Chapter 7
Soft sunlight spilled into the room, glinting off the silk bedspread. JC squinted and groaned. 'It can't be morning already,' he thought to himself.
Keeping his eyes closed, his hand searched the bed for the warm body that had been his companion the night before. Slowly his eyes opened to the emptiness beside him. Frowning, he lifted his head, scanning the room for any sign of Cassie. The fire was still lit, and he noticed that the door to the bathroom was open, with no sign of anyone in it.
Grabbing the comforter, he wrapped it about his shoulders and slowly stood up. The room didn't spin and he didn't feel like he would be sick, which was a good sign. Groggily, he made his way to the bathroom. A shower sounded great right now.
As the hot water streamed down on him, he smiled to himself, remembering how incredible last night had been. In fact, if he hadn't been in her bed this morning, he would have sworn he'd had the best dream of his life. Finishing his shower, JC turned off the water and sluiced the dampness off of his lean frame. Grabbing a large towel from beside the shower, he dried off as he walked back into the empty room.
Suddenly, the sound of laughter filtered into the room from the window. JC wrapped the towel around his waist and made his way to the window. Wiping away the moisture from the glass, he peered into the backyard. The two large dogs were hopping and jumping through the huge snowdrifts, chasing Cassie around the yard. JC smiled as he watched the commotion. �Come and get me, you big brat!� she taunted Caesar as she cleared another snow bank. Caesar bounded after her, Cleo close behind. Cassie made another snowball and threw it at Cleo, who tried to catch it in her large mouth. This sent her into a fit of giggles and she collapsed in the snow, having to hold her sides as she laughed at the dogs. Caesar pounced on her, covering her face with wet doggy smooches. �Ewww, Caesar! Cleo! Get off me,� she yelled playfully as Cleo joined in on the fun.
Cassie pushed the two massive dogs off of her and sat up. Still breathing hard from the exertion, she glanced around the yard. The trees were covered with fresh snow and the sunlight made the yard incredibly bright. The morning after a snow was the thing she loved the most about this area. In fact, she felt at times, it was the only thing about the weather in this no man's land she enjoyed. She had thought many times about moving back North to Oregon or California, but some unknown factor always held her in Amarillo. After the night she had shared with JC, she was, for once, grateful.
A slight movement from her bedroom suddenly caught her attention as her window swung open, �Good Morning, Beautiful,� JC cooed down at her, � I missed you when I woke up, but now I can see what kept you from me.� He laughed as the dogs ran circles around Cassie.
�Well, sexy, it's about time you got up. Melissa almost has breakfast ready,� she yelled back to him, her breath catching in her throat at the sight of his half-naked body.
�Oh yeah, what time is it?� he asked.
�Almost ten,� she answered. �Have you heard Joey moving around up there yet?� JC shook his head. �Well, you had better get dressed, get Joey, and get downstairs, before breakfast gets cold.�
�OK, where's Joey?�
�Oh, well he stayed in Melissa's room last night. It's the only door across the hall from my room.�
�No problem, gorgeous. See you in a minute.� JC then unzipped his bag, quickly pulling on the clothes he had brought along for the trip.
After dressing, he made his way across the hall, knocking on the door. �Joe?� he called into the room, �Hey, you in here?�
�Yeah man,� he responded. �Come on in.� When JC entered the room, he found that Joey was slipping on his shoes, a towel wrapped around his wet hair. �Hey, ya big stud, you have fun last night?� Joey teased his friend.
�Hey, you know me man, I never kiss and tell...but hell yeah,� he said, laughing. �How about you, though?"
�Nah, nothing happened, man,� Joey said smiling.
�Yeah, right, you know I don't buy that,� JC said. �Man, you're serious, aren't you?� he questioned reading Joey's expression.
�Yeah, I'm serious, but hey, it's cool.�
�Joe, are you ok? I mean that wouldn't sound crazy coming from the other guys, but you're well, Joe,� JC said in astonishment.
�I know, Jace, but I like this girl. It's weird, but...Anyway, what's up?� he asked as he toweled off his hair.
�Oh, Cassie said we'd better get downstairs. Breakfast is almost ready.�
�Cool,� Joey said, �We didn't go to sleep until after four, and that girl has been up for over an hour cooking for our sorry asses. She must be crazy,� he smiled thoughtfully. �Anyway, you go ahead. I'll be down in just a minute. You guys go ahead and start without me. I still need to brush my teeth.�
�Yeah you do,� JC teased as he ducked a playful punch from Joey. �Aight, man, but hurry, we only have three hours,� he warned as he left the room, and walked down the stairs. As soon as JC reached the kitchen, he walked directly over to Cassie, who was wringing her hair dry of the snow that dampened her locks. �Morning,� he said, placing his arms around her as he bent to kiss her.
�Mmm, good morning to you, Mr. Chasez,� she cooed. �Sorry I didn't wake you this morning. You just looked so peaceful.�
�Oh, JC, good morning,� Melissa greeted from the table. �Did you see Joey up there?�
�Yeah,� JC answered. �He said he would be right down. She sighed aloud, �Am I gonna have to go get that boy?�
�That may be what he wants,� Justin teased, as he laughed momentarily, before stopping to hold his aching head. �Oh man, damn Cuervo�
Melissa laughed as she turned her attention back to the table. �You see? That's what you get, Curly.�
As Melissa teased Justin, Joey slipped in, undetected, placing a finger over his lips. He stealthily walked up behind her, as everyone watched in anticipation. Slowly, he slipped his arms around her from behind, causing her to jump momentarily. He breathed against her neck, giving her goose bumps, as she shivered against him. �Joey,� she sighed breathlessly, �You little shit! Why do you have to sneak up on me like that?�
�Sorry, Beautiful. I saw you standing there and I just couldn't help myself. I had to touch you,� he breathed against her ear.
Well, I guess you're forgiven, since you put it that way,� she said, smiling up into his deep brown eyes.
�Well, Melissa, this is quite a spread you have here,� Joey marveled, as he looked before him. Piled atop the large table was a plethora of foods; scrambled eggs, bacon, ham, homemade tortillas, fried potatoes, baked apples, and more salsa and toppings than one could possibly make use of. It was a cornucopia of southern foods. Melissa had obviously been hard at work, preparing a feast fit for a king. �Looks great,� he said as he continued to look down at her, making her unsure whether or not he was referring to the food.
�Well, thank you. I've been trying to keep Lance out of the apples all morning,� she tattled, as she playfully glared at him.
�Hey, they're even better than my mom makes. I couldn't help myself,� Lance said in his own defense.
�Well, everyone's accounted for, so dig in,� Melissa said. As soon as she had finished her sentence, hungry men encompassed the table. Melissa, still being held in Joey's strong arms, smiled widely. For the first time in two years, she felt truly happy. For the first time in ages, she was at home.