Part 13


Lance lay on his side, staring at Justin’s bare back. He propped himself up onto one elbow and ran his fingers along Justin’s spine, smiling when Justin shivered. “Baby, are you gonna talk to me yet?” Lance said softly, fingers still dancing along Justin’s back.

Lance felt more than heard Justin sigh, and he didn’t miss the sniffle that Justin made as he rolled onto his back. His eyes were shimmering with unshed tears, and his face was sadder than Lance had ever seen it.

He frowned reaching out to caress Justin’s cheek lightly. “Justin, what’s wrong?”

“I don’t know what to do,” Justin whispered, squeezing his eyes shut and letting the tears fall.

“I don’t understand, baby. Do about what?”

“JC.”

Lance’s heart stopped in his chest, and he too closed his eyes. He was prepared for this. The entire time Justin was out with JC that day, he’d prepared himself for the fact that it was quite possible that Justin would leave him and go back to JC. Lance knew he had to let the boy go. He would never keep him against his will, or make him feel sorry for remembering his old love.

But being prepared didn’t mean it hurt any less.

“Lance, open your eyes,” Justin said. “Please, baby. Look at me.”

Lance sighed and opened his eyes, looking at Justin’s face. “Justin, it’s ok. If you still love JC, it’s ok. I understand. I would never, ever keep you from him.”

Justin frowned, shaking his head. “Lance, I’m not leaving.”

“You’re not?” Lance said, trying to hide the surprise in his voice.

Justin shook his head. “No. I can’t leave yet.”

Yet, Lance thought. That means he’ll eventually leave. “I don’t understand.”

“I talked to JC today. About this…about us. He asked me if I loved you, and I told him I think I could.”

Lance couldn’t help the smile that broke out on his face or the blush that darkened his cheeks. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. And I can’t just walk out of here without knowing what you and I could have. Because that wouldn’t be fair. To you, to me…or to JC.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to kiss my boyfriend and say goodnight,” Justin whispered, leaning forward to kiss Lance tenderly. “Good night, Lance.”

Lance wrapped his arms around Justin’s waist, nuzzling his nose in Justin’s neck. “Night, Justin.”

***

“No, JC. I don’t love you anymore,” Justin said quietly, cradling the phone between his ear and his shoulder. “It’s been too long…I barely remember you…and I have Lance now.”

“But Justin,” JC pleaded, tears running down his cheeks. “Once you remember, you’ll know that you and I belong together. You’re my soul mate! We’re meant to be!”

“I’m sorry, JC. I have to go. Lance and I are going out to dinner. I hope you have a nice life…and I really am sorry. Please believe me.”

“Justin, no!” JC yelled, wincing as he heard the soft click of the phone hanging up. He buried his face in his hands, sobbing so hard his entire body hurt. “No,” he said softly, over and over again.

The buzzing of the alarm caused his eyes to snap open.

JC shot up in bed, a cold sweat covering his entire body. He looked over at the clock. 7:30.

It was just a dream.

JC took a shaky breath, running his hands through the mess of hair on his head and trying to catch his breath.

It was just a dream.

Justin didn’t say he didn’t love him anymore.

He still had a chance to get him back…a chance that he wasn’t going to pass up.

He threw the covers from his nude form and strode to the shower, stretching as he went.

He was going to get Justin back if it was the last thing he did.

***

“Morning, sunshine.” Lance said, kissing the top of Justin’s head. “Time to get up, baby. I made breakfast.”

Justin mumbled something under his breath, rubbing sleepily at his eyes. He glanced over at the clock.

7:30.

He rubbed his eyes and looked again.

Still 7:30.

”Lance,” Justin whined. “It’s only 7:30!”

“So? I always start the day off early. I wanted to surprise you with breakfast. Eggs, hashbrowns, and pancakes.”

“Don’t you have any cereal?”

Lance frowned as he caught Justin’s glare. “I cooked for you, baby. I thought you’d rather have a hot breakfast.”

“I’d rather have cereal. And I’d rather not be woken up at 7:30 am.”

He rolled over on to his side, closing his eyes and remembering how JC would never wake him up before 10:00.

And JC always had a full stock of cereal in the cupboards.

“Justin?”

“What.”

“Do you want me to bring you up some cereal?”

“I’m going back to sleep, Lance. Wake me at 10:00.”

Lance sighed, kneeling next to the bed and staring into Justin’s almost-asleep face. “All right,” he whispered, kissing Justin softly on the lips.

As he walked out of the room, he tried not to wonder why Justin didn’t kiss him back.



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