chpt7

Chapter Seven

Alexis gave herself half an hour to get to JC�s house. She knew she would get lost, and she was right. Their house was so secluded she was afraid she�d never find it. It was 5 to 6 when she finally pulled up to the gates surrounding the house. She pushed a button on the gates and waited patiently for someone to respond.

�Chris, get away, I got it!� A voice screamed through the intercom and Alexis jumped. �Hello?�

�Hey it�s Alexis,� she said.

�Oh hey, yeah come on in.� Alexis thought the voice belonged to Justin but she wasn�t sure. She drove through the gates and parked a minute later.

Alexis stepped out of the car and took a look around. The house was a nice size, not too huge that you could get lost in, but just right. It was particularly long she noticed. She walked up the few steps to reach the door but, before she had a chance to knock the door swung open.

�Hey beautiful, how ya doin�?� Joey asked practically pulling her inside.

�Hi Joey.� Alexis said laughing at his antics. She stepped into the foyer of the house, it was on a step above from the rest of the house. To her left was a lavish living room and to her right was a fancy dinning room. �So how are things going here?� She asked as she followed Joey into the house. She took another step up and was in a hallway that led in both directions. Must be where the rooms are located she thought to herself. They crossed this hallway and she found herself facing large glass doors leading out into a beautiful backyard. As she looked around the room she saw a large family room to her right and a modern kitchen to her left.

�Well, we got most of the decorations up, as you can see.�

For the first time Alexis noticed the various streamers, balloons and a welcome home sign placed around. She was so captured by the house itself she hadn�t noticed that.

�Yeah, it�s looking good.� She said as she gave a twirl to get the full affect of the place. �Umm�where�s JC, and I thought I heard Justin�s voice answer the intercom.

�Oh well the rest of the guys are outside getting that ready and JC had to go with his family to get Tyler out of the house.� Joey informed her.

I wonder how that�s going, she thought. �Ok, so what can I do to help?� She asked with a smile.

�Follow me, we�ll see what these boneheads have gotten done outside.�

Joey opened one of the glass doors that led outside for Alexis and she walked through. They were standing on a patio with two tables and chairs near by, and a few yards away was a pool, fully equipped with diving board and slide. Behind that, was a little path that lead into a garden of some sort. As she looked to her right she saw two grown men wrestling on the grass by the pool as a third watched on laughing hysterically.

�Come on Chris take it back, take it back!!� Justin yelled as he had Chris pinned down on the floor as he kicked and tried squirming his way out of Justin�s grasp. Alexis couldn�t help but stand there and laugh at them.

�Told you, boneheads.� Joey said as he leaned toward Alexis.

�I ain�t taking it back, you know it�s true!!� Chris yelled back not giving up, no matter how bad he was getting beaten.

�Oh come on Chris just say you never meant it..� Lance had to stop his words because he was laughing so hard. �And he�ll let you go.� He finished

�Yeah Chris just listen to Lance.� Justin said as he kept his death grip on Chris.

�Never!!� Chris said forcefully, and with all his might pushed Justin off of him and the role was reversed. �HAHAHAHA,� Chris laughed evilly. �Now look who�s on top.�

Alexis had officially lost it, she was laughing so hard that her eyes became watery, she regained her composure long enough to ask Joey a question. �Aren�t you gonna break them up?�

�Naww� let them kill each other. They should stop soon any way.� He said, as he looked at the two slightly laughing but more amused. He was more interested in knowing what had sparked this little fight more then anything.

�I ain�t taking it back J boy, you know it�s true, you think she�s��

�Whoa, Chris!!!!� Joey screamed on the top of his lungs. He knew what Chris was about to say. They were all talking about it earlier, right after JC had left. And now was not the time to say it, not when �she� was right here.

Chris shocked that anyone else was even there turned around abruptly at Joey�s scream, loosening his grip on Justin in the process. Justin threw Chris off and immediately stood up brushing himself off.

�Hey, Alexis, how are you?� He said going up to her and giving her a kiss on the cheek. He tried acting all cool, as if nothing had happened, as if she didn�t just witness their little quarrel.

�I�m doing good, thanks,� she said trying to hide the laughter that was still raging inside her. The others greeted her in the same fashion, completely forgetting and ignoring the fight.

�Well I must say that was a very interesting site I just witnessed there.� Alexis said in between giggles. She just couldn�t let it go that easily. �I doubt just anyone gets to see that side of Nsync.�

�Nope just the special lucky few.� Joey told her as he put his arm around her shoulders, just being the playful flirt he was.

