Justin heard the bells on the door chime over the whir of the milkshake machine. He looked up with a smile ready to greet his next customer. His brow furrowed in confusion when he saw his best friend Lance standing in line behind the customer he was waiting on. Lance was motioning to Justin with his hands to hurry and bouncing around like a child who’d had too much sugar.

“What’s going on, Lance?” Justin asked, as the customer left the counter.

“You’ll never believe who’s back in town.” Lance practically squealed and clutched Justin’s forearm over the counter.

Justin rolled his eyes and began wiping down the milkshake machine. “Lemme guess, Britney’s folk’s decided to come back from vacation early so now you’ll be able to ask her to watch the fireworks with you.”

Lance shook his head emphatically and began bouncing again. “Nope... well yeah they came back early but this is even bigger news.”

“Bigger news than breasty Britney? Are you feeling ok?” Justin joked, pressing a hand to Lance’s forehead as if feeling for a fever.

Lance swatted at Justin’s hand. “Smart-ass. And for the last time, don’t call her that.”

“Hey I just call em like I see em, man.” Justin moved to wash down the counter as his shift was nearly over.

Lance pushed himself away from the counter. “You know what, fuck you. I’ll just let you wait and find out on your own. Why the hell should I do you any favors and warn you?”

Justin grabbed Lance’s arm. “Hold up, man. I’m just messing with you. Now what’s this shit about warning me? What’s going on?”

Lance took a deep breath and braced himself. “JC’s back. Apparently they let him out of juvie a little before his birthday since he’s been on good behavior. At least that’s what my mom heard down at Brit’s mom’s beauty parlor. Not that I believe it. Chasez on good behavior. That’ll be the day.” He said, laughing derisively.

Justin stood pale and clenching his fists tightly. He hadn’t seen JC since the summer before. They’d only been together for a couple of months when JC was sent away. He couldn’t even begin to comprehend the feelings racing through his body as the image of JC and their last night together invaded his mind. Justin’s parents had gone out of town for the weekend for the wedding of a distant relative. They told Justin when they left that they’d be back Sunday evening. The boys were woken very early Sunday morning when Justin’s father slammed his bedroom door open.

Everything happened so quickly once that door slammed open that Justin still wasn’t sure exactly what had gone down. He only knew that his father had jerked him from the bed and out of JC’s arms. He’d thrown Justin against the wall and then leaped onto the bed and began pummeling JC. Justin beat on his father’s back attempting to pull him off of JC. The older man brought his elbow back catching his son on the side of the head knocking him back against the dresser. Justin’s head struck the corner and everything went black.

Justin woke up in the hospital the next morning. His mother sat beside his bed holding his hand. Her eyes were red rimmed and exhaustion lined her face. He cried as his mother informed him that JC had been arrested for assaulting Justin’s father. Justin was convinced that his father had lined a few pockets and pulled some strings. JC wasn’t perfect and had been in trouble before, but no way would they have already been in court and sent JC away in less than 24 hours had Justin’s father not been involved.

“Justin. Hello earth to Justin, you ok?” Lance asked, breaking his friend’s reverie.

Justin swallowed several times forcing down the knot in his throat. “I’m fine, Lance. JC’s back so what. He hasn’t read any of my letters or tried to contact me in a year. Why the hell should I care?” He asked, vigorously scrubbing the front of the soda machine.

Lance plucked a toothpick from the dispenser on the counter and began chewing the end of it. “Hey man, I just wanted you to be prepared in case you run into him tonight at the fair.”

Justin snorted. “Yeah I’ll just happen to see him because we run in all the same circles. Not likely, Lance.”

“So you don’t think he’ll come looking for you?” Lance asked, watching his friend intently.

Justin shook his head as he tied the garbage bag he was holding. “No I don’t think he will. And even if he does I’ll tell him to fuck off. He hasn’t tried to contact me in a year. Obviously you were right about him all along and all he was after was a fuck. He got that so what would he want with me now? And like you pointed out once or twice before, he’s not one for repeat performances. I only wish I’d listened to you sooner.” He secured the new garbage bag in the can and sat it back down with a bit of extra force.

“Well just to be safe I think you should stick close to Joe and I tonight.” Lance suggested reaching over the counter and flinging his toothpick toward the garbage can Justin had just changed.

Justin shot Lance a disgusted look as he picked up the dirty toothpick from the floor. “So what you guys are gonna double as my bodyguards now? Or would that be my babysitters?” He asked, turning toward the sink to scrub his hands.

