Date: Mon, 08 Nov 1999 14:47:27 CST From: Jason Randall Subject: JC & Jas Part 16 Disclaimer: I am not assuming anything about the lives of anyone in this story. Many may wish things to be true, but who knows so don't be offended, just enjoy. If you're UNDER 18, stop reading this, and all that other legal stuff. This is my first attempt, and I know this story lacks sexual adventures, give it time, I want them to get to know eachother first, okay? Justin smiled and hung up the phone. `This is going to be fun, I can't believe JC and I haven't hung out in a week!' He pulled on a pair of workout pants and a t-shirt, running his hand through his hair and putting his hat on. `Alright, a pair of sunglasses, and I'm set. . .' He grabbed the ball and his wallet and headed out the door, only then realizing he had no way of getting to the park. `Geez, Lance has the keys. . .' He walked over to Lance's door and began to knock, softly at first, then more fiercely. "Oh c'mon Lance, where ARE you?!" Justin put his head against the door, listening for the sound of the shower. As he strained his ears he felt someone grab him from behind. "What the-?!" "Surprise!" Lance started laughing as Justin tried to regain his composure. "Geez Scoop, give me a heart attack why don't you?!" "Well, you were standing outside MY door. . ." "Yeah, I need the keys. . .hey, what are you up to?" "Nothing, was just coming back from breakfast, thought I'd read a bit or something. . ." "Wanna play some b ball with me and JC?" `God, I haven't seen JC since the concert. . .' "Sure, if you don't think he'd mind?" "Of course not!" They walked into Lance's room so he could change and grab a hat. As Lance pulled his flannel pants down, Justin almost gasped out loud. `Be more careful! My god, you've seen Lance change hundreds of times. . .' Justin calmed himself down and they left Lance's room, heading towards the elevator. Lance was about to hand Justin the keys but Justin shook his head. "You drive today." "Are you feeling ok, Curly? I was about to LET you drive on my own free will?" "Yeah, I'm fine, it's just you probably know the roads a little better, you're good at that, and you can get us there faster." "Oh ok." As they got in the jeep, Lance started it, then turned to face Justin. "Exactly where are we going?" "Oh, that place we met Jason at, he and JC will be there at noon, but I was going to go early to shoot some hoops alone til they got there." The mention of Jason made Lance tighten his shoulders. `I'm not going to be able to spend time with JC, Jason's going to be there. . .did you really expect to spend time alone with JC anyway? Justin was going to be there, and you KNOW JC and Jason are together. . .well I thought I'd at least get to see him without Jason hanging on him. . .well they won't do that in public, especially in front of you and Justin because you aren't supposed to know about them. . .' Lance sighed. "What's wrong?" "Oh, just trying to remember how we got there is all. . ." In Jason's apartment: JC hung up the phone and walked back towards the bed, immediately realizing Jason was no longer in it. "Jason?" He walked out of the bedroom and heard noises coming from the kitchen. As he walked in he smiled. "Mmm, they smell delicious!" JC said, coming up behind Jason and reaching for one of the pancakes on the plate beside him. Jason slapped him lightly on the wrist. "Uh-uh, not til it's all done. . ." "Yes mother. . ." "Alright then, be a good little boy and set the table." JC laughed, but started looking for plates and silverware. He finished as the pancakes were done, and Jason gave him a quick kiss before sitting down and digging in. "Mmm, they taste delicious, too! You were right, I've never had better!" "Thanks, so who was on the phone?" "Oh, it was Justin. I hope you don't mind but I told him we'd go play some basketball after breakfast. . .I don't want him to feel left out, ya know?" "Yeah, I understand, should be fun!" "Cool, well we're supposed to be at the park where we met you at noon, but we can be a little late." "Perfect, then we can just lay around for a bit, it only takes a few minutes to get there and I don't want to shower if we're just gonna get all sweaty anyways." "Sounds great to me!" At the courts: "Well, we have an hour, more or less, you wanna play a little one on one or just hang out?" Justin was getting hyper, he'd had such a great night last night and now he was going to spend another day with Lance, things were great. `You blew it, now take some of Mel's advice and move on, let things go. You came because you thought you were gonna have some fun playing b ball anyways. . .' Lance looked up to see Justin waiting expectantly. "One on one