Lance pulled back. Eryn looked at him sheepishly. "Eryn!" he exclaimed. "What the hell was that all about?!"

"Um, Lance..." Eryn hesitated. "I don't know."

"You don't know?" Lance yelled, flustered. "You're boyfriend is my best friend! Don't freakin' say to me you don't know!"

"Lance," Eryn whispered hoarsely. "I really don't know what just impulsed me to do that... I mean, you're right. I have a boyfriend and..."

"That's no explanation, Eryn," Lance said. "I just don't understand you." He got up and walked away.

"Wait!" Eryn yelled, running after him. "Don't tell Justin, okay?"

Lance laughed bitterly. "Whatever." He walked up the stairs.

What have I done? Eryn thought.

***

Joey looked at his watch and decided to leave the park. He had been sitting on the bench, just watching people walk by waiting for it to be almost two o'clock so he could pick up Sasha. He got into his car and drove off to her store.

***

The owner of Sam's finally ushered out the last of the fans, and locked the doors. "Thanks, guys," he told JC and Chris.

"No problem," Chris said. "But I have to run. Someone is waiting for me..."

"That's okay. Thanks again." The owner said. JC and Chris left the store.

"Hello, girls," Chris said to Anna and Jenny, who were waiting outside the store.

"Hi Chris!" Jenny giggled. "It was nice of you to ask us to wait for you."

"Well, it was nice of you to wait," Chris said. "Jenny, Anna... I am sure you have met JC."

"Hey," JC said.

"Hi JC," Jenny said.

"Hello," Anna smiled.

JC smiled back. "Chris, girls... I really can't stay. I have to go. Sorry..."

A car pulled up and cut JC off. The horn honked. "JC! Chris!"

"Hey, it's Justin," Chris said. "Hey Justin!"

"Where are you guys and these lovely girls heading?" Justin asked, flashing them a smile. "I can give you all a lift, if you want."

"Well, Justin," JC said. "I need to head home. I am really tired."

"We're just going to walk," Chris said. "Tell Eryn and the others I don't know what time I will be home."

"Okay," Justin told Chris. "Hop in, JC."

JC walked over to the car and got it. "See you guys later," he called to Chris, Anna and Jenny as he drove away.

Chris turned to the girls. "So what do you want to do?"

"Chris, can I see your Driver's License picture?" Jenny asked.

"Sure," he said, pulling out his wallet and handing it to Jenny.

Anna leaned close to Chris's ear and whispered. "Word of advice, buddy, in this city, never give anyone your wallet."

Jenny began to run away and yelled, "sucker!" over her shoulder.

Chris stood there stunned. I just got mugged, by some beautiful woman and her niece... or who ever that was. Realization hit him, as he comprehended what just happened. He lost his license, his health card, his VISA, his debit... everything.

"Oh, shit," he said. He looked where they ran and couldn't see them. "I have to go back home and call the police." He kicked a pile of stones, and started to walk back to Eryn's.

***

"Joey!" Sasha said, a smile filling her face. "How are you?"

"Good, and you?" he asked.

"Great," she answered. "Thanks for picking me up... where do you want to go?"

"I don't know," Joey said. "You know this town. What do you suggest?"

"Do you like Italian food?" Sasha suggested.

"Sure," Joey said.

"Okay, how about the Olive Garden," Sasha answered. Joey agreed and she gave him directions on how to get there.

***

Eryn ran up the stairs after Lance. She found him in her room, throwing his clothes in his open suitcase. "Lance! Stop!"

"Why, Eryn?" Lance said.

"Because, I want you to stay," she said.

"Eryn... I really don't understand you. At all." Lance said. "Listen to my review of our relationship, okay?"

"Fine," she said, sitting down on the bed. "I'll listen, and then let me have my comments after okay? It's only fair that way. I get to tell you what I have to say."

