Disclaimer: I do NOT know nor have I ever met any member of *NSYNC. They are their own person and, well, I don't particularly want to know them. Shoots down all those preconceived notions, you know. Anyway, I mean no offense to any person mentioned in my stories. I hold the deepest respect for who they are and what they do. So in other words: read, have fun, make merry, and remember that these stories are FICTION and, therefore, NOT real.

Scoop 9

Before Joey even made it to the door, he realized he and Justin needed to discuss a few things before they turned in for the night. As he started to turn around, JC, looking rather sheepish, reappeared. Loneliness shone in the blue depths of his eyes but Joey, battling his own melancholy demons, didn’t know what to say so he said the obvious. “I thought you were going to your room.”

A light blush tinted JC’s cheekbones as his eyes strayed across the room to where Lance stood talking to Justin and Chris. “I was, but then I realized that in order to get into my room I needed to know which one it was and get a card to open the door.”

Joey’s eyes followed where JC was looking. He wondered if his eyes showed the same naked longing for Justin that JC’s did for Lance. They probably did but he didn’t want to go there. Instead, he clasped JC on the shoulder as they started across the room. “Lance’s got you all tore up, doesn’t he?” he whispered lowly.

“Unfortunately,” JC whispered back ruefully before surprise lit his features. “How did you –“

Joey winked but kept walking. “Justin has a big mouth,” he whispered back

“Hey! What are you two doing back? Didn’t you hear Lance? No leaving your rooms.”

Joey rolled his eyes and looked at JC. “See what I mean?” Patiently he turned back to Justin. Even though he had come to love the boy with all his heart, there were times he got a tad bit grating on the nerves. “In order to stay in our rooms we must first get in to them, Justin. Spaz and I forgot to get key cards and room numbers.”

“Hmm, that kinda sounds like a personal problem, Joe,” Justin said as he eyed Joey from head to toe.

If Joey didn’t know better he would say Justin was lasciviously eyeing him. The thought made him tingle. He would give his left arm and two major organs if only Justin would want him the same way he himself wanted Justin. Bad, Joey! You’ve got four nights until you can spend all your time with him again. Don’t torture yourself between now and then.

The mental pep talk helped get him back on track. As he contemplated the lanky form in front of him, Joey felt his eyes narrow. He could give as good as he got. That was one of the things he loved about Justin. The younger man didn’t baby him, and their verbal sparring served to heighten the arousal he felt. “Well,” Joey said as he, too, eyed Justin from head to toe, “you could be right. But if I don’t get a key it’s going to be your problem.”

“Really? How so?” Keen interest shone in Justin’s eyes.

“See, as soon as you and Lance walk out that door, I’m gonna follow you and once you get your door is open, I’m gonna ambush both of you. I figure Lance’ll go easy cause he knows he can room with Josh, but you’ll just be out on you duff cause I’ll have your room and you won’t have a key to mine.” Joey grinned triumphantly. “And Chris doesn’t like to share.”

As if to belie his point, Chris sidled up to Joey and rubbed his body along his side. Out of the corner of his eye, Chris saw Justin tense, and he nearly cracked a smile. Those two were so cute when they got all defensive. “Ah, baby, there’s no need to ambush anybody,” Chris breathed sexily into Joey’s ear as he turned back to the matter at hand. He pulled Joey’s key card out of his back pocket where he’d put it after Lance gave it to him. “I’m in room 1504.” He slipped the card into Joey’s front jeans pocket. “Stop by and see me. I’ll be happy to share my big ole room with you.”

“Lance!” Joey turned pleading eyes on him as he whined. His request was unmistakable.

“Sorry, Joe. Rules are rules.” Lance patted him on the shoulder. “You’re stuck with him for the night.

“You know, this could be considered cruel and unusual punishment.”

“What’s the matter, big boy?” Chris breathed into Joey’s ear again as he ran his hand up his chest. “Don’t you think I’m sexy?”

Joey’s face scrunched up. “No. I think Justin’s sexy. You’re just a freak…Owww! Damn it, Chris! That hurt!” Joey said as he rubbed the tender spot on his chest where Chris had pinched him.

Chris huffed and crossed his arms over his chest. “Serves you right!”

“Boys,” JC said warningly, “play nice.” He stared Chris and Joey into submission before turning to Lance and holding out his hand.

An amazed smile crossed Lance’s face. He shook his head as he handed JC his key card. “1506. ‘Night, Jace.”

The light in JC’s eyes as he returned Lance’s smile was considerably brighter than it had been when he had reentered the room looking for his key card. Inconspicuously he winked at Lance. “’Night, Lance. ‘Night, guys.” And for the second time JC left.

“Yeah,” Joey said as he glared at Chris once more, “I’m gonna head to the room, too. Jus, you wanna walk with me?” His eyes pleaded with Justin to say yes. “I’ll give you back that shirt you loaned me the other day.

