Chapter 7

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Justin

A guy leaves the shop as we head in. "Did you see that?" asks Daphne.

"Kind of hard to miss," I reply. He was covered in tattoos and had a huge ring in his nose. Of course, we did just walk into a piercing/tattoo shop so what do we expect?

"So gross," comments Daph.

"I think it's cool," I retort.

"I can't believe you're actually doing this, for him."

"It's not for him," I shoot back.

"I mean, just because he's your boyfriend doesn't mean you have…" she continues.

"He's not my boyfriend," I interrupt. I don't do boyfriends. "Beside, half the kids in school have their noses or their ears pierced. Erica Jacobson even has her belly button pierced."

"Erica Jacobson is a whore," she replies. "And besides, it's dangerous. This girl in Texas, her boyfriend went to kiss her and his braces got caught on her tongue ring and ripped it clear out of her mouth."

"Things like that always happen in Texas."

"What about that guy with the stud in his nostril? Gangrene set in and he had to have his entire nose amputated."

"Urban legend," I reply.

"Who's next?" calls a lady from behind the counter.

"Me," I say as I take a deep breath and smile.

I fill out the paperwork and flash my fake ID and then she leads Daph and me to the back room. "Take of your shirt, honey," she says as I sit on a stool. I unzip my shirt and she pulls on a pair of rubber gloves. "So, which one do you want? Right or left?"

Oh shit, I never thought of that. "I don't know," I say meekly.

"You know, most guys like right," she says as she gets her equipment together.

She swabs my right nipple with alcohol and turns me in the chair so I'm under a bright light.

"Excuse me," says Daph. "Is this going to hurt?"

The lady holds up a huge needle. "Of course," she laughs and I smile wanly. "Ready?" she asks. I nod and she grabs my tit with these pincher things and then pokes the needle through.

"Ow!" I yelp, but then I can't help but smile. I know I told Daph that I wasn't doing this for Brian, but fuck if it's not Brian that I think about when I look down at the gold ring that is now firmly embedded in my right nipple. And, of course, that makes me hard as hell.

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Brian

"I say, if it walks like a boyfriend and talks like a boyfriend," says Emmett. "It must be a boyfriend," he and Ted finish together.

"Would you two please shut the fuck up," I say as I try to line up my pool shot. "I think it's great that Mikey's got a steady."

"He's not a steady," retorts Mikey. "We only went out twice."

"Around here," replies Ted, "That's a long term relationship."

"Next thing you know, you'll be exchanging rings," adds Emmett.

"Mmm," says Ted, "Then there'll be one of those commitment ceremonies where, like, all two hundred of the guests have slept with one, if not both, of the happy couple."

"Just, um, promise me, you won't wear matching white suits," teases Emmett.

"There is no way that is ever going to happen," Mikey spits out.

"Well, I suggest you watch out for the warning signs," says Emmett as he wraps an arm around Mikey's shoulders.

"What warning signs?" asks Mikey warily.

"Like, when he brings you flowers," says Ted.

"Or invites you away for a romantic weekend in the country," continues Emmett.

"Not that you'll see much besides the bedroom ceiling," cracks Ted.

"Your shot, Mikey," I snap as I brush by he and Emmett. This whole fucking conversation is giving me the creeps. They lost me at commitment.

"Or, the most telltale sign of all," says Emmett. "When he, uh, meets your mother and she invites him over for dinner."

Mikey shoots the cue ball right off the table and Justin walks up just in time to catch it.

"Something the matter?" I ask Mikey.

"I lost my grip," he replies weakly.

Justin moves in close to me. "Guess what I got today?" he asks.

"A new bell for your bicycle?" I ask.

"A nipple ring," he says seductively as he pulls up his shirt to show me.

Okay, honestly, that went straight to my cock, but see, I can't let him know that. And I most certainly cannot let Mikey and the other guys know that, either. "Every piece of trash has something stuck through their ear or their nose or their belly button," I reply. "Or their cock. What makes you think I'm even remotely interested that you have a ring through your tit?" I look over to Mikey.

"It's late." Mikey says coldly, "I got work." And I know he's not buying my indifference at all.

"Don't forget about this Friday," I say to him with a sly smile.

"What's this Friday?" asks Justin, who is still here even after my apparent rejection of his pierced nipple. Little twat.

"You're too young to know," I tell him.

"Tell me," he practically begs.

Ted takes pity on him. "Just some heathen ritual called Studs and Suds."

