Chapter Four

  Once JC was dressed, they all piled in the van and headed towards the heart of the city. Aspen was a big tourist place, and so it was going to be hard to stay hidden. They drove around, and eventually found a nice little restaurant that was pretty secluded. It was a small place; nothing fancy about it. It had a bar and tables to sit, so the guys were happy.
  They all squeezed into a circular booth, while Lonnie and Greg sat at a table on the other side of the room. “This place is pretty cool,” Georgia said as she took off her gloves. “The run down shacks are the best place to eat.”
  “That’s so true,” Joey said. “There’s this shack in Orlando, I mean it looks like it is barely standing up, but it’s the best place to eat hamburgers.”
  “What kind of place IS this?” Sydney asked with a laugh as she looked at the menu. “What kind of place serves Mexican and seafood??”
  JC chuckled as he looked next to her and scanned the menu. “That is weird.”
  “Oh, but they have crab cakes!” she exclaimed. “I’m a sucker for crab cakes.”
  “What kind,” he asked as he opened his own menu.
  “Um..Maryland crab cakes…Oh, that’s where you’re from, right?” she said as she nudged him.
  He nodded. “Yep. I just might have to get some of those myself.”
  Just then the waiter came up and asked them what they wanted to drink. He was a tall man, who was loosing hair, and had a bushy mustache. He also didn’t seem to happy to be here. “Can I take you’re drink order?” he asked.
  Joey cleared his throat. “Ladies, you go first.”
  “I’ll have a cape cod,” Michele said as she smiled at him.
  The waiter just looked down at his tablet and scribbled it down, before looking at Georgia. “Uh, strawberry daiquiri.”
  Sydney waited for the dull man to look at her, and then she ordered a frozen margarita, with no salt. The guys all ordered a round of Bud Light, and then when the waiter left, the table started to chuckle. “Someone, woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning,” Joey said with a laugh. “He looked bored as sin.”
  “You know who he talks like,” Georgia said. “He talks like that guy on Ferris Bueller…you know…Bueller…Bueller.”
  The table chuckled at that and when he came back they all cleared their throats and looked down at their menus. The waiter eyed them as he placed their drinks in front of them, and then rolled his eyes before he left. “Okay, now he’s bringing me down,” Lance said. “Why couldn’t we have THAT waiter….or should I say..waitress.”
  All three guys checked out the waitress with long blonde hair and a cheesy smile. She had on a shirt that probably two sizes down from her, and a pair of tight jeans that were practically glued on her. The girls shook their head in disgust. “That’s just sickening,” Michele said. “You’d think she shops at baby Gap.”
  The girls laughed. “And those are so not real…I mean come on,” Sydney said.
  “They are SO not paying attention to us,” Georgia said when she noticed all three pairs of eyes were still glued on the waitress.
  “Typical male behavior,” Michele said with a sigh. “It wouldn’t be normal if they were.”
  “I’m sorry, did you say something,” Lance said as he tore his eyes away from the waitress and then at her.
  She chuckled. “No, sweetie, just sit there and look pretty,” she said as she patted his arm.
  “Okay, I can’t look at her anymore,” JC said as he tore his eyes away. “She’s making my eyes hurt.”
  “Yeah, I’m starting to get a headache,” Joey said as he rubbed his temple.
  “She’s a little too much to handle.”
  All three girls laughed. “Ya’ll are too funny,” Georgia said as she put an arm around Joey and playfully hugged him.
  “Oh, ladies!” Sydney said as she sat up straight. “Look at who just walked in, woah baby.”
  All three girls turned to the door and their jaws dropped. “Wow, he’s gorgeous. Look at those eyes,” Michele said dreamily.
  “Look at the stubble,” Georgia exclaimed. “I’m a sucker for stubble.”
  “Damn, why did I shave,” Joey mumbled before he took a sip of his beer.
  “Look at that body…wow, he must work out all the time,” Sydney said. “I mean…Hey stop!”
  JC kept his hands over her eyes. “Sorry, you’re already taken. I’m just doing what’s right.”
  She laughed as she pushed his hands away. “Hey, I can look, I just can’t touch.”
