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 here it is, the final installment of Dating and the Single Life. Again I just want to thank everyone for reading and hope you enjoy. I will be forever grateful for all the e-mails sent by people who praised the story and for keeping me going writing this story. I've enjoyed every second of it.
Here it is...
"CIRCLE OF FRIENDS COMPLETE"
The day was dark, clouds filled the sky, rain was drizzling down. This weather seemed perfectly appropriate considering what today was and will forever be remembered as by the guys. Kyle was in his apartment staring blankly into the mirror as he adjusted the tie on the suit he was wearing. He showed no real emotion, no happiness, no sadness, he just looked in the mirror with out expression, clearly in denial over what today was.
"Kyle," Marcus said walking into the room. "You ready?"
"I don't want to go," Kyle replied.
"Why not?" Marcus asked.
"If I go, then that means he's really gone," Kyle answered. "I won't accept that."
"I know this is hard for you," Marcus said. "It's hard for all of us. But we'll get through this."
"David's dead," Kyle said. "How am I supposed to go with out him?"
"By letting us be there for you," Marcus replied. "You'll make it."
"I can't do this," Kyle said breaking down in tears.
'Come on," Marcus said holding Kyle. "You'll be okay. I promise."
The two stayed there for a while, holding and crying to one another.
An hour later the guys arrived at the church for the service. As they walked towards the front of the church they all looked at the casket and began to cry.
None of them were able to handle what they were in store for.
Towards the end of the service Kyle was called up to say a few words. He slowly got up and walked up to the podium and took a deep breath before he began.
"It wasn't supposed to end this way," Kyle began, "But I think all of you know that..."
Kyle then grew silent, he just stood there, remembering...
15 years ago
Kyle and David rested, David put his arms around Kyle. Kyle responded by leaning his head back against David's chest.
"Do you ever think about dating again?" David asked cuddling Kyle a little bit
"You know my views on dating and relationship." Kyle replied
"I know, but don't you ever wonder if your missing out on something with that attitude?" David asked
"Not really." Kyle answered simply
"But you could end up losing out on something great." David retorted
"You can't loose what you never had." Kyle said
"Yea, I guess your right." David said quietly. He held Kyle, wanting desperately to confess his love to him, but he knows it wouldn't make a difference, Kyle will never change his views on relationships.
"Why do you ask?" Kyle asked curious
"No reason." David replied "Why don't you like relationships?"
"I just think that people waste their time trying to find that perfect relationship that they can only see in the movies or on TV. But in reality, those relationships don't exist, in reality a relationship is always full of mis-trust, jealousy, fighting, why put up with all that?"
"If your with the right person it wouldn't happen." David replied
"Yea, but what are the chances a person will find that one person they're supossed to be with?" Kyle shot back "I figure, the only two things that make relationships different from friendships is that, one; you screw them, only them, and two; all the trust issues. I figure, if I want sex with out the fighting then I'll just go screw a friend of mine. It's easier, and your friend isn't going to get mad at you if you find someone else hot."
"Relationships have love." David retorted
"I love my friends." Kyle replied
"It's a love that's better than the type of love you have for a friend, it's a feeling where you can't imagine life with out them." David said
"I can't imagine life with out my friends." Kyle replied "Like you for instance, your my best friend, I can't imagine life with you."
David smiled "I can't imagine life with out you either." he said straight from the heart.
"See, and we're just friends." Kyle said
"Yea," David said quietly "We're just friends."
END FLASHBACK
After the service the guys went to Marcus' house where the wake was being held.
"Your speech was beautiful," Jake said putting his arm around Kyle. "He would have loved it."
"I still can't believe this," Kyle said. "It just seems, unreal."
"I know," Jake said.
"I'm glad you and Tyler came back," Kyle said.
"Of course, when we heard what was going on we couldn't stay in New York anymore," Jake said. "We had to come back and be with you guys."
"How are you guys holding up?" Randal asked walking up to them.
"We're surviving," Jake replied.