Justin looked confused for a moment before he saw Joey shift he head subtly toward Lance. Suddenly he understood. “Um, you promise you’re not gonna ambush me?” At Joey’s affirmative nod, he acquiesced. “Then lead the way. I meant to ask you about that shirt anyway.”

“Great. Okay, ‘night, Lance.” Joey smiled and nodded to Lance who had already turned to say something to Chris. “Christopher, I’ll see you later.”

Chris wagged his brows. “Plan on it, stud.”

With one final glare at Chris, Joey dragged Justin out of the room away from Lance and Chris’ curious ears. Quietly but quickly, he laced his fingers with those of his confused friend and pulled him down the hall until they reached the dim alcove outside the room he was to share with Chris.

“A burned out light bulb in a classy place like this? Daaaaaamn!” Justin said playfully as Joey all but pushed him into a corner. “We couldn’t have planned a better secret rendezvous if we’d tried.”

Joey smirked as he peeked his head out to see if Chris or Lance had started their way yet. When he saw the coast was clear, he turned back to Justin. “Shhh! Listen. We only have a minute before lover-boy and the live wire head to their rooms. We need to get our stories straight.”

Justin snorted and Joey seconded the opinion silently. After this night, the last way all of them but Chris could be described was as straight. Not that no longer being classified in the majority sexual preference was a bad thing. On the contrary, Joey was immensely enjoying the fact that so much had been revealed. A mixture of emotions ranging from fear to excitement bubbled inside him. The moment Justin had muttered the words “I’m bi as well,” his mouth had gone slack and his heart had flip-flopped. He was still riding high on the elation those words had brought, but right now he had to snap out if it. He had a feeling the next few days would be pivotal to all their relationships and they needed to solidify the game plan.

“We’ve been over this, Joe. I’m kinda doubting Lance will say anything. It’s been months since Chris went running to him and JC with our little secret and in all that time neither one of them has said a word. Even when we subject them to some of our more intimate ploys they just shrug it off and go on.” Justin shrugged, demonstrating his point, and leaned into the corner the wall made with the door. His lean body rested temptingly in a nonchalant pose. “I’m not sure if this plan has worked at all.”

Frustrated Joey scratched his head and peeked around the corner again. His eyes were still cautiously scanning the hall as he began to speak. “That’s just it, Jus. When have you ever known Lance or JC to let something like this lie. If anything, they should have talked our ears off about it, asking questions and offering advice. You know how they are. Yet neither one of them has said a word.”

Justin placed his hand on Joey’s arm drawing his attention away from his perusal of the empty hallway. “Maybe they’re nervous. It’s,” Joey noted how Justin seemed to be choosing his words with caution. His slight gulp only gave testimony to his own nervousness, “not easy to start a new relationship. There’re all these -“

“But it’s not a new relationship, Jus. JC and Lance have known each other for years. It’s not like they just met.” Joey ran his fingers through his hair. He wasn’t sure where Justin was going with this but he hoped he got there fast. Lance and Chris could walk out of the other room at any moment and they wouldn’t have decided on exactly what to say.

Justin’s stare was level and serious and it made him feel like a disobedient child being reprimanded. “Yes, Joe, it is.” Justin held his gaze as he pushed away from the wall to stand closer to him. Joey felt his knees weaken as Justin’s breath fanned across his face when he spoke. “Lance and JC have been ‘friends’ for years, but this is different. Now they’re going to be lovers, and that’s a whole new ballgame. They know each other inside and out as only people who live and work together like we do can, but there’s still that part inside each of them the other has never touched.” All blood flow to Joey’s brain stopped as Justin stepped impossibly closer. “Lance doesn’t know if JC likes to cuddle after love-making or if he would rather roll over and go to sleep. JC doesn’t know if Lance likes it slow and sweet or so hot and fast neither of them can think. They don’t know if their relationship will last or what the consequences will be whether they stay together or break up. They know all about each other, Joey, but now they have to learn each other. From the ground up. They’re going to redefine everything they thought they knew about one another.” Justin stepped back breaking the spell Joey had been under. “And if that’s not enough to scare them, I don’t know what is.”

Suddenly Joey wasn’t so sure Justin was talking about Lance and JC. His beautiful, wise eyes, which Joey could barely see in the dim lighting, held a hint of vulnerability behind the serious front and the flicker of hope that burned in Joey’s chest grew a littler brighter. But as much as he wanted to stand here with Justin and discuss what he really meant, he knew time was a luxury they did not have. Neither Lance nor JC were stupid. Joey figured they were biding their time waiting for the perfect opportunity to drag his relationship with Justin out into the open.

And a better opportunity Joey had never seen.

“Okay, okay. I see where you’re going, but we have got to get our stories straight. Something tells me that at least Lance is going to take this little homework assignment to heart and ask all the touchy questions. He’s gonna wanna know about us,” Joey cupped Justin’s chin and turned his face so that it faced him and not the door he had started to look at. Justin didn’t seem to grasp the importance of the situation they were in. “And Scoop has ways of making you talk that would make truth serum slipped into your drink while you were in the bathroom look obvious. The boy is good.”

