Copyright and Disclaimer: 1. This is a fictional story with fictional characters. 2. No one is to steal this story under any circumstances. 3. This story deals with relationships and not sex, so if you're looking for a story with a lot of sex in it, this isn't the story for you.
Hope everyone is enjoying the story. Here's part 19 entitled "A New Beginning"
It has been two weeks since the accidents, Randal, Stanley, David and Kyle were all out of the hospital. Jake and Tyler had come home and Marcus has fully moved on from his ordeal with Thomas. Kyle fortunately had insurance for his important valuables lost in the fire and has now moved in with David. The seven of them were back to normal and everything was perfect, the police had even found Brett and arrested him. They were all over at Randal and Stanley's place helping them paint the apartment. All of them were collected in the living room painting different areas.
"I think we may need one more coat of paint on this wall then it should be done," Marcus said looking the wall over.
"Thanks again you guys for helping us do this," Stanley said as he dunked his paint brush in the bucket of paint.
"Oh please, you know we'd do anything for you guys," Tyler replied.
"Looks good babe," Jake said as he looked over the painting that Tyler did.
"Thank you," Tyler replied as they leaned in for a kiss.
A few feet away Kyle and David were painting near each other when David playfully stroked Kyle's cheek with his paint brush causing a white streak to appear on the side of his face.
"You jerk," Kyle laughed and brushed David's shirt with paint. The two of them laughed as they dabbed paint on each other.
"The wall you guys," Randal called over to them laughing.
"Yea David," Kyle quipped innocently as if he had no part in the paint fight between him and David.
"You all are killing me with cuteness," Marcus half-joked as he looked at the three different couples in the room.
"I'm sorry," Tyler replied sincerely. "Is it bugging you?"
"No, don't get me wrong, I'm extremely happy for you all," Marcus said as he painted. "I just think it would be nice if I could meet someone who was somewhat normal."
"You will," Stanley encouraged.
"A normal person is so hard to find," Marcus complained.
"I know," Kyle replied. "That's another reason why I used to not date, that's why I gave up on trying to find a normal person and just settled for David."
"Punk," David said smiling as he gave Kyle a slight shove. Kyle looked over at David and laughed. "Just kidding, you know I think you're the best of the best." Kyle leaned in and gave David a kiss.
"I have an idea," Jake suggested. "We'll go to the club tonight and see if there's anyone there worthy of you."
"Worthy of me?" Marcus asked laughing at that comment.
"it's true," Jake replied. "You're the best Mar, and you deserve someone equally great."
"Thanks," Marcus said.
"So it's settled," Randal said. "We'll all go out tonight and find someone for Marcus."
"It'll be like a game!" Tyler joked.
"This will be interesting," Kyle added as David came up and wrapped his arms around him.
"It'll be fun," David said.
"You guys think we should take a lunch break?" Stanley asked looking over all the work they did.
"Yea, I'll go get the food while you guys finish up," David volunteered.
"No!" Kyle, Tyler, Jake, Randal, and Marcus said in unison.
"Whoa, why don't you want David to get food?" Stanley asked.
"Thing you need to know about David," Kyle said putting an arm around Stanley as they all looked at David. "He'll do anything he can to get out of doing any sort of house work."
"He helped with the painting today," Stanley brought up.
"David, want to show us how much you actually painted?" Randal asked.
David didn't answer, he just stood there with a sheepish smile on his face.
"Kyle, want to show us how much David did?" Tyler asked.
Kyle went to the wall and pointed to a small area of the wall that he painted.
"He didn't move from this little area the whole time we painted," Kyle grinned.
"You all suck," David said smiling from embarrassment.
"We just needed to show Stanley that if he ever needs help doing something around the place, that asking you is a last resort," Jake joked.
"That's it," David said heading for the door. "See if I get you all anything to eat."
They all laughed as David opened the door to leave.
"I'll be back with food," David turned back to them getting serious again. "You want pizza or burgers?"
"Pizza sounds good," Marcus said.
"Yea, bring back a large pizza please," Tyler agreed.
"All right," David replied. "I'll be back in a bit."
"Thanks," Stanley called out as David left.