Marcus and Tyler came and joined them as they were sitting around at a table together. While they sat their in silence Marcus couldn't help but crack a smile.
"What are you smiling about?" Tyler asked.
"Remember the Thanksgiving Kyle realized he liked David?" Marcus asked.
"Oh when he was making a big deal over the fact that David was with Brett?" Jake asked.
"Even when we first met Brett I thought he was a psycho remember?" Kyle asked. "Did I call that or what?"
"I just remember how sad you were to see him with someone else," Marcus said.
15 years ago
After dinner the guys were sitting around in the living room eating pie.
"We're going to go outside." David said as him and Brett went into the backyard.
"So they're dating?" Tyler asked
"Well, he says they are, but he just met him so I don't know how serious it is." Randal replied
"So he could be some psycho." Kyle floated
"I think I'm the only one who attracts the crazies." Marcus joked
"Still he doesn't know him that well." Kyle said
"You okay?" Jake asked
"Yea, I'm fine." Kyle replied, "I just need to talk to David."
Kyle went and headed to the backyard, when he got out there he saw David and Brett kissing.
"Oh God." Kyle said shocked to see them going at it.
"Kyle!" David said suprised
"I am so sorry." Kyle said feeling embarrassed
"Do you mind?" David asked
"Oh sorry." Kyle said turning around and looking in the sky
"Kyle." David began, "The door."
"The door?" Kyle asked confused, after a beat he understood, "Oh! The door! Yea, I'm going to use it now. Sorry."
Kyle turned around feeling like an idiot and walked back inside.
"Everything all right?" Marcus asked
"Yea, fine." Kyle replied sitting down, "David's a jerk."
"What?" Randal asked
"Okay, he sure knows how to get in someone's pants quickly." Kyle said, "He was just kissing me last week and now he's getting it on with that dude."
"Are you jealous?" Tyler asked
"No." Kyle said unconvincingly
"What is it?" Marcus asked
"It's nothing." Kyle replied
"Kyle, can I talk to you?" Marcus asked
"Fine." Kyle said as him and Marcus went to his room.
They sat down on Marcus' bed and talked.
"You're starting to like David. Is that what's bugging you?" Marcus asked
Kyle sighed, "Yes."
Kyle laid down on the bed.
"Why didn't I realize this earlier?" Kyle asked
"Maybe it's not too late." Marcus said laying down next to Kyle.
END FLASHBACK
After the wake the guys decided to go to their diner and get something to eat, and remember David some more.
"God, It's been forever since Jake and I have been here," Tyler said as they sat down at their usual spot.
"Well you two have been in New York for the past 12 years," Marcus noted.
"Why did you guys stay there so long?" Randal asked. "We all thought that once we found out it was Miles' friends who were harassing you that you would come back."
"We just kind of fell in love with the city," Tyler said. "We had thought about coming back, but we just loved it there."
"Besides, we didn't need to seek any justice since Trevor kind of saved the day when we found out," Jake said. "Where is he by the way?"
"He's back at the house cleaning up," Marcus said.
"I'll never forget when we found out," Tyler remembered.
10 Years Ago
Marcus was at home on the phone with Tyler, doing their routine weekly phone call to each other.
"So the Big Apple is treating you guys well?" Marcus asked.
"Yeah, we love it," Tyler said. "So much better being here now then the last time we were here."
"I don't know," Marcus said. "The last time you were there the two of you got back together."
"True," Tyler said. "Jake is doing a lot better."
"Good, and you two haven't gotten any more phone calls or letters right?" Marcus asked.
"None," Tyler replied. "It only took us moving across the country, but at least it's over."
"That's good," Marcus said.
"How's Trevor?" Tyler asked.
"He's good, he's in the living room now hanging out with Luis and Zack," Marcus said.
"So they all have been doing all right since Miles' died?" Tyler asked.
"Well, Trevor was saying they were really depressed for a while, but around the time you guys left they started feeling better," Marcus noted.
"Good," Tyler said.
Out in the living room Trevor was talking with Luis and Zack.
"Can you believe Miles has been gone for two years now?" Trevor asked.