“I know. I know. He’s Mr. Stealth, but, Joey, we’ve rehearsed what we’d say. We’re just friends. We’re working on a project together. Etcetera. Etcetera.” Justin grabbed both of Joey’s biceps and smiled at him winningly. “Don’t worry, man. I got your back. Nothing will go wrong. Trust me.”

Before Joey could reply he heard the door down the hall open and peeked around the corner to see Chris then Lance emerge. In his flustered state, he did the first thing that came to mind. He pushed Justin up against the wall and covered his lips with his own.

Joey had kissed a lot of people in his life, but never had he felt the immediate jolt of arousal surge through his body. He forgot all about JC and Lance, Chris, the tour, his anxiety, and the rest of the world. His only coherent thought was that Justin’s firm lips were underneath his and that it felt so right. Then he didn’t have time to think as Justin’s arms slid around his neck and his tongue slipped out to lick at his lips.

The discreet cough and clearing of a throat were enough to bring both young men back to their senses. They sprang apart immediately, both blushing furiously. Joey was happy to see Chris staring at everything but them and Lance steadfastly looking down the hall. “Um…er…”

Lance came to his rescue. “You ready, J? We’re down the hall. Room 1510.”

“Uh, y-yeah. I’m ready.” Joey was almost positive Justin was shaking.

“Great, then shoo. It’s boys night in the KF…damn it! Where’s JC when you need him?” Chris grumbled as he bobbed up and down and pushed Justin fully out into the hall. “Toodle-loo. Go be a BLT without the…oh, wait. Lance you can be the L and the B. Now git! Joey and I have bonding to do. We’ve got secrets to share and stories to compare.”

Lance laughed as Chris wagged his brows while inserting the card into the door lock. “KFC and a BLT! Damn, Chris. Is food all that’s on your mind?”

Chris looked over his shoulder as he struggled to get the little card make the light on the door turn green and release the lock. “Nope. Sometimes I think about your sexy Bass ass. Now shoo! Go. A-Way. I already told you I protest this arrangement of Johnny’s, and right now, I feel like shooting the messenger so make yourself scarce.”

Lance rolled his eyes at Chris’ frown and further shooing motions. “Alright. Alright. We’re going. Keep your pants on.” He turned to see Joey with a dazed look in his eyes. “‘Night, Joe.”

Joey nodded dumbly in Lance’s direction. His brain was still too frazzled from Justin’s kiss to even try to grasp Chris’ play on the letters of their last names or to fully understand what Lance had said. All he could concentrate on was the remembered feel of Justin’s lips pressing against his own.

Before he realized it, Chris had the door open and was pulling him into the room. Justin’s hand on his arm stopped him.

“It’s going to be alright. Trust me.” Then he was gone.

Joey knew he was going to dream about the heavy-lidded arousal he saw in Justin’s eyes and the endearing reassurance in his voice. He closed his eyes on a sigh. It was going to be a long five days.

Justin’s last words echoed in his head. Trust me indeed. Famous last words of a fool.

The door shut behind Lance with a discreet click. He closed his eyes and leaned against it for a moment to gather his courage. Nearly equal amounts of excitement and trepidation raced through his veins as he contemplated the step he was about to take. True, seeing Justin and Joey locked in a kiss kind of unnerved him. Not to mention he hadn’t expected to witness a scene like that before confronting Justin, but in actuality the little scene in the hall was like a gift from God. His questioning wouldn’t be contrived, and he wouldn’t have to dig.

A beautifully peaceful smile settled on his face as he took a deep breath and opened his eyes. Across the room, Justin lay sprawled on the bed staring intently at the ceiling. His chest rose and fell with each breath he took. Lance watched him twitch nervously and then absently raise a hand to his head and try to run his fingers through his hair.

Sighing heavily, Justin let his arm flop back down to the mattress. He laughed dryly to himself and then pushed up so that he was leaning on his hands. “You’d think I would get used to not having hair.” From underneath lowered lids, Lance saw his questioning gaze.

“So,” he drew the word out, “you and JC seem awfully touch-feely. Is there something there you want to tell me about? You know, seeing as how,” Justin paused then grinned devilishly albeit nervously, “you’re now officially bisexual and all. And,” he shrugged his shoulders and cocked his head to the side, “we’re supposed to learn each other’s deepest, darkest, innermost B.S.”

Lance shook his head and pushed away from the door. Trust Justin to believe the best defense was a good offense. He tossed his keycard onto the desk and then dropped down on the other bed. Justin jumped slightly, startled by the sudden movement. “B.S.? Come on, Justin. These are your friends you’re talking about. Don’t you wanna know what’s going on with them?” Lance raised his eyebrows and tried to act shocked. He wasted the effort. Justin appeared to be too caught up in his own nerves to pay much attention to how he acted.