man, I want to see what you got! Gotta see if you're worthy of being on my team this time!" "Yeah, you just want me on your team cuz we whooped you and JC last time!" Lance laughed. "I just let you win, didn't want you to get all upset ya know." "Sure thing Scoop!" Justin started doing fancy moves with the ball, then passed it to Lance. Lance tried to mimic the moves and lost control of the ball. "Just need a bit to warm up is all, then I'll smoke ya!" Lance laughed as Justin joined in and they played a couple games of HORSE before they started their game. Lance actually kept up pretty well, keeping the score close almost til the end when Justin got the last 3 shots in a row. "Hey, you weren't so bad Scoop, maybe I will let ya be on my team this time!" "Yeah, we can definitely take JC and Jason." `Let it go, let it go. . .' "They'll never know what hit em!" "We're a better team completely!" `JC and Jason against me and Lance, if only we could have what they have together. . .' "Speak of the devil. . ." JC and Jason were walking towards them, laughing at their own private joke. As they reached the courts they said their `hellos'. "So whaddya say, loser buys lunch?" Jason suggested, after they'd all agreed on the teams. "Perfect." Justin said. "Lance and I are gonna take ya's so it'll be good to get a free meal!" "Whatever Curly, I hope you brought your credit card, I'm feeling like a good lobster after we beat the crap outta you two, whaddya say Jason?" Everyone laughed and they started their game, agreeing to play to 50 points. Jason and JC were winning 49 to 48 when Lance threw a three pointer and won the game, much to the surprise of all of them. Justin ran over to Lance and threw his arms around him in a bear hug. "Way to go Scoop! YEAH, BABY!" Lance laughed and blushed softly, remembering when he almost kissed Justin the night before and his dream that he had. `Get ahold of yourself!. . .' Lance stopped blushing as Justin pulled away. "So what do we want for lunch, Scoop? Prime rib, shrimp, what?" Lance laughed. "I dunno man, Jason is willing to be so generous, and that lobster JC was discussing early sounded real good. . ." They both started laughing hysterically. Justin got his composure back first. "How about that cafe‚ we went to that first day, sound good Scoop? They had great burgers?" "Yeah, perfect." "Hey, guys I have the money, and I did put my foot in my mouth by coming up with the whole losers pay theory. . ." Jason started, worried they thought he couldn't afford an expensive meal. `You're going to have to get used to it, when they find out you and JC are together, they're really going to think you're in it for the money. . .' "Nah man, we know, you got that big software company, right?" Justin was trying to remember the conversation about his last name at the hotel. `That's right, Justin already knows I've got money. . .' Jason relaxed a little. "Yeah." "Yeah, well I could go for a hamburger, not too sure about Scoop, but that place was crunk that ya took us to!" "Crunk?" "Yeah, `crunk'. . .it's my word. . ." JC and Lance were laughing at this point and Jason joined in. "Whatever." The four of them walked out of the park and headed towards the restaurant on foot. When they got there they managed the same table they'd had the first time, bringing back memories for Jason. 'God, I met JC only a week ago and we did all these things. . .' he smiled, happy and fully content, especially when he felt JC's hand brush his leg under the table. They'd known they couldn't do much in public, but Justin knew about them so they'd at least thought they could share a few moments and glances, then Justin brought Lance with. Jason looked over at Lance to see him smiling and laughing along with Justin. He seemed so much more open with Justin than he had on that first day. 'Maybe he's just comfortable with you now. . .no, JC said he isn't that open of a person to begin with, and I haven't spent any time with him so why would he be comfortable?. . .hmmm. . .' "-don't ya think, Jason?" "Um, sorry Justin, kind of spaced out for a minute there?" "Geez, you're just like Lance. . ." "Thanks a lot Curly! Ruin my rep why don't ya?" Lance punched him playfully in the arm and started pouting. "I'm sorry, Lance, I didn't mean to-" Lance started laughing. "I know man, just kiddding!" Lance touched Justin's hand and smiled. Jason watched all of this, again lost in his thoughts. 