"I'll be back," Kyle said heading for the bathroom. The other guys went and grabbed some beers and sat down on the covered up furniture. Kyle came back out and Tyler held up a beer.
"You want a beer?" Tyler asked.
"Thanks," Kyle replied as he took the beer and sat with the others.
"I think this place will turn out to look really great," Jake said surveying the room.
"Yea and we're going to get a few things from this great furniture store a few blocks away from here," Randal said.
"Hopefully in a couple days everything will be finished," Stanley said.
"Well I'm happy for you two," Tyler said.
"Thank you, we're pretty happy too," Randal replied giving Stanley a kiss.
"Hey Marcus, what's your type of guy?" Stanley asked. "I mean when we go to the club tonight I won't be much help if I point out guys you aren't remotely attracted to."
"I don't know if I have a real type," Marcus replied. "I mean there are some guys I'm attracted to, but none of them have a real particular look that I go for."
"Really?" Stanley asked. "So it probably has more to do with the personality then huh?"
"Yea," Marcus agreed. "I mean, being physically attracted to someone is one thing, but being attracted to them on a more personal level is another."
"So what's your personality type?" Stanley asked.
"Someone who's very driven and smart, someone who knows what they want from life and goes for it, you know?" Marcus described. "I see myself with someone who's successful in their profession, but also isn't too stiff and knows how to have a good time."
"You pretty much described yourself," Randal pointed out.
"What?" Marcus asked.
"Think about it," Randal began. "You're driven, smart, you're a successful lawyer, and you're also a fun, sweet guy on top of it. You want someone who's going to be your equal and not be in a relationship where one has an edge over the other. Right?"
"I guess," Marcus said thinking it over.
"How is it you're not in a relationship?" Jake brought up. "I would think he'd have a boyfriend before any of us. You're the perfect catch."
"That is true," Kyle agreed. "Great looks, great personality, great job; you've got it all Mar."
"That's why I love you guys," Marcus said with a slight laugh. "You know how to boost up my self-esteem."
"We'll have no problem finding Mar a perfect guy," Jake said.
The guys continued talking for another ten minutes before David came back with the pizza. All of them took a slice and began eating.
That night they were all hanging out at the club together sitting at the bar. Randal was busy bartending while the others were surveying the club for prospective guys for Marcus.
"What about that one?" Tyler suggested pointing to a tall, muscular guy on the dance floor. Everyone looked over and checked out the guy he suggested.
"You serious?" David asked laughing.
"Yea, why not?" Tyler asked.
"His shirt looks like he skinned a disco-ball," Stanley joked.
"What do you think Mar?" Tyler asked.
"Thanks, but no thanks," Marcus replied simply.
As they were looking around a tall, average build, nice looking guy came up to Kyle.
"You want to dance?" he asked.
"No thanks," Kyle began, feeling awkward with David next to him. "I don't think my boyfriend would like that very much."
"Well he doesn't have to know," the guy replied.
Kyle looked over at David and gave him a look that asked for help. David leaned in and kissed Kyle deeply and full of passion.
"I'm sorry, did I introduce my boyfriend?" Kyle asked breaking the kiss.
"Hi," David said in an overly-friendly tone.
The guy just smiled quickly and turned to walk away.
"Thank you," Kyle said kissing David some more. The two then started a mini make out session together while the others continued looking around at different guys.
"Oh, I think I found a nice one," Stanley pointed to a guy with dark hair, wearing jeans and a nice blue button up shirt, he was strong looking, but also seemed to have a fun quality about him.
"Very nice," Tyler agreed.
"What do you think?" Stanley asked Marcus.
"He looks really great, but it all comes down to the personality," Marcus replied.
"What do you two think?" Jake asked Kyle and David. The two didn't hear as they were still kissing. Jake then leaned over and gave them a slight push. "Earth to David and Kyle."
"Sorry, what's up?" David asked.
"We think we found a good one for Marcus," Tyler answered showing them the guy.
"Very nice," David agreed.
"Wow," Kyle replied looking at the guy. "He's hot."
"Excuse me?" David asked looking at Kyle with mock-jealousy on his face.
