Yeah, Right...
Chapter 8: Naked Dance
The Texas morning sun warmed Lance’s face through the opened curtains, eventually waking him up at about noon. He let his eyes creep open, slowly taking in the breathtaking sight of JC’s body pressed tightly against his own. His friendly arm still draped over his waist. It was the kind of contact and intimacy Lance had been praying for all week. Of course it had come about due to JC’s need for companionship and comfort, rather than lust. But he would take what he could get. Plus, he wanted to comfort him. He cared for him so much. He didn't know how in one week he let himself fall in love, with a jock, no less. But he had. And this one wasn't going to be easy to get over. Last night, when JC was crying, he had cried to. It had hurt him to see him so broken, so upset. He wanted nothing more that to sooth him, hold him, and comfort him, and that's what he had done. And now, JC lay in bed next to him, basked in the warm sunlight, making him radiate, and Lance wanted to kiss him. He needed to. He reached up deliberately with his hand, and tentatively ran his thumb over JC’s flush lips. Lance felt like he was running his thumb over velvet. JC eyelids fluttered and Lance quickly removed his hand. What the hell was I thinking?
JC’s eyes flickered open, squinting in the sunshine. He smiled warmly at Lance who was still snuggled up against him in the small bed. He supposed that any straight guy, like himself, who found another man in bed with him, might be appalled, and had it been any other man, he might’ve been too. But he wasn’t. He couldn't explain why not; except by saying that he needed someone. And Lance had been there, arms open, willing to nurture him. And it still felt comforting to know that he was so close. That he hadn't been grossed out during the night and left, but that he had stayed with him; it made him happy, for lack of a better word. He was happy. Even though, lately, in his life, there were so many things to be upset about; he was happy to be here with Lance. Right now. In this bed. Warm. Comforted. Himself. And Loved.
“Hey.” JC’s voice was gruffly from sleep, a small smile still flickered on his red velvet lips.
“Good mornin’,” A slight Texas drawl accented Lance’s simple words, making them sound more like a low song. JC’s stomach growled, and they both giggled, blue and green eyes sparkling.
“How ‘bout I make us some breakfast.” Lance suggested.
“Sounds good to me.”
Lance climbed towards the end of the bed. Putting one leg over the edge, and balancing himself on the small ladder.
“You sure you can cook?” JC suddenly questioned, crawling over towards Lance.
“I make the best French toast this side of the Mississippi.” Lance proclaimed with pride.
JC chuckled. “Wow. This side of the Mississippi, huh? Are you sure you're not the one who’s ‘perfect’?”
Lance finished climbing down the ladder, bouncing onto the carpet.
“I’m pretty goddamn sure of the that.” he retorted before making his way out to the kitchen.
JC flopped back down on the bed. Sighing. He was in a great mood. All those emotions that he had let out last night had been building inside of him throughout the course of his parents divorce, and now that he had let them out, he felt wonderful.
I’m as corny as Kansas in August
High as a flag on the forth of July.
If you will note there's a lump in my throat
When I speak of that wonderful guy.
Lance hummed the old South Pacific show-tune as he cracked eggs and and beat them in a bowl. He stopped when he heard JC enter the kitchen, still clad in only boxers and wife-beater.
“What were you just singing, Lance?” JC asked.
“Oh, just some dumb old song...” Lance’s voice trailed off as a blush warmed his cheeks. Yes, since all the straight guys you know I’m sure sing show-tunes about being ‘in love with a wonderful guy’.
“You sounded good. You should sing more often.” JC said casually. He felt like he needed to make it up to Lance that he had been so nice to him last night. And he wasn't lying, Lance had an amazing voice.
“Thanks...” Lance was surprised. Maybe he’s not as smart as his grades reflect.
“Hey you're mom left a note.” JC changed the subject as he picked up a scrap of paper off of the kitchen table. “She said that she went to Central Market and lunch with your dad and my mom.” JC read the note.
“Oh God. They practically live at Central Market. They’ll probably be there for hours.”
“Good then we’ll have the house all to ourselves.” JC stated, as he walked towards the door that led to Lance’s backyard. He opened the sliding glass door and stepped out onto a stone patio, covered in a terrace with vines twisting throughout it. They had a small swimming pool and jacuzzi. The yard was gorgeous, covered in thick shrubbery, surrounding the pool, and several small statuettes were placed in the greenery. Next to the pool was a quaint table-chair set and an ocean-themed mini-bar.
“You have a beautiful backyard.” JC called to Lance, who was still cooking.
“We should. My mother loves it more than she loves me.” Lance yelled back.
Fifteen minutes later JC and Lance were seated at a small rot-iron table next to Lance’s pool. Lance served JC several pieces of his French toast.
JC dove in, chewing hungrily.
“Mmm..a masterpiece.” he mumbled through a mouthful of food.
