Part 6

The plan


Justin felt a gently brush against his shoulder and was startled awake. It was Nurse Jennings. She carefully moved Justin, unaware of his conscious state, while she cared for JC. The nurse pulled the loose hospital sheets down JC’s still body and Justin’s resting form and quickly removed them without jostling the patient. When Justin looked down at JC he was shocked; JC was naked. The blond made a small gasping sound when his eyes were greeted with various colors that cascaded the length of JC’s body. He saw the insertion points for the large brace that encompassed the bruised hip, and also witnessed how swollen JC’s genitals were. He shuddered at the dark blue and greens that surrounded it.

“Oh,” the nurse addressed him “you’re awake. I’m sorry if I bothered you.” She settled a warm pan of water beside the bed grabbing the cloth inside it.  

“No, no its okay.” Justin reached down and tenderly caressed JC’s side. “How long will he look like this?”

“Like what?”

“All different colors, when will they turn back.”

“Well, young man, that depends on how quickly your friend is able to heal.”

“Oh.”

The nurse brought the cloth to JC’s feet wiping them. She dipped the cloth back into the water and wrung it out again.  

“Umm… what are you doing?”

“I’m bathing him,” the nurse cleaned the other foot.

“Oh,” Justin looked shyly down JC’s body at the older lady. “Ummm… can I?”

“What?”

“I’m sure you…you’ve got lots to do. So, you know…if you want…I could do this and you could do those other things.”

“Are you asking me if you can wash the patient?”

“For the love of God, Lady will you call him by his name?”

The nurse looked at Justin with a serious _expression. “Young man, if I call him by his first name then I personalize it. Once you do that you’re no longer able to tend to the patients properly cuz you begin to care too much about them. I’m not saying I don’t think about what happens to your friend, but I can’t be concerned for him more than I am for my other patients. Do you see what I’m saying?”

Justin shook his head slightly. “No?” he whispered. He could not understand how someone would not want to know JC. “If you met him, you would want to know him.”

“I’m sure I would sweetie, but for now I can’t do that. I hope you can understand.” She placed the washcloth back into the pan of water. She watched the blond haired young man stare silently at the patient while contemplated her next action. “I’ll tell you what,” she paused reassuring herself this was the right thing to do. “Let me get some warmer water and I’ll let you bathe your friend. I can tell that it’d mean a lot to you.”

Justin’s eyes widened, “Please. I’ll be the best visitor ever, please.”

“All right, I’ll be right back.”

As the nurse turned intent on leaving the room with the pan of water she heard a faint apology but is was not for her. She left quickly not wanting to interfere or eavesdrop on the two young men.

The two lawyers, Mike and Jake, excused themselves from the conference room upon completion of their presentation of information. When the door closed and footsteps could no longer be heard Johnny finally spoke. “Lance, don’t you ever do that again. Do you hear me? You almost gave us away. I never told them about JC you ass. You don’t think they walked out of here thinking something was up. God sometimes you kids are so dense. You fucking piss me off.”

Lance said nothing, he just and continued staring at the wall in front of him. His left leg was bouncing with an unknown beat as he made circles into the tabletop. His eyes began tearing up at the mention of JC’s name. The blonde’s mind started filling up with visions of the night they found JC. Lance cannot forget the way they found their friend, tied, beaten and raped. His shoulders heaved as the young man sobbed willing away the tormenting vision.  

“Lance?” Joey asked. Still no answer came from the blond singer. Joey sat up from his chair and tried getting Lance’s attention. “Hey, buddy. Are you going to answer me?”

Lance slowly shook his head. He turned in the direction of Johnny never meeting the manager’s eyes and softly asked, “May I be excused now?”  

“No,” Johnny screamed. “You fucking can’t be excused. You’re gonna stay here and hear me out before you go storming off like a four year old.” Lance laid is arms and head onto the table and quietly cried.

“Johnny,” Chris warned. “Back off a bit, will ya.”

Joey walked over toward Lance and Johnny placing his body in between them. He pointed his finger at Johnny, “You need to back the fuck off Johnny. Cuz, I don’t remember when we agreed that you could speak to us like that. Lance is just worried and confused,” Joey looked in Lance’s direction, “quite frankly so am I.” He turned toward Chris and asked, “Would one of you like to explain just what the hell is going on?” Chris stared at Joey for a brief moment before hanging his head down.  