"But not nearly as hot as you babe," Kyle said quickly, and the proved it by starting up the kissing session with David again.
"That's better," David said between kisses.
"You guys find one yet?" Randal asked leaning over the bar.
"Yea, that one over there," Stanley pointed to the guy they were all looking at. "He looks familiar for some reason."
"Now that you mention it, he does," Marcus agreed. "Have we seen him somewhere before?"
"Oh, he's cool. He's a regular here," Randal replied. "I think his name is Travis, or Trevor or something."
"Maybe that's how we recognize him," Marcus said.
"Well, Marcus, how you going to make a move?" Tyler asked.
"I'll wait until he comes over to the bar and then start talking to him," Marcus replied.
"Well, now that we've accomplished that I think a little dancing is in order," Jake said getting up from his seat.
"Let's do it," Tyler replied getting up as well.
"I better stay here and wait," Marcus suggested.
"Oh, good idea," Stanley agreed.
"Come on you two," Jake said grabbing Kyle and David by the arms and pulling them out of their make out session.
"I'm going to borrow your man for a bit," Tyler called out to Randal as he put an arm around Stanley.
"Take care of him for me," Randal called back.
"Will do," Tyler replied as they all made their way to the floor and started dancing. They formed a small circle with each other and all just danced together and had a good time.
An hour later Randal and Marcus were talking at the bar while the others were still dancing when the guy they were all checking out had finally taken a break and headed to the bar. When he got to the bar he stood right next to Marcus as he ordered a drink.
"Can I get a Corona, please?" he asked.
"You've got it," Randal replied as he went to get it.
"You were dancing pretty well out there," Marcus said smoothly.
"Thanks," he replied holding out his hand, "My name's Trevor."
"Marcus," they shook hands with each other.
"So why aren't you out there dancing with your friends?" Trevor asked.
"How'd you know they were my friends?" Marcus asked.
"I saw you talking with them earlier," Trevor replied as Randal handed him his drink. "Thank you."
"Well, if I was out dancing then I wouldn't have been able to meet you," Marcus boldly stated.
"Is that what you've been wanting to do?" Trevor asked.
"Maybe," Marcus answered coolly.
"Well, you've met me now, any way I can interest you to dance?" Trevor asked.
"Sure," Marcus answered as the two got up and headed to the dance floor together. Kyle, David, Tyler, Jake and Stanley all looked over and saw Marcus and Trevor start to dance together. They all cheered, laughed, and smiled as they watched their friend having some fun, then they continued back to dancing feeling a lot more energy after seeing Marcus and Trevor together.
"Good job group," Jake said giving each of them a high five.
Later that night all of the guys left the club together...well all of them except Marcus who had left with Trevor a half hour earlier. He told the guys he would call them if it turned out to be a dud, but so far they haven't heard from him and the guys are hoping that that's a good sign.
"Just think how great it would be if it worked out with Marcus and Trevor," Tyler said as they walked back to Randal's. "That would be the first time that all of us were in a relationship at the same time."
"He just met the guy, so let's not jump the gun quite yet, but I am hoping that it works out," Randal reasoned.
"I just hope that he didn't feel pressured into meeting someone tonight by us," Kyle brought up feeling that maybe the they tried to hand Marcus off to the first eligible guy so they wouldn't have to worry about him.
"He said he wanted to though," Stanley reasoned.
"Yea, and besides did you see the guy that he ended up with?" Jake asked with a smirk.
"He was yummy," Kyle agreed.
"Excuse me?" David asked the same way he did when Kyle called Trevor hot.
"But not nearly as yummy as you," Kyle said innocently as he put an arm around David.
"That's better," David replied smiling as he in return put his arm around Kyle.
"I think that this is the final thing that Marcus needed to fully get over Thomas," Tyler brought up.
"God, don't even talk about that freak," David replied shuddering at the udder thought of Thomas.
"I'm just glad he's locked up," Jake agreed.
"From the sound of it, he really wasn't that bad," Randal chimed in.
"What?!" All of the guys said in unison.
"Now just listen," Randal began. "Marcus told me what happened when he went to go visit Thomas in jail and Thomas told him some stuff that really explains why he snapped the way he did."
