Hey y'all. Here's the next part of Dreams of an Angel. Kinda long is it? I know. But then, I'm kinda in the mood to write, so bear with me okay :) Hope you don't fall asleep reading. Hope you all enjoy it! Any comments or suggestions, well, you know how to contact me. My Yahoo ID is Goldenknightuk if you wish to send me an instant message. Sorry for any bad grammars boys and girl. C'mon! Nobody's perfect!! :)
Before the show, onwards to the boring part! Legal matters! Hehehe. You can press 'fast-forward' now.
Well, first of all, this story, as you will certainly find out soon, is TOTALLY fictional. So! If any of you truly believe in it... dude, I'm worried about you. Secondly! None of the guys in the Backstreet Boys are gay! (No matter how hard I wished it :P). But nobody say we couldn't dream it, heh heh. Thirdly, Warren Worthington is actually a character from Marvel Comics, X-men known as Angel or recently Archangel. Okay fine, I admit it. I'm bored and I am making a pathetic attempt to make life a lil' bit interesting. Its not like I'm gonna publish it or something. What else to talk about hmm? Oh, there may be some adult gay scenes in this story. Unlike my brother, I don't mind writing naughty stuff ;) so! If you're underage, naughty, naughty! I can only ask you to go away, but I cannot do anything else to stop you from reading on anyway. Hell! I've been sneaking into the internet to watch gay porns since I was 13! So, if your parents or whoever responsible for you catch you, don't say I didn't warned you. However, if you're homophobic... well maybe I can seduce you enough to turn you around heh heh. I do so love a challenge ;)
Anyway, enough talk. Any comments or boos or suggestion or whatever, just sent it to the same address as in NNTs, goldenknightuk@yahoo.co.uk . Yeah, we shared the same address. Don't ask. Long story.
Okay then! On to the show. Now, don't be shy now. If you got any comments or suggestions, just drop me a note. You do the request, and I'll do the show.
Andy
Part 48: 'One Heart, One Mind, One Soul, One Love...'
"So I take it everything is settled then?" Nick asked, looking up at Johnny calmly as he gathers all the papers on the table before him. "When do you want me to send in these documents?"
"As soon as possible. Monday the latest, I hope. Read it all first so that you can make sure we didn't miss anything out right now." Johnny replied. "Once you agree with everything, we'll get started immediately. Brian told me you've already have several songs written."
"Yeah, but it's not that completed yet, if you know what I mean." Nick murmured as he glanced through the first two papers. "I'll still need to edit some of it. They're really still work in progress."
"Well, keep on it." Said Johnny. "In the meantime, run through what we've discussed today and see if you agree with everything. We'll meet again in New York and see if there's anything else you want to discuss."
"Gotcha." Nick replied before glancing at Johnny expectantly, smiling slightly as he did. His empathy told him there's something else the man wanted to discuss.
"You know what I'm going to talk about right now, don't you?" Johnny smiled back.
Nick smirked as he tapped his temple lightly and winked.
"I can guess." He answered. "Warren told you."
"And he told me what happened in New York." Johnny tone became serious. "Let me see how bad it is."
Nick sighed as he pulls up his T-shirt to expose the scar. Johnny winced when he saw it and leans back against his seat.
"God, that's bad." He sighed wearily. "Looks like topless photo-shoot is out of the question right now."
"Looks like it." Nick answered mildly. He looks up at Johnny carefully as he considers his next words. "I take it that you're okay with this?"
Johnny appears startled at the question.
"Of course, I'm okay with it." He replied. "I'm okay with Warren right?"
Nick smiled shyly and nodded.
"You okay about... me and... Warren?"
Now Johnny looks absolutely serious. He leans forward quietly as he studies Nick carefully.
"I'll be okay with it as long as you keep it private and off the public eyes." He answered quietly. "This is not only for the sake of your career, Nick. This is also for Warren's."
"I understand." Nick answered just as seriously.
Johnny leaned back against his seat, still looking at him carefully.
"I hope you do." He spoke again. "The Worthington family has been a close friend of my family for three generations. Their fortune is vast, and there are scores of people out there who would like nothing more than to find a way to see Warren fall and grab what they can. If words go out about you and him, Nick, it could destroy him."
"Geez, I never thought business could be that bad." Nick frowned.
