In the time Allyson had brushed her teeth and traded her contacts for glasses, JC had made the couch into a makeshift bed and was laying across the sheets.
She gave him a look as her spot was now taken over by his feet that were safely wrapped in bright red socks featuring a cartoon smiling face on them. “I told you, I will not have my guest who is unable to safely get back to her home sleep on the couch. If anyone deserves a real bed, it’s you.”
Allyson let out a sigh, and JC smiled knowing she wasn’t going to fight him.
“Wait, did you have your glasses?” JC asked, a knot developing in the pit of his stomach. All of his worst fears began running circles in his brain: Was this her intention? Was he being played? Was he getting trapped in this woman’s web? Was this just so she could title a chapter in her memoir “The night I spent with JC from *NSYNC”?
Allyson noticed JC’s clenched jaw and got worried. She felt like she knew this man and she felt comfortable, but it hit her suddenly that she knew next to nothing about him truly. In reality, they had only known each other for a couple days.
“What is it?” she asked before answering his question to her.
“What? Nothing,” he stammered. “Are those yours or were they here?”
“They’re mine,” she answered hesitantly, not knowing what the right answer was or what his reaction would be. Before he could say anything, she continued, “I keep an extra old pair in my purse, ever since I lost a contact on my way to class and had to sit in an hour lecture blind in one eye.”
“Oh, OK,” JC said, relieved but not relaxed anymore.
“Why? I can call Shannon to come pick me up and take me to her place if you want. She’s just on the other side of the Potomac.”
“No, no, no,” JC said, his eyes that had taken on a darker blue hue than usual refocusing on Allyson still standing across the room from him. “No, I just,” he started but his words trailed off. “It’s nothing.”
“It’s obviously not nothing,” she said as she walked closer to the couch. “What is it? I won’t be offended. Do you want me to delete your number?”
“No, but can I be honest?” he asked, sitting up cross legged on the couch, his back against the arm rest. Allyson instantly regretted committing to not being offended. “I mean, we’re getting to know each other right.”
“Yeah.” Allyson sat at the other end of the couch where his feet had been, giving him a small reassuring smile.
The edges of his lips curled in to a half smile as he thought about how he wanted to phrase what he was about to say. “Well, being a known celebrity, public figure, whatever you want to call me, comes with its share of concerns. I have had women burn me before. They act like they want to develop a relationship with me, but they only ever want to get a story or get into bed with me so they can have their 15 minutes of fame when their book comes out or when they go to a tabloid.”
Pain weighed down his eyes and his face as his entire body shrunk as he spoke, showing the literal weight this was on him.
“Oh my God!” Allyson said, realizing what he must have been thinking as she walked out with glasses on, fully prepared for a sleepover. “No, I would never do anything like that! I never planned on staying the night, much less trying to get into bed with you. I mean, not that I wouldn’t. I mean, you’re JC Chasez – who wouldn’t?!” She could feel her face getting as red as his socks. She took a couple deep breaths to keep from spiraling into a bigger fluster. “No, that was not my intention and never was.”
JC grinned at her. It was reassuring to hear such a quick response, not an excuse.
“I would never think to take advantage of a situation like this,” Allyson continued. “Yes, I wanted you to be my boyfriend growing up, but then I just wanted to be your friend. This friendship I like to think is developing between us is a 15-year dream. Why would I ever jeopardize the possibility of it coming true?”
“Thank you.” The sincerity showed in his eyes that were returning to their natural cooler blue. “It’s not often I trust as quickly as I have with you. I’m glad to know, maybe, I can still judge people’s character.”
The tension in the apartment began to clear a little as they shared a smile before turning their attention back to the news. A silence fell, but it was not an awkward silence.
As the anchors bantered to fill the last few seconds of the broadcast, JC and Allyson figured out their respective schedules to make sure they could both be where they needed to be.
JC had a 2:30 flight out of Reagan International Airport, and Allyson’s shift began at 1, so they planned to be up by 9:30 and on their way by 11.
Once Allyson reluctantly retired to the bedroom – JC was adamant she have the bed – JC slipped out of his shirt and pulled the blanket over the Washington Redskins athletic shorts he had on. It took about five minutes before he found the perfect position on the plush couch and gave in to sleep. Years of sleeping on tour buses and planes made him an expert at sleeping just about anywhere.
While JC was getting cozy under his blanket, Allyson was standing in the corner of the room staring at the bed. The only thing she could think was she was about to sleep in the same bed JC had been sleeping in the past few nights.
“It’s fine. It’s cool. No big deal,” she quickly whispered to herself. “Just JC Chasez’s bed.” Without a change of clothes, she slept with her clothes on, just taking off her bra, belt, socks and shoes. One of her fears was being naked and having to rush out of bed because of a fire, so she never slept without something on. As she crawled into the king-sized bed, she laid there wondering if JC was a left-side-of-the-bed or a right-side-of-the-bed sleeper.
The next morning, Allyson woke up to the morning sun shining through the small rectangular curtainless windows near the ceiling, above the main windows. She laid in bed until about 9:15. Then, made her way into the shared space, but not before making her morning hair and appearance a little more presentable than it usually was.