“Whatever,” Justin laughed. “It’s not like anyone can keep a secret for very long in this group. Word has a nasty way of leaking out.” He made grumbling sounds under his breath. “Especially if Chris is around. I swear that guy…” his voice trailed off as he seemed to get lost in his own little world. After a couple of seconds he came back to himself and perked up. “But back to the point. Are you gonna tell me what’s going on with you and the Josh-meister, or am I gonna have to beat it out of you?”

Lance rested his arms on his thighs and let his hands dangle between his knees. He stared intently at Justin for a moment and watched as that one fidgeted under the close scrutiny. After a moment, he smiled. “Absolutely. I’m gonna tell you all about what’s up with me and JC. Probably more than you’ll want to know, but right now I want to talk about how touchy-feely you and Joey have been. And I’m real damn curious about what was going on out in the hall.”

“I, uh…That was…Uh…We’re just friends,” Justin finally blurted out. Inwardly he cursed Joey for putting them in a situation guaranteed to make Lance ask questions. Why the hell did he choose that moment to kiss him for the first time? His timing couldn’t have been worse. Not that he regretted the kiss. On the contrary, the butterflies in his stomach were still fluttering madly. It just would have been nice if they had been somewhere private where they wouldn’t have been disturbed and could have followed the kiss through to its logical conclusion. Damn but his life was getting complicated.

“See, we’re working on this really special project together. When we get done it’s gonna be great. You guys will love it.” That’s right. You guys will love it because you’re in love, and maybe I won’t have to explain to Joey why I caved immediately and started babbling like a moron. “ It’ll –“

“Friends?” Lance asked tapping his chin thoughtfully. “Is that what they’re calling it these days? Looked more like you guys were playing tonsil hockey to me. And JC and I are the only friends I’m aware of that do that, but then again we both know how JC and I feel about each other.”

“Uh…Uh,” Justin sputtered too shocked over Lance’s bluntness to catch his admission. This was not the type of spotlight he was used to being in. Joey really was going to die the next time he saw him. Slowly. Painfully. The thought brought Justin a small measure of comfort.

Lance wanted to double over in laughter at the look on Justin’s face. The poor boy’s eyes darted nervously around the room and there was the distinct deer-in-the-headlight quality in them. If he wasn’t careful, Justin might jump out of his skin he appeared to be so nervous.

“So,” Lance continued when Justin only made more incomprehensible sounds, “Chris, our resident tattle-tale, told me something a few months ago that I’ve been wanting to ask you about. But I never really knew how to ask you about it.” Well, that wasn’t entirely untrue. He had had a hard time deciding how to broach the subject. Not because he was embarrassed but because he needed the right words and right timing, so his master plan didn’t get screwed up. But Justin didn’t need to know that. “He said he walked in on you and Joey doin’ the deed on your couch. At the time I thought maybe he was lying but, well,” Lance looked down toward the floor and did his best to act embarrassed, “now I can see he wasn’t.”

“Lance,” Justin’s eyes pleaded with him to drop the subject, “I really don’t want to talk about it.”

“But, Justin…” Lance whined. Inwardly he cringed. Today must be his day for laying it on thick. First JC on the bus. Now Justin. At the rate he was going, he’d find himself standing in front of the mirror complementing himself on his sexy body before the night was over. Now that was a scary thought.

“We’re supposed to talk about this stuff. Now spill. I wanna know what it’s like. I’ve never been with a man before. Does it hurt? Who’s usually the top? Is it true about that internal sweet spot they always talk about in those books? Did you enjoy it the first time? Is it anything like being with a girl?” Lance fired off his questions rapidly. “Justin! Are you listening to me?”

“I…I…Uh,” for the third time Lance reduced Justin to stuttering. He wanted to laugh as Justin’s eyes widen with each question. Somehow, he didn’t think Justin had been expecting quite this response. Some days it was fun to be him.

“Snap out of it, man! I want to know what it’s like.”

“Lance,” Justin whined.

This time Lance did double over in laughter. He couldn’t help it. Justin’s face had turned blood red and his eyes were the size of saucers. If he’d known putting Justin on the spot would be this much fun, he would have done it a long time ago.

“You should,” Lance tried to talk through his laughter. “You should see your face!” he fell back on the bed as he howled in laughter. “Oh, my God! That look is priceless!”

“Shut up, Lance! It’s not funny. You don’t know anything about mine and Joey’s situation.”

Immediately Lance’s laughter died. That wasn’t embarrassment he heard in Justin’s voice. It was pain. Quickly he sat up and assessed the situation. Justin was flushed from head to toe, and he looked to be on the verge of tears. From the way he was acting, Lance guessed the kiss in the hall had been their first, and he figured it hadn’t helped that he and Chris had been unintended witnesses to it. Now Justin was frazzled and his emotions were close to the surface. Most likely, that was why he was a bundle of nerves and the teasing had affected him so strongly.

