There are a few secrets in this chapter that might not make sense to you now so just bare with me for a while. A million thanks to my beta CuJo. What would I do without you? Go nuts!!!
Emmett put Alex’s present on his bed and smiled. He was so in love with Alex it scared him sometimes. He started to smile like a fool until he remembered that he wasn’t alone in the bedroom. He looked at Ted and James with an arched brow. He had called his friends so they could help him with the things for Alex’s birthday. “Do you think he will like it?” Emmett asked as he ran his hand over the leather jacket. Ted nodded. James just shrugged. “Great. Now all I have to do is finish the invitations.” Emmett told them. “How do you know everyone is going to behave?” Ted asked. “I think they are going to kill each other.” “Because if not, I’m going to have to bitch slap all of them.” Emmett said. “And Melanie is going to help me.” “I will behave.” James said laughing as he put his arm around Ted’s waist. Sometimes Melanie scared him. Emmett smiled at him. “I’m not worry about you. You are a good guy.” Emmett told him. “Are you sure you're going to invite everyone?” Ted asked. “Yes.” Emmett said. “They can’t fight here. My house is like holy ground or something and they know it.” “Do you think they will ever stop fighting?” Ted asked. “Maybe they will have to.” James said. “Why?” Ted asked looking at his boyfriend. “Because.” James said. “If not, things will end just like Romeo and Juliet…in a modern times and…alternate characters kind of way.” “What are you talking about?” Ted asked. “I understand myself.” James told him, kissing him on the lips. “Ted.” Emmett said. “Can you get us something to drink, please?” “Uh, sure.” Ted told him. “Do you want anything?” James nodded. “I’ll be right back.” Ted said leaving Emmett’s room. He knew that Emmett wanted to say something to James. So, he was just going to go and give them some time. He was sure that if it was anything important, James would tell him later. “What do you know?” Emmett asked. “What?” James asked frowning. “About the brunet and the blond.” Emmett told him. “Holy shit. Do you know about that? I thought it was just me.” James said smiling. Emmett shook his head. “Who else do you think knows?” James asked. Emmett shrugged not really sure. “What do you think is going to happen when Hayden finds out?” James asked smirking. Emmett arched both of his brows. He knew that things were going to be bad if that happened. “He’ll have a shit fit.” Emmett told him. “It’s going to be hell.” James nodded in agreement. He had known Hayden since they were little and Hayden had a horrible character. Sometimes he thought that Hayden was not all right in the head. “Well, anyway, I’m currently trying to help the blond with a little problem.” Emmett said. “What’s that?” James asked. “It seems like the brunet is going after pussy.” Emmett said. “What’s wrong with that?” James asked smiling. “Jesus Christ. He's not you. Let’s be realistic.” Emmett said. “One thing is being a certain way and another is trying to hide how you are.” “True.” James said. “So what is the plan?” “I don’t have one.” Emmett said frowning. “I’m working on it, but nothing comes to mind.” James licked his lips trying to think of something and then it hit him. “Easy.” James smirked as he thought of the perfect solution. “Find a guy for Justin.” “How is that going to help?” Emmett asked. They were just going in circles. “Justin wants Brian not somebody else.” James rolled his eyes. “If anyone was after my Teddy or Daph, I would get pissed.” James pointed out. “I would go nuts and do anything so they wouldn’t leave me for someone else.” Emmett looked at James and smiled. He threw himself at James and hugged him. “You are a genius.” Emmett told him. “I know.” James said smirking. “James Hunter Montgomery!” Ted hissed. “Back away from Emmett.” Emmett and James pulled apart from each other smirking. They knew how jealous Ted was. “Come on, baby.” James said and kissed Ted. “We were just hugging.” Ted nodded and handed them their drinks. “Well, don’t do that.” Ted told him. Emmett laughed and shook his head. He was sure that James was right. Justin had to make Brian jealous with another guy and maybe the brunet would stop wasting his time when it came to the blond. *** Justin was looking around at the people that came to Emmett’s party for Alex. He was watching as Brian had his arm around Jenny’s shoulder. He was fuming. He wanted to slap someone; preferably Brian. He couldn’t understand why the brunet was acting like this. “Do you want anything to drink?” Shawn looked at his own cup and then at