�Well I guess I am lucky.� She laughed some more and shook her head. She had only known these guys for about a week and already loved them. She could just imagine what some more time could do.

�We really need to get this fixed up back here, people will be arriving soon.� Lance informed everyone as he looked down at his watch. Everyone was jolted into action then, preparing the home for a small party that was about to take place.

The guys stayed outside while Alexis and Lance went inside to get the food ready to be eaten. It seemed as though every two minutes the doorbell was ringing and family and friends were entering the house. Alexis was feeling a little awkward and out of place as the family members looked at her with curious eyes. But the guys managed to make her feel comfortable as they talked to her and made her fit in.

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The time now was 8pm, Tyler had arrived home right on time with the rest of his family. His face had lightened up when he saw everyone there waiting for him.

�You should have seen his face of disappointment when he first got home and just saw the 4 of us standing here.� Chris told Alexis with a laugh. �It was classic, seems like the kid expected a big bash as soon as he got home.�

Alexis smiled as Chris told her this, imagining the disappointment Tyler must have felt. But now it was the total opposite.

JC was just as happy as he had walked into the house and saw Alexis standing in a corner away from the rest of the family so she wouldn�t disturb anyone. She gave a brief hello to Mrs. Chasez but that was all. JC came up to her and gave her a hug and thanked her for coming.

Alexis paid much attention to the way Tyler was acting toward his brother and she didn�t like it one bit. Every time JC came close to him he moved away, giving a look he hoped no one noticed, but Alexis did. She also noticed that when JC tried talking to Tyler he would just ignore him, pretended he wasn�t there. Tyler was displaying all the symptoms, he was ignoring what he believed was the cause of the problem, and doing a very good job of it. Alexis saw that JC was catching on to Tyler�s little game and he wasn�t liking it one bit. What struck her as odd was that he just now seemed to be catching on. Did he not know that it was a chore for him that caused this accident? Alexis thought to herself. The more she observed the more she began realizing that, that must be the case. JC had no idea, and he was pushing Tyler�s buttons. Alexis could foresee an explosion any second now.

�No guys really, I�m not athletic, please don�t make me embarrass myself.� Alexis pleaded as the guys begged her to play basketball with them. Justin was now pulling at her arm, making her stand up.

�You, embarrass yourself, not possible sweetheart, now come on.� Joey encouraged her.

�No really, I would much rather watch you guys play.� She replied pulling herself back in her seat.

�But the teams will be uneven then when JC gets here!� Justin whined.

Lance just stood there watching them. �Alexis I feel your pain, you don�t have to play if you don�t want to.�

�Shut up Lance you�re not helping,� Chris said as he dribbled the basketball then held it in his arms.

�I don�t think JC will be joining you guys any time soon, so you�re even, 2 on 2.� Alexis said as she motioned to where JC was standing talking with some people.

Justin shrugged his shoulders. �Fine be that way, we�ll get you next time!� He stole the ball from Chris and began jogging over to the basketball court on the side of the house.

�Hey, dude did you like not see I had the ball first!� Chris screamed as he chased after him, the rest followed slowly.

Alexis veered her attention over to JC where he was still conversing with some people. He had left her 5 minutes ago to go get something to drink, but got caught up in the masses. She watched him as he laughed and talked, the way his mouth moved to pronounce each word. This man captivated her with every sense she had. She couldn�t take her eyes off of him. She was so enthralled by him that she almost missed the scene that took place.

�Oh come on Tyler,� JC said as he lightly tapped his brother on the shoulder.

Tyler had a stern face, looking at JC with cold eyes.

�Come on I�ve been gone for months and you aren�t gonna tell me. I need to know.� He laughed hoping it would become contagious, but it didn�t. Alexis�s eyes widened, as she knew what was about to happen next.

Tyler took in one big breath, closed his eyes and let it out slowly. His eyes just as cold looking as before once he opened them. A confused expression appeared on JC�s face. �That�s right JC you have been gone for months. And you see this, you see this.� He almost screamed as he pointed down to his leg. Now everyone at the party quieted down to see what all the commotion was about. �This right here, it was your fault JC, your fault!!� Tyler screamed at his brother, then stormed off as fast as he could, considering the fact that he was sitting on a wheel chair.

JC stood there dumbfounded at Tyler�s words. He looked over to his mother who stood there with a look of utter surprise and disbelief. JC then turned around and stormed off, taking that little path that led into the garden, passing right by Alexis on the way.

