Chaz watched his mom as she worked on the steps for the show. She was completely focused and hadn't even noticed when he'd sat down over twenty minutes ago. He wouldn't ever tell her this, but he loved watching her. Watching her work was like watching Michelangelo paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. She was an artist, plain and simple. The moves that she had put together so far were wild and would definitely make people stop and watch when NSYNC performed it.
At first the knock on the door sounded like it was mixed in with the music, but when it came again, louder this time, Chaz went to answer it. When he pulled it open, he smiled to see Chris standing there. "Hey Chris!"
"Hiya Chaz." Chris grinned down at the obviously awestruck boy. "Is your mom home?"
"Yeah, but you'll have to wait. She won't talk to you right now."
"Why's that?"
Chaz stepped back to let Chris in and closed the door behind him. He turned and walked by Chris motioning for him to follow. Curious, Chris let himself be led into the main room of the loft. He'd heard the music thumping as he walked up the hall, but the sight that met him made him suck in a breath.
Covered in sweat, Ash was wearing a skimpy dance outfit that hugged her muscular frame. As she moved her face was frozen in a determined look. He doubted she would have noticed if the loft was burning around her. He couldn't pull his eyes away from her.
The music stopped and Ash let herself drop to a kneeling position for a few seconds to get her breath. She stood again and stretched, turning when she noticed that Chaz wasn't beside her anymore. When she scanned the room behind her she stopped when she saw Chaz. "What happened to you?"
"I couldn't keep up and the moves you were doing weren't what we had done before."
"Yeah, sorry about that," Ash said, working out a kink in her shoulder, "I changed it."
"I thought it looked great."
The new voice startled Ash and her eyes widened when Chris stepped out from the shadow of the kitchen. What the hell was he doing here? He walked closer and Ash ran a hand over her hair, trying to smooth it down a little. "Where did you come from?"
"He knocked on the door when you were working," Chaz answered, grinning. "I let him in cause I knew you'd never hear it."
"I didn't mean to disturb you," Chris said. "I can come back later if you like."
"No, it's ok," Ash shrugged.
She walked into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. She took a long drink, gulping the water down hastily. Chris watched the movement in her throat and swallowed reflexively. He kept imagining his tongue gliding along the groove at the bottom of her neck and he had to turn his eyes away before he started imagining other things.
"So." Ash had moved to one of the stools where she now sat, the half-empty bottle of water on the counter in front of her, "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"Well, I've come to offer you an invitation."
"Invitation?"
"Yeah.... Joey and his girlfriend, Shay, are having a barbeque today at his house. There's going to be tons of food, music, swimming.... you get the idea. It's just going to be the guys and Shay and Whip. Everyone wanted to know if you and Chaz wanted to come too."
Chaz's eyes lit up at the prospect of meeting and hanging out with the guys from NSYNC. He looked quickly at his mom, begging her with his eyes to say yes.
"I don't think so," Ash said and Chaz's face fell.
"Why not?"
"Well, I have things to do here and I still need to work on this routine."
Ash's excuse sounded flimsy to even her and she hoped Chris wouldn't press her. The truth was, she couldn't keep her mind from going back to the night in the parking lot; the kiss that she had so boldly given. The way he had responded to it. Everything was spinning around in her mind and she needed time to think about it more. She was only here on a trial basis and she didn't want to get involved with anyone in case she decided not to stay. Chaz wasn't going to make it easy on her though. He stood by Chris, pleading with her.
"Oh, c'mon, mom," he said, "Ian's at his grandma's until tomorrow. What do we have to do? You said yourself this morning that we were just going to watch some dumb girlie movie tonight."
Ash blushed. She wanted to reach out and throttle Chaz and the chuckle coming from Chris didn't help. She narrowed her eyes at both of them.
"Look, Ash," Chris began, "It's just us. We're just going to sit around and goof off. Shay always makes more food than any of us can eat and everyone would be disappointed if you couldn't come." Especially me, he thought, but he kept those words to himself.
Ash looked from Chris to Chaz and back again. The looks on their faces would rival a puppy begging for a treat. She tried to keep the smile from coming, but it started at the corners of her mouth and she finally had to let it take over. They looked so pathetic, their wide eyes and hopeful stares making her laugh. She put up both hands in defeat.
"Okay, okay," she said, "We'll go."
Chaz pumped his fist hissing a yes and Chris grinned at her, his eyes twinkling. Ash sighed and shook her head. "What time do we need to be ready?"
