Chris laughed at Whip as she teased Lance about their impromptu game of truth or dare for the millionth time. Lance always blushed when she brought it up and he covered her mouth with his hand trying to shut her up. He looked up, his eyes scanning the room and they settled on a familiar face. Justin was heading towards them and Chris grinned until he saw who was following behind. Aw shit, he thought. Why did she have to come tonight? Chris's smile turned to a scowl and his eyes narrowed. Just as he was beginning to enjoy himself and Justin had to bring her. He took a long gulp of his drink and let the fiery liquid burn it's way down his throat. This was not going to be fun at all.
~**~
Ash saw Chris frown as she approached and wondered what the hell was the matter with him. She greeted everyone and was happy to see that there was another woman there. She was kind of nervous about being the only one. Justin went to get them a couple of drinks and she sat in the chair opposite Chris. He sunk lower in his seat, hunched over his drink and kept his eyes downcast. He looked really good in the jeans, black shirt and leather jacket he'd worn. His hair was tousled as if he'd just run his fingers through it after showering. He glanced up at her and she smiled at him, trying to get him to lighten up a little bit, but he just got up and mumbled something about getting another drink before stalking off toward the bar.
~**~
As Chris neared the bar, he saw Justin leaning against it, waving and flashing his huge grin. Chris rolled his eyes and walked up to Justin, knowing if he ignored him, he'd make a scene. Chris gave his order to the bartender and Justin slid his arm around Chris's shoulder.
"So, how ya doin tonight, buddy?"
Chris mumbled something and Justin took it as meaning he was fine and asked him what he thought of how Ash looked. Chris just gave him a blank look and turned away.
"Whoa, wassamatter, Chris?"
"Nothin'"
Justin's eyes got wide with recognition. A slow smile spread across his face, "You like her, don't you?" Chris shook his head and kept staring at his hands, which gripped the edge of the bar. "Hey, it's cool, I just thought she'd like to get out and have some fun. I wasn't plannin on makin a move on her. She's all yours, bro."
"Gee, thanks," Chris snorted. He grabbed his drink and left the money on the bar. He turned back to Justin, his eyes narrowing, and jabbed a finger at his chest, "Look, I don't need your help. All of you might think I'm desperate, but I don't need your handouts. Just remember that."
With one final poke of his finger, Chris stormed away, heading toward an opposite corner of the club. Justin rubbed his chest where Chris's finger had jabbed him. He was completely lost. What the hell was the matter with him and why did he get all pissy about Ash? Justin grabbed his and Ash's drinks and walked back to the table.
When he got there, Ash was nowhere in sight. He set the drinks down and scanned the dance floor, finally spying her, dancing with Joey and Shay. They were all laughing and seemed to be enjoying themselves so Justin planted himself beside JC and leaned close so he wouldn't have to shout over the blasting music.
"Hey, there's somethin� wrong with Chris, man," he said. "Has he been in a bad mood tonight?" JC shook his head and said that he'd been having a great time. Justin was even more puzzled now, but was determined to find out and relayed to JC everything that had happened up at the bar. JC looked at him, surprised. It wasn't like Chris to act like that. He told Justin not to worry about it. He'd try to find out what was wrong with him. Justin shrugged and took another gulp of his drink before getting up to make his way to the dance floor.
JC got up too, but he went around the dance floor, in search of Chris. Well, he found him and was bothered by the fact that he was sitting in the corner, facing away from the crowd, hunched over his drink. JC slid into the chair opposite him and looked at his friend. Chris was staring into his glass, a frown carved deep into his face. JC was positive Chris knew he was there and was just ignoring him. JC sat there, quietly, letting Chris decide when to talk. He knew that he'd never get him to tell him what was wrong by prodding. Chris had to speak when he wanted to. So, JC sat and waited. Eventually, Chris started fidgeting and his eyes darted back and forth. Finally he blew a breath out and sat back in the chair, crossing his arms and looking up at JC.
"If I talk, will you leave me alone?"
"Depends," JC replied and Chris slumped in his chair, knowing that JC wouldn't.
Chris didn't say anything for a long time. He knew that he'd sound stupid if he told JC why he was upset. Hell, he thought it sounded stupid himself. He didn't want any of them to know that he felt the way he did. He'd accepted it a long time ago and even though it showed itself now and then, he was able to push it away. This time it was more difficult, but he'd eventually be able to push it back, like always. Sometimes it was hard living in the shadow of them.