Johnny watched Chris’s defeated appearance and realized he would not be getting any reliable help from him, so he began speaking. “Okay, this is what happened. While you three were hanging around JC’s hospital room Chris and I got down to business. Our ultimate goal was developing a scheme that would cause the least amount of damage collectively. So in short we developed an alternative plan or explanation, if you will, for getting out of this mess.”

“An alternative plan for what?” Joey questioned. “What mess?” Lance’s head snapped up, waiting for Johnny’s answer.

“An alternative plan for keeping JC out of the lime light for a while. I mean it’s not like we can really go on national TV and claim one of the world’s biggest pop stars was raped.”

“Come again…” Joey was interrupted by a deep angry voice.

Lance exploded, “Claim, you better fucking tell me you didn’t just say that.”

“Lance calm down.”

“Fuck you Chris.” Lance stood up from his place at the table and faced the eldest brunette. “You’ve got some nerve Chris. How could you do this to JC?”

“Look Lance. Chris and I had other things to consider besides just JC. We had to look at the entire picture and determine the best course of action not just one small piece of it.”

Joey stared at Johnny disbelieving what their manager was saying. “Why?”

“Joey,” Chris began, “what do you think will happen to our careers, if this gets out about JC?”

“What? Do you actually think I give a fuck about my career over JC’s safety and life?”

“No, Joey I don’t think that. I’m just saying that if this story was filtered to the news the backlash would be tremendous. It would hurt JC more having the media in his face reminding him everyday of what happened to him, and how do you think he would feel if the group was forced apart because of it? So in order to save the group and steer the media away from JC we had to come up with some other way in getting Lou away from us.”

“This so isn’t happening?” Lance yelled. “You’re gonna ignore what happened. My God, Chris, JC was raped. Not fucking once, but six times by six different people, and you want us to forget about, to bury it. Fuck you.” He turned in Johnny’s direction, “and fuck you, too. I’m not just gonna forget about it. He’s gonna need help and I for one am gonna be there for him.”

“Lance,” Johnny started, “we’re not just gonna drop what happened, okay. We’re gonna be there for him just like you…”

“That’s fucking bullshit,” Lance’s emerald eyes were tearing up. “You two fuckwads have been in this shit hole hotel plotting against JC the whole time. You don’t care what happens to him or the rest of us. You’re just in it for the money, and how dare anything come between you and our money.”

Johnny stepped closer toward Lance. “You ungrateful son of a bitch. How dare you? I care for JC just as much as you do and it’s because of my love for him that I’m doing this. You don’t know if JC wants to let the public know what he went through. He’s gonna have a tough enough time dealing with it without having the media shoving it in his face twenty four seven.”

“Yeah, Lance. You know how much I love JC, he’s like a bro…”

“Don’t even finish that sentence Chris,” Lance growled. “You don’t have the right to say that. You haven’t even seen JC since we broke down the door and saw him lying on the table with Lou sticking his dick up your so called ‘brother’s’ ass.” Chris’s face drained of color at the blonde’s words. He again looked down at the floor almost ashamed. I knew he was going to be upset when Johnny and I revealed the plan, Chris thought. Yeah well let the little bastard. This is my group and I will protect my group anyway I see fit. Lance walked across the room toward the door. “So don’t tell me how much you care for him.”

“Lance, don’t you leave. You just sit you ass down. We’re not fucking finished,” Johnny said. Lance stood in front of the door staring at it determining whether he should stay or leave.

“Come on Lance,” Joey’s tenor voice soothed, “just let them finish, okay. Then you and I will go to the hospital and tell Justin what’s happening.”

“Fine, I’ll stay for you, Joey, no one else.” He walked back toward his chair and sat back down. “But I’ll be damned if I’m gonna tell Justin anything. This plan is your idea Chris you tell him.”

“Fair enough,” Johnny answered. “Anyway, in a nutshell, this is what we’re going to do. We’re gonna file a suit against Lou for breech of contract and two other minor charges that Mike and Jake are working on right now. One will deal with his level of ethics while dealing with young adult males.” Johnny paused, “Lance and Justin’s mothers will be needed as additional plaintives. I’ve already contacted them about the situation and they are on board one hundred percent.”

“You’ve called my mother about this?” Lance questioned. “I can’t believe you called my mother without me knowing what was going on? Don’t you think she’s gonna wonder why I didn’t tell her?”

