| Chapter 15 |
| Joey looked back and forth between Lance and JC. Both men were staring at each other, not saying a word, and as the seconds ticked by Joey got more uncomfortable. "Well," he said, causing Lance and JC to jump, "I have to use the john. Excuse me boys." He stood up, patting JC on the shoulder as he walked by. "Good to see you again JC." JC nodded dumbly, still looking at Lance in shock. Lance watched Joey leave, and then met JC's eyes, a blush forming on his cheeks. "So," he said awkwardly, "what are you doing here? I mean, I guess it's kind of obvious why you're here. I mean, since you're taking my order and..." He sighed, his face burning up. "I think I'll shut up now." JC smiled at him and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "It's okay," he said. "I work here now. It's pretty cool. The tips are good, and Randy lets me perform at night." Lance nodded, smiling at him. "Good. Are you, doing well?" He felt like such a loser, but deep down it felt good to see JC again. JC nodded. "Yeah, I'm doing okay. You?" Lance nodded. "I'm good. I just found a nice apartment today." JC's face registered complete shock, and Lance had to smile. "Maybe Justin didn't tell you. We uh, we broke up." JC nodded slowly. "Yeah, he told me." "Oh." The awkward silence returned again, but this time JC broke it. "So." Lance's head snapped up, and JC grinned at him. "Do you know what you want to eat?" Lance blushed. "Oh, right." He looked over the menu, and when he bit his lip in thought JC nearly groaned. "Um, is the teriyaki chicken good?" JC snapped out of his trance, nodding. "Um, yeah. It's good." Lance smiled at him and handed over his menu. "Okay. I'll have that." JC took the menu, and blushed when their fingers touched. Looking at Lance, he could see the blush on his face as well. "Um, what about Joey?" he asked. Lance looked confused. "Who? Oh, Joey! Yes," he laughed, "him. Okay. Um, he'll probably want the biggest burger on the menu. With everything on it." JC grinned. "That would be the house burger." He scribbled the order down quickly. "And to drink?" "I'll just have a coke. Joey will want a beer no doubt. Miller, please." JC laughed, shooting Lance a look. "Coming right up." Lance blushed, watching JC walk away before slouching in his seat and feeling his heart thud in his chest. "God, why must you punish me like this?" he whispered. "Why?" Joey returned shortly, sitting down across from Lance and grinning at him like an idiot. "Shut up Joey," said Lance, playing with a napkin and not even looking at his friend. "Just, shut up." As JC entered the kitchen, he leaned back against the door, letting out a deep breath. 'Oh, life is cruel,' he thought. Turning around and looking through the small window, he saw Lance and Joey sitting at their table. Joey was talking excitedly, and JC smiled when Lance laughed. Sighing at how fast his pulse had gotten all of a sudden, he closed his eyes. "Gee, you're not in love with him at all," he muttered. ~*~ JC had a few more tables to take care of, but he made sure to always be close enough to Lance's table so that he could watch him. It was almost pathetic the way he kept a close watch on the younger man. At one point, he even rushed over to the table to fill Lance's drink back up when he saw that it was low. Lance just blushed and thanked him, while Joey grinned widely and made kissy faces at them both when the other man wasn't looking. Lance wasn't much better. He ordered way too much food to begin with, not to mention dessert, and by the end of the night he had used the bathroom three times from all of the drink refills he got. Joe rolled his eyes and laughed as Lance excused himself again, and Lance glared at him. "Just shut up and get the check," he grumbled, waddling towards the bathroom. Joey flagged down JC. "Yo, Jace. Can we get the check?" JC nodded. "Sure thing." He jogged up to the front and got the check, and returned to give it to Joey. "I'll be right back," he said. Lance returned while JC was waiting on another table. "Ready to go?" asked Joey, and Lance nodded, reaching into his pocket for his wallet. "I all ready paid the check." "Oh, okay. Thanks." Biting his lip, he took out a ten dollar bill and slipped it in with the money. Joey saw it but said nothing, hiding a grin. "I have to use the bathroom," he said suddenly, and scampered off. Looking over the check, Lance picked up a pen and scribbled something on the paper before hiding it under the money. Walking up front, he saw JC washing a table. JC looked up as he walked by and smiled at him. "Have a good day Lance," he said softly. Lance nodded, meeting his eyes. "You too JC." Joey came back just as JC finished washing the table, so with one last glance, they both headed their separate ways. JC watched Lance leave with a sigh. Heading back to the table, he gathered up the check and the money. Counting it up, his eyes widened when he saw that he had gotten a ten dollar tip. Blushing, he pocketed his money and brought the check up front. As he took the piece of paper out, he saw something scribbled along the bottom. 'Call me. Please. ~Lance.' There was a phone number underneath the words, and JC couldn't help the grin that spread across his face. |