Lance smacked his hands down on the counter. “Shit, Justin, you know we told your dad we weren’t gonna spy for him.”

“I know. I’m sorry, man.” Justin apologized. “Chasez being back has just set me on edge.”

~*~

Justin followed Lance through the crowd toward a huge blow-up cotton candy where Britney said she’d meet them. “I’m thinking about asking Nick if he wants to sit with me for the fireworks.” He said to his friend’s back.

Lance stopped abruptly causing Justin to run into his back. “You’re thinking about what?” He asked turning around to face his friend.

“You heard me. Besides Nick’s gay. He doesn’t exactly try to keep it a secret.” Justin said, pushing Lance to move on as the crowd began to shove him from behind.

Lance waved a hand in front of Justin’s face. “Hello. Of course he’s gay. Everybody in town knows he’s gay. They do not however know that you are. Going to the fireworks with Nick Carter will out you faster than being caught in town wearing your mother’s underwear.”

“Eww... that’s just wrong. Don’t freaking talk about my mama’s underwear, man.” Justin shuddered and pushed Lance on ahead.

~*~

“Hey, Brit.” Justin cooed, reaching over to sling an arm around Britney’s waist and kiss her cheek.

Britney returned the kiss smiling at Justin. “Hey, Just. What took you guy’s so long?”

Lance frowned at Justin’s arm around Britney. “We wouldn’t have been late if Justin hadn’t decided to give me a heart attack on the way over here.”

“Justin, are you teasing Lance again?” Britney asked with a giggle.

“You know how easy he is to work up. How could I not?” Justin asked with a chuckle.

Britney swatted Justin’s shoulder. “What have you done to the poor baby now?” She asked, reaching out to ruffle Lance’s hair teasingly.

“Nothing that bad. You know what a drama queen he is.” Justin said rolling his eyes toward his best friend.

Lance smacked the back of Justin’s head. “Drama queen? Drama queen? May I remind you who it was that brushed his teeth for a half an hour straight and then gargled with peroxide, all because Christina kissed him?”

“Yo, that was gross. God only knows where that girl’s mouth has been. I heard that one night at Kevin’s party she blew Kirkpatrick and Littrell.” Justin said with a shudder.

“Oh! I almost forgot!” Britney shouted turning to grab Justin’s arm. “My mom wanted to know if you’d help us with our booth tonight.”

Justin backed away from Britney and eyed her warily. “What kind of booth do you guys have this year?”

Britney grinned. “A kissing booth.”

Justin shook his head and backed away from Britney his hands held in front of him defensively. “Uh uh, no way. Not gonna happen.”

“Whatsa matter? Little Justy afraid to kiss girls?” Britney laughed hiding behind Lance when Justin grabbed for her ponytail.

~*~

“How did I let you talk me into this?” Justin asked, glancing from the line of girls in front of him and to Britney beside him.

Britney grinned at Justin. “Because you love me and you wouldn’t dream of leaving me here all alone.”

“You do remember that I’m gay, right?” Justin whispered in her ear.

“It can’t hurt to try and convert you.” Britney said with a wink.

Justin tugged his friend’s blonde ponytail. “You’re such a brat. Does Lance know how you flirt with me?”

“Lance says you’re the only guy I’m allowed to flirt with.” Britney said, smacking Justin’s butt and motioning for the first guy her line to step forward.

~*~

Justin had been manning his side of the kissing booth for over an hour and he swore his lips were numb. He glanced over at Britney beside him still giving kisses and smiling happily at each person she kissed. Justin groaned as another woman stepped up in front of him. He glanced up and to his horror standing in front of him was Nick Carter.

“Hey, Justin.” Nick said, smiling coyly.

Justin smiled and glanced around the area to see if anyone had noticed Nick standing in his line. “Hi, Nick. What’s up?”

“Well this is a kissing booth. You’re selling kisses and here I am standing in line.” Nick dropped a dollar into the fishbowl and grinned at Justin.

“I can’t kiss you.” Justin hissed.

Nick sighed. “Yes you can. You just choose not to. That’s a shame too. I’m sure we could show them a thing or two about kissing.” He said hooking his thumb over his chest to indicate the girls lined up behind him.

Justin squeezed Nick‘s forearm quickly. “Maybe later, after the booth is closed.”