  JC leaned in so only she could hear. “And we both know you got a good look of me a couple of hours ago.” Sydney choked on her drink and JC just laughed as he patted her back. “You okay?”
  She coughed and then looked up at his sly grin. “Yeah, I’m fine,” she said between her clenched teeth.
  He laughed. “You’re turning a little red, Syd…you’re not embarrassed are you?”
  She straightened her back and sniffed as she fiddled with her hair. “Not at all. And yes I did, get a good look of you,” she said as he took a sip of his beer. She leaned in close. “And I liked what I saw,” she said in her Trix accent.
  He choked on his beer and Sydney laughed in triumph. “I think he needs a bib,” she said to the waiter.
  He rolled his eyes. “Whatever, are ya’ll ready to order.”
  The whole table ordered what they wanted, and they spent a good two hours at the restaurant. They about died when they’re waiter ran into someone, because he was too busy paying attention to the blonde waitress. “Bored or not, he still has eyes,” Joey laughed.
  “Oh, that was priceless,” Lance said as he chuckled, and then nursed his beer. “I could go for another round, before we leave.”
  JC finished his bottle. “Me, too. Not much of a beer drinker, but I could go for another one.”
  “I could definitely go for another rita,” Sydney said before she sucked down her last sip.
  “Damn, girl how do you NOT get a brain freeze,” JC said in amazement. She shrugged. “You get use to them in college.”
  “Yeah, she can drink,” Georgia said. “I use to be all sugar and spice, until I met that one.”
  “Are ya’ll still in college?” Joey asked.
  “Yes, but we’re almost done,” Michele said. “Thank the lord.”
  They ordered another round of drinks and by the time they were done, they were all just a little tipsy. They were one of the lasts to leave and they weaved their way through the empty tables and ended up at Lonnie and Greg’s table.
  “Hey there big guy,” Sydney said as she rubbed Lonnie’s arm. “Those muscles of yours are quite exquisite.”
  Lonnie mumbled a curse. “They're drunk,” he said to Greg. “I hate this part of my job.”
  “Oh, you know you love us!” Joey said as he ran behind him and wrapped his arms around his neck and shook him.
  “Yeah, whatever,” he said and shrugged him off. “Get off, man. Ya’ll start heading your drunk asses to the van. Please say we are going home.”
  “Are you kidding!” Joey asked. “It’s clubbing time baby.” He pulled Georgia in his arms. “I want to get this one on the dance floor.”
  She smiled up at him. “You won’t have to ask me twice. I’m in the dancing mood.”
  “Damn,” he mumbled as he threw money on the table. “Why did I even ask? Okay, kids. Get your drunk ass in the van now!”

  “We’ve been driving around this town forever,” Joey exclaimed as he jumped up and down in his seat. “Can we PLEASE pick a place."
  “There’s a place,” JC said as he spotted the bar. “Looks kind of fun and different.”
  “That’s fine, let’s just go,” he said as he kept bouncing in his seat.
  “Settle,” Georgia said as he patted his thigh. “Settle.”
  The van pulled in front and then the six of them piled out and headed towards the bar. The music was hard to make out, but it was pretty loud and after they handed the bouncer their ID’s they walked in the front door. The six of them stopped dead in their tracks when they realized what kind of bar they were in. They stuck out like a sour thumb. Everyone was wearing either a cowboy hat or wranglers and people were two stepping to Garth Brooke’s “Friends In Low Places.”
  Joey and JC stepped back. “I DON’T THINK SO,” they said in unison.
  Lance grinned from ear to ear. “Oh, I THINK so, guys. You drag me to your techno clubs all the time, it’s my turn to have a little fun.” He tugged on Michele towards the dance floor. “Come on girl, let’s go two step.”
  She laughed as he dragged her. “This is great!” she exclaimed. “I haven’t done this in forever.”
  Joey and JC looked at each other. “Is it too late to escape?” JC asked as he roamed his fearful eyes around the bar.
  “I’m afraid so, buddy,” he said with a sigh and then shrugged. “I can’t two-step worth s hit, but it’s worth a try. Come on, girl.”
  “Oh, this is going to be funny,” Georgia said with a laugh.
  Just then Lonnie walked in next to JC and Sydney and his eyes were so wide they were about to pop out. “Oh, no, no,” he said as he looked around. “I am not staying here.”