Justin. He arched a brow, but Justin shook his head and didn’t say anything. He followed Justin’s gaze and saw Brian and Jenny. Brian looked at Justin and then ignored him. He pulled Jenny closer to him and kissed her on the cheek. He didn’t know what the fuck he was doing with Jenny. She wasn’t his type but he had to make Taylor see that he liked girls so, he would go away and leave him alone. “Don’t look at him.” Shawn told him. “I could fucking kill him right now.” Justin hissed. Shawn could see how hurt Justin was. He looked back at Brian and shook his head. He wished Justin wouldn’t have fallen for the brunet. “I’m going to get you something to drink. You need it.” At the other side of the pool, Chris spotted Brian and Jenny. He didn’t know what the fuck Brian was doing with her, but he was going to find out. “Hey.” “Hi.” Jenny said looking at Chris with a big smile. “Why don’t you get us a couple of drinks while I talk to Brian?” Chris suggested to Jenny. Jenny nodded and walked away. Justin was watching everything that was going on. He glared at her as she moved away from the brunet. “What's going on?” Brian asked as he glanced quickly towards Justin. “So, are you and Jenny together?” Chris asked. “What?” Brian asked. “Are you guys a couple?” Chris asked him and looked to where Jenny was. “Not yet. We're just getting to know each other.” Brian told him. “How great.” Chris said not interested. “She’s not your kind of girl.” Brian arched a brow. “How the fuck would you know?” “Because I know you and she’s trashy and you don’t like that kind of shit for one.” Chris crossed his arms as he stared at Brian. “What’s with you?” Brian asked. “Oh, nothing.” Chris told him. “I’m sure you are so happy with her. Everything is just perfect.” “Chris, what the hell is going on?” Brian asked. “You like someone.” Chris said. “Of course. I like her.” Brian told him. “Come on, Brian. We're friends.” Chris said. “Stop pretending already. You so like someone. I mean, I see you lost in space, in class or when we hang out. Like you are thinking about someone else. And I also know it’s not the brunette you are with. I think it’s more a…blond.” Brian took a deep breath and tried to get past Chris. Chris pushed Brian against the wall. Justin frowned wondering what Chris was telling Brian and why the brunet looked so stunned. “Tell me.” Chris demanded. “You are nuts, Chris.” Brian hissed. Chris narrowed his eyes and then smiled. “Just admit it.” Chris told him. “You are insane, my friend.” Brian told him calmly. “Come on. Lindsay told me it was a blond.” Chris said smiling. About two days he had been talking to the blonde and she had let it slip. They had always thought that Brian was gay but the brunet just didn’t want to admit it for many reasons. “Is it Jonathan?” “Jesus Christ! No, it's not him.” Brian assured him. “Ah, but it is someone.” Chris said. “She was right.” “Chris, stop, please.” Brian said. “We are not even together. I don’t think it’s going to happen. I…I’m not going to be with a guy. Is not what I want.” Chris knew exactly why Brian was saying it. “Sure, Brian. I’ll drop it, but as soon as you and he get together, you have to tell me.” He had hope that the brunet would tell him soon and stop pretending and living in fear. “I want to be the first to know.” “Nothing is going to happen.” Brian told him. “Hey. Here you go.” Jenny said giving a drink to Chris and another to Brian. “Thank you.” Chris said and started to move away when Brian stopped him. “Don’t tell anyone.” Brian told him. Chris rolled his eyes. “Come on now, Brian. Give me a little credit here. I have always kept your secrets and I'm not going to start talking now. When you are ready to come…and tell…me…more. I will be here.” Chris smiled and walked away. Brian watched him go and was scared for a second since Chris almost had said something else and in front of Jenny nonetheless. Brian put his arm around Jenny’s shoulder and kissed her. It was true that he liked Justin but he couldn’t be with him. It would end up hurting him in the end or so he thought. He smiled at Jenny and kissed her. When he looked at the blond, Justin glared at him. He wanted to go over to Justin and hold him instead but it was best if he just stayed away. *** Justin was sitting inside the house in the living room. Emmett was with him rubbing his back and trying to calm Justin. He didn’t know what had upset the blond so much. “I can’t do this.” Justin told Emmett. “I like him so much. And he doesn’t want me.” “I know. And Brian likes you so. I’m sure.” Emmett told him. “Brian is as crazy for you as you are for him. You can see him on his