Nick nodded pulling chapstick out of his pocket and applying it. “Yeah, maybe later.” He said, he tapped the guy beside him on the shoulder and when he turned around Nick leapt half over the counter and pressed a loud smacking kiss to Britney’s mouth.

Justin laughed as Nick shrugged and ran off with a mischievous grin.

“You’re so gonna explain that later.” Britney said laughing at Nick’s retreating back.

Justin nodded and turned back toward his line. He sighed seeing yet another teenage girl with hope in her eyes. “I wonder what she’d say if I told her that I’d rather kiss her brother than her.” He whispered to Britney.

“You’re terrible.” Britney said smacking Justin’s arm.

Justin laughed and turned to kiss yet another girl. “Hey there, honey. You ready for the fireworks?” He asked, gritting his teeth at the blushing girl’s giggle.

Justin leaned forward and kissed the girl, vowing to himself that someway somehow before he died Britney would repay him big time.

~*~

“The fireworks start in a half-hour, Brit. Can we close the booth and go find a spot in the park?” Justin whined, wrinkling his nose in distaste as he watched yet another giggly blushing girl walk away.

Britney shook her head no and laughed at Justin. “We’ll close in fifteen minutes. It won’t be that hard finding a spot in the park. Stop being such a baby.”

“Well how would you like it if I made you stand here and kiss girls all night?” Justin asked, shuddering dramatically as he said girls.

“Well until this town is liberated enough to accept a same sex kissing booth you’re stuck. The day we can have a kissing booth like that in this town I’ll stand up here and kiss every girl in town, just for you.” Britney said with a wink and turned back to her line.

Justin snorted and grumbled under his breath, “You suck.”

“Guess you’ll never know for sure, now will you?” Britney said cheekily.

Justin tugged Britney’s ponytail and was about to reply when there was a commotion in line. “Shit, somebody go get Lance and Joey.” Britney hissed, looking nervously from Justin to the two men pushing their way through the line of girls.

“Hey there, Britney.” Chris Kirkpatrick said, dropping a dollar into the fishbowl and pushing the guy in front of her aside.

“You’re supposed to wait in line just like everyone else, Chris.” Britney said with a scowl.

Chris reached out to tweak Britney’s nose. “Aww, you know you’d rather kiss me than these losers.” He said, turning to sneer at the grumbling crowd.

“Actually, no I wouldn’t. Get lost, Chris.” Britney said, never losing the polite smile plastered across her face.

Chris grasped Britney’s chin between his thumb and index finger. “Come on, just a little kiss. You’ll forget all about that pansy ass Bass.”

Britney swatted at Chris’ hand. “I said no. Let go of me.”

Justin turned anxious eyes on the man in front of him who watched Chris with an amused smile. “Tell him to leave her alone.” He said, his eyes pleading.

“Choose.” JC said, shrugging nonchalantly he turned back to watch Chris and Britney.

Justin’s brow furrowed. “Excuse me? Choose what?”

“Justin.” Britney said, her voice beginning to break as she struggled with the man holding her face.

JC turned back to Justin. “Our dollar is in there.” He said pointing toward the bowl. “The sign says a dollar a kiss. One of us will be getting that kiss. It’s up to you which one of us.”

Justin turned to see Britney swatting at Chris’ face as it drew near. “Justin.” She pleaded, her hands pressing on his chest in an attempt to hold him back.

“Don’t drag her into this. Don’t make her a part of your sick games, Chasez. Make him let go.” Justin growled, lunging at Chris when he wrapped his hand around Britney’s ponytail and pulled her face toward his.

JC’s hand clamped onto Justin’s forearm before he could reach Chris. “You don’t want him kissing her?”

“No!” Justin snarled, his eyes shooting daggers at Chris.

JC pressed a finger to Justin’s chin and turned his face toward him. “That’s your decision?” Justin nodded, glaring at Chris from the corner of his eye. “There’s no going back. It’s him or me.”

“Just make him get the fuck off of her.” Justin hissed, swinging his arm widely in Chris’ direction.

“You’re sure?”

“Yes! Just get him the fuck off.” Justin growled, not really quite sure what he’d agreed to but ready to do anything to help Britney.

JC tapped Chris on the shoulder. “Stand down, man.” He said, and that was all it took. He released Britney and stepped back from in front of her.

Justin swallowed the knot in his throat and his eyes met JC’s. “Thank you.” He whispered.

JC leaned across the counter toward Justin.

Justin backed away a look of panic clouding his eyes.

JC crooked a finger at Justin. “Come here.”

