*******
"What!?" Everyone in the little circle that had formed was completely confused. Margot had no idea who these other four guys were, they seemed nice enough, but their connection with JC�What was their connection with JC?
Justin grabbed JC's arm and walked a bit further down the beach. When the other guys didn't follow, he motioned with his head for them to come. They all scrambled over to the two men and huddled together. Margot watched this with interested eyes. Obviously they knew each other. Maybe they were in the same business at him.
What does JC do again? A singer. Maybe these guys�wait. Justin, Joey, Chris, Lance. Weren't those the names of his group mates?
"JC what the hell is going on!?" Justin asked, extremely frustrated.
"What do you mean?" JC asked, playing dumb.
"Why is she here!?"
"Just what I said. I met Margot on the plane to California and she was crying. I felt bad so we talked and got to know each other. I found out that she didn't have a place to stay here so I invited her to stay here with me. I didn't think it'd be a problem since this was supposed to be my house. But now that I have four other tenants maybe I should rethink the decision, huh."
"Yes! You should rethink the decision! None of us want her here!"
"I do." Joey offered. Justin rolled his eyes.
"No one, except for Joey wants her here!"
Lance raised his hand. �I think she�s nice. And it seems like he doesn�t have anywhere else to stay, it would be horrible of us if we just kicked her out.�
Chris nodded his head in agreement. "Yeah."
Justin looked around at his four best friends. They all looked back at him with determined eyes. He sighed dejectedly, knowing they'd won this battle.
"Fine, just make sure she doesn't come near me."
Wide smiles broke onto all of their faces.
"Great! Now I can work my magic on that fine honey. She is all that and two bags of chips!" Joey exclaimed. Chris rolled his eyes at the Brooklyn native.
"Joey, do you have any dignity left?" he asked exasperatedly.
"Of course not. I left my integrity on my stoop back in New York."
The group chuckled as they walked back toward Margot. She got a better look at all of their faces, excluding Justin for he'd walked back into the house. It was them all right. Down to the very last asterisk.
"Margot, can I speak with you for a moment?" JC asked nervously. He'd convinced the guys it'd be ok to live with a girl, but he was pretty certain that convincing a girl to live with five guys in need of major therapy would be a bit harder.
"Sure." She replied as he took her arm and led her beyond earshot of the guys. She rolled her eyes and smiled when she heard Joey let out a low whistle. Margot looked over her shoulder and winked at him. He ginned wickedly.
"So those are your band mates, eh?" she asked curiously. He glanced back at them. Chris and Joey were wrestling in the sand and Lance was standing beside the two, laughing hysterically. JC shook his head disapprovingly.
"Yep, that's them."
"So what's it like living on a cramped tour bus with Adam's Apple, Sugar High, Viagra and The Grinch?" JC turned and looked at strangely Margot before cracking up. She smiled demurely, glad that he had gotten her joke. He took a few minutes to compose himself before responding.
"Well, it's kind of scary to tell you the truth, but you get used to it after a while. It's hard to explain,"
She looked out at the serene ocean. "Then I guess I'll have to experience it for myself won't I."
He studied her expression carefully. "Are you sure you want to experience it? It can get pretty intense."
She sighed deeply and turned to face JC. He fidgeted nervously under her direct stare. "Yes."
"Yes what?"
"Yes, I'm sure I want to experience it. Besides, where else am I gonna go? Motel 6?"
JC grinned widely and wrapped his strong arms around her waist, pulling her into a tight hug. Margot gasped slightly. She hadn't expected a hug, and definitely not one this�cozy. She'd hardly touched anyone since Lucas. Already she'd gotten her hand kissed and now she was enveloped in a firm embrace. Margot awkwardly patted him on the back while JC breathed in her scent. Peaches. Why hadn't he noticed she smelled so good before?
She feels so good in my arms. And she smells delicious. Why didn't I hug her sooner? �Because you just met her! And she's your friend! What are you doing man?
Margot wiggled uncomfortably and JC finally let her go, realizing he maybe shouldn't have initiated such a snug clinch. She cleared her throat and tightened the towel around her. JC took a quick look at Lance, Chris, and Joey. All three were staring openly at them.
"Well, I'm getting kind of hungry, maybe we should go inside." He suggested edgily. Margot's eyes lit up.
"I could cook!"
JC shook his head. "No, no, no. You are my guest. I will not have you cooking for me and four other guys with bottomless pits for stomachs!" She shook her head.
"I don't mind a bit. I love cooking. It is a talent I have spent decades perfecting that I am too proud of to keep all to myself. Besides, I need to do something to earn my keep around here." She smiled slyly. JC looked at her, pleading with his eyes for her not to cook. He knew once she showed her 'talent', the other guys would beg her to cook for the rest of the time in California. Margot just stared him down until he sighed, defeated. She grinned and turned to face the other three remaining guys.
"Who wants lunch!?" All of their eyes widened.
"I do!" They screamed in unison. She laughed as the group walked back into the house.
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