"Oh my God, I completely forgot he went to visit him a couple weeks ago," Tyler said feeling like a bad friend.
"What happened?" David asked. "He never really told me the whole story."
Randal then began to tell them what Marcus had told him a couple weeks ago...
FLASHBACK
Marcus entered the hospital room that Randal and Stanley were in and quickly gave each of them a hug, relieved that they were all right.
"So everything is fine?" Marcus asked concerned.
"Yea, we're fine," Stanley replied with a grateful smile.
"How'd it go with Thomas?" Randal asked.
"It was uh...interesting," Marcus revealed with a sigh. "I mean, after what he told me, I almost feel bad for him."
"What did he tell you?" Randal asked, "Or is it too personal? I don't want to pry."
"No, no," Marcus answered. "I'll tell you. Well, it started when he was younger. His father had sexually abused him. He was so ashamed of it that he never told anyone so his father did it until he was 18 and finally moved away. When stuff like that happens, it does stuff to a person's mental state you know? I mean, that's all he's ever known really since that's how he was treated. When he was out on his own he didn't have any money or anything so he essentially prostituted himself." Marcus took a big sigh as he remembered the rest of the horrible things Thomas had to go through in his life. It was all so much that he couldn't go on. "It was a lot. He's had a rough life and little things set him off and he essentially has a mental break down. I mean, I've had some cases at work with people like this but I never really understood it fully until Thomas told me. I feel bad for him and I hope he finds peace."
End Flashback
"Whoa," Kyle said in shock as he took a seat on Randal's couch as they all walked through the door of the apartment.
"I guess, I can understand him a little bit now," Tyler said equally surprised by that revelation.
"Still, it didn't give him the right to do that to Marcus. If he didn't like the feeling of being abused then why did he try and do it to Mar?" David asked still not feeling too badly for Thomas.
"It goes deeper than him knowing right from wrong," Kyle explained. "Those traumatic experiences set off something in him. He probably knows what he did was wrong, but it was almost as if he couldn't control it."
David sighed. "I guess that's somewhat understandable."
"Well, it doesn't matter if we can understand Thomas or not, the important thing is that Marcus is fully over all of that part of his life," Jake brought up to lighten the mood. "He looked really happy when he was leaving that club with Trevor."
"That's a nice name," Kyle said. "It has a nice sound to it."
"Excuse me?" David asked jokingly, mostly just said to get another kiss from Kyle.
"But not nearly as nice of a name as yours," Kyle responded in an over the top sweet tone as he gave David a kiss. David then wrapped his arms around Kyle and they cuddled on the couch.
"Marcus and Trevor," Stanley said out loud. "The two names flow nicely together."
"Yea," Randal agreed, then tried out a test sentence. "Marcus and Trevor are coming,' 'Marcus and Trevor want us to visit them,' 'Marcus and Trevor are pregnant.' Yea, the two names to sound nice together."
The others laughed as they all started cuddling with their significant others.
"Marcus and Trevor would make a nice couple," Jake said as he surveyed the couples in the room.
Over at Marcus' place, Trevor and he were sitting on Marcus' couch talking and having a beer.
"So, you work as a personal trainer. That would explain why your so fit," Marcus said as he reflected back what Trevor had told him about his job, more to make sure that Trevor knew that he was really listening and interested.
"Yea, well it's not what I'm going to make a career out of, but it pays the bills while I go to school," Trevor replied.
"You're still in school?" Marcus asked.
"Graduate school," Trevor responded. "So what do you do?"
"I'm a lawyer," Marcus answered.
"Wow, your pretty young for a lawyer aren't you?" Trevor asked.
"I know, but I graduated college early and from there went right on to law school," Marcus replied.
"Impressive," Trevor said clearly smitten with Marcus.
"Thank you," Marcus replied equally attracted to Trevor.
"So, I saw you with your friends, what are they like?" Trevor wondered, he had figured that the person's friends say a lot about the kind of person they are.
"They're the best," Marcus answered with out hesitation. "I couldn't imagine my life with out them.
All of us are so different from each other, but at the same time we all click well together. I'd go on, but I don't want to ramble."