Justin shook his head. “What? No. Why?”

“My kiss.” Was all that JC said and crooked his finger at Justin again.

Justin shook his head in bemusement. “But... I thought...” Justin pointed at Britney but his eyes never left JC. “Me? I thought you... her...” He stammered.

JC grinned in amusement. “You thought I was going to kiss her? Why in the name of god would I do that?”

Justin shrugged slightly. He glanced from JC, to the sneering face of Chris, and out to the crowd that seemed to watch them intently. “You can’t kiss me.” He said, looking around again frantically.

“Well then Chris will get his kiss from Britney.” JC said, nodding at Chris and waving his hand toward Britney.

Justin lunged half across the counter to block Chris’ hand from touching Britney. “No! Just not here, ok?” He asked, his eyes beseeching.

“You’re not making the rules, Timberlake.” JC growled, as he curled one hand around the back of Justin’s neck and the other twisted in his shirt. He pulled Justin forward and their lips met.

Justin gasped at the sting of JC’s teeth biting at the soft flesh of his bottom lip. JC took advantage and his tongue plunged into Justin’s mouth. All thoughts of struggling left Justin’s mind as JC’s tongue slid over his and flicked at the roof of his mouth. He groaned and his hands clutched at JC’s shirt pulling him closer.

JC pulled away and his tongue left a slick wet trail across Justin’s jaw. He stopped to flick his tongue over the diamond stud in Justin’s ear.

Justin whimpered deep in his throat. His hand smoothed over JC’s chest. He tugged gently at the small hoop in JC’s nipple through the fabric of his shirt.

JC sucked and bit at the curve of Justin’s neck. His right hand had found it’s way inside Justin’s t-shirt and was plucking at one hard bud. The other was in Justin’s back pocket squeezing his ass and pressing his erection into the counter in front of him.

“What the fuck is going on? Get off of him?” Was heard seconds before JC’s head jerked back and his hands left Justin’s body.

Justin gasped his breath coming in short pants as his eyes went from JC’s face to his arm. Justin held JC’s forearm in a firm grasp. His fingers traced with reverence the tattoo that seconds ago his hand covered. “It’s beautiful.” He whispered.

JC shrugged as he watched Justin’s hand trace the tattoo. “Yeah, it’s a shame though that it doesn’t stand for what it did when I first drew it. Now it’s just a reminder that your water is poison.”

JC and Justin had always met at an abandoned train car. They spent hours there just talking and holding each other. One day JC had brought his sketchpad to show Justin something he’d been working on. It was a picture of a man pouring water from a pitcher and a lion drinking the water. The lion was of course JC and the water bearer Justin. The water was a symbol of Justin’s love given to JC, and the lion drinking it was in return giving his trust and acceptance in that love.

The picture that Justin had photo copied and kept with him as a symbol of what they had was now tattooed on JC’s arm. Only the water was now black. Poison according to JC.

“Back the fuck off, Chasez.” Lance growled, jerking JC back and his arm away from Justin’s touch.

JC didn’t even turn to acknowledge Lance. He smirked and reached out to run his thumb over Justin’s bottom lip. “Later.” He said, and walks off with Chris close on his heels.

“God, the nerve.” Britney said, with a shudder.

Justin pressed the back of his hand to his mouth for a moment before turning wild eyes on his friends. “I gotta get out of here. I’ll see y’all at the park.”

“Shit.” Lance swore watching Justin’s retreating back dodging in and out of the crowd.

~*~

Justin walked through the park slowly, skirting blankets and looking for his friends. He’d run off and left his friends at Britney’s kissing booth after JC had kissed him. He wanted to cry watching JC walk away from him. After a year of not seeing JC or hearing from him his feelings were still as strong as ever. He couldn’t let his friends see him cry.

He wouldn’t allow anyone to see his weakness. He’d let JC in once. And JC had just thrown it back in his face. Justin had sacrificed everything to be with JC. They’d plan to run away together. They were planning to leave the town and everything behind them and then Justin’s dad had found them. Justin was giving up his family, his friends, and his whole life as he’d known it for JC. And JC had just thrown it all back in his face. He vowed to himself that he’d never let JC back in again.

He’d been walking aimlessly for about twenty minutes when he heard the fireworks starting. He quickly turned and headed back toward the park. He’d promised his friends that he’d sit with them and he wasn’t going to let JC come between them again.

He turned when he heard Britney’s voice. “Justin, over here.” She called and waved her arms.

