Yeah, Right...
Chapter 13: Odd Couple
By the time night rolled around JC had been home for a few hours. Not saying anything to Lance, but instead delving right back into Harry Potter. Lance had convinced Joey to go with him to The Forum by swearing that there would be hot lesbians making out around every corner. He planned on making his get away once his parents went to bed. Which was usually about ten. It was 9 o’clock now. Lance got up from his spot on the couch. He went into the kitchen, expecting to find his mom and dad out there, but they weren't, and he assumed they must've gone to bed early. He walked casually back into his bedroom. JC had been home since seven, and had been reading ever since. Lance didn't say anything. He went into his closet, pulling out his black leather pants and a skin tight blue with zebra striped shirt.
“Where are ya goin’?” JC dared to ask.
“Out.” Lance answered in as few words as possible. JC left it at that. Lance strolled out of his room and into the bathroom to get ready for his night out. He was going to pick up someone hot. Someone new. He was determined. Someone not JC.
At ten o’clock the house was completely silent. Lance crept soundlessly to the front door. And opened it slowly, making sure to not let it creak. He breathed deeply once he was outside, taking in the cool night air. He jogged down the front steps and unlocked his car. He put it neutral and let it roll down the drive-way, getting a little distance away from the house before starting the engine.
JC put down the book and stared out of Lance’s window. He watched him get into the car and drive away. Why did he have to leave so sneakily. He could've told me where he was going. JC was concerned. Why? He tried to brush it off. He shouldn't be. He didn't need to be. Lance wasn't his best friend anymore, he didn't need to care.
Lance spotted Joey sitting at the bar. Drinking a non-alcoholic Margarita. The dance club was drenched in multi-colored lights, giving it an almost rainbow effect. He supposed that was done on purpose. Lance made his way over to his friend.
“Hey, Joe.” Lance patted him on the shoulder, but Joey reached out and gave him a bear hug.
“I guess I was wrong, huh? About Terra Toys. I could've sworn...But I was wrong. Sorry.” he had obviously talked to Beth after he had convinced him to come here.
“Naw, don't worry about it. I guess I thought so too, ya know.” Lance shrugged. “I don't want to talk about him anymore. I’m here to forget him.”
“Okay, then forget you will.” Joey took Lance’s arm with his hand and dragged him out onto the dance floor. They both started dancing giddily to the music. Smiles spread wide across both of their faces. It was working. Lance and Joey started to split up, Joey wound up between two lesbians, bumping and grinding. Lance was with a cute boy, with maroon hair. He let his body fall into the groove of the music and let his thoughts slip away. He felt someone tap his shoulder, breaking his dance. Lance spun around and tried to control his jaw from dropping open.
“Cory.” Lance greeted his ex-boyfriend with a hug. Cory looked great. Better than ever. Very tight black leather pants and an equally tight dark purple shirt clad his perfectly toned dancer’s body. His hair, now jet black, contrasted his milky complexion and bright blue eyes.
“Lance, I haven't seen you in forever.” He smiled. “Wanna drink?”
“I’d love one.” Lance grinned. Cory flashed his ID to the bar tender who served him two beers.
They found an empty booth in the corner of the club.
“So, what have you been up to lately?” Cory asked once they were settled.
“God, you would not believe me if I told you. Its been nuts. We have a family staying with us. A friend of my mothers. Her son, JC, is actually staying with me, in my room-”
“Is he hot?” Cory smirked.
“Well, he’s an asshole.” The words stung Lance’s mouth. He didn't believe that.
“I see.” Cory suddenly got this funny look on his face.
“You look great, Lance. God, I’ve missed you.” He admired from across the booth.
Missed fucking me, you mean. “Really?” Lance’s eyebrows raised.
“Yeah. You want another beer?”
“Sure.” I could use the alcohol. Cory was gone for a couple minutes. Lance spotted Joey on the floor, still between the lesbians. He caught his stare and Joey gave him a quick thumbs up. Lance laughed at his friend before Cory returned to the table with four beers, instead of two, and popped one open for Lance.
Lance took in Cory’s chiseled frame, basked in the lights, in awe, as he sat down.
