Take My Breath Away 3 Another night. The same thing. Josh sat at his piano hoping to catch of glimpse of Lance during the night. It was getting later, and he still hadn't appeared. He could see Joe sitting at his usual booth in the back. Every few minutes, he would glance down at his watch. With each passing moment, Josh could see the anger building in the man even from his place across the room. Just past ten, Lance finally appeared. He ran into the club. The fear on his face was easily recognizable. He made his way to Joe's booth. Josh continued to play, but his eyes were focused on the scene across the club.  Before Lance could sit down, Joe was up yanking on his arm and yelling at him. Josh tried to hear what was being said, but couldn't. What Josh did hear was the slap. He winced as Lance stumbled slightly from the heavy blow. Joe moved aside, and pushed Lance into the booth. Lance looked up briefly and caught Josh's worried gaze, but quickly lowered his eyes, so Joe wouldn't catch him. The night got later, and Josh continued to play. Just past midnight, he saw Lance finally allowed to leave the booth. He had tried before, but Joe wasn't having it. He watched as Lance walked towards the restroom area of the club, but after he was out of Joe's sight line, he turned and walked towards the doors to the private balcony. Josh waited a few minutes, and when Lance did not return, he decided to take his break. Josh knew it was risky approaching Lance especially tonight with Joe's temper, but he had to make sure he was okay. He made a quick glance towards the back booth, and saw Joe was also gone. He probably went up to the office to start work on the night's receipts. As he walked past the bar, he caught Chris watching him shaking his head, but he didn't stop Josh. Josh pushed through the door and out onto the balcony. It didn't take him long to see Lance standing there. He stood there for a few moments as Lance leaned against the ledge. His head was lowered, and it looked like his eyes were closed. Josh knew he didn't have much time. Joe could come back down at any moment, so he quietly made his way towards Lance. "Hey," he whispered, when he reached him. When he spoke, he saw Lance jump as he opened his eyes. He looked up, and once he saw it was Josh he breathed a shaky sigh of relief. That sense of relief did not last long, however, as he glanced towards the balcony door past Josh's shoulder. Josh looked back as well, but quickly turned back. "Joe wasn't at the booth when I came out here. I think he was up..." "In the office," Lance whispered. Josh nodded. "Yeah. He usually counts up the nightly totals around now." "I know," Lance said, as he turned back towards the ledge. It was then that Josh noticed the bruise on his face left by the earlier slap. In that moment, he hated the man that had placed that bruise there. No one deserved to be hit, especially not Lance. Before he realized he was doing it, his hand reached out. Before he was able to graze Lance's cheek with his fingertips, Lance moved away. "Don't." Josh let his hand fall back down to his side, and sighed. "Sorry. I just wanted to make sure you were okay, Lance." "I'm fine, Josh." Lance sighed, and turned towards Josh. "Thanks for coming out here though to ask." "I had to come out here. I was worried about you." Josh took a step closer watching Lance carefully. "I saw you watching. I know you were worried." This time when Josh reached out his hand to touch Lance's cheek, Lance didn't move away. Josh let his hand touch Lance's cheek softly so not to put any pressure on the bruise there. "I've been wanting to talk to you since that first night." At those words, Lance moved away from Josh. "Josh, don't fall for me. I'm his, and he plans to keep it that way. Loving me can be dangerous." Before Josh could say a word, Lance walked away, and back into the club. Lowering his head, he leaned against the ledge. It was too late for him. He had already fallen. As Josh made his way back inside, he didn't notice the young man standing in the shadows by the door. continue menu