"When it involve companies like the Worthington Industries, believe you me, it is." Johnny snorted. "Plus, with the hatred against mutants raging everywhere, even worst now that Senator Kelly and some other politicians decided to get themselves involve in it as well... I dare say things will not go well for Warren and the Worthington Industries if words about these get out."
Johnny sighed at last and the chair creaked again as he leans back.
"To be honest, I never thought he'd go for a guy... and you too for that matter! Jesus, think of the scandals if this gets into the media. Famous multibillionaire involved in a gay sex scandal with a member of the infamous Backstreet Boys." He shivers slightly at the image. "How the Hell did this happen, Nick?"
"You know what... I'm still trying to answer that." Nick smiled. "It just... happened. He likes me, I like him... and BLAM, we're together."
"Don't give me that cheeky smile, boyo, not when I can see the image of myself financially ruined in my head." Johnny glares at him before smiling. "Warren explained to me about your... empathic ability... could it be that?"
"No." Nick answered immediately. "I would have known if it is."
"How... dangerous... is this ability of yours?" Johnny asked again. "How good is your control over it?"
"What do you mean?" Nick frowned at the question.
Johnny raised his hand reassuringly when he saw Nick's discomfort.
"I'm not implying that you can't control it, Nick. Warren said you've been learning to control it and I trust him." He said soothingly. "I just want to know how well you've been able to control it so far. I guess I'm a little bit worried that you loose control over it sometimes during your performance and you'll end up creating chaos amongst the audience. I'm putting quite a lot of investment in this project, you know."
Nick nodded quietly in understanding.
"So far, I've been managing it well." He replied steadily. "At the moment, it's a whole lot better compared to that time during the last concert. I'm still learning the stuff though and Warren, Jean and Xavier have been more than helpful... I dare say it'll only gonna get better instead of worst."
"Who else knows about this?" asked Johnny again.
"Lance knows and I've already told my family. I'm gonna tell the rest of the guys soon." Said Nick.
"Including Howie?" said Johnny.
Nick fell into a thoughtful silent for a moment or two.
"I'm not sure about him yet." He answered at last.
"Be careful, Nick." Johnny spoke warningly. "There are agents of The Right everywhere now, looking for mutants. I'd hate if anything happen to you. They nearly ruined Warren last time. They can do the same to you as well."
"This... Hodge, you mean?"
Johnny nodded silently.
"Hodge was thought to be one of Warren's trusted advisor, not to mention a friend... just like Howie is to you."
"Any news about Howie and AJ?" Nick asked anxiously.
Johnny shook his head quietly.
"The FBI is taking over the case now." He answered.
"I've also asked Warren and the X-men to look into it as well." Said Nick.
Johnny nodded appreciatively.
"Looks like the time you spent with those people makes you think fast." He smiled. "So, are you an X-men now?"
"No... well... not quite." Said Nick. "I choose not to be part of the team, but at the same time, I maintain my connection to them. You know what I mean?"
"Fair enough." Johnny nodded. "Just don't let it interfere with your performance too much, okay? And don't get yourself injured again... and even better, don't get yourself KILLED!!"
Nick laughed softly and nodded.
"YES SIR!"
Johnny smiled.
"I mean it, Nick." He said. "I don't want to deal with another missing Backstreet Boys."
Nick looked at him worriedly again.
"I'm worried about AJ and Howie."
Johnny sighed wearily.
"So am I, Nick." He answered. "So am I."
Lance's house, several hours later...
"C'mon, Lance. What it's gonna be?" Justin spoke impatiently as he glance at Lance sitting across the table.
"Quit hassling me!" Lance growled back as he studies the cards in his hand. He picks up a couple of chips and threw it to the middle of the table. "I raise."
"Well, well, well. Looks like someone's finally trying to be brave." Joey smiled as he glanced at the card in his hand. "I see your bet... and I raise it to 20."
"I see your twenny..." Justin smirked as he picks up his own chips. "I raise it to 50. Eat that mutha-fuckah."
"I fold." Chris muttered, throwing his cards on the table.
"70." Lance smiled, pouring fourth every ounce of poker face Remy had taught him during his stay in Westchester. "Better make it worth it, kids."
"Fuck it, I fold." Joey cursed as he threw his own card down.
It all comes down to Justin and Lance, staring at each other blankly in silence.
"80." Justin spoke as he pushes his chips forward. "Getting sweaty blondie?"
"A hundred." Lance smiled back.
"One fifty." Justin replied back, thought this time Lance began see the uncertainty in his eyes.