"It starts at six, so would five-thirty be okay to pick you guys up?"
Ash glanced at the clock. It was only one. She had plenty of time to go over the routine again and get ready. She agreed and they talked for a few more minutes before Chris said he had some things to take care of. He left and Ash rolled her eyes as Chaz thanked her over and over for saying they could go. It was an understatement to say he was excited, but she told him she wanted him to go over the routine one more time with her or she'd change her mind. He quieted immediately and when the music started again, they worked side by side, each looking forward to the little get-together, but for very different reasons.
Chris ran a few errands and then stopped home to change clothes and call Joey back before he picked up Ash and Chaz. Joey was thrilled that they were all coming and Chris laughed this time when Joey teased him. He didn't care. Nothing could bring his spirits down. Not today. He was going to get to spend more time with Ash. Chaz was a great kid and Chris loved the way he'd put Ash on the spot earlier. As he ran upstairs to change, he couldn't stop from whistling.
~**~
"You ready?"
Ash had opened the door to find Chris dressed in baggy khaki shorts and a white t-shirt with a blue button-down over top, the buttons undone. He looked great casual and Ash had to force herself to pay attention to what he was saying.
"Ummm.... yeah," she stammered, "Just let me grab my keys."
Chaz rushed around the corner from his bedroom and high-fived Chris. He was all but bursting with excitement and Chris smiled. He remembered what it was like to be thirteen and he knew that this would be something Chaz would talk about for months. Hell, maybe even years.
Ash returned, jingling her keys and they walked out the door. They waited for her to lock up and they walked down to the car. Chris had driven himself and Ash was careful when she got inside the brand new vehicle. She didn't know cars, but she knew this was top of the line and very expensive. Chaz hopped in the backseat and Chris got in behind the wheel. He started the car up and pulled out into traffic.
Chaz talked non-stop, asking Chris all kinds of questions and Ash was grateful for once that her son was so outgoing. She didn't really know what to say to Chris at the moment. She watched out the window at the swiftly changing scenery and hoped that she wouldn't embarrass herself while they were at Joey's.
It didn't take long to reach the house and Chris pulled in the driveway behind 3 other vehicles. They got out and bypassed the front door, heading toward the back of the house. Ash could already hear the music and laughter coming from behind the huge building and when they turned the corner Ash's eyes widened at what she saw.
Joey was standing at a humungous grill wearing an apron on that said 'Kiss The Cook' and a chef's hat sitting crooked atop his head. Shay and Whip were running in and out of the house, bringing more and more food out to the table. JC and Lance were sitting at a table, heads bent together, talking quietly and Justin was standing by the enormous pool, his back to them. Ash took in the whole scene. It looked comfortable and friendly. Chaz just stood beside her, somewhat shy now to actually be there.
Chris startled Ash when he put his hand on her arm and leaned close. "Watch this."
Suddenly, he took off at a dead run and Ash watched as he plowed into Justin, knocking him into the pool. The look on Justin's face when he came up sputtering was priceless. He pointed at Chris menacingly.
"You are sooooo dead."
Chris just giggled and gave Justin a little salute before trotting back to Ash. They all walked over to the table where Lance and JC were relaxing and they were greeted with bright smiles. They sat down and immediately Ash was made to feel as if she was a part of their group. Shay came out of the house again, bringing another plate for Joey.
"Justin," she said, frowning at him, "now you know we weren't going to go swimming till later on."
He just looked at her, his eyes widening. "But it wasn't my.... Chris..." He pointed at Chris who was holding back his laughter, making his shoulders shake.
"No buts," she scolded. "Go get yourself dried off and sit down. The food's almost ready."
Justin glared at Chris before stomping inside. As soon as he was out of earshot, Chris doubled over laughing. The other guys shook their heads, chuckling.
Shay and Joey moved the plates from the grill to the table and Ash noticed that there was enough food to feed an army. As soon as she set the plates down everyone started heaping theirs. Ash watched them as she ate. The guys picked on each other and always had a funny story to tell. They included Chaz just as they would if he was their little brother and before long he was trading comebacks with Justin and Joey, cracking everyone up.
After they finished eating, the guys went to work of some of their energy by playing basketball. Their shouts of victory and taunting made Ash smile. Shay and Whip sat down on either side of her and the sly looks on their faces raised Ash's curiosity.
"So," Shay began, grinning, "how are things with you and Chris?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you came here with him and he's done nothing but moon over you since the other night at the bar."