"I know, it seems like such a waste," Zack sighed.
"It still makes me angry," Luis said.
"We just have to let it go," Trevor said. "He chose to do what he did. There's nothing we could have done."
"Jake could have done something," Zack slipped out. Luis quickly shot him a look.
"What?" Trevor asked.
"Nothing," Luis said trying to cover.
"You knew that he called Jake?" Trevor asked.
"Us?" Luis asked.
"You guys did it, didn't you?" Trevor accused. "You're the ones who have been harassing Jake and Tyler."
"What are you talking about?" Zack asked playing dumb.
"I can't believe this," Trevor said. "My best friends are the two people who drove two good, decent people to move all the way across the country!"
Luis finally gave up the denial and confessed.
"He deserved it," Luis said. "We couldn't stand the thought of him living his life all happily here, he took our best friend away from us. It's only fair that he had to leave his friends."
"Get out," Trevor said standing up. "Get out of here!"
"You traitor," Zack said. "You're going to chose them over us?"
"Listen up you son of a bitch," Trevor said. "Miles had an obsessive personality. We all knew it, and when he met Jake, he took it too far. You can't blame Jake for doing what he did. Miles went and tried to sabotage things on Jake and Tyler's wedding. Jake didn't force those pills down his throat. Miles did that on his own, Miles killed himself on his own."
"Jake could have at least called the police," Zack said. "He did nothing."
"Yeah and Jake regrets that decision every day," Trevor said. "But the fact remains, Miles killed himself. It wasn't Jake's fault. Now get out of here."
"Let's go," Luis said as him and Zack glared at Trevor as they left the house.
"What was all the yelling about?" Marcus said coming into the room, still on the phone.
"You still talking to Tyler and Jake?" Trevor asked.
"Yeah," Marcus replied.
"Tell them I found out who was harassing them," Trevor sighed.
END FLASHBACK
"I still can't believe that you didn't press charges," Randal said.
"Well, the two were just acting out on their pain," Jake said. "I don't blame them for hating me."
Tyler put a comforting arm around Jake.
The waitress came and brought the guys out their food.
"Where's Stan?" Marcus asked. "He said he was coming."
"He's bringing the baby," Randal said.
"That's so great you two have a kid," Kyle said. "Stan finally gets to be the father he couldn't be to his first son."
"Yeah, he's so great with little David," Randal said.
"Did I ever thank you guys for naming him David?" Kyle asked.
"It's an honor for us," Randal said.
"It's so great you, Stan, and the baby are a family," Jake said. "I couldn't tell you how happy I was when you two got back together."
"It just made that night perfect," Randal remembered.
12 Years Ago
The night had finally come, the opening of the club Randal, Marcus and Kyle had worked so hard on. And it seemed like all their hard work had paid off, the line out the door was over an hour wait as the club was at full capacity in less than two hours after it opened. The dance floor was full, the drinks were pouring, the DJ was jamming. It was a complete success. The guys all stood at the bar taking in the surroundings.
"It's great," David said wrapping his arms around Kyle. "You all did an amazing job."
"Thanks babe," Kyle said giving David a kiss. "Sorry I didn't get to go to the doctor with you today. Everything go all right?"
"Yeah, things are fine," David replied. "But I don't want to worry about that tonight. I just want to focus on you and your guys' success."
"Well we have to keep in mind that this is only the first night," Randal said. "We might not see this kind of turn out again."
"I don't know," Marcus said. "It looks like a winner to me. The local paper interviewed me about an hour ago and they said they never saw a turn out like this for a club before on it's grand opening."
"Sounds promising to me," Tyler said.
"Come on guys," Jake said. "Let's dance."
Randal looked at the guys and noticed they were all coupled off, except for him.
"I think I'll sit this one out," Randal said. "You guys go. Enjoy."
"Hey, maybe you'll meet someone," Trevor floated.
"Or maybe someone will surprise you," David said pointing to the entrance area.
Randal looked over and saw Stanley walk in.
"Go get him," Kyle encouraged.
