Disclaimer: Anything mentioned in this story is complete fiction. The sexuality of anyone in the story is not necessarily true, but just written to entertain. If you are underage or if it is illegal to read pornographic material where you live, please leave now. Also, if you are uncomfortable with gay relationships, you should not read any further. For everyone else, enjoy the show^Å.
Season 2
"So Waco, Texas?" Justin asked sipping his coffee at the kitchen table.
"Not exactly my idea of high society luncheons and golf tournaments but I've never been so who knows?" Craig asked reaching for another blueberry scone.
"We've only been to Texas a few times."
"Who? You and your ex-lover?"
"No," he said smiling. "Me and the guys."
"Speaking of the guys," Craig said clearing his throat.
"I already invited everyone over this afternoon."
"How do I look?" Stacy asked skidding to a halt as she sprinted into the kitchen. She composed herself and did her best runway walk up to the table.
"You look like a hooker," Justin said, almost spitting out his coffee he was laughing so hard. "Where did you get those clothes?"
"They're Abercrombie & Fitch," Craig said with raised eyebrows.
"Oh," he paused. "I was joking."
"No you weren't you little liar. I think you look beautiful," Craig said turning his attention back to Stacy.
"But those shorts are the shortest things I've ever seen," Justin said frowning. "And high heels? Come on."
"You're brother has no fashion sense," Craig said laughing.
"Good thing you're the designer," she said smiling.
"That's right gorgeous. Now, babe," he said taking Justin's hand. "Linen short shorts are very in and paired with a stunning heel like the Jimmy Choo's she's sporting they're unstoppable."
"Thanks for the lesson love," he said taking his hand back to finish his breakfast. "I don't see why you have to get so dressed up anyway."
"It's a fashion shoot. Duh!" she said stomping off, her heels clicking against the kitchen tile.
"Yeah, duh!" Craig said laughing.
"You two were made for each other."
"And I thought you were keeping me all to yourself," he said sitting on Justin's lap. He wrapped his arms around the man's neck and kissed his lips.
"I think I might let you stick around for a little longer."
"Yeah?"
"Mhmm," he said kissing his neck. "Why don't we blow everything off today and just blow each other?"
Craig laughed, "I wish babe. Tonight I promise. Your parents are picking up the kids and we leave tomorrow morning so I was thinking we could go out for a nice dinner."
"How about we stay in and I eat dessert off your ass?" he asked running his hand up the front of Craig's shirt. He ran his hand over the man's smooth rippled abs making him squirm around on Justin's already stiffening cock.
"That sounds wonderful," Craig said moving his hand up and down Justin's thigh softly.
"Okay we need to stop," he breathed getting harder by the millisecond.
Craig kissed his lips then his forehead. "Whatever you say baby."
"Say that tonight and you're golden," he said watching Craig stand up just as Stacy walked back in with the boys. "You're sure you can handle all three of them?"
"Yes," Craig said. "We're going to be on location at the beach so the boys will have a lot of fun. Stacy will be preoccupied drooling over hot studs with her friends and I can get some work done."
"Sounds like you have it all planned out."
"Everyone ready?"
"Yep," Stacy said zipping up jackets on the boys.
"Walk us out?" Craig asked kissing Justin's lips.
"Not a chance," he said smiling as he looked down at his tented jeans.
Craig laughed, "Well call me later. We should be back like three?"
"Sounds good. Have fun guys."
"Oh we're going to huh handsome?" Craig asked picking up Bobby and kissing his cheek.
"Do you think it's too cold to get into the water?" Stacy asked helping Craig with the car seats in the back of Justin's Escalade.
"Yeah it's going to be freezing. I wouldn't get in it unless they were paying me. Well I guess I would be paying me."
"Well I told my friends to wear their swim suits anyway. Do you think Justin would care if we came back here after and went swimming? It's an indoor pool."
"He's having a meeting with the guys this afternoon and I'm not sure when they'll be done."
"Oh," she said frowning a little as they got into the car.
"But I know somewhere else we could go."
"Where?" she asked turning to face him.
"You'll see. It's a surprise."
"This is so cool," she said as they drove onto the freeway on-ramp. "Thank you again for doing this."
"I'm happy too."
"My friends are so jealous. Do you think Brian will be there?"