“You look good too, Cory.”
Cory gave Lance a sexy half smile. “Thanks.”
JC sighed and threw the book down on the floor in aggravation. He couldn't read. Maybe I should just go to bed. He looked up at the clock. Midnight. Now that he thought about it he had a very long day, and not a good nights sleep the night before, and he was kinda tired. He flicked the light off and lay down in darkness. I wonder what time Lance is gonna be back. What if something happens to him? Nobody even knows he’s out. Or where he is. Why the hell am I so worried. Stop it, JC. Go to sleep. He snuggled under the covers. Trying to get comfortable.
After three beers, Lance hadn't been that difficult to coax into dancing with. Cory and Lance pulsed their body’s against each others. The red and blue lights washing over the bodies. Cory knew Lance didn't hold his alcohol well, he was already somewhat drunk. Lance giggled as he continued their dance. Cory felt familiar in his arms. It wasn't exactly what he had been looking for tonight. But he was gay. And he was incredibly hot... and Lance knew he was a great lay. So when Cory started to run his hands over his body, caressing his ass and chest, Lance didn't protest. Instead, he did the same. It was easy, touching Cory in the way used to. In the way he used to love him, before he loved JC, and that wasn’t easy.
JC got up out of the bed. He couldn't sleep either. Big Surprise. He traveled down the hall and into the living room. He picked up the remote and turned the television on at a low volume. Finally deciding on watching old reruns of The Odd Couple. He needed something to distract him from wondering where the hell Lance was, and when he was going to be back, if at all.
Cory whispered hoarsely into Lance’s ear. His breath tickled Lance neck.
“Lets leave, Lance.” Cory offered.
This what he had wanted tonight, right? Right. Lance nodded slowly. He found Joey and told him he was leaving. Joey looked somewhat disapprovingly but knew he couldn't make decisions for him. Lance took Cory’s hand and let him lead him out to his car. Lance got into the passenger side as Cory took the wheel. His apartment was not far from the club. Ten minutes later Lance was trailing behind Cory up the stairs to his pad. Cory fished for his keys in his pocket and unlocked the door. Lance followed Cory straight into his bedroom, but he didn't have to, he already knew the way. Lance lay down on Cory’s bed and Cory didn't waste time in flinging himself on top of his ex-lover. Lance needed to do this quickly before he changed his mind. He felt Cory’s mouth envelope his own, his tongue working his way inside, and playing with Lance’s. Lance grasped Cory’s body anxiously, letting his hands work his way up his shirt. See, this isn't JC and I’m fine. Fine. This is great. Lance thought to himself.
JC heard a car outside and thought it might be Lance. He sprinted towards the bedroom leaving
the television on. He wasn't sure what he was going to do once Lance actually got home. Probably not speak to him. But he at least wanted to know he was safe. Maybe..maybe he didn't hate him as much as he should. Maybe he had let him... get to him in some way. Already in this one day he missed their friendship. He despised being ignored and being hated by him. He couldn't tell Lance that though. JC closed the curtain. It hadn't been Lance. A neighbor coming back from a late night out. JC sighed and headed back towards the television.
Lance rolled off of Cory once their finished their love-making. No, not love-making. Fucking. That's all that was. Lance was completely sober now, he stared at the ceiling, not wanting to look at Cory, afraid of what he’d see. His own self-hatred, right now, for falling back on what was familiar, because he couldn't have what he wanted now, JC. His own stupidity. For lying to JC. For thinking that a casual lay would make him forget about him. Suddenly he wanted badly to be at home. Even if he wasn’t speaking to JC, he wanted the comfort of being in the same house as him. Pathetic as that sounded.
“Lance.” Cory spoke smoothly.
Lance slowly turned his head to look at the man he’d just slept with.
Jesus Christ. He groaned inwardly. “Cory. I..I’m sorry I have to go.” Lance reached down and grabbed his boxer-briefs off of the floor and slipped them on.
“Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing. Michael’s going to be home soon, and I’m not sure how much he would like to find you here.” Of course. Lance thought. The boyfriend. Cory hadn't changed. Cory shrugged, lighting a cigarette.