"Okay," he said. "First, me and you become friends because Justin broke your heart. We are really good friends. I begin to like you. You're sweet, you're beautiful... what else would one expect? Then, we come here. Me and you, hardly talk. You seek advice from me about Justin. I thought you were talking about me, to tell you the truth. I found a note you write, I think it's for me. Eventually, we have grown apart. I am crushed because I like you so much, but you are back with Justin. That's why I have to leave. Then, when I tell you I am leaving, you KISS me. Why, Eryn?"

"Lance... I told you, I don't know," Eryn said. "Well, I can think of a reason. But I want you to answer this question. Did you feel anything from that kiss?"

"Let me put it this way, Eryn," Lance told her. "If you really liked me back, then I would have felt more. I pulled away because I knew it was your fetal attempt to keep me here. Of course I felt SOMETHING, Eryn! I have liked you for a VERY long time."

"You are totally right, in everything that you are saying, Lance," Eryn said. "But the thing is, I'm really stuck right now."

"Why?" Lance asked.

"Because... hold on... are you staying or leaving?" Eryn asked him.

"I don't know," Lance admitted. "I mean, it's hard to see you with Justin everyday. Kissing and hugging. When I see you, I feel like it should be me with you."

"I had no idea..." Eryn said. "I mean, wow."

"Yeah, well, that's the truth," Lance gave her a little smile. "I can't believe I just told you that."

"Me neither," Eryn admitted.

***

JC and Justin walked in the house minutes later.

"I'm going to watch TV," JC said.

"Okay," Justin said. "I have to go to the bathroom and change this bandage... it's all grubby."

"Sure," JC said.

***

"Thanks for lunch," Sasha told Joey after he paid. "I would love to have stayed longer and stuff but I have to work."

"That's okay," Joey said. "I will pick you up at eleven?"

"Yes," Sasha said. "Thanks."

He drove her back to work, then he drove back to the house.

***

Chris opened the front door. "Is anyone home?" he called.

"I am," JC shouted. "In the living room."

Chris walked into the living room. "You won't believe what happened?"

"What happened?" JC asked, still staring at the television. His voice was shaking.

"This can wait," Chris replied. "What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing," JC reached up to his cheeks and wiped his face. "Allergies. You know, dust and stuff."

"Liar," Chris said. "Something about Sasha?"

"Yeah," JC sighed. "I can't get my mind off of her. I mean, I don't want to get back together because we just didn't go well together, but I really miss her... as a friend too."

"Things will work out," Chris said. "We have two more weeks here. Remember, that concert in Tennessee they said was August 15th..."

"Yeah," JC said. "I know... it's almost my birthday, too... which sucks. I mean, it would have been nice to have Sasha on my birthday and stuff."

"I know, I know," Chris said. "But I have a story that might lighten your spirits."

"Okay," JC took a Kleenex from the table and wipe his face. "Tell me."

"Well, you know that beautiful Anna girl that I was talking to after the signing?" Chris laughed. "This is embarrassing."

"Tell me," JC said.

"Okay, the little girl, Jenny, she asks to see my driver license picture. I just figured she was a fan or something. So I open my wallet, she grabs it and takes off!" Chris frowned. "Then she calls me a sucker, right? And then Anna whispers something like, never give anyone your wallet."

JC laughed. "Oh, man! Loser!"

"I know!" Chris smiled. "I have to call the bank and places and cancel my cards and stuff."

"Okay," JC laughed again. "I won't talk, so you can call in here."

"Thanks," Chris said.

***

Joey walked into the door, and into the living room. "Hey, JC, Chris," he said.

"Hey," Chris mouthed, then put a finger to his lips.

"Shhhh," JC whispered. "Chris got mugged by some six year old so he has to call the police."

"Okay," Joey laughed, confused.

"Yeah, thanks." Chris said into the phone. "Okay, bye." He hung up. "I have to get the new cards when we get back to Orlando."

End of Chapter Thirty Seven