"No, please do," Trevor insisted. "I'm interested in hearing about them."
"All right, well one of them is the bar tender Randal, he's changed the most I think out of all of us. He used to not date, he would just hook up with guys and all that, but now he has a boyfriend who's really great, his name is Stanley. He was an intern at my office, and I set him and Randal up. Then there's Tyler and Jake, they're a couple. Tyler's a manager at a restaurant. Jake he grew up wealthy, private school, all of that, but he got to a point where he wanted independence and he set out on his own. Then there's Kyle and David who are a couple also. Kyle is probably the sweetest out of all of us, he's not really big on partying or anything or drinking a lot, real caring guy. David is very spontaneous, and he likes parties and drinking, he has this personality where sometimes you think he's being cocky, but that's just his sense of humor and his personality, he's really a great guy and really thoughtful." Marcus then realized how much he'd been talking about his friends. "Did I ramble enough?"
"No, it's great," Trevor responded sweetly. "It's nice to see how much you care about your friends."
"I do, they're really important to me," Marcus replied. "So what about you? Were you at the club with friends?"
"Yea, I was dancing with a couple of them," Trevor answered. "I have three best friends, and we hang out all the time."
"That's great," Marcus replied. "What are they like?"
"They're my life," Trevor said. "One is named Luis, him and I are best friends. He's the funniest guy, he's always making us laugh. He works at the gym with me as a kick boxing instructor. Real caring guy, I don't know what I'd do with out him. Then there's Zack, he's a little more serious, but he's still a fun guy, he's a cook at a restaurant, and then there's Miles, he's the flirt out of all of us, he works at a clothing store. They're all so awesome."
"That's great," Marcus said liking everything about Trevor. "I think having friends like that is so important."
"I agree, I mean your friends are your family. It's always good to have that support group," Trevor replied.
"Actually you and me being here tonight has a lot to do with my friends," Marcus confessed. "They're the ones who pushed me into going to the club tonight and meeting someone."
"Why did they want you to meet someone so bad?" Trevor asked curious.
"Well, my last relationship was basically a disaster," Marcus understated. "And I finally had gotten the closure on it that I needed and was finally open again to really date someone. All of my friends are in relationships and seeing them all happy made me want to go out there and find someone. So they decided that tonight, that would be our main task."
"Well, I'm glad your friends pushed you into doing this," Trevor said with a smile.
"I am too," Marcus replied. "You know, I'm sorry, but for some reason you look really familiar like I've seen you somewhere before tonight. Is that possible?"
"Could be," Trevor replied.
"Where from?" Marcus asked.
"Well, I used to be a model," Trevor answered.
"A model? Really?" Marcus asked. "What type of stuff did you model?"
"Underwear," Trevor said sheepishly.
"Oh my God," Marcus recognized. "You were the model that was on the huge billboard in West Hollywood!"
"Yup," Trevor replied a little embarrassed, "That was me."
"Whenever my friends and I were in that area we would always take a detour by that street with the billboard on it," Marcus confessed.
"Well, glad to see that you enjoyed it," Trevor said with a smile feeling more relaxed. "I usually don't like mentioning it because then guys tend to think that I'm nothing but a dumb model."
"No, I don't think that at all," Marcus replied. He then leaned in and kissed Trevor. "Wow, that's just how I always imagined it would be when I fantasized about you."
"Marcus! Stop, you're embarrassing me," Trevor said laughing.
The two laughed a little more before falling back into their kiss.
The Next Day
"You're dating the underwear model?" Tyler said in shock then he turned to Stanley. "Stan, you did an awesome job in finding that guy for Marcus last night."
"I know when there's a good one around," Stanley replied and then winked at Randal letting him know that that was really a compliment for him. All the guys were hanging out at Randal's place putting the final touch ups on the apartment.
"You're dating the underwear model we would go out of our way to drive by. Do you know how lucky you are?!" Kyle said. David then turned and looked at Kyle. "But not nearly as lucky as I am."
David laughed, "Seriously though Marcus, that is pretty cool."
"Is he still modeling?" Jake asked.
"No, now he's in graduate school now," Marcus replied.