“Thanks.” Lance laughed. He was happy JC liked it. He was happy period.
The mountain of French toast Lance had made disappeared in half the time it had taken Lance to make it. Both boys patted their full bellies as they sat down by the edge of the pool. They sat in silence was for a few minutes. Letting their food settle, the sun warm them, and dipping their feet in the cool water.
“Lance.” JC said, looking over at Lance, who was staring at his feet, but looked up at JC when he heard his name. “You know, what happened last night really helped me a lot. I feel so much better today than any other day since the divorce. And I feel like, I wouldn't have been able to let myself go like that in front of anyone else, and I don't think that anyone else would've understood like you did. I just want you to know that you're a great friend, Lance.”
“Don't worry about it, JC, really.” He smiled back at him, “That's what friends are for, plus..” Lance’s smile twisted into a mischievous grin, “...You just looked so pathetic I had to-” Lance’s sarcasm was cut off when he felt a hand push his back, roughly, forcing him to fall, with a splash, into the pool.
“You asshole!” he heard JC yell, obviously trying to sound hurt, but when Lance emerged from the water, he could see laugher glittering in his eyes. Lance splashed the water towards JC, drenching him.
“That's it!” JC yelled as he dove into the pool. He swam under the water and grabbed Lance’s ankles, pulling him under, and holding him there, until Lance started waving his arms frantically. JC let him up, laughing at him, as Lance rubbed the chlorine out of his eyes. JC headed towards the stairs, still laughing, but Lance wasn't about to let him get away that easily. He bounded upward, landing on JC back, gripping his shoulders firmly.
“Shit!” JC swore, huffing from the weight of Lance on his back. “You need to go on a diet!”
“Don't make fun of my weight. I’m self conscious.” Lance whined, between giggles.
“Well, I'm self conscious about crying in front of people.” JC rebutted. Lance slid off of JC’s back, and JC turned around to face Lance.
“You know I was joking, right? I’m here for you, anytime. I want to be.”
“So serious.” JC laughed, then added, “I know, man.”
A light spring breeze whisked through the backyard, chill-bumps sprinkled Lance’s skin, making him shiver.
“Man, I’m fucking cold.” he said, rubbing his flesh.
“Yeah, me too.” JC agreed.
Lance walked towards the shallow end of the pool, and made his way up the stairs. JC started to crack up when he saw how clingy boxers and a wife-beater were when drenched, Lance blushed brightly and flicked JC off. He sprinted towards a small cabinet besides the mini-bar and grabbed two towels. He quickly wrapped one around his waist. But, he wasn't about to pass up an opportunity to see JC drenched. He stood at the cabinet, waving the towel, teasingly. JC got a ‘you gotta be kidding’ look on his face, but now it was Lance’s turn to laugh at him. JC swore under his breath and staggered out of the pool. Lance held his breath to keep from squealing in joy. He could practically make out every muscle in JC’s body, every curve. Lance snapped out of it when JC snatched the towel out of his hand.
“It was only fair.” he smirked.
“Yeah, yeah..” JC mumbled, smiling at Lance.
They headed inside, still dripping wet. Lance knew if his mother was home she’d yell at him for dripping water all over her carpet. The front door swung open. JC and Lance stood completely still, like two deer frozen in head-lights.
“James Lance Bass! You're dripping water all over the carpet!” They didn't give her any more time to lecture. JC grabbed Lance’s arm and jerked him down the hall quickly into their bedroom, slamming the door behind them. The both sunk back against the door, panting and laughing.
“ ‘James Lance Bass!’” JC choked out in high-pitched voice, imitating Diane. “James?” he repeated.
“Shut-up. Joshua.” Lance hit JC’s arm playfully.
Just then the telephone next to Lance’s bed rang. Lance dove towards the phone, answering breathlessly.
“Hello?” he said into the receiver
“Lance? Good. This is Beth. Why are you out of breath? I know the phone is by your bed. You and JC doing any exploring?”
“Oh, yeah..A lot.” Lance said seductively.
“Hot. You have to tell me details.” sarcasm dripped from her voice. “ -But later, right now we’re going to Barton Springs with Collin, Joey, Lynn and Stella, ok?”
“I guess.” he agreed, he knew Beth would give him no other choice anyway, and there wasn't anything else to do, but sit around and feel awkward, and that didn't sound too appealing.
“Great. We’ll see you there at two, babe. And tell sex-kitten I said hi.” She purred.
“Will do.” Lance rolled his eyes. “Bye Beth.” He hung up.
“So, where are we going?” JC inquired, he had slipped out and into the bathroom while Lance was on the phone and was now back in the room, dressed and toweling his hair dry.
“To Barton Springs. No use getting that dry. We’re just gonna go swimming again. It’ll be fun, though.”
“OK.” JC agreed.