“Shit.” Justin groaned, shoving Britney aside as he jumped out of the bed to run after JC.

“What’s wrong, Justin?” Britney asked, grabbing for Justin’s arm as he headed for the door.

Justin stumbled over a shoe lying on the floor and nearly fell. “I fucked up.” He said, before running from the room.

Justin stumbled into the hall and rushed toward the bathroom where he could hear JC retching. He turned the knob praying the door wasn’t locked. The knob turned in his hand and he was at JC’s side in seconds. Kneeling beside JC on the floor he wrapped his arms around his waist. JC’s arms were crossed over the toilet seat. He laid his head on his arms. Justin’s head rested on JC’s back.

“I’m sorry. So sorry, I thought it was you.” Justin apologized, kissing JC’s back through his t-shirt.

JC ignored Justin’s apology and just sat savoring the feel of Justin’s arms around him. Glowing with the knowledge that Justin came after him rather than stay with her.

JC finally spoke. “You know she fucked Joey last night.” He said, letting slip what he was thinking but not what he actually intended to say.

Justin removed his arms from around JC’s waist. He moved to sit on the floor his back at the door staring at the wall.

JC released his hold on the toilet seat and sat carefully on the floor facing Justin.

“You don’t have to make things up about her just because you’re pissed off at me.” Justin said, his eyes never leaving the wall.

JC sighed sadly. “I’m not Justin. I wouldn’t do that. She came with him this morning. She’s wearing the same clothes she wore to the club last night and you can tell she’s just had a shower.” He said quietly.

“So, maybe she didn’t have a ride home so she just slept over at his place.” Justin said, his head falling back against the door.

JC scooted closer, placing his hands on Justin’s knees. “Lance took them both home. He would have driven her to her place if she wanted. It’s not that much further. Lance never would’ve made her stay with Joey.” He stated.

“I know.” Justin whispered covering JC’s hands with his own.

JC moved over next to Justin. He reached over and took Justin’s hand in his own, entwining their fingers.

“I’m sorry.” Justin mumbled, squeezing JC’s hand tightly.

“For what?” JC asked, turning to Justin with pain filled eyes.

Justin sighed forlornly. “Sorry that Joey cheated again and sorry that it was my faithless girlfriend he cheated with.”

“Oh. Is that all?” JC inquired, watching Justin’s face intently.

Justin turned to look curiously at JC. “Is there something else I should be sorry for?”

“No, nothing forget it.” JC said, pulling his hand from Justin’s and standing up.

Justin stood and reached for JC’s arm when somebody began pounding on the door.

“Go away!” Justin shouted, silently cursing whoever had interrupted them.

The banging came again. “Justin, what are you doing?” Britney asked, a pout evident in her tone.

“I’m talking to JC. I’ll be out in a few minutes.” Justin said, groaning irritably.

JC waved his hand toward the door. “Just go Justin.” He said, before beginning to brush his teeth.

“No, I’m not leaving until you tell me what else I’m supposed to be sorry for.” Justin said, leaning against the door and crossing his arms stubbornly.

JC spit into the sink and glanced up at Justin in the mirror. “Forget it. If you don’t know then evidently it isn’t important.” He said, and then continued cleaning his teeth.

“Well obviously it is important to you or you wouldn’t be in such a snit about it.” Justin said, tapping his foot impatiently.

JC rinsed his mouth and put his toothbrush away. “Don’t worry about it. It’s nothing. Just hormones, they make me irrational sometimes.” He said, lightly pushing Justin aside and opening the door.

“JC, wait...” Justin said, his words trailing off as JC started down the stairs.

Justin punched the wall. “Fuck.” He swore, not noticing Britney as she cringed on the other side of the hall.

“Justin, what’s wrong?” Britney asked, approaching Justin cautiously.

Justin looked at Britney with disgust clear in his eyes. “Nothing, let’s just go down stairs.” He said, heading toward the stairs.

