| Chapter 10 |
| JC adjusted his duffel bag over his shoulder as he left the backstage area. A few people came up to him and shook his hand, telling him how much they enjoyed his performance, and he smiled and thanked them. Still wishing Lance would have gotten the chance to hear him sing, he turned and headed for the bar to pick up his check for playing that night. As he waited for the manager to come out, he heard someone calling his name. "Jace! JC!" JC turned around, searching the dim coffee shop for whoever was calling his name. His eyes widened when he saw Lance heading his way and grinning. 'Oh God,' he thought. 'He was here. He heard me, the song, the ... dedication.' JC closed his eyes and prayed that Lance didn't know it was for him. Before JC had the chance to open his eyes, he felt strong arms circle around his waist, hugging him tightly. He froze in shock, opening his eyes and seeing only the top of Lance's head. He let out a ragged breath and hugged Lance weakly. 'Oh fuck,' he thought. 'God, why are you punishing me like this?' While Lance held him, he relaxed a little and took the opportunity to inhale Lance's scent. He ducked his head, pretending to hug Lance, when he was really smelling the faint yet masculine cologne on his shirt. If he died now, he realized, it would be a happy time. He felt warm breath on his ear, and after shivering slightly, he realized Lance was talking to him. "Thank you JC," he said, "thank you, thank you, thank you. It was beautiful." JC pulled back from Lance's embrace and smiled nervously. "You ... you really liked it?" he asked. He couldn't believe it. "Are you sure we're talking about the same thing?" Lance laughed and nodded. "The song, Jace." He beamed at him. "It was ... amazing. Thank you for singing it for me." JC smiled sincerely. "You're welcome," he whispered. Taking a deep breath, he blushed and looked at Lance shyly. "You know, those words in the song ... they were true." Lance looked like he had stars in his eyes, and JC was thrilled out of his mind. "I know," whispered Lance dreamily. He laughed, looking almost embarrassed, and grinned at JC. "And to think I was sure Justin forgot our anniversary again." JC's smile faltered, and he felt the tale tell sign of an embarrassed blush creeping up his neck. 'Oh God, we aren't talking about the same thing. Oh God, oh God. I... wait a minute. He said he loved the song. So what does Justin have to do with this?' "Um, what?" he asked dumbly. "Justin?" Lance nodded. "Yeah, today's the anniversary of the day we first said I love you to each other." He sighed happily, still not looking at JC. If he had, he would have noticed the heartbroken look in his eyes. "I thought he forgot, and then he told me about the song he wrote for me and..." "Wait," JC cut him off, feeling like he was going to throw up, "what song is that?" "'Your Song,'" Lance said, looking up at him. "You know, the one he asked you to sing for me? I really loved it JC. You sing beautifully." JC's brain couldn't even process a response as he flopped down on a stool to keep from falling down. He looked down at the ground, trying to sort things through. 'This can't be happening,' he thought. 'It has to be some kind of sick, twisted joke. I have to wake up.' He shot up off his chair suddenly, and Lance looked at him worriedly. "JC?" he asked. "Hey, are you okay? You don't look-" "I have to wake up," JC mumbled, rubbing his eyes. "This isn't happening. I'm dreaming. I, I have to wake up." The look in JC's eyes and his senseless rambling was starting to scare Lance. He reached out to touch JC's arm, but the older man jumped at his touch and pulled back. "No, don't touch me." ~*~ Justin checked his watch and sighed. Retrieving his wallet from his back pocket, he pulled out a few twenties for the check and tip and tossed them on the table. Grabbing his and Lance's jacket, he decided to wait for him by the exit. 'How long can it take a person to use the bathroom?' he wondered, chuckling. As he wove through the tables littered randomly around the shop, he glanced up at the bar and froze. Seeing Lance and JC talking, he panicked. 'Oh God,' he thought as he hurried over there. 'Please don't blow my cover Jace. Please.' He saw JC pull away from Lance's touch and whisper "Don't touch me" just as he reached them. "Hey, you two," he said, trying to sound nonchalant. He looked at JC and gave him a weak smile. "Hey JC. Good show." Before he had the chance to say anything else though, JC had taken two long strides and punched him square in the jaw. Justin stumbled backwards, dropping the coats he was holding and running into a nearby waiter. They both stumbled, but didn't fall. Justin bent over, holding his aching jaw. He felt something moist on his finger, and saw a spot of blood on it from his lip. Looking up, he saw Lance's horrified face, and the retreating image of JC's back as he fled the club. ~*~ JC bolted out of the coffee shop, leaving a bleeding Justin and a shocked Lance behind him. Not wanting to meet up with either of them, he quickly flagged down a taxi cab. When one stopped, he got in and slammed the door. "122, East 58th Street," he directed, slumping back in his seat. As the car began to drive away, JC leaned his head against the cool glass and closed his eyes, trying to piece everything together. He had sung his heart out for Lance, thinking he hadn't been able to come. Turns out, Lance had heard him. He thought the song was for him, but from Justin. Justin told Lance that *he* had written the song for their anniversary. JC had punched Justin and run away. He sighed and opened his eyes. 'Maybe it was just a bad dream,' he mused, but the ache in his hand from where it had connected with Justin's jaw said differently. As the cab pulled up in front of his apartment building, JC handed the driver a few bills and numbly got out of the vehicle. He went inside the building and took the stairs up to his floor instead of using the elevator, needing the walk. Reaching his apartment, he opened the door with numb fingers and stumbled inside. Stripping off his jacket as he walked into the bedroom, he collapsed onto his bed fully clothed, and slipped into a restless night's sleep. ~*~ Lance scooped a handful of ice cubes into the ice shovel, and dropped them into the plastic bag. Zipping it up tightly, he grabbed a small kitchen hand towel and made his way back upstairs. As he walked into his bedroom, Justin came out of the bathroom in his pajamas, touching his fattening lip. He sighed as he slipped into bed, and laid down. Lance sat on the edge of the bed, silently wrapping the thin towel around the ice pack and handing it to Justin. The younger man nodded his thanks, wincing as he placed the ice on his jaw. Lance watched him for a few seconds before speaking up. "What happened tonight J?" he asked. "Why did JC hit you?" Justin shrugged and stared down at the comforter, picking at a loose thread. He felt the ice pack being yanked from his jaw, and he winced before looking up and into Lance's angry eyes. "Don't you fucking keep something like this from me Justin," said Lance slowly. "I know you know, so why won't you tell me?" Justin glared at him and snatched the bag of ice back, using his anger as a cover-up for the truth. "I don't know Lance," he snapped. "It's a bit fucking embarrassing to get punched out in public, so excuse me if I'm not jumping for joy to share the details." He sighed and prayed Lance wouldn't push the issue. "I'm tired, and my jaw hurts, okay? We'll talk later. Maybe." Lance sighed and nodded, not willing to sacrifice his sleep just to fight with Justin again. He climbed into bed and halfheartedly snuggled up to Justin's side. Justin put his arm around Lance's shoulders, but it was an awkward move. The both fell into a tense sleep, and sometime during the night, rolled away from each other in the dark. They slept better after that. |