Part Fourteen
"Do you play the piano?" JC asked MA when they sat down on the glossy wooden bench.
"Oh, sure," Mary Ann said as she ran her fingers over the keys.
"Seriously?" he asked with a smile. They had just finished the grand tour, and he showed her the whole studio. Her eyes never relaxed; they were open and alert the whole time. She asked question after question.."What is this?" "What does this do?" She made him feel that she really did care and was really interested in what he did.
She nodded. "Sure," she said as she tilted her head up and sized him down.
He grinned. "Play for me," he said; challenging her.
"I'd be happy to," she said and the straightened her back. She cleared her throat and then cracked her knuckles before she positioned her fingers over the keys.
He studied her with a sly grin, as he waited for her to play. His eyes widened and then he busted out laughing when the tune of chopsticks flowed through his ears. "Classic, Mary Ann," he said and then turned to the keys himself.
"I'm a proffesional," she said as she jabbed the keys with her index finger.
JC just grinned and then started the second part of chopsticks with her. They both giggled as they continued to play the tune, until Mary Ann finally messed up. "Very impressive, sexy mamma."
"Ya think so?" she asked with a grin. "It took me forever to learn that."
He laughed. "You're too funny."
She gave him a look. "I'm serious," she said. "It took me FOREVER to learn that."
He smiled brightly; an action he was doing a lot more of when he was around her. He then cupped her face and gave her a loud smacking kiss on the mouth. "Dont' ever change, Mary Ann."
She just smiled up at him and lightly cupped his cheek with her hand. "Play for me?"
He leaned in and kissed the center of her hand. "What do you want me to play?"
She smiled. "More Than A Feeling?"
He kissed her temple. "Okay," he said and then positioned his fingers on the keys and stroked them.
"Well it's more than a feeling," he started to sing, and then repositioned his fingers and played another cord.
"When I hear that old song I use to play...I begin dreamin..." He stopped and turned to look at her and smiled softly as he stroked another cord. "When I see Mary Ann, walk away."
Her heart lept when his warm, thick voice flowed over her. When he said her name, he looked at her like a man who knew what he wanted. Like a man in love. "Jay--"
She didn't get his name out, because JC's soft lips cut her off. His lips were soft and gentle at first, and he lingered on her lips as he took his fingers off the keys and cupped her face. He deepened the kiss and moaned at the feel of his tongue rubbing against hers. She felt so good in his arms, and tasted so sweet he didn't want to stop. He groaned as he pressed harder against her lips and pulled her close.
Mary Ann made a sound of protest as she tried to get closer to him. Her fingers sunk in his hair, and she opened her mouth even wider, so he could take his fill. She then gasped in shock when he gripped her hips and lifted her up on the keyboards. The mixed sounds of the keys echoed in the studio when she sat on top of them, and she whimpered his name for him to come closer. He stood up from the bench and pressed against her as he continued to make love to her mouth.
Random keys were played as Mary Ann's body shifted against him. He traveled his hands down her sweater and his fingers were fiddling with the hem of her shirt when JC's cell phone rang. JC froze in his tracks and then pulled away from her and gazed in her eyes. They were both breathing heavily; both pairs of lips were swollen. JC finally sighed and then kissed her on her forehead and fished out his cell phone. "People in this world have really bad timing," he mumbled and then clicked on his phone. "Hello?"
"C Man!" Chris' high pitch voice rang. "What ja doing?"
"Hi Chris," he mumbed as he turned his back towards MA, and sat on the keys between her legs. "Just showing Mary Ann the studio." Mary Ann wrapped her arms around his narrow waist and then rested her cheek on his shoulder. JC laid one hand on top of her linked hands that were resting on his stomach. "What's up?"
"Just coming back from Justin's aunts house," Chris said.
JC chuckled as he casually rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. "Is your ass sore?"
Chris winced as he shifted in the passenger seat. "Dude, you have no idea."