“We need her, Lance, in order for this to work. She didn’t seem the least bit upset that you didn’t notify her. I don’t think that will be a problem.”

“So how long will this take?”

Chris answered Joey, “Well, we figured we could get the paperwork going ASAP. Once the papers are moving we can then actually serve Lou with the charges. So I guess we’re figuring right around a month.”

“The whole plan has a timeline Joey and the closer we stick to that timeline the better off we will be.” Johnny sat down. “The second part of the plan will involve one of you guys giving an affidavit to the attorneys. Chris and I have decided that JC will be giving that statement. We will also being holding a press conference, where JC again will speak.”

“No fucking way,” Joey yelled. “I can’t believe your gonna make him a part of this. He’s been through enough all ready.”

“Joey,” Chris said with a pleading voice. “JC is the most believable and can play the victim better than any of us, and besides he’ll be out of the public’s eye for a while having him make the statement will show the media that he isn’t hiding.”

“How are you his friend?”  

“Lance, don’t make this more difficult than you already have,” Johnny continued, “he’s gonna do it and that’s final. Anyway, once the affidavit is complete we will then go to court. None of you will need to testify due to the affidavit JC will be giving and your two mothers.”

“Okay let me get this straight,” Joey mumbled, “you’re gonna file a legal suit against Lou instead of pressing charges for beating and raping one of your singers. Hmmm.” He paused placing his finger on his chin as if he was thinking of what he would say next. “Then you’re gonna make that same singer, whom is in the hospital recovering from injuries that your saying don’t exist, give a statement for the suit because he can play the victim the best. Hmmm,” he paused again. “Maybe… maybe it’s because he was the victim, you assholes.”

“Guys you’re making this way more difficult than it need be. If you’d just think outside of the box for a moment you’d realize what we’re doing is in the best interest of JC. I don’t want him to have to live through that moment anymore.” Neither do I, he thought. “I want Lou as far away from JC as possible, but I wanted to do so without jeopardizing all of you guys.”  

“NO!” Lance stood up suddenly and stormed across the room toward Chris. He grabbed a handful of Chris’s shirt and hauled him against the wall. Joey was up in seconds desperately prying Lance’s hands from Chris. “No way in hell you’re gonna use us as an excuse for your poor judgment and lack of heart. I will not go along with it.”

“Lance, let go.” Johnny came up behind Lance and grabbed the blonde’s shoulder hard pulling him with all his strength and pushing him into a vacant chair. “I warned you Lance. You pull something like that again and regardless of what Chris wants or says you’ll be outta of here.”

Joey spun the manager around, “Johnny you put your hands on Lance one more time and I swear you’ll regret it,” Joey defended. He pointed his finger at the black man, “You’re the one who will be replaced, and don’t you forget that.”

“Fine,” the manager huffed, “Can we just get on with this gosh damn meeting?” He looked at a seething Lance, “Can we?”

“Go on.”

“Where was I?”

Chris answered, “You were talking about the affidavit.”

“Thanks, Chris. Yeah, so once the statement is given then we can move onto the third aspect, the court hearing. Now I’ve all ready have in the works a way to get the judge I want to reside over the hearing.”

“Why do you think this will go to court?”

“It has to Joey, otherwise we can’t get rid of Lou. The fat bastard knows that we won’t turn him in for what he did to JC due to the damage it may cause our careers. He is banking on that fact. So he’ll never know what hit him when we slap him with a civil instead of a criminal charge.”

“Wait a minute,” the deep voice interrupted. “He’ll never know what hit him? From the sounds of things it’s almost like Lou will still be with us until the suit is filed.”

Johnny paused for a moment gathering his thoughts, “He will be Lance,” the manager quickly added, “but only for a little while. Trust me on this, please.”

“Are you telling me he’ll still be around us, around JC? After everything that he’s done, you’re gonna allow him to be around JC and the rest of us. What one of us wasn’t enough? You want to give him another opportunity to add Justin or Joey to his list of things to do.”

“We’ve got to do it that way,” Chris said. “Otherwise, he’ll know something is up and try and block our actions. He won’t be around JC at any time. I wouldn’t agree to something like that Lance. I don’t want that fat asshole around me but in order to get rid of him for good, I’ll have to put up with him for one more month.”