"Studs and Suds? What's that?" he asks.

My eyes meet Mikey's again and he shakes his head. I can tell he is pissed that Justin will want to come with us on Friday. Studs and Suds has always kind of been our thing and I know he thinks Justin will ruin it.

"Well, uh," explains Emmett. "First, they flood the dance floor at Babylon with soap suds."

"Then everyone strips down to their undies," Ted adds.

"Or less," supplies Emmett. "And dances cheek to cheek," he adds as he bumps Ted's ass with his own.

"Sounds awesome," says Justin.

"It's disgusting," says Ted.

"See you there?" Emmett asks him.

"Can't wait." he replies.

Mikey starts to leave. "You better be there too," I say to him.

"Don't worry," he replies and then he's gone.

"Guess who's head over heels," observes Emmett.

"Or heels over head," cracks Ted as they walk away.

"Does Michael have a boyfriend?" Justin asks me.

"That's none of your business," I reply.

"I just wanna know," he says, his body still in my space.

"Well, don't stick your tit in where it doesn't belong." I reach up and pinch the tit in question.

"Ow!" he exclaims and fuck if my cock doesn't jump to attention again just thinking about it.

There's really been nothing but dogs at Woody's tonight. Maybe I could be generous and take him home. Despite what I said in front of the guys. I think this nipple thing needs to be explored a little further.

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Justin

I knew he was so full of shit about the piercing. He really couldn't get me out of Woody's fast enough. I mean, he pretended that he needed to finish his pool game and have a few more beers, but once Emmett and Ted were gone, so were we. Back to the loft. Believe me, he wasted no time.

He unzips my shirt and gently touches the nipple that he had so callously grabbed earlier. It still hurts like hell, but he just barely brushes it with his fingertips. He leans down and runs the tip of his tongue over it a few times causing me to shudder and my dick to practically burst out of my jeans.

He comes back up for a kiss and it's only moments before we are both naked on his bed and he is mounting me from behind. I love it when we do it this way. Don't get me wrong, I love it face to face too, but when he takes me from behind, it's like he's possessing me. God, the way his grabs my hips to hit just the right spot and then when he leans over my back and kisses my neck. It's all I can do not to pass out from the hotness of it.

He's riding me and I sink down onto the bed, unable to support my own weight with my arms anymore. His hot breath is searing the back of my neck and his groans of pleasure are ringing in my ears. His hand slips over mine and I open my fingers so his can slide through.

I feel linked with him in this fiery, passionate need that we share for each other. I don't think I'll ever feel this way about anyone else in my life, ever. That's kind of a scary thought to have at seventeen, if you think about it.

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Brian

I decide to drop in at Mikey and Emmett's apartment and see what they have planned for the night. I knock and Emmett opens the door. "Make that the wicked witch," he says snidely. Whatever.

"What are you doing here?" asks Mikey.

"I'm hungry. Let's go get something to eat."

"I'm going to my mom's, remember?"

"Oh, yeah," I reply as I sit at the table, "din din with Doc. I forgot."

"He's going to be here any minute so you better go."

I ignore him and flip open the bakery box that's sitting on the table in front of me. "What's this?"

"Chocolate éclairs from the Big Q bakery. I bought them for des…" he trails off as I stick a whole éclair in my mouth. I know I normally don't eat crap like this, but since they're for Dr. Dave, I will make the sacrifice.

"Wow, it takes years of practice to develop technique like that," comments Emmett. He should know.

Mikey comes over and slams the lid shut on the box. "Look, I know you don't like him…"

"Who said I don't like him?" I interrupt. "And why do you give a fuck what I think?"

"I've been saying that for years," adds Emmett.

"What matters is what you think," I say. "If you like him, that's all that's important. Even though he is." I look at Emmett. "Quite a bit older than you and lives in a world you know nothing about."

"Shut up!" Emmett exclaims.

"Are you saying he's too good for me?" asks Mikey.

Fuck. Yes, Mikey, Dr. Dave is too good for you. That's exactly what I'm saying. "Nobody's too good for you, Mikey, you're better than anyone."

"Because he happens to think I'm hot," Mikey continues. "You know, some people do."

Some people that don't include me, right, Mikey? "Haven't I always told you that?" I ask as I cup his face and kiss him on the lips. There's a knock at the door and Emmett rushes to get it, but I push him out of the way. "Dave, buddy. We were just talking about you."