"Oh, I do," JC said. "That woman can't keep her hand off my ass."
"WHO?" Mary Ann asked suddenly as her head snapped up and tightened her grip on him.
JC patted his hand. "Just Justin's aunt, sweetie."
"Oh," she said and then laughed as she propped her chin on his shoulder.
"Jealous?" he teased as he looked up at her.
"Stop flirting and listen, C," Chris said annoyingly.
"What? Oh, sorry, go ahead Chris."
"Justin is having a cookout tonight at his place," Chris said. "Family and friends."
"Okay, sounds good," he said. "I'll call Joey now if you want."
"Okay, is he out with Natalie?"
"Yeah, they went to Sea World."
Chris busted out laughing. "Oh, that boy has it bad."
"He sure does. What time should we be there?"
"What time?" Chris asked Justin, who sped through a yellow light.
"7:30."
"Hear that?" Chris asked.
"Yeah, we'll be there at 7:30."
"Bye...oh and...is your Joan of Arc still..um..mad about this morning."
He shrugged. "Dont' know, your gonna have to ask her tonight."
"She scares me, C."
He chuckled. "You're a wuss, Chris...I'll see ya tonight."
"Okay, bye."
"Bye," he said and then clicked off the phone and started dialing Joey's number. "Justin's having a cookout."
"Fun times," she said as she turned her face and nuzzled his neck.
"Joey," he said when he heard his friend's voice.
"Hey JC, what's up," he asked as he linked hands with Natalie while they made their way to the car.
"How was Sea World?"
"We're just leaving," he said and for the hell of it, brought up their joint hands and kissed the top of her's.
"Okay, Justin is having a cookout," he told him.
"Okay, we haven't had one of those in awhile."
"Yeah, I know....we are suppose to be there at 7:30."
"Okay," he said and then as he turned off his car alarm and opened the door for Natalie "We'll be home soon."
"Yeah, us too...later."
"Bye," he said and then turned off his phone and looked at Nat. "Justin is having one of his cookouts tonight."
"Okay," she said with a smile.
"And...uh...you might want to pack an overnight back just in case. We tend to go a little out of control at his cookouts."
She laughed. "Okay, if that's the case I can leave from Justin's for my interview. I can call a cab and...."
"A cab?" he said. "No way, I'm taking you."
"You don't have to...."
"I know," he said before he could finish and then leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips. "But I want to be there for you...be your support team."
She shook her head at him. "Why are you so good to me?"
He grinned. "You deserve it," he said and then kissed her on the mouth, lingering before he deepened the kiss. He finally pulled away when a car behind him was honking at him. He then gave her a wink and drove out of the parking lot.
Natalie gazed outside the window, and couldn't stop smiling.
"You ready?" Natalie asked as she ruffled her hair while examining herself in the mirror. She had on a pair of jeans, with a red shortsleeve turtleneck. A pair of silver loop earrings dangled from her ears, and her long curly hair was pulled back and clasped at the base of her neck.
Mary Ann painted her lips with her lipstick and rubbed them together, before smaking them. "All ready," she said as she tossesd her lipstick in her bag. She had on a a pair light colored kahkis, that hugged her hips and thighs, but flared out at her ankles. Her light blue sweater, scooped down at the neck and it's sleeves were quarter length. She wore her hair down, and two diamond studs twinkled at her ears.
They picked up their overnight bag, and made their way downstairs. They let out a sigh, when they found them sitting on the couches, drinking a beer while watching a college basketball game. "Typical male behavior," Mary Ann said.
"Yeah, but we still love em," she said with a smile.
"Yeah," she agreed with a laugh and then they made their presence known. "You guys ready?"
"Mm-hmm," Joey mumbled even though he didn't move his eyes away from the screen.
The girls put their hands on their hips as they waited for them to get up. They didn't budge. "Um..Guys??" Mary Ann said in annoyance.
"Just a sec, sweetie," JC said as he held out his hand for her, but kept his eyes on the screen. "A minute left till the half."
