| Chapter Eight |
Alexis sat there staring across her desk into Michael�s eyes as he told her how much better he was doing. The truth can always be found in the eyes, and that�s what she searched for now. Michael was pushing his luck a little for only three weeks of therapy. True he was doing better in school and for the first time in his life things were looking up, but there was still something bothering him, underneath the surface, that Alexis would have to dig to find. Alexis decided to feed Michael�s lies a bit. �This is all great Michael. I�m glad you�re doing so much better.� He gave a sly grin; he thought he had fooled her. His eyes devoured her as they slid down the length of her body then back up to meet her rolling eyes. �Knock, knock,� a voice said from the door, a head peaking in. �JC�ummm�� Alexis said as a huge smile came to her lips, her heart beating rapidly. JC noticed the young man sitting in the chair across from her. He was now staring at JC with cold eyes. JC retreated apologizing and closed the door. Michael turned back to Alexis and saw the glow on her face, the way her eyes had lighted up when she saw the man standing on the other side of the door. Alexis�s smile faded when she saw Michael staring at her, staring as though a knife had just been stuck in his back. It was then that Alexis began to wonder about the crush that this kid obviously had toward her. She cleared her throat and continued. �As I was saying before I�m really glad you�re doing so much better, you should be happy too.� �Yeah I am, I feel physically better too, thinking about joining the football team.� Alexis gave him a tenderly smile then looked down at her watch. �I�ll see u next week then, I think that will be the last week I�ll be seeing you Michael. There�s really no reason for you to continue coming.� She said, knowing she will put the last pieces of the puzzle together in the next three visits. �Ok, I�ll see ya then.� He gave her a wink, stood up and began exiting her office. When Michael opened the door and turned to his immediate right he ran straight into JC who was just leaning against the wall waiting. Mike who was standing close by moved closer to JC. Michael looked at JC with a face of stone, �sorry,� he said. The corner of his eye caught Greg; he had just turned the corner with a cocky smile on his face, evidently heading toward Alexis�s office. But now he was stopped in his tracks by confusion, starring at what was taking place outside her door. Michael remembered seeing Alexis with that man before and he couldn�t help himself, he just ate up this little situation. �You must be the boyfriend.� He said loudly making sure Greg could hear. Before JC could respond Michael continued, �quiet a looker ain�t she? I should know I sit with her for one hour three times a week. Good luck.� Michael�s eyes never wavered from JC�s as he talked. Before a response could be made Michael side stepped JC and went along his way, giving a bright smile as he passed Greg and his shocked face. �What�s up with that kid?� Mike asked staring at him as he walked away. �I have no idea.� JC said as he shook his entire body as if to get rid of the creeps that kid had just given him. Greg getting over his shock began walking toward Alexis�s office hoping he could beat JC to it but he was too late, and Mike held him back. Greg looked up at the man with vicious eyes. �Since when does a doctor need a bodyguard at her door?� �When there is someone else in there with her that needs protection, now if you will just be going on your way.� Mike told him. Greg looked at Mike noticing his size, he didn�t want to get into any kind of mess with a man like this, and he walked away. Thinking about the man inside Alexis�s office and if he really was her boyfriend like the kid had said. He had an eerie feeling that he had seen that guy somewhere. As if he was someone in the spotlight maybe. Greg made a mental note to find out who he was. He walked away with sad determined eyes. JC had turned the doorknob and walked in slowly. �Hey,� he said gently as he hid one hand behind his back. �Hey.� Alexis said as she looked up at the beautiful man walking toward her. Alexis had always been a curious straightforward person. �What�s that behind your back?� She asked with a smile �Always to the point, now aren�t we? Can�t let a surprise linger a bit huh?� JC said with a sexy grin. �No, usually can�t, and yeah that�s me always to the point. Things are easier that way.� �They are, hummm, I see.� JC was taking his time, knowing that Alexis was getting antsy, and he loved every second of it. Ever since they had kissed that day JC couldn�t get enough if her. He had called her everyday just to hear her voice. They had gone out twice for lunch and once for dinner in that week alone. Now today on Alexis�s half day of work, he came to pick her up and return to the studio with her, she wanted to join him, to see what it was like. �So are you just going to stand there staring?