Still he hadn’t wanted to hurt Justin. He smiled gently. “Justin, I was just playing with you. If it helps any, I already know your little secret.” He tried to meet Justin’s eyes but couldn’t because Justin kept them averted. “I’m sorry I gave you a hard time. All I really want to do is help.”

He knew if there had been an audience the first time he and JC kissed he would have been just as flustered as Justin. Fortunately, though, as proven by his spontaneous lip lock with JC earlier, he was totally comfortable kissing in front of his friends. Of course, if JC were to stroll up to him and kiss him passionately he still might get embarrassed. But, as his growing arousal at the mere thought reminded him, his embarrassment would be more along the lines of everyone being able to see exactly how the blue-eyed, love of his life affected him.

Justin’s words drew him back to the matters at hand.

“Really? Uh,” Justin quickly backpedaled as he swiped at his eyes with his hands, “what secret is that?” His voice quivered slightly with fear, but the uncertainty and unspoken plea in his eyes spurred Lance on. It was time to end this nonsense. His game with JC wasn’t fair to Justin and Joey. They didn’t deserve to be left hanging in the balance while he and JC danced around each other.

Casually he leaned back until he was mirroring Justin’s earlier position. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and let the words flow out of him. “I know what’s going on with you and Joey…have known for quite some time. I’m sure Chris told you he interrupted a nice dinner I was having with JC to tell us all about how you and Joey were having sex on your couch. I also know that it didn’t really happen and that the two of you aren’t really in a relationship.” Justin jerked his head up at his statement, and his worried, hurt-filled eyes met Lance’s. “So why don’t you tell me about that. And while you’re at it,” the corner of his mouth kicked up into a grin, “why don’t you tell me why you haven’t come right out and told Joey how you feel about him.”

“I…Lance,” the pleading note in Justin’s voice was unmistakable. However, Lance wasn’t about to back down. He pushed himself to his feet and promptly sat back down next to Justin. He patted him on the knee reassuringly.

“Come on, kido. It’s not the end of the world. I’m not mad. Really, what you two are doing for me and JC is very flattering, but what I want to know is why you haven’t told Joey how you feel.” Tenderly he lifted Justin’s chin with one finger. “It’s obvious you love him, J.”

“I…” Suddenly Justin’s shoulders drooped and he looked more like a little boy than the normally self-assured, young man Lance was used to seeing. The image was furthered as Justin practically crawled all over him until he had his face buried his neck and his arms wrapped around his waist. His voice, when it came out, was thick with unshed tears. “Why doesn’t he love me, Lance? I never thought I would feel this way and now that I do…Now that I do it’s with someone that doesn’t love me back.”

A vise clenched around Lance’s heart at the pain he heard in Justin’s words. If he had needed more proof that this charade had gone on long enough, that would have been it. He stroked his hand soothingly down Justin’s back. “Oh, Justin. Joey –“ but Justin interrupted him before he could finish the thought.

“I mean, when we started this thing it was to get you and JC comfortable with the idea of gay couples.” The words were slightly muffled as Justin spoke directly into his neck. “We thought it would push things along a little faster if you didn’t have to be afraid of being the first ones to cross that line, but somewhere along the way I started wanting our pretend relationship to be a real one.”

Lance remained silent as Justin pushed away from his body and began pacing the short length of the room. Hearing Justin confirm what he already knew touched him deeply. Not many people were lucky enough to have such wonderful friends. “I don’t know how it happened. I was happy. My pretend romance with Britney was working really well then poof! I started a pretend relationship with one of my best friends and then fell in love with him. I fell in love with one of my best male friends, Lance.” He rubbed a hand over his head then let it fall to his neck where he rubbed at the tension he could feel there. “Maybe I’m destined to not have a real relationship with anyone. Maybe pretending is all I’m ever gonna have.” Justin scrubbed his hands down his face. “Until we started this charade I’d never even thought about being with a man and now this. But, you know, it was the little things. They got to me.”

Lance sat back and marveled at the change that overcame Justin. Awe and the softening only love could cause replaced the uncertainty and hurt of a few seconds earlier. His face lit up and his whole demeanor seemed to come alive.

“For a while we always had to consciously do these quasi couple things in front of you and JC, but little by little it became habit. We were doing couply things for each other whether anyone was around or not. We would seek each other out only to sit there and gaze into each other’s eyes and talk for hours. He would hold doors for me or cuddle up next to me when we watched a movie. And I…fell in love with that, with him.” As suddenly as Justin’s good mood had come on, it was gone. “But he doesn’t feel the same way. I’m just his annoying, little brother he’s playing with to get two of his friends together. I mean, I’ve seen things that give me hope but then I remember that he’s straight and well…”

Lance shook his head. Love could be so blind. He supposed it was only fair to give Justin the heads up he and the other two stooges had unwittingly given to him all those months ago when he had overheard their conversation. With a groan, he fell back on the bed. Hopefully Justin would take him seriously.

