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.
Well, hope you are all enjoying the story so far and are still loving the characters and the journey they are all on in their lives. I have gotten many e-mails about how boring Kyle and David have become and I'm so glad that I received those e-mails because that was exactly the way I wanted them to be portrayed so I can lead up to the storyline their in. I think that you will all enjoy it and enjoy the new storylines all the characters will be going through. Thanks again everyone for reading.
Part 24
"I Need A New Version Of Me"
It's been a week since Thanksgiving, a week since Kyle and David have seen or spoken to each other. Kyle had signed a lease with Mrs. Colby and was packing his things to take to his new apartment. He was in the bedroom of David's apartment finishing packing when Randal came over to help him move his stuff.
"So have you thought any more about Faith?" Kyle asked.
"What do you mean?" Randal asked.
"Have you thought about her helping you with the club idea?" Kyle asked.
"No," Randal replied.
"Why not?" Kyle asked.
"Because I don't want her help," Randal replied. "I don't want to feel any more inferior to her then I already do."
"Randal, she's your sister," Kyle tried reasoning. "You know she loves you and would want to help you."
"Yea, but she'll never let me live it down," Randal said.
"You try making her sound like some she-devil," Kyle said. "She's nice."
"No, she's a stuck up wasp," Randal retorted.
"It sounds more like you're trying to convince yourself she's a bitch because you know that she isn't," Kyle said.
"Well either way I don't want her help," Randal said.
"All right, but it would be a lot easier if you had her help then getting a loan," Kyle replied. "You'll end up saving a lot of money that way."
"Kyle, I'll figure it out," Randal said. "And I'm going to do it with out Faith and her check book."
"Okay, I won't push the issue anymore," Kyle said.
"Thank you," Randal replied as he finished boxing up some of Kyle's things.
"So I think I'm done," Kyle said zipping up a suitcase.
"You finished packing already?" Randal asked.
"Well, since the fire at my old apartment I don't really have much to pack anymore," Kyle replied.
"So I guess you didn't really need help moving," Randal concluded.
"No, I just wanted some company," Kyle confessed. "Do you mind?"
"No not at all," Randal answered patting Kyle on the back. "So how are you?"
"I'm okay," Kyle replied. "It's just weird. I don't even know where David and I stand right now."
"You two are just on a break," Randal said. "It'll turn out all right."
"I don't know," Kyle said. "It's been a week and we haven't talked or anything. Have you heard from him?"
"No," Randal replied. "I don't even know where he went."
"Have any of the guys heard from him?" Kyle asked.
"You know we would have told you right away if we have," Randal replied.
"I know, I'm sorry," Kyle said. "I'm just worried about him."
"We are too," Randal replied. "Can I be honest to you about something?"
"Of course," Kyle said.
"I can understand and see why David left," Randal said gently.
"I know," Kyle nodded. "This was all my fault. I didn't handle it well at all. I should have talked to him about it more and explain to him why I'm moving. I didn't mean to hurt him, that's the last thing I wanted to do. I just hope he knows how much I love him."
"He knows," Randal said. "You know David, he always just runs from his problems for a while. You avoid them, he runs from them. You two are a perfect match."
Kyle gave a slight smile to Randal's joke, "I just hope to hear from him soon."
"He's probably going to come back soon," Randal said. "He knows you're moving and is just waiting until you're gone until he comes back."
"Wow, that makes me feel so much better," Kyle said sarcastically.
"I know it sucks, but you know that the only reason he's staying away now is that he doesn't want to be around when you move out," Randal replied. "It's too hard for him."
"Well how will he even know when I'm gone if he hasn't talked to any of you guys?" Kyle asked.
"That's why I'm sure we'll hear from him soon," Randal replied.
Kyle looked around the bedroom, every hope and dream he had with David seemed to slowly be slipping away from him and he didn't want that to happen. It just became too much for him and he had to leave.
"Let's get out of here," Kyle said grabbing his suitcase.
Over at Dr. Waissman's office Tyler and Jake arrived for their second session.
"So how have things been going?" Dr. Waissman asked.
"Better," Tyler replied. "We've been communicating a lot better."
"In what ways?" Dr. Waissman asked.