“You forgot to ask me how I was, babe. You didn't expect for me not to have a boyfriend, right.”
“Right.” Lance’s mouth formed a firm line.
“C’mon.” Cory motioned with his head. “I’ll give you a drive back to your car.”
JC’s ears perked up at the sound of a car stopping in the drive-way. This time he knew it was Lance. 3 a.m. Its about fucking time. JC thought, as he continued to stare at the TV. He didn’t want to look too anxious.
Lance exited the freeway. It was only a mile to his house. JC was probably asleep. Not worried at all. What did he care about a fag anyway? Lance dimmed his lights before pulling into the driveway and parking the 4-Runner. He was dreading having to see JC. He was pissed that he couldn't even enjoy screwing his stunningly sexy ex-boyfriend because of him. Lance cautiously opened the front door. The house was the same as when he left, completely dark and still.
He rubbed his eyes to try and adjust to the darkness, he didn't want to trip or knock anything over. He walked carefully back towards his bedroom but the sight of JC still up and watching TV stopped him along the way. He stared through the glass-doors at JC. JC looked up and their eyes locked. Lance looked away quickly, and walked briskly towards his bedroom.
JC got up from his spot on the couch and followed him. Lance had already removed his shirt and was searching through his drawers for pajamas. JC entered the room.
“Do you mind.” Lance hissed. “I’m trying to change.”
“Where the hell were you, until three in the morning, Lance?” JC interrogated.
“Not like its any of your business, mother. I was at a club.” Lance retorted with a scowl on his face. JC found his eyes traveling down Lance’s bare chest. He had the smoothest, milky skin JC had ever seen. As his eyes traveled lower he could make out the beginnings of a happy trail that stopped when his leather pants began. Lance turned away from JC, not able to handle the intensity of his stare.
JC walked over to Lance and placed his hand on his bare shoulder. Soft too.
“Lance, you were at a club, until three am.”
Lance turned around, infuriated that he had the audacity to touch him. “No, not at a club ‘till three am, I was fucking my ex-boyfriend. If you must know.” Lance snapped.
JC took a step away from Lance, suddenly looking afraid,as if he was too close he might catch something.
“That's right, JC. Leave. I’m a queer, remember. I’m not your best friend. I’m a fag. So leave.” Lance spat. JC sucked in a deep breath. That wasn't what he had expected. He didn't know what he had. But not that. Why would Lance do that?
“You're right, Lance.” With that JC tore the Leo necklace from its place around his neck and threw it on the ground. Before storming out of the room.
Jesus, he really knows how to turn the drama on. Lance thought as he bent down to pick up the necklace off the floor. He studied the engraving carefully, running his fingers along the grooves before placing it on top of his piano. He stripped down to his boxers and finally put on an over-sized t-shirt. It was his night in the bed. He crawled into the comfortable space and let his head rest against the pillow. He looked down and saw that JC had left his Harry Potter on the floor, opened to the page where he had left off. He was already in the middle of the second book. Lance laughed. He would love to talk to him about it. Now, he didn’t think even that would happen. He didn't know how things were ever going to change. He couldn't continue to let himself have feelings for a straight man. But he was afraid that wasn't going to change either. He was waiting for me. Lance suddenly realized. He had been reading... and coudn't. Then he went to watch television. He was worried.
Lance smiled contentedly and slipped into sleep.
JC couldn't sleep...again. Lance had told him they weren't friends anymore. He already knew that. But Lance actually saying it hurt so much more, if he had thrown stones at his head, it probably would've hurt less. Their friendship was gone. He repeated to himself. He didn't want it to be. He missed Lance. He concluded. Maybe that's why he couldn't help gazing at him when he was shirtless. Just because it was what he didn't have anymore but still wanted. Lance. But he wanted to be on the basketball team too. He didn't know how accepting Justin would be of their friendship. He may not like him being on the team so much then. And he wanted to be on the team. It was something he loved too. Frustrated tears began to sting his eyes. He didn't know what to do. He had to make a sacrifice, but what? No answer came. For the second night in a row JC cried himself to sleep.