"Umm... guys, I thought we're playing light poker. Didn't we agree to set the limit to a hundred." Joey spoke quietly as he watched in fascination. Since when did Lance develop such an excellent display of poker face?
"I see your one-fifty..." Lance's smile never diminished as he picks up his chips. "And I raise it to two hundred."
"Holy shit!" Chris laughed as he saw Justin beginning to sweat.
"C'mon, Just. Don't tell me you're quitting now." Joey grinned.
"Shut up, fucker." Justin growled in reply as he watched Lance's amused face steadily. He pushes his chips and then looked down in surprise as he saw the empty table before him. "I see your goddamn two hundred..."
He fumbled with his pocket quickly and pulls out his wallet. He took out three one hundred dollar notes and threw it to the pile.
"And I raise."
Chris gaped at the pile even as Joey laughed hard and Lance pulls out his own wallet. He placed his own three hundred dollar note and adds another two one hundred dollar notes on it, smiling all the time.
"Raise! Raise! Raise! Raise! Raise! Raise!..." Joey and Chris began chanting as they watched Justin's sweaty face.
"I call." Justin spoke at last, only to be greeted by groans from Joey and Chris. "What do you got?"
"You first." Lance simply spoke, thanking Remy silently for his tips.
"Read it and weep, blondie." Justin smirked as he places his card down, looking at Lance expectantly. Three kings. Not bad.
"Not this time, kiddo." Lance smirked back as he places own his cards down. "Looks like today is my lucky day."
"FUCK!!!" Justin shouted as Chris and Joey laughed.
"Holy shit! How the Hell did you get so good?" Joey spoke at last.
"I learned from the master." Lance grinned as he collects the money.
"And who is that?" asked Joey again.
"Now, that's a secret." Lance winked. "Anyone up for another round?"
"Nu-uh. I'm broke for now." Justin shook his head immediately as he stood to fix himself a martini.
"I'm in." said Chris.
"I'm in!" Joey grinned. "Lance present a new challenge and Joey Fatone never backs down from one. C'mon. Gimme yer best shot."
"You're gonna regret it, Joey-boy." Lance laughed as he shuffles the card.
"Anyone wants a drink?" Justin shouted from the mini-bar.
While Chris and Joey began clamoring for drinks, no one notices Lance's sly smile as he carefully slipped a card into his sleeve. Remy had taught him far more than making a perfect poker face. Ah, such is life in the world of poker.
"Okay! Everyone, giddy up!" Lance announced. "The battle begins again. Have no mercy, take no prisoners! Prepare to be humiliated!"
"I start the bid with 10." Said Chris. "Takers"
The clock struck 4 at that moment and the battle rages on. Justin strolled over to the table with the drinks and then stood by quietly to watch the game.
"I see that 10." Said Lance. "I raise it to 20."
"Heh. Going slow huh, Casper?" Joey grinned as he picks up his chips. "I raise it to 50."
"80." Chris spoke as he pushes his last chips. "And may God have mercy on me."
"God ain't got nothin' to do with it, Chris." Lance grinned as he drawled. "I'm feeling reeeeally lucky today, y'all. Dang, I wish I had my dad's cowboy hat with me. Scratch any itches that y'all have right now kids, 'cause I'm upping the stake to a hundred. Yer up for it, pard-nuh?"
"With pleasure." Joey growled as he pushes his chips forward. "I raise it to one-twenty."
"I'm out." Chris shrugged.
RIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNGGG!!!!!!
"Goddammit, someone's at the door. Justin, go and check who it is, will ya?" said Lance. "One fifty. You're running dry, Joey-boy."
"Stop callin' me that!" said Joey as he digs for his wallet.
RIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNGGGG!!!!
"I'm coming, I'm coming!!" Justin grumbled as he rushes to the front door.
The front door was wrenched open and Justin peers out grumpily.
"Can I help you?" He asked in a bored voice at the man who stood before him.
"Umm... This doesn't happened to be Mr. Lance Bass's house right?" said the man as he looks at the card in his hand.
"It is." Justin glances up and down at the man. "He's inside. Who are you?"
"A friend." Said the man. "Can you call him for me?"
"Dude, you got to do better than that. What's your name?" said Justin impatiently as he began to get annoyed at the smug expression on the man's face.
"Just, who the hell is it??" Lance's voice floated from the living room.