"We actually talk to each other now," Jake answered.
"We both know and realize that our problems aren't something we can just do a quick fix with, but we do realize that we have to be more appreciative of each other," Tyler added.
"Good," Dr. Waissman said. "I'm very impressed you two have improved so drastically from your first session. Tyler, let me ask you, were you really angry at Jake because of the kiss with his co-worker? Or was is something more?"
"It was more because I felt that he didn't feel we were soul mates anymore," Tyler replied.
"I see," Dr. Waissman said. "And you said last time you met this guy right?"
"Once," Tyler replied.
"How did that go?" Dr. Waissman asked.
"It just brought back all those angry feelings I had," Tyler replied. "That's why Jake and I ended up here. Things were great before Miles showed up again."
"Were they really great? Or just suppressed?" Dr. Waissman asked.
Tyler and Jake thought it over for a bit then both answered at the same time, "Suppressed."
Meanwhile, Trevor was at lunch with Luis, Zack and Miles. They were eating at Zack's restaurant. Zack had the day off and the four of them decided to hang out and talk about the potentially awkward moments that might arise with Miles, Jake and Tyler.
"Okay so Miles, you have to promise me you're not going to try anything," Trevor pleaded.
"Trev," Miles complained. "You can't ask me to do that."
"Why?" Trevor asked. "You and Jake had one kiss, why is he so important to you? You didn't even see or hear from him afterwards."
"Don't you remember how much I liked him then?" Miles asked.
"Yes I do," Trevor replied. "But you have to realize how things have changed."
"Miles you have to understand that now it will make things weird for Trevor now," Luis explained. "He's dating Jake's best friend."
"Luis, remember how you felt about your old boyfriend Clark?" Miles asked.
"Yea," Luis replied.
"That's how I feel about Jake," Miles explained.
"Miles, you hardly know Jake," Zack added. "You two worked together for a little bit, but that was it."
"Whenever I was around him, I felt different," Miles said. "I felt good. It was a way in which I always wanted to feel. And no one has ever made me feel like that before. I'm sorry Trevor I really don't mean to make things difficult for you, but this is something I have to do."
"And what if he turns you down?" Luis asked. "Will you give up then?"
"I'll give up when I know that there is no chance anything could ever happen," Miles replied getting up. "Sorry, but I have to get to work. I'll talk to you guys later."
The other three watch Miles go.
"I get how much he liked him," Trevor said. "Jake was all Miles talked about when they first met, but a lot has changed."
"Maybe we need to look at this another way. How are things with Jake and his boyfriend? Are they pretty solid?" Zack asked.
"Honestly, they are kind of having a rough patch from what I've seen and what Marcus has told me," Trevor replied.
"Trev, if they are having rough times now then we have to keep Miles away from them until they get back on track," Luis said. "Otherwise Miles will really mess things up for that group."
"I know," Trevor replied sighing. "But you know Miles."
"We know," Luis nodded.
"He's stubborn," Zack said. "He's keeps going until he gets what he wants."
"I love Miles. He's a great guy, a great friend, but he can really mess things up," Trevor said.
"We'll help as much as we can," Zack offered.
"Thanks," Trevor replied. "I really want things to work with Marcus and me and if Miles goes after Jake it could ruin it."
"I know, the guys could blame you for bringing Miles into the picture," Luis said. "Don't worry, we won't let that happen."
Over at Marcus's office he had just gotten back from court when Stanley walked in.
"Hey what's up Stan?" Marcus asked.
"Nothing, just wanted to see how court went today," Stanley replied.
"Lost," Marcus sighed.
"Aw, I'm sorry," Stanley said. "You were so sure you were going to win it too."
"I really thought my closing argument was going to do the trick," Marcus said.
"Well, you can't win them all," Stanley said.
"That's the problem," Marcus said. "All my cases I've been losing."
"Don't worry," Stanley said. "It'll pick up."
"It better," Marcus said. "The partners aren't too happy with my performance lately."
"Don't worry," Stanley said patting Marcus on the back.
"So any calls?" Marcus asked.
"Do you mean David?" Stanley asked.
"Yea," Marcus replied.
"No, he hasn't called and he hasn't called any of the other guys either," Stanley said.
