[chapter thirteen]
(The next day)
Caitlin's eyes slowly opened as the sun filtered in through the patio. It
took her a moment to realize she was curled up on the couch downstairs, rather
than in her bed. Looking around, she spotted Chris curled up next to her on
the couch as well, still sound asleep. With a small smile, she remembered
their plan from the night before. Stay up late watching lots of movies, eating
popcorn and chatting. Too bad they'd both fallen asleep before the second
movie was over, she thought to herself with a giggle.
Moving slowly, so as not to wake up Chris, she slid off the couch and took the huge bowl of popcorn out into the kitchen. After tidying for a few minutes, she reemerged to see Chris just starting to stir.
"Man, I can't wait to post on the internet that I've slept with not one, but TWO members of Nsync." Caitlin said, teasingly.
"And right after that, JC kicks my ass. But the next time he throws attitude, I'm telling him we slept together." Chris said teasingly, his voice raspy from sleep. "What time is it?"
Caitlin glanced at the clock on the wall. "9:30." She replied. "Thank god it's Sunday or I'd be really late for work."
"Oh damn." Chris said, sitting up. "I think I have to go to the Compound today for a 'strategy meeting', whatever that means. How about you go and pretend to be me? They'll never notice the difference."
"I think the breasts and utter lack of singing voice might give it away." Caitlin replied, flopping back down on the couch next to Chris as he laughed at her response.
"Alright, alright. You wanna come with me? Provide entertainment for an otherwise boring meeting?" Chris asked.
"I don't think I should." Caitlin said. "You guys have, you know, pop star stuff to talk about. I'd just be in the way."
"Trust me when I say you wouldn't. C'mon, it'll be fun. We can harass the guys, pay no attention in the meeting, and bowl a few frames in Johnny's lanes afterwards." Chris wheedled.
"I don't know…" Caitlin began.
"I'll let you drive the bike." Chris bargained.
Caitlin paused for a moment, then grinned. "Give me 20 minutes to take a shower."
***
Caitlin pulled the motorcycle into the parking lot, and parked right next
to Lance's 4Runner. Chris unwrapped his arms from her waist, and they both
removed their helmets. Without a word, they simply grinned to each other after
the exhilaration of the ride, and dismounted from the motorcycle. It wasn't
until moments later they realized Lance, Joey, Justin and JC were sitting
under a tree nearby, obviously killing time until the 'strategy meeting'.
"Chris, Caitlin, over here." Joey called. "DUDE! Your hair!" He exclaimed, looking at Chris' new dyed hair as he removed the motorcycle helmet.
"I tripped and fell into some Jell-O and the color stuck." Chris said with a straight face. "Or at least that's the story I'm giving Johnny so I can keep it."
"You dyed your hair?" Justin asked. "Actually, it looks kinda cool. Kind of a purple/red thing."
"Thanks, Caitlin did it for me." Chris answered. "But don't tell anyone-she doesn't want to get in trouble."
"Yeah, so keep it on the down low, will you? I don't want your hairstylist or Johnny mad at me." Caitlin said in greeting as she and Chris walked over. She sat down next to JC and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Hey sweetie."
"Hey. Did you guys dye it this morning? Where did you go yesterday? I tried calling several times." JC asked, looking from her to the motorcycle, then back to her.
"Actually, we dyed it last night. Chris and I hung out yesterday-and drove around on that beautiful piece of machinery over there." Caitlin said, pointing at the CBR with a smile.
"Those are awesome, aren't they?" Justin asked her. "I'm totally addicted to mine. In fact, I tried calling you this morning to see if you wanted to go riding. Where were you?" He asked Chris.
"Actually, I kinda fell asleep at Caitlin's. Sorry, man. But we'll go out soon." Chris replied. JC looked at Caitlin and cocked an eyebrow, but said nothing. She saw they look, but brushed it aside, knowing that the sleepover was completely innocent.
"So what are you guys planning out today with this meeting?" Caitlin asked.
"More tour stuff, some video things, and trying to figure out the talk show circuit…all the stuff we need to set in stone fairly quickly." Lance answered. "Any good ideas for us?"