�I have no idea what got into him.� Mrs. Chasez said trying to explain her sons� behavior to the people who were watching. �I don�t know why he said that?�

A lady in the crowd spoke up trying to make sense of it all. �I�m sure he meant nothing by it, he was just releasing anger and JC was there. Nothing to worry about sweetie, he�ll be fine.�

Alexis couldn�t even begin to explain to these people how wrong they were. This wasn�t just no big deal. Tyler has had those feelings bottled up in him for the past week. And believe it or not that little outburst helped him. Now he just needs some help getting it all out and realizing that his brother is not to blame.

The �party� continued somewhat, without anyone going to talk to Tyler. Alexis hoped that his mother remembered her words and had realized what happened here tonight.

The guys came up to Alexis. �Wow, that wasn�t good.� Joey said as they encircled Alexis where she sat. She looked over to where JC had gone.

�Maybe you should go see how he�s doing?� Justin told Alexis.

�Yeah, yeah maybe I will.� As Alexis got up and began walking in the same direction JC had gone in, she saw his mother gave her a dirty look. She ignored it and continued on her way.

�Oh god, she was right.� Mrs. Chasez said aloud to herself. �Tyler is blaming JC, and JC doesn�t understand why. Heck I don�t understand why he�s doing this. It can�t be just because..� Mrs. Chasez wanted to cry right there, she wanted to bring her sons together to talk about this but she didn�t know how.

Alexis followed the gravel path; flowers were in a wall on both sides of her. She breathed in smelling each distinct flower on her way by. The moon was out, shinning her path till she reached a gazebo, inside she saw JC sitting on a swinging bench. He had his arms crossed behind his head and was just staring up, blinking every once in a while. She stood there for a second admiring him. He then noticed her presence.

�Look Alexis I�m really not in the mood for your advice or your insight on things.�

Alexis moved closer, stepping up into the gazebo. Her jaw tightened and her teeth clenched together at his words. �I didn�t come here for that, I came here because I thought you didn�t want to be alone, that you really shouldn�t be alone.�

He looked at her now, saw the cloud in her eyes that he had just caused with his words and wished he could take them back. �I�m sorry Alexis,� he paused. �You�re right, I really don�t want to be alone.� He said as he patted the space next to him. She gently sat down. �I would really like your company right now.� JC slid his arm around Alexis and she got comfortable, fitting perfectly within his touch.

They sat there like this for what seemed like an eternity, but what had really only been but a few minutes.

JC spoke, �He said it was my fault, my fault. How can that be? How can he think that? I don�t understand.�

He doesn�t know, he has no idea, Alexis thought. He can�t be kept in the dark, he needs to know why Tyler is feeling this. Alexis was about to open her mouth and speak when JC decided he would continue.

�Look at me, ranting on about this when I have a wonderful lady like you sitting next to me.� He tore his eyes away from the ceiling of the gazebo to look at Alexis. She placed her head on his shoulder. �I won�t worry about this now, I won�t think about it. It will just get me more upset and that�s not what I want right now. This will all come together and I will understand his words soon enough. Hopefully to learn that they meant nothing at all.� Alexis winced at his last words. She knew what she had to do but she had also heard JC�s request. She felt his body go lax beneath her resting head, and felt his arm become heavier around her shoulders.

At a time like this she was so used to stepping up to the plate, begin talking to fix the problems, and take over. But that�s not what JC wanted; he said that the moment she walked up to him. He wanted her there for comfort, and support, he didn�t want that by the way she had been taught to do.

As JC sat there he thought about the fact that he had only known the lady sitting next to him for almost two weeks, but it felt like so much longer. She was everything he wanted, and with each passing day he learned more, each time they talked he learned more and was more intrigued with her each time. He squeezed her closer to him, breathing in her soft perfume and feeling her hair slightly brush the side of his face.

Alexis sat up a little at the deepened breath he took. She looked him directly in the eyes now. No matter what she did she couldn�t tare her eyes away from his. She noticed his eyes moving from hers, to her lips and back again. He licked his dry lips slowly in a way that Alexis could only describe as seductive. His head leaned in closer, ever so slowly, making sure she wasn�t going to turn away, then finally, their lips met. Soft at first, feeling each other out, then the kiss deepened and picked up pace quickly. Alexis felt as though a shock of electricity ran through her body with the first touch of his lips. His hands made their way to her back, rubbing his hand up and down soothingly. Both of Alexis�s hands� were crossed behind his neck, her fingers idly playing with his hair. Finally their lips parted and JC lay one soft kiss on her lips. Their foreheads leaned against each other as they both tried to catch their breath. Alexis felt the beginning of a passionate relationship. She only hoped JC felt the same thing, not just the comfort and security she knew he so desperately needed.

Chapter Eight