MA sighed as she took his hand and sat down next to him. Natalie walked around them and sat next to Joey on the loveseat. Joey reached around and grabbed her hand, while he watched the game. MA and Natalie smiled at each other. Even when they had their mind on basketball, they managed to show some effection.
As soon as the buzzer ended halftime, they stood up and stretched before heading out to the cars. "We're gonna take seperate cars," Joey told them. "Cuz I'm going to take Natalie to her interview tomorrow."
"Sounds good," JC said and then opened the door for Mary Ann.
Joey followed JC all the way to Justin's house, and when they pulled up the driveway was already cluttered with cars. They got out of their cars and walked around the back where the cookout was taking place. They could hear the music playing and the sound of people laughing, and kids giggling.
They found out that they were the last ones to arrive. Justin's family was there already, with his stepdad at the grill, flipping hot dogs, and burgers. It wasn't too cold outside, but their was a nice breeze. There was a table that was decorated with french onion dip, queso, chex mix and chip and a cooler that was filled with beer and colas.
"Hey, you guys made it," Justin said as he walked over with Britney who had Steven resting on her hip.
"Sorry, that we are late," Mary Ann said. "But they had to watch the end of the first half."
"Oh, who's up?" Justin asked.
"Florida State by ten," Joey said. "It's a good game."
Steve smiled when he saw Mary Ann. "MA!" he exlaimed and then held out his hands and leaned toward him.
Britney laughed as she transfered him in her arms. "He must like you, he doesn't do that with everyone."
"I have a thing with kids," she said and then tossed him up over her head and he squealed with delight.
"We're going to go make a drink inside," Joey said to Natalie and Mary Ann. "What do you ladies want?"
"Cape Cod," Mary Ann said as Steven was examining her necklace.
"We have a margarita machine too," Justin in formed her when Natalie was still thinking.
"Oh, really? Great, I'll have a margarita."
"Okay, we'll be back," JC said and then the guys trotted inside.
"Come on," Britney said with a smile. "I'll introduce you girls to Justin's parents."
Britney walked off, and the girls trailed behind her. Natalie leaned over to Mary Ann. "She's so cute, I just want to kill her."
"I have a nail file in my purse," Mary Ann mumbled.
Natalie laughed. "If she wasn't so sweet, I'd take you up on that plan." Britney turned around and gave them a weird look. "What are you two giggling about?"
"Oh, we're just plotting your murder," Mary Ann said sweetly. "You put us to shame."
Britney rolled her eyes playfully. "Girls, I wouldn't worry about it. I've seen the way Joey and JC look at you two, and I can tell they like what they see."
Natalie smiled. "I like her. MA, maybe we should spare her life, and move on to Christina."
"Sounds good," Mary Ann nodded in agreement.
Britney chuckled. "Can I join ya'll?"
"Britney!" Natalie said in shock.
"Oh, I'm just teasing," she joked.
"What are you girls doing?" Lynn said as she walked up to the girls.
"We're ploting to murder Christina," Britney said.
"Oh, that's nice," she said with a smile. "You must be Natalie and Mary Ann."
"Yes, it's nice to meet you," Natalie said as she shook the woman's hand.
"I see my son's brother is fond of you, Mary Ann."
"Yeah, we had a blast the other night, didn't we?"
"We tickled JC!" Steven giggled.
"That we did," Mary Ann said.
"I'm gonna play now," he said as he wiggled out of her arms.
"Okay, kiddo," she said as she put him down.
"Here you go, sweetie," JC said as he handed MA her capecod.
"Thanks," she said with a smile.
"Your margarita, my lady," Joey said.
"Thank ya," she said as he placed it in her hands.
"What are you girls chattin about?" JC asked.
"They're plotting to kill Christina," Lynn told them.
"Ohhh," Joey said as he swirled his bourbon in coke. "Fun times."
