[chapter nineteen]

(Six days after Caitlin's return to Orlando)
"Alright, let's have it." Justin demanded as he slid into the booth across from JC.

JC looked up from the rapidly cooling basket of fries in front of him and focused on his younger friend. "Have what?" He asked, confused.

"What's been up your ass the last few days? Ever since Caitlin...no, let me rephrase that. Even WHEN Caitlin was here, something was bugging you. I thought you'd be so happy to see her. What happened? You guys fighting?" Justin asked in a rush.

JC sighed and pushed the basket away from him, and closed the book he had been reading halfheartedly. Justin immediately dug into the fries, then fixed his gaze on JC. "It's that obvious, huh?" JC asked.

"Uh...yeah." Justin said sarcastically. "Tell me what's going on."

"Well, we're not fighting." JC began. "And I was happy to see her. Seriously happy to see her. I can't believe how much I missed her." Justin nodded and waited for him to continue. "Promise you won't say anything to anyone?"

"Of course." Justin said.

"It's...it's Chris." JC said glumly. "I'm jealous of Chris."

Justin knew that if he laughed at this moment, JC would never reveal any more. Though he couldn't believe that his self-assured friend was even capable of jealousy, he honestly couldn't believe he was jealous of Chris. "Why is that?" He asked seriously.

"He's so... entertaining. Spontaneous? Cool? More fun to hang out with?" JC rattled off. "He and Caitlin have really bonded the last few months, and I guess I'm jealous."

"Of their friendship?" Justin probed.

"Do you think Chris likes her?" JC asked suddenly.

"I...I don't know, dude." Justin answered honestly. "Even if he did, he would never do anything. She's all yours man. No worries about that."

"Yeah, I guess." JC said unconvincingly.

"Has she done something to make you think she's interesting in Chris, or interested in leaving you?" Justin asked.

"No. Actually, she hasn't at all. I totally trust her." JC said, brightening slightly. "But she and Chris have gotten closer…"

"Are you jealous of Jon or Scout?" Justin asked gently. "She's lived with them for years, and they're guys. And could be madly in love with her, for all we know."

"No…I'm not. I never even considered that possibility." JC said. "No jealousy there."

"You want to know what I think?" Justin asked.

"I don't know…do I?" JC asked with a hint of a smile.

"I think this is less about Caitlin and more about you." Justin said. "You're serious about her. Like, really serious. And that scares the shit out of you." JC nodded but said nothing. "You are just going through doubts about how much you've fallen for her, if she feels the same way, all that stuff. Plus, not being around her every day would drive any guy insane."

"Hear that." JC said softly.

"So…you're a little insecure about your feelings for her." Justin said. "Chris is merely an exit point for your frustration and fear. Because, seriously dude, you have nothing to worry about. Chris isn't into your girlfriend."

JC sighed heavily and nodded again. "You're right. I have no reason to be upset with Chris. And Caitlin and I are fine, as far as I know, except for me missing her like crazy."

"So…the invincible JC has a chink in his armor, in the form of his girlfriend. Never thought I'd see you vulnerable." Justin teased his friend lightly.

"Shut up." JC swiftly responded, grinning.

"So…you'll stop hating Chris, stop moping around and start acting like the JC we all love to hate?" Justin asked, sticking his tongue out.

JC laughed out loud, and nodded at his younger friend. "Yessir."

"Good." Justin said, standing up. "Now let's go find some hot chicks." He said in a teasing voice. JC stood as well, and with a determined set to his shoulders, left the restaurant, feeling fifty pounds lighter.

***

"He was just being…odd." Caitlin said, pulling her legs up under her as she settled more comfortably on the couch. She had returned to the Love Shack days before, both happy and sad. Happy that she had seen the guys for a couple of days, but leaving had been even harder than before. She and Jon had just gotten back from dinner, and were sitting around the family room, idly flipping through channels on the television and chatting about their friends.

"About what?" Jon asked, flipping the television off and throwing the remote control on the coffee table. "There is so nothing on." He murmured.

"I'm not sure. When it was just the two of us, everything was dandy. Whenever the other guys were around, he got a little bit…quiet. Or something." Caitlin said. "That made no sense, did it?"

"Maybe he just wanted you all to himself." Jon reasoned.

"That's possible. I think he was kind of upset one night…he crashed right after the show, so I hung out with Chris. I was picking up a jealousy vibe the next day. I knew how tired he was, so I didn't want to wake him up, but I wasn't ready to sleep myself, so I just hung out with Chris, you know?" She said.