"Oh, what waste of a good body," Tyler sighed. All of the guys looked at him. "I'm just kidding."
"Well, he's not putting his body to waste. He's a personal trainer," Marcus defended.
"Wow, nice," Randal replied. "So when are you seeing him again?"
"Tonight actually," Marcus said. "Would this be considered our second date or first?"
"Well, last night you just met and talked," Randal began.
"And kissed," Marcus added.
"You two kissed also?" Stanley asked. "Nice."
"It didn't go any farther then that did it?" Kyle asked.
"No," Marcus replied.
"Okay, good," Kyle said. "Never sleep with someone on the first date."
"Who says that?" Randal asked.
"People who aren't former sluts," David joked.
"Ass," Randal laughed as he whipped a little paint at David.
"I just want to make sure that Marcus isn't rushing into it and that he's taking the time to get to know Trevor," Kyle said.
"That's my guy, always the concerned friend," David said wrapping his arms around Kyle.
"Well, don't worry. I have no intentions of rushing this one. I really like him and I don't want him to think I'm easy or anything," Marcus said.
"Good," Kyle replied.
"Well, since you guys kissed last night, then this can qualify as a second date," Tyler brought up.
"Then that makes tonight a little less stressful," Marcus sighed with relief. "If it was the first date then I would have to follow the first date rules."
"Did you follow the first date rules last night?" Kyle asked.
"Yup, we had a good first date conversation; our interests, friends, work, and all that stuff. The furthest thing we did was kiss and we exchanged phone numbers," Marcus answered.
"Sounds like a good first date to me," Stanley said.
"Then tonight should be a breeze," Randal said. "Don't forget to have a condom on you."
Marcus then froze at the prospect of that.
"What?" Marcus asked nervous.
"Oh come on, if you guys think having sex on the first date is bad then it must at least be okay to have sex on the second date right?" Randal asked.
"We didn't have sex on our second date," Stanley brought to Randal's attention.
"Yea, but that was because I was just easing into the whole relationship thing and wanted to be extra slow," Randal replied. "I didn't want to fall back into my routine of 'wham, bam, thank you mame' type thing."
"Wham, bam, thank you mame?" Jake asked.
"All I'm trying to say is that should the opportunity arise at least Marcus will be prepared," Randal said.
The guys all looked at Marcus and saw the look of worry on his face.
"And now you guys have scarred him," Kyle said going over to Marcus and putting an arm around his shoulder. "Don't worry about it Mar, don't do anything you don't feel you're ready to do with him yet. If he's the one for you then he'll be patient and wait and not want to rush it either."
"I know, but what if we do have sex tonight?" Marcus asked.
"Then take Randal's advice and have a condom on you," David said simply.
"It's not just that, I mean, sex is a big step and I'm not even sure where Trevor and I are in terms of our dating status," Marcus said. "We just met last night."
"Then don't worry about it," Tyler said. "Sex most likely won't happen."
"You got Marcus all worried now," Stanley scolded Randal.
"Mar, I'm sorry," Randal said feeling bad for scarring Marcus, "All I was trying to say that you should just be prepared so that you won't be caught off guard or anything."
"I know," Marcus replied. "I just never really thought much of all this until now. I was kind of just living in the moment of this relationship."
"That's good," Kyle encouraged. "You can't map out a relationship. Just take it step by step and together the two of you can choose what is best."
Marcus nodded taking in Kyle's advice.
THAT NIGHT
Tyler and Jake were at home lying on the couch together talking.
"So how are you?" Tyler asked.
"I'm good," Jake replied as he laid in Tyler's arms. "I'm real good. You?"
"I'm great," Tyler answered. "I feel like everything is going to be just fine."
"Me too," Jake said. "And I promise, I will never hurt you-"
Tyler cut Jake off, "You don't have to keep telling me all the time. I know that you mean it."
The two kissed.
"Okay," Jake smiled.
"So, now that you're home again where are you going to work?" Tyler asked.
"I don't know," Jake replied. "I'll figure something out."
"Well, I was thinking," Tyler began, "You could work at the restaurant with me."
"Really?" Jake asked curious about the proposition.