They all looked at each other and silence filled the air. "Sucks to be Christina," JC finally mumbled before taking his drink and everyone busted out laughing.
A couple of hot dogs, and a few drinks later, everyone was getting in the swing of things--and a little tipsy. Natalie, MA, Britney, and Dani, were all sitting at one of the tables, while the guys huddled over by the pool.
Justin's family had left, and it was just them now. Mary Ann picked up her glass and frowned when she realized her glass was empty. "Why is my glass like always empty?"
Natalie laughed. "It's because you keep sucking it dry."
"Ohhh," she said and then pushed the empty cup aside. "I need to slow down." She heard a male laughter and turned toward Chris and Justin. "Nat, we SO need to get them back."
Natalie watched Justin and Chris talk by the pool. "We SO do, what do you suggest? Push them in the pool?"
"Nah, that's too boring," she said with a grin. "I have an idea, but we need the girlfriends of the two Bufoons."
"HEY!" Dani and Britney said at the same time.
"I take a offense to that," Dani said.
"They poured water on us this morning," Natalie said dryly.
"Ohh," Dani said and then smiled. "What do you want us to do?"
"We are so in," Britney said. "If Justin ever did that....let's not even go there."
"Just distract them," Mary Ann said.
Dani grinned. "That'll be easy."
Britney chuckled. "No sweat."
"Okay, you two go to your battle stations," MA ordered. "Nat...to the margarita machine."
"How's that song coming along?" Joey asked JC.
"It's going okay," he said and then took another sip of his drink. "I hope to have it ready soon, but....oh dear."
"What?" he asked and then turned to where he was looking. "Oh man," he said with a laugh as they saw Mary Ann and Natalie sneaking around the corner with two full pitchers of margaritas.
JC grinned. "God, I love them," he said with a laugh.
Joey chuckled. "How can you not."
MA and Natalie tiptoed behind them, while the girlfriends were doing an excellent job of distracting them. Mary Ann went for Chris, and Nat went for Justin. As soon as the girlfriends, saw them coming they stepped back and watched the girls pour frozen margarita's on their heads.
Justin and Chris gasped in shock as they felt the cold, frozen goo spilling over them. "All right!" Mary Ann said and then high fived her friend.
"Priceless," Natalie giggled.
Justin and Chris slowly turned around to face them. "You girls better run," Justin warned.
They shrieked as they ran towards JC and Joey. They hid behind them and wrapped their arms around their waists. "Save us," MA mumbled.
Joey and JC looked at each other and then nodded, before they turned around and picked them up. "What are you doing?" MA asked warily.
"Saving you," he said as they walked to the edge of the pool.
"Yeah, they can't get you in the water that's for sure."
"You wouldn't," Natalie said in shock.
"Oh we would," Joey said.
Joey and JC jumped in the deepend with their girlfriends in tow.
Natalie and Mary Ann surfaced in fury, sputtering out profanities to the guys. "You better be glad I put on waterproof mascara," MA said and then cut off JC's laugh when she dunked him.
"Three times today," Natalie swore and then splashed Joey. "I got wet by two popstars and a dolphin. Just typical."
"You're gorgeous when you're wet," Joey teased as he swam away from her to the shallow end.
"Not gonna work," she said and then swam after him.
"Hey, this war is so not over," Justin yelled, who was still covered in cold margarita.
"Wait," Chris said before Justin jumped in. "We don't want to leave ya out...ya know."
Justin and Chris turned to Britney and Dani who were standing by the pool talking. "Of course not," he said. "They were part of the plan too, anyway."
"Good point," Chris said and then they approached their girlfriends.
"Oh shit," Dani said when she saw them coming. "Chris...stay away."
Britney turned around and then shrieked when she saw Justin running towards her. He grabbed her arm and yanked her against his sticky shirt. "Justin, you're getting it all over me."
"Well, then," he said and then lifted her squirming body. "I guess we'll just have to wash it off, don't we...Chris you ready?"