� Alexis giggled. �Me staring? That�s a rude thing to do, I wasn�t doing that.� He told her simply as he pulled his arm from behind his back, leaned across her desk and handed her flowers in a vase with water. �They�re gorgeous, thank you.� She said as she grabbed them and set them down, smelling them as she did so. She turned her head up and his face was just inches from hers, she couldn�t resist, she kissed him lightly on the lips as a token of her gratitude. They had yet to share a kiss as magical as the one earlier in the week. �Your welcome,� he said as he licked his lips still trying to taste her. JC looked over to the clock on the wall and saw that it was a quarter to one. �Are you ready to go? I have to be back at the studio by one.� �Yeah I�m ready, let me just grab my bag.� She said as she reached over to her desk drawer. JC had thought about a way of telling her this all morning, and he had finally come to the decision that just telling her straight out was the best way to go. She likes things to the point to just be said, so here I go, he thought to himself. �We�re going back on tour,� he began. �You are?� Alexis said. �When?� Disappointment evident in her voice. They walked as they talked. �We were debating over it and finally came to a decision today. Since the NSA tour did so well the first time around we figured we�d go for a second leg. Hit some cities we missed the first time around. This time it will be shorter. We go out on the road again in a little over a month.� A little over a month. Those words rang in Alexis�s head. Was that enough time to build a sturdy relationship? One where there was trust? She was not sure of this, didn�t really see how it was possible, but she knew she wanted to try. �Ok.� Was all Alexis could get out as she gave him the best fake smile she could. �I thought you should know. I didn�t want to keep you in the dark about it.� �I�m glad you told me. Thank you, now we just have to make the best out of the time we have.� She said as she wrapped her arm in his. Mike opened the door to the car and they stepped in. ********************************************************************** �This is so not like JC to be even 5 minutes late!� Lance said as he paced the area where 5 men were about to dance and sweat. �Wasn�t he going to pick up Alexis?� Joey asked lazily, thankful for the time to rest. �Yeah he was, there�s your answer Poo-foo.� Justin said in between sips of water. He had learned the hard way it was a good idea to drink water before you start dancing your butt off. �So, Justin, do you think you will be able to concentrate, or will we have to send her out?� Chris asked trying to keep a straight face. Justin turned his head slowly toward Chris, keeping his eyes locked on him. Justin was about to leap forward and seek his revenge when JC and Alexis stepped inside the large mirrored room. �Hey guys, sorry I�m late.� JC said hurrying inside and getting ready to begin. �Oh you were so saved there Chris, but you will get yours!� Justin said, and then veering his attention to Alexis with a completely different attitude he spoke to her. �Hey girl, how are you?� �I�m doin� good thanks.� She gave Justin a weird look as she gave her greetings. He was a strange man but she was intrigued nonetheless. �Hey beautiful, come to watch us dance?� Joey asked as he did some interesting dance move to make his way toward Alexis. She laughed at him. �Yeah I did, can�t wait to see what you guys can do.� �You�ve never been to one of our shows?� Lance asked. �No,� she said sheepishly. �Well consider this your own private show.� Chris told her. �Except with a few mess-ups.� His eyes wandered toward Justin as he said that. �Why are you looking at Justin?� Lance asked, �I�m usually the one who messes up.� Alexis had to laugh at that one. �Ok guys, can we please get started?� JC asked. He lead Alexis to a couch so she can sit and watch, gave her a kiss on the cheek and headed toward the floor. �We don�t plan on being here long do we?� Joey asked. �No, we just need to run through the show, make sure we still know everything, cuz we will be doing it again soon.� Lance informed him. �Don�t remind me dude. I just want to start on the next album!� JC said �We�ll have plenty of time for that once we finish this 3 month tour.� Chris said. With that the music started and the guys ran through the routine. Three-month tour? Alexis thought to herself. Is that JC�s idea of a shorter one? Alexis�s feelings for JC had grown so strong in such a short amount of time, she wanted to get to know him better, there was so much more she wanted to learn about him, and all she�d have is a little over a month. She wasn�t sure if she could handle that, then being away from him for so long, it wasn�t going to be easy, not in the least. �There you go again Alexis,� she said under her breath. Not as if anyone would hear her any way. The music was blaring and all 5 guys were concentrating on their dancing. �Jumping ahead of yourself as usual, but I can�t deny my feelings. I know what I feel for him. And time apart is not what I want, god why do I have to have such an analytical mind?