face.” “Holy Christ and all that is sacred!” Alex yelled as he came into the room. “What did you just say?” Emmett looked at Alex with a pout. He wondered if his boyfriend would say something. “You like Brian?” Alex asked. “Oh god.” Justin said covering his face. “And he likes you?” Alex asked not sure if he understood what was going on. But then again, it would explain Brian’s attitude when it came to the blond. “Shut the fuck up before someone hears you.” Emmett told him. “I’m too shocked to say anything.” Alex whispered. Emmett arched a brow. “Okay, so I can still talk.” Alex said smirking. “I highly doubt anyone would believe me.” “Believe what?” Chris asked coming into the living room. Justin bit his lower lip and gave Alex a pleading look not to say a word. Emmett gave him a warning look. “Nothing important.” Alex told him. “I’m going to get something to drink. Come on, Chris. I’ll get you something too.” “I already have a drink.” Chris told him showing him his drink. “I’ll get you another. Let’s go.” Alex told him. They left the living room and Emmett knelt in front of Justin. “Honey, you have to relax.” Emmett said. “I can’t go back there.” Justin said. “I want to rip her eyes out. Why can’t they stop kissing? He is doing it on purpose, to show me he doesn’t want me. I hate him.” “Wow.” Emmett said wondering if he should go and get a valium from his parent’s room and give it to the blond. “I’m sorry. You should go. Be out there with your boyfriend and celebrate.” Justin told him. “I’m not leaving you here alone.” Emmett sighed and knew it was time to follow his plan. “I will be okay.” Justin told him. Emmett shook his head. “Do you know my cousin, Ethan?” Emmett asked. “He’s the one with the red shirt.” Justin nodded. “He is okay with making Brian jealous.” Emmett said smiling. Justin looked up at his friend with a raised brow. “He has a boyfriend that he loves to death so you don’t have to worry about him wanting something more.” Emmett assured him. “I don’t know. “ Justin said biting his lower lip. “Come on. It will be perfect.” Emmett told him. “It will work. I know Brian likes you. Trust me.” Justin nodded and followed him. He wanted Brian to look at him and pay attention to him. If Emmett was sure that it would work, then he was going to do it. He would try anything. *** Brian came into the kitchen and spotted Ethan. He glared at the man. He didn’t know what the fuck he was doing, but he couldn’t stop himself. When he had seen the brunet with Justin, his blood had boiled. “Hi.” Ethan said as he turned around with two bottles of water. “I’m Ethan.” Brian walked up to him and stood in front of him. “Is there a problem?” Ethan asked. “I want you to stay away from him.” Brian hissed. “Who?” Ethan asked knowing perfectly well who. “Justin.” Brian hissed. “I don’t want you with him.” “Why not? He seems like a nice guy.” Ethan said trying not to smile. Brian’s nostrils flared. He could kill Ethan right then. “Well, he is off limits to you.” Brian hissed. “You better not cross the line or I will rip your cock off.” Ethan arched a brow and smirked. “Whatever.” Ethan was so going to tell Justin what had just happened. Brian pushed him against the kitchen island hard. “I’m serious.” Brian had seen the dark haired man flirting with Justin and he was pissed. He was mad when Justin laughed at the things Ethan was telling him and he was pretty much blazing with rage when Ethan put his arms around Justin. He wasn’t going to allow it. “Who are you?” Ethan asked. “Justin told me he was single.” Brian frowned knowing that Justin was allowed to be with whoever he wanted, but Brian didn’t want Justin to be with anyone else. He didn’t know what the fuck that was supposed to mean. “Are you his boyfriend?” Ethan asked. “Of course not!” Brian hissed. “I’m his friend.” “Then what the fuck is your problem?” Ethan asked. “Do you like him or something?” “No.” Brian told him. “But I watch out for him.” “I’m not going to do anything he doesn’t want me to do to him. So fuck off.” Ethan said and left the kitchen. Ethan smiled when he spotted Justin. He handed him his water and put his arm around Justin’s shoulders. “Boy, do I have good news for you.” Ethan told him. “You do?” Justin asked. “Oh, yeah.” Ethan assured him smiling. Justin looked back and saw Brian glaring at them. He looked to the front again and smiled at what Ethan was telling him. *** “You want me to do what?” Daphne asked. “Wait a minute. I don’t understand. Why do you care about Brian?” “I don’t.” Justin assured her. “It’s just that I don’t want Hayden or myself getting into more trouble and maybe there is way to fix all