"I'll catch up with you guys later," Randal said as he headed towards Stanley.
Randal took a deep breath as he finally approached Stanley. He had so much to apologize to Stanley about, but he didn't know where to begin.
"Hi," Stanley said giving Randal a small hug. "The place is great."
"Thanks," Randal replied. "I'm glad you came."
"Well, when I heard it was the grand opening, I had to come check it out," Stanley said.
"I'm glad you did," Randal said.
"So how have you been?" Stanley asked.
Randal was going to just do polite small talk and say he's been doing fine, but this was Stanley he was talking to, he had to come clean.
"Honestly, not so good," Randal said. "I miss you."
"Randal," Stanley began, but Randal cut him off.
"No, let me finish," Randal said. "These past few months since you've been gone have been miserable. I think about you every day and I regret the way I acted towards you. I can't tell you how sorry I am. I don't know if you can ever forgive me, but I can't imagine my life with out you."
"That's all I ever needed to hear you say," Stanley said.
Randal reached and took hold of Stanley's hand and brought him closer as they kissed.
"I love you so much," Randal said.
"I love you too," Stanley said.
End Flashback
"Speak of the devil," Randal said with a smile as he saw Stanley come in rolling a stroller with little David inside.
"Hey, sorry I'm late," Stanley said as he approached the table.
"There's my two guys," Randal said giving Stanley a hug and then picking up little David out of the stroller. "Hey buddy. Daddy missed you."
"Kyle, I didn't get a chance to tell you earlier at the wake, but what you said at the service was beautiful," Stanley said.
"Thanks Stan," Kyle said. "Thank you all for helping me through today."
"We're always here for you," Marcus said giving Kyle a hug. "You'll be okay."
"I know," Kyle sighed. Not wanting to cry again he looked over at little David. "Here Davy, come to your Uncle Kyle."
Randal handed little Davy to Kyle who held on to him tightly, giving him a kiss on the forehead.
"Hey, do you want to stay the night at our place?" Randal asked.
"No, I think I'll stay at home," Kyle said. "I haven't slept the night there at all since he went away. I think it's finally time I try."
"If you're not ready to," Randal said.
"I have to," Kyle said. "Thank you for the offer though."
"I still can't believe he's gone," Jake sighed.
"Me either," Kyle said. "I remember when he told me he was diagnosed with aids."
Six Months Ago
Kyle was in the kitchen cooking spaghetti when he heard the front door close.
"Hey babe, I made spaghetti," Kyle said in a fake Italian accent.
David walked in quietly and sat down at the table.
"How was the doctors?" Kyle asked giving David a kiss.
"He got the latest test results in," David said.
"And?" Kyle asked hopeful.
"It's aids now," David replied.
"What?" Kyle asked all the color draining from his face.
"Yeah," David replied. "It's aids."
"Don't say that," Kyle said.
"It won't make it any less true," David said.
"Well, then there has to be something they can do right?" Kyle asked. "I mean, there's advancements in medicine every day. I'm sure there's something they can do."
"Kyle, I'm so tired," David sighed.
"Of course," Kyle said. "Why don't you lie down and I'll bring you some food."
"No, Kyle," David began, "I'm so tired of taking all this medication and going through all these tests."
"What are you saying?" Kyle asked.
"I'm saying that I don't want to go through all that anymore," David said. "It's aids now, let me just live out the rest of my time just enjoying life and not spending it all in a doctor's office."
Kyle's eyes filled with tears as he nodded understandingly.
"Hey," David said wrapping his arms around Kyle. "I'm not dead yet. We still have time."
"How are you so upbeat at a time like this?" Kyle asked through the tears.
"Because I've known for a while that this was going to come," David said. "It was only a matter of time. I don't want to waste a minute wallowing in self pity. I want to enjoy the rest of my time. I want to enjoy it with you."
"Okay," Kyle nodded still crying.
END FLASHBACK
"David was so strong," Jake said. "Even up until the end, he was so optimistic."
Tyler smiled, "Remember during that last month when he was so thin and frail, he still acted like he was the best thing since sliced bread?"