"Some weirdo!!" Justin shouted back as he began closing the door.
He looks up in surprise when the man pushes the door back as he smiled.
"Yo, Spiky!! Come out here and say hello if you still miss me!!" The man shouted into the house.
Silence stretched for about three heartbeats before Justin heard the sound of someone scrambling up from the living room and ran, right before Lance shot out into the hallway and stare at the door in disbelief.
"Hey man. Whatcha' doin'?" The man winked at him as he removes his sunglasses.
"BOBBY!!!!" Lance shouted happily before rushing forward and threw himself into the laughing man, hugging him tightly. "What the hell are you doing here??! You said you're gonna call me at 4!!"
"Correction. I told you I'm gonna talk to you at 4. I didn't say I'm gonna call." Bobby laughed before his voice became raspy. "Now, if you don't mind, I need to breathe!"
'Oh my God, it's not a dream! He's really here!!' Lance thought to himself as he release Bobby to stare at him happily. When was the last time he has ever felt so glad on seeing someone appearing at his doorstep.
"I can't believe you came all these way..." He began; his eyes never cease staring at him in consternation. "But... what... what about Scott? And the rest? And oh my God! You're back in your plaster cast!! And OH MY GOD!!! What the Hell happened to your hair??"
"Hey Spiky, relax!!" Bobby laughed, poking Lance's nose once, causing him to blink a couple of times. "You were really distressed last night when you called, I couldn't help getting worried. So I booked a flight and came straight down here. I thought I just drop by to see if you're okay. You couldn't blame a friend for being concern, right? Anyway, you said so yourself that I can come down and see you whenever I want."
Lance could only gape at him in silence, not quite knowing what to say. He knows that he really like Bobby but the fact that the guy cared about him enough to come down all the way from Westchester just because he is worried about him... it's... touching...
"I... don't know what to say." Lance stammered out in awe.
"Oh. Jubilee says hi by the way." Bobby said again as he look at Lance's stunned face strangely. He waved his hand in front of Lance's face vigorously as if to break the guy from his trance. "Umm... hello? Bobby to Spiky. Anyone home?"
"Oh! Sorry!" Lance jumped backward slightly as he was startled out of his thoughts. "It was... really a surprise. God, it really feels good to see you again."
Bobby's eyebrow climbed ever higher when Lance wrapped his arms around him again. Justin coughed behind them and Bobby looks up at him and smiled apologetically, poking Lance at the shoulder to regain his attention.
"Lance. Hey, buddy! Yoo-hoo!" Bobby smiled. "You're being rude to your friends."
"Huh?" Lance looks up and turned around to look at the crowd behind him. "Oh shit."
He quickly scrubs the tears from his eyes but it was too late. They already saw it.
"Geez, Lance, are you okay?" Joey asked carefully.
"Yeah. I'm okay." Lance whispered huskily as he smiled. "I'm just... a li'l bit overwhelmed right now... Oh guys, this is Bobby Drake, a good friend of mine. Bobby, these are my bandmates, Joey, Chris and Justin. They are here for some good old-fashion poker afternoon before heading off to the club tonight."
"Pleased to meet you, guys." Bobby waved cheerfully.
"Nice hair color." Joey grinned.
"Ugh! Oh yeah, the pink patch on my hair. Lance, you have got to tell me how to find Nick. Believe you me, I'm gonna freeze his ass off when we next meet." Bobby grumbled sourly. "And Warren along with him if he is involved in it somehow."
Lance laughed as he ushered him inside, carrying Bobby's duffle bag.
"What happened to you hand, dude?" Chris asked as he eyed the plaster cast curiously.
"Just an accident." Bobby answered simply. "Basketball injuries. Ah! It seems that my grand arrival has apparently interrupted a major poker game session."
"Yeah. It's a good thing too. Lance has been kicking our poor poker ass all afternoon." Justin grumbled as he sat down on the couch.
"Oh really?" Bobby grinned as he looks at the blushing Lance. "I see Remy's been teaching you well."
"Hey, I'm a good learner, alright." Lance answered mildly.
His eyes widened slightly when Bobby glided around him and before he knew it, Bobby is holding his arm out and pulling out a card from under his sleeve.
"Hey!" He cried out in alarm and halted when he saw Justin and Joey's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Perhaps too well." Bobby winked as he grinned, holding out an Ace of Spade in his hand.
