You ever wonder what life would be like if you hadn't chosen the path you did? I wonder what my life would have been like had Justin not made that fateful call seven years ago. Seven years, it seems like just yesterday we were sitting onstage at an amusement park singing to a crowd of barely five thousand. It's been a wild ride. I've seen and done things I would never have dreamed possible. I've met countless celebrities, seen a dozen countries. I'm a big star now. Well I was, but that's over. A lot of things are over now. It's funny, when your young you think your invisible. I have money, fame, friends, a man I love but none of that matters now. He had told his parents last night. Now it was time to tell the guys and later the man he loved. He would have to put on the performance of a lifetime if they were going to believe that he simply didn't want to do it anymore.
"JC."
"In here."
"Hey, am I the first one here" said Joey.
"Yeah."
"So what's this big pow wow about" said Joey.
"You'll find out when everyone gets here" said JC.
"Not even a hint for your best buddy" said Joey smiling.
"Sorry, but no."
"Some friend, you mind if I grab a beer" said Joey.
"Go ahead, I need to make a phone call" said JC.
"A phone call. Would that phone call be to this secret boyfriend of yours" asked Joey?
"Yes."
"That's another thing. When are we going to meet this man your so in love with" asked Joey?
"Soon. Now is not really a good time for him" said JC.
"Why, is he some big musician or something" said Joey.
"Do you mind if I have a little privacy."
"Oh my God, he is a musician" said Joey.
"I didn't say that" said JC
"You didn't have too. So who is it, P Diddy" said Joey.
"P Diddy. I think I have a little better taste than that" said JC raising an eyebrow.
"So, come on, who is it" said Joey
"Didn't you want a beer" said JC.
"Gee, a guy might think your trying to get rid of them" said Joey smiling.
"I am" said JC returning the smile.
"Fine, I'll leave you alone" said Joey scowling.
Picking up the cellphone JC propped up a pillow as he dialed the number.
"That's funny, he's not..."
"Hello?"
"Hey" said JC.
"All you can say is hey. What the fuck took you so long" said Marshall.
"Joey arrived a little early" said JC.
"Joey, I should have known. I ought to fucking kill him. Are we still on for tonight" asked Marshall?"
"Yeah. I really need to see you" said JC.
"Need to see me? I like the sound of that" said Marshall.
"I gotta go, I hear the guys" said JC.
"What, I can only warrant a minute of your time now" said Marshall.
"Marshall, don't start. You know I would spend every moment with you if I could" said JC.
"Yeah, yeah. Why did you have to go and be a fucking pop star anyway? Couldn't you have just been a regular Joe so I could have you at my every beck and call.
"You still on the phone" said Joey appearing in the doorway.
"Yeah. I've really got to go. I'll talk to you later" said JC.
"You know I bet it's about the guy he's seeing" said Chris.
"Huh." said Lance.
"Hello JC, the mysterious boyfriend" said Chris.
"Oh, that."
"It's not about the guy I'm seeing" said JC.
"JC, I didn't see you standing there" said Chris.
"So, why did you call us all over" said Justin.
"I've been thinking about things lately and I have come to a decision about something" said JC taking a seat.
"The touring, the producing, the singing. I can't do it anymore" said JC.
"That's not funny." said Chris.
"Your not serious are you" said Justin.
"I'm sorry guys, but I..."
"Ok, this is crazy. Your making no sense" said Chris.
"Your producing, we're working on the new album" said Justin.
"I love you guys. I would never hurt any of you if I didn't...I just want to enjoy life for a change" said JC.
"This has something to do with that guy your seeing doesn't it. He talked you into this, didn't he" said Chris.
"Excuse me, but I have a mind of my own. He didn't talk me into anything. He doesn't even know that I'm quitting" said JC.
"You haven't told your boyfriend yet. Some relationship" said Chris.
"Don't start Chris" said JC.
"Don't start. You freaking date some guy for what, six months now and not once have we met him. And now your telling us you want to break up the group. Their is some weird shit going on with you" said Chris.
"I didn't ask for this. I expected..."
"Expected what?"
"Nothing, forget it." said JC.
"Look, none of this makes sense" said Chris.
"Life doesn't make sense. Guys I'm sorry" said JC.
"Sure, we're just your friends. Why, care about what happens to us " said Chris.
"Don't mind Chris. I'm sure he's not angry.
"Like, hell I'm not."
"We're all a little stunned" said Joey.
"I know. Look, we can talk about this more at dinner" said JC.
"Dinner, that's right. We get to meet the new boyfriend" said Joey smiling.
"You know I have things to do. I think I'll just be going" said Chris.
"Chris..."
"I'll talk with him. You know we support you. If this is what you feel you need to do."
"Thanks." said JC.
"I better get going. I have a few things to do before tonight" said Lance.
"If their were something else. You would tell us wouldn't you" said Justin.
"Of course I would. Now, get out of here before I change my mind" said JC.
Watching as the cars pulled out of the driveway Marshall frowned. It was about damned time they left. Placing the cap on his head. Marshall nervously made his way up the driveway. Half expecting to find some reporter lurking in the bushes. Hell, it was a mystery to him how they had been able to keep things secret this long.
"Your early" said JC.