Ash just stared at Shay. Damn, this was more serious than she thought. She glanced over at the guys again, watching as Chris tossed the ball in the air, giving a shout when it swished. He waved a hand at her and ruffled Chaz's hair after high -fiving him.
"Look, I like Chris, but there's nothing going on between us."
"You'd better tell him that," Whip snorted. "Cause honey, he's got it bad for ya."
Ash put her head in her hands. "I knew I shouldn't have kissed him," she mumbled.
"That explains a few things," Shay laughed. "It was the night at the bar wasn't it?"
Ash nodded. "Oh, this is not good," Ash said. "I don't even know how long I'm going to be staying. I can't let him think we're going to be together if I'm gonna leave."
"Wait.... I thought you were hired as the choreographer," Shay said, as she exchanged a confused look with Whip.
"It's on a trial basis. I'm just trying out the job to see if I like it and it works for Chaz and me."
They nodded in understanding. Ash didn't know what to do now. She was going to have to talk to Chris, but she didn't know what to say to him. She really did like him, but how far did she want to let it go? Her thoughts were interrupted when he came up behind her, his arms wrapping around and squeezing. He kissed her cheek with a resounding smack.
"You're all sweaty," she said, scrunching her nose.
"We're gonna go change and then get in the pool. You did bring your suit, didn't you?"
"Yeah, it's in the car."
Ash went to change after getting her bag. She'd brought her bikini, but now she wished she'd packed the plain one-piece instead. She sighed and left the bathroom.
~**~
Chris glanced up from splashing Chaz to see Ash step from the house. He stared at her, his jaw dropping open. She had worn a two-piece suit that enhanced her lithe frame even more. Every curve was brought to attention and her deep blush showed that she was well aware of that fact. Chaz called to her, waving and she smiled, moving closer. Shay and Whip were already in the pool, wrestling with Joey and Lance. JC and Justin were nowhere to be seen.
Ash had seen Chris's reaction when she'd come out and had felt every inch of her turn bright red. She knew that she looked good in this suit and it never bothered her to wear it, but the way his eyes seemed to memorize every detail made her want to cover up. Suddenly, she was lifted from behind and found herself in Justin and JC's arms. She gave a small squeal.
"Initiation time," Justin giggled in her ear.
"Initiation?"
"All new choreographers must be tossed in the pool on their first entry." JC smirked.
"No....wai...."
Her words were cut off by a shriek as they swung her out over the pool and let go. Ash came up, gasping and sputtering. JC and Justin were standing by the pool giggling. She scowled at them and ducked her head under again, coming back up quickly. They then jumped in on either side of her, dousing her yet again. Ash blinked the water out of her eyes and glared at them. She'd get them back later when they least expected it.
By the time they left, Chaz was so tired he was yawning and Ash was a little sunburnt. They'd had a lot of fun and she had relished the chance to get to know the guys better. They were a terrific group and she thought it was crazy how five guys, with completely different personalities, got along so well. Shay and Whip were really easy-going and she liked them immediately.
Ash loved being here, but she did miss Aprille and her studio. She decided to call her tomorrow and catch up with her. Chaz was nearly asleep on his feet and when they entered the loft, he thanked Chris, yawning again and shuffled off to his room.
"Do you want something to drink?"
Chris shook his head, smiling slightly. He pulled her to him and Ash's eyes widened. Before she could protest, his lips covered hers. His touch was firm, but gentle. He nibbled at her lips, his tongue darting in when she parted them. Little shocks ran throughout Ash's body. Every nerve ending felt as if it were on fire. As he tasted her, devoured her, she let a low moan escape her.
Chris nearly moaned himself. When she kissed him back, he felt as if he'd explode. He pulled back and looked down at her. Her eyes had gone dark and dreamy. Her lips were swollen from the kiss and she looked absolutely beautiful.
"I've got to go," Chris said, his voice nearly cracking. He cleared his throat and Ash just nodded, still looking up at him. He kissed her again, just barely brushing her lips this time and smiled at her again before walking out the door.
Ash watched him go, her mind buzzing. She finally moved toward the kitchen and automatically made a pot of coffee. She didn't even realize she was going through the motions as she dumped the coffee in the filter and filled the pot with water before pouring it into the reserve in the back. She set the pot back on the metal burner and hit the on switch. She then walked over to the window and looked out, not seeing the lights and motion that was reflected. All she could think about was Chris. His smile. The way he laughed. His kiss. She touched her fingers to her lips and stared, forgetting all about the coffee.