of this.” Daphne took a deep breath. “Are you sure Anna knows what happen?” Daphne asked. “And what makes you think that she is going to tell me?” Justin wasn’t sure but he was counting on it. “Hayden tells her a lot of stuff.” Justin licked his lips. “It’s worth a try. She talks to you the most. And she has a big mouth. A little coaxing from you and she’ll talk.” “Okay. I’ll do it.” Daphne told him. She would try because the truth was she wanted to know herself. “You are the best.” Justin said. Daphne smiled and then frowned. “I wish James would think that too.” “Are you guys fighting?” Justin asked. “And he does think that, Daph.” Daphne smiled at Justin. “We are okay, but he is giving more attention to Ted than me.” Daphne protested. “That’s what you get for having a bi boyfriend.” Justin told her. “Don’t remind me.” Daphne told him. “Oh, stop it.” Justin told her. “What about when he is with you all the time and he ignores Ted?” “Whatever.” Daphne told him. Justin smirked and shook his head. “So, what happened with Ethan?” Daphne asked. “What are you talking about?” Justin asked. “I saw you with him at the party. Are you guys going to go out or something?” Daphne asked. “No.” Justin assured her. “Are you sure?” Daphne asked eyeing him. “Really, you can tell me anything.” Justin looked at her and frowned. “Why are you so adamant about it, Daph? I already told you that there wasn’t anything between us.” Justin looked at her and raised a brow. “No reason.” Daphne said looking away. Justin frowned and knew there was something. “Spill it.” “It’s nothing.” Daphne assured him. “Come on, Daphne.” Justin said. “Okay, okay. But you have to promise not to say a word.” Daphne told him. “Okay, promise.” Justin said quickly. “Michael made me ask you about it.” Daphne said. “What? Why?” Justin asked. Daphne didn’t have a clue but she suspected that maybe the other boy liked Justin. It was the only explanation she could come up with. “He said a friend of his wanted to know because the guy likes you but I think Michael likes you.” Daphne said. Justin looked at her and smiled widely. He was sure that Brian had put Michael up to it. He didn’t know how the brunet had done it but he couldn’t help but smile. “Do you like Michael too?” Daphne saw the little smile playing on Justin’s lips. “No.” Justin said. “But that’s okay. He doesn’t like me either.” “So, you think he really has a friend that likes you?” Daphne asked. “Yeah.” Justin told her. “Who?” Daphne asked. “I have no idea.” Justin told her smiling happily because the truth was that he knew exactly who it had been. *** Brian looked at Justin drawing and frowned. They were back in the basement doing what they did every time Mr. Kern brought them there. Brian would read a book and Justin would draw. “What are you doing?” Brian got up to see what the blond had been drawing. Justin looked up at Brian and then pushed the paper towards him. Brian picked it up and frowned. He took the paper and ripped it apart. “What the fuck are you doing?” Justin asked angry. “What?” Brian asked as he sat down again. “You had no right, Brian.” Justin hissed. “What did I do to you?” “Nothing.” Brian told him as he looked at the floor. He just couldn’t stand seeing Ethan’s face. “You are an asshole.” Justin said. “I don’t know how Jenny can stand you.” “She’s not my girlfriend.” Brian told him. “But she goes out with you.” Justin pointed out. “Not anymore.” Brian whispered. “Why not?” Justin asked sitting next to Brian. Brian shrugged. “We weren’t working.” “I see.” Justin told him. “I’m sorry to hear that.” Brian nodded and grabbed his book again. Justin took a deep breath and got closer to Brian. “What the fuck are you doing?” Brian asked angry. “Nothing.” Justin told him as he got up. Justin sat back on the desk and started drawing again. He was never going to understand the brunet. He smiled happy to know that Jenny wasn’t with Brian. He started a drawing that Brian wasn’t going to be allowed to see. Everything was now just like before. They would sit for hours and Brian would read while he drew the brunet, a guilty pleasure of his. *** “Something is going on with Justin.” Hayden sat down on Shawn’s bed and arched a brow. “What?” Shawn asked. “I don’t know. But I am going to find out. He’s hiding something from me.” Hayden tried to think of what it could be but nothing came to mind. “I think you are nuts.” Shawn said shaking his head. “You know, delirious.” Hayden frowned as he looked at his brother’s back. “Has he told you anything?” “Right, like I would tell you.” Shawn said sarcastically as he turned around. “What the hell is with you? What the hell