� As she thought this, another thought entered her mind. Live in the moment, hour-by-hour, day-by-day; don�t jump so far ahead, when there are wonders waiting for you right now. She smiled at this thought and looked up to JC as he danced in front of her. �This is just amazing, he�s amazing.� She said to no one in particular. Through the mirror in front of him JC caught Alexis gaze, he gave her a smile and a quick wink that left him one step behind the others, but he soon caught up. He caught up just in time to turn around and slap his butt in �Just got paid.� She had enjoyed the little skit that went along with the song, but this part, this part was absolutely hilarious and she couldn�t control her laughter. When they turned around their faces faced her and they all gave her seductive looks as they slapped their butts. Priceless, she thought, where�s a camera when you need one? Before she knew it all Alexis heard was her laughter then Justin�s voice. �Joey what�s wrong with you? How can you mess up this part?� Justin said as he walked back towards the guys after turning off the stereo. The guys all moaned in relief at Justin and sat down with their bottles of water for a well needed break. Joey gave an �I could care less� face. �Let me guess, you�re about to show me how it�s done?� Justin gave a grin, stood in position and showed Joey how it was done. Alexis began giggling slightly in the background. �Ha, a boy who gets or does no butt slapping just showed Joey how it�s done, that�s funny.� Chris snickered That was the last straw for Alexis, she and the rest of the guys burst out laughing, her laugh ringing above the rest. �What are you laughing at girl?� Justin asked turning his attention away from Chris because he knew if he would look at him he would kill him right there. Alexis tried to sober up a little as she walked over to situate herself on the floor next to JC. �Me, I wasn�t laughing, and certainly not at you Justin.� �You think you can do better?� He asked placing his hands on his hips. �Oh yeah I think so, but can you handle it?� Ohhs, and ahhs ruptured from the group. JC looked at Alexis with wide eyes and a grin. He was seeing a new side of her and he loved it. He placed his hands behind him and leaned back, crossing one ankle over the other to enjoy the show. �I don�t think he�� Chris began but Lance kicked him in the leg, �oww, damn it � he ended up saying. �Humm�don�t think I can handle it huh?� Justin reiterated. �And that dance move, don�t think I will be giving you guys a free show.� She laughed. �I�ll pay ya for it later.� Joey said. JC punched him on the shoulder for that one. Alexis just looked at him saying �get real�. �Ok, ok so what will you try, cuz you know now you�ve got to do something.� Justin said as he rubbed his hands together and jumped slightly from leg to leg. Alexis sat there hesitant at first then stood up hoping her four years of dance at school and out of school would help her out. �Ok you�re right, I can�t back down now. I already opened my mouth, go do something and I�ll try the same.� Justin started off easy, not wanting to embarrass the girl but when she nailed that move he moved on to bigger and better things. �Wow, she can dance better then I can.� Lance whispered to JC. All JC could do was nod his head at Lance, his eyes never leaving Alexis�s voluptuous body as it moved to a dance step. �Not bad, not bad.� Justin said with a laugh. �Not bad? That was pretty damn good actually; you know how long it�s been since I�ve danced to choreographed stuff? I�m starting to remember why I loved it so much.� JC broke away from his trance, �maybe you can teach our Lance here a few pointers.� He said teasingly. �Aww, Lance needs no help, he�s been doing great.� Alexis said. �Are you sure you even saw him while we were dancing or were you just watching�� This time it was Chris himself who stopped his words, he was afraid that a shoe would come hurling toward his head. He quickly continued. �Pay attention to Lance ok.� �As much as I love being picked on here guys we really need to run through the last few songs so we can leave! And my dancing ain�t all that bad any more.� Lance said They all laughed and picked themselves up off of the floor. Alexis just sat there too lazy to get herself up after she had plopped down, tired from that bit of exercise. JC extended his hands down for her to reach. She grabbed them with a smile as JC pulled her up. Their bodies and faces only inches from each other. �I�m all sweaty,� JC began, �but if I wasn�t�� he trailed off giving a mischievous grin as he still held onto her hands. �If only you weren�t.