Lance liked to observe things from a respectable distance.
It didn't mean he was an outsider or anything.
He just liked to take everything in.
Besides, being a watcher had its rewards.
He was the first one to notice when Joey stopped bringing groupies to his room. After an endless stream of women, the sexapades came to an abrupt end.
When Joey finally confessed that Kelly was pregnant, he was the only member who wasn't surprised.
Lance was also the first one to realize that Chris was manic depressive.
He caught the slurred speech and the fake laughter early on, even when everyone told him that he was being paranoid.
But when Dani began dating that intern at J records and Chris slammed his fist into the tour bus and broke his arm, Lance's suspicions were justified.
So, he convinced himself that lurking was a good thing. It gave him insight and it made him feel a little bit powerful.
Of course, witnessing Justin sneaking out of JC's hotel room was another matter entirely.
He cursed his recent cigarette habit, and tried to keep his eyes focused straight ahead. All he wanted to was make back to his room without a confrontation.
Too bad Justin had already caught him gawking.
"What the fuck are you looking at?"
"Nothing." Of course, he had to lie.
"Not a word to anyone, understand?"
"Understood."
"Serves you right anyway." Justin said after awhile.
"Excuse me?"
The look on Justin's face was so smug, it was sinful.
"You thought you had me fooled, but I see right through you."
~*~
After that lovely encounter, Lance made it a point to study the two front men.
Their interactions were normal, even verging on minimal.
In practice, they still tried to out perform one another. During interviews, they still cut each other off in mid-sentence.
But, Lance noticed the hard-ons they both sported on stage and the way their eyes met during particular slow songs.
Mostly, he noticed how different JC acted when Britney was around. He was quiet and detached, always looking for an excuse to arrive late and leave early.
Lance felt like kicking himself for not noticing earlier.
"You OK?"
While everyone was out on the dance floor, celebrating Justin's 21st birthday, JC was slung over the bar.
"Not really."
"Maybe you should go throw up."
"I'm not drunk."
"Oh."
JC smiled even though his eyes were bloodshot from crying.
"It's not even my party," he tried to joke. "I can't let him see me like this."
"Do you want me to take you home?"
JC shook his head.
"You should stay. I'll just get Dre to take me."
"But, I want to...."
JC must have noticed the catch in his voice because he wrapped his arms around Lance and gave him a tight hug.
"You're such a good friend. You're always looking out for the rest of us."
Lance ignored the sting of the comment as he pressed himself against JC's body.
"What do you want me to tell him when he asks for you?"
After that, JC pulled away. Lance could tell by his blush that Justin had failed to mention that he knew about the two of them.
"I mean, I figured you better get your story straight..."
"Just tell him happy birthday for me, OK?"
"OK."
Lance watched as JC navigated the crowds and approached one of the bodyguards. His mind kept replaying all of the missed opportunities.
When he turned his attention back to the dance floor, his eyes connected with Justin's cool gaze.
It was then that he looked away.