Disclaimer: This story has homosexual themes. If you are under 18, or if reading such stories offend you, don't read any further. I know none of the members of NSYNC personally and therefore I have no idea of their sexual preferences.
Chapter 22
JC ran his fingers over and over the handwritten letters as if somehow his touch would change them. It did no good, and the sting he felt as he read them again was no different than when he read the note early this morning. Danni sat next to him, draping her arm around his shoulder.
"You look like you could use a friend. Can I help?"
He looked up at her and she could see the torment in his eyes.
"A note Danni, a fucking note. Not even a good bye."
"Sorry sweetie," she said apologetically, "You lost me. What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about Danny! We spent all day yesterday together. He showed me around New Orleans, the jazz clubs, the cathedral, the French Market, everything. We had a great time. He even stayed with me last night.
Danni immediately interrupted. "What! You let this guy spend the night with you? JC what were you thinking? You don't even know him."
"It wasn't like that Danni. We went out to dinner and then came back to the hotel and chilled out talking and stuff. It got really late, so he just stayed on the sofa. When I got up this morning he was gone and I found this note."
He handed it to her to read.
Josh, I really enjoyed yesterday. Next time you're in New Orleans, be sure to stop back by the club. Best of luck to you and the rest of the guys on the remainder of the tour.
Danny
As she read the note JC continued. "I don't get it. He didn't bother to say goodbye and in his note there is no phone number, no email address, nothing!
He didn't even give me a chance."
"JC are you saying you have feelings for this guy?" Danni asked cautiously.
"I'm not sure what it is? All I know is that I haven't felt that way with anyone, not since Jus..." his voice trailed off and he never finished.
Danni leaned over and kissed his cheek "Not since Justin huh?"
JC nodded his head. "Danni I don't know what it is. There was just something about him, and I really thought he felt the same way, and then I get this note. Why Danni? Why did he just leave like that?"
JC heard a soft voice from behind him. "Because I didn't want to face you this morning."
JC head spun around quickly. "Danny what are you doing here?"
"Umm, I think you guys need to talk privately" Danni said softly. "Why don't you guys go in the TV room in the back?"
JC and Danny headed toward the back of the bus and once the door was shut behind them Danny attempted to explain.
"Josh, I'm sorry about the note. I know that wasn't the best way to handle things, but at the time it seemed like the right thing to do. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I was wrong."
"I don't get it. You're note didn't even have a phone number on it. It's like you didn't want to talk to me any more. We had fun yesterday, or at least I thought we did. What's up?"
Danny took a deep breath trying to calm his nerves before answering. "I did have a good time Josh, but I think you are expecting something to happen between us, and that's just not the case. I left the note because I didn't really want to discuss this with you."
"Danny, I don't think I'm expecting anything, but I'd at least like to give it a try."
"That's the problem Josh. I don't."
His words hit hard, and JC felt he chest pounding. "Are you telling me you feel nothing?"
Danny hung his head and nodded. "Yeah, that's right, nothing."
"You're a fucking liar!"
"I'm not gonna argue with you Josh, and this is exactly why I left the note. I'm sorry."
He turned to leave but before he could take a step, JC grabbed his arm.
"Danny, wait."
Danny slowly turned to face JC and when he did JC pulled him close and kissed him passionately. Danny's first instinct was to pull away but JC held his head tightly and soon all resistance was gone and Danny wrapped his arms around JC and returned the kiss.
Moments later, their lips parted and JC looked deep in Danny's eyes. "Why did you lie Danny?
"Josh, you don't need me in your life right now. You need someone who can be there for you 100%. Like Gary is for Justin. I can't do that. I'm not ready. I just got out of a long distance relationship, a bad one."
"Don't you think I should have something to say about this? Maybe I think it's worth the risk. We don't have to rush things. We can take our time, but if we don't try we'll never know. You can't look me in the eye and tell me you don't want the same thing."
"No, I can't. I had a great time yesterday. Probably the first day in months that I didn't spend every free moment thinking about Paul, but Josh you're on the road and I'm in New Orleans. I just don't think it makes sense for us to get involved.
"Look Danny, I don't tour all the time. Once you move to Orlando, we can see each other as often as we like.
His comment caught Danny off guard. "How do you know I'm moving to Orlando?"
JC winked and flashed a huge smile. "I do my homework. Eric said when he and Dennis open the new bar in Orlando, you agreed to manage it. Am I right?"
For the first time since entering the bus Danny smiled slightly. "Yeah, you're right. I'm moving next month."
"So it will be perfect. By the time you get Razoo's up and running we'll just be finishing our tour. The timing couldn't be better."
"Josh, you have no idea what you're getting into."
"Maybe not," he said softly, "but if you always kiss as good as you did just then, I figure its worth a shot."
Danny conceded defeat. "Come here." He took JC's hands and pulled him close. He slowly moved his lips closer to JC's and finally allowed their lips to touch. His tongue entered JC mouth and they kissed. Not with the intensity of their first kiss, but tenderly and with emotion.
"Nice and slow, right Josh?" Danny whispered.
"Yeah, nice and slow" JC whispered in return "I promise"
TBC......Comments to Dannibailey@hotmail.com