Several hours, games, rides, and stuffed animals later. The boys return to Lance's house.

"Hey, Lansten. Who's car is in your driveway?" Justin yells.

"What? I'm not expecting anyone. I have no......."Oh shit, I hope it isn't my mom. Shit, please don't let it be her, please don't let it be her.

Shit. What if it's his mom. Ok, think fast. He doesn't know about the conversation you had with her this morning. How the hell did she get here so fast. The damn airlines said the flights were all booked for days going to Clinton. How the hell did she get one here so quick? Ok, the car door is opening. What the.... What the hell is my mom doing here?

"Mom, what" kiss "are you doing here?"

"Well, I'd rather not say in front of the other boys. Can we talk somewhere a little less...."

"Um, sure. Let's go to my room." What the hell did I do? Oh, shit. I can't think of anything. Man what is she doing here?

Son, I got a very interesting phone call this morning. Do you have any idea what it could have been about?"

"What, phone call, from who? Oh, God. Please don't tell me Mrs. Bass called you? I haven't got a clue? Why who was it?"

"It was Diane Bass. She said that you were very rude to her. She said you yelled at her and told her to never call back. Sound familiar? What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Well, look mom, I'm sorry but the conversation that I had with her was very private. I can't tell you why I said what I said. But I can tell you that I had a very, very good reason for talking to her the way I did."

“Josh, honey, she told me about 'looks around' Lance. Do the rest of the guys know?"

"No, I don't think he has told them yet. I told him that I wouldn't tell anyone and I won't. I can't believe his mom called you and told you. Shit, I. Sorry. I hope she doesn't tell anybody else. Do you think maybe we should tell Johnny, just in case?"

"Jayce, I already told Johnny. I better call him and make sure he knows about this though."

Man, I am going to kill that woman if I ever see her again. "Lance, I hate to say this but you better let the others know. I know your not really ready to deal with that yet, but if your mom is calling our mother's, it mights sound better coming from us or you than her."

"I know. Would you come with me? I don't feel like doing this again this soon by myself."

"Sure. Mom, you don't mind do you?"

"Son, you go take care of Lance. Is that the reason you came back early? You knew he was telling his parents?" {I'm so proud of him.}

"Yes, that's why I left early. You should have seen him when he got home yesterday. He looked so beaten, mom. I can't believe anyone could treat him like that, especially his own parents. You wouldn't do something like that to me would you mom? If I told you I were gay, you wouldn't treat me the way Mrs. Bass is treating Lance would you." Please say no, please say no.

"I could never treat you that way. You are my son and I love you very much. Why is there something you need to tell me? You know I have always thought...."

What, you always thought what mom?" Shit, could she know? How could she know?

"Well, you always seem to take a shine to Lance, sometimes I wonder if there is more between the two of you than just 'friendship'. Is there? Do you have feelings for Lance? Is that why you have been so quiet and withdrawn lately? You know you can tell me?"

"Well, mom. I guess, yeah. You know I can't lie to you. Yes, I have feelings for Lance and yes, I'm. Well. I'm bi-sexual. I still like women, don't get me wrong, but Lance just makes me. I don't know. Crazy I guess. Does that bother you? Please, be honest mom. I really don't want anything to get between us. I love you and that will never change but, this thing with Lance. I don't know what it is but, I want IT. What ever IT is. And just so you don't say anything in front of the guys. No, none of them know. Please don't say anything about this to them."

"Don't worry son. I won't say a word to the boys. That is your's and Lance's business. I do believe that the wonderful young man is waiting on you and you better get your but down there and support him."

"Thanks mom. I knew I loved you for a reason. You're great."

"Yeah, yeah. Your just saying that so I'll stay and cook you boys some real food. I know you had Chinese last night [puts hand up] you know that stuff leaves a smell for days, especially that crap you like. Anyway, that means it's pizza night around here unless one of you has miraculously learned how to cook."

You'd be surprised. "Well, I have become quite handy in the kitchen, but if you would like to cook. I'm not gonna stand in your way. Make yourself at home. I'll get one of the rooms ready for you in a little bit. I better get down there before Lance freaks and thinks I'm never coming downstairs

***

"Ok, I'm here. The party can start now. [Looks around the room] Man, why is everybody so serious? Lance?"

"Sit down, Jayce. I just told them I have something very important to tell them. I didn't say what it was yet."

"Ok."

\\Author's Note: Earlier in the story when I said that JC knew that Joey and Justin were bi. Well, he is the only one in the group that knows. None of the guys know about them. Ok, back to the story.\\

"Guys. I've been keeping something from you for a while. I'm. I'm, um.... Yeah." Ok, I can do this. Why is this so hard? They aren't going to hate me. These are my brothers. Look at Josh, smile. He is so sweet, just sitting there holding my hand. Wait. Hold up. HE'S HOLDING MY HAND. OH. MY. GOD. Big smile. Ok, what the hell was I doing? Oh, yeah. Telling the guys. Right. Better use my voice. "Guys, I'm gay. Please don't hate me. I know I should have told you sooner but I just figured it out about two months ago. The only reason I'm saying anything now is because my mom called JC's mom and told her and I'm afraid she may do the same to you guys. Somebody please say something."