"It's been a week," Marcus sighed.
"I know," Stanley replied.
"I have to say this time I think Kyle was in the wrong," Marcus said. "I mean, don't get me wrong I see both of their sides, but Kyle didn't handle it as well as he should have."
"I think so too," Stanley said. "But at the same time, I do see that Kyle was only trying to help their relationship."
"Oh absolutely," Marcus said. "I'm just saying that Kyle could have done it another way or talked it out with David more."
"Yea," Stanley said. "I just hope David's all right."
"Me too," Marcus replied.
"Excuse me," Renold Barker, Marcus's boss, said coming into the office.
"Hey Renold," Marcus said.
"Hi Mr. Barker," Stanley said.
"Marcus, might I have a word with you?" Renold asked.
"Yea of course," Marcus replied. "I'll talk to you later Stan."
Stanley then quietly left the office. He then went over to his cubicle and went over some more paper work that he had to get through. As he was doing this he over heard some of the other partners talking.
"I can't believe that they're thinking of letting Marcus go," one of them said.
"Yea, but it's not that surprising is it?" the other replied. "He hasn't been doing real well lately. His mind seems to be focusing on other things."
"I don't know what happened," the other said. "He used to be so good."
The two talked some more but they walked away so Stanley couldn't hear them anymore. He then looked over at the closed door to Marcus's office worrying.
Later that day Kyle and Randal got to Kyle's new apartment. They brought in Kyle's things and set them down in the living room area. Kyle and Randal looked over the place, it was a small one bedroom apartment, it was very bare especially since Kyle only had a few boxes of things.
"I'm sure it will look great once you get some furniture," Randal commented.
"I can't really afford furniture," Kyle replied. "This is it for a while."
"Really?" Randal asked.
"Yea," Kyle answered. "My job doesn't pay enough for me to live comfortably. I have to start looking for something else. I've been at that damn toy store for over two years now and I've gotten no where."
"Well, what are you interested in?" Randal asked.
"I don't know," Kyle replied. "I guess that's my problem too. I don't really know what I want to do with my life. Doesn't help that I barely go to school."
"I'm sure you'll think of something," Randal said.
"Hopefully," Kyle answered. "But that's another problem for another day. Right now I just want to get moved in here and then hopefully get a hold of David."
"Sounds good," Randal said. "Want help unpacking?"
"I'm all right," Kyle said. "Thank you so much for helping me out."
"Of course," Randal said. "Anytime."
They hugged and then Randal headed out to leave.
"Hey Randal," Kyle called out as Randal opened the door.
"Yea?" Randal asked.
"If you hear from David, tell him I love him," Kyle replied.
"All right," Randal nodded as he left.
Meanwhile, Tyler and Jake were just leaving Dr. Waissman's and talking about their problems some more.
"Are we really doing better?" Jake asked unsure.
"What do you mean?" Tyler asked.
"I just want to make sure we aren't suppressing any more feelings," Jake replied. "Last week with David you had said that all that matters is our love and I just wanted to see if you still felt that way."
"Yes, I do," Tyler replied leaning over and giving Jake a kiss.
"I like Dr. Waissman," Jake said as Tyler pulled out of the parking lot.
"I do too," Tyler replied. "She's helped us out a lot."
"Do you ever wonder if we would have been able to work through all this if we didn't go to her?" Jake asked.
"I think we would have, but it would have been a lot harder," Tyler replied.
Before Jake could say anything else his cell rang.
"Hello?" Jake asked answering.
"Hey Jake," a familiar voice replied. "It's Miles."
"How did you get my number?" Jake asked surprised.
"Trevor had it saved on his phone," Miles replied.
"This is ridiculous, leave me alone," Jake said getting ready to hang up the phone.
"Wait," Miles said. "I just wanted to say sorry for interfering with you and Tyler."
"Is that all?" Jake asked.
"And I just wanted to let you know that I'm sorry, but I'm not giving up on you," Miles finished.
Jake sighed and hung up his phone.
"Who was that?" Tyler asked.
Jake shook his head, "You don't want to know."
"Was it Miles?" Tyler asked.
Jake nodded, "I'm sorry Tyler. I told him to just leave me alone though."