“Justin.” Lance raised his head to see Justin gnawing his nails while he stared absently at the wall. “Justin!” Justin froze at his sharp tone and slowly turned to meet his eyes. When he was sure Justin was listening to him, he pointed to the other bed. “Sit,” he commanded, happy when Justin complied without protest. “Did you not hear a word of what Joey confessed earlier? Did any of it even register in that brain of yours?”

At Justin’s meek nod, Lance sighed and got down on his knees in front of him. This conversation was turning into a nightmare. “Justin,” he placed his hands on Justin’s thighs, “I’m only going to say this once so listen.” He drew in a deep breath before slowly letting it out and starting. “Joey feels the same way about you that you feel about him.” Shock and hope blazed in the watery, blue eyes looking down into his own. “That’s right, J. Joey loves you. Not as a friend. Not as a pal. Not as a coworker. He loves you just like JC and I love each other and if you need proof of that, think about how he reacted to Chris’ clowning around earlier. We all know Chris is about as straight as they come but Joey was so jealous of how Chris was acting toward you that steam practically came out of his ears. He loves you that much.”

Justin’s eyes were hopeful. “You really think so?”

Lance looked him in the eye once more before patting him on the knee and rising. “I know so. You don’t have anything to worry about.”

Those were the last words spoken for nearly an hour as each of the men became lost in their thoughts. After reassuring Justin, Lance had piddled around the room looking for something to do as his roommate digested his new information. He had expected Justin to have questions about how he knew about his arrangement with Joey but when they hadn’t been forthcoming, he had stretched out on the bed with his hands behind his head and tried to nap. Sleep, however, proved elusive.

His thoughts bounced around. One minute he would be contemplating Joey and Justin’s plight while the next he would find that his thoughts had drifted into the familiar territory that was JC.

When Justin spoke again, he interrupted Lance at one of the crucial moments in his favorite JC fantasy. Lance groaned. Damned if he couldn’t get any even in his fantasy world. “What did you say, Justin?”

“I said,” Justin’s voice sounded lightly exasperated, “It really did happen.”

A frown appeared on Lance’s face. “What really happened?” His brain was having a hard time making the leap from his fantasy loving to Justin’s real life questioning.

Lance heard a laugh from Justin’s vicinity and felt an answering smile curl his lips. “Okay, I can only guess where your thoughts were just now and believe me, I don’t want to know. So, reel them back in nice and slow and get with the program. It’s my turn to get a few answers.”

Justin lay in a similar position, Lance found when he turned his head to look at his young friend. He wagged his eyebrows suggestively and winked. “Trust me, J. You have no business knowing what I was thinking. It might corrupt your delicate sensibilities…And if it didn’t do that I’d have to pound you just on the principle that you visualized. I can’t let everyone go around having erotic thoughts about my man.”

Justin laughed so hard he snorted. “Ahhhhhhh!” he covered his eyes and screamed in his highest pitched voice. “Don’t visualize!”

Lance laughed right along with him. “Oh, God, J. Stop!” he finally gasped out.

A little more laughter bubbled from Justin’s lips before he got it under control. “Visualize. That’s good.” He wiped the tears that had gathered at the corners of his eyes and rolled his head until he could see Lance. “So, I take by your open referral to JC being your man that you’re admitting to having a thing for him. Am I correct?”

“That would be correct,” Lance said as he flopped spread-eagled on the bed. Hearing Justin’s laughter reassured him. It meant the most awkward part of their conversation had passed. For that he was thankful.

“And you’re telling me this because…”

“Because I know what’s been going on. I know everybody’s secrets that they’re trying to keep from me and in some cases JC. And I don’t think it’s fair to you and Joey. The two of you shouldn’t have to wait for me and JC to get our butts in gear and get together before you hook up.” When Justin started to protest Lance held up his hand. “And don’t tell me it wouldn’t take that long either.” He looked sternly at Justin before continuing. “You and I both know you and Joey would keep on going the way you are right now, both of you miserable pining away for the other, until the time came when you had no reason to be together under your pretend relationship.”

Lance crossed his ankles and folded his hands behind his head as he got into his lecture. “After that you two would still spend loads of time together, but it would be awkward, and you would feel guilty for trying to hang on to the past. Then here comes the good part. One of you,” he said matter-of-factly as he pointed a finger at Justin, “would crack. Now whichever one of you it is that cracked would spill the beans. Then that person, thinking incorrectly that the other person could never feel the same way, would get all embarrassed and try to make a hasty retreat.” By this point Justin was sitting up staring at Lance in disbelief.

Crinkles appeared at the edges of Lance’s eyes as he scrunched up his nose and smiled. “Now comes the disgustingly sweet scene where whoever the confessee was will run after the confessor and stop him before he can get away. In characteristic Joey/Justin style, the confessor will be hugged and petted and kissed and reassured that the confessee feels exactly the same way. At which time the two of you will find the nearest flat surface and proceed to express your love. After which you will both kick yourselves for waiting so long.” Justin tried to speak again. “Uh, uh. Don’t deny it. You know I’m right.”