“Well, actually Chris,” Johnny said, “that part of the plan has changed. Due to the promotions for the second half of the tour, JC and Lou will need to be in the same room together. At least three times.”

“Johnny that wasn’t part of the plan.”

“No Chris that wasn’t part of your plan. But in order to make him less suspicious, we need to act natural.”

Lance was fuming. “Act…Natural…,” he mumbled and shook his head. Then said out loud, “How are we supposed to act natural when that son of a bitch raped our friend? Are we gonna embrace him in front of JC, virtually telling JC that we forgive Lou. Again, I don’t think so.”

“Really Lance there is no room for discussion. The plan is already in motion and I’m not about to change that. JC will just have to tough it out and if he thinks you guys will forgive Lou then maybe it’s JC with the problem here and not you.”

“Shut up, Johnny. I’m sick of hearing your voice.”

“Chris why don’t you finish,” Joey suggested feeling the tension once again cloud the room.

Chris looked down at his shoes while he spoke. “The only part of our idea that may be a bit difficult to pull off; is getting JC out of the hospital early. We need to get him out of there before the media figures out where he is ‘hiding’.”

“What if he isn’t ready to leave or the doctor doesn’t clear him? What then?” Lance asked concern dripping from his voice.

“We move him anyway,” Chris answered quietly. “We figured that eventually Lynn will know the truth and won’t have any problem helping Justin with JC.”

“So you automatically assume that Justin will take care of JC while the rest of us are doing promotion. I mean I know he won’t have a problem with that, but I think we should at least ask him.”

Johnny looked at Joey, whom had made the statement. “No, Justin won’t be staying with JC that long. He’ll only be there a couple of days to help get JC situated at his mother’s place and then he’ll be with you. After a week or so of recovery at Lynn’s, JC then will join the promotion trail.”

After a long while of digesting the information, Lance finally commented, “What if Justin doesn’t want to go and he wants to stay and help JC? What if JC isn’t ready to leave the hospital or better yet isn’t fit to do the promotion circuit?”

“Lance our plan doesn’t have room for what ifs.”

“Chris, you can’t be serious.”

“Lance, if JC isn’t ready to leave the hospital then we’ll have to set up something at Justin’s place for him. We can’t leave him in there.”

“This is absurd, fucking crazy. I can’t believe you guys actually thought this up.” He glanced at Chris once more, “How can you look at yourself or for that matter live with yourself.” Chris hung his head down in shame kicking at an imaginary item, It’s not as easy as you think Lance, Chris thought. His head was pounding with conflicting emotions: one that agreed with Lance, one that wanted to tell Lance to fuck off. “I won’t help you with this ‘plan’. I won’t betray JC. Just looking at you,” Lance seethed, “makes me sick.”

“I’m sorry if that’s how you feel Lance, but you will help with this plan and you’ll do so whole-heartedly. Why do you ask?” Johnny glared at Lance, “because that’s just how its gonna be.”

Nurse Jennings entered the semi-darkened room with the large pan of warmer water. She peered over toward the curtained windows and then back at the bed. The young blond man was still lying beside the patient. He was petting the side of the sleeping man’s face and seemed to be whispering into his ear. She walked across the room reaching the two men and placing the pan beside Justin. “Young man?”

Without turning in her direction Justin responded, “My name is Justin. You can at least address me properly, right?”

“Yes, Justin. I can.”

“Thank you.”

She pulled at Justin’s shirt until he finally acknowledged her. The nurse pointed in the direction of the pan. “Do you still want to bathe him?” she asked.

“Yes, thank you.”

“The water is right here. If you think the water is to cold for him, come and get me and I’ll refill it for you.”

“You don’t have to do that, I mean there’s a bathroom right there. I can do it for you.”

“Justin, thanks for offering but the water is medicated. So I kinda have to do that part of it.”

“Yeah, I suppose so.” Justin looked back at JC’s body and then back toward Nurse Jennings. “Where do I start?”

“Well, I generally start with the feet and legs. Because once your done with those areas you can cover his body up so he won’t catch pneumonia.”

“Makes sense. All right, I guess here I go.” Justin sat up in the bed, carefully pulled his legs underneath him and reached behind his body grabbing the small worn cloth out of the pan. He gently wrung the washcloth before turning his body facing JC’s. He looked again at the swirling colors the enveloped his friends body. Such pain, he thought as he brushed his free hand across JC’s uninjured hip, so much pain. Why you, hmmm? What did you ever do to deserve this? A tear slowly made its way down Justin’s face. He felt a cool hand touch his wrist.  