"I know," Tyler said taking Jake's hand. "It will be okay."
Tyler and Jake both went quiet, not sure of what the future will hold for them.
Across town Stanley went into Marcus's office after he saw Mr. Barker leave.
"Everything all right?" Stanley asked.
Marcus looked disheveled, but tried to play it off.
"Yea, everything is fine," Marcus said putting on a smile.
"Are you sure?" Stanley asked.
"I'm positive," Marcus replied.
Stanley was going to leave, but he wanted to make sure Marcus knew he was there for him.
"Mar, I overheard some of the partners talking," Stanley said.
"You know?" Marcus asked.
Stanley nodded.
"Well, don't worry," Marcus said. "Everything will be fine. I mean, yea I've lost focus lately and haven't really been concentrating on my job like I should have, but it will be okay."
"Of course it will," Stanley said.
"I just can't believe this," Marcus said. "I've worked my ass off to get to where I am now. I've done so much for this damn company and now they're saying that they might let me go? What the hell is up with that?!
Sure I may not be doing as good of a job as I have in the past, but I'm still a good lawyer."
"I know, and you'll figure this out," Stanley said. "You just need to focus. You'll be fine."
"If I lose this job then what's going to happen to me?" Marcus asked. "I'll have nothing. I'll have to start all over again."
"You can get a job at another law firm," Stanley suggested.
"I doubt a respectable law firm will hire me if I get fired here," Marcus said.
"Well don't freak out yet," Stanley said. "You can turn this all around. Just focus on work right now and I'm sure you'll be okay."
"Sorry I really have to get back to work now," Marcus said.
"All right," Stanley said heading out. "Just let me know if you need anything."
"Thanks," Marcus said as he dove into the stack of files on his desk.
Back at home Randal was brainstorming ideas for the club. He was trying to think of names and locations and every other aspect that he could think of. He looked over on his desk and saw a picture of him and the guys together and all he could think of is David. He knows that David has a impulsive side, but him being gone for as long as he's been was beginning to worry him. He picked up the phone and called his cell.
"Hey it's David, leave a message and I'll call you back," David's voicemail picked up with out even a ring.
"Hey David, it's Randal. We're really worried about you. Kyle is freaking out and doesn't know what to do. He misses you and he takes full responsibility for what happened. Just please come home. We miss you and want to make sure you're all right."
After Randal hung up he then called someone else.
"Hello?" a female voice asked answering.
"Hi," Randal replied.
"Randal?" she asked.
"I'm sorry, this was stupid. I have to go," Randal said and then hung up the phone.
At Kyle's apartment Kyle was unpacking some of his things. The box he was going through was full of pictures of him and David together. He looked through them and all the fun times they've had together. Pictures of the two of them riding horses on his birthday, pictures of David and him kissing, etc.
"Dammit," Kyle said out loud. "Where are you David?"
That night all of the guys went over to Kyle's for a house warming-type get together. They were in the living room eating and making small talk, Tyler and Jake didn't say anything about the incident with Miles, Randal didn't want to bring up who he called earlier, Marcus and Stanley didn't want to mention that Marcus's job was in trouble, Trevor didn't want to mention how much Miles likes Jake, and Kyle didn't want to show how scarred he really was that something might be wrong with David.
"So anything exciting happen today to anyone?" Randal asked.
"No," they all replied in unison.
"Great," Randal said taking a bite of pizza.
"How was work?" Trevor asked Marcus.
"Fine," Marcus lied.
"Counseling go well today?" Stanley asked Tyler and Jake.
"Yea," the two answered.
"Any word from David?" Jake asked.
"Nope," Kyle sighed.
"All right, obviously a lot of stuff went on that we all just don't want to talk about right now," Marcus said. "So let's just try and talk about other things besides what went on today."
Before the guys could reply Randal's phone rang.
"Hello?" Randal asked answering.
The guys looked at Randal as he suddenly had a look of shock on his face. He then looked over at Kyle.
"It's David," Randal mouthed quietly.
All of the guys turned to look at Kyle's reaction, he just starred at Randal blankly, not sure how to react.
"David, stay there I'll be there in a little bit," Randal said hanging up the phone.