'Could Lance be? And even if he is, what about Justin and-' "-and so I said don't ya think, Jason?" Jason looked up to see Justin watching him once more. "Yeah, you're right Justin." "Hey!" JC said, offended. "Uh, we're just playing JC. . ." Jason looked over at him with a confused look, hoping JC realized he didn't know what he was agreeing to. JC just laughed, catching Jason's glance completely. Meanwhile, Lance spoke up. "Guys, I'm going to run to the bathroom. Back in a bit." As he left JC turned towards Jason and grabbed his knee under the table, blowing him a quick kiss. "Love you." "Love you, too." Justin smiled, watching. 'God I wish Lance would do something that sweet to me, just turn and look into my eyes like that. . .' "So Curly. . .Justin?" "Yeah, I'm listening. . ." "Cool, thought ya joined Jason in his little world." JC said, laughing. "Anyways, how come you didn't say Lance was coming?" "Oh I didn't know. I stopped by his place to get the keys for the jeep and he was just getting back from breakfast, so I invited him along. . .you don't mind do you?" Justin hadn't even thought of it. 'Well, Lance is his friend, too, it's kind of rude of JC to not want him with, and who could not want Lance around. . .' "No, no, it's just we didn't know. Kinda thought we'd catch up, is all." JC didn't mean to apply anything about Lance not being welcome. "Oh, well you brought Jason, I figured Lance would be cool." "I told you I didn't have to bring-" Jason stood up at this moment, quietly excusing himself to the bathroom as well. "Jason?" JC tried, but he was already gone. "Oh, JC I didn't mean Jason wasn't welcome. . ." "Yeah, and I didn't mean Lance wasn't either. . ." "Oh, cool, I just thought Lance would make a good fourth for even basketball teams is all, and I didn't even think that you can't be all love-y with Jason with him around, sorry!" "Nah, it's cool. I just thought we were going to talk, haven't seen ya in days it seems." "Well we can still do that, it's cool to hang out, the two of us have just been so busy." 'Both of us, what's he been doing?. . .Well like you really expected him to sit around and do nothing while you were hanging out with Jason. . .but I didn't think he'd just completely not miss me, even with Jason I've missed hanging out with him. . .' "Yeah, I guess. . .so what've you been up to?" "Oh I dunno, just kinda checking out the town, movies and stuff. We've just been trying to see where the jeep takes us or something fun to do, whatever." 'We? Oh he must mean Lance. . .' "Cool J." In the bathroom: Lance had walked into the bathroom and was just washing his hands when Jason had joined him. "Hey man, catch ya back at the table." Lance said, starting to walk around him. "Wait a second, Lance, JC and Justin are kind of talking, catching up really, since they haven't hung out in so long, give them a few minutes." "Oh, I hadn't even thought about it really." 'God, when we leave town, JC isn't going to be spending all his time with Jason anymore, what's going to happen to me and Justin. . .Justin's going to go back to spending all of his time with JC, and I'm going to end up being bored and alone all over again.' Lance sighed, sitting down on the shelf that jutted out from the wall. "So how long are we going to wait?" he questioned Jason quietly, still thinking about the future. "Oh not that long, just wanted to give him a couple minutes ya know. They seem so close, JC talks about him all the time. . .and you, too." Jason realized how it must sound to hear about someone talking about someone else but not themselves. "Yeah. . ." Lance started, not even hearing the last part, "Justin and JC have been close since MMC, they've known each other the longest. . ." "Well you and Justin seem pretty close?" "Oh, well we're all real close I guess, Justin and JC have the closest relationship out of all of us though." "Yeah? I would've guessed you and Justin are just as close though. From what I've seen of you guys. . .I know Justin values your friendship deeply though, he hangs on your every word." Lance started to tune Jason out. 'That's two people. . .Jason's got to be seeing thing, Justin never pays attention. . .unless he wants to though. . .well. . .geez, stop. . .he couldn't be interested. . .and even if he were, you're not. . .not really. . .last night was just a-" "Anyways, I think we can go back now, probably." "Oh, oh yeah, let's go." They walked back to the table and Justin and JC had just finished recalling some memory and were both laughing. "Guess we missed a lot, huh Jason?" "Yeah, you'd think they'd be better off without our company. . ." Jason joined in on the fun, sitting next to JC again, brushing his foot with his own as he sat. "Nah, no one could ever be better off without us, they'd miss the fun, the excitement, the whole point of it all!" Lance started laughing as Justin and JC looked on, ready to spurt out comments of their own. "Well," Jason started, noticing they were about to get serious