“If you can’t do it, that’s okay. I can.”

“No,” he almost yelled jerking back his wrist, “I can do it.”

“Okay, but if you need anything, I’m just down the hall.”

“Thanks, but I’m sure I won’t be needing you.”

The nurse gave Justin a small smile as she exited the room. Justin was left alone with JC once more and the blond relished the feel of it. Sensing the cloth was cold he dipped it into the water and again rang out the excess water. He did what Nurse Jennings suggested and started with JC unscathed calves. He slowly moved the cloth over JC’s knees tenderly washing behind them. The blond boy dipped the cloth again, squeezed it and then very delicately washed the brunette’s battered thighs. Another tear escaped from Justin’s eyes and splashed unto the exposed skin. Justin watched as the tear ran down and between the older man’s thighs. Justin sighed. He repeated the process over and over again caressing every inch of JC’s legs and torso. It was almost erotic had it not been for the situation the two found themselves in. Justin’s hands trembled as he pressed the warm cloth against JC’s swollen genitals gently rubbing circles around the base and moving up and down the shaft. He was trying his hardest not to hurt JC, but the area was extremely sensitive and a small moan was heard escaping JC’s lips.

“I’m sorry baby,” Justin whispered as another sound penetrated the air. “Shhh, its all right.” The blond placed his free hand on JC’s forehead rubbing back the tiny strands of hair.

“Unnnn,” JC’s body moved slightly.

“I’m sorry,” Justin repeated.  

“Mmmm, Jus…tin?” JC began moving. He turned his head and faced Justin’s gaze. “What…what are you…doing?” It was difficult understanding the words slipping from JC’s mouth.

“Well,” Justin’s cheeks flushed red, “I’m bathing you.” Justin heard a small chuckle. “What, you smell and I couldn’t stand it anymore, so… yeah.” The blond boy smiled beneath the tears.

“Jus…” JC slowly placed his hand on Justin’s clothed filled one. “Let…go of … the cloth.” Justin’s grip immediately released the wet towel and engulfed JC’s offered hand. “Put… put on your…face.” The blond boy quickly and carefully picked up JC’s hand and placed it upon his face. He leaned into the hand, hanging onto it desperately. Justin felt JC’s thumb move under his right eye, catching the lone tear, which escaped from it. He nearly sobbed at the attempt of comfort offered by the brunette. Justin knew JC was trying to care for him; reassure him even if he was the one lying in bed recovering from a massive traumatic experience. The display of affection was typically of JC. He always, in the earlier days, tended the younger group members whenever they were homesick or scared; they always went to him when their mothers were not there. The brunette has always been the comforter of the group even when it seemed like he was shrinking away from them. Now, however, it was Justin’s turn and the blond accepted it unconditionally.  

“JC, how are you feeling?”

“Sore…” JC closed his eyes once again, “pain.”

Justin removed his hand from JC’s hair and reached for the cloth lying on the brunette’s stomach. He dipped the washcloth back into the water and moved it toward JC’s face. The older man painfully turned his face away and whispered, “You…not…face,” he licked his parched lips leisurely, “after…down…there.”

The blond boy nearly fell over backward laughing. “JC you amaze me. Here you are lying in a hospital bed with me of all people giving you a bath and the only thing you can think of after you wake up is whether I’m gonna use the same cloth I wiped your privates with on your face.” JC’s eyes crinkled while he released short bursts of laughter. “Baby, your priceless.” Justin continued wiping JC’s body, avoiding his face when the nurse walked in carrying a tray of items.

“Well, its good to see the two of you laughing,” she said making her way toward JC.

“Yeah, well, Mr. Clean here didn’t want me using the same cloth to wash his face that I used to do the rest of his body with.”

Nurse Jennings laughed. “To tell you the truth I wouldn’t either.” She looked at JC, “So how are you feeling, today, a bit cold I bet? Since wonder boy here forgot to cover you back up.”

“Opps, sorry about that, “Justin answered, “He said he was feeling some pain, but he didn’t tell me where.”

“Thank you Justin,” the nurse smiled patiently.

