Justin unlocked the front door, led Lance inside, and threw his keys down on the hall table. "Mom went out of town for a few days, visiting friend in Tennessee. I'm gonna call Briteny and see how things are going with the decorations. You can put your stuff in your normal room." Justin told him, making his way through the house.
"Uh, Justin?" Lance called to his friend. It was the first thing he'd said since leaving his house.
Justin, shocked by the unexpected words, turned back to his best friend. "Yeah, Lance?"
"Do you mind if I use the other guestroom? Some of JC's stuff is still in our normal room." Lance said, his voice faltering and his eyes moving downward at the mention of JC. But not before Justin caught the beginning moisture of tears forming there.
'What happened between you two, Lance?' Justin thought to himself, but didn't voice. "Sure, Lance. You know you're at home here." Justin told his friend, bringing him into a hug.
"Home." Lance whispered, and Justin felt a dampness through his t-shirt.
Pulling away slightly, Justin cupped Lance's face in his hands. "God, Lance. Why won't you tell me what happened today?" Justin pleaded, hurting because his friend was.
Lance looking into Justin's eyes and Justin could see the hurt there, just as easily as Lance could see Justin's concern. "I can't talk about it right now. Just give me some time, please? Or go ask Mr. Chasez." Lance said, spitting out the last name. "Although, I'm not sure even he could tell you what happened." Lance said, making his way up the stairs to the guest room. "I'm going to shower, then lay down for a while. Wake me up for the party."
Justin watched Lance retreat upstairs, then waited for the water to start in the bathroom. Once he was sure Lance was in the shower, he immediately headed for the telephone. Dialing a familiar number, Justin waited for an answer.
"Hello?"
"Hey baby. Are Chris and Joey there with you still?"
"Yeah, we're almost done decorating."
"Good. Can you let me talk to Chris or Joey, whoever's closest?"
"Sure, Sweetie. What's wrong? You sound worried."
"I am. Something's up between JC and Lance. Lance is here. He's upset, but won't tell me why. I don't want to leave him, but someone needs to get to JC and find out how he's doing." Justin said.
"Ok. Bypass talking to them. I'll fill them in and send them on their way. You just make sure my James is Ok."
~*~
JC sat on the sofa in the living room of the house that he and Lance had bought together. The house was silent, save for JC's choked sobs. Ron had left shortly after Lance, amidst profuse apologies and crying on both parts.
Just took full guilt for all parties involved. After all, he was the only one in this whole mess. Ton wasn't aware that JC and Lance were involved. Hell, he hadn't known Lance was gay until he had walked in that afternoon, and hadn't known JC was gay until JC had kissed him after they had finished their rehearsal. And JC still didn't know why he had done that or let it go as far as he had.
And then there was Lance. If anyone was completely innocent in the situation it was Lance. Lance was in know way guilty of anything except giving JC his trust, his smiles, his tears, his laughter, his life, and most importantly, his heart.
As the tears streamed down his face, JC tried to figure out why he had done what he'd done. Why had he betrayed the trust of the one person who meant the most to him? He couldn't figure it out. He really couldn't figure out how he and Ron had gone from rehearsing to having sex in his and Lance's bedroom. He had no idea.
That thought ate at him as he walked to the door to answer the insistent knocking. Standing in front of him were two of his best friends, Chris and Joey.
"Jesus, JC." Chris exclaimed, pushing his way into the house and engulfing his friend in a hug. "What the hell happened? Justin called us. Said something happened with you and Lance."
As Joey shut the door, JC broke down." I fucked up. Oh God, I fucked up so bad. I ruined everything." JC cried, collapsing into Chris and Joey's arms.
"JC, calm down and tell us what happened." Joey said, his voice calm, caring, soothing, and concerned.
~*~
That night, JC was more nervous standing in front of the entrance to the night club Justin and Briteny had rented out for their party, than he would have been standing in front of a firing squad. He had tried to get out of going. Had argued for an hour with both Chris and Joey, and yet here he was, wishing he were in front of a firing squad, anything but about to face Lance.
"Let's go. I'm sure he's already inside and probably waiting on you so you can get this whole mess straightened out." Chris said, leading JC towards the entrance.
"I know Lance. He's not going to want to straighten anything out. He probably won't even talk to me." JC said, his voice almost a whisper, his eyes puffy and red from crying.
"If he doesn't then just give him some time" Joey said, opening the door and pushing JC inside. Loud music was already blaring, and people were already packed onto the dance floor.
"What was this party for anyway?" Chris asked, watching a waitress who passed by.
"They just wanted to have a party. A really big one." Joey commented, scanning the crowd for their friends. He spotted Justin on the dance floor. He was dancing with Briteny while the two socialized with their guests, but both looked distracted. "I see Justin. Let's go say hi." Joey said, he and Chris taking an elbow and leading a reluctant JC to the dance floor.
"Hey guys! I'm glad you made. How ya doing JC?" Justin asked, meeting them off the dance floor.
"I've been better man." JC said, scanning the floor for another familiar face.
"He's not here, Jayce." Justin said, his eyes knowing and sympathetic, but curious. He had yet to find out from Lance the reason why he was staying at Justin's.
"Why not?" JC asked, shocked that Lance hadn't shown up to Justin's party.
"He said he didn't feel well. Thought he was coming down with something. Please, tell me what happened Josh. He won't talk to me. He wouldn't even come out of his room, and he wouldn't stay in your normal room." Justin explained.
"Is Ron here?" JC asked. He had to know if Ron showed up. He wanted to apologize to him again. Explain himself at least.
"No, I haven't seen him either. JC what's going on?" Justin begged.
"Was he crying? Is he alright? Is Lance ok?" JC asked, desperate to know how his love was doing.
"No, he wasn't crying. He was actually showing absolutely no emotion." Justin said, moving out of someone's way as they past with a tray of drinks.
"I broke him. I broke Lance." JC sobbed into his hands.
"Come on JC, let's go somewhere more private and talk about this. Normal if you said you broke Lance, I would be thinking nasty thoughts about y'all. But I don't think that's the problem." Justin said, leading JC into a back room. "Now, tell me what happened, damn it."
"Ok, just don't hate me. Please don't hate me." JC begged.
"I'm not going to hate you. Just tell me." Justin assured him.
JC took a deep breath. He looked around the room, curious looks from both Briteny and Justin, and encouraging nods from both Chris and Joey. "Lance came home early, and caught me in bed with Ron." JC sobbed, burying his head in his hands.
"You were what?!" Briteny exclaimed, not believing what she was hearing.
"I was rehearsing with Ron, and for some reason I kissed him. I don't know why. I really don't." JC cried, trying to get them to not understand but to believe him. "We kissed, and one thing led to another, and I'm not sure how, but the next thing I know, we're at my house, in mine and Lance's bed. Then Lance walked in. He scared me. He really did. Ron started crying, and Lance just walked around, like nothing in the world was going on, and packed his stuff. Then he just came right over to the bed. I tried to get up, to explain but he told me not to move. He demanded I didn't move from the bed. He came over, and kissed Ron's forehead, told him that he wasn't mad at him for it. That it wasn't his fault cause he didn't know about me and Lance. He was so calm, so�.dead." JC cried, openly sobbing.
"I better get home and check on Lance. You guys stay here. I'll call you if I need you. Get him a drink and get him calmed down." Justin said turning to leave. The sound of JC hoarse voice stopped him.
"Tell him I'm sorry. Tell him I love him and that I'm so sorry."