"Where is he?" Marcus asked.
"It was hard to hear him, but he was at some party," Randal said.
"What?" Jake asked.
"Yea, he sounded drunk," Randal replied.
"Are you going to get him?" Tyler asked.
"Yea," Randal replied.
"No wait, I'll go," Kyle said. "Where is he?"
"I'll take you there," Randal said.
"I'd rather do this alone," Kyle said. "I just have to talk to David one on one. I have to apologize to him and let him know that this was all my fault."
"Are you sure?" Randal asked.
"Positive," Kyle replied.
Across town Kyle pulled up to a house that was booming with loud music and people cheering. Kyle got out of his car and opened the front door and observed the people everywhere, some were taking shots, others were dancing, others making out, and others heading upstairs to the bedrooms. By the large crowed of guys it was obviously a gay party. Kyle walked through feeling overwhelmed, he wasn't much of a party person so being in that atmosphere was overwhelming. Kyle then spotted David at a table taking shots with some other people. He went over and tapped David on the shoulder, David turned around and was shocked to see Kyle.
"Kyle!" David yelled. "What are you doing here?"
"I need to talk to you," Kyle replied.
"I'm kinda busy right now," David said as someone filled up his shot glass.
"Who's party is this?" Kyle asked.
"I don't know," David replied. "I was just at some gay bar and someone invited me. You know how I like parties."
"Yea, and I know how you like drinking," Kyle said.
"You know me," David said taking another shot.
"All right," Kyle said. "Can I please talk to you?"
"We are talking," David said in a drunken tone.
"Please," Kyle said.
"Kyle, what do you want from me?" David asked. "I tried to be everything to you, but it never seemed to be good enough."
"I know," Kyle said. "This was all my fault."
"Just go," David said hurt.
Kyle didn't know what else to do, he sadly turned to leave. As he was leaving some guy came up and put his arms around him.
"Want to dance baby?" the guy asked clearly drunk.
"No thanks," Kyle replied trying to get away.
"Come on," the guy insisted not letting Kyle go.
"Dude, get the hell off of me," Kyle said shoving the guy away from him. Kyle then headed for the door when the guy came up to him again and grabbed him from behind.
"So you like playing rough?" the guy asked. "I like that."
The guy then began kissing Kyle on the neck. Kyle tried getting out of his grip, but the guy had a firm grip and was holding Kyle's arms down.
"Get off of me," Kyle yelled out.
"You know you like it," the guy said kissing Kyle's neck some more.
"Hey!" someone shouted and then grabbed the guy and punched him, knocking him out. Kyle turned around to thank who helped him out and was surprised to see it was David.
"You all right?" David asked, the situation clearly sobered him up some.
"I'm fine," Kyle replied. "Thank you."
"No problem," David said.
The two stood there quietly, not sure what to do next.
"I'm going to take off," Kyle said. "Did you want to come with me?"
"No, I'm okay," David replied.
Kyle nodded, "Okay, well thanks."
"You're welcome," David answered.
Kyle then left and went back to his apartment feeling like a failure.
Over at Randal's place him and Stanley were getting ready for bed when there was a knock on their door.
"Maybe it's Kyle," Randal said going over to answer it. When he opened the door he was shocked to see... "Faith."
"Hey little brother," Faith replied.
Faith was beautiful, long blonde hair, blue eyes, she was wearing very expensive clothes, but the one thing Randal noticed right away was her growing stomach.
"Faith, are you?" Randal asked.
"Yea," Faith replied. "I'm pregnant."
"Oh my God," Randal said shocked.
"Well give me a hug," Faith said.
"Why are you hear?" Randal asked giving Faith a quick hug.
"Well, you called me earlier and I was curious as to what you wanted," Faith said. "I was going to call you back, but decided to just come by and visit instead."
Randal looked down by Faith's feet and saw luggage.
"You planning on staying?" Randal asked.
"If you don't mind," Faith said. "Just a little visit to catch up with my baby brother."
"Great," Randal said holding back his anger.
**************************************************************************** To Be Continued...
Hope you all enjoyed. Any comments, questions, or feedback please e-mail me at ilj4ever44@yahoo.com and get ready for the next Christmas installment! Take care!