Justin continued rubbing JC’s arm while Nurse Jennings read and wrote down JC’s vitals. She walked over in the direction of the IV and picked up a needle off the tray she brought with her. Justin immediately felt the brunette’s body tighten when the needle came into view. The blond gently placed his hands on JC’s chin, careful not to touch the wire, and turned it toward him. JC calmed down when their eyes met. The nurse smiled inwardly at the interaction between the two and inserted the needle into the IV bag.

“What was that?” Justin inquired.

“His pain killer and now his meds that will help keep the infections away.”

“Oh.”

“If I’m not mistaken it’s nearly time for yours as well. Let me go get you some water and an additional dosage for you.”

“I don’t think I need that stuff anymore, I’m pretty well calmed down.”

“Well, Justin, I could get Dr. Thompson and have him check you out again, but until then you need to take your prescribed medications.”

Justin sighed, “Fine, I’ll take them.”

“All right. I’ll be right back.”

Nurse Jennings exited the room for a third time. Justin looked down at JC’s face and noticed the brunette was asleep again. The blond carefully slinked off the bed and into the bathroom. Seconds later, he emerged with a white washcloth. He dipped the cloth into the cooling water and moved onto the bed again. Justin cautiously smoothed the cloth over JC’s face, avoiding the small wire insertions. Once he finished washing his friend’s face he wiped the cloth through the brunette’s hair. Then he placed a small kiss on JC’s forehead, “There, baby, all done.”  

The nurse appeared suddenly by Justin’s side. She handed the young singer his pills along with a glass of water. Nurse Jennings moved her gaze toward the patient and remembered she needed to do one more thing. She walked around the bed toward the tray and picked up two pouches. The nurse placed one pouch on the bed while she massaged the other one. Her eyes made contact with Justin’s. “You need to take those Justin, not just hang onto them.” She winked at the stunned boy. When she was satisfied with the pouch in her hand she pulled up the side of the sheet and placed it near JC’s genitals. Then she repeated the process with the second one. She settled the sheet back down around the patient pleased with her work. Nurse Jennings leaned down placing her hand on JC’s forehead, “There, I hope that feels better.”

“What did you just do?”

“Justin, has anyone ever told you that you ask a lot of questions.”

“I’m… I’m sorry. I’m just, ya know, curious.”

“It’s all right, I’m just razzing you. Anyway, all I did was place ice packs around his privates to help reduce the swelling. It’s all ready gone down considerably from what it was a week ago.” She smiled. “JC is getting better by the day. He’ll be out of here in no time.”

Justin’s face lit up, “You called him JC.”

“Yes. I did.”

Lance slowly walked down the hallway and toward his room. He could not believe what just went down in the meeting with Johnny. His eyes were burning with tears and his body shaking. He was so upset, so mad at Chris and their manager, how could they even think of a plan like that. Don’t they care about JC? Why can’t they see that this, this idea of theirs is just gonna make it worse for him. “Why can’t they understand?” As Lance reached his door he began removing his key card from his back pocket, but before he could completely accomplish his goal and menacing hand engulfed his wrist. The blond bass was startled and tried pulling his wrist away. He was too slow. The assailant shoved Lance harshly against the door wrenching the pinned wrist behind the boy’s back. Lance quickly became frighten. Then he felt the person lean against him, pressing their hips into his backside. The blond stiffened. When the familiar voice penetrated his ear he almost screamed. A hand roughly snagged his hair forcing his head back. “What happened in there, you ungrateful piece of shit?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he paused. He tried shifting his body away from the person hoping it would allow him to break free. When he realized his actions were not working he spoke, “Lou, you better let go of me.”

“Why? What the hell are you going to do?” Lou’s grip tightened in his hair. “You know you’re just as weak as JC, maybe even weaker.” He leaned closer, “And you know what happened to him. Who’s to say that it won’t happen to you?”

“Damn it you fat bastard, let go of me.”

“Shut the fuck up,” Lou slammed Lance’s head into the door. “Now before I really get pissed off, answer my question.”

“I… I really don’t know what…what you mean.” Lance’s answer was not what the man planned on hearing; so he rocked the blond boy’s head into the door again.  

“I swear if you don’t tell me what is going on,” he seethed, “you’ll regret it.”

