answer the damn question." Justin stared him down, blue eyes intense, his arms now folded across his chest in a no nonsense manner. Lance looked down, unable to hide the emotions he carried so obviously on his face. "Maybe," he answered coyly. "I just don't see why JC is all over her. I mean, shit, he has a fucking girlfriend. I don't want her getting hurt or anything." Justin sighed. "So that would be a yes. Just say yes, get it over with. Go tell JC how you feel. He'll back off." He studied the hesitation on Lance's face. "Stop being a wimp, man. If you like her, you gotta tell her. She's not a mind reader." He punched his arm lightly. "Don't make me tell her. I will." "Oh that's mature," Lance pouted, hearing her laughter fill the air. He shook his head and wandered back to the room. Joey was passed out on the bed, and Chris was leading his girlfriend from the suite, bidding everyone a good night. JC sat cross legged on the floor, denying the fact he was ticklish, hoping she would test him out. Lance pressed his lips together and felt his heart drop. He cared so much for her, having known her for years. Having her join him on tour was going to be his way to let her know how he felt, after all this time, after all the lonley nights of aching to hold her, seeing her face in every woman he spent the night with, waiting for her calls, which were not as frequent as he liked. Another frown appeared as she dug her fingers into JC's rib cage, sending him rolling on the floor, laughing. "We should head back now," he said, mustering as much of a pleased tone as he could. The last thing he needed was for her to read him, read the lust in his eyes, the want in his face. He wanted her to know, but only on his terms. JC peeked up from under her. "You go on. I'll take care of Miss Mississippi here." Justin stifled a drunken laugh from behind Lance. Lance's ears burned furiously. "Nothings funny, J. Not a thing," he hissed. Returning his attentions to the giggling couple, he bit his lip. JC would have her tonight, of that he was sure. His chance would be so far gone, he'd never get it back. "Are you sure?" he asked, praying his voice wouldn't waver. "I mean, it's late, and it's been a long day." JC shrugged, using his hands to push her off him sideways. Lance looked on with envy at her touseled hair, the gleam in her eyes, the smile that graced her face. "Yeah, I'm good. I have my key. I'll be back later." Lance shoved his hands into his pockets and avoided her gaze. Without another word, he turned and stalked from the room. Only when he was safely in his suite did he flop on the bed and bury his head in his arms. This was all wrong, not the way it was supposed to be. She was supposed to be with him, not JC. However JC had managed to edge his way in infuriated Lance. He grabbed the pillow and covered his head with it, wishing he was shitfaced, wishing he had a warm body here to comfort him, even if it wasn't her. His eyes slammed shut and he worked on pushing her face from his mind. The winter storm set in his heart, not just outside. There was no comfort in any of it. It felt icy and cold and lonely. Her visit was supposed to cure him of that feeling, not make it worse. But that's exactly what it had done. The minutes ticked on and the combination of beer and a long day had it's way with him, sending him into a fitful slumber. He didn't hear the door click open 20 minutes later, nor did her feel the weight of her body next to him on the bed. "Lance?"she whispered, flitting her hand through his hair. "You alseep?" Lance blinked his eyes open, disorientated. The shadow from the small light next to the bed cast a weak dimness in the room and he wet his dry lips. The figure next to him was unexpected, and grinning. "Hey," he managed smally, his temples still throbbing. He reached up to rub at them, and closed his eyes instinctively. "Where's JC?" "In his room," she replied, running her hand along the small of his back. "You okay?" Lance's eyes fluttered open at the question. Ah, to tell the truth or not. He himself wasn't sure if he was okay or not. Hell, he didn't even know if she was really there or it was a dream. "I guess," he lied, using his hands to press himself up. Her eyes twinkled brightly as she looked into his eyes. "Justin talked to me, Lance. He told me how you feel and...." "That asshole!' "No, no. He's not. He was just worried about you and he took me aside to tell me how you feel. Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you let me in?" Her face met his expectantly, her lips slightly pouty and eyes wide. All he could manage was a shrug. His mind spun with the realization that it was out, his feelings were known. She moved closer, causing his heart to beat out of control. In minutes, her hand was on his face, her fingers tracing his jawline softly. Lance didn't dare breath, his mouth went dry, his sight blurred. "If you told me, it would have saved so much heartache, Lance. I could have done this months ago." She leaned in and tasted his lips, gently. His body melted to hers. He didn't believe this could actually be happening to him. All the caring and love he'd felt for her was mutual. JC was just a distraction for her, a simple way to get Lance off her mind. For years she'd carried a torch for him, watching from home as he made his way to fame, gracing magazine covers and making his presence known in the world of stars. She'd ached for him, damning N Sync, and his participation, wishing he'd never joined. She was sure if he'd stayed in Mississippi, they would have dated, and had a chance. "I can't believe this," she whispered, laying next to him. "I've wanted to do that forever." She rested her head on his shoulder, her heart pounding furiously. "Why didn't you?" he asked, surprised by this turn of events. "I've felt the same. Damn, we could have..." She rolled over, on top of him, silencing him with another kiss. "It's been too long," she breathed, pressing her body tightly to his. "I've loved you for too long." He floated, feeling his mind leave his body. This was the closest to heaven he'd ever felt. She wanted him and the feeling was mutual, something that had never happened to him before. Twining his hands in her hair, he pulled her face down to his, and kissed her some more, feeling complete, so happy, perfection. |
| PAY THE PIPER by destiny |