“Hey guys, sorry I took off like that. I just needed to be alone and think a bit.” He said, with a shrug as he joined his friends on their blanket.

“No problem, Just, we understand.” Lance said, and the others echoed his sentiments.

Britney wrapped her arms around Justin hugging him tightly and then pressed a kiss to his forehead. “Are you ok?” She whispered.

Justin reached up to lightly tug on her ponytail. “Yeah.” He told her with a smile as she pressed one more kiss to his head and plopped into Lance’s lap.

“Isn’t that disgusting?” The other man on the blanket asked nudging Justin with his elbow and pointed at Britney and Lance who were kissing.

Justin laughed and nodded his agreement. “No kidding, Joe. Some day we’ll have to use a crowbar to separate them.”

The two laughed as their friend’s went on kissing oblivious to the laughter beside them.

“Once upon a time that was us.” A voice hissed close behind Justin. He shuddered as the warm breath fanned his ear and cheek.

“What are you doing here?” He demanded, turning to look at JC.

JC stood finally drawing the attention of the other three people on the blanket. “Come on.” He said, his hand held out toward Justin.

“Fuck off, Chasez. You seriously need to get a hobby, man. You do know what a hobby is, right?” Lance asked, moving across the blanket closer to Justin.

JC smirked at Lance. “Of course I know what a hobby is. Justin is my hobby. He interests me and he’s fun to do.” He held his hand out toward Justin again. “Come on.”

Justin frowned and shook his head. “No. Just go away, JC.”

“Come with me.” JC repeated and took a step closer to Justin.

Justin shook his head and looked up toward the sky and the fireworks.

JC bent and curled his arm around Justin’s arm. “Please.” He spoke low enough that any eavesdroppers were sure not to hear.

Justin looked up and his eyes met JC’s. He thought that maybe, he’d seen a tiny bit of what JC had once felt for him reflected there. He nodded once and placed his hand in JC’s.

“Justin, what are you doing? You don’t have to go with him.” Joey said, grasping Justin’s sleeve as he was pulled to his feet by JC.

Justin smiled sadly. “It’s ok, Joe. I’ll see you guys later.” He said as he was pulled away by JC.

~*~

“Where are we going?” Justin asked, as JC led him into an alley where they stopped beside his motorcycle.

JC pressed a helmet into Justin’s hands. “Just put this on.”

Justin shook his head. “No, first tell me where we’re going.”

“To the train car.” JC said, fiddling with the mirrors on the motorcycle and avoiding Justin’s eyes.

“Why?” Justin asked, warily.

JC started the motorcycle and turned back toward Justin. “To talk. Come on.”

Justin looked from JC’s face down at the helmet in his hands. He put it on and climbed onto the motorcycle behind JC. He grasped the sides of JC’s jacket lightly. He was pretty sure that it wouldn’t be wise to wrap his arms around JC the way that he used to.

JC revved the engine a twice and the bike lurched forward. Justin’s hands tightened on JC’s shirt and he pressed himself close to his back. They sped through the empty streets and headed toward the wooded area on the outskirts.

JC stopped the bike and Justin climbed off. He watched as JC pushed the motorcycle into a mass of bushes where it wouldn’t be seen. JC turned and took Justin’s hand. He gave it a small tug, urging him to follow as he started through the woods. They walked the familiar path that led them to the train car.

JC released Justin’s hand and approached the car slowly. His hand tentatively reached toward the car as if afraid it would vanish before he touched it.

“It seems like forever since I’ve been here. It still looks the same.” He spoke softly, reverently.

Justin stepped up beside JC and pressed his hand to the car beside JC’s. “I come here a couple of times a week, sometimes more.”

“Why?” JC asked turning to face him.

Justin shrugged. “It used to make me feel closer to you.” He said as he hoisted himself up and into the car.

JC cocked an eyebrow and watched Justin for a moment until he realized that nothing else would be forthcoming. He sighed and climbed into the car.

“I didn’t know that he had you sent away.” Justin said, running his hand over a rough looking heart painted on the side of the car with their initials in the middle.

JC stepped up behind Justin and watched him trace the letters inside the heart. “He said that you begged him to do it. You never really wanted to be with me. It was all some kind of bet with your rich buddies, but then I wouldn’t go away and you didn’t know how to tell me without making yourself look bad.” He snorted, “as if a bet like that makes you look good.”

Justin turned to face JC shaking his head vehemently. “That’s not true. None of it is. I swear, JC, there was never any bet. I didn’t want you sent away. I was unconscious for fucks sake.”