"Not at the photo shoot I don't think. Let's call him and see, though," he said hitting two on his cell phone's speed dial.
"Hey slut," Brian said when he answered the phone.
"Watch it I have kids in the car."
"Am I on speaker?"
"No."
"Then calm down cocksucker. What's up?"
"We're on our way to the shoot. Are you coming?"
"Didn't plan on it."
"I have someone here that wants to see you."
"No shit."
"But you always go to fraternize with the models. Why not today?"
"Don't fuck with me gorgeous I know it's Stacy that's why I'm staying my tight little ass at the office today."
"Come on."
"No."
"Please?"
"I like when you beg on your knees, with your mouth open."
"So many come backs so little time. Stop screwing around and get down there. We have business to take care of anyway."
"Exactly what business will you get done on the fucking beach?"
"The conference call with Terry?"
"Shit. Fuck! I hate when you're right."
"See you soon," Craig said flipping his phone closed. "It took a little persuading and lying but he'll be there."
"Awesome Brian's like my favorite. Besides you of course," she added quickly.
"Don't worry he's my favorite too."
Once they finally got to the location, about 90 minutes later, Stacy immediately jumped out of the car and ran over to her friends who were standing by a long black Lincoln. Craig heard squealing and giggling as he got the boys out of the truck.
"So you're soccer mom for the day?" Brian asked as Craig slung a duffel bag over one shoulder and took both boys by the hands.
"Looks like it."
"And don't think you fooled me with that whole Terry conference call thing. About halfway down here I remembered we don't work with a Terry."
"Good thing you're good looking," he said slapping his face lightly.
"Craig!" Stacy said walking over to them trailed by a group of awe struck teenage girls. "I wanted to introduce you to my friends."
"Sure," he said smiling.
"This is Jenny, Kristy, Darcy, Shelly, and Kathy. Guys this is Craig and Brian," she said throwing her arms around the stunned man. "Miss me?"
"Definitely," Brian said forcing a smile. "Ladies."
"Glad you girls could come," Craig said shifting the bag on his shoulder. "Let's show you around and introduce you to some people. Brian why don't you do the honors while I get the boys settled."
"Thanks," he said glaring at Craig as he was swarmed and practically carried off down the beach by the girls.
"So," Craig said to the little boys, "do you guys like the beach?"
Both boys nodded taking in their new surroundings as they walked down the beach to the photo shoot.
"Can we go swimming?" Tucker asked pointing to the ocean.
"It's too cold right now but later today we're going to go to a pool you can swim in. Does that sound like fun?"
"Yeah," he said holding Craig's hand tighter as they walked through the swarms of people.
"Why don't you boys sit here at this table," Craig said placing the bag on an empty chair. "And then you can color."
"Okay these girls are freaking nuts," Brian said leaning over Craig to whisper in his ear.
"They're cute. Just young."
"No wonder I'm gay," he said looking over at the swarm of teenage girls surrounding a scantily clad model.
"What's gay?" Tucker asked reaching for a red crayon. ***
"Hey," Chris said walking into the foyer. "Sorry I'm late."
"It's cool," Justin said closing the front door. "Everyone's in the kitchen."
"Making a grand entrance as usual," Joey said smiling as he glanced up from his plate.
"Yeah, yeah. I had business I needed to take care of," he said sitting at the bar with the other guys. "This was sort of impromptu."
"Yeah sorry about that," Justin said leaning on the counter.
"You keep buying us good food like this and I'll come over every day," Joey said loading up his chopsticks with more chow mien.
"What kind of business did you need to finish?" Lance asked Chris.
"Well," he said puffing out his chest, "you can all thank me for putting the down payment on our studio time. We are now officially recording again," he said lifting his beer bottle in the air.
"Awesome," JC said clinking bottles then taking a long swig.
"About that," Justin said quietly underneath the roar of laughter and chatter coming from the men around him. "Uh guys?" he said a bit louder.
They looked at him expectantly.
"I have something to tell you, all of you," he said standing up straight. "I mean I didn't really just invite you all over just to eat Chinese food."
"I knew there was a catch," Joey said putting his chopsticks down.