As she entered the living room, she saw JC still sound asleep on the couch. She couldn’t help but admire the man. The blanket had moved to where it now only covered the lower half of his body, leaving his toned arms, chest and abs on full display. It was a sight she never expected to see in her life, and one she was not going to let her eyes miss. This is an image she knew would be filed away in her mind forever.
The surprise peek made her exhale a little louder than she expected, moving her hands up to her mouth to muffle the sound. When she knew the sound hadn’t woken him up, she stared for a few more moments before moving into the kitchen. She figured the least she could do to repay JC’s hospitality was to make coffee.
It was a few minutes before the warm, familiar smell of hazelnut coffee wafted in the air. She could hear JC stir, but harnessed all of her will power to resist the urge to look.
JC could hear the coffee percolating as he slowly opened his eyes. He let out a long morning groan as he stretched and sat up on the couch. Multiple joints popped and cracked in the most satisfying way as he clasped his hands together and reached them over his head.
Allyson had positioned herself near the cutout between the kitchen and living room, so she could see him but he couldn’t see her watching. She stood there, mouth wide open with only one word going through her head: Damn! She saw more of his muscles engage as he pulled his arms over his head and behind his back.
Then, something she was not prepared for. JC, still not knowing she was watching from the kitchen, checked that the living room was clear and lifted the blanket to take a quick check. He smirked, not ashamed by any means, and adjusted himself. Reaching for his semi-frameless glasses on the table, he stood up. Allyson quickly turned around, knowing her face was as red as the socks still on JC’s feet. She took a few deep breaths and tried to will her face to go back to its natural pale color. After their conversation, the last thing she wanted to do was let him know she had been staring.
“Something smells good,” he said as he strolled into the kitchen, still naked from the waist up.
“I can do coffee,” she said, her back turned to him, finishing pouring creamer into the cup. They had discussed their normal coffee drinks, so she tried to make it as close to what he described. She turned around and immediately blushed as she saw him standing there shirtless. She couldn’t help but glance at his chest. He looked even better standing up. She quickly forced herself to focus and handed him a cup. “I think I got it right.”
“Mmmm. That’s perfect,” he said, letting the hot coffee warm him from the inside out. “I’m glad you’re better at coffee than I am at baked pasta.”
“Me too,” she laughed. “Otherwise I’d be out of a job.”
He glanced at the clock on the microwave. 9:45. He didn’t do too bad for forgetting to set an alarm.
Allyson nodded as she swallowed a mouthful of coffee. “Thank you, again, for letting me crash here last night. I really appreciate it. I woke up to a text from Mandy that she sent at 4 saying they had gotten the all-clear.”
He could tell she was sincere, and he appreciated it. So used to people using him, it was nice and comfortable to have someone be genuine with him. “Of course! I don’t let friends go into dangerous situations if I can help avoid it.”
She couldn’t help but smile as he said the word friends to describe them. “So are we friends?”
“Well, if you want to be,” he said hesitantly. “I’ve really enjoyed spending time with you these last couple days and getting to know you. I can’t remember a time that I felt this comfortable with someone so quickly, you know.”
“Me too,” she said smiling over the WORLD’S BEST BROTHER mug she had in her hands. “I just didn’t know since you’re headed to Florida and then back to LA I would guess.” Her voice trailed off, unsure of what exactly she wanted to say next.
He gave her a second to continue, finishing off the last of his coffee. When she didn’t, he jumped in. “Yeah, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.”
She smiled and nodded, still unsure how any of this was happening.
JC packed the last of his toiletries and put the used towels and sheets into the laundry basket as instructed. As 11 o’clock rolled around, they were both ready to head out the door, Allyson to get ready for her shift and JC to Reagan International Airport.
“Mind if I ride with you a few stops?” she asked as they walked toward the station.
“I’d like that,” he said, switching his duffle bag from his left hand into his right.
As the Metro pulled into Dupont Circle, JC followed her out of the car.
“What are you doing? You’ve still got a ways to go.”
“I know. I just wanted to let people get on, off and out of the station so I could give you this without risk of cameras. Besides, the next train will be here in three minutes; I’ve got the time.” With the station as empty as it might ever be with both Shady Grove and Glenmont trains departing, he dropped his duffle bag at his feet and wrapped his arms around Allyson, pulling her in for a tight hug. Her arms stretched around his midsection as her head found its place on his chest. She could feel his back muscles as she moved her hands up and down his back slightly in the hug. She took in the smell of his cologne and the warmth of his hug. What she didn’t know was JC was taking in the moment also, feeling the comfort of a true embrace between friends, no strings attached, no pressure.
He sighed a bit as he hugged her a little tighter before loosening his arms. “I am so glad we met, and I’m not sorry for hitting your jaw. I mean, I am, but I’m not, you know.”
“Me too. Totally worth the pain,” she said with a soft smile. “This has truly been an amazing few days. I never thought I’d see the day that D.C. was boring, but it might be a bit duller from now on.”
He laughed softly. “I’m not sure D.C. is capable of being dull. But keep in touch, OK?”
“OK,” she said with a gigantic smile as she gave him another quick hug and JC gently touched his lips to her cheek.
“Have a good shift,” he said. “Oh, and tell that coworker of yours thanks for making you come up to me.”
She just laughed as they began walking in opposite directions.