Justin opened his mouth once more but then slumped back down. “Yeah,” he glared at Lance, “even though your delivery leaves something to be desired, you’re right.”

“See. I to-“

“Shush!” Justin cut him off with a slicing motion of his hand. “It’s just so hard, you know. I mean, we’re always around each other, and I have hormones, Lance.”

“Don’t we all,” Lance said ruefully as he turned his eyes to the ceiling. He missed Justin’s glare at the interruption.

“As I was saying…I have hormones and they rush around my body looking for something to sink their teeth into. Then Joey and I get into heated discussions and we’ll be arguing back and forth and, as crazy as it sounds, that gets me excited. And…and…I really don’t want to tell you all of this. It’s kinda personal.”

“That’s alright. I think I get the picture. I really didn’t want details.” Lance laughed when he saw Justin’s relieved smile. “Okay. Okay, back to what you were saying earlier. What really happened?”

“The thing where Chris walked in on me and Joey,” Justin said as he lay down on his stomach on the bed crossways so he could see Lance. “It really happened. No. No, not the way you’re thinking.” Justin quickly reassured at Lance’s opened mouth and slightly horrified, stunned expression. He laughed. “Gee, Lance. It’s nice to know you support my sex life with Joey.”

“Uh, er…have at, man,” Lance said as he scrunched his face up once more and frowned. “You have my full support. Just please observe the rule that if I don’t ask, you don’t tell. ‘K? Details are not your friend. Never think otherwise.”

Justin rolled his eyes and propped his on his hands. “I’ll try, but I’m not making any promises.”

“Fair enough.”

“Now where was I? Oh, yeah. See, me and Joey didn’t want to lie to you guys. That’s why we haven’t said anything about being a couple. We knew Chris would do the telling for us. So, we set him up. He didn’t know Joey had underwear on and that my bare ass was just for show.” Justin rubbed his hands together as he warmed to his subject. His eyes took on a far away cast as he remembered back to that night. “We knew Chris would show up eventually. JC didn’t tell me exactly what he was gonna…hey, uh, what secrets do you know exactly?”

JC didn’t tell…Damn! Justin was just getting to the good part. Lance groaned and turned onto his side so that he was facing Justin and propped his head on his hand. Justin should be limited to one train of thought per conversation. “Well, let me think.” He held his other hand close to his body as he began to tick off what he knew. Holding out one finger he proceeded, “I know Joey and Chris have a bet going as to which one of us make a move on the other first.” Another finger joined the first. “I know you and Joey are pretending to be a couple and that Chris knows this and is you guys’ accomplice. Then there’s the secret that Chris and I have about Joey and how he feels.” He pointed at Justin. “Which you now know. And Chris and Joey know how I feel about JC. I think that’s something they weren’t sharing with you, but I’m not sure.”

At Justin’s affirmative nod, Lance snorted. “Figures. It probably ties in to the bet they’ve got going. Okay, and last, but definitely not least, is JC’s secret. Correct me if I’m wrong, but he’s trying to make me fall for him by driving me insane, right?”

Justin pounded his head against the bed. “God! It’s sounds just as stupid this time around, as it did the first time he told me about it.” He raised his head, and his eyes pleaded with Lance. “I tried to get him to just tell you, Lance. Really, I did. Please believe me!”

Laughter rumbled deep within Lance’s chest. “It’s okay. I believe you. Trust me. If anyone knows how thick headed and stubborn JC can be when he sets his mind to something, it’s me.” He picked at the bedspread. “I will have to say that this has been a courtship for the books, though. He’s done some pretty crazy things to get my attention, and if I hadn’t known what he was doing I would probably have fallen for his plan.”

A contented expression crossed Lance’s face as he thought back to the more memorable things JC had done. So far, his favorite was the kissing partners. Each time he kissed JC, he had a harder time letting go. Some days he wanted to throw caution to the wind and press JC onto the couch or bunk or floor depending on where they were and make love to him until neither of them had the energy to move.

Then there was the singing. Occasionally he still sung the Scoop-a-doop song, but usually it was sexually suggestive songs that nearly drove Lance crazy. Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” was one of the ones JC loved to torture him with. Then he would allow his eyelids to droop and look at Lance while he licked his lips seductively and did his rendition of “Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing.” And on days JC was in an exceptionally good mood, he would grab Lance around the waist and grind into his ass while he sung “Let’s Talk About Sex” at the top of his lungs. JC’s repertoire was rather extensive, and Lance had heard a good deal of the sexiest songs he knew.

Yeah, overall Lance enjoyed JC ploys. They were fun.

Choking sounds from Justin drew Lance from his thoughts. “Oh, lord. Don’t tell me his stupid plan worked.”

