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Chapter 7: Kate
"Alex, come here sweetie," I plead. I see him shake his head and remain there, a distance away from me, as I helplessly see a snake come up behind him. "Alex! Come to me, please! I love you!" With that said, he smiles and runs to me, giving me a kiss on the cheek as the snake slithers away.
"Kate? Wake up Kate!"
Who is that? That doesn't sound like Alex's voice. I slowly realize that it is a dream and open my eyes to see JC smiling down at me from the side of the bed.
"Morning. What time is it?"
"It's early. Go get changed. I have a surprise for you," JC says.
"What is it?" I ask intrigued.
"Go get changed and you'll see."
I decide that it's useless to try to get any hints from him and grab a long skirt and matching blouse to change into in the bathroom. When I get out, I realize that JC is wearing new clothing as well.
"How did you change?" I ask.
"I had an extra pair of clothes in my car that I keep there since I never know when disaster will strike around the guys. Ready for the surprise?"
"Yes."
"Good." He pulls out a blindfold and wraps it around my head.
"What's this for?" I ask.
"You'll see." JC takes my hand and leads me out of the room. He has me walking for a while, leaving me no clue as to where we are going except that it is outdoors, which I detect from the warm humidity that I feel. At one point, he has me step down and then sits me down. I feel the bench I'm sitting on begin to vibrate and then the floor under my feet acts the same way. I feel JC's arm wrap around and rest on my shoulders as he tucks my head under his chin after kissing the top of my head. Eventually, the floor and bench stop vibrating and I feel a slow, rocking motion going on. We must be on the water. JC gives me a kiss on my nose and then takes off the blindfold. Oh my God!
My instincts were right. He and I are on a boat being driven by some guy in the middle of the lake that the Boardwalk and the other hotels in the area share. The sun is starting to rise and it is gorgeous!
"Do you like it?" JC asks.
I look at him and say, "Do I like it? Of course! Thank you so much JC, it's a perfect ending to this trip!"
"It may be, but this is definitely not the end of us. God, you are beautiful, even in the morning."
"Stop, you are making me blush here. If anyone is good looking in the morning, it's you. You really are a wonderful boyfriend, you know that? This sunrise is terrific, but only because you are here with me, and that you are the one who gave me it."
"Do you really have to go back to California?"
I kiss JC lightly on the lips before saying, "Unfortunately, yes. Besides, you and the guys are going to be heading back on tour tomorrow. Don't worry, we'll see each other again soon, I have no doubt about that."
"Good. Well, happy one week Kate."
"Happy one week JC," I say, wrapping my arms around his waist, feeling his muscled stomach. He leans down and plants a nice kiss on my lips and then starts to make a trail from there to the base of my neck and back again. It feels so good. Sadly, we have to head back in once the sunrise is complete, but we definitely had our piece of paradise during our time out there on the water.
JC accompanies me back to my room and helps me pack up my suitcase and bag. Danielle is already there when we get back and smiles as she sees JC and me walk in holding hands.
"So the lovebirds are back. I was wondering where you two went," she says.
"JC surprised me with a cruise on the lake at sunrise. It was perfect. Where were you last night?" I ask.
"At Lance's. I didn't know if you were coming back or what and well, we wanted some privacy."
"Understandable."
The van takes Ryder, Ben, and Danielle to the airport while JC drives me there in his car. Lance, Justin, Chris, and Joey are all there waiting at the gate to see us off.
"Kate, I am so sorry about last night. Can you ever forgive me?" Justin asks me as he rushes to me.
"Justin, don't worry. Things are great between me and JC right now, although I have to say, I wouldn't want to be in your shoes today."
"Why?"
"Your bet that was made is over. You lost so you now are at JC's mercy. In the future, don't ever do that again. Lucky for JC here, I care about him too much to let something so immature get in the way of our relationship."
"No kidding Justin. Well, Kate is right. I think that they should get to see what you have to do so let's do it now. Kate, care to tell him since it is your idea?" JC asks.
"Oh no, Kate thought this up? This is definitely not going to be fair!" Justin exclaims.
"It's what you get buddy," Joey says, barely withholding a laugh as he sees how tense Justin has become.
"Yeah! Because of you, the girls totally psyched me and JC out last night, making us both think we lost them because of your big mouth!" Lance adds.
"Look, I already said I was sorry for that!" Justin defends.
"Not good enough. Tell us the bet Kate," Chris says.
"Sure. Justin, first you have to sing "As Long As You Love Me" by yourself, and then run around this terminal's wing in only your boxers," I supply.
"You are kidding! There's no way I'm going to do either!" Justin exclaims.
"Too bad man. This was your bet so deal," JC says with a laugh.
"That is so not fair! Come on JC! I'll be your slave for a month!"
"Not good enough. Now, go do it!"
"I don't want to! I may get mobbed!"
"Come on Justin, it was your idea. Don't be a poor sport and not follow through. It's not that bad," Lance says.
"Fine! Geez..."
To my amusement, Justin actually does it all! Of course, the wing we are in is actually rather small, but he did get noticed. Luckily, no fans were around, interestingly enough. I don't know how he lucked out like that. Just as Justin pulls on his clothes, our flight is announced, signaling the time that I needed to say good-bye to JC and the others.
I go over to Chris, Joey, and Lance, giving them all a hug, then to Justin, who I laugh at a little because his face is so red. "Don't worry Justin. I don't think that many people knew you here."
"Gee, thanks Kate. You are one crazy girl. I'm glad JC found you."
"Thanks Justin, I think. Let that be a lesson not to bet anymore."
"Trust me, I won't. Until we meet again," Justin says, picking up my hand and kissing it.
Finally, I go over to JC, and feel tears build up in my eyes. "I guess this is it."
"No it isn't. I will go out there to see you as soon as I can. The tour will go through LA. We'll have time together then. Don't worry. This will work Kate, you'll see. Please sweetie, no crying. You'll make me cry too," JC says.
I wipe away the tears that have spilled over and try smiling. "I can't wait to see you again soon JC. God, I'll miss you a lot."
"Same here Kate. Time will pass by fast, trust me."
"I do."
"This is the final call for flight 782," an attendant says over the intercom.
"Well, I better go. See you soon JC," I say, giving him one last kiss and reluctantly turning around and heading towards the gate's door and down the ramp. The flight home is a quiet one. Danielle and I are lost in our own thoughts and both Ryder and Ben fall asleep. When we arrive back in LA, the two guys go their way while Danielle takes me home. I can't wait to see Alex!
"Hello... Anyone home?" I ask as I enter the house with Danielle behind me.
"In the kitchen!" I hear Laura yell.
I make my way there and feel my sadness of leaving JC lighten as I see Alex coming towards me, and running into my arms. "Alex! God, I've missed you so much! How have you been while I've been away?"
"Good. Laura has been really nice," he answers.
"Umm, Kate? Aren't you going to introduce us?" I hear Danielle ask.
"Of course! I'm sorry Danielle. Alex, this is Danielle. Danielle, this is Alex," I say.
"Nice to meet you," Alex says, extending his hand.
"It's my pleasure Alex," Danielle says, shaking his hand. "Kate, can I ask you something?"
"Sure. What is it?"
"Who is Alex and what is his relationship to you?"
Oh no, I totally forgot I never told her about Alex. "Well, you better sit down for this. Don't freak out right away, okay?"
"Sure thing," she says, sitting down.
"Well, Alex is..." I continue talking to her for another thirty-five minutes about it and she does seem okay with it. Actually, she seems better than that. However, we both agree that I should wait to tell JC and the others on cast. Thank God she is so understanding!