Part 9


“I’d like to propose a toast!” Joe exclaimed, standing atop a table in the living room of the Delti Chi house.  He raised his cup and grinned.  “To all our new brothers—we cannot even begin to tell you how happy we are that you joined our brotherhood.  Congratulations, and welcome to Delti Chi!”

Cheers bellowed through the room, cups met cups, beer splashed, laughter resonated.  Josh slung an arm around Justin’s shoulder and grinned at him. “Congratulations, NBA.”

Justin smiled back, leaning into Josh’s touch. “Thanks, man.”

Their eyes locked, and neither wanted to look away. But Justin broke the gaze.  Not gay, Justin. Don’t let yourself fall for him.

“I’m gonna go mingle. Catch ya later?”

Josh nodded, forcing a smile and taking a long gulp from his beer.

Joe clapped him on the back, and he nearly choked. “What the fuck, Joe!” he laughed. “Don’ t do that when I’ve got a mouthful!”

Joe cocked his eyebrows and moved closer. “Looks to me you’d like to get yourself a mouth full of Timberlake,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows.

Josh blushed, shoving Joey playfully. “Shut up, Joe! Someone might hear you!”

“Come on, JC, we all know you’re gay. We’re your brothers, we support you no matter what. But you have to be honest with Justin, man. You know that, right? He’s your brother now. You’ve gotta tell him.”

Josh nodded, knowing Joe was right.  “Yeah, I know, Joe. Just gimme some time, all right?”

“Tell him, JC. You have to tell him.” He squeezed Josh’s arm and followed some half dressed girl into the other room, leaving Josh to wonder when—and how—he should tell Justin that he was gay, too.

Justin was having a great time. Everyone was so friendly, and he was meeting a lot of new people.

“Dude, I’m so glad you made it!”

“Me too, man, you guys got a great place here!”

Justin froze.  He knew that voice.  He’d know it anywhere. 

Lance.

He turned slowly, praying that he was wrong, praying that Lance was not here.  But when he saw the green eyes, the spiky blond hair, the glittering smile…he knew there was no escaping the fact that Lance was here.
He caught Justin’s eye, and his green eyes came alive. “Justin!”

No. No no no, pretend you didn’t hear him. Walk away. But it was too late. Before he could urge his feet to move, Lance ‘s arms were around him, hugging him tightly. 

“Justin, god, it’s so good to see you. How are you?”

Justin didn’t answer, just let Lance hug him, buried his face in Lance’s shoulder, remembered the late nights when Lance’s body was pressed against his, let himself slip back to the time when he and Lance were happy.

“Lance.” He let his hands wrap around Lance’s waist, let him pull Lance closer.  Relishing the moment, breathing in Lance’s scent, letting all the memories flood back. He lifted his head and looked at Lance. “What are you doing here?” he whispered.

He nodded towards the man behind them.  “That’s Chris. I take it you haven’t met him yet, but he’s a member of the frat. He and I go way back, and he invited me up for the weekend, one last hoorah before school starts, ya know? Here, I’ll introduce you,” he said, smiling. “Yo Kirkpatrick!”

Chris bounded over, a grin on his goateed face.  “What’s up, Lance, my man?”

“This is Justin Timberlake, one of your new brothers.”

“You’re JC’s friend, right? Thought I recognized you. Welcome, man! Glad to have you.” He stuck out his hand and Justin took it.

“Thanks, man. Glad to be here.”

“So how do you know Lance?”

Justin blushed and looked to the floor. “We, uh…”

“It’s ok, Justin. He knows.” Lance looked at Chris and smiled. “Justin and I used to date.”

Chris’s eyes widened in surprise. “You’re gay, Timberlake?”

Fuck. God damn you Lance!

“Um…yeah…is…is that a problem?”

“No, man, not at all! We got six gay members, don’t worry about it.” Justin frowned at Chris. “Does Josh know?” Justin didn’t like the grin that played on Chris’s face. And he didn’t like the growing knot in the pit of his stomach.

“No…I…I haven’t told him yet.”

Lance narrowed his eyes at Justin. “Who’s Josh?”

“Uh…he lives across the hall from me…he’s the one that got me to pledge.” He nodded across the room and pointed at Josh. “That’s him.”

“Oh. Can I meet him?”

“Um…maybe later. He’s busy I think. With Britney.” It wasn’t a complete lie, because Britney was at the party.
 
“That his girlfriend?”

“I don’t know…he says no…but…I don’t know.”

Lance didn’t say anything for awhile, just stood staring at Justin, running his fingers up and down Justin’s arms.

“Justin?”

“Yeah?”

“You…um…you wanna get out of here?”

Oh no. No Justin, don’t let yourself get sucked back into this. But there was no fighting it. One look into those green eyes and Justin was gone. He nodded, and Lance took him by the hand and led him out of the house.
Josh watched them walk away, hand in hand, and wondered when he’d lost control of this situation.



next

Email: whatweallwishfor@yahoo.com