Thanks to my wonderful beta Carolyn, you are the best. Thanks to everyone who waited patiently for this chapter and I promise not to go so long without writing. The Holidays have taken time from me. But with a fractured foot i will be able to write more. LOL Thanks to everyone I know and to those I dont, Merry CHristmas and Happy New Year I know this is a short chapter, longer ones will follow. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WPS 9 Justin I open my eyes to find myself in a different room than my own, closing them as I remember why I’m here. My fiancé’s husband, Heath. No, I take that back. I found out because of, well--no doubt, Michael. And on my birthday. I cover my head with the pillow and wish it would swallow me up. There’s a knock on the door as Heath slowly opens it. “Justin, I made some coffee and if you’re hungry I also made some eggs.” Heath walks in and over to the bed pulling the pillow off my face. “Come on it’s going to get better.” I look at him like he’s lost his mind. “How can you say that? I mean you knew all along when you met me that you were my fiancé’s husband. Why didn’t you just tell me?” I cry out. “Justin why don’t we eat and then we can go for a walk and we can talk all about it then? A nice walk will do us good.” Heath tries to reassure me while he's getting me some fresh clothes. “The bathroom’s there if you want to shower and clean up.” He points to the obvious bathroom in the room. “Yea thanks, and isn’t it too cold to go walking?” Looking at me he grins. “It’s the best time to go. You don’t overheat. Now get your boney ass up and meet me downstairs.” Smiling he walks out. “Who you calling boney ass?” I walk into the bathroom thinking as I look in the mirror ‘no I don’t’. After taking a nice shower and thinking about my life and where it’s going I realize I can only focus on Brian, as always. After climbing out I get dressed in the clothes Heath gave me, surprised that they fit. I head downstairs and smell something really good, not realizing I must have been hungrier then I thought because my stomach told me all about it, but yet not feeling up to eating. Heath looks at me with a smile, “Ahh someone’s hungry.” I nod walking over to sit down. He hands me the plate of eggs and sausage and grins “I always make a good breakfast.” Nodding I help myself, although I’m not nearly as hungry as I thought. Heath I watch him pick at his food, eating very little until he finally takes the fourth bite and then he becomes like a Hoover vacuum. Justin’s such a sweet young man I hate seeing him going through this. I figured we would walk in the park to clear our heads and really talk. Fresh winter air will do us good. He looks up to see me looking at him and sighing he leans back in the chair. “I’m sorry I’m not such great company right now.” I reach over and put my hand on his and he smiles. “Nothing to worry about. Everything will work out in the end. Let’s go for a walk in the park, clear our minds and then we can talk more.” Nodding he gets up and asks me. “Heath, you’re a big guy, how come these fit me?” Pulling at the shirt. “I have a younger brother same size as you and he leaves his stuff here all the time, so he has something here if needed.” He nods his understanding as we head to the door. Walking out the door I look up toward the sky and take a nice long breath. “I love this weather.” Looking at him he just shakes his head. Laughing I wave my hand “Come on let’s go.” Walking away from the cabin we head towards the park. Michael I have to do something. I can’t believe I screwed up with Brian again. But just like those other times, we’ll work this out again. I look up to see Heath and Justin walking in the park. I can’t believe Justin. He’s smiling at him and it looks like he’s not even thinking of Brian. I see them hugging and it seems like a very long hug and know something’s going on, so I take my cell out and take a picture just in time to see Heath putting his hands on Justin’s cheeks before kissing his forehead. Now I have proof that Justin doesn’t change. Just like he messed around with Ethan, he is doing it with Brian’s husband. How low can one get? I see them smile as they walk away. I know I have to let Brian know that Justin hasn’t changed. Heading to Brian’s I knock on the door. It doesn’t take long for him to open it and as he goes to slam it in my face I stop him. “Brian please I need to talk to you and show you something.” He tries to shut it again. “It has to do with Justin.” That makes him stop and look at me. “Is he okay? Michael, tell me. Oh why am I even listening to you. This wouldn’t be happening if you wouldn’t have told him. I would have talked to him after his birthday and we would still be together. Even though we haven’t officially broken up, which he assured me of last night. He let me know that he wasn’t giving up on me. SO why the fuck are you here?” “You have to see this. I was at the park walking towards the store when I saw Justin and Heath at the park and I took these.” Showing him the pictures on my cell he looks at them. “So, big deal. So they hugged and he kissed him on the forehead. Michael I know what you’re trying to do and it won’t work. I know Justin better then you and I know he wouldn’t do what you’re trying to make me believe. Justin is better then this.” “Brian he did it with Ethan what makes you think he wouldn’t do this again?” He turns around and looks at me with those eyes. “Because Justin loves me, not Heath, not Ethan, but me. Michael. I may not know Heath well but I do know he’s only trying to help, unlike you. I told you once Michael, I never want to see you again now get the hell out of my doorway before I fucking throw you out. And stop trying to ruin my life.” He pushes me out and slams the door in my face. “Brian, pictures are worth a thousand words.” I shout at the door but all I hear is, nothing. I storm off thinking that I have to make this work. I won’t lose Brian over Justin. I have been his best friend far too long to let him throw it away over his stupid little twink. Walking out I run into Ben who looks at me and shakes his head. “Ben, what are you doing here?” I go to kiss him and he pushes me away. “Ben?” “Michael, I have decided to go to Tibet. You and I are through Michael.” I see a tear in his eye. “I can’t deal with you trying to ruin everything Brian has with Justin. It’s not right. And I want no part of it, or you. I love you Michael, but I love the man you can be, not this one.” I look at him and remember where we are. “What are you doing here?” “I came to say good-bye to Brian and to wish him all the luck in the world and not to give up on Justin.” I shake my head. “Michael, stop whatever you’re up to. Leave them be. They deserve happiness.” I snap my head up. “But Ben,” he stops me with a hand to my arm. “Michael, they have something special, don’t mess with it. You’ve already tried to ruin things for them on a few occasions and they always make up. They haven’t even broken up--they’re just taking a small break. And then there’s us. I can’t take this any more. I’m not sorry I love you, but I am sorry that I wasn’t enough for you to just leave them alone and please don’t start with the best friend shit. It’s a crock of shit and a best friend wouldn’t try to destroy what’s good in their friend’s life. Now I have already gotten my stuff from the house so I’ll be leaving as soon as I say good-bye to the gang. Bye Michael.” Kissing me he walks away from me before I can say anything. This is Justin’s fault and I’ll make sure he doesn’t hurt Brian again. I won’t lose my best friend over any man. Not even the man he loves. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------