It used to be that Justin and JC got the most praise and fan worship. Now, Joey and Lance were right up there. Sure, Chris knew that he had fans, but the women all flocked to who they thought were the biggest stars and that usually left him out. It hadn't bothered him at first. In fact, he'd been thrilled to see his friends get so much attention. Now, though, it was starting to wear on him. He loved his friends and still was happy for them, but he just wanted something for himself...someone for himself. Chris sighed and looked up at JC again.
"Ya know what, it's no big deal," he said, smiling as brightly as he could. "I was being stupid. Let's go back to the table."
"Are you sure?" JC could see that the smile Chris gave him didn't reach his eyes, which still looked troubled.
"Yeah." They both stood and Chris clapped him on the back, chuckling, "I'm just bein' a dork. Let's go see what kind of trouble we can cause."
Chris moved in front of him and they weaved their way back around to join the others. When they neared the table, they could see Justin leaning down, talking in Ash's ear. She was laughing and her hand held onto his arm. Chris stopped walking for a second and JC didn't miss the look that flashed across his face. It was a look he'd never seen on Chris's face before, but it was one that was unmistakable. Chris was jealous.
~**~
Ash's stomach hurt from laughing. She was really glad she'd come tonight. She'd needed a night out and though she'd been timid at first, the guys had really made her feel comfortable and welcome. Shay and Whip had also warmed to her quickly, warning her about the guys' tricks and pranks that they liked to pull. Ash was giggling over another tale of mishaps that Justin was embarrassing Lance and Joey with when she spotted Chris walking toward them with JC close behind. He still didn't look happy, although most people would've thought so with the plastic smile he had glued to his lips.
JC and Chris sat down at the table and although it looked like Chris was enjoying himself the rest of the evening, Ash noticed that he kept her at a distance, only talking to her when necessary. This was a complete change from the Chris she'd first met and she didn't like it one bit. In fact, she talked to him even more, asking him questions and trying to draw him out. He answered her, even though it was grudgingly. Finally, she'd had enough. A slow song began to play and she got up.
"C'mon." Ash held out her hand to him and his eyes widened. He started to shake his head no and she leaned close. "I'm not taking no for an answer. Come dance with me or I'll make a scene."
The smile she gave him, to anyone else, would look flirtatious, but Chris could see in her eyes that she was serious and he took her hand, pushing himself up from the chair. The guys hooted and whistled as they walked down toward the floor. Chris glared at them, hoping to shut them up, but they just yelled louder, egging him on. Once they got to the middle of the floor, Ash turned toward him and pulled him close. She looped her arms around his neck, leaving him no choice but to clasp his around her waist. It was torture to hold her like this. Chris wanted to let go of her and run, but he forced himself to stay, swallowing hard.
"So, you gonna tell me why you don't like me?" Ash's question shocked him and Chris stopped moving. "I wanna know why your attitude toward me has suddenly changed."
He didn't know what to say. She'd completely floored him. How could he tell her that that wasn't the problem? How could he tell her that he liked her...a lot. Maybe too much.
"Well," she broke into his thoughts, "I'm waiting."
"Who told you I didn't like you," Chris tried to take the easy way out.
"Look, we're going to be working together a lot," Ash said. "I want to make sure that there aren't going to be any problems. I don't like people hiding things from me."
Chris shrugged and looked away. Her hand cupped his cheek and turned his face back around to hers. Chris looked into her eyes and was lost in the endless green and gold pools. God, she was beautiful. Her hair hung down tonight, brushing her cheek and he itched to take his hand and tuck the stray strands back behind her ear. Her mouth was full and inviting. Her lips slightly parted and he swallowed hard when her tongue darted out to wet them. He gazed down at her and marveled at the feel of her in his arms. She just seemed to...fit. It was well known that he wasn't as tall as the other guys and most women were either the same height or taller than him. Ash though was smaller and seemed to fit in his arms perfectly. He knew he had to say something. She was starting to get impatient for his answer and her eyes were narrowing, as if she could see everything he was thinking.
"No..... it�s fine," he stammered, "I'm just bein an ass tonight. It's not you."
"I think it is."
Boy, she didn't pull any punches. Chris sighed and relaxed his hold on her. She looked up at him, confused. "Trust me, you wouldn't understand."
"Try me."
"I can't. You'll just have to trust me on this one. I just...can't."
"I don't believe you."
Chris was starting to get aggravated. He pulled away from her completely and she dropped her arms, staring at him. "Just let it go," he practically yelled, "You'll get a much better catch in Justin or JC. You don't wanna mess with me. I'm not the kind of guy that women like you go for."
Ash tried to speak, tried to ask him what the hell he was talking about, but he cut her off. "There won't be anymore problems. Just let it be."
Ash watched as he hurried past the table, ignoring the guys' questioning looks and headed for the door. Now, just what the hell was all that about, she thought.