No answer. Lance just closed his eyes and thought about JC. He would not betray him, not after everything his friend had gone through. He would give himself up for JC, never revealing the plan. Lou could do whatever he wanted, but he was not saying anything, nothing. Lance felt Lou press his entire body against his, feeling the hard erection against his back. The blonde’s opposite hand began pounding on the door. It was the only thing he could think of doing, hoping he would attract attention. He regretted doing it. Lou quickly brought his knee up striking Lance’s groin.  

“Uhhh…” A large hand covering his mouth concealed Lance’s scream.

“I told you to shut the fuck up,” Lou hissed. “Now, I’m gonna take out your key card and open the door. You’re gonna keep that fucking mouth of yours closed and stay still you got that.”

The blond boy nodded his head with difficulty. The older man removed his hand from the bass singer’s mouth and reached into Lance’s front pocket. Lance tried moving his body away from the cruel man but was stopped. The heavyset man’s hand pressed deeply into the pocket and began feeling around. The hand brushed against Lance’s phallus and the blond took a deep breath. “Oh, my what do we have here?” He pressed harder, “You’re much bigger than JC is. Well, at least you are by feel,” he laughed. Lance’s body was shaking as images of JC swirled into his mind; this is how it was for JC that night. How could we let this happen to him? Why didn’t we notice sooner?  

Lou’s hand disappeared and then returned snuggled deep inside Lance’s back pocket. He felt the hard plastic and ignored it. Instead he grabbed and squeezed Lance’s ass and rubbed his erection against his hip. “So, Lance,” he hissed. “You want to know what you were missing, hmmm. Do you want to know what JC kept all to himself?”

“Get off of me,” Lance screamed. This time his words were greeted with a punch to his kidney. The blonde’s knees buckled slightly and he gasped.  

“What did I say about talking?”

However, Lou did not know that the last outburst was heard. From around the corner came Lonnie and he was fast approaching. The older man heard the clumsy steps headed toward him and quickly let go of Lance shoving him brutally into the door. He turned and looked at the bodyguard as the large black man loomed over him readying a blow. “I dare, you,” Lou said. “I fucking dare you to cause a commotion out here. This isn’t like before, Lonnie. Others can hear us and what would they say.”

Lonnie stopped dead in his tracks as he surveyed the area around them. He looked over at Lance who had collapsed against the door with his knees against his chest and remembered his promise to Dr. Thompson. “Lou, I really don’t give a fuck about where we’re at.” He brought his fist back and was about to swing when another voice broke them up.

“Lonnie, stop,” Johnny screamed as he vision focused on the two men. “Don’t you dare touch him or you are out of a job. The black man turned and faced the manager giving him a hard stare. “You can give me all the dirty looks in the world Lonnie but back the fuck off.”

“Yeah, Lonnie you better stop.”

Upon hearing Lou’s voice, Lonnie whirled around, “You mother fucker. I swear if I ever see you touch one of the boys again nothing is gonna stop me from tearing you apart.” Lonnie then moved toward Lance and bent down aligning their faces. “Hey, buddy.” He gently placed his large comforting hand on the boy’s shoulder, “You all right?”

Lance shook his head and whimpered, “No.” His emerald eyes met Lonnie’s. “I know what it was like for JC. How scared he was. I know now.” Lance’s body was still shaking from the incident. He glanced over Lonnie’s shoulder at Lou who gave him a knowing smile. The blond closed his eyes and placed his head onto his knees, rocking. “I was so scared he was going to rape me.” Lonnie moved quickly and embraced the young boy. He felt two other bodies press against his and he knew who they were without looking.

“Hey,” Lonnie began, “would one of you open up a room so he can lay down.”

“Yeah, he can use mine,” Chris offered. Chris turned around and pulled out his key. He quickly opened the door just in time allowing the black man, who was carrying Lance, in. He placed his hand onto his forehead as the voices returned and raced through his head. No, not Lance. Serves him right for questioning me. NO, not Lance too. This is all my fault. I can’t take care of them, can’t protect them. No, it isn’t my fault. It’s JC’s. He’s the one that started this whole thing. He’s the one that had to out do me, make me look bad. What, no, that’s not true. No one knows the truth, so no one knows he was stronger than me. Chris shook his head and reached into his pockets pulling out the container of prescriptions drugs he asked Dr. Thompson to write up for him. He poured two of the pills out and swallowed them dry. Please God take my guilt away.



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