Lance smirked. “Okay, I won’t tell it worked…or would have. But, really, sanity aside, it’s been fun. We do all these things you would consider couply, yet we aren’t officially a couple. As far as I know, he has no idea that I love him. Well, that I’m in love with him. He knows I love him.” Lance was off in his own world as he tried to explain why he enjoyed the game. “See, we push each other’s limits to see what we can get away with. Like JC initiated the kissing deal, and I accepted it without saying much. And I started us sleeping together. I heard him moaning in his bunk one night, and I knew what was going on so I ripped the curtain back and there he was in all his glory. I think he turned about fifteen different shades of red but I just acted like it was nothing and climbed up next to him and told him I couldn’t sleep and asked if it would be alright if I cuddled with him for a little while.” Laughter spilled out of his lips as he remembered JC response. “His voice actually squeaked as he hurriedly pulled up his boxers and assured me it wasn’t a problem. From then on –“

“Lance, man, details. Remember what you said.”

Sheepishly Lance met Justin’s eyes. “Sorry. Sorry. Anyway, I’ve been having too much fun to end our little game of cat and mouse, but I think it’s about time. This deal with you and Joey has worried me. I didn’t realize until tonight that neither of you knew the other was bi. Color me floored,” Lance said with a clueless expression.

Justin sighed wistfully then closed his eyes and rolled onto his back. “I wish I had your stamina. I’ve only known Joey feels the same way I do for like two hours and already I’ve got half a dozen scenarios about how to tell him, and I plan on carrying one of them out very soon.”

Lance frowned and pushed himself into a sitting position. “Justin, JC and I are playing with each other. We enjoy this little game of cat and mouse. It’s enough for us just to be together.” Lance threw his arms up in the air. “Hell, I finally got him to move in with me so we spend all our time wrapped up in each other even if we aren’t exploring the physical side of our relationship. We have the type of relationship where we can sit together without speaking and still be aware and mindful of each other.” He reached over and pecked Justin on the forehead until he opened his eyes and scowled. “You and Joey are different. Both of you like to demonstrate your love physically. Notice how touchy-feely you both are. It’s not a bad thing for you to want to be with him. And, frankly, if you don’t get together soon we’re all going to go crazy.”

“But, Lance,” Justin said rolling back over onto his stomach, “you and JC are able to wait. You aren’t going crazy to jump each other. You sit back like you’ve got all the time in the world. I want that.”

“Okay, I want you to listen to me very carefully. I am this close,” Lance held his thumb and index finger a quarter of an inch apart, “to locking JC in my bedroom and not opening the door until the bed breaks, and we need a new one. Never accuse me of not lusting after him madly ‘cause I do. Just this morning we, ah, admitted to each other that the kissing turns us on. I’m surprised we’ve been able to hide it this long, but there it is.”

Lance ran his fingers through his spiky hair as some of his sexual tension slipped through the barriers he kept erected. Damn but he did not need to be thinking about this right now. Especially when he wouldn’t get to spend any quality time with JC for four more nights. And to think, he’d brought this punishment on himself. Some days he wondered just what the hell he was thinking.

“Justin, I want him so badly I can’t see straight but….I also have patience and so does he. Right now we’re treading a fine line, but that won’t last too much longer. Pretty soon one of us is going to cross that line and then we’ll be together, but for the time being we play with each other.” He glared as Justin’s eyes lit up and he started to make a smart remark. “No, we do not play with each other that way. Get your mind out of the gutter, boy. All I’m saying is the breaking point looms closer with every passing second. His whole suggestion that we be kissing partners has nearly done me in. I have a hard time remembering that I’m not supposed to give in.”

Justin gave Lance a slightly confused expression. “So what are you saying, Lance?”

Lance rolled his eyes. “Tell Joey how you feel and live your own life not mine and JC’s.”

“Couldn’t you have just said that from the start? Remember what you said about details earlier?”

“Yeah.”

“Take your own advice. It would have saved some time and,” Justin scrunched up his face, “some unpleasant visuals for me.”

“Go away, Justin. I don’t like you anymore,” Lance said as he stood and smacked Justin on the head. He had a pout on his face as he picked up his suitcase and threw it on the bed intending to unpack a few items.

“But, Lansten,” that was all the warning Lance had before he was being chased around the room, “you know you love me! I’m irresistible!” Finally Justin cornered him and tackled him to the bed where he promptly placed a wet, slobbery kiss on his cheek. “Thanks, Lance. You’re the best,” Justin said sincerely. Lance merely shook his head as Justin jumped off of him and dashed into the bathroom. That boy needed Prozac in the worst sort of way.

Groaning, Lance pushed himself to his feet and went back to unpacking. He had just pulled his favorite pillow out of his suitcase when there was a knock at the door. Just as he turned to answer it, Justin flew past him out of the bathroom. “I’ll get it,” he tossed back over his shoulder as he ripped the door open. Lance shrugged and turned back to unpacking his essentials. Absently he listened to Justin’s conversation with whoever was at the door.

“Oh, it’s just you.”

TBC…

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