  JC patted him on the back. “I know, big guy, I feel ya. But Lance is in heaven right now.” He grabbed Sydney’s hand. “Let’s go, it can’t be TOO hard.”
  JC and Sydney made their way through the crowd and to the dance floor where the rest of them were trying to follow everyone’s moves. Lance and Michele both got the moves down pretty fast. They messed up at first, but after a couple of times they kept up with everyone else.
  Joey on the other hand, was a different story. “Dammit, I keep forgetting to slap before I turn,” he said as he struggled to keep up.
  “Just pay attention to the people in front of us,” Georgia said with a laugh.
  “It’s heel, heel, toe toe, slap, slap, clap turn.”
  “What the hell? Was that English,” he said as he clapped and then awkwardly turned and ran right into JC.
  “Dude, you turn right, not left!” JC said as he pushed him. “It’s not THAT hard. It’s not like we’re dancing to Space Cowboy!”
  “All right, Joey,” Georgia said. “Just follow me.”
  “Okay, okay,” he said as he got his determined look on his face. “I’m GOING to get this.”
  It took him awhile, but eventually he kept up with the rest of them and even added a “yee-haw,” at the end of the song.
  They two stepped to a couple of more songs, and each song had a different dance. The people around them knew they weren’t regulars, but they laughed with them and even helped them get the moves. After the third song was over, they decided to get some drinks and retire to a booth. They went to the bar and ordered their drinks, before walking to a table. Joey and Georgia hopped in and Lance and Michelle scooted in as well. The booth wasn’t big, so JC told Sydney to squeeze in and JC stood while he nursed his beer.
  Just then a middle age woman, with bright red teased hair, and her makeup was practically caked on walked up to them. “Well, hello there,” she said in a thick country accent. “I noticed ya’ll on the dance floor. I take it ya’ll don’t come here often.”
  JC cleared his throat. “Is it THAT obvious.”
  “Just a tad,” she said and then grinned. “You fellas look familiar…aren’t ya’ll from that little NSYNC group.”
  They all winced. “Um, yeah,” Lance said.
  The woman looked JC up and down. “Mmm-mm, you are one fine boy.”
  JC jumped when the woman pinched his butt. “Jesus, she just pinched my butt,” he whispered to Sydney. Sydney muffled out a laugh as she covered her mouth with his hands.
  “Come on, sweet thang,” she said as she tugged at his arm. “Let me show you some REAL moves.” His eyes widened and he gave the table a pleading look for help. “Now, what’s wrong, sugah? Oh, are any of these ladies your girlfriend?”
  “Uhh…well um…”
  “Actually,” Sydney said as she stood up and wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder. “This fine young specimen is mine.” JC let out a sigh of relief and silently thanked her. “Ain’t I a lucky girl,” she said as she reached up and patted his cheek.
  The woman clucked her tongue as her eyes feasted on him. “Very lucky, sweetheart.
  “Well, I love my JC, and I’m normally very stingy with him… BUT…”
  His eyes widened. He did NOT like the sound of that but. He looked down at her and saw her grinning. “But what…SWEETIE?”
  She chuckled and snuggled to him. “I think I can manage one song without him. He’s all yours.”
  “Oh, goodie,” she said and then tugged at his arm. JC gave Sydney a shocking look as the women dragged him to the dance floor.
  The table all busted out laughing as Sydney sat back down. “Oh, Syd that was cruel!” Joey laughed as he watched the overweight woman throw JC around the dance floor.
  She shrugged. “He’ll live,” she said with a chuckle.
  “Come on sugar,” she said as she twirled him around on the dance floor.
  “Woah,” he said as she yanked on his arm and he grunted when he slammed into her. “Mam, please…could...you…slow…down?”
  “Can’t keep up with me junior,” she said as she reached around and grabbed his butt. “And the names Cindy Lou.”
  He jumped at the contact. “Okay, CINDY Lou,” he said and then reached around and grabbed her hands off of him. “Keep the hands off the buttocks.”
  She giggled. “You’re too cute,” she said and then squeezed his cheeks.
  “Ahh, jeez,” he said as he rubbed his cheek and tried to back away. “Give me a break.”
