Ash walked into the studio and set her bag down on the floor beside the small couch in the back. The guys were already there, talking and joking around. She quickly unzipped the top of the bag and pulled out the cd, walking over to put it in the stereo. The guys greeted her warmly and she smiled back at them.
She and Chaz had spent the day before putting the finishing touches on the routine. She was satisfied and hoped that they would be too. A mirror ran down the length of one wall so they could watch themselves as they practiced. There was a small couch towards the back and a table with a stereo set up on it. Ash put the cd in the tray and picked up the remote control before walking to the front of the room.
"I'm sure that you guys are anxious to see what I've come up with so we'll just go ahead and start."
They all nodded and moved to the middle of the floor, stretching on their own. When they were ready Ash started moving them into their start positions. She had Chris, Joey, and Lance kneel on the floor side by side, heads down. She placed JC behind them, bent over at the waist, with his hands on his knees, his head also down. Finally, she put Justin about a foot behind JC, standing, head also down and his hands on his hips. She instructed them on what to do and had them go through it slowly, counting as they moved. Ash nodded her approval and had them return to their starting places.
This time, when she counted out, she looked down at the three on the floor. When they lifted their heads, she winked and they had to stifle their giggles. They went through the start a couple more times until everyone seemed comfortable with it. Before moving on to the next part though, she furrowed her brow and scratched her head.
"I don't know guys. I think it would be better if your heads were up instead of down. Let's try it that way instead."
A few grumbles accompanied them, but the guys moved back into place and got ready. Ash started counting again, looking as if she were concentrating hard on the movements. With their heads up, JC and Justin were able to see the positions she put them in better. As they went through the movements, they watched in the mirror and realized that it looked as if Justin was grinding against JC's rear before twisting away.
"What the fuck?"
Justin's face was a deep red and JC looked like he might be sick.
"What's wrong," Ash asked, confused.
"It looks like...." Justin swallowed and moved away from JC.
"What?" Ash looked irritated now. "Justin, I don't have time for this. We have to start on the next section."
JC still looked unsure and Justin was starting to pace back and forth. Joey, Lance and Chris were sitting on the floor now, watching them with interest.
"But, Ash....I can't...." Justin held up his hands pleadingly. JC stood up and glanced at Justin before speaking.
"Ash, you can't seriously expect us to do that."
"And why not?"
"Because it looks like..."
"Like what?"
Both JC and Justin wouldn't admit what it looked like and Ash knew she'd pulled it off. She had a hard time keeping a straight face, but she continued.
"Well?"
"It looks like he's...." JC's face turned beet red and Justin wouldn't even look at her.
"Like he's humping you?" They both looked at her quickly as the three that were on the floor stifled another bout of giggling. Ash stared back at them, her face indicating amusement. "Well, I'd say that's what you get for tossing me in the pool."
As Joey, Lance and Chris burst out with laughter, Ash crossed her arms and smiled. JC and Justin just stared at her, mouths agape. They couldn't believe she'd gotten them. The glanced at each other and back to Ash.
"Oh man...haha...she had you goin sooo bad," Chris gasped out between fits of giggling. Joey was holding his sides and Lance was laying on his back on the floor, his body shaking with laughter. Ash smirked. Justin was the first to recover.
"Shit," he ran his hand over his head and JC's eyes held a new appreciation for the woman that made them do this. They both nodded and smiles started to sneak across their faces. Chris jumped up and hugged Ash, soon followed by the rest of them. They all congratulated her on getting them back so well. When the laughs died down they got started on the real routine.
By the time they were finished it was four hours later and they were all exhausted. She'd only gone through the first part of it, but the guys were impressed. Her technique was amazing and from what they'd seen so far it was going to look awesome.
All of them had left except for Chris, once again hugging Ash and telling her they'd see her tomorrow. Chris helped her gather her things and walked her out to the car. Neither of them said much until they were in the parking lot.
"Ash?"
"Hmmm?"
"I was wondering if you and Chaz would like to go to dinner tonight."
"Tell you what. Why don't you come to the loft. I'll cook. We need to talk about some things anyway."
"Uh-oh, why am I sensing that this isn't good?"
Ash hated the look he was giving her and had to look away. She knew that if she looked at him she'd lose every bit of her resolve and want him to kiss her again. She got into the car and glanced up at him before he shut the door.
"Just be there at seven okay?"
"Ash, are you sure everything's okay?"
"Chris, just be there."
With that she pulled the door shut let out a breath as they pulled away. She kept looking straight ahead, not wanting to see the perplexed look on Chris's face or the way he stood there, watching the car until he couldn't see it anymore.