do you care about Justin?” “Right. That’s your job.” Hayden teased. “Poor Shawny is in love and Justin doesn’t want you.” Shawn glared at him. Hayden just got up and laughed at his brother. “If I were you, I would tell him.” Hayden smiled malignantly at his brother and then turned to walk out of the room. “Like you told Brad?” Shawn crossed his arm and arched a brow. Hayden frowned and turned around. “What are you talking about?” “I know you told him how much you wanted him. How much you loved him. And he turned you down.” Shawn just stared as his brother’s face crumbled. “That’s…when did you heard that?” Hayden couldn’t believe what he was hearing. No one had seen or heard him tell that to Brad. “Brian told me a long time ago. He let it slip.” Shawn shrugged. He looked at his brother who seemed to be frozen. “What?” “No. No one knows.” Hayden swallowed. “No wonder he hates me.” He whispered. Shawn frowned. “Why the fucks does Brian hate you so much? I mean he changed. Way before the thing in Aspen. He…he just…changed. What did you do Hayden?” Shawn looked at his brother having a really bad feeling. “Does it have to do with anything that happened at the woods?” “Of course he changed. What the hell was he supposed to do?” Hayden asked. “Be happy?” “That’s not what I mean and you know it.” Shawn said. “It was like he wanted to hurt you on purpose all the time and then he got real close to you. Best friends. What the fuck was that all about? Then one day it all came crashing to the ground.” “You said he heard me telling Brad that I wanted him.” Hayden sighed. “Maybe he got mad that I didn’t like him instead.” Shawn frowned, not satisfied with the answer. He had a crazy idea of what had happened that day at the woods, but he didn’t want to think about it. He just nodded and watched his brother leave his room and close the door. Hayden leaned against the closed door and frowned. If Brian knew what he had told Brad then things changed. Because it meant that he might know what had happened after that. The brunet knew that he had been lying to the cops and Brian might think something else had happened that day at the woods. Hayden closed his eyes not wanting to believe that anyone knew about it. That Brian just hated him because; that things hadn’t changed because of what had happened to Brad. *** “Tell me everything.” Justin said sitting down. “She told me…and Justin, don’t tell anyone. It’s bad enough that I’m doing this.” Daphne said. “I’m not going to tell a soul.” Justin said. “Okay, okay.” Daphne said and took a deep breath. “She said that when Hayden and Brian were around Sixteen, Brian tried to kiss him. Apparently Hayden pushed him away and Brian tried again so Hayden beat him up.” Justin listened to her and knew it was the same thing that Michael had told him, more or less. “Just like Michael said.” Justin whispered. Daphne licked her lips. “She said that Brian took a pair of scissors and stabbed Hayden.” “No shit.” Justin said. Daphne nodded she had reacted the same way that Justin had. “Where?” Justin asked. “He stabbed him on the balls. They had to take one of them off.” Daphne said cringing. “You are kidding.” Justin said. “Oh my god.” “Guess that is why they hate each other, huh?” Daphne asked. “Brian hates Hayden for turning him down and Hayden hates Brian for costing him a ball. Really amazing, seeing how Brian is straight and Hayden fucks every chick that moves. You couldn’t tell.” “Michael didn’t tell me this.” Justin said. “Do you think that’s how it happened?” Daphne asked. “Why you ask that?” Justin asked her frowning. “Well, you said that Michael told you that Lindsay was protecting Brian all the time. You would think it was the other way around and she would protect Hayden since he was the one that really got hurt. And Hayden comes to Lindsay’s house. Although, now that we are talking about this, I have seen that she never talks to him.” Daphne was curious to know now everything that had happened. “God.” Justin said rubbing his face. “You know, maybe it’s me but…it’s more likely that a girl would take a pair of scissors to defend herself than a boy. And weren’t Brian and Hayden the same size? Why would Brian need a weapon to hurt Hayden?” Daphne was sure that there was more to the story than everyone was letting on. “Oh god. You don’t think that Hayden tried anything with Lindsay?” Justin asked biting his lower lip. “I don’t know what to think anymore.” Daphne said. “I really don’t know what’s going on.” Justin nodded and didn’t know what was going on any more that she did. Maybe he should stop snooping around. What was in the past should be left there.