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As punishment for squealing to Backstreet, Joey made Lance take Chrissie first thing the next morning. "I have a business meeting!" Lance protested. "Get him an ice cream cone and some teenie mags. I don't give a fuck." "You cursed," Chris said, his eyes wide. "Sorry," Joey said. "Gotta go." "Did you at least remember to walk Busta and Korea?" "No. Do that with Chris too." "Who're Busta and Korea?" "Your dogs. Make sure Lance walks them twice today, and feeds them and gives them plenty of water." "I have dogs?" Chris asked. "Can we go see them now?" Lance sighed. "Let me call my dad and cancel my appointments." "I have dogs!" "Yes, yes." They didn't have child seats in their cars, so Lance made Chris sit in the back seat. Chris pressed his nose to the glass. "Are we there yet?" "No." "Now are we there?" "No." "Now?" "Chris!" "Yes?" "If you stop asking me when we'll get there, I'll take you shopping later." "Really?" "Really." "Promise?" "Promise." "Cross your heart and hope to die?" "Cross my heart." "Pinky swear?" "Chris!" "I'll just be quiet now." "You do that," Lance said. Chris turned to look out the window again. Lance couldn't get a clear view from the mirror, but he *thought* Chris was making funny faces at the people in passing cars. He sighed, and drummed his fingers against the steering wheel. "Hey, Lance?" "Mhmm?" "You're much cuter than Kevin. I don't care what Alexa says, even if she *is* 14 and a half. And 3 days." "Thank you," Lance said. He had never been so happy to reach Chris' house in his life. "Oh!" Chris squealed when Busta and Korea came racing up and licked at her ankles. "They're a-do-ra-ble!" "Don't forget the leashes." "I won't. Is around the block good enough?" "Sure," Lance said. After walking the dogs and physically restraining Chris from chasing after a neighborhood cat that dared to hiss at his "pwetty wittle babies" and feeding the dogs and getting water for the dogs and checking Chris' answering machine (and being greatly disappointed that Bev hadn't called and happened to leave a phone number,) Lance wasn't sure he was up to shopping anymore. "You promised!" Chris said. "I know I did, Chris, but I'm tired." "You crossed your heart!" Lance winced. "Half an hour, okay?" "One hour." "Half an hour." "You pinky swore!" "One hour." Chris smiled, and hugged Lance's waist, burying his face in Lance's stomach. "You're my favorite," he said. "Right after Justin." "45 minutes," Lance said.
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