"It's not really a catch Joe. You know I love you guys. You're my best friends. I mean you all took care of me and helped me grow up into a man. I just," he said looking down at his hands. He was gripping the edge of the blue counter so hard his knuckles were turning a strange mix of white and blue that couldn't be healthy. He figured it was now or never. "I finished my album."
"Congratulations," Lance said slowly praying that was the only news Justin had to offer.
"Thanks," Justin said quickly trying not to let the comment slow down the momentum he was building up. "The label wants me to start promoting in a few weeks and there's no way I can do that and record with you guys at the same time."
"You already told us that this wouldn't be a problem," Chris said standing. "We already had this conversation a month ago."
"I know Chris," he said letting his vice grip on the counter go as he backed up slightly. "I've just been thinking about it a lot more lately and there is just no way. I know I did it before but that album seriously took off by itself because of the singles. If this one doesn't have the same force there's no way I'll be able to concentrate on both."
"So what are you saying?" Joey asked wiping his hands on a napkin.
"I need to take some time off."
"How much time?" Lance asked twirling his glass of water around on the counter.
"That's the thing. I don't really know."
"So we're breaking up then?" JC asked. "The band I mean."
Justin said nothing. He wasn't really sure what to say. If this next album did as good as the last one his solo career would be set. If not there was no way he was going to go backwards and be in Nsync again. What would people think? More importantly, it just wasn't where his heart was anymore. He was tired of collaborating with four other people on every little thing. He couldn't even make a simple decision like what to have for lunch by himself when they were on tour.
"Justin?" Lance asked looking at him anxiously.
"I don't want to lose you guys as friends," he said quietly, "but this isn't what I want to do anymore."
"Fine," Chris said starting to leave the room. He turned back around to glare at Justin one last time. "You are so fucking selfish. You're still just a little kid. You never think of anyone but yourself." With those words he left the room and soon the front door was slammed behind him.
"He's right," Joey said standing. "I'm not saying he should have said it like that. But he's right man."
"You should have told us sooner," Lance said looking down at the counter. "You just should have told us sooner."
"I'm sorry. I didn't know how to tell you guys."
"Well you told us," Joey said walking out of the kitchen. "Thanks."
Lance said nothing but followed Joey outside.
"You're not going to leave?" Justin asked crossing his arms and leaning against the sink.
"Why didn't you tell me? All those times I helped you work on your album and listened to you talk about finally being done and being able to record with us again and tour. What was that? Were you just lying?"
"No. Part of me really does want to stay with you guys. It's safe. It's like second nature. But I don't want to be safe anymore. I want to take a risk and really see if I can make it on my own. I want to make a name for myself that isn't tied to the band."
"Because we're that awful?"
"You know that's not what I mean."
"Hey I did the solo thing too. And it was cool. But I have an obligation to my friends."
"You don't get it."
"You didn't give me a chance to try," he said facing Justin. "You just sprung this on me like everyone else. I thought we were really best friends. I thought we were closer then that."
"We are."
"If that was true we wouldn't be having this conversation. I gotta go," he said grabbing his sunglasses and keys off the counter.
"Josh," Justin said as he followed him to the front door. "Please try to understand."
JC paused with the front door open. "I don't know if I can."
Justin watched him close the front door. He knew it was going to be bad. He knew there was no way the confrontation could end well but he at least thought JC would have had his back. He should have told him sooner but he just hadn't had the words or the guts to do so. He was pretty sure they would make up eventually but it was hard feeling like he had no one left in the world. He had alienated his band, best friends, and half of his career all in one swoop.
He grabbed his cell phone off of the coffee table in the living room and dialed.
"I really need to talk to you. Where are you?"
"He's ruined Chinese food for me," Joey said leaning his face against his fist.
Lance sat a soda in front of each of the guys and took a seat next to Joey at his kitchen table.
"Fuck Justin!" Chris said slamming his fist on the table. The cans jingled and slid slightly with the sudden shock. "Why the fuck do we have to hold off on our plans because of that little prick?"
"What are you saying?" Lance asked pooping the top on his can.
"I'm saying," he said leaning forward, "we go on without him."
"You're joking," JC said laughing.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
"Hey I'm just as mad at him as everyone else but there is no way we can be a band without Justin," JC said looking around the table.
"Why not?" Joey asked sitting up and looking enlightened.