He comes in holding a bouquet of flowers. "Really," he replies. "Hi, Emmett. Hi," he says to Mikey.

"Hi," says Mikey as they exchange a kiss. "These are great," he comments about the flowers. "My mom will love these."

David laughs. "Hers are in the car. Those are for you."

Emmett moves to take the flowers from Mikey. "The second sign," I hear him say quietly, "Flowers. I'll just put these in some water," he says to David.

Dave looks at Mikey and then over to me. "Everything all right?" he asks my friend.

"He's allergic to boyfriends bringing bouquets," I help Mikey out. Jesus, could this guy be more hetero? Mikey might as well pull on a dress and some pantyhose before they go.

David ignores my comment. "Well, we better go."

They start to leave when I notice the éclairs still sitting on the table. I pick up the box and hand it to Mikey. "Don't forget this. Have fun, you two," I say as they leave.

I plop back down at the table, missing Mikey already.

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Justin

"You said you wouldn't tell. You promised," I reprimand my mother. I'm standing in the kitchen with my parents. Mom had just dropped the bomb that my father now knows about me. I can't believe she told him. How the fuck can I ever trust her again?

"Justin, I had no choice. I had to tell Daddy."

"You lied to me," I accuse. "You said you wouldn't."

"It was for your own good," she replies. "When I saw you with this Brian."

"You keep calling him, 'this Brian,' like that's his name. "It's just Brian."

She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. "When I saw you with Brian; his arms around you, kissing you. I couldn't believe it!" Okay, I thought she was all right with the gay thing. What the fuck happened? She leans forward. "Not for the reason you think. It's not right for a man his age to be touching you." Oh, it's just the age thing. God, I'm not a fucking baby anymore. "To be having sex with you," she continues. "And even though you may think that you love him, I'm sure he doesn't love you."

What the fuck does she know about anything? "That's not true," I retort.

"He's an adult!" Ah, I wondered when we'd hear from Dad. "It's illegal for an adult to have sex with a minor." Actually, I looked it up. The legal age for consent in Pennsylvania is seventeen, but somehow, I don't think this is the time to bring up legalities.

"Honey, it's not your fault," adds Mom. "We don't blame you. We understand this man enticed you."

Oh fucking brother. "He didn't entice me," I counter. "I wanted him."

Dad stands up. "Justin! God! You're too young to know what you want."

"Craig, please," says Mom. "You promised you'd stay calm."

"I…I am calm," he replies. He looks at me. "What about AIDS?"

Jesus, does he really think I'm stupid? "He wore a condom," I tell him. "I put it on him myself."

Dad throws up his hands. "Ohh! God! I'm calling the police!"

"You're not calling anybody!" yells my mom. "That's all we need is for everybody to know!" Yeah, God fucking forbid their friends find out about their freak son and his older boyfriend. Jesus!

"What? You want this monster, this child molester to go free?" asks my dad.

Okay, that's it. Brian is not a fucking monster. Far from it! "He didn't molest me and I'm not a child." I look at my mom. "I love him, more than anything else in my life. It's all I want, is to be with him."

"I don't ever want to hear you say that again," my dad orders. "And you are not to see him."

Sorry, Dad, but you might as well ask me to cut off my drawing hand. "I'm going to see him," I reply calmly. "I don't care what you say." I walk out of the room.

"I don't think so," says my dad. "No, you're not, Justin." He follows me. "Hey, Justin!"

I just keep on walking. Right out the front door. Fuck them both.

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Brian

<Are you up for a ten inch cock?> says the message on my computer screen.

<I'm always up. Call me at 471-5555.> I type back.

Sure enough, the phone rings. I pick it up. "Six Fuller at the corner of Tremont. It should take you ten minutes. One for every inch." I smile and hang up. Someone knocks on the door. Okay, I know he's not that fast. Who the fuck is bugging me now? I slide the door open and there stands Mikey. I study him for a moment. "You got laid," I observe.

"I did not." He walks past me into the loft.

"Yes, you did. I can always tell. I though you and Dave were having dinner at Deb's."

"Dinner's over," he replies.

"What, did she scare him off?"

"Actually, she and Vic were on their best behavior," he says.

"That's even scarier," I observe. "Listen, you can't stay. I've got someone coming over in approximately seven and a half inches, so…" Mike nods and I start to lead him to the door. "I'll see you tomorrow," I try to placate him. "At Studs and Suds."