"HOLY FUCK!! LANCE, YOU'VE BEEN CHEATING!!!!" Justin shouted as he jumped up from the couch. "I'M GONNA KILL YOU!!"
His charge was halted by Chris who is laughing hysterically.
"Man! Lance! What the Hell did you do while you were in New York??" Joey laughed as well.
"I was only brushing my new skills okay!!" Lance grinned sheepishly. "I was planning to return all your money later this evening anyway."
"You damn well better!!" Justin shouted, shaking his fist. "Or I'll kick your ass so hard you won't be able to sit for a year! God! I know there was something wrong with the whole thing when you kicked my ass just now."
"Fine, I apologize for cheating." Lance smiled back as he led Bobby to the stairs. "Anyway, Bobby, let me show you to your room. I'll be back in a sec, guys."
"Sure. We're gonna continue with the game." Said Joey.
"Yeah, without you this time." Justin glowered as he sat at the table. "We decided not to trust you with the cards anymore."
"Whatever you say, Curly." Lance smirked before turning to Bobby. "I hope you're gonna stay here a while."
"Well, Scott gave me some time off to rest because of my injuries." Bobby replied as he climbs the stairs. "Unless there's an emergency and they need me, I'm free for a couple of weeks."
Lance eyes brightened at that.
"Here's your room. Hope you like it."
"Nice." Bobby smiled appreciatively, placing his hands on his hip as he looks around. "Being rich and famous really has its own advantages."
"Hey, we worked hard, we play hard." Lance smiled as he place the bag on the floor.
"Now, that is a gay phrase I haven't heard in a long time." Bobby laughed as he jumped into the bed. "Oh Gawd, this is heaven!!"
"How's your injuries? Do you need anything?" Lance grins as he jumped into the bed as well.
"I'm cool. Magneto shook me up hard like a bitch in bed but Hank treated everything last night, so I'm okay." Bobby answered absently as he turns around to stare at Lance closely. "What I want to know is, how are you holding on?"
He settled cross-legged on the bed and gaze at Lance beside him quietly, his face became serious immediately.
"I'm okay... now." Lance sighed. "I was... kinda... depressed last night. I'm sorry I broke down and make you worried..."
"Hey, that's not a problem." Said Bobby soothingly. "I'll be fine as long as you are."
"Thanks." Lance smiled. "Well, at least now that you're here, I'll be better I guess."
"You wanna talk about it?" Bobby asked mildly and smiled when he saw Lance hesitated. "Don't worry. We'll talk more about it as soon as you feel like it. That is... if you wanna talk about it."
"Yeah... that'd be great, I guess." Lance spoke quietly. "Hey! You had anything to eat just yet? I can whip up some stuff from the kitchen. C'mon. I'll take you on tour around the house, then we visit the kitchen."
"Lead the way, Spiky!" Bobby spoke cheerfully.
"Shuddup and move, buster." Lance grumbled as he strode out of the room. "Move!!"
"Sir, YES SIR!!" Bobby salutes cheerfully before marching out of the room after him. "Hey, you have any Twinkie in the house?"
"No, but I'm planning to get some later." Lance grinned. "See what you've done? Because of you, now I'm addicted to Twinkies as well. You really are a bad influence."
"Ah! Then my work here is done." Bobby laughed as they rushed down the stairs.
"So what's up with all that?" Joey murmured softly as he shuffles the cards.
"What's up with what?" Justin spoke as he sips his drinks.
"Lance suddenly went hyper with that guy... I've never seen him that excited in my life." Joey answered as he passes out the cards.
"Yeah, well, at least he is smilin' again." Said Chris as he picks up the cards before him. "He's been down ever since Sarah dumped him. Hey, did he mentioned why Sarah dumped him by any chance?"
"Not to me." Justin replied as he stares at his own cards.
"Not to me." Said Joey. "I asked him again before you two arrived just now but he just shut up tightly. So I decided not to pursue it."
"Well, don't push it too hard. You know how he hates busybodies." Said Chris. "Just be there for him. I raise 20."
"Who's that Bobby guy anyway? I never heard Lance mentioning him before." Said Justin as he threw some chips on the table. "Your turn Joey."
"Probably an old friend." Joey murmured thoughtfully as he place his own chips into the pile.
"What's on your mind, bro?" said Chris.
"Just thinking..." Joey murmured absently. "You guys noticed Lance actually cried when hugging Bobby just now?"