verbal abuse from the other two, "guess we should get the check now." Lance laughed. "Yeah, I've got some stuff I could be doing. . ." "And I'm supposed to call April. . ." They both got up again and started walking away, leaving JC and Justin speechless. "I think we were just brushed off!" JC said, getting up to go after them with Justin not far behind. "Hey! What's the big idea!?" They all started laughing as Jason paid the bill (after much fighting with JC) and they walked out of the café. "Well?" They all asked each other at the same time, laughing when they realized it. "Well, I have a few things to do," Jason started. "And so do I," Lance started, smiling. "Hey Jason, we could go get all of our errands ran together, since we are so much higher then these two. . ." Jason just smiled back, amazed to see Lance so openly joking around since the last time he'd seen him. 'Justin must really bring something out in him. . .' "Yeah, we can carpool, you come along with me and give the keys to the jeep to them. . ." Justin and JC sat stupefied, thinking they were being serious. "Hey, Lance I thought you and I could hang out. . ." Justin started as JC started to talk to. "Jason I thought we could go chill at your apartment and then go out somewhere later. . ." Jason and Lance started laughing. "I dunno about you but I was just joking." Lance said. "Me too." Jason agreed. "Look how paranoid these guys get at thought of not being able to spend time with two great people like ourselves." Jason and Lance burst out laughing, JC and Justin just then catching up on the joke. "Very funny guys." They both said at the same time. "We thought so." Lance commented. "Well, are we splitting up then?" Justin asked. "It's up to you guys, but I do have some stuff to get done at some point. . ." "Yeah, well why don't we just call you guys later or something and maybe we can hit a club or whatever if we're all free?" Lance threw out, not really wanting to sit with Jason and JC much longer. 'I hope Justin doesn't mind that I kind of just declared him to hang out with me. . .?' He glanced over at Justin with a questioning look, hoping Justin wasn't mad, and mouthed 'Do you mind?'. Justin smiled, mouthing back, 'Not at all.' Lance smiled and heard the end of JC's talking. "Yeah, well call my cell in case we go out or something." "Ok, catch ya later." Justin and he headed towards the jeep and Lance just smiled. 'Well, he might not of been wanting to hang out with you and just said he didn't mind so you didn't think he was mad. If he wanted to hang out with them you could have just ruined all of the time you guys could've hung out before JC leaves Jason and goes back to occupying all of Justin's time anyway.' Lance sighed. As Lance started the jeep Justin spoke up, not even trying to read Lance's thoughts. "Thanks for getting us out of that, it was cool to hang out with JC and all, and I like Jason, but I thought it'd be cool if you and I hung out alone together this afternoon." 'God, did that just come out right? Don't sound a little pathetic or obvious, geez, "I thought it'd be cool if we hung out alone. . ." you have to be more careful. . .' 'Wow, maybe he and JC aren't really as close anymore if he just blew him off to hang out with just you instead. . .that'd be weird. . .being on tour and having Curly and I being a clique. . .but it'd be fun too, you've never really been close with any of the guys, and now Justin knows your secret and he and you are closer than ever, he doesn't care at ALL. . .it might be really nice. . .' "So what do you want to do?" Justin interrupted Lance's thoughts. "Well, I'm not sure about right now, but clubbing in a few hours really did sound like fun. . ." 'I can't believe I just said that, I'm never the one who wants to club, I can't even dance. . .well, not as good as Justin can at least, but it'd be fun to go just with Curly. . .' "But I think we should just go by ourselves. . ." Lance added. 'Geez, why did I say that, too? Well, I guess I don't want to watch JC and Jason dance together, it'd be more fun just to dance and goof off with Justin anyway. . .if he asks all you have to say is Jason sounded like he was busy and you don't want to bother him. . .perfect!' Lance had nothing to worry about, Justin was ecstatic over the idea. 