"I can't go," he replies. "That's what I came over here to tell you." He lets out a breath. "David invited me away with him, for the weekend. He has a cabin."

I turn away from him for a second and then look back. "Well, what do you know? Just like the boys said. Flowers, dinner at mom's and now an invitation to the country."

"You're mad," he looks into my eyes.

"Why would I be mad? Who wants to be on a crowded dance floor dancing with naked men covered in soap suds when you could be breathing all that fresh, country air?" Okay, so maybe I'm a little fucking mad. Especially after he acted like such a dick about Justin coming.

He just keeps staring at me with his goofy smile. My phone rings and I move to answer it. "Just don't forget your inhaler in case your asthma attacks," I call back over my shoulder. "Must have gotten lost," I say as I pick up the phone. "I told you," I say into it. "Six Fuller, corner of Tremont, now get your ass over here. I've got this new dildo, nine inches long, seven inches around. I'm gonna open up your hole with it and I'm gonna fuck you so hard your eyes roll back into your head." The guy just hangs up on me. Jeez, some kind of response would have been nice. He's probably too fucking turned on to drive.

"Have you ever considered a career in phone sales?" Mikey asks me.

I snort at him and push him out the door. "Get out of here."

I shut the door and my phone rings again. "Now what?" I bark into it.

I listen to the guy on the other end ask for directions. "Well, didn't you just call?" I ask puzzled. "Wait, that wasn't you." Oh, holy crap. Who in the fuck did I just say that too?

Oops.

==========================

"How much?" I ask Lindsay. We're sitting at her dining room table with bills spread out around us.

"Two thousand," she answers. "Who knew it would be so expensive having a kid?"

"Obviously, we didn't," I chuckle.

"Can I tell you that I love you to death?" she asks with a charming smile.

"Mmm," I respond. "You and Melanie really are after my life insurance."

"And you are exceedingly generous," she adds as I hand her the check and she leans over and kisses my cheek.

I really don't mind giving her money for Gus. I have plenty, and I did offer when he was born. I don't want my son to ever want for anything. And he won't, as long as I have anything to say about it. "Well, you know," I look at my checkbook, "I barely have enough left for Studs and Suds."

"Oh, is that this weekend? Are you going with Michael?"

"Michael went to the country with the proctologist." I stand up to leave.

"Chiropractor," she corrects me.

"Whatever."

"Oh, sounds romantic," she replies. "Peaceful walks, cozy fire."

"Stepping in bear shit," I add, "being stung by mosquitoes." I pull on my jacket. "I guarantee you after two days; he'll wish he was back here with me at Babylon."

"I wouldn't be so sure. He actually might like a change of scene. Not to mention someone who actually wants to be with him."

Oh, what the fuck is that supposed to mean? "You know, I told him, 'I'm glad you're going out with Dave.' He can't spend the rest of his life tricking and going out to clubs. It's time he settled down and grew up," I say with my best poker face.

Lindsay laughs at me. "You are so full of shit. You can't imagine why two people would want to be together, can you?"

I turn to look at her. "The desire to fall asleep in front of Jay Leno and argue over whose turn it is to pick up the dry cleaning?"

"It's called not wanting to be alone," she retorts. "Knowing that you're loved. Apparently, a lot of us need that, including Michael. So promise me you won't fuck it up for him." She pokes me in the chest. I can't think of a reply she'll like so I just turn and leave.

==================================================================

Justin

I'm sitting on a bench in the boys' locker room, getting dressed after PE when I hear Chris Hobbs. "Hey, Taylor, aren't you going to take a shower?"

Normally, Chris talking to me would be a good thing, but he has totally been ignoring me since our little 'incident' in the equipment room, so I am wary. "I have to finish a paper for Nessler. You know what a bitch she is."

He turns from his locker and hangs on the door. "Don't you want to check out all the guys' dicks? I know how much you like that."

Fuck. See, I knew he was going to be an asshole. I just ignore him and turn back to my locker, but I'm not fast enough.

"Hey, what's that?" he asks, pointing to my nipple ring.

Shit. "Nothing," I reply, trying to hide it.

No such luck. "Where'd you get that?" he asks.

"A piercing parlor on Liberty Avenue."

"Shit," he remarks. "You really are a queer."

What was your first clue, idiot? Maybe the hand job I gave you? "No, I'm not," I toss out, simply hoping he'll drop it so I can get the fuck out of here.

"Yeah, then why do you have a nipple ring?"