"No matter what, nothing could ever take away that cocky attitude of his," Marcus laughed.
"Yeah," Kyle said smiling. "He was one of a kind."
"Have you thought at all about what you're going to do with all his stuff?" Randal asked.
"I don't know," Kyle said. "Right now I can't even bear the thought of parting with any of it. It's all I have left of him."
"I wouldn't say that," Marcus said. "You have us, I think there's a little bit of him in each of us."
"I just miss him so much," Kyle said tearing up. "I can't stop thinking about our last moments."
One Week Ago
David was lying in bed, very thin and pale. It was almost his time. Kyle had the guys come over to see David one last time. They came into the room and sat down around his bed.
"Hey bud," Marcus said.
David was so weak he could barely speak, he just cracked a very small smile.
"You look like shit," Randal joked.
David laughed a little then started coughing.
"Oh sorry," Randal said.
"Felt good to laugh," David said quietly.
"I can never thank you enough for all the times you've been there for me," Marcus said.
"We admire you so much," Tyler said.
"The bravery you showed these past months has been amazing," Jake said. "It just further explains why we love you so much."
"Thank you," David said.
"We don't want to take up too much of your time," Randal said.
"Yeah, I'm sure you want to spend some alone time with Kyle," Stanley said.
"I love you all," David said weakly. "So much."
One by one the guys leaned in and gave David a kiss on the forehead.
"I'll miss you," Jake said beginning to cry.
"Come on guys," Marcus said. "Let's leave Kyle and David alone. Bye David."
"Bye," David said.
All the guys looked at David all taking in one last memory of him, each one of them doing their best to hold in their tears. Marcus went over and gave Kyle a hug.
"I'm going to stay here for a while okay?" Marcus said.
"Okay," Kyle replied.
"I'll just be outside." Marcus said.
The guys then all headed out. As soon as they closed the door they all broke down crying and hugging one another for comfort.
Back inside the bedroom Kyle went and sat down next to David.
"I love you," Kyle said.
"All my heart," David said.
"Forever," Kyle replied.
"Thank you," David said.
"For what?" Kyle asked.
"For opening up to a relationship and being with me," David replied.
"Thank you for showing me what a good relationship can be like," Kyle said. "Oh, before I forget. I have something here for you."
Kyle then went to the closet and brought out the teddy bear he got fixed for David on Christmas 15 years ago.
"Buddy," David said with a smile as Kyle brought it over to him.
"Wanted to make sure you had Buddy with you," Kyle said tearing up.
"I love you," David said.
Kyle looked down at David and thought about all they went through together, and through all the ups and downs he wouldn't take back one second of it.
"I'm so tired," David sighed.
This was the moment that Kyle had been bracing himself for.
"Just shut your eyes," Kyle said. "And go to sleep."
"Stay with me," David said.
"Always," Kyle whispered. "Just go to sleep babe. It'll be better for you."
"Good night babe," David said.
"Good night," Kyle said crying.
David then fell asleep and slowly through the night he passed on. At his last breath Kyle leaned over and kissed David one last time.
"You were the best thing to ever happen to me," Kyle whispered and then buried his face in David's chest sobbing.
Two hours had passed before Kyle found the strength to get up and go out to the living room where Marcus was waiting. He opened the door and was surprised to see not just Marcus, but Randal, Stanley, Trevor, Tyler and Jake there as well. Kyle didn't have to say anything, they all could tell by the look on Kyle's face that it was over. Overwhelmed Kyle fell to his knees and began to cry again. Marcus quickly ran over to him and helped him up.
"Come on, come sit down on the couch," Marcus said as he held on to Kyle to support him.
Kyle sat down and Marcus just held on to him as he cried. Everyone in the room remained silent all mourning the loss of their friend.
END FLASHBACK
That night Kyle went to the apartment that he had once shared with David and looked around at what now seemed like such a big place for just him. From looking at it, one would think that David still lived there, all his stuff was still lying around, his clothes were all hung up still, and Kyle liked it that way. It comforted him. He went into bedroom and took out a box from the closet. He opened the box and took out a bunch of stuff that brought about memories of him and David. He remembered when David first showed him this box.