"Yeah!! What's up with that?" Justin exclaimed as he picks up a card. "That was freaky. I mean, god, I've never seen him actually cried before."
"I did. Once." Said Chris softly. "Years ago when I bumped into him in a church in New York. He was lighting a candle for someone. But it looks so personal so I didn't ask."
They looked up as one when Bobby and Lance came down the stairs, laughing softly at some joke as they did.
"Well, he definitely seems happier than he ever was before." Justin observed.
"Anyone up for some sandwich?" Lance asked cheerfully.
"No thanks. I had a huge lunch a while ago." Said Joey.
"Hmm, somehow that is not surprising." Chris murmured as he smiled.
"Fuck off, asshole." Said Joey. "More beer'd be nice, Lance."
"Hey Bobby. Come join us. You're good in poker?" said Justin.
"I had my share of glories." Bobby smirked. "Bring it on."
"Don't interrogate him too hard, guys." Lance yelled from the kitchen.
"Lance, you got the air-condition on or something? It's getting cold in here!" Joey yelled from where he sat.
"No I don't have the air-condition on." Lance walked out of the kitchen carrying some cans of beer in his hands. He glace at Bobby as he smiled, eyebrow rising in askance.
Bobby simply mouthed the word 'Oops' once as he glance at Lance quickly before returning his gaze to the table.
"Hmm, it's warm again." Joey shrugged once.
"It's probably just you, you idiot." Justin growled.
"You guys want some chips?" Lance grins as he return to the kitchen.
"You're the host, Spiky. Surprise us." Bobby answered, grinning as he looks at the cards in his hands. "Oh-La-La, look like today really is my lucky day. What's the stake so far?"
"50." Justin pushes his chips to the pile. "So Bobby, tell us about yourself."
"Myself? Hmph, there's not much to tell." Bobby smiled as he threw his chips into the pile. "I'm bored, I'm broke and I'm single. Do the math."
"I'm with you with the last one, dude." Chris nodded sagely as he picks up a card.
"I mean what do you do?" said Justin again. "Where are you from? How did you know Lance?"
"Geez, is he always like this?" Bobby smirked before laughing at Justin's glare.
"Oh no. He's being unusually kind today out of the consideration of your broken forearm." Said Chris.
"Thank you, Chris." Justin smiled smugly.
"I'm an accountant at a school in Westchester." Bobby shrugged as he study his cards carefully. "Well... accountant/teacher/adventurer... I go around."
"Accountant?" Lance smiled as he brought in the sandwiches. "You never told me that before."
"Well, you never ask." Bobby smiled again. "I'm gonna call guys. Unless there's anymore bets."
"Naah. Go ahead. Make my day." Said Justin.
"Read it and weep, buster." Bobby smirked as he place his cards of the table.
"Son of a...!! Okay, it's official. Today is just not my day." Justin replied grumpily, throwing his cards onto the table in the face of the laughter.
"Hey Lance. Scott asked me to check on Nick. How is he?" said Bobby before taking a bite on his sandwich.
"He's doing great. I just saw him last night. Hey, I know! Why don't I give him a call and ask him to join us at the club tonight." Said Lance.
"Are we talkin' about Nick Carter?" said Joey before glancing at Bobby. "You know Nick?"
"Yeah, we hang out at Westchester for a time. No biggie. He's my bestfriend's friend." Bobby replied nonchalantly.
"And the person responsible for that pink patch on your hair." Lance laughed beside him as Bobby's face darkened.
"Oh, he is so dead. Believe you me." Bobby grumbled.
"So how did you and Lance meet?" said Joey as he picks up his newly shuffled cards.
"At a club in New York." Lance shrugged as he picks up his card. "He was hanging out with Nick and... well... I guess we had a pretty wild time, didn't we, Bobby?"
Bobby smiled as he remembered Sabretooth's attack.
"Yeah... I suppose you can say that."
"Hold it!" Justin suddenly sat up straight, staring balefully at Lance. "Chris, check Lance and see if he's hiding any cards anywhere."
"Oh, c'mon guys." Lance laughed as he held out his hands. "I'm not cheating this time. Honest."
"Sorry buddy. I really do want to believe you." Chris grumbled as he checked Lance thoroughly. "But you've been picking up some bad habits while hanging out alone in New York. Like it or not, you're gonna have to start earning our trust now. Now stand up and spread 'em."
Next Tuesday, Part 49: 'Do I Have To Say The Words?'