Chapter Fifty One *This is a long one*

Justin sat at Sasha and Eryn's kitchen table, his head in his hands. Tears of anger and sadness rolled down his cheeks. He heard someone walk up behind him.

"Who's there?" he asked, without bothering to turn around.

"Me, Justin, and before you say anything, I just want to apologize," the voice said.

Justin turned around. "Lance, why would you apologizing now? You didn't seem very sorry, when we were in there."

"You want the truth, Justin?" Lance said.

"Yeah," Justin said, folding his arms across his chest. "The truth."

"Okay, we started becoming friends when you and Eryn weren't talking. Then, eventually, I started to like her, more and more. When you guys got back together, I kept on trying harder to get with her instead of you. Finally, I couldn't take it. I wanted to leave. She said no, and I asked her why not. Then she kissed me... I loved her, Justin. You know what it is like... I can't help it," Lance said.

"Well, atleast you are being honest," Justin said. "But I'm still pissed off."

"If it makes you feel better, she told me, in front of you that she was using me," Lance sighed. "The second she said that, all feelings I had for her diminished. Of course, I can't just stop liking her, but I don't have any interest to even be her friend anymore."

"Lance, I really appreciate this honesty and stuff, but you really betrayed me. It's going to take me awhile to get over it. I still can't believe my girlfriend and my best friend... behind my back," Justin said. "I mean, that hurts, Lance. I'm not just going to say, 'okay, you did the right thing.'"

"I know," Lance said. "And I also know we have a concert in two days. I think we should forget about this for the fans."

"I'll forget about it for the concert and the fans, but not right now," Justin stood up. "Don't you get it? You were the reason Eryn cheated on me, and for no good reason!" He started to walk out of the room. "Sorry Lance, but I want to be alone."

***

Eryn sat in silence, listening to every word Justin was saying. Why did I do it? I've ruined everything... tears began to fall down her cheeks again.

***

Justin sat on the back porch, on a patio chair. Fresh tears of anger and sadness began to roll down his moist cheeks.

***

Lance sighed and sat down at the table where Justin was sitting. He knew he had ruined things by getting with Eryn, but he never thought she would tell. "I've got to talk to her," he said to himself, and he walked into the living room.

***

Eryn looked up when she heard someone walk in. "Lance, what are you doing here?"

"I want to talk to you, Eryn," Lance said.

"Fine," she said, sitting up and wiping her eyes and cheeks on her sleeve. "Talk."

"How come you pretending to like me?" Lance asked bluntly.

"I didn't pretend," Eryn protested.

"So you did like me?"

"You're my friend, Lance," Eryn said.

"Then why did you kiss me? Why did you keep kissing me? Why did we have this secret relationship?" Lance asked.

"I told you, I wanted something fun," she said. "Justin was always so busy... you were always there."

"So, you're telling me, I was convenient?" Lance asked.

"Lance, that's not what I mean," Eryn said. "It's just, you were such a good friend, and I wanted us to stay friends and-"

"Eryn, I loved you!" Lance exploded. "I loved you! And you just threw it all in my face. That's not being a good friend at all."

"I'm sorry, Lance," Eryn said, again. "I really am. But I did tell you that I loved Justin. I still love Justin. Lance, you are a really good friend, but that's where it ends. I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry, too," Lance said. "I'm sorry, we were ever friends." He started to walk out of the room.

Eryn ran over and grabbed his arm. "Lance, please. I don't want to just stop being friends. What we had was great, but I love Justin."

"And I love you," he said. "Therefore, it will never work."

"Lance, come on," she said. "Aren't you going to miss being friends?"

"Eryn, remember Sasha and JC? See how miserable they are? It's like me and you, and you and Justin. Justin and me will eventually have to put our feelings aside. But you and me? Eryn, it's like what you said when Justin dumped you. A broken heart." Lance shook his head. "Sorry Eryn." He walked out of the room.

***

"Anybody here?" JC called when he walked in the house with Chris.

"Hey," Lance said, walking into the hallway. "I'm here."

"Where is everyone?" JC asked.

Lance filled them in on the story with Justin, Eryn and himself.

"Shit," JC said. "Where's Justin?"

"I think in the backyard, and Eryn is in the living room," Lance made a face.

"Where's Joey?" JC asked him.

"I don't know, somewhere upstairs I think," Lance said.

JC began to walk upstairs. Chris leaned close to Lance. "Where's Sasha?" he whispered.

"I think upstairs with Joey," Lance said.