  “Not a chance, stallion,” she said then twirled herself away, only to come back towards him.
  “Ooof,” he grunted as he stumbled backwards. He was SO going to kick Sydney’s cute little butt from here to Timbuktu, he thought as he made eye contact with her.
  “Oh, that’s not good,” Sydney said when he saw his icy stare. “Maybe I should go rescue him.”
  “Maybe, that’s a good idea,” Lance said. “Cuz a slow song just came on.”
  “Oh, lordy,” she said as she hopped out of the booth and then made her way toward them.
  JC was trying to escape her groping hands when she finally came up. “Cindy Lou, please…” JC begged as he tried to get away.
  Sydney smiled. “Sorry…Cindy Lou…is it? I let you have my man for one song, but I don’t share him for slow songs.”
  JC wanted to pull Sydney in his arms and give her a big fat kiss at that moment, but then he remembered he wasn’t too happy with her. But then again, it was either that or dancing with Cindy Lou again. He shivered. “SWEETheart!” he said happily as he could as he pulled her in his arms. “You are so dead,” he whispered in her ear so only she could hear.
  She let out a laugh. “Ahem…well thanks for taking care of him, Cindy Lou, but I got it from here.”
  “Sure thing, sweetie,” she said as she licked her lips. “Mmm-mm, quite a piece of work you are,” she said and then walked behind him.
  “Don’t!” he said to her as she tried to pinch his butt, but he turned around before she could make contact.
  “Damn,” she mumbled and then strolled off over to her giggling girlfriends.
  He watched her walk off and then shuddered, before he stared down at Sydney. “YOU…are in BIG trouble, missy!”
  She laughed. “Now JC,” she said as smiled up at them. “We’re suppose to be a loving couple. What’s Cindy Lou gonna think if you’re mad at me.”
  He gave her a sly grin and then pulled her in his arms. “Well, for the sake of not having to dance with her again, I guess I can play along. But your still gonna pay.”
  Joey and Georgia joined them on the dance floor and Michele and Lance followed. Martina McBride’s “There You Are,” was playing as the bar became quiet. The music was soft, and there were no claps and stomps of feet. The talking came down to a softer tone, and the people on the dance floor had scattered since the last song.
  Joey closed his eyes as he rested his chin on top of Georgia’s head. She felt good in his arms, as if she belonged there. His head was spinning a little, and he had a feeling it had nothing to do with the beers in him. It was ALL Georgia. He had only known her laughter and sense of humor; and he loved how he could just be himself around her. That was her best quality. He didn’t feel like he had to be someone he’s not. “What are you thinking?” he asked her finally.
  She smiled as she rested her cheek against his chest. “I’m thinking that I don’t want this song to end.”
  He smiled softly as he leaned back to look down at her. She was smiling up at him while her arms were still wrapped around his neck. “Me too,” he said softly and then his brown eyes left her blue eyes as it trailed to her lips.
  Her heart was racing and the room was spinning. She could barely hear anyone else in the room and the people around her were practically invisible to her.
  When she saw his head shift closer to hers, she closed her eyes and waited for the contact to be made. She could feel his warm breath fanning her lips, and she nudged her head closer, desperately wanting to close the distance between them.
  Finally his lips brushed hers lightly and then he let his lips linger on hers. He pulled her tighter to him as he pressed his mouth harder against hers. She sighed against his lips as she ran her hands up his neck, before diving her fingers in his hair. He deepened the kiss just once before he slowly pulled away. He didn’t say anything after that. He just smiled at her and lightly touched the tip of her nose with his lips and pulled her in his arms as they continued to sway to the music.
  “Did you see that?” Michele whispered to Lance.
  “Huh?” he asked coming out of his trance. He was so caught up in the moment of being in her arms; he didn’t realize she was talking at first. “See what?”
  “Joey and Georgia just lip locked,” she giggled.
  “No way!” he said and then looked at the couple. “Awww, well ain’t that sweet.”
  She smiled. “They make a cute couple.”
  “Yeah, they do,” he said and then turned his attention back to where it belonged. Michele. He pulled her close and nuzzled her neck as he slowly ran his hands up and down her back. “You smell good,” he murmured against her neck.
  She smiled as she rested her cheek on his shoulder. “Thank you.”