FLASHBACK
Kyle and David were laying in bed together. Having just had sex for the first time they still had that glow on their faces, the type of glow one could only get from being intimate with the one you love. Kyle sat up and picked up the box of stuff that David had brought over with a bunch of memories in it. He looked at the stuff inside and pulled out a sea shell.
"What was this from?" Kyle asked looking at it.
"The day I was trying to teach you to surf," David replied.
"Oh yea," Kyle said remembering, "I sucked at that."
"Yea, you're not much of a surfer," David said jokingly.
"What's this?" Kyle asked picking up a couple folded peices of paper. He unfolded them and was shocked by what he read. "Oh my God, this was the chat from when we first met online."
"Yea, I printed it out and kept it," David confessed. "I knew you'd end up being someone important in my life that night."
Kyle smiled, deeply touched.
End Flashback
Kyle put the stuff away and set it down as he lied down and slowly fell asleep holding Buddy in his arms.
One Year Later
It was the one year anniversary of David's death. All the guys had agreed to meet up at the grave site and pay their respects before going to the diner together.
In that years time Tyler and Jake decided to move back to California and be with their friends. Randal, Marcus and Kyle still were doing well with the club and Kyle finally got the financial security he needed thanks to David leaving him the money he had made from his store. Randal and Stanley were teaching little David to walk and helping out Marcus and Trevor look into options for getting a kid of their own. Kyle meanwhile, finally began to date again and meet new people, but would never replace or ever get over David.
At the diner they were eating at their usual table.
"You think we'll be in our 80's and still be coming here?" Kyle asked.
"Probably," Randal said.
"So how you doing Kyle?" Marcus asked. "I know it's a tough day."
"You know, I thought I would be a wreck," Kyle began, "But really, I'm okay."
"Yeah?" Tyler asked.
"Yeah," Kyle replied. "Everything happens for a reason right? I may not have gotten that 'happily ever after' with David, but I experienced true love. That's more than what a lot of people get in their lives, especially seeing as how I was so against relationships before I got with David."
"Good attitude to have," Stanley said.
"Yeah," Kyle said. "No regrets here."
"Same here," Randal said. The other guys agreed as well, though life doesn't always give what they want and though they had and will have many ups and downs they wouldn't change any of it because those obstacles is what made all of them who they are.
After they ate they all got up and headed outside.
"Oh I forgot my jacket," Kyle said. "I'll be right back."
Kyle went back inside, grabbed his jacket and headed back out. Before he walked out the door, he looked back at their usual table and thought about the last time all of them were there with David, the whole gang.
13 Years Ago
The night before Tyler and Jake were going to leave for New York the guys all met up at the diner for one last meal together.
"I still can't believe you two are going all the way to New York," Stanley said.
"It's for the best," Tyler said.
"For now anyway," Jake added.
"Well, let's make a toast," David said lifting up his glass. The other guys lifted their glasses up as well. "Even though you two will be across the country now and even though the group may be separating because of it. It will never change the fact that we all love each other and will always be there for each other."
"To friendship," Kyle said lifting his glass high.
"To friendship," the others repeated and clinked glasses with one another.
End Flashback
Kyle smiled to himself.
"To friendship," Kyle said quietly and then went out and joined his friends as they headed out on their day together and to the rest of their lives...
***************************************************************************** THE END
Thank you all so much for all the feedback and comments that had been sent to me. I appreciate all of you for taking the time to read this story. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it. While writing this last chapter I really wanted to make sure the message was clear that this story was first and foremost about friendship and even though some relationships last and others end, as long as you have a few good friends by your side, then you know that you'll be okay in life. So again, thank you all so much for reading and maybe one day I'll hopefully hear from you all again if I ever write another story.
All my best!
With any comments, questions, or feedback please feel free to e-mail me at ilj4ever44@yahoo.com. Thank you so much!