Boys7

JC walked back into the room when he heard Lance sniffle, giving his friend a quizzical look. "Lance, buddy? You all right?"

Lance faked a smile, though his heart was breaking, and folded the letter before handing it back to JC. "Yeah, I'm fine," he lied, forcing a laugh. "I just have a little cold."

JC nodded and sat next to Lance, kicking his feet slightly. "So, uh, what do you think? You know, about Justin loving me and stuff."

Lance bit his lip to keep from whimpering. JC seemed completely fine with the whole ordeal, so who was he to act like a drama queen? He swallowed thickly and shrugged. "I dunno Jace," he said. "Do you love him? I mean, are you *in* love with him?" Lance held his breath as he waited for the answer.

JC cocked his head to the side, thinking about the question he had been asking himself since he got the letter. "I don't know," he answered truthfully. "I guess I never really thought about Justin that way. Sure, he's a very attractive man. *Really* attractive. Hell, he's fucking gorgeous." Lance's face grew red and he fisted his hands in his lap in an attempt to keep from punching his best friend in the face. Luckily though, JC stopped complimenting Justin and continued on. "But then again, he and I have always just been friends. Nothing more. And, I guess, it's probably better that way."

Lance released the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding and bit back a grin, turning to JC with an innocent face and a question on his lips. "So, when're you gonna tell him?"

JC shrugged. "I dunno. He's my best friend and I don't want to hurt him."

"You should tell him Josh," Lance said, hoping he didn't sound to eager.

JC nodded. "Yeah, you're right." He grinned and hugged Lance. "Thanks Poofu, you're the best."

Lance smiled and patted JC's back. He was happy that JC wasn't in love with Justin, but apparently, Justin was in love with JC. Lance fell back onto the bed as JC went to change clothes, letting his mind wander. It just didn't make sense. Lance had been so sure Justin liked him, but then why would he send a love letter to JC? He sighed and slipped his T-shirt over his head, tossing it on the floor instead of back in his suitcase. 'No use in thinking about it anymore tonight,' he thought. 'If Justin wants me, he'll say so. And if not, well then I'm screwed.'

~*~
Joey watched Justin pace the length of their hotel room, his fingers never leaving his mouth as he gnawed on each individual nail. Joey sighed and rubbed his temples.

"God Justin would you stop?" he asked. "You're giving me a headache."

"Sorry," was Justin's only reply, even as he continued to pace the room. Joey sighed in frustration, throwing his legs over the side of the bed and slipping his shoes on.

"I'm gonna go talk to Lance," he mumbled, not expecting Justin to hear him. Surprisingly though, Justin was by his side in seconds.

"Why? Why are going to talk to Lance? Did he say something to you? Did he? What about JC? What's going on?" Justin fired off so many questions that Joey got dizzy. He put a hand over Justin's mouth and rolled his eyes.

"Jesus Justin," he said, "I swear I don't know anything. I just need to speak with Lance about a few things; get some advice." He cocked an eyebrow at his younger friend. "Why're you so interested in why I'm going to see Lance? You got a thing for Poofu?"

Justin blushed a dark red, mumbling a soft "Shut up" before retreating to the bed. Joey chuckled and opened the door.

"Well, at least now I know how to shut you up," he said, and was met with a pillow in the face.

~*~
On his way to Lance's room, Joey watched his feet move over the hotel carpet, finding the intricate weaving patterns so interesting that he failed to see the person in front of him. They both collided and Joey heard a crashing sound, followed by a familiar curse.

"Ah shit!"

Joey froze and stared down at JC, who was picking up his now empty ice bucket and swearing not-so-quietly. JC looked up to glare at him for a second.

"Don't help me why don'tcha," he mumbled. Joey snapped out of his daze and bent down to help JC clean up.

"Shit Jace, I'm sorry," he said, not meeting JC's eyes. "I guess I wasn't paying attention to where I was going." He heard JC sigh before he spoke.

"Don't worry about it Joe, it's not your fault." JC said. "Although, Lance is gonna pissed without some ice for his Dr. Pepper."

Joey grinned and shrugged it off. "He'll get over it." He stood up and handed the bucket to JC. "Actually, I was going to go talk to Lance right now. It's kinda personal, so you know..." Joey trailed off, praying that JC wouldn't make the connection with the letter he had sent him. He didn't.

"Yeah, that's cool," JC said. "I'll just go, uh, hang with Justin." He
thought about that and added quickly, "Or Chris."

Joey nodded and slipped by JC before anything could be mentioned of the letter. JC watched Joey walk down the hall, knock on his and Lance's door, and right before he entered, turn to look at JC. They both turned away and blushed at being caught. JC coughed though no one else was around, and debated over which room to visit. Chris or Justin? Hyper boy or the boy who was in love with him?

Deciding he wasn't ready to break Justin's heart just yet, JC dumped the dirty ice in the garbage and headed for Chris's room.