"Who says Justin is the end all of this group?" Chris asked. "He's only one fifth."
"So what? We get another band member?" JC asked rolling his eyes.
"TLC did it," Lance said.
"You guys are crazy," JC said. "Lisa died. Justin isn't dead."
"He is to me," Chris said sipping his soda.
"You know this may be something," Joey said. "We could do a reality show and find the new member of Nsync. Think about the ratings."
"It isn't a good idea to air our dirty laundry out for the public to see," JC said getting more annoyed by the moment. "If we did anything close to that we'd have to tell everyone that Justin doesn't want to be in the band."
"But that's the truth," Lance said.
"Lance you can not honestly be thinking about this."
"What if I am?" he asked looking up at him. "I'm not too hot on the whole reality TV angle but it would be good from a marketing stand point."
"The press would bury Justin," JC said practically pleading with them to be reasonable with his tone.
"So what? You're telling me Justin didn't just try to kill our careers?" Chris asked tapping his finger on the table.
"Not on purpose."
"How do you even know this wouldn't be good press for everyone?" Joey said. "We get a new band member and Justin will get exposure for his new album."
"This isn't the way to handle this," JC said sitting back in his chair and staring at the table in front of him.
"Then how?" Chris asked. "You come up with a better suggestion."
"I don't have one."
"Well do you even still want to be in the band or do you want to soar out on your own solo adventures too?"
"Shut up," he said crossing his arms over his chest. "You guys know I did my thing and now I'm back."
"So?" Chris asked with raised eyebrows.
"I still think there's a better way to deal with this. We could just perform with four."
"The harmonies are going to be all off," Joey said running his hand over his face in exhaustion.
"We're writing new songs and music," JC said suddenly excited about his idea. "We'll just write four part harmonies instead of five."
"And what about the old songs?" Chris asked. "We're just never going to perform those again?"
"We can," he said. "I really don't think it will sound that bad with just us."
"But it won't sound great either," Joey said. "I'm not going to perform something for our fans that I already know isn't going to sound one hundred percent."
"Me neither," Lance said.
"So who do we talk to about this reality thing?" Chris asked folding his hands on the table. "Johnny?"
"That would be a start," Lance said. "I'll start by getting a meeting set up with him and the label."
"I can't believe you guys," JC said standing up.
"If you're in, you're in," Chris said. "If not we can look for two new band members."
JC laughed, "Go to hell." He grabbed his jacket and left, slamming the front door as he went.
"JC wait," Lance said running after him. "Don't leave like this."
"Why not?" he asked throwing his arms in the air. "I'm obviously replaceable."
"You know you're not."
"Tell that to him," he said pointing to the house.
"Chris is just upset. You know how he gets," Lance said grabbing JC's arm. "Just come back inside and we'll talk about it."
"I'm not going back in there," he said pulling his arm away. "There is no way in hell I'm going along with this little plan. We had to sing stupid songs, while we got our own stuff rejected time and time again. We had to do crap interviews, play at high schools and travel all over the fucking world just so we could come back here and get mauled anytime we walk out of our fucking front doors. We have paid our dues. Reality fucking TV is not what I am going to do with that power."
"I understand all of that. It's not the ideal way to do things."
"It's not the way to do things period."
"Then what? You're really leaving?"
"Until you guys come to your senses," he said getting into his car. "Call me and keep me posted."
"I'll let you know when we're meeting again," he said leaning on the driver's side window seal.
"I doubt I'll go."
"No matter what you think you should come. Management needs to hear both sides of the story."
"I'll think about it," he said shrugging as he started the car.
"Are you going to tell Justin our plan?" Lance asked standing. "I don't think it's a good idea until things are more final. If they ever get that way."
"No. I'll keep your dirty little secret. It's not like Justin and I are friends or anything."
It all suddenly looked familiar; the long rows of manicured lawns guarded by huge wrought iron fences and intercom adjacent gates, the gigantic mansions positioned ten acres apart and atop hills like castles.
Justin had only been to Jeremy's house twice and honestly he wouldn't have been able to find it if Craig hadn't given him such specific directions. He lived in a pretty nice, upscale neighborhood, but it was nothing like where Jeremy used to live.