"Crap," he said. "JC, wait!" Chris ran up the stairs beside JC. "Why do you want to talk to Joey? He's probably talking to Sasha. That's what Lance just said. And you don't like her, so why don't you just-"

"Chris, stop," JC said. "Don't worry, go downstairs, I just want to ask Joey something about the concert in two days. He told me something about a dance move and I wanted to ask him. If he's talking to Sasha, she can wait."

"Fine," Chris said. I know he likes her... I just hope that right now she isn't feeling the same way. "I'll wait down here."

"Okay," JC said. He walked upstairs.

***

Sasha pushed away for a second. "Joey," she whispered.

"What?" he asked, breathless.

"I don't care if JC finds out," she said. "I want us to be together."

"Me, too," Joey said, kissing her again.

***

"Joey?" JC said, looking in Eryn's room. He wasn't there, so he opened up the door to Sasha's room and flicked on the light. "Oh, my God," he said, dropping his half-full cup of coffee.

***

"JC!" Sasha said, moving away from Joey. "Um, we were just, um..."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt," JC said, backing away. "I'll get a rag, and clean this up, sorry."

"Don't worry about it," Sasha said. "I'll do it later. It will blend in."

JC flicked off the light. "Get back to what you were doing."

"Wait, JC!" Joey said. "Wait, a second."

JC stopped. "What?"

"Turn on the light," Joey told him.

JC turned on the light. "Okay, what?"

"Um," Joey began. "I..."

"What? Do you want to know if I care that I just walked in on my best friend and my ex girlfriend together on her bed and and saw you making out with the light off? No! I don't care at all," he forced a smile. "Bye." He turned to leave.

"JC, stop it," Joey said.

"Stop what?" JC asked.

"Stop faking it," Sasha said.

"Stop faking what?" JC asked innocently.

"JC!" Sasha shouted. "STOP IT!"

"Fine," JC said. "I'll stop it, even though I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Yes, you do," Sasha said. "You're mad because you saw us together. Well, news flash, JC Chasez, people can have relationships after they break up with someone."

"What, you think I am jealous?" JC asked. "Yeah, right."

"You seem like it," Sasha countered.

"Well, 'news flash'," JC mimicked Sasha. "Incase you forgot, I dumped YOUR ass."

Sasha gasped. "JC!"

"Come on, man, don't be like that," Joey said to JC.

"Be like what?" JC said. "She moved on pretty quick."

"We broke up a very long time ago, JC. About two months," she said.

"Whatever. I'm going downstairs," JC walked away.

Joey turned to Sasha. "I'm sorry, Sash. But JC... he's my best friend. I can't lose him," Joey said.

"Oh, but you can lose me?" Sasha asked.

"No, Sasha, that's not it," he said. "It's just..."

"Just what?"

"I really like you, I mean, I haven't been tied down with one girl for a period of time, you know what I mean? I'm usually the one that dates around and stuff," Joey took her hand. "But with you, Sasha, I feel as though, I want a relationship. I really want to be with you. I can see why JC would be pissed. I would be. Wouldn't you?"

Sasha nodded. "I guess."

"I just don't want to lose a friend and you at the same time," Joey said. "Please, let me just make sure it's alright with JC. If it's not, we can just sneak around, but I don't want to push it at him."

Sasha smiled. "Okay." She said. "I understand."

"Thanks," he said, kissing her on the cheek. He looked at the clock on Sasha's bedside table. "Oh, crap, we're leaving soon, we have to get back to Buffalo. I'll call you later tonight or tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay," she said. "I'll stay here, and you talk to JC, then let me know when you are leaving."

"Sure," he said, walking out the door.

***

Joey walked downstairs and someone came up behind him and dragged him into the corner. "Did JC catch you?" Chris asked.

"What?" Joey asked. "What do you mean?"

"With Sasha. It's easy to tell she has a thing for you. What's going on?" Chris asked.

Joey smiled and quickly filled in Chris of what was going on.

"So you guys have a thing?" Chris asked. Joey nodded. "Impressive."

"Yeah, I know," Joey said. "But JC is mad at me now, so I want to talk to him. When are we leaving?"

"I don't know," Chris said. "They said try to be there at around midnight or something. So we should leave at like... I don't know, nine or something."

"Okay," Joey said. "Sounds good. It's only seven... I thought we had to leave now."

"Nope, we'll leave at nine," Chris said. "Go talk to JC... don't worry."

"Okay, thanks," Joey said. He left the hallway, in search of JC.

***

Eryn sat miserably on the couch, with the TV on. She heard someone walk in behind her. She turned around hopefully, wishing it was Justin. "Oh, hey, Joey."