Well, apparently, he's not going to let it go. Asshole. "I wanted it," I retort as I pull my shirt on.

"Yeah, so your fudge packing friends can pull on it while they're butt fucking you?"

Visions of Brian flit through my mind. 'Yeah, pretty much,' I want to say to him, but I would also like to survive to graduate so I give it back to him. "How do you know so much about what faggots do unless you are one?"

He slams me back into my locker and I punch him in the jaw. He hits me in the mouth and then tries to come after me again, but then there are guys pulling us apart. "Bitch," he yells. "Fucking son of a bitch." I spit on him, spraying him with the blood from my split lip and he tries to come at me again. "You fucker! I'll kill you!" he's still screaming when the PE teacher comes in, makes us finish getting dressed and leads us both to the principal.

I can't help but think, as I watch him with his friends after school, that the rest of my days at St. James Academy are not going to be easy.

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Brian

I'm sitting on the edge of the dance floor at Babylon sipping my drink, trying to ignore the naked, writhing bodies frolicking in the soapsuds behind me. Normally, I love this, but I just can't get into it this year for some reason.

"Aren't you going to join in the fun?" asks Ted, who is still fully clothed as well.

"I already took a bath," I snap, "But if you want to jump in, I promise I won't look."

"You, and everybody else," he retorts, rolling his eyes.

"Hey!" yells Emmett from the dance floor. "You two wallflowers, come on in. The suds are great!" He blows suds at us. He's in bikini swim trunks and has goofy goggles perched on top of his head. He's dancing with some blond stud. "Come on, rubber ducky," he calls. "Quack, quack!" He dances away and Ted and I laugh at his antics.

"That's pathetic," I snark.

"I thought Studs and Suds was your favorite contact sport," comments Ted.

"What, a bunch of fags sliding around in their shorts?"

"Well, you seem to enjoy yourself when Michael's here," he eyes me before continuing. "But, I guess it's not as much fun scoring without your little audience of one, is it?" I just stare at him and admittedly, I'm a little speechless by his gall. I'm even more stunned when he keeps talking. "You, know, as the great French philosopher Roqfeurt, or was it Cammanberre, once said. It is not enough to trick, your best friend must also go home alone."

"Fuck you," I retort vehemently. I get up to leave Ted and his little fucked up philosophy lesson. "I haven't thought about Michael once tonight."

"Hey, what do you know?" Ted calls after me as I leave. "Just like when he's here."

I make my way out of the club, still pissed at Ted. He doesn't know shit about me and Michael. I'm happy that Mikey finally has a boyfriend. Aren't I?

"Hey, remember me?" I hear a voice from behind me.

I turn to look and come up blank. "Why? Should I?" I ask as I head to my car.

"We did it at the baths a couple weeks ago," he says.

I look him over. "I must have been very desperate," I reply.

"Fuck you!" he exclaims as he follows me to my car. I climb in, ignoring him. "Who do you think you are?" he yells and then fucking hits my Jeep as I pull away. "Fuck you!" I hear him yell again.

Christ, what an asshole. Was I really that desperate? I must have been tweaked, too.

I pull up to a red light and reach over to find a decent tape to play. I'm trying to read a label in the dark when all of a sudden, someone fucking rams into the back of my Jeep. I try to gain my bearings, everything is a little fuzzy and I know I'm bleeding. The next thing I know, the fucker is backing up and coming at me again. "What are you doing, you crazy fuck?" I yell as the car crashes into the passenger side and then takes off through the intersection and into the night.

All I can think of is that fucker in the parking lot of Babylon as I fumble for my cell phone and dial 911.

==========================

After a wonderfully long night in the ER, I'm home resting in my bed. That fucker gave me a minor concussion and my head is pounding, but I'm also bored as hell as I flip through the latest GQ. Saturday night and I'm going to be stuck home. Fuck.

My phone rings and I reach over and turn it on. I don't even get to say hello when I hear Mikey on the other end.

"Guess what I'm doing."

"Uh, rubbing pink stuff all over that poison ivy you got when that bear chased you through the woods." I reach over and grab the joint I rolled earlier. Should be just the thing for my headache.

"Basking in the afterglow of having just made love to David under a tree," comes his excited response. "Asshole," he adds for good measure.

"That sounds like Falcon Video pack number seventy-seven," I reply as I flip open my lighter. "Man's Country."

Michael laughs. "It was incredible. I've never had sex outdoors before."

