Chapter 16

On Halloween, Justin and Lance went to Joey's frat for a costume party. Lance was a cowboy from head to toe. On his head he wore a black Stetson slung low over his cat like jade eyes. On his feet, he wore black cowboy boots. Tight blue jeans completed the ensemble. Justin walked in behind Lance dressed as a vampire. His long black cape fell to just above his ankles. Underneath it he wore a tight white t-shirt that showed off his six-pack abs perfectly. The shirt was tucked into a pair of black leather pants.

The pair walked through the house looking for their friend. They finally found him in the kitchen dressed as a cop by the keg which as they had come to know was Joey's usual spot at parties unless he was otherwise occupied. Joey motioned them over with his free hand and reached down for cups of beer.

"Hey, guys. Nice costumes."

Justin lifted his cape up to his face and in his best vampire voice said, "Well, thank you very much."

Lance laughed and pushed Justin's arm down. "You silly, that's Elvis' line." He took a sip of his beer, and leaned against the wall next to Joey. "Great party, man."

"Yeah, but look at some of the costumes. Some of the guys look so damn gay. I mean look at that one over at that one. He's wearing freaking tights. What is up with that?"

Joey continued to talk about the various costumes, but Lance tuned him out. Glancing over at Justin, he saw the sad look on his face. Justin had planned on telling Joey about them tonight, but now he knew he couldn't. The way Joey laughing and carrying on about the flamers as he put it shot any chance of him being the understanding friend. When Joey finally walked away to dance with a girl he had met, Lance reached for Justin's hand and pulled him out the back door.

When it was shut securely behind them, Lance pulled Justin into a corner of the building away from view and wrapped his arms around Justin. "Damn it," Justin whispered choking back a sob.

Lance rubbed his back whispering in his hear, "It's okay."

Justin looked up. "No, it's not. I wanted to tell Joey. He is my best friend on the team. What if all the guys on the team think like him. I will never be accepted if I come out to them. I knew this was going to happen." Justin stepped back. "I need to go, Lance."

Lance moved closer but Justin put out his hand. "I just need to go by myself." Justin turned and walked back into the house.

Lance waited a few moments before walking back into the kitchen. He grabbed a fresh cup of beer and went to find Joey. He found him grinding on the makeshift dance floor with another girl. When Joey saw him, he stepped away from the girl and walked over to Lance.

"Why did Justin leave?"

"Wasn't in the partying mood I guess. I'm going to head out to. Go check on Justin." Lance drained his cup and put it on the table. "Talk to you tomorrow."

Justin made his way back to his dorm, but he didn't really want to go back to his room alone. He had hoped that tonight he could tell Joey, have him be cool, and then come back with Lance to their room and... But no, he left the party and his beautiful cowboy. Damn, those jeans he had worn tonight had hugged him in all the right places. They were too damn tight to be legal, but he knew that is why Lance had worn them. what was he doing? He had left that behind?

Lance always said they would figure things out together. He understood how confusing it was for him. Justin turned to go back to the house, but saw Lance just turning the corner. Justin stepped back into the shadows of a tree lining the road and watched him approaching. When Lance walked past him, he took a silent moment to watch him as he walked away, the tight jeans giving him a perfect view of what lie underneath.

Justin walked up behind Lance and reached out to tap his shoulder. Lance looked down and could see the shadow from Justin's cape on the ground. He felt Justin reach his arms around his waist and pull him up against him.  "Hi, Justin."

"Darn, how did you know it was me?" Justin moved closer and put his chin on Lance's shoulder.

"If it wasn't you, I would be worried. You know it is dark out. Deserted street. Some vampire might be out to suck my blood." Lance could feel Justin's breath on his neck.

"Now there is an idea." Justin turned his head and place his lips on the side of Lance's neck nibbling softly. Lance moaned softly and pressed himself closer to Justin. Lance wanted to lose himself in Justin's soft kisses, but realized there was outside where they could be seen. "Justin, baby, we can't do this here."

Justin looked up pouting, but knew Lance was right. Placing one last soft kiss on Lance's neck, he stepped back. "Let's go."


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