"Hey, Eryn," he said. "Have you seen JC?"

"Nope," she said, grabbing a Kleenex from the table.

"What are you watching?" Joey asked her.

"I don't know," she said.

Joey laughed. "But aren't you staring at the TV?"

"I'm not watching it," Eryn said, looking at him.

"Oh, my God, have you been crying?" he asked.

"No," she said. "I have um, allergies."

"I don't think so," he said. "Here, let me help you." He took the Kleenex from her hand and sat beside her on the couch.

"Joey, you don't have to..." Eryn said.

"Eryn, shh. I want to," he smiled. "While I clean you up, tell me what's wrong."

He gently wiped the tissue across her cheeks and Eryn told him the whole story.

"I bet you think I am some kind of slut now," she muttered.

"Not at all," he said.

"Why not?" she asked. "Justin and Lance seem to think so. I just want this all to stop."

"Eryn, it's going to take time. To tell you the truth, I think you and Justin will get back together. He just needs some time to get over it. Deep down, he really loves you," Joey said.

"Thanks, but you're just saying that," Eryn said.

"No, I'm not," he said. "It's the truth."

"Well, thanks," she said. "I mean, finally things are great with you and Sash, and I have to bring you down," she said.

"Things aren't that great," Joey admitted. "JC walked in on us."

"Really?" Eryn said. Joey told her what happened. "Oh, don't worry. Just talk to JC. Sasha will understand."

"She does," Joey said. "Close your eyes."

Eryn closed her eyes and felt Joey dab her eyes with the Kleenex. "Thanks," she said. "You're great."

"No problem," Joey said. "It's funny, because it's always been you, Lance and Justin... and sometimes JC. Never me... I'm glad we're becoming closer Eryn."

"Me, too," she smiled. "I mean, if I need someone to talk to, when Sasha isn't around..."

"Call me," he said. "Lance and Justin just need time. Don't worry."

"Thanks, but I am," Eryn said.

***

Justin got up from the chair, and touched his cheeks underneath his eyes. They were raw and sore. And probably bright red, he thought. He looked at his watch. I think they said we were leaving around nine. That means I have an hour to talk with Eryn. I better get it over with. He walked inside.

***

"Joey, what time are you guys leaving?" asked Eryn.

"Around nine," he said. "That's why I want to talk to JC... before we get in the car."

"He might be in the kitchen with Lance," Eryn said. "I don't know though."

"Well, I'll go look," Joey said. "I hope you feel better."

"Thanks, and I hope things work out for you," Eryn said.

Joey leaned in to hug her. Eryn put her hands on his chest. "Sorry, Joey, but if anyone walks in, I am sure I will hear the word slut."

"Okay," he said. "But you're not."

"I guess you're right," she said. "Here." She reached over and hugged him.

"Going for Joey now, Eryn?" a sarcastic voice came from the doorway.

Joey turned around. "Hey Justin. We were just talking. Nothing more."

"Okay," Justin said. "Can I talk to her?"

"Yeah, I have to talk to JC anyway," Joey said, and he left the room.

Justin sat down beside Eryn on the couch.

"You're sitting beside me?" She asked in surprise.

"Don't you want me to?" he asked.

"Well, yeah, but... don't you hate me?" she asked, her voice quivering.

"Of course not," Justin said. "I don't hate you. I'm mad at you, but I don't hate you. "

"Well, I am glad you don't hate me... do you still love me?" Eryn asked.

He hesitated. "I... don't know," Justin said finally.

"I still love you," Eryn said.

"You've said that about thirty two times, Eryn, but it is hard to believe that when you snuck around with my best friend behind my back." Justin said.

"I know, but do you understand why I did it?" Eryn said.

"I don't know WHY you did it," Justin said. "I mean, I thought I was your boyfriend."

"You were," Eryn said. "I don't know. I made a huge mistake. Will you ever forgive me?"

"Eventually, but right now, I am really mad," Justin said.

"Please don't be mad at Lance, it wasn't his fault," Eryn said.

"It was as much his as yours," Justin said. "I know I will eventually forgive you, but right now I am really mad. We are supposed to leave in a half an hour, but I want to leave now. Eryn, I can't take you right now. I loved you, and I thought you loved me. Obviously I didn't mean much to you if you cheated on me. Think about it."

"I did," Eryn said. "I'm sorry. Justin, don't leave like this. Please." Tears welled up in her eyes.

Justin looked at her with disgust. "Don't act like everything is okay, Eryn."