"JC? Jealous of Chris?" Jon asked. "Why?"

"That's what I can't figure out." Caitlin said, shaking her head. "I thought he'd be happy that we got along so well, but instead, he was a bit jealous. You'd think I'd be the jealous one, considering the legions of fans, and some of the lengths they go to to meet them."

"Pretty bad?" Jon asked sympathetically.

"You wouldn't believe some of the stories. And then being there…and seeing the show, and all those girls…and yet, I totally trusted him. I had no jealousy, nothing. I was just happy to see him. And then for him to be all weird the night after Chris and I hung out…" Caitlin trailed off, running her hands through her hair. "I don't know what to think. Should I be worried or anything?"

Jon sat for a moment, pondering the questions. "I think he was probably just so happy to be back together with you, he was jealous of anyone taking you away for even a moment. Chris, Justin or anyone. It was probably a perfectly harmless reaction."

"You think?" Caitlin said.

"Even if I didn't, it still sounded good." Jon said, sticking out his tongue.

"Goober." Caitlin said with a smile. "I guess you're right. Maybe I shouldn't have spent some much time with the others. I'm hoping to get a few more days vacation so I can go visit them again."

"When?" Jon asked.

"Not sure." Caitlin replied. "Depends on where they are and when is best for them."

"I'm guessing anytime would be best for JC." Jon said.

Caitlin smiled. "I have to try and get the money together as well. And getting vacation days. And making sure you guys get put into a kennel…"

"Hey!" Jon said defensively, but with a teasing grin. "Have JC buy your ticket."

"I don't want to be that girl." Caitlin said. "I don't want to sponge off of him, or make him think I'm just using him for plane rides and fancy meals."

"Bird, he won't think that. He's a generous soul, and he loves spoiling you. Just let him know you have a few days off coming up, and I'm sure he'll pay part of the fare, if nothing else." Jon said.

"I guess. But still." Caitlin said. "It's the principle of it."

"Does work know you're dating a superstar?" Jon asked curiously. "They must wonder about the vacation days."

"A couple of people know, but that's about it. Kids who come into the library recognize me, but most have been pretty friendly and respectful. But I have had a couple of the librarians ask me about my instant fame." Caitlin said with a grin. "They understand, and are pretty nice about it. One of them even offered to give me a leave of absence if I wanted to tour with the guys. She said I could write a tell-all book about it." She laughed.

"You should totally do it!" Jon bellowed. "I would. Screw working!"

"I like my job, bonehead." Caitlin replied. "Though a few days, it's been awfully tempting. Besides, I have my writing, and I don't need to quit my fulltime job to do it."

"How's that going, by the way?" Jon asked earnestly.

"Pretty good. When I'm published and rich and famous, will we still be best friends?" Caitlin asked.

"I'd say you were already on your way to famous, rich isn't far behind from that boyfriend of yours, but yeah…we'll still hang." Jon said with a smile.

"Gee. Thanks." Caitlin answered, tossing a pillow at him.

"Kidding, kidding." He said, deftly catching the pillow and tucking it behind him.

"I guess I'm going to hop on the internet and find out what sort of plane fare deals are going on right now." Caitlin said, standing up. Just as she did, the phone rang. "I bet it's for me." She said, looking at her watch. "Hello?" She said, picking up the handset.

"Hey baby." JC crooned from a thousand miles away. "How are ya?"

"Good…you sound happy. What's up?" Caitlin asked, waving at Jon and walking upstairs into her room.

"Nothing much…I just had a good chat with Justin about stuff. Sound check went really well, the crowd was totally into it. And I really missed you, so hearing your voice made me happy." JC said.

"Wow. Aren't you Mr. Content then!" Caitlin teased. "I know something that might make you happier yet."

"What's that?" JC asked.

"Guess." Caitlin said, flopping down on her bed and smiling.

"Quiet Riot are reuniting for a farewell tour?" JC guessed.

"Try again." Caitlin said.

"Ben and Jerry's came out with a new ice cream flavor?" JC guessed again.

"One more try." Caitlin answered.

"You're sending me nude photos of yourself in the mail?" JC asked hopefully.

Caitlin paused for a moment, then laughed out loud. "I was thinking of sending myself out to visit you again, but if all you want are nude photos, then…"

"Strike that! Strike that! When? Where? Oh sweetie, I can't wait to see you…" JC said joyfully. Caitlin smiled and answered his questions in turn, relieved to hear the hard tone out of his voice, and the warm, mellow tones of happiness back in it. Settling back on her pillows, they began hashing out a plan.

chapter twenty