'God, dancing alone with Lance. . .not like you guys can slow dance or anything, even if he'd want to. . .but I can't believe he wants just us to go, and that he even wants to go to begin with, usually he hates the idea!' "Sounds perfect Scoop, I can't wait! But of course, that's the bad thing, we have to, no clubs open this early, it's only 4pm. What should we do for like 4 hours?" "Let's just go rest and hang out at the hotel, since we're gonna be tired after all the dancing tonight?" Lance suggested, getting excited himself, though not knowing why. "Good plan." In Jason's apartment: "Alright, I'm seriously going to go call the office though, I need to make sure everything's cool and I still don't need to go in until tomorrow. Then I'm going to call April, did you really want to talk to her?" "Yeah, it'll be cool to say hi, and I want to say hi to her sister, too, if she's there. She was fun, I love the younger girls like that, plus I think she'll enjoy it too." "Alright, make yourself comfortable, it'll only take me a minute with the office and then I'll call April." "Sounds good." JC sat down and started watching tv as Jason went into the bedroom to look at some files while he called in. After he'd organized everything he made it so he didn't need to go in on Thursday. Smiling he dug out April's number from his wallet and dialed. "Hey-hi?!" Jason could tell immediately who it was. "Hi Kelly, remember me?" "Um, who is it?" "Ja-" Before he could finish Kelly had cut him off. "JASON! Hi!!!! How are you??!!!" Jason laughed. "I'm great Kel, how've ya been hun?" "Absolutely wonderful and PERFECT since the concert, thanks to you! That was the best present in the WHOLE wide world!!! Thank you SO much!" "Not a problem Kelly, I enjoyed it, and was glad I could give it to you." "My friends were SO jealous, you should've SEEN their faces. I had told them I was going and had special seats, but when I went to school I told them JC had sung to me and then Justin had kissed my hand but no one believed me and then I was just like 'Yeah, and then the guy who was up in the balcony with us was friends with the guys and brought me and April backstage. . .' and they started calling me a liar but then I showed them the pictures from during the show so they could see how close we were and the pictures from backstage and personalized autographs and they all just died!" She said quickly and in one breath, making Jason laugh harder still. "That's great Kel, I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. And I'm glad you got to prove it to your friends like that how close you were." "Thanks to you, your the best Jason! THANK YOU! OH!!! By the way, my birthday party is Saturday, will you come?! Please, oh please?! You have to say yes!!! All my friends want to meet you, and April will be here. . ." Kelly threw in, smiling. "You just have to!" Jason had walked back out into the living room at this point and joined JC on the couch. "One sec, ok Kel?" "Yeah, but Jason you have to!!!!" Jason covered the phone for a second. "Hey hun, I know this is a lot to ask, but Kelly's birthday party is Saturday, and I want to go. . ." JC cut him off. "Well then I'm going to, I better bring a good pen, huh?" "Oh you're the best, thanks sweetie! I don't mean to be exploiting you or. . ." "Geez, don't be silly hun, you want to go because she's a friend, and I'm not going to sit around all day without you, so I'm inviting myself, whether you like it or not!" Jason laughed. "Well, I don't think Kelly will mind at all, and I certainly don't, thank you." He kissed JC lightly on the cheek and returned to the phone. "Alright, Kel?" "Yeah?" "I'm coming, what time. . ." Kelly cut him off again. "YAY!!!!! Alright, be here at 1pm SHARP, ok???" "Sounds great, hun, say is April home right now?" "Ooh, can't even talk to me for a lousy 5 minutes without trying to hussle my sister. . ." Kelly laughed and Jason just shook his head. "Just kidding, one second, let me go get her." April came on the phone moments later. "Hey Jason! What's going on?" "Not much. I called to see how you've been and everything. Say you're going to call me then never do, I feel so used." "Oh quiet! I didn't know if you honestly wanted me to or not!" "Of course I did! Anyways, can you keep a secret?" "Well, I already am. . ." "Other than that. . .guess what?" "What?!" April said, getting into it. "I'm coming to Kelly's birthday party." "Well duh, I think everyone in this universe heard that much, she yelled it out like 30 seconds before she ran into my room and told me personally then threw the phone at me to talk to you!" April laughed. "Yeah, but it just so happens JC's going to come with!" "OH my god! Kelly's going to die?!" Jason laughed. "Well let's hope nothing that serious, but they're still in town, til Tuesday, so JC is going to come with." "Geez, prepare him, there's going to be like 30 teenagers here, half of them being females." Jason laughed again. "I know, but JC volunteered, I didn't even ask him." "It's his own funeral." "Speaking of, he's here and wants to say hi!" "Cool, put him on." Jason handed the