"Sure you did. In the back alley behind Babylon."

"I don't mean the kind that takes five minutes with you pants around your knees and your butt against the bricks. So, how was your weekend?"

I take a hit off the joint. "Dandy," I reply.

"How was Studs and Suds?"

"Bubbly. Too bad you weren't there," I say dully.

"Okay, what's going on?"

"Nothing," I retort.

"You can't fool me. Out with it."

I sigh deeply. "Only if you promise you won't let it spoil your weekend."

"Right there," I hear him yelling, to David I assume. "What?" he asks me.

"I was in an accident. That's all."

"What kind of accident?" he asks and I can almost see his concerned expression.

"I wouldn't fuck this scumbag, so he rammed my Jeep. Twice."

"Christ! Are you okay?"

"I have a minor head wound and a concussion."

"Oh my God!"

"Now you promised you wouldn't let it spoil your weekend, so don't you even think about cutting your trip short and coming back here. You and Doc just enjoy your poke in the pines." I pull the phone away from my ear. "Bye Mikey," I say into it and hang up.

I really don't want to fuck up Mikey's good time, but if I know him, and I do, well…Let's just say I probably won't be bored anymore when, in about another two or three hours, he and he good doctor come rushing home. Hmm, maybe it's the pot, but I think I'm feeling better.

==================================================================

Justin

I walk through the garage and my mom is standing there staring at Dad's car. Fuck, the front end is totaled.

"Well, did you get his information?" she's asking Dad.

"It was dark, honey, he drove off before I could see him." I lose interest and keep on walking. "Where are you going?" my dad calls after me.

"Out," I answer. Well, actually, Brian called, so I'm heading to his loft, but I'm not even going there with them right now.

"No, you're not leaving this house," my dad says as he follows me outside.

I turn to look at him. "What, so now I'm a prisoner?"

"I heard what happened at school, Justin, yesterday. Your principal called."

My mom puts a hand up to try and placate him, but it doesn't work.

"So?" I say as I step closer to him.

"So. Now you're flaunting yourself?"

I feel a stab of pain through my heart as I realize just what my own father thinks of me. "I was not flaunting myself, Dad," I retort. "Besides, Chris Hobbs is the one who started it."

"You know, I don't care who started it. You're not going back there." He turns to walk away.

"What?" My mom asks him in obvious shock.

He turns back around. "We're sending him away to school," he announces and my heart constricts even tighter. "It's time you learned some discipline," he says to me. "How to be a man."

Oh, so, punching Hobbs in the locker room wasn't man enough for you, huh, Dad? I'm not a man because I like cock, is that it? "I know all about discipline," I smirk at him. "And you should see me take it like a man."

He reaches out and slaps me in the face. "Craig!" Mom yells at him and then she comes at me, trying to see what he's done.

I grab her arm and push her back. "It's all right, Mom," I bite out. "It didn't hurt." At least, not physically. Emotionally? Well, that's something I'll need to process later, when I'm alone. I stand and face my father. "If you want to hit me, go right ahead. Only, I'm not going to cry like some little faggot. And if you want to send me away, then that's all right too, cause I bet more butt fucking goes on at boarding school than in the back room of Babylon. But, whatever you do, it's not gonna matter, cause I'll still be your queer son."

I turn and walk down the driveway and fuck it if the tears don't start falling when I get about halfway to Daphne's house. I need to get myself under control before she drops me off at Brian's.

==================================================================

Brian

Well, word travels fast amongst my friends because soon my apartment is filled with the whole well-meaning gang. To be honest, I'm glad they're here with me. Even the twink, who I called earlier in my bored desperation, not knowing that Ted, Emmett, Linds and Mel would all show up too. So much for my dirty, little secret.

"Have some tea," Lindsay hands me a cup where I'm lying propped up on one end of the couch.

"Too hot," I say as I give it back.

"Put this ice bag on your head," says Ted.

"Too cold," I complain as I wave it away.

Mel is in the corner; obviously, she was brought here against her will. "What are you? Goldilocks?" she asks snidely.

Before I can respond, Emmett comes into the room. He's got fake boobs under his sweater and he's shaking a thermometer. "Time for your temperature," he says is a gravelly voice as he waddles over. "Roll over!" He leans over the couch and starts to go for my butt.

We all laugh and I grab his hand. "You're not sticking that thing up my ass," I say.

"Jeez, that accident must have really jarred your brain," cracks Ted.

