Twenty-Two:
"Alone at last, and no need for interruptions," JC said, cradling Sarah against his chest. He smelled of whatever brand of soap the hotel provided, and that tangy scent that was just Josh. She sighed in contentment. "I have dreamed of having you here beside me every night since we were together," he whispered, kissing her temple and closing his eyes. "Hey, whats wrong? Sarah? Why are you crying?"
"Ive just missed you so much."
"Oh baby, Ive missed you too. It wont be much longer and then Ill have lots of time to spend with you." He wrapped his arms more tightly around her; it wasnt possible to be closer with their clothes on.
Despite the fact that they both desperately wanted to stay up and spend the night talking and kissing and cuddling, the day had been long and tiring. When Sarah yawned for the fifth time in three minutes, JC finally gave up on meaningful conversation. He moved away long enough to turn the lights off. Sarah was too tired to protest, though she did make a soft sound of disapproval. "In the morning," he whispered and she tried to nod, but was too tired to accomplish the feat.
Gina looked at the door and sighed. There really was no other choice, unless she wanted to sleep in the hall. Actually, curling up on the floor didnt sound nearly so bad, but she had a feeling someone would object. She took a deep breath and rapped her knuckles against the door. It swung open and she steeled herself.
"What?"
She shoved past him. "Lucky us, were roommates."
"Like hell."
"And what would you suggest instead? You know as well as I do that its girlfriend central around here."
"Lance has two beds."
"And Steve is in the extra one."
"Whatever." He grudgingly stepped aside and she shoved past him and went straight into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. When she came back out, she went straight to the empty bed and crawled under the covers.
Wade stood and stomped towards the bathroom. "Bitch," he muttered.
"Asshole," she replied, burying her head under the pillow.
Joey opened the door, ready to kill whoever dared knock after Briana had finally gone to sleep. His brother stood there, hands in his pockets, looking very apologetic. "I need my bag." Joey picked the bag up and handed it to him.
"You staying with Wade?"
"No, Lance."
"And what about Lola?"
"Shes stuck with the whirling wonder."
"Thats just wrong . . . theyll kill each other before morning."
Steve grinned in response. "Nah, shell live. Besides, I need my sleep and I am so tired of listening to him snore and talk in his sleep. You guys really need to spring for a couple more rooms." He took his bag and walked away, leaving Joey shaking his head and wondering if Wade was smart enough not to piss her off too badly when she had easy access to his sleeping body. The girl could be more evil than Justin and Chris on their best days, and there was certainly no love lost between her and the choreographer/ tour producer-director-decision making guy.
A sharp cry from his daughter brought him swiftly out of his thoughts and back to her mothers side. He reached out, knowing Kelly deserved as much of a break as he could offer. "Go back to sleep, baby, Ive got her." Kelly nodded and smiled, more than happy to let him play daddy for a while.
Stacy leaned against the door of the hotel room and stared at Chris. Just being in the same room with him made her feel all tingly inside. She wanted to jump him . . . so she did.
"Whoa! Aggressive Amazon woman! Is there something I can do for you?"
"I think so."
"Like what?"
"Like this," she finished, attacking his lips. He kissed her back quite happily and she wiggled against him as his hands softly caressed her back. Everything was going so well . . . so why was he pushing her away?
"Stace, honey, I think we need to talk."
"Oh."
"No, no, dont get all worried. I just think there are some things we have to deal with." In spite of his words, she wasnt comforted. His tone was very serious and extremely un-Chris-like.