“Lance, come on,” Justin pleaded, pinching the bridge of his nose as he cradled the phone between his shoulder and his ear. “I can’t see him. Please?” “I don’t get it!” Lance objected. “He’s gorgeous, talented, and rich, Justin! What’s your problem?” Justin sighed, blinking back tears. “I won the lottery.” Lance was silent for a moment, wondering if he’d heard Justin correctly. “What?” “I won the lottery, Lance,” Justin repeated. “$500,000.” Lance’s jaw dropped, and he grabbed the stool behind him to prevent a fall. “Lance? Are you there?” “Yeah,” Lance breathed. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, man. It was just…a huge surprise, and I was so shocked…and I just…I wanted to make sure it was real before I told everyone.” “Yeah.” “Are you mad?” “What? No!” Lance exclaimed, snapping from his trance. “No, Justin, not at all! I couldn’t be happier for you! No one deserves it more, man!” “So you’ll tell him?” “What?” “Josh. You’ll tell him I can’t make it.” “Justin, I’m not--” “Please, Lance,” Justin begged, and Lance heard the desperation in his voice. “Fine, Justin,” Lance sighed. “I’ll tell him.” “Thanks, man. I owe ya one.” “Right,” Lance grumbled, hanging up the phone. Justin clicked off his own phone and set it on the counter, nearly tripping over Bella in his haste to get to the bathroom and wipe his tears away before Ella could see him. “Daddy?” she said, eyes wide. “Are you crying?” Too late. “What?” Justin sniffed, rubbing at his eyes. “No, honey, Daddy’s not crying.” Ella frowned, crossing her arms. “Yes you are. I know what crying is. Is it happy crying again?” Justin smiled sadly, curling his body around a pillow on the couch. “Not this time, sweetheart.” She knelt down in front of him on the floor, resting her chin on her hands. “Don’t cry, Daddy,” she whispered, wiping one of his tears away with a tiny finger. “I’m sorry, honey,” he said softly, kissing her fingertip. “Daddy shouldn’t cry in front of you.” “Gramma says crying is good for you,” Ella pointed out, and Justin had to laugh. “Sometimes, sugar.” “Why are you crying?” “I’m just a little sad is all.” “Why?” “I met a really great person the other day, and I don’t think I’m going to be able to see him anymore.” “Why?” Justin chuckled, wiping another tear from his cheek. “Because I’m not good for him, sweetheart. He has a lot of money, and he’s a very high-class person. You and me? That’s not us. “ “We have lotsa money too!” Ella grinned. “You can still be his friend, see?” “It’s not that easy, sweetheart,” Justin said, kissing Ella’s forehead. “Now enough of this. You have a dance class to get to.” Ella frowned, obviously worried about her daddy. “I love you, Daddy.” Justin sighed, blinking hard. “I love you too, sweetheart,” he said, taking her hand. “Now come on. We don’t want to miss the bus.” ***** Lance looked up when he heard the bell jingle, sighing when he realized that it was the person he’d been waiting for. He’d been dreading this moment since the second he’d hung up with Justin. “Hey,” he said, smiling. “Hey,” came the reply, Josh’s eyes scanning the coffee shop anxiously. “Um…is Justin here?” Lance shook his head, avoiding Josh’s eyes. “Have a seat, man.” Josh frowned a bit, pulling up a stool at the counter. “Justin’s not coming.” Josh opened his mouth to say something, but Lance put a hand up. “I don’t know why, so please don’t asked. I’m pissed off that he got me involved in this anyway. I’m sorry that I had to be the one to tell you, but that’s Justin for you. Chickenshit.” Josh just looked at him, blue eyes sad and lonely. “Ok,” he said simply, nodding. As he turned to leave, Lance placed a hand on his shoulder. “He lives a block away, above Discount Vids.” Josh sighed, running a hand through his wavy hair. He nodded, thanking Lance with his eyes, before hurrying from the coffee shop, jacket wrapped tightly around his body. As he walked, his mind whirled with reasons why Justin stood him up. Boyfriend? Highly unlikely, since Justin didn’t seem the type to cheat. Girlfriend? Even more unlikely, from what Justin has said about Ella’s mother. Fear? Ah. That was it, Josh thought. Justin was afraid. Not that he blamed him, because relationships were a scary thing, especially when you had a four year old daughter who probably had no clue what the word “gay” even meant. As he climbed the stairs to Justin’s apartment, he heard the echo of a little girl singing. “If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands…” Clap clap He smiled as the voice got closer, the owner finally coming into view. She was beautiful, and there was no denying that she was Justin’s daughter. Bright blue eyes, curly blond hair. Justin froze in place when he noticed Josh. “Who are you?” Ella asked, looking up at Justin. “Daddy, who’s that?” Josh knelt down, bringing himself to Ella’s level. “I’m Josh. We spoke on the phone earlier. Now we’re not strangers anymore,” he said reaching out to pinch her chin playfully. She giggled, a soft pink coloring her cheeks. “Hey, Justin,” Josh said, looking up at the younger man. “You weren’t at the coffee shop, so I figured I’d stop by and see if you were all right.” “I’m fine,” Justin said softly, eyes avoiding Josh’s face. “Where are you off to?” “I have dance class!” Ella exclaimed happily, tugging at her pink tutu and spinning around. Josh raised an eyebrow, smirking. “That your first purchase, Justin? Dance classes for your daughter?” Justin didn’t respond. Josh stood up and leaned forward, brushing his hand against Justin’s arm. “I’m glad you took my advice and bought something nice for her.” “My mother pays for her dance lessons,” Justin said. “It was her birthday gift this year.” “Oh,” Josh said, taken aback by the snap in Justin’s voice. “I have to get going,” Justin said, in a gentle tone this time. “She’s going to be late if we don’t catch the bus.” “The bus? Justin, I can take you--” “No!” Justin snapped. “We’ll take the bus. We’ve been doing it for as long as Ella’s been alive. But you wouldn’t know much about public transportation, would you.” Josh’s mouth dropped, and he stared at Justin in disbelief. “Where is this coming from?” he said softly. “You should have told me,” Justin bit, pulling Ella with him as he stormed past Josh. “Told you what?” Josh asked, exasperated. “About the money. About your money.” Josh paled, and Justin immediately regretted opening his mouth. “Who told you?” “It doesn’t matter.” Josh’s shoulders sagged, and he nodded, looking to the floor. “You’re right. It doesn’t,” he said, walking down the stairs. “I’m sorry for bothering you.” He pushed past Justin and down the rest of the staircase, head hanging in a mixture of emotions. Justin’s heart ached as he watched Josh walk away, but he knew it was for the best. Josh deserved better than a poorboy with a kid.