"Yea, think how great it would be," Tyler began, "We could be together all the time."
"And you could keep an eye on me," Jake said understanding what Tyler was doing.
"No, I wasn't saying that," Tyler defended.
"No, it's okay Tyler," Jake said, "It will take a while for you to really trust me again. And I want you to trust me, so I think that would be a good idea if I worked there with you."
"No, Jake, you don't have to," Tyler replied. "I wasn't implying that I don't trust you."
"Do you?" Jake asked.
Tyler didn't answer.
"Then it's settled," Jake said. "I'll come work at the restaurant."
"Okay," Tyler replied feeling awkward about the whole situation now.
Over at Randal and Stanley's place the two finally finished the apartment and sat on the couch to look at the newly decorated place.
"I love it," Randal said giving Stanley a kiss.
"Me too," Stanley replied.
"With everything done it just seems really official now," Randal began, "We're living together."
"Yep, and I couldn't thank you enough," Stanley said.
"What do you have to thank me for?" Randal asked.
"Everything," Stanley said, "For letting me into your life, for introducing me to such a great group of people, for getting me out of a crappy apartment. I owe it all to you."
"Well, actually we owe it all to Marcus," Randal replied. "He's the one who introduced us."
"I hope things work out as well for him and Trevor as they did for us," Stanley said.
Meanwhile, over at an Italian restaurant in the downtown area Marcus was enjoying his date with Trevor.
"This is a great place," Marcus said taking a bite of his food, "Do you come here often?"
"Yea, actually this is the place my friend Zack is a cook at," Trevor replied.
"Well, he's a great cook," Marcus gestured towards the food.
"I actually brought you here because I wanted you two to meet," Trevor confessed, "Unless you think it's too soon."
"Oh no, not at all," Marcus said, "I'm actually really flattered you want to introduce me to your friends already."
"Well, I know a good thing when I see it," Trevor began, "And after our date last night I had a sense that something really good was in store for us and I just wanted to get a head start on it."
"Really?" Marcus smiled, very taken with Trevor.
"Really," Trevor confirmed with a warm smile.
As the two gazed at each other for a few more moments a man about 5'9, good build, brown hair, brown eyes, wearing black pants with a white chef's shirt on came up to their table.
"Hey Trev," the man said as he approached.
"Oh hey," Trevor replied getting up to give the guy a hug and then turned to Marcus, "Marcus, this is Zack."
"Hi, nice to meet you," Zack said extending his hand towards Marcus.
"Very nice meeting you too," Marcus said shaking Zack's hand, "The food was excellent."
"I'm glad to hear it," Zack replied. "I just wanted to come out and say hi. Trevor told me some great things about you earlier today."
"Trevor was saying some nice things about you last night," Marcus replied.
"Oh hey Zack, do you think you can make us that really great Tiramisu?" Trevor asked.
"You got it, and it's on the house," Zack agreed. "I should be getting back to the kitchen, but it was really nice meeting you and I'll see you soon."
"Sounds great, nice meeting you too," Marcus replied.
"And I'll call you tomorrow okay?" Zack said to Trevor.
"All right, thanks," Trevor replied as he gave Zack a hug goodbye.
Zack then headed back to the kitchen.
"He was nice," Marcus replied.
"Yea, he's a great guy," Trevor replied.
"So how did you and Zack meet?" Marcus asked.
"It was a few years ago, and my best friend Luis set Zack and I up on a blind date," Trevor replied. "We met and we liked each other a lot but not in any romantic sort of way. We realized that we'd make great friends, bad lovers."
"Wow, and just from then on the two of you became real close?" Marcus asked.
"Yea, it's kinda weird how we were introduced but in the end all that's important is that him and I became friends," Trevor answered. "So what about you? You ever date any of your friends?"
"No," Marcus replied. "I'm the only one I think who never fell for anyone in our group of friends."
"So when was your last relationship?" Trevor asked.
"That's a long story," Marcus sighed. "It was over a year ago. This guy I was seeing, he appeared to be this great guy. But then he just went ballistic and tried to kill me."
"Oh my God," Trevor said in shock.