He knew Craig had decided to keep the house for a while until he could go through everything and figure out exactly what to do with it all. He had even offered to move into the house with Craig for a while to help out. Craig denied the offer of course saying it was too much trouble. Justin had a feeling that he wanted to keep Jeremy's stuff around as long as possible.
Craig opened the door smiling immediately when he saw Justin standing there in his cute faded jeans, white t-shirt, and black leather jacket.
"Hi sweetie. What's wrong?" Craig asked wrapping his arms around Justin tightly. "Oh you had the meeting. The guys didn't take it good?"
"Not even a little bit," he said kissing him lightly on the lips. "Can I have another one of those?"
"As many as you want," Craig said kissing him again. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked leading Justin by the hand to the couch in the living room.
"I guess it was how I expected things to go. They just didn't understand where I was coming from."
"I'm sorry," he said running his hand over Justin's back underneath his t-shirt.
"It's not your fault. You were right actually. I should have told them a lot sooner."
"I won't say I told you so this time."
"Thanks," Justin said finally cracking a smile.
"Are you sure you still want to go to Waco?" Craig asked, concern crossing his face.
"More then ever. Getting away for a while will be nice."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive," he said kissing him again. "I love you."
"I love you too."
"Get a room love birds," Stacy said jumping in front of them.
"I know I say this a lot, but what the heck are you wearing?"
"Don't you love it?" she asked spinning around in her new ultra tiny bikini. "Craig gave it to me."
Justin looked at him with raised eyebrows.
"Way to get me in trouble Stace," he said smiling up at her. "Okay baby," he said taking Justin's hand in his, "this is one of the suits for the new summer line. After the photo shoot I let the girls pick a few things from wardrobe."
"Please tell me my sister will not be wearing this on the cover of some catalog," he said burying his head in his hands.
"No, that I declined. Maybe next time," he said winking at Stacy.
Justin looked at him.
"Look at her," he said motioning to the gorgeous girl in front of them. "She's hot."
"There you are beautiful," a muscular guy in red board shorts said walking into the house. He wrapped his arms around Stacy and kissed her cheek.
"Who the hell are you?" Justin asked standing.
"Babe," Craig said standing and placing his hand on Justin's chest. "This is Kevin. He's one of the models that was at the shoot. I invited everyone to come hang out with us."
"I don't care who he is," Justin said pulling Stacy away from a guy who in any other circumstance would give him the hugest hard-on. "Get your hands off my sister."
"Craig?" Stacy wined. "He's embarrassing me."
"It's okay," Craig said breaking Justin's grasp on her wrist. "Go swim."
"What do you think you're doing?" Justin asked watching his sister get chased out to the pool by a tanned hunk. "That guys a fucking senior citizen."
"He's sixteen."
"No way," Justin said wide eyed. "He's bigger then I am."
"Well I don't know about that," Craig said smiling as he pulled Justin down to sit by him again. "I know that you're trying to protect Stacy and that's fine babe. There's a lot of bad stuff out there but I want to make sure you don't ruin your relationship with her. Spending time with Stacy today gave me a really good insight into how she feels about you."
"And that would be?" he asked crossing his arms defiantly.
"She thinks you're too hard on her. You're always putting down the way she dresses, you don't like her friends, and she told me she doesn't like telling you stuff anymore?"
"Like what kind of stuff?"
"I'm not going to go into specifics. My point is that you're pushing her away. Open your eyes love," he said wrapping his arms around Justin. "Your little sister isn't so little anymore."
Justin sighed. "You know I really hate when you're right," he said kissing his forehead. "I'll talk to her."
"And really listen too okay? She's a smart girl. You need to start letting her take care of herself a little bit more."
"When did you get so smart when it comes to kids?" he asked smiling.
"Oh, somewhere between chasing after them on the beach and explaining what gay means."
"What?"
"Let's just say Tucker is a very curious little boy."
Justin ran his fingers through the little boy's hair for a third time, as he fiddled with the buttons on his blue sweater.
"Will you leave him alone? Come sit by me," Craig said patting the sofa cushion next to him.
"I'm just nervous," Justin said obeying his lover's request.
"I can tell babe. It's just your mom though," he said massaging the back of Justin's neck with his hand.
"I'm just worried that if she sees one hair out of place when she comes to pick the kids up tonight that I'll seriously never going to get to se them again."