“Well then why didn’t you say anything after you woke up? You never tried to help me, Justin. You just left me to rot in that place. Do you know they wouldn’t even let me out for my grandmother’s funeral. You know how much she meant to me, Justin.” JC sagged against the side of the car. All energy and anger seemed to dissipate in that moment.

“I did try, JC. I ran away three times only to be dragged back home and have the shit kicked out of me. My mom wouldn’t even help me. She was too afraid to go against that bastard. Even if it meant protecting me. He said if I tried to see you again he’d press charges against you for being with me. He said that since I was only sixteen last summer and you were eighteen that you could go to jail for being with me. He meant a real jail, JC, not just another juvenile home. I couldn’t let him send you to jail.” Justin said, his eyes pleading for understanding as he turned JC to face him.

JC sighed shaking his head and banging it back against the wall. “Fuck.” He growled, bringing his hands up to run roughly over his face and through his hair.

Justin’s heart dropped to his feet as he clutched JC’s forearm. “God, JC, please tell me you believe me. I’ll do anything. Just name it. I’ll do anything, JC. Just tell me what you want me to do, but please don’t walk away. I wanted to die when you left me before. I don’t think I could take it again.”

JC’s hands fell away from his face and his eyes met Justin’s. “Come with me then. Right now. Let’s just leave. We’ll get out of this damn town and never come back. Never look back. We can be together and far away from that bastard. Let me take care of you.” He held his hand out palm up his eyes pleading with Justin to place his in it and follow him.

Justin’s hand slid down JC’s forearm to grasp his open hand. “I need clothes. Take me back to get some clothes and I have some cash.”

JC nodded and his fingers laced through Justin’s. He pulled Justin behind him and they’re hands remained locked together until they climbed onto the motorcycle.

~*~

Justin slipped out his bedroom window onto the porch roof. He paused with his back to the window took a deep breath and tightened the straps to the backpack over his shoulders and he moved on without looking back. He slid on his stomach over the side of the roof and wrapped his legs around the pillar and gingerly lowered himself down onto the to the porch. His feet touched the floor and his breath caught when he looked up to see his mother standing in shadow of the house. She was pressing money into his hands and speaking in a hushed tone.

Justin leapt over the porch railing and sprinted toward his mother and JC. “No! I won’t let you do it.” He hissed shoving himself in front of JC and glaring at his mother.

“Justin...” JC began only to have Justin turn and slap a hand over his mouth.

Justin shook his head and pressed his hand tightly over JC’s mouth. “No no no! I won’t let you do it, JC. You can’t let her do this to us. That bastard kept us apart for a year. Don’t take that money. Don’t let her drive us apart again just to please him. Please, JC. Please, don’t take that money and walk away from me. Tell her to keep it and take me away. I can’t lose you again.” He was close to sobbing as he hurled himself at JC wrapping his arms around him tightly.

JC’s arms came around Justin and he stroked his back soothingly. “It’s not what you think, Justin. She tried to get me to take the money and leave you. I told her no. And then she wanted to give the money to me so that we could go away together.”

Justin slowly turned to face his mother. “What’s going on?” He asked, watching her skeptically.

“Your father convinced me that JC was only interested in you for our money. I couldn’t see you hurt by him again. I tried to pay him to leave town and stay away from you. He said no amount of money was worth being separated from you again.” Mrs. Timberlake inhaled a long shuddering breath. “I realized then how wrong I was about him. I can’t bear to see you sick from missing him again. I can’t stand by and watch your father hurt you anymore. Take this money and go be with JC. Be happy my sweet boy.” She whispered, pressing the money into Justin’s hand.

Justin watched the swirl of his mother’s robe around her legs as she ran hand pressed tightly to her mouth to stifle her sobs.

“Justin.” JC whispered, his hand pressed to the small of Justin’s back.

Justin turned and buried his face in JC’s chest. “Tell me you love me. Or just promise me that you will love me again.” He pleaded.

“I do, Justin. I never stopped loving you. God knows I tried.” JC whispered, pressing his lips to Justin’s hair.

Justin pulled away from JC and wiped the tears from his cheeks. “Let’s go then. As long as we‘re together then nothing else matters.”

JC pressed a quick kiss to Justin’s lips and climbed onto the motorcycle. He revved the engine and shouted a triumphant whoop as Justin wrapped his arms around him from behind.

THE END