"JUSTIN! Please!" She cried.

"I have to go," he stood up. "See you."

"Justin!" she said. He walked out of the room. And out of my life forever, she thought miserably.

***

"JC, wait!" Joey said, when he found JC.

"What?" JC said. "I don't want to talk to you."

"Why?" Joey asked.

"Why?" JC said. "Come on, man. You were making out with my ex... isn't that a rule?"

"I know, I'm sorry," Joey said. "But I am really attracted to her."

"Yeah, well so am I," JC said, quietly.

"What did you just say?" Joey asked JC.

"Nothing," JC said. "I said nothing. Listen, it's great... I think that you guys should get together. Just warn me from now on so I don't have to walk in on you guys anymore. And please don't invite her on tour."

"I won't," Joey said. "But what did you say before?"

"I don't remember," JC said. "It must not have been important."

"Must not have," Joey repeated uncertainly. "So are we okay?"

"Yeah," he said. "I mean, she IS my ex... so it does hurt a little. But you are entitled to her. Who cares, right?"

"Are you sure? Because we can wait until you are ready..." Joey hesitated.

"I'm ready," JC said. "It's not like we are together or anything."

"Thanks," Joey said with relief. "I really like her."

"Great," JC said, forcing a smile.

***

"Hey guys!" Chris yelled. "It's almost quarter to nine. Let's jet!"

Justin walked up to Chris. "Are you okay?"

"Why?" Chris asked.

"Because you're voice... sounds like it's going," Justin said.

"Oh, that's probably just from the concert," Chris said. "They had a lot of dry ice today."

"Okay," Justin said. "Must be it."

Lance walked up towards the door. He looked at Justin, but Justin looked away. JC and Joey walked up too. "Ready." JC said.

"Good," Chris said. "Where are the girls?"

"I think Sasha fell asleep," Joey said. "She was saying she was tired. I'll go get her."

"Just say bye up there," Chris said. "We'll see them soon... won't we?"

No one agreed, but Joey ran upstairs to say bye.

"What about Eryn?" Chris asked. "Where is she?"

"Who cares?" Lance said, bitterly. "I'm going to wait out in the car."

"I'm going to wait outside," Justin said. "But not in the car."

"Eryn, come say bye!" Chris yelled. "We got on our shoes, we don't want to ruin your carpet!"

Eryn walked into the room. "Thanks for coming, guys."

"No, problem," JC said. "What's going on with Justin and Lance?"

Eryn sighed and told them the story.

"That's awful," JC said, pulling Eryn in for a hug. Chris hugged her too.

"I feel bad for the guys," JC said. "But for you, too. I know what it feels like to cheat and it not mean anything."

"Thanks, JC," Eryn said.

"Although I can't relate," Chris said. "I am not taking sides."

***

"Sash?" Joey whispered. He heard steady breathing. He walked over to her and kneeled beside the bed.

"Joey?" her eyelids fluttered. "Oh, no, are you leaving? I can't believe I fell asleep."

"Don't move," he said. "I know you are tired. I was just going to say bye."

"Bye?" Sasha said. "I hate saying bye."

"Sasha..." he smiled. "I'll see you soon. I talked to JC."

Her eyes opened all the way. "He said it was alright. I don't know, though. Maybe he was faking. But let's just stay together unless he says something else, okay?"

"Okay," she smiled. "You'd better go. You are going to be late."

"I know, but you are worth it," Joey said.

She smiled. "Bye Joey."

"Bye," he said, kissing her gently. "I'll call you."

"I'll be waiting," she said.

***

Minutes later, JC, Chris and Joey were all downstairs. "Thanks again, Eryn," Chris said. "We'll see you soon."

"Just you three," she said. "The others won't want to."

Chris coughed. "They will. Um, before we go, can I have a Tylenol? I have a pounding headache."

"Sure," Eryn said. She went into the kitchen and came back with a Tylenol and a glass of water.

"Thanks," he said, after swallowing the pill. He handed her the glass.

"Well, thanks for coming," she said.

"Your welcome," JC said. Him and Chris left.

"Are you okay?" Joey asked.

"Yeah," she said.

"Liar," he smiled. "Call me if you need it, okay?"

"Yeah, thanks," she said. He hugged her and left.

Eryn shut the door, her thoughts on the bottle of pills she left on the kitchen table.

End of Chapter Fifty One

*Author's Note*

I know this was really long, but I couldn't just end it! It was about three and half times longer than usual. It took me all day and some of yesterday. Hope you are enjoying!