  He chuckled softly. “Looks like you didn’t break my nose after all, it still works.”
  “Aww,” she laughed as she leaned back to look at him. “I’m REALLY sorry I bumped into you like that.”
  He grinned. “Well, I’m sure as hell not sorry.”
  She blushed. “Well, I’m not either, but I wish we bumped into each other without anyone getting hurt.”
  He chuckled as he rubbed his nose. “Yeah, that would have been less painful.”
  She gave him a concerned look. “Aww, poor baby,” she said and then cupped his face and kissed the tip of his nose. “Better?”
  He reached up and grabbed her hands that were still cupping his face and kissed them both. “Much,” he said and then pulled her in his arms.
  “Looks like everyone’s getting a little friendly,” JC said as he peered over her shoulder.
  “Why do you say that?” she asked.
  They were dancing a close distance away from each other. Their bodies were only inches away, but they made sure there wasn’t any contact. He did have his left hand resting on her hip and his right hand was linked with hers as he rested it on his chest.
  “Because Joey just kissed Georgia and Lance and Michele are REALLY touchy, feely.”
  Sydney turned around towards them and then smiled. “I think it’s sweet.”
  He cleared his throat. “Yeah,” he said quietly.
  She turned back towards him. “What?”
  He looked at her weird. “What?”
  “You said ‘yeah,’ kind of weird,” she said. “Like you were sad.”
  “I’m not sad, why would I be sad?” he asked, but he already knew why. He was jealous. He wanted to hold Sydney like that, but he was afraid to. He was afraid he couldn’t trust himself if he held her any closer.
  “I don’t know; that’s why I’m asking?”
  “Well, I’m fine,” he said with a little force.
  Her body flinched at his tone. “Fine, sorry,” she mumbled and then started to pull away. “I’m gonna sit this one out.”
  He sighed. “Sydney, come on,” he said annoyingly. “Don’t…”
  “I’m tired, I gotta sit down,” she said with a weak smile and then made her way to the tables.
  Another slow song started. This time it was Garth Brooke’s “The Dance.” JC sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair. He decided to get some fresh air and made his way through the crowd. He was almost off the dance floor when someone grabbed his arm. He stopped short, thinking it was Sydney, but he turned around to see another woman.
  “Hi,” she said with a smile. “Recognize me?”
  His eyes widened. “Yeah, your that waitress at the restaurant.”   “Um…” He glanced at the door and then back to where Sydney was sitting. Lonnie had joined her and they were laughing about something. Hell, if she was gonna have a good time, so was he. He looked back at the girl. Her blonde hair was down now and it flowed over her shoulders. She had blue eyes, and her dress seemed to be shorter by the minute. She also didn’t have a problem with showing her cleavage. She wasn’t his type at all. He wanted just to go outside and get some air, but instead he grabbed her hand. “What’s you’re name?”
  She smiled as she stepped closer to him. “Bella,” she said seductively.
  Dear Lord, what did she do, bath in her perfume, he thought as he her scent swept over him. He looked over at Sydney who was now talking to young man who decided to join her. He eyed him and then looked back at Bella. “I’d love to dance, Bella,” he said and then took her to the dance floor.
  Sydney gave another fake smile to the man talking to her. He was nice and all, but honestly he was a little too old for her. He had to have been in his thirties, and that creeped her out. She was about to kick Lonnie under the table to tell him to help her out, but she stopped when she saw JC pull a blonde to the dance floor. He made eye contact with him only for a second, before he turned and pulled the blonde in his arms.
  She cleared her throat. “Excuse me,” she said to the man and then leaned toward Lonnie. “Hey, the girl with JC…is that the…”
  “The waitress?” he asked for her. “Oh yeah, it sure is. She was OUR waitress.”
  Sydney gave him a look. “NO wonder you tipped big.”
  He grinned. “Couldn’t help it.”
  She sighed and then turned her attention back to JC. The man started talking to her again, but she wasn’t paying attention. She didn’t like the way she was clinging to him, she thought as she sucked down her drink. She watched her hands roam all over his back and she started to get angry.
  “Are you even paying attention to me?” the guy asked.
  “What?? I’m sorry, what did you say?”