"Yea, he's in jail now," Marcus continued, "I hadn't been able to date anyone for a long time, but then I went to visit him and I finally got closure. That's what gave me the strength to start dating again."
"I can't even imagine how hard that must have been for you," Trevor said.
"It was tough, but I'm fine now," Marcus said upbeat.
"I'm glad to hear it," Trevor replied.
"So what about you?" Marcus asked. "When was your last relationship?"
"It's been about ten months now since my last relationship," Trevor answered. "We were together for a little over a year, but ultimately our lifestyle and goals in life were too different. He never thought of the future and didn't want to move forward with life. You know, there comes a time where you just have to grow up and he wasn't ready to do that. So we both agreed it would be better to just end it."
"Well, that's good at least it ended amicably," Marcus said.
"Yea, it is," Trevor answered, "But yea, that's what brings me here with you tonight. You have a career, you're not like other people I've dated in the past, you're a grown up. Some people are so into holding onto the party lifestyle and not thinking of the future. And I want to be with someone who has that drive and ambition in life."
"Sounds like a good thing to want in someone," Marcus said.
"It's even better because you have it," Trevor replied.
Marcus and Trevor both shared a sweet smile towards one another, knowing that this is definitely the beginning of something more.
Over at David and Kyle's place the two were in the kitchen cooking dinner.
"So, the guy that Marcus is seeing now, do you really find him attractive?" David asked.
"Trevor?" Kyle asked. "David, remember we all used to think he was the hottest thing that God ever created when we went by his billboard."
"I know, but that's when he was just a model, now he's real and in our lives," David replied.
Kyle looked up from cutting up some carrots and looked at David. "You're not jealous or anything like that are you?"
David didn't say anything, he just took a sip of his wine.
"Oh my God," Kyle smiled as reached and wrapped his arms around David. "Babe, what are you jealous about?"
"'He's hot,' 'he's yummy,'" David impersonated Kyle from the day before.
"David, I didn't mean that I wanted him or anything," Kyle said slightly amused by how silly it is for David to get jealous. "After all that we went through to be together do you honestly think that there is anyone else that I would want to be with?"
"I know, and I'm sorry," David sighed. "It's just that, I remember when we would go and check out his billboard that he was the only guy that I ever saw you show any interest in, even though it was just a picture. And I remember that I would always wish you showed that same interest in me at the time. Trevor has just always been the guy that I know would get your attention and I was always jealous in a way. And now that he's in our lives now it just worried me a little."
Kyle smiled, truly touched by what David just said. "Babe, at that time me being attracted to him was safe because he was just a picture. He was never a person in my life. If he actually was in our life at the time I wouldn't have found him any more attractive then the rest of you guys because at that time I was scarred to like anyone or be with anyone and I never had to worry about that prospect with him."
"Still though, now that he's in our lives and you are open to relationships, is he still as attractive to you?" David asked.
"David, you and I will always see people we think are hot or good looking," Kyle began, "But that doesn't mean that we're going to go off and try and get with them."
"I know," David sighed. "I guess I just get a little worried sometimes that you'll realize you can do better than me."
"What?" Kyle asked shocked by that statement, then joked, "I can't believe that David Ford, the most conceded guy on the planet, is actually saying this to me."
David laughed, "Well, I know I come across as being very confident and all that, but when it comes to you I worry a lot. I wanted us to happen for so long that now that it's finally come true I'm really worried that I might lose you."
Kyle kissed David tenderly. "I wouldn't leave for anything better, because for me there is nothing or no one better than you. You'll never lose me."
"Promise?" David asked with a smile.
"I promise," Kyle replied sealing the deal with another kiss.
Over at Marcus' place him and Trevor were kissing passionately and slowly headed for the bedroom.
"You sure?" Trevor asked.
Marcus nodded and the two continued to kiss as they entered the bedroom.
Hope everyone enjoyed. I know some of you may be disappointed that I wrapped up the story with Brett so quickly, but I wanted to move forward with the characters and not have them in a dark place for too long so I wanted to move it back into the light. So anyway, hope you liked it. With any questions, comments or feedback please e-mail me at ilj4ever44@yahoo.com Thanks!