"Normally I would say that you're overreacting but your mom can be a stickler for detail, especially lately. But even she will have to admit that we did an awesome job. Everyone's happy and healthy and in one piece. What more could she ask for?"
"You're right," he said sighing. "Did you little cookie monsters have fun?" Justin asked scooping the boys up from the floor by his feet.
"Yes," they said as he tickled and nuzzled them both.
"Can we come over next weekend?" Stacy asked paying more attention to her nails then the men she had just posed a question to.
"Actually we might still be out of town," Justin said smiling.
"I didn't really plan on staying that long babe," he said running his hand over the man's back.
"I know but I was thinking we could extend the visit if you wanted. I have nothing but time for a month. You deserve to spend more then just two days with your brother."
"I didn't know you had a brother," Stacy said suddenly very interested in the conversation she had started.
"Neither did I until a week ago."
"Really? How old is he?"
"Don't get any ideas," Justin said frowning. "He's way too old for you."
"Only a year," Craig said ignoring the look Justin shot him. "He lives in Texas though."
"Maybe he'll come here to visit," she said hopefully.
"I hope so," Craig said wondering if that was a vision that would ever become a reality. He almost had to laugh at himself. He couldn't believe that he was so hopeful about meeting his brother. On the outside, he was someone who looked like they had it all. He was a freaking millionaire at 23 years old. But whenever he saw Justin with his family it broke his heart. He yearned to have that connection with another person that had the same blood coursing through their veins. He knew Justin was more then willing to share his brothers and his sister with Craig, which was evident the entire weekend. But it was different to have a sibling of your own. All of his dreams of having any kind of real family life were dead and buried with Jeremy. Sure, he was pretty close with his Uncle Giuseppe, but that was different. He had never felt that he could share his innermost thoughts with his uncle and figured that would never change.
Brian, of course, had always felt like a kind of surrogate brother to him. They had been best friends and schoolmates ever since he could remember. They were definitely as close as they could get without actually being related. There was just something different about having an actual brother. He wasn't sure if the trip would be a good one or not, but at least he would be trying the best way he knew how to reach out to his family.
"I think that's mom," Stacy said nodding towards the knock she heard at the front door.
Justin was almost shocked that his mother had not just entered the house with her key and then he remembered what their relationship had become. It was almost like spending this weekend with his siblings had made him forget all of the crap that was going on between him and his parents. It just felt so normal for them to have spent the night, like it used to be.
"Guys are you ready to go?" Justin asked running his fingers through Bobby's hair one last time as he walked by him on his way to the foyer. All of the bags were packed and ready by the front door. He really wanted everything to go perfect today. He needed his parents to see that he hadn't become irresponsible like they assumed his lifestyle choice signaled. He wanted the opportunity to show them that he could still handle taking care of the kids. "Hi," he said opening the door.
"Hi Justin," his mom said glancing at him before her attention was directed to the two little boys standing in front of him. "How are you gorgeous kids doing?" she asked scooping them up in her arms for a hug. "Did you miss mommy and daddy?"
They nodded.
"Hey mom," Stacy said throwing her bag over her arm.
"Hi sweetie," Lynn said kissing her cheek. "Will you help your brothers into the car?"
"Bye guys," Justin said waving to them as they walked to the car waiting in the driveway. He could vaguely see his dad in the driver's seat trying to avoid eye contact.
"I just wanted to say thank you," Lynn said picking up the matching little Blue's Clues suitcases.
"Your welcome."
"Is Craig here?" she asked quickly.
"Inside," he said waiting for the screaming match and finger pointing to start. She knew Craig lived with him but insisted on asking where he was just so she could give a disapproving look or make a snide comment.
"Tell him I said hi," she said turning and walking to the car.
Justin was speechless. He had no idea what to say. There had been no vengeance in her voice at all. By all accounts it seemed that she generally was being polite and personable. For a second it was like having his mom back.
He thought about saying something but decided that leaving the conversation that way wasn't a bad thing.
He stood there on the front steps watching as his family drove away. But this time his heart didn't break with grief. He actually felt hopeful.
Hope you guys enjoyed the new chapter. The next one should be up in about a week. Any comments or criticisms can be emailed to swimfan_777@yahoo.com.