  He rolled his eyes. “Never mind,” he said and then walked off.
  Sydney watched him leave and then just shrugged it off. He wasn’t her concern, JC was. She slammed her glass down. “Lonnie, can I ask you a question?”
  He cleared his throat. “Um…sure?”
  “Why do guys suck?”
  He fidgeted in his seat. “Um, I dunno. We were just made that way I guess. What’s the matter? Your boyfriend hadn’t called?”
  “What?” she asked as she tore her eyes away from JC and looked at him.
  “Your boyfriend. Don’t you have one?”
  “Oh, you mean Brad,” she finally said. “Yeah, I do.”
  “What did he do?” he asked.
  “He...He didn’t do anything,” said and then ordered another drink.
  “Then why do guys suck?”
  She sighed. “Because…because…ugh, they just do okay!”
  He held up his hands. “Well, okay.”
  She rested her elbows on the table and rubbed her temples. “Sorry.”
  He patted her back. “That’s okay.”
  JC looked over at Sydney for the hundredth time. She was upset, he noticed. And he had a pretty good idea why. She left him upset and he should have gone after her and apologized, but instead he got jealous and used Bella to get back at her. It was stupid of him, but it was too late now.
  Bella was all over him. Not as bad as Cindy Lou was, but it was still awkward. Her hands kept rubbing his back and she kept rubbing seductively against him and it was getting rather annoying. He was about to pull away when someone hit him hard with their purse. “Ahh,” he said as he flinched. “What was that for?”
  Cindy Lou put her hands on her hips. “What do you think, Einstein?” she asked annoyed. “You’re girlfriend is sitting alone with your bodyguard, while your dancing with this hoe.”
  “Hey!” Bella shot back.
  Cindy Lou sighed. “Bella, hun…sorry but it’s true.” She turned to JC. “You see, we’re from a small town a couple of miles from here and well…Bella here gets around.”
  JC’s eyes widened. “Um…woah, maybe I should…”
  “You are a BITCH Cindy Lou,” she said and then flipped her hair and turned to JC. “Don’t pay attention to her, sweetie.”
  “SWEETIE?” he asked in annoyance. “I don’t think so. Cindy Lou?”
  “Yes?”
  “Thanks for knocking some sense into me…literally.”
  “Sure thing,” she said and then squeezed his butt.
  “Oh, for cryin out loud,” he said as he jumped.
  “Sorry, I had to just once more.”
  He gave her a weird look as he rubbed his butt and then headed towards the table. “Okay, I don’t know what just happened to me,” he said to Lonnie and Sydney. “But I felt like I was in the middle of a soap opera.”
  “What was that all about,” Sydney mumbled before she sipped on her drink.
  “I don’t know,” he said as he sat down next to her. “Some fickle between the town hoe and town gossip.” He then looked at Lonnie and widened his eyes as he nudged his head away.
  Lonnie cleared his throat. “Well, I’m gonna go and…uh…two step,” he said and then quickly scooted out of the booth.
  JC and Sydney were now both alone. JC started to bounce his knee up and down as tried to think of what to say. How this all happened, he didn’t know. One minute they were dancing and having a good time and then next minute he stalked off in a jealous rage and dance with the town whore. He closed his eyes as he pressed the palm of his hands against them. He sighed. “Syd, I…”
  “Syd, JC,” Joey said as they all ran to the table. “We gotta go…NOW.”
  “What’s wrong?” JC asked.
  “Some girl spotted us,” Lance said. “She saw me and gasped and picked up her cell phone. God, knows how many of her friends are coming.”
  “Crap,” JC cursed and then grabbed Sydney’s hand. “Let’s get out of here.”
  He tugged her out of the booth and they ran through the crowd hand in hand. Sydney turned around to see the girl and her friends running towards them. “My lord, she has a freaking posse!”
  “Welcome to my life, sweetheart,” JC said as they made their way outside.
  The van was already waiting for them and then guys quickly piled in. The girl ran outside by the time JC hopped in and he quickly closed the door. Five girls ran up to the van and banged on the windows and yelled out there names. To be nice, the guys waved at them before the van pulled away. When they were out of sight, all three guys let out an exasperating sigh. “Oh, another day,” Joey sighed.

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