"It wasn't an accident," I reply. "That asshole kept ramming me."

"Did you get a license?" asks Mel.

"It was dark."

Justin sits up a bit and finally joins the conversation. "What kind of car was it?"

"I don't know, some silver thing."

"Oh my God!" he exclaims. "It was my dad. I know it." We all kind of laugh at him, but he's serious. "I saw his car. It was totally smashed."

"Mmm," comments Mel as she looks over at me. "Now, why would your father do something like that?"

He stands up. "Because my mom told him everything. He wants to have you arrested and send me away."

"Don't be a drama princess," I tell him.

"Well, you'd better be careful. Just in case," warns Lindsay.

"Don't worry about me," I reply. "I'm invincible!" I say as I launch myself over the back of the couch. Okay, ouch, that hurt a little, but I don't want Justin to freak out anymore.

"Yeah, you also got a concussion," Mel reminds me.

"Ah, fuck it," I say as I pick up the remote and turn on the stereo. "It's party time." I grab Justin and begin dancing with him. Everyone else joins in the fun. The door slides open and I look over to see Mikey standing there, with David right behind him. "Hey guys," I say casually, "join the party."

Mikey looks around in confusion. "I thought you were really hurt," he finally says to me.

"I am," I reply as I walk over to him.

"Michael insisted that we come right back," says David, looking royally pissed.

"I told you not to," I say innocently.

"I know, but…" Mikey trails off and turns around in time to see Dr. Dave walking out the door.

"Don't go after him, Mikey," I say. "Don't ever go after anyone."

If the doc can't handle our friendship then that's his fucking problem. Of course, Mel follows him out the door. I'm sure they'll both have some choice words to say about me. Well, fuck them both, because, gee, Mikey is still standing in here with me.

==========================

The next night, I'm ready for Babylon again. We all drag Mikey, who's in a funk because he still hasn't heard anything from David. I take a hit of Amyl Nitrate and then hold it up to Mikey's nose. Suddenly there are arms wrapped around both of us and Dr. Dave takes it from me and takes a hit for himself.

"Ahh," says the good doc as the drug hits his system. "Is there some room on your dance card for me?"

"Sure," answers Mikey eagerly.

"Not you," he says. "You," he points at me, grabbing my arm and dragging me out to the dance floor.

"Why, Doc," I say in my best southern accent as I look at Mikey. "I thought you'd never ask."

We just dance for a few minutes and I have to admit he looks pretty hot tonight. "You don't dance half bad," I say to him.

"I dance damn good!" he replies. "I haven't done it for awhile."

"You should go out more often," I say.

"There's nothing here that interests me," he replies.

I'm starting to get tired of his game. "Then why are you here?"

"Came to see you," he answers. I just watch him and wait for whatever he's come here to say to me. I don't have a long wait. "You know, for a guy who was on death's doorstep, you made a remarkable recovery."

Ah, here we go. "Well, I believe in the power of prayer and…drugs."

"I told Michael you'd be all right, but he had to come running back."

"What can I say? He's a sweetheart."

"That's because you're all that matters to him," he responds. "You're his world, his life. Everything he thinks about, everything he dreams of, everything he knows."

Okay, what the fuck is he getting at here? "He's my best friend," I say, "since we were fourteen."

"That's sixteen years of waiting. He's been waiting so long, he actually thinks he's happy, but you and I both know that he's never going to get what he really wants, is he?"

"And what is that, Doc?"

"For you to fuck him." Well, shit. I just look at him. "And don't tell me you don't know it," he continues. "And you love knowing it, don't you?"

"You've been around for what? A week? You think you know him?" We both look over to Mikey, who is looking decidedly upset, with Emmett's comforting arm around him. "You don't," I finish.

David looks into my eyes. "I'd like to," he says, "But I never will as long as you're around. Maybe I should just disappear. You'd probably like that, and he probably wouldn't think twice about it." Don't let the door hit you in the ass, Doc. "But I'm not going to. I'm not going to disappear, because I want him. Even more than you don't want me to have him. So, if you're really his best friend. Give him a chance to be happy. To have a life. His own life. Let him go."

I stand there frozen, because suddenly, I know it's true. Fuck! What have I done to you, Mikey? More importantly, I guess, it's what I will never do that's the issue, isn't it? I stand there staring at Dr. Dave and I know he's right, and frankly, that just sucks. I know I have to let Mikey go.