Chris came up with a squealing Dani in his arms. "Ready...one..."
"Justin..no please don't...."
"Two..."
"Chris, Chris," Dani pleaded. "If you let me go...I'll...I'll do that thing that you like tonight...."
His eyes raised. "You mean THE thing?"
She smiled at him and then ran her finger down the side of his face. "That's the one."
"Chris, don't you dare back out," he said. "I believe we were on TWO."
"Hmm," Chris pondered and then shrugged. "I can get the thing anytime."
"CHRIS!" Dani exclaimed.
"THREE!" he said and then they both jumped in as well.
"Hey, welcome girls," Mary Ann laughed and then jumped up on JC's back.
"Oof," he grunted as he bent over. "Yeah, welcome to the war," he said and then fell backwards and Mary Ann's laugh was cut off underwater.
They spent the next thirty minutes, goofing in the water. They had waterfights, girls against the boys of course, and the guys pretty much took
that event. "Hey, we should do a chicken fight," Mary Ann said.
"Oh, me and Brit are the champions," Justin said as he pulled her close.
"Oh, really?" she asked asked as she linked an arm through JC. "Well, let's just see if you keep that title after me."
Britney eyed her. "You're going down, biach."
"You wish pop princess," she said and then turned to JC. "You ready?"
"They got nuthin," he bosted and then gave her a loud smacking kiss.
"MA?" Natalie said as she pulled her a side. "You better bring that girl down, I love her and all...but knock her ass down."
She chuckled. "I intend to."
JC grabbed her shoulders and turned her toward him. "Okay, hun," he said as he tried to pump her up. "You can do this."
Mary Ann cocked her neck back and forth to loosen her up. "Keep talking."
"Just look at her," he said as he turned her around and whispered in her ear. "She's so cute, it makes you want to throw up. That little giggle she does......that body...not that you don't have a great body, it's off the hook...but doesn't she just get under your skin and....."
"All right, that's it," she growled. "It's game time."
"That's my girl," he said with a grin and then turned to Justin. "You ready?"
"Ready as ever," he said and then JC and Justin slipped under water while the girls hopped on their shoulder.
The guys rose up on their feet very easily, and pushed the water out of their faces before they started the fight. "Okay," Joey said as he stood in the middle. "I want a clean fight, but feel free to use your nails and hair pulling is always a fun one."
"Heh, heh," Mary Ann snickered. "It sure is."
"Don't get to cocky, hun," she said. "I have a personal trainer."
"Like...SO do I," she said back. "You don't have to be famous to have a personal trainer."
"Good one, hun," JC said as he patted her bare leg.
"Okay, get in your positions," Joey said.
"Who made you referee," Justin asked.
"Just get in your positions," he said with a sigh. "Okay, reeaaady, fight!"
JC and Justin went at each other on the bottom, while MA and Britney each other's arms as they tried to yank each other off. Mary Ann went for the hair and was successful. "OW!" Brit cursed as she felt her hair being yanked. "Dammit, that hurt."
"Come on, Brit," MA said with a laugh. "You can do better than that."
"You are so dead," Britney laughed and then they went at each other again.
"Come on Mary Ann!" Natalie cheered.
Mary Ann grabbed her wrists and held it away from her. "Uh...Brit? You might want to check your top."
Her eyes widened. "What?" she asked as she looked down and when she was distracted, Mary Ann pushed her hard causing her to fall backwards with Justin with her. "Ahhhsyeah!!" Mary Ann cheered.
"Yes!" JC said cheered and then slid down the water so she could slip off. "We make a great team, sweetie."
"We sure do," she said and then she wrapped her arms around him and gave him a victory kiss.
"That's not fair, you so cheated," Britney complained.
They tore their lips apart and stared at them. "Oh, you're just mad cuz you didn't think of it," JC pointed out.
"Yeah, whatever," Britney said as she pouted.
"Sorry Brit," Mary Ann said with a grin. "But you can't be good at everything."