phone over. In the hotel: "So should we watch some tv or rent a movie?" Lance asked as they walked into the hotel. "Both, let's go rent the movie now, then we can head upstairs and shower, and I'll come over to your room when I'm done so we can watch 'em?" "Works for me." They grabbed a movie and headed upstairs. Lance showered quickly and got out just as he heard his phone ringing. "Hello?" "Hey hun, what's going on?" "Not much, what's up with you sweetie?" "Oh nothing, just wanted to make sure you were ok now, hate seeing my Lance upset?" "I'm good Mel, I'm great actually, guess what?!" "What's that hun?" "I took your advice, and this morning I went and hung out with Chris and Joey for a bit, which was cool, I don't think the three of us have ever hung out like that, then I ran into Justin and he invited me to b ball with him and JC. Well, we got there and it turned out Jason was going to be coming, but I decided to just let it go and have fun playing b ball like I expected to do before I knew, and I had so much fun! Then Jason and I started goofing off and it was actually fun!" "That's great, sweetie, it's good to see you opening up, and it didn't bother you to see JC and Jason?" "Well, I think it might have, but I didn't let it get me down, but I did kind of make Justin leave after lunch with me, but he said he didn't mind, he wanted us to hang out anyways, so now he and I are going clubbing tonight." "Well that's cool." "Yep, I'm in a great mood, thanks a million for last night, too, sweetie, I owe you." "Anything to cheer you up hun, don't mention it." There was a knock at the door. "Oop, there's Justin, I'm going to let you go!" "Geez, blow me off why don't you!?" Lance laughed as he opened the door. "Sorry hun, I'll call you later tonight when we get back to the room." "Ok, call whenever, I want to hear about your night, and I don't have to work tomorrow." "Alright, love ya hun, bye!" "Love you, too, sweetie. Have fun!" Lance hung up the phone and walked over to where Justin had sat down. "Sorry about that, Mel just called." "No problem," Justin said, then he looked up at Lance and noticed he was wearing only a towel and was still wet, along with his hair. Lance put the movie in, almost losing the towel, and then sat down next to Jason. 'My god, why is he only wearing a towel?' Justin looked down and saw his pants growing slowly tighter. Much longer and he'd be quite visible, he knew. "Um, Lance?" "Yeah?" He was trying to press play but the remote seemed broken. "Um, I guess it's no big deal, but you're still dripping and you're only wearing a towel. . ." Lance dropped the remote and looked down. "OH crap!" He jumped up quickly, again almost losing the towel, and ran over to the dresser. "Geez," he said, pulling his boxers on underneath towel and then letting it drop, still facing away from Justin. Justin gave him a once-over and looked at his lean back as he grabbed the towel once more, using it to dry his hair. Justin adjusted the bulge in his pants as he heard Lance go on. "Mel called right as I stepped out, I didn't even realize I never got dressed!" He was laughing now, so Justin joined in, trying to make it sound natural as he calmed himself down. 'God he's so sexy. . .' "Yeah I understand." 'And I didn't mind at all!. . .' "I think I got the remote working, all set?" Justin said as Lance sat down beside him again, this time in workout pants and a white tanktop, his hair messy and wet. "Sounds good, press play, I'm ready!" 'Geez, what if the towel had fallen off, I can't believe I didn't even realize I wasn't dressed, I wasn't even self conscious about it. . .' To Be Continued. Send all comments to jas_stories@hotmail.com. Sorry to those of you who think not much is happening in these chapters, but I've never wrote a story before that I didn't get to this point and just jump to the next main event, without adding these slow details. It's time for a change, so here it is, you get all the little details that probably aren't important, but they build strength to all of the friendships and relationships, don't you think? It adds to the suspense too, cuz I know all of you are wondering if Lance is falling for Justin, or is just glad to have a friend finally and is still all for JC. And above it all, even if he is falling for Justin, will he have the courage to make the move, or will he lose him too? See, you think the small details mean nothing, but you just need to use your imaginations and try to read my mind (and interpret the small details, cuz they're all clues) to see where I'm going to take the story! Anyways, get used to it whether you enjoy it or not, there's going to be at least one more, maybe two, depending! Til then. . .