"Would you let me in before some sees us" said Marshall irritated.
"I'm glad your here." "Fucking ass holes, I though they would never leave. Do you know I have spent all day in the studio thinking about what I would like to do to you" said Marshall wrapping his arms around JC.
"I need to talk to you about something" said JC.
"I haven't been waiting all fucking day to talk" said Marshall tugging at JC's shirt.
"It's important.
"So is this" said Marshall kissing JC hungrily.
"Marshall, not now" said JC
"Yes, now" said Marshall sliding his hand under JC's shirt.
"No" said JC pushing him away.
"What the fuck is going on" said Marshall.
"We need to talk first. I've, changed my mind about going on the road with you this summer" said JC nervously avoiding Marshall's gaze.
"What did you say."
"I'm not coming on the road with you" said JC.
"What the hell. We've had this planned for months."
"I think it would better if I stay here. I can be near the guys. Get some producing done, you know" said JC.
"You bastard. Your fuckin choosing them over me" said Marshall angrily.
I just don't think it's good time right now."
"Get something straight here, Chasez. I don't play second fiddle to anybody. You are mine. I have all of you or nothing" said Marshall.
"Don't start with this control shit, you don't own me Marshall"
"Like hell I don't. You think your going to find anybody else that can fuck you like I do" said Marshall thrusting his hard cock into JC.
"Marshall, I..."
"Oh, no you don't. I didn't spend all day in the studio worked up for nothing."
"Marshall, put me down" said JC irritated.
"Geez, you really need to lay off that fucking diet your on. Your so thin it's like picking up a pencil"
"I'm just trying to tone up a little" said JC.
"When are you going to realize that you are perfect just the way you are."
Putting him down Marshall nudged him on to the bed, His mouth wasting no time finding JC's as he eased on top of him.
Closing his eyes JC fought the wave of pain overcoming him as Marshall's tongue forced it's way inside. "Hello, am I supposed to be fucking myself here" said Marshall.
" I need to use the john, I'll be right back" said JC.
"Your fucking unbelievable, you know that" said Marshall angrily rolling over.
Closing the door behind him JC slumped to the floor as he hurled into the toilet. Why couldn't Marshall take no for an answer? He could barely stand up, let alone take a night of Marshall having his way with him.
"Are you going to park it in there all night" said Marshall.
"I'll be right there" said JC. Wiping his face with a towel he attempted a smile as he opened the door.
"What" said JC as Marshall stared at him.
"Do you know how sexy you are" said Marshall.
"Sexy, hardly" said JC.
"Come on. Those eyes, those lips, that body. I could fuck you for days" said Marshall.
"Marshall."
"Yeah" said Marshall seemingly ignoring him as he his hand slipped into JC's boxers.
"Can we, I just want to lay here in your arms" said JC.
"Lay here, in my arms."
"Really, I'm kind of tired" said JC.
"Tired, that's all you seem to be lately" said Marshall.
"I'm sorry" said JC.
"Sorry, we haven't made love for weeks. Your fucking seeing someone else aren't you" said Marshall angrily pulling away.
"No, how could you think that."
"What am I supposed to think. You might as well admit it now because when I find out I'm going to kill the bastard"
"I'm not seeing anyone else. You are the only one I want. Come back to bed. Don't you want to feel you strong hands around me" said JC.
"I would rather feel my hands around something else."
" Please. I promise tomorrow I'm all yours" said JC.
"Dammit, Chasez, how do you do it. One look into your eyes and it's like I'm putty" said Marshall irritated.
"What can I say" said JC smiling.
"I'm telling you something is wrong here" said Justin. "I agree. JC wouldn't just quit" said Joey.
"Hey, guys I'm glad your here" said Johnny.
"Do you know" said Chris.
"Know what."
"That JC is quitting."
"Yeah, he told me" said Johnny.
"Did he tell you why" said Lance.
"He said something about not wanting to do it anymore" said Johnny nervously shuffling papers.
"It doesn't make any sense" said Lance.
"I'm sure everything will work out for the best."
"Johnny, I have that list of relators that Mr. Chasez wanted" said Jenny.
"Thank you" said Johnny quickly taking the papers.
"Did you want me to call and clear things for Friday."
"I'm in the middle of something. Can we talk about this later" said Johnny.
"Relators. Is JC buying a house" said Lance.
"No. Look, maybe this is all for the best" said Johnny.
"Best. How can it be for the best. Wait a minute. You know something don't you" said Chris.
"Yes, I know all of you are keeping me from work. Now scram before I cancel your contracts" said Johnny.
"No, their is something you are not telling us" said Chris.
"You are always too suspicious said Johnny attempting to end the conversation.
"And I thought Lance was a bad liar. If you know something you have to tell us, please" said Chris.
"I, I can't tell you anything" said Johnny.
"Then you do know something" said Justin.
"I promised him I wouldn't say anything."
"What, we're his friends. We deserve to know."
"Look, all I can tell you is that he wouldn't do this without a good reason. Think on what you've seen" said Johnny.
"Think on what we've seen. What the hell is that. Come on, you owe us the truth" said Chris angrily.
"I'm sorry guys but he has to be the one to tell you" said Johnny.