"I'll think about it…of course, if you would let me listen to some advance demos, I'd have a better idea of what the songs were like before the concert." Caitlin cajoled.
"Nice try. No." Justin said with a wink. "You have to wait like everyone else. But trust me, it'll blow your mind."
"C'mon Justin…not even a chorus of 'Gone'?" She tried again. "Everyone tells me how fabulous it is all the time."
"Sorry, cutie." He replied with a grin. "But try to think of something creative for us to do for the beginning of Space Cowboy. I'm drawing a blank."
"I'll think about it." She promised with a smile. "Wanna buy me a cup of coffee, Chasez? Tell me all about your day?" She asked, turning to JC.
"Sure." He said, standing up. "We'll catch up with you guys in a little while." He addressed his bandmates as they stood to walk towards the Compound's front door.
"Hey Cait." Chris said as they were standing up. "I want the pleasure of watching her betray everything that is most important to her. Surely you can understand that. I thought betrayal was your favorite word." He said seriously.
"No, no...'cruelty'. I always think that has a nobler ring to it." Caitlin replied immediately, then winked at Chris as they walked away.
"What was that about?" JC asked, confused. "What is he talking about?"
"We're quoting Dangerous Liaisons. We watched it last night." Caitlin explained. "How did your studio mixing go yesterday? You said you were going to lock yourself away all day."
"It went okay. I got a lot done, so I took off early to see if we could spend the evening together. But I never caught up with you. I didn't know you were with Chris." JC said.
"It was kinda spur of the moment. We just went riding, ate some tacos, dyed his hair and watched some movies." Caitlin said. "It was fun. No big deal."
"He stayed over?" JC asked, trying to keep his voice level.
"We both accidentally fell asleep during the second movie. I'm sorry if you were worried." Caitlin said.
"No. Not at all. You can do whatever you like…I don't expect you to check in with me." JC said fairly. "I hope it didn't sound like that. I was just…curious."
"If I would have known you got done early…" Caitlin began.
"Forget it. You're here now." JC said, pulling her close and dropping a kiss onto her forehead. "As long as you had a good time."
"I did." Caitlin replied. "But I'd like to spend some time with my boyfriend before he deserts me for thousands of adoring fans across the country." She said with a smile.
"Me too." JC said. "We're getting close to the beginning of the whole rigmarole again, but most of the tour stuff is set. Next up is coming up with the video for Pop and practicing, practicing, practicing."
"Any cool video ideas?" Caitlin asked, taking the cup of coffee JC had prepared for her, with just the right amount of cream and sugar.
"Something…colorful. And splashy. And just all-round awesome." JC said, his eyes lighting up just thinking of the possibilities.
"Like a big dance club or something?" Caitlin asked. "Are you having Wayne direct again?"
"Yeah, something like that." JC replied. "We definitely want Wayne, if he'll do it. I think WEG is setting that up this week."
"I can't wait for the single and the video. Your fans are dying for something new." Caitlin said. "And so am I-since no one will let me hear the new stuff!" She added, poking JC playfully in the ribs.
"Maybe if you're very good, I'll let you listen to a little of one of the songs." JC bargained. "And if you promise to sleep over at my place tonight."
"Deal." She agreed. "Can I hear 'Against the Wall'? I'm guessing these are naughty lyrics, and not a song about firing squads or the hanging of posters."
"Very perceptive, Ms. Peck." JC replied. "And…we'll see."
"Swear." Caitlin said with a pretend pout.
"Swear what?" JC asked, tugging gently on her lower lip.
"Swear that you'll let me hear it. And also swear that you'll let me stay over at your house whenever I want until you leave." Caitlin said. "And swear that you'll stop this whole Chris-jealousy thing. And swear that you'll miss me a lot while you're gone. And swear you'll come back to me when it's all over."
"Tall order." JC said lightly.
"Swear it." She demanded.
JC kissed her pout gently. "I swear." He whispered.
Caitlin's face broke into a smile, and JC couldn't help but smile with her. Silently, she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him close to her, vowing not to let go for a long time.