� She said as she traced her finger along his jaw line. She gave him a wink that made him weak in the knees and she returned to her spot on the couch. As she sat there she thought about what she had just done, she was herself, her fun out going self. Something that had been hidden for a while and is never shown so early in the game. There was something about these guys that made her feel so comfortable, and she had let loose on that feeling. It had been so long since she had had real fun like this, being able to laugh with people she liked. Her open flirtatiousness with JC was a different story all together; it was something she was just learning she could do. ************************************************************************ �I was actually able to convince Mike to take the night off.� JC whispered to Alexis from the backseat of the SUV as Mike drove, headed toward JC�s house. They had stopped by her apartment after the guys had finished practice. All JC had told her was to dress in something comfortable but nice, where they were going was a surprise, so she did as he suggested. Now they were on their way to JC�s house so he can change and grab his car. �That must have taken a lot of convincing and hard work on your part.� Alexis told him �You have no idea. I practically had to beg,� he said as he squeezed her hand that was enter twined in his. She gave him a bright smile �Ok kiddies here you go, now get out of the car so I can go home. And JC�� JC cut him off before he could continue. �Yes I know, wherever we go I will make sure I let everyone know who I am, and leave myself wide open to any and all attacks by a mob of teenage girls.� �Yeah then when I get fired, you�ll need more protection from me then anyone else.� Mike barked back. �Seriously JC, you know this is going over my better judgment.� �Yes sir, I know and I will be careful, now you go home.� JC tapped the roof of the car as to send Mike away. �Can he really get fired for letting you go out alone?� Alexis asked as they made their way to his front door. �Yes and no, no because I can just say I left without him knowing and that�s that.� JC told her as he turned the key and opened the door. Alexis stepped in with JC right behind her. �JC is that you?� His mother�s voice rang through the house. �Yeah it�s me mom,� JC said as he lead Alexis toward the living room where he knew his mom would be seated. �Oh, hello,� Mrs. Chasez said as she saw Alexis with her son. �Hello Mrs. Chasez.� Alexis hadn�t seen her since that day at the party. �Well I�ll leave you two ladies to chat while I go change, be right back,� he told Alexis then headed off to his room. �Please have a seat.� Mrs. Chasez said trying to be as polite as she could. �Thank you.� Alexis sat down on the opposite end of the couch. �So how are you doing?� �Just fine thank you. And you, I see you�ve been spending a lot of time with my son.� Alexis blushed a little. �Yes, yes I have.� �You do know he will be leaving soon, to start the tour again.� �Yes I know he told me. How�s Tyler doing?� The words had slipped out before Alexis could stop them. Mrs. Chasez looked at Alexis, �he�s doing good, he�s in his room I believe.� Well I already got started, might as well continue, the lady doesn�t like you any way, Alexis thought to herself. She lowered her voice as she spoke. �Have you talked to JC, have you told him why Tyler blames him? He has a right to know, he needs to know to get his relationship back with his brother.� �You know what Miss. Gray, I�m beginning to regret ever talking to you that day in the hospital, I was so upset, I needed to get it all out, then you showed up, and there went my mouth.� �I�m, sorry you feel that way Mrs. Chasez, but JC needs to know. I know this is killing you seeing Tyler act this way toward his brother.� �Yes, yes it is.� Mrs. Chasez said, proving Alexis right without even realizing it. Her eyes were cast down now in guilt. �Now tell me, how am I supposed to tell JC his brother hates him because he thinks this accident was his fault?� Her words were filled with anger as she spoke. �You start off by telling him the same story you told me, that will make it all come together and he will see why Tyler said it was his fault. Tyler thinks JC knows the story, and he doesn�t, that is what�s killing him right now. He�s expecting JC to walk through his bedroom door and talk to him, while JC is just waiting for Tyler to get out of this blaming stage. And they are both getting hurt in the process.� Mrs. Chasez lifted her head, her cold watery eyes locked on Alexis. �You�ve known us for less then a month Miss. Gray, and here you are telling me what is going on between my sons when I live with them and see it.