“But, I thought that maybe we could spend a little time alone in your room.” Britney said, running a hand lightly down Justin’s arm.

Justin jerked his arm out of her reach. “I don’t think so.” He said, looking scathingly at her before turning and stomping down the stairs.

“Jesus Justin, what took ya so long? Did ya knock off a quickie up there?” Joey asked, nudging Justin playfully with his elbow when he walked into the kitchen.

Justin shoved Joey away from him. “Fuck off Joe. I hear you’re the king of quickies.” He sneered, jerking a glass down from the cabinet.

Justin strode over to the refrigerator and pulled the milk out. He slammed the milk down on the counter and unscrewed the cap. After filling his glass he moved to get the cap and his elbow hit the milk, spilling it. Justin stood watching the milk run across the counter and onto the floor. He sank to the floor, his back to the counter and pulled his knees up burying his face in them as he began sobbing quietly. The only evidence to his crying was the shaking shoulders and uneven breathing.

“What the fuck.” Joey muttered, barely above a whisper.

Lance began herding everyone out of the kitchen. Britney shook her head, refusing to leave. Lance took her arm and began leading her to the door. She struggled and turned to look back at Justin. The look JC was shooting in her direction was enough to cause her to turn in a hasty retreat. JC smiled gratefully at Lance once everyone was gone and Lance placed a hand on his shoulder.

“You gonna be ok?” Lance asked, squeezing JC’s shoulder gently.

JC nodded and moved away from Lance. Lance turned and left the room.

JC knelt on the floor in front of Justin. “Hey, it’s just milk. We can clean it up.” He said, running his hand over Justin’s hair.

“I don’t care about the fucking milk.” Justin mumbled, moving his arms from around his knees over his head as if protecting himself from invisible blows.

JC leaned over and kissed a spot on Justin’s head that his arms didn’t cover.

Justin began rocking back and forth as he cried, mumbling that he was so stupid and that he fucked up.

JC covered Justin’s arms with his own and rested his head against them. “Baby, please tell me what’s wrong. You’re scaring me.”

Justin moved his arms and peeked up at JC. “Sorry, so sorry. I fucked up so bad. I’m so sorry Jayce.” He whispered.

“Please Justin...please, tell me what’s wrong.” JC said, his breath hitching, as he became more upset.

Justin cupped JC’s face in his hands, smoothing his thumbs along his cheeks. “I’m sorry.” He said, leaning forward and placing a soft kiss at the corner of JC’s mouth.

“For what?” JC asked, covering Justin’s hands with his own.

Justin pulled his hands away and leaned back against the counter. He looked at the ceiling as he began to speak. “I’m sorry for the way I acted that morning after we made love. I’m sorry for not knowing it was Britney kissing me this morning. But most of all I’m sorry for not insisting on telling the truth when Joey told us about the baby. I hate that you’re still with Joey. I hate that Joey treats you the way he does. I hate seeing Joey touch you when I want to so fucking bad I can taste it. I hate most that I can’t tell anybody that it’s my baby because too many lies have been told now and it would ruin everything, our lives, our families, and the group.” The whole time he spoke his eyes never left the ceiling as tears streaked his face.

JC leaned forward and pulled Justin into his arms. “Shh, please don’t cry baby.” He said, soothing Justin with words and his touch.

Justin’s nose was buried in the crook between JC’s neck and collarbone. He placed gentle kisses on the soft skin that was exposed there. His hands running up and down JC’s back.

JC pulled Justin’s head back from him to look into his eyes. “Justin, you can touch me anytime. You can kiss me and touch me whenever and wherever you want. I’d really love it though if you’d kiss me right now.” He laughed pulling Justin’s face up to meet his lips.

Justin gently pushed JC backward, laying him on the floor. He crawled on top of JC. JC’s hands stroked up and down Justin’s back. Justin’s hands tangled in JC’s hair. Their tongues dancing erotically, teeth were gently scraping them. Neither one heard the door open. They were lost in the taste and feel of each other. Until they heard a throat clearing.