"Well, Lance if you would stop and take a breath, maybe someone else could get a word in edgewise," Joey said. "Nothing is going to change how I feel about you Lance. You're still my brother."

"Whoo hoo. I don't have to be the first to break the news." Justin bellowed. "Oh, shit. Oh, well, guess I just outed myself too. Only I'm not gay, just bi."

"Damn. What the hell is going on around here? Any body else got anything to add," Chris joked.

"Well." I started. "As long as everybody else is confessing [look at Joey]. I just well tell you all. I'm bi too. Just figured it out about two weeks ago though. So I'm a little new to all this."

"Anybody else," Justin chimes in [anxiously looking at Joey].

"Ok. Damn. Twist my arm why don't you," Joey complains. "I'm bi too. Everybody happy? Chris you sure your straight? You're the only one left."

"What? What the hell makes you think I'm straight? You of all people, Joe, should know better. You think Howie was hangin all over me at that awards show for the hell of it. That boy wanted some of this and you know damn good and well he got what he wanted."

Gasps heard all around the room.

"When did that happen? Where the hell were the rest of us when you two hooked up?" Lance asks.

"I suppose you all were still trying to figure out what the hell kind of label to attached to yourselves. I personally believe that you love who you love and there ain't a damn thing you can do about it. Just deal with it. If you fight it you'll lose no matter what so why even bother."

"So are you saying you're in love with Howie Dorough of the Backstreet Boys?" this comes from the kitchen.

All the boys jump. They had totally forgotten JC's mom was in the kitchen.

"Yes ma'am. It sure does. We kept it a secret because if the press ever finds out. All hell will break loose for both groups and we just didn't want to deal with it.

"Shoot. That reminds me. I need to call Johnny." Lance jumps for the phone.

"What's going on that Lance needs to talk to Johnny so badly?" Justin asks.

"You all know Lance went home for his two week break. Well, didn't any of you wonder why we were both back early?"

"Yeah." Three voices chimed.

"Well, he went home to tell his parents that he was gay. I talked to him the night before he told them. He sounded really anxious about it so I caught the first flight back. I tried to get a flight to Clinton but couldn't. Then I realized he would probably come straight back here if what we talked about happened so I came here. Well, when he told them, they freaked out and kicked him out of the house."

Chorus of Holy Shits and What the fucks.

"He came straight here. His mom called this morning and wanted to talk to him but I wouldn't let her. She called him a few choice words and I went off on her. Told her not to call back unless she was calling to appologize. She promptly called my mom and informed her that her darling little boy was living with a FAG and then told her that I had given her the once over and expected my mom to side with her. My mom didn't, thank god. Mom told her that the next time she heard from her that she either better have appologized to Lance or there better be an emergency and then hung up on her. Lance is calling Johnny just in case his mom calls the press with this. We're going to have to get a gag order on his mom. Can you believe it? Lance's mom."

"Jayce, Johnny wants to talk to you and then to your mom. My mom hasn't talked yet but he needs more than just my word on this. Especially since it is my mom."

"Ok, I'll talk to him first and then mom can. How are you doing? Do you need anything?"

"No, I'll be ok. Just go talk to Johnny."

***

"Lance I got you a glass of warm milk. Mom said it would calm your nerves a bit."

"Thanks Jayce. You're too good to me."

"My pleasure. Guys, mom is making something that looks quite delicious and wants to know if all of you are staying for dinner? She also said that when she is done on the phone with Johnny, Justin is supposed to call his mom and let her know where he is."

"Gee, I don't feel a bit like the baby of the group. Nope not at all."

"So what's on the agenda for the rest of the week? Are we sticking together or splitting up? With the shit that has gone down tonight, I'm thinking we should stage a sleep-over here at Lansten's house."

"Christopher Alan Kirkpatrick, you better what your mouth young man. You're not to young to turn over my knee."

"Sorry Mrs. C. I won't do it again."

"Yeah, we all know you're little enough she could do it too," Lance teased.

"Watch it. I can still whoop your albino ass."

"Yeah, you might be able to take Lance, but do you think you could handle a pissed of JC afterwards," Joey whispered.

"Good point, better back down now," Chris whispers back.

"Alright, you when this round, but don't get used to it." Chris yells.

"Boys, go wash up for dinner. It'll be ready in a few." Karen says from the kitchen.

They eat in peace and then all lounge around the living room watching movies. They all sprawl across the floor and eventually they're all sound asleep. Mrs. Chasez calls home and informs Roy that JC was bi as they had suspected. He wants to come and help support the boys but Karen convinces him to stay at home. Then she goes to bed, she has an early flight back home.