� �People see what they want to see, but I also think you see all too well what I am telling you.� Oh boy, you really said it this time Alexis, she thought as Mrs. Chasez�s stare became angrier by the second. �Hey, so did you two have a nice talk?� JC asked as he walked back into the living room. He first saw his mothers face. �I really think you two should be going now, good night.� Mrs. Chasez said as she quickly turned her attention toward the TV not even looking at JC. �Mom, are you ok?� �Yes now good bye sweetie, have fun.� JC didn�t need another invitation to leave the house. He grabbed Alexis by the hand and walked out the door. Once outside the door JC noticed the way Alexis sighed and shook her head. �What happened between you two in there? Something I should know?� �Not my place to say, if you want to know ask your mother. Please do ask her.� Alexis didn�t want to be the one to tell JC. He had made it clear, that it bothered him when she meddled in his family the way she had at the beginning. She didn�t want to go there again, not unless she absolutely had to. She was giving his mother another chance, and if she didn�t tell him then Alexis would. But the question was would he want to hear it from her? JC saw her pleading eyes. �Ok I�ll ask her what�s up.� He had a strange look on his face as he wondered what the two women could have possibly been talking about. �Let�s just forgot about that for now and enjoy ourselves tonight. Think we can do that?� �I think we can.� Alexis said as she really thought �I hope I can�. ************************************************************************ �You sure you have your eyes closed?� JC asked from the drivers seat. �For the hundredth time, yes JC I�m sure, they are closed.� Alexis laughed at him as her head was leaned back against the headrest and her eyes were shut. �So are you going to tell me where you are taking me?� �And ruin the surprise? No way.� �Chances are even if you do tell me I still wouldn�t know cuz I�ve only been living in Orlando for a month.� �That might be true, but I�m not taking the chance. By the way I�m sorry about what happened at dinner, about that fan coming up to us and all. I really thought we wouldn�t be found. And you seemed rather, well scared is the word that�s coming to me right now.� �Scared no, more like startled, shocked. � Alexis told him when she knew scared was exactly the right word to use. That girl had given Alexis the dirtiest look she had ever received, then completely ignored her and talked to JC for a good 5 minutes before he had to ask her to leave. Alexis was glad the girl hadn�t asked the one question she knew would eventually come. �It takes some getting used to.� He told her. Alexis�s hand went toward her stomach, �Can you slow down a bit JC? I�m feeling a little car sick here, think I had a little too much to eat.� He laughed at her. �Sure sweetie, I�m sorry.� His hand went off of the steering wheel and on top of her hand that was placed on her stomach. It was like a shock of electricity that ran through Alexis as he touched her hand, as he called her �sweetie�, the way he said it was music to her ears. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly as a smile that could have lightened up the sky came to her face. JC looked over at her at this moment and his heart swelled. He removed his hand off of hers to get a better grip on the wheel as her turned into a parking space. �Ok keep your eyes closed, I�m gonna get out of the car now and come to your side to help you out ok?� �Ok.� JC made his way to her side of the car and gently helped her out. They walked a ways, as JC told her a few more times to keep her eyes closed, that they were almost there. As they walked Alexis could smell salt in the air, and she heard what sounded like waves in the distance. �You might want to take your shoes off now. Yeah and I�m sure you know where we are already but humor me ok?� JC asked Alexis giggled. �Ok.� She slipped off her shoes and they walked, JC as her guide. � Open your eyes now.� She opened her eyes to find the ocean in front of her and sand beneath her feet. She looked out to see the moon glistening on the water, casting a perfect line down the ocean straight toward her. �I thought we could take a walk along the beach and talk. It was the only place I could think of that would be empty, no interruptions.� JC told her. �That sounds really nice JC.� Her hand found his in the darkness and they began walking, close to the water, just enough to get their feet wet. �You couldn�t have chosen a better place.� She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes. �You like the beach, I was hoping you did.� �Yes I do�.� This was the beginning of a long conversation that would last into the wee hours of the morning. Chapter Nine |